Abstract:
Improvements in a foot washing device is disclosed. The improvements include the use of air with water to increase the washing efficiency with minimal use of water. The device is ideally used where clean water is limited such as on a boat, ship or other device where a person enters the boat with sand dirt or debris on not only the bottom but also the sides and top of the feet. The device blows water and air over the top of the feet and under the feet to wash off the sand. The amount of cleaning force is critical to reduce sand that can leave the feet and enter into the boat. The water can be filtered and recycled to reduce clean water use. The device may further include its own power supply, chemical cleaning agent and a water heating or cooling mechanism.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of applicant&#39;s co-pending application Ser. No. 61/181,257 filed May 26, 1009 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The removal of sand from feet is important to minimize damage to the carpeting and deck of a boat. In some locations, such as on the ocean, the supply of clean water is limited and while there may be water that is available around a boat the quality of the water is often questionable. To minimize the amount of water that is being used and to optimize the velocity of the limited water that is being sprayed, the water is supplemented with air pressure or a vacuum to increase the flow rate and enhance the removal of debris from feet. 
       Field of the Invention 
       [0006]    Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0007]    This invention relates to improvements in a foot washing mechanism. More particularly the present foot washing mechanism uses a limited water reservoir with an air assist to improve the removal of sand and debris from feet. Most foot washing devices operate with either a bath of water or with water that is supplied from a nearly infinite source of water with high spray pressure. Exemplary examples of foot washing devises are found in the following references. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,654,894 issued Oct. 13, 1953 to C. M. G. Van Dijck discloses a Foot Bath. The weight of a person on the apparatus opens a valve to allow water to flow through the open grates of the apparatus and spray up at the bottom of the feet. While this apparatus provides some cleaning to the feet the water is sprayed upwards at the feet and not downward. Because of the spray direction and sand would be further blown onto the legs of a person instead of off of them. This apparatus further uses water supplied from a nearly infinite supply and the water is not assisted with air to provide some drying. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,830 issued Dec. 16, 1975 to Francis Bud Delaney discloses a Foot Shower and Spray Device. This device is intended for use at the base of a water slide ladder to wash debris off a foot. When a user steps onto the devise water is sprayed at the sides of a foot to wash off any debris. While this device provides some cleaning of a foot the direction of the spray allows the debris to be washed onto the legs of a user. The device further uses water from a hose and does not utilize air to promote drying. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,972 issued Dec. 29, 1992 to John D. Goodman discloses an Automatic Foot Washer. The foot washer uses a hose to supply water to slots placed around a central platform. While this washer provides basic foot washing function the water sprays across the top of the foot to push debris around the top of the foot and the leg(s). This washer uses pressure from a city water supply, does not re-circulate the water and does not use air pressure to supplement the washing. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,720 issued Nov. 29, 1994 discloses a Foot Washer Apparatus. This apparatus also uses a city water supply for the pressurized water that is sprayed over the top of the users&#39; feet. The apparatus does not recycle the water and does not use air to assist in the washing process. 
         [0012]    What is needed is a portable foot washer that can be placed at location that is distal from a water source that washes feet with a combination of air and water. The proposed foot washer provides this solution with a portable foot washer having its own water reservoir and pressurized air tank. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the clean feet foot wash to provide a water reservoir for storing water that may not be available at the location where the foot was is being used. The water storage tank can be connected to an available fresh water storage tank or a separate or an existing water tank. Typically this water supply has little or no pressure to create flow of any velocity. The water can be recycled to minimize water use using a simple filter mechanism to strain sand or debris from the reclaimed water. The filter can be a simple mesh or metal strainer where the debris is easily discarded. If a larger amount of water is available the sand and debris can be drained from the foot wash and not recycled. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the clean feet foot wash to provide a pump to increase the amount of pressure for the water that is being used to wash feet. This water pump is connected to the water storage tank and can either be a separate water pump or can connect to an existing pump. The pump can be used to further increase the water pressure to increase the spraying/washing pressure. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the clean feet foot wash to use air in combination with the water. An air compressor is used to increase the velocity of the water being used and also to provide some drying to the feet. The air can be stored in an air tank to increase the volume of air that is quickly available. The air pump can operate with a lower power requirement to store air when the wash is not being used. It is also contemplated that a vacuum system can be incorporated to increase the velocity of water being sprayed. The vacuum can also be used to assist in drying wet feet. 
         [0016]    It is another object clean feet foot wash to be self-contained with its own rechargeable power supply. The rechargeable power supply can be connected to an 110AC or 12DC supply to recharge on-board batteries. Because the foot wash is self powered a switching mechanism allows the foot washer to be temporally operated when a user steps upon the foot wash. When the user is no longer on the foot washer the foot washer can recycle any water and recharge any air storage tank to prepare for the next person. 
