Abstract:
A washing device having an integrally formed handle and scrubbing head. The scrubbing head includes a recessed channel formed around its outer periphery and sized to receive a retaining band securely attached to the scrubbing head. The scrubbing head receives a removable scrubbing member, which is retained along the scrubbing head by the retaining band. The retaining band entraps the scrubbing member within the recessed channel such that the scrubbing member can be selectively removed and cleaned when desired.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appln. Ser. No. 60/485,640, filed on Jul. 8, 2003. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a washing device for use in washing a body surface that is not readily accessible for manual contact, such as the back of a person. More specifically, the present invention relates to a washing device that allows for the use of a replaceable washcloth such that the washcloth can be used during washing of the person and can be removed for cleaning when required.  
         [0003]     Presently, a wide variety of washing devices for use in bathing the body are available. Many of these devices include a handle portion attached to a scrubbing portion such that the user can reach hard to access portions of the body. In many washing devices, the scrubbing portion of the device is fixedly attached to the handle and cannot be removed from the handle for cleaning. Thus, after repeated uses of the washing device, the scrubbing portion becomes dirty and is difficult to clean. If the scrubbing portion becomes sufficiently soiled, the user must dispose of the entire washing device.  
         [0004]     Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a washing device having a removable scrubbing member such that the scrubbing member can be removed for cleaning. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a retaining means on the handle of the washing device that allows the scrubbing member to be easily and quickly removed and replaced by a user as desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention provides a washing device that permits washing of all parts of the body without the need for bending. The washing device includes an elongated body comprised of a handle and a scrubbing head. Preferably, the handle and scrubbing head are formed as a single piece from either wood or plastic.  
         [0006]     The scrubbing head includes a recessed channel formed around its outer peripheral surface. Further, the scrubbing head includes an upper surface having a scrubbing surface formed thereon. Preferably, the scrubbing surface is a section of sandpaper adhesively attached to the upper surface of the scrubbing head.  
         [0007]     The scrubbing head further includes a retaining band that is securely attached to the scrubbing head. Preferably, the retaining band is a continuous section of flexible tubing having a portion entrapped within the scrubbing head by a removable dowel. The dowel can be removed to replace the retaining band should the retaining band become damaged during normal usage.  
         [0008]     The washing device further includes a scrubbing member that is removably attachable to the scrubbing head. Preferably, the scrubbing member is a towel or hand cloth having a size such that opposite ends of the towel extend past the recessed channel formed on the scrubbing head. When the towel is placed along the upper surface of the scrubbing head, the towel is entrapped within the recessed channel formed around the scrubbing head by the retaining band. The towel can be removed and replaced by releasing the towel from within the recessed channels by removing the retaining band.  
         [0009]     Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.  
         [0011]     In the drawings:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the washing device of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a section view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the removal of the washcloth from the washing device; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a section view taken along line  4 - 4  illustrating the retention of the elastic retaining band within the handle of the washing device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a washing device  10  of the present invention is shown. The washing device  10  includes an elongated body having a handle  12  and a scrubbing head  14 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated body, including both the handle  12  and the scrubbing head  14  are formed from a single piece of wood. However, it is contemplated by the inventor that the elongated body could be formed from other materials, such as molded plastic.  
         [0017]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the handle  12  has a shape configured for holding by a user. Preferably, the handle  12  has a length of approximately 12-18 inches, although other lengths are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the scrubbing head  14  includes an upper face surface  16  that includes a roughened scrubbing surface  18 . The scrubbing surface  18  can be used by a user to remove dead skin from portions of the body, such as the heel of the foot. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the scrubbing surface  18  is a section of sandpaper adhesively attached to the upper surface  16 . However, it is contemplated that other types of roughened surfaces other than sandpaper can be used while operating within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0019]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the scrubbing head  14  includes a recessed channel  20  that extends along the outer perimeter of the scrubbing head  14 . The recessed channel  20  is formed between an upper lip  22  and a lower lip  24 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the recessed channel  20  is formed by removing a portion of the scrubbing head  14  through conventional woodworking techniques. However, it is contemplated that if the washing device  10  is formed from molded plastic, the recessed channel  20  can be molded into the scrubbing head  14  during the initial creation of the entire elongated body, including the handle  12  and the scrubbing head  14 .  
