A support structure is provided for recessing below the upper surface of a floor or walk and an elongated horizontal grill is mounted from the support structure and includes a plurality of elongated horizontally laterally spaced apart grill members spaced longitudinally along and extending transversely of the grill. The grill members are free of interconnecting structure throughout substantial portions of their length aligned longitudinally of the grill and a pair of parallel rollers are journaled from the support structure and spaced beneath the grill with the rollers extending longitudinally of the grill and transversely of the grill members. A wide endless flexible belt is trained about the rollers and includes outwardly projecting bristles projectable upwardly through the generally vertical slots defined between adjacent grill members. A motor is supported from the support structure and drivingly connected to one of the rollers whereby the belt may be orbited about the rollers. One marginal portion of the grill is supported from the support structure for vertical shifting relative thereto and the motor includes an actuating control responsive to weight, in addition to the weight of the grill, urging the aforementioned one marginal edge portion of the grill downwardly. Further, one end of the grill is bridged by an inverted U-shaped handle and a cover panel is hingedly supported from the same end of the grill and is swingable between an operative position overlying the grill and a raised inoperative position received between the legs of the inverted U-shaped handle.
This invention teaches both the means and the method for removing dirt and germs from a person's shoes before they enter a home or business. The invention uses four systems. The first system provides the method for initiating and replenishing fluids that contains a disinfectant. The second system presents the method of providing a new dampened wiping surface each time the device is ready for use. The third system provides a means of removing solid particulants from the wiping surface after it has been used. The fourth system provides the method of collecting the previously removed solids.
An apparatus 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. The brushes clean the bottoms of the shoes and direct any dislodged dirt and other debris toward the center area of the grill. A pair of air tubes disposed along the edges of the grill direct the compressed air over the shoes and toward the center of the grill, along with any debris dislodged thereby. Beneath the center of the grill is a removable collection tank having a slot facing the grill and having an open end connected by a filter to the intake of the air compressor. The air compressor draws air into the tank through the slot and draws any debris in the collection area into the tank. The debris is removed from the air by the filter and the filtered air is then recompressed and recirculated via the air tubes over the top of the shoes.
A sole cleaning device for cleaning the bottoms and sides of the soles of boots and shoes including a rotating brush mounted above a container of water so that upon rotation of the brush a portion of the brush extends into the water. The device further including a removable scraper grate for supporting a shoe above the water but in engagement with the brush. A motor for rotating the brush against the sole of the boot. The removable grate provided with a pair of spaced and parallel side rails having fixed brushes mounted to the side rails and facing one another. The removable grate further including a sieve platform extending on one side of the grate above the water. Sponges are positioned on top of the sieve for removing water from a boot or shoe placed on the sponge.
