US3729761A

US3729761A - Automatic shoeshine machine

Info

Publication number: US3729761A
Application number: US00182319A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Lashley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-09-21
Filing date: 1971-09-21
Publication date: 1973-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-01

Abstract

An automatic shoeshine machine for use in cleaning, applying polish and buffing shoes supported in a shoeshine position. The automatic shoeshine machine includes a power driven carriage cyclically controlled for movement adjacent the shoeshine position and includes a number of power driven brush means supported thereon for effecting a brushing action of the shoes supported in the shoeshine position. The automatic shoeshine machine includes a shoe polish applying means, wherein the shoe polish applying means includes a shoe polish container means supported in position to be contacted by the shoe brushing means. The container means includes a movable cover means which is cyclically controlled for movement from a closed non-shoe polish applying position to an open shoe polish applying position, in timed relationship relative to the cycle of operation of said movable carriage means. An electrically operable control system is operatively associated with the movable carriage means and the shoe polish applying means for effecting cyclic operation of the movable carriage and cyclic operation of the shoe polish applying means. A coin operated switch means is operatively associated with the cyclically operable control means for initiating a shoeshine operation.

Description

United States Patent [191 Lashley [451 May 1, 1973 AUTOMATIC SHOESHINE MACHINE George D. Lashley, 3098 Old Norcross Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084 22 Filed: Sept.21, 1971 21 Appl.N0.: 182,319

[76] Inventor:

Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Attorney-Newton, Hopkins & Ormsby [5 7 ABSTRACT An automatic shoeshine machine for use in cleaning,

applying polish and bufiing shoes supported in a shoeshine position. The automatic shoeshine machine includes a power driven carriage cyclically controlled for movement adjacent the shoeshine position and includes a number of power driven brush means supported thereon for efiecting a brushing action of the shoes supported in the shoeshine position. The automatic shoeshine machine includes a shoe polish applying means, wherein the shoe polish applying means includes a shoe polish container means supported in position to be contacted by the shoe brushing means. The container means includes a movable cover means which is cyclically controlled for movement from a closed non-shoe polish applying position to an open shoe polish applying position, in timed relationship relative to the cycle of operation of said movable carriage means. An electrically operable control system is operatively associated with the movable carriage means and the shoe polish applying means for effecting cyclic operation of the movable carriage and cyclic operation of the shoe polish applying means. A coin operated switch means is operatively associated with the cyclically operable control means for initiating a shoeshine operation.

22 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures WWI 1i 4 p 40 /4/ l l 2 3 234 244 242 {I Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,761

6 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 2 Gmazfl 145MB Patented-May 1, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 w: NM

MQN SN Patented May 1, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm a .v

Patented May 1, 1973 3,729,761

6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 1, 1973 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ll z a. .5

FIG 12 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus automatically operable in response to deposit of predetermined coin means for sequentially cleaning, applying polish and buffing a pair of shoes supported at a shoe shine position.

Due to the increased labor costs associated with a manual shoeshine, many of the facilities that normally have shoeshine means available are no longer able to provide this service.

A number of attempts have been made to provide an automatically operable shoeshine apparatus. However, many of the prior art shoeshine devices do not provide means for brushing shoes prior to applying polish, means for applying polish and thereafter means for buffing the shoes to produce a high quality shoeshine. Certain of the prior art machines that provided shoe cleaning means, shoe polish supplying means and shoe buffing means, the apparatus included a number of sets of brushing means, one set of brushing means for cleaning the shoes, one set of brushing means for applying the polish and an additional set of brushing means for buffing the shoes. The use of a number of sets of brushes to perform the various steps of a shoeshine operation required undue complex mechanical structures for supporting and controlling cyclic operation of the shoeshine apparatus. The complex construction of these prior art shoeshine devices are complex in operation, uneconomical to manufacture and unreliable in performance.

In many of the prior art shoeshinedevices, polish dispensing means are operatively associated with shoe brushing means for dispensing measured amounts of polish onto the shoe brushing means. These prior art shoe polish dispensing means often become clogged during operation requiring considerable maintenance time for maintaining the shoeshining devices in reliable working conditions.

Many of the prior art shoeshine devices utilize movable carriage means for supporting the shoe brush means. These prior art movable carriage actuator means and the power brushing means usually required separate power driving means which increased the amount of drive mechanisms and support structure required, increasing the cost and decreasing the reliability.

In still other of the prior art shoeshine devices presently available, a shoeshine is performed by an operator selectively initiating a number of control means which would control the shoeshine machine during a shoeshine operation. The use of the manual control means are undesirable in that the operator had to maintain crose attention to the shoeshine operation in 7 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a frame support means having a pair of horizontally spaced shoe supporting positions. A movable carriage having a number of power operable brush means is supported for cyclic movement adjacent the shoe supporting position whereby the power operable brushing means will effectively brush the shoes in response to a cyclic operation of of the movable carriage.

An important feature of the present invention includes the provisions of a number of shoe polish applying means operatively associated with the power operable brushing means, and wherein the shoe polish applying means includes selectively adjustable cover means movable between an open shoe polish applying position anda closed non-shoe polish applying position.

An additional important feature of the present invention includes the control means for effecting a series of cycles of operation of said carriage support means and said power operable brushing means for sequentially cleaning, applying polish and buffing shoes supported at the shoeshine positions.

Another important feature of the present invention included timed control means operatively associated with the carriage control means for effecting movement of the shoe polish cover means to an open position to permit polish to apply to the brushes and thereafter to the shoes in response to a time cycle of operation of said carriage and shoe brushing means.

Another important feature of the present invention includes the coin operated switch control means operable for initiating cyclic operation of the carriage and shoe brushing means and the shoe polish applying means.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a shoeshine machine which is automatically operable in response to deposit of a predetermined coin means for sequentially cleaning, applying polish and buffing a pair of shoes supported at a shoeshine position.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a shoeshine machine which is simple in construction and operation, economical to manufacture and reliable in performance.

These and other objects and advantages of the details of construction will become apparent upon reading the following description of the illustrative embodiment embodying the principles of the present invention, with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF DRAWING shoeshine machine of FIG. 1, with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view showing the carriage support, with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the shoeshine machine shown in FIG. 1, with certain parts omitted, and certain parts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3, with certain parts omitted and certain parts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the carriage drive control mechanism as seen along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the shoe polish applying and control means with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end elevational view of FIG.

