Automated back scrubbing device

Abstract

An automated back scrubbing device includes a panel which is mountable at a strategic height on a wall of a shower to enable a user to position their back against the panel when the user is bathing in the shower. A pair of lateral scrubbing units is each movably integrated into the panel to scrub the user's back. Each of the pair of lateral scrubbing units is mechanized to alternatively travel upwardly and downwardly along the panel. A center scrubbing unit is rotatably integrated into the panel to scrub the user's back. The center scrubbing unit rotates in a first direction when the center scrubbing unit is turned on. A soap reservoir is attached to the panel to dispense a liquid soap onto each of the pair of lateral scrubbing units and the center scrubbing unit to enhance cleaning the user's back.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An automated back scrubbing device for mounting on a wall of a shower, said automated back scrubbing device comprising:
 a panel being mountable at a strategic height on a wall of a shower wherein said panel is configured to be positioned to enable a user to position their back against said panel when the user is bathing in said shower, said panel being substantially hollow;   a plurality of couplers, each of said plurality of couplers being attached to said panel, each of said plurality of coupler releasably engaging said wall of said shower for mounting said panel on said wall of said shower;   a pair of lateral scrubbing units, each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units being movably integrated into said panel wherein each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units is configured to scrub the user's back when the user leans against said pair of lateral scrubbing units, each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units being mechanized to alternatively travel upwardly and downwardly along said panel wherein each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units is configured to scrub a substantial height of the user's back;   a center scrubbing unit being rotatably integrated into said panel wherein said central scrubbing unit is configured to scrub the user's back when the user leans against said center scrubbing unit, said center scrubbing unit rotating in a first direction when said center scrubbing unit is turned on, said center scrubbing unit being centrally located between said pair of lateral scrubbing units wherein said center scrubbing unit is configured to scrub a center of the user's back; and   a soap reservoir being attached to said panel wherein said soap reservoir is configured to contain a liquid soap, said soap reservoir being in fluid communication with each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units and said center scrubbing unit wherein said soap reservoir is configured to dispense the liquid soap onto each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units and said center scrubbing unit to enhance cleaning the user's back.   
     
     
         2 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said panel has a pair of slots each extending through a front wall of said panel into an interior of said panel;   each of said pair of slots is elongated to extend substantially between a top edge and a bottom edge of said panel;   each of said pair of slots is spaced from a respective one of a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of said panel;   each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units includes a first motor is positioned within said panel;   said first motor is aligned with a respective one of said pair of slots in said back wall of said panel;   said first motor is centrally located along a length of said respective slot;   said first motor alternatively rotates in a first direction and a second direction when said first motor is turned on;   each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units a drive gear being mechanically coupled to an output shaft of said first motor such that said drive gear is alternatively rotated in a first direction and a second direction when said first motor is turned on;   said drive gear has a plurality of teeth being integrated into an outer surface of said drive gear; and   said output shaft is substantially hollow.   
     
     
         3 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units includes a pair of rail gears;   each of said pair of rail gears is movably located within said panel;   each of said pair of rail gears has a plurality of teeth being integrated into an inwardly facing surface of said rail gears;   each of said pair of rail gears is positioned on opposite sides of said drive gear such that said plurality of teeth on said inwardly facing surface of each of said pair of rails gears enmeshes with said plurality of teeth on said drive gear; and   each of said pair of rail gears is alternatively urged to travel upwardly and downwardly in said panel when said first motor is turned on.   
     
     
         4 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units includes a pair of second motors;   each of said pair of second motors is attached to said inwardly facing surface of a respective one of said pair of rail gears at a point located adjacent to a distal end of said respective rail gear with respect to said drive gear;   each of said pair of second motors rotates in a first direction when said pair of second motors is turned on;   each of said pair of second motors has an output shaft which extends through a respective one of said pair of slots in said front wall of said panel;   said output shaft of each of said pair of second motors is substantially hollow; and   each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units includes a pair of brushes;   each of said pair of brushes includes a disk and a plurality of bristles each being applied to a front surface of said disk;   a back surface of said disk of each of said pair of brushes has a receiver being attached to said back surface;   said receiver on said back surface of said disk of each of said pair of brushes insertably engages said output shaft of a respective one of said pair of second motors such that each of said pair of brushes is rotated when said pair of second motors is turned on wherein said plurality of bristles on said front surface of said disk is configured to scrub the user's back; and   each of said pair of brushes alternatively travels upwardly and downwardly along said respective slot when said first motor is turned on wherein each of said pair of brushes is configured to scrub a substantial height of the user's back.   
     
     
         5 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said plurality of couplers has a coupled end and a free end;   each of said plurality of coupler flares outwardly between said coupled end and said free end such that each of said each of said plurality of couplers defines a cup;   said coupled end of each of said plurality of couplers is attached to a back wall of said panel;   said plurality of couplers is arranged in a pair of rows each extending substantially between a top edge and a bottom edge of said panel; and   each of said plurality of couplers is comprised of a resiliently deformable material thereby enabling each of said plurality of couplers to be compressed against said wall of said shower thereby enabling each of said plurality of couplers to suctionally engage said wall of said shower.   
     
