Shoe cleaning device

Abstract

A shoe cleaning device includes a housing member having at least one compartment for containing a predetermined amount of water therein. A cleaning member for cleaning shoes is operably and rotatably attached to the housing at a first predetermined location thereon such that the cleaning member is at least partially submerged in water when the housing contains such predetermined amount of water. At least one platform member is removably disposed on the housing at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on the platform member above such predetermined amount of water. A motor is operably connected to the cleaning member for enabling the cleaning member to rotate. A power source is operably connected to the motor for supplying power thereto. A switch mechanism is operably connected to the power source for selectively turning the power source on and off.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/931,881 filed May 25, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to shoe cleaning devices, and, more particularly, this invention relates to motorized devices for cleaning shoes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, doormats and shoe cleaning devices, as are generally well known in the prior art, have been used to wipe mud and debris from shoes.

Specifically of interest to the present invention are the following: Gamboa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,599, discloses a machine for cleaning the bottom of a wearer's shoes. The machine is mounted in a free-standing housing fitted with a platform on which the user stands. An endless motorized belt, fitted with bristles, is mounted under the platform to project through cut out sections of the platform covered by a grill upon which the user stands. A fan is mounted in the housing to carry debris removed by the bristles into a removable bag located in the housing.

Leblanc, U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,707 discloses an apparatus which cleans footwear with a closed system utilizing brushes and with recirculating compressed air. The apparatus has a housing and a cover containing a grill mounted to the housing by springs. Beneath the grill are a pair of cylindrical brushes which are rotated by electric motors in a direction toward the center of the grill. A combined vacuum cleaner and air compressor beneath the grill provides both a source of compressed air to help clean the shoes and suction to collect the dirt and any other debris dislodged by the apparatus. Beneath the center of the grill is a removable collection tank.

Berta, U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,867 discloses a shoe cleaning device including an elongated casing with an open top end; a pair of parallel rollers rotatably mounted in the casing; pads carried by the rollers, the pad on one roller having a deep pile for picking up cleaning water and for removing dirt from the bottom of a shoe sole when the sole is rubbed against the roller, the second roller constantly engaging the first roller and having a shorter, brush-like pile for removing dirt from the first roller.

Muller, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,112, discloses a machine for cleaning the soles of shoes such as bowling shoes. A rotary brush for cleaning leather shoe soles and an elastomeric roller for cleaning rubber shoe soles are mounted on a hinged platform along with a drive motor and a fan which is used to dry the shoes.

Slonicki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,667, discloses a foot scrubber comprising a housing, brushes attached to the inner surfaces of the housing, at least one suction cup for attaching the housing to a surface, a compressible dispenser for dispensing liquid soap when pressure is applied, an arm for applying pressure on the compressible means, and a handle rigidly connected to the arm by a substantially vertical shaft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a shoe cleaning device. Such shoe cleaning device includes a housing member having at least one compartment. Such housing member is manufactured from a predetermined material and has a predetermined size and a predetermined shape. Such at least one compartment is for containing a predetermined amount of water therein. A cleaning member for cleaning shoes is operably and rotatably attached to the housing at a first predetermined location thereon such that the cleaning member is at least partially submerged in water when the housing contains such predetermined amount of water. At least one platform member is removably disposed on the housing at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on the platform member above such predetermined amount of water. A motor is operably connected to the cleaning member for enabling the cleaning member to rotate. A power source is operably connected to the motor for supplying power thereto. A switch means is operably connected to the power source for selectively turning the power source on and off.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a shoe cleaning device includes a housing member having at least two compartments, at least one of such compartments being for containing a predetermined amount of water therein. Such housing member is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape. A cleaning member for cleaning shoes is operably and rotatably attached to the housing at a first predetermined location thereon such that the cleaning member is at least partially submerged in water when the housing contains such predetermined amount of water. At least one platform member is removably disposed on the housing at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on the platform member above the predetermined amount of water. A motor is disposed within a second compartment of such housing and operably connected to such cleaning member for enabling such cleaning member to rotate. A power source is operably connected to the motor for supplying power thereto, such power source being at least one of at least partially disposed on or within such housing member. A switch means is disposed on at least one of such housing at a third predetermined location thereon and such power source at a predetermined location thereon, such switch means being for selectively turning such power source on and off.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an easy to use device which will clean mud, dirt, and other debris off of a user's shoes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable motorized device for cleaning shoes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a battery powered portable device for cleaning the outer surfaces of shoes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized device which cleans between the grooves one the soles of shoes.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention, in this illustration the at least one platform member has been removed and a slidable cover provides access to a second compartment.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which two platform members have been removed to show the second housing which is meant to hold water in which the brush partially rotates.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which two platform members are included.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the invention in which a user is using the invention to clean a shoe.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the invention according to one embodiment of the invention in which the invention includes a second compartment accessed by a slidable cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1-6. A shoe cleaning device, generally designated 10, is provided. Such shoe cleaning device 10 includes a housing member 12 having at least one compartment 14, such at least one compartment 14 being for containing a predetermined amount of water (not shown) therein. The housing 12 is manufactured from a predetermined material and has a predetermined size and a predetermined shape.

