Abstract:
A foot cleaning device includes a basin defining a cavity for holding a quantity of liquid (such as water and soap). A grate is disposed within the cavity and includes a plurality of open regions. At least one (preferably a plurality) brush or pad is arranged under the grate such that an upper portion of the brush/pad is disposed above the grate through the open regions. The brush/pad is operatively connected to a motor which moves the brush/pad along a longitudinal axis A of the cavity, thereby contacting the foot and removing debris from the foot. In another embodiment, the brush/pad also rotates about a direction B that is substantially perpendicular to, and in the same plane as, the longitudinal axis A. The rotation of the brush/pad prevents debris from building up on the surface of the brush/pad and aids in the removal of debris from the foot.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and more particularly, relates to a method and apparatus for removing debris from one or more feet.  
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0002]     Washing a small pet such as a dog is a common, yet often dreaded, chore. Pet washing is often undertaken indoors using a conventional bathtub or outdoors using a tub or garden hose. However, a more frequently encountered need is to merely clean the dirty paws of an animal before the animal is permitted to come indoors. A complete washing of the animal is simply unnecessary and undesirable in this instance.  
         [0003]     One problem with cleaning an animal&#39;s feet is that the animals are often not cooperative. It is often difficult to get the animal to stay still, especially for extended periods of time. As a result, it is necessary to clean the animal&#39;s feet in as little time as possible.  
         [0004]     Another problem is that the debris on the animal&#39;s feet (such as dirt, leaves, grass, snow, salt, small rocks/pebbles/sand, and the like) may be very difficult to remove. Often, scrubbing alone is often not enough to remove the debris and it is frequently necessary to use water and/or a cleaning solution (such as soap and the like). Unfortunately, a bucket filled with soapy water does not work well because it involves having to clean each paw separately. Additionally, each foot must be held up in the air. This is especially difficult while cleaning the feet of an uncooperative animal.  
         [0005]     Various apparatus have been proposed in the prior art for the complete washing of a pet such as a dog. Existing devices, however, are not particularly adapted for the thorough cleaning of the paws of a pet. Accordingly, there exists a need for a device that can easily and effectively clean the feet of an animal. The device should preferably allow the animal to stand in one place without having to hold the animal&#39;s foot in the air while the device cleans the animal&#39;s foot.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The present invention features a cleaning device having a body, a grate, and at least one cleaning apparatus. The cleaning device can be used to clean the foot or paw of an animal or human. The body defines a cavity having a longitudinal axis A and an opening sized and shaped to accept at least one foot. In the preferred embodiment, the cavity is adapted to contain a quantity of liquid such as, but not limited to, water and soap.  
         [0007]     The grate is disposed within the cavity and includes a plurality of open regions. In the preferred embodiment, the grate is disposed beneath the top surface of the liquid. Optionally, the grate is movably disposed within cavity such that in a first position, the grate is disposed above the top surface of the liquid proximate the opening in a first position, and in a second position, the grate is disposed beneath the top surface of the liquid. A biasing device preferably urges the grate in the first position and allows the grate to move from the first position to the second position when a substantially downward force is applied against the grate. The grate may also be provided with a locking device to secure the grate in at least the first position when a substantially downward force is applied against the grate. Optionally, a sensor may monitor the position of the grate and turn the cleaning device on when the grate is in the second position.  
         [0008]     The cleaning apparatus, preferably a brush or a pad, is disposed within the cavity beneath the grate such that at least a portion of the cleaning apparatus is disposed above the grate through the plurality of open regions. A motor is operatively connected to the cleaning apparatus such that the cleaning apparatus is movable along the longitudinal axis A.  
         [0009]     According to one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of cleaning apparatuses secured to a movable frame. The frame and at least one inner edge of the cavity include a groove and a tab, wherein the groove and the tab guide the frame along the longitudinal axis A. Alternatively, the frame may include wheels.  
         [0010]     The moveable frame is operatively connected to the motor via linkage. In one embodiment, the motor is rotatably connected to a cam and the cam is operatively connected to the frame with a linkage. The motor rotates the cam thereby moving the linkage and the frame substantially along the longitudinal axis A.  
         [0011]     According to another embodiment, the cleaning apparatus rotates about an axis B substantially perpendicular to, and in substantially the same plane as, the longitudinal axis A.  
