US20080149122A1

US20080149122A1 - Foot buffing mat

Info

Publication number: US20080149122A1
Application number: US11/644,475
Authority: US
Inventors: Angelia June Lovely
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2008-06-26

Abstract

Foot buffing mat with a rectangular mat, a right ball of foot buffing portion, a left ball of foot buffing portion, a right heal of foot buffing portion, a left heal of foot buffing portion, a plurality of suction cups, the suction cups attached to the underside of the rectangular mat, and the buffing portions attached to the mat so that they correspond with the correlating under foot portions of a user's feet. A preferred embodiment includes the ball of foot buffing portions are each elliptical in shape and rise from the mat to a maximum height of one inch.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REFARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of foot care devices and more specifically to a foot buffing mat.
The process of buffing the underside of ones feet is well known. Generally a pumice stone is used. The user takes the stone in his or her hand and proceeds to “sand” away unwanted calluses and rough spots on his or her heals, balls of feet, or other areas that may be subject to the formation of calluses. Some pumice stones on the market today have handles attached. Others are made of synthetic abrasive materials and may or may not include a handle.
One such product is called “Mr. Pumice Foot File” and includes a handle made of man made products.
Although current pumice products are effective for removing calluses and rough spots from the underside of a person's foot, there are some serious deficiencies in current designs. First, people who are overweight, pregnant, or otherwise handicapped, may have a difficult time reaching the underside of his or her foot. Secondly, the act of raising one foot while balancing on the other foot while buffing can be awkward and may cause the person to fall. Third, current pumice stones may not be properly shaped to effectively reach all affected areas of the user's foot. Finally, the act of buffing each area of each foot can be time consuming and put excess strain on a persons back and leg muscles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a foot buffing mat that allows a person to easily buff all surfaces of the underside of both feet while standing or sitting comfortably.
Another object of the invention is to provide a foot buffing mat that allows a person to buff his or her feet without the use of his or her hands.
Another object of the invention is to provide a foot buffing mat that remains in place while being used.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed Foot buffing mat comprising: a rectangular mat, a right ball of foot buffing portion, a left ball of foot buffing portion, a right heal of foot buffing portion, a left heal of foot buffing portion, a plurality of suction cups, said suction cups attached to the underside of said rectangular mat, and said buffing portions attached to said mat so that they correspond with the correlating foot portions of a user's feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention while in use.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a first front section of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a second front section of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a third front section of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side section of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a person using the invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a persons feet 10, 12 using the foot buffing mat or the present invention. The mat portion 14 is rectangular and approximately twelve inches by eighteen inches by three eights of an inch thick. Four abrasive foot buffing portions 2, 4, 6, 8, are mounted to the mat 14 portions 2 and 4 are mirror images of each other, as are portions 6 and 8. The main feature of this invention is that the user can stand or sit comfortably and buff all portions of both feet 10, 12 simultaneously. The front portions 6, 8 are designed to accommodate areas at the ball portion of the user's feet and the rear portions 2, 4 are designed to buff the heal portions of the user's feet. Obviously, the buffing portions 2, 4, 6, 8 may be used on any desired area of the user's feet. The multiple contours of all the buffing portions mean that no matter what size or shape foot, a suitable contour can be found to buff any area.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention. Section lines 20, 30, 40, 50 will help describe the contours of each buffing portion 2, 4, 6, 8. Portions 6, 8 are elliptical in shape. Portions 2, 4 are approximately right triangles.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bottom of the mat 14. A plurality of suction cups are fastened to the under side of the mat 14 so that the entire mat will remain in place in a bathtub, a shower floor or on any smooth floor. FIG. 4 is a first front section of the invention as indicated by section line 20. Notice that The contour goes from a low point at the hypotenuse of each triangle to a high point toward of approximately one inch at the legs of each right triangle. The mat is approximately three eighths of an inch thick throughout and includes depressions 3, 5, 7, 9 as shown in FIG. 11 to accept each corresponding buffing portion. The buffing portions are adhered to the mat by standard means such as adhesive or other known fasteners. FIG. 5 shows a second front section view as defined by section line 30. FIG. 6 is a third front section view as defined by section line 40 showing the contour of the buffing portions 4, 6. FIG. 7 is a side section view as defined by section line 50. FIG. 8 is a side view of the invention showing placement of suction cups 16. FIG. 9 is a front view of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view showing a person buffing her foot 10 at the heal portion 32 and at the ball portion 42 simultaneously. FIG. 11 shows an exploded view of the invention.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Foot buffing mat comprising:

a rectangular mat;

a right ball of foot buffing portion;

a left ball of foot buffing portion;

a right heal of foot buffing portion;

a left heal of foot buffing portion;

a plurality of suction cups;

said suction cups attached to the underside of said rectangular mat; and

said buffing portions attached to said mat so that they correspond with the correlating foot portions of a user's feet.

2. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ball of foot buffing portions are each elliptical in shape and rise from said mat to a maximum height of one inch.

3. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heal buffing portions are each shaped approximately like a right angle triangle where the hypotenuse of said triangle slopes toward the top surface of said mat and each leg of said triangle slopes upward to a maximum height of approximately one inch.

4. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the placement and shape of said foot buffing portions on said mat is such that a user can buff all major under surfaces of his or her feet simultaneously.

5. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said foot buffing portions are constructed of pumice stone.

6. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said foot buffing portions are alternately constructed of synthetic abrasive material.

7. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mat is twelve inches by eighteen inches and constructed of flexible molded plastic.

8. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mat contains recessed portions that receive said buffing portions.

9. Foot buffing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said buffing portions are affixed to said mat by standard means.