Aug. 6, 1940. H. C.

GILPIN 2,210,365
BOOT AND SHOE CLEANER
Filed Feb. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l

g:
s a c e s ojie S&S ISS &é5.
EVVVVV
ofessia,
SS S. &
7, s - ass

4. Nia Assist at
vaw.vxawvayavassava vavvaswavawkwavvvavvvavivara
NS
2 -77 32 2 -??

INVENTOR.
22zy. 46 zazel22
y (424 / .
2 ; ATTORNEY. Y.
 Aug. 6, 1940. H. C. GILPIN 2,210,365
BOOT AND SHOE CLEANER
Filed Feb. 7, 1939 2. Sheets-Sheet 2

2-3 s /24 . N
O Ne 36 3. fe 3N s
22. | D
2712-N
Sess
s
22 SS
N s 3.2%22 Ns
%
%
2 A.

21
e1 S. 21S
NS.
NŠ
2.
kg ké2.
25
2

K Sas
RN NS
S221-2
Sarasys
El
al
2-7s
awazza

n
N
SSSSSSSSSSyways
2 ZazaaZZ razar2s2a2a2

7
/42
N >22
s>2

2723 /62 - 21 2.
27 -E =-
22

aa

7 N) has
212 f SS Sn

le
(82.55%366,s3
S2&W).592
aS
Se
(Cf2
3. 22 N
NavassassysyarSSSSSSSSSSarryra-Strayas
Ele Salaas
aS NV

22
2% Sax
NSS ŠSS INVENTOR.
7%rz-- C & z Zzo a 72-.
V ir - A.
7. -79 \,3 v Y N
- Fir- ATTORNEY .
 Patented Aug. 6, 1940 2,210,365

