U.S. patent application number 11/426743 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for toilet seat assembly with lighted window top lid.
Invention is credited to Onnie Griner.
Application Number | 20070294821 11/426743 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38872224 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070294821 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Griner; Onnie |
December 27, 2007 |
Toilet Seat Assembly with Lighted Window Top Lid
Abstract
A toilet seat assembly (100) includes a top lid (109) having one
or more illumination devices (207) such as light bulbs or light
emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like. A pivotable seat (107) is
positioned below the top lid and the illumination devices (207)
project light through an opening in the seat. The top lid (109)
includes a removable window which may include decorative elements
enabling the toilet seat assembly (100) to have a pleasant
appearance yet still permit users to see through the top lid (109)
into the interior of the toilet bowl.
Inventors: |
Griner; Onnie; (Lowell,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILLER JOHNSON SNELL CUMMISKEY, PLC
800 CALDER PLAZA BUILDING, 250 MONROE AVE N W
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2250
US
|
Family ID: |
38872224 |
Appl. No.: |
11/426743 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/661 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/24 20130101;
F21V 33/004 20130101; F21Y 2101/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/661 |
International
Class: |
A47K 17/00 20060101
A47K017/00 |
Claims
1. A toilet seat assembly comprising: a top lid having at least one
illuminating device; a pivotable seat positioned below the top lid;
and wherein the at least one illuminating device projects light
through an opening in the seat.
2. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 1, wherein the top lid
includes a channel for fastening the at least one illuminating
device.
3. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 2, wherein the channel
includes a removable cover.
4. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 1, wherein a removable window
is fastened within the top lid for viewing into a toilet bowl.
5. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 1, wherein an electrical
switch is used to control the function of the at least one
illuminating device.
6. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 5, wherein the electrical
switch is opened when ambient light conditions are at a
predetermined level.
7. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 5, wherein the electrical
switch is opened when the top lid is moved to an open position
above the pivotable seat.
8. A toilet seat assembly comprising: a top lid having at least one
light positioned within a channel for projecting light away from
the top lid, a toilet seat positioned below the top lid such that
light from the at least one light projects into a hole within the
seat; and wherein the at least one light is controlled by an
electrical switch positioned within the channel for controlling
operation of the at least one light.
9. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 8, wherein a removable cover
is used to access the channel.
10. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 8, wherein a power source is
included within the channel for providing power to the at least one
light.
11. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 8, wherein a removable
window is positioned within the top lid for viewing into a toilet
bowl.
12. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 8, wherein the electrical
switch is opened based on ambient light.
13. A toilet seat assembly as in claim 8, wherein the electrical
switch is opened based upon movement of the top lid.
14. A method for providing illumination using a toilet seat
assembly comprising the steps of: positioning at least one light
source into the top lid of a toilet seat assembly; projecting the
light away from the top lid such that it passes though the hole in
a toilet seat; and controlling the at least one light source using
an electrical switch located within the top lid.
15. A method for providing illumination using a toilet seat
assembly as in claim 14, further comprising the step of:
configuring a channel within the top lid covered by a removable
cover for orienting the at least one light source within an
aperture.
16. A method for providing illumination using a toilet seat
assembly as in claim 14, further comprising the step of:
positioning a removable window within the top lid for viewing into
a toilet bowl.
17. A method for providing illumination using a toilet seat
assembly as in claim 15, further comprising the step of:
positioning an electrical switch and power source with the
channel.
18. A method for providing illumination using a toilet seat
assembly as in claim 14, further comprising the step of; opening
the electrical switch based on ambient light.
19. A method for providing illumination using a toilet seat
assembly as in claim 14, further comprising the step of: opening
the electrical switch based on the position of the top lid in
relation to the toilet seat.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to toilet seats and,
more particularly, to toilet seats with integrated lighting.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Toilet seat covers are very well known in the art and have
been used in various forms for literally hundreds of years in order
to provide comfort and convenience to the user. One feature of a
toilet seat that can be useful is integrated lighting. Many
communities, particularly in warmer climates, have problems with
rodents, snakes and other animals coming through the sewer and
septic system to the toilet. In the case of snakes and other
poisonous creatures, this can have serious consequences for those
not looking into the toilet bowl before being seated on the
toilet.
[0003] One solution to this problem is to use lights integrated
into the toilet seat which work to illuminate the bowl area. Toilet
seats that include various forms of lighting are well known in the
art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,982,288 discloses a night light toilet seat
which has lighting built into the toilet seat to aid a person in
finding the toilet seat in a darkened bathroom. U.S. Pat. No.
5,263,209 discloses a night light for a toilet that uses an
impermeable transparent tube positioned under an upper rim of the
toilet howl. U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,089 discloses a toilet lighting
device that includes lighting within the toilet seat for
illuminating the toilet bowl.
[0004] One problem associated with these types of lighting
arrangements is that the lights are oriented on or near the toilet
seat. This can be problematic since the lighting can become
obstructed as the seating material ages and may be more difficult
to clean. Moreover, the position of the lights within the toilet
seat makes it difficult for light to be projected in a downward
direction. Although the seat may appear illuminated to the user,
due to its proximity to the bowl it does not function well to
project light into the bowl. This can prevent the user from viewing
objects in the interior of the bowl before use. Finally, in the
prior art devices, lighting within the toilet scat, which includes
both the bulbs and their power source, can be difficult to
service.
