Patent Publication Number: US-8533901-B2

Title: Self-contained cleaning device for shoe soles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The invention pertains to the field of cleaning devices for removing debris from shoe soles. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional shoe cleaning devices are typically provided at the entrance into a clean environment. For example, residences often have a doormat located at the front entrance, which allows a person to clean the bottom of their footwear before entering. These conventional doormats consist of a mat having multiple bristles that project upwards from the top surface of the mat. A person desiring to clean their shoe soles stands on the doormat and drags the sole of the shoe across the bristles such that the bristles come into contact with any debris that is located within the shoe&#39;s tread. Thus, allowing a person to remove some of the debris from their shoe soles. 
     Unfortunately, repeated use of the doormat typically results in dirt and debris buildup on the bristles, thereby making the doormat ineffective for cleaning footwear. Although some shoe cleaning devices have been designed with openings defined within the mat such that removed debris can fall into these openings and delay the buildup on the bristles, the openings fill up and still require frequent cleaning. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A cleaning device for shoe soles is described herein and shown in the accompanying figures. The cleaning device includes a housing and a platform. The platform of the cleaning device includes a plurality of bristles projecting from the top surface of the platform designed to engage the sole of the shoe when placed on the platform. The bristles are arranged such that one or more groups of bristles are reciprocated over the length of the surface to dislodge and remove debris on the shoe sole. 
     The housing of the cleaning device encloses a drive assembly and a debris removal assembly. The drive assembly is in mechanical communication with a group of bristles such that the drive assembly reciprocates the respective bristles. The debris removed from the shoe sole is also directed away from the shoe soles and bristles by the debris removal assembly. For example, the debris removal assembly is configured for directing the debris loosened and/or dislodged from the shoe sole away from the shoe sole, bristles, and platform and into a debris collector. Thus, the cleaning device provides for effortless cleaning of debris from shoe soles while removing any debris dislodged by the bristles. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an enlargement of the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view along  4 - 4  of the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of an electrical schematic according to an example embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a sectional view along  6 - 6  of the embodiment of the invention depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A cleaning device for shoe soles is described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying figures. The cleaning device provides a surface having a plurality of bristles designed to engage the sole of a shoe. The bristles are arranged such that one or more groups of bristles are reciprocated over the length of the surface to dislodge and remove debris on the shoe sole. The debris removed from the shoe sole is also directed away from the bristles and surface into a receptacle for later removal. Thus, the cleaning device provides for effortless removal of debris from shoe soles while cleaning any debris dislodged by the bristles. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example embodiment of a cleaning device  10  for shoe soles. The cleaning device  10  includes a housing  12  and a platform  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the housing  12  is positioned at one end of the platform  14  such that the cleaning device  10  is designed for placement on a substantially flat surface, for example the ground near an entrance of a building. Generally, the platform  14  is designed to be easily accessible for cleaning shoe soles. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the platform  14  for the cleaning device  10  has a low profile relative to the ground. Specifically, the height of the top surface of the platform  14  is designed for allowing a person to easily place one shoe or two shoes on the platform  14  for cleaning. 
     The platform  14  of the cleaning device  10  for shoe soles includes a plurality of bristles  16  projecting from the top surface of the platform  14  to engage the sole of the shoe when placed on the platform  14 . The bristles  16  are arranged along the surface of the platform  14  such that a group of bristles  16  define a plurality of longitudinal brushes  18 . The brushes  18  are arranged to define a plurality of rows of brushes  18  spaced apart from each other along the surface, such that the rows of brushes  18  are configured to be moved in a reciprocating fashion along the length of the top surface. 
     The reciprocation of the brushes  18  provides improved cleaning and stability of the shoe soles. Specifically, the reciprocating brushes  18  improve cleaning by increasing the frequency of contact between the bristles  16  and debris and increasing the friction of the bristles  16  against the shoe sole. In contrast, although rotating brushes may provide a cleaning function, the rotation of the brushes typically encourages shoe laces to become tangled and wrapped around in the brushes, damaging the equipment and shoes, and leading to possible injury of the person. Furthermore, rotating brushes are often designed on a cylinder which contributes to an uneven cleaning surface, which can contribute to stability problems for a person. Alternatively, although oscillating brushes may avoid some of the problems associated with rotating brushes, the oscillation of the brush can cause ultrasonic vibrations leading to possible discomfort to the individual, including headaches. 
     Furthermore, the reciprocation of the bristles  16  allows a user to effortlessly clean hard to remove debris from their shoe soles by shifting a larger portion of the person&#39;s weight to a particular shoe, i.e., increasing the downward force on the bristles  16 , thereby increasing the force and friction exerted by the bristles  16  on the debris located on the shoe sole. 
