US3641609A

US3641609A - Cleaning device for shoe soles

Info

Publication number: US3641609A
Application number: US56457A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wesley M Hansen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-20
Filing date: 1970-07-20
Publication date: 1972-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-15

Abstract

For use in lieu of or in conjunction with a household or equivalent entrance doormat, a portable brushing, swabbing and cleaning device for muddy and dirty boots or shoes. It comprises a self-standing open top boxlike base or pan whose receptacle portion is filled to a desirable level with detergent-containing water. A cover spans and closes the open top and has depending rim flanges snugly but slidingly contacting the interior walls of the pan. The plate portion of the cover descends when weight or pressure is applied and has a semicircular slotted well in which water is pooled to soak the nylon swabbing surfaces of a pair of freely rotatable brushing and cleaning rollers. An upstanding scraper is provided at one end of the pan.

Description

United States Patent Hansen 1 Feb. 15,1972

[54] CLEANING DEVICE FOR SHOE SOLES [72] Inventor:

Vale, Oreg. 97918 [22] Filed: July 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 56,457

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,952,222 3/1934 Rostokel' ..l5/36 2,958,883 11/1960 Walters ..l5/97A Wesley M. Hansen, Route #2, Box l-A,

Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin AttorneyClarence A. OBrien and Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT For use in lieu of or in conjunction with a household or equivalent entrance doormat, a portable brushing, swabbing and cleaning device for muddy and dirty boots or shoes. It comprises a self-standing open top boxlike base or pan whose receptacle portion is filled to a desirable level with detergentcontaining water. A cover spans and closes the open top and has depending rim flanges snugly but slidingly contacting the interior walls of the pan. The plate portion of the cover descends when weight or pressure is applied and has a semicircular slotted well in which water is pooled to soak the nylon swabbing surfaces of a pair of freely rotatable brushing and cleaning rollers. An upstanding scraper is provided at one end of the pan.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CLEANING DEVICE FOR SHOE SOLES This invention relates, broadly stated, to that field of inventions categorized as brushing, scrubbing and cleaning and has to do, more particularly, with devices which are designed, adapted and suitably constructed to brush, wipe and free ones boots, shoes or footwear of accumulated mud, dirt and debris prior to entering a home, a building or place of business.

The brushing and cleaning device herein disclosed may be used alone or in combination with various types of inside or outside doormats. To the ends desired, it has to do with shoe sole and boot sole cleaners wherein the broad concept comprehends the use of a water containing pan or an analogous base or receiver wherein one or more rollers which are coordinated therewith, provide rotary cleaning brushes. The US. Pat. to II. Walters, No. 2,958,883 is exemplary of one prior art device. For further examples reference may be made to the nondriven rollers in a generally similar adaptation disclosed in Louis Rostoker, US. Pat. No. 1,952,222 and box-type base and brush-equipped platform construction shown in Richard S. Broge, U.S. Pat. No. 1,567,832.

An object of the present invention is to advance the art to which the disclosed invention relates and, in so doing, to provide a simple, practical and an efficient device which is characterized, generally stated, by a self-standing panlike base, a cover for the open top of the base having a self-contained well and equipped with a pair of appropriately cooperable roller-type brushes which are set into motion by the user.

Briefly the rectangular flat-bottom open-top pan constitutes a self-standing base whose receptacle portion is charged with a predetermined quantity of water, with or without a detergent. One end wall of the base can, if desired, be increased in height so that the upper edge thereof provides a simple shoe sole scraper. A receding weight responsive cover completely spans the open top of the pan. This cover is of elongated rectangular .caplike form with its open bottom facing and coacting with the open top of the pan or base. A plate portion of the cover provides a substantially semicircular w ell. Water from the receptacle portion of the pan finds its way into and provides a pool of water in the well by way of an entrance slot. The well serves to accommodate a pair of spaced parallel suitably covered foot actuated rollers which in turn constitute swabbing and cleaning brushes. The depending flanges on the cover provide a satisfactory rim and this rim is fitted telescopingly into the receptacle portion of the water containing pan. The air pockets provided at the respective end portions of the rollerequipped well serve to cushion the cover and cause it to float. As the water is evaporated the cover can telescope downwardly. Normally however the water will be kept at the approximate level illustrated in the views of the drawing.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of a cleaning device for the sole portions of boots and shoes (not. shown) constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention and usable, it is submitted, in a self-evident manner.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view.

And FIG. 3 is a central transverse or vertical section taken on the plane of the section line 33 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the indicating arrows.

