Patent Abstract:
Described herein is an apparatus mitigating splash-back during the use of a conventional toilet while urinating. The apparatus uses a plurality of upstanding baffles that provide for a large target area mounted on a base with a central opening. Additionally, the baffles rotate into and out of operative configurations, relative to the inner-toilet surface, to allow the use of the toilet for solid waste. The baffles mitigate the effect of splash back as the urine stream makes contact with the baffles and reflects the droplets laterally. Additionally, droplets generated when the urine stream contacts either the base or pool of standing water is mitigated by the baffles intercepting the reflective path back to the user.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Technology 
     The present invention relates generally to toilet sanitation. In particular, the invention relates to anti-splash devices for conventional toilets in CPC E03D 9/00, sanitary or other accessories for lavatories, and CPC A47K 13/26, mounting devices for seats or covers. 
     Conventional floor toilets, typically constructed of porcelain or a similar material, are a receptacle having a floor-mounted, bowl-shaped collection basin with a pool of standing water in the basin. A drain is typically placed at the bottom of the basin below the pool of standing water. The interior walls of the basin and the standing water provide an area to receive a stream of urine from a person using the toilet. When the toilet is flushed, water runs down and along the interior walls and the standing water, along with the urine, exits through the drain. Fresh water then replaces the flushed fluids to create another pool of standing water for future use. 
     The porcelain construction of toilets means that it has hard-surfaced walls. These hard surfaces reflect or deflect some portion of any urine stream directed thereon, splashing droplets of urine away from the point where the urine stream impacts the surface. Further, a urine stream directed into the standing pool of water in the basin will also cause splashing, in this case in the form of a urine-water mixture. 
     This splash back is a long-recognized problem and can occur regardless of whether the urine stream first contacts the surface of the water or the interior wall of the collection basin. 
     Several functional solutions to the problem of splash back in conventional toilets have been attempted. Past solutions suffer from having either small targets making use of the solution difficult or prevent the use of the toilet for solid waste making the solution inconvenient. Accordingly, there is a continuing need for an alternative conventional-toilet splash-back device that is convenient, effective, and practical. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The illustrated embodiments of the invention include an apparatus for attenuating reflective splash during the use of a conventional toilet. The apparatus includes a base that includes a plurality of upstanding, retractable baffles. The base, lying against the interior surface of the basin, has an appropriate thickness so that the flow of water down the interior walls of the basin during the flushing process is unobstructed. Additionally, the base, made of a flexible sheet material which is wrapped into a frustoconical form and laid on the interior surface of the toilet bowl, has perforations defined therethrough to prevent the collection of fluid on the surface of the base while still conforming to the contours of the interior surface of the basin. A central opening, defined by the base, exposes the pool of standing water below it and allows for, in addition to the retractable baffles, the operation of the toilet for solid waste without the need to remove the apparatus. The conical shape of the base prevents the base from sliding down into the lower portion of the basin. Rails run along both the upper and lower edges of the base providing rigidity and structure to the base. 
     In some embodiments, the base does not use the rails along both upper and lower edges. This allows the base to maintain a flexible property and adapt to different toilet-bowl shapes. 
     In some embodiments, the base has a radial cut through the entirely of the thickness of the base, breaking the continuity of the base, to allow for temporary manipulation of the shape of the base to ease the installation process into the toilet. 
     In some embodiments, the base is suspended by hooks that attach to the rim of the toilet bowl while continuing to keep the base in close contact with the interior surface of the basin. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of hinges are disposed radially on the base. The hinges would rotate such that the baffles, in the non-operative configuration, would lie parallel to the surface of the base or the rails on the upper and lower edges of the base. 
     In some embodiments, the hinges are disposed in a radial fashion, but offset such that the hinges form a pinwheel-like pattern, or configuration, on the base. 
     In some embodiments, the hinges are disposed to form concentric circles where the hinges would rotate toward the central opening. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of upstanding baffles are disposed on top of the plurality of hinges. When the hinges rotate downward, the baffles are placed into a non-operational configuration and when the hinges rotate upward, the baffles are placed into an operational configuration. The plurality of baffles are substantially uniform or approximately equal in height, thickness, and flexibility. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, the baffles vary in length with a range of approximately 1 inch to 5 inches, thickness with a range of approximately 0.05 inches to 0.25 inches, and distance between baffles within a group of baffles. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, the distance between one group of baffles and another, has a range of approximately 0.25 inches to 1 inch so that the operation of the hinges do not cause interference with adjacent baffles. 
