BACK SCRUBBING DEVICE

Abstract

A self-contained, battery-powered, waterproof, motorized back scrubber/conditioner, massager structured and arranged to mount on the shower wall via suction cups, and scrub the upper back of the user with three variable-speed, interchangeable rotary brush-heads. A great addition to any shower and is especially useful to those who suffer limitations of flexibility and mobility; the present invention will enable virtually any user to wash, scrub, condition, and massage any area of his or her upper back without assistance.

Description

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of back scrubbing devices and more specifically relates to a self-contained, battery-powered, waterproof, motorized back scrubber/conditioner/massager structured and arranged to mount on the shower wall via suction cups and scrub the upper back of the user with three variable-speed, interchangeable rotary brush-heads.

2. Description of the Related Art

Almost all of us take a least one shower daily, and many take two—and not one of us (with the possible exception of a few yoga masters!) can adequately reach and wash our own back. A sponge doesn't help much, nor does a washcloth or brush. It gets complicated, and parts of the upper back remain untouched. And for those with flexibility problems, disabilities, or joints made stiff by age and arthritis, fully washing one's back alone is practically impossible. What's needed, then, is a way for a single individual to reach and scrub his or her own back. Therefore, a need exists for a device that makes it possible for anyone to get a good, satisfying back-scrub and skin-conditioning in the shower and a back-massage as well.

Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in the back scrubbing device art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 6,996,861 to Aaron Thomas Clark, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,903 to Wayne L. Jahnke; U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,513 to Reinaldo Torres; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,640 to Mary A. Goss. This prior art is representative of motorized back scrubbing devices structured and arranged to attach to shower wall.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable Back Wash, a self-contained, battery-powered, waterproof, motorized back scrubber/conditioner/massager structured and arranged to mount on the shower wall via suction cups and scrub the upper back of the user with three variable-speed, interchangeable rotary brush-heads and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known back scrubbing device art, the present invention provides a novel back scrubbing device. The general purpose of the Back Wash, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a self-contained, battery-powered, waterproof, motorized back scrubber/conditioner/massager structured and arranged to mount on the shower wall via suction cups, and scrub the upper back of the user with three variable-speed, interchangeable rotary brush-heads. A great addition to any shower, the present invention is especially useful to those who suffer limitations of flexibility and mobility; for the present invention will enable virtually any user to wash, scrub, condition, and massage any area of his or her upper back without assistance. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

The Back Wash offers stress-free, instant access to the users own upper back. With its unique, triple rotary-head design, and its interchangeable scrubbing and massaging heads, the Back Wash effectively permits the user to reach, and scrub or massage, any area of their back—regardless of their physical flexibility or lack thereof, with absolutely no undue strain or stretching required. A delightful addition to the shower for anyone, the Back Wash is a special blessing to those who suffer from a lack of flexibility or joint mobility. Not only does the Back Wash scrub one's back—a great feature to be sure—it also provides skin-conditioning and a relaxing back massage, thereby tripling its usefulness and value. The Back Wash mounts easily and detachably to the wall of the shower, so that raising or lowering the unit—as one might do for a child or a person in a wheelchair is fast and easy. The Back Wash is of tremendous utility and pleasure to virtually anyone who bathes by shower, and this highly useful product should find a wide and enthusiastic market reception, both in the United States and around the world. The Back Wash is cost-effective to produce.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a back scrubbing device. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, a Back Wash, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a back scrubbing device with brushes according to an embodiment of the present invention with a close up of the pull-out drawer.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a back scrubbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a back scrubbing device with sponges according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a back scrubbing device with massage balls according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a back scrubbing device with hair removing patches according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away view illustrating the interior of a back scrubbing device according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a Back Wash, a self-contained, battery-powered, waterproof, motorized back scrubber/conditioner/massager structured and arranged to mount on the shower wall via suction cups, and to scrub the upper back of the user with three variable-speed, interchangeable rotary brush-heads. A great addition to any shower, the present invention is especially useful to those who suffer limitations of flexibility and mobility; for the present invention will enable virtually any user to wash, scrub, condition, and massage any area of his or her upper back without assistance.

Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-6, and beginning with FIG. 1, the present invention features a back scrubbing device 1 comprising a waterproof, molded-plastic casing 2, rounded triangular in shape, and measuring 7 inches in height, 12 inches in width, and 2 inches in thickness or depth. Referring now also to FIG. 2, the casing 2 has a top portion 21a, a bottom portion 21b, a back wall 3, a front wall 4 and a side wall 5. The side wall 5 extends between the back wall 3 and the front wall 4 and includes apertures 6a, 6b, and 6c. Each of these apertures can be selectively opened or closed. They are able to be closed to keep out unwanted moisture. The purpose of the apertures in the open position will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

The back wall 3, front wall 4 and side wall 5 form a hollow interior volume 7 (as can be seen in FIG. 6). The side wall 5 is shown as being continuous in FIGS. 1-6, but the casing 2 is not limited to this particular substantially curved triangular shape. In the embodiment shown, the substantially triangular shape includes three apexes 8a, 8b and 8c which form three quadrants 9a, 9b and 9c (shown in FIG. 5) each in proximity to a respective apex 8a, 8b and 8c.

The outer surface of back wall 3 of the casing 2 is equipped with multiple suction-cups either nine smaller cups 10a-10i (as shown in FIG. 2) or three larger cups (not shown) with which it attaches to the shower wall, as well as a selectively openable and closeable gasket-sealed battery compartment 16a (See FIG. 2) to allow a battery to be inserted when open and to prevent moisture from getting to the battery when closed.

The back scrubbing device will operate on a lantern-type, 6-volt battery (shown in FIG. 6) which serves as the power source 16. This power source 16 is located within the interior volume 7 and will power three variable-speed motors 15a, 15b and 15c (Low, Medium, and High speeds) which, through either gears or belts, are configured to drive three rotary brushes 11a, 11b and 11c (see FIG. 1) in rotation. The three brushes 11a, 11b and 11c, with detachable heads 3½ inches in diameter, will be situated at the three apexes 8a, 8b and 8c of the rounded triangle, and will extend outward beyond the surface of the unit.

Each of the three rotary brushes 11a, 11b and 11c are attached to a panel 12a, 12b and 12c (see FIG. 3) respectively. Each panel 12a, 12b and 12c have at least one aperture 13 (see FIG. 1) therethrough but typically will have more apertures 13 through which liquids are able to pass and furthermore have the brushes 11a, 11b and 11c with bristles 14a, 14b and 14c attached thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the three rotary brushes 11a, 11b and 11c are suitably attached to the front wall 4 of the casing 2 at the respective ones of the three quadrants 9a, 9b and 9c. Each of the three rotary brushes 11a, 11b and 11c are adapted to rotate. The three brushes 11a, 11b and 11c are formed of plastic bristles 14a, 14b and 14c which are available as rigid or flexible.

A control member 17 controls On/Off, as well as the Speed Setting, and rotating direction of the brushes 11a, 11b and 11c. The control member 17 is situated on the front wall 4 of the back scrubbing device, between the two lower brushes 11b and 11c (See FIG. 1). The control member 17 is electrically connected to the power source 16. A small aperture 6a having hinged lid 6d that can be selectively opened or closed in the center top 21a of the back scrubbing device unit opens to the interior. Through this aperture 6a, body-wash or a similar liquid or lotion is poured, and travels to and expelled through the aperture(s) 13 in each of the three brushes 11a, 11b or 11c by means of interior tubes or channels 18a, 18b and 18c. Each channel 18a, 18b and 18c has at least one wall member 19 forming an interior volume (see FIG. 6).

The brushes 11a, 11b and 11c are removable from the panels 12a, 12b and 12c, and are washable, replaceable, and interchangeable with other appliances. The back scrubbing device appliances includes not only the three brushes 11a, 11b and 11c—which is offered in Soft, Medium, and Hard—but also a set of sponges (FIG. 3) 24a, 24b and 24c (for application of skin-care lotions or creams), and a set of massage balls 25a, 25b and 25c (FIG. 4) and hair-removal patches 26a, 26b and 26c (FIG. 5) for removing hair from the back in the shower.

