WALL-MOUNTED BACK SCRUBBER

Abstract

The wall-mounted back scrubber is temporarily or permanently installed on a shower wall for convenient scrubbing of the back of a bather. Several different embodiments are disclosed, each having a plurality of elongate parallel brushes having bristles extending radially from flexible spiral wire cores. One embodiment includes suction cups extending from mutually opposed brackets, the brushes extending between the brackets. In another embodiment, the suction cups telescope through the ends of the brackets to urge the apparatus closer to the wall. In another embodiment, opposed arms can be adjustably extended or retracted from each bracket. The suction cups can include mounting tabs for screw attachment to the wall. Another embodiment comprises permanently attached rails, the brush assembly being adjustably positionable on the rails. Another embodiment includes permanently attached anchors, the brackets having escutcheons that secure to the anchors. A shower head suspension cord can provide additional security.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to personal hygiene, and particularly to various embodiments of a wall-mounted back scrubber for temporary or permanent installation upon the wall of a shower or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

The development of municipal water systems and similar systems has resulted in most homes being equipped with shower facilities, as well as the conventional bathtub or the like. Many people prefer a shower for personal hygiene rather than a tub bath for several reasons, among them the saving of water and time that generally result, as opposed to a tub bath.

However, it can be difficult for many people to reach certain areas of the body when showering. Those with limited mobility, particularly in the aims and shoulders, may not be able to reach the entire surface of the back when showering. Various solutions to this problem have been developed in the past. An example of such is the back scrubbing brush, but such a brush still requires the bather to extend an arm over the shoulder or behind the back in order to maneuver the brush to reach the entire area of the back. Another example is the scrubbing band, which requires the bather to use his or her hands and arms to work the band back and forth across the back.

Thus, a wall-mounted back scrubber solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wall-mounted back scrubber includes various embodiments, each adapted for temporary or permanent attachment to the wall of a bathroom shower or the like. Each of the embodiments includes a plurality of parallel brushes, where each brush has a flexible spiral wire core having a plurality of fiber bristles extending generally radially therefrom. The two opposed ends of the wire core are anchored or attached to respective first and second brackets. The brackets, in turn, provide for temporary or permanent attachment to the shower wall.

In one embodiment, a suction cup extends from the ends of each of the brackets. In another embodiment, the suction cups have stems that telescope through the ends of the brackets and are spring-biased to retract the cups toward the brackets in order to draw the brackets as close as possible to the shower wall. In another embodiment, separate first and second arms telescope from the central bracket for adjustment of the suction cup spacing in order to avoid application over grout lines and/or other irregularities. An adjustable hanger cord can also be provided for hanging the back scrubber from the shower head for additional security in the event that the suction cups fail.

Other embodiments provide for permanent attachment of the back scrubber to the shower wall. In one of the permanently mounted embodiments, a pair of parallel rails is permanently attached to the shower wall. A pair of guides extends from the back of the ends of each bracket to capture the respective rail therebetween. A lock screw passes through one of the guides of each pair to enable the back scrubber to be secured at a desired position along the rails. Another embodiment comprises a plurality of permanently attached anchors, the ends of each bracket having an escutcheon extending therefrom that fits over and secures to a respective one of the anchors to conceal the anchor. In each of the embodiments having suction cups, the cups can include radially extending tabs or ears through which screws or other permanent fasteners may be installed for permanently securing the back scrubber to the shower wall.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental side elevation view of a first embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber according to the present invention, illustrating its general configuration.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the wall-mounted back scrubber of FIG. 1, illustrating further details thereof.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber according to the present invention, partially broken away and in section, showing the suction cups in their extended configuration.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view of the wall-mounted back scrubber of FIG. 3A, partially broken away and in section, showing the suction cups in their retracted configuration.

FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber according to the present invention, illustrating its general configuration.

FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the wall-mounted back scrubber of FIG. 4A, partially broken away and in section, illustrating further details thereof.

FIG. 5A is a section view drawn along lines 5A-5A of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5B is a detailed front elevation view, partially in section, of the wall-mounted back scrubber of a fourth embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of a fifth embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber according to the present invention, illustrating various features thereof.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The wall-mounted back scrubber includes a number of different embodiments, which differ only in the means provided for attachment to a shower wall. In each of the embodiments, a plurality of parallel brushes extend from a pair of brackets, which are attached either temporarily or permanently to the wall of a shower facility.

