U.S. patent number 3,784,997 [Application Number 05/292,669] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-15 for automatic shoe polisher.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Beck, Inc.. Invention is credited to William A. Beck.
United States Patent |
3,784,997 |
Beck |
January 15, 1974 |
AUTOMATIC SHOE POLISHER
Abstract
A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher comprises a
motor-driven rotatable two-section polishing brush and two
independently selectively operable polish dispensing assemblies for
repeatedly dispensing a spray of appropriately colored liquid
polish to a brush section during one cycle of operation. Each
polish dispensing assembly comprises a motor driven rotatable
container support for holding an aerosol can of polish, a
dispensing adapter removably attachable to the can, and a spray
rail actuator for operating the adapter one or more times during
each revolution of the can. Control means for initiating and
maintaining energization of the brush motor and the gear motor for
each dispensing assembly during one cycle of operation comprise a
coin-operated mechanism, a starter switch momentarily actuated
thereby, and a cam-operated time responsive to rotation of the
container support to actuate a timer switch which initiates
operation of the brush motor and maintains operation of the gear
motor until the cycle is complete.
Inventors: |
Beck; William A. (River Hills,
WI) |
Assignee: |
Beck, Inc. (Grafton,
WI)
|
Family
ID: |
23125674 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/292,669 |
Filed: |
September 27, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/31; 15/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
23/02 (20130101); G07F 17/22 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
23/00 (20060101); A47L 23/02 (20060101); G07F
17/22 (20060101); G07F 17/00 (20060101); A47l
023/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/30,31,32,33,34,35,97A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Roberts; Edward L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Nilles; James E.
Claims
I claim:
1. In an automatic electrically operable shoe polisher:
a motor driven polishing brush having at least two discrete
sections for polishes of different colors,
and at least two separate polish application assemblies, each
assembly being selectively operable to repeatedly apply polish of
appropriate color to an associated brush section during rotation of
said brush during one cycle of operation of the polisher,
each polish application assembly comprising:
a motor driven rotatable container support for holding and rotating
a container of polishing material for a plurality of revolutions
during one cycle of polisher operation,
cooperable means on said container and said housing to effect at
least one application of polish from said container to an
associated brush section during each rotation of said
container,
a starter switch to initiate rotation of one of said motor driven
container supports,
and timer means including a timer switch responsive to rotation of
said support to effect rotation of said polishing brush and to
maintain rotation of said support for a predetermined interval of
time.
2. A polisher according to claim 1 wherein said cooperable means
comprise dispensing means for attachment to said container and
actuatable to release polishing material from said container, and
actuating means located adjacent the path of movement of said
dispensing means as said container support rotates to actuate said
dispensing means at least once during each rotation of said
container support means to effect application of polishing material
to said brush.
3. A polisher according to claim 2 wherein said timer means
comprises a rotatable timer for operating said timer switch and cam
means on said support to rotate said timer.
4. A polisher according to claim 3 including coin-operated means to
operate said starter switch.
5. In an automatic electrically operable shoe polisher:
a housing,
a polishing brush accessible from the exterior of said housing,
said brush having at least two discrete sections for polishes of
different colors,
an electric brush motor for rotating said brush,
and at least two separate polish application assemblies within said
housing, each assembly being selectively operable to repeatedly
apply polish of appropriate color to an associated brush section
during rotation of said brush during one cycle of operation of the
polisher,
each polish application assembly comprising:
a rotatable container support for holding and rotating a container
of polishing material,
a motor for rotating said support for a plurality of revolutions
during one cycle of polisher operation,
cooperable means on said container and said housing to effect at
least one application of polish from said container to an
associated brush section during each rotation of said
container,
a coin operated starter switch to initiate operation of said motor
for rotating said support,
and timer means including a timer switch responsive to rotation of
said motor for said support to effect energization of said brush
motor and said motor for said support for a predetermined interval
of time.
