Device for foot care with angular attachment to an inner corner of a building

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for foot care (1), in particular for removing the cornea and cleaning the foot, comprising a surface connection (4) for attachment to a wall and an exchangeable usable surface (2) for foot care, wherein the device has means for attachment to a substantially vertical inner corner of a building.

Description

[0001] Device for foot care with angled attachment to an inner edge of a building

[0002] The invention relates to a device for foot care, in particular for removing calluses and cleaning the foot. It comprises a surface attachment for attachment to a wall and a replaceable surface for foot care.

[0003] Traditional foot care devices often include a care surface and a base to support the care surface. A common design is a manually operated device. However, this design has the disadvantage that the user needs at least one hand to operate the care device and must also bend over to reach the areas to be cared for. This results in an unstable position and is therefore particularly disadvantageous when used in the shower.

[0004] To solve this problem, conventional foot care devices such as the callus remover DE 20 2018 003 672 U1 usually include a coupling element for attaching the care surface to a surface, for example a wall or the floor. If the care surface is attached to a wall, it is challenging to ensure it is securely fastened to the surface. A stable connection, for example, is a screw connection; however, this requires a certain amount of technical knowledge and additional time from the user, as well as the use of external tools. With other connections, the strength of the adhesion to the surface is often insufficient to withstand the long-term stress caused by the system's inherent weight on the one hand and the force exerted by the user during use on the other.

[0005] For this reason, some conventional foot care devices have a floor-mounted coupling point, sometimes in combination with a usable surface that is arranged approximately parallel to the floor. A disadvantage of such a floor-mounted coupling point is the increased cleaning effort. Dirt and soap residue collect between the floor and the coupling point and are difficult to remove. Furthermore, the device, when properly installed, is in the way when not in use. This creates the additional effort for the user of having to assemble and disassemble the device before use. If the usable surface is also arranged essentially parallel to the building floor, the force distribution for the user is suboptimal.Instead of being able to easily move the areas to be cared for vertically across the working surface using the user's own weight, the user has to exert greater muscle strength to move the foot horizontally.

[0006] The object of the invention is to combine the best possible adhesion of the system to the surface with minimal installation effort with an optimal positioning of the usable area and thus the most favorable force distribution possible during use.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention in the foot care device mentioned above in that it has means for fastening in an area of ​​a largely vertical inner building edge. The area comprises surfaces immediately on both sides of the edge, i.e., surrounding the inner building edge to which the device is fastened. For the sake of simplicity, however, the inner building edge is referred to below as the fastening location. Since the invention is a device specifically for treating the foot, the foot care device according to the invention is preferably fastened at a distance not too great from the building floor, so that the device can be easily reached by foot.

[0008] The foot care device according to the invention has a surface connection known per se, which serves to fasten it to a surface. The surface should run essentially perpendicular to the floor, such as a surface of the inside of a shower cubicle, a shower partition or a building wall, preferably in a shower or a bathtub. Unlike conventional foot care devices, the invention comprises means for angular fastening of the surface connection, i.e. for fastening at an angle that two surfaces enclose with one another. In particular, the fastening takes place in an area between two spatial surfaces that meet at a substantially right angle. This is preferably an inner building edge between two walls, also called an ixel, which runs perpendicular to the floor.

[0009] When using the device according to the invention, the user moves their foot at least up and down along the usable surface. At the same time, they can exert considerable forces on the foot care device. These forces, in turn, cause strong mechanical stress at the coupling points of the surface connection with the surface of the building wall. Since the surface connection is mounted in an ixel, the coupling points are provided with two differently oriented planes, to which at least directional components of the forces can be diverted largely orthogonally and thus supported without stressing the coupling means. Furthermore, the inventive fastening to an inner edge of the building prevents unwanted twisting and horizontal slipping of the device. This ensures optimal hold of the foot care device according to the invention.

[0010] Furthermore, for ease of use, the device is preferably mounted on the wall at a suitable distance from the floor. This allows the user to move their foot downwards across the floor with great thrust without being hindered by the floor. Furthermore, the floor remains free of objects, allowing easy cleaning of the floor beneath the foot care device, preventing long-term soiling caused by the device.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises a replaceable plate-shaped support plate on which the usable surface is arranged. On a first side of the plate, the support plate is connected, for example, in a form-fitting and in any case removably, to the surface connection. The surface connection thus serves not only for attachment to the wall but also as a coupling element for coupling to the support plate.

