Personal hygiene accessory
A device for providing self-assisting hygienic activity to individuals of limited dexterity, the device including an elongated body constructed of first and second telescoping portions and terminating at a first end in an ergonomically configured handle. A hygienic related accessory is secured to the other end of the elongated body, which includes a repositionable gooseneck portion. The accessory capable of being manipulated relative to the elongated body in at least one of axially extending and angularly configurable fashions and the accessory is further capable of being releasably engageable to the associated end of the elongated body and substituted by at least one alternately configured accessory drawn from at least one of a sponge attachment, disposable sheet attachment, scrub brush attachment and powder applicator attachment.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/277,601, filed Oct. 22, 2002 and entitled “Personal Hygiene Assembly”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hygiene assistance devices. More specifically, the present invention teaches an ergonomically configured, extensible and positionable device capable of supporting a number of different accessories for assisting all persons. This device is particularly helpful to those with limited mobility and dexterity, such as handicapped, obese, elderly and pregnant individuals. For individuals with special needs, this product will enable them to perform their daily hygiene on their own. With this in mind they will be more self-sufficient and able to feel a sense of dignity.
1. Description of the Prior Art
Personal sanitary assistance devices and instruments are fairly well known in the art. The objective in each instance is to assist individuals of limited mobility or dexterity in performing basic self-hygienic practices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,564, issued to Hamm, discloses a first example of a personal sanitary instrument provided to assist individuals in personal hygiene, and further such as in particular useful in assisting overweight or other activity-limited individuals in wiping and cleansing their excretory orifices and surrounding areas. The device includes a laterally extending handle which sections for grasping and manipulation by a user. The handle is connected at one end to a rod, whereas the other end is connected to a finger member which may be fitted with a disposable cover when used. The device is further formed in sections which may be separated for storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,040, issued to Tetrault, teaches a toileting assist device for use by a patient wearing a back brace or having other body limitations causing inability to reach sufficiently to perform the toileting function. The device includes a base member upon which a removable cleansing fabric is wrapped and an integral handle extending at an obtuse angle from one end of the base member. The length of the handle and the angle thereof relative to the base member are such that the patient, while sitting on a toilet, can reach anatomical areas to be wiped without bending or moving the torso laterally.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,103, issued to Case, teaches an adjustable applicator and cleaning tool having a tubular mounting shaft with a hollow flexible sleeve-cover protruding from one end thereof. A flexible applicator sleeve within the applicator sleeve cover is slidably connected to an axis control rod, which is in turn slidably and rotatably mounted within the tubular mounting shaft and so that relative sliding or rotational movement between the axis control rod and the tubular mounting shaft will impart movement to and cause a change of position in the applicator sleeve and the applicator sleeve cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,398, issued to Leonard et al., teaches a vaginal cleansing instrument including a soft, substantially cylindrical shaped sponge composed of a polyurethane foam and mounted to a curved plastic handled instrument. In particular, the sponge, in order to prevent it from accidentally detaching from the handle, is mounted through the use of surgical tape, following which two layers of a type of glue is applied. Finally, U.S. Design Pat. No. 428,147 illustrates a hand-held personal hygiene instrument illustrating a curved handle portion and an end-mounted attachment portion.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention discloses a personal hygiene accessory provided in the form of an ergonomically configured, extensible and positionable device capable of supporting a number of different accessories for assisting persons of limited mobility and dexterity, such as handicapped, obese, elderly and pregnant individuals. In particular, the present invention is an improvement over previous hygienic assist devices in that it provides both a greater degree of reconfiguration and positioning, combined with the ability to accommodate a wide variety of different hygienic related attachments.
An elongated body is constructed of a durable, and preferably lightweight, material such as which may further include a lightweight material, such as a non-porous rubber or impact resistant plasticized construction. The body further preferably includes at least first and second telescoping portions and terminates at one end in an ergonomically configured handle. A push button may be configured in the body, proximate the handle, for releasing the body for axial extension.
A remote end of the body is suitably configured for supporting, in a further angularly configurable fashion, a hygienic related accessory. In a preferred embodiment, both the body as well as the hygienic accessory is provided with antibacterial capability. This includes both pre-application of a coating or powder, as well as instances in which the antibacterial aspect is impregnated or otherwise integrally within the material construction of the body. To this end, a repositionable gooseneck portion, such as which may further include a plurality of individual and bendable corrugations, is located proximate the remote extending end and facilitates any desired angular positioning of the accessory.
It is also envisioned that the accessory may, in one variant, be fixed to the remote end of the telescoping/angularly repositionable body. However, and in the preferred application, a plurality of individual accessories are each releasably engageable to the body, such as through the application of tabs and slots defined between an extending neck associated with a given attachment, as well as an open opposing end of the elongated body. In this manner, a number of individual attachments, among them including a sponge attachment, non-porous rubber based lotion dispensing attachment, disposable sheet attachment, scrub brush attachment and powder applicator attachment can be releasably secured to the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSReference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Referring now to
Referring again to
As further shown in
As discussed previously, the elongated body (and particularly the telescoping portions 14 and 16) may be constructed of a lightweight aluminum or impact resistant plasticized material. The telescoping portions are further illustrated as being tubular in shape, however it is also envisioned that they may include other polygonal (multi-sided) and cross-sectional configurations.
