GB2494720A

GB2494720A - Foot activated foot washer

Info

Publication number: GB2494720A
Application number: GB1119346.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fahad Alharbi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-11-09
Filing date: 2011-11-09
Publication date: 2013-03-20
Also published as: GB201119346D0

Abstract

opening though which a foot may be passed in order to place a foot in the foot washing recess. The foot washer also comprises a foot bed 109 positioned within said main housing 101 at the bottom of said foot washing recess. The foot washer also comprises at least one water outlet 112, positioned to direct water over a user s foot when a foot is placed on said foot bed 109. The foot washer also comprises a water inlet 200 connector, coupled to said at least one water outlet 112, and arranged to allow water to be fed into the foot washer 100. The foot washer 100 also comprises a valve 202 for turning the water supply on and off, the valve 202 arranged to be activated by the presence of a user's foot within the foot washing recess 109.

Description

FOOT WASIIER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foot washer.

Background to the Invention

There are many situations in which one is required to have clean feet, but wherc cleaning the entire body is either not required, or not practical. For example, certain religions require individuals to wash their feet before entering an area designated for prayer. There may also be circumstances in which, for reasons of cleanliness, individuals are required to wash their feet. Presently, in such a situation, the individual is required to wash their feet using a device which is intended for some other purpose.

For example, an individual may be required to raise their legs to place their feet in a wash basin intended for washing the hands or face. This is potentially an awkward situation, especially for those who are disabled in some way, or otherwise unable to achieve the desired position. Furthermore, requiring an individual to put their foot in a wash basin, may be dangerous, as well as unhygienic.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a foot washer, comprising: a main housing having a foot washing recess and an opening though which a foot may be passed in order to place a foot in the foot washing recess; a foot bed positioned within said main housing at the bottom of said foot washing recess; at least one water outlet, positioned to direct water over a users foot when a foot is placed on said foot bed; a water inlet connector, coupled to said at least one water outlet, and arranged to allow water to be fed into the foot washer; and a valve for turning the water supply on and off, the valve arranged to be activated by the presence of a user's foot within the foot washing recess.

In one example, the foot bed is movable mounted in said main housing, and the foot bed is movable between a first position, in which said valve is switched off; and a second position, in which the valve is switched on.

In one example, the foot bed is pivotally mounted in the main housing, and the foot bed is arranged to pivot between said first and second positions.

In one example, the foot bed is mechanically coupled to the valve.

In one example, the foot washer further comprises a sensor, arranged to detect the presence of a user's foot within the washing recess.

In one example, the sensor is electrically coupled to the valve.

In one example, the foot bed comprises a plurality of foot support members, arranged such that water may drain between the foot support members.

In one example, the foot support members comprise rollers.

In one example, the at least one water outlet comprises piping having a series of openings arranged to direct water into the foot washing recess.

In one example, the main housing comprises an upper rim which defines a portion of said opening, and said piping is positioned along an underside of said upper rim.

In one example, said main housing includes a front panel which forms a portion of said opening.

In one example, the foot washer further comprises a drainage surface, positioned below said foot bed, and a water drainage outlet, positioned at a lower end of said drainage surface.

Further features of examples of the present invention a described in the following

description of preferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foot washer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cut-away side elevation of the foot washer shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cut-away top elevation of the foot washer shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cut-away front elevation of the foot washer shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a further cut-away side elevation of the foot washer shown in Figure 1, which also shows connections to a mains water supply and to a drainage outlet; Figure 6 shows a perspective drawing of a foot washer in accordance with a thrther embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7 shows a perspective drawing of a foot washer in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable fbot washer 100 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. The portable foot washer 100 is desigued as an "off the shelf' product which can be installed at any location where there is a water supply, and a drainage outlet. The portable foot washer 100 is portable in the sense that it is not fixed in location and can be moved about from location to location, or may be moved in its current location within the limits of the piping connecting the water supply and the drainage outlet. As can be seen in Figure 1, the portable foot washer 100 generally comprises a main body which includes a recess into which an individual may place one foot at a time. While placed in the recess, the user's foot S activates a valve mechanism, which causes water to be sprayed over the foot.

