Portable foot washer and foot washing unit

Abstract

To provide a foot washer which is carried to a desired place so as to constitute a simple foot washing place, which can efficiently and sanitarily wash the user's feet by releasing water to his / her feet without making a splash, and which can be stored by being compactly folded up after use.SOLUTION: A foot washer 1 comprises: a foldable and unfoldable support frame 2; a foot putting deck board 3 that is supported within the unfolded support frame 2; and a water shooting pipe 4 which has a plurality of water shooting holes 41 opened in a line on an outer peripheral surface and which is supported in a position above the deck board 3 by the unfolded support frame 2. A hose connected to a water supply source is connected to the water shooting pipe 4, and water supplied to the water shooting pipe is released onto the deck board 3 from the water shooting holes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable foot washer that can be carried outdoors to form a footwashing area.

Background Art

[0002] In kindergartens and certified children's gardens (hereinafter also referred to as "facilities"), many often have a footwashing area for washing the feet of children running around the garden barefoot. As the permanent footwashing area, there are known ones made of concrete, or those with a configuration in which the periphery of a water supply pipe is surrounded by a synthetic resin plate and an FRP drainage pan is integrally arranged under the water supply faucet (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In facilities where there is no permanent footwashing area, there are also many cases where a bucket is installed near the entrance and exit of the facility, water is stored in the bucket with a hose connected to the water supply line of the handwashing area, and children wash their feet in it.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The permanent footwashing area involves external construction work and plumbing work, thus requiring a long construction period and high construction costs. Moreover, in small-scale facilities in urban areas, the garden area is small, and there are many places where a permanent footwashing area cannot be installed. In addition, in the permanent footwashing area, the water supply faucets are often placed at a slightly higher position than the feet, and the water discharged from the water supply faucets during footwashing is likely to splash and wet the clothes of the children. Furthermore, there are quite a few cases where measures need to be taken to prevent the washed feet from getting dirty again when the children move from the footwashing area into the facility. The permanent footwashing area cannot be moved.

[0005] As described above, if the children can wash their feet in a bucket using the water faucets in the facility, there is no need to install a footwashing area that requires plumbing work, and it is possible to handle the children's footwashing without incurring costs. However, since the water stored in the bucket is used, it may be difficult to manage sanitation. Also, in the bucket, the children cannot stand firmly, so it is necessary for the nursery teachers (adults) to assist the children's postures to prevent them from losing their balance and falling, which inevitably increases the burden on the nursery teachers.

[0006] In view of such problems of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a footwashing device that can be carried to a desired location to form a simple footwashing area, can discharge water to the user's feet without causing water splashing, can wash the feet efficiently and hygienically, and can be folded small for storage after use. Moreover, the present invention aims to provide a footwashing device that allows the user to wash their feet while maintaining a stable posture without the need for assistance and can be safely handled during the installation and removal of the footwashing area and the process of using it to wash the feet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the footwashing device of the present invention includes a support frame that can be folded and unfolded, a deck plate for footrest supported within the unfolded support frame, and a water spray pipe having a plurality of water spray holes arranged in a row on its outer peripheral surface and supported above the deck plate in the unfolded support frame. A hose connected to a water supply source is connected to the water spray pipe, and it is characterized in that the water supplied to the water spray pipe is discharged onto the deck plate from the water spray holes. The deck plate and the water spray pipe may be integrally provided on the support frame or may be detachable, either way is acceptable.

[0008] According to the foot washer with the above structure, when it is necessary to wash the feet, it can be carried to a desired outdoor location, and a foot washing area can be configured by supplying water to the water spray pipe through a hose from the water supply source of the existing water supply facility of the facility. The user can place the feet on the deck plate and wash the feet by receiving the water discharged from the water spray pipe arranged above the deck plate. By washing with the water discharged continuously from the water spray pipe, the feet can be kept clean. Since the water supplied from the water supply source is dispersed into a plurality of water spray holes opened along the outer peripheral surface of the water spray pipe and a small amount of water is discharged from each water spray hole, splashing is less likely to occur and the clothes of the user washing the feet will not be wet. Also, since the water is discharged linearly along the outer peripheral surface of the water spray pipe, the feet placed on the deck plate can be washed efficiently by receiving water widely from above. Also, after use, it is possible to disconnect the hose connected to the water supply source and the water spray pipe, fold the support frame, and store it in a space-saving storage location.

