Patent Publication Number: US-6698035-B1

Title: Urinal anti-splashback screen

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to restroom accessories. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to an accessory for use with a urinal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In most public restrooms, the use of the urinal often results in creating an annoying and unsanitary situation, in that splashback from the urinal contacts the person using the urinal. The user must then employ a paper towel in an attempt to wipe away the splashback or live with the knowledge that the smelly, germ-ridden fluids are absorbed by his clothes. Either scenario is unpleasant, to say the least. 
     There have been attempts to alleviate this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 487,130 (Schoen), U.S. Pat. Nos. 571,275 (Maxwell et al.), U.S. Pat. Nos. 647,895, (Burson) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,186,345 (Sleight) are drawn to urinals having protective screens. It is noted however, that the screens are not positioned in a manner to have their entire surface: areas cleansed by flush water. U.S. Pat. Des. No. 393,896 (Wagner et al.), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,313,672 (Luedtke et al.) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,604,937 (Davenport) disclose screens positioned at the bottom of a urinal. The screens do not extend over an area large enough to prevent splashback. 
     German Patent 281,964 (Kastner) shows a screen whose entire surface area is contacted by flush water. The screen does not prevent the deposit of rubbish which could cause blockage in the urinal outflow line. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to disclose a urinal screen as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is drawn to a screen, which screen fits over the opening of a urinal to prevent splashback that commonly occurs when a stream of urine contacts the inside wall of the urinal. The splashback effect often extends outside the confines of the urinal and contacts the user&#39;s clothing and skin. Furthermore, the floor and any immediately adjacent walls may be subject to the deposit and buildup of urine thereon, thereby resulting in malodorous, unsightly and unsanitary conditions. 
     The screen of the instant invention functions to allow a stream of urine to pass therethrough but prevents the occurrence of splashback when the urine stream contacts the walls of the urinal or the water at the bottom of the urinal. The screen also provides a filter to prevent foreign articles (paper, gum, cigarette butts, etc.) from being flushed down the urinal, thereby causing expensive plumbing damage. The screen also serves as a visual barrier, preventing the user from viewing the unsightly appearance of the deodorizing cake and accumulated water at the bottom of the urinal. The screen is positioned in the urinal such that flush water flows over the entire surface of the screen cleansing the surface and enhancing sanitary conditions. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a urinal screen, which screen is effective to prevent urine splashback. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a urinal screen, which screen is effective to prevent solid debris form being deposited at the bottom of the urinal. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a urinal screen, which screen positioned in the urinal such that the entire, surface area of the screen is contacted with flushing water. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a urinal screen, which screen functions to form a barrier preventing a user from viewing the unsightly inside bottom portion of a urinal. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes. 
    
    
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a urinal anti-splashback screen, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a urinal anti-splash back screen showing splash back prevention, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a urinal anti-splash back screen showing flush water flow, according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of an anti-splash back screen, according to the present invention. 
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Attention is directed to FIGS. 1-3 which illustrate the screen  10  of the instant invention disposed in the bowl  12  of a urinal. Bowl  12  is provided with an upper surface which has an inlet  14  therein for flush water. An outlet  16  communicates through the bottom of bowl  12  for drainage. Screen  10  is fabricated from a non-corrosive, narrow-gauge threads (steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.) to prevent rusting and/or degradation. The interstices in the mesh created by weaving the narrow-gauge threads are sufficiently large to allow a stream of urine  18  to pass therethrough and enter the bowl, but small enough to prevent droplets  20  from passing beyond the confines of the bowl. Screen  10  is positioned in bowl  12  such that a front edge  10   a  is disposed inside the extending front portion of the bowl. A rear edge  10   b  abuts the rear wall of the bowl. Rear edge  10   b  is positioned vertically above front edge  10   a  so that the screen is positioned at an angle in the bowl. The screen is shaped and sized so that it is in abutment with all the inside walls of the bowl. This arrangement will permit flush water F to contact the entire surface area of the screen each time the urinal is flushed. The screen may be provided with a logo such as a target as shown in FIG.  1 . The logo or target would be particularly effective in encouraging children or, for that matter, any user to focus their attention on, the screen. A temperature-sensitive, color-changing paint is also contemplated as means to encourage a user to focus attention on the, screen. 
     The perimeter of the screen is encased in a thin, solid metal orplastic band  22  to prevent the threads from separating (FIG.  4 ). Although illustrated as a trapezoid, it is recognized that the screen may be fabricated in any size or shape so as to conform to, the many urinal sizes and configurations. The screen may also have a convex or concave profile as desired. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.