Patent Abstract:
A shoe cleaning apparatus is formed with a series of rotary brushes operable to clean the bottom of a shoe placed thereon and spring-loaded linear side brushes to clean the sides of the shoe. A supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid is retained in an elevated tank that feeds by gravity into the rotary brushes for application to the bottom of the shoe being cleaned. The flow of fluid is actuated by downward pressure on a hinged sub-frame that opens a valve. Each rotary brush is engaged by a comb that cleans the brushes upon rotation thereof. A removable debris tray is mounted within the frame to collect dirt and debris removed by the combs and to collect the cleaning fluid dispensed from the elevated tank. Resistance to the downward pressure is provided by springs to minimize accidental opening of the flow valve.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims domestic priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/912,667, filed Apr. 18, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a device for cleaning dirt and debris from the bottom and sides of shoes and, more particularly, to an apparatus that includes a sanitizing spray operable in conjunction with the exertion of foot pressure during cleaning operation to sanitize the bottom and sides of the shoes being cleaned. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Footwear, such as shoes and boots, collects dirt and debris from use in the outdoors. The simple door mat is provided at most dwellings to provide an apparatus for cleaning the soles of the shoes being worn by people entering the dwelling. Door mats are not very effective at removing dirt and debris, such as grass, snow, sand, etc., embedded in the treads of such shoes. Door mats eventually get dirty and become less effective in removing dirt. Mechanical devices for cleaning footwear have been developed, but have not proven to be effective in both cleaning and sanitizing the bottom and sides of the shoes or boots being cleaned. 
         [0004]    An early example of a mechanical shoe cleaning device can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 732,373, granted to Andrew Preuss on Jun. 30, 1903, which discloses a mechanically driven set of horizontally disposed roller brushes to clean shoes. The weight of the person depresses a frame which causes rotation of the rollers in one direction to scrub against the bottom of the shoe. The return of the frame drives the rollers backwards to also clean the shoe bottom as the shoe is being removed from the frame. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 846,020, granted to Samuel Feld on Mar. 5, 1907, has a set of horizontally disposed rotatable brushes that are powered to scrub the soles of shoes placed thereon. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,952,222, issued to Louis Rostoker on Mar. 27, 1934, teaches a door mat structure in which a plurality of roller brushes is rotatably supported for rotation against the bottom of the shoe. Metal bars with toothed or serrated edges are engagable with the roller brushes to dislodge dirt therefrom to drop into the pan below the brushes. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,895,159, issued to Henry Ostrow on Jul. 21, 1959, a door mat is configured with a series of horizontally disposed rollers that are driven by a crank mechanism to reciprocate laterally in a scrubbing motion to clean the bottom of the shoe. A series of horizontally disposed rollers are also driven by a crank mechanism to effect a scrubbing of the sole of the shoe placed thereon in U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,021 granted on Apr. 9, 1974, to Hans-Joachim Schulz. 
         [0006]    A plurality of powered horizontal roller brushes scrubs the bottom of a shoe for cleaning purposes in U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,822 granted to Gerard Ouellette on Nov. 26, 1974. The use of a lower roller engagable with a non-powered rotary brush that removes dirt from the bottoms of shoes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,867, issued on Nov. 16, 1982, to Sophia Berta, while a liquid-holding tray provides a cleaning fluid for application against the bottom of the shoe during the cleaning operation. The shoe cleaning apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,564 issued to Elwyn Fresh on Feb. 16, 1988, utilizes a single rotary brush that is powered in rotation, along with a reciprocating flat brush, to clean the bottom of a shoe. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,805, issued to Willie Oden on Sep. 19, 1989, provides a liquid containing tray in which a sole scrubbing mat is laid to clean and sanitize the shoe sole engaged with the mat. An elaborate roller brush mechanism is powered to rotate against the bottom of the shoe in U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,578, granted on May 8, 1990, to Veli Miettinen. The powered brushes in U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,269, granted to Deryl Openshaw on Sep. 14, 1999, are oriented longitudinally, instead of transversely, to be powered for the scrubbing of the sole of shoes placed thereon. 
