EP2095756A2 - Device for cleaning shoe soles - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) has a brush roller (13) supported in a frame (16) in a rotatably movable manner. A longitudinal axis (L) of the brush roller is aligned parallel to a shoe sole plane, and the frame is arranged in a housing. The roller is mechanically, solely displaced into rotations (R, S) during treading of the device by a drive. The brush roller comprises a toothed wheel (17) at the longitudinal axis, where the wheel is engaged into a gear rod (18). A relative movement of the roller to the gear rod displaces the roller in rotation, and the longitudinal axis comprises a friction roller.

Description

The invention relates to a device for cleaning shoe soles, comprising a frame in which at least one brush roller is mounted, whose longitudinal axis is directed parallel to the shoe sole plane, wherein the frame is arranged in a housing, and with a drive with which upon entering the device the brush roller is set in rotation.

A generic prior art is in US 4,724,564 discloses, however, in addition to the aligned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the shoe sole longitudinal axis brush roller a plurality of other brushes with alternative movements, such as an oscillating brush on. All brushes described in the aforementioned document are driven by a motor which can be switched on and off via a separate switch.

From the prior art is with DE 21 43 802 a further device for cleaning shoe soles known in which the longitudinal axes of the brush rollers, however, are aligned transversely to the shoe sole longitudinal extent and these are oscillated back and forth by an electric drive back and forth.

Out DE 17 04 220 a device for cleaning shoe soles is known, in which under the shoe sole occupied with brushes bands are pulled through a motor drive. The aforementioned document also provides that the motor for moving the brush belts by entering the device is set in motion.

DE 202 12 289 U1 discloses a device for cleaning shoe soles in which the brush elements are set in an oscillating motion by a motor.

DE 20 2005 006 175 U1 discloses an apparatus for cleaning shoe soles, in which the brushes are driven swinging by means of an electric motor and a transmission.

Finally revealed DE 196 10 706 C1 an apparatus for cleaning shoe soles, wherein brush elements by means of the occurrence thereof are rotationally moved about its vertical axis.

With the exception of the latter document adheres to the known devices for cleaning shoe soles throughout the disadvantage that they are consuming driven by a motor. Sometimes different brush movements are performed simultaneously, which requires complex mechanical gears. All this leads to devices that are complex and expensive to manufacture and whose complex mechanics is prone to failure.

In the DE 196 10 706 C1 There is the problem that brushed dirt particles reach the area of the mechanical guide and thus lead to malfunction of the rotating brush.

The object of the invention is to provide a technically simple design, but effective and trouble-free usable device for cleaning shoe soles.

The object of the invention is achieved by a device according to claim 1, in particular with the characterizing features, according to which the frame has a plurality of brush rollers arranged parallel to each other, whose longitudinal axis is aligned parallel to the shoe sole plane and which are set only mechanically in rotation upon entering the device.

Due to the longitudinal alignment of the brush rollers parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe sole, it is possible to make do with a few brush elements, which in itself significantly simplifies the device. The purely mechanical drive not only leads to a noticeable Cost reduction in the production, but promises a long service life with low susceptibility due to its technically relatively simple design.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the brush rollers are arranged in pairs and in which the brush rollers of a pair rotate in opposite directions. This has the significant advantage that the forces exerted on the shoe sole and the shoe tends to push in a certain direction rotational forces cancel each other. This ensures that the device can safely stand up and the user does not get out of balance when cleaning his shoe sole.

The mechanical drive may be configured such that the longitudinal axis of each brush roller has at one end a toothed wheel which engages in a toothed rack, wherein a relative movement of the brush roller to the toothed rack causes the brush roller to rotate.

It is envisaged that the brush rollers are supported at the other end stationary pivotable and upon entering the device, the brush rollers are pivoted about a common pivot axis relative to the rack, wherein by means of engagement of the gears in the rack, the brush rollers are set in rotation, especially if the rotational movement of the Rolling is triggered by entering the device.

The running of gears on a rack in order to set the brush rollers in rotation, is an easy way to realize a mechanical drive.

