U.S. patent application number 13/066279 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-11 for rim wrap splash guard.
Invention is credited to Barry Krohn, Joseph Sciallo.
Application Number | 20120255109 13/066279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46964943 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120255109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sciallo; Joseph ; et
al. |
October 11, 2012 |
Rim wrap splash guard
Abstract
A rim wrap toilet splash guard to enclose the open upper portion
of a toilet bowl to shield and contain liquid and matter splashing
from the interior thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge
debris from the plumbing when using a plunger including an upper
elongated handle and a lower plunger member, the rim wrap toilet
splash guard comprising a cover with an upper opening to receive a
portion of the upper elongated handle there through such that when
the rim wrap toilet splash guard is operatively mounted on the
toilet bowl rim with the lower plunger member disposed therein
liquid and matter is shielded and contained when splashed there
from when the plunger is used to dislodge debris from the
plumbing.
Inventors: |
Sciallo; Joseph; (Boca
Raton, FL) ; Krohn; Barry; (Boca Raton, FL) |
Family ID: |
46964943 |
Appl. No.: |
13/066279 |
Filed: |
April 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/300.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/300.3 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/00 20060101
E03D009/00 |
Claims
1. A rim wrap toilet splash guard to enclose the open upper portion
of a toilet bowl to contain liquid and matter splashing from the
interior thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris from
the plumbing when using a plunger including an upper elongated
handle and a lower plunger member, said rim wrap toilet splash
guard comprising a cover including a disposable pliable plastic
horizontal flat plane on top of the toilet rim and than extending
down the sides of the outer rim having a lower opening with an
elastic element disposed adjacent the periphery thereof to receive
a portion of the outside surface of the toilet bowl and to seal
said rim wrap toilet splash guard against the outside of the toilet
such that liquid and debris in the toilet bowl is contained by said
rim wrap toilet splash guard as the plunger dislodges debris
whereby debris and liquid is reflected back into the toilet.
2. The disposable rim wrap toilet splash guard of claim 1 wherein
said pliable horizontal flat panel and having a slit or opening
such as to allow the insertion of the upper portion of the upper
elongated handle of a plunger, and side extensions comprising a one
piece pliable member. The disposable rim wrap toilet splash guard
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the horizontal flat panel for means
of inserting the handle of a plunger having a slit in the said
horizontal pliable flat panel, enabling easy movement and
adjustment of said plunger handle. The disposable rim wrap toilet
splash guard of claim 1 wherein said pliable horizontal flat panel
and side extensions comprising a one piece pliable member, such as
to seal the upper open portion of said toilet bowl.
3. A disposable splash shield as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said
rim wrap toilet splash guard body is transparent, said transparent
body comprising said means enabling a user to view into a toilet
bowl when said shield is in operative position on a toilet bowl. A
disposable rim wrap toilet splash guard as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said attaching means comprises a stretchable elastic band
affixed to the marginal edge portion of said shield body for
attachment to an adjacent upper and side of the outer surface
portion of a toilet bowl.
4. A disposable toilet rim wrap splash guard that has the element
that the rear portion of the rim wrap splash guard is truncated. A
disposable toilet rim wrap splash guard as claimed in claim 3
wherein said attaching means comprises a stretchable elastic band
affixed to the marginal edge portion of the see through pliable
plastic or plastic type material, and would lay against the flat
rear portion of the upper rim of the toilet bowl. A disposable
toilet rim wrap splash guard that has a rear element that is
truncated that lays against the rear flat upper rim of the toilet
bowl, and extending from right end of the truncated element, and
also extending from the left end of the truncated element, there is
a stretchable elastic band in the form of loops. A disposable
toilet rim wrap splash guard as claimed in claim 3 having two
elastic band loops or other type of attaching devices, one on each
side of the rear truncated element, having the ability of looping
and attaching to the underside of the bottom portion of the toilet
seat screws.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] A rim wrap toilet splash guard to enclose the open upper
portion of a toilet bowl to shield and contain liquid and matter
splashing from the interior thereof, onto person plunging, or
surrounding areas, when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris
from the plumbing when using a plunger.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Plungers or plumber's helpers is well known for use to
unclog a toilet or associated plumbing. Such plungers normally have
a concave hemispherical rubber cup with handle attached. Manual
reciprocation of the handle alternately compresses and expands the
rubber cup, alternating applying pressure and suction to an
obstructed fluid flow line thereby clearing the line. The plunger
works best when operated vigorously, which increases the chances
for splashing, often directed at the operator, and or the
surrounding exposed areas.