FIG. 10 is an electrical schematic view of the control means utilized in the shoeshine machine embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged exploded Perspective view of the coin depositing and receiving means; and

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken through the coin depositing and receiving means of FIG. 11 in an assembled relationship.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT CONTENTS A General Description B Housing and Frame Support Means C Carriage and Shoe Brushing Means D Shoe Polish Applying Means E Control Means F Operation GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, a shoeshine machine embodying the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally represented by the reference numeral 10. The shoeshine machine will be described with reference to a housing and frame support means 11, 12 etc., shown in FIGS. 1 and 2-5; a carriage and shoe brushing means 100, shown in FIGS. 2, 2a and 4-5; shoe polish applying means generally represented by the reference numeral 200 and shown in FIGS. 3-5 and 7-9; control means generally represented by the reference numeral 300 and shown in FIG. 10; and coin depositing means generally represented by the reference numeral 400 and shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The details of construction and operation of the housing and frame support means, the carriage and shoe brushing means, the shoe polish applying means and the control means will be described in detail hereinbelow in a separate description on each of these component structures, concluded by a description of the general operation of the shoeshine machine.

HOUSING AND FRAME SUPPORT MEANS Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the housing and frame support means includes a base 11 having a pair of

upright sidewalls

12, 13 supported in substantially parallel relationship to each other. A front wall 14 and back wall 15 are provided between opposite ends of the sidewalls l2, 13 to define a substantially rectangular cavity area for supporting and housing the shoeshine apparatus, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sidewalls l2, 13 are constructed to include a first lower vertical dimension and a second higher vertical dimension, with an intermediate wall member 16 extending between the

sidewalls

12, 13 adjacent the change in vertical dimension. A deck member 17 is provided over the cavity area defined between the front wall 14, intermediate wall 16 and the two

sidewalls

12, 13. The deck member 17 is pivotally secured to the front wall 14 by conventional hinge means 19, whereby the deck can be moved from a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, to an open position to permit servicing of the shoeshine machine. A top cover member 18 is provided above the sidewalls 12, I3 and between the rear Wall 15 and intermediate wall 16. The top cover 18 is hinged to the rear wall by conventional hinge means 20, as shown in FIG. 3, to permit the cover to be moved from a closed position as shown in FIG. 3, to an open position to permit servicing of the shoeshine apparatus.

The base 11, upright wall members 12-16, and cover means 17, 18 are constructed of conventional wood stock material having the desired rigid supporting characteristics for supporting and housing the shoeshine apparatus. The wood stock materials are connected by conventional screw connecting means (not shown). However, it is to be understood that other types of synthetic building materials or metal stock material could be utilized to provide the housing for the shoeshine apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, four

angle track members

21, 22, 23 and 24 are provided for supporting and guiding the movable carriage means 100. The four angle guide track members 21-24 are supported in substantially horizontal oriented parallel relationship, wIth the angle

guide track members

23, 24 supported on the base 11 and with the angle

guide track members

21, 22 being secured in vertically spaced relationship above angle

guide track members

23, 24 and at a posltion in abutting contact with the underside of the housing deck member 17. The angle guide track members 21-24 are secured to the base 11 and housing wall members by conventional means, such as threaded screw connecting members. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a short cantilevered wall support member 25 is provided within housing 10. The cantilevered wall 25 extends from the rear wall 15 forward in substantially parallel relationship with

sidewalls

12, 13 to a point slightly before the center line between rear wall 15 and intermediate wall 16. The cantilevered wall 25 provides a support for a shoe polish applying means 203.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the shoeshine machine embodying the principles of the present inventlon includes a seat element 30. Seat element 30 is supported at the upper extended end of a vertical standard 31. Standard 31 is inverted through an opening provided in the deck 17 with the lower end of the standard being received within a complimentary opening formed in a support block member 32. The support block member 32 is fixed to the housing bottom 11 and front 14 to provide a suitable anchor means for anchoring and retaining the seat standard 31 in a substantially vertically oriented position. The seat standard 31 is readily removed from the support block 32 by displacing the seat upwardly to remove the standard from the opening formed in block 32 and from the opening formed in deck member 17. The purpose of removing the seat member 30 is to permit the intermediate deck 17 to be moved to an open position for servicing the shoeshine apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a pair of

shoe supporting members

40, 41 are connected to the upper surface of the

guide track members

21, 22, respectively. The shoe supporting members are secured adjacent one edge to the guide track members by conventional threaded connecting means 42 and are held in an upwardly inclined relationship by adjustable bolt means 43. The shoe supporting means 40, 41 will provide means for supporting a pair of shoes in position for a shoeshine operation. In supporting a pair of shoes in a shoeshine position, the front portion or the toe of the shoe is positioned on supporting

members

40, 41 with the heel of the shoe contacting the upper surface of deck member 17, as shown in FIG. 3. The shoes are stopped in a forward limit position by means of upstanding heel blocking members 44, 45. The heel blocking members 44, 45 will aid in aligning the shoes relative to the

shoe support members

40, 41. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing intermediate wall member 16 is provided with an opening 46 formed between the housing deck 17 and intermediate wall 16. The opening 46 will provide means whereby the shoe brushing elements 141-143 can be advanced past the shoe supporting means 40, 41, to effect a shoeshine operation. The bottom edge of intermediate wall 16 is provided with upwardly notched

portions

47, 48 detailed in location above the shoe supportlng means 40, 41, respectively. The notched

portion

47, 48 will permit shoes to be easily inserted and removed from the

shoe supporting positions

40, 41. Three notches 17a, 17b and 17c are provided in deck 17 adjacent intermediate wall 16. Notches l7a-17 provide a passage-way for the three horizontally oriented brush support shafts during reciprocating cycles of moveMent, as will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of alternate shoe supporting positions 50, 51 are provided adjacent the lateral edges of the deck member 17 and adjacent intermediate wall 16. The alternate shoe supporting positions 50, 51 are provided for placing the shoe to permit the

shoe brushing elements

141, 143 to contact and effectively shine the heel portion of a shoe. The shoe supporting positions 50, 51 include

limit stop members

52, 53, respectively, which will serve as a limit stop for the heels when positioned in the alternate shoe supporting position.

CARRIAGE AND SHOE BRUSHING MEANS Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 2a and 3-6, the carriage and shoe brushing means are shown and generally represented by the reference numeral 100. The function of the carriage is to provide means for supporting the shoe brushing means in alignment with the shoe supporting position and to provide means for effecting cyclic movement of the shoe brushing means past the shoe supporting positions. The function of the shoe brushing means is to provide means for cleaning shoes, applying polish to the shoes and for buffing the shoes.

As shown in FIG. 2a, the carriage includes a pair of horizontally oriented

angle members

101, 102. The

angle members

101, 102 are supported in spaced parallel relationship by means of a pillowblock 103 and an angle support member 104. Pillowblock 103 is connected to the

angle members

101, 102 by conventional threaded connecting means (not shown). The pillowblock 103 includes four vertically oriented

openings

105, 106, 107 and 108.

Openings

105, 106 and 108 provide a journal means for supporting three horizontally oriented brushing elements 141-143.