This drive is further simplified if in each case a toothed rack provided on both sides with toothed teeth is arranged between the toothed wheels of the brush rollers of a pair of brush rollers, in which the respective toothed wheel of a brush roller engages. Here is a rack member for driving a pair of brushes, so two Brush rollers. The rack is arranged between the gear wheels of the brush pair and has teeth on both sides facing the gearwheel. As a result, not only a rack is saved, but also ensured by the arrangement of rack and gears at the same time that the brush rollers of a pair of brush rollers rotate in opposite directions.

In order to ensure a simultaneous and parallel pivoting movement of the brush rollers, it is provided that the brush rollers are rotatably mounted in a common frame, the frame is pivotally mounted in the housing and the respectively arranged between two gears rack is arranged on the housing.

In a specific embodiment, it is provided that the brush rollers occupy an angle relative to the housing bottom, preferably an angle between 30 ° to 60 °, in particular 35 °, wherein the angular opening between the housing bottom and the ends provided with gears of the longitudinal axes of the brush rollers is formed the brush rollers are pivoted upon entering the device in the direction of the housing bottom.

Upon entering the device, the weight of the person using causes the brush rollers to move with their gears relative to the rack and the brush rollers are driven to rotate. It is advantageous if the brush rollers are held in their initial position of at least one spring element in their angle to the housing bottom starting position and that the spring element, the brush rollers after leaving the device moves back to initial position, as so after leaving the device immediately ready for use again is made.

An embodiment is conceivable in which the spring element is a compression spring element.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment which is characterized in that a torsion spring element is provided, which is arranged around the pivot axis of the frame around and moves the brush after leaving the device back to the starting position.

Specifically, it is provided that the device has four brush rollers arranged parallel to one another.

Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the unquoted subclaims.

Fig. 1

die Darstellung eines Vertikalschnittes durch eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung gemäß Schnittlinie II-II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine Teildarstellung einer Ausführungsform mit alternativer Bürstenwalze,

Fig. 4

eine Teildarstellung einer Ausführungsform mit alternativem Antrieb.

The advantages in detail and a better understanding of the invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment. Show it:

Fig. 1

the representation of a vertical section through a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a sectional view along section line II-II in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a partial view of an embodiment with an alternative brush roller,

Fig. 4

a partial view of an embodiment with alternative drive.

An apparatus for cleaning shoe soles is designated in the figures as a whole by the reference numeral 10. The device comprises a housing 11, which has an opening 12 towards its upper side, through which brush rollers 13 are accessible for cleaning shoe soles. The opening 12 serves to allow a user to place a shoe, not shown, on the brush rollers 13.

The brush rollers 13 have a longitudinal axis L and are with their physical axis of rotation 14, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis L. is rotatably arranged in bearings 15 of a frame 16 (see in particular Fig. 2 ). At one end, the rotational axes 14 of the four roller brushes 13 mounted in the frame 16 in the present exemplary embodiment have toothed wheels 17. These gears 17 are, in contrast to the brush rollers 13, disposed outside of the frame 16 and engage in racks 18 which are fixed to the housing 11.

The brush rollers 13 are arranged side by side in pairs, wherein the first pair of brush rollers is designated by A and the second pair of brush rollers B. The gears 17 of each brush roller pair A, B each take a rack 18 between them. Each rack 18 has teeth for each gear 17, in which the gears 17 of the respective brush rollers 13 engage.

The frame 16, which carries the brush roller pairs A and B, is pivotally mounted in the housing 11 by means of a pivot axis 19, wherein a helical torsion spring 20 surrounds the physical pivot axis 19 of the frame 16. For storage of the pivot axis 19 in the housing 11 bearings 21 are provided.

How the particular Fig. 1 can be seen, the housing has approximately the cross-sectional shape of a right triangle. The frame 16 with the brush rollers 13 mounted in it closes with the bottom 22 of the housing 11 in the present embodiment, an angle of 35 °, wherein the angular origin is in the region of the pivot axis 19 of the frame 16 and the angular opening of the bottom 22 and the gear afflicted End regions of the brush rollers 13 is included. From the bottom 22 of the housing 11 which extend in Fig. 1 Racks not shown along the path of movement of the gears 17. This trajectory forms a partial circle portion of the radius, which is formed by the pivotal movement of the frame 16 about its pivot axis 19. The frame 16 forms between the brush rollers 13 located on landing webs, which are provided in a preferred embodiment with directed to the shoe sole brush.

