Abstract:
An anti-splash guard to enclose the open upper portion of a toilet bowl to shield and contain liquid and matter splashing from the interior thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris from the plumbing when using a plunger including an upper elongated handle and a lower plunger member, the anti-splash guard comprising a cover with or without an upper opening to receive a portion of the upper elongated handle therethrough and a lower opening to receive a portion of the toilet bowl such that when the anti-splash guard is operatively mounted on the toilet with the lower plunger member disposed therein liquid and matter is shielded and contained when splashed therefrom when the plunger is used to dislodge debris from the plumbing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    An anti-splash guard to enclose the open upper portion of a toilet bowl to shield and contain liquid and matter splashing from the interior thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris from the plumbing when using a plunger.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Plungers or plumber&#39;s helpers are well known for use to unclog a toilet or associated plumbing. Such plungers normally have a concave hemispherical rubber cup with handle attached. Manual reciprocation of the handle alternately compresses and expands the rubber cup, alternating applying pressure and suction to an obstructed fluid flow line thereby clearing the line. The plunger works best when operated vigorously, which increases the chances for splashing, often directed at the operator.  
           [0005]    Numerous devices have been developed to reduce the splashing of liquids, including water, from toilet bowls during operation of such plungers.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,368 teaches a device for clearing obstructed soil pipes without splashing water from a sink or toilet bowl comprising an elongate handle having a plunger member at a lower end and an anti-splash shield having a central passage to receive the elongate handle.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,170 describes a shield to prevent water from splashing from a toilet bowl when using a plunger in attempting to unplug a clogged toilet or toilet drain comprising a resilient single piece having an outer rim and a flat portion providing a positioning surface against the upper rim of a toilet bowl and a central portion dome shaped concave surface. An aperture is positioned centrally in the dome with the aperture accepting the handle of a toilet plunger forming a frustrum or truncated conical passage way for the toilet handle extending downwardly from the dome.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,149 relates to relates to a hygienic covering for the bearing surface of an annular seat of a water closet consisting of a layer of paper, plastified paper or the like in the form of a cylindrical ring including two annular resilient edges provided with elastic bands for providing a covering which can be positioned on the surface of the seat in order to be engaged with one resilient edge with the elastic band at the outer edge and to be kept substantially tensioned above the surface of the seat by means of the other resilient edge with the elastic band.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,418 teaches a sanitary diaper handling apparatus which is configured so as to fit standard size diaper pails and which will fit over most toilet bowls in which the diapers are pre-washed. A standard sized diaper pail lid is utilized, the lid having a section of see-through material and two additional openings, each of the openings having a raised lip so that standard rubber gloves may be securely attached to the lid, the rubber gloves extending below the lid itself. This arrangement allows the user to pre-wash soiled diapers and to place them in the standard diaper pail without touching the diapers with the bare hands.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,528 shows a system for containing the splashing produced when using a toilet plunger to unclog a flush toilet comprising a substantially flat stiff splash plate to cover the upper opening of a toilet bowl when the plate is rested on the toilet bowl rim. The plate has a central aperture for a plunger handle to freely pass through.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,527 discloses a splash deflector for plungers for deflecting splashes having a disc with a circumferential lip on one side thereof. A plurality of stiffening ribs and anti-tearing ribs and openings may be provided on the disc. The disc is positioned on a handle and attached thereto via flaps formed by selectively slitting the disc.  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,185 describes a toilet bowl protector which fits as a skirt around a toilet bowl comprising a flexible water-proof sheet to cover the exterior surfaces of a toilet bowl and a hole in the central area thereof and an attachment means for enabling the periphery around the hole to be releasably attached to the upper rim of the toilet bowl.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,555 teaches a commode plunging shield apparatus including a convex shield formed with a planar lower rim in confronting relationship to a complimentary configured commode rim surface to position the shield in overlying relationship to the commode. An aperture through the crown of an uppermost surface of the commode in alignment with the commode drain pipe slidingly receives a commode plunger therethrough to align the plunger with the commode drain and directs splashing water interiorly of the concave interior surface of the shield to contain such water within the shield and the interior of the commode.  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,669 shows a splash guard for a toilet bowl to prevent water from splashing out of the toilet bowl when unclogging the toilet by the use of a plunger comprising a flat plate to cover the open upper end of the toilet bowl including a flexible central diaphragm provided with an opening to receive and allow movement of a plunger handle whereby vertical movement of the plunger will not result in water splashing out of the open upper end of the toilet bowl.  
