US2664585A - Shoeshine device - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 5, 1954 B. GAITHER 2,664,585

SHOESHINE DEVICE Filed Dec. 1, 195] Zmventor WEE/F77 @A/THER (Zia/mu attorney Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOESHINE DEVICE Bert Gaither, Van Nuys, Calif.

Application December 1, 1951, Serial No. 259,430

2 Claims. (01. 15-265) This invention relates to a shoeshine device more particularly adapted for use in the home.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character indicated that, from a normal closed box-like condition, can be quickly converted to an open operative condition. In the former condition, the device serves to store shoe polishing articles and in the latter condition, the same serves as a stand to support the foot wearing the shoe to be shined.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shoeshine device that has a hinged top adapted to be propped in an elevated position so that the upper end of the same constitutes a foot rest and to provide a portion hinged on the hinged top and adapted to be thrown open to constitute a shelf or ledge to support shoe polishing articles within easy access of the person using the device.

The invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of;

construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawing merely shows and the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawing, like reference characters desi nate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shoeshine device according to the present invention, the same being shown in closed condition.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of said device in open operative condition.

The improved shoeshine device that is illustrated comprises, generally, a box 5 comprised of a base 6 and a cover I connected to said base by a hinge 8 at one end, a shOe rest 9 that also comprises a carrying handle for the box and mounted on the top of cover I, a shelf or ledge Hl carried 'by said cover and movable on hinges ll between a position closing the box and forming part of cover 1 and an open position constituting an article-supporting shelf, a prop element l2 swingably engaged with box base 6 and movable between a position enclosing the contents of said base and an elevated position propping open said cover so that the uppermost portion 13 of the latter constitutes a foot-supporting portion.

Th box 5 is advantageously made of wood or like material and, in general, is rectangular in form with the hinge 8 at one end. .The base 6 preferably has substantial depth to provide ample space for storing brushes, polish cloths, polish, etc., therein. Cover I may be relatively shallower than the base, substantially as shown.

Shoe rest 9 is an auxiliary element. However, the same serves as a handle for the box. Since it has the function of a shoe rest, element 9 is preferably provided on its upper outer surface with a lining l4 of cork or like material and said element is preferably sloped as shown so that it may be conveniently used from a sitting position.

Member It) comprises a panel which, in closed condition, completes the top of cover I, as shown in Fig. 1. Element 9 is mounted on said panel and the latter is held in closed position by catches I5 on both sides. Said catches are carried by the sides of box base 6 and, when holding panel l0 closed, also holds closed cover I. In this way, separate catches for the cover are not needed and are, therefore, omitted.

The shelf panel I0 is supported at its free end by a cleat l6 and the portion thereof adjacent hinge ll cooperates with a transverse wall [1 to prevent displacement of articles supported on said shelf when in operative position. Between cleat l6 and wall I! is defined an opening 18 through cover I, the same affording ready access to the interior of the base 6 when the device is arranged in operative position.

The element l2, in its simplest form, comprises a rectangular board or panel of a size to quite loosely fit into the top of box base 6. In the present case, said element is hingedly connected at one end H] to the base on the end of the base opposite to hinge 8, and, at the other end, is sup ported by a lug 20. A hole 2| in panel l2 facilitates upwardly swinging the same on its hinged end IS. A piece of dowling may serve as hinge IS, the ends of ,the same being entered in openings provided in the sides of base 6. The primary purpose of member I2 is its use as a prop for cover 1. Fig. 2 shows such arrangement wherein the free end of the prop panel is engaged with the recess 22 that is formed by a cleat 23 provided across the free end of cover I.

In the above manner, a triangular support for foot rest l3 at the end of cover 1 is provided, the support, thereby, having non-interfering relation to the hands of the user particularly when reciprocating a polishing cloth across a shoe supported by rest l3. Moreover, the foot rest I3 is brought to a relatively elevated position so that the shoe-polishing operation may be carried out in a quite comfortable standing position. In this operative position of the device, the shelf panel i is thrown open and is supported by handle element 9, as shown, to comprise an article-supporting means.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, height adjustment of foot rest l3 may be embodied in the device by providing for selective high or low position of hinge l9. To this end, an upper. support. 24 is provided in" side plates in base. 6', the; lower support comprising the base bottom 26. A slot 21 in each plate 25 allows for adjustable move ment of hinge l9 between said two supports. Ohe or more intermediate supports, similant'ors port 24 may be provided to adjustithe. elevated position of foot rest l3 as desired.

Since foot rest [3 is above-base siandbetweenr the ends thereof, the device is quite stableinany adjusted operative position. Said foot rest I3 is lined as at 28 with cork or the like to provide a non-slipping rest. Shelf l0; because of: its more elevated position: than baseifi'; adds to the facility of use of the device. Elastic: 'strapazze is under tension when cover l" is raisedz-since the same is connected-between saidi'c'over. and the base. Accordingly, assuranceis' had' that the cover will, at all times, seekinterlocking engagement with the free end of prop element. l2 Said strap 29' limits the rearward position'fof cover 1 and it will be evident that any suitable folding brace may be employed for this purpose.

While the invention thathas been illustrated and described isnow regardedas theipreferred embodiment; the construction is, ofcoursa. subject to modifications'withouti departing fromthespirit and scope of the invention. It istherefore not desired to restrictthe invention tov the particular form of construction illustrateiand; described, but to cover all modificationsthat-may fall within the scope of'ther'appendedclaimsz Having thus: described the invention; what: is claimed and desired to be'secured by -Letters Patent is:

l. A shoeshine device comprising-a flat, rectangular and relatively shallow' openi-topped baseadapted to store shoe-shining paraphernalia, a generally flat rectangular cover hinged at one end to said base and movable on its hinge between a position to cover the open top of the base and an elevated position extending at an upward angle with respect to the base, the free edge of said cover constituting a foot rest when the same is elevated, a rectangular member pivotally engagedwith the base adjacentthe. end thereof oppositetatheend having the .cover hinge, said pivotal engagement comprising lateral trunnions on said member and vertically spaced pivotal and selective supports for said trunnions and adapting said member to be swung between a flat position closing,- the open top of the base, when the trunnions are supported by the upper of said supports,.andzanzupwardly angular position having.its free end in prop-supporting engagement with the free end of the cover, when said trunnions are supported by either of said supports, selectively, and a lug im the base and opposite to-and aligned with the upper of the vertically spaced supports to": support the free end of said member when positioned to close the top of. the base.

2.-Aa shoeshine device according. to claim 1; said cover and: prop member, when in engagement, comprising-"a triangular. structure overstandingthe base, the. cover having an opening therein, andaa hinged handlemember normallyxclosingsai'div'opening. andadapted to be swung outward .to expose said'opening and; thereby,'.give accessto the-interiorofthe base through said overstandingstructure;

BERT GAITHER;

References; Cited-in the. file. of this patent UNITED STATES; PATENTS Number Name Date 864,954 Craig Sept. 3, 1907 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country" Date 368,917" GreatBr-itain Mar. 17, 1932 556,139 Great Br-itain Sept. 21, 1943

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