WO2017123252A1

WO2017123252A1 - Reachless back scrub

Info

Publication number: WO2017123252A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/013684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Victor Aguilar
Original assignee: Victor Aguilar
Priority date: 2016-01-15
Filing date: 2016-01-15
Publication date: 2017-07-20

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and apparatus for a wall-mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus for scrubbing and exfoliating difficult to reach back areas. The system has a wall mounting plate that is removably attachable to a wall surface with an attaching means. A scrubbing means on a skeleton rubber frame is mounted onto the wall mounting plate, and a scrubbing means, preferably a loofah, is removably attached to a scrubbing means mounting surface on the skeleton frame. The loofah is in a position for convenient scrubbing of a person's skin when brought into contact with the loofah. In a further embodiment of the invention, the method of using the apparatus is simple: using leaning and body movement to obtain cleansing effect on the back by the users, including people with disabilities.

Description

IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT & TRADEMARK OFFICE APPLICATION FOR A UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION

FOR (A) REACHLESS BACK SCRUB

Inventor: Victor Aguilar, Scottsdale, Arizona

(B) CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable

(C) FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

(D) MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

(E) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of personal hygiene devices, and, in particular, to a back scrubbing device for use while bathing or showering to clean and/or exfoliate an individual's own back and areas of the back that are difficult to see or reach.

(2) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is a widely accepted fact that everyone encounters difficulty when washing one's own back. This is apparent because of the number of bath items devised for scrubbing and cleansing one's back. For instance, abrasive gloves help in exfoliating and washing the back, but they require one to stretch in order to reach their back. Loofahs, bristles, or sponges disposed on long handles or strung to a rope are intended to help individuals reach areas on the back that cannot be easily reached by stretching. However, these long handled devices will not help inflexible individuals or individuals who are unable to adequately use their arms to reach their backs. Many of the long handled devices are not ergonomic, and are also difficult to hold on to. Accordingly, people are forced to employ a number of contortions and/or scrubbing devices to accomplish proper cleaning and scrubbing of their backs.

Some of the suitable examples of conventional scrubbing devices include, but are not limited to, brushes with long handles and long straps, abrasive gloves, wash cloths, and sponges disposed on long handles or strung to a rope. Although the afore mentioned conventional scrubbing devices help in exfoliating and washing an individual's back, use thereof requires the individual to stretch in order to reach his/her back. Furthermore, most of the conventional scrubbing devices are nonadjustable and rigid. More specifically, many conventional scrubbing devices include a base with a fixed scrubbing element configured thereon. Such a fixation of the scrubbing element poses difficulty for an individual to effectively clean and scrub his/her back. Furthermore, a fixed scrubbing element may contribute to poor sanitary conditions in a bath or shower due to the difficulty in washing such a fixed scrubbing element. Additionally, conventional scrubbing devices are capable of effectively cleaning and scrubbing only a small area of an individual's back at one point of time. Moreover, several of the conventional scrubbing devices are known to be excessively abrasive on the skin of many individuals.

Earlier patents disclose the concept of back scrubbers that can be removably attached to a shower stall. One example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,635, issued to Moore. This patent shows a back cleaning apparatus including a sponge-like layer, an exterior layer of indoor/outdoor carpet, and a backer board that can be releasably affixed to a shower stall by suction cups. Another similar device, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,389, shows the use of suction cups to releasably connect a back scrubber to the wall of a shower stall. The cleaning surface is a replaceable sponge. U.S. Pat. No. 2,389,215, issued to Kennedy, describes an invention relating to a unit adapted to be used for the clea ning of a person's back. U.S. Pat. No. 3,631,560, issued to Atkins, describes a brush and holding device for mounting on the wall of a bathtub or shower. The holding device is comprised of a back section and a plurality of tabs that are spaced from said back section and define the retaining areas. U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,226, issued to Morgan, describes a T-shaped cleaning and massaging device that is adapted to mount on the walls of a shower stall for cleaning and massaging a user's back. U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,068 describes a back washer and massager supported on a shower wall. The invention includes a pad of foam plastic with a waterproof cover and a rigid backing plate supported by a plurality of suction cups with a terry cloth or similar fabric cover mounted on the pad. Stowers et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,352 describes a back washer is provided and consists of a sponge rubber washing member affixed to a flat flexible rubber base plate that is removably mounted to a flat surface so that a person can wash their back against the washing member when in shower and bathtub. Another patent by Dion, U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,302 describes a wall mounted back washer and applicator which may be used to wash, massage, or to apply lotion or salve to the back of the human torso without assistance. Huber, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,864 describes a back scrubber includes a reversible cleaning pad having two sides. Each side has a different type of cleaning surface. There is a mechanism for selectively and releasably connecting the pad to a wall of a shower stall so that either side can face outwardly. The mechanism may include suction cups. The suction cups may be on both sides of the pad.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a mountable scrubbing device for scrubbing an individual's back without any use of his/her hands. Furthermore, there exists a need for a mountable scrubbing device that is abrasive enough to exfoliate, yet not be excessively abrasive on skin of an individual. Moreover, there exists a need for a mountable scrubbing device for cleaning and scrubbing other body parts of an individual while cleaning and scrubbing the individual's back, in a convenient and easy manner.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a back scrubber to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

