Protector

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered. The protector includes a body and a flange member extending outwardly from the body. The flange member is configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl and the upper surface of the seat depending on whether the seat is raise or lowered. The distal portion of the body of the protector is disposed below the flange member while the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the flange member. In addition, the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange member rests on the upper surface of the bowl or the upper surface of the seat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered, the protector comprising:
 a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; and   a flange member extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body, the flange member being configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl,   wherein the distal portion of the body is disposed below the flange member and the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the flange member,   wherein the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange member rests on the upper surface of the bowl.   
     
     
         2 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member is further configured to removeably cooperate interchangeably with the upper surface of the bowl and the upper surface of the seat depending on whether the seat is raise or lowered when the protector is installed. 
     
     
         3 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein body is comprised a resilient flexible material configured to automatically adjust to fit different sizes of bowls and seats. 
     
     
         4 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein upon being installed on the toilet, the body exerts an outward force on the toilet to further stabilize the protector. 
     
     
         5 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member is an elongated member. 
     
     
         6 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member is elongated in the circumferential direction of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the flange member has a length in the circumferential direction of the body that is greater than the width it extends outwardly from the body. 
     
     
         8 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the protector comprises a plurality of flange members. 
     
     
         9 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the protector further comprises a handle attached to the proximal portion of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the body is generally C-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The protector of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the body has a coating to encourage the urine to flow into the bowl of the toilet. 
     
     
         12 . A protector configured to cooperate with a toilet having a bowl with an upper surface and a seat that can be selectively raised and lowered, the protector comprising:
 a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the body comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, the body being composed of a resilient flexible material; and   a plurality of elongated flange members extending outwardly from the outer surface of the body along the circumference of the body, the plurality of flange members being configured to removeably cooperate with the upper surface of the bowl,   wherein the distal portion of the body is disposed below the plurality flange members and the proximal portion of the body extends generally upwardly above the plurality of flange portions,   wherein the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into the bowl of the toilet while the flange portion rests on the upper surface of the bowl,   wherein upon being installed on the toilet, the distal portion of the resilient body exerts an outward force on the toilet to further stabilize the protector.   
     
     
         13 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the plurality of flange members are further configured to removeably cooperate interchangeably with the upper surface of the bowl and the seat depending on whether the seat is raised or lowered when the protector is installed, and   the distal portion of the body is configured to extend into the bowl of the toilet while the flange portion rests on the upper surface of the bowl or the toilet seat.   
     
     
         14 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of flange members about the circumference of the body are all in the same plane. 
     
     
         15 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of flange members extend outward from the outer surface of the body in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the body. 
     
     
         16 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein the inner surface of the body has a coating to encourage the urine to flow into the bowl of the toilet. 
     
     
         17 . The protector of  claim 12 , wherein the inner surface of the body has a hydrophilic coating to reduce splatter or splash of the urine that is hitting the protector. 
     
     
         18 . A protector configured to cooperate with a toilet, the protector comprising:
 a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the body comprising:   a proximal portion;   a distal portion; and   a flange portion, wherein the distal portion is arranged below the flange portion, the proximal portion is arranged above the flange portion, the flange portion extends outwardly from the outer surface of the body,   wherein the distal portion is configured to extend into a bowl of a toilet while the flange portion rests on a seat or upper surface of the bowl.