AU643990B2 - Adjustable washing device - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 64 ju I COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: S. S 0 6.

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Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: APPLICANT'S REF.: Name(s) of Applicant(s): THEO EMMANOUILIDIS Address(es) of Applicant(s): 23 Cantala Drive, Doncaster, Victoria, 3108, Australia.

THEO EMMANOUILIDIS Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service is: Complete Specification for the invention entitled: PHILLIPS, ORMONDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 ADJUSTABLE WASHING DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): P19/3/84

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ADJUSTABLE WASHING DEVICE This invention relates generally to personal hygiene equipment and in particular to an adjustable washing device which can be mounted on a retaining surface. The invention is applicable for use within domestic, commercial and hospital bathrooms and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to that exemplary application. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited to that application.

A person with a physical impairment limiting their arm movement often finds it difficult or impossible to adequately clean the back portion of their body, and particularly the upper back, without assistance. The person may for example have arthritic problems or may have 0* an arm immobilized in a plaster cast which prevents them from readily moving their arms. Although hand held brushes having elongate handles to facilitate the cleaning of the back are known, these brushes are of little use if the person cannot adequately move their arms.

With this in mind, the present invention providesa washing device for mounting on a retaining rans, including a support member having a front face, a/washing member secured to the front face of the sup prt member, the support member being supported on a imounting means mountable on the retaining means, th position of the support member on the mounting mean being adjustable to enable the working height of th support member and the washing member secured thereon o be varied.

This invention is decribed and defined herein with reference to the devic mounted on a vertical retaining surface and in a no al use orientation and terms such as "vertical" and orizontal" should be construed in the light of t s orientation. However, it is to be appreciate that other orientations may be equally ossib and that consequential changes in terms such as /y ti above may be required in the light of those other entations for a proper and complete understanding of 2 With this in mind, the present invention provides a washing device for mounting on a retaining means, including a support member having a front face, a washing member secured to the front face of the support member, the support member being supported on a mounting means mountable on the retaining means, the position of the support member on the mounting means being adjustable to enable the working height of the support member and the washing member secured thereon to be varied, said mounting means including at least one elongate support means mountable in an at least substantially vertical orientation on the retaining means, and engagement means being provided on a rear face of the support member for engaging the at least one elongate support, said engagement means being slidably supported on the or each support means.

This invention is described and defined herein with reference to the device mounted on a vertical retaining surface and in a normal use orientation and terms such as "vertical" and "horizontal" should be construed in the light of this orientation. However, it is to be appreciated that other orientations may be equally possible and that consequential changes in terms such as 25 those above may be required in the light of those other S..-orientations for a proper and complete understanding of the invention.

The washing device may be used in a shower exclosure in which case the retaining surface would be provided by one of the walls of the shower enclosure. It is to be :'*.appreciated that the invention is not restricted to this application and that the retaining surface may be provided by other means. For example, the retaining surface may be provided by a free standing pillar or the like.

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The engagement means may 2a the invention.

The washing device may be used in a shower enc sure in which case the retaining surface would be pr ided by one of the walls of the shower enclosure. /t is to be appreciated that the invention is not r ricted to this application and that the retaining sy ace may be provided by other means. For example, the etaining surface may be provided by a free standing p lar or the like.

The mounting means y include at least one elongate support means mount le in an at least substantially vertical orient ion on the retaining means, and engagement m ns may be provided on a rear face of the support mber for engaging the at least one elongate supp The engagement means may be s)idably supported the or each support means. The engagement means may also include locking means for more securely maintaining 9.

the support member in position on the at least one support means. The locking means may include means for tightening or pressing at least one of the engagement means respectively on or against the support means accommodated therein.

The engagement means may include a resilient clip having a saddle portion for accommodating the support means, the locking means preferably including fastening means bridging the open mouth of the saddle portion for tightening the clip.

In an alternative, arrangement the locking means may include at least one bush having a bore therethrough for accommodating the support means, the or each bore supporting a shaped spring having a pair of legs with apertures provided in each leg for accommodating the support means.

In another alternative arrangement, the locking means may include at least one bush having a bore therethrough for accommodating the support means, a frusto-conical section at one end thereof in the form of a plurality of fingers, and a cap supported on said one end and having a co-operating frusto-conical bore for pressing E3 the fingers against the support means.

3 In another preferred embodiment of the washing device, the support member is supported on a single support means, the engagement means includes a pair of sleeves, each having a bore therethrough for accommodating the support means, and the locking means includes a bracket joining the two sleeves with and a lever member pivotally supported thereon having an abutment end for engaging and pressing against the support means.

