Patent Publication Number: US-6221034-B1

Title: Back scratcher

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Scope of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to manual back scratchers, and more particularly to a back scratcher and scrubber which offers substantially more control and pressure during scratching and scrubbing motion. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The general notion of a back scratcher is well known. Starting with bears rubbing their backs against trees, a broad variety of devices for relieving the itch and for scrubbing the back generally are well known. 
     One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,788 invented by Jordan which teaches a facile back scratcher and accompanying holder. The scratcher head includes a plurality of spaced tines extending therefrom which engage against the back. This device also includes a handle having an indentation which is thumb engageable for alignment purposes. However, very little in the way of additional rotational or lateral stability is provided thereby. 
     A broad array of ornamental and structure distinct back scratchers are also known to applicant as follows: 
     U.S. Pat. No. D392,424 issued to Burys 
     U.S. Pat. No. D282,007 issued to McKinney 
     U.S. Pat. No. D160,415 issued to Moser 
     U.S. Pat. No. D311,605 issued to Clayton 
     U.S. Pat. No. D266,280 issued to Toyama 
     U.S. Pat. No. D280,449 issued to Colognori 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,146 issued to Chen 
     U.S. Pat. No. D312,145 issued to Murphy 
     However, nothing known to applicant in prior art teaches the unique combination of structural features in applicant&#39;s invention, i.e., an elongated arcuately formed stem having a handle disposed at one end and a brush-type scratching and scrubbing head disposed at the other. The arcuate configuration of the stem adapts remarkably well to the shoulders and back curvatures and the two-part handle arrangement provides significantly improved orientation and stability during use of the device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to a back scratcher including an elongated slender stem having a handle disposed at a first end thereof and a scratching head disposed at a second end of said stem. The stem includes a substantially arcuate form, the handle and the scratching head being oriented at an obtuse angle one to another thereby. The scratching head has bristles extending laterally therefrom. The handle has an elongated handle portion extending in either direction from the first end and a plane defined by said stem whereby, when the handle is grasped with one hand portion placed against the palm of the user and a finger is positioned along the other handle portion and the stem is placed over the shoulder or around the waist, the bristles are aligned to engage the back of the user. The stem is preferably further defined by a substantially uniform radius in a side view thereof and planar in a front view thereof. An enlargement at a distal end of each said handle portion for enhanced gripping of said handle and manipulation of said scratching head is also provided. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a back scratcher having a uniquely configured arcuately formed stem which effectively conforms to the shoulders and back of the user to facilitate better pressure regulation of the bristles of the scrubber head against all parts of the lower and upper back areas. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a back scratcher having a uniquely configured handle which substantially improves orientational positioning of the scratcher head and increases the pressure and controlled movement for heightened effectiveness. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a broad array of bristled scratcher heads for various uses. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a back scratcher with a relatively narrow bristle brush head in one embodiment which faciltiates the use of the back scratcher while wearing clothing. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide a back scratcher which may also be used very effectively in scrubbing the legs while in a shower or bathtub. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a view in the direction of arrows  2 — 2  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view in the direction of arrows  3 — 3  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a view in the direction of arrows  5 — 5  in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a view in the direction of arrows  6 — 6  in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a scratching head portion of another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is an end elevation view of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the handle and stem portion of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 shown properly held. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and firstly to FIGS. 1 to  3 ,  10  and  11 , the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown generally at numeral  10 . This back scratcher  10  includes an elongated slender stem  12  of generally uniform cross section and having a generally arcuate shape when viewed from the side as best seen in FIG. 1. A scratching head  20  is disposed at one end of the stem  12  while a handle  14  is disclosed at the other end. 
     The stem  12  is generally arcuate in shape as viewed from the side and preferably is of uniform radius R in the range of about  24  inches. Having a length as best seen in FIG. 11 which extends from just above the shoulders to position the scratching head  20  in the center to the lower part of the back is also preferred. By this arcuate configuration and length of the stem  12 , the scratching head  20 , having a longitudinal axis B, is oriented at an obtuse angle D with respect to a longitudinal axis C of the handle  14 . The preferred angle D is in the range of about  1400  but may vary therefrom. 
     The scratching head  20  includes an array of somewhat flexible but stiff bristles  22  having a generally flat scratching surface. Bristles are preferred for both scratching and scrubbing as the “itching” occurs near the surface of the skin. The handle  14  is uniquely configured into a “Y” or “V” or “T” shape having elongated handle portions  16  and  18  extending uniformly laterally from the longitudinal axis of the stem  12  as best seen in FIG.  3 . Handle portions  16  and  18  are oriented at an angle A with respect to the longitudinal axis of stem  12  and in the range of preferably about an acute angle of 60° or a total included obtuse angle of 120°. 
     The appropriate and recommended way to hold the back scratcher  10  by its handle  14  is best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11. By placing and finger grasping handle portion  18  against the palm of the hand and placing the index finger extending along the other handle portion  16 , substantial rotational stability and scratching mobility maneuverability is achieved. As best seen in FIG. 11, rotational movement of the handle  14  is easily effected by wrist movement to effect lateral scratching movement of the bristles  22  while up and down movement of the device  10 , aided by proper orientation of the bristles  22  through appropriate controlled gripping and movement of handle  14 , is greatly facilitated. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 to  6 , another embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  30 . This embodiment  30  also includes an arcuately configured stem  32  as previously described, a scratching head  44  with an array of oval configured bristles  46  defining a generally flat scratching surface and a handle  34  disposed at the other end of stem  32 . 
     The handle  34  includes elongated handle portions  36  and  38  as previously described. However, enlarged generally spherical-shaped portions  40  and  42 , respectively are formed at the distal ends of the handle portions  36  and  38  for added control and gripability in a manner previously described. Axes D and E are again preferably orientated at an included angle of about 120° therebetween or at an obtuse angle of about this same degree amount of 120° with respect to the longitudinal axis of stem  32 . 
     FIGS. 7,  8  and  9  describe yet another embodiment of the invention shown at  50 . This embodiment  50  likewise includes an elongated arcuately formed stem  52  which, as previously described, has a generally straight configuration and the plan view wherein, in this direction, the stem  52  lies in a plane. The handle, similar to either previously described, is not shown. 
     The bristles  56  of the scrubbing head  54  in this embodiment  50  define an arcuate or cylindrical scrubbing surface  56  to provide an alternate scrubbing surface configuration as desired. 
     Molded plastic is the preferred construction material although other such material suitable for the purpose may be utilized. To facilitate back scratching without clothes removal, the smaller scratching head  20  of embodiment  10  is preferred. Again, the arcuate configuration of the invention as shown at  10  in FIG. 11 is ideally structured to accommodate the curvature of the shoulders, upper back and lower back so that effective scratching pressure and movement of the scratching head  20  and its flexible bristle array  22  are facilitated. 
     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.