Patent Grant
10334994
This invention relates, generally, to a holding apparatus. More specifically, it relates to a holding apparatus for use in combination with a cleaning device, such as a body scrubber, to retain the scrubber and allow a user to reach remote and difficult-to-reach places for cleaning.
Body scrubbers and other cleaning devices allow a user to indirectly clean areas without directly contacting the areas to be cleaned. For example, loofahs may be employed while bathing to replace the need for a user to directly apply soap or other cleaning supplies to his or her body. Instead, the soap or other cleaning supplies can be applied directly to the loofah, with the loofah being used to clean the user's body. Another example is the shower tool product sold under the trade name AXE®, such as the AXE® Detailer shower tool.
Similarly, devices with handles are used to help a user reach a remote area for cleaning, such as the user's back or legs. In particular, if the user suffers from a physical handicap or disability, cleaning certain parts of his or her body may be difficult or impossible without the aid of a cleaning device. Such devices are typically highly specialized, and do not allow for the removal of the cleaning portion from the handle for replacement by another cleaning device. Instead, the user typically must replace the entire device, including the handle and the cleaning portion, which increases the costs associated with the device.
Attempts have been made to provide a handle that is detachable from a cleaning implement, so that the handle does not need to be replaced with the cleaning implement. An example of such a device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,204 to Maxwell. While the device disclosed in the Maxwell reference includes a handle and a head specially designed to hold a sponge or loofah, the retention mechanism in the head portion of the device fails to secure the cleaning implement to the handle. In the Maxwell reference, a string attached to the cleaning implement is threaded through a slot in the head of the holder device, thereby retaining the cleaning implement against the handle. However, such a retention mechanism is not secure, in that the retention relies on the interaction between a string and a slot. In particular, in a wet environment, such as a shower or bath, such a retention mechanism could fail if the string gets wet and slips out of the slot, thereby disconnecting the cleaning implement from the handle. A similar retention mechanism and device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,022 to Gallacher, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,469,442 to Matheson, with the devices suffering from similar drawbacks as the Maxwell device.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,475,836 and 4,615,066, both to Colognori, propose handles with retention mechanism more complex than simply slots through which strings can be fed. The '836 Colognori reference discusses a tong-long retention mechanism, where the handle includes a pivot point disposed between two components that, when clamped together, are designed to retain a cleaning implement. However, the tongs must clamp around the cleaning implement to prevent the cleaning implement from detaching from the holder device. As such, a user or other mechanism must hold the components of the tongs together to prevent detachment. The '066 Colognori reference discusses a circular body defining an aperture sized to receive a sponge, with a retention pin used to secure the sponge within the aperture. The retention pin couples to diametrically-opposed ends of the circular body, and passes through the sponge, to keep the sponge in place. However, such a mechanism is cumbersome in that a user must maneuver the pin by removing it from the circular body in order to change the sponge. Moreover, the pin must pass through the sponge, potentially damaging the cleaning implement and forcing the user to replace the cleaning implement at an accelerated rate.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,967,898 to Dayeh describes yet another attempt to provide a holder device couplable with a cleaning implement. In the Deyah reference, the holder device includes a pair of locking tabs that project from the body of the holder device along the same axis as the handle. The cleaning implement includes a pair of slots designed to receive the locking tabs, thereby coupling the cleaning implement with the holder device. However, in use, a majority of the stress on the device would be focused on the connection point between the handle and cleaning implement, because a user grips the handle and uses it to scrub his or her body with the cleaning implement. As such, such a retention mechanism that uses a pair of locking tabs projecting along a parallel axis from the handle is prone to breaking as a result of stress placed on the connection during use.
Accordingly, what is needed is a body scrubber holding apparatus including a retention mechanism that secures a cleaning implement to a holder device, which does not focus the stress experienced by the apparatus during use on the connection between the cleaning implement and the holder. For example, what is needed is a device than can operate as an extended handle for a shower tool, such as the products sold under the trade name AXE® Detailer shower tool. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome.
All referenced publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.
In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.
The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a body scrubber holder apparatus that forms a secure connection with a body scrubber, that is flexible, and that includes a reduced risk of breaking during use, is now met by a new, useful, and nonobvious invention.
