WO2009062274A2

WO2009062274A2 - Washboard device fixed on the wall

Info

Publication number: WO2009062274A2
Application number: PCT/BR2008/000337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Salvador Francisco Tirloni; Adriana Seara Tirloni
Original assignee: Salvador Francisco Tirloni; Adriana Seara Tirloni
Priority date: 2007-11-14
Filing date: 2008-11-11
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: WO2009062274A3; BRPI0704336A2

Abstract

Washboard device fixed on the wall is a device to be fixed preferably on the shower stall inner wall for scrubbing personal articles of clothing, particularly intimate ones, while bathing benefiting from the time, the hot water and the soap. It presents some constructive variations related to geometrical shape and fixing and it may have a liquid soap dispenser.

Description

WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a device to easy scrubbing while hand washing personal clothes more specifically it describes a platform like washboard device to be fixed on the wall, preferably on the shower stall inner wall. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Lately, laundering habits have change significantly. Due to automatic home and commercial clothes washing machines the old hand washing way and washing basins became out of date. Presently, such a job is easily performed by a washing machine which only needs that the user puts the dirt clothes inside it, sets it, turns it on and at the end of the cycle takes the clothes out almost dried. Hand washing at the traditional washing basins is only performed when washing personal fragile clothes or when due to small amount of clothes to be washed is not worthwhile to use the washing machine. Nevertheless, some people still have the habit to hand wash small personal article of clothing, intimate apparel, while bathing benefiting the duration of the bath, the hot water and the soap to scrub them and then hang them to let them dry out without using the washing machine or the washing basin.

Presently, low investment in innovations has been done in the traditional washing systeπf One can notice the great amount of patent applications filed in other areas of technology related with that one. However, there are commercialized objects and also patent documents in said area.

For instance, Brazilian patent application PI9204901-0 entitled "Scale and Pyramid Type Clothing Scrubber" describes an object consisting of a board which is put on a wash basin in order to remove fats and clean clothes. Brazilian patent document PIOl 10726-7 entitled "Board for clothing wash" describes an object consisting of a scrubbing surface, claimed for having a specified rigidity.

American patent document US4,102,160 entitled "Personal Clothes Washboard Device" describes a washboard that can be permanently attached to an inner wall of a wash basin.

American patent document US5,829,279 entitled "Device for Washing Clothes" describes a washboard made of flexible material that can be also fixed to a horizontal surface such as the floor. American patent document US5,058,403 entitled "Spot and Collar Scrubber" describes a washboard attachment adapted for use with a top loading automatic laundry machine.

Some other documents can be found for this kind of object, all of them with characteristics of improving or changing its positioning on basins or machines. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The washboard hereinafter described presents an advantage in washing small pieces of clothing; the ones that ordinarily are hand washed during the bath, e.g. intimate apparel. It consists of having a board like washing device attached to bathroom wall to easy the hand wash habit of scrubbing clothes. Said washing device can be manufactured in injected plastic, extruded aluminum, cast inox steel or in ceramic parts to match the other existing ceramic parts of the bathroom specifically the shower stall walls. Said washboard device can be glued on the bathroom's ceramic tile wall by means of double faced stick tape or fixed by means of bushings and screws. The washboard device ceramic manufactured can have the size of one of the bathroom's ceramic wall tiles so when fixed to the wall it will look like one of them. Its positioning on the wall and easiness of scrubbing the clothes have not yet been claimed by any other existent document of patent. It presents advantages over the other objects, including the ones above mentioned, once said habit of hand washing small pieces of clothes in the bathroom is still been used.

The washboard device may present several embodiments manufactured by distinctive industrial processes as above mentioned. Said embodiments present some constructive differences with specific advantages for some types of assembling. These constructive differences do not alter the inventive step in question which is easing the scrubbing of clothes while bathing using the duration, hot water and soap of the bath.

Another benefit of the object in question is the possibility of being manufactured with a liquid soap dispenser where by means of a pneumatic pump coupled to the washboard device the liquid soap is sprayed over the washboard device's surface turning the act of soaping more practical and efficient and allowing a major foam uniformity and cleanness.