[0005] 3. Several devices have been developed in the prior art to
prevent splashing of water from the toilet when a plunger is being
used to remove an obstruction from the toilet. Exemplary of such
devices are those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,458,368, 4,762,315,
4,831,669, 4,922,555, 5,133,607, d341,414, 5,560,049, 5,685,018,
5,706,528, 5,860,170, 6,487,730, 2002/0184701, U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,594,831, 7,134,450, and 2010/0000010. These devices either are
intended for re-use and are relatively expensive and complex in
construction, and/or are difficult to use. None have a securing
mechanism consisting of a means of securing said devices from being
detached or lifting from the toilet bowl while plunging
vigorously.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a rim wrap toilet splash
guard to enclose the open portion of a toilet bowl to shield and
contain liquid and matter splashing there from when attempting to
unclog or dislodge debris when using a plunger. The plunger
comprises an upper handle and a lower plunger member.
[0007] The rim wrap toilet splash guard comprises a cover including
an upper opening in the pliable horizontal flat panel in the form
of a slit for the plunger handle adjacent thereto, and a lower
opening with a bowl seal disposed adjacent thereto.
[0008] The rim wrap toilet splash guard cover comprises a pliable
plastic or plastic like material membrane; while there is a slit
for the handle to protrude there from, and the bowl seal comprises
a resilient or elastic like material of a continuous element,
extending from said element, on each side of the truncated end, is
a loop or other attaching device.
[0009] In use, the upper handle is passed through the upper opening
slit with the handle such that the lower plunger member is disposed
beneath the pliable plastic or plastic like membrane. So assembled,
the lower plunger member and the lower portion of the upper handle
are placed into the interior of the toilet bowl.
[0010] With the rim wrap toilet splash guard and the plunger so
positioned relative to the toilet bowl the continuous elastic bowl
seal is placed against the outer surface of the lower toilet bowl
rim, the truncated edge to the rear of the toilet, and attaching
loops, to seal the lower opening with the upper portion of the
toilet bowl rim. The splash guard may be used with the seat in
either the up or down position with equal performance.
[0011] With the rim wrap splash guard in place, and the truncated
end, and associated loops attached to the underside of the toilet
seat bolts, the rim wrap splash guard, when being plunged, the rim
wrap splash guard is less likely to be pulled off the toilet rim
when the plunger is vigorously plunged. Therefore keeping the
integrity of the seal between the rim wrap slash guard and the
toilet rim in tact.
[0012] With lower plunger member placed over the lower portion of
the toilet or associated plumbing, the upper handle of the plunger
is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris from
the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing with the
plastic or plastic like pliable membrane of the rim wrap toilet
splash guard shielding and containing liquid or matter splashing
from the interior of the toilet bowl.
[0013] When the process is complete, the toilet is flushed with the
splash guard in place to assist in containing any liquid or matter
overflow if plunging is unsuccessful. Then the rim wrap toilet
splash guard and the plunger are removed from the toilet bowl as
one. Holding the plunger handle and the rim wrap over the bowl
folding the exposed end of the elastic edge containing any affluent
from dripping onto surrounding area. Finally, the rim wrap toilet
splash guard is removed from the lower rubber cup and disposed
of.
[0014] The invention accordingly comprises the features of
construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts
which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set
forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the
invention, reference should be had to the following detailed
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the rim wrap toilet
splash guard of the present invention in combination with a plunger
handle slit, truncated rear end, and attachment loops.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the rim wrap toilet
splash guard of the present invention in combination with a plunger
and toilet.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional left side view of the
rim wrap toilet splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG.
2 in combination with a plunger and toilet with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard positioned on the toilet and the plunger in the
operative position.
[0019] FIG.4 is a partial cross-sectional right side view of the
rim wrap toilet splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG.
2 in combination with a plunger and toilet with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard positioned on the toilet and the plunger in the
operative position.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a full frontal top perspective view of the rim
wrap toilet splash guard of the present invention in combination
with a plunger handle slit and toilet with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard positioned on the toilet and the plunger in the
operative position.
[0021] Similar reference characters refer to similar parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 the present invention relates to an rim
wrap toilet splash guard generally indicated as 20. including a
centrally disposed upper minor opening 52 having a periphery 6 to
allow the handle of a plunger to be inserted from the bottom up
through the slit. A continuous elastic band 8 around the entire
perimeter edge 16 of the rim wrap splash guard 20. At the truncated
edge 12 there is also a continuous elastic band 14. On the left
side of the truncated end is a loop 54 that is also part of the
continuous elastic band 14 & 8 and on the right side of the
truncated end 12 there is another loop 10 this loop 10 is also part
of the continuous elastic band 14 & 8. The continuous elastic
band 14 & 8 is attached to the entire perimeter 16 including
the truncated edge 12 of the rim wrap splash guard 20. At the edge
of the rim wrap 18 this edge will rest on the outer edge of the
toilet bowl rim, more details will follow in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 &
5
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2, the present invention relates to a rim
wrap toilet splash guard generally indicated as 20 to enclose the
open upper end portion 38 of a toilet bowl 28 adjacent the rim 42
thereof to shield and contain liquid 48 and matter 36 splashing
from the interior 34 thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge
debris (not shown) from the lower portion of the toilet or
associated plumbing beneath the toilet (not shown) when using a
plunger generally indicated as 40. The plunger 40 comprises an,
upper elongated handle 32 and a hemispherical lower plunger member
or concave cup 44.
