Toilet seat assist system and method of making and using same

An apparatus, comprising:

• a seat having a forward end portion, an aft end portion, a lower portion, and an upper portion connected to the forward end portion,
• a frame connected to the lower portion of the seat, the frame comprising one or more tubular members including at least one first tubular member positioned under a first side portion of the seat and at least one second tubular member positioned under a second side portion of the seat transverse to the at least one first tubular member for assisting in the prevention of torsion of the seat,
• a base configured to be mounted to a toilet, the base comprising an upper portion connected to the lower portion of the seat, and wherein the base further comprises a lower portion and an extender extending downwardly from the base,
• at least one hinge connected to the forward end portion of the seat and to the upper portion of the base, the at least one hinge being configured to enable the seat to rotate relative to the base, wherein the at least one hinge is connected to the base, and
• at least one non-electric biasing energy storage mechanism connected to the extender and the lower portion of the seat, the non-electric biasing energy storage mechanism being configured to move the aft end portion of the seat between a lowered position and a raised position.

A method to assist a user in lowering themselves onto, and raising themselves off of, a toilet, the method comprising:

• using a toilet comprising an apparatus mounted thereto, said apparatus including a seat having a forward end portion and an aft end portion, a frame connected to the lower portion of the seat, the frame comprising one or more tubular members including at least one first tubular member positioned under a first side portion of the seat and at least one second tubular member positioned under a second side portion of the seat and transverse to the at least one first tubular member for assisting in the prevention of torsion of the seat, a base configured to be mounted to the toilet, at least one forward pivot mechanism connected to the forward end portion of the seat and to the base and enabling the seat to rotate relative to the base, at least one non-electric biasing energy storage mechanism configured to move the aft end portion of the seat between a lowered position and a raised position, first and second arm rests mounted to the base,
• wherein the user operates the apparatus through:
• upwardly rotating the aft end portion of the seat through operation of the non-electric biasing energy storage mechanism such that the seat is in an angled position relative to a horizontal plane,
• sitting down on the seat, the weight of the user causing the seat to rotate from the angled position to a horizontal position in a controlled manner, and
• raising off of the seat with a portion of their weight supported by the first and second arm rests, the aft portion of the seat rotating upwardly through operation of the non-electric biasing energy storage mechanism as the user moves from a seated position to a standing position.