A WASHSTAND FOR MULTI PURPOSE
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a multi-purpose washstand in
which a user can wash his face, laundry and his foot at one place.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose
washstand in which a laundry plate for doing washing is disposed at
the top of the washstand in a detachable type or a receiving type, and
washing of the foot, the finger pressure and removal of keratosis are
automatically easily performed under the washstand.
Background Art
Generally, a modern bathroom is provided with washing facilities.
These washing facilities include a washstand for containing water,
which is disposed at a given height from the ground of a bathroom, a
tap for supplying water, which is disposed at the top of the washstand,
and a drainpipe for exhausting the water of the washstand disposed,
which is disposed at a lower portion of the washstand. A user washes
his face or hair using water of a given level contained in the
washstand.
This conventional bathroom, however, has been used for multi-
purposes such as washing the face, doing washing or washing the foot. l
In case of washing, the washstand is not used. Thus the washstand
becomes an obstacle that makes the bathroom narrow. In case of simple
washing such as towel or floorcloth, a user usually uses the washstand,
but has to crouch down on the ground of the bathroom because an
additional tool for rubbing and doing washing is not provided.
Therefore, housewives have her waist troubles generated and the
laundry is not cleanly washed. Also, when washing the foot, a user
has to wash the foot on the ground under the washstand not in the
washstand. Thus the washstand makes the user feel cumbersome. In
particular, in case of a person who cannot bend his waist due to the
waist disk or the handicapped such as old and feeble people, there is
a problem it is very difficult to wash their feet.
In addition, healthy people have to wash their feet with their
waists bending and their feet put on the washstand. There is a
problem in sanitation since the feet are not cleanly washed or are
sprayed only with water.
Disclosure of Invention
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the
above problems, and it is a main object of the present invention to
provide a multi-purpose washstand in which a laundry unit having a
detachable type or receiving type structure is disposed at the top of
the washstand, thus making washing of the laundry possible as well as
washing one' s face, and washing of the foot', the finger pressure and
removal of keratosis can be simultaneously automatically performed
through a plurality of brushes, a finger pressure means and a
keratosis removal means disposed at the bottom of the washstand.
In order to accomplish the above objects, there is provided a
multi-purpose washstand, comprising-' an adjustment unit including a
body having a washstand and taps each for supplying water for doing
washing and water for washing the foot through respective supply pipes,
wherein the taps are disposed at an upper portion of the washstand; a
laundry unit having a laundry plate coupled to the center of the
adjustment unit, for doing washing; a washing unit having a washstand
for washing one' s face or hands; and a foot-washing unit having
brushes that are rotated by a driving motor to wash the foot, and a
finger pressure rod having finger pressure projections, wherein the
brushes and the finger pressure rod are disposed under the washstand.
In the above, the foot-washing unit further comprises a medium
brush having a plurality of brushes radially attached to its center,
wherein the medium brush is rotated against an upper brush; a first
right-sided lateral brush rotatably disposed between the upper brush
and the medium brush; first and second lateral brushes rotatably
disposed against the medium brush; a keratosis removal roll having a
keratosis removal plate attached to its center, wherein the keratosis
removal roll is rotated in cooperation with the medium brush; a second
right-sided lateral brush rotatably disposed against the keratosis
removal roll, wherein the second right-sided lateral brush is rotated
in cooperation with the lower brush; and a .second spray nozzle unit
connected to the adjustment unit and the washing unit, for spraying
soapy water.
Furthermore, in the above, the second spray nozzle unit includes
a branch pipe connected to the pipe, a plurality of spray nozzles
disposed in the branch pipe in equal distance, and a solenoid valve
connected to the liquid soap pipe of the washing unit, for controlling
the use of liquid soap.
Brief Description of Drawings
Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more
fully understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a multi¬
purpose washstand according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the multi-purpose washstand shown in
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a foot-
washing unit in a multi-purpose washstand according to the present
invention;
Fig. 4 shows how the foot-washing unit shown in Fig. 3
operates;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view showing the laundry unit in a
multi-purpose washstand according to the present invention!
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view showing the laundry unit
shown in Fig. 5 according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of a multi¬
purpose washstand according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 8 is a side view of the multi-purpose washstand shown in
Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a partially cut perspective view of the foot-washing
unit in the multi-purpose washstand shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 is a partially cut perspective view of the foot-
washing unit in the multi-purpose washstand shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 11 is a plane view of the foot-washing unit shown in Fig.
9 and Fig. 10;
Fig. 12 is a rear view of the multi-purpose washstand shown in
Fig. 7; and
Fig. 13 shows how the foot-washing unit operates in the multi¬
purpose washstand shown in Fig. 7.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The present invention will now be described in detail in
connection with preferred embodiments with reference to the
accompanying drawings .
