US20110010841A1

US20110010841A1 - Bathing aid and bathing assembly using the same

Info

Publication number: US20110010841A1
Application number: US12/892,878
Authority: US
Inventors: Che-Yuan Chang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-21
Filing date: 2010-09-28
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Abstract

A bathing aid includes a base, a bathing ball fastened to the base and a fastener disposed at the base and detachably fixable on a surface of an object. The base has a connecting part for detachably coupling the connecting part of the base of another same aid to form a bathing assembly with a large scrubbing area for body cleaning; besides, the base has a positioning part having an accommodating space for accommodating a part of the bathing ball. By means of the fastener, the bathing aid can be fixed on a wall or a floor of a bath room for helping a user clean his back and/or sole conveniently.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/034,188 field on Feb. 20, 2008, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a bathing appliance and more specifically, to a bathing aid for body cleaning, which can be fixed on a surface of an object for helping a user clean his back and/or sole conveniently, and a bathing assembly constructed by a plurality of the aforesaid bathing aids, which can be served as a back pad for a bath tub.
2. Description of the Related Art
When using a conventional bathing aid, such as a bathing ball or a sponge, a user has to hold it in his hand tightly for scrubbing his body. When the user uses the aforesaid conventional bathing aid to clean his foot, he will have to raise one leg and stand on a wet floor with the other leg. Under this circumstance, the user may have a foot slip or body fall, causing injury. Besides, it is also inconvenience for the user to clean his back by holding the conventional bathing ball or sponge with his hand.
Another conventional bathing aid constructed by fixing a bathing ball or a sponge on an elongated handle has been developed to enable the user to clean his back conveniently. However, when a user uses this kind of bathing aid to scrub his sole, the user still needs to raise his leg for cleaning purpose. As a result, this kind of bathing aid may be inconvenient and not safety for elder people, children, and/or handicap people to use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,896 disclosed a bathroom accessory including a base member, suction cups on one face of the base member and a plurality of projections projecting from the base member. Although the bathroom accessory can be detachably fixed on a wall for helping a user to clean his back, it cannot provide an appropriate scrubbing area for body cleaning to meet a user's actual need due to its fixed size. Besides, those projections deteriorate the comfort of the bathroom accessory. A modular system for stimulation and exfoliation of human skin disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,282 includes a unitary body which can be detachably interconnected with an additional unitary body to enlarge the scrubbing area for body cleaning. However, the aforesaid modular system also includes a multiplicity of spaced projections for scrubbing, resulting in deterioration of comfort of the modular system. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,774 disclosed a body washer device including several washing members disposed on an elongate member. Because the elongate member is spaced from the wall when it is positioned upon a shower wall, the supporting strength of the body washer device may be insufficient. Besides, the washing members may move when being used to scrub a user's body due to it cannot be stably disposed on the elongate member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is accomplished in view of the above-noted circumstances. The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a bathing aid, which can be detachably fixed on a wall or a floor of a bathing room for enabling a user to conveniently clean his back and/or sole by simply moving his back and/or foot to scrub the fixed bathing aid.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a bathing aid, which can be detachably connected with one or more same bathing aids, such that a bathing assembly comprising a plurality of the aforesaid bathing aids coupled together can be constructed having a large scrubbing area for body cleaning or for being used as a pillow or a back pad for a bath tub.
In order to achieve the aforesaid objectives, the bathing aid of the present invention comprises a base, a scrubbing member fastened to the base and a fastener disposed at the base and detachably fixable on a surface of an object. The base can be detachably coupled with the base of another same bathing aid. By means of the fastener, the bathing aid of the present invention can be detachably fixed on a wall or a floor, such that a user can easily clean his back and/or sole by simply moving his back and/or foot to scrub the fixed bathing aid.
Further, because the bathing aid of the present invention can be detachably coupled with another same bathing aid, a bathing assembly comprising a plurality of the aforesaid bathing aids can be constructed having a large scrubbing area for body cleaning or for being used as a pillow or a back pad for a bath tub.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention to be detailed described hereinafter, the base includes a connecting part for detachably coupling the connecting part of the base of another same bathing aid. The connecting part of the base includes a plurality of holes and a plurality of pins which are configured in size and shape to be comparable with the holes. In this way, the holes of one bathing aid can be coupled with the pins of another bathing aid, and vice versa.
In another preferred embodiment to be detailed described hereinafter, the connecting part of the base includes a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses which are configured in size and shape to be comparable with the protrusions, such that the recesses of one bathing aid can be coupled with the protrusions of another bathing aid, and vice versa.
Preferably, the base of the bathing aid is provided with a positioning part having a recess formed on a surface of the base and configured to form an accommodating space for accommodation of a part of the bathing ball.
In an alternate form of the base, the positioning part is provided with a recess formed on a surface of the base and a protrusion protruding outwardly along a periphery of the recess such that the recess and the protrusion are configured to form the accommodating space.
In another alternate form of the base, the positioning part is provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding outwardly from a surface of the base and spacedly arranged around a center part of the base, such that the accommodating space is defined by the surface of the base and a surround of the protrusions.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a bathing aid according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bathing aid according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing, showing that two bathing aids constructed according to the first preferred embodiment are coupled with each other;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a bathing aid according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing, showing that two bathing aids constructed according to the second preferred embodiment are coupled with each other;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a bathing aid according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a positioning part of the base is recessed;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but showing an alternate form of the positioning part of the base;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 6 but showing another alternate form of the positioning part of the base;