         [0008]    The shoe cleaning apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,636 issued to Jon Schlem on Jul. 1, 2003, combines a pressurized water spray with brushes to clean the bottoms of shoes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,752, granted on Jul. 5, 2005, to Luciano Ferrari, utilizes a plurality of brushes for cleaning the bottoms of shoes along with jets of air and jets of disinfecting solution. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,813,795, issued to Judy Graves on Nov. 9, 2004, provides for a removable tray that collects dirt and debris dislodged from the shoes during the cleaning process. 
         [0009]    It would be desirable to provide an effective shoe cleaning device that can be manufactured and sold at a cost that can be afforded by the general public, yet is not complicated in operation or construction, while providing superior cleaning effectiveness. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of this invention to provide an effective shoe cleaning device that will provide superior shoe cleaning ability without resorting to complex operation or construction. 
         [0011]    It is another object of this invention to provide a shoe cleaning apparatus that will sanitize the bottoms and sides of the shoe while the shoe is being cleaned. 
         [0012]    It is an advantage of this invention that debris is removed from the bottom and sides of a person&#39;s shoes before passing through an entryway. 
         [0013]    It is a feature of this invention that the shoe cleaning device can be located next to an entryway to be utilized before passing through the entryway. 
         [0014]    It is another feature of this invention that the shoe cleaning device does not require external connection to electrical power to enable operation thereof. 
         [0015]    It is another advantage of this invention that the shoe cleaning apparatus can remove grass, snow, and dirt embedded into the treads of shoes. 
         [0016]    It is still another feature of this invention that the dirt and debris removed from the shoes being cleaned is removed from the cleaning apparatus without reengaging the shoes being cleaned. 
         [0017]    It is yet another feature of this invention that the shoe cleaning apparatus utilizes a series of parallel rotary brushes to clean the bottom of shoes placed thereon. 
         [0018]    It is still another feature of this invention that each rotary brush is cooperatively engaged with a comb to clean the dirt and debris from the rotary brush before being rotated back into engagement with the bottom of the shoe being cleaned. 
         [0019]    It is still another advantage of this invention that a flow of sanitizing fluid can be directed into the interior of the rotary brushes to be applied to the bottom of the shoes being cleaned. 
         [0020]    It is still another object of this invention to provide an actuation device to initiate the flow of cleaning fluid into the center of the rotary brushes in response to downward pressure exerted by the placement of a shoe onto the rotary brushes. 
         [0021]    It is yet another advantage of this invention that the flow of cleaning or sanitizing fluid into the center of the rotary brushes is via a gravity feed through a valve opened by downward pressure by the shoe being cleaned. 
         [0022]    It is a feature of this invention that springs provide resistance to downward pressure that opens the valve controlling the flow of solution into the rotary brushes. 
         [0023]    It is still another feature of this invention that side brushes are provided above the rotary brushes to affect a cleaning of the sides of the shoe while being rubbed against the rotary brushes. 
         [0024]    It is a further advantage of this invention that the side brushes can be spring-loaded to urge the side brushes into engagement with the sides of the shoe being cleaned. 
         [0025]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide a shoe cleaning apparatus for effectively cleaning the bottom and sides of a shoe placed thereon, which is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use. 