Fig. 1 to Fig. 6 show multi-purpose washstands according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the multi-purpose washstand
includes an adjustment unit 1, wherein the adjustment unit includes
a body 50 having a washstand and taps 10 and 11 each for supplying
water for doing washing and water for washing the foot through
respective supply pipes and the taps are disposed at an upper
portion of the washstand; a laundry unit 2 having a laundry plate 21
coupled to the center of the adjustment unit 1, for doing washing; a
washing unit 3 having a washstand 31 for washing the face or hands;
and a foot-washing unit 4 including brushes 42 that is rotated by a
driving motor 40 to wash the foot 5, and a finger pressure rod 44
having finger pressure projections 45, wherein the brushes 42 and
the finger pressure rod 44 are disposed under the washstand 31.
Each of the components will now be described in detail. In the
tap 10 for supplying water for doing washing in the adjustment unit
1, a water exhaust valve 13 is connected to a handle 12. The water
is thus supplied or the supply of the water is shut off, through the
handle 12. In the tap 11 for supplying the water to the foot-washing
unit 4 for washing the foot, an exhaust valve is not integrally
formed with a handle 14 but is connected to the foot-washing unit 4
disposed at the bottom of the washstand through an additional supply
pipe 15. A water exhaust valve 16 is thus disposed at the top of the
brushes 42.
As shown in Fig. 5, in the laundry unit 2, a number of
coupling holes 20 are formed at the center of the adjustment unit 1.
The laundry plate 21 for rubbing and doing washing is detachably
coupled to the coupling holes 20. Coupling rods 22 connected to the
coupling holes 20 are formed at one side of the laundry plate 21.
At this time, the number of the coupling rods 22 is the same as that
of the coupling holes 20. If the laundry plate 21 is fixed, the
other side of the laundry plate 21 is inserted into the washstand 31
of the washing unit 3. Thus, the water supplied from the tap 10 of
the adjustment unit 1 is drained through the washstand 31.
Furthermore, as another embodiment of the laundry unit 2, as
shown in Fig. 6, if the coupling holes 20 for fixing the laundry
plate 21 are not disposed at an upper portion of the washing unit 3
but formed within the washstand 31 of the washing unit 3, the other
end of the laundry plate 21 is extended over the washstand 31. This
corresponds to a state, which is reverse to the state where the
laundry plate 21 in the laundry unit 2 is disposed.
The washing unit 3 usually has the same structure as a common
washing unit. A tap 30 for washing the hands or face is disposed at
the upper portion of the washstand 31. An overflow 32 for draining
water is formed in the washstand 31.
The foot-washing unit 4 includes a driving motor 40 at its
rear side, and a connection unit 41 for transferring the rotary
power of the driving motor 40 such as a chain, a gear or a belt at
its lateral portion, as shown in Fig. 3. The brushes 42 that are
rotated by the rotary power of the driving motor 40 through the
connection unit 41 are disposed at the upper and lower portions of
the foot-washing unit 4. If the foot 5 is inserted between the
brushes 42, the brushes 42 serve to wash the foot 5.
At this time, a moisture-shielding wall 56 and a cover 43 for
preventing moisture from being introduced into the driving unit such
as the driving motor and the chain are disposed at both sides of a
brush installation portion. The cover 4 may be made of a transparent
material. It is preferred that an upper portion of the brushes 42 is
made of a soft material and a lower portion of the brushes 42 is
made of a hard material since the skin of a sole of a foot and the
skin of the instep are different.
Further, a finger pressure rod 44 having finger pressure
projections 45 for pressing the sole of the foot is disposed at the
opposite side of the connection unit 41. A keratosis removal plate
46 for removing keratosis at the heel is disposed under the place
where the finger pressure rod 44 is located. At this time, the
exhaust valve 16 for supplying water through the tap 11 of the
adjustment unit 1, and a liquid soap pipe 47 for supplying liquid
soap from a liquid soap cask 48 through a switch (not shown) are
disposed above the brushes 42. Thus, the foot 5 is washed by soapy
water.
A part of the body 50 for containing these components is
buried into the wall. When seen from the front, the body 50 has
approximately a T shape. A valve 18a of a cold water supply pipe 18,
a valve 19a of a hot water supply pipe 19 and a liquid soap cask 38
are located within a receiving space formed at the lower side of the
body 50. At this time, it is preferred that a door 53 for opening
and shutting the receiving space is installed. In Fig. 1,
unexplained reference numeral 17 indicates a shower tap connected to
the cold and hot water supply pipes 18 and 19.
Meanwhile, Fig. 7 to Fig. 13 show multi-purpose washstands
according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown
in Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 12, a mirror 130 of a given size is
disposed at an upper center of a body 600 in a washing unit 300. A
hose of a shower tap 140 is built in a through hole 610 formed in
one side of an upper portion of the body 600. The hose is a flexible
type. One end of the hose is connected to the shower tap 140 and the
other end of the hose is connected to a tap 110 through the through
hole 610.