         [0012]     In one embodiment, the motor is rotatably connected to a cam. The cam is operatively connected to the frame with a linkage. The motor rotates the cam thereby moving the linkage and the frame substantially along said longitudinal axis A. The inner edge of the cavity may include a toothed portion and the cleaning apparatus may include a toothed gear rotatably disposed through a frame. As the frame is moved substantially along the longitudinal axis A, the toothed gear engages the toothed portion of the inner edge of the cavity thereby rotating the cleaning apparatus about the axis B.  
         [0013]     Alternatively, the cleaning apparatus includes a first toothed rod connected at a first end of the cleaning apparatus. The inner surface of the cavity includes a second toothed rod rotatably connected to the motor which engages the first toothed rod. As the motor rotates the second toothed rod, the first toothed rod of the cleaning apparatus engages the second toothed rod and moves the cleaning apparatus substantially along the axis A and rotates the cleaning apparatus about the axis B.  
         [0014]     The present invention also features a method of cleaning a foot. The method includes placing a foot on a grate having a plurality of openings disposed therethrough. The grate is disposed within a cavity of a basin. At least one cleaning apparatus is arranged substantially beneath the grate within the cavity such that at least an upper portion of the at least one cleaning apparatus is disposed through the plurality of openings within the grate. The cleaning apparatus moves substantially along a longitudinal axis of the cavity. As the cleaning apparatus moves, the upper portion of the cleaning apparatus, which is disposed above the grate, contacts the foot. Additionally, the method may also include rotating the cleaning apparatus about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side exploded view of one embodiment of the cleaning device according to the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a side exploded view of the embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the grate is movably disposed within the basin according to the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2   b  is a side exploded view of another embodiment of the cleaning device wherein the grate is movably disposed within the basin according to the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the one embodiment of the grate according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a side exploded view of another embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 2B  according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a top plan view of a further another embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 4  according to the present invention; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 7B  is an end cross sectional view of another embodiment of the cleaning device shown in  FIG. 7A  according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     A cleaning device  10 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a basin  12  defining at least one cavity  14  with at least one wall  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the basin  12  is made from plastic, though this is not a limitation of the present invention. The basin  12  and cavity  14  may have any shape (for example, but not limited to, a rectangle, square, circular or tubular shape) and includes an open region  18  sized and shaped to accept at least one foot (preferably two or more). The exact size and shape of the basin  12 , the cavity  14 , and the opening  18  will depend on the number and size of the feet to be cleaned as well as the circumstances of its installation, and is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art. The cavity  14  also holds a predetermined amount of water (and optionally a cleaning solution such as soap or the like)  20 . The amount of water  20  will depend upon the size of the cavity. For exemplary purposes only, the basin  12  and cavity  14  are preferably rectangular in shape. The basin  12  is preferably approximately 20 inches wide by approximately 15 inches long and the approximately 5 inches in height. The cavity  14  is preferably approximately 15 inches wide by approximately 10 inches long and approximately 5 inches in height and has an opening  18  that is preferably approximately 15 inches wide by approximately 10 inches long.  
         [0027]     The cavity  14  also includes one or more grates  22  disposed proximate the open region  18 . The grates  22  are preferably removably secured to the cavity  14  using any manner known to those skilled in the art. The grate  22  ( FIG. 3 ) is perforated and includes a framework of substantially parallel or latticed bars  21 , forming open areas  23 . The grate  22  is preferably positioned beneath the water level  64  such that approximately 2 inches of water are disposed above the grate  22 . Alternatively, the grate  22  may be positioned above the water level  64 .  
         [0028]     In another embodiment, the grate  22 ,  FIGS. 2 , may be moveably disposed about the cavity  14 . The grate  22  may be disposed on one or more biasing mechanisms  26  (such as, but not limited to a spring or the like) which are secured to the cavity  14 . According to this embodiment, when no weight is disposed on the grate  22 , the biasing mechanisms  26  urge the grate upwards such that the grate is positioned above the water level  64 . When weight is placed on the grate  22 , the biasing mechanisms  26  is overcome and the grate  22  moves downward such that the grate  22  is positioned below the water level  64 . The cleaning device  10  may further include a locking device  28  (such as, but not limited to, a tab or a protrusion) to lock the grate  22  in position.  
