Urine Splash Guards and Splash Guard Assembly for Toilets

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to splash guards, and more particularly to urine deflectors detachably connectable to a wide variety of toilets toilet seats and seat risers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Physically challenged adults and the persons who care for them often find using a toilet to be one of the most difficult tasks. One problem associated with toilet use is that urine may be directed outside of the toilet bowl by a male user who is not able to lean forward or otherwise properly direct the flow of urine while sitting on a toilet seat. Often, when a male user is sitting on a toilet seat in an upright position, as if sitting in a normal chair, his urine may be directed horizontally towards the front of the toilet. Urine may then pass over the top of the toilet bowl, between the toilet bowl and toilet seat, over the toilet seat, or may impinge on the toilet seat or upper edge of the bowl. Any of these conditions creates an undesirable unsanitary condition in the toilet area, as well as potentially splashing urine onto the patient, the patient's clothing and surrounding areas.

[0003] This problem is magnified by the use of split-ring toilet seats as well as handicapped type toilet seat risers or elevators which are typically provided to raise the seat several inches above the existing toilet bowl. One of the functions of such risers is to make it easier for a wheelchair bound patient to move on and off of the toilet seat. However, by raising the seating surface, the likelihood that a stream of urine may pass through the gap in the riser and/or over the top of the toilet bowl is increased. In light of the above problems, there is an obvious need for a removable, easily sterilized toilet accessory that will redirect a stream of urine of a male patient into the toilet bowl, thereby reducing contamination of the toilet and surrounding areas, the user, the user's clothing, and any caretakers.

BRIEF SUMMARY QF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a first or base urine splash guard is provided for removable connection to a split-ring toilet seat or toilet seat elevator having a gap and includes a front wall, a rear wall, an upper wall extending between the front and rear walls to form a channel, and a first rib located in the channel. The front, rear and upper walls are adapted to face the outer, inner and upper surfaces, respectively, of the split-ring toilet seat or seat elevator and the first rib is adapted to face an upright surface of the gap when the splash guard is connected to the split-ring toilet seat or toilet seat elevator.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a second or raised urine splash guard is provided for removable connection to a toilet component and includes a bottom wall, a rear wall extending downwardly from the bottom wall, spaced side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a top wall extending between the side walls, and a front wall extending downwardly from the top wall and between the side walls. The front wall includes a lower wall section extending below the bottom wall. The bottom, side, top and front walls form an open cavity for redirecting a urine stream from a user while the bottom wall, rear wall and lower wall section form a channel for receiving the toilet component. The toilet component can be in the form of another urine splash guard, split-ring or solid-ring toilet seats and toilet seat elevators, and the like.

[0006] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a urine splash guard assembly for removable connection to a split-ring toilet seat or toilet seat elevator includes a base or first urine splash guard having a front wall, a rear wall and an upper wall extending between the front and rear walls. The front, rear and upper walls form a channel for receiving the split-ring toilet seat or seat elevator. The splash guard assembly also includes a raised or second urine splash guard having a bottom wall, a rear wall extending downwardly from the bottom wall, spaced side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a top wall extending between the side walls, and a front wall extending downwardly from the top wall and between the side walls. The front wall includes a lower wall section extending below the bottom wall. The bottom, side, top and front walls form an open cavity for redirecting a urine stream from a user while the bottom wall, rear wall and lower wall section form a channel for receiving the base or first urine splash guard such that the front, rear and upper walls of the first urine splash guard face the front, rear and bottom walls of the second urine splash guard. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a urine splash guard assembly in accordance with the present invention removably connected to a toilet seat elevator which is in turn mounted on a conventional toilet;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear isometric exploded view of the splash guard assembly adapted for mounting to a split-ring toilet seat elevator;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear isometric view of a first splash guard of the splash guard assembly connected to a split-ring toilet seat elevator;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the first and second splash guards of the splash guard assembly connected to the toilet seat elevator;

[0012] FIG. 5A is a lower rear isometric view of the first splash guard;

