Abstract:
A long-handled personal holder device for personal cleaning, hygiene, and daily living, and is made of resilient material with extendable finger-like grips. The grips are configured to surely grip a tool, but also to release (e.g., so that a user does not have to soil their hands). The curved handle allows proper reach, and is designed for easy break-down, rinsing and cleaning, and for placement in a compact carry bag. The grips can grip a larger personal hygiene flushable wipe, a smaller flushable pad, a sponge for shower use, and/or a an ointment pad; and are also able to hold more rigidly-handled personal tools, such as a toothbrush, shaver, makeup applicator, pencil, pen, brush, and similar items.

Description:
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60/953,257, filed Aug. 1, 2007, entitled LONG-HANDLED DEVICE FOR PERSONAL CLEANING AND HYGIENE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention pertains to a long-handled device for personal cleaning and hygiene, and for daily living activities. 
     The ability to take care of one&#39;s own personal cleaning and hygiene is very important for a person with limitations (e.g., overweight, and/or physical problems such as back pain, poor flexibility, lower-functioning body, fore-shortened arms, etc.). It can relieve stress physically, emotionally and mentally and can increase independence, which can be very important to freedom and self-worth. Decreasing one&#39;s stress levels can also help in the healing process. Also, the ability to take care of one&#39;s own personal cleaning and hygiene provides greater freedom and reduces the expense of nursing care. Contrastingly, the need to have someone to watch over an individual with limitations twenty-four hours a day is extremely difficult and becomes very expensive. Further, the inability to reach hard-to-reach areas can cause much discomfort for a person with limitations. The embarrassment that comes along with the inability to reach those hard-to-reach places can cause much mental and emotional stress. 
     A variety of personal hygiene tools presently exist. However, present known tools suffer from a variety of problems such as complexity (and resulting high cost), lack of adaptability for “flexible use,” inability to provide freedom and independence to the individual, and can lead to unsanitary conditions including providing poor cleanliness. Known tools do not allow a user to perform multiple tasks. Nor do they fold, collapse, or break down sufficiently for portability, nor for discreet storage and transport. The multiple tasks spoken of here include shaving (women&#39;s legs and men&#39;s chins), cleaning the rectal area, applying salve to same area, and the ability to grasp a personal hygiene cleaning tool (such as sponge, pad, washcloth or shaver) while in the shower or bath, or while wet after a shower or bath. Though a variety of personal hygiene tools presently exist, no known devices can do multiple tasks, nor are they able to use flushable materials, nor do they fold/collapse down to be a compact portable arrangement that can be carried in a small discreet carry bag. 
     In particular, known products do not allow a person to use toilet paper, nor a toilet-paper-prefolded product, and then release the soiled flushable material into the toilet without the need to touch it or unwrap it. No known product allows a person to hold a shaver and be able to reach and shave their lower leg. Known products do not allow a person to hold a sponge in order to clean their feet and lower extremities. Also, known products do not allow a person with a physical “ailment” or limitation to be able to reach their bottom with a small personal pad to apply a salve to take care of a rash, and then release it and flush it down the toilet. 
     Additionally there appears to be no valid personal holder device for assisting with daily living activities. Daily living activities, as referred to herein, include not only personal hygiene tasks, but also include additional tasks that must be done as part of living a relatively normal life. This includes such things as grasping and manipulating personal functional tools in order to take care of one&#39;s self. For example, daily living tasks include the need to brush teeth, apply makeup, write with a pencil or mark with an ink pen or marker, scratch one&#39;s back, eat with utensils, and brush hair. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a combination is provided for assisting a handicapped or physically limited person. The combination includes a personal holder device and a personal functional tool held by the personal holder device in a manner facilitating use of the functional tool. The personal functional tool as referred to herein has a functional end portion and an elongated handle portion to grip while using the functional end. The personal holder device includes a tubular handle defining a longitudinal direction, an actuator button, and an expandable/retractable gripping mechanism in the tubular handle. The gripping mechanism is operably connected to the actuator button for telescoping movement between an extended open position where the fingers move axially and spread apart radially for receiving the handle portion, and a retaining position where the fingers close radially toward each other for gripping the handle portion. The gripping mechanism includes at least three fingers with longitudinally-elongated inwardly-facing surfaces that extend generally parallel each other when in the retaining position for stably engaging at least three sides of a length of the handle portion. The inwardly-facing surfaces include one of a frictional resilient material and a rough surface for providing acceptably strong retention strength when in the retaining position, whereby the functional tool can be oriented and pressure can be placed on the handle portion onto the functional end portion by a user holding onto the tubular handle of the holder device. 