The casing 2 is provided with a second aperture 6b, having hinged lid 6e that can be selectively opened or closed, this one on the center bottom portion 21b, which can be selectively opened to drain the casing 2 after use. To rinse the unit, the user would pour water into the opened top aperture 6a, with the brushes 11a, 11b and 11c running, and open the bottom aperture 6b to let the rinse-water run through. Also, a drawer 22 compartment pulled by a circular handle 23, slides in and out of aperture 6c in one side of the back scrubbing device unit, provides water tight storage space when closed for pill bottles—when the drawer 22 is inside the casing 2, making it convenient for back scrubbing device users to take their medication in the shower. (For example, those with certain heart conditions, may need to have their medication immediately available at all times).

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A back scrubbing device for use in shower stalls, comprising: a casing including: a back wall;a front wall;at least one side wall including: at least one aperture therethrough;wherein said at least one side wall extends between said back wall and said front wall;wherein said back wall, said front wall, and at least one side wall form a hollow interior volume; andwherein said casing is formed having a substantially triangular shape including three apexes and forming three quadrants each in proximity to a respective apex;a plurality of suction cups; wherein said plurality of suction cups are attached to an outer surface of said back wall, are adapted to releasably attach to a wall within a shower stall, and thereby attach said back scrubbing device to a wall within a shower stall;three rotary brushes, each including: a panel including: at least one aperture therethrough;a plurality of bristles extending outwardly therefrom;wherein each of said three rotary brushes are attached and extend through said front wall of said casing at respective ones of said three quadrants;wherein said three rotary brushes are each adapted to be rotated and allow liquids to pass through their respective said at least one aperture;three electric motors; wherein each of said three electric motors are located within said interior volume of said casing in proximity to respective said three rotary brushes and are adapted to rotate respective ones of said three rotary brushes;a power source; wherein said power source is located within said interior volume of said casing and electrically connected to and provide electric power to said three electric motors;a control member; wherein said control member is located upon an outer surface of said front wall of said casing, is electrically connected to said power source and said three electric motors, and is adapted to control the rotating speed and rotating direction of each of said three rotary brushes;three channels, each including: at least one wall member forming an interior volume;wherein each of said three channels are connected between said one of said at least one aperture of said at least one side wall and a respective one of said three rotary brushes, such that liquids can be poured into said one of said at least one aperture of said at least one side wall and be expelled through said at least one aperture of each said panel of each of said three rotary brushes.

2. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said at least one side wall of said casing includes at least two apertures; wherein a first aperture is located at a top portion of said casing and a second aperture is located at a bottom portion of said casing, such that water can be poured into said first aperture, flow through said three channels, and out through said at least one aperture of each said panel of each of said three rotary brushes and said second aperture to thereby aid in cleaning said back scrubbing device.

3. The back scrubbing device of claim 2, wherein said at least one side wall of said casing includes at least three apertures; wherein a first aperture is located at a top portion of said casing, a second aperture is located at a bottom portion of said casing, and a third aperture is located at a side portion of said casing in between said top and bottom portions; and a pull-out drawer slidably located within said third aperture and adapted to releasably retain items therein; and wherein said pull-out drawer includes a handle.

4. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said casing is formed from a plastic material.

5. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery.

6. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said three channels are formed as plastic tubes.

7. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristles of said panel of each of said three rotary brushes are formed from a plastic material.

8. The back scrubbing device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of bristles are rigid.

9. The back scrubbing device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of bristles are flexible.

10. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said casing is formed having dimensions including 7 inches in height, 12 inches in width, and 2 inches in thickness.

11. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said three rotary brushes are detachable from said casing and are 3.5 inches in diameter.

12. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said each said panel of each of said three rotary brushes includes at least one sponge thereon.

13. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said each said panel of each of said three rotary brushes includes at least one massage ball thereon.

14. The back scrubbing device of claim 1, wherein said each said panel of each of said three rotary brushes includes at least one hair removing patch thereon.