[0013] FIG. 5B is a lower front isometric view of the first splash guard;

[0014] FIG. 5C is a front elevational view of the first splash guard;

[0015] FIG. 5D is a rear elevational view of the first splash guard; [0016] FIG. 5E is a sectional view of the first splash guard taken along line 5E-5E of FIG. 5D;

[0017] FIG. 5F is a bottom plan view of the first splash guard;

[0018] FIG. 6A is a lower rear isometric view of the second splash guard;

[0019] FIG. 6B is a lower front isometric view of the second splash guard;

[0020] FIG. 6C is an upper front isometric view of the second splash guard;

[0021] FIG. 6D is a sectional view of the second splash guard taken along line 6D-6D of FIG. 6C;

[0022] FIG. 6E is a lower front isometric view of the splash guard assembly;

[0023] FIG. 6F is a rear elevational view of the splash guard assembly;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the splash guard assembly on a split-ring toilet seat elevator showing adjustment of the second splash guard;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a rear isometric view of the splash guard assembly adapted for mounting to a split-ring toilet seat;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a rear isometric exploded view of the second splash guard adapted for mounting to a solid-ring toilet seat elevator; [0027] FIG. 10 is a rear isometric exploded view of the second splash guard adapted for mounting to a solid-ring toilet seat; and

[00281 FIG. 11 is a rear isometric exploded view of the second splash guard for mounting to a split-ring toilet seat and rim of a toilet bowl.

[0029] It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only typical or exemplary embodiments of the invention and thus may not be necessarily to scale. Accordingly, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the spirit and scope of the invention. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, a urine splash guard assembly 10 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown, the splash guard assembly 10 is removably connected to a toilet seat elevator 12 which is in turn connected to toilet bowl 20 of a toilet 14.

[0031] The splash guard assembly 10 preferably includes a base or first splash guard 16 and a raised or second splash guard 18 removably connectable to the first splash guard. Preferably, the first and second splash guards are separate and distinct for selective connection to and removal from toilet components such as split and solid-ring toilet seat and seat elevators, toilet bowl rims, other splash guards, and the like, as will be described in greater detail below. However, it will be understood that the first and second splash guards can be integrally molded together or otherwise permanently affixed together in any conventional manner.

[0032] As best shown in FIG. 2, the toilet seat elevator 12 can be of conventional split- ring construction and is often used to increase the height of a conventional round or oblong toilet seat and lid (not shown) with respect to a round or oblong toilet bowl 20 (FIG. 1) of a toilet 14 to accommodate users who may otherwise experience difficultly with toilet seats of conventional height. The seat elevator 12 is preferably of lightweight, hollow construction and includes a generally split-ring-shaped seat or seat support portion 22 that is adapted to rest on or otherwise be supported by an upper surface 24 (FIG. 1) of the toilet bowl 20. A gap 26 is formed at a forward end of the seat elevator 12 and is bounded by right and left upright surfaces 28 and 30, respectively, which extend between an upper ring surface 32 and a lower ring surface 34. An inner ring surface 36 and outer ring surface 38 extend between the upright surfaces 28 and 30.

[0033] With additional reference to FIG. 3, the base or first splash guard 16 is constructed to fill the gap 26 (FIG. 2) of the seat elevator 12. As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment of the invention, the raised or second splash guard 18 is preferably constructed to slip over the base or first splash guard 16 when split-ring type seat elevators are used.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5A-5F, the base or first splash guard 16 preferably includes a front wall 42, a rear wall 44, and an upper wall 46 extending between the front and rear walls to form a channel 47. Ribs 48, 50 are located within the channel 47 and preferably extend downwardly from the upper wall 46 and between the front and rear walls 42, 44. As shown in FIG. 5F, the ribs 48, 50 are preferably spaced apart a distance "A" so that they are in close proximity to the upright surfaces 28 and 30, respectively, of the seat elevator 12. However, it will be understood that the ribs can be closer together to accommodate gaps of different widths and to allow radial adjustment of the first splash guard 16 on the seat elevator 12. The ribs 48, 50 serve not only to reinforce the walls 42, 44 and 46, but also to facilitate alignment of the first splash guard 16 within the gap 26 of the respective elevator. Preferably, the front wall 42, rear wall 44 and upper wall 46 are curved or otherwise shaped to complement the shape of the outer ring surface 38, the inner ring surface 36 and the upper ring surface 32 of the elevator, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5D, the rear wall 44 preferably has a width "B" that is smaller than the width of the front wall 42 to accommodate the smaller arc of the inner ring surface 36 and a height or length "C" greater than the height or length of the front wall. In this manner, the rear wall 44 extends below the interface between the seat elevator 12 and upper surface 24 of the toilet bowl 20 preventing urine from penetrating therebetween. However, it will be understood that the relative dimensions between the front and rear walls can greatly vary.

