Abstract:
A device for cleaning soles of footwear with a plurality of rotatable horizontal brushes. A motor may be used to drive each of the brushes. A tray for collecting dirt and other debris may be located under the brushes in order to provide a convenient method to remove dirt and other debris from the device after use. Such devices may permit a person or persons to clean mud, snow, sand, dirt and the like from the soles of their footwear without need of removing the footwear from their feet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to devices which can be used by an individual to clean the soles of shoes and other footwear. The device relates more specifically to a powered sole cleaning device which can be placed onto the floor or other surface such that a person wearing shoes may step onto the device and a plurality of brushes will clean the soles of the footwear. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Prior art machines for cleaning the soles of shoes are generally either stationary as in mats, rugs, and bristled brushes. Other devices are available for mechanically cleaning upper portions of shoes, such as buffing machines, but they do not offer the ability for a person to have the machine clean the sole of the shoe, particularly when the person is still wearing the shoe. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to a novel sole cleaning device which allows an individual to utilize the device to clean the soles of their footwear without the need to remove their footwear in some embodiments. The devices may be constructed to various dimensions and configurations to fit into a multitude of locations. The present invention provides a sole cleaning device which is particularly suitable for households, commercial locations, and even construction sites as it can provide a convenient hands free mechanism for cleaning dirt and other debris from shoes quickly and efficiently. Other possible locations where the present invention may be used include hospitals and other areas where dirt and other contaminants can pose a health or other risk. Such devices may be used indoors or outdoors and may be either manually or automatically operated. 
         [0004]    According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a housing having a plurality of horizontally mounted rotatable brushes each having a plurality of bristles thereon, at least one support grid having a plurality of slats, a motor for driving the plurality of brushes, a power source for powering the motor wherein the motor causes the plurality of brushes to rotate and a person may stand on the device and wherein the soles are cleaned by relative motion of the brushes and wherein an upper portion of each of the plurality of brushes is at least temporarily positioned above the grid and a lower portion of each of the plurality of brushes is positioned below the grid. 
         [0005]    In another exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a housing, a first set of horizontal cylindrical brushes with bristles including a first brush and a second brush wherein a longitudinal axis of the first brush and a longitudinal axis of the second brush are parallel to each other, and a second set of horizontal cylindrical brushes with bristles including a plurality of brushes wherein all of the longitudinal axis of each of the second set of horizontal cylindrical brushes is parallel to each other and wherein each of the axis of the first set of horizontal cylindrical brushes is perpendicular to each of the axis of the second set of horizontal cylindrical brushes. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment comprises a novel method for cleaning the sole of a shoe comprising a device having a housing having a plurality of horizontally mounted rotatable brushes each having a plurality of bristles thereon, at least one support grid having a plurality of slats, a motor for driving the plurality of brushes, a power source for powering the motor wherein the motor causes the plurality of brushes to rotate and a person may stand on the device and wherein the soles are cleaned by relative motion of the brushes wherein the method includes the steps of placing a sole of footwear downwardly onto the grid, and activating the motor such that the brushes are caused to rotate wherein the brushes clean the soles of the footwear and wherein the soles remain stationary in relation to the grid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating a person using the device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates another perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates a partial top view of a grid portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 &amp; 4  when the grid has been removed to show the brushes; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates another partial top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 5  showing a location of a motor to drive the brushes; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 6  illustrating a gear configuration for driving the brushes; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial cross-sectional front view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing various brushes; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing various rollers; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  illustrates a partial side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    To promote an understanding of the principles of the present invention, descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention follow and specific language is used to describe the specific embodiments. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by the use of specific language. Alterations, further modifications, and such further applications of the principles of the present invention discussed are contemplated as would normally occur to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. 
