Abstract:
A fluid-powered bath brush that uses the kinetic energy of moving water to operate skin-cleaning attachments. In one embodiment, the bath brush comprises a brush head member having at least one brush head housing, a water wheel, a first drive gear, a second drive gear and a brush element rotatably mounted thereon, an adaptor with an outlet side adapted to be connected to a showerhead and an inlet side adapted to be connected to a first fluid-dispensing means that carries water to the showerhead and contains a diverter which diverts the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the showerhead to the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the brush head member and a flexible second fluid-dispensing means containing at least two tubes for carrying water connecting the brush head member and the adaptor.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to bath accessories and more specifically to a fluid-powered bath brush that is integrated into the showerhead allowing the showerhead of a typical shower enclosure to continue to operate while the water powered bath brush is being used. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Numerous bath accessories have been provided in prior art that are adapted to be utilized by persons when using a bathtub or shower for washing the body. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose that they address, they are not suitable for the purpose of the present invention as heretofore described. There exists a need for bath brushes that can be used in conjunction with existing bathroom hardware. Additionally, there exists a need to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that utilizes water pressure from the showerhead in a safe manner. There also exists a need to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that allows the showerhead to continue to operate when the bath brush is in use. There also exists the need to provide a plurality of drive methods for the bath brush. There also exists the need to provide a bath brush that is simple and easy to use, economical in cost to manufacture and operates in a rotary or oscillating motion while providing other benefits and advantages mentioned herein. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
         [0006]    Another object is to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that utilizes water pressure from a flexible hose assembly connected to a diverter valve at the showerhead, so as to drive a rotary or oscillating brush in a safe manner. 
         [0007]    An additional object is to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that allows the showerhead to continue to operate when the bath brush is in use by having a dual hose assembly attached such that one hose delivers water to the brush and the other hose returns water from the bath brush to the showerhead. 
         [0008]    A still further object is to provide a plurality of drive methods for the brush. Method one is to use magnetic coupling between the brush and the internal driven gear to eliminate water that is powering the bath brush and prevent it from contaminating the brush. Method two is a direct drive between the brush and the internal driven gear wherein minor amounts of water powering the brush are allowed to escape at the brush. 
         [0009]    A still further object is to construct the bath brush such that it can operate the brush in a rotary or oscillating motion. 
         [0010]    A still further object is to provide a fluid-powered bath brush in which the brush is removable and replaceable so as to allow for the same or other types of body-cleaning devices to be attached. 
         [0011]    A further object is to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that is simple and easy to use. 
         [0012]    A still further object is to provide a fluid-powered bath brush that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid-powered bath brush is provided. The bath brush comprises a brush head member having at least one brush head housing, a water wheel, a first drive gear, a second drive gear and a brush element rotatably mounted thereon, an adaptor with an outlet side adapted to be connected to a showerhead and an inlet side adapted to be connected to a first fluid-dispensing means that carries water to the showerhead and contains a diverter that diverts the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the showerhead to the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the brush head member and a flexible second fluid-dispensing means containing at least two tubes for carrying water connecting the brush head member and the adaptor. 
         [0014]    In one aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first drive gear of the bath brush has a diameter that is less than the second drive gear of the bath brush and the first drive gear is operably connected to the water wheel and in meshing engagement with the second gear. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of space between the water wheel and brush head housing is adapted to provide a reduced clearance area at the sides and periphery of the brush head housing where water first enters the brush head housing to significantly restrict the flow of water around the water wheel. 
         [0016]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the brush head housing has a curved or contoured area to allow a thumb and forefinger to grasp the brush and remove it. 
         [0017]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible second fluid-dispensing means is made of plastic. 
         [0018]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second drive gear is in meshing engagement with the brush element. 
         [0019]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the adapter of the bath brush allows water to flow to both the showerhead and the bath brush at the same time. 
         [0020]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible second fluid-dispensing means is connected or bonded together to create a Siamese hose. 
         [0021]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flexible second fluid-dispensing means is a plastic tube within another larger plastic tube. 
         [0022]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the bath brush further comprises a valve or switch that allows water either to flow to the brush head member or to bypass the brush head member and return to the showerhead. 
         [0023]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the brush element includes a hex-shaped shaft that is in meshing engagement with the second drive gear. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid-powered bath brush is provided, containing a brush element that provides an oscillating motion. The bath brush comprises a brush head member having at least one brush head housing, water wheel containing a pivot hole, a link arm, a drive plate and a brush element rotatably mounted on the brush head member, an adaptor with an outlet side adapted to be connected to a showerhead and an inlet side adapted to be connected to a first fluid-dispensing means that carries water to the showerhead and containing a diverter which diverts the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the showerhead to the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the brush head member and a flexible second fluid-dispensing means containing at least two tubes for carrying water connecting the brush head member and the adaptor. 