As shown in Fig. , Fig. 8 and Fig. 12, a receiving unit 220
of a square shape is formed in the body 600 at the center between
upper taps 110 and 120 and a lower tap 310. A laundry plate 210 can
be inserted/drawn into/from the receiving unit. A vertical curved
portion having handle and stopper functions is extended at one lower
side of the laundry plate 210.
Also, as shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 to Fig. 13, a driving motor
420 having a timer (not shown) is fixed at the upper end of a
housing 410 having receiving spaces 412 and 414 formed at its both
ends. A gear 422 is keyed to the shaft of the driving motor 420. An
upper brush 430 is connected to the gear 422 by means of a belt or
chain 424 through a gear 432 at one end of the upper brush 430.
A gear 434 at the other end of the upper brush 430 is
connected to a gear 456 at one end of a medium brush 450 through a
belt or chain 490a. A first right-sided -lateral brush 442 is
connected between the gears 434 and 456 through a gear 442b. One end
of a shaft 442a keyed to the gear 442b is connected to one wall of
the housing 410 through a bearing. A plurality of brushes 442c made
of a hard material are radially attached to the other end of the
shaft 442a.
A plurality of brushes 452 made of a soft material are
radially attached to the outer circumference of the center of a
medium brush 450. Gears 440b and 460b of first and second left-sided
lateral brushes 440 and 460 are connected to a gear 454 keyed to one
end of the medium brush 450 by means of a belt or chain 490b. One
end of shafts 440a and 460a keyed to the gears 440b and 460b is
coupled to the other wall of the housing 410 through a bearing. A
plurality of brushes 440c and 460c made of a hard material are
attached to the other end of the shafts 440a and 460a.
A keratosis removal roll 470 is connected to a belt or chain
490b through a gear 474. A keratosis removal plate 472 is attached
to the outer circumference at the center of the keratosis removal
roll 470. A gear 476 is keyed to the other end of the keratosis
removal roll 470.
A gear 462b of a second right-sided lateral brush 462 is
connected to the gear 476 through a belt or chain 490c. One end of a
shaft 462a keyed to the gear 462b is coupled to the one wall of the
housing 410 by means of a bearing. A plurality of brushes 462C made
of a hard material are attached to the other end of the shaft 462a.
A lower brush 480 is rotatably connected to the belt or chain 490c
through the gear 482.
The tops of the receiving spaces 412 and 414 in the foot-
washing unit 400 are covered in order to prevent malfunction or an
electric leakage due to contact with water, as shown in Fig. 7. The
operation of the driving motor 420 can be performed through a switch.
It is preferred that the electrical power is applied to operate the
driving motor 420 when the tap 120 is opened, and the power supplied
to the driving motor 420 is shut off when the tap 120 is closed.
Referring to Fig. 7, Fig. 9 to Fig. 12, a second spray nozzle
unit includes branch pipes 510 and 512 connected to pipes 120a and
324, a plurality of spray nozzles 510a to 510c and 512a to 512c (in
the present invention, three in each of right and left sides)
connected to the branch pipes, and a solenoid valve 514 connected to
the liquid soap pipe 324, for controlling the use of liquid soap.
Unexplained reference numeral 90 designates a wall, 142 designates a
bracket for supporting the shower tap, 312 indicates a cold water
supply pipe, 316 designates a hot water supply pipe, 314 and 318
indicate valves, and 620 indicates a door having built a washing
unit 300 in.
A remote infrared ray sterilization unit (not shown) can be
attached to one wall or both walls at the top of the upper brush 430
disposed in the housing 410.
The operation of the multi-purpose washstand constructed above
will now be described.
If a user wants to wash his face or hands, the user can
usually wash his face or hands using water in the washstand 31,
which is supplied through the tap 30 provided in the washing unit 3.
If the user wants to do washing in the washstand 31, the coupling
rods 22 of the laundry plate 21 is coupled to the coupling holes 20
of the laundry unit 2 so that the end of the laundry plate 21 is
inserted into the washstand 31, and water is then supplied to the
laundry plate 21 through the tap 10 of the adjustment unit 1, as
shown in Fig. 4.
Meanwhile, if the user wants to wash the foot 5, the foot 5 is
inserted between the brushes 42 through the cover 43 and the power
is then applied to the driving motor 40, as shown in Fig. 4. The
brushes 42 are rotated by the rotary power of the driving motor 40
through the connection unit 41 consisting of the chain, gear or belt.
At this time, the user can open the tap 11 of the adjustment unit 1
to supply water to the exhaust valve 16 provided at the top of the
brushes 42 and then supply soapy water through the liquid soap pipe
47, so that the user can wash the foot 5.