         [0020]     The washing device  10  further includes an elastic retaining band  26 . The elastic retaining band  26  is held in place along the scrubbing head  14  by a dowel  28 . The dowel  28  is received within a hole  30  formed in the scrubbing head  14 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The dowel  28  and the hole  30  are formed of a similar size such that the dowel  28  can be retained in the hold  30  by friction. The dowel  28  entraps a portion of the retaining band  26  within the hole  30  such that the retaining band  26  is securely held in place. The dowel  28  can be removed to replace the retaining band  26  should the retaining band  26  break during normal use. As set forth above, the dowel  28  is friction fit within the hole  30  such that no additional components, such as an adhesive, are required to hold the dowel  28  in place.  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a scrubbing member, such as towel  32 , can be attached to the scrubbing head  14 . As illustrated, the towel  32  is folded multiple times such that the towel  32  has a size slightly larger than the size of the scrubbing head  14 . The towel  32  is positioned on the upper surface  16  of the scrubbing head  14  such that the opposite ends  33 ,  35  of the towel  32  extend past the channel  20 . Once in position, the retaining band  26  is stretched to retain the towel  32  on the scrubbing head  14 . Specifically, the retaining band  26  is received within the recessed channel  20  such that the towel  32  is pressed into the recessed channel  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the ends  33  and  35  of the towel  34  extends past the recessed channel  20  such that the retaining band  26  can hold the towel  32  in place.  
         [0022]     As can be understood in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when the towel  32  is to be removed from the washing device  10 , the retaining band  26  is pulled outward from the recessed channel  20  such that the towel  32  is not longer held in place along the upper surface  16  of the scrubbing head  14 . Once the retaining band  26  has been removed, the towel  32  can be washed or cleaned as desired. Additionally, if the user desires to use the scrubbing surface  18  shown in  FIG. 3 , the towel  32  is initially removed to uncover the scrubbing surface  18 .  
         [0023]     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures, the retaining band  26  is formed from a flexible, rubber tube. However, it is additional components, such as an adhesive, are required to hold the dowel  28  in place.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a scrubbing member, such as towel  32 , can be attached to the scrubbing head  14 . As illustrated, the towel  32  is folded multiple times such that the towel  32  has a size slightly larger than the size of the scrubbing head  14 . The towel  32  is positioned on the upper surface  16  of the scrubbing head  14  such that the opposite ends  33 ,  35  of the towel  32  extend past the channel  20 . Once in position, the retaining band  26  is stretched to retain the towel  32  on the scrubbing head  14 . Specifically, the retaining band  26  is received within the recessed channel  20  such that the towel  32  is pressed into the recessed channel  20 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the ends  33  and  35  of the towel  34  extends past the recessed channel  20  such that the retaining band  26  can hold the towel  32  in place.  
         [0025]     As can be understood in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , when the towel  32  is to be removed from the washing device  10 , the retaining band  26  is pulled outward from the recessed channel  20  such that the towel  32  is not longer held in place along the upper surface  16  of the scrubbing head  14 . Once the retaining band  26  has been removed, the towel  32  can be washed or cleaned as desired. Additionally, if the user desires to use the scrubbing surface  18  shown in  FIG. 3 , the towel  32  is initially removed to uncover the scrubbing surface  18 .  
         [0026]     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the Figures, the retaining band  26  is formed from a flexible, rubber tube. However, it is contemplated that other materials and structures can be used to replace the retaining band  26 .  
         [0027]     Further, although a towel  32  is shown as being used as the scrubbing member, it is contemplated that other structures, such as a sponge, paper towel or similar structure could be utilized while operating within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0028]     Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.