The present invention relates to a toiletry wiping device for assisting individuals with wiping themselves after going to the bathroom. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable holder of toilet paper having a head connected to a handle, wherein the head includes a pair of opposing facing jaws that are movable between an open and closed position.
Many people, especially persons having limited hand/arm function, find it difficult to reach and hygienically wipe after toilet use. In addition, persons recovering from surgical or other medical procedures often have limited mobility that requires assistance with everyday tasks including natural bodily functions. The proper cleaning of one's anatomical region, particularly the anal and perineal regions of the body, after using the toilet is critical to proper and thorough hygiene.
Over the years, there have been attempts to provide toiletry wiping devices. However, these attempts have several shortcomings. One of the shortcomings is the closing mechanisms of these devices that hold the tissue paper therebetween, which are not in an optimal location for retaining and securing the tissue paper therebetween. An additional shortcoming is that these devices fail to provide an elongated handle with an end having a rotatable head that supports a pair of jaws adapted for gripping toilet paper. Further, the closing mechanisms of such devices fail to provide jaws that securely grip toilet or tissue paper therebetween, and the jaws do not easily fit between the cheeks of a buttock. Thus, there exists a need for a device that can securely grip toilet paper and assist persons having limited hand/arm function who may find it difficult to reach and hygienically wipe after toilet use.
In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to toiletry wiping devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of toiletry wiping devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a toiletry wiping device that utilizes a pair of jaws configured to grasp and release toilet paper upon the sliding of a sleeve mounted thereto.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved toiletry wiping device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
The present invention relates to a toiletry wiping device comprising a handle coupled to a head having a pair of jaws configured to grasp toilet paper therebetween. The jaws are movable between an open position and a closed position by the actuating of a sleeve mounted thereto.
It is another object of the present invention to promote personal hygiene, especially for persons having limited hand/arm function. In particular, the present invention provides an elongated and extendable handle that assists the aforementioned persons with reaching and hygienically wiping the anatomical areas that require cleaning without excessive bending or moving.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a toiletry wiping device that includes a rotatable gripping assembly that allows each user to selectively rotate the gripping assembly to a desired position for improved comfort and accuracy.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made acid used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the toiletry wiping device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for assisting individuals with wiping themselves after toilet use. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The sliding sleeve 21 is mounted annularly around the first and second jaw 13, 14 and is configured to slide along the longitudinal axis of the head 12. The sliding sleeve 21 is movable between an open position and a closed position. When moved into the open position, the sliding sleeve 21 is disposed towards the first end 18 of the jaws 13, 14 and when moved into the closed position, the sliding sleeve 21 is disposed towards the second end 19 of the jaws 13, 14.
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the jaws 13, 14 are curved plates that curve initially inwardly towards each other at the first end, then away from each other towards the second end, such that when the jaws 13, 14 are in the open position, the size of the gap 20 increases from the first end 18 to the second end 19. The sliding sleeve 21 includes a fixed circumference. Therefore, as the sliding sleeve 21 slides from first end 18 to the second end 19, the size of the gap 20 decreases, thereby enabling the toiletry wiping device 10 to clamp down on objects positioned within the gap 20. In an alternative embodiment, the jaws 13, 14 are shaped to form a V-shaped gap 20 therebetween. In either embodiment, translation of the sliding sleeve 21 along the length of the jaws 13, 14 causes the jaws 13, 14 to open and close, respectfully.
In the shown embodiment, the head 12 extends at a right angle from the elongated handle 11 at the hinge 17. However, the pivotally affixed head 12 may be positioned at any angle relative to the handle 11. The head 12 is affixed to the handle 11 via a pin. In alternative embodiments, any suitable fastener configured to couple the head 12 to the handle 11 may be utilized. In this way, the head 12 is interchangeable with other substantially similar heads 12 should they need replacement.
In the shown embodiment, the second end 19 of the jaws 13, 14 comprises a high friction tip 22 configured to prevent toilet paper from accidental slipping or otherwise begin removal from between the jaws 13, 14. The second end 19 of the jaws 13, 14 are curved; however in alternative embodiments the second end 19 may include any suitable shape.
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment, the handle 11 may also be extendable and/or telescoping. The handle 11 comprises one or more elongated sections 26, 27. In the shown embodiment, a first elongated section 26 is adjustably secured to a second elongated section 27 so as to allow the handle 11 to extend into an extended configuration and retract into a retracted configuration. This telescopic arrangement of the elongated sections 26, 27 provides for adjustment of the linear length of the handle 11. The elongated sections 26, 27 are fastened to one another via any suitable fastener, such as a quick release pin 28. The fastener allows a user to select a desired handle length. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated sections 26, 27 are tubular members comprising a circular cross-section, however in alternative embodiments, the elongated sections 26, 27 may comprise any suitable cross-sectional shape. The telescopic arrangement of the handle 11 enables users to extend or retract the linear length of the elongated handle 11 for convenient use.
Referring now to
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/258,706 filed on Nov. 23, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20170143173 A1 | May 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62258706 | Nov 2015 | US |