GB2166647A

GB2166647A - Improvements relating to boot cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2166647A
Application number: GB08527773A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Waverley Jenkin Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-11-10
Filing date: 1985-11-11
Publication date: 1986-05-14
Also published as: GB8527773D0; GB2166647B

Abstract

The apparatus has a drainable water reservoir (1) which receives a removable brush assembly (5, 6, 8). The brushes (8, 14, 15) are arranged in pairs opposite one another and are partially immersed in the water. Their bristles (12) are upwardly convergent to form a generally V-shaped trough with a gap at the base. The assembly has a handle (6) by which it can be lifted in and out of the reservoir and which provides a steadying support for users of the apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to boot cleaning apparatus This invention relates to boot cleaning apparatus.

Muddy boots are an inevitable consequence of playing rugby or association football, hockey or other outdoor winter games. Generally they get tramped into the changing room and even beyond, requiring a lot of cleaning up and sometimes causing immovable stains. There are occasionally crude provisions for cleaning them outside the pavilion, but nothing very effective has yet been provided to our knowledge. There is a'similar problem on construction sites where supervisors, in particular, may move frequently between the site office and a muddy environment outside. Farmers also could often find it useful to clean boots rather than changes.

It is the aim of this invention to provide simple but effective apparatus for cleaning boots suitable for these and other applications.

According to the present invention there is provided boot cleaning apparatus comprising a water reservoir and a brush assembly receivable in the reservoir presenting opposed arrays of bristles with access to water in the reservoir between said arrays.

Preferably, the bristles of the opposed arrays converge upwardly. Thus they form a generally Vshaped trough with an open bottom. This makes cleaning the sides and bottoms of boots still worn by the players fairly easy without undue contortion.

Also, it allows lumps of mud to fall through the gap between the arrays of bristles, and allows the players to press their boots through to get them thoroughly wet for a final scrub.

The brush assembly will preferably have an upstanding handle which, as well as being used to lift the assembly clear, can serve as a steadying hold for players using the apparatus. The brushes are lifted clear after use so that the muddy water can be flushed from the reservoir.

This reservoir can take various shapes, but generally it will be preferred to have an elongate shallow bath allowing a number of players to use it at once. The brush arrays may extend along the longitudinal sides or they may be set transversely to the longitudinal direction. An alternative is a circular reservoir with the brush arrays as radial "spokes" in a carousel arrangement.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of boot cleaning apparatus with some parts removed, Figure 2 is a cross section of the apparatus, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified apparatus, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of another modified appartatus.

In Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus has a reservoir in the form of an elongate rectangular tray 1 standing just clear of the ground on legs 2. The ends are externally provided with carrying handles 3, and the base has a drain outlet 4 with a removable plug or stopper (not shown).

A user's support rail 5 spans the length of the tray 1, having uprights at the ends which are attached centrally to the end plates 6 of a rectangularframe.

This forms parts of a brush assembly which can be lifted in and out of the tray by the rail 5. The lower edge portion of each end plate 6 is flanged inwardly and underneath there are studs 7 to hold the frame just clear of the base of the tray.

The longitudinal members 8 are of channel section, concave upwardly and inwardly, and each carries an array of brushes, or possibly just one extended brush. These have a body 9 which is held seated within the member 8, by clips 10 as shown on the right hand side or by screws 11 through the web of the channel member as shown on the left hand side of Figure 2. The bristles 12 then extend upwardly and inwardly from the bodies 9 to present a working surface of V-form with a gap at the base.

In use, the brush assembly is lowered into the reservoir, which is filled with water to a level L as indicated in Figure 2.An overflow aperture 13 is provided to ensure that this limit is not exceeded.

This is shielded from the main body of water by the adjacent end plate 6 and so when a user, standing beside the apparatus on one foot and working his boot on the other foot back and forth over the bristles, causes surges of water from one end to the other, this is less pronounced in the small gap between the end plate 6 and the adjacent end of the tray 1. Thus, less water is spilled through the overflow than would be the case if it was unshielded. Such foot action by the user will thoroughly clean the sides and underneath of each boot, at the same time completely wetting it to ease removal of mud. The mud so removed will fall through the gap between the bristles.

After use, the brush assembly is lifted out and the plug remvoed from the drain to flush out the tray.

Preferably the structure will be of heavily galvanised steel, although it may be possible to use plastics material, particularly for the reservoir.

Figures 3 and 4 show diagrammatically other arrangements. In Figure 3 the brushes 14 are arranged transversely to the reservoir, while in Figure 4 the reservoir is circular and the brushes 15 are arranged radially.

