GB2343843A - Mountable back washing mat - Google Patents

Abstract

A back washing mat has a base which can be affixed to a wall or other suitable surface, e.g., the head of a bath tub so that a washing, scrubbing, exfoliating or gentle rubbing action can be achieved against the mat's padded surface, which is moulded to the shape of the human back, without using the hands and giving access to an inaccessible part of the human body for both able bodied and disabled people. The washing surface 3) can be made of coarse or soft material depending upon the intended use. After use the washing surface can be removed from the waterproof backing mat and either cleaned or disposed of accordingly. In its preferred form the device is mounted on, for example a shower wall by means of suckers.

Description

MOUNTABLE BACK WASHING MAT This invention relates to a mountable back washing mat.

The problems relating to the washing and scrubbing of the human back are well known. Without assistance the back is difficult to access for even the able bodied, for the elderly and disabled the exercise is much more difficult.

The back is normally washed in a bath tub or under a shower.

Traditional loofahs and backbrushes are mostly inefficient at accessing the crevices and recesses of the back. Their use necessitates a twisting action of the torso and the ability to use one or both hands.

The present invention relates to a mountable back washing mat of the type which can be affixed to a wall in a bath or shower room, or mounted on another suitable surface by means of suction pads. The mat can be positioned at a convenient height to suit the user. The washing mat takes the form of a rectangle consisting of a base made of rubber or plastic material with suction pads on the underside and covered with an external surface made of fabric material, padded with sponge material which has been fabricated in a concave shape in order to espouse the form of the human back.

Optionally, the washing surface material may be cotton coir or rougher horse hair or another suitable material.

A preferred execution of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which approximate dimensions for the washing mat are given.

FIGURE 1 shows a rear view of the mat base with six suction pads in order to affix the mat to the wall.

FIGURE 2 provides a side view of the mat base showing how the covering material is affixed.

FIGURE 3 shows a front view of the washing surface.

FIGURE 4 shows a plan view indicating the concave form of the washing surface and padding material.

FIGURE 5 illustrates the rear isometric view of the base of the mat detailing the six suction caps.

FIGURE 6 details the front isometric view of the whole back washing mat a suitable fabric and padded with sponge material.

FIGURE 7 illustrates one practical application for the invention : The movement of the back itself across the formed washing mat permits a scrubbing action which allows the individual to wash inaccessible regions of the back and lumbar areas unaided, massaging the back, whilst exfoliating and cleansing the skin.

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS 1. A mountable back washing mat comprising a waterproof base and a padded surface moulded to the shape of the human back, the surface material being variable in texture to achieve a coarser or more gentle rubbing action whenever the back is moved across its surface, allowing scrubbing or gentle friction without manual assistance.
2. 2. A mountable back washing mat as claimed in Claim 1 which can be used for washing the back by rubbing the human back across the washing surface material and moving the torso up and down and from side to side in either the standing or the sitting position.
3. 3. A mountable back washing mat as claimed in Claims 1 & 2 wherein the mat can be used for the relief of itchiness or skin irritation by the movement of the back across a suitable material surface such as coir or horsehair or other material.
4. 4. A mountable back washing mat as claimed in Claims 1,2 & 3, wherein the mat can be used for the unassisted application of cosmetic ointments or creams or medical preparations to the back without the use of the hands. The washing surface is impregnated with the cosmetic ointment, cream or medical preparation before use and could be applied by disabled or able bodied users.
5. 5. A mountable back washing mat as claimed in Claims 1,2,3 & 4, whose surface material could be detached from the waterproof base to be cleaned by an able bodied person.
6. 6. A mountable back washing mat, as claimed in Claims 1,2,3,4 & 5 which could be used for exfoliation (cosmetic or medical) when fitted with a suitable abrasive material to the washing surface.
7. 7. A mountable back washing mat as claimed in Claims 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 which could have a removable/disposable washing surface pad in the case of the unassisted application of medical preparations in for form of ointments, creams and lotions, leaving the base to be re-covered with the next application in the form of an impregnated sponge material shaped and moulded to the form of the human back, such as could be used by the medical profession, the disabled or the elderly.
8. 8. A mountable back washing mat as claimed in Claims 1-7 which which could be affixed to a suitable surface on either a vertical surface (wall) or to a concave surface (bath tub or back of a chair) for flexibility of use in either a standing, or semi-recumbent posture.