6. A polisher according to claim 5 wherein said cooperable means
comprise dispensing means for attachment to said container and
actuatable to release polishing material from said container, and
actuating means located adjacent the path of movement of said
dispensing means as said container support rotates to actuate said
dispensing means at least once during each rotation of said
container support means to effect application of polishing material
to said brush.
7. A polisher according to claim 6 wherein said timer means
comprises a rotatable timer for operating said timer switch and cam
means on said support to rotate said timer.
8. A polisher according to claim 7 including coin-operated means to
operate said starter switch.
9. In a polisher having a rotatable brush and a rotatable container
support means for holding and rotating a container of polishing
material:
dispensing means for attachment to said container and having a
member actuatable by movement thereof to release polishing material
from said container,
and stationary actuating means disposed adjacent the path of
movement of said dispensing means and having at least one rigid
projection thereon cooperable with said member on said dispensing
means during each rotation of said container support means to
actuate said dispensing means at least once to effect application
of polishing material to said brush, said actuating means
comprising a plurality of rigid projection means thereon to effect
a plurality of applications of polishing material to said brush
during each revolution of said container.
10. A polisher according to claim 9 wherein said actuating means
comprises a support bracket, a spray rail for attachment to said
bracket, threaded means for securing said spray rail to said
support, and resiliently compressible spacer means trapped between
said bracket and said spray rail to enable adjustment movement of
said spray rail as said threaded means are tightened or loosened to
exert greater or lesser clamping pressure on said spacer means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Use
This invention relates generally to coin-operated automatic shoe
polishers which are used in public facilities such as hotel and
motel lobbies, transportation terminals and other places accessible
to the public.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Some shoe polishers of the aforesaid type comprise a housing in
which are mounted a rotatable two-section (black and brown)
polishing brush accessible to the user, a fairly heavy duty motor
for rotating the brush, means for periodically applying liquid
polish in spray form to the brush section being used, and control
means, including a coin-operated switch, to operate the unit. In
one such type of polisher the means for applying polish to the
brush comprised a motor driven slowly rotatable container support
on which an aerosol can of polish was removably mounted and further
comprised a dispenser nozzle or adapter detachably mountable on the
can and actuated by a solenoid operated movable spray rail. The
solenoid type actuator was complex and costly and limited
dispensing of polish to one application per rotation of the can.
Furthermore, in such polishers the coin-operated switch turned on
both the polishing motor and the rotating support motor
simultaneously and because of the relatively high amperage involved
as against the rating of the switch (about 13 amperes) this type of
switch was subject to frequent burn-out.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher in accordance with
the invention comprises a housing from which a motor driven
rotatable, cylindrically shaped polishing brush extends. The brush
is divided into two discrete sections, each adapted to apply polish
of a particular color (i.e., brown or black) to a user's shoes. Two
independently operable polish dispensing assemblies are located in
the housing and either is operable (in response to the user's
selection) to repeatedly apply polish of the desired color to the
appropriate brush section during one cycle of operation.
Each such assembly comprises a rotatable container support to which
an aerosol can of liquid polish is releasably attachable. A gear
motor is provided to effect several rotations of the support and
can thereon during one cycle of operation. Means are provided for
causing one or more polish-dispensing operations from the can to
the appropriate brush section during each can rotation and such
means comprise a dispensing adapter removably attachable to the can
and spray rail actuator means on the housing engageable with the
adapter to cause spraying operation of the aerosol can nozzle.
Control means are provided to initiate and maintain energization of
the brush motor and the appropriate gear motor for one complete
cycle of polisher operation. These control means comprise a
separate coin-operated mechanism for each polish dispensing
assembly, a starter switch momentarily actuated thereby, and a
timer switch actuated by rotational movement of a cam-operated
timer which in turn is responsive to rotational movement of its
associated container support.
In operation, insertion of an appropriately sized coin into the
desired one of the coin-operated mechanisms effects momentary
closure (about 11/2 seconds) of the associated starter switch to
initiate operation of the gear motor and slow rotation of the
appropriate container support and can thereon. Such movement of the
container support causes its cam to rotate the timer which, in
turn, actuates the timer switch. Such actuation of the timer switch
initiates operation of the brush motor and maintains operation of
the appropriate gear motor, despite subsequent deactivation of the
timer switch when the coin leaves the coin-operated mechanism.
