Lotion applicator apparatus and method

A folding, hand-held lotion applicator for applying lotions to areas of a user's body that are difficult for the user to reach, the lotion applicator comprising:

• an elongated applicator handle sized to permit a comfortable grip by the hand of the user, the applicator handle having a linking end with a linking end bore disposed therethrough, the linking end bore being aligned to define a pivot axis that extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of applicator handle;
• an elongated pivot arm comprising an applicator end for applying lotion, and an opposing pivot end, the pivot end defining a pivot end bore disposed therethrough extending transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pivot arm, the pivot arm being received by the applicator handle so that the pivot end bore is aligned along the pivot axis;
• a pivot shaft disposed along the pivot axis pivotally connecting the applicator handle to the pivot arm;
• the pivot arm being pivotable from a folded position adjacent the applicator handle, to an unfolded position extending away from the applicator handle, the pivot arm being adjustable to a plurality of pre-determined pivot angles;
• a biasing member disposed to urge said pivot arm against the applicator handle wherein said biasing member is adjustable from an unbiased configuration where the pivot arm is free to rotate, to a biased configuration where the pivot arm is locked to maintain a pre-determined pivot angle;
• a receiving seat defined by a portion of the applicator handle to receive the pivot arm when the pivot arm is moved to the folded position;
• wherein the receiving seat defines a channel having opposing left and right sidewalls, the pivot arm being received within the channel, between the opposing sidewalls when the pivot arm is moved to the folded position, wherein the linking end bore extends through each opposing sidewall of the applicator handle, and wherein the pivot end bore is coaxially disposed along the pivot axis therebetween;
• and
• wherein the biasing member comprises a tightening nut that threadedly engages the pivot shaft, the pivot shaft having restricting means for impeding the pivot shaft from sliding through said linking end bore as the tightening nut threadedly engages the pivot shaft, and
• a bearing member that extends from the tightening nut through a portion of the linking end bore, to the pivot arm, wherein as the tightening nut is tightened, the bearing member engages the pivot arm and urges the same against one of said left and right sidewalls.