US10385561B1 - Automatic purifier switch cover - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic purifier switch cover comprises a protective shield configured to be used in conjunction with the Cogswell™ Toilet Air Purifier. The switch cover shields the motion detector of the Cogswell™ Toilet Air Purifier from activation when the toilet is not in use.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Non-applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to automatic purifier switch covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The battle to keep bathrooms and public restrooms smelling clean and fresh is an everlasting one. The saturation of the market with air freshening sprays, and deodorizers is strong evidence of this battle. One recent style of product actually reduces the odors emanating from the toilet itself. The Cogswell® Toilet Air Purifier is an example of one such product. It utilizes an electronic motion sensor to activate fan, lights, and other electronics whenever a person uses the toilet.

Unfortunately, its detection range is very large causing activation of the unit whenever someone simply walks by toilet leading to inadvertent operation, unnecessary wear and tear, premature battery depletion and excessive filter replacement. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which electronic motion sensors can be restricted in their range to avoid the problems as described above. The development of the activation prevention device fortoilet exhaust10 fulfills this need.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for an activation prevention device for a toilet bowl odor control device of a toilet bowl, comprising a suction cup having a top mounted mounting appendage and a rotatable shield having a hemispherical cap and a flange. The flange is planar and is provided with a circular penetration through which the flange is routed, which provides a pivot point around which the rotatable shield moves back and forth along a reciprocating travel path as moved by a person. The suction cup is easily removed for cleaning of the toilet bowl odor control device. The suction cup may also be applied by the person to an upper surface such that the hemispherical cap uniformly covers the proximity sensor.

The hemispherical cap may be connected to the suction cup by use of the flange mounted upon the mounting appendage and once properly positioned to cover the proximity sensor and restrict its detection range. No further manipulation of the activation prevention device is required during its normal use.

The suction cup may be one inch in diameter and one-half inch tall. The rotatable shield encompasses a proximity sensor which provides for activation of the toilet bowl odor control device whenever the person uses the toilet upon which the toilet bowl odor control device is installed. The rotatable shield may cover the proximity sensor and greatly reduces or restricts a sensing range of the proximity sensor and thus prevents activation of the toilet bowl odor control device or only allows activation of the toilet bowl odor control device only when the person is present. The proximity sensor may be selected from the group consisting of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, or a laser-based sensor.

The toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a restricted detection range that provides for operation of the toilet bowl odor control device only if the person is present near the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a restricted detection range that provides for operation of the toilet bowl odor control device if the person is seated upon the toilet bowl and would prevent operation for males that would be standing in front of the toilet bowl for urination, thus further eliminating unnecessary operation of the toilet bowl odor control device and extending its useful operating cycle time.

The rotatable shield is made of plastic in an injection molding process while the suction cup is may be made of silicone or rubber or any other flexible material. The toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a generally planar upper surface upon which the suction cup may be temporarily affixed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theactivation prevention device10 for a toilet bowlodor control device55, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of theactivation prevention device10, attached to a toilet bowlodor control device55, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of abathroom70, showing theactivation prevention device10 in a utilized state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of theactivation prevention device10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown inFIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of theactivation prevention device10, as seen along a line II-II, as shown inFIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

• • 10 activation prevention device
  • 15 suction cup
  • 20 mounting appendage
  • 25 rotatable shield
  • 30 hemispherical cap
  • 35 flange
  • 40 circular penetration
  • 45 pivot point
  • 50 reciprocating travel path “t”
  • 55 toilet bowl odor control device
  • 60 upper surface
  • 65 proximity sensor
  • 70 bathroom
  • 75 toilet bowl
  • 80 conventional detection range
  • 85 sink
  • 90 tub
  • 95 restricted detection range