         [0026]    These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a shoe cleaning apparatus having a series of rotary brushes operable to clean the bottom of a shoe placed thereon and spring-loaded linear side brushes to clean the sides of the shoe. A supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid is retained in an elevated tank that feeds by gravity into the rotary brushes for application to the bottom of the shoe being cleaned. The flow of fluid is actuated by downward pressure on a hinged sub-frame that opens a valve. Each rotary brush is engaged by a comb that cleans the brushes upon rotation thereof. A removable debris tray is mounted within the frame to collect dirt and debris removed by the combs and to collect the cleaning fluid dispensed from the elevated tank. Resistance to the downward pressure is provided by springs to minimize accidental opening of the flow valve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shoe cleaning apparatus incorporating the principles of the instant invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shoe cleaning apparatus as depicted in  FIG. 1 , but showing the selective removal of a dirt collection tray from underneath the rotatable brushes; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the shoe cleaning apparatus taken from an opposing side of the apparatus, as compared to the views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with portions of the solution container being broken away to better view the valve arrangement and the interconnection between the pivoted apparatus frame and the valve for the dispensing of cleaning solution into the rotating brush assembly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the shoe cleaning apparatus taken from below the frame to show the valve for the cleaning solution and the arrangement of the valve bracket for actuation of the valve for the dispensing of cleaning solution into the rotating brush assembly; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the shoe cleaning apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 1 , but having portions of the frame and rotating brush assembly broken away to show the brush cleaning combs positioned beneath the rotatable brushes; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of the shoe cleaning apparatus similar to that of  FIG. 5 , but having portions of the frame, rotating brush assembly and brush cleaning combs broken away to show a first embodiment of the solution dispensing tubes located between the rotatable brushes; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective detail view of a second embodiment of the solution dispensing tubes located as the support shaft of the rotatable brushes, a portion of the brush being broken away to view the openings within the support shaft for dispensing the cleaning fluid into the brushes, the brush, as with the other Figs., are depicted schematically to reflect rows of radially extending brush bristles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1-4 , a shoe cleaning apparatus incorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen. The shoe cleaning apparatus  10  is intended to be positioned on a flat surface outside an entryway into a building or positioned outside any entryway that is located inside a building. The entryway could be any door or entrance into a residential structure, such as house, tent, or RV, or into a commercial or industrial building. The shoe cleaning apparatus  10  could also be utilized at a location inside a building where dirt and/or germs from shoes are desired to be cleaned or sanitized from the shoes before entering a “cleaner” area (e.g., a garage to living area in the house, workshop to living area in the house, manufacturing area to office area in an industrial setting, etc.). The shoe cleaning apparatus  10  is preferably disposed at a location that is convenient to access and proximate to the entryway to be able to affect a cleaning of footwear before passing through the entryway. 
         [0036]    The shoe cleaning apparatus  10  is formed with a generally rectangular frame  12  serving as the base for the apparatus  10 . The frame  12  is preferably formed from molded plastic, such as injection molded plastic, to provide a sturdy and durable base for the operation of the shoe cleaning apparatus  10 . The frame  12  supports a rotatable brush assembly  20  and a cleaning solution container  30  mounted above the brush assembly  20  to permit a gravity feed for the cleaning solution in the container  30  into the brush assembly  20 , as will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0037]    The brush assembly  20  is pivotally supported in the frame  12  with the pivot  22  being located on the side of the brush assembly  20  remote from the solution container  30 . The brush assembly  20  is formed with a subframe  21  that is carried by the pivot  22  for pivotal movement relative to the frame  12 . In the subframe  21 , a plurality of brushes  25  are rotatably supported in the subframe  21  for rotation about respective axes of rotation that are generally horizontally disposed across the subframe  21 . Preferably, the subframe  21  can be disassembled at one side thereof to permit a release of the brushes  25  and allow a selective replacement thereof when desired. Preferably, the brush assembly  20  will utilize approximately 6 cylindrical brushes oriented in a generally horizontal plane to define a cleaning surface  24  on the upper side thereof. 
         [0038]    The brush assembly  20  is also preferably formed with a pair of opposing stationary side cleaning brushes  26  affixed to the subframe  21  above the cleaning surface  24  to engage the opposing sides of the shoes being cleaned while being engaged with the rotating cylindrical brushes  25  defining the cleaning surface  24 . These side cleaning brushes  26  function to clean the sides of the shoes as the shoe is moved over the cleaning surface  24 ; however, the stationary side cleaning brushes  26  also serve to keep the solution applied from the cleaning solution container  30  to the cleaning surface  24 , as will be described in greater detail below, from splashing upwardly past the sides of the shoe being cleaned. 
