U.S. patent application number 09/946970 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for toilet flushing handle accessory.
Invention is credited to Bluemel, Mark-Robert, Krvavica, Michaelle A., Krvavica, Patricia A..
Application Number | 20020066137 09/946970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26961678 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020066137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krvavica, Patricia A. ; et
al. |
June 6, 2002 |
Toilet flushing handle accessory
Abstract
The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention
includes a decorative figure attached to an existing toilet
flushing handle to customize and decorate a toilet. The toilet
flushing handle accessory can include an electronic sound module to
provide for recording and playback of audio messages, and a
pressurized scented spray canister for providing a scented spray
upon each activation of the toilet flushing handle.
Inventors: |
Krvavica, Patricia A.; (San
Diego, CA) ; Krvavica, Michaelle A.; (San Diego,
CA) ; Bluemel, Mark-Robert; (San Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EASTMAN & ASSOCIATES
Suite 306
520 West Ash Street
San Diego
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
26961678 |
Appl. No.: |
09/946970 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09946970 |
Sep 4, 2001 |
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09604545 |
Jun 26, 2000 |
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09604545 |
Jun 26, 2000 |
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09282801 |
Mar 31, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/405 |
International
Class: |
E03D 005/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A toilet flushing handle accessory comprising: a body having a
front surface and a back surface; an attachment means extending
from said back surface for securing said body to a toilet flushing
handle.
2. The toilet flushing handle accessory of claim 1, further
comprising an electronic sound module.
3. The toilet flushing handle accessory of claim 2, wherein said
electronic sound module further comprises: a microphone element for
receiving an audio signal and generating an electrical signal in
response thereto; a speaker element for generating an audio signal
in response to a second electrical signal; a digital controller in
electrical connection with said microphone element and said speaker
element; a digital storage media in electrical connection with said
digital controller; and means for activating said digital
controller; wherein said digital controller receives said
electrical signal from said microphone element generated in
response to an analog audio signal, and said digital controller
digitizes said electrical signal into digital information and
stores said digital information in said digital storage media, and
wherein upon activation of said means for activating said digital
controller, said digital controller accesses said digital storage
media and provides a second electrical signal to said speaker
element to generate an audio signal.
4. The toilet flushing handle accessory of claim 3, wherein said
microphone element is an electret microphone.
5. The toilet flushing handle accessory of claim 3, wherein said
speaker element is a piezo transducer.
6. The toilet flushing handle accessory of claim 2, further
comprising: a pressurized scented spray canister having a chamber
filled with a scented spray; a valve in fluid communication with
said chamber; an activation means attached to said valve for
opening said valve; a nozzle in fluid communication with said valve
wherein activation of said activation means allows said scented
spray to pass through said valve and through aid nozzle.
7. The toilet Flushing handle accessory of claim 1, wherein said
attachment means further comprises: at least one ring clip attached
to said back surface of said body; and a fastener attached to said
ring clip.
8. The toilet Flushing handle accessory of claim 7, wherein said
fastener includes an elastic material such that said fastener is
expandable to receive a toilet Flushing handle.
9. The toilet Flushing handle accessory of claim 1 wherein said
attachment means further comprises a semi-rigid attachment strap.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is Divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/604,545, filed Jun. 26, 2000, currently
co-pending, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/282,801, filed Mar. 31, 1999, now
abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to home furnishings.
More particularly, though not exclusively, the present invention
relates to an accessory for decorating, customizing, or otherwise
personalizing an existing toilet flushing handle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One of the first activities undertaken when setting up a
home is the personalization of the home by selecting various home
furnishings. These home furnishings provide the resident an
opportunity to express their artistic and stylistic preferences
through artwork, color combinations, and furniture. Consistent with
this trend, many people continue their artistic expressions into
their bathrooms. For example, some people like to decorate their
bathrooms with a theme such as clowns, cows or other farm animals,
balloons, or other objects or subjects.