It is presently preferred that such predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, and a combination thereof. It is further presently preferred that such predetermined shape is rectangular.

A cleaning member 16 for cleaning shoes 18 is operably and rotatably attached to the housing 12 at a first predetermined location thereon such that the cleaning member 16 is at least partially submerged in water when the housing 12 contains such predetermined amount of water.

It is presently preferred that such cleaning member 16 includes a round-brush portion 22 having a plurality of bristles 24. It is presently preferred that such round-brush portion 22 is replaceable.

At least one platform member 26 is removably disposed on the housing 12 at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on the platform member 26 above such predetermined amount of water.

It is presently preferred that such at least one platform member 26 includes a plurality of apertures 28 disposed therethrough at predetermined locations thereon for allowing dirt, water, pollen, grass cuttings, dust, and debris from such user's shoes to pass there through and fall into such housing 12.

A motor 32 is operably connected to the cleaning member 16 for enabling the cleaning member 16 to rotate.

A power source 34 is operably connected to the motor 32 for supplying power thereto.

A switch means 36 is operably connected to the power source 34 for selectively turning the power source 34 on and off.

It is presently preferred that such housing 12 includes a lip portion 38 disposed on the housing 12 on a predetermined inside portion thereof for supporting the at least one platform member 26 a predetermined distance above such predetermined amount of water.

According to another embodiment, such shoe cleaning device includes two platform members 26, a first one 42 of such platform members 26 being removably disposable on the housing member 12 at a predetermined location on a first side 44 of the cleaning member 16 and a second one 43 of the platform members 26 being removably disposable on the housing member 12 at a predetermined location on a second side 45 of the cleaning member 16.

It is presently preferred that at least one of such two platform members 26 includes a plurality of apertures 28 disposed there through at predetermined locations thereon.

According to yet another embodiment, a shoe cleaning device, includes a housing member 12 having at least two compartments 15, at least one of the compartments 14 being for containing a predetermined amount of water therein. The housing member 12 is manufactured from a first predetermined material and has a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape.

A cleaning member 16 for cleaning shoes 18 is operably and rotatably attached to the housing 12 at a first predetermined location thereon such that the cleaning member 16 is at least partially submerged in water when the housing 12 contains such predetermined amount of water.

At least one platform member 26 is removably disposed on the housing 12 at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on the platform member 26 above the predetermined amount of water.

A motor 32 is disposed within a second compartment 48 of the housing member 12 and operably connected to the cleaning member 16 for enabling the cleaning member 16 to rotate.

A power source 34 is operably connected to the motor 32 for supplying power thereto, the power source 34 being at least one of at least partially disposed on or within the housing member 12.

A switch means 36 is disposed on at least one of the housing member 12 at a third predetermined location thereon and the power source 34 at a predetermined location thereon. The switch means 36 is for selectively turning the power source 34 on and off.

It is presently preferred that such power source 34 is at least one of AC and DC power.

