SPLASHGUARD FOR PLUNGING A TOILET

Abstract

The splash guard for plunging a toilet includes a corrugated panel having a top layer and a bottom layer. There is a first portion with first flaps and a second portion with second flaps, respectively. The front side of the first portion is hinged to the back side of the second portion by either the top layer or the bottom layer. The corrugated panel has a first configuration with the first portion folded to the second portion with the first and second flaps locked in position relative to each other and a second configuration with the first portion flush or coplanar to the second portion with the first and second flaps folded downward. The first portion is locked in position relative to the second portion by the first and second flaps in the second configuration. The corrugated panel is placed to cover a toilet bowl in the second configuration.

Claims

1. A splash guard for plunging a toilet, comprising: a corrugated panel having a top layer and a bottom layer, said corrugated panel being comprised of: a first portion having a first front side, a first back side opposite said first front side and two first opposing sides, wherein said first portion is comprised of a plurality of first flaps, each first flap being positioned on each first opposing side and adjacent to said first front side, each first flap being in hinged attachment to each first opposing side by said bottom layer; and a second portion having a second front side, a second back side opposite said second front side and two second opposing sides, wherein said second portion is comprised of a plurality of second flaps, each second flap being positioned on each second opposing side and adjacent to said second back side, each second flap being in hinged attachment to each second opposing side by said bottom layer, wherein said first flaps are aligned with said second flaps, and wherein said first front side of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion.

2. The splash guard, according to claim 1, wherein said corrugated panel has a first configuration with said first portion folded to said second portion along said hinged attachment of said first front side and said second back side, and wherein said first flaps and said second flaps in said first configuration are locked in position relative to each other.

3. The splash guard, according to claim 2, wherein said first front side of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion by said bottom layer, said bottom layer of said first portion being adjacent said top layer of said second portion, each first flap being flush with said top layer of said first portion, each second flap being flush with said top layer of said second portion.

4. The splash guard, according to claim 2, wherein said first front side of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion by said top layer, said top layer of said first portion being adjacent said bottom layer of said second portion, each first flap being flush with said top layer of said first portion, each second flap being flush with said top layer of said second portion.

5. The splash guard, according to claim 2, wherein said corrugated panel has a second configuration with said first portion flush with said second portion, said top layer of said first portion being adjacent said top layer of said second portion, said bottom layer of said first portion being flush with said bottom layer of said second portion, wherein each first flap is folded downward from said top layer of said first portion along said hinged attachment of each first opposing side on said bottom layer, wherein each second flap is folded downward from said top layer of said second portion along said hinged attachment of each second opposing side on said bottom layer, and wherein said first portion is locked in position relative to said second portion by said first flaps and said second flaps.

6. The splash guard, according to claim 5, wherein said first flaps and said second flaps in said second configuration align with toilet bowl opening so as to fit within said toilet bowl.

7. The splash guard, according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is comprised of an opening extending from said first back side toward said first front side.

8. The splash guard, according to claim 7, wherein said opening is comprised of a centered portion and an extension portion, said centered portion having a plurality of hole flaps around said centered portion.

9. The splash guard, according to claim 8, each hole flap being in hinged attachment to said first portion by said bottom layer.

10. The splash guard, according to claim 8, each hole flap being in hinged attachment to said first portion by said top layer.

11. The splash guard, according to claim 1, wherein said second portion is comprised of a tip portion 64 in hinged attachment to said second front side.

12. The splash guard, according to claim 11, wherein said corrugated panel has a first configuration with said first portion folded to said second portion along said hinged attachment of said first front side and said second back side, wherein said first flaps and said second flaps in said first configuration are locked in position relative to each other, wherein said first front side 32 of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion by said bottom layer, said bottom layer of said first portion being adjacent said top layer of said second portion, each first flap being flush with said top layer of said first portion, each second flap being flush with said top layer of said second portion, and wherein said tip portion is folded to said second portion along said hinged attachment to said second front side by said top layer.