[0035] The base or first splash guard 16 is preferably of single-piece construction and molded or otherwise manufactured of a plastic material which is easily cleanable and resistant to urine and other fluids. However, it will be understood that the various components of the first splash guard can be constructed separately and attached together through any well known techniques. It will be further understood that the first splash guard 16 can be constructed of different materials such as metal, composites, glass, ceramics, and so on.

[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6D, the raised or second splash guard 18 preferably includes a front wall 52, a bottom wall 54 and a top wall 56 extending rearwardly from the front wall 52, and right and left side walls 58, 60 extending between the top and bottom walls to form an open cavity 62. A rear wall 64 and a lower wall section 66 of the front wall 52 extend downwardly from the bottom wall 54 to form a channel 68 for receiving the first splash guard 16 or a closed or split-ring seat elevator or toilet seat and/or toilet bowl rim as will be further described below. As shown in FIG. 6D, an upper surface 70 of the bottom wall 54 preferably slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the front wall 52 so that urine or other fluids can freely drain out of the cavity 62.

[0037] With additional reference to FIGS. 6E and 6F, the channel 68 of the second splash guard 18 is dimensioned to receive the base or first splash guard 16. Preferably, the first and second splash guards are complementary in shape, so that the front wall 52 (including the lower section 66), the rear wall 64 and bottom wall 54 are curved to complement the shape of the front wall 42, rear wall 44 and top wall 46, respectively, of the base or first splash guard 16. As shown in FIG. 6F, the rear wall 64 preferably has a width "D" that is less than the width "B" of the rear wall 44 and a height or length "E" that is preferably equal to the height or length "C" (FIG. 5D) of the rear wall 44 of the first splash guard 16. Likewise, the lower front wall section 66 is preferably equal in height or length to the front wall 42. However, it will be understood that the relative dimensions of the first and second splash guards can vary over a wide range without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0038] The raised or second splash guard 18 is preferably of single-piece construction and molded or otherwise manufactured of a plastic material which is easily cleanable and resistant to urine and other fluids. However, it will be understood that the various components of the second splash guard can be constructed separately and attached together through any well known techniques. It will be further understood that the second splash guard 18 can be constructed of different materials such as metal, composites, glass, ceramics, and so on.

[0039] With reference now to FIG. 7, when the base or first and raised or second splash guards are connected together, the raised splash guard 18 can be slidable or radially adjustable along the raised splash guard 16 as shown by arrows 71 and 73 and phantom lines 18A and 18B. Relative adjustment of the splash guards in this manner accommodates seat elevators of different configurations as well as the particular preferences and needs of a user.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 8, the splash guard assembly 10 of the present invention is not limited to installation on split-ring toilet seat elevators but can also be connected to a split-ring toilet seat 40. As shown, the toilet seat 40 includes a generally split-ring- shaped seat support portion 82 that is adapted to rest on or otherwise be supported by an upper surface 24 (FIG. 1) of the toilet bowl 20. A gap 76 is formed at a forward end of the toilet seat 40 and is bounded by right and left upright surfaces 78 and 80, respectively, that extend between an upper ring surface 82 and a lower ring surface 84. An inner ring surface 86 and outer ring surface 88 extend between the upright surfaces 78 and 80.