[0012] The removable coupling between the carrier plate and the surface connection can be designed in different ways to enable convenient and, in particular, tool-free operation. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the coupling of the carrier plate to the surface connection can comprise a support connection similar to the lid on a cooking pot, which, in combination with a number of magnets, offers a secure hold and easy replacement. The edge of the carrier plate can alternatively or additionally be designed in the form of a slip-on cap, i.e., extend towards the surface connection and be deformable. The internal dimensions of the extension are such that the carrier plate can be slipped over the edge region of the surface connection with an essentially precise fit. This creates a positive coupling between the carrier plate and the surface connection parallel to the side surface of the surface connection.The carrier plate can also be connected to the surface using other methods. In addition to magnets, a plug-in connection or a suitable locking mechanism is possible. The connection can also comprise a combination of any of the coupling mechanisms listed. One advantage of these coupling mechanisms is their longevity. Unlike the hook-and-loop fasteners regularly used in conventional devices, their adhesion does not decrease, or decreases to a much lesser extent, during use. Furthermore, the removable connection allows the usable surface to be changed for hygienic reasons or for different applications, for example, for cleaning on the one hand and for callus removal on the other. Depending on the requirements, a fine file blade can be selected for regular callus removal, or a coarser file blade can be selected for one-off callus removal.

[0013] The usable surface is arranged on a second side of the carrier plate, opposite the first side. It is preferably firmly connected to the carrier plate, for example, by adhesive bonding, but can also be attached to the carrier plate using other connections such as hook-and-loop fasteners, plug-in or magnetic connections, or a combination of these connections, particularly in a tool-free manner.

[0014] To implement the inventive fastening of the surface connection to an inner building edge, the surface connection must have a suitable geometry. Therefore, an advantageous embodiment of the invention has two flat, largely perpendicular fastening surfaces as coupling points, each for fastening to one of the two surfaces forming the inner building edge.

[0015] A coupling-side section of the surface connection is thus designed as an angle in the broadest sense, with the fastening surfaces running largely at right angles to one another, taking into account the tolerances customary in the construction industry. The fastening surfaces are each used for fastening to one of the two surfaces adjacent to the inner edge of the building. It must be taken into account that these surfaces do not necessarily have to be completely flat. Fastening to rough and / or textured surfaces is also possible, for example by means of a base under the adhesive surfaces made of a material that is elastic in the fastening direction, preferably foam. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises support on the building floor. This leads to a mechanical relief of the surface connection during use. Because it is supported in both the horizontal and vertical direction.

[0016] The device according to the invention can be supported by a separate support, which preferably extends from a side of the surface connection facing the floor to the floor. To minimize the effort required for cleaning the floor, the support preferably has an approximately cylindrical shape with a preferably small diameter. However, it is also possible for the device itself to rest on the floor. This also reduces the mechanical load on the device without requiring an additional component for support.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the surface connection is attached to the inner edge of the building with a waterproof adhesive. The adhesive is preferably a waterproof pressure-sensitive adhesive, more preferably a waterproof double-sided nano-adhesive tape. This allows the user to quickly and easily install the device, requiring no specialist knowledge or external tools. Two adhesive surfaces are used for coupling to the surface, which are attached to the attachment surfaces of the surface connection. To compensate for the forces acting on the device, the adhesive surfaces must have suitable dimensions, which depend on the respective adhesive and the weight of the foot care device. For example, the adhesive surfaces have a preferred surface area of ​​16 cm 2 up to 22 cm 2 , preferably 19 cm 2 .

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the usable surface has an incline relative to at least one of the fastening surfaces, preferably with an angle of inclination different from 0° and 90°. Even more preferably, the usable surface is inclined relative to both fastening surfaces and, in a particularly preferred variant, the usable surface is inclined relative to both fastening surfaces and the building floor. In all of the preferred variants mentioned, the incline is preferably directed such that the usable surface points away from the fastening location, in particular the inner edge of the room, i.e., faces the interior of the room. A usable surface inclined in this way relative to both fastening surfaces and the floor causes a force component directed perpendicular to the usable surface when the foot moves downwards on the usable surface. This normal force increases the sliding friction and thus the abrasion compared to devices whose usable surfaces are oriented perpendicular to the floor.The user does not have to exert any additional muscle force towards the surface and thus benefits from ergonomically comfortable use.