         [0017]    It is still another object clean feet foot wash for the spraying jets to exist both on the outsides of the feet as well as between the feet. This allows the foot washer to spray all around the feet and wash debris into the bottom of the washer and ensures a more complete wash without removing just the sand or debris from the outer legs and outsides of the feet. 
         [0018]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the foot washing device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a first embodiment the foot washing device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a side cross sectional view of the first embodiment without a person on the feet washer. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a side cross sectional view of the first embodiment with a person on the feet washer. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the feet washer. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a side cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the feet washer. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the foot washer. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a side cross sectional view of the third embodiment of the feet washer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the foot washing device  10 . The foot washing device has a step pad or platform  11  in a basin  31  that is shown and described in  FIGS. 2-8 . The device is self contained where some or all of the components are enclosed within the basin. These components are shown in the block diagram outside of the basin, but are preferably enclosed within or in the underside of the basin. In general when sufficient weight is placed on the step pad  11  the weight activates a switching mechanism  13  that activates the device  10 . The switch  13  opens a water valve  14  and or an air valve  15 . In one embodiment the air and water flow through different lines into the basin  31 . In an alternative embodiment the water and air lines are combined 21 where they flow into the basin  31 . 
         [0028]    The device  10  can be self contained with a power supply  20  such as a battery or can be powered from an external power supply  25 . The external power supply  25  can charge the power supply  20  (battery) for self contained operation. The power supply provides power to an air compressor  18 , a pump  17  and a thermal device  29 . While a thermal device  29  is shown and described this device is an option and is not a requirement of any embodiment. The thermal device  29  provides for an adjustment of the temperature of the water and or air that is emitted into the basin  31 . Fluid could be applied at different temperatures (hot, warm or cold). It is further contemplated that the device  10  can be used only with air. 
         [0029]    The power supply operates the pump  17 . The pump  17  moves water from either a fresh water supply  24  and or from a water tank  19 . The water tank  19  can be the bottom of the basin  31 . Collecting and reusing water from the bottom of the basin  31  allows for a more efficient use of water. A filter  23  removes sand and or other debris from the bottom of the basin through a drain  12 . Drain system would immediately empty back into the water such as a direct transom mount system or run through a hose  22  to a water tank  19  or a return that is mounted with a thru hole in the side of the boat that would be standard in a marine application. It is also contemplated that the foot wash has a connection  40  for an external water supply. 
         [0030]    The fresh water can be a city water supply, from a holding tank  24  of a vehicle such as a boat or RV or can be pumped from a lake or ocean. The pump  17  can also be the pump from a boat or RV. The size, volume and pressure of the pump will be dependent upon the integration and mixing of the water flow with the pressure, and flow through the air compressor. 
         [0031]    The pump  17  pumps water through an optional thermal device. A soap or chemical dispenser  30  is optionally included to provide an added cleaning agent to the water being pumped. The soap or chemical dispenser  30  aids in cleaning and can also provide for more sanitary feet. This is especially important when the water is from an ocean or other potentially contaminated source that can include organisms that can cause mold or other undesirable growths. 
         [0032]    The power supply  20  also powers an air compressor  18 . In one embodiment the air compressor pressurizes an air tank  16 . The air tank allows for an increase in the amount and pressure that can be dispensed because the air compressor can operate when a person is not on the platform  11 . A combination of water or chemical and air pressure is emitted once the activation switch has been applied. The emitted spray is precision directed to minimize the amount of fluid and overspray. In the preferred embodiment the air compressor  18  is a small air compressor that is integrated into the hosing system. The air compressor  18  could operate as both an air compressor for the feet wash and for emergency use with an inflatable. The air tank  16  can also operate as a vacuum tank to draw water through the basin  31 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a top view of a first embodiment the foot washing device  10 .  FIG. 3  shows a side cross sectional view of the first embodiment without a person on the feet washer.  FIG. 4  shows a side cross sectional view of the first embodiment with a person on the feet washer.  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the feet washer  10 . The item numbers are identified in one or more of these figures. These figures should be viewed as a collective group that identifies the first preferred embodiment. 