13. The splash guard, according to claim 11, wherein said corrugated panel has a first configuration with said first portion folded to said second portion along said hinged attachment of said first front side and said second back side, wherein said first flaps and said second flaps in said first configuration are locked in position relative to each other, wherein said first front side 32 of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion by said top layer, said top layer of said first portion being adjacent said bottom layer of said second portion, each first flap being flush with said top layer of said first portion, each second flap being flush with said top layer of said second portion, and wherein said tip portion is folded to said second portion along said hinged attachment to said second front side by said bottom layer.

14. A method for plunging a toilet bowl, the method comprising the steps of: assembling a corrugated panel having a top layer and a bottom layer, said corrugated panel being comprised of: a first portion having a first front side, a first back side opposite said first front side and two first opposing sides, wherein said first portion is comprised of a plurality of first flaps, each first flap being positioned on each first opposing side and adjacent to said first front side, each first flap being in hinged attachment to each first opposing side by said bottom layer; and a second portion having a second front side, a second back side opposite said second front side and two second opposing sides, wherein said second portion is comprised of a plurality of second flaps, each second flap being positioned on each second opposing side and adjacent to said second back side, each second flap being in hinged attachment to each second opposing side by said bottom layer, wherein said first flaps are aligned with said second flaps, wherein said first front side of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion, wherein said corrugated panel has a first configuration with said first portion folded to said second portion along said hinged attachment of said first front side and said second back side, wherein said first flaps and said second flaps in said first configuration are locked in position relative to each other in said first configuration, wherein said corrugated panel has a second configuration with said first portion flush with said second portion, said top layer of said first portion being adjacent said top layer of said second portion, said bottom layer of said first portion being flush with said bottom layer of said second portion, wherein each first flap is folded downward from said top layer of said first portion along said hinged attachment of each first opposing side on said bottom layer in said second configuration, wherein each second flap is folded downward from said top layer of said second portion along said hinged attachment of each second opposing side on said bottom layer in said second configuration, wherein said first portion is locked in position relative to said second portion by said first flaps and said second flaps in said second configuration; setting said corrugated panel in said first configuration so as to be stored; setting a plunger in a toilet bowl, said plunger having a handle end and a clog end, said clog end being inserted into said toilet bowl, said handle end extending out of said toilet bowl; switching said corrugated panel from said first configuration to said second configuration; inserting said handle end through said corrugated panel in said second configuration; and actuating said plunger through said corrugated panel so as to plunge said toilet bowl.

15. The method for plunging a toilet bowl, according to claim 14, wherein said first portion is comprised of an opening 54 extending from said first back side toward said first front side, wherein the step of inserting said handle end comprises the step of: aligning said handle end with said opening.

16. The method for plunging a toilet bowl, according to claim 15, wherein said opening is comprised of a centered portion and an extension portion, said centered portion having a plurality of hole flaps around said centered portion, each hole flap being in hinged attachment to said first portion by said bottom layer, and wherein the step of inserting said handle end comprises the step of: folding each hole flap at said bottom layer so as to enlarge said opening.

17. The method for plunging a toilet bowl, according to claim 15, wherein said opening is comprised of a centered portion and an extension portion, said centered portion having a plurality of hole flaps around said centered portion, each hole flap being in hinged attachment to said first portion by said top layer, and wherein the step of inserting said handle end comprises the step of: folding each hole flap at said top layer so as to enlarge said opening.

18. The method for plunging a toilet bowl, according to claim 14, wherein said second portion is comprised of a tip portion in hinged attachment to said second front side, and wherein the step of setting said corrugated panel in said first configuration comprised the step of: folding said tip portion to said second portion along said hinged attachment to said second front side by said top layer.

19. The method for plunging a toilet bowl, according to claim 14, wherein said second portion is comprised of a tip portion in hinged attachment to said second front side, and wherein the step of setting said corrugated panel in said first configuration comprised the step of: folding said tip portion to said second portion along said hinged attachment to said second front side by said bottom layer.

