Patent Publication Number: US-6219884-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for decorative toilet flush handles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to toilet flush handles and, more specifically, to a method and device for attaching a plurality of decorative and novel figurines. The device is comprised of a threaded shaft having two members mounted thereon. The first member has a collar with a centrally positioned threaded aperture for selectively positioning said first member on the threaded shaft. The collar has two oppositely positioned springs attached to the exterior surface of the collar having each leg member fixedly positioned to divergent arm members. The arm members have threads on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft whereby the divergent arms will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. This will enable the fastener to be threaded into a user-supplied cavity with the chosen decorative object. Further the decorative object can be fixedly attached to the device by applying an amount of adhesive on the divergent arms prior to mounting the decorative object thereon. 
     In addition if the decorative item has no interior structure, such as in the case of a seashell, the device can be inserted into a user-supplied aperture whereupon the divergent arm members will flair out once inside the decorative object. The second member is a disc having a centrally positioned threaded aperture therethrough. The second mounted member can be advanced toward the first mounted member until the decorative item is fixedly contained between the two mounted members. The decorative object can be further fixedly attached by applying an amount of adhesive to the contact points between the first and second mounting members and the decorative figurine. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other decorative handles designed for novelty purposes. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,766 issued to Cohen on Oct. 31, 1989. 
     Another patent was issued to Levay on Sep. 16, 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,693. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. Des. 252,584 was issued to Raz on Aug. 7, 1979 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 30, 1991 to Hardman as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 318,715. 
     Another patent was issued to Hardman on Jul. 30, 1991 as U.S. Pat. No Des. 318,716. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. Des. 319,297 was issued to Hardman on Aug. 20, 1991. Another was issued to Hardman on Oct. 8, 1991 as U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,646 and still yet another was issued on Jan. 20, 1998 to Wan as U.S. Pat. Des. 389,392. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,766 
     Inventor: Richard K. Cohen 
     Issued: Oct. 31, 1989 
     A decorative faucet handle mounting apparatus includes an adapter having a first bore complimentarily shaped to the shape of a faucet stem. A second bore formed coaxially in the adapter cooperates with a fastener to attach the adapter to the faucet stem. A decorative handle has a longitudinal bore extending inward from one end which is engageable over the adapter. A perpendicular bore formed in the handle receives a threaded fastener engageable through the perpendicular bore with the adapter to secure the handle to the adapter. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,693 
     Inventor: Peggy Levay 
     Issued: Sep. 16, 1997 
     A novelty device simulating a portion of a character or an object, such as half an animal, for example a frog, is capable of functioning as a toy handle for use with oral devices such as lollipops, popsicles, or teething rings or the like, which are typically placed in the mouth of the user and provided with a handle allowing periodic removal. The amusement device allows interactive response between the user and the toy handle, as well as between the user and observers, evoking a surprised, humorous reaction in the observer. The toy handle has securing structure disposed within a receiving channel of the main body of the toy handle such that the typical handle of such an oral device may be selectively and removably secured within the toy handle. Where the handle of the oral device is a typical wrapped paper handle for a lollipop, the securing structure may be a frustoconically shaped threaded channel such as used with a wire nut, to deform and thus secure the paper lollipop handle in the toy handle of the present invention. Alternative securing structure are also disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 252,584 
     Inventor: Zeev Raz 
     Issued: Aug. 7, 1979 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a toilet flush handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 318,715 
     Inventor: Ronald P. Hardman 
     Issued: Jul. 30, 1991 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a toilet flush handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 318,716 
     Inventor: Ronald P. Hardman 
     Issued: Jul. 30, 1991 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a toilet flush handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 319,297 
     Inventor: Ronald P. Hardman 
     Issued: Aug. 20, 1991 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a toilet flush handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 320,646 
     Inventor: Ronald P. Hardman 
     Issued: Oct. 8, 1991 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a toilet flush handle as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Des. 389,392 
     Inventor: Chen Wan 
     Issued: Jan. 20, 1998 
     This United States Patent discloses an ornamental design for a doorknob as illustrated in the drawings of the patent. 