     The housing  12  of the cleaning device  10  encloses a drive assembly and a debris removal assembly. As described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 6 , the drive assembly is in mechanical communication with a group of bristles  16  such that the drive assembly reciprocates the respective bristles  16 . The reciprocation of the bristles  16  engages the sole(s) of a shoe or shoes such that debris is removed from the shoe sole. The debris removal assembly is arranged such that debris loosened and/or dislodged from the shoe sole is directed away from the shoe sole, bristles  16 , and platform  14 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates, in greater detail, an enlargement of the cleaning device  10  for shoe soles as depicted in  FIG. 1 . As discussed above, the cleaning device  10  for shoe soles includes a plurality of spaced apart rows of brushes  18  configured to be reciprocated. In one embodiment of the cleaning device  10 , the rows of brushes  18  can be reciprocated in alternating directions, although the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device  10  includes two types of brushes  18 , namely a plurality of stationary brushes  18   a  and a plurality of reciprocating brushes  18   b . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the stationary brushes  18   a  and the reciprocating brushes  18   b  are arranged in an alternating pattern on the top surface of the cleaning device  10 . 
     The stationary brushes  18   a  are configured to provide additional cleaning between the reciprocating brushes  18   b  and serve to substantially support the person such that the person&#39;s weight does not affect or inhibit the movement of the reciprocating brushes  18   a . For example, in one embodiment, the height of the stationary brushes  18   a  approximately define the resting position for the shoe sole and inhibits the shoe from moving while the reciprocating brushes  18   b  move with respect to the shoe sole. Other considerations for selecting the stationary brushes  18   a  include, but are not limited to, the rigidity of the bristles  16  and the resiliency of the bristles  16 . By providing stationary brushes  18   a  between the rows of reciprocating brushes  18   b , it is possible to increase the stability of the person during the cleaning process. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the reciprocating brushes  18   b  are configured to engage the sole of a shoe to dislodge any debris on the soles. In the illustrated embodiment, the bristles  16  forming the reciprocating brushes  18   b  are longer than the stationary brushes  18   a  such that the bristles  16  project into the tread of the shoe for dislodging the debris located therein. Other considerations for selecting the reciprocating brushes  18   b  include, but are not limited to, the rigidity of the bristles  16 , the resiliency of the bristles  16 , and their overall resistance to static electricity. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the reciprocating brushes  18   b  include a plurality of vents  20  positioned at various increments along the base of the bristles  16 . The vents  20  provide passageways for dirt and debris to be directed away from the platform  14  and bristles  16  and into the duct  26  ( FIG. 4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the vents  20  are arranged such that small and large debris can be removed. The vents  20  also allow for suctioning of any loosed debris residing on the shoe sole, as described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates top plan view of one embodiment of a cleaning device  10 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a section view along  4 - 4  of the cleaning device  10  for shoe soles depicted in  FIG. 3 . Specifically, the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  depicts the platform  14 , the reciprocating brushes  18   b , and the stationary brushes  18   a . The platform  14  is generally solid and is configured to support the weight of the person using the cleaning device  10 . The platform  14  also includes a plurality of channels  22  defined along the length of the platform  14 . Each of the channels  22  is configured for receiving a brush tube  24  for one of the reciprocating brushes  18   b . The brush tube  24  is received within the channel  22  such that the brush tube  24  is linearly moveable along the length of the channel  22 . Each brush tube  24  is generally hollow and includes a central cavity that defines a duct  26  utilized by the debris removal assembly. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the cross-section of the brush tube  24  is substantially circular and includes a flat top segment where the bristles  16  are attached. The plurality of vents  20  are positioned at spaced locations near the upper edges of the brush tube  24 . In this arrangement, any loose debris on the top surface of the platform  14  is directed downward into the ducts. The bottom portion of the brush tube  24  is arranged such that debris build-up or obstructions in the duct are minimized. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the curvature of the bottom portion of the brush tube  24  is configured to minimize any impediment to debris directed by the debris removal assembly. In addition to the cross-section shape of the brush tube  24 , the brush tube  24  is also substantially linear to prevent any low points or edges that can generate obstructions. 
     In another embodiment, the brush tube  24  is connected to a shaker mechanism which uses ultrasonic vibrations to facilitate the movement of debris within the brush tube  24 . The use of ultrasonic vibrations is particularly advantageous in wet applications, where debris has a tendency to gum up or create obstructions. In such applications, the ultrasonic vibrations are realized within the housing and platform of the cleaning device  10  to prevent contact with the person using the cleaning device  10 , which could cause headaches. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a cleaning device  10  for shoe soles. Specifically,  FIG. 5  provides a representation of the components in one embodiment of the cleaning device  10 . The cleaning device  10  includes a controller  27 , or other type of logic unit, that manages the drive assembly  28  and the debris removal assembly  30  and determines when to begin the cleaning process. 