[0009] In the foot washer with the above structure, the support frame includes front legs arranged parallel to each other on the left and right, left and right rear legs whose upper ends are rotatably connected to the upper parts of the left and right front legs respectively, a front horizontal crossbar installed between the lower parts of the left and right front legs, a rear horizontal crossbar installed between the lower parts of the left and right rear legs, and a pair of vertical bars whose front ends are rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the front horizontal crossbar and whose rear ends are rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the rear horizontal crossbar and are arranged with a space opened left and right between the front and rear horizontal crossbars. Both of the pair of vertical bars are hinged such that the rear end of the front vertical bar member whose front end is rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the front horizontal crossbar and the front end of the rear vertical bar member whose rear end is rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the rear horizontal crossbar are bent upward. The deck board is integrally attached onto the front vertical rail portion of the pair of vertical rail portions. The water spray pipe is integrally attached between the left and right rear legs and can be configured to be foldable and deployable back and forth. Each member constituting the support frame can use a hollow pipe (pipe) made of an appropriate material such as a steel material or a synthetic resin material. It is preferable to use a stainless steel pipe in terms of being lightweight and having good weather resistance and corrosion resistance.

[0010] According to the foot washer having the above configuration, when the rear end portion of the deck board is lifted upward in a state where the support frame is deployed, the hinge connection portion between the front vertical rail member and the rear vertical rail member of the pair of vertical rail portions bends upward, and the pair of vertical rail portions bend back and forth and are folded. Along with this, the space between the front horizontal rail portion and the rear horizontal rail portion rotatably connected to both front and rear ends of the both vertical rail portions narrows, and the left and right front legs and rear legs are folded back and forth. The deck board is vertically stored in the support frame folded back and forth. Also, when the rear horizontal rail portion is pulled forward in a state where the support frame is folded, the hinge connection portion between the front vertical rail member and the rear vertical rail member of the pair of vertical rail portions bends downward, and the front vertical rail member and the rear vertical rail member are linearly connected and the pair of vertical rail portions extend back and forth. Along with this, the space between the front horizontal rail portion and the rear horizontal rail portion rotatably connected to both front and rear ends of the both vertical rail portions widens, and the left and right front legs and rear legs widen and deploy back and forth, and the foot washer can be assembled. The deck board is horizontally supported on the pair of vertical rail portions with respect to the ground, and the water spray pipe is horizontally arranged between the left and right rear legs above the rear side of the horizontally supported deck board (see FIG. 1). In this way, the folding and unfolding operations of the support frame can be easily performed with one touch. Also, since the deck plate is integrally attached to a pair of vertical bars of the support frame and is provided to be displaced integrally with the up-and-down bending movements of the vertical bars, the deck plate does not rattle during the process of folding and unfolding the foot bath, and there is no risk of pinching fingers by the rattling deck plate. Since the deck plate and the water spray pipe are integrally provided on the support frame, the installation and removal of the foot bath can be quickly performed, and it is also convenient for storage and transportation.

[0011] In the foot bath having the above-described configuration, it is preferable to have a configuration in which a water-resistant magnet and a magnetic receiving fitting are respectively attached to positions where the left and right front legs and the left and right rear legs face each other when the support frame is folded. According to this, when the support frame is folded, the magnets and the receiving fittings respectively attached to the left and right front legs and the rear legs approach each other, and magnetic attraction acts to connect the left and right front and rear legs to each other, so that the foot bath can be held in a folded state for carrying and storage. Treatments such as surrounding the periphery of the foot bath with a binding band to hold it in a folded state are unnecessary. Also, if the rear horizontal bar is pulled forward in the folded state as described above, the connected left and right front and rear legs are separated and spread forward and backward, and the support frame can be unfolded.

[0012] In the foot bath having the above-described configuration, it is preferable to have a configuration in which a grip portion for a user standing upright with their feet on the deck plate to hold with their hands and support their posture is provided at the upper part of the support frame. When the support frame is configured by rotatably connecting the left and right front legs to the left and right rear legs as described above, the upper parts of the left and right front legs can be integrally connected horizontally or in an arch shape via an upper cross bar to form a grip portion. The grip portion connected in a rod shape or an arch shape has a long portion to be gripped with both hands and can be gripped regardless of the position. According to this, the user can stand with their feet on the deck board, hold the grip parts with both hands, and wash their feet by letting the water ejected from the water spray pipe hit their feet in a stable posture. In order to change the position of the water hitting the feet, even when standing on one foot, the user can hold the grip parts with both hands and maintain a standing posture on the deck board, so there is little risk of losing balance and falling or slipping. Without the assistance of an assistant or by reducing the burden on the assistant, the user can maintain a stable posture and safely wash their feet.

