SHOWER FOOTREST

Abstract

A footrest for a shower is disclosed. The footrest is adapted to be mounted in a corner of a shower stall. In various forms, the footrest includes a top surface for resting a foot during bathing or shaving. The top surface is concavely contoured to resist lateral slipping. Ideally, the top surface conforms substantially to the shape of a portion of the surface of a cone. Two mounting flanges extend downward from the footrest element for mounting to shower walls, either by adhesive or screws. In certain variations, cutout openings in the surface of the footrest assist in resisting slipping in a forward or backward direction. The footrest may be adjusted by applying pressure to the top or bottom surface to change the mounting angle. Thus, the device can be deformed to conform to the angle of a corner which is not formed exactly as a right angle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to footrest, and more particularly, to a footrest adapted for use in a shower.

[0003] 2. Background

[0004] There has been, and continues to be a need to have a suitable way in which to rest a foot in the shower when bathing or shaving. Various devices have been proposed as footrest devices for shower stalls. For example, devices as simple as a step stool have been used in shower stalls.

[0005] Some common types of devices currently available rely on suction cups for mounting. These devices require a very smooth surface for the suction cups to adhere. The suction cups eventually fail and are not a permanent solution.

[0006] Some devices use adhesives for mounting. Generally their plastic construction is not durable enough making them undesirable for high end shower installations.

[0007] Some devices provide foot support by means of a small stool or platform with legs that rest on the shower floor. These solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because they are generally too large and inappropriate for use in smaller showers. Still other devices create support by mounting to a single side wall instead of a corner. These devices are more intrusive when used in small showers.

[0008] Generally, most devices currently available are temporary or portable plastic devices that do not fill the industry need for a more stable, more permanent, high quality piece of shower hardware.

[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,070, issued to Soma, discloses a leg shave plate. The device is mounted to a shower wall. However, the device fails to prevent slipping of the foot in either the lateral or frontward and backward directions. Furthermore, in the event the walls of the shower corner do not meet in a 90 degree angle, there is no ability to adjust the plate to fit the configuration of the walls.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,072 issued to Shaffer et al., discloses a footrest for a shower. However, the footrest cannot be adjusted for different mounting angles, and fails to adequately prevent slipping. Similarly, other conventional devices are not adjustable and do not adequately prevent slipping, or have other inadequacies which render them less than ideal.

[0011] Thus, there remains a need for a footrest device which is convenient, resists slipping, and is adjustable.

SUMMARY

[0012] The present invention is a footrest for a shower. The footrest enables a user to rest a foot above the shower floor while bathing or shaving.

[0013] In various embodiments, the footrest of the present invention includes a footrest element which has a contour which is concaved as viewed from above. Thus, the side portions of the top surface are raised with respect to the center region of the surface. By shaping the footrest in this fashion, slipping in the lateral direction is resisted.

[0014] In various embodiments, the footrest includes mounting flanges extending upward or downward from sides of the footrest element. The flanges are adapted to be mounted to the walls of the shower, and are generally at a right angle to one another. Mounting is via an adhesive, or screws, or any other suitable mounting method.

[0015] Ideally, the surface of the footrest element is shaped to substantially conform to the shape of a portion of a cone. In this way, the footrest can be deformed by applying pressure to the top surface or lower surface of the footrest element. The material used to form the footrest element is rigid, and will hold its shape, yet can be deformed by applying an amount of pressure past a threshold amount and will hold its new shape after being deformed. This conical shape is specially adapted to enable the device to be deformed in such a way that the mounting flanges will be aligned with the shower walls in the event the device is deformed to conform to shower walls which are formed at an angle a small amount wider or narrower than 90 degrees.

[0016] Cutout openings in the footrest element, in various embodiments, resist slipping in the forward or backward direction. The cutout openings may also provide a passage for mounting screws through the mounting flanges. The cutout openings ideally have a shape which includes side edges which are substantially shaped as an arc of a circle. They may be concentric with a front edge arc of the footrest element.

[0017] The back of the device ideally includes an opening which is adapted to receive a cosmetic object such as a razor or other item. The item can be conveniently stored in this back opening out of the way of the general usable area of the shower stall.