In a further preferred embodiment of the washing device the support member is supported on two adjacent and parallel support means, the engagement means includes a

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plurality of sleeves having bores therethrough for S. accommodating the support means, and the locking means 0 includes a first and second cross-member, each 0000 *see cross-member being respectively pivotally supported on a pair of said sleeves mounted on adjacent support means, the cross-members being pivotally joined at a pivot point intermediate the support rails in an over centre arrangement, with one of the cross members extending beyond the pivot point to provide a lever arm.

0000.0 o .The washing member preferably includes a foam 0000 washing pad having a backing sheet on one side thereof, with ribs and/or stub members extending from the backing 0000 sheet and wherein the front face of the support member preferably includes slots and/or apertures for respectively accommodating the ribs and stub members.

0060 The following description refers in more detail to 00 the various features of the washing device of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made in the description to the accompanying drawings where the washing device is illustrated in preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the washing device of the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments as illustrated in the drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the washing device of the present invention; 39 Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the washing 4 device of Figure 1 taken along line II-II; Figure 3 is a front view of the support member of the washing device of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the washing device of the present invention;' Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the washing device of the present invention; Figure 6 is a detail view of an alternative locking means according to the present invention; Figure 7 is a front view of another alternative locking means according to the present invention;

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Figure 8 is a front view of a further alternative locking means according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective front view of a fourth

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o*o embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a perspective front view of a fifth .e embodiment of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the washing device of the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3 and includes a support member 1 and a washing member 2 secured to the support member 1. The support member 1 is itself o. supported on a mounting means 3 which enables the washing device to be mounted on a retaining surface 4 such as, for 5555 Soo example, a wall in a shower enclosure.

As best shown in Figure 3, the support member 1 includes a front face 5 upon which the washing member 2 can at least be partially supported. The front face 5 may S. include a central section 6 which may be substantially

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flat or may be provided with a curvature so that the middle of the front face 5 extends further forwardly relative to the rest of the front face 5 as best shown in figure 2.

The front face 5 may also include side sections 7 extending from opposing sides of the central section 6 which may be at an angle to and extend rearwardly relative to the central section 6. Top and bottom sections 8, 9 may also extend respectively from the upper and lower peripheries of the front face 39 The washing member 2 may include at least one 5 absorbent form pad 10 having a front washing surface 12 for engaging the body surface to be washed. It is also envisaged that the washing member 2 be provided with brush bristles to provide a brushing surface. The washing surface 12 may be substantially flat or may be contoured or corrugated to facilitate the washing operation as the body surface is pressed and moved across the washing surface 12. A backing sheet 11 may be secured to the reverse side of the foam pad 10 to reinforce the pad When the washing member 2 is secured to the support member 3, the backing sheet 11 may abut the front face 5 and the 0S washing member may take on the curved form of the front S face 5 which further facilitates the washing operation of o the washing member 2.

*oCo-operating means may be respectively provided on the support member 1 and on the backing sheet 11 of the washing member 2 which abuts at least the front face 5 of the support member 1. The front face 5 may, for example, include a plurality of slits 13 and/or circular apertures 20 14 passing therethrough. Co-operating ribs and/or stub 0 0 members 15 may extend at least substantially laterally from the surface of the backing sheet 11 and may be positioned so that they can pass through the respective slits 13 and apertures 14 on the front face 5. The width of the ribs or the diameter of the stub members may be respectively slightly greater than the width of the accommodating slits 13 and/or the diameter of the accommodating apertures 14. The ribs and/or stub members or the support member 1 may also be at least partially resilient thereby ensuring that the ribs and/or members will be retained within the co-operating slits 13 and apertures 14 after being passed therethrough while also allowing ready removal of the washing member 2.

A plurality of the tabs 16 may also be provided along the side peripheries and on the upper and lower sections 9, 10 of the support members 1 for engaging co-operating slits in the backing sheet 11. It is to be appreciated that other securing means for securing the 39 washing member 2 to the support member 1 are also 6 envisaged and that the present invention is not restricted to the above described arrangement.

