US20060016000A1

US20060016000A1 - Illuminating device for a toilet bowl and method therefor

Info

Publication number: US20060016000A1
Application number: US10/898,795
Authority: US
Inventors: Debra Blakeslee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-26
Filing date: 2004-07-26
Publication date: 2006-01-26

Abstract

A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet has a lighting circuit. A switch is coupled to the lighting circuit. The switch will activate the lighting circuit when a toilet lid is raised and deactivate the lighting circuit when the toilet lid is lowered. A cover is provided for protecting the lighting circuit from water and other elements and transferring light from the lighting circuit to illuminate the toilet bowl. The cover is coupled underneath a toilet rim of the toilet bowl so as to not be seen.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to lighting and, more specifically, to an illuminating device which is positioned under the rim of a toilet bowl so as to not be seen and illuminates the toilet bowl when activated.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, it is fairly difficult for one to use the bathroom at night. This is due to the fact that it is generally quiet difficult for one to see the toilet in the dark. Since it is fairly difficult to see the toilet at night, many women fail to see that the toilet seat on the toilet is in an upright position. Thus, many women have fallen into the toilet while using it at night.
Because of the above problem, many people use night lights in the bathroom in order to see. However, many people do not like to use night lights. Some night lights tend to be a little too bright and keep people up. Other night lights may be too dim to actually help one see the toilet. Furthermore, many outlets are located too far away from the toilet. Thus, a night light would not be positioned close enough to the toilet to illuminate the toilet.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved lighting device. The improved lighting device must over overcome the problems associated with prior art devices. The improved device must be easy to install and inexpensive to build.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting device that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved lighting device that easy to install and inexpensive to build.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl is disclosed. The device has a lighting circuit. A switch is coupled to the lighting circuit. The switch will activate the lighting circuit when a toilet lid is raised and deactivate the lighting circuit when the toilet lid is lowered. A cover is provided for protecting the lighting circuit from water and other elements and transferring light from the lighting circuit to illuminate the toilet bowl. The cover is coupled underneath a toilet rim of the toilet bowl.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl has a lighting circuit. The lighting circuit comprises: a light bulb; a power supply; and wiring for coupling the light bulb to the power supply. A switch is coupled to the wiring. The switch will activate the lighting circuit when a toilet lid is raised and deactivate the lighting circuit when the toilet lid is lowered. The switch comprises: a first contact coupled to the lighting circuit and to a back rear section of a toilet lid; and a second contact coupled to a top rear section of a toilet rim. A cover is provided for protecting the lighting circuit and transferring light from the lighting circuit to illuminate the toilet bowl. The cover is coupled underneath a toilet rim of the toilet bowl.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the toilet light of the present invention installed on a pre-existing toilet with the toilet lid in a closed position.
FIG. 1A is an elevated perspective view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 with the toilet lid and toilet seat in a raised position.
FIG. 1B is an elevated close-up view of one embodiment of the toilet light of the present invention built into a new toilet.
FIG. 1C is an elevated close-up view of another embodiment of the toilet light of the present invention built into a new toilet.
FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the toilet light of the present invention uninstalled.
FIG. 2A is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the toilet light of the present invention uninstalled.
FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of the toilet light of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a toilet light 10 of the present invention is shown. The toilet light 10 is designed to be installed on a standard toilet 100 having a bowl area 102 and a tank 104. The bowl area 102 will have a rim 106. The present invention is generally installed under the rim 106 of the bowl area 102 so as to not be seen.
The toilet light 10 is comprised of a bulb 12, a lighting circuit 14, a cover 16, and a switching circuit 18. The bulb 12 is a low wattage bulb which will illuminate the interior of the bowl area 102. Any type of bulb may be used. For example, the bulb 12 may be a filament bulb, a fluorescent bulb, a halogen bulb, an LED, or the like. The listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.
The bulb 12 is coupled to the lighting circuit 14. The lighting circuit 14 is used to supply power to the bulb 14 to illuminate the bulb 14. The lighting circuit 14 is comprised of wiring circuit 14 a and a power supply 14 b. The wiring circuit 14 a is generally electrical wiring which is used to coupled the bulb 12 to the power supply 14 b. In one embodiment of the present invention, a socket 14 c may be used to couple the bulb 12 to the wiring circuit 14 a. The socket 14 c may be a standard socket which has a plurality of threads. The threads are used to rotatably couple the bulb 12 to the socket 14 c. The socket 14 c may further be a quick connect socket wherein the bulb 12 is slid into the socket 14 c and pressure couples the bulb 12 to the socket 14 c. It should be noted that the socket 14 c does not have to be used. The bulb 12 may be coupled directly to the power supply 14 b via the wiring circuit 14 a.
If the toilet light 10 is installed after the toilet 100 has been installed, the wiring circuit 14 a will generally run on the exterior of the bowl area 102 on top of the rim 106 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. If the toilet light 10 is installed during construction of the toilet 100, the wiring circuit 14 a will generally run through the bowl area 102 as shown in FIG. 1B and ic.
As stated above, the wiring circuit 14 a couples power supply 14 b to the bulb 12. The power supply 14 a may be a low voltage AC power supply 14 b′ or a DC battery 14 b″. If a battery 14 b″ is used, the battery 14 b″ is generally placed in a housing 20. The housing 20 is generally made out of a light weight material such as plastic or the like. The housing 20 is generally used to couple the battery 14 b″ to the wiring circuit 14 a and to protect the battery 14 b″ from the environment.
A switching circuit 18 is coupled to the lighting circuit 14. The switching circuit 18 will allow one to activate and deactivate the toilet light 10. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the switching circuit 20 is a normally open magnetic switch. The magnetic switch will have a first contact 18 a and a second contact 18 b. The first contact 18 a is coupled to the lighting circuit 14 and to a bottom rear section of the toilet lid 108. The second contact 18 b is coupled to a back rear section of the rim 106 just in front of the tank 104. When the first contact 18 a and the second contact 18 b are magnetically coupled togther, the lighting circuit 14 is closed thereby allowing power to flow and illuminate the bulb 12. When the first contact 18 a and the second contact 18 b are separated, the lighting circuit 14 is opened and power to unable to flow and illuminate the bulb 12.
A cover 16 is coupled to the bulb 12. The cover 16 is used for two purposes. First, the cover 16 protects the bulb 12 from getting wet. Second, the cover 16 is used to transmit the light from the bulb 12. The cover 16 is generally made of a thin plastic or fiber optic material thus helping to radiate the light from the bulb 12. The cover 16 is further opaque to allow the light from the bulb 12 to shine through. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the covering 16 is a few inches in length. This will provide enough illumination to light the toilet bowl 102. However, the covering 16 may extend around the entire circumference of the toilet rim 106 as shown in FIG. 3. The bulb 12 will illuminate the entire covering 16 thereby illuminating the entire rim 106 and toilet bowl 102 area.
The toilet light 10 is installed by placing an adhesive on the covering 16. The adhesive will allow one to couple the bulb 12 and the covering 16 underneath the rim 106 of the toilet. The bulb 12 and the covering 16 are placed underneath the rim 106 so that one is generally unable to see the bulb 12 and the covering 16.
The first contact 18 a is generally coupled to back rear surface of the toilet lid 108. Wiring is used to couple the first contact 18 a to the lighting circuit 14. The second contact 20 b is coupled to a back rear section of the toilet rim 106. When the toilet lid 108 is raised, the first contact 20 a will be magnetically coupled to the second contact 20 b. The lighting circuit 14 is closed thereby allowing power to flow and illuminate the bulb 12. When the toilet lid 108 is lowered, the first contact 18 a and the second contact 18 b will be separated. Thus, the lighting circuit 14 is opened and power is unable to flow and illuminate the bulb 12.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl comprising:

