Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Fabric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2001-08-14
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Fabric
C015S150000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272716
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hygienic devices and, in particular, to a hand-held device for gripping a piece of toilet paper which allows a physically challenged person to clean their anal region with comfort and convenience.
2. Description of Related Art
Throughout history, the sanitary removal of fecal matter from the anal region has been of prime importance. Despite the progress in all fields of our standard of living and particularly the improvements in the field of hygiene, few changes have occurred in the method of cleaning the anus. The traditional method of using toilet paper requires the individual to hold the toilet paper in their hand while attempting to clean the anal region. This creates a potential health risk by exposing the person's hands to fecal matter. Also, some individuals, such the obese or physically challenged, may lack a sufficient range of motion in their arms or shoulders to reach behind themselves to their anal region.
In order to overcome some of the above problems, hand-held bidets were developed to spray a stream of water at the anal region, thereby flushing away any fecal matter (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,274, Kaneko et al., and, Des. 279,924, Osgood). However, since these devices spray a stream of water, they can be messy or difficult to use, especially for a person that is physically challenged in some fashion.
In order to overcome the above mentioned problems, there is a need for a hand-held device which will grip a piece of toilet paper and will extend the reach of the user's arm, thereby allowing the person to easily and conveniently clean their anal region thereby minimizing the chance of exposing themselves to the potential health risks of contacting fecal matter.
Although inventions of similar appearance exist, none are functionally or structurally designed to accomplish the presently described purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,274 discloses an endoscopic vascular clamping system and method. This is device is for temporally occluding a blood vessel and not for hygienic purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,340 discloses a self-contained hand-held bidet. However, this device does not allow the user to grip a piece of toilet paper.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,447 discloses an apparatus for douching the anus that is attached to a water source by a plastic hose. Again, the device does not hold a piece of toilet paper.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,818,388 discloses a device for cleaning the anal region comprising a spray head that is attached to a water source.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing limitations of hygienic devices described in the related art, the present invention provides an improved hand-held toilet paper gripping device that will grip a piece of toilet paper and will extend the reach of the users arm. Accordingly, a user can easily and conveniently clean their anal region, thereby minimizing the chance of exposing themselves to the potential health risks of contacting fecal matter.
The hand-held toilet paper gripping device includes a curved tubular body portion having a first body end and a second body end, a toilet tissue gripping apparatus, a handle, and a jaw actuating mechanism. The curved tubular body portion is made from a rigid, yet resilient, material so that the curved tubular body portion will not flex except if an amount of pressure is exerted which is potentially harmful to the user. The curved tubular body portion is used to extend the reach of a user.
The toilet tissue gripping apparatus is affixed to the second body end enabling the hand-held toilet paper gripping device to grip toilet tissue at the second body end. The handle is affixed to the first body end for handling the hand-held toilet paper gripping device. The jaw actuating mechanism is attached to the handle, the curved tubular body portion, and the toilet tissue gripping apparatus in a manner to selectively actuate the toilet tissue gripping apparatus between an opened position and a closed position for gripping toilet tissue.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a hand-held toilet paper gripping device that will allow the user to clean the anal region in a sanitary manner.
It is another object of the invention to provide a hand-held toilet paper gripping device that extends the reach of a person's arm, thereby allowing a physically challenged person to more easily and conveniently reach the anal region.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a hand-held toilet paper gripping device that will securely grip a piece of toilet tissue.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held toilet paper gripping device that may be disinfected by conventional methods, such as thermal or chemical disinfecting.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 279924 (1985-07-01), Osgood
patent: 756100 (1904-03-01), Crumb
patent: 1818388 (1931-08-01), Farley
patent: 2320967 (1943-06-01), Dunkelberger
patent: 2579536 (1951-12-01), Barr
patent: 3019447 (1962-02-01), Sluz
patent: 4260186 (1981-04-01), Sky-Eagle, Jr.
patent: 4570274 (1986-02-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 4890340 (1990-01-01), Lovitt
patent: 4987634 (1991-01-01), Weihrauch
patent: 5569274 (1996-10-01), Rapacki et al.
patent: 5630243 (1997-05-01), Federico
Chin Randall E.
Litman Richard C.
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