US1526233A - Foot cleaner for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 10, 1925. 1,526,233

w. RANCE, sR

FOOT CLEANER-FOR AUTOMOBILES u v m\ WITN ESSES Patented Feb. 10, 17925,

WILLIAM RANCE, SRA., OF FREEPORT, ILLINOS.

FOOT CLEANER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application ied February 15, 1924. Ferial No. 633,068.

into position for exposing a scraper which may be used for `removing the bulk of the accumulations from the bottom of the shoe or boot, and which may be swung in reverse direction to expose a brush for completing the operation.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of this character which is particularly adapted for use on the running board of an automobile, the same being located thereon in a position to cause the scraper, when swung into proper position, to extend over the free edge of the running board so as to allow the scrapings to fall upon the ground, though it will be obvious that the cleaner may also be used with equal advantage on the end or edge of a step or a porch or in other similar places.

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a` considera tion of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, it being understood that while thedrawing lshows a practical form of the invention, the latter is not to be conned to strict conformity with the showing thereof but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention, as specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,.in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several gures:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved cleaner applied in position on an automobile running board and swung to a position for using the scraper.

Figure 2 is a similar View with the device swung to a position for using the brush.

Figure is a side elevation of the subject matter of Figure 1, the running board being in section.

Figure i is a similar view of the device as shown in Figure 2. Y

Figure 5 is an end elevation, partly broken away, of the device as shown in Figure t.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a foot cleaning device comprising a metallic base member i, which is preferably oblong in sha-pe' and is of sufficient thickness to withstand the strain to which the same may be subjected, and to 'be properly attached to the running board 2 of an automobile or other place, the base being properly apertured for the reception of fastening screws 3 for the purpose.

The base is applied transversely of the running lboard or other support and adjacent to the outer free edge thereof, and it has an integral, centrally disposed, upstanding eye 4l, which is narrower than the width of the base and overhangs the free edge of the support, while at the opposite or inner end, the base is provided with apair of spaced lugs 5 which are formed integrally therewith.

A swingable brush and scraper block 6, formed of suitable cast metal, like the base member, is adapted to coact with the same, and is provided at one end with spaced ears 7 which are adapted to flank the aforesaid eye d of the base member, said ears being suitably apertured to receive the ends of a pivot pin 51% carried by the eye, and which permits the block (i to be swung inwardly in overlying relation to the base member, or to be swung outwardly to entend beyond the free edge of the support.

rlihe length and width of the swingable block t3 are substantially the same as the base member, and the upper face of said block, when swung outwardly, as shown in Figure l of the drawing, is provided with a. longitudinally disposed rib 9 extending from the ears 7 tothe outer end thereof along the center-line, the said rib being formed yby opposite recesses l() and constituting a foot scraper.

rlhe block 6 is provided with spaced apertures for the reception of screws 11, which pass through and hold to the under side of the swingable block, a base member or block l2, preferably formed of wood and which extends inwardly and abuts against the depending flange 13 formed at the free edge of the running board, or against the edge of a step, etc., while the outer end of said block 12 may extend slightly beyond the outer free end of the member 6 and is preferably rounded. The lower face of the block 12 is provided with bristles 14 to con-i stitute a brush, and the same may be formed in any desired manner or of any desired material.

When the device is properly applied in position on a running board or other support, with the eye 4 overhanging the edge of the same, a person desiring to remove mud or other accumulations from his boots or shoes, may simply introduce his toe beneath one of the side edges formed by the recesses 10, assuming that the swingable block 6 is initially in the position shown in Figure 2, whereupon the said block may be swung to the position shown in Figure 1, and the longitudinal rib 9 may be used to scrape the bottoms of the shoes, said scrapings falling upon the ground. rThe inner end of the brush block 12 bearing against the flange 13 serves to hold the swingable member in horizontal alinement with the base member and to resist the strain of the scraping operation. By simply lifting the outer end of the swingable block 6 with the toe of the foot, the same may be swung inwardly to expose the brush 14C (as shown in Figure 2), which may then be used to remove the remainder of the mud or dirt from the feet. In this position the free end portion of the longitudinal rib 9 tits between the aforesaid lugs 5, and the swingable block (3 is thus prevented from any lateral movement while the brushing operation takes place. Vhen applied to an automobile, the block 6 would be swung inwardly with the brush uppermost, as shown in Fig. 2, for safety sake while the machine is travelling.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a simple, cheaply manufactured and eiiicient foot cleaning device has been provided, which may be used on the running boards of automobiles without detracting from the appearance of the same, and that the device may be used to scrape the feet and-cause the scrapings to fall upon the ground, or moved into an out-of-the-way position for brushing the feet, and it will also be seen that the device may be used in other locations with equal advantage.

What is claimed is l. A foot cleaner comprising a base member adapted to be secured to a support, a

longitudinally swingable block hinged at one of its ends to an end of the base member, said block having a foot scraper on one face and a brush on its opposite face, and means on one of the elements for engaging the other element to prevent lateral movement of the brush with respect to the base member when the brush is in position for use.

2. A foot cleaner' comprising an elongated base, means for securing the base to a support, a swingable block, means for hinging said block to said base, a central, longitudinal scraper formed on one face of said block, and means on the base to engage said scraper when the bloclt is swung inwardly over the base.

3. fr foot cleaner comprising a base adapted to be secured to a. support, spaced lugs formed at one end of the base, a block hinged to the otherl end of said base and having a longitudinal scraper on one face which lits between said lugs when swung over the base, and a brush Secured to the other face of said block, a portion of the brush bearing against an end of the support to prevent downward movement of the block when the scraper is in use.

Il. A foot cleaner adapted to be secured to a step or an automobile running board and comprising a base for transverse arrangement on said board, a swinging block having a foot scraper on one of its faces and hinged to the outer end of the base and adapted to be swung outwardly in horizontal alinement therewith, and a brush carried on another face of the block and abutting the edge of the support to maintain the block in a horizontal position when the scraper is in use.

5. A foot cleaner for transverse attachment to a step or an automobile running board, comprising a base having spaced lugs at one of its ends, a swinging bloclr hinged to the other end of the base and having a brush on one face and a foot scraper on its opposite face, said scraper fitting between the lugs to steady the block when the brush is in use.

in testimony, that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have hereto aliired my signature.

WILLIAM RANGE, Su.

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