| 摘要 |
<p>A hydraulically lifted toilet seat. A hydraulic linear actuator mounted within a lift unit rigidly attached to the toilet bowl unit utilizes utility water pressure to provide a force to lift the toilet seat. In a preferred embodiment a drive arm of the hydraulic linear actuator applies a tension force to a flexible tension element which is in turn attached to a sheave that is rigidly attached to an axle rigidly attached to the toilet seat. Actuation of the drive arm of the linear actuator causes the sheave, axel and the toilet seat to pivot about 100 to 110 degrees from a horizontal position to a raised position leaning against the toilet tank. In the preferred embodiment the flexible tension element is a nylon cord attached to the sheave through a pulley. In this preferred embodiment the hydraulic linear actuator is controlled by a spring loaded three-way valve or two two-way spring loaded valves permitting users to raise or lower the seat by temporally positioning valve handles up or down. In this embodiment the pressure line to the actuator is connected to a vent line to a float cutoff valve in the toilet tank so that when the toilet is flushed, pressure in the hydraulic linear actuator is relieved causing the toilet seat to lower to its horizontal position each time the toilet is flushed. Embodiments are provided that come in kit form to permit easy installation without plumbing expertise on almost any toilet in the United States.</p> |
