US20040237181A1

US20040237181A1 - Removable urinal splash shield device

Info

Publication number: US20040237181A1
Application number: US10/449,620
Authority: US
Inventors: Jane Atkins-Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-02
Filing date: 2003-06-02
Publication date: 2004-12-02

Abstract

A removable urinal splash shield device that is a urinal shield is disclosed. The urinal shield comprises a vertical curved member connected to a horizontal curved member. The vertical curved member is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal curved member. The horizontal curved member is connected to a convex outer surface of the vertical curved member and contacts an upper surface of a rim of a toilet bowl when the urinal shield is used. A portion of the vertical curved member projects into an inner portion of the toilet bowl adjacent to the rim of the toilet bowl to provide further stability of the urinal shield when the urinal shield is used. The urinal shield contacts the upper surface of the rim of the toilet bowl so that a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member faces in the direction from which a urine stream is directed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to urinals and urinal splash guards, and more specifically to a removable urinal splash shield device for diverting urine into a toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, inadvertent splashing of regions surrounding toilet bowls commonly occurred during their use by males. This problem was particularly severe when males were infirm, elderly or a young child. Many devices that were previously disclosed seemed to resolve this problem by adding a dedicated urinal portion to the toilet. For example, Harrington U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,619 disclosed a toilet combined with a swiveling urinal portion. Grudzinkas U.S. Pat. No. D283,834 and Shanks U.S. Pat. No. D274,288 also disclosed a dedicated urinal portion. All of these patents disclosed devices which totally replace the current design of toilet installed in individual homes. None provide a device which can be adapted for use upon a preexisting toilet bowl found in the typical home.

Blaha U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,925 does provide such a device, but provides no protection for the toilet seat and in addition presents difficulties in cleaning the device. Perry U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,851 discloses a device that resolves Blaha's cleaning issue but Perry's device is non-removable. Perry's device flips up for use and down for nonuse. The “for use” position does not contemplate that a young male severely misdirects his urine because the height and radial nature of the Perry device would not allow the young male to direct his urine stream over the device into the toilet bowl. In addition, the “for nonuse” position may interfere with the legs and back of a person sitting on a toilet seat.

Currently, no devices are available, which completely satisfy the need to divert male urine streams directly into toilet bowls, especially in the case of young males. The current invention satisfies this need by providing a removable urinal splash shield of simple design that is particularly suitable for use by young males.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need to provide an improved removable urinal splash shield device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved removable urinal splash shield device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved removable urinal splash shield device, which is easily cleaned.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved removable urinal splash shield device that is particularly suitable for use by young males.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a removable urinal splash shield is disclosed. The urinal splash shield device comprises in combination a substantially vertical curved member adapted to conform to and vertically extend above a toilet bowl; and a substantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of a convex outer surface of the substantially vertical curved member and adapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, the substantially vertical curved member being substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal curved member, the removable urinal splash shield device protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination. The removable urinal splash shield device includes a portion of the vertical curved member projecting into an inner portion of the toilet bowl for providing stability when the horizontal curved member of the removable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim. A toilet seat is raised from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim prior to use of the removable urinal splash shield device and the removable urinal splash shield device is coupled to the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member facing in the direction from which a urine stream is directed protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination. The removable urinal splash shield device is disengaged from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim after using the removable urinal splash shield device to provide for normal use of the toilet bowl. A combination of the horizontal curved member contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of the vertical member projecting into the inner portion of the toilet bowl together provide further stability for the removable splash shield contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl and protect both the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination. The removable urinal splash shield device contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim provides an increased toilet bowl target area for urination. The substantially vertical curved member is a substantially vertical semi-elliptical member and the substantially horizontal curved member is a substantially horizontal semi-elliptical member to fit a portion of a substantially elliptically shaped end portion of the rim of the toilet bowl. Alternatively, the substantially vertical curved member is a substantially vertical semi-circular member and the substantially horizontal curved member is a substantially horizontal semi-circular member to fit a substantially semi-circular shaped end portion of the rim of the toilet bowl. The removable urinal splash shield device is comprised of plastic. The removable urinal splash shield device is comprised of rigid plastic.

In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention a method for using a removable urinal splash shield device is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a substantially vertical curved member adapted to conform to and vertically extend above a toilet bowl; and a substantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of a convex outer surface of the substantially vertical curved member and adapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, the substantially vertical curved member being substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal curved member, the removable urinal splash shield device protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination. The method further comprises including a portion of the vertical curved member projecting into an inner portion of the toilet bowl for providing stability when the horizontal curved member of the removable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim. Prior to using the removable urinal splash shield device the method further comprises the steps of raising a toilet seat from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim; and coupling the removable urinal splash shield device to the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member facing in the direction from which a urine stream is directed for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination. After using the removable urinal splash shield device, the method further comprises disengaging the removable urinal splash shield device from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim providing for normal use of the toilet bowl. The method further comprises providing a combination of the horizontal curved member contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of the vertical member projecting into the inner portion of the toilet bowl together to provide further stability for the removable splash shield contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl and protecting both the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a removable urinal splash shield device on a top surface of a rim of a toilet bowl according to this invention; [0012]
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the removable urinal splash shield device of FIG. 1; and [0013]
FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the removable urinal splash shield device of FIG. 1. [0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to FIG. 1, a removable urinal splash shield device comprises a [0015] urinal shield 10. The urinal shield 10 comprises a vertical curved member 12 connected to a horizontal curved member 14. In this embodiment the curvature of the vertical curved member 12 and the horizontal curved member 14 is semi-elliptical or semi-circular depending on the shape of a rim 18 of a toilet bowl 16. In principal, a semi-elliptical curvature would be effective for either a rear portion of an elliptically or substantially circularly shaped rim 18. The horizontal curved member 14 is connected to a convex outer surface of the vertical curved member 12 and contacts an upper surface of the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 during use of the urinal shield 10. A portion of the vertical curved member 12 projects into an inner portion of the toilet bowl 16 adjacent to the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 to provide further stability of the urinal shield 10 when the urinal shield 10 is used. This stability feature is of particular importance for a young male who may otherwise push over the urinal shield 10 prior to use. The vertical curved member 12 is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal curved member 14. The horizontal curved member 14, in combination with the portion of the vertical curved member 12 that projects into the toilet bowl 16, protect the rim 18 from inadvertent splashing during urination. When the urinal shield 10 is used, a toilet seat 20 is raised and the urinal shield 10 contacts the upper surface of the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 so that a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member 12 faces in the direction from which a urine stream is directed. The urinal shield 10 can be readily cleaned using an appropriate cleaning method such as a spray bottle filled with a cleansing and/or disinfecting agent. After use and cleaning, the urinal shield 10 can be removed from the upper surface of the rim for future use as needed. In this embodiment the height of a portion of the vertical curved member 12 that projects above the toilet bowl 16 is about 12 inches and the length of the long semi-axis of the vertical curved member 12 is about 10 inches. A preferred material for the urinal shield 10 is a plastic that can be cleaned, and more preferably a rigid plastic.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the removable urinal splash shield device without a toilet shown to more clearly indicate the features of the [0016] urinal shield 10. The horizontal curved member 14 is a unitary member connected to the convex outer surface of the vertical curved member 12.
FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the removable urinal splash shield device without a toilet shown. In this embodiment, an upper corner of each end of the vertical [0017] curved member 12 is curved to protect a person against inadvertent harm if the urinal splash shield 10 falls forward from the top surface of the rim 18 of the toilet bowl 16 during the removal of the urinal shield 10.
The open and removable design of the [0018] urinal shield 10 makes it particularly suitable for use for young males visiting a home, where residents are concerned about the toilet habits of their visitors. The urinal shield 10 is also of value for young males who are being toilet trained in their own homes and for elderly or infirm males that are concerned about inadvertent splashing during urination. The removable nature of the urinal shield 10 means that a toilet is not dedicated to single purpose use.
In summary, the present invention is directed to a removable urinal splash shield device that is a urinal shield. The urinal shield comprises a vertical curved member connected to a horizontal curved member. The vertical curved member is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal curved member. The horizontal curved member is connected to a convex outer surface of the vertical curved member and contacts an upper surface of a rim of a toilet bowl when the urinal shield is used. A portion of the vertical curved member projects into an inner portion of the toilet bowl adjacent to the rim of the toilet bowl to provide further stability of the urinal shield when the urinal shield is used. The urinal shield contacts the upper surface of the rim of the toilet bowl so that a concave inner surface of the vertical curved member faces in the direction from which a urine stream is directed. The urinal shield is readily cleaned and can be easily removed. [0019]
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the curvature of the vertical curved member may be altered to suit different curvatures of toilet bowls. Numerous types of plastics with different colors, designs and textures could be used as suitable materials of construction. The portion of the vertical curved member projecting into the toilet bowl could be longer and also further curved. [0020]

Claims

1. A removable urinal splash shield device comprising, in combination: a substantially vertical curved member adapted to conform to and vertically extend above a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl rim; and a substantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of a convex outer surface of said substantially vertical curved member and adapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, said substantially vertical curved member being substantially perpendicular to said substantially horizontal curved member, said vertically curved member having an outer vertical surface portion that is equivalent to an inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim, said vertical curved portion having a linear extended portion to project into an inner portion of the toilet bowl for contact with said inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim to provide together with said horizontal curved member stability of said removable urinal splash shield device when said horizontal curved member of said removable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, said removable urinal splash shield device is made of rigid plastic for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination.

2. (Cancelled)

3. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1 wherein a toilet seat is raised from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim prior to use of said removable urinal splash shield device and said removable urinal splash shield device is coupled to the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, a concave inner surface of said vertical curved member facing in the direction from which a urine stream is directed for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination by providing said vertically curved member having said outer vertical surface portion that is equivalent to said inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim, said vertical curved portion having said linear extended portion to project into an inner portion of the toilet bowl.

4. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1 wherein said removable urinal splash shield device is disengaged from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim after using said removable urinal splash shield device to provide for normal use of the toilet bowl.

5. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1 wherein a combination of said horizontal curved member contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of said vertical member projecting into said inner portion of the toilet bowl together provide further stability for said removable splash shield contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl and protect both the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination.

6. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1 wherein said removable urinal splash shield device contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim provides an increased toilet bowl target area for urination.

7. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1 wherein said substantially vertical curved member is a substantially vertical semi-elliptical member and said substantially horizontal curved member is a substantially horizontal semi-elliptical member to fit a portion of a substantially elliptically shaped end portion of the rim of the toilet bowl.

8. The removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 1 wherein said substantially vertical curved member is a substantially vertical semi-circular member and said substantially horizontal curved member is a substantially horizontal semi-circular member to fit a substantially semi-circular shaped end portion of the rim of the toilet bowl.

9. (Cancelled)

10. (Cancelled)

11. A method for using a removable urinal splash shield device comprising the step of:

providing a substantially vertical curved member adapted to conform to and vertically extend above a toilet bowl having a toilet bowl rim; and

providing a substantially horizontal curved member connected to a portion of a convex outer surface of said substantially vertical curved member and adapted to conform to and contact an upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, said substantially vertical curved member being substantially perpendicular to said substantially horizontal curved member, said vertically curved member having an outer vertical surface portion that is equivalent to an inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim, said vertical curved portion having a linear extended portion to project into an inner portion of the toilet bowl for contact with said inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim to provide together with said horizontal curved member stability of said removable urinal splash shield device when said horizontal curved member of said removable urinal splash shield device contacts the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, said removable urinal splash shield device is made of rigid plastic for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination.

12. (Cancelled)

13. The method for using a removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

prior to using said removable urinal splash shield device raising a toilet seat from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim; and

coupling said removable urinal splash shield device to the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim, a concave inner surface of said vertical curved member facing in the direction from which a urine stream is directed for protecting both the rim of the toilet bowl and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination by providing said vertically curved member having said outer vertical surface portion that is equivalent to said Inner vertical surface portion of the toilet bowl rim, said vertical curved portion having said linear extended portion to protect into an inner portion of the toilet bowl.

14. The method for using a removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 11 further comprising the step of: after using said removable urinal splash shield device, disengaging said removable urinal splash shield device from the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim providing for normal use of the toilet bowl.

15. The method for using a removable urinal splash shield device according to claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing a combination of said horizontal curved member contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and the portion of said vertical member projecting into said inner portion of the toilet bowl together providing further stability for said removable splash shield contacting the upper surface of the toilet bowl and protecting both the upper surface of the toilet bowl rim and other areas adjacent the rim from inadvertent splashing during urination.