US20070074363A1

US20070074363A1 - Extension applicator

Info

Publication number: US20070074363A1
Application number: US11/243,807
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Stewart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-05
Filing date: 2005-10-05
Publication date: 2007-04-05

Abstract

An extension applicator has an elongate handle (1, 19, 30) with an applicator end (3) having an attachment section (4, 48) to which an applicator attachment (5) and a mirror attachment (6) separately are attached detachably. An applicator base (7) is attached to the applicator attachment. A mirror base (8) is attached to the mirror attachment. The applicator base is structured for attachment of one of a class of attachable applicators (9). The mirror base is structured for attachment of a class of mirrors (10). The elongate handle can have a fixed shape or an adjustable shape. The attachment section is structured to receive either or both the applicator attachment and the mirror attachment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to applicators with elongate handles, applicator tools and mirrors for applying medication, other substances and treatment to body areas and other areas which are not visible and/or not accessible directly by hand of a user.
2. Relation to prior art
Applicators and mirrors with handles are well known. They are used commonly throughout the world. None, however, are known to be structured and combined optionally for convenience of reaching, seeing and applying medication, substance and treatment to generally inaccessible body areas and other surfaces in a manner taught by this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objects of patentable novelty and utility taught by this invention are to provide an extension applicator which:
can be positioned for visual application of medication and bandages and use of probes and other body-treatment implements in proximity to rear areas, bottom areas, top areas and side areas of a user's body that are difficult to reach by hand for most people and more so for elderly or handicapped people;
can have a handle that can be shaped selectively for desired positioning of the extension applicator;
can include an applicator attachment to which design applicator bases and mirrors can be attached and detached selectively;
can include a dedicated applicator, mirror and handle for predetermined accessibility to body areas; and
can be adjusted for accessibility to back areas, underside areas, topside areas and side areas of structures.
This invention accomplishes these and other objectives with an extension applicator having an elongate handle, a mirror on an applicator end of the elongate handle, an applicator base opposite a view side of the mirror, and an applicator on the applicator base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

This invention is described by appended claims in relation to description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are explained briefly as follows:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the extension applicator having an attachable applicator and an attachable mirror on an attachment section of an embodiment having a fixed-shaped handle;
FIG. 2 is an applicator-face view of the FIG. 1 illustration;
FIG. 3 is a mirror-face view of the FIG. 1 illustration;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the attachment section in assembly relationship to hook-and-loop fastening of the attachable applicator and the attachable mirror to the attachment section;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the attachment section in assembly relationship to snap-fastening of the attachable applicator and the attachable mirror to the attachment section;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of an attachment section in assembly relationship to threaded fastening of the attachable applicator and the attachable mirror to the attachment section;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the attachable applicator that includes a body-wash material;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the attachable applicator that includes a medication applicator.
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the attachable applicator that includes a body-scratcher;
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the extension applicator having an attachable applicator and an attachable mirror on a cylindrical attachment section of an embodiment having an adjustable-shape handle;
FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway side view of a tubular handle on the FIG. 10 illustration;
FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway side view of a line restriction on the cylindrical attachment section on the FIG. 10 illustration;
FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the extension applicator having a tape-bandage holder as an attachable applicator and an attachable mirror on a cylindrical attachment section of an embodiment having an arcuately fixed-shape handle;
FIG. 14 is a top view of the tape-bandage holder shown in the FIG. 13 illustration;
FIG. 15 is an end view of the tape-bandage holder of the FIG. 14 illustration;
FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 10 extension applicator with the adjustable-shape handle adjusted arcuately and having the tape-bandage holder as the attachable applicator;
FIG. 17 is a partially cutaway top view of the attachable mirror clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section;
FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side view of the cylindrical attachment section with only an attachable mirror having a pivotal mirror attachment;
FIG. 19 is a fragmentary side view of the attachment section with only an attachable applicator having a pivotal applicator attachment;
FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side view of the cylindrical attachment section with the attachable applicator on an applicator-end side of the attachable mirror that is orificial for receiving a probe, an appropriately sized medication cup or other applicator tool from the attachable applicator;
FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the extension applicator having a periscopic mirror on a holding end in combination with an attachable applicator and an attachable mirror on the cylindrical attachment section of an embodiment having a fixed straight elongate handle;
FIG. 22 is a fragmentary side view of the cylindrical attachment section with the attachment base oriented orthogonally to the applicator clamp and the mirror base oriented orthogonally to the mirror clamp for attachment of the attachable applicator and the attachable mirror collinearly to the cylindrical attachment section; and
FIG. 23 is a fragmentary side view of the cylindrical attachment section with the pivotal applicator attachment oriented orthogonally to the applicator clamp and the pivotal mirror attachment oriented orthogonally to the mirror clamp for attachment of the attachable applicator and the attachable mirror collinearly pivotal to the cylindrical attachment section.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A description of the preferred embodiment of this invention follows a list of numbered terms which designate its features with the same numbers on the drawings and in parentheses throughout the description and throughout the patent claims.