         [0025]    In one aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the link arm is operably connected to the pivot hole of the water wheel and operably connected to the drive plate which is in meshing engagement with the brush element. 
         [0026]    In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the amount of space between the water wheel and brush head housing is adapted to provide a reduced clearance area at the sides and periphery of the brush head housing where water first enters the brush head housing to significantly restrict the flow of water around the water wheel. 
         [0027]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water wheel includes cup-shaped portions at the periphery of the water wheel. 
         [0028]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cup-shaped portions of the water wheel are propelled by the water from the flexible second fluid dispensing means, which causes the brush element to oscillate. 
         [0029]    In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid-powered bath brush is provided, containing a brush element that provides an oscillating motion. The bath brush comprises a brush head member having at least a brush head housing having an internal cavity with a reduced clearance area, a water wheel, a first drive gear, a second drive gear and a brush element rotatably mounted thereon, an adaptor with an outlet side adapted to be connected to a showerhead and an inlet side adapted to be connected to a first fluid-dispensing means that carries water to the showerhead and contains a diverter that diverts the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the showerhead to the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the brush head member and a second fluid-dispensing means containing at least two tubes for carrying water connecting the brush head member and the adaptor. 
         [0030]    In yet another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reduced clearance of the brush head housing significantly reduces the amount of space between the water wheel and brush head housing at the sides and periphery of the brush head housing where water from the second fluid-dispensing means first enters the brush head housing to significantly restrict the flow of water around the water wheel. 
         [0031]    Further objects and benefits can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill having reviewed the present disclosure in combination with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the bath brush in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the bath brush in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the bath brush in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure showing the various components of the brush head in relation to each other. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the bath brush head internal cavity and separate brush element of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of at least one embodiment of the bath brush of the present disclosure showing the components of the bath brush in relation to each other. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a side view of at least one embodiment of the bath brush of the present disclosure showing the components of the bath brush in relation to each other. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the brush element, first drive gear, water wheel, second drive gear and a portion of the hex-shaped shaft of the brush element. 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  is a side view of at least one embodiment of the bath brush of the present disclosure and showing specific components of the bath brush. 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of at least one embodiment of the bath brush of the present disclosure and showing specific internal components of the bath brush. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of at least one embodiment of the bath brush of the present disclosure and showing specific components of the bath brush. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a bath brush  10  is provided, having an adapter  1  with an inlet  1 A. The inlet  1 A is typically for the pipe or other vehicle that carries water (not shown) to which the showerhead is typically attached. The outlet side  1 B is where the showerhead attaches, allowing the showerhead and bath brush  10  to work together seamlessly without the loss of any water. 
         [0044]    In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the showerhead adapter  1  blocks off the flow of water to the showerhead and diverts the flow to the bath brush  10 . Water to the bath brush  10  leaves the adapter through the outlet port  1 C. Water from the bath brush  10  returns to the inlet  1 D and then to the showerhead. 
         [0045]    In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the dual hose  2  is a flexible to semi-flexible tube to carry water (e.g., plastic tubing) that connects the bath brush  10  and the showerhead adapter. In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hose  2  is connected or bonded together to create a Siamese hose. In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the hose  2  is a tube within another tube. 
         [0046]    The bath brush  10  contains mechanical components that make the brush  5  rotate. In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the brush also contains an on-off valve or switch  4 , which controls water flow to the bath brush  10 . In the “on” position, water flows to the water wheel mechanism and causes the brush element  5  to rotate, then the water is returned to the showerhead. In the “off” position, the water is allowed to bypass the brush element  5  mechanism and return directly to the showerhead. 
         [0047]    In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the housing of the bath brush  10  has a curved or contoured area  37  on each side of the brush area to allow a thumb and forefinger to grasp the brush and remove it. This allows for the placement of other heads such as a stiffer brush, pumice stone abrasive, or other attachments to be used with the bath brush  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the brush housing  30  contains the passages for water to flow to and from the bath brush, the cavity in which the water wheel  32  and the first drive gear  33  reside, the on-off valve or switch  4  and the attachment area for the upper housing  31 . 