[0013] In the foot washer having the above configuration, it is preferable that the deck board has a plurality of drainage holes penetrating through its front and back, and a plurality of anti-slip grooves are formed on its surface. The deck board is a plate material large enough for the user to stand with both feet on it, and can be formed using appropriate materials such as steel, synthetic resin, and wood. It is preferably a plate material made of high-density polyethylene in terms of excellent weather resistance, water resistance, and good feeling on the sole of the foot when standing on it. According to this, when washing the feet with the feet placed on the deck board, gravel, sand, and soil adhering to the feet can be washed away through the drainage holes together with the water discharged onto the feet. Since anti-slip grooves are formed on the surface of the deck board, it is not easy to slip on the deck board even when the feet are bathed with water, and it is safe. Also, the sole of the foot can be rubbed against the surface of the deck board with grooves for washing. It is preferable that the plurality of water distribution holes provided in the deck board have their peripheries chamfered to ensure that the water can be surely drained through the holes without staying on the deck board. Also, it is preferable that the plurality of anti-slip grooves are formed on the entire surface of the deck board, and can be arranged in an appropriate pattern such as concentric circles, radial lines, or lattice on the surface of the deck board. In this case, the grooves are arranged so as to connect to the drainage holes, and the cross-section of the grooves is preferably a tapered shape with the groove width narrowing in the depth direction. In this way, gravel, sand, and soil that have entered the grooves together with the water can be drained through the holes. The deck board having the holes and grooves is less likely to have gravel, sand, and soil remaining on its upper surface, and the deck board can be kept clean. In addition, it is preferable that a handle opening is provided on the rear end side of the deck plate so that when folding the foot bath, a part of the deck plate can be assisted in holding, or when carrying the folded foot bath, the deck plate can be easily lifted.

[0014] In the foot bath having the above configuration, it is preferable that the water spray pipe has a configuration in which a plurality of water spray holes formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof are arranged in a staggered manner along the axial direction of the water spray pipe, that is, in a zigzag along the axial direction. According to this, since the water spray holes are arranged in a staggered manner, the water ejected from the plurality of water spray holes becomes a wide planar water discharge. In other words, the water spray pipe constitutes a shower head, and water can be widely applied to the surface of the foot placed on the deck plate, and the foot can be efficiently washed with a small amount of water. In addition, since the thin water flows ejected from each water spray pipe converge and hit the foot, the foot can be washed comfortably, and a comfortable use feeling can be obtained. As the water spray pipe, a hollow pipe made of an appropriate material such as a steel material or a synthetic resin material can be used, but it is preferable to use a stainless steel pipe.

[0015] In the foot bath having the above configuration, it is preferable that the water spray pipe has a configuration provided with a valve for stopping the water discharge and adjusting the water discharge flow rate from the water spray holes. According to this, by operating the valve, the water discharge flow rate of the water spray pipe can be adjusted, so that the foot can be washed by appropriately adjusting to the preferred water discharge flow rate of the user washing the foot. When the foot is not so dirty, the valve can be operated to adjust so that a small amount of water is ejected, and when the dirt is severe, a large amount of water is ejected. After the user washes the foot, the valve can be operated to stop the water until the next user washes the foot, so that the foot can be efficiently washed without wasting water. The water-saving effect is also great. In addition, when two foot baths of the present invention are arranged side by side, a hose with a bifurcated water supply port is connected to the water supply source, and the water supply port of the hose is connected to the water spray pipes of both foot baths so that the feet can be washed with each foot bath. By operating the valve to stop and discharge water, it is possible to use both foot baths in parallel for washing the feet of the user.