1. Boot cleaning apparatus comprising a water reservoir with a brush assembly receivable in the reservoir presenting opposed arrays of bristles with access to the water in the reservoir between said arrays.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bristles of the opposed arrays converge upwardly to form a generally V-shaped trough with an open bottom.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the brush assembly has an upstanding handle providing means for lifting the assembly in and out of the reservoir and a steadying hold for users.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to boot cleaning apparatus This invention relates to boot cleaning apparatus. Muddy boots are an inevitable consequence of playing rugby or association football, hockey or other outdoor winter games. Generally they get tramped into the changing room and even beyond, requiring a lot of cleaning up and sometimes causing immovable stains. There are occasionally crude provisions for cleaning them outside the pavilion, but nothing very effective has yet been provided to our knowledge. There is a'similar problem on construction sites where supervisors, in particular, may move frequently between the site office and a muddy environment outside. Farmers also could often find it useful to clean boots rather than changes. It is the aim of this invention to provide simple but effective apparatus for cleaning boots suitable for these and other applications. According to the present invention there is provided boot cleaning apparatus comprising a water reservoir and a brush assembly receivable in the reservoir presenting opposed arrays of bristles with access to water in the reservoir between said arrays. Preferably, the bristles of the opposed arrays converge upwardly. Thus they form a generally Vshaped trough with an open bottom. This makes cleaning the sides and bottoms of boots still worn by the players fairly easy without undue contortion. Also, it allows lumps of mud to fall through the gap between the arrays of bristles, and allows the players to press their boots through to get them thoroughly wet for a final scrub. The brush assembly will preferably have an upstanding handle which, as well as being used to lift the assembly clear, can serve as a steadying hold for players using the apparatus. The brushes are lifted clear after use so that the muddy water can be flushed from the reservoir. This reservoir can take various shapes, but generally it will be preferred to have an elongate shallow bath allowing a number of players to use it at once. The brush arrays may extend along the longitudinal sides or they may be set transversely to the longitudinal direction. An alternative is a circular reservoir with the brush arrays as radial "spokes" in a carousel arrangement. For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of boot cleaning apparatus with some parts removed, Figure 2 is a cross section of the apparatus, Figure 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified apparatus, and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of another modified appartatus. In Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus has a reservoir in the form of an elongate rectangular tray 1 standing just clear of the ground on legs 2. The ends are externally provided with carrying handles 3, and the base has a drain outlet 4 with a removable plug or stopper (not shown). A user's support rail 5 spans the length of the tray 1, having uprights at the ends which are attached centrally to the end plates 6 of a rectangularframe. This forms parts of a brush assembly which can be lifted in and out of the tray by the rail 5. The lower edge portion of each end plate 6 is flanged inwardly and underneath there are studs 7 to hold the frame just clear of the base of the tray. The longitudinal members 8 are of channel section, concave upwardly and inwardly, and each carries an array of brushes, or possibly just one extended brush. These have a body 9 which is held seated within the member 8, by clips 10 as shown on the right hand side or by screws 11 through the web of the channel member as shown on the left hand side of Figure 2. The bristles 12 then extend upwardly and inwardly from the bodies 9 to present a working surface of V-form with a gap at the base. In use, the brush assembly is lowered into the reservoir, which is filled with water to a level L as indicated in Figure 2.An overflow aperture 13 is provided to ensure that this limit is not exceeded. This is shielded from the main body of water by the adjacent end plate 6 and so when a user, standing beside the apparatus on one foot and working his boot on the other foot back and forth over the bristles, causes surges of water from one end to the other, this is less pronounced in the small gap between the end plate 6 and the adjacent end of the tray 1. Thus, less water is spilled through the overflow than would be the case if it was unshielded. Such foot action by the user will thoroughly clean the sides and underneath of each boot, at the same time completely wetting it to ease removal of mud. The mud so removed will fall through the gap between the bristles. After use, the brush assembly is lifted out and the plug remvoed from the drain to flush out the tray. Preferably the structure will be of heavily galvanised steel, although it may be possible to use plastics material, particularly for the reservoir. Figures 3 and 4 show diagrammatically other arrangements. In Figure 3 the brushes 14 are arranged transversely to the reservoir, while in Figure 4 the reservoir is circular and the brushes 15 are arranged radially. CLAIMS

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the reservoir is an elongate shallow bath.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the brush arrays extend along the longitudinal sides of the bath.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a plurality of opposed brush arrays are set transversely to the longitudinal sides of the bath.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the reservoir is circular and a plurality of opposed brush arrys are arranged radially thereof.

8. Boot cleaning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 and 2, Figure 3, or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.