1. Elongate handle
2. Holding end
3. Applicator end
4. Attachment section
5. Applicator attachment
6. Mirror attachment
7. Applicator base
8. Mirror base
9. Attachable applicator
10. Attachable mirror
11. Applicator clamp
12. Mirror clamp
13. Tape-bandage holder
14. Tape platform
15. Tape holder
16. First end of tape platform
17. Second end of tape platform
18. Handle-line aperture
19. Targeted surface
20. Medication cup
21. Probe
22. Tightener head
23. Tightener bolt
24. Orificial mirror
25. Pivotal applicator attachment
26. Pivotal mirror attachment
27. Periscopic mirror
28. Corner
29. Fixed-shape handle
30. Adjustable-shape handle
31. Socket beads
32. Socket line
33. Line restriction
34. Line tightener
35. Bead-line aperture
36. Socket projection
37. Socket indentation
38. Tubular handle
39. Bead end
40. Threaded end portion
41. Handle-end socket bead
42. Applicator fastener
43. Mirror fastener
44. Hook-and-loop material
45. Matching hook-and-loop material
46. First portion of snap fastener
47. First portion of threaded fastener
48. Cylindrical attachment section
49. Body-wash material
50. Medication applicator
51. Body scratcher
52. Second portion of snap fastener
53. Second portion of threaded fastener