           [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,661 discloses a decorative cover for a toilet bowl having a top opening including two pieces, a first elongated flexible band having adhesive material on its opposite sides and a unit consisting of a second elongated flexible band having adhesive material only on one side thereof and carrying a skirt for covering the toilet bowl when the skirt and band unit is applied to the edge of the toilet bowl.  
           [0016]    Additional examples of prior part are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,092; U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,611 and Des. 341,414.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    The present invention relates to an anti-splash guard to enclose the open portion of a toilet bowl to shield and contain liquid and matter splashing therefrom when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris when using a plunger. The plunger comprises an upper handle and a lower plunger member.  
           [0018]    The anti-splash guard comprises a cover including an upper opening with a handle seal disposed adjacent thereto and a lower opening with a bowl seal disposed adjacent thereto.  
           [0019]    The cover comprises a membrane or pliable canopy; while, the handle seal and the bowl seal each comprises a resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element.  
           [0020]    In use, the upper handle is passed through the upper opening with the handle seal sealing the periphery of the upper opening against the upper handle such that the lower plunger member is disposed beneath the membrane or pliable canopy. So assembled, the lower plunger member and the lower portion of the upper handle are placed into the interior of the toilet bowl.  
           [0021]    With the anti-splash guard and the plunger so positioned relative to the toilet bowl the bowl seal is placed against the outer surface of the toilet bowl the rim and the toilet seat to seal the lower opening with the upper portion of the toilet bowl and around the toilet seat. The anti-splash guard may be used with the seat in either the up or down position with equal performance.  
           [0022]    With lower plunger member placed over the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing, the upper handle of the plunger is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing with the membrane or pliable canopy of the anti-splash guard shielding and containing liquid or matter splashing from the interior of the toilet bowl.  
           [0023]    When the process is complete, the toilet is flushed with the anti-splash guard in place to assist in containing any liquid or matter overflow if plunging is unsuccessful.  
           [0024]    Then the anti-splash guard and the plunger are removed from the toilet bowl. Finally, the anti-splash guard is removed from the upper elongated handle and disposed of.  
           [0025]    The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the anti-splash guard of the present invention in combination with a plunger and toilet.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the anti-splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 in combination with a plunger and toilet with the anti-splash guard positioned on the toilet and the plunger in the operative position.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention in combination with a plunger and toilet.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of another alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention in combination with a plunger and toilet with the anti-splash guard partially positioned on the toilet.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of another alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 in combination with a plunger and toilet with the anti-splash guard fully positioned on the toilet.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 in combination with a plunger and toilet with the anti-splash guard fully positioned on the toilet.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 in combination with a plunger and toilet with the anti-splash guard positioned on the toilet and the plunger in the operative position.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a top view of one panel of the anti-splash guard of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 7.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a top view of the two panels of the anti-splash guard of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 through 7.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention partially installed on a toilet.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side view of yet another embodiment of the anti-splash guard of the present invention shown in FIG. 11 installed on a toilet.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 12 is a top view of one panel of the anti-splash guard of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 13 is a top view of two panels of the anti-splash guard of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.  
         [0040]    Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0041]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to an anti-splash guard generally indicated as  10  to enclose the open upper end portion  12  of a toilet bowl  14  adjacent the rim  16  thereof to shield and contain liquid  18  and matter  20  splashing from the interior  22  thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris (not shown) from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing beneath the toilet (not shown) when using a plunger generally indicated as  26 . The plunger  26  comprises an upper elongated handle  28  and a hemispherical lower plunger member or concave cup  30 .  