The portable foot washer 100 includes a main housing 101. The main housing 101 may be made from mouldcd plastic, or any other suitable material. In this example, the main housing includes a front face 102. The front face 102 includes a lower front face panel 103 and front face uprights 104A, 104B. The lower front face panel 103 is positioned towards the bottom of the front face 102 and the front face uprights I 04A, I 04B project upwards from the outer edges of the lower front face panel 103.

Accordingly, the lower front face panel 103 and the front face uprights 104A, 104B define a U-shaped opening through which a user's foot may pass.

The sides and back of the main housing 101 arc formed from a single half oval main housing panel 105. The main housing panel 105 extends from a connection with the front face 102 at one side of the front face, to a connection with the other side of the front face. As will be seen from Figure 3, described below, the foot washer 100 has a half oval appearance when viewed from the top elevation. The top of the foot washer is covered by rim portion 106 which is also in the form of a half oval. The inner edges of the rim portion 106, lower front face panel 103 and front face uprights 104A, 104B form a main opening 107. This opening provides access to a foot washing recess 108 into which the user places their foot in order for it to be washed.

At the bottom of the foot washing recess 108 is a foot bed 109. The foot bed 109 is in a substantially horizontal position and comprises a plurality of foot rollers 110. In use, a user places their foot on the foot rollers 110. By using a series of spaced rollers, water is able to drain to a drainage space below the foot bed. Furthermore, by using rollers, the user may easily move their foot back and forth over the rollers during washing. As will be described in more detail below, the foot bed is arranged to pivot about a pivot point when the user places pressure on the foot bed 109. This movement causes a valve to open and allows water to be sprayed over the user's foot. This is achieved by allowing water to flow through rim piping 111. The rim piping Ill is positioned along the inner edge of rim portion 106 and includes a plurality of rim nozzles 112. Whcn pressure is applied to the foot bed 109, the valve is opened, and water flows through the rim piping ill, and out of the rim nozzles 112.

S

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are cut-away side, top and front elevations respectively, of the foot washer 100. The portable foot washer 100 includes an inlet connector 200. The inlet connector 200 is positioned towards an upper edge of the main housing panel 105, at a rear-most position. The inlet connector 200 allows a water pipe to be connected to the foot washer 100. On the inner side of the main housing panel 105, the inlet connector is connected to a piping adapter 201. The piping adapter 201 is a T-conncctor which is arranged to be connected to rim piping 111. A first portion of rim piping 11 is fed down one side of the rim portion 106, and a second portion of the rim piping 111 is fed down the other side of rim portion 106. The piping adapter 201 includes a valve 202. The valve 202 is connected to a valve connecting bar 203 which is in turn connected to connecting piece 204. Connecting piece 204 is connected to the rear-most end ofthe foot bed 109. The front end of the foot bed 109 is connected to a pivot point 205. Accordingly, when pressure is applied by the user's foot to the foot bed 109, the foot bed pivots about pivot point 205 and pulls down on valve connecting bar 203. This motion opens the valve 202 and causes water to flow into the rim piping 111.

The foot washer 100 also includes upright piping 206A, 206B. The upright piping is connected to the rim piping via piping connectors 207A, 207B. The piping connectors 207A, 207B arc connected to the rim piping at the front ends of the rim piping 111 towards the point at which the front face uprights I 04A, 1 04B meet the rim portion 106. The piping connectors 207A, 207B are right angle connector pieces which allow water to flow into the upright piping 206A, 206B. The upright piping 206a, 206b are vertically oriented behind the front facc uprights 104A, I 04B. Accordingly, when the valve 202 is open, water is directed onto the foot from the rim piping 111 and the upright piping 206A, 206B.

