Abstract:
A splash guard device ( 1 ) having a framework ( 9 ) with a top edge ( 17 ), a bottom edge ( 18 ) and two side edges ( 19 ) that protects a portion of a screened-in area ( 2 ) from water, dirt and debris. The splash guard device ( 1 ) is preferably affixed along the top edge ( 17 ) to a screened-in area ( 2 ) such that the splash guard device ( 1 ) may be opened and closed in an upward and downward motion. The framework ( 9 ) preferably surrounds at least one see-through section ( 7 ) so as to give a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to patio enclosures, more particularly, a splash guard device for use on patios, porches and lanais that is attractive and minimizes the amount of water, dirt and debris that enters the patio, porch or lanai.  
         [0002]     Screened-in patios, porches and lanais are popular features of a house or apartment as they provide an area for individuals to experience the outdoors while being protected from undesired outdoor elements, such as bugs and insects. In addition, as the screened-in areas are typically covered with a roofing material, individuals are also protected from the rain and/or the direct rays of an overhead sun.  
         [0003]     Although the apertures in the screen material permit wind to enter the area, which creates a sense of being outdoors, the apertures also permit other elements to enter as well, thereby making the area difficult to keep clean. For instance, rain, wind and other forces, such as leaf blowers and lawn mowers, oftentimes push dirt and debris into the screened-in area through the base of the screen enclosure. In addition, because door jams are usually located in the door opening of screened-in patios, porches and lanais, it is difficult to sweep out the area as the door jam creates a dam-like structure which catches dirt, rather than allowing it to pass through the doorway.  
         [0004]     Furthermore, during thunderstorms and other inclement weather having wind and rain, rain may enter the screened-in area as the wind causes the rain to enter the area at an angle, thereby penetrating the screen, wetting the floor of the screened-in area and creating slippery conditions.  
         [0005]     Although many people place boards, lattice or sheets of plastic along the base of the screen enclosure in order to minimize the amount of dirt and water that enters the screened-in area, there are several drawbacks to using such devices. First, these additions are unattractive from both the inside and outside of the screened-in area as they typically draw attention to the fact that a portion of the screen is obstructed. In addition, as the obstructive devices block one side of the screened-in area and are fixedly attached to a post adjacent to the screened-in area, a person may not hose off that portion of the screen for cleaning purposes as it is blocked on one side.  
         [0006]     Thus, a need exists for a splash guard device that is that is attractive and minimizes the amount of water, dirt and debris that enters the patio, porch or lanai.  
         [0007]     The relevant prior art includes the following references:  
                                       Patent No.               (U.S. unless stated otherwise)   Inventor   Issue/Publication Date                   6,003,279   Schneider   Dec. 21, 1999       4,909,004   Panttila   Mar. 20, 1990       3,004,592   Norton   Oct. 17, 1961       1,371,524   Smith, Jr.   Mar. 15, 1921       6,668,495   Prince   Dec. 30, 2003       6,755,004   Power, Jr. et al.   Jun. 29, 2004       5,007,215   Minter   Apr. 16, 1991       4,561,227   Austin   Dec. 31, 1985       5,134,813   Betts   Aug. 04, 1992       2005/0072538   Hoffman   Apr. 07, 2005       6,915,833   Hoffman   Jul. 12, 2005                  
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a splash guard device that minimizes the amount of debris that enters a patio, porch or lanai.  
         [0009]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a splash guard device that minimizes the amount of water that enters a patio, porch or lanai.  
         [0010]     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a splash guard device that is attractive.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a splash guard device that may be opened and closed.  
         [0012]     The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a splash guard device that is affixed to a base portion of a screened-in area such that the splash guard device may be opened and closed. The splash guard device includes a framework having a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges and is preferably affixed along the top edge so as to permit an upward opening of the splash guard. In the alternative, the framework may be affixed along a side edge so as to permit opening of the splash guard in a manner similar to a conventional door. The framework preferably surrounds at least one see-through section so as to give a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance.  
         [0013]     The framework may also include a knob or handle for ease of use. In addition, the splash guard device may include a locking mechanism so as to lock the splash guard device in a closed position.  
