TOILET TARGET

Abstract

A toilet target for use in the toilet training of young boys and for the amusement and marketing of men is described that includes a target for providing an aiming objective, a mounting hardware for attaching the toilet target to a toilet, and a suspension line or tether for connecting the target to the mounting hardware.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toilet training devices, and more particularly to a toilet target system for aiding in toilet training for boys and as an amusement or marketing device for men.

Some devices used for assisting in the toilet training of young boys may not reduce the cleanup of the area surrounding a toilet. Some other devices are disposable and may be designed to be single-use, whereby the devices are flushed down the toilet after a single use. The disposable nature of some other devices may increase the likelihood of clogged drains, and requires a user to constantly replenish them. Still some other devices have rigid mounting systems that may not allow the device to be automatically rinsed with each use. The rigid mounting system may also increase a likelihood of toilet paper becoming entangled with the target.

As can be seen, there is a need for an improved toilet training apparatus that does not flush after each use and allows for reusability, an apparatus that may be automatically rinsed with each flush of the toilet, and an apparatus that limits the possibility of toilet paper becoming caught in the mounting system or target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toilet target system comprises a target; mounting hardware; and a suspension line, the suspension line connected to the target on a first end and connected to the mounting hardware on a second end.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a toilet target system comprises a target, the target having a first side and a second side; an image, the image being displayed on both sides; mounting hardware; and a suspension line, the suspension line interconnecting the target and the mounting hardware.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique perspective top view of a toilet target system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in use;

FIG. 2 is an oblique perspective view of the toilet target system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an oblique perspective view of a toilet target according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the target of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a toilet target comprising a target for providing an aiming objective, mounting hardware for attaching the toilet target to a toilet, and a suspension line or tether for connecting the target to the mounting hardware.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in use in a toilet 12. Toilet target system 10 may be affixed to a rim 11 of toilet 12. Toilet target system 10 may be capable of being affixed to other locations including a lid 13 of toilet 12, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 1, portions of toilet target system 10 may be configured to hang down into the bowl of toilet 12, and may be visible by a user standing over toilet 12. According to other exemplary embodiments, toilet target system 10 may be attached to a urinal with or without the use of the suspension line or tether, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an oblique perspective view of toilet target system 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. A target 14 may have a suspension line 16 attached to an edge thereof. Target 14 may have a hole 34 formed or machined on an outside edge thereof, which may be used for attaching suspension line 16 thereto. Suspension line 16 may be attached to mounting hardware 18 on an end thereof. Target 14 may be a waterproof, non-biodegradable material, and may be an impermeable or a permeable solid or mesh. Target 14 may be a natural material, synthetic material, or a combination thereof. Target 14 may be configured to be dimensionally larger than a drain hole of toilet 12, to prevent accidental flushing of toilet target system 10. Target 14 may have a roughly circular shape, with a front and a back planar surfaces, which may have a pattern 32 formed, printed, etched, engraved, adhered, or otherwise displayed thereon, which may aid a user in locating, concentrating, and aiming thereon. In an exemplary embodiment, pattern 32 may be a bulls eye or target pattern. According to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, pattern 32 may be, for example, an advertisement, a logo (e.g., sports team logo), or an image.

