Abstract:
A shower-mounted back scrubber aids in scrubbing and cleaning one&#39;s back while in the shower and includes a brush surface attached to a wall of a shower or tub by at least one (1) mounting bracket. Each mounting bracket includes a slot that accepts brush base. The brush base includes a plurality of soft bristles for gentle cleansing and a coarse bristles for more aggressive cleaning.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bathing brushes, and in particular, to a mountable back scrubbing device having removable brushes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The age-old problems associated with washing of one&#39;s back have never really been solved. Long-handled scrub brushes are known and are used, but they are often difficult to use and ineffective due to the fact that full back coverage or adequate scrubbing action is often not accomplished. Also when one is taking a shower, vigorous scrubbing action is difficult work and many people quickly tire of reaching behind their back. This does not even take into account the elderly or physically disabled who are incapable of cleaning their back area. 
     The known art also includes a variety of hydraulic or motor driven devices for scrubbing and massaging one&#39;s back area to overcome the need to manually scrub the back with the hands and arms. Many of these devices are also intended to be mounted to a shower wall for use during bathing. 
     However, while these known scrubbing devices may be suitable for their respective purposes, they are replete with disadvantages. Examples being the complexity of the design, the cost of replacing worn components, and the likelihood of failure of mechanical parts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for means by which an individual can quickly and easily cleanse, scrub, and exfoliate the back area of the body while in the shower without the disadvantages normally associated with conventional back scrubbing devices. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to address this need by developing a shower-mountable back scrubber that is simple to install and use. Another object is to avoid the disadvantages of the known art. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a shower-mountable back scrubber device having a pair of mounting brackets adapted for simple attachment to and detachment from a shower wall surface, a brush base coupled to the pair of mounting brackets, and a brush surface disposed over at least a portion of the brush base for scrubbing the skin of a bather when the bather&#39;s back is in moving contact with the brush surface. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the pair of mounting brackets having a generally flat mounting plate which can be mounted to the shower wall surface by fasteners, a suction cup, or adhesives. A mounting tab extends outwardly from a front side surface of the mounting plate and a mounting slot is disposed longitudinally through the mounting tab for receiving a portion of the brush base. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the brush base having an elongated and generally semi-circular base rod having a “T”-shaped protrusion extending longitudinally along an entire flat rear surface of the base rod and slidably connected within “T”-shaped mounting slots formed through the mounting brackets. A plurality of bristles is affixed to an entire curved front surface of the base rod for scrubbing the skin of a bather. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide the brush base having an elongated and generally circular base rod having a semi-circular top end portion and a semi-circular bottom end portion which are each slidably connected within semi-circular mounting slots formed through the mounting brackets. A disposable and replaceable tubular brush pad is removably attachable over the circular middle portion of the base rod and a plurality of bristles is affixed to an entire exterior surface of the brush pad for scrubbing the skin of a bather. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a shower-mounted back scrubber depicted as mounted to a shower wall surface, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the shower-mounted back scrubber; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the shower-mounted back scrubber; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket and suction cup of the shower-mounted back scrubber in accordance with  FIG. 2 ; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a mounting bracket and suction cup of the alternate embodiment of the shower-mounted back scrubber in accordance with  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 shower-mounted back scrubber 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 20a 
                 top mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 20b 
                 bottom mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 brush base 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 brush surface 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 mounting plate 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 mounting tab 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 mounting slot 
               
               
                   
                 25a 
                 top mounting slot 
               
               
                   
                 25b 
                 bottom mounting slot 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 open top 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 open bottom 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 closed bottom 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 base rod 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 protrusion 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 bristles 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 top end portion 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 bottom end portion 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 middle portion 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 slot cover 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 fastener aperture 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 rear surface 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 suction cup aperture 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 suction cup 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 brush pad 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 shower wall 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , and in terms of an alternate embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 3 and 5 . However, the disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , depicting a shower-mounted back scrubber (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a device  10  for washing, exfoliating, and scratching of a bather&#39;s back area, and as such will be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device  10  generally includes at least one mounting bracket  20  generally installed or attached to a shower wall  100 . A brush base  21  is removably coupled to the mounting bracket  20 . A brush surface  22  is disposed upon at least an outwardly facing surface of the brush base  21 . The mounting bracket  20  is preferably installed in vertical alignment, such that the brush base  21  and brush surface  22  are maintained in a generally vertical orientation. The mounting bracket  20  includes a mounting plate  23  and a mounting tab  24  extending outwardly from the mounting plate  23 . The mounting tab  24  includes a mounting slot  25  for receiving the brush base  21 . The device  10  is preferably approximately sixteen inches (16 in.) long and extends outwardly approximately one to two inches (1-2 in.) when installed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrating one embodiment of the device  10  having a single elongated mounting bracket  20  and an elongated mounting tab  24 . The mounting slot  25  extends the length of the mounting tab  24  and has a generally “T”-shaped profile. The mounting slot  25  includes an open top  26  of the mounting tab  24  and terminates at a closed bottom  28 . The closed bottom  28  acts as a stopper and position restraint for the brush base  21 . 