[0019] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least the usable surface is ergonomically adapted to the foot. The usable surface has a concave shape and thus approximately reproduces the contours of the sole and sides of the foot. An example of such a usable surface is a concave pumice stone attached to a largely flat support plate. Depending on the nature of the usable surface, the support plate adjoining the usable surface can also be concave. This is particularly advantageous for a flexible usable surface such as sandpaper. The concave shape of the usable surface and, if applicable, the support plate enables the greatest possible simultaneous contact between several side surfaces of a foot accommodated in the usable surface and the usable surface. This means that it is not necessary to move the foot at angles relative to the usable surface that are sometimes difficult to achieve.Rotate the body to guide the relevant foot regions across the working surface with the necessary force. Not only the sole of the foot, but also the sides of the foot can be comfortably cared for. This is particularly beneficial for older people and those with limited mobility.

[0020] The primary application of the invention is the removal of calluses. For this purpose, according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the usable surface comprises means for grinding skin. The grinding means are preferably a number of different abrasives such as pumice stones and / or sandpaper, particularly preferably waterproof sandpaper, hereinafter also referred to as the filing surface. When rolled out flat, the filing surface preferably has the approximate geometry of a rectangle, optionally rounded, with suitable dimensions. Suitable dimensions are a preferred length of approximately 16 cm to 20 cm, preferably 18 cm, and a preferred width of approximately 9 cm to 13 cm, preferably 11 cm.

[0021] Another possible application of the invention is foot cleaning. A further advantageous embodiment of the invention therefore comprises a usable surface with a number of cleaning means, preferably at least one brush element. The at least one brush element is preferably adapted to the respective zone of the foot primarily to be cleaned. Thus, it can be a flat arrangement of brush elements for cleaning the sides of the foot and / or an arrangement of individual brush heads, for example, for cleaning between the toes.

[0022] In particular, the usable area may also include a number of means for grinding and / or cleaning.

[0023] Since a preferred application location for the device is the shower or bathtub, its components are often in contact with water. Therefore, the device's components are made of materials that are resistant to corrosion and water.

[0024] The principle of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings. The drawings show:

[0025] Figures 1 to 4: schematic views of a device according to the invention for

[0026] Foot care in different perspectives

[0027] Figures 5a and 5b: Exploded views of the foot care device according to the invention

[0028] Figures 6 to 7b: schematic views of the device for foot care according to the invention in the intended assembled state in different perspective views

[0029] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, the foot care device according to the invention comprises a concavely curved working surface 2, a support plate 3 adapted to the curvature of the working surface 2, and a surface connection 4. The working surface 2 is arranged on the first side 7 of the support plate 3 facing the viewer. It is preferably firmly glued to the support plate 3, but can also be reversibly connected to the support plate 3 in another suitable manner, for example by a hook-and-loop or plug-in connection, or can be formed directly on the support plate 3. The working surface 2 can optionally be an arrangement of—as shown in the figures—one or more filing surfaces for removing calluses on the foot and / or brushes for cleaning the foot. The concave curvature of the working surface 2 and the support plate 3 is modeled on the shape of a foot in the area of ​​the sole and the inner and outer sides.This means that the usable surface 2 is ergonomically adapted to the foot, which enables comfortable treatment of the foot and in particular the heel of a foot.

[0030] The carrier plate 3 is positively connected to the surface connection 4 on its rear second plate side 7 (see Figure 5b).

[0031] For its attachment to the wall, the device 1 has two attachment surfaces 5, which have the surface connection 4 on the side facing away from the support plate 3. The attachment surfaces 5 are largely perpendicular to each other, which allows the device 1 to be positioned in an interior angle or corner of a room. Adhesive surfaces are attached to the attachment surfaces 5, to which an adhesive e is applied for directly attaching the device 1 to a wall. The contours of the adhesive surfaces are adapted to those of the attachment surfaces 5.

[0032] The side of the surface connection 4 facing away from the support plate 3 is rounded in an area around the intersection of the planes of the two fastening surfaces 5 with the plane of symmetry of the foot care device 1. The rounded edge 10 takes into account the deviations of a real interior room edge from a sharp edge.

[0033] The foot care device 1 is symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry running through the center of the usable surface 2 and the edge 10. The surface connection 4 has a side surface 14 facing the second plate side 8 of the support plate 3. The fastening surfaces 5 of the surface connection 4 are arranged at an angle as described above. This results in a first inclination of the side surface 14 with respect to both fastening surfaces 5. This first inclination is essentially the same with respect to both fastening surfaces 5. The angle of inclination of the side surface 14 with respect to the respective fastening surface 5 defines a plane perpendicular to the rounded edge 10 of the surface connection 4.