[0005] Consequently, the need exists for a toilet seat assembly
that is internally powered and which can project light down into
the bowl for viewing the interior contents of the bowl in low-light
conditions before use. Moreover, the toilet seat assembly should be
decorative and easy to use, providing the user with utility as well
as a pleasant appearance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the
separate views and which together with the detailed description
below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve
to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various
principles and advantages, all in accordance with the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet seat assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top exploded view of the toilet seat top lid as
in FIG. 1 with the cover removed.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top exploded view of an alternative embodiment
to that shown in FIG. 2.
[0010] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements, in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in
accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that
the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps
and apparatus components related to a toilet seat assembly with
lighted cover. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method
steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional
symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present
invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that
will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
having the benefit of the description herein.
[0012] In this document, relational terms such as first and second,
top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one
entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily
requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between
such entities or actions. The terms "comprises." "comprising," or
any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that
comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by
"comprises . . . a" does not, without more constraints, preclude
the existence of additional identical elements in the process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
[0013] With regard to FIG. 1, a toilet 100 typically includes a
base 101 having a fluted bowl 103 which holds a quantity of water
105 for flushing. A seat 107 is connected to a top lid 109 using
one or more hinges 111 at the top of the bowl. One or more light
apertures 113 are used to allow light to project into the bowl 103.
The top lid 109 folds over the top of the seat 107 in order to
provide a more attractive appearance and to prevent objects from
falling into the toilet bowl 103.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the top lid 109
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The top lid 109
includes a top oval surface 201 which generally is formed in the
shape of the toilet seat 107. The lid 109 includes a truncated rear
edge 203 where one or more hinges 111 are mounted which fasten to
the seat 107. The lid 109 includes a channel 205 formed around an
inner portion of the top oval surface 201 which is used to mount
one or more lighting devices 207. The lighting devices 207 are
individually seated into respective light apertures 113 positioned
at predetermined locations within the channel 205. The lighting
devices 207 are positioned such that light projects through the
light aperture 113 downwardly away from the channel 205. Those
skilled in the art will recognize that the lighting devices may be
traditional incandescent and/or fluorescent bulbs, or these
lighting devices may be low-current, light-emitting diode (LED)
types of illumination devices.
[0015] The channel 205 is provided with a cover 209 which
frictionally engages within the channel 205 and may be fastened
therein using screws or other mechanical devices (not shown). A
switching device 211 and power source 213 are also positioned
within the channel 205. The switching device may be a simple
electrical switch or a switch which can be opened based on ambient
light, switch movement and/or proximity to the switch. For example,
when the top lid 109 is moved into an open position, the switching
device 211 can detect this movement to turn off the lighting
devices 207. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the
lighting devices 207, switching device 211, and power source 213
form an electrical circuit. The power source may be alkaline,
lithium, nickel-metal hydride or any other form of a long-lasting,
substantially low-voltage current source. When the power source 213
is electrically connected with the lighting devices 207, the
lighting devices work to project one or more beams of light into
the toilet bowl 103 for illuminating the interior of the bowl 103
before use.
[0016] Finally, an inner window 215 of the top lid 109 is generally
clear or opaque, enabling the user to see into the interior of the
bowl 103 when illuminated. The inner window may include decorative
elements or the like for providing a pleasing appearance to the top
lid 109 when in its closed position. These decorative elements may
be etchings, embossing, labels or other means which enable the top
lid 109 to have an attractive appearance, while still permitting
users to look though the artwork for viewing the interior of the
toilet bowl 103.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment to that shown
in FIG. 2, where the cover 209 and inner window 215 are combined
into a single element. The inner window 301 can be easily removed
from with the channel 205: within the top lid for accessing the
lighting devices 207 or their power source. All of the numeral
designations from FIG. 2 are carried forward in FIG. 3.
[0018] This solution of using a lighted toilet seat lid provided by
the present invention is not eccentric or impractical. Providing
lighting into the toilet seat operates to the illuminate the bowl
area, aiding those with poor vision and allowing others to see
potentially dangerous animals that may be in the bowl. The
invention operates such that when the top lid of the toilet seat is
in a "down" position, a switch is used to turn off the internal
lighting within the lid. All lighting is positioned away from the
water and is surrounded by substantially clear plastic allowing the
user a view into the bowl. Moreover, the lid and seat are joined
such that animals or other vermin inside the toilet bowl cannot
escape when the lid and seat are in a closed position. Finally, the
invention includes a see-through replaceable window that may be
approximately 5 inches by 7 inches in shape that includes fanciful
designs or patterns to complement the decor of the bathroom. The
toilet seat may be manufactured from a plastic vinyl material or
the like which may include soft padding or cushioning with
appropriate attachment hardware.
[0019] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the
present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes
can be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the
specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative
rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are
intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The
benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s)
that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or
become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical,
required, or essential features or elements of any or all the
claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims
including any amendments made during the pendency of this
application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
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