Scrub shoe

Abstract

There is provided a wearable cleaning implement or “scrub shoe” adapted to be worn on a user's foot that is useful for scrubbing surfaces that are lower than waist level. In certain embodiments, bristles extend from the undersurface of a shoe-like member, slipper, or flip-flop that is worn by the user. Scrub shoes according to certain embodiments of the invention are particularly useful in cleaning tile floors, shower stalls, bathtubs, boat bottoms, pool bottoms, coolers, and the like.

1 . A cleaning implement adapted to be worn on a user's foot as a scrub shoe, comprising: 
 (a) an upper portion comprising a water shoe, a dive sock, or a water sock comprised of an at least partially water-resistant material having a strength that can withstand back-and-forth scrubbing action, the upper portion having an area adapted to directly receive a user's foot,    (b) an undersurface comprising a sole that has a plurality of bristles extending therefrom.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles are tufted into the undersurface.  
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , further comprising a toe portion, wherein a plurality of bristles extend from the toe portion and wherein the bristles are adapted to clean corners and crevices.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is comprised of neoprene, mesh, rubber, plastic, Tri-Permalon™, latex, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is adapted to slip onto a user's foot.  
   
   
       10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles are comprised of polymers, plastic, wire, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, animal hair, tampico, bassine, poled polymers, scouring brush material, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles are removable and replaceable.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11 , wherein the undersurface has an attachment area of hook and loop material or a track and the bristles are provided on a platform that has corresponding hook and loop material or a corresponding track.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , further comprising a member adapted to hang the cleaning implement between uses.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , further comprising a bladder adapted to contain and dispense cleaning materials during use.  
   
   
       15 . A method for manufacturing a cleaning implement adapted to be worn on a user's foot, comprising: 
 (a) providing an undersurface sole portion of a piece of footwear having an underneath surface;    (b) providing a plurality of bristles; and    (c) attaching the bristles to the underneath portion of the undersurface.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising 
 (d) attaching the undersurface portion to an upper portion that is adapted to slip or tie directly onto the user's foot in order to secure the cleaning implement to a user's foot.    
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is adapted to tie onto a user's foot with shoelaces.