The aforementioned boxlike or pan-type base is denoted by the numeral 6 and in practice is made of appropriate moldable plastic or equivalent material. It is light in weight but nevertheless strong and durable for the purposes desired. This base comprises a flat bottom wall 8, spaced parallel longitudinal sidewalls l and intervening and connecting transverse end walls 12. These

walls

10 and 12 are at right angles to the plane of the base. This base is open at the top and the receptacle portion is denoted at 14. An appropriate quantity of water, with or without a detergent compound, is placed in the receptacle portion. An upper end of the end wall at the right in FIGS. 1 and 2 is extended as at 16 to provide an elevated shoe scraper.

The complemental attachable and detachable caplike cover is denoted by the numeral 18. The plate portion thereof is denoted at 20 and provides a satisfactory platform. The depending rim means comprises longitudinal side flanges 22 and complemental transverse end flanges 24. I-Iereagain the cover is made of suitable lightweight plastic material and is proportional so that it spans the upper open end of the base. The flanges which define the rim are such that they fit with requisite nicety within the limits of the side and end walls of the base as is evident in the several views of the drawing. Thus the cover is snug-fitted but is subject to movement downwardly relative to the water containing pan. The median or central portion of the plate part is fashioned into and provides what is here described as a substantially semicircular well 26. This well is of a length proportional with the part of the pan in which it is slidingly fitted. The central convex portion is provided with aperture means, more particularly, a longitudinal slot 28 which allows water from the pan to flow into the sump portion of the well as denoted at 30 in FIG. 2. The median portions of the sidewalls, that is, the portions 32 (FIG. I) are provided with upwardly opening centrally spaced keeper notches 34 for reception and retention of axial journals 36 on the ends of the paired cylindrical rollers 38. These rollers are arranged in side-by-side spaced parallel relation as shown in FIG. 2 and the lower half portions dip into the water containing sump of the well. The peripheral surface portions of the rollers are coated or covered with compressibly resilient tough nylon as at 40. These nylon-covered rollers constitute swabbing and cleaning free-turning applicable and removable brushes 39. When the parts are assembled and ready for use as shown with particularity in FIG. 2, the end portions 42 of the cover provide air retaining and cushioning pockets. It follows that the cover floats atop the water to accomplish the usable cleaning result illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

It will be evident that the cover means 18 is applicable and removable. When it is removed (not shown) it renders the receptacle portion 14 of the base or pan accessible. A predetermined amount of washing and cleaning water, with or without appropriate detergent media, is poured into the receptacle portion so that it will assume the approximate level illustrated in FIG. 2 when the cover has been positioned in usable position. With the cover in place the

flanges

22 and 24 which constitute the rim, are fitted telescopingly and slidingly in the receptacle portion. The concavo-convex semicircular well 26 allows a limited amount of water to pool itself in the sump as shown particularly in FIG. 2. Assuming that the brushes or rollers 39 have been positioned to operate in conjunction with each other, it will be evident that the user places the sole and heel of a shoe or boot atop the rollers and moves the foot back and forth or in such other directions as are necessary to scrub, brush or clean mud, dirt and debris from the surfaces in a manner to prepare the same for acceptable entry into a home, lobby, building or the like. Where there has been an accumulation of mud or snow or adhering debris, the latter can be scraped in a self-evident manner by using the upstanding easily accessible scraper 16.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A cleaning and brushing device for boots, shoes and the like comprising an open top pan constituting a base and providing a receptacle portion for a predetennined quantity of water, a receding weight responsive cover completely spanning the open top of said pan, said cover embodying a plate portion providing a platform and having a marginal rim portion fitting telescopingly into said receptacle, a pair of sideby-side coplanar companion rollers mounted for free rotation on a median part of said plate portion, said rollers having absorbent surfaces, the median part of said plate portion being dished in a manner to provide an open top well, said well having aperture means which allows water from said receptacle portion to flow into and partially fill the well in which said rollers are partially immersed and soaked in a manner to swash and cleanse the boot surfaces which are applied to and wiped against said absorbent surfaces.

2. The cleaning and brushing device defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said dished portion is substantially semicircular in transverse cross section, the aperture means comprising a slot which is formed lengthwise of a median bottom part of said dished portion.

3. The cleaning and brushing device defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein said pan is portable and self-standing and has a horizontal bottom wall marginally surrounded by upstanding side and end walls, the rim portion of said cover embodying depending side and end flanges having snug sliding but telescoping contact with oriented interior surfaces of said side and end walls.