Mounting hardware 18 may be configured to attach to a flat surface or to tether to an aspect of toilet 12 including, but not limited to, for example, rim 11, lid 13, or lid 13 mounting bolts (not pictured). Mounting hardware 18 may include a suction device (e.g., a suction cup), an adhesive, a magnet, a hook, a static adhesive, or any other means of attachment known or unknown, for example. Suspension line 16 may be a flexible non-conductive (not electrical) line having a length that may allow target 14 to extend down into the bowl portion of toilet 12 when assembled thereto. In some exemplary embodiments, suspension line 16 may be a wire or plastic that may exhibit elastic or plastic deformation. Suspension line 16 may include a drawn or coiled wire, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system 20 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Toilet target system 20 may have a target 22 on an end thereof, which may have suspension line 16 attached thereto. Suspension line 16 may be attached to mounting hardware 18 on one end thereof. Target 22 may formed or machined in the form of a character (e.g., a clown, cartoon), and may have a hole 36 formed on an edge thereof. Target 22 may have a first lobe 38a and a second lobe 38b (collectively referred to as lobes 38), which may be used to denote portions (e.g., head, body, arms) of the character. At least one of lobe 38a and lobe 38b may be configured to be dimensionally larger than a drain hole of toilet 12, to prevent accidental flushing of toilet target system 20.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an oblique perspective view of a toilet target system 41 according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Mounting hardware 18 may be connected to a first linkage 45a, which may be interconnected to a second linkage 45b by a suspension line 44. Second linkage 45b may be interconnected to target 14 by a suspension line 43. First and second linkages 45a, 45b may allow target 14 to articulate with respect to mounting hardware 18 and may allow target 14 to move in multiple planes or rotate thereabout. First and second linkages 45a, 45b may include a spinning or rotating linkage, universal joint, elastic joint, or spring, for example. First and second linkages 45a, 45b may be configured to passively rotate or spin when struck by the flushing water of toilet 12 or by a fluid stream. Target 14 may be configured to have alternating exposed sections, and may have sections 46, 47, 48, and 49 alternating in a concentric ring pattern that may extend radially outward, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross sectional view of target 14 of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 is shown. Target 14 may have a plurality of layers including a core 50, which may have a first side 51 and a second side 52 on opposite sides thereof. According to some exemplary embodiments, core 50 may be configured to hold an insert therein, which may include first and second sides 51, 52. First and second sides 51, 52 may be assembled to core 50 by an interference fit, adhesive, or magnetic fit, for example.

According to some exemplary embodiments, at least one of first and second sides 51, 52 and core 50 may be configured to be soluble and may include, for example, a deodorizer block, a disinfectant block, a cleaner block, or a water soluble material that may indicate a successful contact by a fluid stream (e.g., coloring). According to some exemplary embodiments, first and second sides 51, 52, or core 50 may be configured to reduce potential deflection or splashing of a fluid stream propelled on a surface thereof, and may have an irregular, multi-faceted, perforated, or absorbent surface, texture, or property and may include a diffuser (e.g., a mesh screen, an aerator, a sponge), for example. According to still other exemplary embodiments, target 14 may have a portion that may indicate or be reactive to temperature, wetness, acidity, or salinity. According to yet other exemplary embodiments, target 14 may have a portion that may indicate or be reactive to certain proteins or substances that may indicate a health condition, dietary concern, or chronic or acute condition. According to some exemplary embodiments, at least one of target 14, suspension line 16, and mounting hardware 18 may be buoyant or may have a buoy or flotation device (not pictured) attached thereto.

According to exemplary embodiments, target 14 may be between about one sixty-fourth ( 1/64) of an inch and about two (2) inches in thickness. According to exemplary embodiments, suspension lines 16 and 44 may be between about one (1) inch and about thirty-six (36) inches in length. Suspension lines 16 and 44 may be less than about one eighth (⅛) of an inch in thickness or diameter.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A toilet target system, comprising:

a target;

mounting hardware; and

a suspension line, the suspension line connected to the target on a first end and connected to the mounting hardware on a second end.

2. The toilet target system of claim 1, wherein the target is configured to be larger than a drain hole of a toilet.

3. The toilet target system of claim 1, including:

a rotating target, and

a linkage, the linkage connecting the suspension line to the target, the linkage providing rotation for the target in two planes.

4. The toilet target system of claim 1, including:

a spring joint, the spring joint connecting the suspension line to the mounting hardware.

5. The toilet target system of claim 4, including:

an insert, the insert being assembled to the target.

6. The toilet target system of claim 5, wherein,

the insert is water soluble, and is configured to provide a function chosen from the group consisting of disinfecting, deodorizing, and coloring.

7. The toilet target system of claim 5, wherein,

the insert is configured to indicate one of a temperature, a wetness, an acidity, and a specific protein.

8. A toilet target system, comprising:

a target, the target having a first side and a second side;

an image, the image being displayed on both sides;

mounting hardware; and

a suspension line, the suspension line interconnecting the target and the mounting hardware.

9. The toilet target system of claim 8, including,

a diffuser, the diffuser being assembled to the target.

10. The toilet target system of claim 9, wherein the mounting hardware includes a suction cup, and wherein the target is not buoyant.