Patent Application
20220386826
The present invention generally relates to foot and body care. More specifically, the invention relates to an adaptable multi-function foot and body care apparatus.
Various types of devices for reaching hard to reach areas of the human body have been devised and used with varying degrees of success. These types of devices typically involve an elongated handle to which various implements are appended.
United States Patent Application 20160262796 discloses an extended sole and heel care device with strengthened extended handles to be held in each hand and pulled back and forth in a see-saw motion across the sole or heel of the foot to be used for cleaning, removing dry or calloused skin, or to apply lotions and oils.
While these and other devices may be effective, they suffer from a number of drawbacks. First, the devices are single function devices and cannot be used for a purpose other than that for which they were designed. Secondly, the spacing between the user's hand and the implement is not adjustable. One size fits all does not work because different individuals have different body types and range of motion can vary greatly from one individual to the next. Finally, the multi-function aspect of the inventive apparatus allows a user familiarity with the manipulation of the apparatus, which familiarity leads to greater effectiveness and efficiency of use, an outcome not possible with the single use devices of the prior art.
None of the prior art devices described above, or otherwise known in the prior art provide an apparatus which overcomes the above, and other, drawbacks.
An apparatus for cleaning and treating hard to reach areas of the human body is provided. The inventive apparatus includes an elongated, telescoping handle for manual manipulation by an individual. A pair of applicators are removably attached to, and extend from, attachment supports positioned at the lower end of the handle for cleaning. An abrasion pad is pivotally and removably mounted to one of the attachment supports for abrading surfaces of the foot or back. A planar brush is also removably mounted one of the attachment supports and can be extended for brushing exterior surfaces of the foot to improve podiatric hygiene. A mirror and an applicator pad can also be attached to the supports. The upper end of the handle is curved and includes a hook member for manipulating socks onto the feet of the user.
It is a major object of the invention to provide an improved hygiene and foot care apparatus.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved hygiene and foot care apparatus which can be used to reach hard to reach areas of the body.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved hygiene and foot care apparatus which has interchangeable applicators.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved hygiene and foot care apparatus having adjustable length.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved hygiene and foot care apparatus that can be used by persons having a limited range of motion.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
The apparatus 10 may be used by an individual to access hard to reach areas of their body such as the feet, and the upper and lower back. By using various interchangeable applicators or attachments, a user can wash, scrub, apply treatment to, or view an inaccessible body part. Note that “inaccessible” is a relative term, users with physical impairments will have more inaccessible body parts and will therefore find more utility in the inventive apparatus 10. The apparatus may be formed of any suitable waterproof rigid material such as a hard plastic or metal. The apparatus 10 comprises a telescoping elongated handle 12 for being grasped and manually manipulated by an individual during use of the apparatus 10. The telescoping handle 12 should be adjustable to extend to around 3 or 4 feet so that the average user can use the apparatus to treat their feet even from a standing position. The elongated handle 12, as shown in
Referring now to
The abrasion pad 18 preferably comprises a planar pumice stone 30 or other similarly coarse block of material which is secured to the outer end of the first arm 26. The planar brush 20 comprises a base plate 32 removably secured to attachment surface 29, with a plurality of bristles 34 extending substantially orthogonally from the base plate 32 for engagement with an exterior surface of a human body during use of the apparatus 10.
Attachment surfaces 25, 29 are essentially planar and have, preferably, Velcro® attached thereto as by adhesive. The various applicators would have a quantity of Velcro® (hook and loop material) positioned thereon in the well known manner so that the applicators can be firmly and securely, but removably, attached to attachment surface.
A key aspect of the invention is the telescoping handle 12. This allows users to adjust the distance from their hand to the selected applicator based on their body size and proportion, as well as the particular area of the body to be treated. It can be seen that the handle 12 is formed of concentric elongated cylinders with the outer cylinder 50 having a stop aperture 52 through which a regularly spaced series of stop members 53 on inner cylinder 54 can protrude thereby fixing the length of the handle 12.
Preferably, the end 70 of inner cylinder is angled, the angled portion 70 allowing for easier manipulation of the apparatus 10 when treating hard to reach areas of the body.
As discussed above, the applicators can include brushing or abrading devices. Additionally, a sponge 40 may be attached as shown in
Grasping portion 14 includes a curved projection 60 extending from one end. The projection, essentially a sock unrolling aid, can serve as an unrolling device for socks 62. In use, the user positions the sock 62 in a rolled position as shown in
In use, the apparatus 10 of the present invention can be easily utilized to clean various portions of a human body during a shower or the like. The pivotal mounting of the various applicators permit the device 10 to be configured for convenient use.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims:
