Abstract:
A novelty toilet seat with conventional flashing lights, a heater and music functions. The invention can light up the bathroom. The present invention targets all age groups and can be used in many different types of businesses including but not limited to: children&#39;s bathrooms, night clubs, bars, liquor stores, and nursing homes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation in part of utility application Ser. No. 09/747,769 filed on Dec. 22, 2000, entitled NOVELTY TOILET SEAT AND RELATED ACCESSORIES by Saghi Farzanehfar, which in turn claimed priority to provisional application 171,587 filed Dec. 23, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    Toilet seats are a necessity for reasons of sanitation and control of odor. However, the most common toilet seats on the market are quite plain in design. Some standard toilet seats that are existent are the porcelain seats, the foam filled seats, and hard plastic seats. There are also covers for toilet seats available, usually in different colors or patterns to match bathroom decor. There are seats on the market that have removable paper or plastic inserts to change the look of the toilet seat. There are also seats on the market that can be heated, by means of pressure or a switch. However, as will be shown in the related art there are no novelty toilets that have music, lights, floating objects and a method for advertising combined.  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,646 issued to Ginsburg on Feb. 3, 1981 shows a method of making a foam filled toilet seat. Ginsburg&#39;s invention is unlike the present invention because it has no method of lighting the seat, it does not have a method of warming the seat, it has no method for playing music, and it has no means of floating novelty objects or banners in the interior.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,389 issued to LaLonde on Jun. 10, 1997 exhibits a toilet seat lid with removable, customizable insert. LaLonde&#39;s invention is unlike the present invention because it does not have a lighting method, it does not have a method of warming the seat, it does not have a method for floating novelty items in the toilet seat, and it does not have a method for playing music. U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,531 issued to Holtom et al., on Jul. 1, 1997 shows a method of warming a toilet seat. Holtom&#39;s invention is unlike the present invention because it has no method for floating novelty objects in the seat, the is no method of entering a message in the toilet seat, it has no space for a written advertisement, it is not made of clear plastic construction, it does not have lights and it does not have the ability to play music.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,984 issued to Bermudez-Schmeelk on May 26, 1998 shows a decorative toilet seat with changeable decorative insert sheets. Bermudez-Schmeelk&#39;s invention is unlike the present invention because it has no method for floating novelty items in the seat, it does not have the capability to play music, it does not have a method for warming the seat, and it does not have a method of lighting the seat.  
           [0006]    Therefore a need has been established for a novelty toilet seat with the ability to play music, light, heat, float decorative objects, and advertise. With the conventional flashing lights, the present invention can light up the bathroom in non-conventional ways. It targets all age groups infants, children, adults and senior citizens. It also targets many different businesses including nightclubs, restaurants, bars, liquor companies, and other establishments.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention has a conventional toilet seat-shape. It is constructed in such a way as to allow a space to exist between the upper or facing portion of the toilet seat and the lower portion of the toilet seat. Having a hollowed area within the actual “seat” portion of the toilet seat, the present invention has a tubular, cylindrical space or hollowed area to be filled with any fluid material such as water or gel. The fluid material can be any color desired and can be colored to match different decors. Contained within the fluid material are floating objects or sliding banners. The floating objects can vary from plastic figures and stones to toys or objects to match the theme of the business.  
           [0008]    For example, in a restaurant with a A Rock and Roll≈theme could have small guitars, drum sets, and faux microphone toys floating in the seats. The sliding banners could show the business name in a manner in which it will be noticed and remembered. In another embodiment, the sliding banners are exhibited as colored sheets that may be plastic or paper to change the color of the seat in a temporary manner.  
           [0009]    Flashing lights are another option to customize the seats and can be contained within the hollow area. The flashing lights can be of a marquee style, neon tube styled, or possibly even in the style of light strands used during winter holidays. The lights may also be applied to the outside of the seat portion in any of the styles listed above. The present invention is composed of transparent material that allows anything within the hollow area to be seen. The transparent material is a hard plastic or other hard substance, is easily heated, and is protective of the user of the toilet seat from the fluid on the interior of the seat.  
           [0010]    The toilet seat is connected to a conventional toilet bowl or water closet. In the embodiments of the present invention in which there are lights or heating, on the side of the toilet seat are two switches. One switch, when pressed, plays prerecorded music using a conventional method. The music can be chosen to match the theme of the bathroom or of the establishment as a whole. The other switch, when pressed, heats up the toilet seat using a conventional method. The heating is quick and allows the user of the toilet seat to be comfortable while using the seat.  
           [0011]    The invention can be constructed of any clear, sturdy material able to withstand repeated use like various plastics. Plastics are also easy to clean and can withstand the repeated opening and closing of the toilet seat, extending the life of the product. The upper or facing portion of the toilet seat material is composed of transparent material allowing one to see the objects or messages whereas the rest of the invention can be made with opaque or transparent materials. The casing can be made of transparent colored plastics to match the decor of the bathroom, and the rest of the toilet.  