         [0021]    The present invention is directed to devices that may be utilized to mechanically clean the sole of a shoe or other footwear. The devices of the present invention may be utilized in numerous configurations and may be installed in an infinite number of locations due to its variable configuration. Such devices may be installed at an infinite number of residential and commercial locations, such as hospitals and construction sites, wherever a person or business would like to be able to easily, efficiently, and quickly have their soles cleaned in order to remove dirt and other debris from their shoes. One exemplary device of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating a person using the device.  FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  illustrates another perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a partial top view of a grid portion of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a partial top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 &amp; 4  when the grid has been removed to show the brushes.  FIG. 6  illustrates another partial top view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 5  showing a location of a motor to drive the brushes.  FIG. 7  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 - 6  illustrating a gear configuration for driving the brushes.  FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  illustrates a partial cross-sectional front view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing various brushes.  FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing various rollers.  FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cross- sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 13  illustrates a partial side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary embodiment sole cleaning device  10  having a generally parallelepiped shaped frame or housing  12  with a cavity  14  therein (cavity  14  which may extend partly or entirely through housing  12 ). In this embodiment, frame  12  has a generally rectangular shape bounded by first side  20 , second side  22 , third side or back  24 , and fourth side or front side  26  (floor  28  is not shown). Also shown is power cord  30 , which attaches at a first end  32  to housing  12  and has a plug  34  at the other end of power cord  30 . Note that although shown with a power cord such that the device may be powered by an alternating source power current, it is also acceptable (and even desirable in some embodiments) for the device to be powered by direct current and/or battery powered. 
         [0024]    Switch  40  is also shown in  FIG. 1  as a means of turning the device on and off. In other embodiments, such as that shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , other means may be used to turn the device on and off. In this embodiment, grid  42  may have a first series of slats  44  and a second series of slats  46 . Although grid  42  may have any desired configuration, in the illustrated embodiment first series of slats  44  are perpendicular to second series of slats  46 . 
         [0025]    Internal to housing  12  are a plurality of brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 . Each brush has an associated longitudinal shaft (with a shaft axis passing through a centerline of the shaft)  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 . Each brush also has an associated cleaning element or bristles  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 . In the illustrated embodiment the cleaning elements are a plurality of bristles, each bristle extending from the respective shaft.  FIG. 1  shows a portion of the bristles of various brushes extending partially through spaces in the slats of grid  42 . Note that although the brushes are cylindrical in shape in this embodiment, various other shapes are also acceptable in accordance with the present invention including, but not limited to, spherical and conical. 
         [0026]    In order to utilize the device illustrated, an individual may (1) depress switch  40  (although any suitable type of switch is acceptable) such that the motor is powered on and thus will cause the various brushes (and their associated bristles to rotate), (2) step up onto the device such that the soles of the individuals footwear, such as for example soles  16  of shoes  18 , are positioned on grid  42  such that at least a portion of the bristles extend through openings in grid  42  and come into contact with the soles of the footwear such that the soles are cleaned by the action of the bristles, (3) step off of the device after the soles have been cleaned, and then (4) turn off the device by again depressing switch  40 . 
         [0027]    Frame or housing  12  may be of unitary construction or of multiple components and may be comprised of various materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, aluminum, steel, ceramic, and wood. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , frame  12  is comprised of multiple members or components such that the various components are welded to various other members. Various means may be utilized to secure the various components together such as, but not limited to, screws, gluing, bonding, bolting, welding, and snap fit. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrating device  10  in a de-activated or “off” configuration (note that the views in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are simplified to illustrate particularly the arrangement of grid  42  to frame  12 ). In the illustrated embodiment, grid  42  is pivotable about a pivot axis such that grid  42  can be in at least two configurations, an “off” position in which device  10  is not functioning such that brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  (not shown) are not rotating and a second configuration in which device  10  is in an “on” configuration in which brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  (not shown) are rotating. In this embodiment, grid  42  may be spring biased to the “off” position by use of a spring such that when the spring is relaxed, the device is off. In the illustrated embodiment, a first grid portion  43  may be positioned higher than a second grid portion  53  such as by a spring means which urges grid  42  into such a condition in which grid  42  is in an inclined position relative to a horizontal. By the application of a force to grid  42 , grid  42  may be urged to compress the spring or other biasing means to the configuration shown in  FIG. 3  such that the device is automatically turned on when in the condition shown in  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, a predetermined specific weight may be required before the device can be activated, for example, the device may be set such that a minimum weight of fifty (50) pounds or more must be applied, such as to grid  42 , before the device can be activated. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates another perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2  in which device  10  is in an activated or “on” configuration such that brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  (not shown) are rotating. In this condition, first grid portion  43  and second grid portion  53  of grid  42  may be in a horizontal condition rather than the inclined condition of the embodiment in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of support grid  42  illustrating a first set of struts or slats  44  with spaces  45  therebetween and a second set of slats  46  with spaces  47  therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment the two sets of slats are orthogonal to each other such that when brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  are rotating, their respective bristles can pass through the openings between the slats in order to effectively clean the soles of the footwear. 
