[0001] The present patent application claims priority to the United States patent application identified by U.S. Serial No. 12/483,117 which was filed on June 11 , 2009.

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a plumbing fixture protector, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a plumbing fixture protector which operates to protect plumbing fixtures such as toilets from physical damage caused by an auger during the clearing of obstructing debris located within the piping connected to the toilet.

2. Brief Description of Related Art

[0003] The use of augers, for example closet augers, is well known in the plumbing arts. While the use of augers is well known, certain problems may arise during their insertion, operation, and/or removal from a plumbing fixture. In general, augers are used to clear obstructing debris from piping. More specifically, augers are commonly used to clear obstructing debris that has accumulated in plumbing pipes connected to plumbing fixtures such as sink drains and toilets. Obstructing debris can collect within the pipe over time and may substantially or even completely prevent the communication of fluid and/or waste products through the pipe. [0004] Common augers consist of a coiled metal wire with an enlarged end portion for engaging the obstructing debris and an opposing end attached to a device, usually a crank that rotates the coiled wire and communicates the coiled wire through the pipe. In most cases, the coiled metal wire is fed through a piece of bent metal tubing shaped to provide access to a siphon tube of the toilet. A plastic boot covering a portion of the metal tubing protects the finish of the visible porcelain. The enlarged end portion is inserted into the bowl and through the siphon tube and the crank is rotated to drive the enlarged end portion through the pipe. Once contact is made with the obstructing debris the crank of the auger is turned to continually rotate the enlarged end portion against the obstructing debris until it passes through the debris or until the obstructing debris is dislodged from the pipe. The enlarged end portion may be removed and reinserted multiple times in order to vary the position of the enlarged end portion with respect to the obstructing debris. [0005] While typical augers provide limited means for protecting the porcelain finish of the toilet bowl, a typical auger cannot provide protection against incidental damage caused by unwanted or accidental contact between the auger and the toilet bowl. Furthermore, do-it-yourself obstruction removal performed by individuals who are not familiar with the proper selection and/or operation of augers may result in the selection of an auger which is not suited for use in toilet bowls such as hand augers (typically used for clearing obstructions from sinks and bathtub drains) which are not provided with any protective covering. The use of such augers can cause costly damage to the porcelain finish of the toilet.

[0006] Therefore, a need exists for a plumbing fixture protector, the plumbing fixture protector capable of protecting the porcelain and/or other finish of a plumbing fixture from physical damage due to operation of the auger. It is to such a plumbing fixture protector that the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, side elevational view of a toilet having a plumbing fixture protector disposed therein, in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plumbing fixture protector device of FIG. 1. [0009] FIG. 3A is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of a plumbing fixture protector (toilet protector) having separable extension portions and bowl shaped portions.

[001O]FIG. 3B is a perspective view of an additional extension portion for use with the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 3A.

[0011]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a plumbing fixture protector disposed within and covering a bowl of a toilet, in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0012] FIG. 5A is a top, frontal perspective view of an alternative version of a plumbing fixture protector having a flexible extension portion constructed in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). [0013] FIG. 5B is a bottom plan view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 5A. [0014] FIG. 5C is an end view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 5A.

[0015] FIG. 5D is a side elevational view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 5A.

[0016] FIG. 6A is a side perspective view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 5A having an optional rib extending within the flexible extension portion.

[0017] FIG. 6B is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 6A showing the rib shown in partial relief.

[0018] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 6A showing another variation of the rib in relief.

[0019] FIG. 6D is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 6C showing another variation of the rib in relief.

[002O]FIG. 7A is a side perspective view of another alternative version of a plumbing fixture protector having a beveled flexible extension portion.

[0021] FIG. 7B is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 7A.

