US3784997A - Automatic shoe polisher - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher comprises a motor-driven rotatable two-section polishing brush and two independently selectively operable polish dispensing assemblies for repeatedly dispensing a spray of appropriately colored liquid polish to a brush section during one cycle of operation. Each polish dispensing assembly comprises a motor driven rotatable container support for holding an aerosol can of polish, a dispensing adapter removably attachable to the can, and a spray rail actuator for operating the adapter one or more times during each revolution of the can. Control means for initiating and maintaining energization of the brush motor and the gear motor for each dispensing assembly during one cycle of operation comprise a coin-operated mechanism, a starter switch momentarily actuated thereby, and a cam-operated time responsive to rotation of the container support to actuate a timer switch which initiates operation of the brush motor and maintains operation of the gear motor until the cycle is complete.

Description

nited States Patent [191 Beck [ Jan. 15, 1974 [75] Inventor:

[52] [1.8. CI. 15/31, 15/34 [51] Int. Cl A471 23/02 [58] Field of Search 15/30, 31, 32, 33,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,440,676 4/1969 Beck et a1. 15/31 Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Att0rney-James E. Nilles [57] ABSTRACT A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher comprises a motor-driven rotatable two-section polishing brush and two independently selectively operable polish dispensing assemblies for repeatedly dispensing a spray of appropriately colored liquid polish to a brush section during one cycle of operation. Each polish dispensing assembly comprises a motor driven rotatable container support for holding an aerosol can of polish, a dispensing adapter removably attachable to the can, and a spray rail actuator for operating the adapter one or more times during each revolution of the can. Control means for initiating and maintaining energization of the brush motor and the gear motor for each dispensing assembly during one cycle of operation comprise a coin-operated mechanism, a starter switch momentarily actuated thereby, and a cam-operated time responsive to rotation of the container support to actuate a timer switch which initiates operation of the brush motor and maintains operation of the gear motor until the cycle is complete.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENIEnm 15 ran SHEET 3 BF 6 FIG.3

PATENIEDJM! 15 m4 3.784.997

' SHEEI UF 6 FIGA PAIENIED JAN 1 5 I974 SHEET 2 8 UF 6 FIG.8

AUTOMATIC SHOE POLISHEIR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Use This invention relates generally to coin-operated automatic shoe polishers which are used in public facilities such as hotel and motel lobbies, transportation terminals and other places accessible to the public.

2. Description of the Prior Art Some shoe polishers of the aforesaid type comprise a housing in which are mounted a rotatable two-section (black and brown) polishing brush accessible to the user, a fairly heavy duty motor for rotating the brush, means for periodically applying liquid polish in spray form to the brush section being used, and control means, including a coin-operated switch, to operate the unit. In onesuch type of polisher the means for applying polish to the brush comprised a motor driven slowly rotatable container support on which an aerosol can of polish was removably mounted and further comprised a dispenser nozzle or adapter detachably mountable on the can and actuated by a solenoid operated movable spray rail. The solenoid type actuator was complex and costly and limited dispensing of polish to one application per rotation of the can. Furthermore, in such polishers the coin-operated switch turned on both the polishing motor and the rotating support motor simultaneously and because of the relatively high amperage involved as against the rating of the switch (about 13 amperes) this type of switch was subject to frequent burn-out.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher in accordance with the invention comprises a housing from which a motor driven rotatable, cylindrically shaped polishing brush extends. The brush is divided into two discrete sections, each adapted to apply polish of a particular color (i.e., brown or black) to a users shoes. Two independently operable polish dispensing assemblies are located in the housing and either is operable (in response to the users selection) to repeatedly apply polish of the desired color to the appropriate brush section during one cycle of operation.

Each such assembly comprises a rotatable container support to which an aerosol can of liquid polish is releasably attachable. A gear motor is provided to effect several rotations of the support and can thereon during one cycle of operation. Means are provided for causing one or more polish-dispensing operations from the can to the appropriate brush section during each can rotation and such means comprise a dispensing adapter removably attachable to the can and spray rail actuator means on the housing engageable with the adapter to cause spraying operation of the aerosol can nozzle.

Control means are provided to initiate and maintain energization of the brush motor and the appropriate gear motor for one complete cycle of polisher operation. These control means comprise a separate coinoperated mechanism for each polish dispensing assembly, a starter switch momentarily actuated thereby, and a timer switch actuated by rotational movement of a camoperated timer which in turn is responsive to rotational movement of its associated container support.

In operation, insertion of an appropriately sized coin into the desired one of the coin-operated mechanisms effects momentary closure (about 1% seconds) of the associated starter switch to initiate operation of the gear motor and slow rotation of the appropriate container support and can thereon. Such movement of the container support causes its cam to rotate the timer which, in turn, actuates the timer switch. Such actuation of the timer switch initiates operation of the brush motor and maintains operation of the appropriate gear motor, despite subsequent deactivation of the timer switch when the coin leaves the coin-operated mechanism. During one cycle of operation the container support and aerosol can make several revolutions. During each revolution the spray rail operates the dispensing adapter one or more times to cause application of polish to the brush. Furthermore, each successive revolution of the container support causes further advancement of the timer until, after a predetermined number of revolutions of the container support, the timer has advanced one revolution and deactivates the timer switch to stop the brush motor and the appropriate gear motor.

A polisher in accordance with the invention has several advantages over those of the prior art. For example, switches commercially available for actuation by coin-operated mechanisms are usually relatively lowrated as regards their current carrying capacity and, consequently, are subject to premature burn-out when used to switch relatively heavy loads such as are imposed by simultaneously starting both the brush motor and the gear motor. However, in the present invention, the coin operated starter switch only initiates operation of the small gear motor and a timer switch rated for heavier duty is used to switch the brush motor.

Furthermore, in some prior art machines the dispensing adapter was operated once during each revolution by a solenoid. This was a costly complex and limiting solution. Whereas, in the present invention, the spray rail is an adjustable, non-moving part which can be shaped to provide one or more spray operations for each rotation of the aerosol can.

Also, reversible, double duty nozzle wiping means are provided in the present polisher to prolong the operational life of the unit before replacement of parts is required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view, generally from the front, of a coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, generally from the rear, of a portion of the interior of the polisher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view, partly in cross-section, taken on line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in cross-section, taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the coin-drop mechanism shown in FIG. 3',

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of the coin-drop mechanism taken on line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the detachable dispensing means for each of the aerosol polish spray cans taken on line 77 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for the polisher shown in FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show, a coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher in accordance with the invention comprises a rigid housing 11, including a front side or wall 12, a rear side or wall 13, side walls 14 and 15, a base 16 and an upper portion 17. The lower edge of front wall 12 terminates a short distance above base 16 to provide a space or opening through which the front side of a rotatable polishing brush 21 projects. Brush 21 comprises two discrete sections, 18 and 19, for applying black or brown polish, respectively, to shoes. Preferably, each brush section 18 or 19 comprises two separately replaceable brush units connected to brush shaft 32 by pins. Opening 20 also provides room for insertion of the tips of the users shoes in the space between brush 21 and base 16. The upper portion 17 of housing 11 comprises an upright translucent panel 23 containing, for example, advertising material. Upper portion 17 of housing 11 also comprises a rigid top wall 24 having suitable openings through which the coin insertion slots 25 and 26 of two coin-drop mechanisms project. A conventional ac line cord 28 having a recepticle plug 29 leads from the rear of polisher 10.

A fluorescent light 22 is located behind panel 23 and an electric warming element 27 is provided to maintain cans 51 and 52 of liquid polish at an appropriate temperature above 70 F. for example, regardless of ambient temperatures.

In operation, insertion of a coin in either of the coin slots 25 or 26 causes rotation of polishing brush 21 for about 70 seconds and also causes shoe polish of the selected color to be applied inside housing 11 at periodic intervals to the appropriate section 18 or 19 of the brush, while the unit is in operation.

As FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show, housing 11 has a lower non-horizontal shelf 30 and an upper horizontal shelf 36 on its interior. Brush 21 and the bearings 31 in which the brush shaft 32 is journalled are mounted beneath lower shelf 30. Brush motor 33 which drives the brush by means of a drive belt 34 around a drive pulley 35 on the motor shaft and a driven pulley 37 on the brush shaft is mounted on the underside of upper shelf 36. Also mounted beneath shelf 30 are two gear motors 40 and 41 whose shafts 42 and 43, respectively, extend through suitable openings in the shelf and are connected to drive or rotate two rotatable container support assemblies 44 and 45, respectively, which are located above the shelf 30. It is to be understood that brush motor 33 is a conventional ac motor and that each of the two gear motors 40 and 41 is a conventional, commercially available ac gear motor having an output shaft which rotates at speeds, for example, of five revolutions per minute. Brush motor 33 is a relatively high-speed heavy duty motor with respect to each of the gear motors 40 and 41 and draws substantially more electrical current when started.

The container support assemblies 44 and 45 are identical to each other and each comprises attachment means 47 which adapt it for rigid connection to its respective gear motor shaft 42 or 43. Each container support assembly 44 and 45 also comprises a pair of spaced apart resilient clamps 50 which are adapted to snap around and firmly engage a horizontally disposed, cylindrical aerosol can or container, such as the cans 51 and 52, which contains shoe polishing material in liquid form. In the embodiment shown, for example, can 51 contains brown polish and can 52 contains black polish. The cans 51 and 52 are conventional aerosol spray cans having a conventional spray nozzle such as 55, as FIG. 7 shows, and the cans are fitted with a removably attachable adapter or dispenser means 56 and 66, respectively, also shown in FIG. 2. Adapter 56 is understood to be identical to adapter 66 and only the former is hereinafter described in detail. As FIG. 7 shows, adapter 56 comprises a yoke 57 having a grooved flange 58 which makes frictional engagement (a snap fit) with the inside of a ring 59 integral with the aerosol can. Adapter 56 further comprises a slidably movable member 60 which is retained in a bore 61 in yoke 57 by snap rings 62 and 63 which are secured in annular grooves 64 and 65, respectively, formed on the outer surface of member 60 near opposite ends thereof. Member 60 is axially movable inwardly (leftwardly with respect to FIG. 7) by means of actuating means, such as 70, hereinafter described, to effect depression of the spray nozzle on its associated can and thereby cause polish to be sprayed from the nozzle through hole 67 thereof and through an opening 68 in the side of yoke 57 onto the polishing brush 21.

As FIGS. 2 and 7 show, the movable member of the adapters 56 and 66, respectively, are actuated or operated by the actuating means 70 and 71, respectively. Actuating means 70 is understood to be identical to actuating means 71 and only the former is hereinafter described in detail. As FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 show, actuating means 70 comprises a rigid spray rail 75, preferably in the form of a strip of metal, which is bent or shaped to provide at least one, but preferably two projections such as 76 and 77. Spray rail is secured at each end to a rigid mounting bracket or plate 78 by two bolt and nut assemblies 80. Mounting bracket 78, in turn, is rigidly secured to the inside of front wall 12 of housing 11 by screws 79 and is bent or shaped so as to maintain spray rail 75 in proper disposition despite the slope of shelf 30. Resiliently compressible washers 81, each having a hole 82 therethrough, are disposed between the mounting bracket 78 and the spray rail 75 and enable the spray rail to be adjustably moved toward or away from the mounting bracket by taking up on or relieving the compression exerted by the nut and bolt assemblies 80. This adjustment feature enables the spray rail 75 to be properly positioned adjacent the path of rotation of its associated aerosol can so that the projections 76 and 77 of spray rail 75 make proper contact with the member 60 of dispenser means 56. Since spray rail 75 has two projections or corrugations 76 and 77, it is apparent that two spraying operations of an aerosol can will be effected for each revolution of the can. A greater or lesser number of spray operations per revolution can be effected by providing more or fewer projections on the spray rail.

Means are provided to clean or wipe the spray nozzles 55 of the cans 51 and 52 once during each revolution of a can and comprise the wiper assemblies 85 and 86, respectively, both shown in FIG. 2. Since the wiper assemblies 85 and 86 are identical, only the former is hereinafter described in detail. Wiper assembly 85 comprises a U-shaped bracket 88 having a pair of upstanding resilient legs 89 and 90, respectively. Two ends and 96 of a wiper pad are secured, as by frictional engagement, in holes in the surface 91 of bracket 88. The wiper takes the form of a piece of resilient compressible sponge rubber or plastic material. End 95 of the pad is disposed in and slightly below the path of rotational movement of spray nozzle 55 of aerosol can 51 and makes wiping contact across the hole 67 therein once during each revolution of the can to keep the hole clean and unplugged. Bracket 88 is releasably secured to shelf 30 by two screws 97 and 98 which engage notches 99 and 100, respectively, provided in the outer edges of the flanges 92 and 93 of bracket 88. Bracket 88 can be reversely mounted to bring end 96 into play after 95 becomes dirty by squeezing the legs 89 and 90 together to disengage the bracket from the screws 97 and 98, reversing the bracket, and then releasing it to allow the legs to spring outwardly so that the notches re-engage the screws.

Control means are provided to control brush motor 33 and the two gear motors 40 and 41; it being understood that in a given cycle of operation of polisher only one gear motor operates in conjunction with the brush motor, depending on the users selection of polish color. The control means comprises two coin drop mechanisms 110 and 112 (for brown and black polishing, respectively) including starter switches 113 and 114, respectively, mounted thereon. The control means further comprises timer switches 116 and 117 (for brown and block polishing, respectively) which are physically mounted, for example, on the upper side of shelf 30, as FIG. 2 shows. The timer switches 116 and 117 are operated by timers 118 and 119, respectively which are cooperatively engageable with and operated by timers cams 1 and 121, respectively, mounted on the container supports 44 and 45, respectively. FIGS. 5 and 6 show details of coin drop mechanism 110 which will now be described; it being understood that coin drop mechanism 112 is similar in construction and mode of operation. Coin .drop mechanism 110 comprises a support bracket 125 by which it is secured to the underside of top wall 24 of housing 11 and has a coin intake member projecting through an opening 126 in top wall 24 and disposed on the outside of housing 11. Mechanism further comprises three planar members 127, 128 and 129 which are rigidly secured together to form a rigid unit. Rear planar member 127 comprises an elongated vertically disposed slot 13 for accommodating a pivotably movable switch actuator 131, in the form ofa resilient wire, which extends forwardly from starter switch 1 13 which is rigidly secured to the rear of coin-drop mechanism 110. Starter switch 113 is a double pole single throw, spring loaded switch which is in one operative position when switch actuator 131 is fully forward, as shown in FIG. 5, and assumes another operative position when switch actuator 131 is moved rearwardly by transit of a coin through a zig-zag or tortuous coin channel 134 formed in the middle two-piece planar member 128 of mechanism 110. Channel 134 is shaped so as to maintain a coin in transit therethrough for an interval, for example, of about ll seconds so as to maintain switch 113 in its aforesaid other operative position for the same length of time. Forward planar member 129 of mechanism 110 is provided with a clearance slot 136 for accommodating full forward movement and positioning mechanism 110 is tilted slightly out of vertical so as to facilitate ejection of a small coin from hole 137 instead of traversing channel 134. The spring action of switch actuator 131 also assists in small coin ejection. Coins which traverse or are ejected by the mechanism are deposited on the upper surface of upper shelf 36 which is preferably cloth-covered. As hereinafter explained, switch 113 initiates operation of gear motor 40.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show details of double pole, single throw spring loaded timer switch 1 16, its timer 1 18 and its timer cam which will now be described, it being understood that timer switch 117, timer 119 and timer cam 121 are similar in construction and mode of operation. Timer switch 116 is rigidly secured on a mounting bracket 140 which is secured to the upper surface of shelf 30 as by bolts 139. The depressable actuator or push buttom 141 of switch 116 is located adjacent and in contact with the cylindrical hub 142 of timer 118 (to maintain switch 116 closed) which is rotatably mounted on mounting bracket 140 by a bolt 143. Hub 142 is provided with a flat spot or surface 144 engageable with switch push button 141 in a certain rotational position of the timer to cause switch 116 to open. Hub 142 is provided with a plurality of rigid spokes 145 which radiate therefrom and which are adapted to sequentially engage with timer cam 120 on container support 44 as the latter rotates. Thus, if timer 118 is provided with five spokes 145 as shown, five revolutions of container support 44 will effect one revolution of hub 142 and one cycle of operation of timer switch 116. During one cycle of operation of timer switch 116, the switch is closed for approximately 70 seconds, for example, and opens when flat surface 144 allows switch push button 141 to extend.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry of the control means for polisher 10. The conductors of cord 28 are energizable from a suitable ac power source comprising terminals N and L1 and continuously supply. power to fluorescent light 22 and heater element 27 connected in parallel with each other between the terminals N and L1. Terminal L 1 is connected to one side of the motors 33, 40 and 41. Terminal N is connected to the normally open (NO) contact terminals of both starter switches l 13 and 114 and both timer switches 116 and 117. The other side of brush motor 33 is connected to .the common terminals (COM) of both timer switches 116 and 117. The normally closed (NC) contact terminal of timer switch 1 17 is connected to the normally closed (NC) contact terminal of starter switch 113. The normally closed (NC) contact terminal of timer switch 116 is connected to the normally closed (NC) contact terminal of starter switch 114. The common terminals (COM) of the starter switches 113 and l 14 are connected to the other sides of the gear motors 40 and 41, respectively. All switches are shown in FIG. 8 in their normal condition i.e., prior to being operated, as hereinafter explained.

OPERATION Polisher 10 operates as follows. Assume that terminals N and L1 are energized and that all switches are in the condition shown in FIG. 8. Further assume, for example, that the user desires to shine brown shoes and that an appropriate coin is, therefore, to be inserted into coin-drop mechanism 110 to initiate one cycle of operation. Insertion of the coin into coin intake member 25 thereof enables its to fall through coin channel 134 thereby moving switch actuator 131' and causing starter switch 113 to connect gear motor 40 directly across terminals N and L1 for the length of time the coin remains in channel 134 i.e., about ll seconds. With gear motor 40 so energized, it causes rotation of container support 44, and such rotation causes cam 120 thereon to engage one of the spokes 145 of timer 118 and rotate timer hub 142.

It is to be understood that at the end of the previous cycle of operation, timer hub 142 came to rest in such a position that the flat surface 144 thereof was in registry with the push button 141 of timer switch 116 and that, as a result, switch 116'was maintaining its contacts in the position shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, as timer hub 142 begins to rotate, push button 141 of switch 116 moves off of flat surface 144 and outwardly into engagement with the cylindrical surface of the hub. Such push button movement causes timer switch 116 to operate to connect brush motor 33 across terminals N and L1.

With brush motor 33 so energized, brush 21 rotates.

When the coin leaves channel 134 of coin drop mechanism 110, the contacts of starter switch 113 again resume the position shown in FIG. 8. However, gear motor 40 remains energized and in operation because it is connected on one side to terminal L1 and on its other side to terminal N through the COM and NC terminals of starter switch 113, through the NC and COM terminals of inactive timer switch 117, and through the COM and NO terminals of active timer switch 116.

With both brush motor 33 and gear motor 40 in operation, the user is now able to employ the machine for shining shoes. As gear motor 40 rotates, it also effects slow rotation of container support 44 and the can 51 of brown polish thereon. During each revolution of support 44 and can 51, the movable member 60 of adapter 55 on the can strikes the two projections 76 and 77 of spray rail 75 and is depressed twice thereby causing corresponding depression of the spray nozzle 55 of can 51 and application of two sprays of polish to section 18 of brush 21. Furthermore, during each revolution of container support 44, the cam 120 thereon engages one of the spokes 145 on hub 142 of timer 118 and causes the hub to rotate through part of one revolution i.e., US of a revolution in the embodiment shown which uses five spokes 145. Thus, in the embodiment shown, during one cycle of operation of polisher 10, which, for example, lasts about 70 seconds, can 51 rotates five times and applies a total of ten spray application of polish to section 18 of brush 21.

At the end of the last rotation in its cycle, cam 120 on support 44 moves timer hub 142 to a position wherein push button 141 of switch 116 moves outwardly into engagement with flat surface 144 on the hub. When this occurs the contacts of timer switch 116 again resume the position shown in FIG. 8 and as a consequence, both motors 33 and 40 are deenergized and stop operating.

It is to be understood that user selection of coin drop mechanism 112 to shine black shoes results in a similar cycle of operation for brush motor 33 and gear motor 41 and the apparatus associated with the latter.

RESUME A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a housing 11 from which a motor driven rotatable, cylindrically shaped polishing brush 21 extends. The brush 21 is divided into two discrete sections 18 and 19, each adapted to apply polish of a particular color (i.e., brown or black) to a users shoes. Two independently operable polish dispensing assemblies are located in the housing 11 and either is operable (in response to the users selection) to repeatedly apply polish of the desired color to the appropriate brush section during one cycle of operation.

Each such assembly comprises a rotatable container support 44 or 45 to which an aerosol can of liquid polish 51 or 52 is releasably attachable. A gear motor 40 or 41 is provided to effect several rotations of the support 44 or 45 and can thereon during one cycle of operation. Means are provided for causing one or more polish-dispensing operations from the can to the appropriate brush section during each can rotation and such means comprise a dispensing adapter 56 or 66 removably attachable to the can and spray rail actuator means 70 or 71 on the housing 11 engageable with the adapter 56 or 66 to cause spraying operation of the aerosol can nozzle.