         [0042]    The anti-splash guard  10  comprises a cover generally indicated as  32  including a centrally disposed upper minor opening  34  having a periphery  36  with a handle seal generally indicated as  38  disposed adjacent thereto and a lower major opening  40  having a periphery  42  with a bowl seal generally indicated as  44  disposed adjacent thereto.  
         [0043]    The cover  32  comprises a membrane or pliable canopy  46 ; while, the handle seal  38  and the bowl seal  44  comprise a first resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  48  and a second resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  50  respectively.  
         [0044]    In use, the upper elongated handle  28  of the plunger  26  is passed through the centrally disposed upper minor opening  34  with the first resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  48  sealing the periphery  36  of the centrally disposed upper minor opening  34  against the upper elongated handle  28  of the plunger  26  such that the lower plunger member or concave cup  30  is disposed beneath the membrane or pliable canopy  46  of the cover  32 . So assembled, the lower plunger member or concave cup  30  and the lower portion of the upper elongated handle  28  are placed into the interior  22  of the toilet bowl  14 .  
         [0045]    With the anti-splash guard  10  and the plunger  26  so positioned relative to the toilet bowl  14 , the second resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  50  is placed against the outer surface  52  of the upper portion  12  of the toilet bowl  14  below the rim  14  and the toilet seat  54  to seal the periphery  42  of the lower major opening  40  with the upper portion  12  of the toilet bowl  14  and around the toilet seat  54 .  
         [0046]    With lower plunger member or concave cup  30  of the plunger  26  placed over the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not shown), the upper elongated handle  28  of the plunger  26  is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not shown) with the membrane or pliable canopy  46  of the cover  32  of the anti-splash guard  10  shielding and containing liquid  18  or matter  20  splashing from the interior  22  of the toilet bowl  14 .  
         [0047]    When the process is complete, the anti-splash guard  10  and the plunger  26  are removed from the toilet bowl  14 . The anti-splash guard  10  is removed from the upper elongated handle  28  and disposed of.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard  10  with similar structural elements similarly designated. Specifically, the anti-splash guard  10  comprises a cover generally indicated as  32  including a lower major opening  40  having a periphery  42  with a bowl seal generally indicated  44  disposed adjacent thereto.  
         [0049]    The cover  32  comprises a membrane or pliable canopy  46 ; while, the bowl seal  44  comprises a resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  50 .  
         [0050]    In use, the upper elongated handle  28  of the plunger  26  is at least partially disposed with the membrane or pliable canopy  46  such that the lower plunger member or concave cup  30  is disposed beneath the membrane or pliable canopy  46  of the cover  32 . So assembled, the lower plunger member or concave cup  30  and the lower portion of the upper elongated handle  28  are placed into the interior  22  of the toilet bowl  14 .  
         [0051]    With the anti-splash guard  10  and the plunger  26  so positioned relative to the toilet bowl  14 , the resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  50  is placed against the outer surface  52  of the upper portion  12  of the toilet bowl  14  below the rim  14  and the toilet seat  54  to seal the periphery  42  of the lower major opening  40  with the upper portion  12  of the toilet bowl  14  and around the toilet seat  54 .  
         [0052]    With lower plunger member or concave cup  30  of the plunger  26  placed over the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not shown), the upper elongated handle  28  of the plunger  26  is vigorously moved up and down to dislodge or unclog debris from the lower portion of the toilet or associated plumbing (not shown) with the membrane or pliable canopy  46  of the cover  32  of the anti-splash guard  10  shielding and containing liquid  18  or matter  20  splashing from the interior  22  of the toilet bowl  14 .  
         [0053]    When the process is complete, the anti-splash guard  10  and the plunger  26  are removed from the toilet bowl  14 . The anti-splash guard  10  is removed from the upper elongated handle  28  and disposed of.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 4 through 7 show another alternate embodiment of an anti-splash guard generally indicated as  100 . Specifically, the anti-splash guard  100  comprises a cover generally indicated as  110  including a bowl receiving opening  112  having a periphery  114  with a bowl seal generally indicated as  116  disposed adjacent thereto and a bulbous effluent trap or pocket  118 .  
