C
Year: 1885

page_text: WILLIAM BENNER 9 Bridge Street Tralee, Ireland, Boot and Shoe Salesman do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for BOOT CLEANING to be as follows:-
In an upright wooden or iron frame, about forty-two inches in height by about
fifteen in breadth, are mounted two round brushes a few inches from the ground
each on a separate and independent axle, placed parallel, which is adjusted to and
within the frame as shown by fig. n in the accompanying diagram.
Each brush (which may be from six to nine inches in diameter) is cylindrical
in shape, having a cone surface at one end, and a flat surface at the other end
to which is fastened (or turned in the stock) a small pulley as at K. On the
cylindrical form of the stock head is inserted a brush of hard bristles, and on the
cone form is inserted a brush of soft or polishing bristles.
Each brush is mounted so that the conical ends face, and the bristles touch, as
seen in diagram. Beneath the angle formed at the meeting point of both brushes,
is placed
a foot rest (raised to show shape as at 7) having a flat spring under it, to
raise or lower the boot at will, according to size. Motion to revolve the brushes.
may be given by leather, chain or other belts, driven by hand or steam.
The position of the brushes may be raised to table height, and driven by either
treadle, hand or steam power.
Fixed to the lower parts of the frame are small foot scrapers as at o and p.
The explanation of the drawings, attached, is as follows:-A, Revolving
Cylindrical Brushes, showing configuration and direction in which the bristles
protrude; B, Frame; C, driving handle; d, larger cog wheel; e, smaller cog wheel ;
f, larger pulleys; g, axle in bearings, h; j, driving belts; k, smaller pulleys
attached to brushes; l, foot plate on cross-bar, m; n, axles of brushes; o and p, foot
scrapers.
ر

page_text: WILLIAM BENNER 9 Bridge Street Tralee Ireland Boot and Shoe Salesman do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for BOOT CLEANING and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
Within an iron or wooden frame about forty-two inches in height by about
twenty inches in breadth are placed two round brushes. Each of these brushes is
in shape cylindrical, flat at one end and convex at the other end.
The cylindrical part of one brush-head is about five inches in breadth, is
slightly grooved in its circumference, resembling the groove in a rope pulley, and
is studded or covered with coarse bristles for brushing off dirt from strong boots.
And the cylindrical part of the other brush-head is of the same breadth and' is
similarly grooved in its circumference but is studded or covered with softer bristles
for cleaning dirt from the finer.quality of boots and shoes.
The convex part of each brush is grooved or hollowed in its circumference about
midway between the base and the apex, as seen at s in the drawings accompanying
this specification. Each convex with the circular groove therein is studded or
covered with long or fine bristles for polishing purposes.
In each brush the surface of the bristles corresponds with the surface of the
brush-head; and the bristles project as nearly as possible at right angles with the
curvature of the brush-head, as shown by the direction of the lines representing
the bristles in the illustrations.
The brush-heads may be from five to ten inches in diameter-the proportionate
diameter in the illustrations being about nine inches-and the length of the axle-
bore about eight inches having a diameter of about one inch in which is placed at
each end a metal bush or other suitable bearings.
The brushes are mounted and revolve on fixed axles of about half-inch diameter
placed in a horizontal line, having their (the brushes) convex sides facing, with the
central bristles of the one almost touching the central bristles of the other.
The axles may be unscrewed for renewal of brushes.
At the back or flat side of each brush-head is placed a small pulley (which may
be turned with the brush-head) or a small cogged wheel.
Connected with each brush-head is an endless belt of leather, steel, chain or
other suitable material for giving rotation. Cogged wheels may also be employed
to give rotation to the brushes, and motion given to either method by hand, foot,
or other power.
The inventor claims the right to use the said brushes in their single capacity,
that is, that one of the brushes may be attached to a stand or frame and made to
revolve either on a horizontal or vertical axle.
In the accompanying drawings the brushes are placed near the ground for the
cleaning of boots on the wearer's feet; but for cleaning boots in the hand the
brushes may be raised to table height.
The explanation of the drawings accompanying this Specification is as follows:-
Fig. I represents a front view, and fig. II represents a side view of the Boot
Cleaning Machine. A, the brushes showing relative position and configuration;

page_text: also, showing direction in which the bristles protrude. In fig. I a section only of
the left brush is shown, the dotted lines representing the axle ; B, frame; O, driving
wheel or handle; f, pulleys on axle-bar, h; g, small pulleys at back of brushes;
j, driving belts; k, axles for brushes; l, foot-plates on cross-bar m, having springs
underneath to raise or lower the toe at will; o and p, foot-scrapers; Q staybar;
R, blacking shelf.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is "
I. A Boot Cleaning Machine consisting of two revolving cylindrical brushes on
separate and independent axles, capable of cleaning boots or shoes held in the hand
or on the wearer's feet, and of being operated by the person holding or wearing
the boot or shoe.
II. The chief peculiarity of this machine lies in the configuration of the
combined brushes, said brushes being cylindrical, the sides or ends of which are
respectively convex and flat. The cylindrical part is grooved and studded with
dirt cleaning or hard bristles, and the convex part is studded with polishing
bristles. At the flat side of each brush is placed a pulley or cogged wheel for
receiving the necessary motion, which may be imparted by hand, foot, or other
power.
III. By the position of these two brushes which are placed directly opposite and
on horizontal axles, with their convex sides facing, having the central bristles of
the one almost touching the central bristles of the other, an arch is formed under-
neath for the reception of the boot or shoe. After the boot being given the
necessary coating of blacking by brush in hand or otherwise, the inventor of this
macbine claims that when it is placed beneath the said arch or brushes and motion
given to same, the vamp or toe of the boot will receive the necessary polish; and
to clean the heel or back part, the boot may be raised above and between the two
brushes.
By this machine,,childrens, ladies and gentlemens boots and shoes can be cleaned
with equal facility, and also high laced boots.
Dated this fifteenth dow of Deanmhau 100K