     Referring still to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the brush base  21  includes an elongated and generally semi-circular base rod  29 . A generally “T”-shaped protrusion  30  extends outwardly along an entire flat rear surface of the base rod  29 . Once the mounting bracket  20  is installed, the brush base  21  is attached by sliding the protrusion  30  entirely through the mounting slot  25 . The closed bottom  28  of the mounting slot  25  stops the brush base  21  and maintains it in a stationary vertical position. 
     Referring still to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the brush surface  22  is disposed entirely along the curved outer surface of the base rod  29 . The brush surface  22  includes a plurality of bristles  31  affixed to the base rod  29 . The brush surface  22  can be a flexible and flat brush pad having a plurality of affixed bristles  31  which is adhered or otherwise affixed to the surface of the base rod  29 . Alternatively, the plurality of bristles  31  can be affixed in clusters or bundles to the entire curved surface of the base rod  29 . The plurality of bristles  31  can include soft bristles, course bristles, or a combination thereof intended to both clean and exfoliate the bather&#39;s skin. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , illustrating another embodiment of the device  10  having a pair of mounting brackets  20 , i.e., a top mounting bracket  20   a  and a bottom mounting bracket  20   b . Each mounting bracket  20   a ,  20   b  includes the mounting tab  24  extending from the front surface of the mounting plate  23 . The mounting slots  25  of each mounting tab  24  have a generally semi-circular profile. A top mounting slot  25   a  extends entirely though the mounting tab  24  of the top mounting bracket  20   a  having an open top  26  and an open bottom  27 . The bottom mounting slot  25   b  extends almost entirely though the mounting tab  24  of the bottom mounting bracket  20   b  having an open top  26  and a closed bottom  28 . During installation, the top mounting bracket  20   a  and the bottom mounting bracket  20   b  are used and attached to the shower wall  100  in vertical alignment. 
     Referring still to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the brush base  21  includes an elongated and generally circular base rod  29 . The base rod  29  includes a generally semi-circular top end portion  32  and a generally semi-circular bottom end portion  33 . Once the mounting brackets  25  are installed, the brush base  21  is attached by sliding it entirely through the top mounting slot  25   a  and within the bottom mounting slot  25   b . The closed bottom  28  of the bottom mounting slot  25   b  stops the brush base  21  and maintains it in a stationary vertical position. The top and bottom mounting brackets  20   a ,  20   b  are installed to the shower wall  100  in a spaced apart orientation at a distance approximately equivalent to the length of the brush base  21  and suitable to retain the opposing top end portion  32  and the bottom end portion  33  of the base rod  29 . 