4. A cleaning and brushing device for dirt and debris-laden boots, shoes or the like comprising a substantially rectangular portable pan, said pan being self-standing and having a substantially horizontal bottom wall surrounded by marginally attached upstanding side and end walls, said walls and bottom wall constituting a receptacle portion for a predetermined supply of water, a weight responsive cover completely spanning an open top portion of said pan, said cover embodying a plate portion the ends of which constitute platform surfaces, and said plate portion provided with depending side and end flanges having snug sliding but telescoping contact with oriented interior surfaces of the side and end walls of said pan, an intermediate transverse portion of said plate portion having a dished part constituting a well, the median lengthwise convex portion of said well having a slot which functions to permit water to pool itself in the sump of the well, and a pair of sideby-side coplanar companion rollers cooperable with said well.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 and wherein the rollers are provided at their ends with axial journals, said journals being rotatably and removably mounted in keeper notches provided therefore in coacting end wall portions of said well.

6. The cleaning and brushing device for boots and shoes defined in and according to claim 5 and wherein the peripheral surfaces of the rollers are covered with nylon pile, thus providing the desired water applying and wiping efi'ects necessary for roller turning and shoe scrubbing and cleaning results.

7. The cleaning and brushing device defined in and according to claim 6 and wherein one transverse end wall of the aforementioned pan is provided with a vertical extension, the upper edge of which rises to a level above the plate portion of the cover and peripheral surface portions of the rollers to provide an accessible and readily usable scraper.

' 8. A cleaning and brushing device for dirt laden boots, shoes or the like comprising a portable open top self-standing pan having a bottom wall marginally surrounded by upstanding interconnected side and end walls defining a receptacle portion, a weight-responsive cover completely spanning the open top of said pan, said cover embodying a plate marginally provided with depending flanges having snug but sliding telescoping contact with oriented interior surfaces of the side and end walls of said pan, an intermediate transverse portion of said plate being dished downwardly and providing a well, said well depending into the receptacle portion of said pan, being substantially semicircular in transverse cross section and having a bottom slot by way of which water in the receptacle portion enters the sump of said well, and a pair of coplanar side-byside nylon-covered rollers operatively mounted for simultaneous movable operation within the sump portion of said well,

said rollers having upper segmental surface portions projecting for accessible wiping usg ab ove the level of said plate.

Claims

1. A cleaning and brushing device for boots, shoes and the like comprising an open top pan constituting a base and providing a receptacle portion for a predetermined quantity of water, a receding weight responsive cover completely spanning the open top of said pan, said cover embodying a plate portion providing a platform and having a marginal rim portion fitting telescopingly into said receptacle, a pair of side-by-side coplanar companion rollers mounted for free rotation on a median part of said plate portion, said rollers having absorbent surfaces, the median part of said plate portion being dished in a manner to provide an open top well, said well having aperture means which allows water from said receptacle portion to flow into and partially fill the well in which said rollers are partially immersed and soaked in a manner to swash and cleanse the boot surfaces which are applied to and wiped against said absorbent surfaces.

4. A cleaning and brushing device for dirt and debris-laden boots, shoes or the like comprising a substantially rectangular portable pan, said pan being self-standing and having a substantially horizontal bottom wall surrounded by marginally attached upstanding side and end walls, said walls and bottom wall constituting a receptacle portion for a predetermined supply of water, a weight responsive cover completely spanning an open top portion of said pan, said cover embodying a plate portion the ends of which constitute platform surfaces, and said plate portion provided with depending side and end flanges having snug sliding but telescoping contact with oriented interior surfaces of the side and end walls of said pan, an intermediate transverse portion of said plate portion having a dished part constituting a well, the median lengthwise convex portion of said well havinG a slot which functions to permit water to pool itself in the sump of the well, and a pair of side-by-side coplanar companion rollers cooperable with said well.

6. The cleaning and brushing device for boots and shoes defined in and according to claim 5 and wherein the peripheral surfaces of the rollers are covered with nylon pile, thus providing the desired water applying and wiping effects necessary for roller turning and shoe scrubbing and cleaning results.

8. A cleaning and brushing device for dirt laden boots, shoes or the like comprising a portable open top self-standing pan having a bottom wall marginally surrounded by upstanding interconnected side and end walls defining a receptacle portion, a weight-responsive cover completely spanning the open top of said pan, said cover embodying a plate marginally provided with depending flanges having snug but sliding telescoping contact with oriented interior surfaces of the side and end walls of said pan, an intermediate transverse portion of said plate being dished downwardly and providing a well, said well depending into the receptacle portion of said pan, being substantially semicircular in transverse cross section and having a bottom slot by way of which water in the receptacle portion enters the sump of said well, and a pair of coplanar side-by-side nylon-covered rollers operatively mounted for simultaneous movable operation within the sump portion of said well, said rollers having upper segmental surface portions projecting for accessible wiping use above the level of said plate.