U.S. patent application number 10/937010 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for teddy's potty gard.
Invention is credited to Theodore Howard.
Application Number | 20060053541 10/937010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36032233 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060053541 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howard; Theodore |
March 16, 2006 |
Teddy's potty gard
Abstract
This invention relates to a novel toilet bowl Teddy's Potty
Guard which fits as a cover over the bowl of a standard or
non-standard toilet bowl. A removable toilet potty guard
comprising: (a) a less than 1/2 inch thick plastic sheet which is
adapted to cover the exterior surfaces of the top of a toilet bowl
and which is adapted to cover the external surface of the top of a
toilet bowl and which has multiple holes in the plastic bowl cover
and (b) attachment means for enabling the plastic bowl cover to lay
securely and to releasably attach to the upper rim of the toilet
bowl.
Inventors: |
Howard; Theodore;
(Burlington, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carissa Graves
P.O. Box 194
Haw River
NC
27258
US
|
Family ID: |
36032233 |
Appl. No.: |
10/937010 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/253 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/253 |
International
Class: |
A47K 13/00 20060101
A47K013/00; E03D 9/05 20060101 E03D009/05 |
Claims
1. A removable Teddy's potty guard is to be used with a toilet bowl
having an upper rim, a waist portion and a base portion, said potty
guard comprising: (a) a hard clear plastic bowl cover which is
adapted to cover the exterior upper rim surfaces of a toilet bowl
and which plastic bowl cover has multiple holes in the central area
thereof, a portion of the plastic bowl cover around the hole being
adapted to fit on top of the upper rim of the toilet bowl; (b)
attachment means for enabling the plastic cover with holes in top
to be releasably attached to the upper inside wall of the toilet
bowl; (c) a decorative trim around at least a portion of the
exterior circumference of the sheet, the trim being adapted to the
plastic surrounding the top of the toilet bowl; (d) wherein with
said plastic bowl cover attached to the rim, said trim will extend
completely around the edge of the plastic bowl cover that sits on
the upper rim of the toilet bowl.
2. A potty guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic sheet is
1/4''-1/2'' thick in size, enough to enhance the fitting of the
plastic cover to the upper rim of the toilet bowl.
3. A potty guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper rim
attachment means is a continuous bowl seal cap which is 1/8 inch
thick by immerging 3/4-1'' inch deep.
4. A potty guard as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a potty
guard includes a handle which is adapted the center mid-region of
the plastic bowl cover on the top side.
5. A potty guard as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the 1/8 type
holes are scattered throughout the plastic bowl cover.
6. A potty guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein the potty guard has
a handle in one side, and a releasable fastening means on the
bottom side adjoining areas of the plastic bowl cover called the
bowl seal cap and releasable fastening means being adapted to fit
around the inside edge area of a toilet bowl.
7. A potty guard as claimed in claim 6 wherein the potty guard has
fastening means on the back side area adapted to enable the potty
guard to be releasably secured around the rear of the toilet bowl.
Description
REFERENCES CITES
[0001] TABLE-US-00001 U.S. Patent Documents 6032302 March 2000
Eckert 4/300. 5930847 August 1999 Hall 5067185 November 1991 Kohier
4348776 September 1982 Sarjeant
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a novel toilet bowl potty guard or
decorative potty guard which fits on top of the upper rim of a
toilet bowl.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The problem of rodent and reptile entering the home through
the toilet bowl from the sewer line has been long standing problem.
An ordinary toilet bowl that comes from your standard sewer line
can easily be invaded by rodent or reptile that accidentally get
caught in the sewer line and as a result, through incidental
passage, enters the home. Some of the rodents or reptiles will
enter the upstream waterway in the sewer and attempt to exit the
sewer line by coming out the toilet bowl. In order to eliminate
this problem or to avoid the possibility of sitting on the toilet
and being bit by a water moccasin snakes, spiders or other
reptiles, a person will be able to see what's in their toilet
before they use it. This is a major concern of many people.
