IE20150394A1 - A back cleansing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A back cleansing unit, comprising a housing section, a head receiving section, wall mounting means and power producing means wherein the head receiving section comprises gear teeth to engage with a plurality of rotating heads on a rotating disc. The rotating disc comprises a drive shaft attached to a drive gear. The housing section is moulded and comprises integrally moulded or separately mounted gear teeth for engagement with the drive gear on the rotating heads. <Figure 1>

Description

The invention relates to a back cleansing unit for attaching to the side wall of a shower or bath.

Showering is a daily activity for most people. Most body parts can 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. As a result, this part of the body is not generally cleansed as well as the rest of the body.

There are various devices commercially available 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 or other such handle. This device however, is insufficient to provide a thorough cleaning of the back because it is manually operated. Another method of cleaning the back has involved the use of a detachable showerhead. Again this device needs to be manually operated. Devices for attaching to the side of a shower wall are also known. However these devices can be very complex to install and operate.

The present invention provides an improved means of reaching and cleansing the back area.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a back cleansing unit, comprising: a housing section; a head receiving section; wall mounting means; and power producing means; wherein the head receiving section comprises gear teeth to engage with a plurality of rotating heads on a rotating disc section.

In one embodiment of the invention the rotating disc section comprises a drive shaft attached to a drive gear.

In one embodiment of the invention the housing section is moulded and comprises integrally moulded or separately mounted gear teeth for engagement with the drive gear on the rotating heads.

In one embodiment of the invention when the rotating disc section rotates in a clockwise direction the rotating heads rotate in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction.

In one embodiment of the invention the rotating heads are interchangeable and comprise any one or more of rotating brushes, exfoliation heads, massage heads and/or applicator heads. Most preferably each rotating disc comprises six interchangeable rotating heads.

In one embodiment of the invention the rotating head comprises a brush carrier section comprising a central mushroom shaped projection, a flat plate section and an elongated stem section which engages with the drive gear. Preferably the interchangeable brush head is of an elastic material and attaches to the brush carrier section by stretching over the central mushroom shaped projection.

In one embodiment of the invention the power producing means comprises motors with integrated gearboxes mounted on an integrated frame at the rear of the housing section. Preferably the integrated gearbox reduces the speed of the motor from high to low.

In one embodiment of the invention the power producing means may be driven by any one or more of an electric motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor and/or wind~ upfspring mechanism.

In one embodiment of the invention the power producing means comprises an electric motor powered by a battery located in a watertight housing in a lower part of the housing section.

In one embodiment of the invention the back cleansing unit comprises user controls mounted on the outside of the unit to control the unit.

In one embodiment of the invention the gear ratio is adjustable to set the speed of the rotating disc sections and the plurality of rotating heads.

In one embodiment of the invention the back cleansing unit comprises a soap reservoir in an upper part of the housing section to dispense liquid soap, gel or cream down onto the plurality of rotating heads.

In another embodiment of the invention soap is dispensed through the rotating heads.

In one embodiment of the invention the mounting means comprises suction cups for attaching the housing section to the wall of a shower or bath. Alternatively the mounting means may comprise fixings for permanently fixing the housing section to the wall of a shower or bath.

Brief Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: ~ Fig. l is a perspective view of the back cleansing unit according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the back cleansing unit according to the invention showing removable components at the upper and lower end of the unit; Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the rear of the back cleansing unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating disc section of the back cleansing unit of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged View (a) and an exploded view (b) of the brush carrier section according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the component parts of a brush carrier section according to another embodiment of the invention showing a brush section (a), a brush carrier (b), a mushroom shaped projection (c) and the assembled unit (0); Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the rear of the rotating disc section of Fig. 4; F igr 8 is enlarged partial view of the rear of the receiving section of the back cleansing unit according to the invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the receiving section of the back cleansing unit ofFig. 1; and Fig. 10 is an enlarged partial view of the receiving section of the back cleansing unit of Fig. 9.

Detailed description The back cleansing unit of the present invention is an electrically powered unit that is fixed to the wall of a shower cubicle or bath to allow people to effectively wash their backs whilst showering or bathing. The unit may be detachably attached to the wall of a shower using suction cups or it may be permanently fixed to the wall using any suitable fixing means.

As shown in Fig. 1 the unit 1 comprises a main housing 2 and two receiving sections 3 for receiving two rotating disc sections 4. Each rotating disc section 4 carries a plurality of rotating heads 5. The rotating heads 5 are interchangeable and may comprise any one or more of a rotating brush, exfoliation head, massage head and/or applicator head for applying moisturising cream or fake tan or any other products of a liquid or gel nature that the user would like to apply to the skin. Each rotating disc 4 section has six interchangeable heads.

The rear of the main housing 2 as shown in particular in Fig. 3 has an integrated base frame 6 for engaging with suction cups 7 which allow the unit 1 to be detachably mounted to a shower or bath wall. Alternatively the base frame 6 accommodates fixings for permanently fixing the unit to the side of a shower/bath wall. The upper end of the housing section 2 has receiving means 8 for a refillable liquid soap, gel or cream reservoir .9. The lower end of the housing section 2 has a watertight compartment 12 for holding a battery 14 to power the unit 1.