20. The method for plunging a toilet bowl, according to claim 14, wherein said first front side of said first portion is in hinged attachment to said second back side of said second portion by said bottom layer, said bottom layer of said first portion being adjacent said top layer of said second portion, each first flap being flush with said top layer of said first portion, each second flap being flush with said top layer of said second portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention in the second configuration.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention in the second configuration.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the splash guard of the present invention in the second configuration.

[0033] FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention in the first configuration, with the hinged attachment on the top layer and the hole flaps around the opening.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention in the first configuration, with the hinged attachment on the bottom layer.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the splash guard of the present invention, according to FIG. 5.

[0036] FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention in the first configuration, with the hinged attachment on the bottom layer and with a tip portion.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the splash guard of the present invention, according to FIG. 7.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention switching between the first and second configuration and showing alternative embodiments of the opening and tip portion.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of the splash guard of the present invention, according to FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-10, embodiments of the splash guard have unitary construction and different configurations. For plunging a toilet, the splash guard must be easily stored and conveniently accessible for use. A condensed volume and smaller dimensions allow for easier storage and packaging; however, the splash guard must still be sufficiently large to perform the task of covering toilet bowls of various sizes. In the present invention, the splash guard 10 has unitary construction and multiple configurations, including configuration for storage and for operation.

[0041] FIGS. 1-10 show the splash guard 10 comprising a corrugated panel 20 having a top layer 22 and a bottom layer 24. The corrugated panel 20 is one piece, and the different components are attached and made integral. Various materials can be used for the corrugated panel, including paper or cardboard for disposable versions, and plastics for more durable or re-useable versions. The top layer 22 is connected to the bottom layer 24 by known means of corrugation. Any pattern of interstitial connectors between the top layer 22 and the bottom layer 244 can be covered by the present invention. The corrugation of the present invention can include a wavy thinner layer attached by adhesive or angular plastic slats bonded to the top layer 22 and the bottom layer 24.

[0042] The embodiments of the corrugated panel 20 comprise a first portion 30 having a first front side 32, a first back side 34 opposite the first front side and two first opposing sides 36, 38, and a second portion 40 having a second front side 42, a second back side 44 opposite the second front side and two second opposing sides 46, 48. The first and second portions 30, 40 can have any shape for covering a toilet bowl. The dimensions must be sufficient for the function of preventing toilet water from splashing out of the toilet bowl. The first and second portions 30, 40 are physical barriers to the toilet water.

[0043] The first portion 30 can be comprised of a plurality of first flaps 50, 52, and the second portion is comprised of a plurality of second flaps 60, 62, respectively. Each first flap 50, 52 is on each first opposing side 36, 38 and adjacent to the first front side 32, and each second flap 60, 62 is on each second opposing side 46, 48 and adjacent to the second back side 44. The first and second flaps 50, 52, 60, 62 are aligned so that the position of the first flaps 50, 52 can match the position of the second flaps 60, 62, even though each first flap 50,52 is hinged to each first opposing side 36, 38 by the bottom layer 24 and each second flap 60, 62 is hinged to each second opposing side 46, 48 by the bottom layer 24. The first front side 32 of the first portion 30 is in hinged attachment to the second back side 44 of the second portion 40.

[0044] FIGS. 4-9 show the relationship between the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 in the first configuration. The first portion 30 is folded to the second portion 40 along the hinged attachment of the first front side 32 and the second back side 44, and the first flaps 50, 52 and the second flaps 60, 62 are locked in position relative to each other. The flaps 50, 52, 60, 62 cannot bend or fold in any direction and remain flush or coplanar with the respective first portion 30 and second portion 40.