The above mentioned inventive step is hereby presented through different embodiments trying to fit them to the needs of the users.

A first embodiment hereby presented comprises a washboard which is fixed to a base through a coupling. The base is fixed to the wall by some fixing means such as screws, glue, double faced tape and so on. In this embodiment the washboard is used in the horizontal position once the coupling is used to articulate it. When not in use the washboard stays in the vertical position, adjacent to the wall, and when in use it should be downed to the horizontal position. This position turns the washboard ergonomically more appropriate to scrub the clothing. So, when not in use the washboard is articulated upwardly in the vertical position and when in use it is articulated downwardly in the horizontal position. An extension of its rear end resting on the object's fixed base holds the washboard in the horizontal position. The washboard's surface has a texture finishing to easy cleaning the clothes while scrubbing. This surface finishing can be grooved, dotted, granite, corrugated, etc. This kind of washboard can be manufactured with semi rigid material, such as plastics, or with metal material such as aluminum or cast inox steel.

In a second embodiment the above described washboard device can turn into a liquid soap dispenser. In this case a bottom cover is coupled to the washboard device forming a dispenser. Both the washboard device and the bottom cover have ribs positioned in such a way that the washboard device's ribs and the cover's ribs form a channel through which the liquid soap flows. A pneumatic pump is coupled to the existing circular opening at the top side of the washboard device which, when pressed, sends air to the dispenser forcing the liquid soap to flow through the channel formed by the ribs. At the surface of the washboard device there are soap spraying orifices which spray the pressurized liquid soap on the surface of the washboard device. The dispenser is supplied through the top circular opening where the pneumatic pump is coupled. Just take it out and pour the liquid soap in. A third embodiment with the same functions of the object above described is a washboard device fixed directly to the wall and used vertically in the same plane of the wall. It can be manufactured in semi rigid material such as plastics, or rubber coated, or in aluminum or cast inox steel; it can be fixed to the wall by any attachment means such as screws, glue or double faced stick tape. Making some changes to the above third embodiment the washboard device turns into a fourth embodiment becoming a dispenser of liquid soap. Here, the washboard device has a rectangular box like shape and soap spraying orifices. A second part is coupled at its rear end which fits into the washboard device. At the top side of the so formed box there is an opening to supply liquid soap and to couple the pneumatic pump. The spraying system is the same one above described. A fifth embodiment of the washboard device consists of ceramic a plate coated by a plastic, or rubber or vitreous material with some surface texture finishing to easy cleaning the clothes while scrubbing them. Said washboard device can be manufactured in the same size of the ceramic tiles used to coat the bathroom walls and can be fixed to the wall in the same way those ones are.

A sixth embodiment allows the previous described washboard device to receive a liquid soap dispenser. Here a plastic dispenser performing likewise the previous one described is coupled to the rear end of the washboard device; matching orifices are added to the dispenser and to the ceramic washboard to allow spraying the liquid soap and an opening to supply the liquid soap and couple the pneumatic pump.

A seventh embodiment of the washboard device fixed on the wall is its permanent horizontal fixing related to the wall. A base is fixed to the wall and the washboard device stays in the horizontal position. Here the washboard device can even be used as a soap holder once the soap can be left on it. An eighth embodiment also allows said previous described washboard device to have a liquid soap dispenser. The manufacturing principle and operation of the dispenser are similar to the ones described in the above second embodiment.

A ninth embodiment which also represents the idea in question, comprises a ceramic soap holder, fixed on the wall, with some textured surface and appropriate size to allow scrubbing clothing while bathing.

A tenth embodiment of said washboard device allows coupling a ceramic liquid soap dispenser to the previous described soap holder. The operating principle to spray the liquid soap on the washboard surface is the same one described in the previous embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The comprehension of the hereby described object is facilitated by seeing the following figures.

The first embodiment of the washboard device fixed on the wall is represented from figures 1 to 12.