As shown in FIG. 3, the angle support member 104 is secured between the

angle members

101, 102 by conventional connecting members (not shown). Connected to an intermediate portion of angle member 104 is an upstanding standard 109. A pillowblock 110 is secured to the upper extending end of standard 109. Pillowblock 110 includes a pair of openings 111, 112. Openings 111, 112 provide a support means for supporting a pair of vertically oriented

shoe brushing elements

144, 145. An elongated bracing rod means 1 12 is connected between pillowblock 103 and vertical standard 109 for reinforcing the carriage structure.

As shown in FIG. 3, an idler support arm 113 is pivotally secured to standard 109 and it is urged in a clockwise direction by means of a tension spring 114. Journaled on the outer end of arm 113 is an idler pulley 115. A support arm 116 is pivotally mounted on the upper surface of pillowblock 103. Arm 116 is spring urged in a clockwise direction by means of a tension spring 117. Journaled on the opposite end of arm 116 from spring 117 is an idler pulley 118.

Idler pulley

117 and 118 will be described in more detail hereinbelow in regard to the drive control means.

An upstanding supporting rod 120 is mounted in the pillowblock 103. A guiding roller means 121 is rotatably supported on the upper end of rod means 120. The guide roller 121 is operatively associated with the housing guide track member 21. An upstanding rod member 122 is mounted on the angle support member 104. A guide roller means 123 is rotatably secured to the upper extended end of rod means 122. Guide roller 123 is detailed in location to be operatively associated with the housing guide track 22.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a pair of guide rollers 124, are rotatably supported on the outside surface of each of the

angle members

101, 102. The guide rollers supported on angle member 101 are detailed in location to be in rolling engagement with the housing guide track means 23. The

guide rollers

124, 125 supported by the angle member 102 are detailed in location to be rotatably supported by the housing guide track means 24. The

guide rollers

121, 123, 124 and 125 are detailed in location and operatively associated with the housing guide track means 21-24 to provide means for supporting the carriage 100 for reciprocating movement relative to the housing and the

shoe supporting positions

40, 41. The

rod supporting members

120, 122 are threadably supported in the pillowblock 103 and angle member 104, respectively, for adjustment relative thereto whereby the

guide rollers

121, 123 can be selectively adjusted relative to the vertical position of the housing

angle track members

21, 22.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the carriage structure is provided with a number of openings 131 which are operable for supporting the motor drive means 132. The motor drive means 132 Is supported on the carriage for effecting movement of the carriage 100 and for driving the rotatable brush elements 141-145.

Asshown in FIG. 4, and 6, the shoeshine apparatus includes five rotary

Biu'sfiiii elements

141, 142, 143, 144 and 145. Rotary brushing elements 141-143 are horizontally oriented for operation about vertical support axis and the

rotary brush elements

144, 145 are vertically oriented for rotation about horizontal axis. The horizontally oriented brushing elements 141-143 are secured to the upward extended end of

support shafts

151, 152, 153, respectively. Shafts 151-153 are journaled for rotation in the

pillowblock openings

105, 106 and 108 respectively. Brush elements 141-143 are secured to the support shafts 151-153 by conventional threaded connecting members 151a-153a. The vertically oriented

brush elements

144, 145 are secured to a pair of horizontally oriented parallel arranged

support shafts

154, 155.

Support shafts

154, 155 are rotatably supported within openings 111, 112 of the pillowblock 110. The vertically oriented

brush elements

144, 145 are secured to

shafts

154, 155 by conventional threaded connecting members 1540, 155a.

As shown in FIG. 2, a drive from motor 132 is delivered to the brush element 141-145 by means of a drive belt 156. Drive belt 156 is in driving engagement with a drive pulley 157 supported on the motor drive shaft and is in driving engagement with a pulley 158 fixed to the brush support shaft 154, a pulley 159 fixed to the brush support shaft 155 and pulley 160 fixed to a drive control shaft 161. The drive control shaft 161 is journaled for rotation by conventional bearing means within the angle support member 104 and the pillowback means 103. The forwardly extending end of drive control shaft 161, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is provided with geared drive means 162; The gear drive means 162 is in driving engagement with a second gear drive means 163. The second gear means 163 fixed to a lower depending end of brush drive support shaft 153. From the above described belt drive means, it is ap- Parent that drive from motor 132 will rotate the

brush support shaft

154, 155 to thereby effect rotation of vertically oriented

brush elements

144, 145. The belt drive means 156 is maintained in a tight driving relationship by means of the idler pulley 115 shown in FIG. 2a and described hereinabove in regard to the carriage support means. The driving engagement of the belt 156 with pulley 160 will effect rotation of drive shaft 161 which will in turn effect rotation of the brush support shaft 153. The remaining

brush support shafts

151, 152 are driven from brush support shaft 153 by means of a belt 165. Belt 165 is in driving engagement with a first pulley 166 secured to shaft 153, a second pulley 167 secured to brush support shaft 152 and a third pulley 168 secured to the brush support shaft 151. A fourth pulley means 169 is supported in driving engagement wit belt 165. Pulley 169 is secured to the upper extended end of a drive shaft 170. A pulley drive member 171 is secured to the lower end of drive shaft 170.

Drive from pulley 171 is delivered to a rotary pulley means 172 bY means of a conventional belt drive means 173. The belt drive means 173 is maintained in a tight driving relationship by means of an idler pulley 174. Idler pulley 174 is rotatably mounted on a support arm 175. Support arm 175 is pivotally secured to the underside of pulley block 103 and is urged in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 6 by means of a tension spring means 176. A driving tension is maintained on the drive belt 165 by means of the idler pulley 118.

The pulley means 172 is provided for effecting reciprocating movement of the carriage relative to the housing and

shoe supporting positions

40, 41. The rotary motion of pulley 172 is transferred into reciprocating movement of the carriage by means of a crank member 180. The crank member 180 is secured to the bottom surface of pulley 172 by conventional threaded connecting means (not shown). An extended end of crank member 180 is pivotally connected to an elongated link 181 by a threaded connecting bolt means 182. Opposite end of elongated link 181 is pivotally connected to a fixed location on the housing floor 11 by means of a screw connecting member 183. It is apparent that the above described drive means will permit the single independent motor means 132 to simultaneously drive the vertically oriented brushes 134, and will simultaneously drive the horizontally orientedbrushes 141-143. Since the pulley means 169 is connected in driving relationship with belt 165, a drive delivered to the brush elements 141-145 will effect simultaneous rotations of the pulley means 172. A rotation of pulley 172 will transfer the rotary motion of the pulley 172 into reciprocating movement of carriage 100 due to the crank and link connecting

members

180, 181. The crank and connecting link 181 are detailed in dimensions whereby the carriage and brush supporting means will be moved from a rearward standing position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to a forwardly advanced position located slightly to the right of a shoe supported in a shoeshining position (the shoe being shown in dotted lines on FIG. 3.)

