Hands-Free Flushing Device

Abstract

A hands-free flushing device and method of using same to allow a user to flush a toilet with their foot instead of their hands, thereby avoiding the spread of germs and bacteria. The hands-free flushing device is removably attached to the toilet flush handle of an existing toilet with little to no modification, allowing for easy installation. An embodiment of the hands-free flushing device comprises a foot pedal configured to suspend above the floor which allows for easy cleaning and avoids of the transmission of germs and bacteria.

Claims

1. A hands-free flushing device for a toilet comprising: a foot pedal having: a bottom end and a top end; an extender having: a bottom end and a top end; a first connecting member removably attached to the top end of the foot pedal and the bottom end of the extender; a second connecting member removably attached to the top end of the extender and configured to be attached to a toilet flush handle of the toilet; wherein said extender has a length that allows the foot pedal to be positioned above a floor upon which the toilet is fixed such that the hands-free flushing device does not contact the floor during use; and wherein the hands-free flushing device has a weight that allows it to be suspended from the toilet flush handle at a distance from the floor without causing the toilet flush handle to flush the toilet.

2. The hands-free flushing device of claim 1, wherein the extender comprises a cord made of flexible material.

3. The hands-free flushing device of claim 2, wherein the flexible material comprises rubber, latex, synthetic fabrics, or a combination thereof.

4. The hands-free flushing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second connecting members comprise an S-hook.

5. The hands-free flushing device of claim 4, wherein the foot pedal has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end has an opening configured to receive an end of the second connecting member.

6. The hands-free flushing device of claim 1, wherein the first and second connecting members comprise elastic bands, threaded connectors, male-female connectors, snap-fit connectors, hook and loop fasteners, or adhesive, or a combination thereof.

7. A hands-free flushing system for a toilet comprising: a toilet having: a hand-operated toilet flush handle; and a hands-free flushing device, the hands-free flushing device comprising: a foot pedal having a bottom end and a top end; an extender having a bottom end and a top end; a first connecting member removably attached to the top end of the foot pedal and the bottom end of the extender; a second connecting member removably attached to the top end of the extender and configured to be attached to a toilet flush handle of the toilet; wherein said extender has a length that allows the foot pedal to be positioned above the floor upon which the toilet is fixed such that the hands-free flushing device does not contact the floor during use; and wherein the hands-free flushing device has a weight that allows it to be suspended from the toilet flush handle at a distance from the floor without causing the toilet flush handle to flush the toilet.

8. The hands-free flushing system of claim 7, wherein the extender comprises a cord made of flexible material.

9. The hands-free flushing system of claim 8, wherein the flexible material comprises rubber, latex, synthetic fabrics, or a combination thereof.

10. The hands-free flushing system of claim 7, wherein the first and second connecting members comprise an S-hook.

11. The hands-free flushing system of claim 10, wherein the foot pedal has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end has an opening configured to receive an end of the second connecting member.

12. The hands-free flushing system of claim 7, wherein the first and second connecting members comprise elastic bands, threaded connectors, male-female connectors, snap-fit connectors, hook and loop fasteners, or adhesive, or a combination thereof.

13. A method of using a hands-free flushing device, wherein the hands-free flushing device comprises a foot pedal having a bottom end and a top end, an extender having a bottom end and a top end, a first connecting member removably attached to the top end of the foot pedal and the bottom end of the extender, a second connecting member removably attached to the top end of the extender and configured to be attached to a toilet flush handle of the toilet, wherein said extender has a length that allows the foot pedal to be positioned above a floor upon which the toilet is fixed such that the hands-free flushing device does not contact the floor during use, and wherein the hands-free flushing device has a weight that allows it to be suspended from the toilet flush handle at a distance from the floor without causing the toilet flush handle to flush the toilet the method comprising the steps of: placing a foot onto the foot pedal; depressing the foot pedal downward to activate the toilet flush handle of the toilet; and wherein the foot pedal remains suspended from the floor when depressed.

14. The method of using the hands-free flushing device of claim 13, wherein the extender comprises a cord made of flexible material.

15. The method of using the hands-free flushing device of claim 14, wherein the flexible material comprises rubber, latex, synthetic fabrics, or a combination thereof.

16. The method of using the hands-free flushing device of claim 13, wherein the first and second connecting members comprise an S-hook.

17. The method of using the hands-free flushing device of claim 16, wherein the foot pedal has an upper end and a lower end, wherein the upper end has an opening configured to receive an end of the second connecting member.

18. The method of using the hands-free flushing device of claim 13, wherein the first and second connecting members comprise elastic bands, threaded connectors, male-female connectors, snap-fit connectors, hook and loop fasteners, or adhesive, or a combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein as part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, and together with the general and detailed descriptions herein provided, serve to explain and illustrate features of the disclosure.

[0018] References to the following drawings are in no way limiting and are for illustrative purposes only.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hands-free flushing system.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the foot pedal portion of the hands-free flushing system.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foot pedal portion of the hands-free flushing system.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a another perspective view of the foot pedal portion of the hands-free flushing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The below disclosure describes a hands-free flushing device. In the following disclosure, for the purposes of explanation and illustration, numerous details are set forth. It will be evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only and are in no way limiting or restrictive.

