Door Threshold Vacuum

• US 20070271723A1
• Filed: 05/24/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corey Junell
• Original Assignee: Corey Junell
• Inventors: Junell, Corey
• Granted Patent: US 7,472,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/310
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/263 with moving or driven parts, also combined with suction cleaning

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically cleaning dirt and debris from a pedestrian'"'"'s footwear. The apparatus can be an integral portion of the entryway door'"'"'s threshold or else can be made portable. The pedestrian steps upon a removable tray and activates a vacuum source. The vacuum source pulls the dirt and debris from the pedestrian'"'"'s footwear through a multitude of openings in the removable tray. The dirt and debris is captured within the tray (large particles) and debris collection container (smaller particles) for later disposal. The apparatus cleans the welts and also provides a means for drying wet footwear. The apparatus can be either AC or DC powered and can be automated to only operate when a pedestrian is standing upon the tray, can operate continuously, or can be manually switched on and off.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cleaning footwear, said apparatus comprising:

a vacuum source;

a debris collection container, said debris collection container in communication with said vacuum source;

a first housing, said first housing having at least one first port in communication with said debris collection container;

a second port, said second port in communication with said vacuum source;

a tray with a plurality of openings, said tray being removably retained by said housing;

said vacuum source causing air to flow in through the plurality of openings in said tray, said first port, said debris collection container, and out said second port.

a power source, said power source capable of powering said vacuum source;

a vacuum source controller, said vacuum source controller for controlling said vacuum source;

a switch, said switch controlling the operation of said vacuum source; and

a second housing, said second housing comprising said vacuum source, said vacuum source controller, said power source, and said debris collection container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third port with a plurality of openings, said third port in communication with said debris collection container;

said vacuum source draws air in through said third port, said debris collection container, and out said second port.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the air discharged from said second port is used to dry wet footwear.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an activation sensor, wherein said activation sensor communicates with and influences the operation of said vacuum source controller and is selected from the group consisting of a photodetector, a photocell, and a mechanical switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said vacuum source is an external vacuum cleaner.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said debris collection container utilizes a removable filter bag.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source comprises a rechargeable DC battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power source utilizes AC power supplied by an electrical utility.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an external AC outlet.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising two first ports, each of said first ports located on opposite sides of said first housing to allow said debris collection container to be in communication with either of two first ports, thus allowing said second housing to be located on either side of said first housing.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is portable.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus is permanently mounted in the threshold of an entryway door.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an adjustable doorsill.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second housing is lined with sound-deadening insulation to reduce operating noise levels of said apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sound-deadening insulation is chosen from the group consisting of closed cell foam, polyurethane foam, melamine foam, cotton fiber, and glass fiber.