Toilet cap

Abstract

A toilet cover for a toilet securement is disclosed. An example method for covering a toilet securement includes providing a shell member to fit over the toilet securement. The method also includes providing a decorative component on the shell member. The method also includes providing an air freshener compartment as part of the shell member or decorative component.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/433,571 titled “Toilet Bowl Decorative Stamp” of Ramona Leonida, filed Jan. 18, 2011, hereby incorporated herein by reference as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Toilets are typically secured to the bathroom floor using securement means, such as bolts and nuts. The bolts and nuts can be unsightly and can detract from the décor of the bathroom. In addition, the bolts and nuts may rust if exposed to water or cleaning fluids (e.g., from cleaning the toilet or bathroom floor).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a toilet as it may be secured to a floor, wherein (a) shows an example toilet cap as it may be used to cover a toilet securement, and (b) shows the example toilet cap on the toilet securement.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example toilet cap, wherein (a) is a front perspective view, and (b) is a side cutaway view taken along lines 2a-2a in FIG. 2(a).

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of another example toilet cap.

FIG. 4 is a partial front plan view of another example toilet cap, wherein an air freshener fits inside a frame member.

FIG. 5 are side cutaway views showing example connections for a toilet cap, wherein (a) shows interference strips, (b) shows a screw lock, and (c) shows a push tab.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of a decorative toilet cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Toilets are typically secured to the bathroom floor using securement means, such as bolts and nuts. The bolts and nuts can be unsightly and can detract from the décor of the bathroom. The bolts and nuts may rust if subject to water. Plastic bolt covers may be provided to hide and/or protect the bolts and nuts. But these offer no aesthetic appeal.

A toilet cover for a toilet securement is disclosed. An example method for covering a toilet securement includes providing a shell member to fit over the toilet securement. The method also includes providing a decorative component on the shell member. The method also includes providing an air freshener compartment as part of the shell member or decorative component.

An example toilet cap includes a shell member sized to fit over a toilet securement. The toilet cap also includes a decorative component connected to the shell member. The toilet cap also includes an air freshener compartment formed as an integral part of the shell member or decorative component.

In another example, the toilet cap may also include an integrated light source. Accordingly, the toilet cap enhances aesthetics in the bathroom by hiding or concealing the securement means (or the plastic bolt cover), enhances air freshness, and/or provides a source of illumination in the bathroom. All of these features are realized by a single device that does not take up space in the electrical outlet in the bathroom.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIG. 1 shows a toilet 2 as it may be secured to a floor 4, wherein (a) shows an example toilet cap 10 as it may be used to cover toilet securement 6, and (b) shows the example toilet cap 10 on the toilet securement 6. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example toilet cap, wherein (a) is a front perspective view, and (b) is a side cutaway view taken along lines 2a-2a in FIG. 2(a).

The toilet cap 10 includes a shell member 12 sized to fit over the toilet securement 6, and a decorative component 14 connected to the shell member 12. The decorative component 14 is shown as it may have a flower design. However, other designs are also contemplated. For example, the decorative component 14 may have an animal design (e.g., bear, dog, etc.), a sport design (e.g., soccer ball, football, hockey stick), a logo design (e.g., sports team logo), a holiday design (Christmas, Halloween), a seasonal design (e.g., winter, summer), a car design (e.g., for boy's bathrooms), princess or castle design (e.g., for girl's bathrooms). The example designs listed above are merely illustrative of the numerous designs that may be used for the decorative component 14.

The decorative component 14 may be made of any suitable material, such as glass, plastic, or acrylic. The material may be clear, colored and/or may be painted. The decorative component 14 may also be other materials, such as fabrics (e.g., for the flower petals), jewels, etc.

The shell member 12 may be sized and shaped to fit over any suitable toilet securement 6. In FIG. 1, the toilet cap 10 is shown as it may be provided on a plastic bolt cover on the toilet 2. In this example, the interior of the shell member 12 may be at least partially hollow and sized and shaped to substantially mate with the exterior of the plastic bolt cover. In an example, the shell member 12 is readily removed from the toilet securement 6, e.g., to change out with another design and/or for cleaning.

It is noted, however, that the toilet cap 10 is not limited to use with any particular type, size, or shape, of the toilet securement 6. For example, the toilet cap 10 may be provided directly on the bolt and/or nut. In such an example, the toilet cap 10 may be sized and shaped so as to substantially mate with the bolt and/or nut such that the toilet cap 10 can accommodate the toilet securement 6.

The shell member 12 may also be configured to at least partially rotate or pivot about the toilet securement 6, for example, as illustrated by arrows 11 in FIG. 1b. Such a configuration enables the toilet cap 10 to be inserted onto the toilet securement 6 in any suitable direction, and then adjusted so that the decorative component 14 can be best viewed by the user.

The toilet cap 10 also includes an air freshener compartment 16 (see e.g., FIG. 2b) configured to receive an air freshener 18, as illustrated by arrow 19 in FIG. 2b. The air freshener 18 may be a gel stick, oil, or other air freshener. The air freshener 18 may also be a powered-scent-release air freshener, e.g., by providing a battery to stimulate release of the air freshening scent. Openings may be provided in the decorative component 14 (e.g., in the middle part of the flower design) for releasing the air freshening scent into the surrounding air.

The air freshener compartment 16 may be formed as an integral part of the shell member 12 and/or decorative component 14. For purposes of illustration, the air freshener compartment 16 is shown in FIG. 2b in the decorative component 14. However, the air freshener compartment 16 may also be provided with the shell member 12.