The mounting means may include at least one support means in the form of a rail or bar 17 which, in normal use orientation, is mounted in an at least substantially vertical position on the retaining surface 4. The support bars 17 are shown with circular cross-sections in the drawings. However it is also envisaged that other cross-sections be used e.g. square sections. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two parallel bars 17 are used to support the support member i. Each bar 17 may be

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formed from more than one section and may have a coupling 18 joining them. The ends of the bar 17 may be bent to provide rearwardly extending end portions 19 which can be

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:o secured to the retaining surface 4 by, for example, conventional mountings 20 and which space the bar 17 away

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from the retaining surface 4. Means for engaging the support bars 17 may be provided on the rear face 21 of the support member i. The engagement means may be in sliding engagement with the bars 17 so that the support member 1 can be displaced along the length of the bars 17. This .me.

therefore allows the working height of the washing member 2 supported on the support member 1 to be varied.

.:As shown in Figure 2, the engagement means may be in the form of a clip 22 having a saddle portion 25 for accommodating the bar 17. The clips 22 may be supported S at or adjacent the top and bottom sections 8,9 of the S. support member 1. Slots 23 may be provided in the upper and bottom sections 8, 9 to provide clearance for the bars 17 to pass therethrough when the support member 1 is supported on the bars 17. Each clip 22 may have a mouth 24 opening to the saddle portion 25 on one side thereof to allow the clip 22 to be slipped onto the bar 17. There may preferably be a sufficient frictional contact between the inner wall of the saddle portion 25 and the bar 17 to hold the support member 1 at the required position on the bars 17. Alternatively or in addition, a locking means may be provided to retain the support member in position 39 on the bars 17. A locking means may be an integral part 7 of one of the clips 22 as shown in Figure i. Referring to Figure 2, the clip 22 may include adjacent legs 26 extending from either side of the mouth 24. A fastening means such as a screw bolt 27 may extend between and through apertures in the two legs 26. The screw bolt 27 may have a handle 29 at one end thereof with a nut 28 being supported at the other end. A threaded aperture may alternatively be provided through the opposing leg 26 in place of the nut 28. The clip 22 provided with the locking means can be tightened to securely hold the support member 1 in position on the support bars 17. The handle 29 may have a lateral extension 34 as shown in Fig.

S 2, which acts as a lever to make it easier for a person having a physical disability such as arthritis to tighten Sor loosen the locking means.

In a second embodiment of the washing device of the Ce present invention as shown in cross-section in Figure 4, the ends of the support member 1 may be curled to provide the engagement mens. The diameter of each curled end may be slightly less than that of the bar 17 so that the support member 1 can be simply held in position due to frictional engagement between the curled ends 30 and the bars 17. If necessary, however, a locking means may also be provided on at least one of the bars 17. For example, a clip and locking means similar to that used in the previously described embodiment can be attached to one of e g.

the bars 17 below the support member 1.

In a third embodiment of the washing device as shown

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in Figure 5, the support member 1 may be supported on a single bar 17. The engagement means may include a sleeve 31 having a bore therethrough for slidably accommodating the bar 17. A lockin means may be provided under the sleeve 31 to hold the support member in position. It is also envisaged that the engagements means include a resilient shaped clip which can slidably engage the bar 17 and can hold the support member 1 in position due to the frictional engagement of the clip on the bar 17.

At least one pair of peripheral arms 32 may extend from 39 the rear face 21 towards the retaining surface 4, one 8 adjacent each side of the support member 1. The end of each arm 32 may suppoLt a cap or ferrule 33 which can abut the retaining surface 4. These peripheral arms 32 prevent or minimise the pivotal movement of the support member 1 about the support bar 17.

Figures 6 to 8 show alternative forms of locking means that can be used on the washing device of the present invention including the embodiments previously described. Figure 6 shows an alternative form of fastening means that can be used with the clip 22 of Figure 2 and which includes a latch arm 35 pivotally supported on one of the legs 26 of the clip 22 and a pin S. 36 extending between and through apertures in both legs 26 and pivotally supported at one end to the latch arm 35 and *500 having an enlarged head 37 at the other end thereof to prevent withdrawal of the pin 36 from the opposing leg go 26. The pivotally supported end of the latch arm includes a lobe 38 which extends at least substantially laterally from the latch arm 35 relative to its elongate 20 axis. The latch arm 35 is shown in its "release" position oo in Fig. 6 while the "locking" position of the latch arm ooo is shown in phantom. As the latch arm 35 is pivoted to the locking position, the lobe 38 presses against the abutting leg 26 pulling out the pin 36 which results in the legs 26 being moved closer together. This locking means can therefore be quickly locked and released.