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the extension applicator has an elongate handle (1) with a holding end (2) and an applicator end (3). The applicator end (3) has an attachment section (4) structured for fixation of an applicator attachment (5) and a mirror attachment (6) separately and selectively. An applicator base (7) is attached to the applicator attachment (5). A mirror base (8) is attached to the mirror attachment (6). The applicator base (7) is structured for detachable attachment of one of a class of attachable applicators (9). The mirror base (8) is structured for detachable attachment of one of a class of attachable mirrors (10).
As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment section (4) can have an applicator fastener (42) on an applicator side and a mirror fastener (43) on a mirror side. The applicator attachment (5) is structured for being fastened to the applicator fastener (42) and the mirror attachment (6) is structured for being attached to the attachment section (4) separately and selectively.
The applicator fastener (42) can include hook-and-loop material (44) affixed to the applicator side of the attachment section (4). The applicator attachment (5) has matching hook-and-loop material (45) structured for hook-and-loop attachment of the applicator attachment (5) to the attachment section (4). The mirror fastener (43) can include the hook-and-loop material (44) affixed to the mirror side of the attachment section (4) and the mirror attachment (6) has the matching hook-and-loop material (45) structured for hook-and-loop attachment of the mirror attachment (6) to the attachment section (4).
As shown in FIG. 5, the applicator fastener (42) can include a first portion of at least one snap fastener (46) affixed to the applicator side of the attachment section (4). The applicator attachment (5) has a second portion of the at least one snap fastener (52) structured for snap attachment of the applicator attachment (5) to the attachment section (4). The mirror fastener (43) can include the first portion of the at least one snap fastener (46) affixed to the mirror side of the attachment section (4) and the mirror attachment (6) has the second portion of the snap fastener (52) structured for snap attachment of the mirror attachment (6) to the attachment section (4).
As shown in FIG. 6, the applicator fastener (42) can include a first portion of at least one threaded fastener (47) affixed to the applicator side of the attachment section (4). The applicator attachment (5) has a second portion of the at least one threaded fastener (53) structured for threaded attachment of the applicator attachment (5) to the attachment section (4). The mirror fastener (43) can include a first portion of the at least one threaded fastener (47) affixed to the mirror side of the attachment section (4) and the mirror attachment (6) has the second portion of the threaded fastener (53) structured for threaded attachment of the mirror attachment (6) to the attachment section (4).
As shown in FIG. 7, the attachable applicator (9) can include body-wash material (49).
As shown in FIG. 8, the attachable applicator (9) can include a medication applicator (50).
As shown in FIG. 9, the attachable applicator (9) can include a body scratcher (51).
Referring to FIGS. 10, 12-13, 16 and 20-21, the attachment section (4) can include a cylindrical attachment section (48) with a predetermined length and circumference. The applicator attachment (5) can include an applicator clamp (11) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively. The mirror attachment (6) can include a mirror clamp (12) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively. The applicator base (7) can be structured for being attached predeterminedly to the applicator clamp (11) and the mirror base (8) can be structured for being attached predeterminedly to the mirror clamp (12).
As shown in FIG. 19, the applicator clamp (11) can be positioned on the cylindrical attachment section (48) for using the attachable applicator (9) exclusively on the elongate handle (1).
As shown in FIG. 18, the mirror clamp (12) can be positioned on the cylindrical attachment section (48) for using the attachable mirror (10) exclusively on the elongate handle (1).
Referring to FIGS. 13-15 and 19, the attachable applicator (9) can include a tape-bandage holder (13) having a tape platform (14) attached predeterminedly to the applicator attachment (5). The tape platform (14) has a tape holder (15) disposed predeterminedly over at least a portion of a first end (16) of the tape platform (14) proximate the applicator base (7). A second end (17) of the tape platform (14) is uncovered for allowing a portion of tape to be pressed against a targeted surface (19) with the second end (17) of the tape platform (14) for initial adherence of the tape and for allowing an increasing portion of the tape to be pressed against a select portion of a targeted surface (19) with the second end (17) of the tape platform (14) while the attachable applicator (9) is being moved across the targeted surface (19).
As shown in FIG. 19, the attachable applicator (9) can include a medication cup (20) attached predeterminedly to the attachable applicator (9).
As shown further in FIG. 20, the attachable applicator (9) can include a probe (21) attached predeterminedly to the attachable applicator (9).
The attachable mirror (10) shown in FIGS. 1,3-6, 10, 13, 16-18 and 20-21 can include a magnification mirror for magnification view of the targeted surface (19).
The attachable mirror (10) shown in FIGS. 1, 3-6, 10, 13, 16-18 and 20-21 also can include a straight mirror for actual view of the targeted surface (19).
As shown further in FIG. 20, the attachable mirror (10) can include an orificial mirror (24) for allowing applicator entry with the attachable applicator (9) from a back side of the orificial mirror (24).
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, 13 and 21, the elongate handle (1) can include a fixed-shape handle (29) having a predeterminedly fixed shape.
As shown in FIGS. 10-12, 16 and 18-20, the elongate handle (1) can include an adjustable-shape handle (30) having predeterminedly adjustable shape. The attachment section (4) can include the cylindrical attachment section (48) with a predetermined length and circumference. The applicator attachment (5) has the applicator clamp (11) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively. The mirror attachment (6) has the mirror clamp (12) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively.
The adjustable-shape handle (30) has a plurality of socket beads (31) threaded onto a socket line (32) intermediate a line restriction (33) proximate a first end and a line tightener (34) proximate a second end of the adjustable-shape handle (30). Each of the socket beads (31) have a bead-line aperture (35) intermediate a socket projection (36) on a first end and a reciprocally matching socket indentation (37) on a second end thereof.
The line restriction (33) is integral with the cylindrical attachment section (48).
The line tightener (34) has a tubular handle (38) with a bead end (39) and a threaded end portion (40) of the tubular handle (38). The bead end (39) of the tubular handle (38) is structured for buttressing a predetermined end of a handle-end socket bead (41). The threaded end portion (40) is machine-threaded internally for receiving external machine threads of a tightener bolt (23) on tightener head (22) of the tightener bolt (23).
A handle-line aperture (18) is extended intermediate the bead end (39) and the threaded end portion (40) of the tubular handle (38). The socket line (32) is extended from the line restriction (33), through the bead-line aperture (35) of the plurality of the socket beads (31), through the handle-line aperture (18) and to the tightener bolt (23) and the socket line (32) is attached predeterminedly to the tightener bolt (23).
As shown in FIGS. 18-19 and 21, the applicator attachment (5) can include a pivotal applicator attachment (25) structured for predeterminedly pivotal attachment of the attachable applicator (9) to the applicator base (7). The mirror attachment (6) can include a pivotal mirror attachment (26) structured for predeterminedly pivotal attachment of the attachable mirror (10) to the mirror base (8).
A periscopic mirror (27) can be positioned proximate the holding end (2) of the elongate handle (1 or 29). The periscopic mirror (27) and the attachable mirror (10) can be pivotal predeterminedly for periscopic view around a corner (28) from the targeted surface (19).
As shown in FIG. 22, the attachment base (7) can be oriented orthogonally to the applicator clamp (11) and the mirror base (8) can be oriented orthogonally to the mirror clamp (12) for attachment of the attachable applicator (9) and the attachable mirror (10) collinearly to the cylindrical attachment section (48). This is optional to orthogonal attachment to the cylindrical attachment section (48) shown in FIGS. 10, 12-13, 16 and 20.
As shown in FIG. 23, the pivotal applicator attachment (25) can be oriented orthogonally to the applicator clamp (11) and the pivotal mirror attachment (26) can be oriented orthogonally to the mirror clamp (12) for attachment of the attachable applicator and the attachable mirror collinearly pivotal to the cylindrical attachment section (48). This is optional to orthogonal attachment to the cylindrical attachment section (48) shown in FIGS.18-19 and 21.
A new and useful extension applicator having been described, all such foreseeable modifications, adaptations, substitutions of equivalents, mathematical possibilities of combinations of parts, pluralities of parts, applications and forms thereof as described by the following claims and not precluded by prior art are included in this invention.

