A Combined Boot and Shoe Scraper and Bell Pull.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 24th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 9th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Combined Boot and Shoe Scraper and Bell Pull.
We THEODOR BÖHм of Goebenstrasse No. 9, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany,
Garrison Buildings Inspector and LEOPOLD EICHELBERG, of Paulstrasse No. 33 Berlin,
aforesaid, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved boot and shoe cleaning device combined with
mechanical, electro-magnetical, or other ringing apparatus. The device comprises a
scraper and brushes for cleaning dirty boots and shoes, and appliances to cause the hell
or ringing apparatus to sound when the scraper is used.
It is proposed that street and other outer doors shall have no other bells or knockers
and therefore any person wishing to enter will be obliged to make use of the scraper.
The construction of the combined apparatus which is hereinafter designated a foot
bell, may be carried out in various ways according as it is to be applied in the open
air or on stairs, before the doors of apartments or flats, and also according to the nature
and construction of the ringing apparatus connected therewith, and according to the
number of scrapers or brushes employed. The construction of the foot-bell may also
be modified according as it is desired to cause the bell to sound for a longer or shorter
time after the cleaning mechanism has been used.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying illustrative drawings which are
appended by way of example only.
Figs. 1 to 6 shew a single scraper actuating an ordinary bell wire. The apparatus
is so placed that its rear face is turned towards the door or wall through which the bell-
wire is led. The latter is introduced into the foot bell at c (Fig. 5), where it is tightly
stretched and fastened to one of the arms of the lever d.
The scraper is firmly connected to two semi-cylindrical caps e and extending over
the two boxes a and b open at the top. These caps are connected by a shaft g in such
a manner that they are capable of partially revolving round the latter.
The figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 shew the apparatus in its ordinary position. In making
use of the apparatus, i.e. in passing the foot over the scraper in the direction
shewn in the drawing by the arrow, the scraper follows the foot until it has
The motion is
arrived at the other extreme position as represented in Fig. 4.
limited in one direction by projections h cast on the inside of the caps e and f
(see Fig. 5) and in the other direction by pins i fixed laterally to the outside of
the box (see Fig. 6). The piece applied to the wall of the caps e and f also
serves as a counterweight to automatically replace the scraper iron into its ordinary
position as soon as the foot sole has been withdrawn from it.
All the parts of the mechanism are contained in the box a. The cape when
moved by the foot rotates the ratchet wheel m by means of the pawl kone tooth
forward. The pins fixed in the wheel gradually lift the lever d and thus pull the
bell wire. After a certain space of time the lever is suddenly set free again and
the hell is rung.
In the construction shewn in the drawing the wheel which is
provided with 24 teeth has three pins arranged at equal distances from each other,
so that the bell is caused to sound as often as eight scraping movements have
been made. During the night it is often convenient that the bell shall be prevented
from sounding. The movable latch n (see Figs. 4 and 6) serves to hold the scraper
stationary during the night, so that it can be used without causing the bell to
sound. This latch can be easily released by the foot.
Figures 7 to 12 show another construction of the apparatus. As be seen from
may
the perspective view, represented in fig. 12, the apparatus resembles the brush boxes

page_text: already in use and consists of a combination of 2 devices; viz., a scraper with three
bells and a brush device.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the double apparatus and figures 7 and 9 are two longi-
tudinal sections of the same.
Each of the two devices may be made and used separately, as may easily be seen
from the cross sections in figures 8 and 10.
The mode of working of the apparatus is in both cases the same. The scraper irons
(the number of which is three in the apparatus shown in the drawing) are levers
of the second order. The fixed fulcrum is situated below and is formed by round
iron bars carrying the scraper irons. Each scraper is provided with two lateral
extensions extending upwards and catching into a horizontal frame b.
The grid of the other cleaning apparatus which is provided with brushes, is
movable on similar levers c of the second order and is connected with the frame b.
In using the apparatus the brushes or scrapers follow the foot until the frame b
strikes at d against the front of the casing, where the required resistance is offered
to the foot. As soon as the foot leaves the brushes or scrapers the frame 6 under
the action of the spring e (see fig. 11) is jerked forward. All the movable parts
of the mechanism are protected by their shape and the overhanging parts of the
casing against clogging. The dirt falling down is collected in a special box o
which may be withdrawn.
A box containing a ratchet wheel g and a pawl his inserted at f into the rear wall
of the casing (see figs. 7 and 11).
The small box is open at the top, so that the pawli moveable on the frame d at each
stroke of the apparatus turns the small ratchet wheel one tooth forwards. In the
construction shown in the drawing one box is arranged between the two apparatus,
and a pawl is secured to the frame of each cleaning device. The ratchet wheel
common to both apparatus will therefore revolve indifferently if the scrapers or brushes
are used.