[0018] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described only the preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like features, and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0024] The present invention is a footrest device for a shower 10. The footrest device 10 includes a footrest element 15.

[0025] In various embodiments, the footrest element 15 is shaped to conform to a corner of a shower stall and adapted to receive at least a portion of a user's foot. The footrest element 15 includes a top surface 20 having a concave curvature as viewed from above. In this manner, the side areas of the top surface 20 will be raised with respect to a central region of the surface 20, which will create resistance to slipping in the lateral direction.

[0026] In various embodiments, the footrest element 15 is adapted to be mounted in the corner of shower stall. When mounted in a corner, a front portion 25 of the footrest element 15 is positioned at a lower height than a back portion 30 of the footrest element 15. This configuration is convenient and comfortable for a user to place a foot atop the footrest element 15. It also may assist in reducing slipping in the frontwards direction.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the concave curvature of the top surface 20 of the footrest element 15 substantially conforms to the shape of a portion of a surface of a cone. In other words, the surface 20 is conical in shape, the front portion being wider than the rear portion. As described below, this shape is particular suitable in embodiments in which a mounting angle is adjustable. Also, since the device narrows toward the rear, this shape assists in resisting slipping in the frontward direction.

[0028] Ideally, the footrest 10 includes at least two mounting flanges 35 extending from edges of the footrest element 15. The flanges 35 are generally at right angles with respect to one another, though this angle may be adjustable. Ideally, the flanges 35 and footrest element 15 are formed of one integral formation of material. The flanges 35 may extend upward or downward from the surface 20 of the footrest element 15. In the embodiments illustrated herein, the flanges 35 extend downward. The flanges 35 are used to mount the device 10 to the shower walls. Mounting may be via an adhesive on an outer surface of the flanges 35, or via screws passing through screw holes 50 in the flanges 35.

[0029] In various embodiments, the footrest surface 20 includes at least one cutout opening 40. The cutouts may be aligned and adapted to allow screws to be driven through the through-holes via in the flanges 35 reaching such screws with a screwdriver shaft through the cutout openings 40. Ideally, two such cutout openings 40 are provided. The cutout openings 40 are adapted to resist slipping of a user's foot in the forward or backward direction.

[0030] In various embodiments, the front edge of the footrest element 15 is shaped as a circular arc having a center directed toward the corner of a shower stall when mounted. The cutout openings 40 ideally include two cutout openings 40. Ideally, the cutout openings 40 have side edges shaped as circular arcs formed concentric to the arc of the front edge of the footrest element 15. Thus, they will be well adapted to resist slipping forward or backward, and will provide suitable clearance for driving screws through the screw holes 50.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the footrest element 15 has a corner cutout section 45 at its back edge adapted to receive and store a grooming item such as a razor or other item.

[0032] Ideally, in various embodiments, the footrest device 10 has an adjustable mounting angle such that it can be mounted in corners in which the walls do not meet at an exact 90 degree angle. Thus, the device can be adjusted to allow for an obtuse or acute angle. The device 10 is ideally formed of a rigid material, and has a surface which is resistant to oxidation and corrosion. The device 10 may be formed of metal, such as aluminum or steel, stainless steel, or plastic, or any other suitable material.

[0033] In various embodiments, the footrest element 15 can be bent out of shape by applying pressure exceeding a threshold level to a lower surface of the footrest element 15. The application of such pressure widens the mounting angle, and the footrest element 15 maintains a new shape. Similarly, the footrest element 15 can be bent out of shape by applying pressure exceeding a threshold level to an upper surface of the footrest element 15. The application of such pressure narrows the mounting angle, and the footrest element 15 maintains a new shape. When the footrest surface 20 conforms to a substantially conical shape, the deformation described will result in the flanges 35 being positioned to suitably mount to walls having various angles of intersection. The shape allows the flanges 35 to remain substantially in parallel planes to the shower walls even after deformation of the footrest element 15 to adjust to a particular corner angle.

