Shoe Polishing Machine

Abstract

A coin controlled shoe shining machine having a shiftable shoe receiving carriage within a housing, the carriage being shiftable back and forth by an operator when his shoe is resting on the carriage. The coin initiates the operation of a timer which controls the operation of solenoids for activating polish dispensers positioned on each side of the carriage. The timer also controls the operation of the motors for two brushes which engage the side of the shoe as the carriage is advanced and retracted along the trackway. Additionally, the timer controls the operation of a third brush which engages the toe portion of a shoe as the carriage is advanced and retracted. The timer is set for controlling the operation of the solenoids and the brush motors for predetermined intervals of time. The invention also includes the use of two such units mounted side-by-side within a housing for shining black shoes and brown shoes, as well as one such unit with separate dispensers for black and brown polish on each side of the shoe, together with means for selectively operating the machine to shine brown or black shoes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power-actuated coin controlled shoe shining machines heretofore known to the applicant have been complex in construction and have required an extensive organization for servicing the machines. There has, therefore, been a need for a portable self-contained shoe shining machine which is simple in construction and which will provide a satisfactory finish with few moving parts and without the need for extensive maintenance and repair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the difficulties inherent in previously known coin controlled machines in that a housing encloses a pair of rotatable brushes which are adapted to engage the side of a shoe as the operator advances and retracts a carriage upon which his shoe rests after polish has been applied to the shoe and before the shoe reaches the brushes. A third brush is mounted for rotation for engaging the toe portion of the shoe after the toe portion has advanced beyond the first mentioned brushes. The deposit of a coin within the machine initiates the actuation of a timer for activating polish dispenser solenoids and for actuating the brush motors at predetermined intervals of time. At the completion of the polishing of one shoe the timer provides a dwell for enabling the operator to remove one foot from the carriage and to insert his other foot upon it for repetition of the cycle, at the end of which the current to the timer and to the parts controlled thereby is automatically disconnected from the service line.

The invention additionally includes a modified arrangement for shining brown as well as black shoes by mounting two units in side-by-side relationship within a common housing and by supplying one unit with black polish and the other with brown polish, together with a switch in circuit with the respective timers for selectively operating one of the units independently of the other.

The invention also includes a single set of brushes but with separate dispensers for black and brown polish on each side of the shoe, and a switch for selectively operating the polish dispensers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing, having a unit constructed in accordance with the present invention contained therein:

FIG. 2 is a front view of the housing;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on the plane indicated by the line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on the plane indicated by the line 4--4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the plane indicated by the line 5--5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a housing having two of the units constructed in accordance with the present invention contained therein;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are elevational views of a timer which is used with the unit and illustrating different cam arrangements;

FIG. 11 is a timing chart for indicating the sequence of the various operations which are controlled by the timer;

FIG. 12 is a schematic wiring diagram for the motor and solenoid circuits, for the unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 6;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a midified construction which comprises two pairs of polish applicators, one for brown, and the other for black shoes;

FIG. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram for the modified construction of FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive, a shoe shining unit embodying the present invention is mounted within a housing, indicated in general at 10, and having a base panel 11, a back panel 12, a top panel 13 and three panels indicated at 14, 15 and 16, which constitute the front wall of the housing. The panel 15 has two sections 15A and 15B. Panels 17 and 18 form the side wa ls of the housing. An opening 20 in the panel 15 provides a well into which the operator inserts his foot and rests his shoe upon a carriage 25 which is shown as having rollers 26 engaging a trackway 27, the latter of which extends from front to back of the housing and is inclined upwardly from front to back so that the carriage would be moved by gravity to the retracted position beneath the opening of the housing where it is in position for receiving the shoe of the operator. Stops 22 and 23 serve to limit the forward and rearward movement respectively of the carriage. The trackway is supported within the housing upon beams 28 and 29 which extend from the front panel to the rear panel 13 and are attached thereto.

The invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 includes two polish dispensers which are illustrated in the form of commercially procurable spray cans, indicated at 30 and 31, with a depressible valve button 32 at the top of each can.

The cans are positioned on opposite sides of the trackway with the spray discharge openings on the buttons set to discharge polish in spray form upon the sides and toe portions of a shoe which is positioned on the carriage while the carriage is in a retracted position. The spray cans are shown as being supported upon a cross beam 35 (FIGS. 4 and 5) which in turn is rigidly connected to the housing.

To depress the button of each spray can, a depresser in the form of a bar 36 is removably attached at one end to a button 32 and is adjustably mounted at the other end upon a plunger 38, the latter of which extends lengthwise of the spray can and is actuated by a solenoid 39. A spring 40 surrounding the plunger operates to return the depresser 36 to its original position and thereby to cut off the spray when the solenoid is disconnected from the circuit.

