CHILD-PROOF TOILET FLUSHING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/556,686 Filed Feb. 22, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a toilet flushing device and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a secure, child-proof toilet flush device system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Young children are often fascinated by the action of flushing a toilet and the ensuing rush of water down the drain. However, this both wastes water and risks loss of items if something is accidentally flushed down the toilet. What is needed is a way to prevent children from unnecessarily flushing toilets while ensuring that normal use of the toilet can continue without much hassle.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a toilet flushing device with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a device for attaching to a standard toilet for preventing the unintended flushing of the toilet.

A preferred embodiment is for a standard flushing handle device for flushing a toilet. This embodiment replaces an existing toilet flush handle by placing an outer cap or cover which freely spins around the exterior of an inner pinch-handle body which replaces the standard flush handle. The user must pinch the outer cap to lock onto and grip the inner pinch-handle body, and upon doing so the user can then turn the pinch-handle body counter-clockwise, which lifts the flush arm and thereby the flapper, flushing the toilet.

The pinch-handle body could be connected to the flush arm via a universal adapter body which can receive the end of the flush arm. A flusher nut and associated flusher nut gasket can further help to secure the connection and seal the device within the opening of the toilet tank.

Other variations of the present invention could be used with a push-button flushing device for a toilet. These are typically mounted on top of the tank of the toilet. This embodiment updates an existing toilet (or may be a standalone installation into a new toilet). This embodiment threads a child-proof, safety lock which prevents pushing of the button to flush unless an exterior rim is turned to an unlocked position, allowing the button to be pressed. When flushing completes, the button returns and the locking ring automatically locks the button again.

A third embodiment similarly can be used to replace a toilet handle. An outer round cap again spins freely about an inner ring. Here, the user pushes in, rather than pinching in, the cap to turn the inner ring counter-clockwise, thereby flushing the toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment installed within a toilet tank assembly.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in an

exploded view.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional isometric view of the embodiment of the present invention shown assembled in isolation.

FIG. 4 is an exploded three-dimensional isometric view thereof.

FIG. 5 is an exploded three-dimensional isometric view of a pinch- handle body element and a universal body adapter element thereof from a first orientation.

orientation.

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof from a second

FIG. 7 is an exploded three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in conjunction with an outer handle cover element thereof.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the universal body element.

FIG. 9 is a top plan thereof.

FIG. 10 is a right-side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a left-side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the pinch-handle body element.

FIG. 15 is a top plan thereof.

FIG. 16 is a right-side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 17 is a left-side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 19 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 20 is an exploded isometric view of a slightly alternative embodiment thereof.

FIG. 21 is an assembled three-dimensional isometric view thereof.

FIG. 22 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in a

typical environment affixed to a toilet tank.

FIG. 23 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a handle replacement element thereof.

FIG. 24 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof taken from a rear angle.

FIG. 25 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 26 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 28 is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIG. 29 is a left-side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 30 is a right-side elevational view thereof.

FIG. 31 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a prior art embodiment of a top-mounted toilet flush assembly shown in a typical environment of a toilet tank lid.

FIG. 32 is a three-dimensional isometric view of anther alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in a typical environment of a toilet tank lid.

FIG. 33 is a partially exploded three-dimensional isometric view thereof.

FIG. 34 is a a detailed view thereof.

FIG. 35 is a detailed view thereof shown in an assembled orientation and demonstrating a first step of activation.

FIG. 36 is a detailed view thereof shown in an assembled orientation and demonstrating a second step of activation.

FIG. 37 is a detailed view thereof shown in an assembled orientation and demonstrating a third step of activation.

FIG. 38 is a detailed view thereof shown in an assembled orientation and demonstrating a fourth step of activation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Modified Flush System 2

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a modified flush system 2 for use with a standard toilet 6 having a tank 8 with a lid 10 and an opening 24 within the tank where the toilet handle is installed. A modified flush handle 4 replaces the standard flush handle that comes standard with toilets. The purpose of the modified flush handle is to “child-proof” the toilet, such that children do not flush the toilet.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the modified flush handle 4 is made up of a flexible, spinnable cap or cover 12, an inner pinch-handle body 16, a universal adapter body 14, a flusher nut 22, a flusher gasket 20, and a standard flush lever arm 26 with an end connector 44. The end connector 44 is inserted through the universal adapter body 14 via a flush arm receiver slot 40, and then is slotted into another flush arm receiver slot 42 located in the inner pinch-handle body 16. A set screw 18 can be used to ensure everything is locked together. The flusher nut 22 and gasket 20 fit between the universal adapter body 14 and the flush arm 26. The cover 12 can be fit over the inner pinch-handle body. When the cover 12 is spun, it spins freely about the inner pinch-handle body. However, when the flexible cover 12 is pinched or grasped firmly, it will flex against the inner pinch-handle body 16, allowing the inner pinch-handle body to be turned, thereby turning the universal adapter body 14 and raising the flush arm 26, thus causing the toilet to flush.