     While these decorative handles designed for novelty purposes may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for attaching a decorative flush handle to a conventional toilet. Shown is a threaded shaft having a first rotatable member mounted thereon having a collar having a pair of oppositely opposing, hinged arms spring tensioned away from each for mounting in the inner cavity of the decorative item. A second rotatable disc threadably attached to the threaded shaft and adjustable positioned on the shaft in order to fixedly secure the wall of the decorative item between the disc and the arms. The arms have external threads thereon so that the arms and shaft can function somewhat like a conventional screw for placement in decorative items. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide decorative handles for toilet bowl flush handles. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which provides means for mounting a plurality of decorative item and figurines as toilet bowl flush handles. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a threaded central shaft which can be mounted to the toilet bowl handle flush mechanism. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a threaded central shaft which can be mounted to the toilet bowl handle flush mechanism having a first and second rotative member mounted thereon. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a threaded central shaft having a rotative first member having an internally threaded collar having springs fixedly attached to said collar and fixedly attached to divergent arm members. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a threaded central shaft having a rotative first member having hingedly attached divergent arm members having exteriorly threaded surfaces which can be compressed to the central shaft and threaded into a solid core decorative item. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a threaded central shaft having a disc shaped rotative second member having a threaded bore therethrough. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device having a threaded central shaft having a first rotative member having hingedly attached divergent arm members and having a disc shaped rotative second member working in conjunction with said first member whereby said first member can be inserted into a hollow decorative article and said second member can be advanced until said first and second members are frictionally in contact with the exterior wall of said decorative article. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a method and device for attaching a plurality of decorative articles and novel figurines. The device is comprised of a threaded shaft having two members mounted thereon. The first member has a collar with a centrally positioned threaded aperture for selectively positioning said first member on the threaded shaft. The collar has two oppositely positioned springs attached to the exterior surface of the collar having each leg member fixedly positioned to divergent arm members. The arm members have threads on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft whereby the divergent arms will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. This will enable the fastener to be threaded into a selectively chosen solid core decorative article. Further the decorative object can be fixedly attached to the device by applying an amount of adhesive on the divergent arms prior to mounting the decorative object thereon. 
     In addition if the decorative item has no interior structure, such as in the case of a seashell, the device can be inserted into a user-supplied aperture whereupon the divergent arm members will flair out once inside the decorative article. The second mounted member is a disc having a centrally positioned threaded aperture therethrough. The second mounted member can be advanced toward the first mounted member until the decorative item is fixedly contained between the two mounted members. The decorative object can be further fixedly attached by applying an amount of adhesive to the contact points between the first and second mounting members and the decorative figurine or by injecting an expandable foam material which will provide rigidity for said hollow core decorative article. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 an illustrative view of a plurality of different ornamental decorative items which can be used as toilet flush handles by using the mounting hardware of the present invention. Shown are examples of solid core and hollow core ornamentally decorative items which can be used functional after being mounted to the toilet bowl flush mechanism using the mounting device of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is cutaway illustration of the present invention in use, shown is a partial side view of the typical toilet having the manufacturers handle removed and a threaded shaft having two rotatively mounted members. The selected ornamental decorative article has a hollow interior. The first rotative member having hingedly attached divergent arm members is inserted into said cavity whereupon the divergent arm members are used in conjunction with the second member rotative disc to frictionally engage the wall of the ornamental decorative article. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the ornamental toilet flush handle as shown in FIG.  2 . The device is comprised of a threaded shaft having two members mounted thereon. The first member has a collar with a centrally positioned threaded aperture for selectively positioning said first member on the threaded shaft. The collar has two oppositely positioned springs attached to the exterior surface of the collar having each leg member fixedly positioned to divergent arm members. The arm members have threads on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft whereby the divergent arms will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. 
     As illustrated the decorative item has no interior structure. The present invention mounting hardware device having a first rotative member having divergent arm members can be inserted into a user-supplied aperture whereupon the divergent arm members will flair out once inside the decorative object. The second mounted member is a disc having a centrally positioned threaded aperture therethrough. The second mounted member can be advanced toward the first mounted member until the ornamentally decorative item is fixedly contained between the two mounted members. 
     FIG. 3A is an illustrative view of the ornamental decorative article which will be used instead of the manufactures toilet flush handle having a user supplied access aperture therein. Also shown is the central shaft member having the first rotative member mounted thereon. The divergent hingedly attached arms can be compressed to insert said threadably mounted first member into the ornamentally decorative articles cavity whereby said first members divergent arms will extend to a fully open at rest position. 