         [0031]    Note that although illustrated with a plurality of slats and wherein the two sets of slats are orthogonally situated, any suitable number and configuration of slats may be used in accordance with the present invention. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have more or less slats than illustrated. In yet other embodiments in may be desirable to have a single set of slats. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial top view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 &amp; 4  in which grid  42  has been removed to show an arrangement of brushes  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 . In this embodiment, two brushes  60 ,  62  are arranged in a horizontal configuration such that they are parallel to each other whereas a plurality of other brushes  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  are parallel to each other and perpendicular to brushes  60 ,  62 . In this configuration, a person&#39;s footwear may be placed such that the long portion of a shoe may be positioned along brushes  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  such that a toe portion of the shoe is positioned proximate either brush  60 ,  62  and the heel portion of the shoe is proximate the other brush  62 ,  60 . When the device is activated, brushes  60  and  62  may rotate thus cleaning the toe and heel portions of the shoe whereas brushes  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  can clean the other portions of the shoes as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates an arrangement of sprockets or gearing which may cause the various brushes to rotate. In this embodiment, motor  124  has a shaft extending therefrom which is connected to various gears  160  such that when shaft  126  is rotated, gears  160  are urged to rotate. As shaft  126  rotates, plurality of gears  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  will also rotate which in turn causes brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78  to rotate. Although gears are used to rotate the plurality of brushes in the illustrated embodiment, numerous other methods known in the art may also be used including, but not limited to, belts, magnets, and hydraulics. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  illustrates a partial arrangement of gears which may cause the plurality of brushes to rotate. In the illustrated embodiment, gear  130  is connected to shaft  126 . Gear  130  is in contact with gear  132  which is in contact with brush  72  such that when gear  130  is rotated, gear  132  is also caused to rotate which causes brush  72  to rotate. Note that in this embodiment gear  132  is coaxial with the axis of brush  72  (and also may be co-axial with roller  132  as shown in  FIG. 11 ) although this is not required. Similarly, gear  134  (which may be co-axial with brush  74 ), is then connected to gear  136  (which may be co-axial with brush  76 ) and so on and so forth. 
         [0035]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows a collecting tray  120  in fourth side or front side  26  wherein tray  120  has a handle  122  so that the tray may be accessed or removed so that debris that collects in tray  120  may be emptied after device  10  is used. 
         [0036]      FIG. 9  illustrates a partial cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8  in which tray  120  can be seen in relation to various brushes. In this embodiment, sloping walls  170 ,  172  extend inwardly in cavity  14  from their respective inner surfaces of first side  20  and second side  22 . Such sloping walls  170 ,  172  can allow for more efficient capture of the dirt and debris which is removed from the soles. 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing various brushes. Note that although a plurality of brushes are illustrated, the number and orientation of brushes can vary depending on the embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, brushes  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  are shown. 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing various rollers rollers  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 ,  170 ,  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178   
         [0039]      FIG. 12  illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 12  are a pair of shoes  18  with respective soles  16  wherein soles  16  are resting on grid  42  and bristles of various brushes  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78  are impacting and cleaning soles  16 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 13  illustrates a partial side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 13  is a side view of a shoe  18  with a sole  16  wherein bristles of brushes  60 ,  62  are impacting and cleaning sole  16 . Note that although  FIGS. 12 &amp; 13  illustrate a specific number of brushes in a specific orientation more or less brushes may be used in any number of orientations. 
         [0041]    The various components and members of the present invention may be comprised wholly or in part of any suitable materials including, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, ceramic, wood, alloys, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and stainless steel. The brushes may be comprised of any suitable material including, but not limited to, horsehair, polyester, straw and nylon. 
         [0042]    While the specification has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these embodiments. Also note that the housing and other components may be of any suitable shape depending on the desired application for the device. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.