[0024] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a hands-free flushing device and method, and more particularly to a hands-free flushing system suspended from the floor to avoid the spread of bacteria and germs. The hands-free flushing device is easily installed and removably attached to provide a simple, efficient, and convenient system.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, a hands-free flushing system is a device disclosed herein which can be installed on an existing toilet flush handle to transform the existing toilet flush handle from a hand operated flush handle to an optional foot-operated flush handle, allowing hands-free flushing for limiting the spread of bacteria, germs, and pathogens.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a hands-free flushing device 100 attached to a typical toilet 200 commonly found in public and private restrooms. The toilet 200 is mounted to a floor 400 and has a toilet flush handle 201 attached to it. The hands-free flushing device 100 is removably attached to the toilet flush handle 201 of the toilet 200. The hands-free flushing device 100 comprises linkage assembly that includes a first connecting member 101, an extender 102, a second connecting member 103, and a foot pedal 104. The first connecting member 101 is removably attached to a lower end of the extender 102 and a top end of foot pedal 104. The second connecting member 103 is attached to an upper end of the extender 102 and configured to be removably attached to the toilet flush handle 201 of the toilet 200.

[0027] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the first connecting member 101 and the second connecting member 103 have an S-shape. Opposing ends of the S are received within openings in the respective members: e.g., the extender 102, the foot pedal 104, or the toilet flush handle 201. Thus, in some embodiments, installation of the hands-free flushing device 100 requires modifying an otherwise solid toilet flush handle 201 by drilling a hole in it to create an opening for receiving an end of the second connecting member 103. Alternatively, the toilet flush handle can be manufactured with an opening to receive an end of the second connecting member 103. In another embodiment, not shown, the first and second connecting members 101 and 103 may include different attachment means, such as, for example, elastic bands, threaded connectors, male-female connectors, snap-fit connectors, hook and loop fasteners, adhesive, or the like. A skilled artisan would understand that the attachment means for securing the first and second connecting members 101 and 103 to the extender 102, the foot pedal 104, and the toilet flush handle 201 can assume varying forms for a given application in keeping with the present disclosure.

[0028] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the extender 102 is comprised of a flexible material, such as a cord. The extender 102 may also be comprised of flexible, lightweight materials such as rubber, latex, synthetic fabrics, or the like. In other embodiments, the extender 102 may be comprised of rigid or non-flexible material, such as, for example, metal or thermoplastics comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP), or the like. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the extender 102 may be relatively thin in width, but its shape and form can vary depending on a given application. The material, shape, and size of the extender 102 is configured to allow the hands-free flushing device 100 to be suspended from the toilet flush handle 201. This suspended configuration provides a more sanitary solution than known hands-free devices that are anchored to the floor because all of its surfaces can be readily accessed and cleaned. The suspended configuration also allows for easy installation and replacement as attachment to the floor is not required. And given that the hands-free flushing device 100 is formed from lightweight material, its weight does not tend to bias the toilet flush handle 201 downward, so as to cause inadvertent flushing or unsealing of the flush valve. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower end of the extender may optionally be reinforced with, for example, an increased thickness to provide added strength and resist tearing near the opening. A skilled artisan would understand that the extender 102 for connecting the foot pedal 104 with the toilet flush handle 201 can utilize varying materials in varying forms for a given application in keeping with the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a foot pedal 104. The foot pedal 104 consists of a top end 110 and a bottom end 111. The top end 110 of the foot pedal 104 has an opening 105 that is configured to allow a connection to the bottom end of the extender 102 via the first connecting member 101. The bottom end 111 is configured to receive a user's foot, withstand the stress imposed on it when a downward force is applied thereto, and accommodate varying shoe shapes and sizes. As explained, the foot pedal 104 is comprised of lightweight materials such that the foot pedal 104 is suspended from the ground without putting undue pressure on the existing toilet flush handle 201. The foot pedal 104 in FIG. 1 is shown having an arcuate or semi-circled shape, but, in some embodiments, the foot pedal is rectangular, square, elliptical, trapezoidal, or circular. A person of skill in the art would understand that the shape of the foot pedal can vary in keeping with the present disclosure.

[0030] In one embodiment, the foot pedal 104 is comprised of rigid, non-flexible material, such as, for example metal or thermoplastics comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), and polypropylene (PP), or the like. In others the foot pedal 104 may be comprised of flexible, light weight material, such as, for example, rubber, latex, synthetic fabric, or the like. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the foot pedal 104 is in the shape of a semi-circle.

[0031] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 illustrate differing views of an embodiment of the foot pedal 104. FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a foot pedal 104. FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a foot pedal 104. In operation, when a user presses downward on the bottom end 111 of the suspended foot pedal 104 with their foot, the toilet flush handle 201 is engaged, actuating the toiler flushing mechanism and causing the toilet to flush.

[0032] This disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Although the inventive material in this disclosure has been described in detail along with some of its technical advantages, it will be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made to the detailed embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims. It is further understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and neither restrictive or limiting. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is noted that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described or depicted herein. Rather, embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modification and alteration not herein mentioned, but otherwise within the spirit and scope of the claims herein provided.