[0034] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A footrest device for a shower comprising: a footrest element shaped to conform to a corner of a shower stall and adapted to receive at least a portion of a user's foot thereon, wherein said footrest element comprises a top surface having a concave curvature as viewed from above the top surface adapted to resist slipping in a lateral direction.

2. The footrest device according to claim 1, wherein said footrest element is adapted to be mounted in such a corner of shower stall, and wherein, when mounted in a corner, a front portion of said footrest element is positioned at a lower height than a back portion of said footrest element.

3. The footrest device according to claim 2, wherein the concave curvature of the top surface of said footrest element substantially conforms to the shape of a portion of a surface of a cone.

4. The footrest device according to claim 3, further comprising at least two mounting flanges extending downward from edges of said footrest element.

5. The footrest device according to claim 4, wherein each of said mounting flanges comprise an adhesive on an outer surface thereof adapted to adhere to adjacent shower walls.

6. The footrest device according to claim 4, wherein each of said mounting flanges comprise through-holes adapted to be used to mount said device to the shower walls via screws.

7. The footrest device according to claim 6, wherein said footrest surface further comprises at least one cutout opening aligned and adapted to allow screws to be driven through said through-holes via reaching such screws with a screwdriver shaft through said cutout openings.

8. The footrest device according to claim 4, wherein said footrest surface further comprises at least one cutout opening adapted to resist slipping of a user's foot in a forward or backward direction.

9. The footrest device according to claim 8, wherein a front edge of said footrest element is shaped as a circular arc having a center directed toward a corner of a shower stall when mounted, and wherein the at least one cutout opening comprises two cutout openings having side edges shaped as circular arcs formed concentric to the arc of said front edge of said footrest element.

10. The footrest device according to claim 4, wherein said footrest element has a corner cutout section at its back edge adapted to receive and store a grooming item.

11. A footrest device for a shower corner comprising: a footrest element formed of a rigid material, at least two mounting flanges extending downward from said footrest element, said footrest element having an upper footrest surface having a contour which is concave from above, wherein a mounting angle formed by said at least two mounting flanges is adjustable.

12. The footrest device according to claim 11, wherein the contour of said footrest surface is substantially shaped to conform to a portion of the surface of a cone, and wherein said footrest element can be bent out of shape by applying pressure exceeding a threshold level to a lower surface of said footrest element, wherein the application of such pressure widens the mounting angle, and wherein said footrest element maintains a new shape.

13. The footrest device according to claim 11, wherein the contour of said footrest surface is substantially shaped to conform to a portion of the surface of a cone, and wherein said footrest element can be bent out of shape by applying pressure exceeding a threshold level to the upper surface of said footrest element, wherein the application of such pressure narrows the mounting angle, and wherein said footrest element maintains a new shape.

14. The footrest device according to claim 11, wherein said footrest surface further comprises at least one cutout opening adapted to resist slipping of a user's foot in a forward or backward direction.

15. The footrest device according to claim 14, wherein a front edge of said footrest element is shaped as a circular arc having a center directed toward a corner of a shower stall when mounted, and wherein the at least one cutout opening comprises two cutout openings having side edges shaped as circular arcs formed concentric to the arc of said front edge of said footrest element.

16. The footrest device according to claim 15, wherein said footrest element has a corner cutout section at its back edge adapted to receive and store a grooming item.

17. A footrest device for a shower comprising: a footrest element shaped to conform to a corner of a shower stall and adapted to receive at least a portion of a user's foot thereon, wherein said footrest element comprises at least one cutout opening adapted to resist slipping of a user's foot in a forward or backward direction.

18. The footrest device according to claim 17, wherein a front edge of said footrest element is shaped as a circular arc having a center directed toward a corner of a shower stall when mounted, and wherein the at least one cutout opening comprises two cutout openings having side edges shaped as circular arcs formed concentric to the arc of said front edge of said footrest element.

19. The footrest device according to claim 18, wherein said footrest element further comprises a top surface having a concave curvature as viewed from above the top surface adapted to resist slipping in a lateral direction.

20. The footrest device according to claim 19, further comprising at least two mounting flanges extending downward from said footrest element, wherein a mounting angle formed by said at least two mounting flanges is adjustable.

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