     FIG. 4 is a continued illustrative view of the method and device for mounting the ornamentally decorative seashell onto the present invention mounting hardware whereby said ornamentally decorative seashell can be used in place of the manufactures supplied flush handle. Once the first rotative member having divergent arm members is positioned with the cavity of the decorative article having the arm in a fully extended at rest position. The second mounted member can be advanced toward the first mounted member until the decorative item is fixedly contained between the two mounted members. The decorative object can be further fixedly attached by applying an amount of adhesive to the contact points between the first and second mounting members and the decorative figurine or by injecting an expandable foam material which will provide rigidity for said hollow core decorative article. 
     FIG. 5 is a continued illustrative view of the method and device for mounting the ornamentally decorative seashell onto the present invention mounting hardware whereby said ornamentally decorative seashell can be used in place of the manufactures supplied flush handle. Shown is the decorative handle installed in place of the manufacturer&#39;s handle. The means for securing the seashell using the threadably mounted first and second member can additionally be enhanced by the selective application of adhesive. 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of an ornamental article affixed to the toilet as the flush handle. The mounting hardware device is comprised of a threaded shaft having two members mounted thereon. The first member has a collar with a centrally positioned threaded aperture for selectively positioning said first member on the threaded shaft. The collar has two oppositely positioned springs attached to the exterior surface of the collar having each leg member fixedly positioned to divergent arm members. The arm members have threads on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft whereby the divergent arms will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. This will enable the fastener to be threaded into a user-supplied cavity with the chosen decorative object. Further the decorative object can be fixedly attached to the device by applying an amount of adhesive on the divergent arms prior to mounting the decorative object thereon. 
     FIG. 7 is an additional illustration of an ornamental article affixed to the toilet as the flush handle. The mounting hardware is comprised of a threaded shaft having two members mounted thereon. The first member has a collar with a centrally positioned threaded aperture for selectively positioning said first member on the threaded shaft. The collar has two oppositely positioned springs attached to the exterior surface of the collar having each leg member fixedly positioned to divergent arm members. The arm members have threads on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft whereby the divergent arms will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. This will enable the fastener to be threaded into a user-supplied cavity with the chosen decorative object. Further the decorative object can be fixedly attached to the device by applying an amount of adhesive on the divergent arms prior to mounting the decorative object thereon. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings: 
       10  decorative item 
       12  toilet 
       14  present invention 
       16  shalt 
       18  rotating members 
       20  toilet tank 
       22  lift arm 
       24  tank cover 
       25  wall of decorative item 
       26  collar 
       27  springs 
       28  collar threaded apertures 
       30  arm members 
       32  external threads 
       34  access aperture 
       36  disc 
       38  disc threaded aperture 
       40  cavity 
       50  adhesive 
       52  foam 
       54  mounting hardware 
       56  fastener 
       58  nut 
       60  set screw 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate the present invention being an apparatus for a decorative toilet flush handle. 
     Turning to FIG. 1, shown therein is an illustrative view of a plurality of different ornamental decorative items  10  which can be used as toilet  12  flush handles by using the mounting hardware of the present invention. 
     Shown are examples of solid core and hollow core ornamentally decorative items which can be used functional after being mounted to the toilet bowl  12  flush mechanism using the mounting device of the present invention. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, shown therein is a cutaway illustration of the present invention  14  in use, shown is a partial side view of the typical toilet  12  having the manufacture&#39;s handle removed and a threaded shaft  16  having thereon two rotatively mounted members  18 . The selected ornamental decorative article  10  has a hollow interior  40 . The first rotative member  18  having hingedly attached divergent arm members  30  is inserted into the cavity  40  whereupon the divergent arm members  30  are used in conjunction with the second member rotative disc  36  to frictionally engage the wall  25  of the ornamental decorative article  10 . Also shown is the toilet tank wall  20 , the lift arm  22 , and the toilet tank cover  24 . 
