Patent Publication Number: US-2003224139-A1

Title: Drop cloth

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to a drop cloth for use with painting, cleaning, and other activities in which fixtures are covered. More particularly, the invention relates to a drop cloth sewn or otherwise shaped to conform to toilets and other fixtures such as those found in bathrooms, which thus permits the use of the fixture during the construction, repair or other activity in the proximity of the fixture.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Drop cloths are a staple item in the construction industry, used by painters, carpenters, drywallers, plumbers, handy men and women, homeowners, tile setters, wallpaper scrapers and hangers, and the like. Conventional drop cloths are large, to cover a workable area, and are very cumbersome to drape over fixtures such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, custom furniture and the like. However, once a drop cloth covers a toilet, for example, it exposes the toilet to accidental damage when the cloth is pulled at the far end. It also renders the fixture inaccessible and thus inoperable until the entire job is completed.  
       [0003] It would be of great advantage in the art if a device could be provided that would permit covering individual fixtures and other household items.  
       [0004] Another advantage is to provide a device for covering fixtures and other household items which permits the use of the fixture while the room is otherwise covered.  
       [0005] Yet another advantage of the present invention would be to provide a cover for fixtures and other household items without subjecting them to potential damage  
       [0006] Other advantages will appear hereinafter.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] It has now been discovered that the above and other advantages of the present invention may be achieved in the following manner. The unique aspect of this invention is the use of a drop cloth that is sized to cover individual items such as toilets and other bathroom fixtures as well as other furniture, computers and the like, during work being performed in the room where the items are located.  
       [0008] The drop cloths of this invention are made in a shape and size suitable for covering fixtures such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, computers and work stations, chairs, tables, other custom furniture and the like. It is contemplated that the cover itself will be formed from a material that is impervious to paint, plaster, or other debris or trash that accumulates in a room where work is being done by painters, carpenters, drywallers, plumbers, handy men and women, homeowners, tile setters, wallpaper scrapers and hangers, and the like. The material may be canvas or plastic, depending on the nature of the work, and it may also be formed from cotton or disposable plastic, or even recyclable paper if desired.  
       [0009] The principal feature of the device of this invention is that it is formed from a plurality of panels to provide a three dimensional shape that generally resembles the object being covered. The device may be sewn, when canvas or other materials that accept thread and needle junctions, or it may be molded. When plastics are used, the junctions may be formed by heat seat Adhesives are also within the scope of the present invention.  
       [0010] The material used to construct this liner may be of a range of thicknesses, since the device does not bear much load but should be strong enough to permit easy use by the worker placing the device over the fixture and the like.  
       [0011] Preferred are disposable plastics, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and composite polymers having an appropriate resistance to other somewhat aggressive materials such as plaster or paint, for example. Also preferred are waxed cardboard and other construction materials that have the appropriate resistance properties as described herein.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012] For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is hereby made to the drawings, in which:  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the device of this invention in dash lines covering a fixture such as a toilet; and  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of this invention, shown in position for use.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention,  10  generally, is intended for use with a fixture such as toilet  11 , when the fixture is to be covered during painting or any of the other jobs enumerated above. Toilet  11  has a conventional shape with water closet  13  and basin  15  extending up. Toilet seat  17  is also conventional. Toilet  11  is covered by the drop cloth  21  of the present invention.  
     [0016] The present invention is useful for most fixtures and the like that have a standard size, it being recognized that an inventory of sizes will be desirable to cover variations in sizes and other products. The toilet  11  is used for illustrative purposes only.  
     [0017] In FIG. 2, drop cloth  21  includes a generally rectangular portion  23  that covers water closet  13 , and further includes a lower portion  25  for covering the basin  15 . Lower portion  25  may have a rounded shape  26 , as shown in FIG. 2, or it may be squared off, as desired. The top  27  of lower portion  25  covers the toilet seat  17 .  
     [0018] In one embodiment, the entire drop cloth is formed by sewing the panels from which it is made, along seams  29 . In another embodiment, top  27  can be fitted with an openable seam  31 , which can be fastened closed with a woven hook strip, a zipper, snaps or other means for removably fastening top  27  to lower portion  25 , to permit use of the fixture without removal of the entire drop cloth  21 . In yet another embodiment, the lower portion  25  is slightly larger than the basin  15 , so that this portion only can be lifted up for access to the fixture, then replaced to cover the seat  17  when the user is done. In any case, because the drop cloth  21  is significantly smaller than conventional drop cloths, it can be removed during the work so that the fixture can be used, then recovered.  
     [0019] It is also contemplated that there be a large plurality of panels and only a portion of the large plurality are selected to create the three dimensional drop cloth of this invention.  
     [0020] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to any specific embodiment. Specifically, the invention is not limited to any specific fixture, such as a toilet, and the various fixtures and other items listed herein are intended as exemplary rather than limiting. The dimensions and materials given are for the preferred embodiment and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of this invention The description of the invention is not intended to limit the invention.