Patent Publication Number: US-2019191886-A1

Title: Portable washbin step

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/610,920 filed Dec. 27, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of functional stairs and more specifically relates to washbasins. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Bathing implements, washbasins, and similar art used to retain washing water may be known. At least one washing reservoir may be found in every residential or commercial building. Portable washing reservoirs may be easily created with any structure suitable to hold a suitable volume of water. Commonly known washing implements include sinks, bathtubs, buckets, etc. However, further utility of a washing implement may be defined by the integration of a reservoir with other specific structures. A suitable multi-purpose solution is desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,460 to Jon R. Rossman relates to a tub-stool combination. The described tub-stool combination includes a base providing an upwardly-directed cavity having a mouth at an upper end thereof and configured to receive a portion of a child and to hold water. A lid is movably coupled to the base and movable into a tub position and a stool position, the lid extending angularly upward and away from the cavity to provide a back rest when in the tub position and the lid being disposed at least partially over the mouth and providing a substantially horizontal top surface when in the stool position. The base and lid provide a bathtub capable of holding a portion of a child therein and water for bathing the child when the lid is in the tub position and provide a step stool adapted to support the weight of a person standing on the substantially horizontal surface when in the stool position. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known functional step art, the present disclosure provides a novel portable washbasin step. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective portable washbasin step. 
     A portable washbasin step is disclosed herein. The portable washbasin step comprises a step-structure including a support system that is configured to be in physical communication with a substantially horizontal surface. A washbasin useful for cleaning feet is separable from the step-structure. The washbasin may have an opening a first-distance from the substantially horizontal surface. A planar surface is configured to be parallel to, and a second-distance from the substantially horizontal surface. The second-distance may be greater than first-distance. The portable washbasin step may be used by a user to wash in the washbasin and subsequently climb onto the planar surface. 
     A method of using portable washbasin step is also disclosed herein. The method of using the portable washbasin step may comprise the steps provided herein. A step of providing a portable washbasin step as described above; a next step of filling the washbasin with water; a step of washing feet in the water of the washbasin. Further, an optional step of removing water from the washbasin may be included. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a portable washbasin step, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable washbasin step during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable washbasin step of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portable washbasin step of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the portable washbasin step of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the portable washbasin step, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to functional stairs and more particularly to a portable washbasin step as used to improve the functionality of wash basins. 
     Generally, a portable washbasin step is a portable stepping device that includes a built-in water basin. The water basin is a tub/foot bath, intended for use in rinsing feet from debris such as sand, grass, and dirt. This helps to prevent the tracking of unwanted debris into a boat. This present invention will make accessibility ideal for use at the front of pontoons or when at a beach, so boaters can easily get on and off a boat. The grooves and grips also help to prevent slipping. The portable stepping device may also be used when placed beside other styles of boats. The device may also be utilized as for access into pools, tubs, and on decks. It may reduce the sand and debris brought onto the boat and deck, and into the pool and spa. By reducing the debris, the provided invention promotes boat, pool, and spa cleanliness. The device may be placed on any suitable surface location where the feet may be secured to the ground. The water basin may be filled with a with desired amount of water for washing. A user may then wash dirt and debris from feet before accessing the boat, pool, or other location. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of a portable washbasin step  100 .  FIG. 1  shows a portable washbasin step  100 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the portable washbasin step  100  may include a step-structure  110 , a washbasin  120 , a planar surface  130  ( FIG. 2 ), a solid-structure  140  ( FIG. 2 ), a traction-material  150  ( FIG. 3 ), a locking structure  160  ( FIG. 3 ), and a ground-traction material  170 . A step-structure  110  may have a support system  112  configured to be in physical communication with a substantially horizontal surface  60 . The support system  112  may take the embodiment of legs or pillars. A washbasin is  120  separable from the step-structure  110 . The washbasin  120  may have an opening  122  a first-distance  124  from the substantially horizontal surface  60 . A planar surface  130  may be configured to be parallel to, and a second-distance  132  from the substantially horizontal surface  60 . The plane formed by the opening  122  and the planar surface  130  forms the step-structure  110 . The second-distance  132  may be greater than first-distance  124 . The first-distance  124  defines the height of the first step of the step-structure  110 , and the second-distance  132  defines the height of the second step of the step-structure  110 . The portable washbasin step  100  may be used by a user  40  to wash in the washbasin  120  and subsequently climb onto the planar surface  130 . The washbasin  120  may be replaceable with a solid-structure  140  ( FIG. 2 ). The solid-structure  140  may be configured to span the opening  122  of the washbasin  120 . 