[0022] FIG. 7C is an enlarged fragmented perspective view from a different orientation of the plumbing fixture protector of FIG. 7A.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing use of the plumbing fixture protector as a funnel in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0024] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, shown therein is a side elevational view of a plumbing fixture protector, in this case a toilet protector 10, for use during the insertion, operation, and removal of a plumber's snake or auger 14 to clear obstructing debris from a pipe 22 connected to a portion of a toilet 26. The toilet 26 is provided with a tank 30 and a bowl 34 connected to a siphon tube 38 which is in turn connected to the pipe 22. It will be understood that various parts of the toilet 26 are provided with a glazed porcelain finish that covers the porcelain. The glazed porcelain finish not only protects the hardened material that the toilet 26 is fabricated from but also enhances the aesthetic qualities of the toilet 26. Although the glazed finish is somewhat durable, it is nevertheless somewhat susceptible to scratches or impacts from blunt objects or objects made from certain materials. [0025] The auger 14 is generally provided with a coiled wire with one end having a debris engaging portion 42 and a means for rotating and extending the debris engaging portion 42 through the pipe 22. In one embodiment, the means for rotating the debris engaging portion 42 includes a hand crank 46, although any number of other means for rotating the debris engaging portion 42 that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use. The debris engaging portion 42 is inserted into the bowl 34 and through the siphon tube 38 and the hand crank 46 is rotated to drive the debris engaging portion 42 through the pipe 22 until contact is made with the obstructing debris. The crank 46 of the auger 14 is then turned to rotate debris engaging portion 42 against the obstructing debris until it passes through the debris or until the obstructing debris is dislodged from the pipe 22. It will be understood that when the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 is inserted into the bowl 34 and through the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26, the debris engaging portion 42 may cause physical damage to the bowl 34 such as scratching of the finish and/or cracking of the porcelain finish.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, to prevent and/or substantially limit such damage, the toilet 26 is provided with the toilet protector 10. The toilet protector 10 is provided with a bowl shaped portion 50 and an extension portion 54. The toilet protector 10 is constructed of a flexible and/or semi-flexible yet durable material such as a plastic polymer or silicone, although it will be understood that part or all of the toilet protector 10 may be constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material so long as the material does not scratch or otherwise damage the porcelain finish of the toilet 26. Examples of rigid and/or semi-rigid material include, but are not limited to, a resin or hard plastic polymer, natural material(s) such as a wood or fiber based material, metal (such as steel, titanium, aluminum or blends thereof), fiber or glass based materials and combinations thereof. It will be understood that if the toilet protector 10 is fabricated from a material which may scratch and/or otherwise damage the toilet 26, the toilet protector 10 may be coated with a protective coating such as a rubber to prevent such potential damage. In one embodiment, the toilet protector 10 is constructed from a flexible material that may at least partially conform to the contours of the inner surface of the bowl 34 and/or the siphon tube 38 of various toilets 26. In another embodiment, the toilet protector 10 is constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material and the toilet protector 10 is shaped to substantially conform to a specific type of toilet 26, for example as specific manufacturer. [0027] The bowl shaped portion 50 is preferably sized to fit within the lower portion of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 to cover and protect the same against potential physical damage caused by the insertion, operation, and/or removal of the auger 14. It will be understood that while the bowl shaped portion 50 can be sized to conform to the bowl 34 of the toilet 26, the bowl shaped portion 50 may also include different shapes and sizes, for example, elliptical, although any number of different geometric (e.g., triangular, octagonal, circular, polygonal) or non-geometric shapes (e.g., star- shaped, kidney shaped or animal shapes) that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). The bowl shaped portion 50 may include an outwardly flaring upper edge 60 that substantially conforms to the shape of the bowl 34 and provides support to the toilet protector 10. It will be understood that in additional embodiments, the outwardly flaring upper edge 60 may not substantially conform to the shape of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. The extension portion 54 of the toilet protector 10 preferably extends from a lower region of the bowl shaped portion 50. The extension portion 54 may have a substantially tubular cross-sectional area that is sized to fit within the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26 such that the extension portion 54 may be inserted into the siphon tube 38 to protect the porcelain finish of the siphon tube 38 from physical damage. Although the extension portion 54 has been disclosed as being substantially tubular, the extension portion 54 may also be semi-circular, substantially c-shaped, substantially v-shaped, or even irregularly shaped. It will be understood that the extension portion 54 may or may not contact at least a portion of the siphon tube 38 when the extension portion 54 is disposed within the siphon tube 38.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B collectively, in one embodiment, the bowl shaped portion 50 and the extension portion 54 of the toilet protector 10 may be fabricated as a unitary member or may be separate components such that either the bowl shaped portion 50 and/or the extension portion 54 may be interchanged to accommodate different sized and/or shaped toilets 26. For example, two different toilets 26 may have similarly sized bowls 34 but have different diameter siphon tubes 38. If the extension portion 54 and the bowl shaped portion 50 are fabricated separately, the extension portion 54 may be removed and replaced with an extension portion 54 having a diameter that more closely corresponds to each of the siphon tubes 38 of the toilets 26. The extension portions 54 and the bowl shaped portions 50 may be joined together for example by providing matching threaded portions 56 and 58 on the extension portions 54 and the bowl shaped portions 50, respectively. Additional examples of connections between the extension portions 54 and the bowl shaped portions 50 include, but are not limited to, compression fittings, fasteners, adhesives, quick-connects, and the like.