To brush the sides and heel portions of a shoe, a pair of brushes 45 and 46 are positioned on upright axes and in a position to engage the side portions of a shoe as the shoe is moved therebetween upon the carriage 25. The brushes are mounted for rotation upon shafts 47 and 48 respectively, the latter of which are respectively driven by electric motors 49 and 50.

The brushes 45 and 46 are intended to be swung outwardly away from each other as the shoe of an operator is moved therebetween, and for accomplishing such purpose, the motors 49 and 50 are rigidly connected to one end of arms 51 and 52 respectively, the latter of which are mounted at the ends opposite the motors for swinging movement upon pivot pins 53 and 54 respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each motor is attached to its associated arm by a strap 55, and the arms are biased to swing toward each other by springs 57 and 58 respectively. Suitable stops 34 carried by the beams 28 and 29 limit the inward movement of the arms and thereby limit movement of the brushes toward each other. The pivot pins 53 and 54 for the respective arms are journaled in upper bearings 59 beneath the respective beams 28 and 29 and in lower bearings 60 which are carried by a cross beam 61.

To polish the toe portion of a shoe, a third brush 65 is mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis upon a shaft 66 of an electric motor 67. The brush is disposed in the path of a shoe as it is moved forwardly and after it has passed between the brushes 45 and 46. The motor 67 is attached by a band type clamp 68 to an arm 69, the other end of which is connected to a pivot pin 70, the latter of which is journaled in bearings 71 and 72 mounted respectively on the side panel 17 and the beam 28. To partially counter balance the weight of the motor and brush, a spring 75 is attached at one end to the motor housing and at the other end to the rear panel 12. The force exerted by the spring allows the brush to remain normally in the downward position, yet allows it to move upwardly merely by the pressure exerted against it by a shoe as the carriage is moved inwardly by the foot of an operator. An adjustable stop 77 (FIG. 3) limits the downward movement of the arm 69.

The well 20 into which the foot of an operator is inserted for placing his shoe upon the carriage 25 has walls 78 and 79 which extend upwardly from the beams 28 and 29 respectively and which also extend from the front wall 16 to the rear wall 12 of the housing 10. Each of the walls 78 and 79 has an opening 80 through which polish may be sprayed onto a shoe which rests upon the carriage and an additional opening 81 through which the brushes 45 and 46 may move as they are swung inwardly and outwardly during the polishing operation. The wall 78 has an additional arcuate opening 82 through which the shaft of the motor 67 may be moved as the brush 65 is swung upwardly and downwardly during the polishing operation.

To provide adequate time for a satisfactory polishing operation, the invention includes a timer which may be in the form of an electric motor 85 together with cams which are rotated thereby for actuating switches to control the circuits for the respective solenoids and motors in a prearranged sequence of time. For example, it is contemplated that a complete operation will be accomplished in 48 seconds for the unit illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive. An illustrated sequence of operations for a single revolution of the cam shaft 86 is illustrated in FIG. 11, wherein the starting point is at the horizontal line and wherein the angle A represents a first polish spray for 11/2 seonds, and the angle B indicates a dwell of three-fourths seconds to allow time for the spray to settle upon the shoe. The angle C represents 19 seconds during which time the brushes 45, 46 and 65 are rotated. The angle D represents a 5 second dwell in the operation of the brushes, during which time the operator would remove one foot from the carriage and replace it with the other foot. The angle E represents a 11/2 second spray operation for the second shoe, followed by a dwell, indicated at F, of 1 second for the sprayed polish to settle on the shoe. The angle G represents 19 seconds for the second polishing operation, while the angle H represents a one-fourth second clearance between the termination of the second polishing operation and the start of a succeeding polishing operation.

The cams which are actuated by the motor 85 are mounted in line on the timer cam shaft 86, and for the purpose of illustration three such cams, together with switches controlled thereby, are illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 respectively. Thus, in FIG. 8 a cam 87 would actuate the switch 88 to control the start and stop cycles. In FIG. 9, a cam 90 would actuate a switch 91 for controlling the first and second spray cycles, while in FIG. 10 the cam 92 would actuate the switch 93 to control the first and second operation of the polishing brushes.

The operation of the machine may be initiated by a coin control mechanism, indicated in general at 95 in FIG. 3, with the coin entrance slot 96 being positioned in the top panel 13, and the coin return slot being indicated at 97 on the upper front panel 14. Such mechanism is procurable upon the open market and includes a coin controlled switch which is used for energizing a relay 98 (FIG. 8), which, in turn, lifts a switch finger 99 out of a notch on the cam 87 where it locks out on the peripheral surface of the cam. The switch 88 closes the circuit to the timing motor 85 and closes the circuit to a track lamp 101.