[0045] When the first front side 32 of the first portion 30 is in hinged attachment to the second back side 44 of the second portion 40 by the bottom layer 24, the bottom layer 24 of the first portion 30 is adjacent the top layer 22 of the second portion 40 (See FIGS. 5-8). The flaps 50, 52, 60, 62 remain flush to the top layer 22 of both the first portion 30 and the second portion 40. When the first front side 32 of the first portion 30 is in hinged attachment to the second back side 44 of the second portion 40 by the top layer 22, the folding is inverted (See FIG. 4). The top layer 22 of the first portion 30 is adjacent the bottom layer 24 of the second portion 40. However, each flap 50, 52, 60, 62 remains flush to the respective top layer 22 of both the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 in both embodiments of the hinged attachment.

[0046] FIGS. 1-3 and 9-10 show the relationship between the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 in the second configuration. The first portion 30 is flush or co-planar with the second portion 40. The corrugated panel 20 is spread so as to cover the toilet bowl. The top layer 22 of the first portion 30 is adjacent and made continuous with the top layer 22 of the second portion 40. The bottom layer 24 of the first portion 30 is flush or co-planar with the bottom layer 24 of the second portion 40. The bottom layer 24 is similarly adjacent and made continuous across the first portion 30 to the second portion 40. The second configuration further includes each first flap 50, 52 being folded downward from the top layer 22 of the first portion 30 along the hinged attachment of each first opposing side 36, 38 on the bottom layer 24 and each second flap 60, 62 being folded downward from the top layer 22 of the second portion 40 along the hinged attachment of each second opposing side 46, 48 on the bottom layer 24. In the second configuration, the first portion 30 is locked in position relative to the second portion 40 to be planar by the first flaps 50, 52 and the second flaps 60, 62. The flaps 50, 52, 60, 62 are aligned so that the first portion 30 is prevented from folding back against the second portion 40. The first flaps 50, 52 abut the second flaps 60, 62 so that the first portion 30 cannot move relative to the second portion 40. In some embodiments, the first flaps 50, 52 and the second flaps 50, 52 in the second configuration align with toilet bowl opening so as to fit within the toilet bowl. The shape and dimensions of the flaps 50, 52, 60, 62 can correspond to any parameters compatible with the relationship between the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 in the present invention.

[0047] FIGS. 1-3 and 9 show the various embodiments of the opening 54 in the first portion 30. FIGS. 1-3 and 9 show embodiments with a keyhole appearance with the opening 54 extending from the first back side 34 toward the first front side 32. The opening 54 can be comprised of a centered portion 56 and an extension portion 58. In one embodiment, FIG. 3 shows that the centered portion 56 can be round and placed in the middle of the first portion 30 and have a plurality of hole flaps 59. The hole flaps 59 can be hinged around the centered portion 56 by the bottom layer 24 or the top layer 22.

[0048] Embodiments of the tip portion 64 of the second portion 40 are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8. The tip portion 64 can be in hinged attachment to the second front side 42. The tip portion 46 is folded to the second portion 40 along the hinged attachment to the second front side 42 by the top layer 22, when the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 are hinged at the bottom layer 24. FIGS. 7-8 show the collapsed corrugated panel 20 with the tip portion 46 folded against the second portion 40. Alternatively, the tip portion 64 is folded to the second portion 40 along the hinged attachment to the second front side 42 by the bottom layer 24, when the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 are hinged at the top layer 24 (not shown). The first configuration with the tip portion 64 is more compact.

[0049] The method of the present invention is shown through FIGS. 4 to 9 to 10. The method for plunging a toilet bowl includes assembling the corrugated panel 20 having a first portion 30 and a second portion 40 with the first and second configurations. The first flaps 50, 52 are aligned with the second flaps, 60, 62, and the first front side 32 of the first portion 30 hinges to the second back side 44 of the second portion 40. The first configuration has the first portion 30 folded to the second portion 40 along the hinged attachment of the first front side 32 and the second back side 44, and the first flaps 50, 52 and the second flaps 60, 62, are locked in position relative to each other, as in FIG. 4 or alternatively FIG. 3. The second configuration has the first portion 30 flush or co-planar with the second portion 40 in FIGS. 1-3 and 10. In the second configuration, the first flaps 50, 52 and second flaps 60 62, are folded downward from the top layer 22, such that the first portion 30 is locked in position relative to the second portion 40 by the first flaps 50, 52 and the second flaps 60, 62. FIG. 9 shows the transition before the first flaps 50, 52 and second flaps 60 62 are hinged to the second configuration.

