Plumbing Fixture Accessory

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of accessories for plumbing fixtures having openings for a drain. More specifically, the present invention relates to a screen or guard device having a plurality of vertical members, which are connected to a plurality of horizontal cross members. The device can then be placed into the interior of a plumbing fixture enclosure such that the vertical members contact the sides of the interior area of the fixture and the horizontal cross members prevent an object from being thrown into the fixture and lost down the opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A guard for an opening in a plumbing, the guard comprising:
 a first set of members extending in a first direction; and   a second set of members extending in a second direction, wherein the second direction is distinct from the first direction and cover the opening, and further wherein the guard is removably held over the opening in the plumbing.   
     
     
         2 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of members is disposed perpendicularly to the second set of members. 
     
     
         3 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of members are disposed at an angle to the second set of members. 
     
     
         4 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a mesh is provided over at least a portion of the first and second set of members. 
     
     
         5 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of members is provided with a fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The guard as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the fastener is one of a hook and loop fastener, a hook, a clip, a latch, a magnet, an adhesive or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first set of members has a textured surface. 
     
     
         8 . The guard as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the textured surface is one of a rubberized material, a silicone material or a non-slip material. 
     
     
         9 . The guard as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an antibacterial, antimicrobial or other germ or bacteria preventative coating. 
     
     
         10 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second set of members comprise a concave configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The guard as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second set of members form a body having a generally rectangular, square, triangular or circular shape. 
     
     
         12 . A combination device for covering an opening in a plumbing apparatus, the combination device comprising:
 a screen having a body, with the body sized and configured to fit over the opening;   the body formed by a plurality of first members and a plurality of second members that form a shape; and   a mesh provided over a portion of the first and second plurality of members.   
     
     
         13 . The combination device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first members are disposed perpendicularly to the plurality of second members. 
     
     
         14 . The combination device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein first members are disposed at an angle to the plurality of second members. 
     
     
         15 . The combination device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first members are comprised of a textured surface. 
     
     
         16 . The combination device as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the textured surface is one of a rubberized material, a silicone material or a non-slip material. 
     
     
         17 . The combination device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first and second members comprise an antibacterial, antimicrobial, or other germ or bacteria preventative coating. 
     
     
         18 . The combination device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of first members are provided with a fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The combination device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the fastener is one of a hook and loop fastener, a hook, a clip, a latch, a magnet, an adhesive or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A screen for a drain, the screen comprising:
 a plurality of vertical members;   a plurality of horizontal members;   the plurality of vertical members and horizontal members forming a body having a configuration that is a select one of a rectangle, a square, a triangle or a circular shape;   the plurality of vertical members are disposed perpendicularly to the plurality of horizontal members; and   the plurality of vertical members comprise a textured surface made from a select one of a rubberized material, a silicone material or a non-slip material.