[0041] As with the seat elevator 12, the base or first splash guard 16 is constructed to fill the gap 76 of the toilet seat 40 and the raised or second splash guard 18 slips over the first splash guard 16. In order to accommodate the smaller profile seat 40, the ribs 48, 50 and/or walls 42, 44 can be shortened. Although a single split-ring toilet seat is shown, it will be understood that the splash guard assembly 10 of the present invention can be used in combination with a seat elevator and a toilet seat mounted on the seat elevator (partially shown in Fig. 11). In this instance, the ribs 48, 50 and/or walls 42, 44 of the first splash guard can be lengthened. It will be further understood that the splash guard assembly 10 can be dimensioned and shaped to fit a wide variety of different toilet seat and seat elevator arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0042] The base and raised splash guards can be used separately and independently of each other. For example, it may be necessary to use only the base or first splash guard 16 with the seat elevator 12 (FIG. 2) or toilet seat 40 (FIG. 8), when the urine trajectory of a user while sitting on the elevator 12 and/or seat 40 can be controlled or is otherwise lower than the upper surface 46 of the base or first splash guard 16. Likewise, the raised or second splash guard 18 can be used without the base or first splash guard 16 for seat elevators and toilet seats with or without the split-ring arrangement, as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, especially when the urine trajectory of a user while sitting is higher than the upper surface 70 of the bottom wall 54 (Fig. 6D).

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 9, the raised or second splash guard 18 can be slipped over a solid-ring toilet seat elevator 90. As shown, the seat elevator 90 is similar in construction to the split-ring seat elevator 12 previously described, with the exception that the gap and its corresponding upright surfaces have been eliminated. When connected together, the bottom wall 54, rear wall 64 and front wall 66 of the raised or second splash guard 18 are next to or face the upper ring surface 32, inner ring surface 36 and outer ring surface 38, respectively, of the solid-ring toilet seat elevator 90. The raised or second splash guard 18 can be slidable or radially adjustable on the seat elevator 90 in a manner similar to that described with reference to Fig. 7.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 10, the raised splash guard 18 can be slipped over a solid-ring toilet seat 92. As shown, the toilet seat 92 is similar in construction to the split-ring toilet seat 40 previously described, with the exception that the gap and its corresponding upright surfaces have been eliminated. When connected together, the bottom wall 54, rear wall 64 and front wall 66 of the raised splash guard 18 are next to or face the upper ring surface 82, inner ring surface 86 and outer ring surface 88, respectively, of the solid-ring toilet seat 92. The raised splash guard 18 can be also radially adjustable on the toilet seat 92 in a manner discussed hereinabove. [0045] Referring now to FIG. 11, the raised splash guard 18 can be slipped over the split-ring toilet seat 40 without the use of the base or first splash guard 16. When connected together, the bottom wall 54, rear wall 64 and front wall 66 of the second splash guard 18 are next to an upper ring surface 94, inner ring surface 96 and outer ring surface 98, respectively, of the toilet bowl 20. The side walls 58 and 60 of the second splash guard preferably fit between the upright surfaces 78 and 80, respectively, of the split-ring toilet seat 40. If needed, the rear wall 64 of the second splash guard can be widened to extend beyond the side walls 58, 60. It will be understood that the raised or second splash guard 18 can alternatively be slipped over the toilet seat 40 so that the bottom wall 54 rests on top of the upper ring surface 82.

[0046] In each of the above-described embodiments, one or both splash guards can be easily installed and removed as needed to accommodate different users. In addition, both inserts can be easily removed and reinstalled to facilitate cleaning and sterilization.

[0047] It will be understood that the term "preferably" as used throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted in any limiting sense. It will be further understood that the term "connect" and its various derivatives as may be used throughout the specification refer to components that may be joined together either directly or through one or more intermediate members. In addition, terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification relate to relative rather than absolute orientations and/or positions. [0048] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It will be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.