FIGS. 1 and 2 provide side elevation and rear elevation views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber 100 that uses suction cups to provide temporary and repositionable attachment to the shower wall W. The back scrubber 100 includes two parallel, spaced apart brackets 102 and 104, with a plurality of mutually parallel brushes 106 extending therebetween. Each of the brushes 106 comprises an elongate, flexible spiral wire core 108, e.g., formed of two or more wires twisted together. The plurality of wires capture myriad bristles 110 therebetween, which extend generally radially from their wire cores 108.

The specific shape of the wire cores 108 is best illustrated in the side elevation view of the fifth back scrubber embodiment 500 of FIG. 6, but it will be understood that all embodiments utilize the same brush 106 configuration. Each of the wire cores 108 includes opposed and parallel first and second ends 112a and 112b that are orthogonal to the main portion of the wire core 108 extending therebetween. Each wire core 108 and the opposed ends 112a and 112b thus has a form approximating a very wide “U”, and defines square corners between the base and the uprights of the “U”. The two opposed ends 112a, 112b (shown in FIG. 6) provide for attachment or affixing of the brushes 106 to the two brackets of the back scrubber, e.g., brackets 102 and 104 of the back scrubber 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Each of the two brackets 102, 104 of the back scrubber 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 includes opposed first and second ends, designated 114a and 114b for the first bracket 102 and 116a and 116b for the second bracket 104. A suction cup 118 is affixed to and extends from each of the four ends 114a, 114b, 116a, and 116b of the two brackets 102 and 104. In the back scrubber 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the suction cups 118 can include radially extending mounting ears or tabs 120. Each of the tabs 120 has a fastener mounting passage 122 defined therein. This structure enables the back scrubber 100 to be permanently attached or secured to a shower wall or the like, even if the suction cups 118 do not or cannot provide sufficient attachment by suction alone. The mounting tabs 120 may be applied to suction cups in other embodiments of the wall-mounted back scrubber, as well.

The wall-mounted back scrubber 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2 also includes another means providing additional security for the device as installed. An adjustable suspension cord 124 is looped around the first bracket 102 and passes around the shower head or fixture S, more specifically, around the pipe or spigot extending from the shower wall W. The suspension cord 124 serves to prevent the back scrubber 100 from falling to the floor of the shower facility in the event that the suction cups 118 lose their attachment to the shower wall W, and the back scrubber 100 is not otherwise secured to the shower wall. The suspension cord 124 is adjustable in length, having a spring-biased pushbutton cord lock 126 adjustably gripping two portions of the suspension cord 124 to set the length of the looped cord as desired. Other cord lock configurations and/or principles may be used. The adjustable suspension cord 124 and its cord lock 126 may be applied to any of the embodiments of the wall-mounted back scrubber described herein.

FIGS. 3A and 3B provide views of two different conditions for the wall attachment of a second embodiment of a wall-mounted back scrubber 200. The plurality of brushes 106, their wire cores 108, bristles 110, and first ends 112a of the wire cores 108 are substantially identical to those identically numbered components in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The brushes 106 and their wire cores 108 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, the brackets to which they attach being oriented orthogonally to the brushes 106 and their cores 108.

The first ends 112a of the wire cores 108 are anchored in or affixed to a first bracket comprising an inner component 202 (i.e., closer to the wall W), and an outer component 204 (farther from the wall W). The inner component 202 includes opposed first and second ends 214a and 214b, and the outer component 204 has similarly opposed first and second ends 216a and 216b. The two ends 214a, 214b of the inner component 202 are hollow cups having corresponding passages 222a, 222b formed therethrough, and the two ends 216a, 216b of the outer component 204 are formed as caps that fit over the hollow cups of the two inner component ends 214a, 214b. The caps of the outer component ends 216a, 216b have passages 224a, 224b formed therethrough, which have larger diameters and are concentric with the passages 222a, 222b of the inner component ends 214a, 214b. The inner and outer components 202 and 204 are secured to one another by screws 226 connecting their respective ends 214a, 216a and 214b, 216b. It will be understood that a second bracket, not shown in the drawings, is substantially identical to the first bracket of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Alternative structure may be used to form the first and second brackets of the wall-mounted back scrubber

In this embodiment, suction cups 218 that have stems 220 extending through the respective passages 222a, 224a and 222b, 224b of the bracket component ends 214a, 216a and 214b, 216b attach the bracket to the wall W. Compression springs 228 are installed concentrically about the stems 220 of the suction cups 218. The springs 228 are seated above the top of the first component ends 214a, 214b, and reside within the larger diameter passages 224a, 224b of the two ends 216a, 216b of the bracket outer component 204. The springs 228 apply pressure to retainers 230, e.g., roll pins, dowels, etc., disposed transversely through the upper portions of the suction cup stems 220. Alternatively, the stems 220 of the suction cups 218 have larger diameter buttons 232 at the ends opposite the suction cups 218, and the springs 228 bear against the undersides of these buttons 232.