[0004] Unfortunately, there are few accessories available to change
the appearance of a toilet. Currently available accessories include
placing a sock-type decorative cover over a spare toilet paper roll
on the lid of the toilet tank to disguise the spare roll. Even more
common is the bath floor-matte, which is often shaped to contour
the base of the toilet, and may provide cushion the feet of the
toilet user. There is also the option of putting a cover on the
toilet seat lid or a cover over the toilet tank itself. None of
these presently available accessories provide for the customization
of the flushing handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In light of the above, a toilet flushing handle accessory is
provided which gives the user a novel and extremely functional way
of customizing an existing toilet flush activator arm, also called
a toilet flushing handle. The toilet flushing handle accessory of
the present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method
for decorating and personalizing the existing toilet flushing
handle on a toilet.
[0006] The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention enables an individual to make a visual and audible
statement. The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention may be equipped with a variety of attachment mechanisms
to securely fasten the toilet flushing handle accessory to
virtually any shape and size toilet flushing handle. In this
manner, an otherwise sterile or undecorative toilet tank may be
decorated and personalized.
[0007] The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention allows the individual to add an extra touch to their
bathroom decor. Instead of having to depress a standard toilet
flushing handle, the individual will be able to attach the present
invention, and depress it to flush the toilet. One advantage of
this invention is that since it can be easily attached and also
removed, the individual can change the toilet flushing handle
accessory to suit their desire to make a statement or reflect for
instance a change in the season or National holiday. Further, the
toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention enables
an individual to make a visual and audible statement to every
member of the household, or other persons using the toilet.
[0008] Using the toilet is common to most every human being. Thus,
with the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention,
a message may be conveyed to everyone in the household. For
instance, a toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention which announces "Happy Birthday" could be attached to an
otherwise ordinary toilet flushing handle to surprise a loved one
on their Birthday. Also, the toilet flushing handle accessory of
the present invention can be used to relay more serious messages,
such as "Stop Using Crack", "Thank You For Flushing", or "Don't
Forget To Wash Your Hands".
[0009] The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention could also be used to honor the individual's ethnicity or
National origin. For example, the Stars and Stripes, or the
Croatian Flag, could be embodied in the toilet flushing handle
accessory. Naturally, the toilet flushing handle accessory of the
present invention could be used to represent flags or symbols for
any ethnicity or group.
[0010] Toilet training a toddler can be a difficult time, for both
the child and parents or care givers. The toilet flushing handle
accessory of the present invention could be used to help a young
person learn to use the toilet by rewarding them with the
opportunity to use the toilet flushing handle accessory of the
present invention and flush, after successfully using the toilet.
To further incentivize the young person, a sound-generator could be
added to the present invention, such as an electronic circuit which
would emit a sound, such as an emphatic "Hoorah!"
[0011] The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention could also be outfitted with a recording device enabling
the individual user to make their own message, cheer or other
sound. Once the recording device has been used to record a message,
the toilet flushing handle accessory may repeat the recorded
message upon each activation of the toilet flushing handle with the
invention attached. This could also make the invention more useful
as an incentive during the toilet training of a toddler.
[0012] Because odor is a concern in virtually every bathroom, the
toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention may be
equipped with scented portion, such as "potpourri" or other means
of gradually and steadily releasing a pleasant scent.
Alternatively, the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention could include a spray canister containing scented spray
which would emit a spray burst upon the depression of the toilet
flushing handle. The scented spray would conveniently and
effectively mask any odors left by the toilet user.
[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a means of decorating an existing toilet flushing handle with an
easily attachable and removable device. A further object of the
present invention is to provide an attachable and removable device
for the decoration and customization of an existing toilet. Yet
another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet
flushing handle accessory having virtually any shape or figure
thereby providing unlimited opportunity for the decoration and
customization of a toilet.