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted withinFIGS. 1 through 5. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Referring now toFIG. 1, a perspective view of the activation prevention device fortoilet exhaust10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The activation prevention device10 (herein also described as the “device”)10, includes two (2) primary components. The first is asuction cup15 with a top mountedmounting appendage20. It is envisioned that thesuction cup15 is approximately one inch (1 in.) in diameter and one-half inch (½ in.) tall. The second component of thedevice10 is arotatable shield25, comprising ahemispherical cap30 and aflange35. Theflange35 is planar and is provided with a circular penetration40 (not shown due to illustrative limitations) through which theflange35 is routed. Such mounting provides apivot point45 around which therotatable shield25 moves back and forth along a reciprocating travel path “t”50 as moved by the user. It is envisioned that therotatable shield25 would be made of plastic in an injection molding process. Thesuction cup15 would be made of silicone, rubber or similar flexible material, also in an injection molding process.

Referring next toFIG. 2, a perspective view of thedevice10, attached to a toilet bowlodor control device55, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The toilet bowlodor control device55 is shown as a Cogswell™ Toilet Air Purifier for purposes of illustration. However, it is noted that thedevice10 can be utilized with other similar devices, and as such, the usage of thedevice10 with any particular style of toilet bowlodor control device55 should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. As such, the general configuration and overall physical shape of therotatable shield25 will vary per the design of the toilet bowlodor control device55 without affecting the overall claims and teachings of thedevice10. The toilet bowlodor control device55 is provided with a generally planarupper surface60 upon which thesuction cup15 can temporarily affix. Thesuction cup15 can be easily removed for cleaning of the toilet bowlodor control device55 as necessary. In its installed position as shown, therotatable shield25 of thedevice10 encompasses aproximity sensor65 which provides for the activation of the toilet bowlodor control device55 whenever a person uses the toilet upon which the toilet bowlodor control device55 is installed. Therotatable shield25 covers theproximity sensor65 and thus greatly reduces or restricts the sensing range of theproximity sensor65 and thus prevents activation of the toilet bowlodor control device55 or only allows activation of the toilet bowlodor control device55 only when the user is present. It is envisioned that theproximity sensor65 would be of the infrared variety, although other types of sensing devices such as ultrasonic, capacitance, laser-based and the like would be equally restricted by thedevice10, and as such, the particular usage of any type or style of sensing device should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present invention. Further description of the range restriction capabilities of thedevice10 will be provided herein below.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a perspective view of abathroom70, showing thedevice10 in a utilized state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is noted that thebathroom70 is depicted as atypical bathroom70 as found in a residence, although thedevice10 will function in any similar environment such as a public restroom in an equally effective manner. Thedevice10 is installed upon the toilet bowlodor control device55 which is in turn installed upon atoilet bowl75 in a conventional manner. The toilet bowlodor control device55, without thedevice10 installed provides for a normalconventional detection range80 as shown. It is easily seen that anyone simply walking in thebathroom70 to use asink85 or atub90 for example would trigger the operation of the toilet bowlodor control device55. As such, the internal battery of the toilet bowlodor control device55 will be unnecessarily depleted as well as unnecessary wear, stress and strain be placed upon other components of the toilet bowlodor control device55 such as filters, motors, bearings, and the like. With thedevice10 installed as shown inFIG. 2, the toilet bowlodor control device55 is provided with a restricteddetection range95 as shown. This restricteddetection range95 provides for operation of the toilet bowlodor control device55 only if a person or user is present near thetoilet bowl75. Additionally, thedevice10 may be positioned such that operation is allowed only if a user is seated upon thetoilet bowl75 and would prevent operation for males that would be standing in front of thetoilet bowl75 for urination, thus further eliminating unnecessary operation of the toilet bowlodor control device55 and extending its useful operating cycle time.

Referring next toFIG. 4, a sectional view of thedevice10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown inFIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. This FIGURE presents the planarupper surface60 and theproximity sensor65 as provided as part of the toilet bowl odor control device55 (as shown inFIG. 2). Thesuction cup15 is applied by the user to theupper surface60 such that thehemispherical cap30 uniformly covers theproximity sensor65. Thehemispherical cap30 is thus connected to thesuction cup15 by use of theflange35 mounted upon the mountingappendage20. Once properly positioned to cover theproximity sensor65 and restrict its detection range as shown inFIG. 3, no further manipulation of thedevice10 is required during its normal use.