The novel structure includes a proximal end including a handle, and a distal end including a holder portion. A body portion is disposed between the proximal and distal ends, with the body portion being coupled to each of the handle and the holder portion. The body portion is flexible, such that it is arced in shape in a first orientation in the absence of a strain force, with the body portion being non-coplanar with the holder portion. The flexibility of the body portion is such that it is capable of bending to a second orientation that is substantially coplanar with the holder portion when experiencing the strain force. The body portion returns to the first orientation when no longer experiencing the strain force.
The holder portion includes a frame having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall connecting the top surface with the bottom surface. The top surface includes a top diameter, and the bottom surface includes a bottom diameter that is smaller than the top diameter. In an embodiment, the bottom surface also includes a lip extending radially from the side wall of the frame. The top surface, bottom surface, and side wall define a holding aperture that is shaped such that a cleaning implement can be retained by the frame. The holding aperture is shaped such that opposing surfaces of a dual-surface cleaning implement can be used in combination with the holding aperture, with at least one surface being accessible via the holding aperture.
A plurality of retention pins extending transversely from the lip toward the holding aperture. In an embodiment, the plurality of retention pins including two pairs of diametrically-opposed retention pins arranged on the lip in a rectangular orientation. The frame is adapted to receive and retain a cleaning implement thereto, such that the cleaning implement is disposed within the holding aperture and rests on the lip. In addition, the plurality of retention pins are adapted to be at least partially secured within slots in the cleaning implement.
In an embodiment, the handle includes a grip that further includes a plurality of grooves adapted to aid a user in gripping and maneuvering the holder apparatus. In an embodiment, the handle is hollow and cylindrical in shape, having a diameter greater than a diameter of the body portion, such that the handle surrounds and secures against the body portion at the proximal end of the holder apparatus. An aperture may be disposed at the proximal end of the holder apparatus, proximate to the handle, such that a hook may be used to hang the holder apparatus for storage.
An object of the invention is to provide a holder apparatus to be used in combination with a body scrubber, with the holder apparatus being flexible enough to bend along a middle portion while experiencing strain during use, without breaking. As such, an object of the invention is to provide a strain point that is disposed away from a point of retention between the holder apparatus and the body scrubber, such that the retention mechanism is not prone to breaking during use.
These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The present invention includes a body scrubber holder apparatus including a rigid handle portion, a flexible body portion, and a holder portion designed to receive and retain a body scrubber. The holder portion includes a plurality of retention pins extending transversely away from the body of the holder portion (which is oriented along a longitudinal axis, as described in greater detail below), such that the retention pins can fit into slots on a body scrubber or other device. The holder apparatus is shaped such that the flexible body portion is longer than each of the handle portion and the holder portion, such that the strain experienced by the apparatus is concentrated on the flexible body portion. As such, the body portion is flexible because it can flex when experiencing strain, and rebound to an original orientation when no longer experiencing strain. In addition, the strain being concentrated on the body portion (as opposed to on the connection between the holder and the cleaning device) provides an advantage over prior art holders, in that the strain does not risk the breakage of the retention mechanism.
Referring now to
Handle 14 includes proximal end 15, which is disposed adjacent to proximal end 11 of holder apparatus. Aperture 17 is disposed adjacent to proximal end 15 of handle 14, with aperture 17 providing an attachment point for a hook or other exterior retention implement, such that holder apparatus 10 may be hung up and stored via aperture 17. Aperture 17 is shown in
In addition, handle 14 includes distal end 16, which is disposed adjacent to flexible body portion 20, which is between proximal end 11 and distal end 12 of holder apparatus 10. The body of handle 14, from proximal end 15 to distal end 16, is shown in
Handle 14 couples to flexible body portion 20, such that a user gripping handle 14 can maneuver body portion 20 as well. In an embodiment, handle 14 is a hollow grip that has a diameter greater than that of body portion 20, such that handle 14 surrounds body portion 20. Alternatively, in an embodiment, handle 14 has a substantially solid body, and distal end 16 of handle 14 secures to body portion 20, such as by adhesive, welding, or a design choice during a manufacturing process, such as if the components of holder apparatus 10 are formed from a single piece of material.