The rotating disc sections 4 comprising the rotating heads 5 are mounted on a shaft 10 having stainless steel ball bearings. The shaft 10 is connected to a drive gear 11 on the rear of the housing unit 2. The drive gear 11 on the end of each shaft 10 rotates the heads 5. The housing section 2 is moulded and the receiving sections 3 have integrally moulded or separately mounted gear teeth 16 for engagement with the drive gear 13 on each of the rotating heads 5. The gear ratios may be adjusted by changing the size of the gears and thus the relative speed of the brushes and the carrier housing.

The speed of rotation of the brushes can be changed either by means of fitting new gears with different gear ratios or an electrical motor controller to adjust the speed of the drive motor. The motor controller is used to cause the gears to rotate in a counter clockwise direction or to reciprocate between clockwise and counter clockwise rotation. The motor controller may be a pcb mounted inside the front cover and carrying the on/off switch. The rotating disc sections 4 rotate in a clockwise direction so the rotating heads 5 also rotate in a clockwise direction.

The rotating heads 5 comprise a brush carrier section 20 which is connected to a drive gear 13 on the rear of the rotating heads 5. In one embodiment as shown in Figs. 5 (a) and (b) the brush carrier section 20 comprises a central mushroom shaped projection 20a, a flat plate section 20b and an elongated stem section 20c which engageswith the drive gear 13. Interchangeable brushes 21 with a central opening 22 are attached to the brush carrier section 20 by pressing the mushroom shaped projection 20a through the opening 22 on the brush. The brushes are preferably manufactured from silicon and the opening 22 is capable of stretching over the mushroom shaped projection for easy attachment and removal. Two flats 24 on either side of the central opening on the brush 21 prevent any relative movement between the brush and the carrier section.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 6 (a) to (d) the mushroom shaped projection 25 is a separate unit that has four keys 26 which engage with corresponding keys 27 on the central opening 28 on an interchangeable brush 21 to lock both components together. The stem 29 of the mushroom shaped projection 25 then locks into a carrier plate 30 and engages with the drive gear 13. As the brushes rotate the direction of motion ensures that the connection becomes tighter the more pressure that is placed on it. To remove the brushes the user simply rotates the brush and mushroom shaped projection 45° anti clockwise and the brush 21 and mushroom shaped projection 25 lift away from the carrier plate 30.

The drive gear 11 is integrated with a small low voltage DC high torque motor 15.

The integrated gear and motor is mounted on the base frame 6 on the rear of the housing section 2. The speed of the motor is reduced through the use of the integrated gear box which reduces the speed but not the torque of the motor. The gearbox connected to each shaft 10 may be driven by an electric motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor and/or wind-up/ spring mechanism.

In the illustrated embodiment the power producing means is an electric motor powered by a sealed battery 14 located within a watertight housing 12 in the lower end of the housing section 2. Preferably the battery is housed within a watertight plastic housing 12 in the lower end of the housing section 2. The battery 14 can easily be removed for charging.

The power producing mea.ns is controlled and operated by a switch on the outside of the housing section 2.

When the rotating heads 5 are brushes the reciprocating brush drive mechanism can be used to produce the effect of a massage.

The back cleansing unit has a detachable liquid soap reservoir 9 in an upper part of the housing. It operates using a pump action mechanism. When pumped liquid soap is dispensed down onto the rotating heads.

Alternatively the soap may be dispensed directly through a nozzle in each of the brush heads using an electrically operated dosing pump integrated into the housing and controlled from a dosing button on the outside of the cover.

The back cleansing assembly of the invention is easy to install. It is easy to detach from the suction cups or permanent wall fixings in order to thoroughly clean all the components of the unit.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (1)

1. Claims A back cleansing unit, comprising: a housing section; a head receiving section; wall mounting means; and power producing means; wherein the head receiving section comprises gear teeth to engage with a plurality of rotating heads on a rotating disc section. A back cleansing unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rotating disc section comprises a drive shaft attached to a drive gear, A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing section is moulded and comprises integrally moulded or separately mounted gear teeth for engagement with the drive gear on the rotating heads. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein when the rotating disc section rotates in a clockwise direction the rotating heads rotate in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rotating heads are interchangeable and comprise any one or more of rotating brushes, exfoliation heads, massage heads and/or applicator heads. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each rotating disc section comprises six interchangeable rotating heads. A back cleansing unit as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the rotating head comprises a brush carrier section comprising a central mushroom shaped projection, a flat plate section and an elongated stem section which engages with the drive gear. l0 l5 35 10. ll. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. A back cleansing unit as claimed in claim 7 wherein the interchangeable brush head is of an elastic material and attaches to the brush carrier section by stretching over the central mushroom shaped projection. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the power producing means comprises motors with integrated gearboxes mounted on an integrated frame at the rear of the housing section. A back cleansing unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the integrated gearbox reduces the speed of the motor from high to low. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the power producing means may be driven by any one or more of an electric motor, hydraulic motor, pneumatic motor and/or wind-up/spring mechanism. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the power producing means comprises an electric motor powered by a battery located in a watertight housing in a lower part of the housing section. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising user controls mounted on the outside of the unit to control the unit. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gear ratio is adjustable to set the speed of the rotating disc sections and the plurality of rotating heads. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a soap resewoir in an upper part of the housing section to dispense liquid soap, gel or cream down onto the plurality of rotating heads A back cleansing unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein soap is dispensed through the rotating heads. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting means comprises suction cups for attaching the housing section to the wall of a shower or bath. 18. 19. A back cleansing unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the mounting means comprises fixings for permanently fixing the housing section to the wall of a shower or bath. A back cleansing unit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings. 10