US20160051096A1

US20160051096A1 - Back scrubber

Info

Publication number: US20160051096A1
Application number: US14/820,585
Authority: US
Inventors: Willie Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-22
Filing date: 2015-08-07
Publication date: 2016-02-25

Abstract

Implementations of a back scrubber are provided. The back scrubber may be used to scratch, scrub, wash, apply moisturizer, and/or massage a user's back or a portion thereof. In some implementations, the back scrubber comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, side surfaces, and a back surface. In some implementations, a cover may be used in conjunction with the back scrubber to provide a washing and/or scrubbing surface. In some implementations, the front surface may be contoured based on the anatomy of a human back. In some implementations, a rib may be located on the front surface of the back scrubber. In this way, a user may be able to better scrub the small of the back and/or other adjacent surfaces. In some implementations, the back scrubber may be used with a mount. The mount may be used to secure the back scrubber to a suitable surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/040,961, which was filed on Aug. 22, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a back scrubber.

BACKGROUND

Washing of the entire body is essential to maintaining a proper level of hygiene. Washing is a way of physically removing dirt and debris from the body and reducing the concentration of microorganisms living thereon. Without a second person, or a purpose built device, it is not easy or possible for most people to wash their back thoroughly. This is particularly true for amputees and people with disabilities which impair arm movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1E and FIGS. 2C-2D illustrate an example implementation of a back scrubber according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a cover according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate another example implementation of a back scrubber of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a back scrubber are provided. The back scrubber may be used to scratch, scrub, wash, apply moisturizer, and/or massage a user's back or a portion thereof.
In some implementations, the back scrubber may be defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface having a rib thereon, side surfaces, and a back surface. In some implementations, a cover may be used in conjunction with the back scrubber to provide a washing and/or scrubbing surface.
In some implementations, the front surface may be contoured based on the anatomy of a human back. For example, the contour may be S-shaped. In this way, a substantial portion of the front surface of the back scrubber may be in contact with a user's back during use. For example, an upper part of the front surface may be in contact with an upper part of the back (e.g., the shoulders), while a middle part of the front surface may be in contact with a middle part of the back (e.g., the ribcage), and while a lower part of the front surface may be in contact with a lower part of the back (e.g., a small of the back).
In some implementations, a rib may be located on the front surface of the back scrubber. In this way, a user may be able to better scrub the small of the back and/or other adjacent surfaces.
In some implementations, the back scrubber may be used with a mount. The mount may be used to secure the back scrubber to a wall or other suitable non-porous surface. In some implementations, the mount may be used to change the elevation of the back scrubber relative to the floor without disengaging the mount from the wall or other suitable non-porous surface.
FIGS. 1A-1E and 2C-2D illustrate an example back scrubber 100 according to the present disclosure. The back scrubber 100 may be used to scratch, scrub, wash, apply moisturizer, and/or massage a user's back or a portion thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, in some implementations, the back scrubber 100 may be defined by a top surface 130, a bottom surface 135, a front surface 105 having a rib 115 thereon, side surfaces 140 a,b, and a back surface 110 having a plurality of slots 120 thereon configured to secure a suction cup 121 therein (see, e.g., FIG. 1E) for attaching a back scrubber 100 to a surface. In some implementations, a cover 225 may be used in conjunction with the back scrubber 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 2C) to provide a washing and/or scrubbing surface.
In some implementations, the front surface 105 of the back scrubber 100 may be contoured. In some implementations, the front surface 105 may be contoured based on the anatomy of a human back. For example, the contour may be S-shaped. In this way, a substantial portion of the front surface 105 of the back scrubber 100 may be in contact with a user's back during use. For example, an upper surface of the front surface may be in contact with an upper part of the back (e.g., the shoulders), while a middle part of the front surface may be in contact with a middle part of the back (e.g., the ribcage), and while a lower part of the front surface may be in contact with a lower part of the back (e.g., a small of the back). In some implementations, the front surface 105 may not be contoured to a human back.
In some implementations, a rib 115 may be located on the front surface 105 (see, e.g., FIG. 1A). In some implementations, the rib 115 may be a long and narrow surface protruding from the front surface 105 of the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the rib 115 may have a semi-circular shape (see, e.g., FIG. 1A). In some implementations, the rib 115 may be any suitable shape. In some implementations, the rib 115 may taper on one end. In some implementations, the rib 115 may taper on both ends (see, e.g., FIG. 1A). In this way, a user may be able to better scrub the small of the back.
In some implementations, the rib 115 may be integrally formed with the front surface 105 of the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the rib 115 can be removably attached to the front surface 105 of the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the rib 115 may extend along the entire length of a back scrubbers' 100 front surface 105. In some implementations, the rib 115 may extend from the bottom surface 135 of the back scrubber 100 along a portion of the front surface's 105 length (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A and 1C). In some implementations, the rib 115 may extend from the top surface 130 of the back scrubber 100 along a portion of the front surface's 105 length.
In some implementations, the back surface 110 of the back scrubber 100 may be a generally planar surface. In some implementations, the back surface 110 may have one or more elevated portions 111 thereon where each elevated portion includes a slot 120. In some implementations, a slot 120 may have an opening having a circular portion 140 connected to an elongated portion 145 (see, e.g., FIG. 1B). In this way, the slot 120 has a key-hole profile. In some implementations, the slot 120 may be any suitable shape. In some implementations, the slot 120 is designed to receive and retain therein a portion of a suction cup 121. In this way, the working face of the suction cup 121 may be used to secure the back scrubber 100 to a wall, or other suitable non-porous surface, for washing.
In some implementations, the back surface 110 may have eight (8) elevated portions 111 thereon (see, e.g., FIG. 1C). In some implementations, more than eight (8) or less than eight (8) elevated portions 111 may be present on the back surface 110 of the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the elevated portions 111 form an array.