Referring again to
It is also envisioned that the accessory may, in one variant, be fixed to the remote end of the telescoping/angularly repositionable body and as is illustrated throughout the embodiment 10 of
An open neck of the cover 28 is illustrated at 30 and defines a substantially sleeve shape which fits over the accessory body 24. Referring now
Referring now to
Referring further to
Referring now to each of
In particular, the body again includes an ergonomically and arcuately configured end 60, a telescoping body 62 activated by a push button 64, repositionable gooseneck portions 66, and an open extending end 68. The sponge attachment 56 includes, at a base surface thereof, an extending neck portion 70 from which a pair of tabs 72 extend laterally outwardly therefrom and seat within associated slots 74 defined within the open opposing end 68 of the elongated body. A twist lock location, see at 76, is provided at an interior recessed and communicating position to each of the recessing slots 74 and in order to secure the attachment 56 in place in a combined depress and twist fashion.
Referring now to
Referring to
Having described my invention, it is clear that it teaches a hygienic assistance device designed to allow the handicapped, obese, pregnant, elderly and the like to perform certain self-hygienic related activities. Additional embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for providing self-assisting hygienic activity to individuals of limited dexterity, said device comprising:
- an elongated and telescoping body terminating at a first end in an ergonomically configured and gripping handle;
- a repositionable gooseneck located proximate a second end of said telescoping body; and
- a hygienic related accessory releasably engageable with said gooseneck and capable of being manipulated relative to said elongated body in at least one of an axially extending and an angularly configurable fashion.
2. The device as described in claim 1, said telescoping body further comprising at least first and second telescoping portions.
3. The device as described in claim 1, said repositionable gooseneck further comprising a plurality of individual and bendable corrugations.
4. The device as described in claim 1, said accessory further comprising a substantially planar shaped and three-dimensional configuration.
5. The device as described in claim 4, further comprising a hygienic related covering layer applied over at least one facing side of said accessory.
6. The device as described in claim 5, said covering further comprising a sleeve attachment applied over said accessory and secured to said elongated body.
7. The device as described in claim 6, further comprising an elastic band for securing an open end of said sleeve about said associated end of said elongated body.
8. The device as described in claim 6, further comprising snap fasteners for securing an open end of said sleeve about said associated end of said elongated body.
9. The device as described in claim 6, further comprising resecurable fasteners for securing an open end of said sleeve about said associated end of said elongated body.
10. The device as described in claim 1, further comprising a neck portion extending from an end of said accessory, mating pairs of laterally projecting tabs and slots being defined between said neck portion and said extending end of said elongated body.
11. The device as described in claim 1, said accessory further comprising a sponge attachment.
12. The device as described in claim 1, said accessory further comprising a disposable sheet attachment.
13. The device as described in claim 1, said accessory further comprising a scrub brush attachment.
14. The device as described in claim 1, said accessory further comprising a powder applicator attachment.
15. The device as described in claim 2, further comprising a push button portion extensible through said handle, depressing said button causing said elongated body to axially extend from a first telescoping position to a second telescoping position.
16. A device for providing self-assisting hygienic activity to individuals of limited dexterity, said device comprising:
- an elongated and telescoping body comprising at least first and second telescoping portions, said body terminating at a first end in an ergonomically configured and gripping handle;
- a repositionable gooseneck located proximate a second end of said telescoping body, said repositionable gooseneck further comprising a plurality of individual and bendable corrugations; and
- a hygienic related accessory releasably engageable with said gooseneck and capable of being manipulated relative to said elongated body in at least one of an axially extending and an angularly configurable fashion, a neck portion extending from an end of said accessory, mating pairs of laterally projecting tabs and slots being defined between said neck portion and said extending end of said elongated body.
17. A device for providing self-assisting hygienic activity to individuals of limited dexterity, said device comprising:
- an elongated and telescoping body terminating at a first end in an ergonomically configured and gripping handle;
- a repositionable gooseneck located proximate a second end of said telescoping body; and
- a hygienic related accessory releasably engageable with said gooseneck and capable of being manipulated relative to said elongated body in at least one of an axially extending and an angularly configurable fashion, said hygienic related accessories being provided in kit form and including at least one of a hygienic covering layer, a sponge attachment, a disposable sheet attachment, a scrub brush and a powder applicator attachment.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 9, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 16, 2006
Inventor: Rochelle Steinberg (West Bloomfield, MI)
Application Number: 11/270,871
International Classification: A47K 7/00 (20060101);