Abstract:
A back scrubber is contoured to be amenable to a wide range of user sizes and shapes and has a soap storage compartment so liquid soap can be stored between uses of the back scrubber.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to the general art of baths, and to the particular field of body scrubbers used in baths or showers. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Many people enjoy showering to clean their body. However, many people have difficulty in scrubbing their back. People often employ a number of contortions and combinations of contortions and brushes or wash cloths to accomplish this objective. 
   Some people do not have the dexterity or flexibility to adequately clean their back. In such cases, his or her back may go unscrubbed. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a device which will make it easy for someone to scrub his or her back. 
   While the inventor is aware of several devices that can be used to assist a person in scrubbing his or her back, the devices of which the inventor is aware have several drawbacks. For example, the known devices may require the application of soap to the device each time the device is used. This may create a messy sponge or cloth that must dry out or be wrung out. Furthermore, it may require the application of soap each time the device is used, which may be wasteful. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a device which will make it easy for someone to scrub his or her back and which will be capable of storing soap between uses. 
   Still further, the devices known to the inventor do not conform to the user&#39;s back and the user must move or contort in order to make full use of the device. This may be uncomfortable, especially for a disabled person or for a very small or a very large person. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a device which will make it easy for someone to scrub his or her back and which will be amenable for use by a plurality of different users. 
   PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a main object of the present invention to provide a device which will make it easy for someone to scrub his or her back. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which will make it easy for someone to scrub their back and which will be capable of storing soap between uses. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which will make it easy for someone to scrub his or her back and which will be amenable for use by a plurality of different users. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   These, and other, objects are achieved by a back scrubber that is contoured and which has a soap storage area. Liquid soap can be dispensed into the back scrubber into the soap storage area and will be stored between uses of the back scrubber. 
   Using the back scrubber embodying the present invention will permit a user to store soap between uses and will also be contoured for maximum comfort for all users. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a back scrubber embodying the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the back scrubber shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
   Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a back scrubber  10  which achieves the above-stated objectives and which is mounted in a shower or tub for use while showering or bathing to scrub a person&#39;s back. 
   Back scrubber  10  comprises a base  12  which has a first surface  14 , which is a front surface when base  12  is in use, and a second surface  16 , which is a rear surface when base  12  is in use. Base  12  further includes a first end  18  which is a top end when base  12  is in use, a second end  20  which is a bottom end when base  12  is in use, and a longitudinal axis  22  which extends between first end  18  and second end  20 . Base  12  further includes a first side  24 , a second side  26 , and a transverse axis  28  which extends between first side  24  and second side  26 . 
   A sponge element  40  is mounted on first surface  14  of base  12 . Sponge element  40  includes a first surface  42 , which is an outer surface when sponge element  40  is in use, and a second surface  44 , which is an inner surface when sponge element  40  is in use. 
   A first portion  50  of the sponge element  40  is located adjacent to first end  18  of base  12  and a second portion  52  is located adjacent to second end  20  of base  12 . 
   The first surfaces of the first and second portions  50 ,  52  are arcuate and have common portions lying in common planes. That is, for example, a unit vector  60  extending between first surface  14  of base  12  and first surface  42  of first portion  50  of the sponge element  40  has a vector tip  60 ′ that lies in a plane P, and a unit vector  62  extending between first surface  14  of base  12  and first surface  42  of the second portion  52  of the sponge element  40  has a vector tip  60 ″ that lies in plane P. Unit vector  62  is located in second portion  52  at a location that corresponds to the location of unit vector  60  in first portion  50 . The first and second portions  50 ,  52  of sponge element  40  are spaced apart from each other in the direction of longitudinal axis  22  of base portion  12 . 
   A transition portion  70  connects the first and second portions  50 ,  52  together. Transition portion  70  has a first surface  72 , that is an outer surface when sponge element  40  is in use, and a second surface  74 , that is an inner surface when sponge element  40  is in use. All points on transition section  70  lie in planes that are spaced apart from common plane P toward base  14 . 
   A plurality of suction cups, such as suction cup  80 , are fixed on second surface  74  of sponge element  40 . The suction cups are adapted to releasably hold the sponge element  40  onto base  12  when the base  12  is mounted in place on a support surface, such as a wall or the like. 
   A soap-accommodating storage unit  90  is located in sponge element  40  and includes a soap pocket  92  located near first end  18  of base  12 . Soap pocket  92  is fluidically connected to sponge element  40  so liquid soap can flow from the soap pocket  92  to the sponge element  40  to be transferred to the outer surface  42  of the sponge element  40  for application to a user&#39;s back when the user rubs his or her back against the outer surface  42  of the sponge element  40 . The contour shape of the sponge element  40  ensures even and comfortable application of soap to the user&#39;s back no matter how tall the user is. 
   A plurality of handles, such as handle  96 , are fixed to the first surface  14  of base  12 . The handles are located adjacent to sponge element  40 . 
   Use of back scrubber  10  will be understood from the foregoing, and thus will be only briefly discussed. Back scrubber  10  is mounted on a wall adjacent to a bath tub or a shower so the sponge element  40  is located in a position to be convenient to one using the bath or shower. Liquid soap is poured into soap pocket  92  and once sponge element  40  becomes wet, the liquid soap is transferred to the outer surfaces  42  of the sponge element  40 . A person then rubs his or her back against the sponge element  40  and soap will be transferred to the user&#39;s back simultaneously with a scrubbing action. 
   It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.