[0014] The toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention includes the main body of the invention equipped with one
or more fasteners. The body is made out of a material suitable for
exposure to manipulation and moisture, such as plastic and
ceramics. Each fastener may be fixed to the body and attachable to
an existing toilet flushing handle. The toilet flushing handle
accessory of the present invention may also be equipped with a
audio recording and playback circuit for recording and playing back
a message or announcement, and may also be equipped with a scent
producing module, including a scented spray canister and dispensing
mechanism for dispensing a burst of pleasantly scented spray.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The above mentioned and other objects and features of this
invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent,
and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to
the following description of the embodiment, of the invention in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the standard toilet tank
assembly, standing alone and showing the toilet flushing handle,
the water tank, and the toilet tank lid;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of the toilet flushing handle
accessory of the present invention standing alone, and shaped to
depict the likeness of a cow;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view of the back-side, or non-viewable side, of
the body of the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention showing the O-ring fasteners which attach the invention
to the toilet flushing handle and the ring clips from which the
rubber O-ring fasteners connect to the body;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a front view of the toilet flushing handle
accessory of the present invention as attached to the toilet
flushing handle of a standard toilet;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention as attached to the
toilet flushing handle of a standard toilet, showing the point of
attachment to the toilet flushing handle with the rubber O-ring
fasteners;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention
showing a body shaped to depict a duck, and formed with a single
microphone aperture and one or more audio output, or speaker,
apertures;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the alternative embodiment of the
toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention of FIG.
6, showing the attachment to the toilet flushing handle using a
semi-rigid attachment strap, or flexible metal strip; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the
toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention formed to
have a rectangular body displaying a message, and having a scented
spray dispenser (shown in dashed lines) and an electronic recording
and playback device (also shown in dashed lines).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring initially to FIG. 1, the relevant portion of a
standard toilet is shown and generally designated 10. Toilet 10
includes a tank 12, a tank lid 14 and a handle 16 which may be
rotated in direction 19 to flush the toilet. Although toilet 10 and
flushing handle 16 are shown to have a particular shape, such
shapes are merely exemplary and it is to be understood that the
present invention may be used in conjunction with any toilet with a
rotating flushing handle, regardless of its particular shape.
[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the toilet flushing handle
accessory of the present invention is shown and generally
designated 20. Toilet flushing handle accessory 20 includes a body
21 having a front side 22 and a back-side 24 and is shaped to
depict a cow. Additionally, front side 22 may be painted with
pattern 23 to more closely resemble a cow. While the toilet
flushing handle accessory 20 of the present invention is shaped to
depict a cow, it is merely exemplary, and it should be understood
that the form of the body may be that of anything from farm animals
to patriotic symbols or banners.
[0026] Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the back side 24 of toilet
flushing handle accessory 20 is equipped with a pair of ring clips
26 and 28. Ring clips 26 and 28 accept fasteners 30 and 32,
respectively. Fasteners 30 and 32, in a preferred embodiment, are
made from rubber and, as will be discussed further in conjunction
with FIG. 5, are expandable to receive a portion of toilet flushing
handle 16 shown in FIG. 1. These fasteners 30 and 32, however, may
be made from any material having an elastic characteristic that
will provide for the expansion of the fastener to receive the
toilet flushing handle 16 and secure the toilet flushing handle
accessory 20 in place.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, toilet flushing handle accessory 20
is shown as installed on toilet 10. From FIG. 5, the positioning of
fasteners 30 and 32 are shown. More specifically, to install the
toilet flushing handle accessory 20 on the toilet handle 16,
fasteners 30 and 32 are positioned adjacent end 17 and toilet
flushing handle accessory 20 is urged in direction 19 toward handle
shaft 18. Once fully advanced onto handle 16, the elastic
characteristics of fasteners 30 and 32 retain the toilet flushing
handle accessory 20 in place. An additional fastener 31 (shown in
dashed lines) may be incorporated into toilet flushing handle
accessory 20 to further secure it in place on handle 1 6.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of
the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention is
shown and generally designated 50. Toilet flushing handle accessory
50 includes a body 51 having a front surface 52 and a rear surface
54. Front surface 52 may be formed with a microphone aperture 56,
and speaker apertures 58 so that electronic sound module 60 can
receive an audio input for recording through microphone aperture
56, and produce an audio output through speaker apertures 58.
[0029] Front surface 52 of body 51 of toilet flushing handle
accessory 50 may be decorated to resemble an animal. For instance,
body 51 of toilet flushing handle accessory 50 resembles a duck,
and accordingly, could be painted or decorated with markings 62 to
further complete the resemblance. In addition to markings 62, the
toilet flushing handle accessory 50 may be contoured to further
resemble a duck in the same manner of toilet flushing handle
accessory 20, discussed above.
