Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of pumice stones which are used to peel calluses from the back or from the underside of a person&#39;s toes. The present invention also relates to the field of motorized devices which are used to peel calluses in a more rapid and efficient way as opposed to a hand held pumice stone which is rubbed against the calluses by a back and forth motion from a user&#39;s hand. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The following 20 patents are relevant to the field of the present invention: 
     1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,136 issued to Giuseppe Vaniglia on Dec. 6, 1977 for “Portable Washer And Massager Apparatus For Bathtubs” (hereafter the “Vaniglia Patent”); 
     2. U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,640 issued to Mary A. Goss on Sep. 13, 1994 for “Motorized Back Scrubber” (hereafter the “Goss Patent”); 
     3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,722 issued to Luis A. Ureta et al. on Jul. 28, 1998 for “Shower Back Scrubber” (hereafter the “Ureta Patent”); 
     4. U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,970 issued to Veena E. Purifoy et al. on Jan. 30, 2001 for “Foot Sander” (hereafter the “Purifoy Patent”); 
     5. U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,350 issued to Mark K. Finch on Apr. 3, 2001 for “Device And Method For Removing In A Shower Or Bath Area Selected Skin Areas From A Bottom Foot Portion Of A Person” (hereafter the “Finch Patent”); 
     6. U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,546 issued to Jeom-Sup Jo et al. on Feb. 25, 2003 for “Pedicure Sander Having Shock-Absorbing Unit” (hereafter the “Jo Patent”); 
     7. U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,444 issued to Todd Wheeler et al. and assigned to Accurva, LLC on Feb. 3, 2004 for “Foot Scrubbing Device And Massaging Device” (hereafter the “Wheeler Patent”); 
     8. U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,351 issued to Kelly Sullinger on Mar. 23, 2004 for “Dry Skin And Callus Removal Device” (hereafter the “Sullinger Patent”); 
     9. U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,218 issued to Robert Jusinski on Aug. 24, 2004 for “Apparatus And Method For Ergonomic Basic Chiropody” (hereafter the “Jusinski Patent”); 
     10. U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,451 issued to Robert T. Postal et al. and assigned to Twist2It, Inc. on Feb. 1, 2005 for “Drive Mechanism For Oscillatory Abrasion And Polishing Tool” (hereafter the “Postal Patent”); 
     11. U.S. Pat. No. 7,278,431 issued to Paul M. Anderson et al. and assigned to Revlon Consumer Products Corporation on Oct. 9, 2007 for “Device for Smoothing Keratinous Surfaces” (hereafter the “Anderson Patent”); 
     12. U.S. Pat. No. 7,347,211 issued to Elizabeth Macklin on Mar. 25, 2008 for “Electrically Operated Sander For Removing Calluses And Increasing Circulation” (hereafter the “Macklin Patent”). 
     13. U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,313 issued to Pamela Jean Brunderman on Jun. 22, 1999 for “Footcare device And Method Of Using Same” (hereafter the “&#39;313 Brunderman Patent”); 
     14. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,156 issued to Pamela Jean Brunderman on Nov. 7, 2000 for “Footcare device And Method Of Using Same” (hereafter the “&#39;156 Brunderman Patent”); 
     15. United States Published Patent Application No. 2005/0103357 to Jeom-Sup Jo et al. on May 19, 2005 for “Disposable Sand Cap For Removing Calluses And Callus Removal Device Having The Same” (hereafter the “Jo Published Patent Application”); 
     16. U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,125 issued to Michael G. Nevakshonoff on Sep. 11, 2007 for “Device For Sanding Buffing or Grinding Elongate Objects” (hereafter the “Nevakshonoff Patent”); 
     17. United States Published Patent Application No. 2009/0004953 to Verla M. Kinsey on Jan. 1, 2009 for “Skin Sander” (hereafter the “Kinsey Published Patent Application”); 
     18. U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,451 issued to Jay Drelinger on Aug. 4, 2009 for “Rotary Nail Filing Apparatus For Animals” (hereafter the “Drelinger Patent”); 
     19. U.S. Pat. No. 7,578,300 issued to Jeff G. Ryder on Aug. 25, 2009 for “Motorized Foot Sander” (hereafter the “Ryder Patent”); 
     20. U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,545 issued to Clerice Moldawski et al. on Sep. 1, 2009 for “Dermabrasive Device” (hereafter the “Moldawski Patent”). 
     The Vaniglia Patent is a portable power driven washer and massager apparatus for use in bathtubs. It includes a pair of roller brushes which are rotary driven by an electric motor, a heater and blower apparatus for directing hot air to the user, and means for readily mounting and dismounting the apparatus to a bathtub including adjustable locking means with suction cups. The device is intended to massage the back of a person. 
     The Goss Patent discloses a motorized scrubber for cleaning the back of a person. It has several rotating brushes and can be retained on the wall of a shower by suction cups. A soap dispenser provides soap to the center area of each of the brushes and another embodiment includes a water supply assembly for rinsing the user&#39;s back. 
     The Ureta Patent discloses a back scrubber for removable installation in a shower. A sponge is releasably held by a housing and has a thickness greater than the depths of the sidewall of the housing which retains it so that it can be used to sponge a person&#39;s back. The device discloses a back scrubber which is used to scrub a person&#39;s back and can be retained to the wall of a shower by suction cups and a sponge is used to scrub the person&#39;s back. 
     The Purifoy Patent discloses the concept of having a device for removing calluses from the underside of the foot by an orbital motion of a sander. It is a device that is held in the hand and is driven by a motor. A sheet of sandpaper or massaging pad is adopted to be removably attach to an orbital motion disc for foot sanding or massaging when applied thereto. The appliance body is orthopedically engineered to fit the palm of a user to enhance gripping. This is a device that is not intended to be used in a shower but is instead intended to be a personal grooming device to remove calluses from the back of the feet presumably when the person may be in the bathroom but not necessarily in a water environment such as a shower or bathtub. 
     The Finch Patent discloses a foot device that is retained on the bottom of a shower floor by suction cups and has a device which essentially is depicted in FIGS. 1 through 5 and is generally arch shaped and has abrasive material on it so that a person can rub each foot on the respective side of the abrasive material to remove calluses from the bottom of the feet. The device itself is stationary and the person has to move back and forth to remove the calluses from the bottom of the feet. 
     The Jo Patent discloses a handheld pedicure sander which is used to remove calluses from the bottom of the feet but it is not a device that is used in a shower or a water environment but instead is a handheld device. Specifically, referring to the patent text beginning on Column 3 Line 8, the patent states:
         “As shown in the drawings, the pedicure sander 1 of this invention has cylindrical rotary body 10, rotatably held by a bracket 50 at its drive shaft 32 and covered with a safety housing 16 at its top. In the present invention, the rotary body 10 may be preferably formed of a pumice stone or a float stone. However, it is more preferable to make the body 10 using a plastic material or metal. The drive shaft 32 is fixedly set along the central axis of the body 10.   The rotary body 10 also has two axial fixing grooves 12 and 12a on its external surface such that the two grooves 12 and 12a are arranged in a line. Each of the two fixing grooves 12 and 12a firmly hold opposite ends of an associated one of two abrasive sheets 20 and 20a, thus allowing the two sheets 20 and 20a to closely and firmly cover desired parts of the external surface of the body 10 without being undesirably removed from the body 10.   The rotary body 10 is a cylindrical body, stepped on its external surface at a predetermined portion to form two large diameter annular parts at opposite end portions and a small diameter part 26 defined between the two large diameter annular parts. Of the two large diameter annular parts, one has a large width, while the other has a small width. The two fixing grooves 12 and 12a are formed on the two large diameter annular parts, with the two abrasive sheets 20 and 20a covering the two large diameter annular parts to form a wide abrasive part 22 and a narrow abrasive part 22a.”       

     The Wheeler Patent discloses a foot scrubbing and massaging device. The patent discloses a foot scrubber and massager formed of modular parts. The broadest claim is Claim 1 which reads as follows:
         “A foot scrubber comprising:   a base module having an upper and a lower surface, wherein said base module is configured to cradle and substantially conform to a foot; and   a customizable bristle module, said bristle module capable of being secured to said upper surface of said base module and said bristle module having a plurality of bristles extending outward from said bristle module, wherein said customizable bristle module may be customized to accommodate at least one plurality of interchangeable attachments.”       

     The Sullinger Patent discloses a dry skin and callus removal device. The device for removing calluses and dry skin includes a base 2 with a rim 24 and a support 30 for a block of pumice 15. The base 2 has a keyhole 8 and the pumice block 15 has a receiving hole 16 to accommodate suction cups 20. Specifically, Claim 1 of the patent reads as follows:
         “A non-hand held device for the removal of dry skin and calluses from the human body comprising:   (a) a planar base;   (b) a block formed entirely of abrasive material supported by said base, said block of abrasive material having a planar lower surface and an upper surface, the entirety of which is concave, for abrasion; and   (c) a plurality of suction cups attachable to said base.”       

     The Jusinski Patent discloses an apparatus and method for ergonomic basic chiropody. It discloses a device which apparently needs to be positioned in a corner portion of the location so it is parallel to two perpendicular walls and the device operates to remove calluses from the feet. 
     The Postal Patent discloses a drive mechanism for oscillatory abrasion and polishing. It is a handheld tool which can be connected to a power source and which can be used for various abrading applications including manicuring, polishing and dermabrasion. 
     The Anderson Patent discloses a device for abrading the underside of a foot for removing calluses, corns, etc. The device has a concave and a convex surface so that the different locations of the foot can be massaged and calluses abraded away as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3. The claims require the device to be in a figure 8 configuration with a concave portion on one side and a convex portion on the other side. 
     The Macklin Patent discloses:
         “An electrically operated sander for removing calluses and increasing circulation, having a rectangular base unit for insertion into a docking unit. The base unit has a rear end, and includes a movable base plate having rounded edges and a grainy surface area and a gripping handle. The gripping handle extends outwardly from the base unit and defines a curved junction before extending horizontally toward the rear end of the base unit. The base unit houses a motor having a drive shaft mechanically linked to the base plate. A rotating two position on-off switch actuates the motor, causing the base plate to vibrate. A rectangular docking unit has a hollow cavity for accepting the gripping handle of the base unit therein for allowing users a hands free method of removing calluses.”       

     The only independent claim of invention which is Claim 1 reads as follows:
         “A hands free method of removing calluses from hands or feet using an electrically operated sander, having a base unit having an on-off switch having an on position and an off position, a motor, a base plate having a grainy surface area, and having a docking unit, the steps comprising: positioning the base unit into the docking unit;   vibrating the grainy surface of the base plate by actuating the on-off switch to the on position; and   positioning calluses against the grainy surface and applying slight pressure while calluses are slowly removed.”       

     The &#39;313 Brunderman Patent contains essentially two solid objects which contain abrading material on it. There is a mound 34 on which you can rub the foot against and there is also a toe stick 32 with an abrasive surface 36 which fits within the mound so that it can be used to remove calluses from the toes. 
     The &#39;156 Brunderman Patent issued in 2000 and is a continuation application of the previous Brunderman Patent. 
     In each of these Brunderman Patents, we are dealing with a solid object and are not dealing with anything providing rotary motion. 
     The Jo Published Patent Application discloses:
         “The present invention provides a disposable sand cap for removing calluses and a callus removal device having the same. The disposable sand cap for removing calluses includes a cap body which has a “ ”-shaped cross-section and is made of a synthetic resin, and an abrasive sand which has a 60.about.90 mesh particle size and is attached on a lower end surface of the cap body with a bonding agent. The callus removal device has the disposable sand cap with the abrasive sand. The callus removal device includes a grip part having an elliptical shape, with a plurality of finger grooves provided at several predetermined positions around a circumferential outer surface of the grip part, thus allowing fingers of a user to be placed on finger grooves. The callus removal device further includes a sand cap support part extending downwards from a lower portion of the grip part, with an insert ring provided around a circumferential outer surface of the sand cap support part. The callus removal device further includes an intermediate depression part provided between the grip part and the sand cap support part while being depressed inwards.”       

     The Nevakshonoff Patent discloses a device for sanding and buffing objects which has a rotary device on top of an elongated shaft. 
     The Kinsey Published Patent Application discloses:
         “A skin sander for removing dead skin such as calluses and rough dry skin, including a housing, electric motor, and an oscillating sanding surface. The skin sander is ergonomically designed for use by various sized hands with minimal effort.”       

     The Drelinger Patent discloses:
         “A rotary nail filing apparatus for animals is described that includes a shroud or housing, an opening in the shroud that is suitable sized and shaped to allow an end portion of an animal&#39;s nail to be put through the opening, and a suitably shaped and oriented rotary grinder that is contained within the shroud grinding at least a portion of an animal&#39;s nail when put through the opening, where at least a portion of the nail particles that are grinded away by the rotary grinder are contained in a portion of the shroud. In some embodiments, the rotary grinder position/orientation and/or its surface are adjustable and/or replaceable.”       

     This patent discloses an object having a rotary motion for the purpose of sanding down an animal&#39;s nails. 
     The Ryder Patent discloses a hand sander where there is an abrasive method on the bottom of the device and it can be rubbed against the skin to abrade calluses, etc. 
     The Moldawski Patent discloses:
         “A lightweight, portable, electrically-powered dermabrasive device adapted to gently and painlessly remove keratinized epidermal portions of the hands and feet. The dermabrasive device includes a protective shield which shields user against contact from flakes of flying or ejected epidermis or other detritus.”       

     There is a significant need for an improved dermabrasion device to remove calluses which can be operated in a water environment such as a shower or bathtub and is operated so that a person does not need to use the person&#39;s hands to operate the pumice stone when removing calluses from the underside of a person&#39;s feet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device including a body having a bottom wall and a cover including a top wall and a sidewall which enclose an interior chamber so that the interior chamber is waterproof to enable the device to be placed in an enclosure where water comes in contact with the device, the interior chamber housing a mechanism by which a shaft or axle supporting a dermabrasion wheel is caused to rotate, the body further comprising an activation member which when activated causes the shaft and the dermabrasion wheel to rotate in either a counterclockwise direction or a clockwise direction, so that the dermabrasion wheel will peel hardened skin cells from a location on a foot when the location on the foot is placed against the dermabrasion wheel while the dermabrasion apparatus is rotating. 
     The present invention is a waterproof motorized pumice stone described more broadly as a dermabrasion apparatus used to peel calluses from the a person&#39;s foot. The most common location from which calluses are removed are the underside of the foot at the location of the back of the heel and the underside of the foot below the toes. It is within the spirit and scope of the present invention to provide a device which can remove calluses from any location on a person&#39;s foot. 
     A key object of the present invention is to provide a device to remove calluses which is operated in a water environment. The device is operated while the person is in water so that the person&#39;s skin and calluses are softened by the water to facilitate the removal of calluses. The most common use is in a shower, however the present invention can also be used in a bathtub or spa, or other water environment while a person is taking shower or bath or soaking in hot water so that the skin and calluses on the person&#39;s foot are softened so that the removal of calluses is achieved more readily than an environment where the skin is dry and the calluses are hard. The device can be used while the shower head is spraying water onto the person or while the person is sitting in a bathtub or spa and after the calluses have been softened by the moisture so that callus removal is facilitated. The device can also be used in a dry environment. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a waterproof device which is operated in a hands free manner so that person does not have to hold the device while the device is being operated to remove calluses and other dead skin from a person&#39;s foot. 
     It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a device which enables calluses and other dead skin to be removed from a person&#39;s foot while a person is standing in a shower (or seated in the shower) or resting in a bathtub or hot tub so that the person can place the location of the person&#39;s foot where the calluses and dead skin are to be removed directly against the device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a waterproof device which has a rotating pumice stone which is balanced in the center of the device so that the device will not tip over as pressure form a foot is placed against the rotating pumice stone. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device which has a waterproof motorized enclosure which has a switch in the middle of the device and which can be activated by pressing on the switch with a person&#39;s foot. The device is normally off and a battery circuit is turned on when the switch is pressed and the circuit can be turned on and off by subsequent pressing action against the switch. 
     It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a device having a rotatable shaft which contains a rotating pumice stone. When the activation switch is pressed or activated once, the pumice stone rotates in the counterclockwise direction or clockwise direction. When the switch activated again, the device is turned off. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to enable the device to be operated in a water environment so that when the pumice stone is rotating, foot can be placed on the pumice stone so that the back portion of the heel is polished and calluses, corns and hardened skin on the heel are removed. In addition, a person can place the back of their toes such as the underside of the ball of their big toe and underside of the front portion of their foot against the rotating pumice stone so that calluses, corns and other hardened skin can be removed. 
     It is additionally an object of the present invention for the device to have suction cups so that it can be affixed to the floor or a shower or bathtub so that the body of the apparatus will not move while it is being operated to remove calluses, etc. In this way, a person will not slip or fall while the pumice stones are rotating since the device itself will not move from its location where it is affixed to the floor by the suction cups. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to have warning means such as bright colors, a reflector, or other visible indicia on the device or molded into the device so that the device is visible and a person will not inadvertently step on the device or trip over the device and hurt themselves. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention waterproof motorized device having a rotating dermabrasion apparatus, also illustrated in broken lines is a foot in a position to facilitate removal of dead skin cells from beneath toes; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the present invention waterproof motorized device having a rotating dermabrasion apparatus, with a foot illustrated in broken lines; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the present invention waterproof motorized rotating device having a rotating dermabrasion apparatus with suction cups affixed to the bottom of the device; 
         FIG. 4  is an interior view of the present invention waterproof motorized device having a rotating dermabrasion apparatus illustrating the electrical wiring of the device; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the present invention waterproof motorized device having a rotating dermabrasion apparatus illustrating a foot shown in broken lines and positioned to enable the rotating pumice stone to be used to remove calluses, corns, and hardened skin from location below a person&#39;s heel; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the present invention waterproof motorized device having a rotating dermabrasion apparatuses; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the interconnection of the shaft from the motor and the shaft on which the pumice stone rotates. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention waterproof motorized rotating dermabrasion device  10  which comprises a bottom wall  20  having an exterior surface  22  and an interior surface  24 . The bottom wall  20  is enclosed by a cover  30 . The cover  30  has a top wall  40  with an exterior surface  42  and an interior surface  44  with a central opening  46  extending through the top wall  40 . The exterior surface  42  and a pair of oppositely disposed depressions  52  and  62  respectively accommodate a resistance pad  54  and  64 . The cover  30  includes a sidewall  70  which includes a side opening  72  to accommodate an on-off switch  74 . The side opening  72  is shielded by a portion of sidewall  70 A. The sidewall  70  has an exterior surface  76  and an interior surface  78 . The cover  30  fits over the bottom wall  20  to create an interior chamber  80  surrounded by the interior surface  24  of bottom wall  20 , the interior surface  44  of top wall  40  and the interior surface  78  of sidewall  70 . 
     A key innovation of the present invention is a central rotating pumice stone  90  which is a wheel  92  having an interior body  94  supporting an axle  96  extending transversely from either transverse side  94 A and  94 B of the body  94 , the exterior rim  94 C of the body covered by abrasive material  98 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the rotating pumice stone  90  is driven by a DC motor  100  which is connected to wires  102  and  104 . Wire  102  is connected to a pole of the on-off switch  72  and wire  104  is connected to power pack  120  which can be a gang of batteries such as 4 AA batteries. Wire  106  connects the on-off switch  72  to the power pack  120  and wire  108  connects the on-off switch  72  to ground  110 . Access door  26  is retained on bottom wall  20  by retaining means such as screws  28 A,  28 B,  28 C and  28 D. With the retaining means  28 A,  28 B,  28 C and  28 D removed, the access door  26  is opened to gain access to the power pack  120  to change batteries  122 QA,  122  B,  122 C and  122 D. The interior chamber  80  is entirely sealed so that it is waterproof. 