         [0039]    Preferably the side cleaning brushes  26  are secured to the subframe  21  by fasteners passing through slotted openings  28  in the rigid mounting members  27  to allow a selective positioning of the side cleaning brushes  26  relative to the subframe  21  and the cleaning surface  24  so that the side cleaning brushes  26  can be located for proper engagement with the sides of shoes being cleaned on the cleaning surface  24 . Alternatively, the side cleaning brushes  26  can be spring-loaded for movement inwardly toward one another to provide constant engagement with shoes of varying widths. Instead of the fasteners clamping the rigid mounting members  27  to the subframe  21 , flat springs (not shown) would be anchored on the subframe  21  and urge the mounting members  27  inwardly over the cleaning surface  24 . 
         [0040]    The frame  12  carries a debris tray  14  slidably received within grooves  13  formed in the frame  12  to be positionable beneath the brush assembly  20  to receive dirt and debris dislodged from shoes cleaned thereby. The debris tray  14  is slidable within the grooves  13  to be removed from the frame  12  and allow the disposal of the collected dirt and debris. The debris tray  14  can be formed of any rigid material including metals, such as aluminum, or molded plastic. The tray  14  also collects cleaning solution from the cleaning process described in greater detail below. A drain (not shown) can be formed in the tray  14  to allow solution to be collected, or if removed from the tray, will allow excess solution or other moisture collected from the shoes collected in the tray  14  to be drained away from the apparatus  10 . Preferably, the drain will be associated with a screen (not shown) to allow the liquid moisture and solution to drain out of the tray  14  while leaving solid material in the tray  14  for subsequent disposal. 
         [0041]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the brush assembly  20  is also formed with cleaning combs  29  supported by the subframe  21  beneath the rotating cylindrical brushes  25 . Alternatively, the cleaning combs  29  could be double-sided and positioned between adjacent cylindrical brushes  25  to be engagable with both adjacent brushes  25  simultaneously. In the configuration shown in  FIG. 5 , each cylindrical brush  25  is associated with a cleaning comb  29  so that the bristles of the brushes  25  run through the teeth of the combs  29 . In this manner, any dirt and debris carried by the brushes  25  between the bristles will be cleaned from the brushes  25  and dropped vertically into the debris tray  14  immediately below the brush assembly  20 . While the brushes  25  rotate during use, the combs  29  provide some rotational resistance to help increase the scrubbing action between the brush and the bottom of the shoe. Also, the combs help remove excess solution from the brushes, which in turn helps remove excess solution from the bottom of the shoes. Like the rotatable brushes  25 , the cleaning combs  29  are mounted within the subframe  21  in a manner to permit the combs  29  to be selectively removed for replacement or cleaning. 
         [0042]    Returning to  FIGS. 1-4 , one skilled in the art will note that the frame  12  also supports a cleaning solution container  30  beside and above the brush assembly  20 . The container  30  preferably is sized to hold about 1-2 gallons of cleaning and/or sanitizing solution, such as an alcohol based solution to help clean, sanitize, and prevent freezing when used in cold weather. The container prevents excessive evaporation of the sanitizing solution and helps prevent pets and children from consuming the solution. The top of the container  30  is formed with an inlet opening  31  that is closed by a removable, vented cap  32  and preferably a screen (not shown) to prevent the introduction of debris into the container  30  when refilling solution therein. On the underside of the container  30 , as is best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an outlet opening  34  is formed for the discharge of solution from the container  30 . 
         [0043]    A valve  35  is coupled to the outlet opening  34  to control the discharge of solution from the container  30 . When the valve  35  is opened, the solution flows by gravity through the outlet opening  34  and into a pair of opposing flexible conduits  36  that direct the discharged solution into a manifold  37  mounted on the subframe  21 . The manifold  37 , in turn, is in flow communication with a plurality of dispensing tubes  38  that direct solution into the brush assembly  20  for application to the bottoms of the shoes being cleaned on the cleaning surface  24 . The opening and closing of the valve  35  is controlled through a bracket  15  affixed to the subframe  21  to be pivotally movable therewith. 
         [0044]    The solution dispensing tubes  38  are best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the dispensing tubes  38  are located between cylindrical brushes  25  with solution delivery holes  39  oriented to direct the flow of solution sideways onto the rotating brushes  25 , which pick up the solution into the bristles and direct the solution into contact with the soles of the shoes to enhance cleaning and effect a sanitizing thereof. In a second embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7 , the solution dispensing tubes  38  are formed as the central hollow shafts of the rotating cylindrical brushes  25  so that the solution delivery holes  39  can be located in a regular circumferential pattern to direct the flow of solution outward onto the bristles of the brushes  25  for contact with the soles of the shoes being cleaned. 