     The controller  27  determines when to begin the cleaning process by receipt of input from a sensor or alternatively the user. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device  10  includes an activation sensor  32 . In one embodiment of the cleaning device  10 , the activation sensor  32  is a motion sensor that detects when a person&#39;s shoe is positioned on the top surface of the cleaning device  10 . In alternate embodiments, the activation sensor  32  includes an activation switch, a pressure gauge on the platform  14 , or other type of sensor for input to the controller  27 . 
     The controller  27  is in electrical communication with the drive assembly  28  such that when the controller  27  manages the operation of the drive assembly  28 . Upon receipt of input from the activation sensor  32 , the controller  27  activates the drive assembly  28 . The drive assembly  28  generally includes a motor, such as a DC motor. The drive assembly  28  is in mechanical communication with reciprocating bristles  32  such that activation of the drive assembly  28  reciprocates the reciprocating bristles  32 . 
     When cleaning the shoe soles, the controller  27  also manages the operation of the debris removal assembly  30 . The operation of the debris removal assembly  30  includes suctioning of air through the brush tube  24  ducts such that debris removed from the shoe soles is directed away from the bristles  16  and platform  14  into a receptacle. For example, in one embodiment, the debris removal assembly  30  includes a vacuum motor that suctions debris into a debris receptacle to receive the debris until being emptied later. 
     Furthermore, in one embodiment, the controller  27  is further in communication with a sanitizing assembly  34 . The sanitizing assembly  34  is provided for afterwards sanitization of the shoe soles. For example, in one embodiment the sanitizing assembly  34  includes a sprayer in fluidic communication with a sanitizer for spraying the soles of the shoes after the reciprocating brushes  18   b  remove debris from the shoe soles. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a section view along  6 - 6  of the cleaning device  10  for shoe soles depicted in  FIG. 3 . More specifically, the cleaning device  10  depicted in  FIG. 6  illustrates the interior of the housing  12  in relation to the platform  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the components enclosed within the housing  12  include a drive assembly  28  and a debris removal assembly  30 . 
     The drive assembly  28  includes a motor in mechanical communication with the brush tube  24  for reciprocating the brush tube  24 , thereby reciprocating the reciprocating brush  18   b . More specifically, the motor  36  is in mechanical communication with the brush tube  24  such that the motor linearly drives the brush tube  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the drive assembly  28  includes a solenoid mechanically connected to the brush tube  24 . As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the plunger of a pull type solenoid is secured to the end portion of the brush tube  24 . Activation of the solenoid forces the plunger into the inner shaft and likewise linearly drives the pulls the brush tube  24  inward to a first position, and upon deactivation the plunger returns to the outward position while linearly driving the brush tube  24  to a second position. 
     The debris removal assembly  30  includes a vacuum motor  38 , duct connector  40 , a debris receptacle  42 , and a receptacle connector  44 . The duct connector is provided for connecting the vacuum motor  38  to the duct  26 . The vacuum motor  38  is configured such that the debris removal assembly  30  directs air to debris into the debris receptacle  42 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the flow of air generated by the vacuum motor  38  directs debris on the bristles  16  and top surface of the platform  14  into the duct  26  of the brush tube  24 , via the vents  20 , and into the debris receptacle  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum motor  38  is connected to the debris receptacle  42  via tubing sufficiently sized for passage of debris into the debris receptacle  42 . The debris receptacle  42  is an air permeable bag configured to retain any debris directed thereto. In one embodiment of the cleaning device  10 , the debris receptacle  42  includes a filter for separating the debris from the air flow. 
     In addition to the foregoing description, the cleaning device  10  for shoe soles may be useful in other applications, such as contamination containment and security screening. In one embodiment used for contamination containment, the cleaning device  10  includes a high efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter for filtration of any harmful particles in the air flow. Using the cleaning device  10  in the decontamination procedure for leaving a radioactive area, which usually includes doffing clothing and stepping on a sticky pad, would further decreases the likelihood of contaminating the radiation monitor and the area beyond. In another embodiment, the cleaning device  10  is designed to be used in security screening procedures. Specifically, the cleaning device  10  is arranged such that the air flow carrying debris removed from the shoe soles is in communication with explosive sensors. Thus, the cleaning device  10  provides screening of explosive residue which may reside on the shoe soles. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.