a lighting circuit;

a switch coupled to the lighting circuit wherein the switch will activate the lighting circuit when a toilet lid is raised and deactivate the lighting circuit when the toilet lid is lowered; and

a cover for protecting the lighting circuit from water and other elements and transferring light from the lighting circuit to illuminate the toilet bowl, the cover being coupled underneath a toilet rim of the toilet bowl.

2. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lighting circuit comprises:

a light bulb;

a power supply coupled to the switch; and

wiring coupled to the light bulb, the power supply and the switch.

3. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 2 wherein the lighting circuit further comprises a socket coupled to the light bulb.

4. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 1 wherein the switch comprises:

a first contact coupled to the lighting circuit and to back rear section of a toilet lid; and

a second contact coupled to a top rear section of a toilet rim.

5. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cover is opaque.

6. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power supply comprises:

a housing coupled to a bottom section of a toilet tank; and

a battery coupled to an interior section of the housing.

7. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 2 wherein the power supply comprises a plug for coupling the device to an electrical outlet.

8. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cover is of a length to be placed around an entire circumference of a toilet rim.

9. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cover is a fiber optic covering.

10. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl comprising:

a lighting circuit wherein the lighting circuit comprises:

a light bulb;

a power supply; and

wiring for coupling the light bulb to the power supply;

a switch coupled to the wiring wherein the switch will activate the lighting circuit when a toilet lid is raised and deactivate the lighting circuit when the toilet lid is lowered wherein the switch comprises:

a second contact coupled to a top rear section of a toilet rim; and

11. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 10 wherein the lighting circuit further comprises a socket coupled to the light bulb.

12. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 10 wherein the cover is opaque.

13. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 10 wherein the power supply comprises:

a housing coupled to a bottom section of a toilet tank; and

a battery coupled to an interior section of the housing.

14. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 10 wherein the power supply comprises a plug for coupling the device to an electrical outlet.

15. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 10 wherein the cover is of a length to be placed around an entire circumference of a toilet rim.

16. A device for illuminating the interior of a toilet bowl in accordance with claim 10 wherein the cover is a fiber optic covering.