[0029] In some instances, the toilet 26 may include one or more water jets or nozzles (not shown) disposed within the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 which operate to drive debris located in the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 into the siphon tube 38 and into the pipe 22. Therefore, the bowl shaped portion 50 of the toilet protector 10 may also include one or more apertures 62 providing fluid communication between one or more water jets or nozzles of the toilet 26 and the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. The operation of the one or more water jets or nozzles during operation of the auger 14 may assist in the removal of the obstructing debris from the pipe 22.

[0030] Additionally, the toilet protector 10 may include a handle 66 (see FIG. 1) extending from the bowl shaped portion 50 to provide a more sanitary means for the insertion and removal of the toilet protector 10. The handle 66 may include an elongated member 70 and a grasping portion 74. The elongated member 70 is preferably connected, either releaseably or fixedly, to at least a portion of the bowl shaped portion 50 of the toilet protector 10. The grasping portion 74 may include any number of components designed to allow a user to grip the grasping portion 74 and control the placement of the toilet protector 10 within the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. Non-limiting examples of grasping portion include a knob, a ring, or any other devices for grasping that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them.

[0031] In operation, the toilet protector 10 is placed within the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 prior to the insertion or operation of the auger 14. The toilet protector 10 is utilized by using the grasping portion 74 of the handle 66 to maneuver the toilet protector 10 into the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. The extension portion 54 of the toilet protector 10 is inserted into the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26 and then the bowl shaped portion 50 of the toilet protector 10 is seated within the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. Next, the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 is inserted though the passage defined by the bowl shaped portion 50 and the extension portion 54 of the toilet protector 10 and into the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. The auger 14 is operated to communicate the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 through the siphon tube 38 and the pipe 22 until the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 contacts the obstructing debris. The operation of the auger 14 is continued, rotating the debris engaging portion 42 until the obstructing debris is cleared from the pipe 22. It will be understood that the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 may need to be removed and reinserted into the pipe 22 numerous times to remove the obstructing debris.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, a toilet protector 110 is constructed similarly to the toilet protector 10 described above with the exception that the bowl shaped portion 150 is large enough to cover the entire bowl 34 of the toilet 26. Furthermore, the bowl shaped portion 150 may include one or more securement members 170 disposed along a top edge 174 of the bowl shaped portion 150 for releasably securing the bowl shaped portion 150 to at least a portion of the toilet 26, for example, a top rim 178 of the bowl 34. Examples of securement members 170 include, but are not limited to, suction cups, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, and the like. It will be understood that a portion of the bowl shaped portion 150 may rest upon the top rim 178 of the bowl 34 rather than secure to the top rim 178. This embodiment of toilet protector 110 functions to protect the entire inside of the bowl 34 from potential damage resulting from the operation of the auger 14.

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5D collectively, shown therein are different perspective views of an alternative embodiment of a plumbing fixture protector, in this case a toilet protector 210 having a flexible extension portion 215 and a bowl shaped portion 220 which cooperate to protect the porcelain finish of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 during operation of the auger 14. That is, the toilet protector 210 functions similar to the toilet protector 10 described above by preventing damage to the porcelain finish of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 when the auger 14 is being used to dislodge obstructions within the pipe 22. Generally, the flexible extension portion 215 of the toilet protector 210 is inserted into the siphon tube 38 such that the bowl shaped portion 220 extends over and covers at least a portion of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 near the siphon tube 38 thereof. The debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 is then inserted into and through the bowl shaped portion 220 and the flexible extension portion 215 to be routed along the pipe 22 of the toilet 26 to clear the debris. As described below, the flexible extension portion 215 is adapted to bend and thereby conform to differing shapes or pathways of the siphon tube 38 and the pipe 22 of the toilet 26.