The universal adapter body 14 and the inner pinch-handle body 16 are shown in additional detail in FIGS. 5-19. The universal adapter body 14 has a threaded end 30 for receiving the flusher nut 22, thereby securing the modified flush handle to the toilet tank 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cover 12 may include a number of flexible tabs 48 which help to secure the cover about the inner pinch-handle body 16, which is stored within the interior 46 of the cover 12. The flexible tabs 48 are made to bend outward or inward when the inner pinch-handle body is either removed from the cover or pushed into the cover, respectively.

The universal adapter body 14 also has a notched end 28 which has at least one notch for receiving fins of the finned end 32 of the inner pinch-handle body 16. The main body 34 of the inner pinch-handle body is designed to be gripped once the cap 12 is pinched. One of the notches of the notched end 28 of the universal adapter body may include a relief 36 for the set screw receiver 38 located on the inner pinch-handle body 16. When the inner pinch-handle body 16 is turned through the pinched cap 12, the fin or fins of the finned end 32 of the universal adapter body 14 turn through their respective notches of the notched end 28 thereof. When the fins contact the edge of the notches, it causes the universal body adapter 14 to turn, thereby raising the flush arm 26 and flushing the toilet.

The cap 12 spins freely about the inner pinch-handle body unless enough grip force is applied to reach and turn the inner pinch-handle body. This child-proofs the toilet handle against accidental flushes or intentional flushes from a child which would waste water. The cap 12 can be modified to include colors, lights, and other features. A speaker could be included to provide feedback to a toddler who is potty training. The cap 12 could be modified to be replaced with an easier-to-pinch cap during the potty-training process to allow the child to actively turn the handle and flush the toilet.

III. Alternative Embodiment Modified Flush System 52

As shown in FIGS. 20-31, the above-embodiment invention could form a modified flush handle 54 wherein the handle 12 and pinch handle body 16 are removed from the previous modified flush handle 2 embodiment and replaced with a basic handle 62 which resembles and functions like a typical toilet flush handle known in the prior art. The basic handle 62 includes a body 64 which can receive the notched end 28 of the universal body adapter 14 and be secured thereto by a set screw 68, and a lever arm 66 which can be pressed downward to flush the toilet when the basic handle 62 is installed. When installed on a toilet 6 as shown in FIG. 22, this forms the modified flush system 52. This can be done when a child is old enough to no longer be a risk of excessively flushing the toilet to help further teach the child proper potty-training techniques.

The interior 70 of the basic handle 62 includes fins 72 for interfacing with the notched end 28 of the universal body adapter 14. The basic handle 62 also includes a flush arm receiver slot 74 for receiving the end connector 44 of the flush arm 26, similarly to the previous embodiment.

The basic handle 62 could come in a variety of colors and designs. It could be packaged with the original modified flush system 2 or purchased separately.

As shown in FIG. 23, the handle could also include elements which help to provide positive feedback to children or others on the autism spectrum. For example, the basic handle 62 could be made of a transparent material and LEDs 82 or other light elements could be placed within the handle 62. When flushed, the LEDs 82 could light up, providing feedback to the user to encourage them to flush properly. A speaker 84 could also be used to provide audio feedback, such as congratulations noises or other suitable feedback. A gyro 86 could be included to help indicate to the LEDs and/or speaker when the flush handle has been adjusted. Other suitable sensors or devices could also be used to trigger the LEDs and/or the speaker. FIG. 24 shows how the set screw 68 can be threaded through an opening 98 within the bottom of the body 64 of the basic handle 62.

IV. Alternative Embodiment Modified Flush System 102

FIGS. 32-38 show an alternative embodiment modified flush system 102 which is deployed on a toilet 106 which includes a push-button flusher 128 within the lid 110 or tank 108 of the toilet 106 as shown as prior art in FIG. 31. The push-button flusher 128, when depressed, activates a solenoid 126 which causes the toilet to flush. A modified flusher 104 is connected to the push-button flusher 124 and “child-proofs” the push-button flusher to prevent unnecessary flushing of the toilet.

The modified flusher 104 is made of a cap 114 which snaps onto a mounting ring 112. The mounting ring 112 is placed beneath the push-button flusher 128 and is secured to the toilet lid 110 as shown, or to some other area of the toilet, by threading the threaded end 126 of the push button flusher 128 through an opening 124 in the toilet lid 110 or tank 108. A locking nut 130 secures the push-button flusher 128 to the toilet lid 110 or tank 108. The mounting ring 112 includes a lip 140 which is placed between the push-button flusher 128 and the lid 110 as shown.

The mounting ring 112 includes tabs 142 or some other securing element for receiving a connector 144 of the cap 114, thus securing the cap 114 over the push-button flusher 128. The cap 114 is made up of a spinning ring 146 and a button 148. FIGS. 24-27 show how the spinning ring 146 and button 148 operate to flush the toilet via the push-button flusher 128. In FIG. 35, the spinning ring 146 is pressed downward, much like a child-proof cap for a bottle of medicine. In FIG. 36, the spinning ring 146 is turned, which unlocks the button 148. In FIG. 37, the button 148 is depressed, which then depresses the push-button flusher. In FIG. 38, as the button 148 is released, the spinning ring is spun back and popped up to its original orientation using a spring-lock element or some other suitable device.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.