Telescoping Collapsible Bath Brush

Abstract

A collapsible bath brush is disclosed with a handle that collapses telescopically into the interior of the brush head, thereby making the brush more convenient, compact, and adaptable than other bath brushes. In preferred embodiments, the brush head includes bristles or a sponge, the handle includes at least three segments, and when extended, the handle is wide (at least one inch), long, and easy to hold. When the handle is collapsed, the brush head is a fully functional handle-free bath brush without protrusions that could interfere with washing. A securing mechanism prevents inadvertent collapse of the handle when extended, and in preferred embodiments a retaining mechanism prevents inadvertent extension of the handle when collapsed. The brush is easy to pack for travel, requiring no disassembly to achieve its smallest configuration. In preferred embodiments the brush has an open, horseshoe-shaped, easy-to-clean handle, and can be disassembled for thorough cleaning.

1 . A collapsible bathing brush, comprising:
 a brush head having a wash pad, the wash pad substantially covering one side of the brush head;   a telescoping handle having a plurality of nestable handle segments, the telescoping handle being movable between an extended and a collapsed position, interconnected to the brush head, and collapsible into the interior of the brush head; and   a securing mechanism for securing the telescoping handle in its extended position.   
   
   
       2 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the wash pad includes a plurality of bristles. 
   
   
       3 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the wash pad includes a sponge. 
   
   
       4 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle segments are individually detachable. 
   
   
       5 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the telescoping handle includes at least three handle segments. 
   
   
       6 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle segments are horseshoe-shaped in cross-section. 
   
   
       7 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle segments are round in cross section. 
   
   
       8 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the handle segments are at least one inch wide. 
   
   
       9 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 4 , wherein the handle segments are at least one inch wide and are horseshoe-shaped in cross-section. 
   
   
       10 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 9 , wherein the securing mechanism includes latches affixed to the handle segments. 
   
   
       11 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism includes buttons cooperative with the handle segments that fit into holes in adjacent handle segments. 
   
   
       12 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 11 , wherein the securing mechanism includes protrusions in walls of the handle segments that nest into indentations in walls of adjoining segments when the handle is extended. 
   
   
       13 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining mechanism for retaining the handle in its collapsed position. 
   
   
       14 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining mechanism for retaining the handle in its collapsed position includes catches recessed in grooves in the brush head, the catches being cooperatively engagable with notches on the distal end of the innermost handle segment. 
   
   
       15 . The collapsible bathing brush of  claim 13 , wherein the retaining mechanism for retaining the handle in its collapsed position includes protrusions in walls of the handle segments that nest into indentations in walls of adjoining segments when the handle is collapsed.