Splash cover for plunger

Abstract

A splash cover for a plunger, the plunger having an elongate handle and a plunger head located at a bottom end of the elongate handle for engaging of a drainage site. The splash cover includes a collar member having a circumferential edge and having a central aperture for engaging the elongate handle, and a plurality of separate flaps connected by way of hinge connections at one end around the circumferential edge and extending lengthwise from the collar member. Each flap is pivotable at its hinge connection to a radially-outward position for providing coverage to the drainage site. The collar member has a sleeve section forming the aperture and an outwardly extending flange section forming the edge to which the flaps are connected. A handle member is also provided having a recess for engaging a top end of the elongate handle.

1 . A splash cover for a plunger, the plunger having an elongate handle and a plunger head located at a bottom end of the elongate handle for engaging a drainage site, the splash cover comprising:
 a collar having a central sleeve section forming a central aperture for engaging the elongate handle and a radially outwardly extending flange extended around said sleeve section; and   a plurality of separate flaps having inner ends connected by way of hinge connections distributed around the circumference of the collar, said flaps extending lengthwise from the flange; and   wherein each flap is rotatable at its respective hinge connection from an inward position where the flap extends along the length of the handle to a radially-outward position for providing coverage at the drainage site.   
   
   
       2 . The splash cover of  claim 1 , wherein each flap is dimensioned to overlap an adjacent flap in its inward position along the length of the elongate handle. 
   
   
       3 . The splash cover of  claim 2 , wherein each flap is formed of a rigid material and is substantially planar. 
   
   
       4 . The splash cover of  claim 1  wherein each flap has two outer corners located away from its inner end, each outer corner is notched, and the adjacent notches of adjacent flaps form recesses each adapted to receive part of a hinge for a toilet seat during use of the splash cover on a toilet. 
   
   
       5 . The splash cover of  claim 1 , wherein each flap is formed of a transparent material. 
   
   
       6 . The splash cover of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge connections are integral hinges formed by creases between the flaps and the flange. 
   
   
       7 . The splash cover of  claim 2 , wherein the central aperture is lined with a frictional material. 
   
   
       8 . The splash cover of  claim 1 , wherein each flap has a length in the range of 12 to 20 cm. 
   
   
       9 . The splash cover of  claim 2 , wherein each flap has a length selected to enable the flap to rest on the rim of a standard toilet bowl when the flap is in the radially-outward position. 
   
   
       10 . A plunger system for providing coverage to a drainage site, comprising:
 a plunger having an elongate handle and a plunger head located at a bottom end of the elongate handle for engaging a drainage site; and   a splash cover mounted on said handle and including a collar member having a central aperture through which the handle extends and a plurality of separate flaps connected by way of hinge connections distributed around the collar member, said flaps extending lengthwise from the collar member;   wherein each flap is dimensioned to be overlapping an adjacent flap when the flaps are pivoted to an inward position where each flap extends along the handle and wherein each flap is pivotable at its hinge connection to a radially-outward position for providing coverage at the drainage site.   
   
   
       11 . The plunger system of  claim 10 , further comprising a handle member having a recess for receiving a top end of the elongate handle of the plunger. 
   
   
       12 . The plunger system of  claim 10  wherein said collar member includes a sleeve section forming said central aperture and a radially outwardly extending flange section extending around said sleeve section and each flap is connected by its respective hinge connection to said flange section. 
   
   
       13 . The plunger system of  claim 10 , including a detachable, elongate, flexible fastener usable to secure said plurality of flaps in said inward position. 
   
   
       14 . The plunger system of  claim 11 , wherein each flap has two outer corners spaced from said collar member, each of said outer corners is formed with a notch having a concave edge, and the adjacent notches of adjacent flaps form semi-circular recesses each adapted to receive part of a hinge for a toilet seat during use of the splash cover on a toilet. 
   
   
       15 . A kit for providing coverage to a drainage site, comprising:
 a plunger having an elongate handle and a plunger head located at a bottom end of the elongate handle for engaging a drainage site; and   a splash cover including a collar member having a circumferentially extending edge and having a central aperture for snuggly receiving the elongate handle and a plurality of separate flaps connected by way of hinge connections around said circumferential edge of the collar member, said flaps extending lengthwise from the collar,   wherein during use of the plunger and splash cover, each flap is pivotable to an inward position where each flap extends along the handle and partially overlaps an adjacent flap, and each flap is pivotable at its hinge connection to a radially-outward position for providing coverage at the drainage site.   
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15  wherein said collar member has a sleeve section forming said central aperture and a radially extending flange section forming said circumferentially extending edge and each hinge connection is an integral hinge formed between the respective flap and an adjacent portion of said edge. 
   
   
       17 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising a handle member having a recess for receiving a top end of the elongate handle of the plunger. 
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 15  including a detachable, elongate cord or strap for holding said plurality of flaps in said inward position. 
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the handle has a hemispherical top surface and recessed finger contours opposite said top surface to assist in gripping the handle member. 
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein each of said flaps has two outer corners spaced from said circumferentially extending edge of the collar member, the outer corners of two or more of said flaps are notched, and the adjacent notches of adjacent flaps form recesses each adapted to receive part of a hinge for a toilet seat during use of the splash cover on a toilet.