TOILET BOWL LOCKING DEVICE AND METHOD
A toilet bowl locking device (1) having a cover (7), a slot (4) located in the cover (7), an anchor (2) having an opening (24) located on the cover top surface (18), a pivotal bar (8) having flanges (14) secured to the cover bottom surface (19), a pivot point (5) about which the pivotal bar (8) pivots, and a handle (3) having at least one opening (24). The handle (3) is secured to the pivotal bar (8) and extends through the slot (4) to permit a user to pivot the pivotal bar (8) when the handle (3) is pivoted within the slot (4). The flanges (14) are spaced a predetermined distance from the cover bottom surface (19) so as to be located beneath the toilet bowl rim (12) when the toilet bowl locking device (1) is secured within a toilet bowl (10). A lock (11) may be used to lock the handle (3) to the anchor (2) and thereby prevent pivoting of the pivotal bar (8).
This invention relates to toilet locking devices, more particularly, a toilet bowl locking device that prevents a person from unauthorized use of a toilet bowl.
When constructing new homes and apartments, new, unused toilets are delivered and installed, preferably in their final location. Although portable toilets are provided for construction workers working on the construction site, oftentimes these portable toilets are dirty and unsanitary. Thus, rather than using the portable toilet, construction workers oftentimes use the newly delivered toilet, regardless of whether the toilet is connected to the plumbing. If the plumbing is connected, sometimes the construction workers will flush the toilet.
In most cases, however, because the excrement sits in the toilet for an extended period of time, the toilet is ruined well before the homeowner moves in. If such is the case, many times the contractor must purchase another new toilet for installation. In addition, most homeowners demand the toilet to be unused prior to their arrival. Thus, if the toilet has been used, even if it is not damaged, the contractor must purchase another new toilet for installation.
Although there are currently toilet bowl locking devices that attempt to prevent unauthorized use of a toilet, these devices are deficient as oftentimes construction workers or other individuals desiring to use the inoperable toilet will rip the device off of the toilet to expose the bowl, thereby damaging the device and the toilet itself.
Thus, a need exists for a toilet bowl locking device that permits a person to prevent a person from unauthorized use of a toilet bowl.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl locking device that prevents a person from unauthorized use of a toilet bowl.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl locking device that is easy to use.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl locking device that is durable.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet bowl locking device that may be used on a wide variety of toilet bowls.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a toilet bowl locking device having a cover having a top and bottom surface, a slot located in the cover, an anchor having an opening located on cover top surface, a pivotal bar having flanges secured to the cover bottom surface, a pivot point about which said at least one bar pivots, and a handle having at least one opening. The handle is secured to the bar and extends through the slot to permit a user to pivot the bar when the handle is pivoted within the slot. A lock may be used to lock the handle to the anchor and thereby prevent pivoting of the bar.
To use the present invention, a user inserts a bolt through an aperture located on the cover and through a hole located on the toilet bowl so as to secure the cover to the toilet bowl. Then, the user positions the bowl covering portion of the cover over a toilet bowl open space. The user then places the bottom surface of the cover on the toilet bowl and pivots the handle to pivot the flanges beneath the toilet bowl rim so as to secure the toilet bowl locking device within a toilet bowl. Finally, the user secures a lock through openings in the handle and anchor to lock the handle, and thus bar, in a predetermined locked position. When the user wishes to remove the toilet locking device, he or she unlocks the lock and pivots the handle so the flanges are located within an open space of a toilet bowl, that is, so the flanges are no longer located beneath the toilet bowl rim.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
1. toilet bowl locking device, generally
2. anchor
3. handle
4. slot
5. pivot point
6. aperture
7. cover
8. pivotal bar
9. extension
10. toilet bowl
11. lock
12. toilet bowl rim
13. open space
14. flange
15. bolt
16. upper portion
17. bowl covering portion
18. top surface
19. bottom surface
20. first end
21. second end
22. center
23. toilet bowl rim height
24. opening
25. space
With reference to
Next,
In
With reference to
In
Finally,
To use the toilet bowl locking device 1, a user first aligns the toilet bowl locking device 1 with a toilet bowl 10 by inserting bolts 15 or other fastening means through apertures 6 in the cover 7 and holes located in a toilet bowl 10. The user then positions the bowl covering portion 17 of the cover 7 over a toilet bowl open space 13. The user then places the bottom surface 19 of the cover 7 on the toilet bowl 10 and pivots the handle 3 to pivot the flanges 14 beneath the toilet bowl rim 12 so as to secure the toilet bowl locking device 1 within a toilet bowl 10. Finally, the user secures the lock 11 through openings 24 in the handle 3 and anchor 2 to lock the handle 3, and thus pivotal bar 8, in a predetermined locked position. When the user wishes to remove the toilet locking device 1, he or she unlocks the lock 11 and pivots the handle 3 so the flanges 14 are located within an open space 13 of a toilet bowl 10, that is, so the flanges 14 are no longer located beneath the toilet bowl rim 12.