Claims

1. An extension applicator comprising:

an elongate handle (1) with a holding end (2) and an applicator end (3);

the applicator end (3) having an attachment section (4) structured for fixation of an applicator attachment (5) and a mirror attachment (6) separately and selectively;

an applicator base (7) attached to the applicator attachment (5);

a mirror base (8) attached to the mirror attachment (6);

the applicator base (7) being structured for detachable attachment of one of a class of attachable applicators (9); and

the mirror base (8) being structured for detachable attachment of one of a class of attachable mirrors(10).

2. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachment section (4) has an applicator fastener (42) on an applicator side and a mirror fastener (43) on a mirror side;

the applicator attachment (5) is structured for being fastened to the applicator fastener (42); and

the mirror attachment (6) is structured for being attached to the attachment section (4) selectively.

3. The extension applicator of claim 2 wherein:

the applicator fastener (42) includes hook-and-loop material (44) affixed to the applicator side of the attachment section (4);

the applicator attachment (5) has matching hook-and-loop material (45) structured for hook-and-loop attachment of the applicator attachment (5) to the attachment section (4);

the mirror fastener (43) includes the hook-and-loop material (44) affixed to the mirror side of the attachment section (4); and

the mirror attachment (6) has the matching hook-and-loop material (45) structured for hook-and-loop attachment of the mirror attachment (6) to the attachment section (4).

4. The extension applicator of claim 2 wherein:

the applicator fastener (42) includes a first portion of at least one snap fastener (46) affixed to the applicator side of the attachment section (4);

the applicator attachment (5) has a second portion of the at least one snap fastener (52) structured for snap attachment of the applicator attachment (5) to the attachment section (4);

the mirror fastener (43) includes the first portion of the at least one snap fastener (46) affixed to the mirror side of the attachment section (4); and

the mirror attachment (6) has the second portion of the snap fastener (52) structured for snap attachment of the mirror attachment (6) to the attachment section (4).