During one cycle of operation the container support and aerosol can
make several revolutions. During each revolution the spray rail
operates the dispensing adapter one or more times to cause
application of polish to the brush. Furthermore, each successive
revolution of the container support causes further advancement of
the timer until, after a predetermined number of revolutions of the
container support, the timer has advanced one revolution and
deactivates the timer switch to stop the brush motor and the
appropriate gear motor.
A polisher in accordance with the invention has several advantages
over those of the prior art. For example, switches commercially
available for actuation by coin-operated mechanisms are usually
relatively low-rated as regards their current carrying capacity
and, consequently, are subject to premature burn-out when used to
switch relatively heavy loads such as are imposed by simultaneously
starting both the brush motor and the gear motor. However, in the
present invention, the coin operated starter switch only initiates
operation of the small gear motor and a timer switch rated for
heavier duty is used to switch the brush motor.
Furthermore, in some prior art machines the dispensing adapter was
operated once during each revolution by a solenoid. This was a
costly complex and limiting solution. Whereas, in the present
invention, the spray rail is an adjustable, non-moving part which
can be shaped to provide one or more spray operations for each
rotation of the aerosol can.
Also, reversible, double duty nozzle wiping means are provided in
the present polisher to prolong the operational life of the unit
before replacement of parts is required.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter
appear.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, generally from the front, of a
coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, generally from the rear, of a portion
of the interior of the polisher of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view, partly in cross-section, taken on line 3--3 of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a view, partly in cross-section, taken on line 4--4 of
FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side view of the coin-drop mechanism shown in FIG.
3;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of the coin-drop
mechanism taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the detachable dispensing means for
each of the aerosol polish spray cans taken on line 7--7 of FIG. 3;
and
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit for
the polisher shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show, a coin-operated automatic electric
shoe polisher 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a rigid
housing 11, including a front side or wall 12, a rear side or wall
13, side walls 14 and 15, a base 16 and an upper portion 17. The
lower edge of front wall 12 terminates a short distance above base
16 to provide a space or opening 20 through which the front side of
a rotatable polishing brush 21 projects. Brush 21 comprises two
discrete sections, 18 and 19, for applying black or brown polish,
respectively, to shoes. Preferably, each brush section 18 or 19
comprises two separately replaceable brush units connected to brush
shaft 32 by pins. Opening 20 also provides room for insertion of
the tips of the user's shoes in the space between brush 21 and base
16. The upper portion 17 of housing 11 comprises an upright
translucent panel 23 containing, for example, advertising material.
Upper portion 17 of housing 11 also comprises a rigid top wall 24
having suitable openings through which the coin insertion slots 25
and 26 of two coin-drop mechanisms project. A conventional ac line
cord 28 having a recepticle plug 29 leads from the rear of polisher
10.
A fluorescent light 22 is located behind panel 23 and an electric
warming element 27 is provided to maintain cans 51 and 52 of liquid
polish at an appropriate temperature above 70.degree. F. for
example, regardless of ambient temperatures.
In operation, insertion of a coin in either of the coin slots 25 or
26 causes rotation of polishing brush 21 for about 70 seconds and
also causes shoe polish of the selected color to be applied inside
housing 11 at periodic intervals to the appropriate section 18 or
19 of the brush, while the unit is in operation.
As FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show, housing 11 has a lower non-horizontal
shelf 30 and an upper horizontal shelf 36 on its interior. Brush 21
and the bearings 31 in which the brush shaft 32 is journalled are
mounted beneath lower shelf 30. Brush motor 33 which drives the
brush by means of a drive belt 34 around a drive pulley 35 on the
motor shaft and a driven pulley 37 on the brush shaft is mounted on
the underside of upper shelf 36. Also mounted beneath shelf 30 are
two gear motors 40 and 41 whose shafts 42 and 43, respectively,
extend through suitable openings in the shelf and are connected to
drive or rotate two rotatable container support assemblies 44 and
45, respectively, which are located above the shelf 30. It is to be
understood that brush motor 33 is a conventional ac motor and that
each of the two gear motors 40 and 41 is a conventional,
commercially available ac gear motor having an output shaft which
rotates at speeds, for example, of five revolutions per minute.
