Patent Publication Number: US-2016223177-A1

Title: Motion Activated Illumination Device for Use with a Toilet

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/100,353, filed on Jan. 6, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to illumination devices. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an illumination device for aiding in nighttime bathroom usage. Additionally, the illumination device may aid in toilet training and aiming for children already toilet trained. 
     Toilet illumination devices and toilet training aids are known in the prior art. The majority of targets for boys are paper or disposable and do not provide a light feature for nighttime use. 
     In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide the desired features described herein as well as additional advantages of providing an illumination device that is versatile, encourages bathroom use and training and does not require the disassembly of the existing toilet seat in order to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a LED light directed to casing nighttime bathroom use. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an illumination device for assisting in nighttime bathroom usage by an individual as an alternative to turning on bright lights. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an illumination device that is energy efficient by using a motion detector that activates the light once movement is detected. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an illumination device for easing the stress of nighttime bathroom usage by an individual having frequent nighttime bathroom usage. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a target for assisting in the toilet training of boys who may require additional practice aiming. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a fun incentive for children to use the bathroom wherein the target is movable to provide variety and encourage practice. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an illumination device to assist with reducing the stress and fear of nighttime bathroom use for smaller children. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a reusable target and/or illumination device for bathroom use wherein the illumination device is hands free and motion detected. 
     It is further still an object of the present invention to provide an illumination device capable of fitting any toilet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    illustrate the fully assembled device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the sensor PCB component of the device of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    illustrate the rear housing component of the device of the present invention;  FIG. 4 a    shows a front perspective view and  FIG. 4 b    shows a front view; 
         FIGS. 5 a -5 c    illustrate the internal housing component of the device of the present invention;  FIG. 5 a    shows a front perspective view,  FIG. 5 b    shows a front view and  FIG. 5 c    shows a rear view; 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    illustrate the Lens/LED bracket component of the device of the present invention;  FIG. 6 a    shows a front perspective view and  FIG. 6 b    shows a rear perspective 6  view; 
         FIG. 7 a - c    illustrate the ornamental front housing component of the device of the present invention;  FIG. 7 a    shows a front perspective view,  FIG. 7 b    shows a front view and  FIG. 7 c    shows a rear view; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the suction cup bracket component of the device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 a    and  1   b,  shown is a fully assembled illumination device  10  of the present invention. The illumination device  10  as fully assembled includes a rear housing component  400  secured to an ornamental front housing component  700  wherein a Lens/LED bracket component  600  protrudes through an opening in the front housing component  700 . A suction cup bracket component  800  is secured to the back of the rear housing component  400 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , shown is an exploded view of the components of the illumination device  10  of the present invention. The device  10  is comprised of an ornamental front housing component  700 , a rear housing component  400  and a suction cup bracket component  800 . The ornamental front housing component  700  and rear housing component  400  are generally circular in nature. Alternatively, the overall shape of the device  10  may be square, rectangular, triangular or any shape desirable. The ornamental front housing component  700 , by way of example only, resembles a large central star with several smaller stars located between the points of the larger star. The ornamental front housing component may resemble any design suitable for the device, including but not limited to, cartoon characters, animals, rainbows, etc. The rear housing component  400  is configured to be secured to the ornamental front housing component  700  such that the components therein are contained in a water tight enclosure. Adjacent to, and enclosed directly therein, the rear housing component  400  is the battery pack component  100 . Adjacent to the battery pack component  100  and opposite the rear housing component  400  is the sensor printed circuit board (PCB) component  300  which is integrally connected to battery pack component  100  and thereby converts battery power from battery pack component  100  to operate the movement detecting sensor (as shown clearly in  FIG. 3 a   ). Adjacent to the sensor PCB component  300  and opposite the battery pack component  100  is an internal frame component  500  upon which the sensor PCB component  300  and a Lens and LED bracket component  600  are secured on opposite sides thereon. The Lens/LED bracket component  600  is mounted to the internal frame component  500  at a downward angle relative to the internal frame component  500  such that it fits within a circular compartment on the internal frame component.  500  with an LED bulb  200  secured to the Lens/LED bracket component  600 . Lastly, a sensor lens component  210  fits securely into a cutout in the front housing component  700  such that the motion sensor component (shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) may detect movement through the sensor lens component  210 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , shown is a close-up view of the sensor PCB component  300 . As shown, motion sensor  310  is mounted to the front of the sensor PCB component  300  in a centralized position on the sensor PCB component. The board component  320  of the sensor PCB component  300  further includes openings  330  for securing the sensor PCB component  300  to the internal frame component  500 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , shown are close-up views of the rear housing component  400 . The rear housing component  400  houses battery pack component  100 , sensor PCB component  300  and is securing attached to internal frame component  500  whereby enclosing the electronic components of device  10 . By way of example only, in one embodiment, battery pack component  100  contains three AAA batteries, however, battery pack component  100  may contain any suitable battery source for powering device  10 . The interior compartment of the rear housing component  400  includes a plurality of notches  410  corresponding to the corners of battery pack component  100  thereby ensuring battery pack component  100  fits tightly and securely within the interior compartment of rear housing component  400 . Rear housing component  400  further includes a plurality of openings  420  for securing the internal housing component  500  to the rear housing component  400  by way of a plurality of screws (no shown). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 a -5 c   , shown are close-up views of internal frame component  500  wherein the internal frame component  500  securely mounts to the rear housing component  400  by way of screw openings  520  positioned centrally at the right and left sides on the internal frame component  500  and corresponding to the plurality of openings  420  on the rear housing component  400 . Toward the top of the right and left sides of the internal frame component  500  are positioned a plurality of screw openings  500  which correspond to the openings  330  in the board component  320  of the sensor PCB component  300  (not shown) such that the sensor PCB component  300  may be securely attached to the internal frame component  500 . The position of LED bulb  200  is illustrated in relation to internal frame component  500 . Extending from the front of internal frame component  500  is a circular hood component  530  for housing the Lens/LED bracket component  600  (not shown). Notches  540  are shown where Lens/LED bracket component  600  (not shown) is secured to the internal frame component  500  at circular hood component  530 . Additionally, the top cross piece  510  of internal housing component  500  is curved to match the curve of rear housing component  400  such that internal housing component  500  rests snugly within internal housing component  500  when assembled. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , shown are close-up views of Lens/LED bracket component  600  wherein a central opening  620  allows for the LED bulb  200  (not shown) to protrude through the Lens/LED bracket component  600 . At the right and left sides of the Lens/LED bracket component  600  are a plurality of arm components  610  extending laterally from the right and left sides of Lens/LED bracket component  600 . The plurality of arm components  610  correspond to notches  540  (not shown) on circular hood component  530  (not shown) on internal frame component  500 . Lens/LED bracket component  600  may rotate or swivel about the plurality of arm components  610  relative to the internal housing component  500 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 a   - 7   c,  shown is a close-up view of the ornamental front housing component  700  having opening  720  wherein a sensor lens cover (not shown) protects the sensor component  310  from being exposed to the external environment as well as allows the sensor to detect movement in the external environment. The sensor lens cover may be comprised of any transparent material which Allows the sensor component  310  to sense movement and thereby activate the illumination device  10 . The rear circumference of ornamental front housing component  700  includes a lip  730  that is just smaller in circumference than the circumference of rear housing component  400  (not shown) in order for ornamental housing component  300  to securely snap into rear housing component  400  thereby creating a water tight seal between the ornamental housing component  300  and rear housing component  400  of the assembled illumination device  10 . Ornamental housing component  300  may be alternatively secured to internal frame component  500  using screws secured through openings  740  corresponding to openings  520  in internal frame component  500  (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , shown is a close-up view of suction cup bracket component  800 . The suction cup bracket component  800  secures to rear housing component  400  (not shown) using two protrusions  820  extending from suction cup bracket component  800  such that the protrusions  820  fit into the cutouts (not shown) in the back of the rear housing component  400  (not shown). Once the protrusions  820  are inserted into the cutouts (not shown), the suction cup bracket component  400  is moved upward relative to the rear housing component  400  to secure the suction cup bracket component  800  to the rear housing component  400 . Suction cups  810  are positioned downward in order to secure the assembled illumination device  10  to the top rim of a toilet bowl (not shown). 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device comprised of: 
     an ornamental front housing; 
     a rear housing; 
     a suction cup bracket for attaching the illumination device to a toilet; 
     a battery pack; 
     a sensor printed circuit board (PCB); 
     at least one motion sensor; and 
     at least one LED bulb. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device wherein the ornamental front housing is configured in the shape of a star. In a preferred embodiment the ornamental front housing may be configured in the shape of a moon or heart or any appropriate design that appeals to children. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device wherein the front housing and rear housing are manufactured from molded plastic. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device wherein the battery pack provides power for the sensor PCB which in turn controls the at least one motion detector in the sensor behind the sensor lens resulting in the activation of the LED bulb. In a preferred embodiment, the battery pack may provide power for a plurality of LED lights. In a most preferred embodiment, the battery pack may provide power for music, a plurality of LED bulbs of various colors and/or a lighting sequence. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device wherein the suction cup bracket may be used to attach the illumination device to a toilet by suction cup (as shown), double sided tape or a plastic hook. 
     A further yet embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device wherein the light projection from the lens cover swivels to allow the light to fit a variety of toilets wherein the target may be placed according to user&#39;s liking. 
     Still another embodiment of the present invention provides a reusable illumination device wherein the light is activated by movement detected by the at least one sensor making the light bands-free and mess free. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device for aiding in nighttime bathroom usage by an individual. Additionally, the illumination device may aid in toilet training and aiming for children already toilet trained. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides a fun incentive for children to use the bathroom wherein the illumination device target is movable to provide variety and encourage practice. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention provides an illumination device to assist with reducing the stress and fear of nighttime bathroom use by an individual. 
     It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Although several embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention, which is further defined in the converted utility application and appended claims. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not achieve all the advantages of some embodiments, particularly preferred embodiments, yet the absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.