     In some embodiments, where the hinges are disposed in concentric circles, the hinges would vary in height with the taller hinges disposed on top of the base closer to the outer edge of the base and the shorter hinges disposed on top of the base closer to the inner edge of the base. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of stoppers are disposed adjacent to the plurality of hinges such that the stoppers and hinges are paired together. The stopper prevents the hinge from rotating beyond 90 degrees. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of rods are disposed within the hinges such that a single rod is disposed within a single hinge. The rod is disposed within the hinge such that the length of the rod runs along the length of the hinge. The exposed end of the rod, facing the outer edge of the base, has an eyelet. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, a cable is threaded through each eyelet and secured to each eyelet. When the cable is pulled in one direction, the hinges will rotate and position the baffles in a non-operative configuration. When the cable is pulled in an opposing direction, the hinges rotate oppositely and position the baffles in an operative configuration. The operative configuration includes a configuration where the plurality of baffles are rotated from an angular orientation lying flatly along the interior surface of the toilet to an angular orientation elevated above the inner toilet surface. The intended or preferred fully operative configuration is that one where the plurality of baffles are rotated to an angular orientation wherein they extend generally radially into the central opening of the toilet, but any orientation bringing the baffles out of they flat disposition against the inner surface of the toilet will be operative to a degree. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, a spring is attached to one end of the cable. The cable, affixed to the base, provides constant tension such that the baffles are normally disposed into a non-operative configuration. 
     Also in accordance with the present invention, overcoming the tension in the spring pulls the cable so that the baffles rotate into an operative configuration. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the cable is attached to the toilet seat. When the toilet seat is lifted, the cable is pulled overcoming the tension of the spring and rotating the baffles into the operative configuration. When the toilet seat is lowered, the baffles rotate into the non-operative configuration. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the trigger mechanism is a foot pedal disposed on the floor adjacent to the toilet. When the pedal is depressed and locked, the cabled is pulled and the baffles rotate into the operative configuration. When the pedal is released, the baffles rotate back into the non-operative configuration. 
     While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 U.S.C. §112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 U.S.C. §112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 U.S.C. §112. The disclosure can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a single hinge with the baffles coupled to the hinge in the operative configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a side plan view of a single hinge with the baffles in the operative configuration 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a single hinge with the baffles in the non-operative configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is a side plan view of a hinge with the baffles in the non-operative configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is top perspective view of the apparatus with a plurality of hinges coupled together with their corresponding baffles disposed in the operative configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is top perspective view of the apparatus with a plurality of hinges coupled together with their corresponding baffles disposed in the non-operative configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the apparatus with a plurality of hinges coupled together with their corresponding baffles disposed in the operative configuration within a conventional floor toilet. 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the apparatus with hooks that suspend the apparatus within the toilet. 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the base without the upper or lower rails and without the hinges, stoppers, or baffles with the radial cut through the base. 
         FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the hook that attaches to the toilet seat with the cable adhered to the hook. 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of the apparatus disposed within a conventional toilet with the hook attached to the toilet seat. 
     
    
    
     The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. Hinge  101  is a rotatable bar from which a plurality of finger-like baffles  102  extend. Baffles  102  may be integral with hinge  101  or each separately connected or attached to hinge  101 . Hinge  101  is rotatable clockwise in  FIG. 1  to dispose baffles  102  in a non-operative configuration shown in  FIG. 3  and is rotatable counter-clockwise in  FIG. 1  to dispose baffles  102  in an operative configuration, which is the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . Hinge  101  may include a rod (not shown) along its length that acts as an axle, adjacent and parallel to stopper  103 . Alternatively, hinge  101  could rotate on a pin (not shown) extending from each end of the stopper  103 . Stopper  103  is a bar with vertically extending flange  100  against which hinge  101  rotates and which serves to stop further counter-clockwise rotation from that shown in  FIG. 1 . Stopper  103  prevents hinge  101  from rotating beyond an angular orientation corresponding to the extension of flange  100  as best depicted in the side plan view of  FIG. 2 . Hinge  101  and stopper  103  are preferably composed a substantially rigid plastic. In one embodiment baffles  102  are disposed on top of hinge  101  through holes (not shown) on top of the hinge  101  and adhered within the hinge  101 . 
     Eyelet  104  provides a location where a cable  105  may attach. Eyelet  104  is disposed on or extends from an end of hinge  101 . The cable  105  rotates hinge  101  in either clockwise or counter-clockwise directions depending on the direction of tension of the cable  105 . When the cable  105  pulls from the left in the depiction of  FIG. 1 , the baffles  102  are disposed in the non-operational configuration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Due to the offset of eyelet  104  from the pivot point where hinge  101  is rotatably coupled to stopper  103 , the cable  105  pulls from an elevated angle or lever arm relative to the pivot point. This angle allows for the cable  105  to pull the hinge  101  and baffles  102  upward into the operative configuration of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When the cable  105  pulls from the right as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the similar but opposite action occurs to dispose hinge  101  and baffles  102  into the nonoperative configuration of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Because the cable  105  is threaded or disposed through a base-mounted eyelet  106  shown in  FIG. 5 , the cable  105  pulls on hinge  101  from a depressed angle to allow for the cable  105  to pull the hinge  101  and baffles  102  downward. 