Brush motor 33 is a relatively high-speed heavy duty motor with
respect to each of the gear motors 40 and 41 and draws
substantially more electrical current when started.
The container support assemblies 44 and 45 are identical to each
other and each comprises attachment means 47 which adapt it for
rigid connection to its respective gear motor shaft 42 or 43. Each
container support assembly 44 and 45 also comprises a pair of
spaced apart resilient clamps 50 which are adapted to snap around
and firmly engage a horizontally disposed, cylindrical aerosol can
or container, such as the cans 51 and 52, which contains shoe
polishing material in liquid form. In the embodiment shown, for
example, can 51 contains brown polish and can 52 contains black
polish. The cans 51 and 52 are conventional aerosol spray cans
having a conventional spray nozzle such as 55, as FIG. 7 shows, and
the cans are fitted with a removably attachable adapter or
dispenser means 56 and 66, respectively, also shown in FIG. 2.
Adapter 56 is understood to be identical to adapter 66 and only the
former is hereinafter described in detail. As FIG. 7 shows, adapter
56 comprises a yoke 57 having a grooved flange 58 which makes
frictional engagement (a snap fit) with the inside of a ring 59
integral with the aerosol can. Adapter 56 further comprises
slidably movable member 60 which is retained in a bore 61 in yoke
57 by snap rings 62 and 63 which are secured in annular grooves 64
and 65, respectively, formed on the outer surface of member 60 near
opposite ends thereof. Member 60 is axially movable inwardly
(leftwardly with respect to FIG. 7) by means of actuating means,
such as 70, hereinafter described, to effect depression of the
spray nozzle 55 on its associated can and thereby cause polish to
be sprayed from the nozzle through hole 67 thereof and through an
opening 68 in the side of yoke 57 onto the polishing brush 21.
As FIGS. 2 and 7 show, the movable member 60 of the adapters 56 and
66, respectively, are actuated or operated by the actuating means
70 and 71, respectively. Actuating means 70 is understood to be
identical to actuating means 71 and only the former is hereinafter
described in detail. As FIGS. 2, 3 and 7 show, actuating means 70
comprises a rigid spray rail 75, preferably in the form of a strip
of metal, which is bent or shaped to provide at least one, but
preferably two projections such as 76 and 77. Spray rail 75 is
secured at each end to a rigid mounting bracket or plate 78 by two
bolt and nut assemblies 80. Mounting bracket 78, in turn, is
rigidly secured to the inside of front wall 12 of housing 11 by
screws 79 and is bent or shaped so as to maintain spray rail 75 in
proper disposition despite the slope of shelf 30. Resiliently
compressible washers 81, each having a hole 82 therethrough, are
disposed between the mounting bracket 78 and the spray rail 75 and
enable the spray rail to be adjustably moved toward or away from
the mounting bracket by taking up on or relieving the compression
exerted by the nut and bolt assemblies 80. This adjustment feature
enables the spray rail 75 to be properly positioned adjacent the
path of rotation of its associated aerosol can so that the
projections 76 and 77 of spray rail 75 make proper contact with the
member 60 of dispenser means 56. Since spray rail 75 has two
projections or corrugations 76 and 77, it is apparent that two
spraying operations of an aerosol can will be effected for each
revolution of the can. A greater or lesser number of spray
operations per revolution can be effected by providing more or
fewer projections on the spray rail.
Means are provided to clean or wipe the spray nozzles 55 of the
cans 51 and 52 once during each revolution of a can and comprise
the wiper assemblies 85 and 86, respectively, both shown in FIG. 2.
