SHOE AND FOOT CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a shoe and foot cleaning apparatus. The apparatus includes a mounting unit for installing the apparatus into the ground and an internal frame. Positioned onto the internal frame is a collection plate, a rotational drive system, a motor. The plurality of brush pads are removably positioned along the rotational drive system, and can travel along the path of the drive system. A portion of the brush pads can extend through a plurality of slots positioned at the top of the apparatus in order to clean the shoe and foot of a user.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cleaning apparatus for removing foreign objects from the feet and shoes of a user.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are many known types of portable and stationary devices for cleaning shoes and feet. Several of these devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,532,618; 6,912,752; 6,067,688; 2,533,781; and 2,985,159. Typically, these devices are large bulky objects that may include an internal vacuum and one or more brushes for interacting with the shoe of a user.

In each of the above cases, however, the vacuum, collection plate and/or additional components are located above ground and are thus exposed to the elements. Such a configuration results in excess noise and poor aesthetic value which significantly reduces the desirability of these products in the home and marketplace. Moreover, due to the somewhat fragile nature of the exposed components, these devices can not be permanently installed in outdoor environments for fear of vandalism. As such, a significant amount of potential users are automatically eliminated.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a compact and highly efficient shoe and foot cleaning apparatus capable of curing the deficiencies described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shoe and foot cleaning apparatus. One embodiment of the present invention can include a mounting unit, and an internal frame having a collection plate, a rotational drive system, a motor and plurality of brush pads positioned along the rotational drive system. The drive system can rotate the brush pads along a predetermined path in which a portion of the brush pads extend through a plurality of slots in order to clean the shoe and foot of a user.

Another embodiment of the present invention can include an access unit for allowing the frame and all internal components to be rotated about the mounting unit in order to allow access to the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a shoe and foot cleaning apparatus that is useful for understanding the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 1a is a cutout of the motor and drive system connection point of the shoe and foot cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a stand alone view of the drive system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates another stand alone view of the drive system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a brush pad for use in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the shoe and foot cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the shoe and foot cleaning apparatus in operation.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of shoe and foot cleaning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of shoe and foot cleaning apparatus 10 in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, apparatus 10 can include a mounting box 11, and an internal frame 12, onto which a removable collection plate 13, a motor 14, a drive system 20, a plurality of brush pads 40, and a protective cover 50 are secured.

The mounting box 11 can include a cavernous rectangular area into which the frame 12 and other components can be secured. As such, the mounting box 11 acts to allow the device to be installed below ground level to protect the internal components against the elements. To this end, and as will be explained in greater detail below, only the protective cover 50 remains visible to a user.

In one alternate embodiment, the mounting box 11 can also include an optional drain unit 11a for removing moisture from the device. Such a feature is useful in outdoor environments where rain or moisture is present. As such, in instances where the apparatus 10 is installed outdoors (i.e., along the front door of a building, for example) the drain can remove any water that is present in order to ensure continuous operation of the apparatus.

As used herein, a drain unit 11a can include a standard gravity drain which feeds water into the ground or sewer, or may include a pump system for actively removing moisture. Such systems being well known in the art, no further description will be provided herein.

The internal frame 12 acts as an integrated structure for securing the various components in place. Positioned at the bottom of the internal frame is the removable collection plate 13 which acts to contain any debris and dirt that is collected by the system. Collection plate 13 can be installed on a rail or within grooves of the frame and can be removed from the apparatus for easy cleaning.

In one preferred embodiment, each of the mounting box 11, the internal frame 12, and the removable collection plate 13 can be constructed from steel or aluminum components joined together via welds or compression fittings. Of course, other known materials and methods may also be utilized.

The motor 14 acts to provide the rotational force to run the apparatus. As such, in one embodiment, motor 14 can be secured to the side of the frame 12 and connected to the drive system 20 via reduction gear 14a illustrated in cutout FIG. 1a. The motor 14 can be operated via a conventional on/off switch or via any known pressure switch. To this end, when a user steps on the top portion of the apparatus, the pressure switch can activate the motor. In one preferred embodiment, the motor 14 can include a conventional 110 volt electrical ¼ horsepower motor, however other size motors and positional arrangements are also contemplated.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a stand alone view of the drive system according to one embodiment. Although described below as utilizing a specific number of sprockets and connection units, one of skill in the art will recognize that additional components and additional positional arrangements can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.

The drive system 20 acts to transfer the rotational force of the motor 14 to the brush pads. Accordingly, the drive system 20 can include a pair of leading sprockets 21a and a pair of trailing sprockets 21b secured together via an integrated connection rod 22. As shown, one side of the leading sprocket 21a can be connected to the reduction gear 14a of the motor via a drive belt/chain 23.