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the three horizontally oriented brush elements are detailed in location to include a pair of outside brushes represented by

brush elements

141 and 143 and a centrally located brush element 142. The brush elements 141-143 are detailed in horizontal spacing whereby the brush elements will be in rotary contact with each other, substantially as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The brush elements 141-143 are detailed in horizontal alignment whereby the intersection of

brushes

141 and 142 are aligned with the shoe supporting means 40 and the intersection of

brushes

142, 143 are aligned with the shoe supporting means 41. Vertically oriented

shoe brushing elements

144, 145 are detailed in horizontal spacing whereby the brushing elements are in rotary contact with each other. The vertically oriented brushing

elements

144, 145 are detailed in horizontal alignment relative to the horizontally oriented shoe brushes whereby the axis of brush element 144 is horizontally displaced to the right of shoe supporting position 40 and the axis of shoe brushing element 145 is displaced to the right of shoe supporting position 41, as shown in FIG. 5. The horizontal spacing of the

brushes

144, 145 relative to

shoe supporting positions

40, 41 will permit the brush elements to effectively contact shoes supported in the shoe supporting positions whereby the top surface of the shoes will be effectively cleaned, applied with polish and buffed to a quality shoeshine condition. The two outside horizontally oriented brushes 141-143 will contact the outside surfaces of a pair of shoes supported in the shoeshine position while the inside brush 142 will brush the inside surfaces of the shoes.

SHOE POLISH APPLYING MEANS The shoe polIsh applying means is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 and is generally represented by the reference numeral 200, (FIG. 7). The function of the shoe polish apPlying means is to provide means for applying the polish to the rotary brush elements 141-145 whereby the polish can be effectively applied to shoes supported in the

shoe supporting positions

40, 41.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the shoe polish applying means includes three polish container means 201, 202 and 203. The polish container means 201 is constructed from a recessed pocket provided in the housing sidewall 12. The polish container 201 is aligned for contact by the rotary shoe brush element 141. The shoe polish container means 202 is constructed from a pocket formed in the housing sidewall 13. Shoe polish container 202 is detailed in location to be contacted by the rotary shoe brush 143. The shoe polish container means 203 is constructed from a pocket formed in the cantilever wall means 25. The shoe polish container means 203 is detailed in location to be contacted by the rotary shoe brush element 145. About one-half of the polish applied to shoe brush element 145 will be transferred to the shoe brush element 144 due to the rotary contact of the brush elements. The polish applied to the two

outside brushes

141, 143 will be applied to the center brush 142 due to the rotary contact of the brush elements.

Each of the polish container means 201203 are provided with

cover members

204, 205, 206 respectively. Cover member 204 is pivotally mounted on the housing sidewall 12 by means of a threaded connecting member 207. Cover member 204 is spring urged to a closed clockwise position by means of a tension spring 208. The cover member 204 is detailed in dimensions to completely cover the polish container means 201 when in a closed condition. The bottom edge of the cover 204 will contact the floor 11 to serve as a limit stop position for holding the cover in a closed position. Cover member 205 is pivotally supported on the housing side wall 13 by means of a threaded connecting member 209. The cover member 205 is detailed in dimensions to completely cover container 202 when supported in a closed poSition. The bottom edge of the cover 205 will cooperate with housing floor 11 to provide a limit stop position to hold the cover in a clockwise limit shoe polish covering position, as shown in FIG. 7. The cover 205 is urged to a clockwise limit position by means of a tension spring 210. Tension spring 210 is operatively connected to a pivoted lever means 211. Lever means 211 is in rolling engagement with a roller 212 supported adjacent the upper edge of cover 205. Tension spring 210 will urge lever 211 upwardly into contact with roller 212 thereby rotating the cover 205 to a clockwise limit position.

The opposite end of leVer 211 is formed at substantially a ninety-degree-angle and is journaled for rotation within the intennediate cantilevered wall 25. Cover means 206 is fixed to the lever means 211 whereby picotal movement of the lever relative to the wall 25 will effect corresponding displacement of cover 203. Since lever 211 is fixed to the cover 203, spring 210 will also bias the cover member 203 to a shoe polish covering position, as shown in FIG. 7.

In a shoepolish applying operation, the

cover members

204, 205 are Pivoted in a clockwise direction, as shown in whereby the cover members will expose the shoepolish container means 201, 202. A counterclockwise pivotal movement of cover 205 will cause roller 212 to pivotally displace lever 211 thereby effecting a clockwise pivotal displacement of cover 206 from over the shoepolish container means 203.

Movement of the

cover members

204, 205 to a pivotally displaced polish exposing positions is effected by means of a pivotally mounted actuating lever 215. Lever 215 is pivotally mounted to the left side of the carriage pillowblock 103, as shown in FIG. 3. The actuating lever 215 is pivotally supported adjacent its center and includes an extended end which projects laterally outward of opposite ends of the carriage pillowblock 103, as shown in FIG. 5. Lever 215 is operatively associated with an abutment block 216 secured to cover 204 and an abutment block 217 secured to cover 205. Actuating lever 215 is movable between an inoperable position shown in FIG. 5 in which its projected ends will bypass the

abutment block members

216, 217 and'a displaced operable position in which the actuating lever projected ends will contactthe

abutment block members

216, 217 substantially as shown in FIG. 9. With the actuating lever 215 in a displaced operable position, as shown in FIG. 9, a reciprocatlng cycle of movement of the carriage toward the rear wall 15 will cause the lever projecting ends to contact

abutment block members

216, 217 thereby pivoting

cover members

204, 205 to a displaced position to expose the

polish containers

201, 202. As stated above, displacement of cover 205 will effect a corresponding displAcement of cover 206.

The actuating lever 215 is normally urged to an inoperable position, as shown in FIG. 5, by means of a tension spring 220. Tension spring 220 is operatively connected between the left extending and of the actuating eVer 215 and a pivotal latch member 221, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. Latch member 221 is pivotally supported adjacent a lower edge of the left end pillowblock 103 by means of a conventional threaded connecting member 222. Latch member 221 includes a camming surface 223 and a latching surface 224. The latching member 221 will maintain the actuating lever 215 in a displaced operable position as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the latching lever is pivoted to a clockwise latched position.

Actuating lever 215 is moved from the inoperable position to the operable position by means of a cam element 230. Cam element 230 is secured to the housing side wall 12 by means of a Pair of threaded connecting members 231. The threaded connecting members 231 are detailed to permit limited displacement of the cam element relative to the housing side wall. The cam element includes a camming surface 232 which is operatively associated with the actuating lever 215 for moving or camming the actuating lever to the displaced operable position. Camming element 230 includes a horizontally oriented holding surface 233 which will hold the latching lever in the displaced operable position during a portion of cyclic movement of the carriage, to prevent the latching lever from being disengaged from latch member 221 by means of an adjustable latch releasing element 234. The latch releasing element 234 is detailed in dimension and locationed to contact the edge of latch member 221 when the carriage is moved to an extreme forward position toward front wall 14. With'the camming means 230 moved to a camming position, the holding surface 233 will maintain the actuating lever 215 in the displaced operable position as the latch releasing element 234 contacts and pivots the latching lever 22] counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 8. As the carriage is moved to the left away from the latch releasing element 234, the actuating lever 215 will slide along the holding surface 233 which will cause the tension spring 220 to again pivot the latching lever 221 to a clockwise latched position.