[0016] Further, in the foot bath with the above-described configuration, it is preferable to have a configuration in which a planar cover material made of a fiber material that closes the left and right opening spaces of the deck plate supported within the deployed support frame is attached to the support frame. In the mode of use in which the foot bath of the present invention is installed in the above-described facility and children wash their feet, children often exhibit unexpected behavior. For example, while one child is washing their feet in the foot bath, another child watching may play around and there is a possibility that a child may try to put their head or crawl into the foot bath through the side gaps of the deck plate supported by the support frame of the foot bath. To prevent this, it is preferable to block the left and right opening spaces of the deck plate where there is a risk of children entering from the outside of the foot bath. However, if the opening spaces are blocked with steel or synthetic resin plates in this case, it will not be possible to accommodate the folding of the support frame. If the plates are made detachable from the deployed support frame, the attachment and detachment operations will be troublesome. If a string-like member is stretched across the opening space, it will be possible to accommodate the folding of the support frame, but in the unlikely event that a child's head gets caught in the gap of the string-like member, there is a risk of the child's head or neck being compressed by the string-like member. Therefore, in the foot bath of the present invention, as described above, the left and right opening spaces of the deck plate supported within the support frame are closed with a side mesh, which is a planar cover material made of a fiber material, to ensure the safety of using the foot bath. The cover material is preferably made of a nylon mesh material that is strong and dries easily, and it is also preferable that the cover material is attached so that it cannot be removed from the support frame.

[0017] Further, the foot washing unit of the present invention comprises the foot bath with the above-described configuration and a water supply hose that connects a water supply source and the water spray pipe of the foot bath. As described above, by using a branched hose and supplying water from a single water supply source to a plurality of foot baths, it may be used such that a plurality of users can wash their feet in parallel at their respective foot baths.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the foot washer of the present invention, it can be carried to a desired place to form a simple foot washing area, discharge water to the user's feet without splashing water, wash the feet efficiently and hygienically, and can be folded small for storage after use. The storage space can be saved. Further, according to the foot washer of the present invention, the user can wash the feet while maintaining a stable posture without the need for assistance, and it is possible to handle it safely during the installation and removal of the foot washing area and the process of using it to wash the feet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a foot washer according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is configured to be used as a foot washing area for children in the facility. As shown in the figure, the foot washer 1 includes a support frame 2 that can be folded and unfolded, a deck plate 3 for footrest that is horizontally supported within the unfolded support frame 2, a water spray pipe 4 having a plurality of water spray holes 41 formed in a row on its outer peripheral surface and supported above the deck plate 3 in the unfolded support frame 2, and side meshes 5, 5 which are cover materials integrally attached to both the left and right sides of the support frame 2. In a state where the support frame 2 is unfolded, a hose 9 connected to a water supply source is connected to a valve 8 of the water spray pipe 4 (see FIG. 10), and the water supplied to the water spray pipe 4 is discharged from the water spray holes 41 onto the deck plate 3, allowing a child to wash their feet while standing on the deck plate 3 alone. When not in use, the entire foot washer 1 can be folded back and forth for carrying and stored at a storage location.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the support frame 2 includes front legs 21, 21 arranged parallel to each other on the left and right, left and right rear legs 22, 22 whose upper ends are rotatably connected to the upper parts of the left and right front legs 21, 21 respectively, a front cross bar 23 installed between the lower parts of the left and right front legs 21, 21, a rear cross bar 24 installed between the lower parts of the left and right rear legs 22, 22, and a pair of vertical bars 25, 25 whose front ends are rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the front cross bar 23 and rear ends are rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the rear cross bar 24 and are arranged with a space therebetween in the left and right direction between the front and rear cross bars 23, 24. Both of the pair of vertical bars 25, 25 are composed of a front vertical bar 25a whose front end is rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the front cross bar 23 and a rear vertical bar 25b whose rear end is rotatably connected to the outer peripheral surface of the rear cross bar 24, and the rear end of the front vertical bar 25a and the front end of the rear vertical bar 25b are hinged by a hinge portion 26 so as to bend upward. The support frame 2 is configured such that the space between the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the left and right rear legs 22, 22 is folded into a narrow width in conjunction with the bending operation of the hinge portions 26 of the front and rear crosspieces 25a, 25b of the pair of vertical crosspieces 25, 25, and the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the left and right rear legs 22, 22 are unfolded front and rear in conjunction with the operation of extending the front and rear crosspieces 25a, 25b on both sides of the hinge portion 26 from the folded state (see FIG. 3). The operations of folding and unfolding the support frame 2 will be described later. Each member constituting the support frame 2 is formed using a stainless steel pipe.

