Toilet – Toilet kit
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-15
2003-03-18
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Toilet kit
C132S075000, C132S073500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06532969
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pedicure unit, but more specifically to a compact, portable self-pedicure unit.
A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment of the foot, such as nail trimming, polishing, etc., typically performed on the foot of a second person by a trained pedicurist. A self-pedicure is a pedicure that one person performs on himself or herself. Pedicures are typically performed on a second person, however, because it is typically extremely awkward for a single person to position and maintain the foot in a comfortable position while performing a self-pedicure treatment. However, having a pedicure performed by a trained pedicurist is typically expensive. Therefore, not everyone who desires a pedicure may be able to afford to receive a pedicure from a trained pedicurist. Conversely, performing a self-pedicure is typically not expensive.
Numerous pedicure devices may be observed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,457 (the '457 patent) issued on Feb. 21, 1978 to Williams is representative of a typical present day two-person pedicure unit.
FIG. 1
of the '457 patent discloses a large bench treatment unit
10
of a height that enables a seated person
14
to receive a pedicure from a pedicurist or another person. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the treatment unit
10
includes a flat center tray
33
, baths
30
, and storage compartments
26
. The baths
30
are located to the right and left of the center tray
10
and the storage compartments
26
are located at the right and left ends of the bench treatment unit
10
. To receive a pedicure treatment, the seated person may soak the foot
13
in one of the baths
30
and then place the foot on the center tray
10
. The bench treatment unit
10
is designed to allow a second person such as a pedicurist to sit across from and perform a pedicure on the seated person
14
. The bench treatment unit
10
is not designed to allow the seated person
14
to perform a self-pedicure.
With regard to self-pedicure units, several systems may be found in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,268 (the '268 patent) issued on Oct. 31, 1981 to Kitrell discloses a self-pedicure unit
10
.
FIGS. 1 and 2
of the '268 patent illustrates a self-pedicure unit
10
including supports
12
,
14
and a foot plate
16
. A support extends from the foot plate
16
downward to the floor. A second support
14
extends from the first support
12
to a toilet bowl
90
. In operation the supports
12
,
14
support the foot plate
16
such that the person using the self-pedicure unit
10
may sit on the toilet lid
94
, place their foot on the foot plate
16
, and perform a self-pedicure. Although the '268 patent teaches a self-pedicure unit, it suffers from several drawbacks. For example, the self-pedicure unit of the '268 patent allows a foot to slip off of the positioning surface, the operator does not have ready accessibility to all needed pedicure supplies, and the foot surface may be awkward for some users.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,682 (the '682 patent) also illustrates a self-pedicure unit S. The self-pedicure unit S of the '682 patent includes a foot support
10
that incorporates a vibrating means
30
, blower
42
, and a lamp
56
. The vibrating means, blower, and lamp aide in the performing of a pedicure or a self-pedicure. Although the '682 patent teaches a self-pedicure unit, it suffers from several drawbacks. For example, the self-pedicure unit of the '682 patent does not provide the operator with ready accessibility to all needed pedicure supplies and the foot surface may be awkward for some users.
Thus a need has long been felt for a self-pedicure unit including the desirable factors of (1) ready accessibility to all needed pedicure supplies, (2) comfortable positioning of the foot, (3) prevention of slipping of the foot during treatment, and (4) ease of performing a self-pedicure treatment. Such a self-pedicure unit is very desirable by persons who desire a pedicure but can not afford a pedicure by a pedicurist.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a self-pedicure unit including an adjustable foot support and internal storage compartments. The adjustable foot support of the self-pedicure unit provides a surface that supports the foot during a self-pedicure treatment. In addition, the angle of the adjustable foot support may be changed such that the foot is supported at an angle comfortable to the person using the unit. The internal storage compartments of the self-pedicure unit provide for of the various pedicure supplies so that the procedure supplies are easily accessible to the person using the unit for performing the self-pedicure. Additionally, the internal storage compartments provide for storage of pedicure supplies within the unit when not being used.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1920171 (1933-08-01), Gerstner
patent: 2664585 (1954-01-01), Gaither
patent: 2957194 (1960-10-01), Ross
patent: 2991495 (1961-07-01), Blalack
patent: D205058 (1966-06-01), Herbert
patent: D287075 (1986-12-01), Colin et al.
patent: 4994648 (1991-02-01), Gil
patent: D320703 (1991-10-01), Burkhart
patent: 5087036 (1992-02-01), Cooper
patent: 5639143 (1997-06-01), Ackerman
patent: 6115857 (2000-09-01), Bidegain
patent: 6244992 (2001-06-01), James
Doan Robyn Kieu
Marketing Productions, Inc.
McAndrews Held & Malloy Ltd.
Wilson John J.
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