U.S. patent application number 13/102983 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-08 for toilet sealing mechanism.
Invention is credited to Eric Rogers.
Application Number | 20120278982 13/102983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47089207 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120278982 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rogers; Eric |
November 8, 2012 |
Toilet Sealing Mechanism
Abstract
The present invention is a covering to contain sewer gases
within an abandoned toilet. The present invention is a covering
dimensioned to seat over the abandoned toilet with an airtight
seal.
Inventors: |
Rogers; Eric; (Houston,
TX) |
Family ID: |
47089207 |
Appl. No.: |
13/102983 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/242.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 13/24 20130101;
E03D 9/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/242.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 13/26 20060101
A47K013/26 |
Claims
1. A covering for an abandoned toilet comprising: a body defined by
a top surface and a bottom surface with a predetermined depth there
between; the covering having a length and a width dimensioned to
fit over a rim of the toilet; the body further defined by a side
edge, an opposing side edge, a front edge and a back flat edge; and
a sealant attached to the bottom surface corresponding to
circumference surrounding the rim such that an air tight seal is
formed when the body is attached to the rim.
2. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises the
bottom surface having a diameter smaller than the top surface.
3. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises: a
handle attached to the side edge and the opposing side edge near
the flat back edge of the covering; the side edge extending from
the front edge to the flat back edge; and the opposing side edge
extending from an opposing side of the front edge to an opposing
side of the flat back edge.
4. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a
front edge that is curved with a predetermined radius.
5. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises: a
hingedly attached lid disposed within the top surface; the lid
transverses between the open and closed position; the lid is
surrounding by a sealing mechanism; and the sealing mechanism
creating an airtight seal when the lid is in the closed
position.
6. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a
recessed portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side
edge.
7. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a
protruding portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side
edge.
8. The covering of claim 1 wherein the top surface is flat.
9. The covering of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is flat.
10. A covering for an abandoned toilet comprising: a body defined
by a top surface and a bottom surface with a predetermined depth
there between; the covering having a length and a width dimensioned
to fit over a rim of the toilet; the body further defined by a side
edge, an opposing side edge, a front edge and a back flat edge; and
a sealant body fixably attached to the bottom surface corresponding
to length and the width of the rim such that an air tight seal is
formed when the sealant body is inserted into an opening of the
rim.
11. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises the
bottom surface having a diameter smaller than the top surface.
12. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises: a
handle attached to the side edge and the opposing side edge near
the flat back edge of the covering; the side edge extending from
the front edge to the flat back edge; and the opposing side edge
extending from an opposing side of the front edge to an opposing
side of the flat back edge.
13. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a
front edge that is curved with a predetermined radius.
14. The covering of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises: a
hingedly attached lid disposed within the top surface; the lid
transverses between the an open and a closed position; the lid
being surrounded by a sealing mechanism; and the sealing mechanism
creating an airtight seal when the lid is placed in the closed
position.
15. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a
recessed portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side
edge.
16. The covering of claim 1 wherein the handle is formed from a
protruding portion along the side edge and/or the opposing side
edge.
17. The covering of claim 1 wherein the top surface is flat.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject relates generally to a device with a sealing
mechanism which traps odors within an abandoned toilet. Flush
toilets use water to flush waste through a drainpipe. Generally,
modern toilets have a `P` shaped bend which allows water to collect
in the toilet bowl and acts as a seal against sewer gas. When the
toilet is no longer in use such as in abandoned buildings, the
water evaporates over time. After the water evaporates, the sewer
gas escapes from the toilet into the surrounding area. What is
needed is an efficient sealing mechanism prevents sewer gas from
escaping back into the surrounding area through the P Trap in an
abandoned toilet bowl. Otherwise, the toilet bowl would have to be
removed and the closet flange, which is the connecting interface
between the toilet and the floor, would have to be plugged. The
present invention prevents this expensive alternative.
[0002] Heretofore, there have been various types of sealing devices
for toilet bowls such as the toilet seat covers described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,560,049, U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,824, and U.S. Pat. No.
6,108,827. Also, other types of devices using a ventilation system
to deodorize a toilet as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,560, U.S.
Pat. No. 2003/0019019, and U.S. Pat. No. 2004/008304. None of the
above mentioned patents disclose the unique structure of the
present invention and the advantages of the device to trap order
within an abandoned toilet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] When houses are abandoned, a main problem that occurs is
that the toilet will emit sewer gas. One of the main objectives is
to provide a safe mechanism of containing sewer gases within an
abandoned toilet. The preferable material would be a hard
transparent plastic or Plexiglas. The present invention is a
covering dimensioned to seat over the abandoned toilet with an
airtight seal.
