Device for temporary advertising on urinal or other lavatory plumbing

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a means for placement of temporary advertising on lavatory plumbing and fixtures.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to a means for placement of temporary advertising on lavatory plumbing.

2. Description of Prior Art

There are very few untapped opportunities for advertising in public places, such as bars, cafes restaurants, coffee shops, theatres, and arenas and stadiums. In certain venues such arenas and sports stadiums the sheer volume of advertising on score boards, video screens banners, ticket stubs, programs and over the public address systems is overwhelming. Ultimately the advertiser's message may become diluted or tuned out due to the sheer scale and frequency of the competing messages. Advertising even follows the consumer into the rest room. In the rest room, the most common form is a print advertisement placed more or less at eye level to a patron addressing, or facing a urinal. This is especially true in sports venues where the majority of the patrons are male. In the case of hockey for example, the demographics are 70% of the audience is male. However, of the estimated 60-90 seconds spent for every visit to the restroom, the majority of this captive time is often spent looking at the top of the flush valve cover, not the wall in front of the patron's face. To date, advertising on the surface of the flush valve cover has been prosaic, limited to the manufacturer's name, the trade name or model of the flush valve and or the part number. For reasons of strength and durability, flush valve caps are usually cast from metal, the aforesaid advertising content is physically cast or engraved into the metal comprising the flush valve cap during the manufacturing process. The manufacture of metal valve covers with more diverse advertising messages using traditional manufacturing methods is therefore prohibitively expensive and unwieldy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for the permanent or nonpermanent attachment of advertising on plumbing valve cover hardware or plumbing fixtures for viewing during use of the urinal or other plumbing fixture

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an oblique view of a typical urinal CP (Chrome Plated) valve cover and valve unit.

FIG. 2 depicts an oblique view of a Tank Top variant attached to a CP Cover, said variant completely covering the CP valve.

FIG. 3 depicts a variant of the invention depicted from an oblique angle view attached to a CP Cover, said variant completely covering the CP valve with sample advertising applied to the invention's vertical surface.

FIG. 4 depicts a vertical view of a typical urinal CP (Chrome Plated) valve cover and valve unit.

FIG. 5 depicts a variant of the invention depicted in a vertical view attached to a CP Cover, said variant completely covering the CP valve with sample advertising applied to the invention vertical service.

FIG. 6 depicts a top view of a invention variant attached to a CP Cover, said variant completely covering the CP valve.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a typical urinal CP (Chrome Plated) valve cover and valve unit.

FIG. 8 depicts a cut away side view of the invention attached to a CP Cover, said variant completely covering the CP valve cover with sample advertising applied to the invention's vertical service.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the invention attached to a CP Cover, said variant completely covering the CP valve cover.

FIG. 10 shows a variant of the invention depicted from an oblique angle view attached to a CP Cover, said variant covering the CP valve but with an opening in the invention's vertical surface conform around and expose the CP valve Hex nut. Said variant has sample advertising applied to the vertical edge of the invention body.

FIG. 11 depicts a cut away side view of the invention attached to a CP Cover, said variant attached to a CP Cover, said variant covering the CP valve but with an opening in the invention's vertical surface to conform around and expose the CP valve Hex nut.

FIG. 12 depicts a variant of the invention depicted from an side angle view attached to a CP Cover, said variant covering the CP valve but with an opening in the invention's vertical surface conform around and expose the CP valve Hex nut. Said variant has sample advertising applied to the vertical edge of the invention body.

FIG. 13 depicts a vertical view of a invention variant covering the CP valve but with an opening in the invention's vertical surface conform around and expose the CP valve Hex nut.

FIG. 14 depicts a cut away side view of the invention attached to a CP Cover, said variant attached to a CP Cover, said variant covering the CP valve but with an opening in the invention's vertical surface to conform around and expose the CP valve Hex nut.

FIG. 15 shows a variant of the invention depicted from an side angle view attached to a CP Cover, said variant covering the CP valve but with an opening in the invention's vertical surface conform around and expose the CP valve Hex nut.

FIG. 16 shows a variant of the invention depicted from an side angle view attached to a CP Cover,. Said variant has a sample display message applied to the vertical edge of the invention body as well as a means for display advertising, said means physically attached to the hex nut incorporated into the vertical surface of the CP valve cover.

FIG. 17 shows a variant of the invention depicted from an side angle view attached to a CP Cover, Said variant shows a sample display advertising message applied to the vertical edge of the invention body as well as a means for display advertising, said display advertising means being physically attached to the hex nut incorporated into the vertical surface of the CP valve cover with a vertical spring.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a cap which physically attaches to and partially or completely covers the “CP Cover” of a urinal flush valve. A CP Cover is a cast, threaded valve cover incorporating a hexagonal nut. The cap fits securely over the valve cover and incorporates the desired advertising content: the imprint of a corporate logo, advertising, message, brand name, URL or other advertising content. The cap is physically attached to the CP cover in a non permanent manner allowing for periodic replacement of the cap without causing permanent damage to the CP Cover itself.

The cap can be fabricated from any number of types of paper, plastic, metal foils or combinations thereof, including laminates or any other material known to those of ordinary skill in the art of molding, extrusion, casting or other means of fabrication.

The advertising content may be applied or incorporated on or into the cap using any of the printing or embossing or by any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art or technologies of printing. The advertising content may be positioned anywhere on the cap. In the preferred variant the advertising content is applied or incorporated on the dorsal surface so that it is visible to the patron as he addresses the urinal and looks down on the CP cover.

Attachment means may include, but are not limited to: friction, adhesive, Velcro, zip ties, pressure, vacuum, abrasive, magnetism or any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art or technology of temporary adhesion.