5. The extension applicator of claim 2 wherein:

the applicator fastener (42) includes a first portion of at least one threaded fastener (47) affixed to the applicator side of the attachment section (4);

the applicator attachment (5) has a second portion of the at least one threaded fastener (53) structured for threaded attachment of the applicator attachment (5) to the attachment section (4);

the mirror fastener (43) includes a first portion of the at least one threaded fastener (47) affixed to the mirror side of the attachment section (4); and

the mirror attachment (6) has the second portion of the threaded fastener (53) structured for threaded attachment of the mirror attachment (6) to the attachment section (4).

6. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachable applicator (9) includes a body-wash material (49).

7. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachable applicator (9) includes a medication applicator (50).

8. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachable applicator (9) includes a body scratcher (51).

9. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachment section (4) includes a cylindrical attachment section (48) with a predetermined length and circumference;

the applicator attachment (5) includes an applicator clamp (11) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively;

the mirror attachment (6) includes a mirror clamp (12) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively;

the applicator base (7) is structured for being attached predeterminedly to the applicator clamp (11); and

the mirror base (8) is structured for being attached predeterminedly to the mirror clamp (12).

10. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the applicator clamp (11) is positioned on the cylindrical attachment section (48) for using the attachable applicator (9) exclusively on the elongate handle (1).

11. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the mirror clamp (12) is positioned on the cylindrical attachment section (48) for using the attachable mirror (10) exclusively on the elongate handle (1).

12. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the attachable applicator (9) includes a tape-bandage holder (13) having a tape platform (14) attached predeterminedly to the applicator clamp (11);

the tape platform (14) has a tape holder (15) disposed predeterminedly over at least a portion of a first end (16) of the tape platform (14) proximate the applicator base (7); and

a second end (17) of the tape platform (14) is uncovered for allowing a portion of tape to be pressed against a targeted surface (19) with the second end (17) of the tape platform (14) for initial adherence of the tape and for allowing an increasing portion of the tape to be pressed against a select portion of a targeted surface (19) with the second end (17) of the tape platform (14) while the attachable applicator (9) is being moved across the targeted surface (19).

13. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the attachable applicator (9) includes a medication cup (20) attached predeterminedly to the attachable applicator (9).

14. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the attachable applicator (9) includes a probe (21) attached predeterminedly to the attachable applicator (9).

15. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachable mirror (10) includes a magnification mirror for magnification view of the targeted surface (19).

16. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the attachable mirror (10) includes a straight mirror for actual view of the targeted surface (19).

17. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the attachable mirror (10) includes an orificial mirror (24) for allowing applicator entry with the attachable applicator (9) from a back side of the orificial mirror (24).

18. The extension applicator of claim 1 wherein:

the elongate handle (1) includes a fixed-shape handle (29) having a predeterminedly fixed shape.

19. The extension applicator of claim 9 wherein:

the elongate handle (1) includes an adjustable-shape handle (30) having predeterminedly adjustable shape.

20. The extension applicator of claim 19 wherein:

the attachment section (4) includes the cylindrical attachment section (48) with a predetermined length and circumference;

the applicator attachment (5) has the applicator clamp (11) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively;

the mirror attachment (6) has the mirror clamp (12) structured for being clamped onto the cylindrical attachment section (48) selectively;

the adjustable-shape handle (30) has a plurality of socket beads.(31) threaded onto a socket line (32) intermediate a line restriction (33) proximate a first end and a line tightener (34) proximate a second end of the adjustable-shape handle (30);

each of the socket beads (31) have a bead-line aperture (35) intermediate a socket projection (36) on a first end and a reciprocally matching socket indentation (37) on a second end thereof;

the line restriction (33) is integral with the cylindrical attachment section (48);

the line tightener (34) has a tubular handle (38) with a bead end (39) and a threaded end portion (40) of the tubular handle (38);

the bead end (39) of the tubular handle (38) is structured for buttressing a predetermined end of a handle-end socket bead (41);

the threaded end portion (40) is machine-threaded internally for receiving external machine threads of a tightener bolt (23) on tightener head (22) of the tightener bolt (23);

a handle-line aperture (18) is extended intermediate the bead end (39) and the threaded end portion (40) of the tubular handle (38);

the socket line (32) is extended from the line restriction (33), through the bead-line aperture (35) of the plurality of the socket beads (31), through the handle-line aperture (18) and to the tightener bolt (23); and

the socket line (32) is attached predeterminedly to the tightener bolt (23).