Sn a Figure 7 shows an alternate locking means which can be supported in the bottom section 9 of the support member 1 and includes a bush 39 having a bore therethrough to accommodate the bar 17. The bush 39 may have a reduced diameter externally threaded end 40 which can co-operate with an internally threaded collar 67 to secure the bush 39 to the bottom section 9. The locking means may also include a locking spring 41 provided by a strip of resilient material formed into a substantially shape.

Substantially aligned apertures 42 extend through each leg 43 of the spring 41 for accommodating the bar 17. One of the spring legs 43 may be secured to the lower end of the bush 39 with its aperture 42 aligned i4Athe bore passing PLIA A 9 therethrough.

Figure 7 shows the locking spring 41 in a "locking" position. The locking spring 41 may be -re--stressed by bringing the legs 43 closer together before the bar 17 is inserted through the apertures 42 of each leg 43. The edge 44 of the aperture 42 on at least the lower leg 43 therefore presses against the bar 17 because of the pre-stressing of the locking spring 41 thereby preventing movement of the bar 17 therethrough. By bringing the legs 43 together to a release position shown in phantom in Fig.

7, the pressing contact of the edge 44 of the aperture 42 is released allowing free movement of the bar 17 therethrough. The support member 1 can therefore be unlocked for movement by squeezing the legs 43 of the S locking spring 41 together. Once the support member 1 is in the desired position, the locking spring 41 is released to prevent further movement.

The locking means shown in Fig. 8 can also be supported in the bottom section 9 of the support member 1 and may include an externally threaded bush 45 retained in **goo: position in the bottom section 9 by a pair of internally threaded collars 46 supported on the bush 45 and abutting opposing sides of the bottom section 9. The lower end of the bush 45 include., a frusto-conical section formed into a plurality of resilient fingers 47 surrounding the accommodated bar 17. A co-operating cap 48 including a bore 49 having a frusto-conical section may accommodate the lower end of the bush 45 including the fingers 47 therein. A clearance may be provided between the tips of the fingers 47 and the bottom of the bore 49 and means may be provided to pull the lower end of the sleeve 45 into the bore 49. This results in the walls of the frusto-conical section of the bore 49 guiding and pushing the fingers inwardly towards the accommodated bar 17 thereby gripping the bar 17 therebetween and holding the locking means in position on the bar 17.

The pulling means may include a pin 50 extending laterally from the sleeve 45 and a guide arm 51 pivotally 39 supported on the cap 48. The guide arm 51 has a hooked 10 r-nd 52 which can engage the pin 5. Figure 8 shows the guide arm 51 in the "release" position with the "locking" position being shown in phantom. As the guide arm 51 is pivoted to the locking position, the hooked end 52 presses against the pin 50 to pull the lower end of the sleeve into the cap thereby pressing the fingers 47 against the bar 17.

In place of the guide arm 51, a helical groove may be provided on the wall of the bore in the cap 48, the groove accommodating the pin 50. The locking means may be locked by twisting the cap 48 in a rotational direction about the bar 17 so that the pin 50 travels along the helical groove to pull the sleeve 45 into the cap 48.

Alternatively, the lower bore of the cap 48 may have a female screw thread for engaging a co-operating male thread adjacent the lower end of the bush 45. The locking 0o means may therefore be locked by twisting and thereby screwing the cap 48 onto the bush 45. In either of the above two arrangements, a laterally extending arm may be provided on the cap 48 to facilitate the twisting movement 0:0 thereof for people with physical disabilities.

A further embodiment of the washing device is shown in Figure 9 which shows a support member 1 supported on a single bar 17. A pair of sleeves 53 are provided, one respectively adjacent the top and bottom sections 8, 9 of the support member 1 to accommodate the bar 17. Each sleeve 53 may have a circumferential groove 65 at one end thereof which can engage the edge of the accommodat-rng slot 23 provided in the top and bottom sections 8, 9. The locking means may include an elongate bracket 54 joining the two sleeves 53 and extending at least substantially parallel to the bar 17. A lever arm 55 may be pivotally supported on the bracket 54, the lever arm 55 having an abutment end 56 for abutting the bar 17. The lever arm is shown in the release position in Fig. 9 with the abutment end 56 not engaging the bar 17. The lever arm may be pivoted to a locking position which is shown in phantom in Fig. 9 where the abutment end 56 presses 39 against the bar 17. This causes both sleeves 53 to press 11 against the bar 17 and the resulting frictional engagement holds the support member 1 in position.