     Referring still to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the brush surface  22  is disposed entirely along the outer surface of the circular middle portion  34  of the base rod  29 . The brush surface  22  includes a plurality of bristles  31  removably attached to the base rod  29 . The brush surface  22  is preferably a tubular brush pad  40  having a plurality of affixed bristles  31 . The brush base  21  is inserted entirely through the tubular brush surface  22  such that the top end portion  32  and the bottom end portion  33  are exposed. The brush pad  40  can be rotated around the middle portion  34  of the base rod  29  after certain areas of bristles  31  are worn. The brush base  21  does not rotate within the mounting slots  25  due to the semi-circular mating engagement of the end portions  32 ,  33  of the base rod  29  and the mounting slots  25   a ,  25   b . The plurality of bristles  31  can include soft bristles, course bristles, or a combination thereof intended to both clean and exfoliate the bather&#39;s skin. 
     Referring still to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the top mounting bracket  20   a  can also include a pivotably attached slot cover  35 . The slot cover  35  is a generally thin and flat member pivotably attached to an upper, rear surface of the mounting tab  24  by a fastener. The slot cover  35  is rotated to one side or the other to provide access to the top mounting slot  25   a  when inserting or removing the brush base  21 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each mounting bracket  20  includes a plurality of means for attaching or otherwise installing the mounting brackets  20  to the shower wall  100 . A plurality of fastener apertures  36  is disposed through the mounting plate  23 , preferably at corner locations. The mounting brackets  20  can be fastened to the shower wall  100  by a plurality of fasteners. A rear surface  37  of the mounting plate  23  also includes at least one suction cup aperture  38  for removably receiving an insertable end of a suction cup  39 . Once the one (1) or more suction cups  39  are attached to the mounting bracket  20 , the suction cup  39  can be attached to the surface of the shower wall  100 . Furthermore, the rear surface  37  of the mounting plate  23  can be attached to the shower wall  100  by an adhesive, double faced tape, or similar chemical fastener. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the single elongated bracket  20  includes a pair or more of suction cup apertures  38  for receiving a pair of suction cups  39 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the top and bottom mounting brackets  20   a ,  20   b  each include a single suction cup aperture  38  for receiving a suction cups  39 . 
     The materials required to produce the device  10  are all readily available and well known to manufacturers of goods of this type. The mounting brackets  20  and brush base  21 , to which the brush surface  22  is applied, can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, or plastic depending upon cost parameters. Such processes would require the design and use of custom dies and molds. The suction cups  39 , brush surface  22 , bristles  31 , any fasteners, and the like, would best be procured from wholesalers and manufacturers that deal in goods of that nature and assembled at a final location. 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only two particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. 
     To install the device  10 , the bracket  20  is mounted to a selected surface of the shower wall  100 . The bracket  20  is positioned at a suitable height to align with the back area of the bather for receiving the brush body  21 . The manner in which the mounting bracket  20  is attached to the shower wall  100  depends upon the surface material and the permanence desired by the user. Once the mounting brackets  20  is attached to the shower wall  100 , the brush base  21  is coupled to thereto by sliding the protrusion  30  though the mounting slot  25 . 
     To install the alternate embodiment of device  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , a pair of brackets  20  is mounted to a selected surface of the shower wall  100 . The top and bottom mounting brackets  20   a ,  20   b  are positioned at a suitable height to align with the back area of the bather and are spaced apart in a vertical alignment for receiving the brush body  21 . The manner in which the mounting brackets  20  are attached to the shower wall  100  depends upon the surface material and the permanence desired by the user. Once the top and bottom mounting brackets  20   a ,  20   b  are attached to the shower wall  100 , the brush base  21  is coupled to thereto by sliding the base rob  29  though the top mounting slot  25   a  and into the bottom mounting slot  25   b.    
     To use the device  10 , soap is applied to the installed brush surface  22 . Then the user slides their back area in an upward and downward and side-to-side manner across the brush surface  22  to scrub, clean, and exfoliate their back area. When finished, the device  10  is rinsed. The brush base  21  and brush surface  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , can be replaced when worn. The brush surface  22 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 , can be removed and disposed of when worn and a new brush surface  22  can be applied to the brush base  21 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.