TOILET BRUSH AND HOLDER

Abstract

A combination toilet implement and holder therefor includes an implement handle having first and second handle ends, a handle intermediate portion between the first and second handle ends, and a shield retaining structure. An implement head is provided attached to the handle proximate the second handle end. A shield is provided that at least partially surrounds the handle intermediate portion. The shield has first and second shield ends in turn having first and second shield openings respectively. The first shield opening is oriented toward the first handle end and the second shield opening is oriented toward the second handle end and is sized so as to be capable of surrounding the implement head. The shield is movable along the handle toward the implement head so as to at least partially surround the implement head and so as to be movable along the handle away from the implement head so as to be engaged with the retaining structure to prevent the shield from falling over the implement head during use. A base is provided having an inset boss portion sized to accept and store the implement head when surrounded by the shield. The invention permits more sanitary and convenient use and storage of bathroom implements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toilet brushes and holders for such brushes. Toilet brushes and holders therefor are well known. Such brushes and holders unfortunately have one or more disadvantages relating to sanitation, convenience of use or both. In particular, the brush is typically not covered around its edges upon removal from or replacement back to a holder for the brush. This results in a condition where the sides of the brush may contact unintended surfaces when it is being moved resulting in an unsanitary condition. Holders are typically deep thus making retention of soiled water from the brush likely and making cleaning a chore with a probability of contamination when reaching into the holder during cleaning. Brushes are seldom provided with deflectors during use thus making it likely that water from the toilet can be splashed onto the handle during use. The top portion of a holder is often not covered thus making it possible for pets, small children and careless adults to reach into the holder again creating an unsanitary condition. Holders are however known where removable covers are provided but removing the cover before accessing the brush is inconvenient and often unsanitary. It has been known that a cover may be attached to a handle of a toilet implement, e.g., a plunger as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,792, but the height of the cover near the top of the handle greatly interferes with visibility during use. A tapered type cover that might form a part of a handle is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. 413,470 but the cover clearly interferes with visibility during use and cannot be moved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a combination toilet implement and holder for the toilet implement.

The combination toilet implement and holder therefor includes an implement handle having first and second handle ends, a handle intermediate portion between the first and second handle ends, and a shield retaining structure. An implement head is provided attached to the handle proximate the second handle end. A shield is provided that at least partially surrounds the handle intermediate portion. The shield has first and second shield ends in turn having first and second shield openings respectively. The first shield opening is oriented toward the first handle end and the second shield opening is oriented toward the second handle end and is sized so as to be capable of surrounding the implement head. The shield is movable along the handle toward the implement head so as to at least partially surround the implement head and so as to be movable along the handle away from the implement head so as to be engaged with the retaining structure to prevent the shield from falling over the implement head during use. A base is provided having an inset boss portion sized to accept and store the implement head when surrounded by the shield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the combination toilet implement and holder of the invention with the tapered shield in place around the implement head and stored in the base;

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the combination toilet implement and holder of the invention with the tapered shield moved upwardly so as to expose the implement head and so as to engage the taper of the handle; and,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the combination toilet implement and holder shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the implement has an elongated implement handle having and intermediate expanded diameter and a taper of increasing diameter (shield retaining structure) toward a holding end (first end) of the handle. In this embodiment, the implement also includes an operating implement head attached to an end of the handle (second end) distally removed from the holding end of the handle. The operating implement head may for example be a toilet brush head or a toilet plunger head. The shield is preferably a tapered shield that has first and second open ends. The first open end is provided with a first opening and the second open end is provided with a second opening. The first opening preferably surrounds the handle between the expanded diameter and the taper of increasing diameter and sized so that the first opening cannot easily pass completely over either the expanded diameter or taper of increasing diameter. The shield is oriented so that the first opening faces the holding end of the handle. The second opening in the second open end is sized so as to be capable of surrounding the operating implement head. The tapered shield is movable along the handle so as to surround the implement head and stabilize the handle in an upright position when the first opening is proximate the expanded diameter and so as to be frictionally engaged with the handle along the taper of increasing diameter when the first opening is proximate the holding end of the handle. The holder includes a base having an inset boss portion sized to accept and store the implement head when surrounded by the second open end of the shield.

