Automatic purifier switch cover
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.
Non-applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe presently disclosed subject matter is directed to automatic purifier switch covers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe 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 for toilet exhaust 10 fulfills this need.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe 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.
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:
-
- 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
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within
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 FIGURESReferring now to
Referring next to
Referring now to
Referring next to
Referring finally to
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 for toilet exhaust 10 would be constructed in general accordance with
After procurement and prior to utilization, the device 10 would be prepared in the following manner: the device 10 would be positioned over the toilet bowl odor control device 55 such that the hemispherical cap 30 is centered over the proximity sensor 65; the suction cup 15 be pressed into holding position upon the upper surface 60; and final position adjustments made to the rotatable shield 25 by manipulating it along the reciprocating travel path “t” 50 until the restricted detection range 95 is obtained.
The operation of the toilet bowl odor control device 55 would then commence in a normal manner without the inadvertent operation previously permitted by accidental close proximity to the toilet bowl 75. The device 10 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
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 to claim 1, wherein said suction cup is removed for cleaning of said toilet bowl odor control device.
3. The activation prevention device according to claim 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 to claim 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 to claim 1, wherein said suction cup is one inch in diameter and one-half inch tall.
6. The activation prevention device according to claim 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 to claim 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 to claim 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 to claim 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 to claim 1, wherein said rotatable shield is made of plastic in an injection molding process.
11. The activation prevention device according to claim 1, wherein said suction cup is made of silicone.
12. The activation prevention device according to claim 1, wherein said suction cup is made of rubber.
13. The activation prevention device according to claim 1, wherein said suction cup is made of flexible material.
14. The activation prevention device according to claim 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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Type: Grant
Filed: Nov 15, 2018
Date of Patent: Aug 20, 2019
Inventors: Virginia Hall (Chicago, IL), John Shields (Calumet City, IL)
Primary Examiner: Janie M Loeppke
Application Number: 16/191,606
International Classification: E03D 9/052 (20060101); A47K 17/00 (20060101); E03D 5/10 (20060101); H03K 17/945 (20060101);