Flexible body portion 20 includes proximal end 21 opposite distal end 22. The length spanning between proximal end 21 and distal end 22 is oriented substantially along the longitudinal axis of holder apparatus 10 (which spans from proximal end 11 to distal end 12). As shown in
The flexibility of body portion 20 is an important aspect of holder apparatus 10, since it reduces the risk that holder apparatus 10 breaks during use, such as if a user applies too much force while maneuvering the apparatus. For example, when a user grips handle 14 and uses the apparatus to scrub his or her back, the shape of the apparatus is such that, when holder apparatus receives a normal stress force, the strain is focused on body portion 20, and the flexibility of body portion 20 is such that there is a reduced risk of breaking since body portion 20 can bend while in use. Due to its flexibility, body portion 20 is elastically deformable along its longitudinal length, as body portion 20 can deform in response to a normal stress, while regaining its original shape and position after the normal stress is no longer acting on body portion 20. As such, body portion 20 has a relatively high normal strain value (as compared to prior art holders), and can deform in response to a normal stress while regaining its shape after the normal stress ceases to act on it.
Distal end 22 of body portion 20 is coupled to holder portion 30 of holder apparatus 10. Holder portion 30 is sized and shaped to securely retain scrubber 50 to holder apparatus 10, in a mechanism that is described in greater detail below.
Frame 31 is designed to receive and retain scrubber 50 therein. Scrubber 50 includes first cleaning side 51 opposite second cleaning side 52, with scrubber frame 53 being disposed therebetween and forming the body of scrubber 50, connecting first cleaning side 51 with second cleaning side 52. Scrubber 50, as shown in
In addition,
Turning now to
As shown in
Lip 38 extends radially from the side walls 39 of frame 31 toward the center point of holder portion 30, through which top diameter 36 and bottom diameter 37 pass through. Lip 38 provides a retention surface that includes a plurality of retention pins 33 extending transversely away from lip 38, as shown in detail in
If scrubber 50 includes multiple cleaning sides, such as first cleaning side 51 and second cleaning side 52, it is desirable that each of the cleaning sides can be used when scrubber 50 is used in combination with holder apparatus 10. As such, holder portion 30 of holder apparatus 10 includes holding aperture 32 defined by frame 31 of holder portion 30. In particular, holding aperture 32 is defined by top surface 34, side walls 39 of frame 31, and bottom surface 35, including lip 38. Lip 38 provides a surface upon which scrubber frame 53 of scrubber 50 can reside when scrubber 50 secures against holder portion 30, forming a press fit. In combination with retention pins 53, lip 38 and side walls 39 of frame 31 form a retention mechanism for securing scrubber 50 to holder apparatus 10, such that scrubber is unlikely to disconnect or detach from holder apparatus 10 during use. When secured to holder apparatus 10, both first cleaning side 51 and second cleaning side 52 can be accessed and utilized as a result of holding aperture 32, which provides for access to one or more of the cleaning sides, depending on the orientation of scrubber 50 with respect to holder apparatus 10.
The advantages set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
This nonprovisional application is a continuation of and claims priority to provisional application No. 62/763,351, entitled “AXE Handle,” filed Jun. 13, 2018 by the same inventor.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 455567 | Kraft | Jul 1891 | A |
| 3345669 | Starry | Oct 1967 | A |
| 4475836 | Colognori | Oct 1984 | A |
| 4615066 | Colognori | Oct 1986 | A |
| 6276022 | Gallacher | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6557204 | Maxwell | May 2003 | B2 |
| 7331080 | Chen | Feb 2008 | B2 |
| 7469442 | Matheson | Dec 2008 | B1 |
| 8967898 | Dayeh | Mar 2015 | B1 |
| 9498092 | Chang | Nov 2016 | B2 |
| 20100034573 | Moyers | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| Entry |
|---|
| AXE Detailer Shower Tool. 2018 Unilever. Date Accessed: Oct. 1, 2018: https://www.axe.com/us/en/products/body-wash/detailer-shower-tool.html. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62763351 | Jun 2018 | US |
