US20080229533A1

US20080229533A1 - Foot-mounted floor cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US20080229533A1
Application number: US12/007,109
Authority: US
Inventors: Diane A. Skibicki
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-22
Filing date: 2008-01-07
Publication date: 2008-09-25

Abstract

The foot-mounted, floor-cleaning device is configured as a one-piece half-sock adapted to enclose a portion of a user's foot. The device extends to an area adjacent the center of the arch of the foot. The device functions best when worn over a sock. The half-sock configuration permits the device to be easily donned without requiring cumbersome fasteners and/or straps. On its underside at its front end (the area under the toes), the device is provided with a mildly-abrasive scrubbing material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/907,130, filed Mar. 22, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to cleaning devices. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a device for cleaning a floor, the device being adapted to be worn on a user's foot.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cleaning non-carpeted floors can often be an arduous task in that the removal of stubborn stains and caked-on grime usually requires direct pressure by hand. Thus, the cleaning person must either stoop or bend over to access the stain or grime to be removed. Besides increasing the cleaning time, either of the above-described scenarios produces strain on the large muscles of the back and thighs. The strain can aggravate these large muscles, causing soreness and pain. Furthermore, elderly people and/or people with physical disabilities may find it impossible to stoop or bend to remove the stains or grime by hand. The art would certainly welcome a device that could quickly and efficiently remove the stains and caked-on grime without requiring the user to stoop or bend over. Thus, the foot-mounted floor-cleaning device of the present invention solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foot-mounted floor cleaning device is a half-sock adapted to enclose the toes and ball of a user's foot. The device extends to an area adjacent the center of the arch of the foot. The device functions best when worn over a sock. The half-sock configuration permits the device to be easily donned without requiring cumbersome fasteners and/or straps. The half-sock is of one-piece design and is fabricated from a soft, stretchable, absorbent material. The inner surface of the half-sock is padded in the area under the toes and under the ball of the foot for comfort. On its underside and at its front end (the portion under the toes), the half-sock is provided with a mildly abrasive scrubbing material, which will not scratch the floor.
Accordingly, the invention presents a cleaning device that allows the use of the foot and eliminates the bending and stooping required when removing stains and caked-on grime from floors. The device is efficient and comfortable to wear. The device can be fabricated from biodegradable material for safe disposability. The device can be used to clean almost any type of non-carpeted floor. As contemplated, the device will be made available in a variety of sizes. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the cleaning device of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. Cleaning device 10 is configured as a one-piece half-sock that is adapted to be worn over a sock S on the foot of a user. The one-piece design of the half-sock permits a better fit and reduces the cost of manufacturing. The half-sock is fabricated from a soft, supple, liquid-absorbent material and is fashioned with a lower portion 12 that encapsulates the toes and the ball of a user's foot. A pad 14 (shown in phantom lines) is disposed on the inner surface of half-sock 12. Pad 14 extends from the front toe area to the area under the ball of the foot. Pad 14 is fabricated from a liquid impervious material to prevent the user's sock and foot from becoming damp. A tubular portion 16 extends from lower portion 12 and is designed to encapsulate the foot from the ball to approximately midway the arch. Tubular portion 16 is provided with an opening 16 a to allow for insertion of the user's foot.
Attention is now directed to FIG. 3, which shows the undersurface of lower portion 12. The area of the toes of the undersurface is provided with a mildly abrasive material 18, which will not scratch the floor.
In use the device is donned over a sock on the user's foot (no shoe). When a stain or caked-on grime is encountered while cleaning a floor, the user merely has to manipulate his/her foot to employ the material 18 and scrape the stain or grime away. The absorbent material at the ball of the foot can be utilized to wipe up very small amounts of liquid.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A foot-mounted floor cleaning device, comprising:

a one-piece half-sock having a lower portion and a tubular portion, the lower portion having an inner surface and an undersurface, a front area being defined on the undersurface of the lower portion, the tubular portion defining an opening adapted for receiving a foot of a user;

a stain and grime removing material disposed on the front area of the undersurface; and

a pad disposed on the inner surface of the lower portion.

2. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said one-piece half-sock is fabricated from a soft, stretchable, liquid-absorbent material.

3. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said stain and grime removing material comprises a mildly abrasive material.

4. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein said pad is fabricated from a liquid-impervious material.

5. A foot-mounted floor cleaning device, comprising:

a one-piece half-sock adapted for being worn on a foot of a user, the half-sock having a lower portion, the lower portion being adapted for encapsulating a toe and ball area of the user's foot, the lower portion having an inner surface and an undersurface, a front area being defined on the undersurface of the lower portion;

a tubular portion extending from the lower portion of the half-sock, the tubular portion being adapted for extending to and encapsulating a middle arch area of the user's foot;

a pad disposed on the inner surface of the lower portion.

6. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein said tubular portion defines an opening adapted for receiving the foot of the user therein.

7. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein said one-piece half sock is fabricated from a soft, stretchable, liquid-absorbent material.

8. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein said stain and grime removing material comprises a mildly abrasive material.

9. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein said pad is fabricated from a liquid-impervious material.

10. A foot-mounted floor cleaning device, comprising:

a one-piece half-sock adapted for being worn on a foot of a user, the half-sock being fabricated from a soft, stretchable, liquid-absorbent material, the half-sock having a lower portion adapted for encapsulating a toe and ball area of the user's foot, the lower portion having an inner surface and an undersurface, a front area being defined on the undersurface of the lower portion, the front area being adapted for being disposed in the toe area of the user's foot;

a tubular portion extending from the lower portion, the tubular portion being adapted for extending to and encapsulating a middle arch area of the user's foot, the tubular portion defining an opening adapted for receiving the foot of the user;

a pad disposed on the inner surface of the lower portion, the pad being adapted for extending from the toe area to the ball area of the user's foot.

11. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 10, wherein said stain and grime removing material comprises a mildly abrasive material.

12. The foot-mounted floor-cleaning device according to claim 11, wherein said pad is fabricated from a liquid-impervious material.