US20150238058A1

US20150238058A1 - Urine Shield

Info

Publication number: US20150238058A1
Application number: US14/628,491
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold Couch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-21
Filing date: 2015-02-23
Publication date: 2015-08-27

Abstract

The present invention is a urine shield attachment for toilets that protects a rear side of a toilet rim and the underside of a toilet lid from unwanted urine splatter. The urine shield includes a rectangular portion that is substantially curved in a U-shape. The rectangular portion includes an interior surface designed to block urine splatter, while the exterior surface thereof is designed to removably fasten the rectangular portion to an upright toilet seat and the toilet rim. The exterior surface comprises clips on opposing sides, as well as one that is centrally located on the exterior surface. The clips are substantially C-shaped and configured to engage over and around the toilet rim and a rear end of the toilet seat. The rectangular portion is configured to project down into the toilet bowl, wherein a bottom side is placed in contact with the rear side of the toilet rim.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/942,758 filed on Feb. 21, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bathroom accessories. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved urine shield attachment clip for standard toilets that aids in promoting hygiene and cleanliness. The urine shield includes a rectangular portion that is substantially curved in a U-shape. When the toilet lid is upright, the rectangular portion is adapted to project down into the toilet bowl with the exterior surface placed in contact with the rear and sides of the toilet rim. The present invention is adapted to protect the back and side of a toilet rim and underside of a toilet lid from unwanted urine splatter and remain clean.
Many males, from boys to men, have trouble and struggle with their aim in the bathroom. Urine is inevitably splattered everywhere from the toilet seat or rim, floor or even wall. One familiar situation is when a man has been running around all day and he has not yet had a chance to empty his swollen bladder. He finally gets a chance to go to the toilet and just barely manages to undo his pants zipper while doing everything necessary to maintain his composure. As he positions himself to aim at the toilet bowl below him, and whether he was not looking or careful, he ends up missing the toilet bowl and the toilet rim or seat ends up with its share of urine.
Another type of situation of situation is a young boy who has recently been potty trained and upgraded to using the regular toilet. He may be easily distracted or unsteady, but the result is that he moves back and forth as he pees, and usually, the pee ends up all over the floor and toilet rim. Regardless of the constant reminders and attention to aiming for the water in the toilet, urine is usually splattered everywhere. Cleaning repeatedly, whether it is cleaning up after children, men, or their self can be frustrating and exasperating.
The present invention is an improved and retrofitted urine shield attachment for toilets that protects a rear side of a toilet rim and the underside of a toilet lid from unwanted urine splatter. The urine shield includes a rectangular portion that is substantially curved in a U-shape having an interior surface and exterior surface. The interior surface is designed to block urine splatter, while the exterior surface is designed to removably fasten the rectangular portion to an upright toilet seat and the toilet rim when the rectangular portion is projected downwardly into the toilet bowl. The exterior surface comprises clips on opposing sides, as well as one that is centrally located on the exterior surface. The clips are substantially C-shaped and configured to engage over and around the toilet rim and a rear end of the toilet seat.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that urine shields. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. Some prior art devices provide a curved urine shield that is removably attached to the toilet seat by a generally u-shaped hook. Other devices provide a urine shield flexed into a U-shape and further include spaced clips and stop flanges which removably fasten to a toilet rim. These devices, however, do not disclose a urine shield that comprises a plurality of clips that are adapted to removably attach around the sides of the toilet rim and rear of the toilet lid. The foregoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.
Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,385,785 to Linden discloses a urine shield removably attached to a toilet seat. The shield is rectangular and composed of flexible material. The shield is adapted to be placed into the toilet bowl shield the back and sides of the bowl to prevent or reduce urine spills. The shield further has a hole near the bottom edge wherein a securing device is inserted into the hole. The shield further discloses a U-shaped clip permanently affixed to the flexible shield that is removably attached to the raised toilet seat. However, the Linden device does not disclose a rectangular portion that is removably fastened to the toilet rim.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,512 to Bressler discloses a urine shield for toilets. The Bressler device discloses a flexible rectangular body that is flexed into a U-shaped and projected down into the toilet bowl. The Bressler device further discloses a plurality of spaced clips and stop flanges which engage over and around the toilet rim. However, the Bressler device does not disclose a rectangular portion having a centrally located clip on the exterior surface configured to removably fasten the rectangular portion on a rear end of the toilet seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,198 to Conn discloses a urine shield that is rectangular shaped with rounded corners at the top. The Conn device further discloses a handle at the top for removing the shield from a toilet bowl. The Conn shield uses front and back support rods which lie on top of the toilet rim to place the shield thereon. The front rod is adapted to allow for targets to be placed thereon while potty training young boys. However, the Conn device does not disclose a rectangular portion having a plurality of clips on the exterior surface thereof.
Published U.S. Patent Application Number 2006/0041998 to Lattanzi discloses another urine shield that is shaped like a shell with an arch-shaped opening. The Lattanzi device discloses a plurality of clips that extend from the base of the shell and attach to the toilet bowl at both ends of the shell. The shell has a curved roof and a curved wall which extends laterally and rearwardly from the roof. However, the Lattanzi device does not disclose a rectangular portion that is configured to be projected down into a toilet bowl, wherein a bottom side is placed against the rear side of the toilet rim.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,055 to Gambia discloses a removably urine overspray shield. The Gambia device discloses upright semi-elliptical walls which removably engage with the lower portion of the inner rim of a toilet bowl, while the toilet seat is standing. The Gambia device further discloses curved flanges attached to the rear of the device for removably fastening. The Gambia device may further comprise a handle at the rear or top portion of the device. However, the Gambia device does not disclose a rectangular portion having a clips on opposing sides of the exterior surface designed to removably fasten the rectangular portion to the sides of the toilet rim.
The devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. Some prior art devices provide a curved urine shield that is removably attached to the toilet seat by a generally u-shaped hook. Other devices provide a urine shield flexed into a U-shape and further includes spaced clips and stop flanges which removably fasten to a toilet rim. These devices are limited as they do not provide a urine shield that further comprises a plurality of clips that are removably attached to both the toilet rim and toilet lid. The present invention overcomes these limitations by disclosing a urine shield that comprises clips that are adapted to removably attach around the sides of the toilet rim and rear of the toilet lid.
The urine shield includes a rectangular portion that is substantially curved in a U-shape. With the toilet lid in the upright position, the rectangular portion is configured to project down into the toilet bowl with a bottom side of the exterior surface laying against the rear side of the toilet rim. The exterior surface further comprises clips on the first and second sides, as well as a centrally located one. The clips are substantially C-shaped and configured to engage over and around the toilet rim and a rear end of the toilet seat. It is therefore submitted that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to urine shields. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of urine shields now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved urine shield that is adapted to project down into a toilet bowl and fasten to the sides of the toilet rim and rear of the toilet lid.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved urine shield that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved urine shield that is adapted to promote cleanliness in the bathroom.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved urine shield that is designed to prevent urine splatter on the toilet seat and toilet rim.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved urine shield that comprises a rectangular portion that is substantially curved in a U-shape, wherein the rectangular portion is configured to project down into a toilet bowl.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved urine shield, wherein the exterior surface of the rectangular portion further comprises a plurality of clips that are configured to removably fasten to the sides of the toilet rim and the rear of the toilet lid.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved urine shield that is easy to removably attach and use.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved urine shield wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an overhead perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a reverse perspective of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the urine shield. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as removably attached to a toilet lid and toilet rim. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an overhead and side perspectives of the urine shield 20 as removably attached to a toilet rim 21. The shield 20 is configured to protect a rear side of the toilet rim 21 and the underside of a toilet seat 29 from unwanted urine splatter to maintain a certain level of cleanliness and hygiene. The shield 20 comprises a rectangular portion 22 that is substantially curved in a U-shape having a coextensive interior surface 27 and an exterior surface28. The interior surface 27 is configured to block urine splatter, while the exterior surface 28 is designed to removably attach to the toilet rim 21 and an upright toilet seat 29. The shield 20 further includes a first side 23, an opposing second side 24, a top side 25 and a bottom side 26. The top side 25 of the rectangular portion 22 extends upwardly in a curved manner with a central apex 33 in relation to the first side 23 and second side 24.
The rectangular portion 22 is configured to be removably attached when the toilet seat 29 is placed in an upright position, wherein the rectangular portion 22 is upstanding and configured to be projected downwardly into the toilet bowl 30 with the exterior surface 28 placed against the rear side of the toilet rim 21. The bottom side 26 is configured to substantially align with the lower edge 31 of the toilet rim 21. In this way, the bottom side 26 and the interior surface 27 of the rectangular portion 22 are adapted to protect the sides and the rear of the toilet rim 21 from any unwanted urine splatter.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side perspective of the exterior surface 28 of the shield 20. Preferably, the exterior surface 28 comprises a clip 32 on the first side 23 and the second side 24. The clips 32 are substantially C-shaped and configured to project down and engage over and around toilet rim. The clips 32 include an inner leg 32A that is affixed to the exterior surface 28 and an outer leg 32B that is configured to removably affix over the outside of the toilet rim forming an interior volume designed to receive the toilet rim. In other embodiments, other suitable types of fasteners are used to removably attach shield 20 to the toilet rim.
The exterior surface 28 further comprises a centrally located clip 34 configured to removably attach the rectangular portion 22 to the rear of the toilet seat. The centrally located clip 34 is substantially C-shaped and configured to project down and engage over and around toilet rim 21. The centrally located clip 34 includes an inner leg 34A that is affixed to the exterior surface 28 and placed in contact with the underside of the rear of a toilet seat. Furthermore, the centrally located clip 34 comprises an outer leg 34B that is configured to removably affix over the rear of the toilet seat forming an interior volume designed to receive the rear of the toilet seat. In order to remove the shield 20 from toilet seat, the centrally located clip 34 can be simply disengaged and unfastened by lifting the rectangular portion 20 upwards. Preferably, the centrally located clip 34 is substantially a C-shaped fastener, however, other embodiments are alternatively composed of other suitable fasteners that removably attach to the rear of the toilet seat.
The shield 20 is preferably composed of thermoset or thermoplastic material, however, without limitation, other embodiments may be composed of any suitable flexible and antibacterial plastic or metal. In addition, the rectangular portion 22, in other embodiments, is constructed into different sizes to accommodate toilets of different sizes or to serve other purposes. Specifically, in one embodiment not illustrated, the first and second sides 23, 24 are longer and adapted to create a feeling of using a urinal as opposed to a toilet.
As can be readily recognized, the shield 20 is particularly advantageous for hygiene in a bathroom. The rectangular portion is configured to provide an upstanding and substantially curved barrier that can compensate for mistakes when urinating, thereby greatly reducing the chances of missing the toilet bowl and unintentionally splattering the toilet rim, toilet seat, toilet lid, and the bathroom floor or walls.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A urine shield, comprising:

