IES87379Y1 - Novel mechanical foot cleansing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention describes a foot cleansing system, for shower use. A chamber consisting of roller brushes and a platform is fixed to a stand, containing a rack and pinion system. The user inserts their foot into the chamber and rests it on a platform. The platform is surrounded by roller brushes. When pressure is applied to the platform, the chamber rolls down the stand. This moves the circular gear of the rack and pinion system down the linear gear. The circular gears rotate the attached roller brushes, which cleanse the foot. When the pressure is released, a spring return system within the stand, raises the chamber to its resting position. This moves the circular gear back up the linear gear. The roller brushes therefore rotate in the opposite direction, and continue to cleanse the foot.

Description

‘Novel Mechanical Foot Cleansing System for Shower Use' The present invention relates to a foot cleansing system for shower use, in particular, one which uses a rack and pinion system to rotate roller brushes.

For the elderly and disabled people showering is no easy task. The same applies to those with back injuries or who are pregnant. Reaching the foot to clean it can be next to impossible without assistance. There is a need for a system that aides these persons unable to reach their feet in cleansing them.

Other inventions such as US6253407Bi, US666239881, U820120023694A1, US9084514Bi and US4520525A require the user to physically rub their foot back and forth on the apparatus. There are no moving parts. It is necessary for the user to exert strain to balance and move their foot back and forth.

Accordingly, there is an opportunity for a foot cleansing system for shower use wherein the roller brushes rotate, as outlined in the present invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is a cleaning chamber which contains four internal roller brushes. Two roller brushes are above the foot plate grid and two are below, for the top and sole of the foot.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the chamber has a ledge here forth called a platform.

This is positioned between the top and bottom rollers and is fixed to the chamber. The foot is to be placed on the platform, where the downwards force later outlined is applied.

In another embodiment of the invention, the internal roller brushes and foot plate are encased in a spray cover. The spray cover is of plastic composition, however this is not essential to the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, the chamber is attached to a stand. This stand contains a sliding system. A downwards force exerted on the platform, slides the chamber down the stand.

The stand also contains a spring return system. A coated compression spring is present in the stand. lt compresses when the chamber is pushed down the sliding system. Once the downwards force is released from the platform, the built up potential energy returns the chamber to its resting position.

In a further still embodiment of the invention, a bracket is fitted to the shower tray at the base of the shower. A pole is attached to the bracket. The stand and attached chamber is slid onto the pole.

Additionally, the chamber and stand can swivel around this pole, to adjust the angel for user comfort. A locking pin ensures it will fix in place at the desired angles. It is threaded into the pole and prevents the unit from lifting.

In another embodiment of this invention, the chamber is fitted with a sanitization system.

Antibacterial substances can be introduced to the chamber after each use.

In one embodiment of the invention, the rollers are fitted with a rack and pinion system. As pressure is applied to the platform, it slides the whole chamber down the stand. Circular gears attached to the roller brushes move down linear gears. This rack and pinion system rotates the internal roller brushes. As the pressure is released, the spring return system raises the chamber and the rack and pinion rotate the roller brushes in the opposite direction.

Brief description of the drawings: The invention is more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric projection of the system with a foot in position, pressing down the platform.

Fig. 2 is an isometric projection of the system with a foot in position in the resting state of the device.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation of the back section of the system Fig. 4 is a plan view of the system Fig. 5 is a front perspective elevation of the system Fig. 6 is an isometric projection of the system in its resting position Detailed description of drawings: The following is a list of reference characters, for the reader's convenience: Roller brushes User's foot Platform Locking pin Swivel pole Chamber Spray cover Slide system Spring return . Rack and pinion system 1 1 . Circular gear . Linear gear . Bracket . Stand el\love|aed1a1iwFootOeensingDe~/ioeoonsistsofad1a1be 6m asten 14.|nsi e thed13nbe 6aefou olle bushes1en aplafom3.'|heyaesu oun e byaspayoove 7toavoi splash. Insi ethestan 14isa acken pinionsystemmm asping etun system 9. euse plaoesthei foot20nthep|atfom3m applya owrwcl sfoceflhednTbe 6 sli as ownthestan 14 dongthesli esystemsflhe olle bush$1aeoonnecte tothe acken pinionwstemmflheyaefixe tothedcula geas11.Asthefoot2pusl'esthe d1anbe 6 omthesten 14,thecicu|a geas11 move omwa saiongthelinea gee 120fthe ackan pinionsystem1ofl1medwla geas11 otatean intun, otatethe attache olle bushes1. he olle bush$1spinageinstthefoot28n deenit.'|heuse then aisesthei foot 2, eleasingthe omwa spmeflhesping etunsystem9inthesta1 14,pushesthe pletfom3upwa san etunsit to its esting position. In oingthiathedwla gea 11 olls up the linea gea 12to its initid position. It otatesthe olle bushesz in the opposite iection,futhe deansingtheuse‘sfoot 2. ea1g|eofthe evioeisfixe tothebaseofthesfiowe Mththebacket13.‘lhemgleofthe charrbe Saanbeajuste f0 use Motflhestm 14isatad1e tothebacket13bythe sMvelpo|e5.'|hesta1 14mbeswungaom ontheswivelpole5an fixe inthe asie position usingthelod

Claims (4)

Claims

1. A system for cleaning the foot comprising: a chamber (6) containing: an array of internal roller brushes (1), wherein the roller brushes (1) are situated around a platform (3): a platform (3) positioned between the top set of roller brushes (1) and the bottom set of roller brushes (1 ) to rest the user's foot (2); and a stand (14), wherein the stand (14) contains a rack and pin system (1 O) incorporating a circular gear (1 1 ) and a linear gear (1 2), wherein the rack and pin system (1 O) is connected to the roller brushes (1 ) to allow movement of the brushes; wherein the stand contains a sliding system (8) and a spring return system (9) to allow movement of platform (3) of the chamber (6) in an up and down direction.

2. A system for cleaning the foot as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a bracket (1 3) to allow the fixing of the stand (14) to the base or wall of the shower.

3. A foot cleansing invention as previously described in other claims, whereby the stand is positioned on a pole (5); wherein a locking pin (4) attaches the stand (14) to the pole (5) and the stand (14) can swivel around the pole (5).

4. A foot cleansing system as described in preceding claims, containing a spray cover (7) that partially encloses the internal roller brushes (1 ) wherein the cover comprises of multiple walls to the left, right and back with an open side to the front of the internal roller brushes to allow a user to rest their foot on the platform (3).