     In a narrower aspect, the functional tool is selected from a group consisting of at least one of the following: a personal shaver, a toothbrush, a hair brush, a wipe, a make-up applicator, a lotion applicator, a sponge, a lipstick applicator, a back scratcher, an eating utensil, a writing pencil, an ink pen, and a marker. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a personal hygiene device includes a tubular handle defining a longitudinal direction and having first and second ends. A gripping mechanism with fingers is located at the first end and is adapted to move between an open position and a retaining position, the fingers when in the retaining position being configured to retain a section of toilet paper with a remainder of the toilet paper extending from and/or retained by the fingers. A button is located adjacent the second end and is operably connected to the fingers for moving the fingers between the open and retaining positions. The tubular handle includes a laterally-facing rinse hole rearward of the gripping mechanism and forward of the button, the hole being configured to receive water and sanitizer and to direct same toward the fingers to cleanse and wash the same after use. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method of personal hygiene comprises steps of providing a personal functional tool having a functional end portion and an elongated handle portion to grip while using the functional end; providing a personal holder device including a tubular handle defining a longitudinal direction and including an expandable/retractable gripping mechanism in the tubular handle that is operably connected to the actuator button for telescoping movement between an extended open position; and moving the fingers axially and radially to an open position for receiving the handle portion. The method further includes moving the fingers to a retaining position where the fingers close radially toward each other and grip the handle portion, manipulating the tubular handle to use the functional end of the tool, and moving the fingers toward the open position to release the tool. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a kit includes a long-handled personal hygiene device with an end configured for holding items for personal hygiene and for daily living. The kit also includes a carry bag having a cavity sized less than a length of the assembled long-handled personal hygiene device. The personal hygiene device includes at least two elongated components configured to rigidly engage for use and configured to releasably disconnect for compact storage in the cavity. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a kit includes a personal hygiene device with an end configured for holding items for personal hygiene and for daily living, and further includes a first functional tool with a handle portion for performing a first task of personal hygiene and a second functional tool with a handle portion for performing a second task of daily living. 
     In a narrower aspect, the task of personal hygiene includes at least one of wiping after toileting, applying ointment to a remote area of one&#39;s body, scrubbing one&#39;s body, shaving one&#39;s leg or face, and the first functional tool includes a functional end for performing said first task. 
     In another narrower aspect, the task of daily living includes at least one of brushing teeth, combing hair, applying makeup, holding an eating utensil, and the second functional tool includes a functional end for performing said second task. 
     One aspect of the present invention is to provide a personal hygiene device comprising a handle with a finger-type end grip construction including fingers and grippy frictional structure on ends of the fingers. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a personal hygiene device comprising a handle and a retainer end, where the personal hygiene device includes a rinse hole near the retainer end. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a personal hygiene device comprising a long handle, and including a kit of multiple heads that are attachable to the long handle such as for optimally holding wipes, washcloth, sponge, shaver, ointment pad, and other heads adapted for specialized use. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a kit comprising a personal hygiene device with an end configured for holding items for personal hygiene. A quick-attach hanger or loop is included that allows the device to be hung on a stall door or towel bar, while attending to other personal needs. 
     The present tool provides the ability to shave the lower part of one&#39;s legs by its ability to firmly grip a shaver handle. The inability to clean personal areas after using the toilet is solved by attaching the cleaning material in the grippers of the present tool. Notably, the grippers allow convenient and comfortable wiping and but also allow releasing the soiled material into the toilet without the need to touch the soiled material. The inability to reach one&#39;s feet and lower leg area is solved with this tool by its ability to grip a body washing device to reach the feet and lower legs. 
     The present innovative long-handled personal hygiene tool provides freedom when it comes to toiletry use, applying salve to personal areas, washing lower extremities and the ability to reach and shave one&#39;s lower legs, even when a physical condition prohibits or severely hampers performing these activities in a normal way. The ability to wipe one&#39;s own bottom is greatly needed and desired when a person is physically challenged. The present innovative tool provides added freedom and a sense of independence. The need to have someone always by a patient&#39;s side to provide the service is expensive, and experience shows that it is hard to find that many friends and helpers. Also, it costs insurance companies an untold amount of money to provide such services. It is also being recognized that costs of services can be reduced by cutting down on nursing calls when at home or in a hospital. 