         [0014]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a splash guard device of the present invention installed on a screened-in area;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a close-up partial frontal view of  FIG. 1  showing the splash guard device;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the splash guard device of the present invention while being opened;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the splash guard device of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the splash guard device of the present invention; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a frontal view of a second embodiment of the splash guard device of the present invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows: 
     1 . splash guard device, generally      2 . screened-in area      3 . screen      4 . door      5 . post      6 . hinge      7 . see-through section      8 . knob      9 . framework      10 . arm      11 . exterior wall      12 . interior wall      13 . cushion      14 . locking mechanism      15 . bolt      16 . handle      17 . top edge      18 . bottom edge      19 . side edge      20 . planar surface    
 
         [0043]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a splash guard device of the present invention installed on a screened-in area is shown. The screened-in area  2  includes a plurality of planar surfaces  20 , in this case posts  5  which are usually metal, having screens  3  attached thereto and in between the posts  5 . The splash guard device  1  is preferably located along a base of a screened-in area  2 , such as a patio, porch or lanai which may include a door  4 , and is secured to the posts  5 .  
         [0044]     Next,  FIG. 2  shows a close-up frontal view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . The splash guard device  1  is secured to the posts  5  via a fastening means, such as hinges  6 , so as to permit a person to open and close the splash guard device  1 . The splash guard device  1  includes a framework  9  having a top edge  17 , a bottom edge  18  and two side edges  19 . which is attached to the posts  5  and preferably includes at least one see-through section  7  which is preferably centrally located within the framework  9 . The see-through section  7  may be transparent, tinted, colored, opaque, translucent or of varying colors and degrees of transparency. In addition, although the see-through section  7  is preferably made of a plastic material, the see-through section  7  may also be made of glass or other materials.  
         [0045]     In addition, although a see-through section  7  is shown, the splash guard device  1  may be of a totally solid framework  9 . A knob  8  may also be located on the framework  9  so as to permit easy opening and closing of the splash guard device  1 .  
         [0046]     In  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the splash guard device of the present invention while being opened is shown. When the hinges  6  are located along the top edge  17  of the framework  9 , the splash guard device  1  is opened by pulling a knob or handle  16  in an upward direction so as to expose the screen  3 . At least one optional arm  10  may be attached to the splash guard device  1  so as to lock the splash guard device  1  in an open position. When the arm  10  is in a fully extended position, the splash guard device  1  is completely open and locked in place. Other mechanisms for retaining the splash guard device  1  in varying degrees of a predetermined position may also be utilized.  
         [0047]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the splash guard device of the present invention. The splash guard device  1  has an exterior wall  11  and an interior wall  12  wherein the exterior wall  11  is exposed to the environment when installed on a screened-in area  2  while the interior wall  12  is adjacent to the screen  3 . A cushion  13  may be secured at a predetermined position on the interior wall  12  so as to prevent the splash guard device  1  from rubbing against the screened-in area  2 .  
         [0048]     Next, a rear view of the splash guard device of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5 . Because the splash guard device  1  is preferably secured externally to the screened-in area  2 , a person may open the splash guard device  1  and spray the screen  3  from inside the screened-in area  2  to clean the screen  3 .  
         [0049]     Finally,  FIG. 6  is a frontal view of a second embodiment of the splash guard device of the present invention. The second embodiment may include hinges  6  located along the side edge  19  of the screen guard device  1  so as to permit a person to open the screen guard device  1  in a manner similar to a conventional door. In addition, an optional locking mechanism  14  may be located at a predetermined location on the splash guard device  1  so as to prevent opening and closing of the splash guard device  1 . The locking mechanism  14  preferably includes a bolt  15  which is insertable into a post  5  of the screened-in area  2 .  
         [0050]     Although the splash guard device  1  is preferably secured to at least one post  5  of a screened-in area  2 , the splash guard device  1  may also be secured to building walls of both screened-in areas  2  and non-screened-in areas. Thus, although a post  5  is described and depicted as the object to which the splash guard device  1  is secured thereto, the splash guard device  1  is attachable to any other planar surface  20 , including walls, window frames, etc.  
         [0051]     The use of the present invention will provide an attractive device that minimizes the amount of water, dirt and debris that enters a patio, porch or lanai.  
         [0052]     It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.