[0024] The rim wrap toilet splash guard 20 comprises a cover
generally indicated as 22 including a centrally disposed upper
minor opening 52 having a periphery slit 6 with a handle seal
generally indicated as 52 disposed adjacent thereto and a lower
major opening 34 having a periphery 16 and truncated edge 12 with a
bowl seal generally indicated as 60 disposed adjacent thereto.
[0025] The cover 22 comprises a membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20; while, the bowl seal 8 and truncated edge 14
comprise a resilient or elastic band like or continuous element 8
and truncated edge 14 to seal underside of outer rim 60. The left
side elastic loop 54 and the right side elastic loop 10 comprise a
resilient or elastic band like or continuous element attached to
the continuous element of 8 and the truncated end 14.
[0026] In use, the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger 40 is
passed through the centrally disposed upper minor opening 52 having
a periphery slit 6 with a handle seal generally indicated as 52
sealing the periphery 6 of the centrally disposed upper minor
opening 52 against the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger 40
such that the lower plunger member or concave cup 44 is disposed
beneath the membrane 58 or horizontal pliable plastic flat panel of
the cover 22. So assembled, the lower plunger member or concave cup
44 and the lower portion of the upper elongated handle 32 are
placed into the interior 34 of the toilet bowl 28.
[0027] FIG. 3. With the left side loop 54 attached to the underside
of the seat screw 56, and the truncated edge stretched across the
back flat end of the rim 62, FIG. 4. the right side loop 10 is then
attached to the underside of the right screw 24.With the rim wrap
toilet splash guard 20 and the plunger 40 so positioned relative to
the toilet bowl 28, the resilient or elastic band-like or
continuous element 8 are placed against the outer surface 42 of the
upper portion 38 of the toilet bowl 28 below the outer rim 60 the
truncated edge 12 with the continuous elastic band 14 with the
toilet seat 26 in a opened position to seal the periphery 16 and
truncated edge 12 of the lower major opening 34 with the upper
portion 60 of the toilet bowl 28 and around the toilet outer rim
42.
[0028] With lower plunger member or concave cup 44 of the plunger
40 placed over the lower portion of the toilet or associated
plumbing (not shown), the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger
40 is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris
from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not
shown) with the membrane 64 or horizontal pliable plastic flat
panel of the cover 22. of the rim wrap toilet splash guard 20
shielding and containing liquid FIG. 2/48 or matter FIG. 2/36
splashing from the lower major interior opening 34 of the toilet
bowl 28.
[0029] When the process is complete, the rim wrap toilet splash
guard 20 and the plunger 40 are removed from the toilet bowl 28.
The operator simple lifts the plunger up with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard 20 still attached to the plunger 40, Grabs hold of the
entire edge 18 and the truncated edge 14 and crunches all together
and folds in hand while still holding the plunger upper elongated
32 is will prevent any debris or liquid matter from dripping
thereby allowing the operator freedom to bring plunger 40 and rim
wrap splash guard 20 to a safe area. The rim wrap toilet splash
guard 20 is removed from the upper elongated handle 32 and disposed
of.
[0030] FIG. 4. shows an alternate embodiment 10 of the rim wrap
toilet splash guard 20 with similar structural elements similarly
designated. Specifically, the rim wrap toilet splash guard 20
comprises a cover generally indicated as 22 including a lower major
interior opening 34 having a periphery 16 and truncated end 12 with
a bowl seal generally indicated 60 disposed adjacent thereto.
[0031] The cover 22 comprises a membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20;while, the bowl seal 60 comprises a resilient or
elastic band-like or continuous element 8 and truncated end 14. The
left side elastic loop 54 and the right side elastic loop 10
comprise a resilient or elastic band like or continuous element
attached to the continuous element of 8 and the truncated end
14.
[0032] In use, the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger 40 is
at least partially disposed with the membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20; such that the lower plunger member or concave
cup 44 is disposed beneath the membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20; of the cover 22. So assembled, the lower plunger
member or concave cup 44 and the lower portion of the upper
elongated handle 32 are placed into the interior 34 of the toilet
bowl 28.