[0034] In one embodiment, the flexible extension portion 215 is constructed of a durable, flexible material and includes a plurality of ribs 225 interconnected by a plurality of valleys 230 therebetween extending radially along at least a portion of the flexible extension portion 215. As would be understood in the art, the toilets 26 can be manufactured to include varying configurations of siphon tube 38. The plurality of ribs 225 and valleys 230 cooperate to permit the flexible extension portion 215 to conform to varying configurations of siphon tubes 38. The flexible extension portion 215 permits use of the toilet protector 210 in the differing configurations of the siphon tube 38 in order to be used with the auger 14 so as to prevent damage to the porcelain finish of the bowl 34 or the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. [0035] Although the flexible extension portion 215 is described as including the plurality of ribs 225 and valleys 230, other embodiments of the flexible extension portion 215 could be used with the toilet protector 210 without departing from the scope and intent of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). For example, the flexible extension portion 215 can be constructed using a rugged but flexible tube which is adapted to bend or conform to different configurations of the siphon tube 38. The flexible extension portion 215 can optionally include one or more junctions or elbows (not shown) which cooperate to form the flexible extension portion 215. Other designs and configurations can also be used, either alone or in combination, which cooperate to form the flexible extension portion 215 and adapt it to conform to the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26 when inserted therein. [0036] In the embodiment shown, the flexible extension portion 215 is embodied as having a substantially tubular cross-sectional area that is sized to fit within the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26 such that the flexible extension portion 215 may be inserted into the siphon tube 38 to protect the porcelain finish of the bowl 34 and the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. However, the flexible extension portion 215 may alternatively be embodied as semi-circular, c-shaped, v-shaped, irregularly shaped, and the like. Additionally, the flexible extension portion 215 can also be tapered along at least a portion of its length so that the portion extending into the siphon tube 38 can have a radius different than the radius of the portion connected to the bowl shaped portion 220. Other sizes and configurations of the flexible extension portion 215 can be used without departing from the scope and intent of the presently claimed and disclosed concepts.

[0037] Further, as would be appreciated in the art, the length of the flexible extension portion 215 is designed so as to permit insertion of the toilet protector 210 into at least a portion of the siphon tube 38 to prevent damage to the bowl 34 and the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. The length of the flexible extension portion 215 can vary with different embodiments without departing from the scope and intent of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) so long as the length is sufficient to permit insertion of at least a portion of the flexible extension portion 215 into at least a portion of the siphon tube 38.

[0038]The toilet protector 210 may be fabricated as a unitary member or may be provided as a kit having separate components such that either the bowl shaped portion 220 or the flexible extension portion 215 may be interchanged to accommodate different sizes or shapes of toilets 26. For example, two different toilets 26 may have similarly sized bowls 34 but have different diameter siphon tubes 38. If the flexible extension portion 215 and the bowl shaped portion 220 are fabricated separately, the flexible extension portion 215 may be removed and replaced with a flexible extension portion 215 having a size that more closely corresponds to each of the siphon tubes 38 of the toilets 26 or the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14. The flexible extension portion 215 and the bowl shaped portions 220 may be joined together similar to what is discussed above with regards to FIGS. 3A and 3B. That is, by providing matching threaded portions 56 and 58 on the flexible extension portion 215 and the bowl shaped portion 220, respectively. Additional examples of connections between the flexible extension portion 215 and the bowl shaped portion 220 include, but are not limited to, compression fittings, fasteners, quick-connects, adhesives, snap ring, and the like. [0039] Turning now to the bowl shaped portion 220, the bowl shaped portion 220 is constructed similar to the bowl shaped portion 50 discussed above and provides substantially the same functionality thereof, although the bowl shaped portion 220 does not have to conform to the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. The bowl shaped portion 220 includes an upper end 235 and a lower end 240 and is preferably sized to fit within at least a portion of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 to cover and protect same against potential physical damage caused by the use of the auger 14. Bowl shaped portion 220 can be embodied as a scoop-shaped, rigid material extending between the upper end 235 and the lower end 240. However, the upper end 235 and the lower end 240 does not have to have uniform depth but can instead taper along at least a portion of the length therebetween. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5D, the bowl shaped portion 220 can be shallower at the upper end 235 and deeper at the lower end 240. Additionally, the length of the bowl shaped portion can be configured such that it permits utilization of the toilet protector 210 with bowls 34 of toilets 26 having differing depths.

