US20180020884A1

US20180020884A1 - Foot Cleaning Device with Elongate Handle that Allows for Pivotal Motion

Info

Publication number: US20180020884A1
Application number: US14/878,828
Authority: US
Inventors: Rodi Bechara
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-08
Filing date: 2015-10-08
Publication date: 2018-01-25

Abstract

A foot brush assembly that includes a planar base member and a removable loofa base pad that is attached to the base member and a elongate handle, wherein the base member and handle are attached in a manner that allows the base member to pivot with respect to the handle and therefore allow the base member to be oriented horizontally for use or vertically to facilitate drainage of liquids from the device. When in a horizontal position the user can use the handles to stabilize the base member and help the user maintain balance. In embodiments a liquid soap dispenser is provided that introduce soap onto the loofa surface. In further embodiments a brush is also included with the device.

Description

The Applicant claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Application No. 62/061,139 filed Oct. 8, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The foot is difficult to massage and clean, particularly for individuals who, because of age or other infirmity, have difficulty bending or reaching over sufficiently to manually massage or cleanse their feet. While many foot brush or Loofah assemblies have been proposed, they have met with limited success for a number of reasons including, but not limited to, their cost in terms of both purchase and manufacture, their complexity, their bulkiness, and the inability to clean the components after use. It would thus be desirable to provide a foot cleaning device which is economical to manufacture and purchase, simple to use, compact, and which includes components which will dry after use, and is easy to clean after use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Loofah foot cleaning device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base member, a Loofah pad affixed to the base member and an elongate handle that is attached to the base member to allows for pivotal movement of the base member with respect to the handle. The base member includes a seat region that receives and retains the Loofah pad. In embodiments, the base member has a bottom planar panel surrounded by a frame member. The bottom planar member supports the Loofah member and is provided with a plurality of apertures to allow for drainage of the Loofah. In embodiments the top surface of the Loofah may be provided with a texture to increase friction on the foot. In further embodiments, the base member may also have ridges or other textured surface sufficient to increase friction between the pad and base member and restrict the movement of the Loofah in response to movement of a user's foot on the top surface of the Loofah.
In embodiments, the Loofah pad is seated within a base member and the base member surrounds all sides of the pad. The Loofah may be attached to the base member using a variety of techniques including a simple frictional fit, fasteners including elastic straps that are on the base member. In further embodiments a removable bridge pad that can be provided that arches over the pad to provide for the engagement with the top of the foot. In yet further contemplated embodiments (not shown), the device further includes a brush members that extend from the frame element and provide for enhanced massaging and cleaning action.
As discussed above, in an embodiment a Loofah member is retained by a plurality of elastic straps which extend around the base member for removably securing the base pad to the base member. The foot is placed on and brushed against the top of the Loofah pad to massage and clean the bottom of the foot.
In embodiments, a bridge member is releasably snapped over the top of the base member adjacent a front wall of the base member. The bridge member and base member define a foot receiving cavity. Both the base pad and the bridge pad are preferably made of a sponge-like Loofah material which is soft for use on the skin. Because the pad can pivot it enhances the Loofah ability to rapidly dry after use thus resisting mildew and the growth of other micro-organisms. The base pad and the bridge pad may be removed from the base member and the bridge member respectively for cleaning or replacement thus mitigating undesirable growth of mildew and other micro-organisms which may result from the repeated use.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention that depicts the Loofah pad in engagement with the base member.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the first embodiment of a device according to the invention with the Loofah member removed.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of the first embodiment of a device according to the invention with the base member oriented in a vertical direction.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the first embodiment of a device according to the invention with the base member oriented in a vertical direction.

FIG. 5 is perspective view of the further embodiment of a device according to the invention with a foot operated soap dispenser.

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the further embodiment of a device according to the invention with a control of a soap dispenser on the upright handle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of a Loofah and support member that can be used with embodiments of the device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of an alternative Loofah and support member that can be used with embodiments of the device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of yet an alternative Loofah that can be used with embodiments of the device.

FIG. 10 is a side partial view of a foot in engagement with a Loofah according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention depicted in an enclosed shower.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device.