The means is adaptable to other forms of flush valve covers including “electric eye” and other automatic flush triggering devices. The cap may be cut out to keep the hexagonal nut fully accessible for threading or unthreading from the valve body.

The cap can be changed very easily, without the need for specialized tools or training. This task could be performed by the venue's regular maintenance staff or by an outside vendor, subcontractor or other personnel.

In addition, various means of display advertising can be attached to the cap with a means of connection between said advertising means and the CP valve cover. Said connection means can be rigid or flexible. One example of a flexible connecting means is a spring placed in a vertical position between the display means and the CP valve cover, said spring being physically connected to both the advertising display and CP valve cover.

Some urinals and toilet fixtures utilize a water tank or other water pressure source for flushing which is located within the wall to which the fixture is mounted. In this mounting scheme a flush actuating switch whether manual or light actuated is also mounted flush with the with the wall. An additional feature of this mounting scheme is the lack exposed valves or piping connecting and controlling the water source to the urinal or toilet fixture.

For these flush mounted fixtures the embodiment of the invention consists of a mat shaped to conform to the shape and dimensions of the top outer surface of the urinal or the top surface of the peninsula of a toilet bowl between the wall and the outer rim of the seat.

The mat can be fabricated from any number of types of paper, plastic, metal foils or combinations thereof, including laminates or any other material known to those of ordinary skill in the art of molding, extrusion, casting or other means of fabrication.

The advertising content may be applied or incorporated on or into the cap using any of the printing or embossing or by any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art or technologies of printing. The advertising content may be positioned anywhere on the cap. In the preferred variant the advertising content is applied or incorporated on the dorsal surface so that it is visible to the patron as he addresses the urinal and looks down on the CP cover.

Attachment means may include, but are not limited to: friction, adhesive, Velcro, zip ties, pressure, vacuum, abrasive, magnetism or any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art or technology of temporary adhesion.

Claims

1. A device for placement of temporary advertising on plumbing flush valve hardware or plumbing fixtures comprising:

A rigid cap of a shape and size such that it allows the plumbing flush valve cover of a lavatory fixture to closely nest within the cap;

said rigid cap having sufficient physical contact with said flush valve cover such that the rigid cap may be attached in a secure, but temporary manner to, and partially or completely cover, the flush valve cover of a lavatory fixture;

said cap incorporating advertising content on its outer surface.

2. A cap as described in claim 1 wherein the cap is shaped to fit over the “CP Cover” of a toilet or urinal flush valve.

3. A rigid cap of a shape and size wherein the cap is shaped to fit over the electric eye of the or other automatic flush sensing device of a toilet or urinal flush valve such that it allows the flush valve cover of a lavatory fixture the closely nest within it;

said rigid cap having sufficient physical contact with said electric eye or other automatic flush sensing device flush such that the rigid cap may be attached in a secure, but temporary manner to, and partially or completely cover, the electric eye or other automatic flush sensing device,

said cap having one or more cut outs or optically transparent panels to allow the electric eye to function;

said cap incorporating advertising content on its outer surface.

4. A cap of as described in claim 1 wherein the top surface of the cap is cut out to allow the nut or lug integrated into the CP cover to be fully accessible for threading or unthreading from the valve body.

5. A cap of as described in claim 1 wherein the means for temporarily securing the cap to the valve cover is friction, adhesive, Velcro, zip ties, pressure, vacuum, abrasive, or magnetism.

6. A cap of as described in claim 1 wherein the means for securing the cap to the valve cover comprises several clips incorporated into the rim of the cap, said clips securing the cap to the value cap cover through physical contact with the ventral exterior surface of the valve cap cover.

7. A cap of as described in claim 3 wherein the means for securing the cap to the valve cover is friction, adhesive, Velcro, zip ties, pressure, vacuum, abrasive, or magnetism.

8. A cap of as described in claim 3 wherein the means for securing the cap to the valve cover comprise clips incorporated into the rim of the cap, said clips providing physical contact with the ventral exterior surface the electric eye or other automatic flush sensing device.

9. A cap of as described in claim 1 wherein the means for displaying the advertising message is attached to the cap with a spring occupying a vertical orientation between the display means and the cap, said means for displaying the advertising messages being securely fastened to the spring, said spring being securely fastened to the cap.

10. A cap of as described in claim 1 wherein the means for displaying the advertising message is attached to the CP valve cover.

11. A rigid or semi rigid mat of a shape and size wherein the mat is conformed fit over the outer dorsal surface of a lavatory fixture;

said rigid or semi rigid mat having sufficient physical contact with said electric eye or other automatic flush sensing device flush such that the said rigid or semi rigid mat may be attached in a secure, but temporary manner to, and partially or completely cover, the outer dorsal surface of a lavatory fixture;

said rigid or semi rigid mat incorporating advertising content on its outer surface.

12. A mat of as described in claim 11 wherein the means for securing the mat to the outer dorsal surface of the lavatory fixture is friction, adhesive, Velcro, zip ties, pressure, vacuum, abrasive, or magnetism.

13. A mat as described in claim 11 wherein the means for securing the mat to the lavatory fixture comprises clips incorporated into the edges of the mat, said clips providing physical contact with the ventral exterior of the lavatory fixture.

14. A mat of as described in claim 11 wherein the means for displaying the advertising message is attached to the cap with a spring occupying a vertical orientation between the display means and the cap, said means for displaying the advertising messages being securely fastened to the spring, said spring being securely fastened to the mat.

15. A mat of as described in claim 11 wherein the means for displaying the advertising message is physically attached to the mat.

16. A mat of as described in claim 11 wherein the means for displaying the advertising message is a tear off pad, physically attached to the mat.