Abstract:
A basic chiropody apparatus having a soaping device, a scrubbing device and a brushing device ergonomically shaped and positioned relative to each other in a compact fashion on a triangular base. The apparatus is configured in order to be placed on the floor and in the corner of two walls. As a result, a person operating the apparatus is able to hold itself in a stable position with its arms in perpendicularly pressing against the two walls. The triangular shape of the apparatus provides for a simple repositioning of it in cases where it gets unintentionally replaced during its operation due to wet and soapy floor condition as they may exist in a shower cabin.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority of the provisional U.S. application No. 60/188,326 filed Mar. 9, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Self-performed basic chiropody usually takes place in a bath tub or a shower cabin. The dimensional configuration of shower cabins makes it often difficult to access one&#39;s own feet for the purpose of cleaning them. The person attempting to do so has either to balance on one foot while lifting the other foot into reach of his/her hands or has to sit down in the shower cabin. Both tasks are difficult to accomplish. A number of inventions provide more or less suitable apparatus to assist a person cleaning his/her feet. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,867 discloses a u-shaped apparatus with a number of brushes mounted on the inside bottom and side walls. The invention is held in place solely by its weight. Lateral pressure against the wall mounted brushes may cause the apparatus to slide or even tilt. The shape of the u-shaped apparatus is sharp edged and clumsy and may not be feasible to be safely placed in a shower cabin. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,177,829; 5,678,259 and 5,724,695 disclose foot washing boxes with a number of compartment or features therein that are configured for separate foot cleaning operations. The box shapes are clumsy and do not take into account the limited space within a shower cabin. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,173,972; 5,813,078 and 5,729,858 disclose foot washer platforms with one or more cleaning features placed on it or integrated in it. The platform is held in place by a number of suction cups. Suction cups tend to slide on the wet and eventual soapy floor of a shower floor. The shape of the platform does not take into account the space limitations of a shower cabin floor. 
     The patents cited above are selected in order to give some examples of all the foot washing apparatus that have been invented. All inventions have dimensional configurations that does not take into account the limitation of the location where they intend to be placed. Hence, there exists a need for a simple foot washing apparatus that is ergonomically designed and configured to be placed in a secured position within limited available space like, for example, within a shower cabin. 
     SUMMARY 
     A cleaning apparatus is configured to provide access for a soap, a pumice and a brush in an ergonomic fashion such that a person can perform basic chiropody in a stable and upright standing position. The cleaning apparatus, with its functional elements, is specifically configured in order to be placed and operated in a corner defined by two essentially perpendicular walls like, for example, of a bathroom or a shower cabin. 
     A human&#39;s foot movements are naturally mainly performed in forward and backward direction and the correspondingly used joints, tendons and muscles of a human&#39;s leg are particularly evolved to perform this movements more easily than lateral foot movements. Hence, when a person attempts to perform a foot cleaning operation, it naturally intends to rub the foot against an obstacle in forward and backward movements. The foot is thereby twisted around the ankle in order to bring the side of the foot, the heel and/or the toes into rubbing contact with the obstacle. The present invention takes advantage of these kinematical predispositions of the human leg and foot and provides the chiropody features in a compact and specifically configured shape and position to each other such that the tasks of soaping, scrubbing and/or brushing can be performed with greatest ease and safety. The soap and the pumice have a compact and smooth shape significantly rising above the main platform of the apparatus, since they have to access also the upper side of the foot. The brush on the other side, which mainly has to access the bottom of the foot extends across a relatively large area of the base in order to provide snuggly contact with the bottom of the foot while it is moved along the brush. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the soap and the pumice have identical and rotationally symmetric shape such that they can be easily and exchangeable fixated by snapping them into corresponding material separations of the base. They are positioned lateral of the brush such that the three chiropody features occupy a triangular area of the base. The configuration and positioning of the individual features relative to each other results in a compact triangular shape the whole apparatus, which occupies very limited space. The triangular arrangement of soaping device, scrubbing device and brushing device correspond to a triangular shape of the whole apparatus such that the apparatus may be placed in a stable fashion on the floor in the corner between two walls. 
     Basic chiropody has to be performed with wet feet, which may cause a slippery and unstable contact with the foot holding the persons weight while the other foot is moved more or less dynamically along the individual chiropody devices. The positioning of the apparatus in the corner of two walls allows a person to support itself in a stable fashion with its hands on the two walls while operating the apparatus. The single foot forms thereby with the two hands perpendicular pressing against each of the walls a stable force triangle. 