[0034] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 5b, the surface connection 4 has a top side 11 and a bottom side 12. The top side 11 and the bottom side 12 have different lengths between the support plate 3 and the edge 10 and therefore do not run parallel to one another. Thus, the side surface 14 does not run parallel to the edge 10, but at an inclination angle α. The side surface 14 thus has a second inclination with respect to the edge 10. As shown in Figure 7a, the inclination axis N is parallel to the intersection of the usable surface 2 with the plane of symmetry of the foot care device 1. The side surface 14 is therefore inclined parallel to the inclination axis N relative to the edge 10 with an inclination angle 0 < α < 90°.

[0035] The planes in which the two fastening surfaces 5 of the surface connection 4 lie intersect in an imaginary straight line of intersection. This straight line of intersection runs parallel to the rounded edge 10. As shown in Figure 1, the straight line of intersection runs through point P, which, due to the rounded edge 10, lies outside the device 1. When properly installed, point P and thus the straight line of intersection lie largely on the inner edge 15 of the room (see Figure 7a). The second inclination of the side surface 14 relative to the edge 10 thus means an inclination of the side surface 14 relative to the inner edge 15 of the room with the angle of inclination α. ​​Since the carrier plate 3 with the usable surface 2 arranged on it is clamped over the thickened edge 13 of the surface connection 4, the usable surface 2 has the same first inclination relative to the two walls forming the inner angle 15 of the room and a similar second inclination relative to the inner edge 15 of the room.the building floor, which runs regularly perpendicular to the inner edge of the room 15.

[0036] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate the coupling mechanism between the carrier plate 3 and the surface connection 4, a clip connection. The carrier plate 3 has a reinforced, elastic edge bead 9 that engages over the second plate side 8 of the carrier plate 3 and a thickened edge 13 of the surface connection 4, allowing both components to be releasably connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. In principle, this could be another suitable connection, such as a detachable snap or plug connection.

[0037] Figures 6 to 7b show the foot care device 1 in its intended assembled state in different perspective views. The device 1 is mounted on the inside edge of a room, advantageously in a shower. Adhesive attachment can be complicated by angular deviations of the walls within the tolerances common in construction. Alternatively or additionally, the tile surfaces may have unevenness, at least for design reasons. These or any other deviations or unevenness are compensated for by means of a material that is elastic in the attachment direction between the adhesive surface 6 and the attachment surface 5, namely by a foam underlay of the adhesive surface 6. By attaching the attachment surfaces 5 to one of two walls that form a right angle to each other, the device is supported in two mutually perpendicular directions and is therefore particularly stable.Despite the mechanical stress during use, the limiting walls prevent the device from twisting and / or slipping sideways.

[0038] As Figures 7a and 7b particularly illustrate, the upper side 11 of the surface connection 4 faces the ceiling and the lower side 12 faces the building floor, so that the usable surface 2 is inclined relative to both walls and the floor. The inclination of the usable surface 2 and the mounting of the foot care device 1 at a distance from the floor enable the user to use the device 1 according to the invention ergonomically comfortably and efficiently with minimal effort.

[0039] List of reference symbols

[0040] 1 device for foot care

[0041] 2 Usable area

[0042] 3 carrier plate

[0043] 4 Surface connection

[0044] 5 Mounting surface

[0045] 6 Adhesive / adhesive surface

[0046] 7 first side of the carrier plate

[0047] 8 second side of the carrier plate

[0048] 9 Edge bead of the carrier plate

[0049] 10 rounded edge

[0050] 11 Top of the surface connection

[0051] 12 Underside of the surface connection

[0052] 13 thickened edge

[0053] 14 Side surface of the surface connection

[0054] 15 Inner edge of the room

[0055] N Inclination axis a Inclination angle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device for foot care (1), in particular for removing calluses and cleaning the foot, comprising: a surface connection (4) for fastening to a wall, an exchangeable usable surface (2) for foot care, characterized by means for fastening to a largely vertical inner edge of a building.

2. Device for foot care (1) according to claim 1, characterized by an exchangeable support plate (3) on which the useful surface (2) is arranged.

3. Device for foot care (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a coupling of the carrier plate (3) with the surface connection (4), preferably in the form of a support connection, in particular in combination with magnets.

4. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by two flat, largely mutually perpendicular fastening surfaces (5) of the surface connection (4), each for fastening to one of the two surfaces forming the inner edge of the building.

5. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a support on the building floor.

6. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a waterproof adhesive (6) for fastening to the inner edge of the building.

7. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an inclination of the usable surface (2) relative to at least one of the fastening surfaces (5).

8. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an ergonomic adaptation of at least the usable surface (2) to the foot.

9. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the useful surface (2) comprises means for grinding.

10. Device for foot care (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the usable surface (2) has means for cleaning.

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