FIG. 9 is a top view of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing, showing that two bathing aids constructed according to the third preferred embodiment are coupled with each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a bathing aid 10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 20, a scrubbing member 30 fastened to the base 20 and a fastener 50 disposed at the base 20.
In this embodiment, the shape of the base 20 is circle. It is however to be appreciated, the shape of the base 20 may be triangle, rectangle or polygon. The base 20 includes a connecting part 21 which has, but not limited to, three holes 22 disposed equidistantly thereon, and three pins 24 disposed equidistantly thereon and each arranged between two of the holes 22. As will be appreciated, the number of the holes 22 and the pins 24 can be more than or less than three in actual practice. Further, the holes 22 and the pins 24 are alternately arranged adjacent to the periphery of the base 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom surface of the base 20 is provided with three meniscus-shaped recesses 22 a and each of the holes 22 penetrates a center part of one of the bottom recesses 22 a. The top surface of the base 20 is also provided with three meniscus-shaped recesses 24 a and each of the pins 24 protrudes upwardly from a center part of one of the top recesses 24 a. The pins 24 are configured in size and shape to be comparable with the holes 22, such that one pin 24 of the base 20 of one bathing aids 10 can be detachably inserted into one hole 24 of the base 20 of another same bathing aid 10, as shown in FIG. 3, to construct a bathing assembly comprising a plurality of the bathing aids 10.
The scrubbing member 30 is, but not limited to, a bathing ball in this embodiment. That is, the scrubbing member 30 can be a sponge, a loofah or any member can be used to clean body. The scrubbing member 30 is tied on the base 20 by using a rope 40 running through two holes of the base 20. As will be appreciated, the scrubbing member 30 can be fastened to the base 20 through another method, such as adhesion.
The fastener 50 is a suction cup having an elastic coupling stem 52 and a cup portion 54 in this embodiment. The elastic coupling stem 52 of the suction cup passes through and is secured to a center hole of the base 20, so that the cup portion 54 is located beneath the bottom surface of the base 20. Thus, the base 20 is capable of detachably fixing on a surface of an object through the cup portion 54 of the fastener 50.
As stated above, a bathing aid 10 according to the present invention can be detachably fixed on a surface such as a wall or a floor through the fastener 50, and correspondingly, the scrubbing member 30 can be fixed on the wall or the floor for enabling a user to clean his back and/or sole conveniently. Further, two or more bathing aids 10 can be combined together by means of the coupling of the pins to holes to form a bathing assembly having a large scrubbing area for body cleaning and/or for being used as a pillow or a back pad for a bath tub.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a bathing aid 10′ according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between this embodiment and the first preferred embodiment is in that the shape of the base 20′ is rectangle and the connecting part 21′ thereof includes a plurality of protrusions 26 and a plurality of recesses 28, which are alternatively arranged around the periphery of the base 20′. The recesses 28 are configured in size and shape to be comparable with the protrusions 26, such that the recesses 28 at a side of the base 20′ of one bathing aid 10′ can be coupled with the protrusions 26 at a side of the base 20′ of another bathing aid 10′, as shown in FIG. 5, thereby realizing a bathing assembly comprising a plurality of bathing aids 10′ with a large scrubbing area for body cleaning.
FIG. 6 shows a bathing aid 10″ according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The main difference between this embodiment and the first preferred embodiment is in that the center part of the top surface of the base 20″ is provided with a positioning part 23 which is a recess 201 and has an accommodating space 231. Besides, in this embodiment, the scrubbing member 30 is a bathing ball made of a tubular net through, but not limited to, the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,623,085, 5,709,434, and 5,758,386. Parts of the scrubbing member 30 is accommodated in the accommodating space 231 of the positioning part 23 of the base 20″, and is tied on the base 20″ by using a rope 40 running through two holes of the base 20″, such that the scrubbing member 30 can be more stably positioned on the base 20″.
It will be appreciated that the positioning part 23 having the accommodating space 231 can have a plurality of alternate forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the positioning part 23 is provided with a recess 201 and a protrusion 203 protruding outwardly and annularly along the periphery of the recess 201. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the positioning part 23 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 205 protruding outwardly from the top surface of the base 20″ and spacedly arranged around the center part of the base 20″, such that an accommodating space 231 is defined by the top surface of the base 20″ and the area surrounding by the protrusions 205 for accommodating a part of the scrubbing member 30. In this way, the scrubbing member 30 can be secured on the base 20″ more stably. Furthermore, the protrusions 205 can provide a massage effect to a user's body.
As shown in FIG. 10, two or more bathing aids 10″ can be combined together by means of the coupling of the pins 24 to holes 22 to form a bathing assembly having a large scrubbing area for body cleaning and/or for being used as a pillow or a back pad for a bath tub.
As stated above, by means of the connecting part provided at the base of the bathing aid, two or more bathing aids of the present invention can be combined together to form a bathing assembly having a large scrubbing area. It is however to be appreciated that the configuration of the connecting part is not limited to the examples disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the connecting part of the base of the bathing aid of the present invention can be provided with a hook and loop fastener for connection purpose.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bathing aid comprising a base, a bathing ball fastened to said base, and a fastener disposed at said base and detachably fixable on a surface of an object;