(F) SUMMARY In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of back scrubbing devices present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved method of cleaning and exfoliating one's back without using hands. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved system and method for scrubbing and cleaning one's back that has all of the advantages of the prior art, and none of the disadvantages.

The present invention provides an improved system and apparatus for a wall-mounted back scrubbing and massaging apparatus with a wall-mounting plate that is removably attachable to a wall surface with an attaching means. A scrubbing means on a skeleton rubber frame is mounted onto the wall mounting plate. The scrubbing means, preferably a loofah, is removably attached to a scrubbing means mounting surface on the skeleton frame. The loofah is thus supported in a spaced relationship, with respect to the wall surface, by the scrubbing mean's skeleton frame so as to be in a position for convenient scrubbing of a person's skin when brought into contact with the loofah. In a further embodiment of the invention, a means for adjusting the vertical height of the apparatus is taught, so as to enable the device to be conveniently used with both tall and shorter individuals.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a wall-mounted back- scrubbing and massaging apparatus that has advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus that supports a scrubbing means that is in a spaced relationship with respect to the wall surface; so as to be in a position for convenient scrubbing of a person's skin.

Another objective is to provide a back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus with a scrubbing means that is a loofah, a sponge, and like substitutes.

A still further objective is to provide a back-scrubbing apparatus that has the ability to be easily raised and lowered along the wall to which it is attached. Further, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a system that is much more flexible and economical to use, and can be utilized on all kinds of planar surfaces.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that the drawing depicts only illustrated embodiments of the invention, and is, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

Fig l.a is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the side view of the invention with suction cups and loofah. Fig l.b is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the front view of the invention with multiple loofahs.

Fig l.c is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the back view of the invention with placement of multiple suction cups. Fig 2 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the front and back view of the invention clearly indicating the components.

(H) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure, described below, are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

The following embodiments and the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of this disclosure, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed, and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides an improved system and apparatus for a wall-mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus that has a wall mounting plate that is removably attachable to a wall surface with a attaching means, preferably suction cups 102. A scrubbing means is installed onto the wall mounting plate, preferably a skeleton rubber frame 104. The scrubbing means, preferably a loofah, 106 is removably attached to the scrubbing means mounting surface on the skeleton rubber frame 104. The loofah 106 is thus supported in spaced relationship with respect to the wall surface by the scrubbing means skeleton frame; so as to be in a position for convenient scrubbing of a person's skin when brought into contact with the loofah. In a further embodiment of the invention, a means for adjusting the vertical height of the apparatus is taught; so as to enable the device to be conveniently used with both tall and shorter individuals. The purpose of the invention is to provide user friendly, easy to use back- scrubber that can thoroughly clean and exfoliate the difficult to reach surfaces of the user's back. Even persons with disabilities may conveniently use the invention.

This section summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure, and briefly introduces some preferred embodiments. Simplifications or omissions in this section, as well as in the abstract or the title of this description, may be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract, and the title. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, nor imply any limitations.