a rectangular portion substantially curved in a U-shape having an interior surface and a coextensive exterior surface;

wherein said rectangular portion is configured to be upstanding and projected downwardly into a toilet bowl when a toilet seat is lifted in an upright position;

said interior surface of said rectangular portion is configured to prevent urine splatter and promote sanitation

a pair of clips attached to a first side and a second side of said exterior surface;

a centrally located clip on said exterior surface of said rectangular portion;

wherein said pair of clips attached to said first side and said second side are configured to removably attach to a toilet rim;

said centrally located clip configured to attach to a rear of the toilet seat.

2) The urine shield of claim 1, wherein:

a bottom side of said exterior surface of said rectangular portion is configured to be placed in contact with a rear side of said toilet rim.

3) The urine shield of claim 1, wherein:

said pair of clips attached to said first side and said second side are substantially C-shaped;

wherein an inner leg of said pair of clips is affixed to said exterior surface;

an outer leg of said clips is removably affixed over the outside of said toilet rim forming an interior volume designed to receive the bowl rim.

4) The urine shield of claim 1, wherein:

said centrally located clip is substantially C-shaped;

wherein an inner leg of said centrally located clip is affixed to said exterior surface;

an outer leg of said centrally located clip is affixed over the rear of the toilet seat forming an interior volume designed to receive the toilet seat.

5) The urine shield of claim 1, wherein:

a top side of said rectangular portion extends upward in a curved configuration with a central apex in relation to said first side and said second side of said rectangular portion.