US20040231042A1

US20040231042A1 - Display device

Info

Publication number: US20040231042A1
Application number: US10/793,759
Authority: US
Inventors: Yana Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-10
Filing date: 2004-03-08
Publication date: 2004-11-25

Abstract

The upper part of the vertical member has a graphical display that contains still graphics, moveable graphics and interactive graphics with audio and video signals.

Description

This application is based upon and claims priority from the previously filed provisional application filed on Mar. 10, 2003, having Ser. No. 60/453,091 and titled: SPLASH PROTECTOR AND BATHTUB/SHOWER STALL ATTACHMENTS FOR SHOWER STALL HAVING MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to display devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a multimedia device attachable to a bathroom accessory.

2. Description of Related Art

Any parent can attest to the difficulty of getting young children in the bathtub. Most children have no love-loss for “bath time” and must be enticed into the tub with some of their favorite toys. Take the toy away and the child loses all interest in the endeavor. Imagine how much enjoyment the child could receive if he or she had interactive graphics in the bathtub or shower? If the child had display objects to manipulate, mazes to maneuver around, cartoons to watch, or even arcade type games to play, he or she would begin to look forward to “bath time”. Equipping the bathroom with display devices having educational graphics would be a welcome change for parents not completely enthralled with the current crop of arcade type games. For instance, games or graphics that teach children important hygiene lessons, teach how to wash properly, teach basic educational lessons, teach biblical lessons or teach how to think critically would be beneficial to the child and a welcome relief to the parent.

In addition to the almost endless uses for children, the graphical displays could be equipped with a television screen, DVD capabilities and state-of-the-art multi-media to give the adult user enjoyment while taking a nice long bath. Many men who can't seem to pull themselves from the game can take a shower without missing a single snap or basket. Of course, for obvious safety reasons, instead of electricity, alternate sources of power such as from batteries or solar cells, would be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The graphical display, display wall, or interactive graphical display provides amusement for adults and children alike. What is shown on the graphical display can range from a simple picture, to a maze in the window with a magnetic pen and a little metal ball, to a window with magnetic puzzle pieces, to a window that shows images while an audio recording reads a story, to a window that teaches the children educational principles like math or reading, to a window that teaches children or adults bible stories and principles, to a window with a basketball hoop with a battery operated score board, to a window with a race track with two magnetic pens where the parents can race from the outside and the child can race from the inside, to a window where children can use special markers to draw on the window, to a window with a built-in television to a window that shows a DVD, to a cassette player to listen to gospel recordings or teachings, to a window that shows video games, to a window that contains interactive graphics along the lines of state-of-the-art interactive multi-media.

The graphical display or multimedia display device is secured to the bathroom wall via a specially designed bathroom accessory. The window could have objects such as squares, circles, rectangles, numbers, faces, fruits or words all in bright colors automatically moving through the display. The display could also have secured objects that dangle so that toddlers can play with them. The objects could squeak or say hello.

The display device has a telescoping arm which extends upwardly from the lower part of the first member. The telescoping arm allows the user to raise the height of the display device (for instance, when the user is taking a shower and would still like to view the display). Furthermore, the display device pivots about the telescoping arm which allows the user to position the display device to their liking. Additionally, the display device can be pivoted to be placed behind the first wall.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a display device that is attachable to a bathroom accessory.