           [0012]    With conventional flashing lights, the invention can light up the bathroom and is especially appropriate for nightclubs, children&#39;s bathrooms, and restaurants. Banner messages or advertisements can be used for public service announcements or for commercial purposes. Accessories such as shower curtains, shower mats, tooth brushes, cups, soap dishes and towels appliqued with the same objects found in the seat will also be available. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 shows a cut away side view of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 shows a top view of the banner insert in a possible embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    The present invention is a novelty toilet seat which, in some embodiments, can play music, provide light, and produce heat. The present invention is also constructed in such a way as to have a core that is filed with a fluid substance, such as gel or water. Floating in the gel or water are novelty items such as toys. Another embodiment of the present invention offers a banner or a colored decorative sheet in a lower compartment than the seat, or simply underneath the seat, which conveys a message or the name of the company in which the seat is installed.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 exhibits a top view of the present invention ( 10 ). The casing ( 20 ) is constructed of a hard plastic that is long lasting and transparent in color. The transparency of the casing ( 20 ) allows the novelty objects ( 30 ) to be easily viewed in the fluid ( 40 ). The novelty objects ( 30 ) can be of any shape, or design to match particular decors or themes. The fluid ( 40 ) can be water or a gelatinous substance, allowing for a movable or set look to the floating objects ( 30 ). The fluid ( 40 ) can also be colored to match the decor or the remainder of the toilet. Not shown in FIG. 1, is a possible embodiment of the present invention that also includes lights. The lights are attached to the outer edge of the present invention and allow for festive d e cor and more lightly in restrooms that are dimly lit. In separate embodiments, the fluid ( 40 ) can be drained, and new fluid ( 40 ) may be added. In this manner the user may also remove the floating objects ( 30 ) and replace them with new floating objects ( 30 ) to change the theme of the present invention ( 10 ).  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 also gives a clear view of the switch for warming the seat ( 50 ) and the switch for playing music ( 60 ). The switch for warming the seat ( 50 ) is attached to the bottom of the hollow seat and functions the same as a water bed heating pad heating the fluid ( 40 ) inside the seat so that the seat is warmed to a comfortable temperature. The music system ( 60 ) may be plugged into a conventional internal music system, a radio, or can play pre-recorded music selections to fit the theme of the establishment. An additional option is a banner (FIG. 3, 90) with a slogan, saying, or company name (FIG. 3, 95) that is inserted into a slot (FIG. 2, 70) that is directly below the fluid layer ( 40 ) and shows through to the user. The banner (FIG. 3, 90) may be made of a paper substance, or a thin plastic substance that can be written on, or changed as necessary by the user.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 shows a cut away view of the present invention ( 10 ). The casing ( 20 ) is transparent and made of a hard plastic or other durable, damage resistant material. The casing ( 20 ) is also filled with fluid ( 40 ) and novelty objects ( 30 ) explained in greater detail later. Under the hollow level used as the seat, that encases the fluid ( 40 ) and the novelty objects ( 30 ) is a hollow casing ( 70 ) to enclose the paper banner (FIG. 3, 90). Also shown in FIG. 2, is the base of the seat ( 80 ), which is constructed of a hard plastic similar to the casing ( 20 ), but does not have to be transparent in nature.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 gives a close up frontal view of a possible embodiment of the banner insert ( 90 ), which may have writing or slogans printed on it. The logo, slogan or company name is represented by the letters ( 95 ) in FIG. 3. This allows the owner of the seat to enter banners ( 90 ) indicate seasonal themes, or special events that may be happening. Effectively, it gives the store or restaurant owner an extra chance to target their audience with advertising that cannot be missed. The banners ( 90 ) are paper or plastic inserts that can easily be removed or replaced to indicate a new theme, or advertising technique, or simply to change the color of the seat in a temporary manner. For example, a restaurant may choose to have a banner saying, “Try our spring drink specials.”. Of course when those specials are no longer in effect, they may change the banner to indicate the new specials. The banners ( 90 ) can be of any design or color to match the d e cor and theme of the establishment.  
         [0021]    The banner ( 90 ) may be of any color or design, in paper or plastic form. The banner ( 90 ) in paper form may have words or slogans or may be of a plain color or design background as is desired by the user. In separate embodiments the banner ( 90 ) may be made of a thin plastic material, not unlike transparency sheets for an overhead projector. The banners ( 90 ) may then also have markers (not shown) and erasers (not shown) of conventional nature that can be used in a dry erase manner so that the user may write a message on the insert, then erase and write a different message. In this embodiment the banners ( 90 ) may be changed and reused as wished by the user. The thin plastic banners ( 90 ) may also give children a sense of creativity and a unique place to display their work.  
         [0022]    The present invention is a novelty toilet seat, but is not limited exclusively thereto. It encompasses any and all of the embodiments in the following claims.