Device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like

Abstract

The present invention is a device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like. In a first embodiment, the device has a springy, coiled body and a central void. The springy, coiled body has an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side, and forms a continuous loop around the central void to provide the device with a bracelet-like, ring-like or doughnut-like configuration. In a second embodiment, the device has a body and a central void. The body has an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side, and surrounds the central void to provide the device with a disc-shaped configuration. The body tapers inwardly from the top side to the bottom side. The top side includes a plurality of teeth positioned in an arrangement of rings wherein this arrangement of rings of teeth function to trap debris.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, said device comprising:
 a springy, coiled body comprising an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side; and   a central void or hole,   wherein said springy, coiled body forms a continuous loop around said central void or hole to provide said device with a bracelet-like, ring-like or doughnut-like configuration, and   wherein said device has a resting diameter when said springy, coiled body is in a resting position.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further has at least one stretched diameter that is greater than said resting diameter when said springy, coiled body is manipulated or moved by a user to expand outwardly relative to said central void or hole. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device further has at least one contracted diameter that is less than said resting diameter when said springy, coiled body is manipulated or moved by a user to contract inwardly relative to said central void or hole. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is magnetized or further comprises a magnet component. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said springy, coiled body is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is positioned or placed at a desired use location of a bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like that is selected from the group consisting of (i) wherein said outer side of said springy, coiled body is located about or adjacent a sidewall of a drain and said top side of said springy, coiled body is facing up into a basin of the bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like, and (ii) wherein said device is positioned around an upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that said inner side of said springy, coiled body is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or the bathtub stopper. 
     
     
         7 . A device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, said device comprising:
 a body comprising an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side; and   a central void or hole,   wherein said body surrounds said central void or hole to provide said device with a disc-shaped configuration, and   wherein said top side comprises a plurality of teeth positioned in an arrangement of rings wherein said arrangement of rings of teeth function to trap or retain debris.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said device is magnetized or further comprises a magnet component. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said body is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said body tapers inwardly from said top side to said bottom side. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said device is positioned or placed at a desired use location of a bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like that is selected from the group consisting of (i) wherein said outer side of said body is located about or adjacent a sidewall of a drain and said top side of said body is facing up into a basin of the bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like, and (ii) wherein said device is positioned around an upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that said inner side of said body is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or the bathtub stopper. 
     
     
         12 . A device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, said device comprising:
 a body comprising an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side; and   a central void or hole,   wherein said body surrounds said central void or hole to provide said device with a disc-shaped configuration, and   wherein said body has a plurality of smaller apertures or holes positioned at predetermined locations on said top side and extending through to said bottom side, and a plurality of teeth about a perimeter of said body.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said top side and said bottom side are at least substantially the same. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said device is magnetized or further comprises a magnet component. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said body is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said device is positioned or placed at a desired use location of a bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like that is selected from the group consisting of (i) wherein said outer side of said body is located about or adjacent a sidewall of a drain and said top side of said body is facing up into a basin of the bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like, and (ii) wherein said device is positioned around an upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that said inner side of said body is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or the bathtub stopper. 
     
     
         17 . A device for trapping debris in bathtubs, shower stalls, sinks and the like, said device comprising:
 a crown-shaped, body comprising an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side; and   a central void or hole,   wherein said crown-shaped, body surrounds said central void or hole to provide said device with a crown-shaped configuration, and   wherein said top side comprises a plurality of teeth positioned in an arrangement wherein said teeth function to trap or retain debris.   
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said device is magnetized or further comprises a magnet component. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said body is made or manufactured of plastic, metal, steel, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said device is positioned or placed at a desired use location of a bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like that is selected from the group consisting of (i) wherein said outer side of said body is located about or adjacent a sidewall of a drain and said top side of said body is facing up into a basin of the bathtub, shower stall, sink or the like, and (ii) wherein said device is positioned around an upper end of a sink stopper or a bathtub stopper such that said inner side of said body is located about or adjacent the sink stopper or the bathtub stopper.