         [0029]     This embodiment allows the cleaning device  10  to be left in place over long periods of time. When not in use, the grate  22  may be locked in the position over the water line  64 . This allows animals and people to walk on and over the cleaning device  10  without getting there feet wet. As will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow, the cleaning device  10  may also include a position switch or sensor  30  that monitors the position of the grate  22  such that the cleaning device  10  is automatically turned on whenever the grate  22  is positioned beneath the water level  64 . This embodiment is particularly useful when the cleaning device  10  is permanently installed as part of an entranceway.  
         [0030]     According to one embodiment, the cleaning device  10 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a plurality of reciprocating cleaning apparatus  32  which are driven by a motor  36  in linkage  38 . Each cleaning apparatus  32  is positioned across the width of the cavity  14  substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the cavity  14 . A portion  33  of the cleaning apparatus is  32  is disposed through the open areas  23  of the grate  22  is positioned above the grate  22 . This portion  33  contacts the foot. The cleaning apparatus  32  removes the debris from the foot as it  32  contacts the foot and moves back and forth on the direction.  
         [0031]     The cleaning apparatus  32  preferably includes any type of brush or pad  24  which is preferably mounted to a movable frame  40 . The cleaning apparatuses  32  move back and forth along the longitudinal axis A of the cavity  14  such that the path of the cleaning apparatuses  32  substantially covers the entire open region  18 . This allows the feet to be cleaned virtually anywhere on the grate  22 .  
         [0032]     The motor  36  in the linkage  38  may include any motor or linkage known to those skilled in the art. For example, as will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow, the linkage  38  may include a cam device  39  rotatably connected to the motor  36  (for example, but not limited to, with a first rod  81 ) and to the movable frame  40  (for example, but not limited to, with a second rod  82 ). As the motor rotates the cam device  39 , the second rod  82  is subsequently moved back and forth, thereby causing the movable frame  40  move back and forth along the direction of arrow A. In one embodiment, the frame  40  may include tabs or wheels  87  which engage the bottom surface  16  of the basin  12 .  
         [0033]     According to another embodiment, the cleaning device  10 ,  FIG. 4 , also includes a plurality of rotatable and reciprocating cleaning apparatuses  32  which are substantially similar to the previous embodiment and are preferably driven by a motor  36  and linkage  38 . The cleaning apparatuses  32  preferably include generally cylindrical brushes or pads  24 . A portion  33  of the cleaning apparatuses  32  is disposed through the open areas  23  of the grate  22  and is positioned above the grate  22 . As discussed above, the grate  22 ,  FIG. 2B , may be movably disposed within the cavity  14 .  
         [0034]     An important aspect of this embodiment is that the cleaning apparatuses  32  rotate about the direction of the arrow B in addition to moving along the longitudinal axis A. Rotating the cleaning apparatuses  32  increases the cleaning surface/area  34  of the cleaning apparatuses  32  because the entire surface (i.e., the top as well as the bottom) of the cleaning apparatuses  32  may be used for cleaning. As a result, the cleaning apparatuses  32  will need to be cleaned less often. The cleaning apparatuses  32  may rotate  360  degrees in one direction continuously or back and forth in the direction of the arrow B.  
         [0035]     In the previous embodiment wherein the cleaning apparatuses  32  only moves along the direction of arrow A, gravity causes the debris removed from the foot to become lodged within the cleaning surface of the cleaning apparatuses  32 , thereby reducing the overall effectiveness of the cleaning apparatuses  32 . If the built-up debris is allowed to remain and build up on the cleaning apparatuses  32 , the overall effectiveness of the cleaning device  10  is substantially decreased. In some cases, for example where one or more feet of the animal are very dirty or the material (such as clay and snow) is very clumpy or slippery, the built-up debris on the cleaning apparatuses  32  can be accidentally transferred to the other feet (which may in fact have been previously clean), thereby effectively contaminate the other feet and increasing the amount of cleaning necessary. While it is possible to remove the built-up debris from the cleaning apparatuses  32 , this substantially increases the amount of labor involve and decreases the cleaning device&#39;s  10  utility.  