Figure 10 shows a fifth embodiment of the washing device with the support member 1 supported on a pair of parallel bars 17. A pair of sleeves ,for accommodating the bars 17 are respectively provided at the top and bottom sections 8, 9 of the support member 1. Tongues 58 may extend laterally from the lower two sleeves 57 and the locking means may include a first and second cross member 59, 60 each respectively pivotally supported on one of the tongues 58. The two cross-members 59, 60 may be pivotally joined about a pivot point 62 positioned between the two lower sleeves 57 in an "over-centre" arrangement. The first cross member 59 may terminate at that pivot point 62 *OeO while the second cross member 60 may extend beyond the *too pivot point 62 and the periphery of the support member 1 e0 to thereby provide a lever arm 63.

Figure 10 shows the locking means in the release position with the first and second cross-members 59, positioned at an angle relative to each other. In this position, the bars 17 may freely move through the lower e. sleeves 57. However, when the lever arm 63 is pressed downwardly to the locking position shown in phantom so that the first and second cross-members 59, 60 are at least substantially aligned, the lower sleeves 57 are pushed apart by the action of the first and second cross members 59, 60. The lower sleeves 57 therefore press Si. against the bars 17 locking the support member in position.

The lever arm arrangement in the preceding two embodiments facilitates the use of the washing device by people with physical disabilities. Because of the long length of the lever arms 55, 63, only a small force is required to lock the support member 1 in position.

The washing device of the present invention may be installed on the wall of a shower enclosure to assist people in washing hard to reach areas such as their backs.

It is also convenient to use for persons having physical impairments which prevent or make it difficult to 39 use their arms.

12 Furthermore, the washing device of the present invention can be readily adjusted to suit people of different height and to enable different parts of the body to be cleaned using the washing device.

Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the washing device previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention defined in the claims.

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Claims (10)

1. A washing device for mounting on a retaining means, including a support member having a front face, a washing member secured to the front face of the support member, the support member being supported on a mounting means mountable on the retaining means, the position of the support member on the mounting means being adjustable to enable the working height of the support member and the washing member secured thereon to be varied, said mounting means including at least one elongate support means mountable in an at least substantially vertical orientation on the retaining means, and engagement means being provided on a rear face of the support member for engaging the at least one elongate support, said engagement means being slidably supported on the or each support means.

2. A washing device according to claim 1 wherein the engagement means includes locking means for more securely maintaining the support member in position on the at least one support means.

3. A washing device according to claim 2 wherein the locking means includes means for tightening or pressing at 25 least one of the engagement means respectively on or against the support means accommodated therein.

S4. A washing device according to claim 3 wherein the .ahn engagement means includes a resilient clip having a saddle portion for accommodating the support means, the locking means including fastening means bridging the open mouth of the saddle portion for tightening the clip.

5. A washing device according to claim 3 wherein the locking means includes at least one bush having a bore a therethrough for accommodating the support means, the or too: S 35 each bore supporting a shaped spring having a pair of legs with apertures provided in each leg for accommodating the support means.

6. A washing device according to claim 3 wherein the ~ALI locking means includes at least one bush having a bore 14 therethrough for accommodating the support means, a frusto-conical section at one end thereof in the form of a plurality of fingers, and a cap supported on said one end and having a co-operating frusto-conical bore for pressing the fingers against the support means.

7. A washing device according to claim 3 wherein the support member is supported on a single support means, the engagement means includes a pair of sleeves, each having a bore therethrough for accommodating the support means and the locking means includes a bracket joining the two sleeves with a lever member pivotally supported thereon having an abutment end for engaging and pressing against the support means.

8. A washing device according to claim 3 wherein the support member is supported on two adjacent and parallel support means, the engagement means includes a plurality of sleeves having bores therethrough for accommodating the support means, and the locking means includes a first and second cross-member, each cross-member being respectively pivotally supported on a pair of said sleeves mounted on adjacent support means, the cross-members being pivotally joined at a pivot point intermediate said pair of said sleeves in an over centre arrangement, with one of the cross members extending beyond the pivot point to provide 25 a lever arm.

9. A washing device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the washing member includes a foam washing pad having a backing sheet on one side thereof, with ribs and/or stub members extending from the backing sheet and wherein the front face of the support member includes slots and/or apertures for respectively accommodating the ribs and stub members.

10. A washing device substantially as hereinbefore S: described with respect to any one of the embodiments as S 35 shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 1 September 1993 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK A:tt: Attorneys for: OA 4 aLj THEO EMMANOUILIDIS S 0,A 6367Z 15