     The base itself is preferably of an elastic, rubber-like material that snuggly contacts the floor. The bottom of the base may feature additionally specifically formed cavities that operate as suction cups in order to increase the friction contact with the floor. Since sliding on wet and soapy surfaces as they exist especially in shower cabins cannot be fully prevented, the triangular shape of the base allows an easy repositioning and/or reorienting of the apparatus in cases where it is removed by the movements of the foot to be cleaned. The base is configured such that the foot carrying the person&#39;s weight may be placed in contact with a contacting edge and thereby fixating the apparatus in its position. 
     All chiropody devices can be easily removed from the base for cleaning and replacement. The apparatus is simple to fabricate, easy and safe to use. 
     The soaping device may be a solid soap or a sponge like device on which a detergent is applied immediately prior to performing the chiropody. The sponge like device may also be impregnated with a detergent in a fashion that only a combination of water and mechanical contact excerpted by the foot to be cleaned releases the detergent to the surface of the sponge device. 
     The pumice device may have a homogeneous structure or may be made in combination with a different material or may be made completely of a different material configured to perform an abrasion of horny skin. 
     The brushing device may be made solely of brushed forming a planar surface and/or curved surface(s) configured to brush specific foot areas like, for example, the foot palm and/or the toe region. The brushing device may further include features configured for massaging the bottom of the foot rather than brushing it as are well known to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary configuration of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a top down view of the present invention. 
     FIG. AA shows a sectional view of the present invention along a section line A—A indicated in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a top down view of the ergonomic conditions for a user of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the individual components of the present invention in exploded arrangement. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The bottom side of a person&#39;s foot requires typically extensive cleaning and care taking. In addition, portions of the sole of a person&#39;s foot are exposed to relatively high mechanical friction, which eventually results in increased growth of horny skin layers. 
     Unfortunately, a foot&#39;s bottom is hard to access such that chiropody is typically neglected. The present invention introduces a method and apparatus for ergonomic basic chiropody. 
     Basic chiropody typically includes the cleaning of the feet and the removing of horny skin layers. The cleaning is performed by wetting or soaking the feet, soaping, brushing, and rinsing them. The removing of the horny skin layers is accomplished by scrubbing them with pumice or any other scrubbing device. Wetting or soaking of the feet is typically accomplished without a physical effort by either stepping into a bath or showering the feet. Soaping, brushing and scrubbing require the person to get into a stable position such that one foot at a time can be brought into reach of the hands. Usually a person is sitting down to stabilize itself. Even in a sitting position, it is difficult to access the soles of the feet. The person has to maintain a certain twisted position while performing movements with a brush or a scrubber along the sole of the foot. 
     In cases where limited space does not allow for comfortable sitting, a stable position becomes even more difficult to maintain while accessing a foot. This applies mainly to shower cabins, which are conventionally dimensioned such that sitting in them is not easy or even impossible. In addition, the floor of shower cabins is covered during use with a mixture of water and soap. This makes the floor of the shower cabin slippery. As a result, foot cleaning in shower cabins is unsafe and difficult to accomplish. 
     FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. On a base plate  1  are removable fixated a brushing device  2 , a soaping device  4  and a scrubbing device  5 . The brushing device  2  has a number of brushing elements  3 . 
     Brushing devices placed on the floor have typically the problem that the friction between brush and foot becomes higher than the friction between the brushing device and the floor. As a result, conventional foot brushing devices intend to slip back and forth. In the present invention the base plate  1  is shaped, such that it corresponds with a first base edge  13   a  (see FIG. 2) to a first wall element  302  (see FIG. 3) and with a second base edge  13   b  (see FIG. 2) to a second wall element  301  (see FIG.  3 ). 
     The placement of the apparatus in the corner between first and second wall elements  301  and  302  defines the position and orientation of the apparatus. 
     Before the person begins to use the apparatus, the person positions itself in front of the apparatus such that the foot, which is meant to carry the person&#39;s weight, touches the back end of the base plate  1 . The person&#39;s orientation is thereby in direction of the corner between first and second wall element  301  and  302 . This specific orientation allows the person to stabilize itself by pressing with the hands against the first and second wall elements  301  and  302 . Typically, first and second wall elements  301  and  302  are perpendicular like, for example, in the corner of a shower cabin or in the corner of a conventional bathroom. 
     FIG. 3 shows a top down view of the apparatus positioned in the corner between first and second wall elements  301  and  302 . The contacting of the first base wedge edge  13   a  with the second wall element  302  and the contacting of the second base wedge edge  13   b  with the first wall element  301  define the position of the apparatus and the orientation of the main operation axis  332 . Brushing device  2 , soaping device  4  and scrubbing device  5  are shaped and positioned on the base plate  1  within an essentially triangular area. As a result, the base plate  1  itself may be contacting the first and second wall elements  301  and  302  without the first and second wall elements  301  and  302  hampering the access of the devices  2 ,  4 ,  5  by a foot to be cleaned. As a further result, the main operation axis  332  is also the symmetry axis of the first and second wall elements  301 ,  302 . 