[0050] The corrugated panel is set in the first configuration as a storage configuration. The splash guard can be stored and hidden from view, until the need for plunging arrives. The splash guard in the first configuration is compact and dimensioned to be as small as possible. Then, a plunger is set in a toilet bowl for the unclogging operation. The plunger has a handle end and a clog end for insertion into the toilet bowl. Meanwhile, the handle end extends out of the toilet bowl.

[0051] Then, the embodiments of the method include switching the corrugated panel from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first portion 30 is unfolded from the second portion 40, and the first flaps 50, 52 and the second flaps 60, 62 are folded downward. With the first portion 30 and the second portion 40 spread, the splash guard 10 reaches the shape and dimensions to cover a toilet bowl. The splash guard 10 can prevent toilet water from splashing from the toilet bowl.

[0052] In the method, the handle end inserts through the corrugated panel in the second configuration so that the plunger can be actuated through the corrugated panel so as to unclog the toilet bowl. For example, the plunger can be pumped up and down to create and exert suction force on the clog.

[0053] For embodiments with an opening 54 in the first portion as in FIG. 3, the handle end aligns with the opening. The handle end can insert through opening or can be guided through the opening. In the embodiments with the opening being a keyhole shape with a centered portion 56 and extension portion 58, the handle end can be guided through the extension portion 58 from the first back side to the centered portion. Furthermore, there can be hole flaps around the centered portion 56. Each hole flap hinges to the first portion from either the top layer or bottom layer, in order to enlarge the opening 54. The method can include folding each hole flap at the bottom layer to fold down. Alternatively, each hole flap can be folded up at the top layer.

[0054] For embodiments with a tip portion 64 of the second portion 40, according to FIGS. 7-8, the method includes folding the tip portion to the second portion along the hinged attachment to the second front side by the top layer or by the bottom layer for setting the first configuration. The tip portion 40 is folded in the first configuration for storing in a more compact form. Thus, the step of switching from the first configuration to the second configuration includes unfolding the tip portion from the second portion. The second configuration is enlarged for the corrugated panel to be suitable for larger toilet bowls.

[0055] The splash guard of the present invention has unitary construction and multiple configurations. The unitary construction allows the splash guard to be easily stored with all of the necessary pieces. There are no parts or attachments to lose. The splash guard also has a first configuration as the storage configuration and a second configuration as the operating configuration. When folded, the splash guard is collapsed to reduce volume and span for more compatibility with storage spaces. Additionally, the splash guard can be locked rigid in the operating configuration. The full span of the splash guard can be spread wide to be suitable for any toilet bowl. Additionally, there can be a tip portion to further expand the coverage over the toilet bowl, while still being collapsible for convenient storage. The splash guard is not floppy and weak, even though the splash guard was unfolded from a compact form. In particular, the splash guard has side flaps to set the relationship between the first and second portions of the splash guard. The interaction of the flaps locks the panel in the operating configuration. The flaps fold downward and are even suitable for aligning the splash guard on the toilet bowl.

[0056] Other features of the splash guard that have an adjustable hole or opening for passing different handles of different plungers through the splash guard. The splash guard remains rigid, as the handle of any plunger can move up and down in a pumping action without disturbing the splash guard from covering the toilet bowl. Furthermore, the readily collapsible and rigid extendable splash guard of the present invention can be made from corrugated materials having a first layer and a second layer. The portions of the panel are defined by the hinged attachments to the particular first or second layer. The splash guard enables a collapsible, yet strong and resilient panel to prevent toilet water from splashing from the toilet bowl during plunging. The splash guard promotes sanitary conditions, while unclogging a toilet.

[0057] The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated structures, construction and method can be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention.