Field of the Invention

[0001 ] This invention relates generally to foot scouring devices which preferably can be used in the shower to address cracked heels.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0002] According to one aspect, there is provided a foot scouring device comprising a base supporting a scouring pad.

[0003] The base comprises a standing section defining an upper standing surface and the base supports the scouring pad in front of the standing surface.

[0004] As such, in use, the standing surface can be stood on with one foot to hold the device in place while an opposing foot is rubbed against the scouring pad. The device can be held in place with body weight only, thereby negating the need to secure the device by other manners, such as using friction pads, suckers or the like.

[0005] The device may further comprise an enclosure for the scouring pad. The enclosure may define a side opening for slidable receipt of the scouring pad therein and a front opening to expose a scouring surface of the scouring pad therethrough.

[0006] Scouring pads having scouring surfaces of differing grades may be interchanged in this way. In embodiments, the scouring pad may be impreg nated with soap.

[0007] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the device could be unhooked from a lanyard or hook attaching to the attachment tab and the base pivoted away from the enclosure to an open configuration. Alternatively, according to the embodiments shown in Figure 5, the enclosure can be attached to the base.

[0008] The base is preferably relatively wide to provide a relatively wide standing surface. In this regard, edges of the base may be coextensive with edges of the enclosure to support the device laterally.

[0009] Furthermore, the base preferably reaches relatively far behind the enclosure to provide adequate leverage against force is applied to the enclosure. For example, the base may extend behind the enclosure a distance approximately the same as the height of the enclosure, if not more.

[0010] Furthermore, the base may be bifurcated in comprising bifurcated portions defining a gap therebetween. Each bifurcated portion may reach relatively far behind the enclosure to provide adequate leverage and stably supporting the device laterally from either side.

[001 1 ] Furthermore, the base may widen from the towards the enclosure to strengthen the base against bending forces.

[0012] The base preferably does not extent forward of the opening so as to not interfere with the movement of the foot across the scouring surface and, furthermore, the base preferably holds the enclosure relatively high so that the entire scouring surface can be utilised without the foot striking the floor.

[0013] According to another aspect, there is provided a foot scouring device comprising a base having a planar undersurface thereby being suitable for stably placing on a floor surface and having an upper scouring surface against which a heel of one’s foot can be scoured by rubbing the foot across the scouring surface.

[0014] Whereas it is preferable to use the scouring device whilst wet, the base may be configured to wedge against a wall beneath a showerhead or alternatively wedged into a corner where a shower hose is available.

[0015] The base has ergonomic curvature to allow one to rub one’s heel across the scouring surface in a hands-free manner to prevent or address cracked heels and the like.

[0016] The scouring surface may have curvature. The curvature may transition vertically to horizontally across the scouring device.

[0017] The base may comprise a vertical rear surface orthogonal with the planar undersurface so that the base can be wedged against a wall.

[0018] The scouring surface may have curvature in one dimension and tending parallel to the vertical rear surface at an upper side thereof and tending parallel to the planar undersurface at a lower side thereof. [0019] The base may comprise orthogonal vertical surfaces so that the base can be wedged into a corner.

[0020] The scouring device may further comprise a further vertical surface intersecting between the orthogonal vertical surfaces. The further vertical surface may be at approximately 45° with respect to either orthogonal vertical surface. The scouring surface may be concave.

[0021 ] A symmetrical axis of the scouring surface may lies between the orthogonal vertical surfaces, such as approximately 45° between the orthogonal vertical surfaces.

[0022] The base may be configured to frictionally engage the floor surface and may comprise rubber or suction pads for engaging the floor surface. The scouring device may further comprise a rubber pad interfacing the undersurface.

[0023] The scouring device may further comprise a suction cup and a lanyard connecting the suction cup to the base.

[0024] The scouring surface may be formed by a scouring pad. The scouring pad may be releasably attachable to the base for replacement. The scouring device may further comprise hook and loop fasteners interfacing the scouring pad and the base.

[0025] The base may comprise recycled rubber or plastic.

[0026] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] Figure 1 shows a rear perspective view of a foot scouring device in accordance with a first embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the device of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the device of Figure 1 ;

[0031 ] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a backing board of the device of Figure 1 ; [0032] Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the device of Figure 1 wherein the device can be disassembled;

[0033] Figure 6 shows a side view of the device of Figure 1 wherein the device can be pivotally compacted.

[0034] Figure 7 shows a side cross-sectional view of a foot scouring device in accordance with a second embodiment;

[0035] Figure 8 shows a rear perspective view of a foot scouring device of Figure 7;

[0036] Figure 9 shows a rear perspective view of the foot scouring device in accordance with a third embodiment; and

[0037] Figure 10 shows a top plan view of the foot scouring device of the third embodiment wedged into a corner.

Description of Embodiments

[0038] Figure 1 shows a foot scouring device 100 in accordance with a first embodiment. The device 100 may be made of plastic.

[0039] The device 100 comprising a base 101 supporting a scouring pad 103.

[0040] As is shown in Figure 3, the base 101 comprises a standing section 130 defining an upper standing surface 131. The standing section 130 may be relatively thin and flat so that the upper standing surface 131 is relatively close to the ground. In embodiments, the standing section 130 is less then 5 mm thick.

[0041 ] Furthermore, the base 101 supports the scouring pad 103 to in front of the standing surface 131 and preferably at an angle with respect to the standing surface 131 so that, in use, the standing surface can be stood on with one foot to hold the device in place while an opposing foot is rubbed up and down (or side to side) against the scouring pad.

[0042] For orientational referencing, front and the like will be described as being to the right given the orientation of the illustration capita three and rear and the like will be described as being towards the left.

[0043] The base 101 may have a coplanar undersurface 1 12 for placement of the device 100 and a level surface, such as a shower floor or the like. [0044] The base 101 may support an enclosure 102 for the scouring pad 103. In the embodiment shown, the scouring pad 103 comprises a sponge backing 104 and a textured scouring surface 105.

[0045] As is shown in Figure 2, the enclosure 102 may define a side opening 106 for slidable receipt of the scouring pad 103 therein. In this way, scouring pads 103 having scouring surfaces 105 of differing grades may be interchanged.

[0046] The enclosure 102 may defines a front opening 107 to expose the scouring surface 105 of the scouring pad 103 therethrough. With reference to Figure 2, the enclosure 102 may define opposing edges 108 orthogonal to the side opening 106 which secure the scouring pad 103 within the enclosure 102.

[0047] With reference to Figure 1 , the enclosure 102 may define a rear opening 109. The rear opening 109 may allow water to escape rearwardly from the scouring pad 103 when the scouring pad 103 is compressed.

[0048] The device 100 may further comprise a backing board 1 10 as is shown in Figure 4. The backing board 1 10 goes across the rear opening 109 and supports the scouring pad 103 from behind.

[0049] The backing board 1 10 is preferably removable and side opening 106 may be configured for slidable receipt of the backing board 1 10 into the enclosure 102. As is illustrated in Figure 2, the backing board 1 10 and the scouring pad 103 preferably slide together into the enclosure 102. In a preferred embodiment, the scouring pad 103 is adhered to the backing board 1 10.

[0050] With reference to a front-to-rear access view of the device 100 shown in Figure 2, the base 101 preferably holds the enclosure 102 so that the scouring surface 105 forms an acute angle 1 1 1 with respect to the undersurface 1 12. Preferably, the base 101 hold the scouring surface 105 at quite a steep angle at between 45° and 90° with respect to the undersurface 1 12.

[0051 ] As is further shown in Figure 2, the base 101 extends rearwardly from the enclosure 102/scouring pad 103 to provide adequate leverage support when stood upon with one foot in opposition to forces applied against the scouring surface 105 with an opposing foot. [0052] Preferably, the base 101 extends quite far behind the scouring surface 105 to provide adequate leverage. With reference to Figure 3, the base 101 may extend rearwardly from the scouring surface 105 a distance approximately the same as the height of the enclosure 102 or scouring pad 103, or preferably more. However, for the pivoting configuration shown in Figure 6 as will be discussed in further detail below, the base 101 preferably does not extend to far beyond an upper edge of the enclosure 102 when folded into a compact configuration.

[0053] Preferably, the base 101 does not extend beyond the front opening 105 to avoid interfering with the foot.

[0054] Furthermore, as is further shown in Figure 3, the base 101 preferably elevates the enclosure 102 or scouring pad 103 from the undersurface 1 12 so that the full scouring surface can be utilised without the foot hitting the ground. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the base 101 elevates the enclosure 102 or scouring pad 103 so that a lower edge 1 13 thereof is spaced away from the undersurface 1 12 more than a quarter of the height of the enclosure 102.

[0055] With reference to Figure 1 , the base 101 may be bifurcated to define a gap 1 14 between bifurcated portions 1 15 thereof. The bifurcated portions 1 15 may naturally support the device 100 from either side.

[0056] Furthermore, the surface area of the standing surface 131 is preferably maximised. In this regard, side edges 1 16 of the base 1 15 may be coplanar/coextensive with side edges 1 17 of the enclosure 102.

[0057] With further reference to Figure 3, the base may have a widened section 132 which strengthens the base 101 against bending forces which are maximised at this location. In the front-to-rear cross-section shown in Figure 3 the widened section 132 may have an angled outer edge and a curved inner edge.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the enclosure 102 is separable from the base 101. In the embodiment shown, the enclosure 102 and the base 101 defines an interface 1 18 therebetween which may have corresponding planar surfaces 1 19 which lie flush against each other, and which have interlocking tabs 120 which slot into corresponding slots. Preferably, the interlocking tabs 120 can be manually deflected so that the enclosure 102 can be separated at will.

[0059] Figure 6 shows an embodiment wherein the enclosure 102 is pivotally coupled to the base 101 at a pivot point 121. According to this arrangement, the device 100 may be folded up into a more compact configuration wherein the base 101 lies substantially along a rear surface 122 of the enclosure 102. The device 100 may comprise a rotational interlock between the pivoting base 101 in the enclosure so that the base 101 can be locked in an open configuration. The rotational interlock may comprise a pin or pins which goes through collocating through holes of each part.

[0060] The enclosure 102 preferably has drainage holes therethrough to allow water to escape when the scouring pad 103 is compressed.

[0061 ] With reference to Figure 1 , the enclosure 102 may have side drainage holes 123 through a side wall 124 of the enclosure 102 opposite the side opening 106.

[0062] As is further shown in Figure 1 , the enclosure 102 may define bottom drainage holes 125 through a bottom wall 126 of the enclosure 102.

[0063] As shown in Figure 4, the backing board 1 10 may further comprise backing board drainage apertures 127. The drainage apertures 127 may be arranged in a grid to substantially coincide with the rear window 109.

[0064] An upper wall 128 of the enclosure 102 may define an attachment tab 129 to hang the device 100.

[0065] As alluded to above, the scouring pad 103 is preferably permanently adhered to the backing board 110.

[0066] However, in embodiments, the scouring pad 103 is removably attached to the backing board. In accordance with this embodiment the backing board 1 10 may comprise surface features which engage a rear surface of the scouring pad 103 to restrain movement of the scouring pad 103 within the enclosure 102. Such surface features may comprise miniature pin protrusions, including with arrowheads to hook into the sponge backing 104 of the scouring pad 103.

[0067] In embodiments, the scouring pad 103 may be impregnated with soap which gradually dispenses during use. In alternative embodiments, a strip of soap may be applied to an inner surface of the enclosure 102 which gradually dissolves and seep through the scouring pad 103.

[0068] Using the device 100 to scour one’s foot would comprise placing the base 101 on a floor surface, such as a shower floor or the like.

[0069] With reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the device 100 can be unhooked from a lanyard or hook attaching to the attachment tab 129 and the base

101 pivoted away from the enclosure 102 to an open configuration.

[0070] According to the embodiments shown in Figure 5, the enclosure 102 can be attached to the base 101 using the interface 118.

[0071 ] If required, as scouring pad 103 with backing board 110 therebehind can be inserted through the side opening 106 so that the scouring surface 105 thereof is exposed by the front window 107. A scouring pad 103 having a scouring surface 105 of a particular grade may be chosen for insertion into the enclosure 102.

[0072] The standing surface 103 can then be stood upon with one foot to secure the device 100 whereas the opposing foot can be rubbed against the scouring surface 105, preferably up-and-down, but also side to side. The feet may then be interchanged.

[0073] Typically, the heel is rubbed across the scouring surface 105 to address cracked heels.

[0074] The relatively large standing surface area 131 defined by the base 101 allows the device 100 to be held firmly to the ground with one’s body weight.

[0075] Furthermore, the extent to which the base 101 extends behind the enclosure

102 provide suitable leverage support to prevent the device 100 from tipping over. Furthermore, the relatively wide base 101 surmises the surface area of the standing surface 131 , thereby laterally supporting the device 100 from either side.

[0076] As alluded to above, the base 101 preferably does not extent forward of the opening 107 so as to not interfere with the movement of the foot across the scouring surface 105 and, furthermore, the base 101 preferably holds the enclosure 102 relatively high so that the entire scouring surface 105 can be utilised without the foot striking the floor. [0077] Figure 7 shows a foot scouring device 200 according to a second embodiment comprising a base 201 having a planar undersurface 202 thereby being suitable for stably placing on a floor surface, such as a shower floor 206. The base 201 supports an upper scouring surface 203 against which the heel of one’s foot can be scoured by pressing the foot across the scouring device 200.

[0078] As is shown in Figure 8, the scouring surface 203 may have curvature which transitions vertically to horizontally across the scouring device 200. As such, the heel may be moved across the scouring surface 203 in the direction 204 indicated to scour the heel.

[0079] According to the second embodiment shown in Figure 8, the base 201 may comprise a vertical rear surface 205 orthogonal with the planar undersurface 202 so that the base 201 can be wedged against a wall 207 in the manner shown in Figure 2.

[0080] In accordance with this embodiment, the scouring surface 203 has curvature in one dimension tending parallel to the vertical rear surface 205 at an upper side thereof and tending parallel to the planar undersurface 202 at a lower side thereof.

[0081 ] In accordance with this embodiment, the base 201 may comprise planar parallel sides 206.

[0082] According to a third embodiment shown in Figure 9, the base 201 comprises orthogonal vertical surfaces 208 so that the base 201 can be wedged into a corner 21 1 in the manner shown in Figure 10. The corner 21 1 is defined by the floor surface 206 and orthogonal wall surfaces 207 against which the undersurface 202 and the orthogonal vertical surfaces 208 wedge respectively.

[0083] The base 201 may further comprise a further vertical surface 209 intersecting the orthogonal vertical surfaces 208, such as at approximately 45° thereto.

[0084] In accordance with this third embodiment, the scouring surface 203 may have curvature in two dimensions. In other words, the scouring surface 203 may be concave. As is shown in Figure 10, a symmetrical axis 210 of the scouring surface 203 may lie between the orthogonal vertical surfaces 208 (such as at approximately 45° thereto) so that the heel can run down the scouring device 200 away from the corner 21 1 .

[0085] The base 201 may be adapted to frictionally engage the floor surface 206 to prevent moving of the base 201 , when rubbing the heel of the foot thereacross. In the embodiment shown in figure 2, the base 201 comprises suction pads 212.

[0086] In embodiments, the scouring device 200 may comprise a wall suction pad 213 attached to the base 201 via a lanyard 200 for to aid those who cannot bend down to reach the scouring device 200.

[0087] In alternative embodiments, the base 201 comprises a friction enhancing material, such as rubber. In further embodiments, the base comprises a rubber under pad (not shown) to enhance the frictional engagement of the scouring device and the floor surface 206. In embodiments, the base 201 can be made of recycled rubber and/or plastic.

[0088] In embodiments, the scouring surface 203 is formed by a scouring pad 215. The scouring pad 215 may comprise a differing material as that of the base 201 . The scouring pad 205 may be adhered to the base 201 using adhesive.

[0089] In embodiments, the scouring pad 205 is releasably attachable to the base 201 for replacement. As shown in Figure 7, releasable fasteners 216 may releasably attach the scouring pad 250 to the base 201 . In embodiments, the fasteners 216 may comprise hook and loop fasteners.

[0090] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.