It is another object of the invention to provide a display device that has a telescoping member.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a display device that has a multitude of pivots that allow the users to reposition the display device to their liking.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a display device that uses alternate forms of energy such as battery or solar cells.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a display device that is capable of showing DVDs and other forms of media including VHS tapes.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure A is a front view of the preferred embodiment. [0017]
Figure B is a right side view of the preferred embodiment [0018]
Figure C is a perspective view of a second embodiment. [0019]
Figure D is a right side view of a third embodiment. [0020]
Figure E is a right side view of a fourth embodiment. [0021]
Figure F is a right side view of a fifth embodiment.[0022]
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. [0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention relates to a removable, telescoping, pivotable multimedia display device that is attachable to bathroom accessories. [0024]
The graphical display or display wall provides amusement for adults and children alike. What is shown on the graphical display can range from a simple picture, to a maze in the window with a magnetic pen and a little metal ball, to a window with magnetic puzzle pieces, to a window that shows images while an audio recording reads a story, to a window that teaches children educational principles like math or reading, to a window that teaches children or adults bible stories and principles, to a window with a basketball hoop with a battery operated score board, to a window with a race track with two magnetic pens where the parents can race from the outside and the child can race from the inside, to a window where children can use special markers to draw on the window, to a window with a built-in television to a window that shows a DVD, to a VCR to show videos, to a CD player to play music, to a cassette player to listen to gospel recordings or teachings, to a window that shows video games, to a window that contains interactive graphics along the lines of state-of-the-art interactive multi-media. [0025]
The graphical display is located along the upper part of the first member and because of the proximity to water, alternate sources of power, such as from batteries or solar cells, would be used instead of electricity. For babies, the first member win be low enough for parents to reach the child quickly. The window could have objects such as squares, circles, rectangles, numbers, faces, fruits or words all in bright colors automatically moving through the display. The display could also have secured objects that dangle so that toddlers can play with them. The objects could squeak or say hello. [0026]
The graphical display can show images ranging from simple pictures, to mazes, to magnetic puzzle pieces, to images with audio recordings, to educational games about math or reading, to biblical stories or characters, to sports games with battery operated score boards, to racing games where the parents can race from the outside and the child can race from the inside, to television, to DVD screens, to video games, to interactive graphics along the lines of state-of-the-art interactive multi-media to basically anything that can be viewed on a screen. [0027]
Figure A shows a combination splash guard and [0028] entertainment unit 500 having a detachable display device 505 having a screen 520, multimedia input slot 516 which is dimensioned and configured to receive a multimedia device (a game card, DVD disk, etc.) 517, a touch screen 518 with controls to manipulate the display device 505. Base member 522 is designed to fit within slot 530 such that electronic connector 524 is dimensioned to fit within receptacle 526. Rounding out the splash guard component is first member 510, base member 512 and second member 514.
Fig. B shows the combination splash guard and [0029] entertainment unit 500 with a battery compartment 532 with access door 534. The battery or power supply fits within battery compartment 532 and provides power to display device 505. In Fig. C yet another embodiment is disclosed wherein the combination splash guard and entertainment unit 540 has a display device 542 that is attached to a first telescoping arm 546 via a first pivot 544. A second pivot 548 connects the first telescoping arm 546 to a second telescoping arm 550. The second telescoping arm 550 is attached to a swivel 552 that allows the second telescoping arm 550 to rotate in a 360 degree angle. In this view the telescoping arm 550 is shown detached from the splash guard 510. Connection prongs 558 transfer power from the power source located within battery compartment 554. Access door 556 allows easy access to the power supply in battery compartment 554. Fig. D shows a front view with the second telescoping arm 550 attached to the splash guard 510.
Fig. E shows yet another embodiment wherein the combination splash guard and [0030] entertainment unit 500 has a display device 560 that sits atop the splash guard 510 in a first position and can pivot and telescope to a second position. Display device 560 is attached to the telescoping arm 564 via first pivot 562 and a second pivot 566 attaches the telescoping arm 564 to the splash guard 510. As with the other embodiments, electrical connectors 572 are in communication with power supply 568 and are connected with second pivot 566 via base member 570. A new concept is shown in Fig. F wherein an entertainment unit 600 is shown attached to a bathroom wall 680. Although shown in a bathroom environment, the entertainment unit 600 could be employed in any environment. Display device 610 has a screen 690, control pad 670, and a multimedia slot 665 dimensioned and configured to receive a multimedia device (i.e., a game or DVD disc). Telescoping arm 620 is attached to a base member 630, which in turn is secured in wall mount 640. A power supply 650 attaches to wall mount 640 and supplies power to entertainment unit 600. As seen in the Fig. F, the wall mount 640 can be placed on any wall in the house. Wall mount 640 is secured or attached to the wall 680 by any means known to those skilled in the art. Looking at Figures G & H together, it is seen that the entertainment unit is removable from wall mount 640. Electrical connectors 635 fit within receptacles 645 and provide power and other electronic signals to the entertainment unit 600. The display device 610 is connected to telescoping arm 620 via pivot 615.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. [0031]

