Patent Application
20090049591
1. Field of Invention
The current invention relates to an apparatus and method for protecting a toilet bowl such as after installation but before completion of new construction, or to prevent use of the toilet pending maintenance.
2. Prior Art
The prior art includes numerous devices for preventing the use of a toilet by children or others. Representative prior art devices are summarized below.
U.S. Pat. No. 735,927 to Woodruff shows a chain wrapped around underside of toilet with stiff wire hook and padlock.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,793,815 to McCann shows a box enclosure with chain and padlock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,824 to Crook, Sr. shows a rigid housing member which encloses toilet seat and bowl by a strapping mechanism which wraps around the back of the toilet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,663 to Yost describes hinges with an arm that extends over the lid.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,454 to Alvarez shows a safety lid under the actual toilet lid.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,580 to Olson describes a toilet lid cover composed of articulated members which fit the form of the lid, the members are tightened to grab onto the toilet and prevent use and access to the toilet.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20070250997 (PCT/AU04/01301) to Andrew McDonald et al, published Nov. 1, 2007 for “Means for Disenabling the Use” describes several embodiments of a temporary toilet bowl cover means which use either single or dual cover locking elements to secure the cover to the rim.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030024038 to Lynette Cross et al, published Feb. 6, 2003 for “Commode Bowl Guard” describes several embodiments of installing a toilet bowl cover means to the rim.
There is a need for improved low cost devices and methods that discourage unauthorized use of a toilet while permitting observation of toilet operation, and which accomplish those function without damage to the toilet.
One aspect of the current invention is to provide a device which may be installed over a toilet bowl during construction of a building in order to protect the toilet and to prevent use of the toilet until the construction is completed.
One embodiment of the current invention comprises a Claw-Lock™ protective cover plate that may be locked in position over the toilet bowl. This protective plate is designed to prevent unauthorized use of the toilet. In one example, this protective plate is held in position over the toilet bowl by means of simple clamps that are tightened into a locking position with toothed pull elements.
The clamps may comprise a pair of hinged rim engagement elements that each have a first end attached to a bracket on the bottom of the cover plate, and a second end that engages an underneath portion of the toilet bowl rim. The second ends of the rim engagement elements are drawn into contact with the rim by pulling rim engagement pull elements partially through holes in the cover. The rim engagement pull elements have a first end portion which is toothed or ribbed in order to engage the side walls of the hole, thereby holding the pull elements in a desired position. The second ends of the rim engagement pull elements are pivotally attached to middle portions of the rim engagement elements, so that as the first end portions are pulled upward through the cover holes, the second ends of the rim engagement elements are rotated upwards into contact with the rim. The pull elements can then be cut substantially flush with the protective plate, thereby holding the rim engagement element in position against the underside of the toilet bowl rim.
In one example, a pull element is provided on opposite sides of the toilet bowl. Each pull element is drawn through a knockout plug. The device may be removed by removing a portion of each knockout plug. The device may be disposable, or may be re-used by replacing the knockout plugs.
A typical toilet comprises a bowl having a rim. The current invention provides a cover to be locked into position over the bowl by engaging the rim.
An optional extension 220 (not shown) may be provided on the straight end of the main portion 210 so that the extension can be positioned between toilet seat mounting bolts to provide resistance against lifting the plate from the bowl. The cover may include score lines such as 222 (not shown) and 224 (not shown) so that the cover may be broken or cut along the score lines in order to provide a better fit over the bowl.
In this embodiment, the rim engagement pull element 260 includes a first toothed or ribbed portion 262 and a second end 261 which is attached to element 275 of the rim engagement element. In one example, this connection may be made by snapping second end 261 over a rigid element 275 to form a pivotal connection. In another example, the second end 261 and element 275 may be part of a single injection molded part where the connection is a plastic living hinge.
In this embodiment, the rim engagement pull element 272 includes a first end 274 which is pivotally attached to a bracket on the bottom of the cover, such as by snapping the first end over portions of the bracket. The rim engagement pull element 272 includes an enlarged second end 273 for engaging the underneath portion of the rim. The outer portion of this second end may be rounded to permit a greater contact area with the rim.