         [0045]    In operation, the user of the shoe cleaning apparatus  10  places his or her shoe onto the cleaning surface  24  and pressing downwardly onto the cleaning surface  24  rubs the sole of the shoe back and forth across the cleaning surface  24 . The pressure of the shoe against the rotatable brushes  25  causes the brushes  25  to rotate with the shoes and affect a scrubbing of the soles with the rotating cylindrical brushes  25 . Simultaneously, the side cleaning brushes  26 , which are properly positioned or spring-loaded for engagement with the sides of the shoes being cleaned, rub against the sides of the shoes while the shoes are being manually rubbed across the cleaning surface  24 . Any dirt and debris being dislodged and removed from the shoe sole or sides is dropped onto the debris tray  14  located below the brush assembly  20 . 
         [0046]    When more than minimal pressure is applied against the cleaning surface  24 , the subframe  21  will pivot about the pivot  22  and cause the opposite end of the subframe to move downwardly approximately ¼-⅜ inches. The downward movement of the free end of the subframe  21  moves the bracket  15  downwardly as well, which results in the release of the valve  35  and the discharge of cleaning/sanitizing solution from the container  30  through the flexible conduits  36 , into the manifold  37  and out into the dispensing tubes  38  for delivery to the brushes  25 . The movement of the subframe is limited by stops  18 , best seen in  FIG. 3 , on both sides of the frame  12 . A pair of corresponding springs  17  bias the subframe  21  upwardly against the pressure exerted during operation to clean shoes on the cleaning surface  24 . 
         [0047]    The bias force exerted by the springs  17  is greater than the weight of the brush assembly  20  and should preferably resist a predetermined minimal amount of pressure exerted on the cleaning surface  24  by the person whose shoes are being cleaned. Thus, the subframe  21  will pivot downwardly only when sufficient downward force sufficient to overcome the springs  17  is applied. Therefore, cleaning solution will only be dispensed into the brush assembly  20  when the use of the solution is desired. The stops  18  are also operable to prevent damage to the valve  35  from excessive downward pressure, thus allowing the brush assembly to move downwardly a maximum, measured amount. The above-described shoe cleaning apparatus  10  keeps the solution fresh and clean each and every time it is used and also allows the user the option of not using the solution if it is not desired. 
         [0048]    The known prior art shoe cleaning devices do not provide a simple and economical shoe cleaner that will utilize manually operable cylindrical brushes  25  that are cooperable with cleaning combs  29  to remove dirt and debris from the bristles for deposit on a removable debris tray  14 . The tray  14  is slidably supported in grooves formed in the frame  12  and can include a drain for the discharge of collected moisture and solution from the cleaning operation. The application of the cleaning solution to the brush assembly  20  is operated and controlled by the amount of foot pressure exerted onto the pivoted subframe  21 , which in turn controls the operation of a valve  35  controlling the discharge of cleaning solution from a gravity fed reservoir  30  mounted on the frame  12 . 
         [0049]    The cleaning solution can be applied directly onto the cylindrical brushes  25  from dispensing tubes  38  that can be located between adjacent brushes  25  or as the central shaft defining the axis of rotation of each cylindrical brush  25 . The sides of the shoes are cleaned by side cleaning brushes  26  that are supported on the subframe  21  of the brush assembly  20  and can be spring-loaded for engagement with varying widths and sizes of shoes being placed onto the cleaning surface  24 . Damage to the valve  35  is avoided by the provision of stops  18  and the biasing force exerted by the spring  17 . 
         [0050]    A door mat or welcome mat can be used in conjunction with the shoe cleaning device to help remove any remaining solution from shoes. The shoe cleaning device can also be used by itself since the remaining solution will evaporate fairly quickly, particularly is formed as an alcohol based solution. 
         [0051]    It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0