     A plurality of hinges  101  with their corresponding baffles  102  are assembled to a plurality of upper base rails  107  and lower base rails  108  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Upper and lower base rails  107 ,  108  collectively form the base  110 . Each base rail  107  and  108  may be rigidly coupled to its corresponding stopper  103  and to the adjacent base rails  107 ,  108  at each opposing end of each base rail  107 ,  108  or may be flexibly coupled together by means of conventional flexible couplings (not shown). Therefore, continuing around the base rails  107 ,  108 , the cable  105  is laid out concentrically in an in-and-out pattern in the depiction of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The cable  105  lies over the stopper  103  and through the eyelet  104  on the hinge  101 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6  the upper end of hinge  101  is provided with eyelet  104  and upper base rail  107  is similarly provided with a base-mounted eyelet  106  through which cable  105  will be led. Alternatively, lower base rail  108  may have the eyelet  106  disposed thereon or extending thereform when eyelet  104  on hinge  101  is provided on the lower end of hinge  101 . Then the cable  105  is led concentrically in  FIGS. 5 and 6  by being threaded throughbase eyelet  106  and this pattern repeats toward the adjacent hinge  101  and baffle  102 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. Baffles  102  are disposed in the operative configuration. Base  110  comprises a flexible material demonstrating some elasticity and contains perforations through the base to mitigate the collection of fluid on the base surface. Hinges  101  are fastened on the surface of base  110  either through adhesives, screws, or rivets. Central opening  114  exposes the pool of standing water (not shown) in the center of the toilet basin (not shown). 
     Baffles  102  will typically comprise a flexible material and vary in thickness and in length. Baffles  102  that are too long may cause more splash back due to the proximity of the baffles  102  to the upper rim of the toilet basin. Therefore, baffles  102  or varying lengths may typically be used where longer baffles  102  are disposed lower in the toilet basin and shorter baffles  102  are disposed higher in the toilet basin. Additionally, baffles  102  that are too thick may reduce the effectiveness of splash reduction. Therefore, the thickness of the baffles  102  would likely be smaller than the diameter of a typical urine stream. 
     During use, the urine stream will likely make contact with one of three different points: the baffles  102 , the surface of the base  110 , and the pool of standing water through the central opening  114 . When the urine stream strikes the water, splash-back is mitigated through the interference of the baffles  102 . As splash occurs, the baffles  102  interrupt the droplets&#39; upward motion. When the urine stream strikes the surface of the base  110 , the reflective droplets are again interrupted by the nearby baffles  102 . Additionally, the perforations in the base  110  will mitigate the amount of the urine stream that makes contact at such an angle that produces droplets that would reflect outward. When the urine stream strikes a baffle  102 , the urine stream is broken apart and a majority of the stream is fanned out. The fanning-out process produces the benefit of decelerating the urine stream as well as causing the urine stream to strike additional baffles  102  which will cause additional deceleration. Additionally, the amount of surface area by which outward-bound droplets form is reduced by the fact that the baffles  102  are cylindrically shaped including a rounded tip  116 . 
     A larger density of hinges  101  may be used. This would reduce the amount of exposed base surface during the urinating process. 
     The position of the baffle  102  on each hinge  101  may be placed in a staggered formation to ease the transition to the non-operational configuration. A staggering of the baffles  102  may help the baffles  102  retract more compactly. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. Baffles  102  are disposed in the non-operative configuration. A spring  111  is affixed to one end of the cable  105 . The other end of the spring  111  is affixed to the base  110 . The spring  111  provides a persistent tension pulling the hinges  101  and baffles  102  into the non-operative configuration. Perforations  118  provide a bore through base  110 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. The apparatus is disposed within toilet  120  with baffles  102  disposed in the operative configuration. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. Hooks  119  provide a suspension mechanism for the apparatus when disposed within the toilet. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. Base  110  comprises of a flexible sheet material with a radial cut through base  110 . Perforations  118  provide a bore through base  110 . Central opening  114  exposes the pool of standing water within the toilet when base  110  is disposed along the inner-toilet surface. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. Hook  125 , comprising of a substantially rigid material, attaches to the toilet seat. Cable  105  is adhered to hook  125 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an aspect of one embodiment. The apparatus is disposed within toilet  120  with baffles  102  in the non-operative configuration. Cable  105  is adhered to hook  125  and hook  125  is attached to the toilet seat of toilet  120 . When the toilet seat is lifted, tension is provided in cable  105  which transitions baffles  102  from the non-operative configuration to the operative configuration shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments. 
     Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments. 
     The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself. 
     The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
     The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4