FIG. 3A shows the condition of the first bracket as the buttons 232 on the suction cup stems 220 are depressed, compressing the springs 228 and extending the suction cups 218 from the hollow cups of the ends 214a, 214b of the bracket inner component 202. This enables the suction cups 218 to be pressed firmly against an underlying surface, e.g., the shower wall W, to seat the suction cups 218 securely. When the pressure on the suction cup buttons 232 is released, the compression springs 228 extend, so that the suction cup stems 220 slide through their bracket end passages 222a through 224b to push the cups of the two ends 214a, 214b of the bracket inner component 202 toward the suction cups 218. As the suction cups 218 are now firmly secured against the shower wall W, this results in the bracket components 202, 204 being pushed closer to the shower wall W, as shown in FIG. 3B of the drawings.

FIGS. 4A and 4B provide front elevation and plan views, respectively, of a third embodiment 300 of a wall-mounted back scrubber. The wall-mounted back scrubber 300 of FIGS. 4A and 4B provides for permanent mounting or installation to a shower wall or the like, rather than being temporarily attached, as in the case of the wall-mounted back scrubbers 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 through 3B. The plurality of brushes 106, their wire cores 108, bristles 110, and first ends 112a of the wire cores 108 are substantially identical to those identically numbered components in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The brushes 106 and their wire cores 108 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, and the brackets to which they attach are oriented orthogonally to the brushes 106 and the cores 108. The brackets of the wall-mounted back scrubber 300 are similar to those analogous components of other embodiments, comprising a first bracket 302 having opposed ends 314a, 314b and an substantially identical second bracket 304 spaced apart and parallel to the first bracket 302, the second bracket 304 having opposed ends 316a, 316b. The ends of the wire cores 108 are affixed to the brackets, e.g., the wire core first ends 112a are attached to the first bracket 302, as shown in FIG. 4B.

A pair of spaced apart first rail guides 318a extend from the back of each of the brackets at the first end thereof, e.g., the first end 314a of the first bracket 302 illustrated in FIG. 4B. Similarly, a pair of spaced apart second rail guides 318b extend from the back of the first bracket 302 at the second end 314b thereof Spaced apart, parallel first and second rails 320a and 320b are permanently affixed (e.g., screws, adhesive, etc.) to an underlying surface, e.g., the shower wall W depicted in FIGS. 1, 3A, and 3B. The rail guide pairs 318a and 318b capture their respective rails 320a and 320b therebetween and slide along the rails to adjust the position of the brackets 302, 304 and their brushes 106, as desired. Each rail 320a, 320b has a channel 322a, 322b formed longitudinally along one side thereof. One of the rail guides of each pair includes a lock screw passage therethrough, i.e., a first rail guide lock screw passage 324a and a second rail guide lock screw passage 324b. First and second rail guide lock screws 326a and 326b are installed through the respective lock passages 324a and 324b. Tightening the lock screws 326a, 326b causes them to engage the respective channels 322a, 322b of the respective rails 320a, 320b, gripping the rails 320a, 320b tightly in the respective rail guide pairs 318a and 318b. Adjustment of the brush and bracket assembly of the wall-mounted back scrubber 300 is accomplished by loosening the lock screws 326a, 326b, repositioning the brush and bracket assembly along the rails 320a, 320b, and retightening the lock screws 326a, 326b.

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide section and elevation views, respectively, of a fourth embodiment 400 of a wall-mounted back scrubber. The wall-mounted back scrubber 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B is another temporarily attachable embodiment incorporating suction cups for attachment to the surface. The plurality of brushes 106, the wire cores 108, bristles 110, and first ends 112a of the wire cores 108 are substantially identical to those identically numbered components in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The brushes 106 and their wire cores 108 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, and the brackets to which they attach are oriented orthogonally to the brushes 106 and the cores 108.