• Der Benutzer der Vorrichtung 10 stellt seinen schuhbehafteten Fuß durch die Öffnung 12 auf die Ausgangsstellung befindlichen - das heißt winklig zum Boden 22 ausgerichteten - im Rahmen 11 gelagerten Bürstenwalzen 13, wobei bevorzugt die Ferse im Zahnrad behafteten Endbereich der Bürstenwalzen und die Schuhspitze im gegenüberliegenden Endbereich der Bürstenwalzen aufzusetzen ist. Die Schuhsohlenlängsachse verläuft hierbei parallel zur Längsachse L der Bürstenwalzen 13.
• Mittels der Ferse werden die Bürstenwalzen 13 in Richtung Z, d.h. in Richtung Boden 22 des Gehäuses 11 gedrückt. Infolge der Relativbewegung der Bürstenwalzen 13 zu den Zahnstangen 18 und des Eingriffs der Zahnräder 17 eines jedes Bürstenwalzenpaares A, B in die zugeordnete Zahnstange 18 werden die Bürstenwalzen 13 in Rotation um ihre Längsachse L versetzt. Bürstenwalzen 13 eines jeden Bürstenwalzenpaares A, B rotieren um die Längsachse L gegensinnig entsprechend der Rotationspfeile S und R. Die gegensinnige Rotationsbewegung ist von wesentlichem Vorteil, da die durch die Bürstenreibung an der Schuhsohle auf letztere übertragenden Bewegungsimpulse eines jeden Bürstenwalzenpaares A, B sich gegenseitig aufheben. Infolge dessen wird sicher vermieden, dass der Schuh infolge der Bürstenrotation seitlich von der Vorrichtung weggedrückt wird.

In the following, the function of the device 10 for cleaning shoe soles is explained:

• The user of the device 10 puts his shoe-covered foot through the opening 12 to the starting position - that is angled towards the bottom 22 - mounted in the frame 11 brush rollers 13, preferably the heel in the toothed wheel end region of the brush rollers and the toe in the opposite end of the Brush rollers is set up. The shoe sole longitudinal axis runs parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the brush rollers 13.
• By means of the heel, the brush rollers 13 are pressed in the direction Z, ie in the direction of the bottom 22 of the housing 11. Due to the relative movement of the brush rollers 13 to the racks 18 and the engagement of the gears 17 of each brush roller pair A, B in the associated rack 18, the brush rollers 13 are set in rotation about their longitudinal axis L. Brush rollers 13 of each brush roller pair A, B rotate about the longitudinal axis L in opposite directions according to the rotation arrows S and R. The opposite rotational movement is of significant advantage, since the movement of the brush sole on the shoe sole on the latter transmitted motion pulses of each brush roller pair A, B cancel each other , As a result, it is surely avoided that the shoe is pushed laterally away from the device due to the brush rotation.

A not shown in the figures drive concept provides that a distinction is made between directly and indirectly driven brush rollers. Directly driven brush rollers have - as described above - a physical rotation axis 14 with a gear 17 arranged outside the frame 16. This gear 17 engages in the associated rack 18 and puts the brush roller 13 directly into rotation. In addition to the directly driven Brush rollers are mounted in the frame 16 indirectly driven brush rollers 13. These indirectly driven brush rollers have a arranged on its axis of rotation 14 outside the frame 17 gear. However, this gear 17 does not engage in an associated rack, but is coupled in motion via a drive chain with the directly driven brush roller 13. This type of drive has the significant advantage that fewer racks are provided. In order to maintain the tension of the drive chain, an adjustable chain tensioner is provided. Depending on the leadership of the chain on the gears of the indirectly driven brush rollers can affect the direction of rotation.

In a further modification of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, the appearance webs can be arranged in the rest position of the device in such a way that a shoe which is merely put on does not have any contact with the bristles of the brush rollers 13 which is effective in the sense of the device. When loading the appearance of webs these soft against a spring force (it may, for example, hydraulic spring elements act) in the direction of brush roller. This evasive movement is limited by a stop so that the shoe receives a sense of the device acting contact with the brush rollers. A further weight load of the shoe leads in the manner described above for rotation of the brush rollers and for cleaning the shoe sole. With this embodiment of the device it is avoided that the bristles of the brush rollers jam when entering the device between the shoe sole and step web. In this embodiment, the appearance webs may well also be arranged transversely to the axis of rotation 14 of the brush rollers 13.

