Shoe and foot cleaning and disinfecting system

• US 20080104782A1
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Randall L. Hughes
• Original Assignee: Randall L. Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Randall L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,725,974 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/30
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/306 Shoe cleaning or polishing brush
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/02 Shoe-cleaning machines, with or without applicators for shoe polish
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/05 with applicators for shoe polish
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/26 Mats or gratings combined with brushes ; Mats

Abstract

A cleaning and disinfecting system for the cleaning and disinfecting of footwear or feet. The system provides for cleaning and disinfecting the bottom of the feet or footwear. An optional brush on a wand provides cleaning to upper foot areas as required. The system is automatically activated only when a person stands on the device, thereby minimizing the volume of fluid required to perform the process. Optionally, a venturi component allows the addition of a cleaning or disinfecting fluid with the cleaning solution or water. When the system is attached to a hot water line and fitted with heating elements, it can be used to remove snow from shoes and boots.

Claims

1. A footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus comprising:

a mainframe having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter edge defined by parallel first and second edges connected by side edges;

a planar support surface having an upper surface separated from a parallel lower surface by a width of said support surface, and having a circumference defining exterior dimensions of said support surface;

a plurality of apertures communicating between the upper surface and the lower surface;

said lower surface of said support surface engageable on said top surface of said mainframe;

a fluid control unit communicating with a supply of pressurized fluid, said fluid control unit having an activated state wherein said pressurized fluid is communicated from an output aperture, and having a default deactivated state interrupting said communication;

a plurality of bristle assemblies engaged in a central area of said mainframe;

each bristle assembly having bristles extending a distance above said top surface of said mainframe and having a flexible conduit adjacent to said bristles extending substantially said distance above said top surface;

said flexible conduit having a first end in sealed engagement to a fluid supply conduit communicating with said output aperture, and having a distal end adapted for fluid disbursement;

said distance being larger than said width of said support surface thereby providing a projection of said bristle assembly above said top surface;

said mainframe dimensioned for engagement with a recovery tray above a bottom surface of said tray which is surrounded by sidewalls;

means to change said fluid control unit to said activated state only when weight is placed upon said upper surface;

a disbursement of said fluid from said distal ends of said flexible conduits during said activated state, whereby a user standing on said upper surface will activate said apparatus and can employ said bristles and said fluid to clean their footwear or feet and dislodge debris using said bristles and said fluid disbursed from said flexible conduits.

2. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising:

said recovery tray having a drain communicating through said one of said bottom surface or said sidewall;

said drain communicating with an exit conduit; and

said exit conduit providing a path for removal of said fluid and said debris collecting in said tray during said activated state.

3. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising:

said bottom surface being slanted from a higher end toward a lower end adjacent to said drain thereby providing means to enhance communication of said fluid and said debris into said exit conduit.

4. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising:

a cleaning jet having a first end communicating with said fluid supply conduit and a distal end adapted to discharge said fluid; and

said cleaning jet positioned to discharge said fluid adjacent to said drain during said activated state thereby providing means to enhance communication of said debris into said exit conduit.

5. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising:

at least one cleaning nozzle having a first end communicating with said fluid supply conduit and a distal end adapted to discharge said fluid; and

said cleaning nozzle positioned to discharge said fluid at said higher end of said bottom surface, thereby providing means to enhance communication of said debris from said higher surface to said lower surface and into said exit conduit.

6. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising:

at least one cleaning nozzle having a first end communicating with said fluid supply conduit and a distal end adapted to discharge said fluid; and

said cleaning nozzle positioned to discharge said fluid at said higher end of said bottom surface, thereby providing means to enhance communication of said debris from said higher surface to said lower surface and into said exit conduit.

7. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mainframe engagement with said recovery tray comprises:

said recovery tray having a first ledge and second ledge, both positioned above said bottom surface;

said perimeter edge of said mainframe sized to fit in-between said sidewalls rising said recovery tray adjacent to said first edge and said side edges of said mainframe; and

said first ledge and said second ledge providing supports under said first edge and said second edge of said mainframe.

8. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 3 wherein said mainframe engagement with said recovery tray comprises:

said recovery tray having a first ledge and second ledge, both positioned above said bottom surface;

said perimeter edge of said mainframe sized to fit in-between said sidewalls rising said recovery tray adjacent to said first edge and said side edges of said mainframe; and

said first ledge and said second ledge providing supports under said first edge and said second edge of said mainframe.

9. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mainframe engagement with said recovery tray comprises:

said recovery tray having a first ledge and second ledge, both positioned above said bottom surface;

said perimeter edge of said mainframe sized to fit in-between said sidewalls rising said recovery tray adjacent to said first edge and said side edges of said mainframe; and

said first ledge and said second ledge providing supports under said first edge and said second edge of said mainframe.

10. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means to change said fluid control unit to said activated state only when weight is placed upon said upper surface, comprises:

an activation button operationally engaged to said fluid control unit on a first end and projecting to a distal end;

said activation button biased to an extended position placing said fluid control unit in an inactivated state;

said activation button translatable to a depressed position, placing said fluid control unit in said activated state;

said activation button extending from said first edge of said mainframe to a contact of said distal end of said button with said first ledge of said tray;

said contact providing an elevation of said first edge of said mainframe above said first ledge when said button is biased to said extended position; and

said button translating to said depressed position when weight from a user'"'"'s foot forces said first edge of said mainframe toward said first ledge.

11. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means to change said fluid control unit to said activated state only when weight is placed upon said upper surface, comprises:

an activation button operationally engaged to said fluid control unit on a first end and projecting to a distal end;

said activation button biased to an extended position placing said fluid control unit in an inactivated state;

said activation button translatable to a depressed position, placing said fluid control unit in said activated state;

said activation button extending from said first edge of said mainframe to a contact of said distal end of said button with said first ledge of said tray;

said contact providing an elevation of said first edge of said mainframe above said first ledge when said button is biased to said extended position; and

said button translating to said depressed position when weight from a user'"'"'s foot forces said first edge of said mainframe toward said first ledge.

12. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means to change said fluid control unit to said activated state only when weight is placed upon said upper surface, comprises:

an activation button operationally engaged to said fluid control unit on a first end and projecting to a distal end;

said activation button biased to an extended position placing said fluid control unit in an inactivated state;

said activation button translatable to a depressed position, placing said fluid control unit in said activated state;

said activation button extending from said first edge of said mainframe to a contact of said distal end of said button with said first ledge of said tray;

said contact providing an elevation of said first edge of said mainframe above said first ledge when said button is biased to said extended position; and

said button translating to said depressed position when weight from a user'"'"'s foot forces said first edge of said mainframe toward said first ledge.

13. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising:

a venturi communicating with said supply conduit at an input end and having an intake end adapted for engagement to a supply tube from an additive reservoir;

said additive reservoir holding one or a combination of detergent and disinfectant.

14. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising:

a venturi communicating with said supply conduit at an input end and having an intake end adapted for engagement to a supply tube from an additive reservoir;

said additive reservoir holding one or a combination of detergent and disinfectant.

15. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 3 wherein said supply of pressurized fluid communicating with said fluid control unit comprises:

a reservoir tank; and

a pump communicating with fluid in said tank on an input conduit and providing said pressurized fluid from an output conduit in operative communication with said fluid control unit.

16. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 15 additionally comprising:

a collection tank in sealed communication with said exit conduit from said drain; and

means to create negative air pressure in said collection tank whereby and said fluid and said debris communicated into said exit conduit are drawn into said collection tank by said negative air pressure.

17. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 16 additionally comprising:

said collection tank having a top surface;

said top surface adapted for cooperative engagement with a bottom surface of said reservoir tank; and

said reservoir tank engageable in an elevated position on top of said collection tank thereby creating a reduced footprint for said collection tank and reservoir tank and saving space.

18. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 17 additionally comprising:

said elevated position of said reservoir tank providing means to generate fluid flow to said fluid control unit from a gravity feed.

19. The footwear and foot cleaning and disinfecting apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising:

a cleaning wand having a handle end and a fluid discharge nozzle at a distal end;

a hose engaged between said handle end and said fluid supply conduit; and

said cleaning wand providing means to direct said fluid to a top surface of a foot or footwear when said fluid control unit is in said activated state.