Splash Back Shield

Abstract

A splash back shield is provided. The splash shield is adapted to removably attach to all types of faucets and protect individuals from the splash back of dirty and unsanitary materials being washed thereunder. The removable shield includes a planar member having a slit that divides symmetrically opposed first and second locking connectors. Each locking connector includes a slot and a hook, wherein each hook corresponds to the opposing locking connector's slot. When attaching the shield to a faucet, the slit is aligned with the faucet neck and each hook is inserted into the slot on the opposing locking connector such that the locking connectors overlap each other and pull the shield into a conical configuration around the faucet neck, thereby creating a shield around the faucet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/091,766 filed on Dec. 15, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to splash guards and shields. More specifically, the present invention relates to a removable splash back shield configured to attach to all types of faucets and prevent the splashing of unsanitary materials while cleaning or washing dirty stuffs thereunder.

Cleaning out unsanitary items, such as bed pans, can be an unpleasant, messy, and even harmful process. If one is not careful, dirty or contaminated water may splash back onto the individual. Besides the fact that this splashing is repulsive, the water splashed back may carry germs and other infectious materials which may cause a person to become ill. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a splash shield that is removably attachable to any type of faucet and that is further adapted to protect individuals from the splash back caused while washing items thereunder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of splash shields now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a universal splash shield wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when cleaning unsanitary items under any type of faucet. The present system comprises a slit dividing opposing first and second locking connectors, wherein each locking connector comprises a slot and a hook. Each hook is adapted to engage with the opposing locking connector's slot. To engage the hooks with the slots, the slit is aligned with the faucet neck and the opposing connectors are pulled together around the faucet neck and inserted into the slots. This makes the opposing locking connectors overlap each other and pull the shield into a conical configuration around the faucet. The shield then acts to prevent the splash back of unsanitary material when the user is washing out articles that are prone to redirecting water back to the user, such as bed pans and other rounded items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the locking system of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the present invention as aligned with a faucet immediately before being attached.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention as attached to a faucet.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the universal faucet shield. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as attaching to a faucet and used for cleaning dirty bed pans. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention provides a splash back shield that is attachable to a faucet. When the splash back shield is secured in place, it prevents water and infectious or harmful materials from splashing back out from dirty items being cleaned under the faucet, such as bedpans and the like. In the depicted embodiment, the splash back shield comprises a planar member 10 composed of a transparent, flexible material, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) Acrylic (polymethlamethacrylate), Butyrate (cellulose acetate butyrate), Lexan (polycarbonate), and/or PETG (glycol modified polyethylene terphthalate). In another embodiment, the planar member 10 is composed of paper material, such as cardboard. In alternative embodiments, the planar member 10 is composed of other flexible polymeric and/or synthetic materials. In the depicted embodiment, the planar member 10 is elliptically shaped. In other embodiments, the planar member 10 is circularly shaped. The splash back shield can come in different sizes to allow individuals to protect themselves while washing differently sized bedpans or other such items.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention. The splash back shield comprises a slit 15 extending linearly from the edge of the planar member that is configured to receive all types of faucets, or a variety of fixtures for controlling the flow of water, such as spigots, valves, cocks, gates, and taps. The shield further comprises a first connector 20, a second connector 25, a first hook 30, a second hook 35, a first slot 40, and a second slot 45. The first connector 20 and the second connector 25 are separated by the slit 15, such that they oppose one another. In the depicted embodiment, the first connector 20 and the second connector 25 are symmetrical to one another and the slit 15 extends linearly from the edge of the planar member to its center. In alternative embodiments, the first connector 20 and the second connector 25 are asymmetrical to one another. The first hook 30 is configured to removably engage with the second slot 45 and the second hook 35 is configured to removably engage with the first slot 40, such that they lock into one another into an overlapping configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 there are shown perspective views of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates the splash back shield as aligned with a faucet before being attached to same. FIG. 4 illustrates the splash back shield after being attached to a faucet. In one use, the splash back shield is removably attached to a faucet by first positioning the slit 15 of the planar member 10 in line with the faucet neck 100 such that the end of the slit 15 is on or above the faucet head 110. Next, the shield is secured in place by pulling the first connector 20 and the second connector 25 across each other, such that both connectors go around the bottom of the faucet neck, thereby wrapping the slit 15 around the faucet neck 100. Then, the first hook 30 is inserted into the second slot 45 and the second hook 35 is inserted into the first slot 40, thereby fastening the planar member 10 to the faucet. As shown by FIG. 4, the planar member 10 takes on a conical shape when secured to the faucet to maximize the amount of splash back blocked by the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention in use. The planar member 10 further comprises a cut-out portion 50 for receiving a hand or arm. The cut-out portion 50 is disposed on the side of the planar member 10 that is opposite to the slit. The cut-out portion 50 is an opening configured to receive a hand or arm, thereby allowing individuals to firmly grasp the item which they are cleaning underneath the shield. In the depicted embodiment, the cut-out portion comprises a small recessed opening configured to receive a forearm. In alternative embodiments, the cut-out portion 50 can come in varying sizes, thus providing an opening for receiving multiple hands or different sized arms.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A splash shield, comprising:

a planar member;

a slit extending linearly from an edge of the planar member;

wherein the slit forms a first edge comprising a first connector and a second edge comprising a second connector;

a first hook disposed on the first edge of the slit;

a second hook disposed on the second edge of the slit;

wherein the first hook and the second hook are disposed in an opposing orientation;

a first slot disposed on the planar member, the first slot configured to removably engage the second hook; and

a second slot disposed on the planar member, the second slot configured to removably engage the first hook;

wherein the planar member forms a conical shape when the first hook is engaged with the second slot and the second hook is engaged with the first slot.

2) The splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the planar member is constructed from a transparent material.

3) The splash shield as claim in claim 1, wherein the planar member is constructed from a paper material.

4) The splash shield as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a cutout disposed on the planar member oppositely to the slit.

5) The splash shield as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transparent material is Polyvinyl chloride.

6) The splash shield as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transparent material is polymethlamethacrylate.

7) The splash shield as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transparent material is cellulose acetate butyrate.

8) The splash shield as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transparent material is polycarbonate.

9) The splash shield as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transparent material is glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate.

10) The splash shield as claimed in claim 3, wherein the paper material is cardboard.

11) The splash shield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slit extends from the edge of the planar member to a center of the planar member.