In some implementations, the back surface 110 may include a plurality of slots 120 integrally formed thereon.
In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, a cover 225 may be used in conjunction with the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the cover 225 is defined by a top surface 230, a bottom surface 235, a front surface 205, and two (2) side surfaces 240 a,b. In some implementation, the cover 225 may have the same or substantially similar contour as the back scrubber 100. In some implementation, the cover 225 may be configured to snuggly fit the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the cover 225 may be configured to fit snuggly against the front surface 105 of the back scrubber. In this way, the portion of the cover 225 covering the rib 115 may be pressed against a user's back.
In some implementations, the cover 225 may be manufactured from a natural fiber (e.g., cotton, sisal, hemp), a synthetic fiber (e.g., nylon), a semi-synthetic fiber (e.g., rayon), or a combination thereof which would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some implementations, the cover 225 may be manufactured from a material suitable for exfoliation. In some implementations, the cover 225 may be manufactured from a material suitable for the application of a moisturizer. In some implementations, the cover 225 may be manufactured from an absorbent fabric suitable for use as a wash cloth.
In some implementations, the front surface of the cover 225 may be manufactured from a different material than the other surfaces of the cover.
In some implementations, the cover 225 may have one opening 227 configured to receive the back scrubber 100 therein (see, e.g., FIG. 2B). In some implementations, the cover 225 may be configured to cover at least the front surface 105 of the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, the cover 225 may have elastic located about the opening 227. In this way, the elastic may be used to secure the cover 225 onto the back scrubber 100. In some implementations, a drawstring 229 may be secured within a fold of material located about the opening 227 of the cover 225 (see, e.g., FIG. 2B). In this way, the drawstring 229 may be used to constrict the opening of the cover 225 about the back scrubber 100 thereby securing the cover 225 thereon. In some implementations, a cord lock 226 may be used in conjunction with the drawstring 229 (see, e.g., FIG. 2A). In this way, the cord lock 226 will prevent the unintentional loosening of the drawstring 229.
In some implementations, the cover 225 may include hook and/or loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) thereon. In this way, the cover 225 may be secured to the back scrubber 100.
To secure the back scrubber 100 to a wall or other suitable surface, the back scrubber 100 may initially be oriented so that the bottom surface 135 of the back scrubber 100 is closest to the ground. The user may then press the back scrubber 100 and thereby the working face of the suction cups 121 against a wall, or other suitable surface, to secure the back scrubber 100 in place for use.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another example implementation of a back scrubber 300 of the present invention. In some implementations, the back scrubber 300 is similar to the back scrubber 100 discussed above but may include on the back surface 310 a single elevated portion 311 having hook and/or loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®) thereon. In some implementations, the back scrubber 300 may be used with a mount 350 (see, e.g., FIG. 3B and 3C). The mount 350 may be used to secure the back scrubber 300 to a wall or other suitable non-porous surface. In some implementations, the mount 350 may be used to change the elevation of the back scrubber 300 relative to the floor without disengaging the mount 350 from the wall or other suitable non-porous surface.
In some implementations, the elevated portion 311 of the back scrubber 300 may be shaped like a rectangle. In some implementations, the elevated portion 311 may be any suitable shape. In some implementations, the side walls 312 which define the elevated portion 311 may be recessed back from the side surfaces 340 a,b of the back scrubber 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). In this way, the drawstring 229 of the cover 225 may be secured about the side walls 312 of the elevated portion 311 and the removal of the cover 225 thereby resisted by the backside 310 of the back scrubber 300. In some implementations, the top surface of the elevated portion 311 may be covered with a layer of hook and/or loop fasteners 315 (e.g., Velcro®) (see, e.g., FIG. 3A). In some implementations, only a portion of the top surface of the elevated portion 311 may be covered with a layer of hook and/or loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®).
As shown in FIG. 3B and 3C, in some implementations, the mount 350 may include a first side 352 a (see, e.g., FIG. 3B) and a second side 352 b (see, e.g., FIG. 3C). In some implementations, the first side 352 a may be a layer of hook and/or loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®). In some implementations, the second side 352 b may include a plurality of suction cups 321 thereon (see, e.g., FIG. 3C). In this way, the working face of the suction cup 321 may be used to secure the mount 350 and thereby the back scrubber 300 to a wall, or other suitable non-porous surface, for washing. In some implementations, the suction cups 321 may form an array (see, e.g., FIG. 3C). In some implementations, the mount 350 may be flexible. In some implementations, the mount 350 may be rigid.
To secure the back scrubber 300 to a wall or other suitable surface using the mount 350, the mount 350 may initially be oriented so that the bottom edge 354 of the mount 350 is closest to the ground and the suction cups 321 on the second side 352 b are facing the wall, or other suitable surface. The user may then press the mount 350 and thereby the working face of the suction cups 321 against a wall, or other suitable surface, to secure the mount 350 in place for use.
Next, the back scrubber 300 may be oriented so that the bottom surface 335 of the back scrubber 300 is closest to the ground and the elevated portion 311 on the back surface 310 is facing the first side 352 a of the mount 350. The user may then press the back scrubber 300 and thereby the hook and/or loop fasteners 315 thereon against the hook and/or loop fasteners present on the first side 352 a of the mount 350. In this way, the mount 350 may be used to secure the back scrubber 300 in place for use.
In some implementations, the rib 315 may have a flat top with tapered sides (see, e.g., FIG. 3B). In some implementations, the rib 315 may have a flat top without tapered sides.
In some implementations, adhesive strips may be used to secure the back scrubber 100, 300 to a wall or other suitable surface if the back surface does not include slots and/or elevated portion(s). In some implementations, the back scrubber 100, 300 may be secured to a wall or other suitable surface through any means known, or which may be become known, to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In some implementations, the back scrubber 100, 300 may be manufactured from a polymer material. In some implementations, the back scrubber 100, 300 may be manufactured from any suitable material.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.
The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.
While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. A back scrubber comprising:

a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface having a rib thereon, a first side surface, a second side surface, and a back surface;

wherein the front surface is contoured to make contact with a human back.

2. The back scrubber of claim 1 wherein the front surface has an S-shaped contour.

3. The back scrubber of claim 1 wherein the front surface of the back scrubber has an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein the front surface is configured so that the upper portion makes contact with a user's shoulders and the lower portion makes contact with the small of the user's back during use.

4. The back scrubber of claim 1 wherein the rib extends from the bottom surface along at least a portion of the front surface of the back scrubber.

5. The back scrubber of claim 1 wherein the rib has a first end and a second end, at least one end of the rib is tapered.

6. The back scrubber of claim 1 further comprising a cover configured to overlay at least the front surface and the rib of the back scrubber.

7. The back scrubber of claim 1 further comprising a cover configured to fit on the back scrubber, the cover having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, wherein the front surface of the cover overlays the front surface and the rib of the back scrubber.

8. The back scrubber of claim 7 wherein the cover further comprises an opening configured to receive the back scrubber therein.

9. The back scrubber of claim 8 wherein the cover further comprises a drawstring secured about the opening, the drawstring is configured to constrict the opening of the cover about the back scrubber and thereby secure the cover in place.

10. The back scrubber of claim 1 further comprising a mount having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the mount is configured to be removably secured to the back surface of the back scrubber and the second side of the mount is configured to be secured to a wall.

11. The back scrubber of claim 10 wherein the second side of the mount includes a plurality of suction cups thereon.

12. A back scrubber comprising:

a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a back surface, and a rib extending from the bottom surface along at least a portion of the front surface;

a removable cover configured to overlay at least the front surface and the rib of the back scrubber; and

a mount having a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the mount is configured to be removably secured to the back surface of the back scrubber and the second side of the mount is configured to be secured to a wall;

wherein the front surface of the back scrubber is contoured to make contact with a human back during use.

13. The back scrubber of claim 12 wherein the front surface of the back scrubber has an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion, wherein the front surface is configured so that the upper portion makes contact with a user's shoulders and the lower portion makes contact with the small of the user's back.

14. The back scrubber of claim 12 wherein a top surface of the rib is flat.

15. The back scrubber of claim 12 wherein the cover further comprises an opening configured to receive the back scrubber therein.

16. The back scrubber of claim 15 wherein the cover further comprises a drawstring secured about the opening, the drawstring is configured to constrict the opening of the cover about the back scrubber and thereby secure the cover in place.

17. The back scrubber of claim 12 wherein the second side of the mount includes a plurality of suction cups thereon.

18. A method of using the back scrubber of claim 12, the method comprising:

securing the second side of the mount to a wall;

orienting the back scrubber so that the bottom surface is closest to the ground and the back surface is facing the first side of the mount; and

pressing the back surface of the back scrubber against the first side of the mount.