Figure 1 is a top view representation of the whole set comprising the articulated washboard(2A) and its base(lA);

Figure 2 is a perspective representation of the same set;

Figure 3 is a side view representation of base(l A) and washboard(2A); Figure 4 is a side view representation of the articulated washboard(2A) when in use;

Figure 5 is a side view representation of the articulated washboard(2A) in the upright position;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross side view representation of the set; Figures 7 and 8 are a perspective representation of base(lA);

Figures 9 and 10 are respectively a top view representation of base(lA) and washboard(2A);

Figures 11 and 12 are respectively a perspective representation of the upper side and under side of the washboard(2A); The second embodiment of the washboard device hereby described is represented from figures 13 to 20. In this second embodiment, the washboard(2A) is also a dispenser for liquid soap.

Figures 13 and 14 are respectively a perspective representation of the articulated washboard(2B) with a dispenser for the liquid soap; Figures 15, 16 and 17 are respectively a representation of the front view, top view and perspective view of the bottom cover(3B);

Figures 18 and 19 show a representation of washboard(2A): figure 18 is an top view of the inner portion and figure 19 is a perspective view of the same inner portion; Figure 20 is a cross section view representation of the washboard(2B) front view assembled to the bottom cover(3B);

The third embodiment representation is shown by figures 21 and 22. The washboard(lC) is rigid and fixed directly on the wall by an attachment means such as screws or glue. Figure 21 is a front view representation of the upper surface of washboard(lC). Figure 22 is a perspective representation of the same upper surface.

The fourth embodiment representation is shown from figures 23 to 28.

Washboard(lD) likewise third embodiment washboard(lC) is fixed directly on the wall and is also a liquid soap dispenser. Figure 23 is a front view representation of the upper surface of the washboard(lD) and figure 24 is a top front view representation of base(2D) j oined to washboard( 1 D);

Figures 25 and 26 show a perspective representation of the inner portions of washboard(lD) and base(2D) forming the dispenser;

Figures 27 and 28 show respectively a perspective representation of the assembled dispenser and an exploded view of it. The fifth embodiment representation is shown by figures 29 and 30. The washboard(lE) made of ceramic material is fixed on the wall;

The sixth embodiment representation is shown from figures 31 to 35. A liquid soap dispenser(2F) is attached to washboard(lF) made of ceramic material fixed on the wall.

Figure 31 shows a front view representation of the ceramic washboard(lF). Figure 32 shows a side view representation of the ceramic washboard(lF) and dispenser(2F). Figure 33 is a side cross section view representation of the dispenser(2F). Figures 34 and 35 show respectively a perspective representation of the whole assembled set and an exploded representation of the same set;

The seventh embodiment representation is shown from figures 36 to 39. The washboard(lG) is permanently set in the horizontal position. Figure 36 shows a front view; figure 37 shows a side cross section view and figure 38 shows a top view of the whole set and figure 39 is a perspective representation of the assembled set;

The eighth embodiment representation is shown from figures 40 to 45. The washboard(lH) is permanently set in the horizontal position and is also a liquid soap dispenser. Figure 40 shows a top view representation. Figures 41 and 42 are side cross section views taken in different positions. Figure 43 shows a front view of the washboard(lH). Figures 44 and 45 are respectively perspective representations of the upper and bottom parts of the whole set;

The ninth embodiment representation is shown from figures 46 to 49. It relates to a soap holder(ll) fixed on the wall having a washboard(l ll). Figure 46 represents a top view; figure 47 represents a side cross view; figure 48 represents a front view and figure 49 represents a perspective view of the soap holder(ll);