         [0036]     In contrast, the cleaning apparatuses  32  of the present embodiment rotate about the direction of arrow B, thereby preventing debris from building-up on the cleaning surface/area  34 . As the cleaning apparatus  32  is rotated, the portion  33  of the cleaning surface/area  34  (which is initially facing upwards) is moved through the water  20  thereby agitating the water  20 . The moving water  20  aids in removing and/or loosening-up the debris from the cleaning surface  34 . Moreover, because the portion  33  is rotated and eventually faces downward, gravity acts to pull the debris away from and remove the debris from the from the portion  33 . As a result, the present embodiment automatically and continuously removes debris from the cleaning surface/area  34  of the cleaning apparatus  32  without the need for human intervention.  
         [0037]     According to one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus  32 ,  FIG. 5 , may include a movable frame  40 . The plurality of cleaning apparatuses  32  are preferably rotatably secured about a pivot  44  of the frame  40 . The frame  40  is operatively connected to the motor  36  via linkage  38  in any manner known to those skilled in the art. The motor  36  may be disposed virtually anywhere, but is preferably disposed within a chamber  46  in the in the basin  12 . According to the preferred embodiment, the linkage  38  includes a cam  39  rotatably connected to the motor  36 . A rod  82  is pivotably connected to the cam  39  and to the frame  40 . As the motor  36  rotates the cam  39 , the rod  82  moves back and forth, thereby moving the frame  40  in the direction of arrow A.  
         [0038]     According to one embodiment, the frame  40 ,  FIG. 5A , includes a tab or a protrusion  41  which slides within a groove or channel  42  disposed along the edge of the cavity  14 . Alternatively, the frame  40  may include a plurality of wheels  49 ,  FIG. 5B . The wheels  49  may optionally move within a channel  47  to prevent the frame  40  becoming bound.  
         [0039]     According to another embodiment, the motor  36 ,  FIG. 6 , may be operatively connected to one or more threaded rods  50 . According to this embodiment, the cleaning apparatus  32  include a threaded shaft  52 . The threaded shaft  52  has a thread that corresponds to the thread of the threaded rods  50 . As the threaded rods  50  are rotated about the direction of the arrow C, the cleaning apparatus  32  is moved along the longitudinal axis A and is rotated about the direction of the arrow B. In the preferred embodiment, threaded shafts  52  are sandwiched between two threaded rods  50 .  
         [0040]     According to yet another embodiment, the plurality of cleaning apparatuses  32 ,  FIGS. 7 , are preferably rotatably secured about a pivot  44  of the frame  40 . One or more of the pivots  44  also include a toothed gear  57  which interlock with one or more toothed portion  59  secured to the edge or bottom surface  16  of the cavity  14 . The frame  40  is operatively connected to the motor  36  via linkage  38  in any manner known to those skilled in the art and may slide along the bottom of the cavity  14  or within a groove  42 . According to the preferred embodiment, the linkage  38  includes a cam  39  rotatably connected to the motor  36  as previously discussed. As the frame  40  moves in the direction of arrow A, the toothed gear  57  engages the toothed portion  59  of the cavity  14 , thereby rotating the cleaning apparatus  32 .  
         [0041]     In the exemplary embodiment, the cleaning apparatuses  32  are rotated about the direction of the arrow B faster than they are moved along the longitudinal axis A. Moving the cleaning apparatuses  32  in the direction of the arrow B faster than the direction of arrow A increases the amount of cleaning surface  34  contact with the feet and creates a scrubbing effect, thereby aiding in the removal of the debris. However, it is important that the cleaning apparatuses  32  move sufficiently fast in the direction of the arrow A such that the entire foot is cleaned in a minimum amount of time. In the preferred embodiment, the ratio in which the cleaning apparatuses  32  are rotated in the direction of arrow B to being moved in the direction of arrow A is approximately 2:1 to approximately 5:1. Other ratios are also contemplated.  
         [0042]     Accordingly, the present invention is capable of cleaning one or more feet in a minimum amount of time. The present invention is easy to use and is capable of removing a wide range of debris.  
         [0043]     Moreover, the present invention automatically removes debris from the cleaning device without the need of human interaction. As a result, debris does not build-up on the cleaning surface and the cleaning time is significantly reduced. The present invention also accomplishes this without the use of complicated and expensive pumping and piping systems that can easily become clogged by debris.  
         [0044]     Other methods and apparatus are envisioned for moving the cleaning apparatuses  32  along the longitudinal axis A as well as rotating the cleaning apparatuses  32  about the direction of the arrow B. The present invention is not be limited to any one method or apparatus for accomplishing this except where specifically noted.  
         [0045]     Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.