     According to one embodiment, the portable washbasin step  100  may be arranged as a kit. The kit may include instructions. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the portable washbasin step  100  (such that the portable washbasin step  100  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner). 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the portable washbasin step  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the portable washbasin step  100  may include a step-structure  110 , a washbasin  120 , a planar surface  130 , a solid-structure  140 , a traction-material  150  ( FIG. 3 ), a locking structure  160  ( FIG. 3 ), and a ground-traction material  170  ( FIG. 4 ). The washbasin  120  may have an opening  122  a first-distance  124  from the substantially horizontal surface  60 . A planar surface  130  may be configured to be parallel to, and a second-distance  132  from the substantially horizontal surface  60 . The solid-structure  140  may be collapsible. The collapsibility of the solid-structure  140  may allow for easy portability. Further, the solid-structure  140  may be inflatable, providing buoyance if needed. The solid-structure  140  may comprise a polycarbonate material, a metal, and other further conceived materials. The solid-structure  140  includes traction-grooves  142  ( FIG. 3 ). The traction-grooves may be useful to prevent a user  40  from slipping. The solid-structure  140  may be include a padded material  144 . The padded material  144  may be useful for a user to sit on. The padded material  144  may be removable. The padded material  144  may be attached with fastening mechanism including: hook and loop, adhesive, ties, and further conceived fastening mechanisms. The padded material  144  may be buoyant. The planar surface  130  includes traction-grooves  142 . The planar surface  130  is configured to be stepped on by a user  40 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the portable washbasin step  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the portable washbasin step  100  may include a step-structure  110 , a washbasin  120 , a planar surface  130 , a solid-structure  140  ( FIG. 2 ), a traction-material  150 , a locking structure  160 , and a ground-traction material  170  ( FIG. 4 ). The portable washbasin step  100  includes a traction-material  150 . The traction-material  150  may be disposed over the entire step-structure  110 . The step-structure  110  includes an aperture  146  configured to receive the washbasin  120 . The washbasin  120  is removably replaceable from the aperture  146 . The aperture  146  includes a locking structure  160  configured to retain the washbasin  120 . The locking structure  160  may comprise latches, press-fittings, and further conceived means of retaining the washbasin  120 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the portable washbasin step  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the portable washbasin step  100  may include a step-structure  110 , a washbasin  120 , a planar surface  130 , a solid-structure  140  ( FIG. 2 ), a traction-material  150  ( FIG. 3 ), a locking structure  160  ( FIG. 3 ), and a ground-traction material  170 . The washbasin  120  may be collapsible. The portable washbasin step  100  may be collapsible. The support system  112  includes a ground-traction material  170 . The ground-traction material  170  may comprise rubber, felt, and any further conceived material to provide adequate traction for conditional use. The ground-traction material  170  may be removable. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram  500  illustrating a method of using a portable washbasin step  500 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using a portable washbasin step  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing a portable washbasin step, the portable washbasin step may comprise a step-structure may have a support system configured to be in physical communication with a substantially horizontal surface; a washbasin separable from the step-structure, the washbasin may have an opening a first-distance from the substantially horizontal surface; a planar surface, the planar surface may be configured to be parallel to, and a second-distance from the substantially horizontal surface; wherein the second-distance may be greater than first-distance; and, wherein the portable washbasin step may be used by a user to wash in the washbasin and subsequently climb onto the planar surface; step two  502 , filling the washbasin with water; step three  503 , washing feet in the water of the washbasin; and step four  504 , removing water from the washbasin. 
     It should be noted that step  504  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for the portable washbasin step  100  (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.