said base being detachably couplable with the base of another same bathing aid, said bathing aid being characterized in that said base has a positioning part having an accommodating space and a part of said bathing ball is accommodated in said accommodating space.

2. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said scrubbing member is tied on said base.

3. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said bathing ball is adhered to said base.

4. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said positioning part is provided with a recess formed on a surface of said base and configured to form said accommodating space.

5. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said positioning part is provided with a recess formed on a surface of said base and a protrusion protruding outwardly along a periphery of said recess such that said recess and said protrusion are configured to form said accommodating space.

6. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said positioning part is provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding outwardly form a surface of said base and spacedly arranged around a center part of said base, such that said accommodating space is defined by said surface of said base and a surround of said protrusions.

7. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said fastener is a suction cup.

8. The bathing aid according to claim 1, wherein said base includes a connecting part for detachably coupling the connecting part of the base of another same bathing aid.

9. The bathing aid according to claim 8, wherein said connecting part of the base comprises at least one hole and at least one pin which is configured in size and shape to be comparable with the hole.

10. The bathing aid according to claim 9, wherein said connecting part of the base comprises a plurality of said holes and a plurality of said pins, which are alternately and equidistantly arranged adjacent to a periphery of said base.

11. The bathing aid according to claim 8, wherein said connecting part of the base comprises at least one protrusion at a periphery of the base and at least one recess at the periphery of the base, which is configured in size and shape to be comparable with the protrusion.

12. The bathing aid according to claim 11, wherein said connecting part of the base comprises a plurality of said protrusions and a plurality of said recesses, which are alternately arranged at the periphery of the base.

13. The bathing aid according to claim 8, wherein said connecting part is provided with a hook and loop fastener.

14. A bathing aid assembly comprising:

a first bathing aid including a base, a bathing ball fastened to said base, and a fastener disposed at said base and detachably fixable on a surface of an object; and

a second bathing aid including a base, a bathing ball fastened to said base of the second bathing aid, and a fastener disposed at said base of the second bathing aid and detachably fixable on the surface of the object;

wherein each of said bases has a positioning part having an accommodating space such that a part of each of said bathing balls is accommodated in said accommodating space of a respective said base, and said base of the first bathing aid is detachably coupled with said base of the second bathing aid.

15. The bathing aid assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said positioning parts is provided with a recess formed on a surface of a respective said base and configured to form a respective said accommodating space.

16. The bathing aid assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said positioning parts is provided with a recess formed on a surface of a respective said base and a protrusion protruding outwardly along a periphery of said recess such that said recess and a surround of said protrusion are configured to form a respective said accommodating space.

17. The bathing aid assembly according to claim 14, wherein each of said positioning parts is provided with a plurality of protrusions protruding outwardly from a surface of a respective said base and spacedly arranged around a center part of the respective said base, such that the surface and the protrusions of the respective said base are configured to foil a respective said accommodating space.