Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Boots and Shoes.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 25th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Boots and Shoes.
I THOMAS OCTAVIUS JONES of Shaftesbury House, New North Road in the County
of Middlesex, Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be
as follows:-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in apparatus for cleaning boot
and shoes.
My invention consists of a horizontal axle, mounted in bearings upon a suitable
stand. Disc brushes are mounted upon the axle a short distance apart, the bristles
occupying an annular position upon the faces of the discs, parallel to the axle, upon
the inside faces of the discs. Central brushes are also fitted upon conical bosses
between the discs, the bristles being placed more or less radially to the axle.
The axle may be fitted with a handle for turning the same by hand, or with driving
pulleys or other gear for driving the same by any suitable machinery.
One, two, or any other number of pairs of brushes may be fitted upon a single axle
or shaft.
I also fit oblate spheroids, made of wood or other suitable materials, and cover the
same with sponge or other material for taking up blacking from pans into which they
dip, as they revolve, and from which the blacking may be conveyed to circular brushes
formed as aforesaid, or to conoidal revolving brushes, for spreading the blacking upon
the boots.
In using my invention, the boot or shoe is placed between the discs and under the
cones, whereby both sides and the upper part of the boot or shoe are operated upon at
the same time, the operations of cleaning, blacking and polishing being expeditiously
and effectually carried out.
· GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Boots and Shoes.
I, THOMAS OCTAVIUS JONES, of Shaftesbury House, New North Road in the County
of Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in apparatus for cleaning boots
and shoes.
My invention consists of a horizontal axle, mounted in bearings upon a suitable
stand. Disc brushes are mounted upon the axle a short distance apart, the bristles
occupying an annular position upon the faces of the discs, parallel to the axle, upon
the inside faces of the discs-Central brushes are also fitted upon conical bosses
between the discs, the bristles being placed more or less radially to the axle.
The axle may be fitted with a handle for turning the same by hand, or with driving
pulleys or other gear for driving the same by any suitable machinery.
One, two, or any other number of pairs of brushes may be fitted upon a single axle
or shaft.
I also fit oblate spheroids, made of wood or other suitable material and cover the
same with sponge or other material for taking up blacking from pans into which they
dip, as they revolve, and from which the blacking may be conveyed to circular

page_text: brushes formed as aforesaid, or to conoidal revolving brushes, for spreading the
blacking upon the boots.
In using my invention, the boot or shoe, is placed, between the discs and under the
cones, whereby both sides and the upper part of the boot or shoe are operated upon at
the same time, the operations of cleaning blacking and polishing being expeditiously
and effectually carried out.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation showing one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional
elevation on the line xx of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are elevations (partly in section)
showing other forms of my invention.
a a is the frame which may be of any convenient form. b is an axle fitted with a
wheel c and handle d. e is a flange upon the axle. A screw thread is formed at one
end of the axle to receive the nut f.
The circular brushes may be made in various forms, as hereinbefore mentioned. In
Fig. two brushes g h are shown, the diameters being reduced in the middle of the
brush. k is a receptacle for blacking supported in dovetail guides m m, as also
shown in Fig. 2. n is a roller, preferably formed of wood and covered with sponge,
cork, or other suitable material, and mounted on an axle so as to revolve freely in k.
The brushes are fitted to the axle by slipping the axle through the central holes in
the brushes; a distance piece o or a central brush may be placed between the brushes
to separate them a certain distance. By tightening up the nut f the axle and brushes
revolve together.
Blacking is spread by pushing the receptacle m towards the brush g, until the
roller n is in contact with the brush, when they revolve together until sufficient
blacking has been supplied to the brush.
Brushes may be fitted formed as shown in section in Figs. 3 and 4, such brushes
being retained in position upon the axle by means of metallic or other discs or
plates pp, as shown.
By using longer axles any number of brushes, and of similar or other forms, may
be fitted upon the axle so as to rotate therewith.
In some cases I employ a spring rest whereon boots and shoes may be placed and
operated upon by the brushes without the operator applying pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
The general construction, combination and arrangement of the several and
respective parts, together forming my improvements in apparatus for cleaning boots
and shoes, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 24th December 1889
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.