US20120138087A1

US20120138087A1 - Mounted motorized bath brush

Info

Publication number: US20120138087A1
Application number: US12/959,465
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony Newlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-03
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2012-06-07

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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

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.
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

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.
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.
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

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.

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.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a rotating bath brush assembly, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rotating bath brush assembly, in accordance with the present invention.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotating bath brush assembly 10 has three brushes, 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c (14 a-14 c). Each of the brushes 14a-14 c can be removable. While three brushes 14 a-14 c 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 14 a-14 c are powered and can rotate in a circular motion to clean the bather's back, as well as providing a massaging sensation. The brushes 14 a-14 c 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.
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.
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 19 a, 19 b, 19 c (19 a-19 c) to the rear of the brushes 14 a-14 c so that the liquid soap is dispensed to the brushes 14 a-14 c. The liquid soap can be dispensed in a circular fashion through the front of the brushes 14 a-14 c. It is also within the terms of the present invention, to provide a valve 27 a, 27 b, and 27 c (27 a-27 c) to close each of the outlet conduits 19 a-19 c 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.
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 14 a, 14 b and 14 c.
There is a belt 26 a that wraps about a rotating spindle 28 extending from the motor 25 and powered thereby. The belt 26 a extends to and wraps around a first rotatable axle 30 a, that is mounted to and rotates the brush 14 c. Further, belt 26 b is also wrapped about axle 30 a, and extends to axle 30 b that is mounted to and rotates the brush 14 b. Further, belt 26 c is wrapped about axle 30 b, and extends to axle 30 c that is mounted to and rotates the brush 14 c.
In operation, when the operator turns on motor 22 with the switch 24, spindle 28 turns belt 26 a which in turn rotates axle 30 a. At the same time, belt 26 b is rotated by axle 30 a and causes axle 30 b to rotate, which in turn causes brush 14 b to rotate. Further, as axle 30 b rotates, belt 26 c rotates axle 30 c and corresponding brush 14 a.
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.
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.

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.