Automatic purifier switch cover

Abstract

An automatic purifier switch cover comprises a protective shield configured to be used in conjunction with the Cogswell™ Toilet Air Purifier. The switch cover shields the motion detector of the Cogswell™ Toilet Air Purifier from activation when the toilet is not in use.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An activation prevention device for a toilet bowl odor control device of a toilet bowl, comprising:
 a suction cup having a top mounted mounting appendage; and 
 a rotatable shield having a hemispherical cap and a flange, said flange is planar and is provided with a circular penetration through which said flange is routed, which provides a pivot point around which said rotatable shield moves back and forth along a reciprocating travel path as moved by a person; 
 wherein said rotatable shield encompasses a proximity sensor which provides for activation of said toilet bowl odor control device whenever said person uses said toilet upon which said toilet bowl odor control device is installed. 
 
     
     
       2. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said suction cup is removed for cleaning of said toilet bowl odor control device. 
     
     
       3. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said suction cup is applied by said person to an upper surface such that said hemispherical cap uniformly covers said proximity sensor. 
     
     
       4. The activation prevention device according to  claim 3 , wherein said hemispherical cap is connected to said suction cup by use of said flange mounted upon said mounting appendage and once properly positioned to cover said proximity sensor and restrict its detection range, no further manipulation of said activation prevention device is required during its normal use. 
     
     
       5. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said suction cup is one inch in diameter and one-half inch tall. 
     
     
       6. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotatable shield covers said proximity sensor and reduces or restricts a sensing range of said proximity sensor and thus prevents activation of said toilet bowl odor control device or only allows activation of said toilet bowl odor control device only when said person is present. 
     
     
       7. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said proximity sensor is selected from the group consisting of an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a capacitance sensor, or a laser-based sensor. 
     
     
       8. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a restricted detection range that provides for operation of said toilet bowl odor control device only if said person is present near said toilet bowl when the shield covers said proximity sensor. 
     
     
       9. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a restricted detection range that provides for operation of said toilet bowl odor control device if said person is seated upon said toilet bowl and would prevent operation for males that would be standing in front of said toilet bowl for urination, thus further eliminating unnecessary operation of said toilet bowl odor control device and extending its useful operating cycle time when the shield covers said proximity sensor. 
     
     
       10. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said rotatable shield is made of plastic in an injection molding process. 
     
     
       11. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said suction cup is made of silicone. 
     
     
       12. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said suction cup is made of rubber. 
     
     
       13. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said suction cup is made of flexible material. 
     
     
       14. The activation prevention device according to  claim 1 , wherein said toilet bowl odor control device is provided with a generally planar upper surface upon which said suction cup is temporarily affixed.