[0033] With the rim wrap toilet splash guard 20 and the plunger 40
so positioned relative to the toilet bowl 28, the resilient or
elastic band-like or continuous element 14 and truncated end 8 are
placed against the outer surface 42 with the truncated end against
surface 62 of the upper portion 38 of the toilet bowl 28 below the
rim 42 and in front of the toilet seat 26 in the opened position to
seal the periphery 16 and truncated end 12 sealing flat surface 62
of the lower major opening 66 with the upper portion 38 of the
toilet bowl 28 and in front of the toilet seat 26. The left side
elastic loop 54 is attached to the underside left screw 56 and the
right side elastic loop 10 is attached to the underside right screw
24 both comprise a resilient or elastic band like or continuous
element attached to the continuous element of 14 and the truncated
end 8
[0034] With lower plunger member or concave cup 44 of the plunger
40 placed over the lower portion of the toilet or associated
plumbing (not shown), the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger
40 is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris
from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not
shown) with the membrane or pliable plastic horizontal flat panel
and side extensions comprising a one piece pliable member the rim
wrap toilet splash guard 20; shielding and containing liquid 48 or
matter 36 splashing from the interior 34 of the toilet bowl 28.
[0035] When the process is complete, the rim wrap toilet splash
guard 20 and the plunger 40 are removed from the toilet bowl 28.
The operator simple lifts the plunger up with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard 20 still attached to the plunger 40, Grabs hold of the
entire edge 18 and the truncated edge 14 and crunches all together
and folds in hand while still holding the plunger upper elongated
32 is will prevent any debris or liquid matter from dripping
thereby allowing the operator freedom to bring plunger 40 and rim
wrap splash guard 20 to a safe area. The rim wrap toilet splash
guard 20 is removed from the upper elongated handle 32 and disposed
of.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a full frontal top perspective view of the rim
wrap toilet splash guard of the present invention in combination
with a plunger handle slit and toilet with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard positioned on the toilet and the plunger in the
operative position shows all alternate embodiment of the rim wrap
toilet splash guard 20 with similar structural elements similarly
designated. Specifically, the rim wrap toilet splash guard 20
comprises a cover generally indicated as 22 including a lower major
interior opening FIG. 2/34 having a periphery 16 and truncated end
12 with a bowl seal generally indicated 60 disposed adjacent
thereto.
[0037] The cover 22 comprises a membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20;while, the bowl seal 60 comprises a resilient or
elastic band-like or continuous element 8 and truncated end 14. The
left side elastic loop 54 and the right side elastic loop 10
comprise a resilient or elastic band like or continuous element
attached to the continuous element of 8 and the truncated end
14.
[0038] In use, the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger 40 is
at least partially disposed with the membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20; such that the lower plunger member or concave
cup 44 is disposed beneath the membrane or pliable plastic
horizontal flat panel and side extensions comprising a one piece
pliable member 20; of the cover 22. So assembled, the lower plunger
member or concave cup 44 and the lower portion of the upper
elongated handle 32 are placed into the interior 34 of the toilet
bowl 28.
[0039] With the rim wrap toilet splash guard 20 and the plunger 40
so positioned relative to the toilet bowl 28, the resilient or
elastic band-like or continuous element 8 and truncated end 14 are
placed against the outer surface 42 with the truncated end against
surface 62 of the upper portion 38 of the toilet bowl 28 below the
rim 42 and in front of the toilet seat 26 in the opened position to
seal the periphery 16 and truncated end 12 sealing flat surface 62
of the lower major opening 66 with the upper portion 38 of the
toilet bowl 28 and in front of the toilet seat 26. The left side
elastic loop 54 is attached to the underside left screw 56 and the
right side elastic loop 10 is attached to the underside right screw
24 both comprise a resilient or elastic band like or continuous
element attached to the continuous element of 8 and the truncated
end 14.
[0040] With lower plunger member or concave cup 44 of the plunger
40 placed over the lower portion of the toilet or associated
plumbing (not shown), the upper elongated handle 32 of the plunger
40 is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris
from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not
shown) with the membrane or pliable plastic horizontal flat panel
and side extensions comprising a one piece pliable member the rim
wrap toilet splash guard 20; shielding and containing liquid 48 or
matter 36 splashing from the interior 34 of the toilet bowl 28.
[0041] When the process is complete, the rim wrap toilet splash
guard 20 and the plunger 40 are removed from the toilet bowl 28.
The operator simple lifts the plunger up with the rim wrap toilet
splash guard 20 still attached to the plunger 40, Grabs hold of the
entire edge 18 and the truncated edge 14 and crunches all together
and folds in hand while still holding the plunger upper elongated
32 is will prevent any debris or liquid matter from dripping
thereby allowing the operator freedom to bring plunger 40 and rim
wrap splash guard 20 to a safe area The rim wrap toilet splash
guard 20 is removed from the upper elongated handle 32 and disposed
of.
[0042] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among
those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently
attained and since certain changes may be made in the above
construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it
is intended that all matter contained in the above description or
shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0043] It is also to be understood that the following claims are
intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the
invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the
invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall
therebetween.
* * * * *