         [0034]    The foot wash  10  has a foot pad  11 . In  FIG. 2  the top of the foot pad  11  is shown with the indicia of bare feet to show how they should be placed onto the pads within the basin  31 . The basin  31  is preferably made out of a mold and or injected plastic, composite, steel or Fiberglass but other materials are contemplated that will provide equivalent function. The basin  31  can be configured for an over-mount, under-mount or a partial configuration of both. In these figures the basin  31  is shown mounted into a deck  32 . The shape of the basin is shaped to allow a person to step onto the step pad  11  to compress the springs  28  to allow the step pad  11  to sink to a level that is about the same height as the deck  32 . The step pad  11  platform(s) could be molded out of plastics and or composites, light weight none corrosive aluminum metal. They preferably have a mesh or waffled pattern to allow air and water introduction from side and below.  FIGS. 3-8  show the waffle pattern. Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4  that show cross sections of the feet wash in an unloaded ( FIG. 3 ) and a loaded ( FIG. 4 ) configuration. 
         [0035]    When a person stands on the step pad a switch hydraulic or spring  28  resistance lowers the foot or feet into basin  31  to desired depth. The path of the step pad is guided by the guide pins  34 . The activation is either continual, with an external or internal switch  13  or pressure sensing activating by pressure lowering the platform applying pressure on the hydraulic or spring  28  system. A water pump  17  and or an air pump or compressor  18  sprays  35  the water and or air combination through the jet(s)  27  and or bubbles from bubblers  26  placed on the bottom of the feet wash  10 . The bubbling water-air combination provides water with minimal splash or overspray while providing removal of surface debris from feet. Metal or composite tips direct air and/or water. Once a specific peripheral diameter is identified it could be added to cover the most efficient design. Tips or heads  26  and  27  can be changeable for different regions with different—conditions of sand and debris that must be removed from feet. The configuration of the feet wash has a central hub  39  with spray jets  27  that exist on the central hub  39  to wash between the feet instead of washing the outsides of the feet. 
         [0036]    It is contemplated that initially the washing spray  35  comes from jets  27 , then from a combination of jets  27  and bubblers  26  to remove the sand and or debris. The device may then only spray  35  air from the jets to dry and push any sand or debris into the drain. A filter  23  can be optionally included to capture some of the particles before the water exits the drain  12 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a side cross sectional view of the second embodiment of the feet washer. This configuration shows self contained feet wash  10  that is configured as an elevated device. The configuration is similar to the first embodiment. In this embodiment a lip  35  extends over the air and water pump  17 , compressor  18  and storage tanks  16 / 19 . The lip  36  is shown resting on housing or other support  37  that elevates the feet wash. The feet wash  10  is shown with the step pad  11  elevated and with the sprayers in operation. One or more springs  28  maintain the step pad  11  in the elevated or off position. 
         [0038]    In most contemplated embodiments the water and air only spray when one or more feet sufficiently depress the step pad  11  to activate a switch  13  or valve. In this embodiment the water tank  19  is shown and the water level  38  within the basin  31  that further provides for a storage of water. Water from the bottom of the basin  31  is drawn through the filter  23  and into water tank  19  through pipe  12  and into the pump  17  where it is pumped out of the jets  27  where it sprays  35  and or the bubblers  26 . 
         [0039]    An air compressor  18  and an air tank  16  is shown to hold pressurized air that allows for greater volume and pressure than the air compressor  18  can provide by operating for the brief period while a person is on the step pad  11 . The central hub  39  allows for spray jets  27  to be placed between the feet to provide virtually a 360 degree spray of water around each foot of a user. 
         [0040]    It is further contemplated that the feet wash can be fabricated from a heavy woven material such that when pressure from the foot is applied, the valve(s) open to allow water and air at the pressure point thereby in turn trapping over spray of both air and water below the housing. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the foot washer and 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a side cross sectional view of the third embodiment of the feet washer. This embodiment is similar the previously described embodiments with a few exceptions that are noted and identified herein. In this embodiment only a single foot pad is used to wash only one foot at a time. This reduces some redundant parts of the device and further reduces the foot print of the foot wash. In this embodiment the foot wash has risers  50  that exist on at least two sides of the foot wash. The risers allow for a lower profile of the foot wash and also are elevated with a pivot arm  51  that elevates the risers  50  when a foot is placed onto the bottom step  11  of the foot wash. In  FIG. 8  the left side is shown with the step  11  depressed and the right side is shown with the foot pad  11  in the normal position. Another contemplated feature show in  FIG. 8  is a bladder  52 . The bladder  52  is squeezed when a user  33  steps onto the step pad  11 . The weight of the user creates the pressure that forces water and or air out of the jets  27  to wash the foot. When the foot  33  is removed from the step pad  11 , the bladder will re-expand and fill to “load” for the next foot. While this embodiment shows risers on only two sides it is contemplated that the risers can exist on one to four sides. 
         [0043]    Thus, specific embodiments of a clean feet foot washing device has been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.