[0040] The lower end 240 of the bowl shaped portion 220 transitions into the flexible extension portion 215 via a nose portion 245. As described above, once the flexible extension portion 215 is inserted into the siphon tube 38, the bowl shaped portion 220 receives at least a portion of the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 and thereby guides the debris engaging portion 42 into the pipe 22 to thereby dislocate or remove the obstructing debris. The nose portion 245 is designed to mate, at least partially, with the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. To aid the nose portion 245 to mate with the siphon tube 38, the nose portion 245 can be provided with a plurality of spaced-apart grooves 250. The plurality of spaced-apart grooves 250 provided with the nose portion 245 operate to provide at least some degree of flexibility to the nose portion 245 such that when inserted into a siphon tube 38 having an irregular shape, the nose portion 245 can thereby flex, at least somewhat, to thereby improve the mate between the nose portion 245 and the siphon tube 38. Generally, the plurality of spaced-apart grooves 250 provide a relief to the material used to construct the nose portion 245, or otherwise permit at least partially weakened areas within the nose portion 245 in order to permit the nose portion 245 to flex to some degree. As would be understood in the art, the width, depth, and length of each groove, as well as the number of grooves, their orientation with respect to each other, and their spacing can be varied, as needed, for a given application, to more finely control the degree of flexibility of the nose portion 245.

[0041] The bowl shaped portion 220 further includes additional rigid material extending coaxially from the upper end 235 to define a handle 255 wherein a user of the toilet protector 210 can insert and remove the toilet protector 210 from the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 in a clean and sanitary manner. In order to provide a means for the user to grasp the handle 255, an opening 260 can be formed in the rigid material extending from the upper end 235. [0042] Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6D, shown therein is an optional embodiment of the toilet protector 210 wherein the flexible extension portion 215 further includes an optional rib 265 extending along at least a portion of the flexible extension portion 215. The rib 265 can be utilized so as to more particularly control the flexibility or rigidity of the flexible extension portion 215. As shown in relief in FIG. 6B, the rib 265 can be embodied as having substantially the same size and thickness along its length and extending along at least a portion of the flexible extension portion 215. In this embodiment, the rib 265 can be constructed of material selected based on its flexibility properties so as to specifically control the flexibility of the flexible extension portion 215.

[0043] Alternatively, as shown in relief in FIGS. 6C-6D, the rib 265 can be constructed of a particular size, thickness, and/or configuration which determines not only the overall flexibility of the flexible extension portion 215 but also where along the flexible extension portion 215 portions with increased flexibility can be located. That is, the rib 265 can be configured and sized so as to create portions of the flexible extension portion 215 having more flexibility than adjacent portions of the flexible extension portion 215. For example, the rib 265 can be sized to have a first thickness 270 along at least two lengths which are separated by a section having a second thickness 275. The section having the second thickness 275 provides greater flexibility than the sections of the rib 265 having the first thickness 270. As would be understood, the portion of the flexible extension portion 215 having the first thickness 270 of the rib 265 would have at least some degree of flexibility so as to perform the functions discussed above.

[0044] Thus, utilization of the rib 265 permits more accurate control of the overall flexibility of the flexible extension portion 215 and also permits the control of where, along the length, the flexible extension portion 215 can be made more flexible. It is to be understood that the rib 265 described above can be formed either as a unitary part of the flexible extension portion 215 or can alternatively be a separate component which can be interchanged as needed by any number of securing mechanisms, as are readily known in the art.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C collectively, shown therein is a differing perspective view and also enlarged fragmented views of an alternative embodiment of a toilet protector 310. Generally, the toilet protector 310 is constructed similar to the toilet protector 210 described above and shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. The toilet protector 310 includes a flexible extension portion 315 which is similar to the flexible extension portion 215 described above but which is constructed to include a beveled, or otherwise acutely angled feature along at least a portion of its distal end. The toilet protector 310 also includes a bowl shaped portion 320 which cooperates with the beveled flexible extension portion 315 to protect the porcelain finish of the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 during operation of the auger 14. The bowl shaped portion 320 is identical to the bowl shaped portion 220 described above, and therefore no further comments regarding the bowl shaped portion 220 is described herein. [0046] With particular reference to FIGS. 7B-7C, the beveled flexible extension portion 315 is constructed to include a beveled portion 325. That is, rather than having a substantially uniform circumference along its length and then ending in a blunt fashion, the beveled flexible extension portion 315 is constructed to have a substantially uniform circumference along at least a portion of its length and then include a beveled portion 325 along at least another portion of its length at the distal end in a tapered fashion, i.e., the end opening into the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26, to thereby create an angled or wedge shaped end. Although the beveled flexible extension portion 315 is shown having a particular angle, it is to be understood that a variety of angles can be utilized to construct the beveled flexible extension portion 315 without departing from the scope and intent of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s).