     The present invention is a long-handled tool that can “fold” or break down to be completely and compactly portable in its own carry bag. It is lightweight with a nice size handle. It has a gripper on the end that can be used to hold multiple products all designed for personal hygiene freedom and for personal functional tools. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1-2  are perspective views of a two-piece assembled personal holder device,  FIG. 1  showing the finger grippers closed and  FIG. 2  showing them opened for receiving the handle portion of a functional tool. 
         FIGS. 3-4  are perspective views of a three-piece assembled personal holder device,  FIG. 3  showing the finger grippers closed and  FIG. 4  showing them opened for receiving the handle portion of a functional tool. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the holder device of  FIG. 3  disassembled for fitting into a carry bag. 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross section taken along a length of the device in  FIG. 3 , and 
         FIGS. 7-9  are transverse cross sections taken along the lines VII, VIII and IX in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 10-12  are enlargements of  FIG. 6  at locations corresponding to the lines VII, VIII, and IX, and  FIG. 13  is similar to  FIG. 12  but with the finger grippers extended. 
         FIGS. 14-16  are side views showing use of the present holder device for personal hygiene, including wiping after toileting ( FIG. 14 , using toilet paper or ointment applicator), shaving ( FIG. 15 ) and brushing teeth ( FIG. 16 ). 
         FIGS. 17-21  are side views showing use of the present holder device for daily living, including gripping a pencil or marker ( FIGS. 17-18 ), gripping a back scratcher ( FIG. 19 ), gripping a sponge or scrubber ( FIG. 20 ), gripping an eating utensil ( FIG. 21 ). 
         FIGS. 22-23  are perspective views of adapters for the finger grippers, allowing the grippers to grasp smaller diameter items. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a brush usable with the present holder device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present holder device  10  ( FIGS. 1-4 ) is shaped and constructed for use by heavy or handicapped individuals (or care-givers helping the individuals) where the individuals have difficulties wiping themselves when visiting the bathroom, or for applying salve, etc. The device breaks down into multiple pieces (two shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , and three shown in  FIGS. 3-5 ) so that it can be carried in a small carry-all bag ( FIG. 5 ). The parts are configured to be taken apart for easy cleaning and sterilization. Also, the parts can be made to be dishwasher safe if desired. 
     The present holder device  10  ( FIG. 5 ) includes a head  11 , handle  12 , and extension  13  that can be telescopingly snapped together as a two-piece arrangement (head and handle,  FIGS. 1-2 ) or as illustrated in a three-piece arrangement (head, handle and extension,  FIGS. 3-5 ), depending on a length needed or desired. The head  11  ( FIG. 6 ) includes a coaxial protrusion  14  ( FIG. 5 ) that telescopingly fits into the open end section  15  of the handle  12 , with a spring-biased latch  16  on the protrusion  14  snapping into an opening  17  on the end section  15 . The extension  13  has one end  18  that mimics the coaxial protrusion  14 , and a second end  19  that mimics the end section  14 , such that it can be inserted between the head  11  and handle  12  to create the three piece version. 
     It is noted that the components  11 - 13  can be made in a number of different ways. In a preferred way, the components  11 - 13  each include upper and lower halves made by injection molding and bonded together to form tubular shapes. It is contemplated that the halves can be assembled and secured together in various ways, such as by sonic welding, adhesive, or the like. By manufacturing opposing halves, the internal structure of the halves is exposed during the molding process, such that they can include a variety of different features integrally formed in the halves, including stiffening ribs  40 , mating boss and protrusion connecting structure  41  and  42 , track-forming ribs  43  for movably supporting the button  24 , as well as the resilient spring portion  44  and detent portion  45  of the latch  16 . Also, the exterior of components  11 - 13  can be treated and/or colored as desired. For example, the handle  12  includes a resilient outer coating  46  providing a soft feel to the handle, an optimal handle shape, and providing increased friction when gripped. All of these can be very important, especially for holder devices  10  adapted for individuals with poor grip strength and/or lower finger function. 