     After a person has soaked or wetted his or her foot or feet, the person positions itself at the back end of the base plate  1  such that the active foot, which is meant to utilize the apparatus, comes to rest with its active foot center  330  approximately above the main operation axis  332  of the apparatus. The active foot is either the right or the left foot. In case the right foot is the active foot, the person supports his or her weight on the left foot shown in the FIG. 3 with the left resting foot contour  313 . For this case, the person&#39;s body center is in the approximate position shown by the first body center point  317 . In addition, the left shoulder joint of the person is approximately in the position shown by the first left shoulder point  315 . Further, the right shoulder joint of the person is approximately in the position shown by the first right shoulder point  326 . 
     In case the left foot is the active foot, the person holds his or her weight with the right foot shown in the FIG. 3 with the right resting foot contour  323 . For this case, the persons body center is in an approximate position shown by the second body center point  327 . In addition, the left shoulder joint of the person is approximately in a position shown by the second left shoulder point  316 . Further, the right shoulder joint of the person is approximately in a position shown by the second right shoulder point  325 . 
     The person utilizes the soaping device  4  by moving the active foot essentially along the soaping direction  334 . The person utilizes the brushing device  2  by moving the active foot essentially along the main operation axis  332 . The person utilizes the scrubbing device  5  by moving the active foot essentially along the scrubbing direction  335 . 
     The person may pivot the active foot around its ankle to contact specific areas of the active foot with the corresponding device  2 ,  4 ,  5 . 
     Soaping device  4 , scrubbing device  5  and brushing device  2  are positioned such that the soaping direction  334  and the scrubbing direction  335  are in a predetermined angular offset to the main operation direction  332 . The predetermined angular offset is within an angular flexibility range of the persons physiognomy such that the soaping device  4  and the scrubbing device  5  can be accessed by the active foot without forcing the person to change the orientation and/or position of the resting foot. In the preferred embodiment, there is a selected maximum angular offset. 
     The main operating direction  332  corresponds with a physiognomic axis. The physiognomic axis represents the direction, in which the foot can be moved in the most natural way, as it occurs, for instance during walking or during running. In this way, the use of the apparatus is accomplished with a minimum of physical effort. 
     All back and forth movements have to overcome friction resistance between the devices and the active foot. The force that has to be applied by the person in order to overcome this friction resistance causes resulting force vectors  365 ,  364  and  362 . First and second base wedge edges  13 A,  13 B preferably extend beyond the force vectors  364 ,  365  in order to prevent a resulting twisting momentum of the apparatus. 
     The position of the person in a corner between first and second wall element  301  and  302  allows the person to stabilize itself in an advantageous ergonomic way by pushing against first and second wall elements  301  and  302 . The person contacts and/or holds with the left hand approximately at a position shown with the left wall contact  319 . The person contacts and/or holds itself with the right hand approximately at a position shown with the right wall contact  329 . The person may push against the plain wall or at.specifically placed holding devices. 
     In case the person&#39;s right foot is the active foot, a first left stabilizing vector  311  is defined between the first left shoulder point  315  and the left wall contact  319  by the persons fixating left arm. In addition, a first right stabilizing vector  321  is defined between the first right shoulder point  326  and the right wall contact  329  by the persons rigid held right arm. 
     In case the persons left foot is the active foot, a second left stabilizing vector  312  is defined between the second left shoulder point  316  and the left wall contact  319  by the persons fixating left arm. In addition, a second right stabilizing vector  321  is defined between the second right shoulder point  325  and the right wall contact  329  by the persons fixating right arm. 
     Since the first and second wall element  301  and  302  are in a typically angle of 90 degrees, the stabilizing vectors are of ergonomically advantageous short length. In addition, the first and second left stabilizing vectors  311  and  312  define together with the first and second right stabilizing vectors  322  and  321  a first and second stabilizing angle  303   a  and  303   b.    
     The stabilizing vectors  311 , 312 , 322  and  321  define together with resulting force vectors  362 , 364  and  365  force triangles. These force triangles assure a stable stand of the person during the basic chiropody. 