     Turning to FIG. 3, shown therein is an exploded view of the ornamental toilet flush handle  10  as shown in FIG.  2 . The present invention  14  is comprised of a threaded shaft  16  having two members mounted thereon. The first member  18  has a collar  26  with a centrally positioned threaded aperture  28  (not visible) for selectively positioning the first member  18  on the threaded shaft  16 . The collar  26  has two oppositely positioned springs  27  attached to the exterior surface of the collar  26  having each leg member  30  fixedly positioned to divergent arm members  30 . The arm members  30  have threads  32  on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms  30  can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft  16  whereby the divergent arms  30  will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. Conventional mounting hardware  54  is also shown, along with fastener  56  and nut  58 . 
     As illustrated the decorative item  10  has no interior structure. The present invention  14  mounting hardware device having a first rotative member  18  having divergent arm members  30  which can be inserted into a user supplied aperture  34  whereupon the divergent arm members  30  will flair out once inside the decorative object  10  similar to a conventional molly bolt. The second mounted member is a disc  36  having a centrally positioned threaded aperture  38  therethrough. The second mounted member  36  can be advanced toward the arms  30  of the first mounted member  18  until the wall  25  of the ornamentally decorative item  10  is fixedly secured between the two mounted members  18 ,  36  whereby it is secured by locking set screw  60  in the conventional manner. Lift arm  22  is also shown along with other conventional mounting hardware  54  including a threaded fastener  56  and nut  58 . 
     Turning to FIG. 3A, therein is shown is an illustrative view of the ornamental decorative article  10  which will be used instead of the manufactures toilet flush handle having a user supplied access aperture  34  therein. Also shown is the central shaft member  16  having the first rotative member  18  mounted thereon. The divergent hingedly attached arms  30  can be compressed to insert the threadably mounted first member  18  into the ornamentally decorative articles  10  cavity  40  whereby the first members  18  divergent arms  30  will extend to a fully open at rest position. Collar  26  and spring  27  are also shown whereby springs  27  oppositely urge arms  30  away from each other. 
     Turning to FIG. 4, shown therein is a continued illustrative view of the method and device for mounting the ornamentally decorative seashell  10  onto the present invention  14  mounting hardware whereby the ornamentally decorative seashell  10  can be used in place of the manufactures supplied flush handle. 
     Once the first rotative member  18  having divergent arm members  30  thereon is positioned within the cavity  40  of the decorative article  10  having the arm  30  in a fully extended at rest position, then the second mounted member  36  can be advanced toward the first mounted member  18  until the decorative item  10  is fixedly contained between the two mounted members  18 ,  36 . The decorative object  10  can be further fixedly attached by applying an amount of adhesive  50  (not visible) to the contact points between the first and second mounting members  18 ,  36  and the decorative figurine  10  or by injecting an expandable foam material  52  (not shown) which will provide rigidity for the hollow core  40  of the decorative article  10 . 
     Turning to FIG. 5, shown therein is a continued illustrative view of the method and device for mounting the ornamentally decorative seashell  10  onto the present invention  14  mounting hardware whereby the ornamentally decorative seashell  10  can be used in place of the manufactures supplied flush handle. 
     Shown is the decorative handle  10  installed in place of the manufacturer&#39;s handle. The means for securing the seashell using the threadably mounted first  18  and second  36  member can additionally be enhanced by the selective application of adhesive as previously disclosed. The lift arm  22  is also shown. 
     Turning to FIG. 6, shown therein is an illustration of an ornamental article  10  affixed to the toilet flush handle. The mounting hardware device is comprised of a threaded shaft  16  having two members mounted thereon. The first member  18  has a collar (not shown) with a centrally positioned threaded aperture for selectively positioning the first member  18  on the threaded shaft  16 . The collar has two oppositely positioned springs attached to the exterior surface of the collar having each leg member fixedly positioned to divergent arm members  30 . The arm members have threads  32  on their external surfaces so that the divergent arms  30  can be pressed to the body of the threaded shaft  16  whereby the divergent arms  30  will permit the device to be used in much the same fashion as a screw. This will enable the fastener to be threaded into a user-supplied aperture within the chosen decorative object  10 . Further the decorative object  10  can be fixedly attached to the device by applying an amount of adhesive on the divergent arms prior to mounting the decorative object  10  thereon. 
     Turning to FIG. 7, shown therein is an additional illustration of an ornamental article  10  affixed to the toilet as the flush handle similar to FIG.  6 . 
     What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.