As in the cases of the embodiments 200 and 300 of FIGS. 3A through 4B, only a single bracket assembly is illustrated, it being understood that two spaced apart and parallel bracket assemblies are provided for the device. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a first bracket assembly comprises a hollow central bracket 402 having two laterally adjustable opposed arms 404a and 404b disposed therein. The two arms 404a, 404b may be telescoped, i.e., extended from or retracted into the central bracket 402 to adjust the spacing between the two suction cups 418 installed in the distal or outboard ends 414a, 414b of the two arms 404a, 404b. This structure accommodates variable spacing between grout lines in tile and other irregular surfaces that may be found in a shower facility. The two distal or outboard ends 414a, 414b of the aims 404a, 404b are configured as hollow, generally hemispherical shapes in order to accommodate the two suction cups 418 therein. The suction cups 418 have stems 420 that pass through passages 422a, 422b in each of the ends 414a, 414b of the arms 404a, 404b.

Each of the two arms 404a, 404b includes an elongate slot 424a, 424b defined therein, the slots 424a, 424b extending from the inboard ends of the anus 404a, 404b toward the outboard ends 414a, 414b, respectively. The slots 424a, 424b provide clearance for the wire core ends 112a that extend across the interior of the hollow bracket 402 as the arms 404a, 404b are adjusted in and out of the bracket 402. First limit stops 426a, 426b are fixed within the opposite internal walls of the bracket 404, and second limit stops 428a, 428b are affixed to each of the respective anus 404a, 404b. The outward travel of the two arms 404a, 404b is stopped by contact of the respective first and second limit stops 426a, 428a and 426b, 428b to prevent the arms 404a, 404b from departing the central bracket 402.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view in section of a fifth embodiment 500 of the wall-mounted back scrubber. The wall-mounted back scrubber 500 of FIG. 6, or at least the wall attachments thereof, provides for permanent mounting or installation to a shower wall or the like, rather than being temporarily attached, as in the case of the wall-mounted back scrubber embodiments 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 through 3B and 400 of FIGS. 5A and 5B. The plurality of brushes 106, the wire cores 108, bristles 110, and first ends 112a of the wire cores 108 are substantially identical to those identically numbered components in the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The brushes 106 and the wire cores 108 may be oriented either horizontally or vertically, and the brackets to which they attach are oriented orthogonally to the brushes 106 and the cores 108.

It has been noted further above that the wire cores 108 of the brush assemblies 106 are flexible in order to conform to the contours of the back or other area of the body of a bather using the wall-mounted back scrubber. FIG. 6 illustrates the flexibility of the wire core 108, showing the deflected wire core 108, and the bristles 110 extending therefrom in broken lines in FIG. 6, as would occur when some asymmetric pressure is applied to the wire core 108. When such pressure is released, the wire core 108 and the bristles 110 return to their original condition, where the wire core 108 is substantially straight, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6.

In the wall-mounted back scrubber embodiment 500 of FIG. 6, the wire core 108 connects opposed and parallel first and second brackets 502 and 504 to one another at their respective first ends 514a, 516a by means of the respective first and second ends 112a and 112b of the wire core 108. While the wall-mounted back scrubber 500 is shown in section through the first and second wall attachment assemblies, it will be understood that the brackets 502 and 504 are elongate structures having substantially identical wall attachment assemblies at their opposite ends, i.e., the wall-mounted back scrubber 500 has a total of four wall attachment assemblies, as in other embodiments described herein.

First and second escutcheons 518a, 518b are immovably and permanently affixed to the first ends 514a and 516a of the two brackets 502 and 504. The two escutcheons 518a, 518b preferably have decorative and/or attractive appearance, as they serve to conceal or cover the respective underlying wall attachments 520a, 520b that are permanently secured to the shower wall W, e.g., by screws 522. Each of the wall attachments 520a, 520b includes a circumferential groove 524 therearound. The grooves serve as receptacles for set screws 526 or the like that are threaded into cooperating passages 528 through the walls of the two escutcheons 518a and 518b. This structure serves to conceal the wall attachment hardware of the wall-mounted back scrubber embodiment 500, particularly if the screws 526 are small and unobtrusive and the passages 528 through the escutcheons 518a, 518b are located through the lower sides or surfaces thereof, or in some other area where they are not readily visible. While the wall attachments 520a, 520b are permanently attached to the shower wall W for all practical purposes, it will be seen that the remainder of the wall-mounted back scrubber 500 may be removed by loosening the screws 526 to release the escutcheons 518a, 518b from their underlying wall attachments 520a, 520b.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A wall-mounted back scrubber, comprising:

a plurality of parallel brushes, each of the brushes having an elongate flexible spiral wire core and bristles extending generally radially from the wire core, each of the wire cores having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first bracket, the first end of each of the wire cores being affixed to the first bracket, the first bracket having opposed first and second ends;

a second bracket spaced apart from and parallel to the first bracket, the second end of each of the wire cores being affixed to the second bracket, the second bracket having opposed first and second ends; and

a wall attachment extending from each of the ends of each of the brackets.

2. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, wherein each of said wall attachments comprises:

a suction cup, the suction cup having a stem extending therefrom, the stem being slidably disposed through a passage of the corresponding bracket end; and

a spring disposed about the stem of the suction cup, the spring being biased to urge the bracket toward the suction cup.

3. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, further comprising a first rail and a second rail adapted for permanent installation upon a wall, said wall attachments comprising;

a first rail guide extending from the first end of each said bracket, the first rail guides being slidably disposed upon the first rail;

a second rail guide extending from the second end of each said bracket, the second rail guides being slidably disposed upon the second rail; and

a lock disposed on each of the rail guides, the lock engaging the corresponding rail, the lock selectively locking the guide in position along the respective rail.

4. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustable suspension cord disposed about the first bracket, the suspension cord being adapted for removable placement about a shower head.

5. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 4, further comprising a cord lock disposed upon the suspension cord.

6. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first aim telescopically extending from the first end of each said bracket, each of the first arms having a distal end;

a second arm telescopically extending from the second end of each said bracket, each of the second arms having a distal end; and

a suction cup extending from the distal end of each of the arms.

7. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, further comprising:

an escutcheon extending from each of the ends of each said bracket; and

a plurality of wall anchors adapted for permanent attachment to a wall, each of the escutcheons being removably affixed to one of the wall anchors.

8. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, wherein each said wall attachment comprises a suction cup, the suction cup having a mounting tab extending radially therefrom, the tab having a fastener mounting passage defined therein.

9. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 1, wherein each said wire core has a main portion disposed between the first end and the second end thereof, the first end and the second end of the wire core being parallel to one another and orthogonal to the main portion.

10. A wall-mounted back scrubber, comprising:

a plurality of brushes having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first bracket, the first end of each of the brushes being affixed to the first bracket, the first bracket having opposed first and second ends;

a second bracket spaced apart from and parallel to the first bracket, the second end of each of the brushes being affixed to the second bracket, the second bracket having opposed first and second ends;

a wall attachment extending from each of the ends of the brackets, the wall attachment comprising; a corresponding suction cup having a stem slidably disposed through a passage of the corresponding bracket end; and a spring disposed about the stem of the suction cup, the spring biasing the bracket toward the suction cup.

11. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 10, wherein said brushes are mounted on the brackets parallel to each other, each said brush having an elongate flexible spiral wire core and bristles extending radially from the wire core, the wire core having a first end and a second end opposite the first end.

12. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 11, wherein each said wire core has a main portion disposed between the first end and the second end of said wire core, the first end and the second end of the wire core being parallel to one another and orthogonal to the main portion thereof.

13. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 10, further comprising an adjustable suspension cord disposed about the first bracket, the suspension cord being adapted for removable placement about a shower head.

14. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 13, further comprising a cord lock disposed upon the suspension cord.

15. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 10, further comprising

a first arm telescopically extending from the first end of each said bracket, the first arm having a distal end, the corresponding suction cup extending from the distal end of the first arm; and

a second arm telescopically extending from the second end of each said bracket, the second arm having a distal end, the corresponding suction cup extending from the distal end of the second arm.

16. A wall-mounted back scrubber, comprising:

a plurality of brushes having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a first bracket, the first end of each of the brushes being affixed thereto, the first bracket having opposed first and second ends;

a second bracket spaced apart from and parallel to the first bracket, the second end of each of the brushes being affixed thereto, the second bracket having opposed first and second ends;

a wall attachment assembly including: a first rail and a second rail adapted for permanent installation upon a wall; first rail guides extending from the first end of each of the brackets, the first rail guides being slidably disposed upon the first rail; second rail guides extending from the second end of each of the brackets, the second rail guides being slidably disposed upon the second rail; and a lock disposed on each of the rail guides, the lock engaging the corresponding rail, the lock selectively locking the guide in position along the corresponding rail.

17. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 16, wherein said brushes are mounted on said brackets parallel to each other, each said brush having an elongate flexible spiral wire core and bristles extending radially from the wire core, each of the wire cores having a first end and a second end opposite the first end.

18. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 17, wherein each said wire core has a main portion disposed between the first end and the second end of said wire core, the first end and the second end said wire core being parallel to one another and orthogonal to the main portion.

19. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 16, further comprising an adjustable suspension cord disposed about the first bracket, the suspension cord being adapted for removable placement about a shower head.

20. The wall-mounted back scrubber according to claim 19, further comprising a cord lock disposed upon the suspension cord.