The camming element 230 is normally held in a noncamming condition as shown in FIG. 7 and is displaceable to a camming condition shown in FIG. 9. In a noncamming condition, the cam element 230 is supported in abutting engagement with the housing side wall 12 and will clear the projected left end of the actuating lever 215. Movement of the camming element 230 to a displaced camming condition is effected by means of an electromagnetic actuator means 240. The electromagnetic actuator means includes a displaceable armature 242. The extended end of armature 242 is operatively connected by a spring means 243 to the cam element 230. The spring means 243 is operatively associated with the electromagnetic actuator 240 and cam element 230 whereby energization electromagnetic actuator 240 will pull the cam element 230 to the right (as shown in FIG. 9) to a displaced camming condition. The electromagnetic armature 242 and spring 243 are operable to push the camming element 230 to the inoperable non-camming condition after the electromagnetic actuator means has been de-energized. A tension spring means 244 is operatively connected between the armature 242 and the latch release element 234. The tension sprung 234 will serve to bias the armature 242 to an outwardly displaced condition upon de-energization of the electromagnetic actuator means.

In operation, the electromagnetic means 240 is energized thereby pulling the cam element 230 to the right (as shown in FIG. 9) to a camming condition. The elec tromagnetic actuator 240 is controlled to hold the camming element 230 in a displaced position during a predetermined cyclic movement of carriage 100. With the cam 230 in a displaced camming condition, a next cycle of operation of the carriage 100 will cause the actuating lever 215 to contact cam element camming portion 232 thereby displacing the actuating lever to an operable position, as shown in FIG. 9. Movement of the actuating lever to the displaced operable position will cause tension spring 220 to pull the latching element 221 to a clockwise latched position, as shown in FIG. 8. However, a continued rightward movement of the carriage will cause the latch releasing element 234 to contact the latching element 221 thereby pivoting the latching element 221 in a counterclockwise direction. Since the actuating lever is sliding along the holding surface 233, the actuating lever will be maintained in the displaced operable position and will again be relatched in the operable position as soon as the carriage moves away from the latch releasing element 234.

As the carriage 100 is advanced to the left (as shown in FIG. 3) or toward the housing rear wall 15; the actuating lever 215 will contact the

abutment stop elements

216, 217 to thereby effect pivotal displacement of the cover elements 204-206 to the opened shoe polish exposing position.

After the carriage completes a leftward direction of movement and again returns to the right or toward the front wall 14, the

springs

208 and 210, will again spring urge the cover elements 204-206 to the closed position. Movement of cover element 204 to a displaced shoe polish supplying position will cause the cover element 204 to contact a control switch 250. Control switch 250 will effect a de-energization of the electromagnetic actuator means 240, to allow the cam element 230 to be moved to the non-camming condition. Thus, upon the next rightward movement of the carriage 100, the latch releasing element 234 will contact the latching element 221 to cause the latching element to be pivoted to an unlatched condition allowing spring 220 to move the actuating lever 215 to an inoperable position. The cyclic control of the electromagnetic actuatoR means 240 for effecting a shoe polish applying operation will be described in more detail hereinbelow in the description of the shoeshine control means.

CONTROL MEANS Referring how particularly to FIGS. 5 and 10, an electrical control system is provlded for controlling cyclic operation of the shoeshine machine in response to deposit of predetermined size coin means. The control means is generally represented by the reference numeral 300 and is housed in a box construction located adjacent the upper rear edge of side wall 12 (FIG. 5). Reciprocating cyclic movement of the carriage 100 is effected by the motor drive means 132 described hereinabove in the description of the carriage. Power to the motor 132 is delivered from a conventional 110 I volt alternating current source through a fuse member 301 to a pair of

electrical lead lines

302, 303. Current is delivered between

lead lines

302, 303 to the motor 132 by means of a selected one of a number of

control switches

304, 305, 306. Control switch 304 is a manual controljog switch which is provided on the control unit to permit an operator to jog or selectively move the carriage to forwardly displaced position for service. Control switch 305 is mounted adjacent the housing rearwall 15 and is operatively associated with the carriage 100 whereby movement of the carriage 100 to an extreme leftward position as shown in FIG. 3 will open switch 305. Movement of carriage 100 to the right away from the rear wall 15 will permit switch 305 to be automatically moved to a closed current connecting position. Control switch 306 is supported in the control housing 300 and is moved to a closed current conducting condition in response to energization of relay means 307.

Relay means 307 are operatively associated with the coin actuated switch means 308. Movement of a coin past switch 308 will effect a closing of switch 308 to send an electrical pulse through relay 307. Energization of relay 307 will close switch 306 allowing current to flow through motor 132 to thereby initiate reciprocating cyclic operation of carriage 100. As the carriage 100 moves away from switch 305, switch 305 will close to provide a second lead line for conducting current to motor 132.

Relay 307 is operatively associated with a control switch 309. Control switch 309 is operative for conducting current to a timing motor 310. Timing motor 310 includes a rotatable control cam means 311. Control cam 311 includes an upstanding switch actuating post 312. Post 312 is detailed in location and operatively associated with a normally closed control switch 313. Control switch 313 is electrically connected between lead line 302 and relay means 307. Current from switch 313 Is conducted through a switch element 314 operatively associated with relay 307. Energization of relay 307 due to closing of switch 308 by a coin will effect closing of switch 314. When switch 314 is closed, current will flow through the normally closed switch 313 into the relay 307 to maintain the relay 307 in an energized position when switch 308 moves to an open position after the coin passes the switch 308. The relay 307 will be maintained in an energized position until the post element 312 is moved past switch control arm 313a which will interrupt the flow of current through switch 313, allowing de-energization of relay 307.

When relay 307 is de-energized,

control switch

306 and 309 and 314 will be moved to open, non-current conducting positions. The carriage drive motor 131 will remain running until the carriage has been moved to the extreme leftward position in contact with control switch 305, at which tim the carriage will open switch 305 thereby stopping the carriage in the position adjacent housing rearwall 15. Opening of switch 309 will interrupt the flow of current to timing motor 310 thereby completing a cyclic operation of timing motor 310.

As shown in FIG. 10, a control switch 320 isoperatively associated with a pair of recess 6618565511 322 formed on the cam element 311. The cam element caming surface will maintain the control switch 320 in an open condition. During rotary movement of the cam element, the switch actuator 323 will be allowed to drop in the recess notch 321 thereby closing switch 320. When switch 320 is closed current will be allowed to flow to the relay means 325. Energization of relay 325 will close a control switch 326 and a control switch 327. Control switch 326 is electrically connected in series with a normally closed switch 250. The switch 250 is operatively associated with the polish dispenser cover element 204, as described hereinabove. With the control switch 326 in a closed condition, the current will flow through normally closed switch 250 into the relay 325 to maintain the relay in an energized position.