Claims

I claim:

1. A splash protector to prevent shower splash from escaping the shower stall or bathtub and hitting the bathroom floor, comprising;

a first member wherein said first member is substantially vertical,

a base member wherein said base member is substantially horizontal and wherein said base member is attached to said first member, first attachment means to attach said first member to the bathroom short wall of the bathtub or shower stall,

said base member having a slant such that any water that hits said first member is directed back into the shower stall or bathtub, and

said first member having an upper part and a lower part wherein said upper part is defined as a display device.

2. The splash guard according to claim 1 further comprising a second member wherein said second member is attached to said base member such that said first member, said second member and said base member form a channel.

3. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said first attachment means comprise suction cups and where said second member is slanted.

4. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said first attachment means comprise a permanent attachment and where said second member is slanted.

5. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said first attachment means comprise a removable adhesive attachment and where said second member is slanted.

6. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said display device is able to be detached from said splash guard and where said second member is slanted.

7. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said display device is on a viewable screen and where said second member is slanted.

8. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said display device is dimensioned and configured to receive multimedia devices via a multimedia input slot and said second member is slanted.

9. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said display device comprises a touch screen with controls to manipulate said display device and said second member is slanted.

10. The splash guard according to claim 3 further comprising a hook to hang said splash guard during periods of non-use.

11. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said base member is designed to fit within a slot on said first member such that an electronic connector on said display device is dimensioned to fit within receptacles and said second member is slanted.

12. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said display device has a power source and said second member is slanted.

13. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein said first member comprises a battery compartment with an access door and said second member is slanted.

14. The splash guard according to claim 2 wherein a battery or a power supply fits within the battery compartment and provides power to the said display device and said second member is slanted.

15. The splash guard according to claim 1 wherein said display device is attached to a telescoping arm via a first pivot mechanism and said second member is slanted.

16. The splash guard according to claim 15 wherein a second pivot mechanism connects the telescoping arm to a second telescoping arm.

17. The splash guard according to claim 16 wherein the second telescoping arm is attached to a swivel that allows said second telescoping arm to rotate in a 360 degree angle.

18. The splash guard according to claim 17 wherein the end of the second telescoping arm have connection prongs that transfer power from the power source located within the battery compartment and an access door.

19. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein the telescoping arm formed is detachable from the said splash guard.

20. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said first attachment means comprise suction cups.

21. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said first attachment means comprise a permanent attachment.

22. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said first attachment means comprise a removable adhesive attachment.

23. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said display device has a viewable screen.

24. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said display device is dimensioned and configured to receive multimedia devices via a multimedia input slot.

25. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said display device comprises a touch screen with controls to manipulate said display device.

26. The splash guard according to claim 20 further comprising a hook to hang said splash guard during periods of non-use.

27. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein said base member is designed to fit within a slot on said first member such that an electronic connector on said display device is dimensioned to fit within receptacles.

28. The splash guard according to claim 18 wherein a battery or a power supply fits within the battery compartment and provides power to said display device.

29. A display device that can be mounted to any wall comprising;

wireless communication,

electronic connections that fit within receptacles and provide power and other electrical signals to said display device,

wherein said display device is removable from the wall mount,

wherein power supply attaches to the wall mount and supplies power to the display device.

30. The display device according to claim 29 where said display device has a display screen.

31. The display device according to claim 29 further comprising a control pad.

32. The display device according to claim 29 wherein said display device is dimensioned and configured to receive multimedia devices via a multimedia input slot.

33. The display device according to claim 29 wherein said display device is connected to a telescoping arm via a pivot mechanism, which allows said display device to pivot.

34. The display device according to claim 29 where a telescoping arm is attached to a base member which is secured in the wall mount.