[0030] From FIG. 7, a side view of toilet flushing handle accessory
50 is shown. From this view the semi-rigid attachment strap 64 is
shown to extend perpendicularly from the back surface 54 of body
51. In a preferred embodiment, semi-rigid attachment strap 64 is
formed of a metallic material which exhibits a high degree of
malleability, thereby enabling the end 66 of semi-rigid attachment
strap 64 to be positioned against a flushing handle 16 and bent in
direction 68 to a final position 70 (shown in dashed lines). The
semi-rigid nature of attachment strap 64 retains the toilet
flushing handle accessory 60 securely in place on flushing handle
16, yet provides for the easy removal of the toilet flushing handle
accessory 60 by simply un-bending the attachment strap 64.
[0031] Electronic sound module 60, in a preferred embodiment,
includes a microphone element 74, such as an electret microphone as
is well known in the art, a speaker element 75, such as a piezo
transducer as is well known in the art. In electrical connection to
both microphone element 74 and speaker element 76 is a digital
controller or microcontroller 78 which receives analog audio
signals from microphone element 74 and converts the signal to
digital information which is then stored in a digital storage media
80, such as a random access memory (RAM).
[0032] Upon activation, microcontroller 78 accesses the digital
storage media 80 to retrieve the digital information contained
therein, and converts the digital information to analog information
which is then output to speaker element 76 for human perception.
Alternatively, digital storage media 80 may be pre-programmed with
a particular message, such as "GOOD JOB", or "CONGRATULATIONS", or
"DON'T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS!"
[0033] Electronic sound module 60 may be activated to record a
message by pressing a "record" button 82 located on back surface 54
of body 51. Electronic sound module 60 may be activated to replay a
message by any motion of body 51 as determined by a motion sensor
84, such as a mercury switch or hall effect sensor as is well known
in the art. Such a sensor 84 will detect movement of body 51, such
as when the toilet flushing handle accessory 50 is grasped and
rotated during the activation of flushing handle 16.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 8, yet another alternative embodiment
of the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present invention is
shown and generally designated 100. Toilet flushing handle
accessory 100 includes a body 102 having a front surface 104 which
may include message 106, such as "HAPPY BIRTHDAY."
[0035] An electronic sound module 110 may be included in body 102,
and body 102 can be formed with microphone aperture 112 and speaker
aperture 114. As with electronic sound module 60 discussed above,
electronic sound module 110 may record and playback audio
messages.
[0036] Toilet flushing handle accessory 100 may also be equipped
with a pressurized scented spray canister 120 having a chamber
filled with a scented spray, and which includes a valve 122 leading
to a nozzle 126. Valve 122 is controlled by activation button 124
such that when button 124 is pressed, a scented spray passes from
pressurized canister 120 through valve 122 and out nozzle 126 in
the form of spray 128.
[0037] The location of activation button 124 provides for the easy
activation of valve 122 during the flushing of toilet 10. More
particularly, when toilet flushing handle accessory 100 is attached
to flushing handle 16, the toilet is flushed by pressing button 124
thereby rotating toilet flushing handle accessory 100 in direction
130. This rotation activates the internal flushing mechanism of
toilet 10, while simultaneously activating valve 122 and providing
the necessary motion to activate electronic sound module 110.
[0038] The embodiments of the toilet flushing handle accessory
discussed above are merely exemplary of preferred embodiments of
the present invention. The construction of the toilet flushing
handle accessories outlined above may include a toilet flushing
handle accessory which is constructed of plastic or ceramic, and
includes a body which may contain rubber fasteners (O-rings), which
grip around the outside of the toilet flushing handle. It should be
appreciated, however, the materials used to construct or
manufacture the present invention could include other materials
known in the art, including a cloth material to create a "plush
toy" version of the present invention.
[0039] Certain preferred embodiments have been described above. It
is to be understood that a latitude of modification and
substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and that
these modification s and substitutions are within the literal
scope--or are equivalent to--the claims that follow.
[0040] While the toilet flushing handle accessory of the present
invention as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable
of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before
stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of
preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are
intended to the details of construction or design herein shown
other than as described in the appended claims.
* * * * *