GB2216000A

GB2216000A - Back rubbing or scrubbing device

Info

Publication number: GB2216000A
Application number: GB8903213A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Fleming
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-02-26
Filing date: 1989-02-13
Publication date: 1989-10-04
Also published as: GB8903213D0; GB8804553D0

Abstract

A device for enabling an individual to impart a rubbing, scrubbing or the like action to his/her back, is mountable on a substantially vertical surface (12) and comprises a substantially rigid sheet (10) and a layer (16) of resilient material. One face (10a) of the sheet (10) is attachable to the substantially vertical surface (12), and one face (16a) of the layer (16) of resilient material is fixed to the other face (10b) of the sheet. The other face (16b) of the layer (16) of resilient material has a generally roughened surface so that, when the device is mounted on said substantially vertical surface (12) at an appropriate height, an individual standing with his/her back to the device may rub his/her back against said generally roughened surface. <IMAGE>

Description

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE This invention relates to a domestic appliance, and in particular to a domestic appliance for assisting or enabling individuals more readily to reach their backs, for example when washing in a domestic shower.

Most people have difficulty in reaching their backs when for example washing, or brushing their clothes. In a bath it is usual for somebody wishing to scrub his/her back to make use of a bath brush or loofah.

Although such appliances may be easily used by an able-bodied person sitting in a bath, those who are disabled (say with arthritis) have difficulty in using them. Most people experience difficulty in using bath brushes or loofahs within the confined space of a domestic shower stall or cabinet - and this difficulty is exacerbated for the elderly or infirm, who may find it impossible to raise their arms above shoulder height, or who find it difficult to twist sufficiently to bring a bath brush or loofah into contact with their backs.

Again, it is difficult for a person to remove fluff, hairs and the like from the back of his/her own garments without first removing the garment.

The aim of the invention is to provide a device which alleviates or overcomes these difficulties.

The present invention provides a device for enabling an individual to impart a rubbing, scrubbing or the like action to his/her back, the device being mountable on a substantially vertical surface and comprising a substantially rigid sheet and a layer of resilient material, one face of the sheet being attachable to the substantially vertical surface, and one face of the layer of resilient material being fixed to the other face of the sheet, wherein the other face of the layer of resilient material has a generally roughened surface so that, when the device is mounted on said substantially vertical surface at an appropriate height, an individual standing with his/her back to the device may rub his/her back against said generally roughened surface.

It will be appreciated that this device enables an elderly or infirm person to rub, scrub or scratch his/her back with ease, and without the need to reach to his/her back or to hold any form of implement.

In a preferred embodiment, where the device is adapted for use in a domestic shower, all the parts thereof are made of natural or synthetic rubber, plastics material or other material which is naturally, or treated so as to be, tolerant to water and easily cleaned.

Advantageously, the device is attachable to the substantially vertical surface by means of suction pads fixed by means of adhesive, to said one face of the sheet. The suction pads provide a firm anchorage of the device on, for example, the smooth wall of a domestic shower.

The sheet may be made of a plastics material such as an acrylic.

Preferably, the resilient layer of material is made of natural or synthetic open cell foamed material such as polyurethane. The resilient layer may be cut from a moulded slab of material, the cutting of the open cell foamed material resulting in the cut, outer surface becoming roughened, thereby providing said roughened outer surface.

Advantageously, the layer of resilient material is bonded to the sheet by means of adhesive.

A device constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the device; Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device; and Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on the line III-III of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the device shown comprises a generally rigid acrylic sheet 10 mounted on a wall 12 (see Figure 2) of a shower stall or cabinet by means of four moulded rubber multi-suction pads 14 fixed to the rear surface 1Oa of the acrylic sheet by a suitable adhesive. The sheet 10 has the dimensions 400mm, 285mm and imam. The rear surface 16a of a resilient layer 16 of open cell polyurethane foam is fixed to the front surface 1Ob of the sheet 10, preferably using the same adhesive as used to fix the pads 14 to the rear surface 1Oa of the sheet. The layer 16 is dimensioned to overlie the sheet 10, and is 30mm thick.The layer 16 is cut from a moulded slab of material, the cutting of the open cell foamed material resulting in the cut surface being generally rough, whereby the front surface 16b of the layer has a generally roughened surface.

It will be seen that the device can be simply fitted to the wall of the shower by pushing the suction pads 14 onto the wall, and that it may thereafter be used (as shown in Figure 3) by a person in the shower to rub or scrub his/her back against the outer roughened surface 16b of the layer 16. The pads 14 are particularly suitable for fixing the device to a tiled or glazed wall, or even to a wall covered by a waterproof covering such as waterproof wallpaper.

It will be appreciated that the structure and dimensions of the device are optional, and that other sizes and materials may be used for the various parts of the device.

To enhance the applicability of the appliance to different decorating schemes, a range of devices could be produced in a variety of different colours. It is envisaged that the exposed surface 16b of the device may be provided with any desired pattern intended to appeal to users.

The particular materials and sizes disclosed above are particularly advantageous when the device is to be used in a shower. Again, the use of the suction pads 14 enables the device to be mounted at the height desired by a user. Moreover, after use, the device may simply be detached from the shower wall, for example for cleaning, storage or transportation. The materials used for making the device are such that the device is easily cleaned.

If the device is to be used to enable a person to brush the back of a garment being worn, its parts would be made of other materials (for example the sheet 10 could be made of wood, and the layer 16 could be made of matting). Again, the method of fixing the device to a wall may vary, for example it may be held on a wall or door in any suitable way (for example by screws, bolts or adhesive). The ways in which the various parts are held together may be varied; so, for example, any suitable clipping, bolting or clamping devices may be used.

Claims

1. A device for enabling an individual to impart a rubbing, scrubbing or the like action to his/her back, the device being mountable on a substantially vertical surface and comprising a substantially rigid sheet and a layer of resilient material, one face of the sheet being attachable to the substantially vertical surface, and one face of the layer of resilient material being fixed to the other face of the sheet, wherein the other face of the layer of resilient material has a generally roughened surface so that, when the device is mounted on said substantially vertical surface at an appropriate height, an individual standing with his/her back to the device may rub his/her back against said generally roughened surface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, where the device is adapted for use in a domestic shower, all the parts thereof are made of natural or synthetic rubber, plastics material or other material which is naturally, or treated so as to be, tolerant to water and easily cleaned.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the device is attachable to the substantially vertical surface by means of suction pads fixed, by means of adhesive, to said one face of the sheet.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet is made of a plastics material such as an acrylic.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resilient layer of material is made of natural or synthetic open cell foamed material such as polyurethane.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resilient layer is cut from a moulded slab of material, the cutting of the open cell foamed material resulting in the cut, outer surface becoming roughened, thereby providing said roughened outer surface.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the layer of resilient material is bonded to the sheet by means of adhesive.

8. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.