FIG. 14 is a side view in elevation of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring to FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, the device 101 includes elongate handle 105 and a base member 106. The base member includes frame elements 108, 109, 110 and 111 that surround Loofah pad 115. Handle 105 includes lateral arms 119 and 120 that engage pins provided on opposite sides of the device such as pin 130 that extends through the arms and into the base member. Pin 130 provides for pivotal movement of the base member 106 with respect to the handle so that the base member 106 can be folded upwardly and be positioned in a vertical orientation and substantially parallel with the handle 105 when the device is not in use. The handle 105 provides for the stability of both the device as the user engages his or her foot on the pad 115 and helps maintain the user's balance as the user places his or her weight on one foot while the opposite foot engages the pad.
Now referring to FIG. 2, the pad 115 of device 101 has been removed and a support member 205 is depicted in a folded position. Support member 205 supports the Loofah pad and is provided with a plurality of holes 214 that assist in drainage when the base member is in a horizontal plane that is parallel with the floor such as a support surface consisting of a shower floor or bathtub floor. FIG. 3 depicts the device wherein base member 106 has been folded upwardly. The support member 205 is in a plane that is perpendicular to the floor or support member and parallel with the handle 105. The arm member 25 is able to pivot on pin 150 to either an upright position or down position. FIG. 4 depicts the device including handle 105 with the Loofah removed and the base member 106 in an open position.
As described herein, the Loofah is provided with drainage outlets through the support member when the device in use. When the user is finished using the device, the based member may be pivoted upwards whereas the Loofah changes from a horizontal plant to a vertical plane. When in a vertical plane, the Loofah take up less room and the drying is enhanced. In by putting the based member in an upright position allows both sides of the device to be exposed to air.
Now referring to FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment of the device, a soap dispenser is provided that includes receptacle 585 for liquid soap. Receptacle 585 is retained in place by collar 581 that extends from handle 502. The bottom of the receptacle rests on platform 515 that is attached to handle 502. In alternative embodiments, the receptacle is attached to handle 502 using a strap, clamps or appropriate hardware. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 soap may be dispensed toward surface 550 that is comprised of the Loofah material through nozzle 590. The user can operate the dispenser by application of pressure on foot pump 599 that forces air through passage 595 and into the receptacle 585. Soap is displaced from the receptacle and travels through conduit 589 through collar 592 and out the nozzle 590. The nozzle 590 can pivot to control the location that the soap is displaced on the Loofah and can be pivoted out of the way and toward the arms 575 or 580 side so as to not interfere with folding the base member 501 upwards in a vertical orientation and in a position that is substantially parallel with handle 502. Like other embodiments described herein the base member can pivot about a pin member 505.
Referring now to FIG. 6, in a further embodiment of the invention, the soap dispenser 654 includes a passage 655 that is route inside handle 672 through passage 614. The conduit runs through a hollow handle 672 to a pump device 690 that is designed to force air into the receptacle 654 to displace soap. Soap is dispensed from nozzle 650 to Loofah pad 607. The base member 601 may pivot on member 605 to be positioned in an upright position.
FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment wherein Loofah 701 is provided with a series of peaks such as peak 705 and valleys such as valley 710 and which is supported on a base member 720. Base member 720 is received in a frame member such as those described in the preceding embodiments. FIG. 8 depicts an alternative Loofah 815 that has an upper surface 820 characterized by a plurality of pyramid shaped members such as member 625 and 826. Like previous embodiments the Loofah is supported by a base member 820 that has a plurality of apertures such as aperture 820 for drainage and to enhance drying. FIG. 9 depicts a further Loofah element 901 with spherical shaped members such as 916 and 915 that are designed to engage and massage the foot. This embodiment includes a support member that also has spherical shaped members that support the Loofah member and help keep the Loofah in a fixed position when a user's foot is engaged against it.
Now referring to FIG. 10, a side view in elevation with the handle not shown is depicted showing a foot 1001 engaged against a Loofah pad 100 that is supported by element of the base member 1009. FIG. 11 depicts yet a further embodiment of the invention including base member 1105 and upright handle 1115. Arm 1120 extends from handle 115 and engages pin 1130 inside frame element 1150. Like the previous elements, the base member can pivot on member 1130 with respect to the arm 1120 and rotate upwardly toward the handle 1115. A user can engage Loofah member 1131 to clean and massage the foot. Now referring to FIG. 12, in a contemplated embodiment the device 1220 is depicted within a shower enclosure 1215.
FIGS. 13 and 14 depict further embodiment of the invention that includes a bridge member 1340 for engagement of the top of the foot. The bridge member is provide with a Loofah material on the inside surface 1315 of bridge member 1340 to engage the top of a foot. In alternative embodiment a brush member may be provided on this surface. This embodiment includes upright handle 1305 and base member 1315 that received Loofah base member 1310. Opposite side rails of base member 1315 are provided with opposite channels such as channel 1310 and 1315. As seen in FIG. 14 the channels receive the arms of handle 1305 when the device is folded and the base member is in the same plane as the handle.

Claims

1. A foot cleaning assembly comprising a base member and an elongate handle, said base member adapted to receive a cleaning part, and wherein said handle is pivotally attached to said base member to allow the assembly to move from a first position wherein said handle substantially perpendicular to said base member to a second position wherein said base member is moved upward and substantially parallel to said elongate handle.

2. The foot cleaning assembly of claim 1 wherein said base member includes a laterals sidewall and a rear wall and a bottom member and said bottom member is adapted to receive said cleaning part and engages and retains said cleaning part.

3. The foot cleaning assembly of claim 2 wherein said bottom member is a provided with apertures to allow for fluid flow through said member.

4. The foot cleaning assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said cleaning member comprises a loofah.

5. The foot cleaning assembly recited in claim 1 further comprising a liquid soap dispenser.

6. The foot cleaning assembly recited in claim 1 wherein said liquid soap dispenser further comprising a pump device and said pump device is operable from a location near the top of said elongate handle.

7. The foot cleaning assembly recited in claim 1 further comprising: a said bridge member secured to lateral side of said base member and spanning the top of said base member to define a foot receiving passage, said bridge member including an outer surface and an inner surface; a bridge cleaning member disposed over the inner surface of said bridge member so that when the foot is inserted in said passage, the top of the foot can be massaged or cleaned by contacting the top of the foot against the bridge pad.

8. The foot cleaning assembly recited in claim 7 wherein said cleaning member and bridge pad comprises a loofah.

9. The foot cleaning assembly recited in claim 7 wherein said elongate handle is attached to said bridge member.