     
         6 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units includes a first motor and a pair of second motors;   said center scrubbing unit includes a third motor being positioned within said panel;   said third motor has an output shaft extending through a front wall of said panel;   said output shaft of said third motor is substantially hollow;   said third motor rotates in a first direction when said third motor is turned on;   said center scrubbing unit includes a plurality of scrubbers, a respective scrubber includes a plurality of bristles each being applied to a front surface of a disk;   a respective scrubber includes a sponge being applied to a front surface of a disk;   a respective scrubber includes a loofah applied to a front surface of a disk;   a back surface of said disk of each of said plurality of scrubbers has a receiver being coupled to said back surface of said disk of a respective scrubber; and   said receiver associated with a respective one of said plurality of scrubbers releasably engages said output shaft of said third motor such that said respective scrubber is rotated when said third motor is turned on wherein said respective scrubber is configured to scrub the user's back.   
     
     
         7 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said soap reservoir has an input being in fluid communication with a shower head in said shower wherein said soap reservoir is configured to receive water from said shower head thereby enabling the water and the liquid soap to form suds;   said soap reservoir has an outlet extending between a bottom side of said soap reservoir and a top edge of said panel;   said soap reservoir has a fill port being integrated into a top side of said soap reservoir wherein said fill port is configured to enable said soap reservoir to be filled with the liquid soap; and   said automated back scrubbing device includes a water conduit being fluidly coupled between said input on said soap reservoir and said shower head wherein said water conduit is configured to deliver the water to said soap reservoir.   
     
     
         8 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units includes a first motor and a pair of second motors and a first brush and a pair of scrubbers;   each of said pair of second motors has an output shaft being substantially hollow;   said center scrubbing unit includes a third motor and a third brush;   said third motor having an output shaft being substantially hollow;   said automated back scrubbing device includes a series of distribution conduits;   each of said series of distribution conduits is integrated into said panel; and   each of said series of distribution conduits is fluidly coupled between said outlet of said soap reservoir and said output shaft of each of said pair of second motors of each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units and said output shaft of said third motor of said center scrubbing unit wherein said series of distribution conduits is configured to distribute a mixture of the water and the liquid soap into said pair of brushes and said plurality of scrubbers thereby enhancing cleaning the user's back.   
     
     
         9 . The automated back scrubbing device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said automated back scrubbing device includes a first motor and a pair of second motors and a third motor;   said automated back scrubbing device includes a water conduit;   said automated back scrubbing device includes a power supply being integrated into said panel, said power supply being electrically coupled to said first motor and each of said pair of second motors and said third motor;
 said power supply includes a valve being fluidly attached to between said shower head and said water conduit; 
 said valve is actuatable between an open condition and a closed condition wherein said valve is configured to either inhibit the water from flowing through said water conduit or enable the water to flow through said water conduit; 
 said power supply includes a power button being movably integrated into said valve; 
 said power button turns said valve on or off when said power button is manipulated; 
 said power button is electrically coupled to said first motor and each of said pair of second motors and said third motor; and 
 said power supply includes a battery being positioned within a battery recess which is integrated into said back wall of said panel; and 
 said battery is electrically coupled to said power button. 
   
     
     