In this construction the means shewn for effecting the ringing is an electric circuit.
The ratchet wheel is provided with an annular insulating piece inserted therein and
upon it there slides a spring which is connected to one of the wires, the other wire
sliding on the ratchet wheel itself. As soon as the first spring enters into contact
with the interruptions arranged in the insulating piece the circuit will be closed by
the metallic body of the wheel. The number of the interruptions in the insulator
(three interruptions are shewn in fig. 7 of the drawing) determines how often the bell
will sound.
It is evident, that the scraper shown in figs. 1 to 6 may be combined in the same
manner with an electro-magnetic ringing apparatus, and the construction represented
in the figures 7 to 12 with an ordinary bell wire.
The temporary locking of the bell is effected in the construction shewn in the
figures 7 to 12 by turning the arm k round the vertical shaft n. As long as the arm k
is in its backward position (as shown in the drawing) another arm / carried by the
same shaft is in the position shown in the drawing and allows the frame b to move
freely. When the arm k is turned to the right hand, the arm will be brought into
the position shown at m pressing thereby the frame 6 tightly against the case and
preventing any movement of the former and of the ratchet wheel.
The lever k can easily be pushed backwards by the foot to disengage, if required, the
ringing apparatus. The number of scraper irons forming a grid and the shape and
sharpness of the edges of the scraper may be varied at will. The simple scraper may
be replaced also by a brush which is secured by screws to the caps e and f connecting
them with each other (Figs. 1 to 6).
al
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Combined Boot and Shoe Scraper and Bell-pull.
We, THEODOR BÖHM, of Goebenstrasse No. 9, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany,
Garrison Buildings Inspector, and LEOPOLD EICHELBERG, of Paulstrasse No. 33,
Berlin aforesaid, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:—
Our invention relates to an improved boot and shoo cleaning device combined with
bell-ropes, bell pulls or electro-magnetical ringing apparatus.
The device comprises a door scraper or brushes for cleaning dirty boots and shoes
and appliances to cause the bell or ringing apparatus to sound when the scraper is
used.
It is proposed that street and other outer doors shall have no other bells or knockers
and therefore any person wishing to enter will be obliged to make use of the scraper
or brushes.
The construction of our combined apparatus, which is hereinafter designated a
foot-hell, may be carried out in various ways according as it is to be applied in the
open air or on stairs before the doors of apartments or flats and also according to the
nature ani construction of the ringing apparatus connected therewith, and according
to the number of scrapers or brushes employed. The construction of the foot-bell
may also be modified according as it is desired to cause the bell to sound for a longer
or shorter time after the cleaning mechanism has been used.
Our invention is illustrated in the drawings filed with our provisional specification.
Figures 1 to 6 shew a single scraper actuating an ordinary bell wire. The apparatus
is so placed that its rear face is toward the door or wall through which the
bell wire is led. The latter is introduced into the foot bell at c (see Fig. 5), where it
is tightly stretched and fastened to one of the arms of the lever d.
The scraper is firmly connected to two semi-cylindrical caps e and fextending
over the two boxes a and b open at the top. These caps are connected by a shaft g in
such a manner that they are capable of rocking on that shaft.
In
Figures 1, 2, 5, and 6 shew the apparatus in its ordinary position.
making use of the apparatus, i.e. in passing the foot over the scraper in the direction
shewn by the arrow, the scraper is moved by the foot until it has arrived at the
other extreme position as represented in Fig. 4. The motion is limited in one
direction by a strong projections h cast on the inside of the caps e and f (see
Fig. 5) and in the other direction by pins i fixed laterally to the outside of
the box (see Fig. 6). The pieces applied to the wall of the caps e
and also serve as a counterweight to automatically replace the scraper into its
ordinary position as soon as the boot or shoe sole has been withdrawn from it.
All the parts of the mechanism are contained in the box a. The cape when
moved by the foot rotates the ratchet wheel m one tooth forward by means of the
pawl k. The pins fixed in the wheel gradually lift the lever d and thus pull the
bellwire. After a certain period of time the lever d is suddenly free again and the bell
is rung. In the construction shewn in the drawing the wheel, which is provided
with 24 teeth, has three pins arranged at equal distances from each other, so that
the bell is caused to sound as often as eight scraping movements have been effected.
During the night it is often required that the bell shall be prevented from sounding.
The movable latch n (see Figs. and 6) serves to hold the scraper stationary during
the night so that it can be used without causing the bell to sound. But if it be
desired, for calling the door keeper for instance, the latch n can be moved backwards
by means of pressure produced by the foot so that the scraper owing to the
weight of the projections of the caps, falls back into its other position and the
apparatus can then be used again for ringing the bell until the door keeper after
having opened the door has moved the latch again to lock the scraper.