[0023] The members constituting the left and right front legs 21, 21 are members that are bent in a substantially downward U shape as a whole with their upper parts integrally connected via a horizontal upper crosspiece, and the upper crosspiece constitutes a grip portion 21a that can be grasped by both hands of a user placed on the deck plate 4 of the foot bath 1. At positions where the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the left and right rear legs 22, 22 face each other when the support frame 2 is folded, a water-resistant magnet 6a and a magnetic receiving fitting 6b are respectively installed. When the support frame 2 is folded, the left and right front and rear legs are connected to each other by the magnetic attraction force acting between the magnet 6a and the receiving fitting 6b attached to the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the rear legs 22, 22, so that the folded state can be maintained. Also, rubber feet 7 are respectively fixed to the lower ends of the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the rear legs 22, 22.

[0024] The deck plate 3 is a high-density polyethylene plate formed in a square shape in plan view, and as shown in FIG. 5, its lower surface is overlapped and integrally fixed on a pair of front crosspieces 25а, 25а of the support frame 2. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of holes 31 penetrating the front and back surfaces, formed by chamfering the peripheral edge, are formed in the deck plate 3, and a plurality of anti-slip grooves 32 are formed on its surface. The plurality of grooves 32 are arranged concentrically on the surface of the deck plate 3, and are laid out so that the grooves 32 intersect at the positions where the respective holes 31 are formed. Each groove 32 is formed in a tapered shape with a tapered width narrowing in the depth direction in cross section. In order to make it easy to lift the deck plate 3 by hand when folding the foot bath 1, and also to make it easy to carry the deck plate 3 in the folded state, a handle opening 33 is provided on the rear end side of the deck plate 3. Further, deck plate legs 34, 34 project from two positions on the left and right on the back surface of the deck plate 3, and rubber feet 7 are fixed to the tips of both deck plate legs 34, 34 (see FIG. 5).

[0025] The water spray pipe 4 is a pipe made of stainless steel pipe like the support frame 2. As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of water spray holes 41 are formed in a row along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface, and are alternately shifted in a staggered pattern by a width of 2 mm in the circumferential direction between adjacent water spray holes 41. Water is allowed to flow into the interior through a valve 8 attached to one end thereof, and is configured to be ejected to the outside from each water spray hole 41. Specifically, the water spray pipe 4 is a stainless steel pipe with a diameter of 21.7 mm. A total of 31 water spray holes 41 with a diameter of 1.5 mm are formed on its outer peripheral surface at a pitch of 10 mm along the axial direction, and are shifted in a staggered pattern by a width of 2 mm in the circumferential direction between adjacent water spray holes 41. The water spray pipe 4 is installed between the left and right rear legs 22, 22 so as to be supported at a position 180 mm above the deck plate 3 in the state where the support frame 2 is deployed, and is provided so as to make a wide water discharge on the deck plate 3 by the water ejected from each water spray hole 41. As shown in Fig. 3, the water spray pipe 4 is attached between the left and right rear legs 22, 22 by fastening the rib 4a provided on its outer peripheral surface to the rib 22a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rear leg portion 22 with a fastening screw. By adjusting the fastening degree of both ribs 4a, 22a using a dedicated tool (not shown), the water discharge angle from the water spray holes 41 onto the deck plate 3 can be adjusted. Further, the valve 8 attached to one end of the water spray pipe 4 can stop the water discharge from the water spray holes 41 and adjust the water discharge flow rate by rotating the upper part thereof. The reference numeral 81 is a connection part to which the end of the water supply hose 9 is connected. In the illustrated foot washer 1, the valve 8 of the water spray pipe 4 is located on the right side facing the front thereof. However, the water spray pipe 4 may be removed from the left and right rear legs 22, 22 and attached in a direction in which the valve 8 is located on the left side (see Fig. 2).

[0026] The side meshes 5, 5 are cloth materials made of a nylon mesh material, and are integrally attached to the support frame 2 so as to close the left and right opening spaces of the deck plate 3 supported within the unfolded support frame 2 as shown in Fig. 1. Specifically, the side meshes 5, 5 cover the connection parts between the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the rear legs 22, 22 so that fingers are not pinched when the front and rear legs are folded. Also, by widely closing the left and right spaces of the support frame 2 below the intersection of the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the rear legs 22, 22, children cannot sneak into the inside of the foot washer 1 through the gaps of the support frame 2.