[0004] The advantages and objects of the invention will become
evident from the following detailed description of the drawings
when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which
illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a front view of a toilet bowl and toilet seat with
device attached to the seat.
[0006] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device.
[0007] FIG. 2a is the bottom side of the device.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the device with lid
in closed position.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in
open position.
[0010] FIG. 4a is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in
open position.
[0011] FIG. 4ba is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in
open position.
[0012] FIG. 4c is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in
open position.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in
open position.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of device with lid in
open position.
[0015] FIG. 6a
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In FIG. 1, there is shown the normal configuration of a
toilet and its components. In a normal operational bowl, toilet is
composed of three main components: the bowl (20), siphon (25), the
flush mechanism within the tank (27), the refill mechanism. The
siphon consists of the bowl in which the water sits, and the siphon
sucks the water out of the bowl upon flushing. Above the bowl,
there is the rim (14) and the toilet seat (28). In order to
activate the siphon, a large amount of water must be poured into
the bowl fast enough. In normal use, the siphon (25) has a P-shape
configuration which is usually filled with water. The flush
mechanism of the toilet functions to force water into the bowl from
the tank that holds several gallons of water. When the handle of
the toilet is depressed, an internal chain is pulled which lifts
the flush valve. The flush valve covers a hole at the bottom of the
tank, and when pulled away, the water in the tank is dumped into
the bowl in about thirty seconds. A refill mechanism fills the tank
and bowl with water after the flush. When the filler float falls,
the valve turns the water on, and the valve sends water into the
tank and bowl.
[0017] FIGS. 2 and 2a shows one embodiment of the present
invention. The covering (10) is defined by a top side (12) and
bottom side (13) with both sides having a flat surface with a
midsection having a specified depth therebetween. In the
illustrated embodiment, the covering (10) is generally manufactured
into the configuration is of the rim (14) of various types of
toilet used today. As depicted, the covering (10) has a curved
front edge (46) with a back linear edge (47). Additionally, the
bottom side (13) has a slightly smaller diameter than the top side
(12). In this embodiment, the covering (10) has the shape of the
dimension of the rim (14) of the bowl (20). A sealant (15)
surrounds the bottom side (13) of covering (10). The sealant (15)
when secured to the top of the rim (14) forms an airtight seal when
secured to the top of the rim (14), and the sewage gas is trapped
within the sewage line under the toilet. In use, the rim (14) is
opened and then the perimeter of the covering (10) is sealed to the
perimeter of the bowl (20). In some embodiments as shown in FIG.
1a, on each side of the covering (10) are recessed portions (25)
which provide a means for a user to grip the covering (10) for
removal from the abandoned toilet to the sides of the rim (14) and
help secure the seal. Alternatively, in yet another embodiment
shown in FIG. 2 the gripping handles (25) can be disposed on
opposing side of the covering (10) near the back edge (47)
protruding slightly outward therefrom. As shown in FIG. 1,
operationally covering (10) when placed upon rim (14) an air tight
seal is formed thereto using sealant (15).
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 4b and 4c, there is shown another
alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment
sealing body (48) is attached to the bottom side of covering (10)
and extends outward therefrom. Operationally, sealing body (48) is
pushed within the opening of rim (14) and forms an airtight seal
thereto as shown in FIG. 4.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 3a, an alternative embodiment
of the invention is presented. There is an opening (17) disposed
within the covering (10). A lid (16) is hingedly connected to the
opening (17) the lid (16) being transverse between an open and
close position. The lid (16) surrounded by a seal such as a gasket
where in an airtight seal is formed when lid (16) is in closed
position.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown another embodiment of
covering (10). As depicted in this embodiment, covering (10) has a
polygonal shape with a flat top and bottom surface area with a
small amount of depth therebetween. In this embodiment, a sealant
(50) in the configuration of the rim (14) shown in FIG. 1 is
incorporated onto the back surface area (50) of the covering (10).
Handle (25) can be mounted on one or opposing sided of the sealant
(50).
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 6a, there is shown an alternative
embodiment of covering (10). In this embodiment, the top surface
and the bottom surface have the same diameter with a small depth
therebetween. Sealant 13 surrounds the circumference of covering
10. With this embodiment covering 10 is placed upon rim (14) as
shown in FIG. 1 and sealed thereto.
* * * * *