Figs. 7 to 12 show another construction of the apparatus. As shewn in perspective

page_text: view in Fig. 12 the apparatus resembles the brush-boxes already in use and consists
of a combination of two devices viz., a scraper and a brush-device.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of our double apparatus and Figs. 7 and 9 are two longi-
tudinal sections of the same.
Each of the two devices, which in this arrangement are combined may of course be
made and used separately, as will be readily seen from the cross sections Figures 8
and 10.
The working of the apparatus is in both cases the same. The scraper irons (of
which there are three in the apparatus shewn in the drawing) are levers of the second
order. The fixed fulcrum is situated below and is formed by round iron bars carrying
the scraper irons. Each scraper is provided with two lateral extensions extending
upwards and catching into a horizontal frame
The grid of the other cleaning apparatus, which is provided with brushes, is movable
on similar levers c of the second order and is connected with the frame b. In using
the apparatus the brushes or scrapers follow the foot until the frame b strikes at d
against the front wall of the casing, where the required resistance is offered to the
foot. As soon as the foot leaves the brushes or scrapers the frame under the action
of the spring e (see Fig. 11) is jerked forward.
All the movable parts of the mechanism are protected against clogging by their
form and the overhanging parts of the casing. Dirt falling down is collected in a
box o which may be drawn out.
A small box containing a ratchet wheel and detent his inserted at f into the rear
wall of the casing (see Figs. 7 and 11). This box is open at the top and the pawl i,
movable on the frame d turns the small ratchet wheel one tooth forward at each
motion of the apparatus. In the construction shewn in the drawing one box is
arranged between the two apparatus and a pawl i is secured to the frame of each
cleaning device. The ratchet wheel common to both apparatus will therefore revolve
whether the scrapers or the brushes are used.
In this construction the means shewn for effecting the ringing is an electric circuit.
The ratchet wheel is of brass and has an annular insulating piece of ebonite insorted
in it upon which slides a spring that is connected to one of the wires, the other wire
sliding on the ratchet wheel itself. As soon as the first spring enters into contact
with the interruptors arranged in the ebonite piece the circuit will be closed by the
metallic body of the wheel. The number of the interruptors in the ebonite (three are
shewn in Fig. 7 of the drawing) determines how often the bell will sound.
It is evident that the scraper shewn in Figs. 1 to 6 may be combined in the same
manner with an electro-magnetical ringing apparatus, and that the construction
represented in Figs. 7 to 12 may be used with an ordinary bell wire.
The temporary locking of the bell is effected in the construction shewn in Figs. 7
to 12 by turning the arm k of a vertical shaft n. While the arm k is in its backward
position (as shewn in the drawing) another arm carried by the same shaft is in the
position shewn in the drawing thus allowing the frame to move freely. When the
arm k is turned to the right, the arm I will be brought into the position shewn at m
thereby pressing the frame & tightly against the case and by this means preventing
any movement of the former and of the ratchet wheel.
The lever can be casily pushed backward by the foot to disengage the ringing
apparatus if required. The number of scraper irons forming a grid, their shape, and
the degree of sharpness of their edges may be varied at will.
The simple scraper (Figs. 1 to 6) may be replaced by a brush secured by screws to
the caps e and fand connecting them with each other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The construction of a boot and shoe scraper for use in substitution for handles of
bell pulls as hitherto used, the mechanical functions of the handle being transferred to
the scraper, which construction is characterised by the scraper iron protected by the

page_text: double cape and arranged in a double casing so as to be capable of an oscillatory
notion the said scraper when locked by the lever allowing of shoes or boots being
scraped or cleaned while when set free, the scraper iron follows the movements of the
foot and turns by the pawl ka ratchet wheel which is provided with a detent 7, and
after a certain number of movements of the foot actuates the lever d by means of pins
in the ratchet wheel and thus pulls the bell-wire.
2. The modification of the apparatus referred to in claim 1, consisting in the
arrangement in a single or double casing of a scraping grid or brush in lieu of a
scraping iron in such a manner, that the grid or brush is supported by means of the
lever on the shafts a so as to be capable of a vibratory motion, while in the same
manner as specified in claim 1 the motion of the grid or brush is transferred by the
intermediary of a ratchet wheel g to the bell-wire either by mechanical means or by
the aid of any suitable electrical contact contrivance, the ringing apparatus being
disengaged from the shoe cleaning contrivance by a leverk holding the grid or brush
stationary.
Dated this 24th day of September 1880
T. BÖHM,
Per L. W.
L. EICHELBERG,
Per L. W.