The tenth embodiment representation is shown from figures 51 to 55. The soap holder(U) is similar to the soap holder(ll) but has a liquid soap dispenser(2J). Figures 51, 52, 53 and 54 show respectively representations of a front view, a side cross section view, a top view and a perspective view of the soap holder(U). Figure 55 shows an exploded representation of the dispenser(2J) which is coupled to the soap holder(lJ). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the first embodiment hereby presented the washboard device comprises a base(lA) and a washboard(2A) having a grooved surface(24A) allowing scrubbing clothing and ribs(26A) on its bottom part that is the structural basis of the washboard(2A). The washboard(2A) is articulated related to the base(lA) which can be fixed to a wall using screws inserted into the holes(HA) located in pre-established places. The base(lA) can also be fixed on the wall using another attachment means such as glue. The base(lA) has a cylindrical shaft(13A) at each one of its ends; one of the ends of the shaft(13A) is held at the side part(14A) of the base(lA) frame and the other end is held on a bracket(15A). The shaft(13A) has a ring(12A) form projection at its central portion. The washboard(2A) device has a bearing(22A) coupling the shaft(13A); the sliding surface of the bearing(22A) has a ring form groove(23A) to fit the ring(12A) form projection of shaft(13A). The cylindrical shaft(13A) acts as articulation shafts and couple to the washboard(2A). The ring(12A) acts as a guide for the washboard(2A) not allowing it to slide along the shaft(13A). The washboard(2A) turns around the shaft(13A) upwardly to vertical position when not in use and downwardly to horizontal position when in use. In order to avoid oscillations of the washboard(2A) when some force is applied on it when in use, said washboard(2A) has at each of its frame side a locker(21A) that fits under each one of the side extensions(14A) of the base(lA). These devices lock the washboard(2A) while being used. A rear extension(25A) that supports the washboard(2A) completes the whole set.

The second presented embodiment describes a washboard(2B) similar to the previous one, but the washboard(2B) is also a liquid soap dispenser. The washboard(2B) is joined to a bottom cover(3B) forming a dispenser. The washboard(2B) has a rib(26B) and the bottom cover(3B) also has ribs(3 IB) which are arranged in a way that the rib(26B) of the washboard(2B) fits between the ribs(31B) of the bottom cover(3B) forming a channel(4B) between the ribs(31B) of the bottom cover(3B) through which the liquid soap flows. The washboard(2B) has on its surface an opening(27B) to supply the liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump. The washboard(2B) has orifices(28B) to spray the liquid soap. When pressing the pneumatic pump, the pressure exerted by the pump fills and compresses the existent air inside the dispenser and makes the liquid soap go through channel(4B) being led to where the orifices(28B) are placed and than being sprayed on the washboard(2B).

The third presented embodiment, comprises a washboard(lC) made of semi rigid material, such as plastics, or with metallic material such as aluminum or cast inox steel. The washboard(lC) has holes(l 1C) if it is to be fixed using screws.

The fourth presented embodiment refers to a washboard(lD) similar to the previous one above described but presenting a box like shape with a rear cover(2D) screwed to the washboard(lD) through castles(HD and 21D) of the washboard(lD) and rear cover(2D) respectively, forming the dispenser for the liquid soap. The washboard(2D) has ribs(12D) and the rear cover(2D) also has ribs(22D) placed in such a way to form a channel through which flows the liquid soap likewise described for washboard(2B). On top of the so formed box there is an opening(3D) do supply liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump.

The fifth presented embodiment refers to a ceramic washboard(lE), fixed on the wall, with a grooved surface(HE) which eases removing dirt from the clothes while scrubbing it. In this embodiment the washboard(lE) is fixed to the wall like a ceramic coating part by using glue and/or cement; it has the same size of the ceramic coating parts used on the bathroom wall.

The sixth presented embodiment refers to a ceramic washboard(lF) with a liquid soap dispenser(2F) at the rear end of the washboard(lF). This dispenser is bipartite being screwed together through castles(23F); it has ribs(24F) positioned in such a way that when both parts are joined together they form a channel(25F) through which flows the liquid soap up to the spraying orifices(26F). The spraying process is the same one described previously. It has an opening(3F) to supply liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump. The ceramic washboard(lF) has orifices(HF) matching with the orifϊces(26F) of the dispenser(2F) and an opening(12F) matching with the opening(3F) of the dispenser(2F) coupled to the washboard(lF). The orifices(l IF) are used for spraying the liquid soap and the opening(12F) is used for supplying the liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump.

The seventh presented embodiment relates to a washboard(lG) with a surface(15G) permanently in the horizontal position. A set forming a whole or part of it comprises a base(l IG) fixed on the wall with "L" shaped arms to hold the washboard(lG) permanently in the horizontal position.

The eighth presented embodiment refers to a washboard(lH) also permanently horizontal positioned but having the shape of a dispenser for liquid soap. The arrangement of the dispenser and its operation is similar to the second embodiment hereby presented.