[0027] According to the foot washer 1 of this embodiment configured as described above, when the handle opening 33 of the deck plate 3 is used to lift the rear end side upward with the support frame 2 in the deployed state, as shown in FIG. 8, the hinge connection portion 26 between the front crosspiece 25a and the rear crosspiece 25b of the pair of vertical crosspieces 25, 25 bends upward, and the pair of vertical crosspieces 25, 25 fold forward and backward and are folded. Along with this, the space between the front horizontal crosspiece 23 and the rear horizontal crosspiece 24 rotatably connected to both front and rear ends of the both vertical crosspieces 25, 25 narrows, and the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the rear legs 22, 22 fold forward and backward. The deck plate 3 is vertically stored in the support frame 2 folded back and forth (see FIG. 1). When a child washes their feet, as shown in FIG. 9, the folded foot washer 1 can be taken out from the storage location and carried while still folded to the desired position where the foot washing area is to be installed.

[0028] If the foot washer 1 is carried to the installation position of the foot washing area, in the state where the support frame 2 is folded, if the rear horizontal crosspiece 24 is pulled forward, the hinge connection portion 26 between the front crosspiece 25a and the rear crosspiece 25b of the pair of vertical crosspieces 25, 25 bends downward, and the front crosspiece 25a and the rear crosspiece 25b are linearly connected, and the pair of vertical crosspieces 25, 25 extend forward and backward. Along with this, the space between the front horizontal crosspiece 23 and the rear horizontal crosspiece 24 rotatably connected to both front and rear ends of the both vertical crosspieces 25, 25 expands, and the left and right front legs 21, 21 and the rear legs 22, 22 expand forward and backward and deploy, and the foot washer 1 can be assembled. The deck plate 3 is horizontally supported on the pair of vertical crosspieces 25, 25 with respect to the ground, and the water spray pipe 4 is horizontally arranged between the left and right rear legs 22, 22 above the rear side of the horizontally supported deck plate 3 (see FIG. 8).

[0029] Then, by connecting the hose 9 connected to the water supply source to the connection portion 81 of the valve 8 of the water spray pipe 4 and operating the valve 8 to supply water to the water spray pipe 4, a simple foot washing area can be configured. As shown in FIG. 10, children can step onto the deck board 3 and wash their feet by bathing them with the water discharged from the water spray pipe 4. At this time, by gripping the gripping portion 21a with both hands, children can safely wash their feet without losing their balance on the deck board 3. After finishing washing feet, if the hose 9 is removed and the support frame 2 is folded, the magnets 6a provided on the left and right front and rear legs 21 and 22 respectively and the receiving fittings 6b will adsorb and hold the support frame 2 in a folded state. As shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to carry it to the storage place as it is by holding the gripping portion 21a or the handle opening 33 of the deck board 3 by hand and store it.

[0030] According to the foot washer 1 of this embodiment configured to be usable for children to wash their feet, the main body thereof has a structure combining a support frame 2 made of a stainless steel pipe and a water spray pipe 4 installed on the rear legs 22, 22. Since the upper part of the support frame 2 can be used as a gripping portion 21a which is a handrail, children can maintain a stable posture while standing. A plurality of water spray holes 41 arranged staggeredly in the water spray pipe 4 installed on the left and right rear legs 22, 22 are configured to perform a shower-like water discharge with a horizontally long width at the feet. A valve 8 capable of adjusting the water volume by hand is provided on this water spray pipe 4, and water supply is facilitated by connecting the hose 9 with a commercially available socket from a general faucet. By adopting a high-density polyethylene board with good workability for the deck board 3, it has a good feel on the sole of the foot and is a bright material in appearance. Furthermore, by chamfering the R surface of the drainage hole portion 31 and attaching the anti-slip groove 32 in a tapered shape, dirt such as soil and gravel on the feet is less likely to remain on the deck board surface, making it easy to clean. Also, when the handle opening 33 of the deck board 3 is lifted upward, the support mechanism of the support frame 2 under the board bends with a hinge. The support frame 2 can be folded with one touch, and the magnets 6a and the receiving fittings 6b installed on the front and rear legs 21, 22 are magnetically attracted and connected to facilitate fixing during folding. Therefore, it can be easily folded during movement or storage, realizing good usability and space-saving storage. In this way, as a foot washing area that combines a simple and functional structure with a water spray pipe 4 that is a shower pipe, the construction effort is saved, and without taking up the garden area, the basic performance such as safety is improved, thus comprehensively solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0031] Note that the foot washer 1 of this embodiment is configured to be usable for washing the feet of kindergarten children. Considering the average weight of 22.9 kg (standard deviation 4.0) and average height of 119.1 (standard deviation 5.0) of kindergarten children (aged up to 6 years and 11 months) who are the users of foot washing, when the foot washer 1 of this embodiment is installed horizontally, a design was considered so that children will not fall when using it. Details will be described below. Assuming the total weight of the foot washer 1 is 7.2 kg, the support frame 2 itself has a weight that is not easily toppled. For a deck plate of an appropriate size (width 390 mm × depth 350 mm) as the riding surface where children place their feet and stand, the distance between the fulcrums of each rubber foot 7 fixed to the lower ends of each leg of the support frame 2 is about 430 mm square, and the distance between the rubber feet 7, 7 below the deck plate 3 is about 350 mm. By doing so, while giving a stable feeling to the load on the deck plate 3, and further setting the height of the support frame 2 that also serves as the grip part 21a which is a handrail to 490 mm from the deck surface, when a child grasps the grip part 21a while maintaining a stable posture on their own, due to the balance between the center of gravity when grasping the grip part 21a and the body weight applied to the deck plate 3, it is designed so that they will not easily fall when washing their feet. When moving the foot washer 1 during storage, the weight is also suppressed to a level that can be moved by one adult.

