Patent Publication Number: US-7213292-B1

Title: Bendable shaft body toiletry apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to brushes, sponges, and other toiletry devices, and more particularly to such devices with a bendable shaft. 
   It is difficult for individuals to brush or scrub some body parts such as the back. For people with certain disabilities, the difficulty is often compounded. U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,588 issued Apr. 15, 2003 to Black is exemplary of inventions that provide a bendable shaft so that the body part is more easily reached. They have to compromise between making them easily bendable and yet sufficiently non-bendable so that they don&#39;t bend in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device with an elongate shaft, a free end with means for attaching a brush, comb, sponge, shoehorn, or other body care accessory, and a handle at the other end. The apparatus of the invention has a shaft with two operating modes. In a first mode, the shaft, or one or more portions thereof, is readily bendable to a desired shape. In a second mode of operation, the shaft is held rigidly in whatever shape it has been bent to. It is another object of the invention that either of the two modes of operation be selectable by a user with minimal effort. It is another object of the invention that the two modes of selection be operable by one hand so that a disabled person may find the apparatus useful without assistance. It is yet another object of the invention that a variety of personal care devices be easily interchanges at the free end of the shaft to convert it to different uses. 
   These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent when the detailed description is studied in conjunction with the drawings in which like elements are designated by like reference characters in the various drawing figures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the apparatus of the invention in second, or bendable mode. 
       FIG. 2  is a detail view, partially broken away, of the handle end of the apparatus in the second mode. 
       FIG. 3  is a detail view, partially broken away, of the connector end of the apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the handle end in the first, or rigid mode. 
       FIG. 5  is a detail sectional view of several of the segments of the shaft in the second mode. 
       FIG. 6  is a detail sectional view of several of the segments in the first mode. 
       FIG. 7  is a detail sectional view of several of the segments of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawing  FIGS. 1–6 , the personal care apparatus  1  of the invention has an elongate shaft  2  with a first end  3  having a comfortable hand grip, or handle  4 . A bayonet type connector  6  is provided at a second end  5 . This bayonet type connector is well known in the vehicle arts. A sponge  10  having a complementary bayonet connecting means  8 , is removably connectable to the bayonet connector. As shown in  FIG. 3 , alternatively, the connector  6 ′ may be a hook portion of a hook and loop connector. A brush  9  having a loop element  9 ′ is removably attachable to the free end  5 ′. Alternatively, other personal care and toiletry devices, such as, but not limited to, combs, shoehorns, and the like (not shown) may be provided with connecting means of the type shown in  FIG. 1 , for attachment to the second end  5 . 
   A person with a disability may be unable to comfortably reach certain parts of the body. The elongate shaft  2  is provided with at least a portion  23  that is operable in two modes. In a rigid first mode, the sponge  10  is held rigidly on the free end so that it may be used effectively without bending of the shaft. In a flexible, or bendable, second mode the shaft is easily bent into the shape desired for effective use. A selection means  21  in condition for selecting the first mode is shown in  FIG. 4 . The selection means in condition for selecting the second, or flexible, mode is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The end of selection means  21  can be pushed in the direction shown by arrow  24  to move to the second or flexible mode. The end of selection means  21  can be pushed in the direction shown by arrow  22  to move to the first or rigid mode. Operation of the selection means  21  may be performed by a user having only one useful hand, such as many stroke patients. While holding the handle  4 , either end of the selection means  21  may be forced against a solid surface to convert from one mode to the other. 
   A cord element  20  has a first end loop  25  rotatable about a pin  27  on the selection means  21 . The cord  20  extends through axial passages in the handle portion, a plurality of segments  13  in the bendable portion  23 , and the second end  5 , where a second end loop  26  is anchored by a pin  28 . Resilient bias means  18 , such as rubbery tubing, interposed between segments  13  holds the segments apart from each other sufficiently so that their convex terminal surfaces  14  are not touching the adjacent concave terminal surfaces  15 . The segments may be bent relative to one another to the extent permitted by the axial passages  17 . The concave and convex terminal surfaces are sections of cylinders of a common radius. When cord  20  is pulled taut by operation of the selection means  21 , the segments are pulled together, compressing the rubbery tubing, and forcing the surfaces  14 ,  15  against one another. Because they have common radii, they meet all along their adjacent surfaces. This provides great resistance against movement, causing the bendable portion  23  to become rigid. Being sections of a cylinder, bending is substantially allowable only in one plane. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of the invention is shown in which the segments  13 ′ are provides with concave end surfaces  31  and convex end surfaces  30  that are sections of a sphere of common radius. This enables the bendable portion to bend through more than a single plane. Compression springs  29  hold the segments apart. 
   While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.