Control means are provided to initiate and maintain energization of the brush motor 33 and the appropriate gear motor 40 or 41 for one complete cycle of polisher operation. These control means comprise a separate coin-operated mechanism or 112 for each polish dispensing assembly, a starter switch 113 or 114 momentarily actuated thereby, and a timer switch 116 or 117 actuated by rotational movement of a camoperated timer 118 or 119 which in turn is responsive to rotational movement of its associated container support 44 or 45.

In operation, insertion of an appropriately sized coin into the desired one of the coin-operated mechanisms 110 or 112 effects momentary closure (about 1% seconds) of the associated starter switch 113 or 114 to initiate operation of the gear motor 40 or 41 and slow rotation of the appropriate container support 44 or 45 and can thereon. Such movement of the container support 44 or 45 causes its cam 120 or 121 to rotate the timer 118 or 119 which, in turn, actuates the timer switch 116 or 117. Such actuation of the timer switch 116 or 117 initiates operation of the brush motor 33 and maintains operation of the appropriate gear motor 40 or 41, despite subsequent deactivation of the timer switch 116 or 117 when the coin leaves the coinoperated mechanism. During one cycle of operation the container support 44 or 45 and aerosol can 51 or 52 thereon make several revolutions. During each revolution the spray rail 70 or 71 operates the appropriate dispensing adapter one or more times to cause application of polish to the appropriate brush section. Furthermore, each successive revolution of the container support causes further advancement of the timer 118 or 119 until, after a predetermined number of revolutions of the container support 44 or 45, the timer has advanced one revolution and deactivates the timer switch 116 or 117 to stop the brush motor 33 and the appropriate gear motor 40 or 41.

1 claim:

1. In an automatic electrically operable shoe polisher:

a motor driven polishing brushhaving at least two discrete sections for polishes of different colors,

and at least two separate polish application assemblies, each assembly being selectively operable to repeatedly apply polish of appropriate color to an associated brush section during rotation of said brush during one cycle of operation of the polisher, each polish application assembly comprising:

a motor driven rotatable container support for holding and rotating a container of polishing material for a plurality of revolutions during one cycle of polisher operation,

cooperable means on said container and said housing to effect at least one application of polish from said container to an associated brush section during each rotation of said container,

a starter switch to initiate rotation of one of said motor driven container supports,

and timer means including a timer switch responsive to rotation of said support to effect rotation of said polishing brush and to maintain rotation of said support for a predetermined interval of time.

2. A polisher according to claim 1 wherein said cooperable means comprise dispensing means for attachment to said container and actuatable to release polishing material from said container, and actuating means located adjacent the path of movement of said dispensing means as said container support rotates to actuate said dispensing means at least once during each rotation of said container support means to effect application of polishing material to said brush.

3. A polisher according to claim 2 wherein said timer means comprises a rotatable timer for operating said timer switch and cam means on said support to rotate said timer.

4. A polisher according to claim 3 including coinoperated means to operate said starter switch.

5. In an automatic electrically operable shoe polisher:

a housing,

a polishing brush accessible from the exterior of said housing,

said brush having at least two discrete sections for polishes of different colors,

an electric brush motor for rotating said brush,

and at least two separate polish application assemblies within said housing, each assembly being selectively operable to repeatedly apply polish of appropriate color to an associated brush section during rotation of said brush during one cycle of operation of the polisher,

each polish application assembly comprising:

a rotatable container support for holding and rotating a container of polishing material,

a motor for rotating said support for a plurality of revolutions during one cycle of polisher operation,

cooperable means on said container and said housing to effect at least one application of polish from said container to an associated brush section during each rotation of said container,

a coin operated starter switch to initiate operation of said motor for rotating said support,

and timer means including a timer switch responsive to rotation of said motor for said support to effect energization of said brush motor and said motor for said support for a predetermined interval of time.

6. A polisher according to claim 5 wherein said cooperable means comprise dispensing means for attachment to said container and actuatable to release polishing material from said container, and actuating means located adjacent the path of movement of said dispensing means as said container support rotates to actuate said dispensing means at least once during each rotation of said container support means to effect application of polishing material to said brush.

7. A polisher according to claim 6 wherein said timer means comprises a rotatable timer for operating said timer switch and cam means on said support to rotate said timer.

8. A polisher according to claim 7 including coinoperated means to operate said starter switch.

9. In a polisher having a rotatable brush and a rotatable container support means for holding and rotating a container of polishing material:

dispensing means for attachment to said container and having a member actuatable by movement thereof to release polishing material from said container,

and stationary actuating means disposed adjacent the path of movement of said dispensing means and having at least one rigid projection thereon cooperable with said member on said dispensing means during each rotation of said container support means to actuate said dispensing means at least once to effect application of polishing material to said brush, said actuating means comprising a plurality of rigid projection'means thereon to effect a plurality of applications of polishing material to said brush during each revolution of said container.

10. A polisher according to claim 9 wherein said actuating means comprises a support bracket, a spray rail for attachment to said bracket, threaded means for securing said spray rail to said support, and resiliently compressible spacer means trapped between said bracket and said spray rail to enable adjustment movement of said spray rail as said threaded means are tightened or loosened to exert greater or lesser clamping pressure on said spacer means.

Claims (10)

1. In an automatic electrically operable shoe polisher: a motor driven polishing brush having at least two discrete sections for polishes of different colors, and at least two separate polish application assemblies, each assembly being selectively operable to repeatedly apply polish of appropriate color to an associated brush section during rotation of said brush during one cycle of operation of the polisher, each polish application assembly comprising: a motor driven rotatable container support for holding and rotating a container of polishing material for a plurality of revolutions during one cycle of polisher operation, cooperable means on said container and said housing to effect at least one application of polish from said container to an associated brush section during each rotation of said container, a starter switch to initiate rotation of one of said motor driven container supports, and timer means including a timer switch responsive to rotation of said support to effect rotation of said polishing brush and to maintain rotation of said support for a predetermined interval of time.

2. A polisher according to claim 1 wherein said cooperable means comprise dispensing means for attachment to said container and actuatable to release polishing material from said container, and actuating means located adjacent the path of movement of said dispensing means as said container support rotates to actuate said dispensing means at least once during each rotation of said container support means to effect application of polishing material to said brush.

3. A polisher according to claim 2 wherein said timer means comprises a rotatable timer for operating said timer switch and cam means on said support to rotate said timer.

4. A polisher according to claim 3 including coin-operated means to operate said starter switch.

5. In an automatic electrically operable shoe polisher: a housing, a polishing brush accessible from the exterior of said housing, said brush having at least two discrete sections for polishes of different colors, an electric brush motor for rotating said brush, and at least two separate polish application assemblies within said housing, each assembly being selectively operable to repeatedly apply polish of appropriate color to an associated brush section during rotation of said brush during one cycle of operation of the polisher, each polish application assembly comprising: a rotatable container support for holding and rotating a container of polishing material, a motor for rotating said support for a plurality of revolutions during one cycle of polisher operation, cooperable means on said container and said housing to effect at least one application of polish from said container to an associated brush section during each rotation of said container, a coin operated starter switch to initiate operation of said motor for rotating said support, and timer means including a timer switch responsive to rotation of said motor for said support to effect energization of said brush motor and said motor for said support for a predetermined interval of time.

6. A polisher according to claim 5 wherein said cooperable means comprise dispensing means for attachment to said container and actuatable to release polishing material from said container, and actuating means located adjacent the path of movement of said dispensing means as said container support rotates to actuate said dispensing means at least once during each rotation of said Container support means to effect application of polishing material to said brush.

7. A polisher according to claim 6 wherein said timer means comprises a rotatable timer for operating said timer switch and cam means on said support to rotate said timer.

8. A polisher according to claim 7 including coin-operated means to operate said starter switch.

9. In a polisher having a rotatable brush and a rotatable container support means for holding and rotating a container of polishing material: dispensing means for attachment to said container and having a member actuatable by movement thereof to release polishing material from said container, and stationary actuating means disposed adjacent the path of movement of said dispensing means and having at least one rigid projection thereon cooperable with said member on said dispensing means during each rotation of said container support means to actuate said dispensing means at least once to effect application of polishing material to said brush, said actuating means comprising a plurality of rigid projection means thereon to effect a plurality of applications of polishing material to said brush during each revolution of said container.

10. A polisher according to claim 9 wherein said actuating means comprises a support bracket, a spray rail for attachment to said bracket, threaded means for securing said spray rail to said support, and resiliently compressible spacer means trapped between said bracket and said spray rail to enable adjustment movement of said spray rail as said threaded means are tightened or loosened to exert greater or lesser clamping pressure on said spacer means.

Images