According to one embodiment such power source 34 is AC and the device 10 further includes an electrical cord 52 for communicating electricity to the motor 32 at a first predetermined end 54 of the electrical cord 52 and removably and operably connectable to an electrical outlet (not shown) at a second predetermined end 56 of the electrical cord 52 for receiving electricity therefrom.

According to another embodiment, such power source 34 is DC and the device 10 further includes at least one battery 58 operably connected to the motor 32 for supplying power thereto and removably secured within the housing member 12 at a predetermined location therein. It is presently preferred that such at least one battery 58 is rechargeable.

It is further presently preferred that such housing member 12 includes at least one access means 62 operably connected to the housing member 12 at a fourth predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access at least one of the motor 32, the switch means 36, the power source 34 and a combination thereof.

It is also presently presently preferred that such at least one access means 62 is a cover member 64 slidably and removably connected to the housing member 12.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shoe cleaning device comprising:

a. a housing member having at least one compartment, said at least one compartment being for containing a predetermined amount of water therein, said housing being manufactured from a predetermined material and having a predetermined size and a predetermined shape;

b. a cleaning member for cleaning shoes, said cleaning member being operably and rotatably attached to said housing at a first predetermined location thereon such that said cleaning member is at least partially submerged in water when said housing contains said predetermined amount of water;

c. at least one platform member removably disposed on said housing at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on said platform member above said predetermined amount of water;

d. a motor operably connected to said cleaning member for enabling said cleaning member to rotate;

e. a power source operably connected to said motor for supplying power thereto; and

f. a switch means operably connected to said power source for selectively turning said power source on and off.

2. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one platform member includes a plurality of apertures disposed therethrough at predetermined locations thereon for allowing dirt, water, pollen, grass cuttings, dust, and debris from such user's shoes to pass there through and fall into said housing.

3. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined material is at least one of metal, plastic, and a combination thereof.

4. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning member includes a round-brush portion having a plurality of bristles.

5. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 4 wherein said round-brush portion is replaceable.

6. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined shape is rectangular.

7. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a lip portion disposed on said housing member on a predetermined inside portion thereof for supporting said at least one platform member a predetermined distance above said predetermined amount of water.

8. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 1 wherein said device includes two platform members, a first one of said platform members being removably disposable on said housing member at a predetermined location on a first side of said cleaning member and a second one of said platform members being removably disposable on said housing member at a predetermined location on a second side of said cleaning member.

9. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 8 wherein at least one of said two platform members includes a plurality of apertures disposed there through at predetermined locations thereon.

10. A shoe cleaning device comprising:

a. a housing member having at least two compartments, at least one of said compartments being for containing a predetermined amount of water therein, said housing member being manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape;

b. a cleaning member for cleaning shoes, said cleaning member being operably and rotatably attached to said housing at a first predetermined location thereon such that said cleaning member is at least partially submerged in water when said housing contains said predetermined amount of water;

c. at least one platform member removably disposed on said housing member at a second predetermined location such that a user may stand on said platform member above said predetermined amount of water;

d. a motor disposed within a second compartment of said housing member and operably connected to said cleaning member for enabling said cleaning member to rotate;

e. a power source operably connected to said motor for supplying power thereto, said power source being at least one of at least partially disposed on or within said housing member; and

f. a switch means disposed on at least one of said housing at a third predetermined location thereon and said power source at a predetermined location thereon, said switch means being for selectively turning said power source on and off.

11. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 10 wherein said power source is at least one of AC and DC power.

12. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 11 wherein said power source is AC and said device further includes an electrical cord for communicating electricity to said motor at a first predetermined end of said electrical cord and removably and operably connectable to an electrical outlet at a second predetermined end of said electrical cord for receiving electricity therefrom.

13. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 11 wherein said power source is DC and said device further includes at least one battery operably connected to said motor for supplying power thereto and removably secured within said housing member at a predetermined location therein.

14. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 13 wherein said at least one battery is rechargeable.

15. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 10 wherein said housing member includes at least one access means operably connected to said housing member at a fourth predetermined location thereon for enabling a user to access at least one of said motor, said switch means, said power source and a combination thereof.

16. A shoe cleaning device according to claim 15 wherein said at least one access means is a cover member slidably and removably connected to said housing member.