     An interior shield  130  surrounds the opening  46  so that the interior chamber  80  is waterproof. The motor  100 , wires  102 ,  104 ,  106  and  108  and power pack  120  are retained within chamber  80 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the motor  100  is connected to a shaft  102  which at the end  104  distal from the motor has an offset gear  106  formed to rotate in a given direction such as counter-clockwise. The axle  96  of the wheel  90  has a distal end  97  which is connected to an offset gear  99  which is formed to rotate in a direction opposite from the direction of the gear  106  on the motor shaft  102 . The gear  99  can be formed to rotate in the clockwise direction. The gears  106  and  99  are intermeshed and when caused to rotate, because of the opposite orientation, the gears  106  and  99  remain together and will not separate. 
     The cover  30  has a central slot  140  extending into the shield  130  which surrounds the opening  46 . The axle  96  has a short section  96 A which extends transversely to face  94 B of wheel body  94  and a long section  96 B which extends transversely to face  94 A of wheel body  94 . The wheel  90  is retained within opening  46  of the cover, with the short section  96 A of axle  96  retained in short slot section  140 A while the long section  96 B extends past slot section  140 B to be engaged with the motor as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The wheel  90  extends above the top surface  42  of cover  40  and when the switch  74  is moved or pushed to the “on” condition, the motor  100  causes its shaft  96  to rotate so that the intermeshed gears  99  and  106  cause the wheel  90  to rotate. The direction of rotation is either clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     Movement retardation means such as suction cups  150  are placed on the exterior surface  22  of bottom wall  20  to help prevent the dermabrasion device from moving on the surface onto which it is placed. 
     The dermabrasion device  10  is placed on a surface such a bathroom floor or a shower floor. As illustrated in  FIG. 1  with a foot  200  illustrated in broken lines, a person places his/her  210  heel of a foot  200  onto a resistance pad  54  or  64  so that a portion  220  of the foot from which calluses or other dead skin is to be removed are aligned with the wheel  90  and with the abrasive material  98  of the wheel. When the switch  74  is activated, the wheel  98  rotates and the abrasive material rotates. The portion of the foot  220  placed against the abrasive material has calluses, dead skin cells, etc. removed by the rotating action of the wheel  96  and the abrasive material  98  peeling off the calluses and other dead skin. To remove calluses and other dead skin from other portions of the same foot or the opposite foot, the heel can be placed in the same resistance pad  54  or the opposite resistance pad  64  so that the proper area of the foot is aligned with the abrasive material  98  on wheel  96 . The dermabrasion device  10  can be rotated 180 degrees if necessary for proper alignment of the specific area of the foot to be treated. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the foot portion  220  can be placed on a resistance pad  54  and the heel  210  can be placed against the dermabrasion wheel  98  to remove dead skin cells from that location of the foot. 
     The present invention wheel  96  is in the center of the dermabrasion device  10  so that it is properly balanced and will not tilt to one side as pressure from a foot is applied against the wheel  96 . The waterproof enclosure enables the dermabrasion device  10  to be used in a shower while it is running. The movement retardation means  150  assists in preventing the device  10  from moving while in operation. 
     As an additional safety measure, warning means  170  such as florescent or other light reflecting material can be on the top surface  42  of cover  40  so that the device  10  is more visible to avoid a person accidentally tripping over the device  10 , either in the bathroom or in a shower. 
     The fact that at least a portion of the axle  94 A is within the shield  130  and the addition of the nature of the intermeshing gears  99  and  106  prevents the wheel  96  from flying out of the device  10  while it is in operation. 
     It will be appreciated that the device  10  can be used to remove dead skin cells from any location of the body but it is primary desired to remove dead skin cells from hard-to-reach locations on the foot. The device  10  is waterproof so it can be run while the source of water from a shower is running or after the source of water is turned off. 
     The motor  100  is preferably a battery operated DC motor. 
     The device  10  and its walls are preferably made of molded plastic but may be made of any rustproof and waterproof material. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.

Technology Category: 1