Patent Publication Number: US-2020284010-A1

Title: Device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a nonprovisional application of and claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/663,254, filed Apr. 26, 2018 and entitled “DEVICE FOR TRAPPING DEBRIS IN BATHTUBS, SHOWER STALLS, SINKS AND THE LIKE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to devices, appratuses and systems for trapping and catching debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, and for removing debris in drains, drainage systems, pipes and the like of bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like. More specifically, the present invention is a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like by being preferably positioned around a top end of a stopper or within an opening of a drain. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Devices, appratuses and systems for trapping and catching debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, and for removing debris in drains, drainage systems, pipes and the like of bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like are known in the art. 
     The present invention overcomes one or more of the shortcomings of devices, appratuses and systems for trapping and catching debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, and for removing debris in drains, drainage systems, pipes and the like of bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like. The Applicant is unaware of inventions or patents, taken either singly or in combination, which are seen to describe the present invention as claimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like by being preferably positioned around a top end of a stopper or within an opening of a drain. 
     In a first embodiment of the present invention, the device has a springy, coiled body and a central void or hole. The springy, coiled body has a first end, a second end, an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side. The springy, coiled body forms a continuous loop around the central void or hole to provide the device with a bracelet-like, ring-like or doughnut-like configuration. 
     In a second embodiment of the present invention, the device has a body and a central void or hole. The body has an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side. The body surrounds the central void or hole to provide the device with a disc-shaped configuration. The body tapers inwardly from the top side to the bottom side. The top side includes a plurality of teeth positioned in an arrangement of rings wherein this arrangement of rings of teeth function to trap or retain debris. 
     As a third embodiment of the present invention, the device has a body and a central void or hole. The body has an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side. The body surrounds the central void or hole to provide the device with a disc-shaped configuration. The body has a plurality of smaller apertures or holes positioned at predetermined locations on the top side and extending through to the bottom side, and a plurality of teeth at the perimeter of the body. Preferably, the top side and bottom side are substantially or exactly the same. The plurality of smaller apertures or holes allow fluids, water, and small debris to filter down into the drain, pipe, etc. of a bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like, while the top side of the body and plurality of teeth function to trap or retain debris. 
     As a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the device has a crown-shaped, body and a central void or hole. The body has an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side. The body surrounds the central void or hole to provide the device with a crown-shaped configuration. The top side includes a plurality of teeth positioned in an arrangement wherein the teeth function to trap or retain debris. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top or bottom view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is an environmental, perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the device is positioned inside an upper end of a drain of a bathtub, a shower stall, a sink or the like; 
         FIG. 4B  is an environmental, perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the device is removed from the inside of an upper end of a drain of a bathtub, a shower stall, a sink or the like; 
         FIG. 5  is an environmental, perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the device is positioned around a stopper of a drain of a bathtub, a shower stall, a sink or the like; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective, top view of a second embodiment of a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective, bottom view of the device of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the device of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an environmental, perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the device is positioned around a stopper of a drain of a bathtub, a shower stall, a sink or the like; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like according to the present invention; 
     
    
    
     It should be understood that the above-attached figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-13 , the present invention is a device  100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  for trapping debris in bathtubs BT, shower stalls, sinks SI and the like. 
     As a first embodiment (shown in  FIGS. 1-5 ) of the present invention, the device  100  has a springy, coiled body  110  and a central void or hole  120 . The springy, coiled body  110  has a first end  111 , a second end  113 , an outer side  112 , an inner side  114 , a top side  116  and a bottom side  118 . The springy, coiled body  110  forms a continuous loop around the central void or hole  120  to provide the device  100  with a bracelet-like, ring-like or doughnut-like configuration. The continuous loop may be formed, made or manufactured by molding, fusion, a securing method, or any method or means known to one of ordinary skill in the art such that the first end  111  and second end  113  are adjacent or proximate to one another  111 ,  113 . 