Operation of the timing motor 85 rotates the cams for carrying out the sequence of operation described in connection with the diagram of FIG. 11. A second lamp 102 in the top panel remains lit so long as the machine is plugged into a service line. Such lamp illuminates an instruction panel 103 which is positioned on the top panel 13.

To provide access to the interior of the machine for maintenance purposes, the front panel 14 and the two sections 15A and 15B of the panel 15 are removable but are normally locked against removal by unauthorized persons. In the form shown, the inclined front panel sections 15A and 15B are positioned on the side panels and on the lower front panel 16 and are locked in place by clamps indicated in general at 104 and 105 which are actuated manually by hand wheels 106 and 107 which, in turn, are shown as being mounted for rotation upon a horizontal partition 108.

The upper front panel 14 rests upon the inclined panel sections 15A and 15B and holds them in place. The panel 14, in turn, is locked in position by means of a clamp screw 110 which is adapted to engage an internally threaded tube 111. The clamp screw 110 extends through aligned openings in cross braces 112 and 113, the outer ends of which are connected to the rear of the panel 14 at 115, 116, 117 and 118 respectively. Access to the clamp screw 110 is provided through an opening 120 which is normally closed by a key actuated lock 121.

In operation, assuming that the machine has been plugged into a service line at an electrical outlet 125, an operator places his foot upon the carriage 25 as shown by the full line position 126 in FIG. 6. He then deposits a coin in the slot 96 and keeps his foot stationary until polish is applied and the brushes are rotated. He then moves the carriage forwardly by pushing on it with his foot, thereby passing the shoe between the brushes 45 and 46 and under the brush 65. The brushes 45 and 46 are forced outwardly by the shoe, but are held against it by the springs 57 and 58 so as to follow the contour of the shoe and to remain in contact therewith. Similarly, the toe portion of the shoe forces the brush 65 upwardly and it, in turn, follows the contour of the shoe. The operator can then move his foot backwardly and forwardly a few times during the polishing operation. At the end of a predetermined period of time, the brushes cease rotating, whereupon the operator removes his foot from the carriage and places the other foot upon it, whereupon the cycle of applying polish and rotating the brushes is repeated for the second shoe. At the end of a preset period of time, which is fixed for one revolution of the timer cam shaft, the current is automatically cut off and the machine is in readiness for the deposit of a succeeding coin. For use in small owner operated shops the coin mechanism may be replaced by a push-button switch, to be operated by the owner who could collect the coin from a customer.

FIG. 12 is a schematic wiring diagram for the electrical equipment utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive, wherein the service lines for the source of electrical supply are indicated at L-1 and L-2, respectively. In the diagram the electrical items heretofore identified are indicated by the same reference characters as those previously used. Thus, when the machine is connected to the service lines and the main switch 125 is closed, the lamp 102 is lit and remains in such condition so long as the machine is plugged into the service line. The deposit of a coin within a coin mechanism, or the manual actuation of a push button member, where the coin mechanism is not utilized, closes a switch 130 which momentarily energizes the relay 98. The relay moves the switch finger 99 out of a holding notch on the cam 87, and the finger is held out of engagement with the notch by a spring latch 131 which is carried by the cam. Movement of the finger 99 closes the switch 88 which energizes the timing motor 85 and also a track lamp 101. Actuation of the motor 85 rotates the cam shaft 86 and the cams carried thereby. One of such cams closes the switch 91 which energizes the solenoids 39 to operate the polish applicators for the predetermined period of time determined. At the pre-arranged period of time a cam closes a switch 93 to close a circuit through the brush motors 49, 50 and 67, respectively. The cams are designed to accomplish the sequence described in connection with FIG. 11 for completion of the polishing of both shoes.

A modification of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 wherein the housing 40 contains two complete but independent shoe polishing units having the construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive. The units are positioned in side-by-side relationship and are adapted for polishing black shoes and brown shoes, respectively. A manually operated selector switch 141 enables the operator to select the unit to be energized. For example, the well 142 shown on the left of the center line in FIG. 7 shows side brushes 143 and 144 and a toe brush 145, together with a carriage 146 upon which the shoe of the user is placed. Such unit would be equipped with polish applicators for polishing black shoes and the operation would be the same as that described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive.

