Abstract:
A toilet target for use in the toilet training of young boys and for the amusement and marketing of men is described that includes a target for providing an aiming objective, a mounting hardware for attaching the toilet target to a toilet, and a suspension line or tether for connecting the target to the mounting hardware.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to toilet training devices, and more particularly to a toilet target system for aiding in toilet training for boys and as an amusement or marketing device for men. 
         [0002]    Some devices used for assisting in the toilet training of young boys may not reduce the cleanup of the area surrounding a toilet. Some other devices are disposable and may be designed to be single-use, whereby the devices are flushed down the toilet after a single use. The disposable nature of some other devices may increase the likelihood of clogged drains, and requires a user to constantly replenish them. Still some other devices have rigid mounting systems that may not allow the device to be automatically rinsed with each use. The rigid mounting system may also increase a likelihood of toilet paper becoming entangled with the target. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for an improved toilet training apparatus that does not flush after each use and allows for reusability, an apparatus that may be automatically rinsed with each flush of the toilet, and an apparatus that limits the possibility of toilet paper becoming caught in the mounting system or target. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toilet target system comprises a target; mounting hardware; and a suspension line, the suspension line connected to the target on a first end and connected to the mounting hardware on a second end. 
         [0005]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toilet target system comprises a target, the target having a first side and a second side; an image, the image being displayed on both sides; mounting hardware; and a suspension line, the suspension line interconnecting the target and the mounting hardware. 
         [0006]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an oblique perspective top view of a toilet target system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an oblique perspective view of the toilet target system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an oblique perspective view of a toilet target according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the target of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
         [0014]    Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a toilet target comprising a target for providing an aiming objective, mounting hardware for attaching the toilet target to a toilet, and a suspension line or tether for connecting the target to the mounting hardware. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in use in a toilet  12 . Toilet target system  10  may be affixed to a rim  11  of toilet  12 . Toilet target system  10  may be capable of being affixed to other locations including a lid  13  of toilet  12 , for example. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , portions of toilet target system  10  may be configured to hang down into the bowl of toilet  12 , and may be visible by a user standing over toilet  12 . According to other exemplary embodiments, toilet target system  10  may be attached to a urinal with or without the use of the suspension line or tether, for example. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an oblique perspective view of toilet target system  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. A target  14  may have a suspension line  16  attached to an edge thereof. Target  14  may have a hole  34  formed or machined on an outside edge thereof, which may be used for attaching suspension line  16  thereto. Suspension line  16  may be attached to mounting hardware  18  on an end thereof. Target  14  may be a waterproof, non-biodegradable material, and may be an impermeable or a permeable solid or mesh. Target  14  may be a natural material, synthetic material, or a combination thereof. Target  14  may be configured to be dimensionally larger than a drain hole of toilet  12 , to prevent accidental flushing of toilet target system  10 . Target  14  may have a roughly circular shape, with a front and a back planar surfaces, which may have a pattern  32  formed, printed, etched, engraved, adhered, or otherwise displayed thereon, which may aid a user in locating, concentrating, and aiming thereon. In an exemplary embodiment, pattern  32  may be a bulls eye or target pattern. According to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, pattern  32  may be, for example, an advertisement, a logo (e.g., sports team logo), or an image. 
         [0017]    Mounting hardware  18  may be configured to attach to a flat surface or to tether to an aspect of toilet  12  including, but not limited to, for example, rim  11 , lid  13 , or lid  13  mounting bolts (not pictured). Mounting hardware  18  may include a suction device (e.g., a suction cup), an adhesive, a magnet, a hook, a static adhesive, or any other means of attachment known or unknown, for example. Suspension line  16  may be a flexible non-conductive (not electrical) line having a length that may allow target  14  to extend down into the bowl portion of toilet  12  when assembled thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, suspension line  16  may be a wire or plastic that may exhibit elastic or plastic deformation. Suspension line  16  may include a drawn or coiled wire, for example. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system  20  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Toilet target system  20  may have a target  22  on an end thereof, which may have suspension line  16  attached thereto. Suspension line  16  may be attached to mounting hardware  18  on one end thereof. Target  22  may formed or machined in the form of a character (e.g., a clown, cartoon), and may have a hole  36  formed on an edge thereof. Target  22  may have a first lobe  38   a  and a second lobe  38   b  (collectively referred to as lobes  38 ), which may be used to denote portions (e.g., head, body, arms) of the character. At least one of lobe  38   a  and lobe  38   b  may be configured to be dimensionally larger than a drain hole of toilet  12 , to prevent accidental flushing of toilet target system  20 . 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system  41  according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Mounting hardware  18  may be connected to a first linkage  45   a,  which may be interconnected to a second linkage  45   b  by a suspension line  44 . Second linkage  45   b  may be interconnected to target  14  by a suspension line  43 . First and second linkages  45   a,    45   b  may allow target  14  to articulate with respect to mounting hardware  18  and may allow target  14  to move in multiple planes or rotate thereabout. First and second linkages  45   a,    45   b  may include a spinning or rotating linkage, universal joint, elastic joint, or spring, for example. First and second linkages  45   a,    45   b  may be configured to passively rotate or spin when struck by the flushing water of toilet  12  or by a fluid stream. Target  14  may be configured to have alternating exposed sections, and may have sections  46 ,  47 ,  48 , and  49  alternating in a concentric ring pattern that may extend radially outward, for example. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional view of target  14  of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  is shown. Target  14  may have a plurality of layers including a core  50 , which may have a first side  51  and a second side  52  on opposite sides thereof. According to some exemplary embodiments, core  50  may be configured to hold an insert therein, which may include first and second sides  51 ,  52 . First and second sides  51 ,  52  may be assembled to core  50  by an interference fit, adhesive, or magnetic fit, for example. 
         [0021]    According to some exemplary embodiments, at least one of first and second sides  51 ,  52  and core  50  may be configured to be soluble and may include, for example, a deodorizer block, a disinfectant block, a cleaner block, or a water soluble material that may indicate a successful contact by a fluid stream (e.g., coloring). According to some exemplary embodiments, first and second sides  51 ,  52 , or core  50  may be configured to reduce potential deflection or splashing of a fluid stream propelled on a surface thereof, and may have an irregular, multi-faceted, perforated, or absorbent surface, texture, or property and may include a diffuser (e.g., a mesh screen, an aerator, a sponge), for example. According to still other exemplary embodiments, target  14  may have a portion that may indicate or be reactive to temperature, wetness, acidity, or salinity. According to yet other exemplary embodiments, target  14  may have a portion that may indicate or be reactive to certain proteins or substances that may indicate a health condition, dietary concern, or chronic or acute condition. According to some exemplary embodiments, at least one of target  14 , suspension line  16 , and mounting hardware  18  may be buoyant or may have a buoy or flotation device (not pictured) attached thereto. 
         [0022]    According to exemplary embodiments, target  14  may be between about one sixty-fourth ( 1/64) of an inch and about two (2) inches in thickness. According to exemplary embodiments, suspension lines  16  and  44  may be between about one (1) inch and about thirty-six (36) inches in length. Suspension lines  16  and  44  may be less than about one eighth (⅛) of an inch in thickness or diameter. 
         [0023]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.