     It is contemplated that a grip assist  47  ( FIG. 1 ) can be provided on the handle  12 . For example, the illustrated grip assist  47  includes a strap  48  extended through an end hole  49  and wrapped back to a hook-and-loop retainer  50  (e.g., VELCRO® material). The strap  48  can be as stiff as desired to support use and increased stability of the holder device in view of the user&#39;s (poor) hand strength, and can be adjusted to an optimal length using the hook-and-loop retainer  50 . 
     The head  11  ( FIG. 6 ) includes a hollow tube section  21  with an internal telescoping sliding member  22 . The sliding member  22  is connected at one end  23  to a sliding control button  24  (or integrally formed therewith), and includes a second end  25  with multiple (four) finger grippers  26 . The finger grippers  26  are attached to the elongated body straw  26 A of the sliding member  22  by living hinges  52 , allowing them to be integrally formed when the sliding member  22  is molded. The thickness of the finger grippers  26  is such that, when retracted, the tube section  21  assists in holding them together for gripping action. The finger grippers  26  are movable between a retracted position ( FIG. 12 ) where they are located substantially within the tube section  21 . An end of the finger grippers  26  can be designed to remain partially out of the tube section  21  when in the retracted closed position if desired. The partially shielded position of the finger grippers  26  as shown in  FIG. 12  helps the finger grippers release a soiled toilet paper product after use while the handle portion of the toilet paper product remains unsoiled; causing it to have sufficient paper strength to “push away” the soiled portion of the toilet paper upon movement toward the extended release position. The finger grippers  26  also are movable to a telescopingly extended position ( FIG. 13 ), where they expand to an open position for receiving the handle portion of a functional tool. 
     The finger grippers  26  are resilient and relatively stiff, and include a frictional surface  27  to provide positive gripping of a wipe  69  (toilet paper, wet-wipe, wash-cloth, sponge, ointment pad, etc). It is contemplated that the frictional surface  27  can include a variety of different things to increase its ability to hold, such as an irregular shape, a particular inner surface shape configured to grip a particular object&#39;s handle, and/or an elastic or rubber material for increased frictional non-slip contact with a handle portion of a functional tool. Also, a detent bump can be added inside the tube section  21  to create a detented holding position when the sliding member is retracted. Alternatively, a coil spring can be added inside the tube section  21  for biasing the button support slide member  26 B toward its retracted position. It is contemplated that one or more of the finger grippers  26  can be longer, such as to provide increased torsional support in a particular direction. For example, when in supporting a shaver  70  ( FIG. 15 ) or a toothbrush  71  ( FIG. 16 ), it may be desirable to provide increased support to resist forces generated when pressing the functional tool against one&#39;s leg or teeth. 
     Also, the finger grippers  26  can be shaped with inner surfaces that define larger (or smaller) holes for gripping larger (or smaller) handle portions of the particular functional tool that they are intended to grip such as a pencil  72  ( FIGS. 17-18 ), back scratcher  73 , scrubber sponge  74  or fork  75 , or brush  76 . Concurrently, adapter sleeves  55  ( FIG. 22 ) can be placed on the finger grippers  26  or a star-like sleeve  56  ( FIG. 23 ) can be placed on the handle portion of a functional tool to increase a frictional grip of the finger grippers  26  on a small diameter item. 
     The illustrated finger grippers  26  are able to grip a variety of different things, including holding a shaver  70  ( FIG. 15 ) in a position for shaving one&#39;s legs or for holding a shaver to shave a man&#39;s face and neck. Notably, four grippers  26  are shown, and they are positioned in a relatively parallel condition when gripping the square-shaped handle portion of the shaver  70 . Thus, the grippers  26  engage all four sides of the shaver handle, and further they engage the handle along a significant portion of its longitudinal length (e.g. about 1 inch). This allows the handle to be gripped with confidence and security, as necessary to avoid dropping the functional tool. The tube section  21  includes a rinse hole  29  near the finger-end, so that water can be forced through the hole and out the second end  25  for cleaning. This is also important for sanitation reasons, when the holder device  10  is used for toileting ( FIG. 14 ). 