         10 . An automated back scrubbing device for mounting on a wall of a shower, said automated back scrubbing device comprising:
 a panel being mountable at a strategic height on a wall of a shower wherein said panel is configured to be positioned to enable a user to position their back against said panel when the user is bathing in said shower, said panel being substantially hollow, said panel having a pair of slots each extending through a front wall of said panel into an interior of said panel, each of said pair of slots being elongated to extend substantially between a top edge and a bottom edge of said panel, each of said pair of slots being spaced from a respective one of a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge of said panel;   a plurality of couplers, each of said plurality of couplers being attached to said panel, each of said plurality of coupler releasably engaging said wall of said shower for mounting said panel on said wall of said shower, each of said plurality of couplers having a coupled end and a free end, each of said plurality of coupler flaring outwardly between said coupled end and said free end such that each of said each of said plurality of couplers defines a cup, said coupled end of each of said plurality of couplers being attached to a back wall of said panel, said plurality of couplers being arranged in a pair of rows each extending substantially between said top edge and said bottom edge of said panel, each of said plurality of couplers being comprised of a resiliently deformable material thereby enabling each of said plurality of couplers to be compressed against said wall of said shower thereby enabling each of said plurality of couplers to suctionally engage said wall of said shower;   a pair of lateral scrubbing units, each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units being movably integrated into said panel wherein each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units is configured to scrub the user's back when the user leans against said pair of lateral scrubbing units, each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units being mechanized to alternatively travel upwardly and downwardly along said panel wherein each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units is configured to scrub a substantial height of the user's back, each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units comprising:
 a first motor being positioned within said panel, said first motor being aligned with a respective one of said pair of slots in said back wall of said panel, said first motor being centrally located along a length of said respective slot, said first motor alternatively rotating in a first direction and a second direction when said first motor is turned on; 
 a drive gear being mechanically coupled to an output shaft of said first motor such that said drive gear is alternatively rotated in a first direction and a second direction when said first motor is turned on, said drive gear having a plurality of teeth being integrated into an outer surface of said drive gear, said output shaft being substantially hollow; 
 a pair of rail gears, each of said pair of rail gears being movably located within said panel, each of said pair of rail gears having a plurality of teeth being integrated into an inwardly facing surface of said rail gears, each of said pair of rail gears being positioned on opposite sides of said drive gear such that said plurality of teeth on said inwardly facing surface of each of said pair of rails gears enmeshes with said plurality of teeth on said drive gear, each of said pair of rail gears being alternatively urged to travel upwardly and downwardly in said panel when said first motor is turned on; 
 a pair of second motors, each of said pair of second motors being attached to said inwardly facing surface of a respective one of said pair of rail gears at a point located adjacent to a distal end of said respective rail gear with respect to said drive gear, each of said pair of second motors rotating in a first direction when said pair of second motors is turned on, each of said pair of second motors having an output shaft which extends through a respective one of said pair of slots in said front wall of said panel, said output shaft of each of said pair of second motors being substantially hollow; and 
 a pair of brushes, each of said pair of brushes including a disk and a plurality of bristles each being applied to a front surface of said disk, a back surface of said disk of each of said pair of brushes having a receiver being attached to said back surface, said receiver on said back surface of said disk of each of said pair of brushes insertably engaging said output shaft of a respective one of said pair of second motors such that each of said pair of brushes is rotated when said pair of second motors is turned on wherein said plurality of bristles on said front surface of said disk is configured to scrub the user's back, each of said pair of brushes alternatively traveling upwardly and downwardly along said respective slot when said first motor is turned on wherein each of said pair of brushes is configured to scrub a substantial height of the user's back; 
   a center scrubbing unit being rotatably integrated into said panel wherein said central scrubbing unit is configured to scrub the user's back when the user leans against said center scrubbing unit, said center scrubbing unit rotating in a first direction when said center scrubbing unit is turned on, said center scrubbing unit being centrally located between said pair of lateral scrubbing units wherein said center scrubbing unit is configured to scrub a center of the user's back, said center scrubbing unit comprising:
 a third motor being positioned within said panel, said third motor having an output shaft extending through said front wall of said panel, said third motor rotating in a first direction when said third motor is turned on; and 
 said center scrubbing unit includes a plurality of scrubbers, a respective scrubber includes a plurality of bristles each being applied to a front surface of a disk; 
 a respective scrubber includes a sponge being applied to a front surface of a disk; 
 a respective scrubber includes a loofah applied to a front surface of a disk; 
 a back surface of said disk of each of said plurality of scrubbers has a receiver being coupled to said back surface of said disk of a respective scrubber; 
 said receiver associated with a respective one of said plurality of scrubbers releasably engages said output shaft of said third motor such that said respective scrubber is rotated when said third motor is turned on wherein said respective scrubber is configured to scrub the user's back; and 
 said output shaft of said third motor is substantially hollow; 
   a soap reservoir being attached to said panel wherein said soap reservoir is configured to contain a liquid soap, said soap reservoir being in fluid communication with each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units and said center scrubbing unit wherein said soap reservoir is configured to dispense the liquid soap onto each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units and said center scrubbing unit to enhance cleaning the user's back, said soap reservoir having an input being in fluid communication with a shower head in said shower wherein said soap reservoir is configured to receive water from said shower head thereby enabling the water and the liquid soap to form suds, said soap reservoir having an outlet extending between a bottom side of said soap reservoir and said top edge of said panel, said soap reservoir having a fill port being integrated into a top side of said soap reservoir wherein said fill port is configured to enable said soap reservoir to be filled with the liquid soap;   a water conduit being fluidly coupled between said input on said soap reservoir and said shower head wherein said water conduit is configured to deliver the water to said soap reservoir;   a series of distribution conduits, each of said series of distribution conduits being integrated into said panel, each of said series of distribution conduits being fluidly coupled between said outlet of said soap reservoir and said output shaft of each of said pair of second motors of each of said pair of lateral scrubbing units and said output shaft of said third motor of said center scrubbing unit wherein said series of distribution conduits is configured to distribute a mixture of the water and the liquid soap into said pair of brushes and said plurality of scrubbers thereby enhancing cleaning the user's back; and   a power supply being integrated into said panel, said power supply being electrically coupled to said first motor and each of said pair of second motors and said third motor, said power supply comprising:
 a valve being fluidly attached to between said water conduit and said shower head, said valve being actuatable between an open condition and a closed condition wherein said valve is configured to either inhibit the water from flowing through said water conduit or enable the water to flow through said water conduit; 
 a power button being movably integrated into said valve, said power button turning said valve on or off when said power button is manipulated, said power button being electrically coupled to said first motor and each of said pair of second motors and said third motor; and 
 a battery being positioned within a battery recess which is integrated into said back wall of said panel, said battery being electrically coupled to said power button.