GB2472064A

GB2472064A - Back Scrub Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2472064A
Application number: GB0912812A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Frank Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-23
Filing date: 2009-07-23
Publication date: 2011-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2029-07-23
Also published as: GB2472064B; GB0912812D0

Abstract

Back scrub apparatus 10 comprises a preferably plate or disk-like washing-area support element 12 for location on a surface of a washing area, an electrically motorised, preferably battery powered, back scrub device 14 removably mountable on the support element 12, and a charger 16 which is remote from the support element 12 for charging the back scrub device 14. The back scrub device 14 includes a base 28 which is releasably engagable with the support element 12 and scrubbing element 30 which is supported for rotation by the base 28. A rotational axis of the scrubbing element 30 is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the support element 12. The support element may be attached to a shower or wall surface my suction pads 24.

Description

Back Scrub Apparatus The present invention relates to back scrub apparatus particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, for use in a washing area.

Back scrubbers are well known, but to date have either been completely manual whereby a person washing uses a handholdable portable device, such as a fixed-headed brush, to reach inaccessible parts of their back, or are mechanical but fixed in place to a wall surface of the washing area.

These known devices are not electrical, and if wall mounted cannot be removed.

Furthermore, a scrubbing head cannot be replaced and interchanged.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to the invention, there is provided back scrub apparatus comprising a washing-area support element for location on a surface of a washing area, an electrically motorised back scrub device on the support element, and a separate charger for charging the back scrub device, the back scrub device including a base and a scrubbing element which is supported for rotation by the base, a rotational axis of the scrubbing element being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the support element.

Preferable and/or optional features of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 22, inclusive.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of part of one embodiment of back scrub apparatus, in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows another view of part of the back scrub apparatus, showing a charger and back scrub device; Figure 3 shows an interior of the back scrub device; Figure 4 shows a scrubbing element removed from a base; Figure 5 shows an inverted view of a support element of the back scrub apparatus; and Figures 6a to 6d show the back scrub apparatus in use.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown back scrub apparatus 10 which comprises a generally plate-like support element 12, an electrically motorised back scrub device 14 which demountably supportable by the support element 12, and a charger 16 for charging the back scrub device 14 once removed from the support element 12.

The support element 12 is preferably rigid moulded plastics and generally circular having an upstanding perimeter edge wall 18 around a support base 20. The back scrub device 14 is thus receivable in partially recessed fashion within the support element 12.

To hold the back scrub device 14 in place to the support element 12, at least one key and keyway may be provided. Push-fit and/or snap-fit connection means can additionally or alternatively be considered.

To hold the support element 12 to a washing-area wall surface 22, typically being tiled or plastics, a plurality of suction or vacuum cup elements 24 are provided on a rear surface of the support base 20. This allows the support element 12 to be non-permanently attached to a surface, whilst enabling quick and simple removal and/or repositioning. Preferably, the suction or vacuum cup elements 24 include an over-centre cam-toggle mechanism for resiliently and more positively retaining a vacuum therein.

Although circular and complimentarily shaped to closely receive the back scrub device 14, the support element 12 may be elongate, such as oval, to allow the back scrub device 14 to be easily repositioned therein for selective height adjustment without requiring removal and repositioning of the support element 12.

To enable simple extraction of the back scrub device 14 from the support element 12, the support element 12 includes a recessed opening 26 in the perimeter edge wall 18 to enable lifting of the back scrub device 14.

The back scrub device 14 comprises a generally circular base 28 and a scrubbing element 30 mountable on the base 28. The base 28 is also preferably formed of moulded plastics and includes a cavity 32 surrounded by an upstanding base wall 34 around a perimeter of the base 28. Within the cavity 32 is provided an electric motor 36 which, in this case, is positioned so that a drive shaft 38 projects centrally upwards and thus perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the base 28. A drive element 40, such as a pinion gear or key, is provided on the end of the motor drive shaft 38, and the motor 36 is driven by a plurality of rechargeable, preferably lithium, batteries 42.

The base 28 includes a rotatable ring 44 slidably mounted on an inwardly projecting shoulder of the base wall 34 and concentric with the drive shaft 38. The ring 44 includes a number of generally radially inwardly projecting, in this case rounded, teeth 46. A mounting element 48 in the form of a support plate cover is releasably carried by the shoulder of the base wall 34 and includes complementary recesses 50 around its perimeter edge for engagement of the teeth 46.

An undersurface of the plate cover 48 includes a complementary recess for receiving and engaging the drive element 40 on the drive shaft 38 of the motor 36.

The plate cover 48 is slim enough so that a detachable scrubber 52 can be seated on a top surface thereof. The scrubber 52 is also generally disc shaped and includes similar complementary recesses 54 around its perimeter edge for tightly and releasably engaging the teeth 46.

The scrubbing element 30 also includes a plurality of scrubbing members 56 mounted on a flexibly resilient scrubbing base 58. The scrubbing members 56 are in this case sponge pads but could be bristle pads. The scrubbing members 56 are preferably equi-angularly spaced around a central generally circular pad. However, other arrangements and configurations are feasible, including the provision of only one larger scrubbing member. An appropriate scrubbing element 30 can thus be selected and mounted on the plate cover 48 by a user as necessity dictates.

