US20050262623A1

US20050262623A1 - Santi-handle toilet seat handle and santi-handle toilet seat

Info

Publication number: US20050262623A1
Application number: US10/971,956
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Holloway; Debbie Holloway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-25
Filing date: 2004-10-25
Publication date: 2005-12-01

Abstract

Users of the SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat Handle OR SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat enjoy a solution to health concerns arising from exposure to common restroom Contaminants such as urine, fecal matter, germs, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Businesses can replace existing toilet seats with the device, affording the restroom user a convenient means of avoiding contaminated seat surfaces. Consumer's who use the handle are afforded a convenient, economical manner to manipulate any toilet which is equipped with the Seat. The handle is unobtrusive, lightweight, affordable, and personal to the user. The user can easily clean, disinfect, or sterilize the handle between uses to reduce disease borne from contaminants.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

None

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sanitary and convenience devices, and specifically to improvements to existing toilet seats used in residential and/or commercial bathrooms. The intention of the invention(s) is to provide the consumer with a convenient, sanitary method or means of raising and/or lowering a toilet seat without having to touch the actual seat. The invention consists of two different applications: an improved toilet seat featuring a built in SANTI-HANDLE which will be permanently attached, and an aftermarket attachable handle for existing toilet seats. Both the SANTI-HANDLE toilet seat handle and the toilet seat with integrated handle shall be made of glow in the dark plastic so the seat position of the seat can be determined in the dark. Both applications can be used in a residential or commercial setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Research has shown that most people do not like the idea or possibility of touching a toilet seat in an unknown or known bathroom facility; and, that most people are concerned about potential contamination from, or exposure to germs and disease which may reside on the surfaces of such seats. Furthermore, these surfaces may become contaminated through ordinary use with urine, fecal matter, and a variety of germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
As solutions to this problem, a wide variety of prior art devices, equipment, and accessories have been proposed. These generally fall into four principal categories: permanently attached handles (U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,602, Hermann); temporary handles (U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,894, Simonds); mechanical lifting/lowering devices (U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,896, Berring); and sanitary, disposable seat covers. Although each of these prior instruments have some useful application, none have achieved measurable commercial success in the market place primarily because the device or instrument is either overly complicated, too cumbersome, or evidences some other design or use defect.
Objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide an improved means of lifting and lowering toilet seats in either a commercial or residential application through means of a the SANTI-HANDLE toilet seat handle which can be used either as an add on to an existing toilet or, or as a complete toilet seat with the handle already attached.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawings numbered 1 through 3 (previously submitted with the provisional application) show the specifications and front, side and rear views of the personal, portable handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat Handle. This invention is a handle that can be applied to toilet seats used in residential and/or commercial bathrooms.
The invention will be manufactured from plastic, molded in the manufacturing process, with two types of adherence possibilities for permanent installation to any existing toilet seat. In addition, the handle will be made of glow in the dark plastic. The toilet seat will also be made of plastic with a glow in the dark handle preformed onto the seat.
The invention is over all 1″ wide×6″ long×¼″ deep. It will be made from plastic using a single piece molding method. The invention will have rounded edges on the handle portion for easy and safe gripping; will include a recessed edge for the attachment tab to be fitted to the bottom of the toilet seat. The same dimensions will apply to the preformed handle made onto a standard sized toilet seat. A pre-glued pad, slightly smaller than the tab attachment itself, will be supplied with the attachment tab to allow for adherence to the toilet seat; two (w) pre-drilled holes will allow the consumer to more permanently and securely affix the handle to the seat with the supplied self tapping screws.
Additionally, the handle and tab protrusion are designed in such a manner that the handle portion may be grasped in the consumer's hand.
The plastic used in construction of the handle is dishwasher safe, is not susceptible to breakdown or deterioration when exposed to anti-bacterial soaps for cleaning, and may (through the addition of dyes or tints into the manufacturing process) be constructed in a host of colors to match the consumer's existing decor.
B. SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat is susceptible of being manufactured in varying dimensions to fit existing, standard toilets. The seat is generally contemplated to be have an exterior width of approximately fourteen (14) inches and an exterior length of approximately eighteen (18) inches. In addition, the seat is to be constructed with a right handed handle protrusion which serves as a means of lifting the toilet seat.
The seat may be constructed from standard commercial manufacturing materials including molded plastics or resins, wood, or other materials.
Like the SANTI-HANDLE toilet seat handle, the SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat may be manufactured in a wide array of colors to match or compliment existing bathroom decor that glow in the dark.

Claims

1. A SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat Handle and Improved Sanitary Toilet Seat with handle comprising of: a. a molded plastic handle portion with protruding tab which may be permanently attached to any existing toilet seat using a pre-glued adhesive pad and counter sunk self taping screws. b. A molded plastic toilet seat with the handle portion intergraded on to the toilet with protruding tab which is permanently attached to the toilet seat. c. Said SANTI-HANDLE and toilet seat with integrated handle made of glow in the dark plastic. The assembly described in claims 1a through 1c wherein the molded plastic toilet seat handle as depicted or described in Drawings 1 through 3 attached hereto is attached to an existing toilet seat by means of self tapping screws, and/or adhesive glue strip. Any assembly or combinations of parts wherein a toilet seat may be lifted or lowered using any type of handle, tab. A Sanitary Toilet Seat consisting more or less of a conventionally designed toilet seat with a manufactured integrated handle made onto the seat.