Referring finally toFIG. 5, a sectional view of thedevice10, as seen along a line II-II, as shown inFIG. 2, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This FIGURE presentation provides additional clarity on the mounting of thesuction cup15 to theupper surface60 and its relationship with the mountingappendage20 and theflange35. It can be seen that the relationship is of a low-profile design and would not interfere with the usage of the toilet bowl75 (as shown inFIG. 3).

2. OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the activation prevention device fortoilet exhaust10 would be constructed in general accordance withFIG. 1 throughFIG. 5. The user would procure thedevice10 through normal procurement channels paying particular attention to the manufacturer, make, and model of toilet bowlodor control device55 upon which thedevice10 would be used. It is envisioned that various models of thedevice10 would be made available with the only particular variation being the general shape and configuration of therotatable shield25.

After procurement and prior to utilization, thedevice10 would be prepared in the following manner: thedevice10 would be positioned over the toilet bowlodor control device55 such that thehemispherical cap30 is centered over theproximity sensor65; thesuction cup15 be pressed into holding position upon theupper surface60; and final position adjustments made to therotatable shield25 by manipulating it along the reciprocating travel path “t”50 until the restricteddetection range95 is obtained.

The operation of the toilet bowlodor control device55 would then commence in a normal manner without the inadvertent operation previously permitted by accidental close proximity to thetoilet bowl75. Thedevice10 may be removed for cleaning and then subsequently reinstalled following the above-mentioned process as necessary in a cyclical fashion.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims (14)

The invention claimed is:

1. An activation prevention device for a toilet bowl odor control device of a toilet bowl, comprising:

a suction cup having a top mounted mounting appendage; and

a rotatable shield having a hemispherical cap and a flange, said flange is planar and is provided with a circular penetration through which said flange is routed, which provides a pivot point around which said rotatable shield moves back and forth along a reciprocating travel path as moved by a person;

wherein said rotatable shield encompasses a proximity sensor which provides for activation of said toilet bowl odor control device whenever said person uses said toilet upon which said toilet bowl odor control device is installed.

2. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said suction cup is removed for cleaning of said toilet bowl odor control device.

3. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said suction cup is applied by said person to an upper surface such that said hemispherical cap uniformly covers said proximity sensor.

4. The activation prevention device according toclaim 3, wherein said hemispherical cap is connected to said suction cup by use of said flange mounted upon said mounting appendage and once properly positioned to cover said proximity sensor and restrict its detection range, no further manipulation of said activation prevention device is required during its normal use.

5. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said suction cup is one inch in diameter and one-half inch tall.

6. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said rotatable shield covers said proximity sensor and reduces or restricts a sensing range of said proximity sensor and thus prevents activation of said toilet bowl odor control device or only allows activation of said toilet bowl odor control device only when said person is present.

7. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said proximity sensor is selected from the group consisting of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, or a laser-based sensor.

8. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a restricted detection range that provides for operation of said toilet bowl odor control device only if said person is present near said toilet bowl when the shield covers said proximity sensor.

9. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a restricted detection range that provides for operation of said toilet bowl odor control device if said person is seated upon said toilet bowl and would prevent operation for males that would be standing in front of said toilet bowl for urination, thus further eliminating unnecessary operation of said toilet bowl odor control device and extending its useful operating cycle time when the shield covers said proximity sensor.

10. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said rotatable shield is made of plastic in an injection molding process.

11. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said suction cup is made of silicone.

12. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said suction cup is made of rubber.

13. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said suction cup is made of flexible material.

14. The activation prevention device according toclaim 1, wherein said toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a generally planar upper surface upon which said suction cup is temporarily affixed.

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