When relay 325 is energized, control switch 327 will be moved to a closed current conducting position to permit current to to flow to the electromagnetic actuating member 240. The electromagnetic actuating member 240 is operatively associated with the cam element 230, as described hereinabove. Current will continue to flow into the relay 325 to maintain the electromagnetic actuator 240 in an energized condition until the cover 204 is moved into contact with control switch 250. When cover 204 contacts switch 250, the switch 250 will be moved to an open non-conducting position to permit the de-energization of relay means 325. When relay means 325 is de-energized, the control switch 327 will be moved to an open condition interrupting the flow of current to the electromagnetic actuator 240, thus allowing the cam element 230 to be returned to the displaced non-camming condition.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cam element 311 includes a second recess notch 322 which is angularly displaced relative to notch 321. Notch 322 will effect a second closing of switch 320 in response to a single cycle of operation of the timing motor cam element 311. Thus, with each cycle of rotation of timing motor camming element 311, the polish cover means 204-206 will be moved twice to an open position.

Operation of the shoe polishing machine as described hereinabove will be initiated in response to actuation of the coin control switch 308. Coin control switch 308 is operatively associated with coin depositing means generally represented by the reference numeral 400. The coin depositing means includes a coin receiving slot 401 provided in the housing top 18, adjacent housing side wall 13. A plate member 402 is supported in spaced parallel relationship relative to the housing sidewall 13 to define a narrow coin passage guide means therebetween. A coin deposited within the coin slot means 401 will fall by gravity between the plate 402 and sidewall 13 and will be received by a first coin guide element 403. The coin guide element 403 is angularly oriented to permit the coin to roll by gravity to the right, as shown in FIG. 11. Coin guide element 403 is terminated a sufficient distance from intermediate wall member 16 to permit the coin to drop therefrom onto a second coin guide means 404. The second coin guide means 404 includes a fixed guide element 405 and a movable guide element 406. The fixed guide element 405 and movable element 406 are angularly disposed to define a coin guide path extending to the left and detailed in location whereby a predetermined size coin rolling along the guide elements will actuate the control switch 308. A coin falling by gravity from guide element 403 will fall onto the movable guide element 406 and will then be permitted to roll by gravity onto the fixed guide element 405.

Should an oversized coin be deposited in the coin slot 401, the coin will be allowed to drop onto the movable guide element 406 but will not be allowed to roll between the space defined between the movable coin element 406 and the fixed coin guide element 403. An oversized coin supported on the movable guide element 406 is returned to a coin return box 407 by means of a depressable plunger element 408.

Plunger element 408 is supported for vertical translating movement in the housing top 18 and is moved to an upwardly displaced limit position by conventional spring means (not shown). A lower depending end of the plunger 408 is operatively associated with linkage means 409, whereby depression of plunger 408 will effect pivotal movement of the movable guide member 406 to allow the oversized coin to drop by gravity through opening 410 into the coin return housing 407. Entrance into the coin return housing 407 is provided by means of an opening 411 formed within the intermediate housing wall 16.

The coin return linkage mechanism 409 includes a first lever member 412. Lever 412 is pivotally mounted on plate 402 by means of a stud shaft means 413. A rightward extended end of lever 412 is pivotally connected to a link member 414. Link member 414 is pivotally connected to a laterally extending shaft 415 which is fixed to the movable guide member 406. A counterclockwise movement of lever 412 will effect upward displacement of link 414 thereby effecting clockwise rotation of the movable coin guide member 406. The depressable plunger member 408 is operatively associated with the left extended end of lever 412 whereby depression of plunger 408 will effect a counterclockwise movement of lever 412.

As shown in FIG. 11, a permanent magnet 420 is mounted in the housing side wall 13 immediately above the movable coin guide member 406. A slug constructed of magnetizable metal which is allowed to drop on the movable coin guide member 406, will be allowed to roll slightly to the left toward the fixed guide member 405. However, when the slug moves into position adjacent magnet 40, the slug will be stopped and retained in this position. The slug can be returned to the coin return housing 407 by depressing the depressable plunger 408 to thereby pivot the movable guide member 406 which will displace the slug from magnet 420 for fall by gravity into the coin return housing 407. Should the slug not be returned by depressing the plunger 408, and a next coin be deposited in the coin slot 401, the second coin will drop onto the guide member 403 and allowed to roll by gravity to the right and drop onto the movable guide element 406. Since the slug is retained by the magnet 420, the second coin willbe stopped in position on the right extended end of the movable guide element 406 and will not roll along the fixed guide element 405 to actuate the control switch 308. Both of the coins can then be returned by merely depressing the plunger element 408 which will Allow both coins to drop into the coin return housing 407. Predetermined size coins which are allowed to roll along the fixed guide element 405 to actuate the control switch 408 will drop into a coin retaining box means 440. The coin retaining box means 440 is mounted on the housing rear wall 15 for selective displacement therefrom as desired for periodically emptying the coins.

OPERATION in utilizing the shoeshine machine embodying the principles of the present invention, an individual will be seated on the seat means 30, placing his left foot on the shoe support means 40 and his right foot on shoe support means 41. After the individual is properly seated, the shoeshine operation is initiated by dropping a coin through the coin receiving slot 401. A predetermined size coin dropped into slot 401 will actuate switch means 308 to initiate reciprocating cyclic movement of the carriage 100 and to initiate a timed control operation for applying shoe polish and controlling the number of cycles of operation of the reciprocating carriagemeans. The controls for initiating the above described timed cyclic control operation is described above in the description of the control means.

During reciprocating cyclic movement of the carriage 100, the brushes 141-145 will be moved from a rearwardly displaced position adjacent housing rear wall 15 to a forwaRdly displaced position wherein the horizontally oriented brushes 141-143 move past a shoe supported in a shoe supporting position. The horizontally oriented brushes 141-143 will effectively brush the outside and inside surfaces of a pair of shoes while the vertically oriented brushes will effectively brush the top surface of the pair of shoes.