Generally speaking, this invention discloses a system and method for a wall-mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus. With reference to Fig. la, lb, lc and Fig.2, the present invention provides a useful tool to scrub one's back during showering. As illustrated in Fig.l.c, 102b shows the multiple suction cups placed at the back side of the apparatus. These suction cups 102 are used to install the apparatus on a planar surface, such as a wall or bathtub. The apparatus includes components, as displayed in Fig. lc, such as a rubber skeleton frame 104 (Fig. lc and Fig. 2b)and scrubbing means 106 (Fig. la and Fig. 2a), such as a loofah. The system, as disclosed, has multiple 5 inches circular loofahs 106 installed at the rectangular 14" x 20" rubber backing skeleton frame 104 acting as a wall mounting plate. The multiple suction cups 102 at the back ensure the easy placement of the system on the wall, while at the same time ensuring the easy displacement and reinstallation of the apparatus.

The system of wall mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus includes installing the apparatus on the desired height with the help of the suction cups 102, and cleansing the back of the user with simple body movement or body motion, thereby achieving hands free operation of the reach less back scrub, as described in the current invention.

The system of the wall-mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus includes: a wall mounting plate, which is removably attachable to a wall surface

a wall attaching means, preferably suction cups 102;

a scrubbing means installed onto the wall mounting plate, preferably a set of multiple synthetic material loofahs 106

a scrubbing means mounting surface.

The method of the wall mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus includes steps:

a. Installing the apparatus with the wall mounting plate, which is removably attachable to a wall surface with a suction cup means 102.

b. A scrubbing means installed onto the wall mounting plate, preferably skeleton rubber frame 104, and a scrubbing means, preferably a loofah, 106 are removably attached to a scrubbing means mounting surface on the skeleton rubber frame 104. The rubber frame acts as a holder to all components and maintains them in a fixed position.

c. In a further embodiment of the invention a means for adjusting the vertical height of the apparatus is taught so as to enable the device to be conveniently used with both tall and shorter individuals.

d. Leaning of the back to the desired pressure and position using body movements by the bather.

e. Cleaned and exfoliated back with desired area being relaxed and cleansed.

The purpose of the invention is to provide user friendly, easy to use scrubber that thoroughly cleans and exfoliates the difficult to reach surfaces of the user's back. Even persons with disabilities may conveniently use it. The advantages of the apparatus of the current invention is that it is made up of rubber backing and affixed to the shower wall using multiple suction cups 102 attached with Loofah or sponges for scrubbing and cleaning. The back is cleaned with simple body movements. It allows persons of all age groups to use the scrub at body parts where it is normally difficult to reach and also allows people with disabilities, especially with back aches and other back problems to clean their back effortlessly. The size is approximately (14x 20)" with 5" loofah and weighs 3-6 lbs.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1/ We Claim :

1. A system and apparatus for a back scrubbing device comprising :

a wall mounting plate which is removably attachable to a wall surface ;

a wall attaching mea ns;

a scrubbing means installed onto the wall mounting plate;

a scrubbing means mounting surface

wherein said scrubbing means mounting surface is on the front side of the wall mounting plate; wherein said a wall attaching means is on the back side of the wall mounting plate.

2. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall mounting plate is rubber skeleton frame.

3. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall attaching means is multiple suction cups placed at uniform distance.

4. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubbing means is loofah.

5. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubbing means is a sponge.

6. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubbing means mounting surface is holder for all the components of said apparatus.

7. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubbing means is circular loofah of 5".

8. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said scrubbing means is circular loofah of synthetic material.

9. A system and appa ratus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall attaching means is multiple suction cups used for adjusting the vertical height of the apparatus at the same time ensuring easy displacement and reinstallation of the apparatus.

10. A system and apparatus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is conveniently used with both tall and shorter individuals.

11. A system and apparatus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is conveniently used with persons with disabilities.

12. A system and apparatus for a back scrubbing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rubber skeleton frame is rectangular of the size of 14" x 20".

13. The system of wall mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus includes: installing the apparatus on the desired height with the help of the suction cups to cleanse the back of the user with simple body movement or body motion .

14. The method of wall mounted back-scrubbing and massaging apparatus includes steps:

Installing the apparatus with the wall mounting plate wherein said wall mounting plate skeleton rubber frame;

Installing the scrubbing means onto the wall mounting plate, wherein said scrubbing means is a loofah;

leaning of the back to the desired pressure and position usi ng body movements by the bather;

achieving cleaned and exfoliated back with desired area being relaxed and cleansed.

15. An apparatus for a back scrubbing device comprising :

a wall mounting plate that is removably attachable to a wall surface;

a wall attaching means for the mounting plate;

a scrubbing means that is installed onto the wall mounting plate; and

a scrubbing means mounting surface .