1 DESCRIPTION

1.1 GENERAL This invention is a device to facilitate the treatment of hardened skin on feet, especially around the heels. It consists of a board, the under side covered with a friction inhibiting material and the upper side with an abrasive cloth of two different grades. The nature of the invention is made clear by the following text.

1.2 BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

One of the more labour intensive operations during a pedicure is the removal of skin calluses which primarily appear around the heels and which often result in painful skin cracks and a heavy wear on stockings. The problem is especially apparent in older people but does also occur in younger people who use wooden clogs in their work, e g hospital staff.

The most common aids available at the moment are files, sand paper or pu ic stone, apart from the equipment used in pedicure clinics. All types of aids for private use, however, are based upon manual treatment of the appropriate parts of the foot which is very taxing especially for overweight people and for elderly people with limited mobility.

The problem with fouling (filings) means that the treatment has to be carried out in a particular place or over a special base to collect the skin filings.

1.3 PURPOSE OF INVENTION AND MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS

The purpose with the invention is to be able quickly to treat skin calluses on the feet (especially the heels) without any taxing body movements. The treatment can also be carried out without any risk for fouling anywhere at home. It can also be carried out under water in connection with a bath.

The invention is illustrated on the enclosed drawing which shows one possible design. The above mentioned problems have been solved with a rectangular board (1) which on its under side (2) has a friction inhibiting material (3) and on its upper side (4) a water resistant abrasive cloth (5) of two different grades. When in use, the board (1) is placed on the floor and from a comfortable sitting position, in an armchair or low chair, one foot at a time is moved backwards and forwards on the board. Thus the treatment is carried out quickly and comfortably with little exertion. In connection with a bath or a foot bath the board is used under water which can be more comfortable and give a quicker result. The skin filings will then not stick to the abrasive cloth which is the case when dry feet are treated.

It might be appropriate to equip the board with a supporting upward-pointing frame so that the skin filings which do not stick to the abrasive cloth (5) remain on the board (1). It is clear that the upper side (4) can be fitted with a coating containing abrasive grains which are glued or cast directly to the board (1) and with which the same result is achieved as with the abrasive cloth (5).

The board (1) can also be made in two parts linked only by the friction material which then acts as hinge so that the board can be folded together for transport and storage. The two abrasive surfaces (5) would then face each other at the same time as the width of the board would be halved.

The upper side (4) can as an alternative be designed with sine shaped grooves and ridges of a size such that the grooves partly enclose the heel and the ridges make it possible to treat calluses under the arch. The upper side of the board (4) can also be shaped more or less curved or be given the shape of a half sphere.