The carriage with power operable brushing means 141-143 is first driven through a predetermined number or cycles of operation to effectively clean the surface of the shoes. After the predetermined cyclic movement of the brushes to clean the shoes, the timed control cam element 311 will effect operation of control switch 320 to thereby initiate a shoe polish applying operation. In a shoe polish applying operation, the shoe polish cover means 204-206 are moved to an open position during a portion of a reciprocating cycle of movement of the carriage and the two horizontally oriented outside brushes 141-143 will remove predetermined amounts of polish from the

polish containers

201, 202 and will transfer certain amounts of this polish to the center brush 142. During a next forward cycle of movement of the carriage, the polish contained on the horizontally oriented brushes will be applied to the inside and outside surfaces of the shoes simultaneously with the opening of the

covers

204, 205 to apply polish to the horizontally oriented brushes, the cover element 206 will be displaced to an open position to permit polish to be applied to the rightmost vertically oriented brushes, which polish will be transferred to the left brush due to rotary contact of the brushes, and during reciprocating cycles of movement of the carriage, the vertically oriented brushes will effectively apply the polish to the top surface portions of the pair of shoes supported in the shoeshine Position. The carriage with power operable brushing means is then driven through a predetermined number of cycles of operation to effectively apply all the polish contained on the brushes to the shoeS after which time the timed control cam element 311 will again operate control switch 322 to initiate a second shoe polish applying operation. The second shoe polish applying operation will be performed in the same manner as the first shoe polish applying operation, after which the carriage and power operable brush means will be driven through a predetermined number of cycles of operation to effectively transfer the polish contained on the brushes to the pair of shoes supported in the shoeshine position and will continue to operate for a predetermined number of cycles until the shoes have been buffed to polish high quality shoeshine condition.

After a high quality shoeshine is attained by predetermined timed cyclic operation of the above described shoe polish applying means and shoe polish brush means, the timed control cam means 311 will effect operation of the control switch 313 to interrupt the flow of current to the carriage drive motor 132 and timed control motor 310. However, since the control switch 305 ls maintained in a closed position while the carriage is displaced from the standing position adjacent the rear wall 15, the current to the motor 132 will continue to flow until the carriage is moved into contact with switch 305, to effect an opening of switch 305 to thereby stop the carriage in the rearwardly displaced standing position.

In obtaining a shoeshine utilizing the above described illustrative embodiment, the individual can insure that the heel portions of the shoes are completely shined by removing the two shoes during the buffing operation and by placing the left shoe on the alternate shoe supporting position 50 and 'the right shoe on a1- ternate shoe supporting position 51. With the shoes supported on the alternate shoe supporting positions, a next subsequent cycle of operation of the brushes will contact the heel portion of the shoes to finalize a polishing operation of any portion of the heel not contacted with the shoes supported in the

shoe supporting positions

40, 41.

Polish in

containers

201, 202 and 203 will be used up after a predetermined number of cycles of operation of the shoeshine machine, after which it is necessary to replenish the supply of shoe polish. In replenishing a supply of shoe polish, an operator will open the top cover 18 to expose the interior cavity area of the housing containing the shoeshining apparatus. The operator will then depress the jog control switch 304 slightly to advance the carriage 100 forward until the brushes 141-145 are moved out of contact with the polish cover elements 204-206. To add polish to the polish containers 201-203, the operator will manually move the polish covers 204-206 individually to an open condition and will add polish to the containers. After the required amount of polish has been added to the polish containers, the cover 18 is again lowered to the closed position. The shoeshine cover 18 is latched or retained in a closed position by conventional locking means (not shown).

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiment of a shoeshine apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention is capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modification in he details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic shoeshine machine for use in cleaning, applying polish and buffing shoes supported in a shoeshine position comprising, in combination:

a. frame support means;

b. shoe supporting means mounted on said frame support means;

0. a carriage supported on said frame support means for cyclic movement adjacent said shoe supporting means, said carriage including power operable shoe brushing means and wherein said shoe brushing means is detailed in location for brushing shoes supported in position on said shoe support means in response to cyclic operation of said carriage;

d. shoe polish supply means supported on said frame means, said shoe polish supply means detailed in location to be contacted by said shoe polish brushing means whereby predetermined amounts of polish will be applied to said brushing means, said shoe polish supply means includes movable cover means supported between said shoe polish supply means and said shoe brushing means, and wherein said cover means includes means for effecting displacement of said cover means to permit the brushing means to contact said shoe polish supply means in response to a timed cycle of operation of said shoe brushing means; and

e. control means operatively associated with said car riage and said shoe polish supply means for effecting successive cycles of operation of said carriage and for effecting timed cyclic operation of said shoe polish cover means whereby said shoeshine machine will sequentially clean, apply polish and buff shoes supported on said shoe supporting means.

2. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 1, further characterized in that said control means includes means for effecting movement of said carriage and said shoe brushing means through a predetermined number of cycles of operation for cleaning shoes supported on said shoe supporting means prior to effecting operation of said shoe polish cover means.

3. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 2, further characterized in that said control means includes means for maintaining said shoe polish cover means in an open position for a predetermined cyclic movement of said carriage and for thereafter closing said cover means whereby said polish applied to said brushing means while said cover means is in an open position will be transferred to shoes supported on said shoe supporting means.

4. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 3, further characterized in that said control means includes means for effecting movement of said carriage and said brushing means through a predetermined number of cycles of operation after said shoe polish cover means has been moved to a closed position, whereby said brushing means can effectively apply said polish to shoes supported in position and buff the shoes to a high-quality shoeshine condition.

5. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 1, further characterized in that said means for effecting displacement of said shoe polish cover means includes actuator means, said actuator means being movably supported by said carriage for movement from an inoperable position to an operable position, and detailed in operation in said operable position for effecting displacement of said cover means and wherein said actuator means is moved from said inoperable position to said operable position by selectively adjustable cam means.

6. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 5, further characterized in that said selectively adjustable cam means includes electromagnetic actuator means for moving said cam means from a noncamming condition to a camming condition.

7. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 6, further characterized in that said shoeshine machine includes a number of shoe polish supply means, with each shoe polish supply means including individual cover means, and wherein said actuator means is operable for effecting displacement of all of said cover means from a shoe polish covering position to an open position.

8. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 5, further characterized in that said actuator means includes latching means operatively associated therewith for maintaining said actuator means in a displaced operable position during a portion of cyclic operation of said carriage means and wherein latch releasing means is operatively associated with said latching means for disengaging said latching means after a predetermined cyclic operation of said carriage means.

9. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 8, further characterized in that said actuator means includes a pivotally mounted lever means supported on said carriage, and wherein said camming means is operable for pivoting said lever means from said inoperable position to a said operable position in response to movement of said cam means to a camming condition.

10. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 9 further characterized in that said shoe polish cover means includes pivotally mounted cover elements and wherein said pivotally movable lever means is operable for effecting pivotal movement of said cover means to an open shoe polish applying position in response to movement of said lever to said operable position and in response to cyclic movement of said carriage.

11. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 10 further characterized in that said camming means is operatively associated with said latch releasing means, and wherein said camming means is operable for maintaining said lever in a displaced pivotally latched position in response to movement of said camming means to a camming condition, and wherein said latch releasing means will move said latching means to a releasing position in response to movement of said camming means to a non-camming condition and in response to cyclic movement of said carriage.

12. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 1 further characterized in that said shoeshine machine includes a pair of shoe supporting means and wherein said power operable shoe brushing means includes a number of brushes detailed in location to define a pair of shoeshining positions, with one of said shoeshining positions aligned with each of said shoe supporting means whereby said shoe brushing means will brush a shoe supported in each of the shoe supported positions in response to a cycle of operation of said carriage.

13. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 12, further characterized in that said power operable shoe brushing means includes three horizontally oriented brushing elements, with each of the three-brushing elements being rotatable about horizontally spaced, parallel aligned, vertical axis, said three brush elements being supported relative to each other such that the axis of the three brushes are supported in a common plane and wherein the three brush elements includes a center brush and a pair of outside brushes, with the outside brushes contacting the center brush during a rotary brushing operation, and wherein the pair of shoe supporting means is aligned with the intersection of outside shoe brushing elements with the center shoe brushing element, whereby the two outside shoe brushing elements will effectively brush the outside surfaces of a pair of shoes supported in a shoeshine position and the center brush will effectively brush the inside surfaces of both of the shoes supported in a shoeshine position.

14. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 13 further characterized in that said power operable brushing means includes a pair of vertically oriented shoe brushing elements, and wherein said vertically oriented shoe brushing elements are rotatable about horizontally spaced substantially parallel axis, with said vertically oriented shoe brushing elements supported for rotary contact with each other in a brushing operation, and wherein said pair of vertically oriented shoe brushing elements are positioned above said three horizontally oriented shoe brushing elements and detailed in location relative to the intersection of said center brush with said two outside brushes in such a manner that the vertically oriented brushes will contact and brush the top surfaces of shoes supported in position on the shoe supporting means.

15. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 14 further characterized in that said power operable shoe brushing means includes a single power drive means for effecting operation of said shoe brushing means, and wherein said power drive means is operable for effecting cyclic movement of said carriage.

16. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 15 further characterized in that said power drive means is supported on said carriage and wherein said power drive means includes a rotatably driven crank means operatively connected between said carriage and said frame support means for effecting movement of said carriage in a shoeshine operation.

17. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 14 further characterized in that said shoe polish applying means includes a polish dispenser located for contact by said two horizontally oriented outside brush elements and includes a polish dispenser located for contact by one of said vertically oriented brush elements, and wherein said shoe polish cover means is located between said polish dispensers and said brushing elements and normally maintained in a shoe polish cover position and is adapted to be moved to an open polish applying position in response to predetermined timed cyclic movement of said carriage means.

18. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 1 further characterized in that said control means for effecting successive cycles of operation of said carriage and said shoe polish applying means includes an initiation control switch, said initiation control switch being operatively associated with coin depositing means, said coin depositing means including coin guide means, said initiation switch means and said coin guide means being operatively associated with each other whereby said switch means will be actuated in response to movement of a predetermined sized coin past said switch means, and wherein said coin depositing means includes a coin receiving means, said coin receiving means having means for sensing over-sized coins to prevent movement of over-sized coins through said coin guide means, said coin receiving means including coin ejection means for ejecting over-sized coins for return to the operator.

19. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 18 further characterized in that said coin receiving means include magnetic means for sensing and holding slugs, to prevent slugs from passing along said coin guide means to actuate said switch means, and wherein said coin ejection means is operable for ejecting and returning said slugs to an operator.

20. Shoe polish supply means adapted to be used with an automatic shoeshine machine having shoe brushing means comprising, in combination:

a. a polish receptacle having polish contained therein to be applied to shoes in a shoeshine operation by shoe brushing means;

b. cover means supported adjacent said polish receptacle means, said cover means being movable from a shoe polish covering position to a shoe polish open position whereby polish can be removed therefrom by the brushing means; and,-

c. selectively movable actuator means operatively associated with said cover means for effecting a predetermined timed cyclic movement of said cover means from said shoe polish covering position to said shoe polish open position and for automatic return to said shoe polish covering position after a predetermined cyclic movement of said a ctuator means.

21. Shoe polish supply means as required by claim 20 further characterized in that said shoe polish supply means includes a number of shoe polish receptacles and wherein each of said shoe polish receptacles includes individual cover means associated therewith for effecting covering and uncovering of said shoe polish receptacle and wherein said actuAtor means is operable for effecting displacement of all of said cover means from a shoe polish covering position to an open position.

22. Shoe polish supply means as required by claim 21 further characterizedin that said actuator means is movable between inoperable and operable positions and is moved to said operable position by controlled cam means, said actuator including latching means operatively associated therewith for maintaining said actuator means in a displaced operable position during a portion of cyclic operation of said actuator means and wherein latch releasing means is operatively as sociated withsaid latching means for disengaging said latching means after a predetermined cyclic operation of said actuator means.

Claims

1. An automatic shoeshine machine for use in cleaning, applying polish and buffing shoes supported in a shoeshine position comprising, in combination: a. frame support means; b. shoe supporting means mounted on said frame support means; c. a carriage supported on said frame support means for cyclic movement adjacent said shoe supporting means, said carriage including power operable shoe brushing means and wherein said shoe brushing means is detailed in location for brushing shoes supported in position on said shoe support means in response to cyclic operation of said carriage; d. shoe polish supply means supported on said frame means, said shoe polish supply means detailed in location to be contacted by said shoe polish brushing means whereby predetermined amounts of polish will be applied to said brushing means, said shoe polish supply means includes movable cover means supported between said shoe polish supply means and said shoe brushing means, and wherein said cover means includes means for effecting displacement of said cover means to permit the brushing means to contact said shoe polish supply means in response to a timed cycle of operation of said shoe brushing means; and e. control means operatively associated with said carriage and said shoe polish supply means for effecting successive cycles of operation of said carriage and for effecting timed cyclic operation of said shoe polish cover means whereby said shoeshine machine will sequentially clean, apply polish and buff shoes supported on said shoe supporting means.

6. An automatic shoeshine machine as required by claim 5, further characterized in that said selectively adjustable cam means includes electromagnetic actuator means for moving said cam means from a non-camming condition to a camming condition.

20. Shoe polish supply means adapted to be used with an automatic shoeshine machine having shoe brushing means comprising, in combination: a. a polish receptacle having polish contained therein to be applied to shoes in a shoeshine operation by shoe brushing means; b. cover means supported adjacent said Polish receptacle means, said cover means being movable from a shoe polish covering position to a shoe polish open position whereby polish can be removed therefrom by the brushing means; and, c. selectively movable actuator means operatively associated with said cover means for effecting a predetermined timed cyclic movement of said cover means from said shoe polish covering position to said shoe polish open position and for automatic return to said shoe polish covering position after a predetermined cyclic movement of said actuator means.

22. Shoe polish supply means as required by claim 21 further characterized in that said actuator means is movable between inoperable and operable positions and is moved to said operable position by controlled cam means, said actuator including latching means operatively associated therewith for maintaining said actuator means in a displaced operable position during a portion of cyclic operation of said actuator means and wherein latch releasing means is operatively associated with said latching means for disengaging said latching means after a predetermined cyclic operation of said actuator means.