U.S. patent application number 12/959465 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for mounted motorized bath brush.
Invention is credited to Anthony Newlin.
Application Number | 20120138087 12/959465 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46161066 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120138087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newlin; Anthony |
June 7, 2012 |
MOUNTED MOTORIZED BATH BRUSH
Abstract
A device and method is disclosed incorporating a bath brush
assembly for attachment to a bathtub or shower. The device includes
a base structure having at least one movable brush, a power
producing system to move the at the least one movable brush, a
mounting structure to attach the base structure to a bathtub or
shower. The base structure has a plurality of movable brushes, and
the power producing system includes a pulley system connected to
the plurality of movable brushes to rotate the plurality of
brushes.
Inventors: |
Newlin; Anthony; (Cleveland,
OH) |
Family ID: |
46161066 |
Appl. No.: |
12/959465 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/6 ;
15/21.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 11/002 20130101;
A46B 13/04 20130101; A46B 13/008 20130101; A46B 2200/1006 20130101;
A46B 13/02 20130101; A47K 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/6 ;
15/21.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 13/00 20060101
A46B013/00 |
Claims
1. A bath brush assembly, comprising: a base structure having at
least one movable brush; a power producing system to move the at
the least one movable brush; and a mounting structure to attach the
base structure.
2. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 1 wherein the base
structure has a plurality of movable brushes.
3. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 1 wherein the power
producing system includes a motor mounted on the base
structure.
4. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 3 wherein the power
producing system includes a pulley system connected to the
plurality of movable brushes to rotate the plurality of
brushes.
5. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 4 wherein the pulley
system includes a series of belts, each of the belts being
connected to an axle secured to each of the plurality of brushes
and to a spindle of a motor for moving the plurality of
brushes.
6. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 4 wherein the at least
one movable brush rotationally oscillates.
7. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 2 further including a
reservoir to dispense liquid soap to the plurality of movable
brushes.
8. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 7 further including a
conduit connected to the reservoir and the plurality of movable
brushes to dispense liquid soap to the plurality of movable
brushes.
9. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 8 further including: a
plurality of outlet conduits connecting the conduit to each of the
plurality of movable brushes; and a plurality of valves to close
each of the outlet conduits to prevent the liquid soap from
reaching the plurality of movable brushes.
10. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 1 further including a
plurality of suction cups for adhering the base structure to the
surface.
11. A bath brush assembly, comprising: a base structure having at
least one movable brush; a power producing system to move the at
the least one movable brush; a mounting structure to attach the
base structure; the base structure having a plurality of movable
brushes; and the power producing system including a pulley system
connected to the plurality of movable brushes to rotate the
plurality of brushes.
12. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 11 wherein the power
producing system is a motor mounted on the base structure.
13. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 11 wherein the pulley
system includes a series of belts, each of the belts being
connected to an axle secured to each of the plurality of brushes
and to a spindle of a motor for moving the plurality of
brushes.
14. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 11 further including
a reservoir to dispense liquid soap to the plurality of movable
brushes.
15. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 14 further including
a conduit connected to the reservoir and the plurality of movable
brushes to dispense liquid soap to the plurality of movable
brushes.
16. The rotating bath brush assembly of claim 11 further including
a plurality of suction cups for adhering the base structure to the
surface.
17. A method for a rotating bath brush assembly, comprising:
placing a base structure housing one or more movable brushes onto
the surface of a bathtub or shower; moving the one or more movable
brushes; and adhering the base structure to a surface of a shower
or bathtub.
18. The method of claim 17 including: placing a base structure
housing having a plurality of movable brushes.
19. The method of claim 18 including dispensing liquid soap to the
plurality of movable brushes.
20. The method of claim 18 including rotating the plurality of
brushes.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a device to aid
in the washing of an individual's back while bathing. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a device that
adheres to a surface in a bathtub or shower, utilizing movable
brushes to assist in washing an individual's back.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Showering is a daily activity for most people. Most body
parts are able to be cleaned easily, because they are within the
reach of the showering person. However, one body part that has been
traditionally difficult to reach, and thus, to wash, is the back.
Specifically, the upper back between the shoulder blades has been
the most difficult spot to reach. Also, since people may not be
able to reach this portion of the upper back, they simply run soapy
water over the area or lightly wash it with a soapy towel. However,
neither of these methods provides a deep cleaning action like that
done to the rest of the body.
[0003] Many devices have been developed to remedy this problem.
Most common is the use of a hand-held back washer, which is usually
a brush on the end of a stick. This device, however, is
insufficient to provide a thorough cleaning of the back because it
is manually operated. The angle that the device must be held at
only allows for a light cleansing of the back. Another method of
cleaning the back has involved the use of a detachable showerhead.
Though the showerhead can be aimed directly at the back and
sufficient water pressure applied, the person in the shower is
still presented with the problem of applying soap to the region.
Thus, the detachable showerhead only solves half of the problem.
The present invention seeks to alleviate these issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the present invention, there is disclosed a
bath brush assembly that includes a base structure having at least
one movable brush, a power producing system to move the at the
least one movable brush, and a mounting structure to attach the
base structure to the wall of a bathtub or shower.
[0005] Further according to the present invention, there is
disclosed a bath brush assembly including a base structure having
at least one movable brush, a power producing system to move the at
the least one movable brush, and a mounting structure to attach the
base structure to the wall of a bathtub or shower. The base
structure includes a plurality of movable brushes, and the power
producing system includes a pulley system connected to the
plurality of movable brushes to rotate the plurality of
brushes.