[0032] The form of the foot washer 1 described and illustrated above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations and forms described and illustrated, and it is possible to adopt other appropriate configurations and forms.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0033] 1 Foot washer, 2 Support frame, 3 Deck plate, 4 Water spray pipe, 5 Side mesh, 6a Magnet, 6b Receiver fitting, 7 Rubber foot, 8 Valve, 9 Hose

Claims

1. A foldable and deployable support frame, a deck plate for footrest supported within the deployed support frame, and a water spray pipe having a plurality of water spray holes arranged in a row on an outer peripheral surface thereof and supported above the deck plate in the deployed support frame, A portable foot washer configured to connect a hose connected to a water supply source to the water spray pipe and discharge water supplied to the water spray pipe from the water spray holes onto the deck plate.

2. The support frame includes front legs arranged parallel to each other left and right, left and right rear legs each having an upper end rotatably connected to an upper portion of the left and right front legs, a front cross bar installed between lower portions of the left and right front legs, a rear cross bar installed between lower portions of the left and right rear legs, and a pair of vertical bars having a front end rotatably connected to an outer peripheral surface of the front cross bar and a rear end rotatably connected to an outer peripheral surface of the rear cross bar and arranged with a space therebetween left and right between the front and rear cross bars, Both of the pair of vertical bars are hingedly connected such that a rear end of a front vertical bar member having a front end rotatably connected to an outer peripheral surface of the front cross bar and a front end of a rear vertical bar member having a rear end rotatably connected to an outer peripheral surface of the rear cross bar are bent upward, The deck plate is integrally attached onto the front vertical bar of the pair of vertical bars, The water spray pipe is integrally attached between the left and right rear legs, and the support frame is configured to be foldable and deployable back and forth. The portable foot washer according to Claim 1.

3. The portable foot washer according to Claim 2, having a configuration in which a water-resistant magnet and a magnetic receiving fitting are respectively attached to positions of the left and right front legs and the left and right rear legs that face each other when the support frame is folded back and forth.

4. The portable foot washer according to Claim 1 or 2, having a configuration including a grip portion at an upper portion of the support frame for a user standing with a foot placed on the deck plate to hold with a hand to support the posture.

5. The portable foot washer according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the deck plate has a plurality of drain holes penetrating through the front and back thereof and a plurality of anti-slip grooves formed on its surface.

6. The portable foot washer according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the water spray pipe has a configuration in which a plurality of water spray holes formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof are arranged in a staggered pattern along an axial direction of the water spray pipe.

7. The portable foot washer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water spray pipe has a configuration including a valve for stopping the water discharge from the water spray holes and adjusting the water discharge flow rate.

8. The portable foot washer according to claim 1 or 2, having a configuration in which a planar cover material made of a fiber material that closes the left and right opening spaces of the deck plate supported within the deployed support frame is attached to the support frame.

9. A portable foot washing unit comprising the foot washer according to claim 1 or 2 and a water supply hose connecting a water supply source and the water spray pipe of the foot washer.

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