[0047]The beveled flexible extension portion 315 can also be constructed to have a partially blunt end having an inclined portion extending therefrom toward the proximal end so as to create the beveled portion 325. That is, the beveled flexible extension portion 315 can be constructed to have a substantially uniform circumference along a portion of its length and then have the beveled portion 325 which terminates at a partially blunt end. Further, as described above with respect to the flexible extension portion 215, the beveled flexible extension portion 315 can be constructed having a variety of lengths and circumferences without departing from the scope and intent of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s). [0048] In operation, the toilet protector 210 is placed within the bowl 34 of the toilet 26 prior to the insertion or operation of the auger 14. The toilet protector 210 is utilized by using the opening 260 of the handle 255 to maneuver the toilet protector 210 into the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. The flexible extension portion 215 of the toilet protector 210 is inserted into the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26 and then force is applied to the toilet protector 210 via the handle 255 to seat the bowl shaped portion 220 within the bowl 34 of the toilet 26. Further, the application of at least some force by a user of the toilet protector 210 causes the flexible extension portion 215 to bend and follow the contour of the siphon tube 38 as it is inserted therein. Additionally, the application of force also causes the nose portion 245 to flex, at least to some degree, so as to ensure that it mates with the entrance to the siphon tube 38. Next, the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 is inserted through the passage defined by the bowl shaped portion 320 and the flexible extension portion 215 of the toilet protector 210 and into the siphon tube 38 of the toilet 26. The auger 14 is operated to communicate the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 through the siphon tube 38 and the pipe 22 until the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 contacts the obstructing debris. The operation of the auger 14 is continued, rotating the debris engaging portion 42 until the obstructing debris is cleared from the pipe 22. It will be understood that the debris engaging portion 42 of the auger 14 may need to be removed and reinserted into the pipe 22 numerous times to remove the obstructing debris. Once the obstructing debris is removed, then the auger 14 and the toilet protector 210 are removed from the toilet 26. Of course, the above operation would also be understood to apply to the toilet protector 310. [0049] Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 8, the toilet protector 210 can be utilized as a flexible, high flow-rate funnel which could be used in a situation where a conventional funnel would not be usable due to obstructions or other configuration issues. That is, in a situation where a conventional straight funnel is unusable because an obstacle (or the configuration of the environment the funnel is being used in) prevents direct (in-line) insertion of the funnel into a desired material receiver, the presently claimed and disclosed toilet protector 210 can be used instead. In such a use, the flexible extension portion 215 of toilet protector 210 can be inserted into a material receiver, e.g., drain, sink, bucket, tube, and the like, while the bowl shaped portion 220 can be positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation such that the material, e.g., liquid, can be poured into the bowl shaped portion 220 and thereby be directed down the flexible extension portion 215 and into the material receiver. The flexibility of the flexible extension portion 215 permits use of the toilet protector 210 as a flexible, high flow-rate funnel in situations where inline insertion of the funnel is otherwise prohibited. Further, the flexible extension portion 215 can have an internal passage sized so as to achieve a desired flow-rate, as would be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

[0050] For example, the presently disclosed and claimed invention may be directed to a method of pouring a liquid into a hole 350 on a side 352 of a container 354 using a funnel 356 formed by the toilet protector 210. In this example, at least a portion of a flexible extension portion 215 of the funnel 356 is inserted into the hole 350 on the side 352 of the container 354. An opening 358 of the bowl shaped portion 220 is positioned substantially upward, and then liquid is poured into the opening 358 of the bowl shaped portion 220 of the funnel 356 to thereby cause the liquid to be directed through the flexible extension portion 215 and into the container 354.

[0051]The above-described manner of operation and uses of the toilet protector 210 are being offered as examples only and should not be considered limiting in any manner.

[0052] Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the various components, elements and assemblies described herein or in the steps or the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.