[0004] Through research, it has been determined that rodents are
persistent creatures. Rats can jump three feet straight up, and
four feet straight outwards, from a standing position. They can
burrow three feet straight down into the ground; chew through
building materials, glass, and cinderblock; swim 1/2 mile in the
open water and against current in the sewer line; and climb up
inside the pipes with diameters between 1-1/2 and 4 inches. A rat's
teeth are so strong it can bite through aluminum, lead, and other
materials. With these facts in minds, a sewer line can easily be
invaded by rodents, or reptiles that enter the sewer line.
[0005] The following patents disclose devices relating to potty
guards of toilets, and other articles. TABLE-US-00002 U.S. Pat. No.
Inventor Issue Date 6,032,302 Eckert Mar. 7, 2000 5,930,847 Hall
Aug. 3, 1999 5,067,185 Kohler Nov. 26, 1991
[0006] Koher teaches a toilet bowl protector covering for enclosing
conventional bathroom toilets. There is a flexible waterproof sheet
which is adapted to cover the exterior surface of a toilet bowl and
which has a hole in the central area thereof. The periphery around
the hole being adapted to fit about the upper rim of a toilet bowl
which is elastic to enhance the fitting. The floor covering covers
the floor area of the bathroom. It has attachment means that are a
plurality of clips. It has attachment means for enabling the
periphery around the hole to be releaseably attached to the upper
rim of the toilet bowl. The protector includes a drawstring which
is adapted to secure the mid-region of the sheet about the waist of
the toilet bowl.
[0007] Koher does not contemplate a reusable toilet bowl cover and,
further, does not contemplate using the device to provide
protection to persons in danger of reptiles entering the home
through the sewer line.
[0008] The Eckert patent discloses a toilet guard system. Each side
segment having a lower edge and upwardly extending trapezoidal
shaped component including a plurality on each side in overlapping
relationship to form two sets. A horizontal coupling member is
positioned on the surface of the toilet bowl with a vertical
element in contact with the interior vertical face of a toilet bowl
for proper positioning therebetween. The coupling interior vertical
face of a toilet bowl for proper positioning therebetween. The
coupling member also spaced horizontal ledges positional above and
below the toilet for securement purposes. The coupling member and
side segment are in generally circular orientation with an opening
at the forward region of the toilet for urination there between and
opening at the rearward region for receipt of the upper component.
A plurality of hinges interconnect the coupling component and the
side segment components to allow the upward extension of the
shielding components for operation and use and to allow the
pivoting downwardly thereof for storage purposes.
[0009] Eckert does not teach a toilet bowl protection. Its purpose
is to ensure proper urination by young males into the toilet.
[0010] Hall teaches a toilet screen assembly situated over a large
circular opening of a commode and having a closed orientation for
precluding large articles from passing through the opening and open
orientation for allowing large articles to pass there through. Also
included is at least one actuator assembly for maintaining the
screen assembly in the closed orientation when a commode lid is
opened and in the open orientation when the commode lid is
closed.
[0011] Sajeant teaches a collapsible splash guard that is adapted
to be mounted in a toilet, which is constructed for movement
between an extended operative position when the toilet seat is in a
raised position and a collapsed storage position when the seat is
in the lowered position. The innermost of the nested segment is
connected to the toilet seat in such a manner that when the toilet
seat is lifted to the raised position, the innermost segment is
lifted upwardly from within the bowl and the nested segments are
moved with respect to one another from a nested relationship into
an extended overlapping relationship positioned above the toilet
bowl and forming an enclosure shieldingly surrounding the back and
the side portion of the bowl.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The subject invention is directed to a potty guard which
comprises a thick clear plastic bowl cover which is releasably
secured around the rim of a conventional toilet bowl. A continuous
bowl seal cap is utilized to secure the plastic sheet to the rim of
the toilet bowl. The plastic bowl cover acts as a cover over the
top of the toilet bowl attached securely to prevent passage of a
rodent or reptile. The edges of the plastic bowl cover are plain or
clear in color or decorative to suite the decorative needs of the
purchaser. The potty guard keeps rodents and reptiles out the home,
or from under the rim of the toilet seat. The potty guard is easily
detachable so one can use the toilet and easily replace the
security device. It is easily washable and easy to handle.