[0006] Further according to the present invention, there is
disclosed a method for a rotating bath brush assembly. The method
includes placing a base structure housing one or more movable
brushes onto the surface of a bathtub or shower, moving the one or
more movable brushes, and adhering the base structure to a surface
of a shower or bathtub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The structure, operation, and advantages of the present
invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
figures (FIGs.). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not
limiting. Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted,
or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The
cross-sectional views may be in the form of "slices", or
"near-sighted" cross-sectional views, omitting certain background
lines which would otherwise be visible in a "true" cross-sectional
view, for illustrative clarity.
[0008] In the drawings accompanying the description that follows,
both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may
be used to identify elements. if legends are provided, they are
intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way
be interpreted as limiting.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a rotating bath brush assembly, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rotating bath brush assembly,
in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the belts and axles layout of the
rotating bath brush assembly, in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] In the description that follows, numerous details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present
invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
variations of these specific details are possible while still
achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known
processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to
avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present
invention.
[0013] In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be
presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The
dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included
to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the
relationship between various elements, where they arc located,
their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes
that is of significance.
[0014] In the drawings accompanying the description that follows,
often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text
descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are
provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and
should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.
[0015] An individual's back is the most difficult region of the
body to reach and is often the most unclean. The present invention
is directed to an innovative manner of washing an individual's back
while taking a shower or bath. In general terms, a rotating bath
brush assembly adheres to the back of a bath or shower, and
includes power drive rotating brushes that can emit liquid soap.
The user simply places his or her back against the rotating bath
brush assembly to efficiently clean their back.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, the rotating bath brush assembly 10 is
illustrated. This rotating bath brush assembly 10 is intended to
adhere to the surface of a bathtub or shower, as described in
relation to FIG. 2. The rotating bath brush assembly has a base
structure 12 that supports at least one movable brush 14. Base
structure 12 is constructed out of flexible plastic or any other
suitable waterproof material. The base structure 12 may be designed
with an oval shape or any other suitable shape, such as a stylized
hourglass shape, as required. The base structure 12 can be of any
suitable dimensions, such as for example a height of about 12''
(inches) to about 18'', and a width of about 6'' to 10''. However,
it is within the terms of the present invention to use any desired
shape and size.
[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotating bath brush assembly
10 has three brushes, 14a, 14b, and 14c (14a-14c). Each of the
brushes 14a-14c can be removable. While three brushes 14a-14c are
illustrated, it is within the terms of the present invention to use
fewer or more brushes as desired. It is within the terms of the
present invention that the rotating bath brush assembly 10 comes
with a variety of soft, medium, and firm brushes that may be
interchanged based on the preference of the user. As described
below, the brushes 14a-14c are powered and can rotate in a circular
motion to clean the bather's back, as well as providing a massaging
sensation. The brushes 14a-14c can rotate in both clockwise and
counterclockwise directions. Further, it is with the terms of the
invention that the brushes be timed to rotationally oscillate
between clockwise and counterclockwise motion.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the rear side of the rotating bath
brush assembly 10 is illustrated. There are a plurality of suction
cups 16 that are designed to adhere the rotating bath brush
assembly 10 to the surface of a bathtub or shower. The suction cups
16 provide sufficient adherence such that when the bather rubs his
or her back against the brushes 14, the rotating bath brush
assembly 10 remains securely in place. It is also within the terms
of the present invention to mount the rotating bath brush assembly
10 by other means such as Velcro, or permanently gluing the
assembly 10 in place.
[0019] At the upper end of rotating bath brush assembly 10 is a
reservoir 18 into which liquid soap can be poured. The liquid soap
flows from the reservoir 18 through a conduit 19 to outlet conduits
19a, 19b, 19c (19a-19c) to the rear of the brushes 14a-14c so that
the liquid soap is dispensed to the brushes 14a-14c. The liquid
soap can be dispensed in a circular fashion through the front of
the brushes 14a-14c. It is also within the terms of the present
invention, to provide a valve 27a, 27b, and 27c (27a-27c) to close
each of the outlet conduits 19a-19c so that the user can decide
which brushes 14 have liquid soap emitting from them. In an
alternative embodiment, there can be a separate reservoir for each
of the plurality of movable brushes so that liquid soap can be
dispensed individually into each brush. Additionally, there could
be a valve between the reservoir and the brushes.
[0020] The brushes 14 can rotate by means of a pulley system 20, as
illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. At the lower end of the rotating
bath brush assembly 10 can be mounted a motor 22 that powers the
pulley system 20. There is an on/off switch 24 that controls the
power source, such as a battery 25, that powers the motor 22. A
speed control 23 regulates the speed of the brushes 14a, 14b and
14c.
[0021] There is a belt 26a that wraps about a rotating spindle 28
extending from the motor 25 and powered thereby. The belt 26a
extends to and wraps around a first rotatable axle 30a, that is
mounted to and rotates the brush 14c. Further, belt 26b is also
wrapped about axle 30a, and extends to axle 30b that is mounted to
and rotates the brush 14b. Further, belt 26c is wrapped about axle
30b, and extends to axle 30c that is mounted to and rotates the
brush 14c.
[0022] In operation, when the operator turns on motor 22 with the
switch 24, spindle 28 turns belt 26a which in turn rotates axle
30a. At the same time, belt 26b is rotated by axle 30a and causes
axle 30b to rotate, which in turn causes brush 14b to rotate.
Further, as axle 30b rotates, belt 26c rotates axle 30c and
corresponding brush 14a.
[0023] There is a speed control 23, on which the user can select
the speed of the rotation of motor 22 and thereby control the speed
of rotation of brushes 14, to either, for example low, medium, or
high speed.
[0024] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain
equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others
skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this
specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the
various functions performed by the above described components
(assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a
"means") used to describe such components are intended to
correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which
performs the specified function of the described component (i.e.,
that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally
equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function
in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have
been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments,
such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other
embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application.
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