Additionally, both the leading and trailing sprockets can be connected via connection units 30. As shown, connection units 30 can act to connect the leading and trailing sprockets on each side of the apparatus together such that all four sprockets will rotate in unison. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the connection units 30 can also provide an attachment point for the brush pads 40.

In one preferred embodiment each connection unit 30 can include a belt or chain 31 and a plurality of evenly spaced brackets 32 attached thereto, however other similar components are also contemplated. In this regard, individual brush pads 40 can be secured to each connection unit 30 and can move/rotate (see arrow A) along the path of the sprockets when activated by the motor 14.

By traveling along a uniform path, the brush pads 40 can interact with the shoe and foot of a user in a uniform and controlled manner which provides a more thorough cleaning as opposed to simply rotating in place.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a brush pad 40. As shown, brush pad 40 can include an elongated rectangular member 41 having a plurality of holes 42 with bristles 43 extending therefrom. Additionally, brush pad 40 can include hardware 44 for connecting to the brackets 32 of the connection unit as described above.

In one preferred embodiment, the elongated member can comprise a wood or hard plastic base and the plurality of bristles can include elongated strands of plastic or fabric material, however, other materials are also contemplated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the apparatus 10. As shown, the top of the apparatus can include a protective cover 50 and a plurality of slots 51. The protective cover 50 can act to shield the motor and other internal components, while the slots 51 can be positioned to allow the bristles of the brush pads 40 to extend upward in order to make contact with the feet and/or shoes of a user. In this regard, the slots 51 can be positioned along the path of the brush pads 40 so as to not impede the movement of the bristles.

In one preferred embodiment, the protective cover can be constructed from stainless steel and the bristles of the brush pads can extend from ¼ to 2 inches above the slots. Of course the bristles can be adjusted to extend to virtually any length desired, and materials other than stainless steel can also be utilized.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the shoe and foot cleaning apparatus 10 in operation. As shown, when a user steps on the slots 51, the motor 14 can engage the drive system 20, thus causing the plurality of brush pads 40 to move along the path of the slots 51 in a direction indicated by arrow B. To this end, as the bristles 43 make contact with the foot of the user debris and dirt can be collected and dropped down into the collection plate 13.

FIG. 7 illustrates one alternate embodiment of the apparatus 10 that further includes one or more rotating joints 70 and an optional lock 71. As shown, the rotating joint 70 can be interposed between the mounting box 11 and the internal frame 12. To this end, rotating joints 70 can allow the internal frame and all connected components to rotate upwards after the device has been installed into the ground. Such a feature allows easy access for cleaning the collection plate and inspecting the internal components.

Rotating joints 70 can include, for example, conventional hinges with a locking mechanism, or may include lift assist components such as hydraulic pistons/cylinder and spring actuated hinges among other known components.

Lock 71 can include any known device for securing the frame inside the mounting box. Such a feature can allow the device to be installed in locations that are not monitored without fear of vandalism to the internal components.

Accordingly, a shoe and foot cleaning apparatus as described herein provides a compact integrated unit with superior cleaning ability. By exposing only a small portion of the device above ground, the apparatus offers greater noise reduction, increased aesthetic value and protects against adverse environmental conditions and vandalism.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A shoe and foot cleaning apparatus comprising:

a mounting unit configured to be secured into an opening of a floor;

a frame configured to be secured to the mounting unit;

a collection plate configured to collect debris, said collection plate being positioned along a bottom of the frame;

a rotational drive system;

a motor configured to propel the rotational drive system; and

a plurality of removable brush pads positioned along the rotational drive system, each of said brush pads including a hardened base and a multitude of bristles extending therefrom,

wherein said rotational drive system is configured to convey the plurality of brush pads along a predetermined path.

2. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover connected to a top portion of the frame, said cover including a plurality of elongated slots positioned above the brush pads,

wherein each of said elongated slots are oriented in a direction parallel with the predetermined path, and

a portion of the multitude of bristles extends through each of the elongated slots.

3. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein a portion of said cover does not include a plurality of elongated slots, said portion approximating a size of the motor.

4. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure switch configured to activate the motor when a pressure is applied thereto.

5. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an access unit configured to rotate a portion of the frame out of the mounting unit.

6. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein said access unit includes at least one of a hinge, a hydraulic cylinder and a spring.

7. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein said access unit is configured to allow a user to access the collection plate.

8. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a lock for preventing the access unit from being utilized.

9. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a drain unit configured to remove moisture.

10. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 9, wherein said drain unit is positioned along a periphery of the mounting unit.

11. The shoe and foot cleaning apparatus of claim 10, wherein said drain unit includes a pump configured to forcibly remove moisture.