In the above, in the driving motor 40 and the connection unit
41, if water is introduced into them, malfunction or an electric
leakage is generated to shorten the lifespan of the driving motor 40
and the connection unit 41. It is thus required that waterproof
treatment for the driving motor 40 and the connection unit 41 be
needed. It is preferred that the internal structure of an electric
leakage-shu ting device, that is, a portion where the skin contacts
is made of a synthetic resin material. The liquid soap supplied
through the liquid soap pipe 47 is supplied through a switch
different from water supplied through the tap 11.
Moreover, the driving motor 40 can be operated by a switched
and is powdered when the tap 11 of the adjustment unit 1 is operated.
When the driving motor 40 is operated to rotate the brushes 42, it
is an operation for washing the foot. Thus, water has to be always
supplied. When the tap 11 is opened, the switch for applying the
power to the driving motor 40 is contacted. When the tap 11 is
closed, the power applied to the driving motor 40 is shut off.
It is preferred that the driving motor 40 has a timer (not
shown) so that the driving motor is automatically stopped after a
given time elapses. Also, in the finger pressure rod 44 and
keratosis removal plate 46 of the foot-washing unit 4, if the foot
is laid on the finger pressure rod 44 and is then moved, unlike from
washing of the foot 5, the finger pressure projections 45 of the
finger pressure rod 44 stimulates the sole of the foot, producing a
finger pressure effect. The keratosis removal plate 46 located on
the ground provided with the finger pressure rod 44 has a rough
surface. Thus, keratosis is removed by rubbing the heel.
Meanwhile, if the user wants to wash his face, the user closes
the overflow 330 and opens the tap 310 so that water is contained in
the washstand 320, as shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 12. The user
then uses the mirror 130, if necessary, and pulls the shower tap 140
from the bracket 142 when the shower tap 140 is used, whereby the
shower tap 140 having a flexile structure is drawn from the body 600.
Meanwhile, if the user wants to do washing, the user can use
the laundry plate 210 with it drawn from the receiving unit 220, or
do washing with it inserted into the washstand 320. After the
washing, the laundry plate 210 is built in the receiving unit 220.
The receiving unit 220 may be a cylindrical shaped casing (not
shown) having a shaft formed at its center. Therefore, the
cylindrical shaped casing may have built a known foldable laundry
\ plate (not shown) in. The laundry plate has one end connected to the
shaft formed at the center of the cylindrical shaped casing. Thus,
the laundry plate can be wound while being foldable and can be
inserted or drawn.
Meanwhile, if the user wants to wash his foot, give the finger
pressure and remove keratosis, the power generated as the driving
motor 420 operates is transferred through the gear 422 and the belt
or chain 424 to rotate the upper brush 430, as shown in Fig. 9 to
Fig. 13. As the first right-sided lateral brush 442 is rotated by
the belt or chain 490a, the user' s foot is washed by the brush 442c.
In the above process, as the medium brush 450 is rotated, the
lower center of the foot is washed by the brush 452. As the first
and second left-sided lateral brushes 440 and 460 are rotated by the
belt or chain 490b, both ends at the left side of the foot are
washed by the brushes 440c and 460c. It is possible to remove
keratosis of the heel through the keratosis removal plate 472 of the
keratosis removal roll 470 that is rotated together with the medium
brush 450.
At the same time, while the second right-sided lateral brush
462 is rotated by the belt or chain 490c, the right rear end of the
foot is washed by the brush 462c. While the lower brush 480 is
rotated by the belt or chain 490c, the sold of the foot is washed.
Meanwhile, in the above process, soapy water supplied from the
liquid soap cask 320 through the liquid soap pipe 324, the pipe 326,
and the branch pipes 510 and 512, and soapy water sprayed toward the
upper portion of the foot through the spray nozzles 510a to 510c and
512a to 512c are sprayed around the user' s -foot as the switch 322
is operated, whereby the foot is effectively washed.
Industrial Applicability
According to the present invention as described above, a
washstand does not perform a limited function of simply washing the
hands or face, but performs a function of doing washing or the foot.
Therefore, the present invention has an advantage that the handicapped
can easily use a washstand since they do not need to do washing or the
foot by bending their waist.
Further, a laundry plate that is not used is received in a
receiving unit of a body, if necessary, and an additional keeping
place is not needed. Therefore, there is an affect that appearances
are improved since a tap is not interfered with the laundry plate and
a shower tap is built in the body.
Incidentally, it is possible to use a mirror additionally
provided in an adjustment unit. The foot can be washed and keratosis
can be removed at the same time at one place through a plurality of
brushes and a keratosis removal roll. Therefore, there is an advantage
that a user' s convenience is significantly improved.