It is further provided to arrange the brush rollers 13 with respect to the shoe sole different levels. For example, sole brushes can be arranged below the appearance of webs and serve to clean the bottom of the shoe sole. Further brush rollers are on the right and left of the shoe above the Sole brush rollers stored and serve to remove dirt that has collected at the edge of the shoe sole.

(Correction note: gear guide to rack)

The movement in the direction Z is limited by support of the frame 16 to a stop, not shown, wherein the frame 16 is located with the brush rollers arranged thereon in this movement end position in approximately a horizontal position.

In the Fig.2 shown torsion spring 20 is attached to one end of the loop on the frame 16 and with a second end of the turn on the pivot axis 19. The pivotal movement of the frame 16 relative to the pivot axis 19 leads to the construction of a spring tension, the frame 16 and the brush rollers 13 moves back to its starting position against the direction of movement Z when relieving the heel or when leaving the device. Again, the brush rollers 13 rotate due to their relative movement to the brush rollers 13. Instead of the torsion spring 20 would also be tensile or compression springs conceivable that act in the gear-wheel end portions of the brush rollers 13 on this or on the frame 16. Also gas springs are conceivable.

It is conceivable that the bottom part 22 of the housing part 11 forms a trough, is collected in which brush soles brushed dirt. Likewise, it is conceivable that the ground is formed rust-like, so that the dirt can fall through. The tub may be formed as a drawer, so that it can be removed from the device 10. Laterally and in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the shoe sole L, rotatably driven or non-driven brushes can be arranged which laterally clean the soles of the shoes.

In Fig. 3 an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, in which case in particular an alternative solution for in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown brush rollers 13 is shown. in the Contrary to the brush rollers 13 is the in Fig. 3 illustrated brush roller 27 is not made with a longitudinal axis or brush core made of solid material, which allows easy storage in the frame, but includes a flexible in dimensions and due to their outer surface not readily storable in the frame brush soul. It is conceivable that this is a brush roller 27, in which the bristles are screwed in the manner of a bottle brush between two wires.

In order to be able to use such a brush roller 27 in the device 10, the ends are provided with coupling elements 28, here in the form of pressed cubic elements 29. In the frame 16 mounted stub axles 30 have inside frame coupling receptacles 31 which are formed such that they are the coupling elements 28 record positively and hold captive. One of the stub axles 30 carries outside of the frame already known from the above-described embodiment gear 17. Upon entering the device, the movement induced by the gear 17 via the stub axles 30 and coupling seats 31 is transmitted to the brush roller 27. The main advantage of this embodiment is that even relatively inexpensive producible brush rollers 27 can be used in the device 10.

In Fig. 4 an alternative embodiment of the purely mechanical drive of the device is shown. Instead of gears, the longitudinal axes of the brush rollers 27, here in the form of stub axles 30 according to Fig. 3 , Instead of the gears 17 friction rollers 23 on. These friction rollers 23 bear in an outer circumferential groove, the static friction-increasing O-rings 26 made of rubber. The O-rings 26 are in frictional contact with a friction ridge 24 which replaces the rack 18 in the previous embodiments. Instead of the meshing engagement of gears 17 in racks 18, the brush rollers 27 set in rotation relative movement of the gears 17 to the rack 18 in rotation, this is due to the static friction between the Reibsteg 27 and reaches the O-ring 26 of the friction roller 23. It is quite conceivable that the friction rollers 23 and / or the friction bar 24 are provided with further, the static friction increasing means. In order to counteract diminishing stiction due to wear or non-contamination, it can be provided that the contact pressure of the friction rollers 23 on the friction web 24 can be amplified by suitable measures. For this purpose, the stub axles 30 and the longitudinal axes L can be mounted in a slot and held in position by a threaded bolt used in a threaded hole. The slot is oriented perpendicular to the friction bar 24. By turning the bolt, the position of the stub axle 30 and the longitudinal axis L could be changed within the elongated hole, so that an adjustability of the friction rollers 23 is ensured.