The foot washer 100 also includes a base portion 208 which is positioned bcneath the Lot bed 109. The base portion 208 provides structural support for the other elements of the main housing 101, and includes a base portion upper surfacc 209. The base portion upper surftce 209 has an incline which raises from a low point at the rear of the Lot washer to a high point at the front of the foot washer. Where the base portion 208 meets the rear wall of the main housing panel 105, an outlet connector 210 is lbrmed. Accordingly, water which has washed over a user's Lot drains down the base portion upper surface 209 and out of the outlet connector 210.

Figure 5 shows a further cut-away side elevation of the Lot washer 100. Figure 5 shows how the Lot washer 100 may be connected to a mains water supply and to a drainage outlet. As can be seen, the inlet connector 200 is coupled to a mains water supply 500 via connector tube 501. The mains water supply 500 includes a valve 502 which enables the water supply to be switched on and off. The outlet connector 210 is coupled to an outlet connector pipe 503 which is fed into a drainage recess 504.

Accordingly, it can bc seen that the Lot washcr 100 may easily be installed without any specialist plumbing experience.

The above-described foot washer provides a simple and effective way of enabling an individual to wash their feet. The foot washer is placed a ground level, and an individual is able to wash their feet while standing. This is generally more desirable than having to raise ones Lot to a hand basin, and is particularly advantageous to those having disabilities or who are pregnant. The mechanism is simple to construct and provides a low-cost solution to the aforementioned problems.

Figures 6 and 7 show perspcctivc views of two further embodiments of the present invention. Both embodiments show how a foot washer may be incorporated with an existing hand basin vanity unit. Figure 6 shows an arrangement in which the portable Lot washer 100 may be positioned in a space underneath a wash basin 600. Figure 7 shows an arrangement in which a foot washer may be provided within a wash basin cabinet 700. In this embodiment, the cabinet would be supplied with the Lot washer pre-installed. This latter option may be desirable for those wishing to permanently install a foot washer.

In the above-described embodiment, the foot washer is activated by applying pressure on the foot bed. In an alternative embodiment, the foot washer may include a proximity sensor, which detects the presence of a user's foot in the foot washing recess, and activates the valve. Other mechanisms for initiating the flow of water, within the scope of the claimed invention, will be apparent to those skilled art.

Claims

<claim-text>SClaims 1. A foot washer, comprising: a main housing having a foot washing rcccss and an opening though which a fbotmaybepassedinordcrtoplaccafootinthefootwashingrcccss; a foot bed positioned within said main housing at the bottom of' said foot washing recess; at least one water outlet, positioned to direct water over a users foot when a foot isplacedonsaidfbotbed; a water inlet connector, coupled to said at least one water outlet, and arranged to allow water to be fed into the foot washer; and a valve for turning the water supply on and oft; the valve arranged to be activated by the presence of a user's foot within the foot washing recess.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A foot washer according to claim 1, wherein the foot bed is movable mounted in said main housing, and the foot bed is movable between a first position, in which said valve is switched off, and a second position, in which the valve is switched on.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A foot washer according to claim 2, wherein the foot bed is pivotally mounted in the main housing, and the foot bed is arranged to pivot between said first and second positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A foot washer according to claim 3, wherein the foot bed is mechanically coupled to the valve.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A foot washer according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor, arranged to dctcct the presence of a uscr's foot within the washing rcccss.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A foot washer according to claims, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the valve.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A foot washer according to any preceding claim, wherein the foot bed comprises a plurality of foot support members, arranged such that water may drain between the foot support mcmbcrs.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A foot washer according to claim 7, wherein the foot support members comprise rollers.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A foot wash according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one water outlet comprises piping having a series of openings arranged to direct water into the foot washing recess.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A foot washer according to claim 9, wherein the main housing comprises an upper rim which defines a portion of said opening, and said piping is positioned along an underside of said upper rim.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A foot washer according to any preceding claim, wherein said main housing includes a front panel which forms a portion of said opening.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A foot washer according to any preceding claim, further comprising a drainage surface, positioned below said foot bed, and a water drainage outlet, positioned at a lower end of said drainage surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A bathroom unit comprising a foot washer according to any of claims Ito 12.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A foot washer substantially as hcrcinbeforc described with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>