         [0048]    In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper housing  31  contains the second driven gear  34  with the pivot shaft broached to a hex shape  35  into which the brush head shaft  51  slides. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates the internal cavities of the brush housing  30  and the upper housing  31 . In an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is a reduced clearance area  36  where the water first enters the bath brush cavity. In order to achieve a highly efficient and effective water wheel, the clearance area at the sides and periphery must be as tight as possible. 
         [0050]    Prior art attempts to achieve this involved making all of the cavity area as tight as possible. Unfortunately, the problem with that approach was that the tolerances required for manufacture made it difficult to impossible to meet for the entire cavity space and required significant time and expense. Additionally, the bath brush  10  material would expand with heat, causing components to rub together, causing unwanted wear and malfunction. Alternatively, the material of the brush head  10  would shrink with cold water allowing the mechanism to stop due to too much clearance. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6 , in another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, this problem has been mitigated if not eliminated by creating a close tolerance at the entrance area of water into the cavity. The cup-shaped areas  60  on the diameter of the water wheel  32  are only effective where the water from the nozzle  41  and the reduced area  36  contacts the cups. Once the cup has cleared the water inlet area, it no longer provides energy to the water wheel  32  and the close tolerance is no longer needed. 
         [0052]    In another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the brush  5  is connected to the drive gear  35  with a hex-shaped shaft  51 . This allows the brush  5  to be removed or inserted into the driven gear. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , in another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the far end of the shaft  51  has a groove cut into it to hold an O-ring  52 . Among other things, the O-ring provides friction between the shaft and the driven gear so the brush will not fall out. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5  though  7  show the assembled position of the components that are shown in  FIG. 3 . The water inlet hose side  1 C of the brush has, just before it enters the cavity, a nozzle  41  that causes the flow rate of the water to increase rapidly. This increased flow impinges on the cups of the water wheel causing the water wheel to spin. 
         [0055]    As shown and demonstrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the bath brush  10  contains the mechanical components that make the brush element  5  rotate. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 8 through 10  show an embodiment of the present disclosure with the drive components designed to provide an oscillating motion to the brush instead of the circular motion, as previously described. In this embodiment, the water wheel  32  does not have a first drive gear  33 . In its place is a pivot hole  62  into which a link arm  54  is inserted. The second driven gear  34  is replaced with a drive plate  53  to which the other end of the link arm  54  is attached in a pivot hole  63 . The rotating water wheel  32  continues to rotate causing a back and forth motion to the bath brush  10 . By having a brush element  5  that only moves in a back and forth motion, among other things, it can be used in the hair and scalp area without tangling the user&#39;s hair. The adapter  1  has an inlet  1 A for the pipe to which the showerhead is normally attached. The outlet side  1 B is where the showerhead attaches. 
         [0057]    It should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides numerous benefits and advantages. For example and not by way of limitation, one of the benefits provided by the bath brush of the present disclosure is that it returns the water that powered the brush back to the showerhead while still providing other various benefits and advantages discussed herein. 
         [0058]    A bath brush typically releases the water that powered it around the brush head or out a port. The problem with this method is twofold. First, the user has to be careful of where the discharge water is going. Second the water discharging around the brush causes whatever bathing agent (e.g., soap or lotion) that is on the brush to be washed off. The bath brush disclosed herein provides very little water discharge at the brush head. Among other things, the small amount of discharged water acts as a lubricant for the shaft driving the brush and the bathing agents remain on the brush. 
         [0059]    The bath brush of the present disclosure allows the removing and replacing of the brush; this also allows the use of other types of heads (e.g., a pumice stone head to remove calluses, a massaging brush and different brushes with various bristle lengths, stiffness, and sizes such as a small soft brush for facial cleaning). 
         [0060]    The bath brushes of the present disclosure have various medical benefits and applications. For example and not by way of limitation, the bath brush could be used by those with mobility problems (e.g., shoulder problems) and those who cannot reach their backs to wash when taking a shower. The present invention can also be used in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted care situations where a staff person needs to help bathe a patient or client. With the bath brush of the present disclosure, the patient gets cleaner in less time, which is a benefit to both the patient and the staff. 
         [0061]    It should be appreciated that the bath brushes of the present disclosure provide the added advantage that no electrical energy is used or wasted as it is run solely on water pressure. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, no water is wasted with the bath brushes of the present disclosure. The water used is cycled back through the showerhead and flows out through it as the user continues to bathe making it an environmentally friendly product that saves money over other bath brush designs. It is also safe because it is powered only by water thereby eliminating the danger of electrical shock to the user. 
         [0062]    While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.