US20150238052A1

US20150238052A1 - Shower ladder and/or foot and leg rest, prop and stabilizer for shaving and personal hygiene in a shower or bath

Info

Publication number: US20150238052A1
Application number: US14/544,861
Authority: US
Inventors: Kelly Suzanne Matijega
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-26
Filing date: 2015-02-26
Publication date: 2015-08-27

Abstract

A device consisting of a frame with rungs that rests against a shower or bath wall in order to allow the foot and leg to be propped and stabilized in a comfortable position for shaving legs, washing and stoning feet, and other personal hygiene uses. The device allows for placement of the foot in a position which does not require bending over very far, and allows the user to rotate his or her foot and leg at an optimum angle for shaving, washing and stoning feet, and/or clipping toenails. The device is lightweight and small enough that it does not take up much room in the shower or bath, but can also be easily removed from the shower or bath and stored when not in use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications for Patents


	application Ser. No. 61/966,550	Filing Date: Feb. 26, 2014
	application Ser. No. 61/996,470	Filing Date: May 9, 2014

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there is no comfortable way to shave legs or wash and stone feet while in the shower or bath. The side walls, or ledges, of the bathtub that are inside the shower curtain and accessible while showering, are too narrow to place the foot on. Further, the shelves on the shower walls are not in the correct position, are too small and crack when weight is consistently placed on them. The only options are to bend over or squat down, which allows water to run into the face and does not allow a comfortable reach, leading to cuts and nicks from the razor.
While in the bath, it is difficult to balance and reach to shave or wash and stone feet while the foot and leg are raised and resting on the ledge of the bathtub. It is also very difficult to sit on the outside ledge of the bathtub and balance oneself while trying to reach to shave.
A device is needed that will allow a person to comfortably place their foot and leg in a position where they can reach to shave, wash and stone their feet, and clip their toenails without bending over far enough to allow water to run into their face.
However, to avoid damage to the shower wall, the device should avoid the necessity of being anchored to the shower wall with hardware. The device needs to be free-standing, without taking up a lot of space in the shower or bathtub. The device also needs to be lightweight so that it can be easily removed from the shower or bathtub and stored when not in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a device consisting of a frame with rungs that rests against a shower or bath wall in order to allow the foot and leg to be propped and stabilized in a comfortable position for shaving legs, washing and stoning feet, and other personal hygiene uses. The device allows for placement of the foot in a position which does not require bending over very far, and allows the user to rotate his or her foot and leg at an optimum angle for shaving, washing and stoning feet, and/or clipping toenails. The device is lightweight and small enough that it does not take up much room in the shower or bath, but can also be easily removed from the shower or bath and stored when not in use.
The device is free-standing and does not require any hardware or anchors to be installed to hold it in place, thereby eliminating the risk of damage to the shower or bath wall. Although the device is wedged into place when weight is placed on it, the rails of the frame can be held in place with suction cups or adhesive for additional security.
There are three models of the device. One for use in a bathtub, one for use in a shower stall without a bathtub, and one that could be used in either a bathtub or a shower stall without a bathtub. The difference between the models is the length of the rails that run along the bottom of the tub or shower floor from the front of the frame back toward the shower or bath wall, and the width of the frame, as shown in Drawing FIG. 2, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. The model designed for a shower stall without a bathtub has a wider frame to provide additional stability and has longer bottom rails that run from the front of the frame back toward the shower wall, as shown in Drawing FIG. 4. The model designed for either a bathtub or a shower stall without a bathtub has no bottom rail, but has upper and lower rails in the back that attach to the wall with suction cups, as shown in Drawing FIG. 6. This model only protrudes from the wall leaving enough space for the foot to be placed through the rungs of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: Front view of the model of the device designed for use in a bathtub.

FIG. 2: Side view of the model of the device designed for use in a bathtub.

Element 1: Side view of support rod.

FIG. 3: Front view of the model of the device designed for use in a shower stall.

FIG. 4: Side view of the model of the device designed for use in a shower stall.

Element 2: Side view of support rod.

FIG. 5: Front view of the model of the device designed for use in either a bathtub or a shower stall.

Element 3: Front view of the support rails that protrude from the back of the frame and attach to the bathtub or shower wall on the model of the device designed for use in either a bathtub or shower stall.

FIG. 6: Back view of the model of the device designed for use in either a bathtub or a shower stall.

Element 4: Back view of the support rails that protrude from the back of the frame and attach to the bathtub or shower wall on the model of the device designed for use in either a bathtub or shower stall.
Element 5: View of suction cups on the model of the device designed for use in either a bathtub or a shower stall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device can be made from either molded plastic, wherein a mold is made and plastic is injected into the mold, or metal tubing shaped and formed with a mold and coated with a waterproof coating. The molded plastic is the preferred method of making the device as it would be more durable and longer lasting, would be less likely to scratch the bathtub or shower wall, and would not be prone to rusting.
Although the device is wedged into place when weight is placed on it, the frame can be held in place with either suction cups or adhesive for additional security and stability. The device is free-standing and does not require any hardware or anchors to be installed to hold it in place, thereby eliminating the risk of damage to the shower or bath wall.
As shown in Drawing FIG. 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the device consists of a frame with rungs set at intermediate heights to allow the user to place his or her foot in the most comfortable position and angle for shaving, washing and stoning feet, clipping toenails or other personal hygiene uses, without bending over far enough to allow water to run into his or her face.
As shown in Drawing FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the model of the device designed for use in the bathtub and the model of the device designed for use in the shower, have a bottom rail which curves back toward the bathtub or shower wall for stability and support.
As shown in Drawing Element 1 and Element 2, a support rod is attached between the front of the frame, and the section of the frame that runs back toward the bathtub or shower wall, for additional support.
As shown in FIG. 6, given that many shower stalls have limited space, this model of the device is designed to be attached to the shower wall with suction cups and only protrudes out from the wall leaving enough space for the foot to be placed through the rungs of the device. The device could also be used in the bathtub if the device is attached with suction cups to the back of the wall of the bathtub just above the line where the tub and wall join.
As shown in Element 3 and Element 4, the model of the device designed for either the bathtub or the shower stall has support rails that protrude from the back of the frame and attach to the bathtub or shower wall.
As shown in Element 5, this model is attached to the wall using suction cups or adhesive for additional security and support.

Claims

I claim:

1. A device that consists of a frame with rungs set at intermediate heights, and which rests against a shower or bath wall, in order to allow the foot and leg to be propped and stabilized in a comfortable position for shaving legs, washing and stoning feet, and other personal hygiene uses.

2. The device has frame rails that run along the bottom of the tub or shower floor from the front of the frame back toward the shower or bath wall, which adds stability and support to the frame.

3. The model of the device designed for either a bathtub or a shower stall without a bathtub has no bottom frame rail, but has upper and lower rails in the back that attach to the wall with suction cups.