The use of the present invention will prevent a person from unauthorized use of a toilet bowl.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
Claims
1. A toilet bowl locking device comprising:
- a cover having a predetermined size and shape;
- said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- at least one slot located in said cover;
- at least one anchor located on said cover top surface;
- said at least one anchor having at least one opening;
- at least one pivotal bar having a first end, a second end and a center;
- said at least one pivotal bar is pivotally secured to said cover bottom surface;
- a pivot point about which said at least one pivotal bar pivots;
- at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first end;
- said at least one flange is located a predetermined distance below and perpendicular to said cover bottom surface; and
- at least one handle having at least one opening;
- said at least one handle is secured to said at least one pivotal bar wherein said at least one handle extends through said slot above the top surface of the cover to permit a user to pivot said at least one pivotal bar when said at least one handle is pivoted within said at least one slot.
2. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 further comprising:
- an upper portion and a bowl cover portion located on said cover; and
- at least one aperture located in said cover upper portion.
3. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 2 further comprising:
- at least one bolt extending through said at least one aperture to align said toilet bowl locking device with a toilet bowl.
4. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one lock securable through said anchor opening and said handle opening.
5. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 2 further comprising:
- at least one lock securable through said anchor opening and said handle opening.
6. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 3 further comprising:
- at least one lock securable through said anchor opening and said handle opening.
7. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 wherein:
- said cover is round in shape.
8. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 wherein:
- said cover is oval in shape.
9. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 wherein:
- said predetermined distance between said at least one flange and said cover bottom surface is equal to a toilet bowl rim height.
10. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 wherein:
- said predetermined distance between said at least one flange and said cover bottom surface is greater than a toilet bowl rim height.
11. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end;
- said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end is located a predetermined distance below and perpendicular to said cover bottom surface; and
- said predetermined distance between said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end and said cover bottom surface is equal to a toilet bowl rim height.
12. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end;
- said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end is located a predetermined distance below and perpendicular to said cover bottom surface; and
- said predetermined distance between said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end and said cover bottom surface is greater than a toilet bowl rim height.
13. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 1 wherein:
- said at least one slot is curved about said pivot point.
14. A toilet bowl locking device comprising:
- a cover having a predetermined size and shape;
- said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- said cover having an upper portion and a bowl cover portion;
- at least one aperture located in said cover upper portion;
- at least one bolt extending through said at least one aperture to align said toilet bowl locking device with a toilet bowl;
- at least one slot located in said cover;
- at least one anchor located on said cover top surface;
- said at least one anchor having at least one opening;
- at least one pivotal bar having a first end, a second end and a center;
- at least one extension extending from said at least one pivotal bar;
- said at least one extension is pivotally secured to said cover bottom surface;
- a pivot point about which said at least one extension pivots;
- at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first end;
- at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end;
- said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first end and second end are located a predetermined distance below and perpendicular to said cover bottom surface;
- at least one handle having at least one opening;
- said at least one handle is secured to said at least one extension wherein said at least one handle extends through said slot above the top surface of the cover to permit a user to pivot said at least one extension when said at least one handle is pivoted within said at least one slot; and
- at least one lock securable through said anchor opening and said handle opening.
15. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 14 wherein:
- said predetermined distance between said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first and second ends and said cover bottom surface is equal to a toilet bowl rim height.
16. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 14 wherein:
- said predetermined distance between said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first and second ends and said cover bottom surface is greater than a toilet bowl rim height.
17. The toilet bowl locking device of claim 14 wherein:
- said at least one slot is curved about said pivot point.
18. A method for using a toilet bowl locking device comprising a cover having a predetermined size and shape; said cover having a top surface and a bottom surface; said cover having an upper portion and a bowl cover portion; at least one aperture located in said cover upper portion; at least one bolt extending through said at least one aperture to secure said toilet bowl locking device to a toilet bowl; at least one slot located in said cover; at least one anchor located on said cover top surface; said at least one anchor having at least one opening; at least one pivotal bar having a first end, a second end and a center; said at least one pivotal bar is pivotally secured to said cover bottom surface; a pivot point about which said at least one pivotal bar pivots; at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first end; at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar second end; said at least one flange extending from said at least one pivotal bar first end and second end are located a predetermined distance below and perpendicular to said cover bottom surface; at least one handle having at least one opening; said at least one handle is secured to said at least one pivotal bar wherein said at least one handle extends through said slot above the top surface of the cover to permit a user to pivot said at least one pivotal bar when said at least one handle is pivoted within said at least one slot; and at least one lock securable through said anchor opening and said handle opening, said method comprising steps of:
- a. inserting said at least one bolt extending through said at least one aperture to align said toilet bowl locking device with a toilet bowl;
- b. positioning said bowl covering portion over a toilet bowl open space;
- c. placing said bottom surface on said toilet bowl; and
- d. pivoting said handle to pivot said at least one flange on said at least one pivotal bar first end and said at least one flange on said at least one pivotal bar second end to be located beneath a toilet bowl rim.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps after step d of:
- e. inserting said at least one lock through said anchor opening and said handle opening; and
- f. locking said at least one lock.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:
- g. unlocking said at least one lock; and
- h. pivoting said handle to pivot said at least one flange on said at least one pivotal bar first end and said at least one flange on said at least one pivotal bar second end to be located within a toilet bowl open space.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 18, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 22, 2009
Inventor: Michael P. Sullivan (Cape Coral, FL)
Application Number: 11/779,647
International Classification: A47K 13/00 (20060101); B65D 55/14 (20060101);