Since the wiper assemblies 85 and 86 are identical, only the former
is hereinafter described in detail. Wiper assembly 85 comprises a
U-shaped bracket 88 having a pair of upstanding resilient legs 89
and 90, respectively. Two ends 95 and 96 of a wiper pad are
secured, as by frictional engagement, in holes in the surface 91 of
bracket 88. The wiper takes the form of a piece of resilient
compressible sponge rubber or plastic material. End 95 of the pad
is disposed in and slightly below the path of rotational movement
of spray nozzle 55 of aerosol can 51 and makes wiping contact
across the hole 67 therein once during each revolution of the can
to keep the hole clean and unplugged. Bracket 88 is releasably
secured to shelf 30 by two screws 97 and 98 which engage notches 99
and 100, respectively, provided in the outer edges of the flanges
92 and 93 of bracket 88. Bracket 88 can be reversely mounted to
bring end 96 into play after 95 becomes dirty by squeezing the legs
89 and 90 together to disengage the bracket from the screws 97 and
98, reversing the bracket, and then releasing it to allow the legs
to spring outwardly so that the notches re-engage the screws.
Control means are provided to control brush motor 33 and the two
gear motors 40 and 41; it being understood that in a given cycle of
operation of polisher 10 only one gear motor operates in
conjunction with the brush motor, depending on the user's selection
of polish color. The control means comprises two coin drop
mechanisms 110 and 112 (for brown and black polishing,
respectively) including starter switches 113 and 114, respectively,
mounted thereon. The control means further comprises timer switches
116 and 117 (for brown and block polishing, respectively) which are
physically mounted, for example, on the upper side of shelf 30, as
FIG. 2 shows. The timer switches 116 and 117 are operated by timers
118 and 119, respectively which are cooperatively engageable with
and operated by timers cams 120 and 121, respectively, mounted on
the container supports 44 and 45, respectively.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show details of coin drop mechanism 110 which will
now be described; it being understood that coin drop mechanism 112
is similar in construction and mode of operation. Coin drop
mechanism 110 comprises a support bracket 125 by which it is
secured to the underside of top wall 24 of housing 11 and has a
coin intake member 25 projecting through an opening 126 in top wall
24 and disposed on the outside of housing 11. Mechanism 110 further
comprises three planar members 127, 128 and 129 which are rigidly
secured together to form a rigid unit. Rear planar member 127
comprises an elongated vertically disposed slot 13 for
accommodating a pivotably movable switch actuator 131, in the form
of a resilient wire, which extends forwardly from starter switch
113 which is rigidly secured to the rear of coin-drop mechanism
110. Starter switch 113 is a double pole single throw, spring
loaded switch which is in one operative position when switch
actuator 131 is fully forward, as shown in FIG. 5, and assumes
another operative position when switch actuator 131 is moved
rearwardly by transit of a coin through a zig-zag or tortuous coin
channel 134 formed in the middle two-piece planar member 128 of
mechanism 110. Channel 134 is shaped so as to maintain a coin in
transit therethrough for an interval, for example, of about 11/2
seconds so as to maintain switch 113 in its aforesaid other
operative position for the same length of time. Forward planar
member 129 of mechanism 110 is provided with a clearance slot 136
for accommodating full forward movement and positioning of switch
actuator 131, as FIG. 6 shows, and also has a hole 137 defining a
small coin ejection window to prevent coins smaller than a
predetermined size from actuating switch 113. Since top wall 24 of
housing 11 slopes downward in the forward direction, coin drop
mechanism 110 is tilted slightly out of vertical so as to
facilitate ejection of a small coin from hole 137 instead of
traversing channel 134. The spring action of switch actuator 131
also assists in small coin ejection. Coins which traverse or are
ejected by the mechanism are deposited on the upper surface of
upper shelf 36 which is preferably cloth-covered. As hereinafter
explained, switch 113 initiates operation of gear motor 40.