     Preferably, the springy, coiled body  110  has sufficient stretchably that it can be stretched outwardly from a resting position RP (where the device  100  has a first or resting diameter D 1 ) to at least one stretched position SP (where the device  100  has at least one changed or stretched diameter D 2  wherein the at least one stretched diameter D 2  is greater than the first or resting diameter D 1 ) when the springy, coiled body  110 , as a whole, is manipulated or moved by a user to expand outwardly relative to the central void or hole  120 . Also, preferably, the device  100  can have at least one changed or contracted diameter D 3  that is less than the first or resting diameter D 1  when the springy, coiled body  110 , as a whole, is manipulated or moved by the user to contract inwardly relative to the central void or hole  120 . It is preferred that the springy, coiled body  110  has sufficient resiliency or a sufficient elastic property such that the device  100  can return to its resting position RP from the at least one stretched position SP or from the at least one contracted position CP after each manipulation. As a non-limiting example, the central void or hole  120  may be a small hole or a hole of minimal size such that the inner side  114  of a portion of the springy, coiled body  110  are adjacent or proximate to the inner side  114  of an opposite portion of the springy, coiled body  110 . As another non-limiting example, the central void or hole  120  is not present nor included in the device  100  due to portions of the springy, coiled body  110  being meshed or intertwined with opposite portions of the springy, coiled body  110 . In addition, it is preferred that the device  100  is magnetized or includes a magnet component so that the device  100  can stay in place, after being positioned at a desired use location, during multiple uses of the bathtubs BT, shower stalls, sinks SI and the like. 
     Preferably, the springy, coiled body  110  is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, any material or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and any combination thereof. 
     Preferably, the device  100  is made or manufactured of different sizes or diameters such that the device  100  may be used in different settings and situations, such as, but not limited to, being able to be positioned inside of an upper opening of a drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, or being able to be positioned around the upper end of sink stoppers or bathtub stoppers of different sizes. 
     In use, the device  100  may be positioned or placed at a desired use location, such as, but not limited to, inside of an upper opening of a drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, wherein the outer side  112  of the springy, coiled body  110  is located about or adjacent the sidewall of the drain and the top side  116  of the springy, coiled body  110  is facing up into the basin of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like. Also, the device  100  may be positioned around the upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that the inner side  114  of the springy, coiled body  110  is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or a bathtub stopper. 
     During use, the device  100  acts as a drain strainer or refuse filter by trapping or retaining a sufficient amount of debris DE, such as hair, dirt, body waste, fallen or dropped objects (such as a ring, etc.), etc., on the top side  116  of and/or inside the springy, coiled body  110  instead of allowing much of the debris to go down the drain DR, pipe, etc. and possibly causing a clog within the drain DR, pipe, etc. After use, the device  100  may be cleaned by a user removing the trapped or retained debris directly from the device  100 , or by the user removing the device  100  from the desired use location and then removing the trapped or retained debris from the device  100 . 
     As a second embodiment (shown in  FIGS. 6-10 ) of the present invention, device  200  has a body  210  and a central void or hole  220 . The body  210  has an outer side  212 , an inner side  214 , a top side  216  and a bottom side  218 . The body  210  surrounds the central void or hole  220  to provide the device  200  with a disc-shaped configuration. The body  210  tapers inwardly from the top side  216  to the bottom side  218 . The top side  216  includes a plurality of teeth  226  positioned in an arrangement of rings wherein this arrangement of rings of teeth  226  function to trap or retain debris. 
     In addition, it is preferred that the device  200  is magnetized or includes a magnet component so that the device  200  can stay in place, after being positioned at a desired use location, during multiple uses of the bathtubs BT, shower stalls, sinks SI and the like. 
     Preferably, the body  210  is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, any material or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and any combination thereof. 
     Preferably, the device  200  is made or manufactured of different sizes or diameters such that the device  200  may be used in different settings and situations, such as, but not limited to, being able to be positioned inside of an upper opening of a drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, or being able to be positioned around the upper end of sink stoppers or bathtub stoppers of different sizes. 
     In use, the device  200  may be positioned or placed at a desired use location, such as, but not limited to, inside of an upper opening of a drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, wherein the outer side  212  of the body  210  is located about or adjacent the sidewall of the drain and the top side  216  of the body  210  is facing up into the basin of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like. Also, the device  200  may be positioned around the upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that the the inner side  214  of the body  210  is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or a bathtub stopper. 
     During use, the device  200  acts as a drain strainer or refuse filter by trapping or retaining a sufficient amount of debris DE, such as hair, dirt, body waste, fallen or dropped objects (such as a ring, etc.), etc., on the top side  216  of and/or inside the body  210  instead of allowing much of the debris to go down the drain DR, pipe, etc. and possibly causing a clog within the drain DR, pipe, etc. After use, the device  200  may be cleaned by a user removing the trapped or retained debris directly from the device  200 , or by the user removing the device  200  from the desired use location and then removing the trapped or retained debris from the device  200 . 