The combination toilet implement and holder of the invention completely overcomes or significantly reduces problems associated with prior toilet implements and holders. Specifically, upon sliding the shield over the implement head, e.g. a toilet brush, the brush is covered around its edges upon removal from or replacement back to a holder for the brush. This results in a condition where the sides of the brush cannot contact unintended surfaces when it is being moved resulting in an unsanitary condition. The holder itself is shallow thus reducing likelihood of retention of soiled water from the brush and making cleaning of the holder relatively simple with reduced probability of contamination because reaching into a deep holder during cleaning is not necessary. The shield, upon sliding upwardly upon the handle, acts as a deflector during use thus making it unlikely that water from the toilet can be splashed onto the handle during use. The holder is completely covered by the shield when the shield is slid toward the implement head and placed in the holder thus reducing likelihood that pets, small children and careless adults will reach into the holder creating an unsanitary condition. The simple sliding of the shield away from the implement head is easy and convenient and eliminates problems of storage of a cover during implement use. The tapered nature of the shield of the preferred embodiment allows viewing along the shield at an angle thus increasing visibility over a flat or disk shaped shield design.

The invention may be better understood by reference to the figures illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that the preferred embodiment illustrated is for purposes of explanation and not for purposes of limitation of the breadth of the invention as claimed.

As seen in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the combination toilet implement and holder of the invention 10 includes an implement handle 12 having first and second handle ends 14 and 16 and a handle intermediate portion 18 between the first and second handle ends 14 and 16. The handle 12 also has a shield retaining structure 20 preferably in the form of a taper of increasing diameter. An implement head 22, e.g., a brush, is attached to the handle 12 proximate second handle end 16. A shield 24 is provided that at least partially surrounds handle intermediate portion 18. The shield is preferably of tapered configuration. The shield 24 has first and second shield ends 26 and 28 in turn having first and second shield openings 30 and 32. The first shield opening 30 is oriented toward first handle end 14 and second shield opening 32 is oriented toward second handle end 16. Second shield opening 32 is sized so as to be capable of surrounding implement head 34. Shield 24 is movable along handle 12 toward implement head 34, preferably to surround implement head 34 so as to surround implement head 34 and so as to be movable along handle 12 away from implement head 34 so as to engage with retaining structure 20, e.g., increasing handle taper, to prevent shield 24 from falling over implement head 34, e.g., a toilet brush, during use. A base 36 is provided having an inset boss 38 sized to accept and store implement head 34 when surrounded by shield 24. Preferably, handle 12 is also provided with an expanded diameter 38 between handle ends 14 and 16 that prevents the shield from dropping completely onto implement head 34. As best seen in FIG. 4, first shield opening 30 can frictionally engage with retaining structure 20, e.g., increasing handle taper, to retain shield 24 during use. In the preferred embodiment, the relatively large second shield opening 28 helps to stabilize the handle in an upright position when it covers implement head 34.

Claims

1. A combination toilet implement and holder therefor comprising: an implement handle having first and second handle ends, a handle intermediate portion between the first and second handle ends, and a shield retaining structure; an implement head attached to the handle proximate the second handle end; a shield at least partially surrounding the handle intermediate portion, said shield having first and second shield ends in turn having first and second shield openings respectively, said first shield opening being oriented toward the first handle end, said second shield opening being oriented toward the second handle end and being sized so as to be capable of surrounding the implement head, said shield being movable along the handle toward the implement head so as to surround the implement head and so as to be movable along the handle away from the implement head so as to be engaged with the retaining structure to prevent the shield from falling over the implement head during use; and a base having an inset boss portion sized to accept and store the implement head when surrounded by the shield.

2. The combination toilet implement and holder therefor of claim 1 where the implement head is a toilet brush head.

3. The combination toilet implement and holder of claim 1 where the handle has an expanded diameter between the first and second handle ends that prevents the shield from dropping completely onto the implement head.

4. The combination toilet implement and holder of claim 1 where the shield retaining structure comprises a taper of increasing diameter toward the first handle end and the first shield opening is sized so as to frictionally engage with the increasing taper as the shield is moved toward the first handle end.

5. The combination toilet implement and holder of claim 1 where the shield stabilizes the handle in an upright position when the shield surrounds the implement head.

6. The combination toilet implement and holder of claim 1 where the handle is axially elongated.

7. A combination toilet implement and holder comprising an elongated implement handle having and intermediate expanded diameter and a taper of increasing diameter toward a holding end of the handle; an operating implement head attached to an end of the handle distally removed from the holding end of the handle; a tapered shield having first and second open ends, said first open end being provided with a first opening and the second open end being provided with a second opening, said first opening surrounding the handle between the expanded diameter and the taper of increasing diameter and sized so that the first opening cannot easily pass completely over either the expanded diameter or taper of increasing diameter, said shield being oriented so that the first opening faces the holding end of the handle; said second opening in the second open end being sized so as to be capable of surrounding the operating implement head, the tapered shield being movable along the handle so as to surround the implement head and stabilize the handle in an upright position when the first opening is proximate the expanded diameter and so as to be frictionally engaged with the handle along the taper of increasing diameter when the first opening is proximate the holding end of the handle; and a base having an inset boss portion sized to accept and store the implement head when surrounded by the second open end of the shield.