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show details of double pole, single throw spring
loaded timer switch 116, its timer 118 and its timer cam 120 which
will now be described, it being understood that timer switch 117,
timer 119 and timer cam 121 are similar in construction and mode of
operation. Timer switch 116 is rigidly secured on a mounting
bracket 140 which is secured to the upper surface of shelf 30 as by
bolts 139. The depressable actuator or push buttom 141 of switch
116 is located adjacent and in contact with the cylindrical hub 142
of timer 118 (to maintain switch 116 closed) which is rotatably
mounted on mounting bracket 140 by a bolt 143. Hub 142 is provided
with a flat spot or surface 144 engageable with switch push button
141 in a certain rotational position of the timer to cause switch
116 to open. Hub 142 is provided with a plurality of rigid spokes
145 which radiate therefrom and which are adapted to sequentially
engage with timer cam 120 on container support 44 as the latter
rotates. Thus, if timer 118 is provided with five spokes 145 as
shown, five revolutions of container support 44 will effect one
revolution of hub 142 and one cycle of operation of timer switch
116. During one cycle of operation of timer switch 116, the switch
is closed for approximately 70 seconds, for example, and opens when
flat surface 144 allows switch push button 141 to extend.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry of the
control means for polisher 10. The conductors of cord 28 are
energizable from a suitable ac power source comprising terminals N
and L1 and continuously supply power to fluorescent light 22 and
heater element 27 connected in parallel with each other between the
terminals N and L1. Terminal L 1 is connected to one side of the
motors 33, 40 and 41. Terminal N is connected to the normally open
(NO) contact terminals of both starter switches 113 and 114 and
both timer switches 116 and 117. The other side of brush motor 33
is connected to the common terminals (COM) of both timer switches
116 and 117. The normally closed (NC) contact terminal of timer
switch 117 is connected to the normally closed (NC) contact
terminal of starter switch 113. The normally closed (NC) contact
terminal of timer switch 116 is connected to the normally closed
(NC) contact terminal of starter switch 114. The common terminals
(COM) of the starter switches 113 and 114 are connected to the
other sides of the gear motors 40 and 41, respectively. All
switches are shown in FIG. 8 in their normal condition i.e., prior
to being operated, as hereinafter explained.
OPERATION
Polisher 10 operates as follows. Assume that terminals N and L1 are
energized and that all switches are in the condition shown in FIG.
8. Further assume, for example, that the user desires to shine
brown shoes and that an appropriate coin is, therefore, to be
inserted into coin-drop mechanism 110 to initiate one cycle of
operation. Insertion of the coin into coin intake member 25 thereof
enables its to fall through coin channel 134 thereby moving switch
actuator 131 and causing starter switch 113 to connect gear motor
40 directly across terminals N and L1 for the length of time the
coin remains in channel 134 i.e., about 11/2 seconds. With gear
motor 40 so energized, it causes rotation of container support 44,
and such rotation causes cam 120 thereon to engage one of the
spokes 145 of timer 118 and rotate timer hub 142.
It is to be understood that at the end of the previous cycle of
operation, timer hub 142 came to rest in such a position that the
flat surface 144 thereof was in registry with the push button 141
of timer switch 116 and that, as a result, switch 116 was
maintaining its contacts in the position shown in FIG. 8.
Therefore, as timer hub 142 begins to rotate, push button 141 of
switch 116 moves off of flat surface 144 and outwardly into
engagement with the cylindrical surface of the hub. Such push
button movement causes timer switch 116 to operate to connect brush
motor 33 across terminals N and L1.
With brush motor 33 so energized, brush 21 rotates.
When the coin leaves channel 134 of coin drop mechanism 110, the
contacts of starter switch 113 again resume the position shown in
FIG. 8. However, gear motor 40 remains energized and in operation
because it is connected on one side to terminal L1 and on its other
side to terminal N through the COM and NC terminals of starter
switch 113, through the NC and COM terminals of inactive timer
switch 117, and through the COM and NO terminals of active timer
switch 116.