     The resting foot contacts the base plate  1  on the base edge  13 C. In case, the resting foot is the left foot the contacting point is at an approximate position shown by the left fixating point  318 . In case, the resting foot is the right foot the contacting point is at an approximate position shown by the right fixating point  328 . The fixating point  318  e.g.  328  is the third position definition element together with the contacting first and second base edges  13   a  and  13   b.  As a result, the apparatus is fully defined in position and orientation such that it does not move regardless of the forces imposed on it by the active foot. 
     The bottom side of a foot has typically a number of concave and convex features. To access all these features, the soaping device  4 , the scrubbing device  5  and the brushing device  2  are preferably specifically shaped. FIG. AA shows in that context a sectional view of the inventive apparatus along a section line A—A indicated in FIG.  2 . FIG. AA shows the soaping device profile  42  and the scrubbing device profile  52 , which have a profile curvature and a free access height  41  and  51  such that all features of a sole can be brought into contact with the devices. 
     The scrubbing device  5  is preferably made from pumice. The rigid nature of the scrubbing device  5  requires it to have a scrubbing device contour  53  (see FIG.  2 ), which has a contour curvature that creates together with its profile curvature a first shape. The first shape assures the access of the horny skin regions of the foot during the regular use of the apparatus. 
     The soaping device  4  is preferably made from soap, which is also inflexible. The rigid nature of the soaping device  5  requires it to have a soaping device contour  43  (see FIG.  2 ), which has a contour curvature that creates together with its profile curvature a second shape. The second shape assures the access of all regions of the foot to apply soap during the regular use of the apparatus. 
     The brushing device  2  consists mainly of the brushing elements  3 , which define together the flexible brushing body. The brushing elements have a brushing surface  32 , which is shown in the FIG. AA as being planar. It is noted, that the brushing surface  32  may have any shaped brushing surface  32  that is suitable to reach all regions of a sole and regions between the toes. The brushing surface  32  may be continuously shaped or with interruptions of individually shaped and lengthened brushing elements  3 . 
     The flexible and resilient nature of the brushing elements  3  result in a brushing device contour  23  that is a multitude of the soaping device contour  43  e.g. the scrubbing device contour  53 . The extended area of the brushing device  2  reduces the average pressure that is applied on each brushing element  3 . As a result, the brushing elements  3  can be made of a softer material compared to small sized foot brushes. The soft material of the brushing elements  3  provides a better fit to the shape of a foot&#39;s bottom. Furthermore, the soft material enhances the comfort with which the brushing device  2  can be used. 
     The brushing device contour  23  defines together with the brushing surface  32  a third shape. The third shape assures the access of all relevant foot areas during the regular use of the apparatus. 
     The soaping device  4  and the scrubbing device  5  are fixated in positions on the base plate  1 , which are at a maximum distance to the first and second base edge  13   a  and  13   b . Hence, the use of the soaping device  4  and the scrubbing device  5  by the active foot is not limited by first and second wall  301  and  302 . 
     The brushing device  2  is fixated in a position on the base plate  1 , such that it takes advantage of the full length of the base plate  1 . The soaping device  4 , the scrubbing device  5  and the brushing device  2  are positioned relative to each other, such that the base plate  1  is able to fixate them without exceeding the space typically available for permanent placement in a shower cabin and/or in a bathroom. 
     Soaping device  4 , scrubbing device  5  and brushing device  2  are disposable parts of the apparatus. FIG. AA shows them with clamping contours  211 ,  411  and  511  that define the clamping features  210 ,  410  and  510  (see FIG.  4 ). The clamping features  210 ,  410  and  510  are essentially protrusions of the correlated brushing device contour  23 , the soaping device contour  43  and the scrubbing device contour  53 . The protrusions expand with increasing depth such that they interlock with the corresponding cavities  120 ,  140  and  150  (see FIG. 4) of the base plate  1 . During the assembly and disassembly, each individual device is pressed into e.g. pressed out of its corresponding cavity. 
     The base plate  1  is made of elastic material to allow a resilient deformation of the cavities during the assembly e.g. disassembly. As a result, the devices may have varying properties and characteristics and can be combined within the apparatus to adjust to individual needs for basic chiropody. 
     The free positioning of each device further improves the cleaning of the apparatus. 
     It is noted, that the scope of the invention is not limited to combined soaping, brushing and/or scrubbing feet but extends to cases where soaping, brushing and/or scrubbing is provided solely or in combination with only one other operation. The scope of the invention further extends to any activities during which a person has to stand on a single foot and has to move the other food along a device. Such activities may include shoe cleaning, foot bathing, foot massaging, and any other mechanical, electrical and/or magnetic treatment induced on a human&#39;s foot. 
     Accordingly, the scope of the present invention described in the specification above is set forth by the following claims and their legal equivalent.