The well shown at the right of the center line of the housing in FIG. 7 and indicated at 147 is intended for use in connection with the polishing of brown shoes and, for such purpose, the side brushes are shown at 148 and 149 and the toe brush is shown at 150. A carriage upon which the shoe is placed is also shown at 151. Such unit is equipped with polish applicators for applying brown polish and theoperation of the unit is the same as that previously described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive.

A schematic diagram (not shown) for the arrangement of FIG. 7 would comprise two diagrams similar to that of FIG. 12 disposed in side-by-side relationship with a manual selector switch, such as 141, for enabling an operator to select one unit for operation independently of the other unit.

In FIG. 13 I have shown a further modification which is somewhat similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 6 inclusive wherein like parts are identified with the same reference characters. The construction of FIG. 13, however, differs from that of FIGS. 1 to 6 in that the housing has one set of polish applicators for black shoes and another set of polish applicators for brown shoes. Thus, in FIG. 13 the applicators indicated at 30 and 31 are intended for use with black shoes while the applicators indicated at 154 and 155, respectively, are intended for use with brown shoes.

A schematic wiring diagram for the modification of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 14 wherein like parts of FIG. 12 are designated with the same reference characters. FIG. 14 differs from FIG. 12 by the inclusion of an extra set of applicator solenoids 156 and 157 which are controlled by the cam actuated switch 91A. A manually operable selector switch 160 enables an operator to select the color of polish in advance of starting the machine.

An advantage of the present invention is the compactness of the structure, coupled with ease of accessibility by authorized personnel for maintenance purposes.

Claims

I claim:

1. A shoe shining machine comprising

a housing having a trackway therein extending from the front toward the back of the housing,

a carriage movably supported on the trackway and adapted to be advanced and retracted along it by movement of the foot of an operator when his shoe is resting on the carriage,

the housing having an opening above the trackway through which the foot of an operator may be inserted to rest his shoe on the carriage,

two polish applicators within the housing,

an electric solenoid for actuating each polish applicator,

a pair of brushes mounted for rotation on axes normal to the trackway and positioned forwardly of the retracted carriage and adapted to engage the sides of a shoe as the carriage is advanced and retracted along the trackway,

a third brush mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis and positioned above the trackway and adapted to engage the toe portion of a shoe as the carriage is advanced and retracted along the trackway,

electric motors for actuating the respective brushes,

the said pair of brushes and the motors for the first mentioned pair of brushes being mounted for swinging movement laterally toward and away from the trackway as the carriage is advanced and retracted by the operator,

the third brush and the motor for the third brush being mounted for swinging movement upwardly and downwardly as the carriage is advanced and retracted by the operator,

a timer,

an electric motor for actuating the timer,

means for initiating the operation of the timer motor and

means activated by the timer for actuating the polish applicator solenoids and the brush motors in a predetermined sequence and for predetermined intervals of time.

2. A shoe shining machine according to claim 1, wherein

each of the side brushes is attached to an arm which is pivotally mounted within the housing below the trackway for movement laterally of the trackway upon engagement of the side brushes with a shoe of an operator.

3. A shoe shining device according to claim 2, wherein

spring means yieldably urge each of the motor supporting arms toward each other and wherein

stop means are provided for limiting the movement of the side brushes toward each other.

4. A shoe shining device according to claim 1, wherein

the motor for operating the third brush is attached to an arm which is pivotally mounted within the housing above the trackway.

5. A shoe shining machine according to claim 4, wherein

spring means are utilized for partially counterbalancing the weight of the motor and arm.

6. A shoe shining machine according to claim 1, wherein

the polish applicators are actuated and deactivated before the motors for the side brushes are started.

7. A shoe shining machine according to claim 1, wherein

the timer includes switches in circuit with the solenoids and the brush motors for operating them in a predetermined sequence.

8. A shoe shining machine according to claim 1, wherein

the housing has removable interlocking front panels for providing access to the interior of the housing.

9. A shoe shining machine according to claim 8, wherein

means are provided accessible only within the housing for locking the panels thereto, and wherein

one of said panels has an opening therein, together with a key actuated removable closure for the opening.

10. A shoe shining machine according to claim 1, wherein

two additional polish applicators are mounted on opposite sides of the trackway in tandem relationship to the first mentioned pair of polish applicators,

one of such pair of applicators having black polish therein and the other pair having brown polish therein, and

a switch in circuit with the applicator solenoids for selectively operating one pair of applicators independently of the other pair.

11. A shoe shining machine wherein

two units according to claim 1 are positioned in side by side relationship in a common housing,

one of such units being provided with polish applicators for black shoes and the other being provided with polish applicators for brown shoes, and wherein

a switch in circuit with the respective timers is provided for selectively operating one of the units independently of the other.