With both brush motor 33 and gear motor 40 in operation, the user
is now able to employ the machine for shining shoes. As gear motor
40 rotates, it also effects slow rotation of container support 44
and the can 51 of brown polish thereon. During each revolution of
support 44 and can 51, the movable member 60 of adapter 55 on the
can strikes the two projections 76 and 77 of spray rail 75 and is
depressed twice thereby causing corresponding depression of the
spray nozzle 55 of can 51 and application of two sprays of polish
to section 18 of brush 21. Furthermore, during each revolution of
container support 44, the cam 120 thereon engages one of the spokes
145 on hub 142 of timer 118 and causes the hub to rotate through
part of one revolution i.e., 1/5 of a revolution in the embodiment
shown which uses five spokes 145. Thus, in the embodiment shown,
during one cycle of operation of polisher 10, which, for example,
lasts about 70 seconds, can 51 rotates five times and applies a
total of ten spray application of polish to section 18 of brush
21.
At the end of the last rotation in its cycle, cam 120 on support 44
moves timer hub 142 to a position wherein push button 141 of switch
116 moves outwardly into engagement with flat surface 144 on the
hub. When this occurs the contacts of timer switch 116 again resume
the position shown in FIG. 8 and as a consequence, both motors 33
and 40 are deenergized and stop operating.
It is to be understood that user selection of coin drop mechanism
112 to shine black shoes results in a similar cycle of operation
for brush motor 33 and gear motor 41 and the apparatus associated
with the latter.
RESUME
A coin-operated automatic electric shoe polisher 10 in accordance
with the invention comprises a housing 11 from which a motor driven
rotatable, cylindrically shaped polishing brush 21 extends. The
brush 21 is divided into two discrete sections 18 and 19, each
adapted to apply polish of a particular color (i.e., brown or
black) to a user's shoes. Two independently operable polish
dispensing assemblies are located in the housing 11 and either is
operable (in response to the user's selection) to repeatedly apply
polish of the desired color to the appropriate brush section during
one cycle of operation.
Each such assembly comprises a rotatable container support 44 or 45
to which an aerosol can of liquid polish 51 or 52 is releasably
attachable. A gear motor 40 or 41 is provided to effect several
rotations of the support 44 or 45 and can thereon during one cycle
of operation. Means are provided for causing one or more
polish-dispensing operations from the can to the appropriate brush
section during each can rotation and such means comprise a
dispensing adapter 56 or 66 removably attachable to the can and
spray rail actuator means 70 or 71 on the housing 11 engageable
with the adapter 56 or 66 to cause spraying operation of the
aerosol can nozzle.
Control means are provided to initiate and maintain energization of
the brush motor 33 and the appropriate gear motor 40 or 41 for one
complete cycle of polisher operation. These control means comprise
a separate coin-operated mechanism 110 or 112 for each polish
dispensing assembly, a starter switch 113 or 114 momentarily
actuated thereby, and a timer switch 116 or 117 actuated by
rotational movement of a cam-operated timer 118 or 119 which in
turn is responsive to rotational movement of its associated
container support 44 or 45.
In operation, insertion of an appropriately sized coin into the
desired one of the coin-operated mechanisms 110 or 112 effects
momentary closure (about 11/2 seconds) of the associated starter
switch 113 or 114 to initiate operation of the gear motor 40 or 41
and slow rotation of the appropriate container support 44 or 45 and
can thereon. Such movement of the container support 44 or 45 causes
its cam 120 or 121 to rotate the timer 118 or 119 which, in turn,
actuates the timer switch 116 or 117. Such actuation of the timer
switch 116 or 117 initiates operation of the brush motor 33 and
maintains operation of the appropriate gear motor 40 or 41, despite
subsequent deactivation of the timer switch 116 or 117 when the
coin leaves the coin-operated mechanism. During one cycle of
operation the container support 44 or 45 and aerosol can 51 or 52
thereon make several revolutions. During each revolution the spray
rail 70 or 71 operates the appropriate dispensing adapter one or
more times to cause application of polish to the appropriate brush
section. Furthermore, each successive revolution of the container
support causes further advancement of the timer 118 or 119 until,
after a predetermined number of revolutions of the container
support 44 or 45, the timer has advanced one revolution and
deactivates the timer switch 116 or 117 to stop the brush motor 33
and the appropriate gear motor 40 or 41.
* * * * *