         [0055]    The cover  110  comprises a membrane or pliable canopy  120 ; while, the bowl seal  116  comprise a resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  122 .  
         [0056]    The construction of the member or pliable canopy  120  can best be understood with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. In particular, the membrane or pliable canopy  120  comprises a pair of panels each indicated as  124  sealed together on a first sealed side or edge  126  that intersects a second sealed side or edge  128  at the upper front portion generally indicated as  130  (FIG. 7) of the membrane or pliable canopy  120  at  132  and a third sealed side or edge  134  that intersects the first sealed side or edge  126  at the lower front portion generally indicated as  131  (FIG. 7) of the membrane or pliable canopy  120  at  136  and an unsealed side or edge  138  that intersects the second sealed side or edge  128  at  142  and the third sealed side or edge  134  at  144  at the front portion generally indicated as  146  (FIG. 7) of the membrane or pliable canopy  120 .  
         [0057]    The length of unsealed side or edge  138  is about the length of the second sealed side or edge  128  and greater than the length of the first sealed side or edge  126  which is greater than the length of third sealed side or edge  134 . The length of the unsealed side or edge  138  and second sealed side or edge  128  is about at least thirty-six (36″) inches; which, the length of the first sealed side or edge  126  is about at least thirty-three (33″) inches which is about at least twice the length of third sealed side or edge  134  of about at least sixteen (16′) inches.  
         [0058]    The resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  122  is formed or affixed adjacent the unsealed side or edge  138  to form the bowl receiving opening  112 .  
         [0059]    To use the anti-splash guard  110 , the toiled seat  54  is lifted. The plunger  26  is placed in a toilet bowl  14  with handle  28  facing forward. The user then holds the cover  110  with black line or alignment indicator  148  (FIG. 6) facing up and places the cover  110  over plunger handle  28  and under belly of toilet bowl  14 . The plunger  26  is then pumped to dislodge the debris as previously described. The cover  110  is then carefully removed with the effluent trapped or retained in the bulbous effluent trap pocket  118 .  
         [0060]    [0060]FIGS. 10 through 11 show yet another alternate embodiment of the anti-splash guard generally indicated as  200 . Specifically, the anti-splash guard  200  comprises a cover generally indicated as  210  including a bowl receiving opening  212  having a periphery  214  with a bowl seal generally indicated as  216  disposed adjacent thereto.  
         [0061]    The cover  210  comprises a membrane or pliable canopy  220  while, the bowl seal  216  comprise a resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  222 .  
         [0062]    The construction of the member or pliable canopy  220  can best be understood with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. In particular, the membrane or pliable canopy  220  comprises a pair of panels each indicated as  224  sealed together on a first sealed side or edge  226  and a second sealed side or edge  228  that intersect at  232  and unsealed on a first unsealed side or edge  234  and a second unsealed side or edge  236  that intersect at  240 .  
         [0063]    As best shown in FIG. 13, the first unsealed side or edge  234  intersects the second sealed side or edge  228  at  242 ; while, the second unsealed side or edge  236  intersects the first sealed side or edge  226  at  244 .  
         [0064]    The length of first unsealed side or edge  234  is greater than the length of the first sealed side or edge  226  which is greater than the length of second sealed side or edge  228  which is greater than the length of the second un sealed side or edge  236 . The length of the second sealed side or edge  228  is about at least twenty four (24″) inches which is about at least twice the length of second unsealed side or edge  236  of about at least twelve (12″) inches; while, the length of the first sealed side or edge  126  of about at least twenty-seven (27″) inches.  
         [0065]    The resilient or elastic ring-like or continuous element  222  is formed or affixed adjacent the f ir st unsealed side or edge  234  and the second unsealed side or edge  236  to form the bowl receiving opening  212 .  
         [0066]    To position on the toilet bowl  14 , the toilet seat  54  is closed and the elastic or resilient element  222  is placed over the toilet to prevent access or use of the toilet until repaired.  
         [0067]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.  
         [0068]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.  
         [0069]    Now that the invention has been described,