In one embodiment of the current invention, the protective cover is provided with one or more scored lines so that a back portion of the cover may be broken off in order to shorten the cover. By removing the optional extension tab and a portion of the plate along the rear lip, if necessary, the cover size can be modified to fit a variety of toilet bowl geometries including round and oval bowls. For example, the cover may be provided in a size that will fit a long oval bowl, and a rear portion of the cove may be broken off along a score line in order to shorten the cover to fit a round bowl.
One aspect of the current invention is the ability to provide a simple and low-cost method of securing a cover on a toilet bowl. In one embodiment, as described above, the rim engagement elements and rim engagement pull elements may be provided as single injection molded components with a living hinge. In another embodiment, the rim engagement elements and rim engagement pull elements may be provided as separate elements that snap together.
In other embodiments, other designs may be used for these elements. In one example, the rim engagement elements and rim engagement pull elements may be combined into a single L-shaped part which has a toothed or ribbed upper portion and a lower rim engagement element. In this example, the L-shaped parts have a first open position where the lower elements are rotated away from the rim; and a second locked position where the L-shaped part is pulled upward to the cover as it is rotated where the rim engagement element is rotated under the rim. The ribs or teeth lock the rim engagement pull elements into holes located on the outer portions of the cover. The exposed portion of the rim engagement pull elements may be trimmed. The L-shaped part may be held in place in knockouts so that the cover may be removed by punching out the knockouts.
In another example, the rim engagement elements may be hinged devices that have an upper portion attached to the bottom of the cover and a hinged lower portion which may rotate under the rim. The hinged portion is held open by a rim engagement pull element such as a tie strap. When a portion of the tie strap above the cover is cut, a spring attached to the upper portion and lower portion of the rim engagement element pulls and pivots the lower portion into contact with the rim. The upper portions may be attached to the cover by knockouts so that the cover may be removed by punching out the knockouts.
In this embodiment, a method for using a toilet protection device comprises providing a a toilet protection device and attaching the toilet protection device to the toilet. The toilet protection device may comprise a toilet bowl cover having a window, a first hole, and a second hole; a first rim attachment element comprising a first rim engagement element, and a first rim engagement pull element; and a second rim attachment element comprising, a second rim engagement element, and a second rim engagement pull element. The toilet protection device may be attached to the toilet bowl cover to a toilet by placing the toilet bowl cover over the rim; contacting a first portion of the rim with the first rim engagement element by pulling a portion of the first rim engagement pull element through the first hole; securing the rim engagement pull element; contacting a second portion of the rim with the second rim engagement element by pulling a portion of the second rim engagement pull element through the second hole; securing the second rim engagement pull element; and optionally removing the exposed portion of the rim engagement pull element. As each rim engagement pull element is pulled through its respective hole, it causes a rim engagement element to pivot into contact with the underside of the toilet bowl rim. The rim engagement pull element may be cut substantially flush with the protective cover thereby discouraging tampering with the cover.
In this example, securing the first rim engagement pull element further comprises engaging a rib or tooth on the first rim engagement pull element with a portion of a wall of the first hole. The first hole may be located in a knockout.
In one example, before installation, the cover size may be adjusted by removing a portion of the cover along a score line in order to achieve a better fit on the bowl.
After the cover is installed, the operation of the toilet flushing may be observed through the window.
In order to remove the protective plate, the knockout plugs may be punched partially out of the plate in order to loosen the rim engagement pull elements. The plate may then be removed. In another example, the rim engagement pull elements may be punched out of the holes to loosen the cover.
In the case of knockout plugs, the cover may be re-used after replacement of the plugs. In another example, the cover may be disposable.
While this invention has been described in connection with example embodiments thereof, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to be limited only by claims.
This is non-provisional patent application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/957,979 filed Aug. 24, 2007, and claims the benefit of that filing date.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60957979 | Aug 2007 | US |