     As a third embodiment (shown in  FIGS. 11-12 ) of the present invention, the device  300  has a body  310  and a central void or hole  320 . The body  310  has an outer side  312 , an inner side  314 , a top side  316  and a bottom side  318 . The body  310  surrounds the central void or hole  320  to provide the device  300  with a disc-shaped configuration. The body  310  has a plurality of smaller apertures or holes  322  positioned at predetermined locations on the top side  316  and extending through to the bottom side  318 , and a plurality of teeth  326  at the perimeter of the body  310 . Preferably, the top side  316  and bottom side  318  are substantially or exactly the same. The plurality of smaller apertures or holes  322  allow fluids, water, and small debris to filter down into the drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, while the top side  316  of the body  310  and plurality of teeth  326  function to trap or retain debris. 
     In addition, it is preferred that the device  300  is magnetized or includes a magnet component so that the device  300  can stay in place, after being positioned at a desired use location, during multiple uses of the bathtubs BT, shower stalls, sinks SI and the like. 
     Preferably, the body  310  is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, any material or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and any combination thereof. 
     Preferably, the device  300  is made or manufactured of different sizes or diameters such that the device  300  may be used in different settings and situations, such as, but not limited to, being able to be positioned around the upper end of sink stoppers or bathtub stoppers of different sizes. 
     In use, the device  300  may be positioned or placed at a desired use location, such as, but not limited to, around the upper end of a sink stopper or bathtub stopper of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, wherein the inner side  312  of the body  310  is located about or adjacent the upper end of the sink stopper or bathtub stopper and the top side  316  of the body  310  is facing up into the basin of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like. 
     During use, the device  300  acts as a drain strainer or refuse filter by trapping or retaining a sufficient amount of debris DE, such as hair, dirt, body waste, fallen or dropped objects (such as a ring, etc.), etc., on the top side  316  of and/or inside the body  310  instead of allowing much of the debris to go down the drain DR, pipe, etc. and possibly causing a clog within the drain DR, pipe, etc. After use, the device  300  may be cleaned by a user removing the trapped or retained debris directly from the device  300 , or by the user removing the device  300  from the desired use location and then removing the trapped or retained debris from the device  300 . 
     As a fourth embodiment (shown in  FIG. 13 ) of the present invention, the device  400  has a crown-shaped, body  410  and a central void or hole  420 . The body  410  has an outer side  412 , an inner side  414 , a top side  416  and a bottom side  418 . The body  410  surrounds the central void or hole  420  to provide the device  400  with a crown-shaped configuration. The top side  416  includes a plurality of teeth  426  positioned in an arrangement wherein the teeth  426  function to trap or retain debris. 
     In addition, it is preferred that the device  400  is magnetized or includes a magnet component so that the device  400  can stay in place, after being positioned at a desired use location, during multiple uses of the bathtubs BT, shower stalls, sinks SI and the like. 
     Preferably, the body  410  is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, any material or combination of materials known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and any combination thereof. 
     Preferably, the device  400  is made or manufactured of different sizes or diameters such that the device  400  may be used in different settings and situations, such as, but not limited to, being able to be positioned inside of an upper opening of a drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, or being able to be positioned around the upper end of sink stoppers or bathtub stoppers of different sizes. 
     In use, the device  400  may be positioned or placed at a desired use location, such as, but not limited to, inside of an upper opening of a drain DR, pipe, etc. of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like, wherein the outer side  412  of the body  410  is located about or adjacent the sidewall of the drain and the top side  416  of the body  410  is facing up into the basin of a bathtub BT, shower stall, sink SI or the like. Also, the device  400  may be positioned around the upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that the the inner side  414  of the body  410  is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or a bathtub stopper. 
     During use, the device  400  acts as a drain strainer or refuse filter by trapping or retaining a sufficient amount of debris DE, such as hair, dirt, body waste, fallen or dropped objects (such as a ring, etc.), etc., on the top side  416  of and/or inside the body  410  instead of allowing much of the debris to go down the drain DR, pipe, etc. and possibly causing a clog within the drain DR, pipe, etc. After use, the device  400  may be cleaned by a user removing the trapped or retained debris directly from the device  400 , or by the user removing the device  400  from the desired use location and then removing the trapped or retained debris from the device  400 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or as shown in the attached figures, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the spirit of the invention.