     In regard to  FIG. 14 , it is contemplated that various heads ( 11 ) can be provided, such as one best suited for a female, or for a male, or for a particular wiping action, or for a particular preference of a patient user or caregiver. The heads could have similar finger grippers but different shapes of their tube sections ( 21 ). Alternately, the device can have different heads best adapted for a particular use. For example, it is envisioned that a second head could be provided that has a tube section similar to tube section  21 , but having a bulbous end with a shape similar to a fist-shaped hand. The end could have a movable clasp for gripping the wipe, or could include a frictional outer surface sufficient to hold a sock-like wipe that gets pulled over it. The finger grippers  26  could define, when in a closed position, a transverse groove or a plurality of sufficiently large cross ridges for gripping a paint brush  77  as shown in  FIG. 18 , or can define a longitudinal groove or ridge for gripping a pencil or ink pen/marker in a manner similar to  FIG. 16 . 
     It is contemplated that a kit ( FIG. 5 ) can be assembled to include a zipper bag or drawstring pouch  59  for carrying the device  10  when broken down into storable smaller components ( 11 - 13 ). The illustrated bag includes a drawstring  59 A for closure, and is about 9″×6″. The bag can potentially be made to have the appearance of a woman&#39;s purse or handbag. Alternatively, it is sufficiently small such that it can be placed in a woman&#39;s purse or handbag. The kit can also include various functional tools as shown in  FIGS. 14-24 , and can include individual separated pockets for holding same. Notably,  FIG. 22  shows tubular foam that can be placed on the fingers  26  for gripping small diameter pencils or pin-shaped objects, and  FIG. 23  shows a single foam piece that can be placed directly on a rod-like handle of a functional tool so that the fingers can grip the functional tool. 
     It is also contemplated that the handle  12  can include a hole  49  (or hook), and the kit can include a suction cup with projection (or hook) for engaging the hole to hold the device while in a public restroom, with the suction cup being temporarily attached to a smooth wall in the public restroom. 
     The personal hygiene holder device  10  provides a number of innovative features, including at least the following: 1) a finger-type end-grip construction adapted for releasably holding a wipe such as for toileting or for applying ointment, 2) a handle extension (i.e., two-piece or three-piece as described above), 3) a particular telescoping connection of handle and head that can be telescoped apart and broken down by actuating an integrally-formed spring-biased latch, 4) replaceable and/or interchangeable heads, 5) a rinse hole near the holder end, 6) an end capable of diverse uses for promoting hygiene and daily living activities, including holding a wipe, a wash cloth or sponge, a shaver, an ointment pad, a second handle for patient or nurse use, or for male versus female use, brushing teeth, writing or marking, eating with a utensil, scrubbing, applying makeup, holding a comb or brush, and countless additional uses. 
     The illustrated Freedom Wand™ device has a handle that can be used by people that have limited movement and/or other physical limitations. Its handle contains finger grippers that can hold (and release) toilet tissue, a scrubbing pad, a small pad for applying ointment/lotions and/or a shaver. The Freedom Wand device is a long-handled wand that consists of three separate interlocking pieces. Each piece is approximately 7 inches long and can be all three locked together or can use only two for a shorter handle. The end piece of the handle has a hole in order to be able to hang the device from a suction cup with a hook, along with a unique firm gripping design to prevent slipping from one&#39;s hand. The first piece of the handle has a curve to it and also has moving fingers that slide out and “grab” the toilet tissue, sliding the finger grippers back into the wand holding firmly in place while using. To dislodge the soiled tissue a user simply just slides the finger grippers back out of the wand and it lets go into the toilet without the need to touch it. 
     This piece also has a “rinsing hole” in case any soil gets up into the fingers, it can be rinsed out. The curve of the handle makes it easy to reach in those hard-to-reach places when someone is experiencing limited mobility due to an injury or obesity or illness, or other physical limitation such as arthritis. The Freedom Wand™ device can be made out of a dishwasher safe material for ease in cleaning if desired. The Freedom Wand™ device gives individuals the ability to grab onto a cleaning sponge and clean their feet, lower extremities, back and in their body folds. The Freedom Wand™ device gives them the ability to grab onto a smaller piece of tissue/gauze pad which has ointment/lotion on it and apply it to their raw, hard-to-reach areas, including back and bottom. The Freedom Wand™ device gives ladies the ability to grab onto a shaver and shave the lower parts of their leg which is hard to reach with limited mobility, as well as gives men the ability to shave facial areas. 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.