Again, to allow removal of the scrubbing element 30 and plate cover 48, an appropriate recess or opening 60 is provided in the respective perimeter edges.

The scrubbing element 30 forms part of a controller 61 for controlling activation and deactivation of the apparatus 10. Electronic control circuitry is provided in a preferably water-proofed area within the base cavity 32. The drive shaft 38 or motor 36 forms part of an onloff switch whereby depression of the scrubbing element 30 moves the plate cover 48 downwards slightly into the base cavity 32, thus urging the drive shaft 38 or motor 36 and activating the onloff function of the control circuit. Consequently, the motor 36 is energised or deenergised, and the rotation of the scrubbing element 30 starts or stops.

Preferably, the motor 36 provides reciprocating rotational movement, such that the scrubbing element 30 rotates through 180 degrees before then reversing its direction of motion and rotating the other way back to its starting position. An axis of rotation of the scrubbing element 30 is thus at right angles to the support element 12, which itself extends in a plane which is parallel or substantially parallel with the plane of the surface it is mounted on.

Once the back scrub device 14 has been finished with, and preferably dried, it can be removed from the support element 12 and mounted on the charger 16, which is typically positioned remotely from the washing area so as not to cause any electrocution hazard.

The charger 16 includes a charging base 62 which in this embodiment is generally wedge-shaped. A recess 64 is formed in an upper surface of the charging base 62. The charging base 62 has a narrower width than the diameter of the back scrub device 14, and the recess 64 is complementarily shaped to receive a portion of the back scrub device 14 whilst allowing an overhang at the sides. This enables simple mounting and removal of the back scrub device 14 on the charging base 62.

The charging base 62 incorporates charging circuitry, and the charger 16 includes a mains power connection cable 66 for energising the charging circuitry. The charging base 62 includes electrical conductors, such as prongs, in the recess 64 of the charging base 62, and the base 62 of the back scrub device 14 includes complimentary conductors, for example received in a socket, to electrically mate with the prongs.

Alternatively or additionally, the charging circuitry and the back scrub device 14 may comprise a wireless energy transmission system which allows conductorless charging.

The wedge shape of the charging base 62 is also beneficial in that it allows draining of residual water from the back scrub device 14 when mounted thereon.

It is also feasible to include a soap fray or platform, or even a soap dispenser. Preferably, this would be provided on or integral with the support element.

It is also feasible that the support element can be incorporated as part of the back scrub device. In this case, the support element primarily comprises the suction or vacuum cup elements which are provided on the rear surface of the base of the back scrub device.

The cup elements are spaced sufficiently to allow the narrower charging base to be received therebetween.

It is thus possible to provide back scrub apparatus which allows simple and non-permanent mounting in a washing area. The support element can be easily removed and re-mounted at almost any position. It is also possible to provide back scrub apparatus which is electrically motorised and rechargeable, whilst also providing a selection of different interchangeable scrubbing elements. This is particularly useful for persons with limited motion, such as when having arthritis or rheumatism, or being invalid or disabled. The provision of a removable back scrub device allows remote recharging, and the option of a conductorless charging system reduces or eliminates an electrical hazard risk.

Claims

Claims 1. Back scrub apparatus comprising a washing-area support element for location on a surface of a washing area, an electrically motorised back scrub device on the support element, and a separate charger for charging the back scrub device, the back scrub device including a base and a scrubbing element which is supported for rotation by the base, a rotational axis of the scrubbing element being perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the support element.
2. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support element is separate of the back scrub device, and the back scrub device is removablymountable thereon.
3. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the scrubbing element includes a mounting element and a removable scrubber detachably mountable on the mounting element.
4. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a plurality of scrubbers are provided for selectable mounting on the mounting element.
5. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one scrubber includes bristles and at least one scrubber includes sponge.
6. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base and the scrubbing element are complementarily shaped for engagement.
7. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scrubbing element is rotatable on the base through at least 180 degrees.
8. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back scrub device includes an electric motor on the base and a gear mechanism drivable by the motor for rotating the scrubbing element.
9. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back scrub device includes at least one rechargeable battery.
10. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element includes at least one releasable fastening device for releasably fastening the support element to the washing area surface.
1. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 0, wherein the fastening device is a suction cup.
12. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element includes a rigid support base on which the back scrub device is disengagably mountable.
13. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the support base and the back scrub device are complementarily shaped.
14. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element is plate-like.
15. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element is disc-shaped.
16. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back scrub device is disc-shaped.
17. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back scrub device includes a rotatable ring.
18. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the charger includes a charging base on which the back scrub device is removably mountable for charging.
19. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the charger includes a mains electricity connection for connecting the charging base to a mains electricity supply.
20. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scrubbing element is domed.
21. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element and back scrub device are circular.
22. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back scrub device includes a control circuit and a user control interface which interfaces with the control circuit, the user control interface being part of the scrubbing element.
23. Back scrub apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the scrubbing element is depressible for providing a control input to the control circuit.
24. Back scrub apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.