In summary, a device for cleaning shoe soles is disclosed, which works extremely reliable due to their mechanical drive and their simple structure and is inexpensive to manufacture.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Device for cleaning shoe soles

11

casing

12

Opening v. 11

13

brush rollers

14

axis of rotation

15

Warehouse v. 16

16

frame

17

gears

18

racks

19

Pivot axis v. 16

20

helical torsion spring

21

Warehouse v. 11

22

Soil v. 11

23

friction roller

24

Reibsteg

25

Rollenumfangsnut

26

O-ring

27

brush roll

28

coupling elements

29

cubic element

30

stub axle

31

coupling shots

A

first brush whale couple

B

second pair of brush rollers

L

Longitudinal axis of 13

Z

Direction of movement v. 16

S

rotational motion

R

rotational motion

Claims (19)

Device (10) for cleaning shoe soles, comprising a frame (16) in which at least one brush roller (13) is rotatably mounted, whose longitudinal axis (L) is directed parallel to the shoe sole plane, wherein the frame (16) in a housing (11 ) is arranged, and with a drive, with the entering upon the device, the brush roller (13) in rotation (R, S) is displaceable, characterized in that the frame (16) comprises a plurality of parallel arranged brush rollers (13), whose longitudinal axis (L) is aligned parallel to the shoe sole plane and these are moved by entering the device (10) only mechanically in rotation (R, S). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of the brush roller is directed parallel to the shoe sole longitudinal axis. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) are arranged in pairs and the brush rollers (13) of a pair (A, B) rotate in opposite directions. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of each brush roller (13) at one end has a toothed wheel (17) which meshes with a toothed rack (18), wherein a relative movement of the brush roller (13) to the rack (17) 18) the brush roller (13) in rotation (R, S). Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) are rotatably mounted at the other end stationary and upon entering the device (10), the brush rollers (13) about a common pivot axis (19) relative to the rack (18) are pivoted, wherein means the meshing intervention of the Gears (17) in the rack (18), the brush rollers (13) in rotation (R, S) are added. Apparatus according to claim 2 and 4, characterized in that in each case between the gears (17) of the brush rollers (13) of a pair of brush rollers (A, B) a two-sided toothed rack (18) is arranged, in which the respective gear (17) a brush roller meshes. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mechanical drive is realized by static friction of two drive means. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (L) of each brush roller (13) has at one end a friction roller (23), which bears against a Reibsteg (24), wherein a relative movement of the brush roller (13) for Reibsteg (24) the brush roller (13) in rotation (R, S). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) are rotatably mounted at the other end stationary and upon entering the device (10), the brush rollers (13) about a common pivot axis (19) relative to the friction web (24) are pivoted, wherein means the friction abutment of the friction rollers (23) on the friction web (24), the brush rollers (13) in rotation (R, S) are added. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the friction rollers are at least externally provided with friction-enhancing means, in particular with a in a Rollenumfangsnut (25) inlaid O-ring (26) made of rubber. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) in one common frame (16) are rotatably mounted and the frame (16) is pivotally mounted in the housing (11). Apparatus according to claim 11 and 5, characterized in that each between two gears (17) arranged rack (18) on the housing (11) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 9, characterized in that the respective friction web (24) arranged between two friction rollers (23) is arranged on the housing (11). Device according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) occupy an angle relative to the housing bottom (22), preferably an angle between 30 ° to 60 °, in particular 35 °, wherein the angular opening between the housing bottom (22). and the ends of the axes of rotation (14) of the brush rollers (13) provided with gears (12). Apparatus according to claim 5 and 14, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) on entering the device (10) in the direction of the housing bottom (22) are pivoted. Apparatus according to claim 14 and 15, characterized in that the brush rollers (13) are held in their initial position of at least one spring element (20) in its angled to the housing bottom (22) directed starting position and that the spring element (20), the brush rollers (13). after leaving the device (10) moved back to the starting position. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the spring element is a compression spring element. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that a torsion spring element (20) is provided, which is arranged around the pivot axis (19) of the frame (16) around and the Frame (16) with the brush rollers (13) after leaving the device (10) moves back to the starting position. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that four brush rollers (13) are provided.

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