The surface(16H) of the washboard(lH) has a texture and orifices(15H) to spray the liquid soap and also an opening(14H) to supply liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump.

The ninth presented embodiment refers to a soap holder(ll) fixed on the wall also having a washboard(l II) which allows scrubbing clothing.

The tenth presented embodiment refers to the soap holder(U) with a washboard(HJ) to scrub clothing having a dispenser(2J) for liquid soap. The dispenser is equal to the dispenser(2E) previously presented. It has a larger opening(12J) to supply liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump and orifices(13J) to spray the liquid soap.

All the embodiments of the object in question present geometrical shapes which easy the washing of those clothing that by habit are hand washed in the bathroom while bathing. Surface finishing of the washboards hereby presented are only illustrations, once the idea associated to the washboard surface texture is to easy removing dirt from clothing while scrubbing them. So, the surface may present finishings such as grooved, corrugated, dotted, granite, brushed and other ones.

Claims

1. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL comprising a rigid board like device or washboard with one of the supporting surfaces used for scrubbing clothing, characterized by being the \vashboard(2A) articulated in a base(lA) and by being said base(lA) rigidly fixed on bathroom's shower stall wall.

2. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 1, characterized by the base(lA) having, fixed to the wall by some attachment means, a shaft( 13A) at each one of its ends being one of the ends of shaft(13A) fixed to the lateral( 14A) frame of base(lA) and the other one held on a bracked(15A); by having the central portion of shaft(13A) a projection ring(12A); by having said washboard(2A) a bearing(22A) coupling to shaft(13A); by having the sliding surface of bearing(22A) a ring form groove(23A) to fit the projection ring(12A) of shaft(13A).

3. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 1, characterized by being the washboard(2B) a dispenser for liquid soap.

4. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 3, characterized by having the washboard(2B) having ribs(26B) and being joined to a cover(3B) with ribs(31B) arranged in such a way that when the washboard(2B) and the cover(3B ) are assembled together a channel(4B) is formed between the ribs(31B) of cover(3B); by having the washboard(2B) an opening(27B) to supply liquid soap and to fit the pneumatic pump and having jet type orifices(28B) at the textured surface.

5. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 1, characterized by being the washboard(lC) rigidly fixed by screws or glue on the bathroom^'s shower stall without using base(lA).

6. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 5, characterized by being the washboard(lD) rigidly fixed by screws or glue on the bathroom^'s shower stall and having a base(2D) that when assembled to the \vashboard( 1 D) also turns into a liquid soap dispenser.

7. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 1, characterized by the fact of being the washboard(lE) manufactured with ceramic material with size sufficiently equal or proportional to the size of the ceramic coating pieces used on the bathroom's shower stall walls; and by being the washboard(lE) fixed on the wall as a piece of ceramic coating.

8. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 7, characterized by having the ceramic washboard(lF) a dispenser(2F) for liquid soap attached to it; by being the dispenser(2F) bipartite and having ribs(24F) in both parts arranged in such a way that when assembled together form a channel(25F) to let the liquid soap flow by; by having the washboard(lF) jet type orifices(l lF) for the liquid soap and having an opening(12F) to supply liquid soap and fit the pneumatic pump both matching the orifices(26F) and opening(SF) of the dispenser(2F).

9. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 1, characterized by being the washboard(lG) permanently placed in a horizontal position, being the washboard(lG) fixed on the wall by screws or glue through a base(l IG) and by being said washboard held by the arms(12G).

10. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 9, characterized by having the washboard(lH) a bottom cover(12H) that when assembled to the washboard(lH) forms a dispenser for liquid soap; by having orifices(15H) to spray the liquid soap; and by having an opening(14H) to supply liquid soap and fit the pneumatic pump.

11. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL presented in the shape of a ceramic soap holder fixed or imbedded in the wall, characterized by presenting a surface(l II) with a texture to easy scrubbing clothing.

12. WASHBOARD DEVICE FIXED ON THE WALL according to claim 1 1, characterized by having the ceramic soap holder a compartment to fit a dispenser(2J); and by having the soap holder's surface(l U) an opening(12J) matching with the opening(22J) of the dispenser and orifices(13J) matching with channels(21J) of the dispenser.