US20060168746A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060168746A1
Application number: US11/195,988
Authority: US
Inventors: Bahman Guyuron; Paul Tamulewicz
Original assignee: Innovation Alley Design LLC
Current assignee: INNOVATION MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LLC
Priority date: 2005-01-31
Filing date: 2005-08-03
Publication date: 2006-08-03

Abstract

Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning a person. The device includes a head driven by a motor. A housing retains the motor and the head such that the head is moved with respect to the housing by operation of the motor. The device also includes a cleaning implement for cleaning the person, the cleaning implement secured to a resilient member and the resilient member removably secured to the head. In another configuration, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a cleaning implement for cleaning between toes of the person. A motor is operatively coupled to the cleaning implement to move the cleaning implement in a washing motion. A housing retains the motor and the cleaning implement, the washing motion moving the cleaning element with respect to the housing.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/648,460 filed Jan. 31, 2005 and titled “Personal Cleaning Device,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of personal hygiene and, more particularly, to a personal cleaning device for use in a wet environment, such as a shower or bath.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of body brushes and back scrubbers are commercially available. These items generally consist of an extended handle attached to a cleaning head. The cleaning head is typically a mesh cloth, a sponge or a soft brush and is arranged to scrub areas of one's body by manual manipulation of the entire device. However, persons with limited flexibility, strength and/or movement, such as by virtue of a debilitating physical condition, may find conventional cleaning products difficult to use. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved bath and shower brush assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a head driven by a motor; a housing that retains the motor and the head, wherein the head is moved with respect to the housing by operation of the motor; and a cleaning implement for cleaning the person, the cleaning implement secured to a resilient member and the resilient member removably secured to the head.

According to another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a cleaning implement for cleaning between toes of the person; a motor operatively coupled to the cleaning implement to move the cleaning implement in a washing motion; and a housing for retaining the motor and the cleaning implement, the washing motion moving the cleaning element with respect to the housing.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a head having an attached cleaning implement, the head and implement driven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly; a first housing portion enclosing the motor; a second housing portion retaining the head; and a pivotal linkage connecting the first and second housing portions.

According to still another aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a head having an attached cleaning implement, the head and implement driven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly; a housing that retains the motor and the head, wherein the head is moved with respect to the housing by operation of the motor; and a pressurized reservoir for storing a dispensable material and a valve for selectively controlling the dispensing of the material onto the cleaning element.

According to one more aspect of the invention, a cleaning device for cleaning a person includes a head having an attached cleaning implement, the head and cleaning implement driven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly; and a housing that retains the motor and the head, wherein the head is connected to the drive assembly to rotate by operation of the motor and pivot with respect to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to a first example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to a second example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example body portion for the cleaning devices ofFIGS. 1 and 2 and dispenser for the cleaning device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative example dispenser for the cleaning device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of yet another alternative example dispenser for the cleaning device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of still another alternative example dispenser for the cleaning device ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of an example brush assembly portion for the cleaning devices ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 8A through 8D are perspective views of various cleaning covers for the cleaning devices ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of another example brush assembly portion for the cleaning devices ofFIGS. 1 and 2:

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of yet another example brush assembly portion for the cleaning devices ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of still another example brush assembly portion for the cleaning devices ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a cleaning device according to a third example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIGS. 14A through 14E respectively are top, front, right side, rear and bottom views of the cleaning device inFIG. 12, the left side view being substantially a mirror image of the right side view;

FIG. 15A is an exploded view of the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 15B is an enlarged exploded view of a pivotal joint between portions of the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a cross section of a handle assembly of the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a cross section of a brush assembly portion of the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIGS. 18A and 18B respectively are top and side views of an example mesh cleaning assembly for the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the cleaning cover ofFIGS. 18A and 18B;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views of various example cleaning covers for the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIGS. 21A and 21B respectively are a perspective view and a side view of an example foot and toe cleaning brush assembly for the cleaning device ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another example foot and toe cleaning brush assembly for the cleaning device ofFIG. 12; and

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of an alternative example head for the cleaning device ofFIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION

In the description that follows, like components have been given the same reference numerals, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention. To illustrate the present invention in a clear and concise manner, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic form. Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

Aspects of the invention are directed to a hand-held personal cleaning device for scrubbing areas of a one's own body or areas of another's body. The device includes a handle that is ergonomically bent to assist in reaching and cleaning one's back. Attached to the handle is a cleaning head in the form of, for example, a sponge, cloth, bristle brush, exfoliating pad, etc. The cleaning head can be moved relative to the handle by a motorized drive mechanism contained in the handle. For example, the cleaning head can be made to rotate or reciprocate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the brush assembly. The drive mechanism can be powered by batteries, which are also contained in the handle. The cleaning head can be detached and replaced with other cleaning heads. In one embodiment, the cleaning head can be or include a small brush to clean between one's toes (e.g., an elongated, small diameter sponge or brush). In one embodiment, the handle or a body member connecting the handle to the cleaning head can be elongated so as to have an extended reaching capability. For instance, the extended reaching capability can be useful to reach one's feet without bending, reach one's back without straining, or so that one person may clean another person from outside a shower or bathtub while minimizing the possibility of getting wet, thereby making the device advantageous for use in a hospital or nursing home, or to wash children or others at home.

Disclosed herein is a powered bath and shower brush assembly having, in one embodiment, a multi-part body portion and an extended brush assembly portion having a moving head. A DC motor within the housing portion is linked to drive the moving head. Removable and replaceable cleaning covers can be attached to the moving head. An area of the body portion is made to accept a reservoir for a material to be dispensed, such as, but not limited to, liquid soap. A pump assembly within the body portion provides means by which the material to be dispensed is pushed through a conduit leading to the brush assembly portion and distributed through the moving head onto an attached one of the cleaning covers.

In one embodiment, a cleaning device has a body portion and an extended brush assembly portion. Attached to the extended brush assembly portion can be removable and replaceable cleaning covers. The device can include a dispensing system with a reservoir and pump that allows for controlled amounts of material to be dispensed through a conduit onto an attached cleaning cover while bathing or taking a shower.

In one embodiment, a powered bath brush comprises of a body portion detachably connected to a lower end of an extended brush assembly portion. The body portion includes a hollow enclosure and can retain a dispensing system for a fluid, flowable or gel material to be dispensed, such as liquid soap. The body portion, being a first member, matably connects with the extended brush assembly, being a second member. A dispenser, being a third member, is accommodated by or connectable to the first member and/or the second member to form a personal cleaning assembly.

The body portion can be arranged to contain batteries and a motor disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body portion. A watertight or fluid resistant switch affixed to the portion can include a button detail(s) for power on and off. The body portion can also include a spur gear cluster operatively attached to the motor to provide a reduction of the motor speed and/or to achieve desired torque and operating speed. An output shaft from the gear cluster can operatively attach to the extended brush assembly. A set of shafts within the extended brush assembly transfers movement to a moving head, to which various cleaning covers can be removably attached.

Referring now toFIG. 1 shows a powered bath brush, or cleaning device D, used to wash the body while in the shower or bath, or other wet environment. The illustrated cleaning device includes abody portion1, which can be constructed from multiple parts including, for example, first and second halves. The halves can be glued, welded (e.g., thermally fused) or otherwise connected during manufacture to form a watertight or water resistant enclosure. Detachably connected to a top end of thebody portion1 can be a lower end of an extendedbrush assembly portion2. Thebody portion1 and thebrush assembly portion2 combine to form a housing for the device D.

A top end of theextended brush assembly2 can include ahead3, which is moveable with respect to theextended brush assembly2 and/or thebody portion1. In one embodiment, the head can be detachable from the extendedbrush assembly2, but need not be detachable. The cleaning device D can include adispensing system4, which can be at least in part removably attached to the bottom side of thebody portion1, for example. Thebody portion1 can be sized and shaped to be grasped by a hand or a user, thereby serving as a handle for the device D.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative powered bath brush, or cleaning device D′. The cleaning device D′ is substantially the same as the cleaning device D illustrated inFIG. 1, but without a dispensing system. Ornamental features of both devices D and D′ will be apparent from the attached drawing.

With additional reference toFIG. 3 shown is an exploded view of thebody portion1 for either cleaning device D or D′. Thebody portion1 can include a pair of body members1aand1bused to form a hollow enclosure. The body members1aand1bcan be injection molded from a suitable plastic, for example. Thebody portion1 can contain a DC motor5 positioned generally along a longitudinal axis6 of thebody portion1. Thebody portion1 also can contain batteries7 (e.g., one or more AA type batteries) to provide operating electrical power to the motor5. It will be appreciated that other sources of electrical power can be used, such as re-chargeable power batteries or cells, a transformer unit having a DC electrical connector to connect to the device D and a plug to connect to a conventional receptacle, or direct connection to an AC power source (e.g., conventional receptacle).

A battery compartment door8 can be placed over a battery receiving portion of the enclosure of thebody portion1. The door8 can be removed to replace the batteries7. In one embodiment, the door8 is molded from an elastomeric material, such as urethane, to create a watertight or liquid resistant seal with thebody portion1. The illustrated door8 can be attached by pressing the door8 into an opening of thebody portion1 until the door8 catches on detents of thebody portion1. A conductive metal contact plate9 can be received within an integrally moldedpocket10 of the door8 to establish an electrical connection from one battery7 to an adjacent battery7. In other embodiments, the door8 can be made of plastic and can include a washer or o-ring to minimize water penetration into thebody portion1. Hinged attachment of the door8 to thebody portion1 is contemplated.

Compression spring contacts

11 or other conductive contacts (e.g., bump contacts) can be affixed to acontact carrier12. Thecarrier12 can be retained by thebody portion1 to align thecontacts11 with terminals of the batteries7. For example, thecarrier12 can be secured by receiving rib details13. Thecontacts11 can be electrically coupled to a circuit board14 (e.g., printed circuit board) via wire leads15. A push button on/offswitch16 can be connected to or disposed on thecircuit board14 and controls application of electrical power derived from the batteries7 to the motor5 via wire motor leads17. Aswitch cover18 can be disposed over theswitch16. Thecover18 can create a watertight or fluid resistant seal with thebody portion1. In one embodiment, thecover18 can be molded from an elastomeric material, such as urethane, to provide such sealing properties and to be deformable so as to allow operation of theunderlying switch16 when pressed. Agroove detail19 of theswitch cover18 can be formed to assist in creating the seal with acorresponding opening edge20 of thebody portion1.

Aspur gear21 can be connected to a shaft of the motor5. An integrally formedpocket22 of thebody portion1 can accommodate the motor5. Thespur gear21 passes through anopening23 in a rear gearcluster mounting plate24. Apin25 is connected to aspur gear26. Thespur gear26 has an axis that is generally parallel to and located adjacent thespur gear21 such that the

gears

21,26 mesh. An opening27 (shown in phantom) in the rear gearcluster mounting plate24 receives thepin25 and is sized to allow thepin25 to spin freely. A forward gearcluster mounting plate28 includes anopening29 to receive the other end of thepin25 and allow thepin25 to spin freely.

Thespur gear26 can include an integrally formed or attached smallerspur gear detail30 located on a forward face that provides a rotational speed reduction of the motor5 when meshed in line with subsequent gearing. Apin31 is connected to afurther spur gear32. Thespur gear32 has an axis that is generally parallel to and located adjacent thespur gear detail30 such that these gears mesh. Anopening33 in the rear gearcluster mounting plate24 receives thepin31 and is sized to allow thepin31 to spin freely. The forward gearcluster mounting plate28 has anotheropening34 to receive the other end of thepin31. The opening is sized to allow thepin31 to spin freely.

Thespur gear32 includes an integrally formed or attached smallerspur gear detail35 located on a forward face to provide a further reduction in rotational speed with subsequent gearing. Apin36 is connected to aspur gear37. Thespur gear37 has an axis that is generally parallel to and located adjacent thespur gear detail35 such that these gears mesh. Anopening38 in the rear gearcluster mounting plate24 receives thepin36 and is sized to allow thepin36 to spin freely. The forward gearcluster mounting plate28 includes anotheropening39 to receive the other end of thepin36. The opening is also sized to allow thepin36 to spin freely.

Thespur gear37 includes an integrally formed or attached smallerspur gear detail40 located on a forward face providing a further reduction in rotational speed with subsequent gearing. Apin41 is connected to aspur gear42. Thespur gear42 has an axis that is generally parallel to and located adjacent thespur gear detail40 such that these gears mesh. An opening43 (shown in phantom) in the rear gearcluster mounting plate24 receives thepin41 and is sized to allow thepin41 to spin freely. The forward gearcluster mounting plate28 includes anopening44 to receive the other end of thepin41. The opening is sized to allow thepin41 to spin freely.

Rib details45 in theportion1 can be used to receive and retain edges of the rear gearcluster mounting plate24 and the forward gearcluster mounting plate28.

Anextended forward portion46 of thepin41 passes through and extends beyond a front face of the forward gearcluster mounting plate28. Therefore, pin41 can be considered an output drive shaft of the above-described gear assembly G. Adrive socket47 is connectable to theforward portion46 ofpin41. For example, thesocket47 can have a longitudinal axis and ahub48 protruding from the rear face. A bore49 (shown in phantom) runs through thehub48 and is sized to be press fit onto theextended portion46 of thepin41. Therefore, thedrive socket47 is secured to the output drive shaft of the gear assembly G. Thedrive socket47 can include apocket50 in a forward end that operatively attaches to a corresponding member of the brush assembly portion2 (FIG. 1). Thepocket50 can have, for example, a square or hex-shaped cross-section.

Thedispenser4, in one embodiment, can be arranged in similar fashion to a conventionalbottle pump assembly51. Thepump assembly51 can have a longitudinal portion that fits into an integrally molded pocket P of thebody portion1. A collar52 disposed at a rear face of thepump assembly51 can have internal threads53 (shown in phantom) that correspond to and receiveexternal threads54 located around a periphery of atop neck55 of abottle56. The threaded connection of thebottle56 to thepump assembly51 allows for removal of thebottle56 for repeated filling with a material to be dispensed. As used herein, a material to be dispensed can include, without limitation, liquid soap, a water and soap solution, bath oil, bath gel, shampoo, conditioner, mineral oil, skin cream or lotion, medicated preparations or the like, or combinations of materials.

Thebottle56, which has a generally elongated configuration, can be disposed adjacent thebody portion1, such as being positioned under thebody portion1 as best illustrated inFIG. 1. Alever57 operatively attaches to thepump assembly51 to provide manual means by which thepump51 is activated and material is siphoned from thebottle56 through a tube T and out of aforward opening58 of thepump assembly51. Theforward opening58 operatively (e.g., fluidically) attaches to a corresponding member of the extendedbrush assembly portion2.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment for the dispenser. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, adrive socket59 is provided. Thedrive socket59 can be configured to have generally the same features as drive socket47 (FIG. 3) and further include aneccentric lobe detail60. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, thedrive socket59 replaces thedrive socket47.

A pump assembly fits within acorresponding pocket61 of thebody portion1. The pump assembly has a longitudinal axis and consists of aforward exit piece62 that operatively attaches to a corresponding member of the extendedbrush assembly portion2. The backside of theforward exit piece62 includes a bore63 (shown in phantom) that receives acompression spring64, followed by aball stop65. A retainingcap66 is aligned with the bore and is affixed to alip67 protruding from the backside of theforward exit piece62. An inner bore68 (shown in phantom) passing through the retainingcap66 has a forward edge with a spherical profile that matches that of the ball stop65. The backside of the retainingcap66 has an outside diameter that is pressed into to a front end of a length ofresilient tubing69. For example, thetubing69 can be made from vinyl or a similar material that is capable of being deformed by external pressure asserted against a side wall of thetubing69 and is able to substantially return to its original shape. The front end of asecond retainer cap70 maintains an outside diameter that presses into the back end of the length oftubing69. Acompression spring71 having an outside diameter slightly larger than abore72 running through the retainingcap70 is received by a larger diameter pocket (not shown). Aball stop73 is located in back of thecompression spring71. Abottle attaching collar74 shares the longitudinal axis of the forgoing components and includes ahub75 protruding from a front face that presses into the larger diameter pocket within the back face of the retainingcap70. A bore76 running through thebottle attaching collar74 has a spherical front edge that corresponds to the ball stop73. Abottle56 is detachably connected to the backside of the bottle-attachingcollar74. If desired a tube can extend into thebottle56 from thecollar74.

Thelobe detail60 of thedrive socket59 can be disposed with respect to thetubing69 so that, upon rotation of the motor5, theeccentric lobe detail60 turns in and out of contact with the exterior sidewall of thetubing69. While thelobe60 is in contact with thetube69, the sidewall of thetubing69 can be inwardly deformed. Upon inward deformation of thetubing69, the inner volume of the tubing is at least partially purged of its contents by way of the forward ball stop65. During this action, the rear ball stop73 minimizes backward flow toward thebottle56. As thetubing69 returns to shape, the inner volume is filled by a resultant vacuum action and by way of the rear ball stop73. During this action, the forward ball stop65 minimizes forward flow toward theforward exit piece62. As will be appreciated, in this embodiment, pumping of material from thebottle56 is powered. If desired, pumping from thebottle56 can be made independent of motion of thehead3. For example, the pumping can be driven by a second motor, selectively engaged using a clutch, gearing or other linkage, and so forth.

Referring toFIG. 5 another example dispensing mechanism is shown. Alever77 is operatively attached to an open/close valve assembly78 having a longitudinal axis. The open/close valve assembly fits within apocket79 of thebody portion1. A front face of the open/close valve assembly78 operatively attaches to a corresponding member of the extended brush assembly portion2 (FIG. 1). A bore80 (shown in phantom) in the open/close valve assembly78 receives acentral pin81, which is suspended by ribs extending from the inside diameter of thebore80.

Acompression spring82 is contained and attached to a backside of a lowercorresponding pocket83 of thebody portion1. In an uncompressed state, the front end of thespring82 can be located forward of a back edge of abottom opening84 of thebody portion1. Apush tip85 presses into and attaches to the front end of thespring82. Acartridge86 having a longitudinal axis is hollow and receives aplunger87 from an open back end. Prior to insertion of theplunger87, thecartridge86 is filled with material to be dispensed (e.g., liquid soap) and theplunger87 is inserted just below the open back end so as to keep the material from spilling out of thecartridge86. Afront valve cap88 has aninner bore89 having a back spherical edge that matches the diameter of aball stop90. The ball stop90 is placed into the backside of thevalve cap88 and into theinner bore89. Acompression spring91 is placed over the ball stop90. Aspring stop92 fits within the inside diameter of thecartridge86, and rests on an integralinner lip detail93 located near the forward end of thecartridge86. Thefront valve cap88 has a larger diameter bore in a back face that is pressed onto a forward outsidediameter step94 of thecartridge86.

Afull cartridge86 can be inserted through thebottom opening84, back end first. As the front face of thepush tip85 comes into contact with the back face of theplunger87 and, when the cartridge is fully inserted, thecompression spring82 contained within thepocket83 becomes compressed. Resultant pressure created behind the volume defined by thecartridge86 is adequate to purge and empty thecartridge86 through thefront valve cap88 when the ball stop90 is opened by thecentral pin81. As will be appreciated, thecentral pin81 is operatively attached to the open/close valve assembly78 and controlled by thelever77.

FIG. 6 shows yet another example dispensing mechanism. The embodiment ofFIG. 6 creates back pressure to empty a cartridge in similar manner to that described for the embodiment ofFIG. 5. The operation of the open/close valve assembly78,pin81 andlever77 are substantially the same as that described with respect toFIG. 5 and will not be repeated.

Ahollow cartridge95 is provided. Aback cap96 has a front-side bore97 that accommodates anumbrella valve98. A retainingstem99 of theumbrella valve98 fits through an appropriate center bore100 in theback cap96.Openings101 located adjacent the center bore100 exit through the back face of theback cap96 and allow air to pass through theumbrella valve98 in a forward direction. Apump button102 aligns with the components and has aninner bore103. Thebore103 steps down to a smaller diameter bore104 (shown in phantom) that opens at a back face of thepump button102. The forward inside edge of thebore104 has a spherical profile having a mating diameter to aball stop105. Acompression spring106 fits over the ball stop105. Thepump button102, with the inner components, attaches over the rear outside diameter of theback cap96 with a generally airtight seal.

Afront valve cap107 has aninner bore108 with a rearward spherical edge that matches a diameter of aball stop109. The ball stop109 is placed from the backside of thefront valve cap107 into theinner bore108. Acompression spring110 is placed over the ball stop109, and aspring retainer washer111 is pressed over thespring110 and affixed within the back face bore of thefront valve cap107. An internally threadedcollar112 is positioned at the rear end of thefront valve cap107, and mates with an externally threaded portion at the front end of thecartridge95. Prior to attaching the front valve cap onto thecartridge95, aplunger113 is placed into the front open end of thecartridge95 and pushed to the bottom. The open front end of thecartridge95 is then filled with material to be dispensed and the front valve cap is attached.

Upon pressing down on thepump button102, air is passed through the one-way umbrella valve98, during which passage at the other end is blocked by the ball stop105. As thepump button102 returns to position, air previously introduced is maintained within thecartridge95 behind theplunger113 by theumbrella valve98, and the pump button fills with a further volume of air for later introduction past theumbrella valve98. Thus, pressure adequate to force theplunger113 upward and purge material out thefront valve cap107 is acquired after several strokes of the pump button. The user maintains pressure by repeatedly pressing thepump button102 on an as desired basis as the cartridge empties by action of thepin81 with respect to the ball stop109 as controlled by thelever77.

Although not illustrated inFIGS. 4-6, thebody portion1 can include the various components to result in selective movement of moveable head3 (described in greater detail below), such as the batteries, motor, gears, linkages, switch and the like. These components can be included in the presence of a dispensing assembly (such as present for the device D ofFIG. 1) or in the absence of a dispensing assembly (such as for the device D′ ofFIG. 2). The following description of the brushhead assembly portion2,head3 and various brushes is applicable to both device D and device D′.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 7, a brushhead assembly portion2 is detachably connected to thebody portion1. The brushhead assembly portion2 includes ahousing114 having back edge clip details115 protruding rearward from opposing side edges of thehousing114. Receiving catches116 for theclip115 can be integrally molded into thebody portion1 so as to hold thebrush assembly portion2 firmly in position. In an alternative arrangement, the housing can be integrally formed with thebody portion1, or attached using other means, such as adhesive or welding (e.g., thermal fusing).

A steppedshoulder117 matching a back inside profile of thebrush assembly portion2 can be formed on thebody portion1 at the forward edge to further hold thebrush assembly portion2 in place. The steppedshoulder117 can include agroove118 around the outside periphery thereof. A washer or o-ring119 can be placed into thegroove118 such that a watertight or fluid resistant seal is formed when thebrush assembly portion2 is attached to thebody portion1.

Thehousing114 can have an open bottom and abottom cover120 can be mated with an openbottom edge121 of thehousing114. Both thehousing114 and thebottom cover120 can be injection molded from a suitable plastic. The mating seam between these components can be glued or welded (e.g., thermally fused) during manufacture to provide a watertight or fluid resistant seal.

An innertop face122 of thebottom cover120 has integral shaft-mountingribs123 protruding upward, which include pockets124 sized to receive afirst shaft125 and asecond shaft126. The shafts can be made from, for example, steel. Shaft retaining tabs127 (shown in phantom) can protrude downward from an inside surface of a top portion of thehousing114. When assembled, thetabs127 can cooperate withribs123 to retain thefirst shaft125 and thesecond shaft126 in the pockets124. In this manner, the shafts are supported on circumferential edges, allowing them to spin freely. Thehousing114 andbottom cover120 can be formed to have a bent, e.g., “elbowed,” to assist in allowing a user to reach certain areas on the user's body, such as one's back. As a result, thebrush assembly portion2 can have a change in axis at, for example,point128.

Thefirst shaft125 is aligned with thesocket47 orsocket59. Adrive stud129 has ahub130. Abore131 in the forward face of thehub130 is sized to press over one end of thefirst shaft125. Arearward drive segment132 maintains a geometry to mate with theinner bore50 of the socket. Upon attaching the brushhead assembly portion2 to thebody portion1 and engaging the clip details115, a fit results between thedrive stud129 and drive socket that transfers rotation of drive socket toshaft125.

The other end of thefirst shaft125 is connected to a back end of auniversal joint133. The front end of theuniversal joint133 is connected to one end of thesecond shaft126. The universal joint accommodates for the bending of thebrush assembly portion2. The other end of thesecond shaft126 is connected to a hub134 of afirst miter gear135.

Athird shaft136 is arranged to be generally perpendicular to thesecond shaft126. An o-ring retaining pocket137 is formed in a top face of thebottom cover120. An o-ring138 fits into an inside diameter of the retainingpocket137. An o-ring retaining cap139 aligns with the retainingpocket137 and has a bore in the bottom face (not shown) that presses over to the outside diameter of the retainingpocket137. Asmaller bore140 exits through the top face of the retainingcap139 and is sized to allow the outside diameter of thethird shaft136 to spin freely within.

A lowerextended end141 on thethird shaft136 passes through the trapped o-ring138 and protrudes beyond a bottom face of thebottom cover120. An upperextended end142 on thethird shaft136 fits into a concentric boss143 (shown in phantom) formed on the top inside face of thehousing114. The receiving bore diameter of theboss143 is sized to allow thethird shaft136 to spin freely. Asecond miter gear144 aligns with (e.g., presses onto) thethird shaft136 and is positioned to mesh with thefirst miter gear135.

Adrive cam145 is positioned in line with theextended end141 of thethird shaft136. Abore146 through thedrive cam145 presses over and is secured to theextended end141. An offsetpost147 protrudes from the lower face of thedrive cam145 and is received by a self-lubricatingbearing148. Thepost147 is sized to spin freely within thebearing148, which can include atop flange149.

As will become more apparent below, a movinghead150 has a dimension to provide a suitable area of coverage while washing. Thehead150 has a laterally disposedcenter slot151 through the top face. Thecenter axis152 of thecenter slot151 aligns with the axis of thethird shaft136, and can be generally perpendicular to thethird shaft136. Theaxis152 of theslot151 also can be generally perpendicular to the axis of thesecond shaft126. Clip details153 are formed to protrude beyond a bottom face of thehousing114. The clip details153 can provide means of operatively attaching the movinghead150 by passage throughaccommodating slots154 on thehead150 that are disposed in generally perpendicular arrangement to theaxis152. When clip details153 are pushed through theslots154, a snap fit can retain thehead150 to thehousing114. Theslots154 are sized to allow thehead150 to slide freely with respect to the clip details153. Theflange149 of thebearing148 can rest on the top face of thehead150. The lower outsidediameter155 of thebearing148 fits within thecenter slot151 such that it is able to slide freely from side to side while pushing thehead150 forward and back.

As will be appreciated, the linkage of thehead150 to the motor5 allows the rotational movement of the motor5 to be translated to a reciprocating movement of thehead150. In the illustrated example, thehead150 moves with respect to the remainder of the device D or D′ and along a longitudinal axis of the device D or D′. It is contemplated that the head can be made to move in other directions and/or pivot with respect to the rest of the device D or D′. For example, thehead150 can be made to rotate about a fixed axis, rotate and move in reciprocating fashion, move in a random orbit, vibrate, oscillate, swing, pivot, and so forth.

Amember156, which can have resilient properties, can be removably attached to thehead150. Thering156 can be made from a somewhat elastomeric material, for example, a urethane or other suitable material. In one embodiment, themember156 is annular, but need not be round. Accordingly, themember156 will also be referred to herein as an attaching ring. Agroove157 can be formed into an inside wall of the attachingring156 and the edge of thehead150 can be placed within thegroove157 to selectively secure thering156 to thehead150. Slight stretching of thering156 will allow the groove to slip into or out of engagement with the edge of thehead150. Thering156 andcorresponding head150 can be oval as shown, or other suitable shape, such as circular, square, rectangular and so forth.

In one embodiment, awashing cloth158 is securely attached to thering156. Thecloth158 can be formed from, for example, a mesh material, “terry cloth”, or other woven or non-woven fabric. Thecloth158 can be suitably arranged to provide adequate comfort and coverage while washing with the device D or D′.

In embodiments having a dispenser, thebottom cover120 can include a tube mounting rib(s)159 (shown in phantom) protruding downward from a bottom face of thecover120. The mountingrib159 can include apocket160 to receive and retain a length oftubing161. Thetubing161 serves as a conduit through which material can be delivered to an area inside the ring156 (e.g., for application to the illustrated upper side of the cloth158). Thetubing161 can be made from vinyl or similar semi-rigid material. A tube fitting162 having aforward end163 can be inserted into and secured by one end of thetubing161. A mountingarm164 integral to the fitting162 can be received by and secured to acorresponding notch165 of thebottom cover120. Arearward end166 of the fitting162 fits into theforward opening58 of the pump assembly51 (or theforward exit piece62 or the open/close valve assembly78).

Therearward end166 has anouter groove167 that accommodates an o-ring168. The o-ring168 can create a fluid-tight seal between the fitting162 and any of the previously described dispensing assemblies. Abore169 passes through the fitting162 as an open conduit for a dispensed material. The other end of thetubing161 is fitted to pass through aslot170 in thehead150 and has a terminating end directed through the ring156 (e.g., toward an interior surface of the washing cloth158). In this manner material can be dispensed during use of the device D.

When electrical power is delivered to the motor5, the motor5 will rotate and that motion is transferred through the gear cluster assembly G that in turn connects to and rotates the drive socket. The drive socket transfers its motion towards thehead150 via the shafts and associated interconnected linkages and/or gears. As a result, thedrive cam145 rotates and the offsetpin147 can spin relative to thebearing148. Thebearing148 is driven from side to side within thecenter slot151 while the clip details153 allow a coordinated front to back motion of thehead150. As a result, rotational movement is transferred to a reciprocal of thehead150.

FIGS. 8A through 8D show a variety of example cleaning covers that can be attached to thehead150. In other embodiments, the cleaning implement portion of the cleaning cover can be secured directly to thehead150. Other cleaning implements in addition to those illustrated can include, for example, an exfoliating pad, a cleaning pad, an abrasive pad, a lava or pumice stone, rubber or plastic fingers, a towel, and so forth, as well as combinations of any of the implements described herein.FIG. 8A illustrates cleaning cover with thewashing cloth158, such as the washing cloth described above with respect toFIG. 7.

FIG. 8B shows asponge171 connected to thering156. Thesponge171 can have a larger profile than thering156. Similar to thewashing cloth158, a top surface of thesponge171 can be securely fastened to a bottom surface of the attachingring156.

FIG. 8C shows a bristlebrush172 that includes relatively soft bristles secured to a mounting member M. The mounting member M is, in turn, secured to the bottom surface of thering156. The mounting member M can be made of a material or have openings that allow dispensed material to flow from an upper surface of the mounting member M to the bristles on the lower surface of the mounting member M. For instance, the mounting member can be made from rubber, fabric, a nylon weave, etc. The bristles can extend continuously across the mounting member M (e.g., a uniform field of bristles across the area defined by the ring156) or non-continuously across the mounting member M (e.g., a ring-like pattern of bristles that follow the contour of ring156). In another embodiment, the bristles are attached to thering156 and no mounting member is present.

FIG. 8D shows a cleaning cover having asponge187 connected to aring156 in similar manner to the way in which thesponge171 is connected to thering156 in the embodiment ofFIG. 8B. Thesponge187 includes afinger188 projecting therefrom. The finger can be disposed in a direction to extend forward along the longitudinal axis of the device D or D′. In one embodiment, thefinger188 can be used to clean between one's toes.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative arrangement for thebrush assembly portion2. In this embodiment, acenter slot173 passes through ahead174 in a front to back direction. Clip details175 protruding downward from ahousing176 and are directed in a lateral direction (e.g., extend in generally perpendicular direction relative to the center slot173). The clip details175 are received by cooperatingslots177 in thehead174 that extend laterally (e.g., side to side) with respect to theslot173.

Similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 7, the clip details175 retain thehead174 to thehousing176. The clip details175 are arranged to slide freely within theslots177. As adrive cam178 rotates, an offsetpin179 spins within abearing180. A loweroutside diameter181 of the bearing180 passes through thecenter slot173 and slides freely from front to back while pushing thehead174 from side to side. Rotation of thedrive cam178 is transferred to thehead174 as a laterally directed reciprocating (e.g., side-to-side oscillating) movement of thehead174 that is in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device D or D′.

Referring now toFIG. 10, another embodiment of thebrush assembly portion2 is shown. Adrive shaft182 includes atop flange183 and is rotatably driven by rotational movement of the shafts as generally indicated by the illustrated arrows. A lower outside diameter184 (shown in phantom) of thedrive shaft182 aligns with and is pressed into aneccentric bore185 passing through ahead186. Alternatively, thebore185 can be in the center of thehead186. Upon rotation of thedrive shaft182, thehead186 will rotate in an extended circular motion on an offset axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device D or D′. Such movement can be translated to a cleaning head B that is connected to thehead186.

The material delivery components of the brush assembly portion described with respected toFIG. 7 can be used in conjunction with the alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring toFIG. 11, shown is another embodiment of the extendedbrush assembly portion2. Ahousing189 can include back edge clip details190 protruding rearward to assist in attaching thehousing189 to thebody portion1. Abottom cover191 mates with and fits within a bottomopen edge192 of thehousing189 and can be adhered or welded (e.g., thermally fused) therewith to create a watertight or fluid resistant seal.

Adrive stud193 is coupled to the drive socket47 (FIG. 3) or socket59 (FIG. 4). Thedrive stud193 is connected to a back end of afirst shaft194. Aspur gear195 is connected to a front end of theshaft194.Shaft support ribs196 can protrude from a top face of thebottom cover191. Theribs196 can include apocket197 to receive theshaft194 and allow theshaft194 to spin freely. Shaft retaining tabs198 (shown in phantom) extend downward from an inside upper face of thehousing189. When thebottom cover191 is secured to thehousing189, a bottom edge of the retainingtabs198 cooperate with theribs196 to retain theshaft194 in place.

Adrive cam199 is positioned such that a longitudinal axis of thecam199 is transverse to a longitudinal axis of thefirst shaft194. Thedrive cam199 includes acrown gear200 facing thegear195. The opposing side of thedrive cam199 includes an offsetpin201. Asecond shaft202 serves as an axle for thedrive cam199.Shaft support ribs203 protrude upward from the upper face of thebottom cover191.Pockets204 of thesupport ribs203 receive thesecond shaft202 and allow theshaft202 andcam199 to spin freely. Retaining tabs205 (shown in phantom) protrude downward from the inside upper surface of thehousing189 and cooperate withribs203 to retain thesecond shaft202. Thesupport ribs203 are positioned such that thecrown gear200 meshes with thespur gear195, and a ninety-degree shift in drive rotation achieved.

Adrive rod206 has a connectingarm207 at one end that defines a connectingend208. The connectingend208 includes abore209 received on the offsetpin201 of thedrive cam199. Thepin201 spins freely in thebore209. Ascrew210 can be inserted into a receiving hole (not shown) of thepin201 and is used to retain the connectingend208 in place with respect to the offsetpin201. The other end of thedrive rod206 has asmaller diameter segment211. Thesegment211 is secured to one end of a length of semi-rigid (e.g., bendable, pliable and/or resilient)tubing212. The length oftubing212 can be made from vinyl or a suitable material that allows for slight compliance to flex away transverse to the longitudinal axis of thedrive rod206. The other end of thetubing212 is connected to athird shaft213.Shaft support ribs214 protrude upward from the top face of thebottom cover191.Pockets215 of thesupport ribs214 accommodate thethird shaft213 and allow it to spin freely. Retaining tabs216 (shown in phantom) protrude downward from the upper inside face of thehousing189. When thebottom cover191 is secured to thehousing189, the bottom edge of the retainingtabs216 cooperate withribs214 to retain theshaft213 in place.

A concentricelastomeric sealing ring217 has agroove218 around an outside surface. The sealingring217 also includes abore219 through which thethird shaft213 is passed. The diameter of thebore219 can be slightly smaller than an outside diameter of thethird shaft213 to form a watertight or fluid resistant seal. Atop rib detail220 of thehousing189 and a correspondinglower rib detail221 of thebottom cover191 can be received in thegroove218 to form a watertight or fluid resistant seal.

An attachingtip222 can be secured to an end of thethird shaft213 that extends out of thering217. Thetip222 can have afront face bore223. Thebore223 can have aninner groove224. An implement attachingbase225 can be detachably connected to the attachingtip222. For example, clips226 protruding from a back face of the attachingbase225 can snap into thegroove224.Slots227 located on sides of the attachingbase225 assist in allowing the attachingbase225 to flex when squeezed such that detents of theclips226 can clear thegroove224, resulting in removability of the attachingbase225 from thetip222.

Apost228 is formed on the forward end of the attachingbase225. A finger-like implement229, such as a sponge, bristle brush, cleaning pad, abrasive pad, lava or pumice stone or the like, can be connected to thepost228. For example, the implement229 can have a bore230 (shown in phantom) to receive thepost228.

Rotational motion is transferred from the motor5 (FIG. 3) to thedrive stud193 in the manner described above. Thespur gear195 meshes with thecrown gear200 of thedrive cam199 to rotate thedrive cam199. Since thedrive rod206 is operatively connected to the offsetpin201 of thedrive cam199, rotating movement of thedrive cam199 transfers to a longitudinally oscillating movement of thedrive rod206.

Thetubing212 allows the axis of thedrive rod206 to change angles with respect to the third shaft as thedrive rod206 moves under the influence of the offsetpin201. Thethird shaft213 transfers the front to back oscillating movement of thedrive rod206 forward to the attachingtip222, which reciprocates back and forth. This motion results in reciprocating motion of thedetachable base225 and implement229. In other embodiments, the implement229 can be made to rotate around a longitudinal axis of the implement229 in addition to or instead of the reciprocating motion. In one embodiment, the movement of the implement229 can be considered a washing or cleaning motion and the implement can be used to clean between the toes of the user. The implement also could be used to clean or scrub one's ankles and/or beneath one's feet. In one embodiment, the device D can be elongated to avoid or minimize bending of the user during these washing actions.

Turning now toFIGS. 12 through 14E, shown is another embodiment of a powered bath brush, or cleaning device E.A body portion250 is formed to be comfortably held by a user. An extendedbrush assembly portion252 is pivotally connected to thebody portion250 at anangle adjustment point254. The

portions

250 and252 can generally have easily rinsable and/or cleanable surfaces, such as smooth body members. Thebrush assembly portion252 can include amaterial dispensing system256. In one configuration, thematerial dispensing system256 includes a pressurized reservoir and valve for dispensing controlled amounts of material to be dispensed, such as, but not limited to, liquid soap. The material to be dispensed can be dispensed through amoveable head258 onto a cleaning attachment260 (FIG. 15A). Thecleaning attachment260 can include a cleaning implement and thecleaning attachment260 is sometimes referred to herein as a cleaning cover, cleaning head or cleaning implement assembly. Ornamental features of the device E will be apparent from the attached drawing.

With additional reference toFIGS. 15A and 16, thebody portion250 includes a pair of

members

250aand250b. The

members

250aand250bcan be fastened together to form a water resistant enclosure. For example, the

members

250aand250bcan be glued together, welded (e.g., thermally fused) together, molded together, placed on opposing sides of a gasket and held together by threaded fasteners, or otherwise connected to form the enclosure. In some embodiments, the joint between the

members

250aand250bcan be watertight or form a hermetic seal.

The

body members

250aand250bcan be injection molded from a suitable plastic and include an integrally moldedtop recess262 andbottom recess264 on corresponding handle portions. The

recesses

262 and264 respectively receive atop cover266 andbottom cover268. The covers can be molded or otherwise made from a flexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. The

covers

266 and268 can be directly molded onto the

members

250aand250b, mechanically attached to the

members

250aand250bor secured to the

members

250aand250b(e.g., with an adhesive). The

covers

266 and268 can provide grip to the device E when used in a wet environment as well as a water resistant cover over user interface components (e.g., switches) that are housed in the enclosure, but exposed by an aperture(s) in themembers250aand/or250b.

Theportion252 includes anupper member252aand alower member252bthat form a hollow enclosure. The members can be made from the same material used for the

members

250aand250band connected together in the same manner as the

members

250aand250b.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 15A, 15B and16, thelower member252bincludes pivot support pins270 and angle lock supports272 that have upper and/orlower locking notches274. The angle locking supports272 and pivot support pins270 are integrally molded tomember252bor can be made from separately attached pieces. For example, the angle locking supports272 and pivot support pins270 can be made from a deformation and/or breakage resistant material, such as nylon, polypropylene or the like. A lockinglever276, which can be made from nylon, polypropylene or the like, is disposed over the angle locking supports272 and pivot support pins270. The lockinglever276 has lockingribs278 that correspond with the upper andlower locking notches274 to engage and mesh therewith. The pivot support pins270 are rotatably received inslots280 of the lockinglever276 and extend through the slots. Portions of the pivot support pins270 that extend through the slots are trapped between cooperating rib details284 of

body portion members

250aand250b.

Acompression spring282 has one end disposed against an underside of the lockinglever276 and the other end disposed against an inside wall of thebody member250bor other reinforcement member (not shown). Thespring282 biases thelocking level276 upward so that the lockingribs278 engage with the upper andlower locking notches274.Guide tabs286 protrude from the sides of the lockinglever276 above and below theslots280. Theguide tabs286 are received by and slide freely within correspondingribs288 of the

body portion members

250aand250b.

Aflexible boot294 encloses lockinglever276. An end of theboot294 can be received by anupper surface recess290 inbody portion member250aand alower surface recess292 inbody portion member250b. Similarly, the other end of theboot294 can be received by anupper surface recess296 of themember252aand alower surface recess298 ofmember252b. Theboot294 can be molded or otherwise made from a flexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. Theboot294 preferably forms a water resistant seal with themembers250a/250band252a/252band can be directly molded onto themembers250a/250band252a/252b, mechanically attached to themembers250a/250band252a/252bor secured to themembers250a/250band252a/252b(e.g., with an adhesive).

Abutton detail300 on the top side of the lockinglever276 can be disposed under theboot294. The user can apply downward pressure to thebutton detail300 and lockinglevel276 by pressing an appropriate location on theboot294. For example, a raised surface and/orgraphic detail302 on the outer surface of theboot294 can serve as an indicator as to the location of thebutton detail300. Sufficient pressure on thebutton detail300 forces thelocking level276 downward to compress thespring282 and disengage the upper andlower locking notches274 from the lockingribs278. When thenotches274 andribs278 are disengaged, theportion252 can be rotated with respect to the lockinglever276 andportion250. Following rotation of theportion252 with respect to the lockinglever276 andportion250 to change the angle between the two

portions

250 and252, pressure on thebutton300 can be released. Thespring282 will bias the lockinglever276 so that thenotches274 andribs278 engage to minimize rotation of theportion252 with respect to the lockinglever276 andportion250. Spacing of thenotches274 andribs278 enable incremental adjustment of the angle betweenbody portion250 andportion252. Over-rotation of theportion252 can be minimized by a stop wall formed by the

members

250aand250bthat engages an upper rear portion of lockingsupport272 whenportion252 is in an uppermost position or a lower rear portion of lockingsupport272 whenportion252 is in a lowermost position.

Amotor304 and one ormore batteries308 is disposed in the enclosure formed by

members

250aand250b.Contacts310 forward of thebatteries308 are connected to acarrier piece312 that is trapped by correspondingribs314 of

members

250aand250b. One or more of thecontacts310 can be spring contacts. Wire leads connected to thecontacts310 electrically and selectively couple themotor304 to thebatteries308 via aswitch316, such as the illustrated pushbutton switch or another switch type such as a toggle or rocker switch. It will be appreciated that other sources of electrical power can be used, such as re-chargeable power batteries or cells, a transformer unit having a DC electrical connector to connect to the device E and a plug to connect to a conventional receptacle, or direct connection to an AC power source (e.g., conventional receptacle).

A raised surface region and/orgraphic detail318 on the moldedtop cover266 can serve to indicate the operating location of theswitch316. In the illustrated embodiment, to complete a circuit connection between thebatteries308 andmotor304 so as to commence rotation of themotor304, the user can push downward on thetop cover266 at the location of theswitch316 with sufficient pressure to actuate the switch and then release theswitch316. Similarly, to deactivate themotor304, the user can push downward on thetop cover266 at the location of theswitch316 with sufficient pressure to actuate the switch and then release theswitch316.

Abattery compartment cap320 is detachably connected to thebody portion250. For example, theback end322 of thebody portion250 can have an opening that can be covered by thecap320. For instance,apertures324 located in the top and bottom of thecap320 receivecorresponding catch tabs326 protruding from the back edge of

members

250aand250band allow thecap320 to be pushed into position over thebody portion250. A contact stamping328 secured toinner support ribs330 of thebattery cap320 can complete a series connection betweenbatteries308. An o-ring334 can be received in agroove332 of

members

250aand250bto form a water resistant seal between an innerfront lip336 of thebattery cap320 and theportion250.

Thecap320 can have acover338 to form a water resistant seal for the openings. Thecover338 can be molded or otherwise made from a flexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. Thecover338 can be directly molded onto thecap320, mechanically attached to thecap320 or secured to the cap320 (e.g., with an adhesive). To remove thecap320, the user can push thecatch tabs326 inward by applying pressure on corresponding locations of thecover338 to disengage thetabs326 from theapertures324 and then thecap320 can be pulled from thebody portion250.

A hangercord mounting hole342 can pass through thebattery cap320 andouter cover338. A hanging cord (not shown) can be inserted through thehole342 and tied to create a loop, thus providing a hanger to hang the device E from a hook or shower head. In one arrangement, the cord can be a rope made from natural or synthetic fibers, including, for example, cotton, nylon or the like. In alternative embodiments, thehole342 can be elongated to allow the device E to be hung directly on a hook or a hook member can be provided as part of the device E.

With continued reference toFIGS. 12-17 and as best illustrated inFIGS. 15A and 16, the forward end of themotor304 is connected to aback gear support344. A drive pinion346 can be attached to amotor shaft348 and the rotation of themotor304 can be reduced through a subsequent set of spur gears350. Afront gear support352 can be attached to the back gear support, such as by screws, to form a gear subassembly that is positioned and trapped between

members

250aand250b. Thefront gear support352 includes aprotrusion354 to accept a self-lubricatingbushing356 for a gearingoutput shaft358. Theoutput shaft358 is operatively attached to auniversal joint360 located between the pivot support pins270.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 15A and 17, an end of afirst shaft362 is connected to theuniversal joint360. Thefirst shaft362 passes through a set of self-lubricatingbushings364 that are retained bysupport ribs366 ofmember252b. The other end of thefirst shaft362 is connected to a seconduniversal joint368 to accommodate a change in a longitudinal axis of theportion252. An end of asecond shaft372 is connected to the seconduniversal joint368. Thesecond shaft372 passes through a second set of self-lubricatingbushings374 that are retained bysupport ribs376 ofmember252b.

Abevel gear378 is connected to the other end of thesecond shaft372. A retainingring380 snaps over agroove382 in thesecond shaft372 to maintain a longitudinal position of thebevel gear378 against thebushing374. Asecond bevel gear384 is connected to a top end of athird shaft386 and meshes with thefirst bevel gear378 on a generally perpendicular axis to the axis of thesecond shaft372. A pitch diameter of thesecond bevel gear384 can be greater than a pitch diameter of the first bevel gear378 (e.g., twice as big) to provide a further reduction of theoutput shaft358 rotation. Aradial bearing390 is pressed onto thethird shaft386 and is disposed under thesecond bevel gear384. The bearing390 can be received in aboss detail391 of an inner bottom face ofmember252b. Theboss detail390 can be sized to provide a secured press fit with the outside diameter of theradial bearing390.

Thethird shaft386 extends through aseal392 that includes a formedwiper edge393. In the absence of theshaft386, theseal392 has an inner bore diameter less than the outside diameter of thethird shaft386. Theshaft386 flexes theseal392 slightly outward to create a water resistant seal while minimizing rotational resistance to the drive system. Theseal386 can be made from a semi-rigid material, such as plastic or other suitable material. Specific material examples include polypropylene, polyethylene and TEFLON.

A distal end of thethird shaft386 extends into ahead394 that, in the illustrated embodiment, rotates under the influence of rotational force transferred from themotor304 to thehead394 by the various shaft, gears and linkages described above. As will be appreciated, the linkage of thehead394 to themotor304 allows the rotational movement of themotor304 to be translated to a rotating movement of thehead394. It is contemplated that the head can be made to move in other directions and/or pivot with respect to the rest of the device E. For example, thehead394 can be made to rotate about a fixed axis, rotate on an eccentric axis, move in a reciprocating fashion, rotate and move in reciprocating fashion, move in a random orbit, vibrate, oscillate, swing, pivot, and so forth, or perform a combination of motions.

Continuing with the illustrated embodiment, thehead394 has acentral boss detail396 having an inside bore diameter sized to securely retain thethird shaft386 in press fit arrangement. The distal end of thethird shaft386 and the configuration of theboss detail396 can be round or shaped (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.) to reduce the possibility of theshaft386 slipping with respect to thehead394. In other embodiments, thehead394 can be made to be detachable and re-attachable from thethird shaft386 for cleaning and/or to allow direct attachment between a cleaning implement assembly and theshaft386 or other intervening component.

Similar to the device D, the device E can dispense a material onto a cleaning implement assembly. As indicated, the material to be dispensed can include, without limitation, liquid soap, a water and soap solution, bath oil, bath gel, shampoo, conditioner, mineral oil, skin cream or lotion, medicated preparations or the like, or combinations of materials. In one embodiment, the material is pressurized, such as by action of themotor304.

An example pressurization and dispensing system will now be described with continued reference toFIGS. 12-17. With particular reference toFIGS. 15A, 16 and17, thefront gear support352 can include a mountingflange396 to which anair pump housing398 is connected using, for example, a threaded fastener inserted into a screw boss of thepump housing398. Agasket400 can be placed between the mountingflange396 and theair pump housing398. A first umbrella valve404 is operatively attached within theair pump housing398 in line with anintake cavity406. Asecond umbrella valve408 is operatively attached within theair pump housing398 in line with anoutput cavity410.

Apump housing cover412 is pressed over a forward outsideprofile414 of theair pump housing398 and can create a relatively airtight seal with thehousing398. Thepump housing cover412 can include anopening416 in which aflexible bellow418 is received. Thebellow418 can include agroove detail420 that receives the edges of theopening416 such to form a relatively airtight seal. Thebellow418 can be made from a flexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material.

Thebellow418 can have astem422 that fits through and is secured to anopening424 in the top part of a cam follower426. The cam follower426 is disposed with respect to an eccentric cam428 (e.g., encompasses the cam428) that is connected to theoutput shaft358. Upon partial rotation (e.g., half rotation) of theoutput shaft358, an up-stroke of thecam428 urges the cam follower426 to collapse thebellow418 and displace an operating volume of air within thepump housing398 into theoutput cavity410 through thesecond umbrella valve408. Upon additional rotation (e.g., a complete revolution) of theoutput shaft358, a down stroke of thecam428 results in extension of thebellow418. Such extension of thebellow418 draws air in from theintake cavity406 through the first umbrella valve404 to replenish the operating volume of theair pump housing398.

Anair tube430 is fluidically connected to theoutput cavity410. For example, an end of theair tube430 can be pressed over a receivingboss432 of thefront gear support352 where theboss432 has aninner bore434 coupled to theoutput cavity410. Theair tube430 runs forward into theportion252 and is connected to a fitting436 of a material reservoir R that defines a storage volume for the material to be dispensed. Theair tube430 can be made from vinyl or any other suitable material. The fitting436 has aboss438 onto which an end of theair tube430 is pressed. The fitting436 has anotherboss440 having a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle from the longitudinal axis of theboss438. Theboss440 is press fit into a fitting receivingboss442 protruding from abottom member444athat cooperates with atop member444bto define the reservoir R. An insidebore446 of theboss438 is fluidically connected to aninside bore448 of thesecond boss440 and thebore448 is fluidically connected to a bore of theboss442 to establish a pathway for air to flow from thetube430 to the reservoir R. Athird umbrella valve450 is operatively attached to the materialreservoir bottom member444aand within theboss442.

Themembers444aand/or444bare preferably made from a clear or colored, but translucent, plastic material so that a user can visually assess the amount of material in the reservoir. The

members

444aand444bcan be fastened together to form a water resistant enclosure. For example, the

members

444aand444bcan be glued together, welded (e.g., thermally fused) together, molded together, placed on opposing sides of a gasket and held together by threaded fasteners, or otherwise connected to form the reservoir R. In some embodiments, the joint between the

members

444aand444bcan be watertight or form a hermetic seal.

Afill cap452 is detachably connected totop member444b. Thefill cap452 can have astem section454 with agroove456 in which an o-ring458 is seated. A receivingcollar460 integral with thetop member444breceives thestem section454 and, with o-ring458, forms a water resistant seal with thefill cap452. Acover462 can be positioned over for thecap452 to provide enhanced gripability to thecap452. Thecover462 can be can be made from a flexible, deformable and/or elastomeric material, such as polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. Thecover462 can be directly molded onto thecap452, mechanically attached to thecap452 or secured to the cap452 (e.g., with an adhesive).

Themember252acan include a receivingcollar464 into which the receivingboss442 is press fit. Themember444aand/or portions of themember444bcan be glued, welded, molded or mechanically fastened tomember252a. In one or more of these manners, the

members

444aand444bforming the reservoir R can be secured to the remainder of the device E.

Themember444aincludes adispensing opening466 that passes through acollar468 formed as part of themember444a. Thecollar468 has an outer groove470 in which an o-ring472 is seated. Avalve housing474 is located between the

members

252aand252band interacts with the dispensingopening466. For example, thevalve housing474 can have a collar with a groove476 in which an o-ring478 is seated and the valve housing collar is sandwiched betweencollar468 and a collar480 of themember252a. With o-

rings

472 and478, the valve housing collar, thecollar468 and the collar480 form a water resistant seal. Thevalve housing474 has a lower collar with agroove482 in which an o-ring484 is seated. Acollar486 ofmember252bwith the lower collar and o-ring484 form a water resistant seal over thehead394.

A fluidic pathway from the reservoir R to thehead394 exists through thevalve housing474. For example, the collars of the valve housing define anupper bore490 and alower bore496 that are coupled at a constriction (e.g., defining opening494) that is selectively open or closed by a valve. In one configuration, bore490 terminates at aboss492 of thevalve housing474. Theopening494 disposed relative to theboss492 leads through to thelower bore496. Astop498 aligns with and is affixed to asealing carrier500. Thestop498 can be made of rubber or other suitable material. Thestop498 has aback stem section502 that is received by ahole504 in thecarrier500. Awiper edge506 of thecarrier500 has an outside diameter larger than the inside diameter of theboss492 and creates a low resistance, water resistant seal. Thestop498 andcarrier500 assembly are attached to arelease arm508 using, for example, a screw.

Therelease arm508 has slots510 (FIG. 15A) that fit over and slide freely in a longitudinal direction overcorresponding tabs512 of thevalve housing474. Acompression spring514 connected to ahub516 protrudes from therelease arm508. Therelease arm508 andconnected stop498 are biased forward by thecompression spring514 to close theopening494. Thehub516 has ahole518 that receives amember520. In the illustrated arrangement, the member is flexible, but can transmit enough force to actuate the release arm against thespring514 along the longitudinal axis of themember520. Also in the illustrated arrangement, thehole518 is a through hole and themember520 extends through thehole518. The member can be include or be attached toterminal522, such as a crimped-on fitting. When aftward force is applied to themember520, the terminal522 acts againsthub516 to compressspring514, moverelease arm508 and displace thestop498 from covering theopening494. In this manner, material to be dispensed from the reservoir R can flow toward thehead394 through thevalve housing474. Themember520 can be, for example, a cord, cable, wire, shaft or the like.

Themember520 is fed throughguide slots524 in the two rear bushing supports366 and376. Themember520 continues into thebody portion250 and through the gearing assembly. Acatch terminal526 is connected to themember520. Thecatch terminal526 slides withinguide ribs528 of arelease lever530. Thecatch terminal526 hasteeth532 on an underside thereof. Acatch tab534 is connected to therelease lever530 and has apost536 with amating tooth edge538 adapted to fit between adjacent pairs ofteeth532. The arrangement of thecatch tab534 andrelease lever530 provides a leaf spring type action to bias themating tooth edge538 away from theteeth532.

Therelease lever530 includes pins540 (FIG. 15A) that rotate within corresponding receivingpockets542 ofmember250a. As the operating angle of theportion252 changes with respect to thebody portion250, thecatch terminal526 slides from front to back as themember520 tightens or relaxes from the change of angle, but theteeth532 are configured to remain in position over thepost536 andmating tooth edge538.

The user can dispense material from the reservoir R by pressing inward on thecover268 in the area of abutton detail539 of thecatch tab534 to move thecatch tab534, and specifically themating tooth edge538, into engagement with theteeth532. Under this action, the release lever pivots backward, which, in turn, movesmember520 aftward with respect to the device E. As indicated, such movement of themember520 results in clearing theopening494 and dispensing of material from the reservoir R that has been pressurized by the pumping of air into the reservoir R. As a result, pressurized material from the reservoir R can be dispensed on demand through amaterial dispensing opening540 ofmember252b.

Thehead394 has anopen channel542 in a top face of thehead394. Thechannel542 is dimensioned such that a collar defining thematerial dispensing opening540 fits openly within the channel profile (e.g., the collar does not touch thechannel542 as thehead394 moves).Slots544 can be formed in the outside lower portions of the channel wall to serve as openings for dispensed material to pass. As therotating head394 spins, material dispensed on to the inside surface of thechannel542 is expelled through theslots544 onto a cleaning implement assembly placed with respect to thehead394.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the material can be dispensed from reservoir R without pressurization. For example, the material can be gravity feed from the reservoir to the head and/or cleaning implement assembly. In this embodiment, the flow of the material can be controlled by a valve, such as the above-described valve and valve position control components. In another embodiment, pressurization and/or forcing of the material can be accomplished without influence of the motor. For example, a user operated pump or other suitable assembly, such as an assembly governed by the general operating principles of the material delivery assemblies described with respect to the device D and shown inFIGS. 3, 5 and6, can be used to assist in the dispensing of material onto the head and/or cleaning implement assemblies.

With additional reference toFIGS. 18A through 22, various example cleaning covers or cleaning implement assemblies for use with the device E are illustrated. It will be appreciated that the cleaning implement assemblies that can be used with the device E are not limited to the examples illustrated and described herein. The cleaning implements and/or cleaning implement assemblies can include modified versions of any of the similar assemblies for use in conjunction with the device D or D′. As will be appreciated, the cleaning covers are removable and replaceable with respect to thehead394.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 18A-19, a cleaning implementassembly546 includes amesh cleaning cover554 that is made from, for example, nylon and is sometimes referred to as a “poof.” An attaching member (or ring)548 is secured to themesh cleaning cover554. For instance, the cleaningcover554 and the attachingmember548 can be fused together, secured with adhesive, molded together or mechanically fastened. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 19, the cleaningcover554 is attached to the attachingmember548 with a length of twine, string, cable or cord.

Each of the cleaning implement assemblies described herein, including themesh assembly546, can be removably attached to thehead394. For example, the attachingmember548 can engage thehead394 and move (e.g., rotate and/or reciprocate) therewith to provide a washing motion to the cleaning implement assembly. In the illustrated embodiments, the attachingmember548 has abead550 that can be slipped over a peripheral ridge549 (FIGS. 15A and 17) of thehead394. Thebead550 seats into aperipheral groove551 located adjacent theridge549. Themember548 can have resilient properties and can be made from a somewhat elastomeric material. Example materials include, for example, polyurethane, PET, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene or other suitable material. Slight stretching and/or other manipulation of the member548 (e.g., pushing, sliding and/or deflecting of the bead550) will allow themember548 to go in or out of engagement with thehead394, such as by slipping thebead550 past thegroove551. In other embodiments, themember548 can be somewhat rigid and can be removably secured to thehead394 with a snap fit. Themember548 in the illustrated embodiments is illustrated as being round, but it will be appreciated that any cooperating shape of themember548 and thehead394 can be used.

Themember548 can include or can be secured to awall552 that serves as a mounting surface for a cleaning implement (e.g., a brush, sponge, exfoliating pad, or in the case of the example inFIGS. 18A-18B, a mesh cleaning cover). A plane of thewall552 can be generally transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to anannular portion553 of themember548 and thewall552 can be spaced apart from thebead550, which is inwardly directed from theannular portion553. As indicated, although theportion553 is referred to as an annular portion, theportion553 and corresponding and cooperating item (e.g., thehead394 and/or the wall552) need not be round or ring-shaped. Thewall552 can includeslots556 that allow material dispensed through thehead394 to pass through thewall552 and onto the cleaning implement secured thereto (e.g., themesh cover554, bristles of a brush, etc.).

As indicated, a variety of cleaning implementassemblies546 can be used with the device E. In one embodiment, and as illustrated inFIGS. 18A to22, eachassembly546 can include the member548 (inclusive of thewall552, theannular portion553 and the bead550) that engages thehead394. In other embodiments, alternative attaching mechanisms can be used for different types of cleaning implement assemblies.

In the example ofFIG. 20A, the cleaning implementassembly546 includes a brush secured to themember548. For example, bristles560 (which can be arranged in groups to form the illustrated tufts) can be secured to abrush base558 that is, in turn, secured to themember548. In one embodiment, the brush base is made from fairly rigid plastic and the bristles are made from nylon or other relatively soft bristle material. Thebrush base558 can include slots (not shown) that allow dispensed material to pass through thebrush base558 to the bristles.

In the example ofFIG. 20B, the cleaning implementassembly546 includes an exfoliatingpad562 secured to themember548.

In the example ofFIGS. 21A and 21B, the cleaning implementassembly546 includes abrush assembly563 adapted to, among other uses, clean the feet and between the toes of a person. In the example, bristles566 arranged in bristle tufts are secured to abrush base ring564 that is, in turn, secured to an external perimeter of theannular portion553 of themember548. In one embodiment, thebristles566 radially project from the rest of theassembly546. In the illustrated embodiment, thebristles566 are arranged in an upper row of tufts and a lower row of tufts. The upper row of tufts have a slightly downward inclination and the lower row of tufts have a slightly upward inclination so that adjacent tufts from one of the rows are interleaved with tufts from the other of the rows.Slots556′ can be present in the annular portion and thebrush base ring564 to allow dispensed material to travel to thebristles566 from inside thehead394 and/orassembly546.

A member can be arranged over the underside of thewall552. In the illustrated embodiment, the member is apumice stone572 secured to themember548 and/or thebrush base ring564. Asurface574 of thepumice stone572 can be domed shaped to promote multi-angled contact with an area to be cleaned. In other embodiments, the member arranged over the underside of thewall552 can be a sponge, exfoliating pad, a cap (e.g., a piece of plastic) or other item.

The example ofFIG. 22 shows a variation of the foot and toe cleaning assembly ofFIGS. 21A and 21B that has been combined with the brush assembly ofFIG. 20A. In the illustrated example, thebristles566 and thering564 are secured to a perimeter of themember548 and thebristles560 andbase558 are secured to the underside of themember548. Thering564 and the base558 can be combined as an integrated unit.

As indicated, it is contemplated that the head can be made to have motions in addition to or instead of a rotating or reciprocating motion. For instance, the head can pivot with respect to the rest of the device.

With additional reference toFIG. 23, shown is a head assembly that can rotate and pivot with respect to the remainder of the device E. In this embodiment, the lower end of thethird shaft386 passes through theseal392. Thethird shaft386 then connects to a ball drive588 that, in cooperation with aretainer602, retains ahead580 to the device E that can rotate under the influence of theshaft386 and pivot with respect to theshaft386.

Thehead580 includes acenter opening582 through awall584 disposed, in the illustrated embodiment, in perpendicular arrangement to a longitudinal axis of thehead580. Atop collar586 of the ball drive588 fits through the opening and includes ahole592 to receive the end of theshaft386 in press fit arrangement. Thecollar586 has an outside diameter that is smaller than an outer width of afaceted end590 of the ball drive588. In the illustrated embodiment, thefaceted end590 of the ball drive588 includes plural (e.g., six)facet divisions594. Thedivisions594 of the illustrated embodiment are arranged so that a cross section of the ball drive588 taken through the a longitudinal axis of thefaceted end590 would have a generally hexagon shape, yet the junctions of adjacent facets form convex arcs in a direction extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the ball drive588. It will be appreciated that thefaceted end590 can be divided into a different number of facets and can have different shapes to implement the functions described herein. For instance, the facet surfaces between junctions ofadjacent facet divisions594 can be slightly concave.

The underside of thewall584 has a rib596 (partially shown in phantom) that protrudes in a generally downward direction and that forms a hexagonal shapedpocket598 to loosely receive anupper portion600 of thefaceted end590. Theretainer602 has arib604 that protrudes in a generally upward direction and that forms a hexagonal shapedpocket606 to loosely receive alower portion608 of thefaceted end590.

A series ofposts610 withclip details612 protrude in a generally upward direction from theretainer602. Correspondingnotches614 formed in thewall584 of thehead580 receive the clip details612 so that theretainer602 can be connected to thehead580 with an interference fit. The ball drive588 is trapped between theretainer602 andhead580 in the

pockets

598 and606.

When theshaft396 rotates, theshaft396 rotates the connected ball drive588. In turn, the rotation of the ball drive588 is transferred to thehead580 by thefacet divisions594 acting upon theribs598 and/or604. The curved properties of thefacet divisions594 of the ball drive588 allows the encompassinghead580 andretainer602 to rotate while simultaneously pivoting with respect to the longitudinal axis of theshaft386. For example, thehead580 can rotate in plural planes that are transverse to the longitudinal axis of theshaft386. It follows that thehead580 can rotate in plural planes with respect to the rest of the device E, or a housing that effectively retains thehead580. As will be appreciated, the plane in which thehead580 rotates will change and self adjust as a cleaning implementassembly546 connected to thehead580 is brought into contact with an area of a person to be cleaned. Thus, cleaning coverage of a cleaning implement can be increased due to a multi-angled operational capability of thehead580, rather than a static co-axial connection betweenhead580 andshaft386. The cleaning implementassembly546 can connect to and interact with thehead580 in any of the manners described above.

Although particular embodiments have been described in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope, but includes all changes, modifications and equivalents coming within the spirit and terms of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising:

a head driven by a motor;

a housing that retains the motor and the head, wherein the head is moved with respect to the housing by operation of the motor; and

a cleaning implement for cleaning the person, the cleaning implement secured to a resilient member and the resilient member removably secured to the head.

2. The cleaning device according toclaim 1, wherein the resilient member is stretched or manipulated over the head to be secured thereto.

3. The cleaning device according toclaim 2, wherein a peripheral edge of the head is received into a corresponding groove of the resilient member.

4. The cleaning device according toclaim 2, wherein a bead of the resilient member is received in a corresponding groove of the head.

5. The cleaning device according toclaim 1, wherein the cleaning implement is a washing cloth.

6. The cleaning device according toclaim 1, wherein the cleaning implement is one of a sponge, a brush, an exfoliating pad, an abrasive member, a mesh cover or combinations thereof.

7. The cleaning device according toclaim 1, further comprising a dispenser for dispensing a material onto the cleaning implement.

8. The cleaning device according toclaim 7, wherein the material is dispensed through the head.

9. The cleaning device according toclaim 7, wherein the material is stored in a reservoir that is pressurized by operation of the motor and a valve selectively controls dispensing of the material under the influence of the pressure.

10. The cleaning device according toclaim 7, wherein the material is pressurized and selectively dispensed.

11. The cleaning device according toclaim 7, wherein the material is dispensed through an aperture of the resilient member.

12. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising:

a cleaning implement for cleaning between toes of the person;

a motor operatively coupled to the cleaning implement to move the cleaning implement in a washing motion; and

a housing for retaining the motor and the cleaning implement, the washing motion moving the cleaning element with respect to the housing.

13. The cleaning device according toclaim 12, wherein the washing motion is at least a reciprocating movement with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cleaning device.

14. The cleaning device according toclaim 12, wherein the washing motion includes a rotating movement of the implement around a longitudinal axis of the implement.

15. The cleaning device according toclaim 12, wherein the housing is configured to be grasped by a hand of a user, the housing being elongated to space the cleaning element from the hand of the user.

16. The cleaning device according toclaim 12, wherein the cleaning implement is an elongated member.

17. The cleaning device according toclaim 16, wherein the cleaning implement is a sponge.

18. The cleaning device according toclaim 12, wherein the cleaning implement is a brush.

19. The cleaning device according toclaim 18, wherein bristles of the brush extend outward from a bristle support member that at least partially inscribes a longitudinal axis of the cleaning implement and the washing motion rotates the brush about the longitudinal axis.

20. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising:

a head having an attached cleaning implement, the head and implement driven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly;

a first housing portion enclosing the motor;

a second housing portion retaining the head; and

a pivotal linkage connecting the first and second housing portions.

21. The cleaning device according toclaim 20, wherein the pivotal linkage positively locks into plural positions such that an angle between a longitudinal axis of the first housing portion and a longitudinal axis of the second housing portion can be changed from one of the positions to another of the positions and selectively secured in the another of the positions.

22. The cleaning device according toclaim 21, wherein the drive assembly delivers rotational force generated by the motor to the head in each position.

23. The cleaning device according toclaim 21, wherein a valve control member to open a valve of a material dispensing assembly extends from the first housing portion to the second housing portion and is operable in each position.

24. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising:

a pressurized reservoir for storing a dispensable material and a valve for selectively controlling the dispensing of the material onto the cleaning element.

25. The cleaning device according toclaim 24, wherein the material is dispensed through the head.

26. The cleaning device according toclaim 24, wherein the pressure is developed by operation of the motor.

27. The cleaning device according toclaim 26, wherein a pump assembly is operably driven by the motor and forces air into the reservoir.

28. A cleaning device for cleaning a person, comprising:

a head having an attached cleaning implement, the head and cleaning implement driven by a motor connected to the head by a drive assembly; and

a housing that retains the motor and the head, wherein the head is connected to the drive assembly to rotate by operation of the motor and pivot with respect to the housing.

29. The cleaning device according toclaim 28, wherein the head rotates in plural planes with respect to the housing.

30. The cleaning device according toclaim 28, wherein an angle of the head with respect to the hosing self adjusts when the cleaning implement is brought into contact with the person.

31. The cleaning device according toclaim 28, wherein the drive assembly includes a shaft connected to a ball drive, the ball drive in pivotal engagement with the head.

32. The cleaning device according toclaim 28, wherein the cleaning implement is secured to a resilient member that is removably secured to the head.