Patent Application
20250031914
None.
The present invention relates generally to a grabbing device. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for use with hygiene cleaning products to clean difficult-to-reach areas.
Properly cleaning hygiene areas is of the utmost importance. Typically, these areas can harbor bacteria, and if improperly cleaned or not cleaned at all, individuals face further health risks. Some individuals can clean these areas by reaching them with their hands and applying cleaning tools and products, such as wipes and toilet paper, to such areas. However, some individuals struggle to reach such areas in order to clean them. Specifically, those with mobility issues may find difficulty in accessing these regions and properly cleaning them.
Existing systems fail to address these needs. Those devices currently on the market are unable to hold cleaning tools and products. Specifically, when these devices are used, the cleaning products fall from the devices, rendering the users without a means to clean themselves. To solve this problem, many users find themselves needing to wrap cleaning products around the end of the device (against the advice of those device manuals) in order to hold the tools and products on the end. However, such configuration creates further issues, as users must then remove the overly-wrapped tool and/or product from the device and potentially touch the particles collected on the tools and products. This leads to further sanitation concerns, as well as diminished dignity for those users.
The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art devices discussed above. The invention described herein includes several embodiments of a grabbing device. The grabbing device may be used by people with disabilities or those who otherwise have difficulty cleaning themselves.
The present invention solves the issues caused by existing systems by providing users with dignity and independence in cleaning. The grabbing device is configured to hold a cleaning tool or product while it is in use. Further, the device is configured to drop the cleaning product after it is used. This prevents the user from needing to directly handle a soiled cleaning product after its use.
The grabbing device may include an end portion configured to hold a cleaning tool or product, like a wet wipe or piece of toilet paper. The end portion may include grabbing claw that protrudes therefrom to secure a wet wipe or toilet paper. In use, a user may push a switch in a first direction to put the device into an expanded position (as used herein, an “on” position), causing the claw to expand and exit the end of the device. With the claw expanded, the user may then insert a cleaning product into the claw and push the switch in a second direction to put the device into a retracted position (as used herein, an “off” position), causing the claw to retract into the end of the device. When the claw is retracted, the cleaning product may be used without falling from the device. Once the user is finished using the cleaning product, the user may push the switch back to the “on” position. The cleaning product may then fall from the claw so that a user need not handle the cleaning product after it is used.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
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The grabbing claw 35 may include a plurality of prongs 55, which may be configured to hold a cleaning product or tool. According to one embodiment, the plurality of prongs 55 are made of metal. As shown, the grabbing claw 35 may include three prongs 55; according to various embodiments, there may be more or fewer than three prongs 55. The plurality of prongs 55 may be preferably tuned such that when the prongs 55 protrude from the device 1, the prongs 55 spring outwardly and expand. Even when expanded, the prongs 55 may have enough tension to hold a cleaning product, like a piece of toilet paper or a wipe. The prongs 55 may be preferably sprung in a manner to protract outwardly while still maintaining enough tension to hold a cleaning product.
The grabbing claw 35 may be attached to a first end 60 of a rigid rod 65 that may be contained inside the device 1. The rod 65 may be prevented from moving about within the device 1 via a plurality of retaining walls 70 that may project inwardly from the device 1. In one embodiment, the rod 65 is hollow. A second end 75 of the rod 65 may be attached to an internal body 80 of the switch 15 via a wire 85 that preferably runs through the rod 65. A portion of the wire 85 is illustrated that protrudes out from the rod 65.
More specifically, an exposed portion of the wire 85 may connect to the switch 15. The wire 85 may be placed through a pin hole 90 located on an internal body 80 of the switch 15. As such, when the switch 15 is in an “on” position, the wire 85 may be translated toward the first end 20 of the device 1. The wire 85 may cause the grabbing claw 35 to expand and protrude out from the opening 40 at the first end 20 of the device 1. When the grabbing claw 35 is expanded, a user may place a cleaning product or tool, like a wet wipe or piece of toilet paper, into the grabbing claw 35.
To retract the grabbing claw 35, a user may move the switch 15 backward toward the handle 5. A second stop portion 95 may protrude inwardly from the device 1 such that when a back end 100 of the switch 15 reaches the second stop portion 95, the switch 15 will be prohibited from moving further toward the handle 5. According to one embodiment, the second stop portion 95 is circumscribed on the top side 25 and the underside 30 of the device 1. When the back end 100 abuts the second stop portion 95, the grabbing claw 35 may be fully retracted and may be contained within the first end 20 of the device 1. When the switch 15 is moved backward toward the handle 5, the wire 85 may be pulled backward, which may cause the grabbing claw 35 to retract into the opening 40 of the first end 20 of the device 1.
When the grabbing claw 35 is retracted with a cleaning product or tool attached, a user may use the device 1 to clean hygiene areas. With a cleaning product or tool attached, the first end 20 of the device 1 preferably does not touch the user's hygiene areas. After the user is done using the cleaning product, the user may push the switch 15 toward the first end 20 to cause the grabbing claw 35 to protract. This way, the user may shake the cleaning product loose from the grabbing claw 35 and dispose of the cleaning product.
In one embodiment, the device 1 may include a spring 105 which may be attached at one end to a back portion 110 of the internal body 80 of the switch 15 and at another end to a wall 115. The spring 105 may make it easier for users to move the switch 15 backward toward the second stop portion 95. In some embodiments, the spring 105 may or may not bias the switch 15 to an “off” position.
According to one embodiment, the device 1 may include a magnet. The presence of the magnet may allow the device to be connected to a magnetic surface when not in use. In various embodiments, the device 1 may be placed into a holster when not in use. The holster may be configured to hold cleaning solution, and a user may place the first end 20 into the holster in order for it to be cleaned.
As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications, applications, variations, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. All such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present inventions are deemed to be covered by the inventions which are limited only by the claims which follow.