[0013] A removable toilet bowl potty guard which comprises in
combination a plastic bowl cover, which is adapted to cover the top
the toilet bowl rim. The potty guard has holes in the top of the
cover to allow passage of air to the sewer line. Attachment means
are used to enable the plastic bowl cover on top of the bowl to be
releasably attached to the upper rim of the toilet bowl. The potty
guard has a handle attached to upper surface of the plastic cover,
as to allow for removal before using the toilet.
[0014] A potty guard as described wherein the sheet has a
decorative border around the exterior circumference of the plastic
bowl cover, the decorative border being adapted to find the naked
eye of the protective feature. In the potty guard, the periphery
around the hole of the sheet can be elasticized to enhance the
fitting of the periphery to the upper rim of the toilet bowl. The
upper rim attachment means is a continuous bowl seal cap, or
hook.
[0015] A potty guard as described wherein the potty guard includes
a handle which is adapted to secure the mid-region of the plastic
bowl holding the unit together for easy removal.
[0016] The potty guard can be made of washable plastic material,
1/4''-1/2'' disposable biodegradable plastic or hand flexible
washable plastic, such as polyethylene.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the
invention, but which should not be construed as restricting the
spirit or scope of the invention in any way:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the potty guard spread out
flat;
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the potty guard spread
out flat; and
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a isometric view of continuous plastic
bowl seal cap used to fasten the potty guard to the toilet bowl
rim.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The subject invention is an easily used washable, reusable,
retainable or disposable accessory for toilet bowls. The invention
comprises a 1/4-1/2'' thick clear plastic sheet which is releasably
secured around the rim of a toilet bowl and the inside rim of the
toilet seat. The invention acts as a protector so that unwanted
rodent and reptile can not enter the home by way of the sewer line.
The entire cover is easily detachable and is washable for reuse.
The invention is intended to provide addition home protection and
other public facilities, as well as a decorative touch in the
home.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, which illustrates a top view of the
toilet bowl's potty guard 7, it can be seen that the potty guard 1
is constructed of a thick hard plastic bowl cover 2 which can be
fitted over the rim of a conventional toilet. The potty guard 7
fits underneath the toilet seat. By fitting under the toilet seat,
the potty guard 7 does not prevent the toilet seat from being
lifted upwardly about the hinge. The potty guard plastic bowl cover
1 has 1/8'' type hole openings 4 therein and a three(3) inch handle
3 in the center of the plastic bowl cover 1, which can be secured
to the potty guard plastic bowl cover I of the toilet bowl. The
potty guard has a decorative border 2 that lay adjacently to the
outer wall of the toilet bowl. The decorative border 2 can be
creped or pleated so as to be changeable and be able to fit various
diameters of toilet bowl rims.
[0023] The potty guard plastic bowl cover 1 fits on top of the
circumference of the exterior rim of the toilet bowl and can be
snugly secured in place about the interior walls of the rim of bowl
by a flexible bowl seal cap 11. The top region 7, of the potty
guard lays on the toilet stool rim area of the toilet bowl.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the potty guard 1,
spread out to show its construction. The potty guard 1, which can
be constructed of a hard, thick plastic, such as polyethylene,
washable or disposable, and biodegradable, has a generally circular
shape. A oval handle opening 3 is formed in the center. A
continuous plastic bowl seal 10 is located on the bottom areas of
the potty guard 1. When the potty guard 7 is installed on the
toilet, the toilet seat can rest on top of the [potty guard or
remain lifted up. FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the
bottom of the cover, which shows a continous bowl seal cap 12 which
is used to fasten the potty guard rim to the toilet bowl rim and
partially inside the toilet bowl. 12 can be formed of resilient
plastic that exerts a tight fit which fit snugly to inside edges of
a toilet bowl rim.
[0025] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light
of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are
possible in the practice of this invention without departing from
the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the
invention is to be construed in accordance with the substance
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *