CA2918555A1

CA2918555A1 - Triangular-shaped plunger head and toilet plunger having the same

Info

Publication number: CA2918555A1
Application number: CA2918555A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Robert Ginther
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-28
Filing date: 2016-01-21
Publication date: 2016-07-28
Also published as: US20160215487A1

Abstract

A triangular-shaped plunger head has a construction to make a sealing contact with a triangular-shaped toilet drain hole. The plunger head includes a triangular-shaped bottom wall and a triangular-shaped bottom edge that has three rounded corners and three straight sides, one side extending between a different pair of rounded corners. A
triangular-shaped lip is formed around an opening through the bottom wall. The triangular-shaped lip includes three rounded corners and three straight sides, one side extending between a different pair of rounded corners.

Description

TRIANGULAR-SHAPED PLUNGER HEAD AND TOILET PLUNGER HAVING
THE SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to toilet plungers, and more particularly, to a triangular-shaped plunger head and a toilet plunger having the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Toilet plungers have been in use for years and conventionally have a circular-shaped plunger head or cup. Some newer toilets have triangular-shaped drain holes, and conventional circular-shaped plunger heads are incapable of making a sealing contact with the triangular-shaped drain holes for the plunger to work properly in clearing a clogged drain. Accordingly, a desire and need exists for a new toilet plunger head and toilet plunger having the same that provides an adequate seal for the newly designed toilet drain holes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] In view of the foregoing problems with existing toilet plungers, embodiments of the present invention provide a new triangular-shaped plunger head and toilet plunger having the same. The plunger head has a novel design that makes a sealing contact between the plunger head and a triangular-shaped drain hole of a toilet bowl.

[004] In general, in one aspect, a triangular-shaped plunger head for a plunger is provided. The triangular-shaped plunger head includes a triangular-shaped bottom edge having first, second, and third rounded corners, a first straight side extending between the first and second rounded corners, a second straight side extending between the second and third rounded corners, and a third straight side extending between the third and first rounded corners. Further included is a bottom wall, an opening through the bottom wall, and a lip formed around the opening. The lip being triangular shape and includes fourth, fifth, and sixth rounded corners, a fourth straight side extending between said fourth and fifth rounded corners, a fifth straight side extending between said fifth and sixth rounded corners, and a sixth straight side extending between said sixth and fourth rounded corners.

[005] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] In the drawings:

[007] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a triangular-shaped plunger head and toilet plunger having the same that is constructed in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention;

[008] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the triangular-shaped plunger head and toilet plunger having the same;

[009] Figure 3 is a top plan view of the triangular-shaped plunger head;

[010] Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of triangular-shaped plunger head;

[011] Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the triangular-shaped plunger head and toilet plunger having the same; and

[012] Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the triangular-shaped plunger head, shown in use, in connection with a toilet having a triangular-shaped drain hole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[013] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, there is representatively illustrated a new toilet plunger that is constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and is designated by reference number 10.

[014] In the representatively illustrated embodiment, the toilet plunger 10 has an elongated handle 12 that is connected to a plunger head 14. The handle 12 is constructed of a rigid material. The handle 12 has a first end 16 and a second end 18, and is representatively shown as being cylindrically shaped. The first end includes a rubber grip 20 for holding the plunger 10 and the second end 18 is connected to the plunger head 14 at a coupling 22 located on the top of the plunger head.

[015] The plunger head 14 has a novel triangular shape that is designed to making a sealing contact with triangular-shaped toilet drain holes. The plunger head 14 is cup shaped and is made of a flexible and resilient material, such as rubber, for example. The plunger head 12 is triangular shaped in cross-section and includes a bottom edge 24 having three rounded corners 26a, 26b, and 26c and three straight sides 28a, 28b, and 28c. Side 28a extends between corners 26a and 26b, side 28b extends between corners 26b and 26c, and side 28c extends between corners 26c and 26a.

[016] The plunger 14 further includes a triangular-shaped opening 30 formed through a bottom wall 32. A lip 34 is formed around the circumference of opening 30 and extends generally perpendicular to bottom wall 32. Similar to edge 24, lip 34 includes three rounded corners 36a, 36b, and 36c and three straight sides 38a, 38b, and 38c. Side 38a extends between corners 36a and 36b, side 38b extends between corners 36b and 36c, and side 38c extends between corners 36c and 36a.

[017] With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown a partial view of a toilet 40 (from the underside) having a triangular-shaped drain hole 42 and with the plunger head making sealing contact with the drain hole 42. A shown, the edge 24 and the bottom wall 32 contact the toilet bowl 40 at a position around the drain hole and the lip 34 extends into the drain to create a sealing contact between the plunger head 14 and the toilet bowl 40. In operation, the plunger 10 is manipulated in a conventional manner to clear a clog.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A toilet plunger comprising:
a triangular-shaped plunger head having a bottom edge, a bottom wall, an opening through said bottom wall, and a lip formed around said opening;
said bottom edge being triangular shaped and including first, second, and third rounded corners, a first straight side extending between said first and second rounded corners, a second straight side extending between said second and third rounded corners, and a third straight side extending between said third and first rounded corners;
said lip being triangular shaped and includes fourth, fifth, and sixth rounded corners, a fourth straight side extending between said fourth and fifth rounded corners, a fifth straight side extending between said fifth and sixth rounded corners, and a sixth straight side extending between said sixth and fourth rounded corners; and a handle having first and second ends, said second end connected to said triangular shaped plunger head.

2. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein said opening is triangular shaped.

3. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall is triangular shaped.

4. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein said lip extends generally perpendicular to said bottom wall.

5. The toilet plunger of claim 1, wherein said triangular-shaped plunger head is constructed of a resilient material.

6. The toilet plunger of claim 5, wherein said resilient material is rubber.

7. A triangular-shaped plunger head for a plunger, the triangular-shaped plunger head comprising:
a triangular-shaped bottom edge having first, second, and third rounded corners, a first straight side extending between said first and second rounded comers, a second straight side extending between said second and third rounded corners, and a third straight side extending between said third and first rounded comers;
a bottom wall;
an opening through said bottom wall; and a lip formed around said opening, said lip being triangular shape and having fourth, fifth, and sixth rounded comers, a fourth straight side extending between said fourth and fifth rounded comers, a fifth straight side extending between said fifth and sixth rounded corners, and a sixth straight side extending between said sixth and fourth rounded comers.

8. The triangular-shaped plunger head of claim 7, wherein said lip extends generally perpendicular to said bottom wall.

9. The triangular-shaped plunger head of claim 7, wherein said triangular shaped plunger head is constructed of a resilient material.

10. The triangular shaped plunger head of claim 9, wherein said resilient material is rubber.