The toilet cap 10 may also include a light 20. In an example, the light 20 is provided as an integral part of the shell member 12 or decorative component 14. For purposes of illustration, the light 20 is shown as it may be mounted to the shell 12. However, the light 20 may also be provided with the decorative component 14. The light 20 may be an electric light, e.g., powered by a battery 21. Or the light 20 may be a non-electric light, e.g., a fluorescent component that is activated by the bathroom light and then fluoresces in the dark. The light 20 may be concealed, e.g., behind the flower design. A separate chamber (not shown) may also be provided for the light. For example, the light 20 may be provided within the shell 12 to emit light through a clear lens or translucent portion. The light may also be integrated into the design of the decorative component 14 (e.g., as a headlight on a car design).

The light 20 may also be automatically activated using suitable sensors (e.g., activated by movement and/or darkness).

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized.

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of another example toilet cap 10′. Like reference numbers in this embodiment are indicated by the prime 0 for corresponding elements already described, and may not be described again for FIG. 3.

In this example, the decorative component 14′ is a flower facing upward, e.g., toward the bathroom ceiling. The light 20′ may be provided in the center portion (stigma) of the flower design. The light 20′ may also be made to look more like a stigma and less like a light, e.g., by providing a semi-spherical lens (not shown) over the light 20′. It is noted that the examples shown and described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Any suitable design and configuration of those designs may be utilized based on considerations such as, but not limited to marketing, cost of manufacture, and user desires.

FIG. 4 is a partial front plan view of another example toilet cap 10″, wherein the air freshener 18″ fits inside a frame member 15″ of the decorative component 14″. For example, the frame member 15″ may include a double sided, spaced-apart, flat flower design, wherein the air freshener 18″ slides in between the two sides 15a″ and 15b″. Other air freshener compartments are also contemplated. Again, like reference numbers in this embodiment are indicated by the double-prime (″) for corresponding elements already described, and may not be described again for FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 are side cutaway views showing example connections for a toilet cap 10, wherein (a) shows interference strips 22a-c, (b) shows a screw lock 24, and (c) shows a push tab 26. The connection may be provided on the shell member 12 and may be used to fasten the shell member 12 to the toilet securement 6 (not shown in FIG. 5).

The connection may engage the toilet securement 6 with sufficient force so that the toilet cap 10 does not readily fall off of the toilet securement 6, for example, when kicked or bumped during cleaning.

By way of illustration, the interference strips 22a-c may be rubber, VELCRO® or other frictional-based material that forms a frictional engagement between the shell member 12 and the toilet securement 6.

Also by way of illustration, the screw lock 24 (or locks, not shown) may be rotated (as illustrated by arrows 25) through a thread formed in the shell member 12 to tighten against the toilet securement 6.

By way of further illustration, the push tab 26 operates according to a similar principle as the interference strips 22a-c and screw lock 24, but slides in the directions of arrow 27 through a slotted opening 28 formed through the shell member 12 and into place against the toilet securement 6 to tighten the shell member 12 against the toilet securement 6 without the user having to rotate a screw head. The push tab 26 can then be withdrawn to loosen the shell member 12 from the toilet securement 6 so that the toilet cap 10 can be readily removed.

Still other examples of connections are also contemplated, which may be provided to engage the toilet cap 10 to the toilet securement 6.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of a decorative toilet cap 110. Like reference numbers in this embodiment are indicated by 100-series for corresponding elements already described. It can be seen in this example that the shell member 112 and the decorative component 114 are integrally formed (i.e., as a unitary structure). It can also be seen that a jewel is provided for both decorative purposes and as a lens to let light be emitted from an internal lamp. Although not visible in FIG. 6, the toilet cap 110 may also include a pocket or compartment for receiving an air freshener.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.

Claims

1. A method covering a toilet securement, comprising:

providing a shell member to fit over the toilet securement;

providing a decorative component on the shell member; and

providing an air freshener compartment as part of the shell member or decorative component.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a light as part of the shell member or decorative component.

3. The method of claim 1, further wherein the light is battery operated and automatically activated based on a predetermined light threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the air freshener compartment is formed in a frame of the decorative component.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a connection to fasten the shell member to the toilet securement.

6. A toilet cap comprising:

a shell member sized to fit over a toilet securement;

a decorative component connected to the shell member; and

an air freshener compartment formed as an integral part of the shell member or decorative component.

7. The toilet cap of claim 6, further comprising an electric light formed as an integral part of the shell member or decorative component.

8. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the shell member is pivotable on the toilet securement.

9. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the shell member includes a mating portion sized to engage the toilet securement.

10. The toilet cap of claim 9, wherein the mating portion is shaped to engage the toilet securement provided as a bolt or nut.

11. The toilet cap of claim 9, wherein the mating portion is shaped to engage the toilet securement provided as a plastic bolt cover.

12. The toilet cap of claim 6, further comprising a connection to fasten the shell member to the toilet securement.

13. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the connection comprises at least one interference member.

14. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the connection comprises at least one screw lock.

15. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the connection comprises at least one push tab.

16. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the connection engages the toilet securement.

17. A toilet cap for covering a toilet securement, comprising:

shell means for fitting over the toilet securement;

decorating means for the shell member; and

air freshening means in the shell means or decorating means.

18. The toilet cap of claim 17, further comprising lighting means on the shell means.

19. The toilet cap of claim 17, further comprising connection means for engaging the shell means to the toilet securement.

20. The toilet cap of claim 17, further comprising connection means for engaging the shell means on a bolt cover for the toilet securement.