UNITED STATES2,210,865PATENT OFFICE

BooT AND SHOE CLEANER
Harry C. Gilpin, Huntington, W. va.
Application February 7, 1939, serial No. 255,114
3 Claims. (Cl 15-161).
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken
This invention relates to a boot and shoe. along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1: .
cleaning device and it is one object of the in Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken
vention to provide a device of this character along
which may be set in place in a vestibule or simi Fig. the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. .
5 is a transverse sectional view taken
lar location and mud and dirt easily and Very along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.
thoroughly removed from shoes. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line .
Another object of the invention is to provide a 6-6 of Fig. 1. -
device of this character including a base plate Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view showing
which is firmly but removably held in place and a side brush shifted away from the bottom brush.
it) serves as a receptacle for catching mud and dirt
and also serves as a tray in which the accumu theFig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing 10,
lated mud and dirt may be conveyed to a place scraper mounted upon the base plate instead
of disposal. of upon the back of the bottom brush.
Another object of the invention is to provide a The base of this shoe cleaner is formed from
shoe cleaner wherein brushes for cleaning side a plate of sheet metal having its marginal por. 5
portions of a shoe are mounted at opposite sides tions bent upwardly to form an upstanding rim
of a brush for cleaning the bottom of the shoe, or wall 2 serving to retain mud and dirt upon the
the side brushes being yieldably held against base plate and thus permit the base plate to con
movement away from the botton brush and stitute a tray for carrying the mud and dirt to a
20 urged into cleaning engagement with side por. place of disposal. Strips 3 are secured across the
under face of the ends of the base plate by screws
tions of the shoe. 4 whicih may also serve as securing elements for
Another object of the invention is to provide vacuum cups 5. These cups have gripping en
the cleaner with a blade or plate for scraping gagement with the surface upon, which they rest
mud from the bottom of a shoe, the said scraping and firmly hold the shoe cieaner in place but
blade having its upper edge level with bristles of permit the shoe cleaner to be lifted and accuinti
the bottom brush and lugs or ears being pro lated mud and dirt dumped from the base plate
vided at opposite ends of the upper edge of the
plate for guiding movement of the shoe across or tray when so desired. If so desired, the vacu
the plate and also for scraping mud from side tim cups may be eliminated and screws used
edges of the shoe sole. . . Which are of sufficient length to pass through
Another object of the invention is to provide the Strips 3 and engage in the floor or other sur
a bottom brush having slots formed therein face upon which the shoe cleaner rests.
whereby dirt. Scraped from a shoe may pass Over the base plate are mounted a bottom
through the block or back of the brush and brush 6, and side brushes 7 and a scraper a which
into the pan or base plate where it will be held is formed from a plate of stiff sheet metal and 35
until dumped from the pain. has its lower end portion bent to provide an at
Another object of the invention is to provide taching flange. 9. The flainge may be secured
an improved shield for the spring which urges against the under face of one end of the back
the side brushes toward the center brush and . or block 6 of the bottom brush by screws
40 also shields for the hinges by means of Which or it may be secured to the base plate by boits 2
the side brushes are pivotally mounted. It will as shown in Figure 8. In either case, the scraper
thus be seen that the mud and dirt will be pre Will be mounted in a vertical position across the
front end of the botton brush with its upper edge
vented from clogging the spring and the hinges flush
and preventing proper movement of the side with upper ends of the tufts of bristles 3
brushes. as shown in Figure 2. The tufts of bristies 3
Another object of the invention is to provide are, arranged in rows extending transversely
a shoe cleaner which is simple in construction, across and longitudinally of the back or block 3
and between the longitudinally extending rows of
strong and durable, and not liable to be easily bristles, the back is formed with slots 5 consti
broken or get out of working order. tuting passages for dirt renoved from shoes by 50.
The invention is illustrated in the accom
panying drawings wherein: theoristles of the brush. Therefore, the dirt will
Figure 1 is a top plan view of the shoe cleaner. not accumulate in the brush gatween the pristies
Fig. 2... is a sectional view. taken longitudinally and clog the brush. This dirt, and also mud and
dirt scraped from siloes by the scraper 3, will 55
through the shoe cleaner along the line 2-2 accumulate
55 of Fig. 1. in the pain or base and when a
 2. 2,210,365
certain quantity has gathered in the pain, the bristles in rubbing engagement with side portions
pan will be loosened from the surface upon which of a shoe When the side brushes are forced out
it rests and the shoe cleaner carried to a place Wardly toward a lowered position by a shoe dis
of disposal Where the dirt Will be dumped from posed between them upon the bottom brush and
5 the pain. The shoe cleaner Will then be restored the Scraper for cleaning of the shoe.
to its original position for use. The shields 20 serve to prevent mud and dirt
Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the from gathering upon the hinges for the lower
tufts of bristles 3 gradually increase in height ends of the hinge leaves and preventing easy
from ends of the bottom brush toward its mid SWinging movement of the side brushes. By hav
0. length. Therefore, when a shoe is applied to the ing end portions 32 of the tube 28 bent upwardly O
Scraper and drawn rearwardly across the same, as shown in Figure 5, end portions of the spring
it Will move Onto the bottom brush with a good Will be deflected upwardly toward the side brushes
rubbing action taking place between the bristles to which its ends are secured by the ScreWS 33 and
of the brush and the bottom of the shoe and any pull upon the side brushes be exerted in Such a
mud or dirt which is not Scraped from the heel manner that the side brushes will be held in good
and sole of the shoe by the scraper will be removed rubbing engagement. With side portions of a shoe.
by the bottom brush. Ears 5 extend outwardly It will thus be seen from the foregoing descrip
and upWardly from upper corners of the scraper tion that I have provided a boot and Shoe cleaner
20
and constitute guides for retaining a shoe in its that will at all times be positive and efficient in
proper position across the upper edge of the carrying out the purposes for which it has been 20
scraper and also serve as cleaning members for designed and due to its simplicity, it can be read
Scraping mud and dirt from Side edges of the sole ily and easily disassembled whenever any of the
and heel of a shoe. parts need replacing. Further, a device of the
In order to mount the bottom brush over the present character can be manufactured and sold
25 or
base or pan, there have been provided cross bars
bolsters 6 which rest upon metal strips 7.
at a Very reasonable cost. 25
While I have shown the preferred embodiment
ScreWS 8 pass upWardly through the base and of niny invention, it is to be understood that vari
the strips f, and bolsters 6 into the back of the OuS changes in size, shape and arrangement of
bottom brush as shown in Figure 4 to firmly se parts may be resorted to Without departing from
cure the brush in place and there have also been the Spirit of the invention and the scope of the
30
provided bolts f$, which in addition to securing appended claims.
the Cross bars and the strips 7 to the base also Havingis:thus described the invention, what is
serve as means for securing shields 20 upon upper claimed
faces of end portions of the cross bars which pro 1. A shoe cleaner comprising a base, a bottom
35 ject from opposite sides of the bottom brush. The brush mounted horizontally over said base in an 35
CrOSS bars or bolsters not only serve as mounting elevated position, Side brushes normally disposed
means for the bottom brush but also serve as Vertically at opposite sides of said bottom brush
Spacers for Supporting the bottom brush in an and hinged along their lower edges to the bottom
elevated position and providing space below this brush for SWinging movement towards and away
40. brush. So that the dirt can drop through the slots from the bottom brush, a tube mounted against
4 onto the base or pan and flow from under the the under face of the back of said bottom brush 40
brush when emptying dirt from the pan. transversely thereof with its end portions pro
End portions of the strip 7 which may be re jecting from Sides of the bottom brush and de
ferred to as a hinge strip or leaf project beyond flected upWardly to extend diagonally towards
ends of the bolsters 6 and are formed with hinge the side brushes, and a helical spring passing 45
ears 2 with which companion hinge ears 22 at through. Said tube with its end portions project
lower ends of hinge strips or leaves 23 are piv ing from ends of the tube and secured to lower
otally connected by hinge pins 24. The hinge edge portions of backs of the side brushes, said
jeaves or strips 23 are secured against outer faces Spring yieldably resisting Swinging movement of
of the backs 25 of the side brushes 7 by screws the Side brushes away from the bottom brush 50
26 and thus mount the side brushes for Swinging and urging the side brushes inwardly into posi
movement from the normally upright position tion for rubbing engagement with a shoe disposed
shown in Figures 4 and 5 toward a deflected posi between the side brushes and resting upon the
tion away from the bottom brush as shown in bottom brush.
55 Figure 7. The side brushes are to be yieldably 2. A shoe cleaner comprising a base, a bot 55
held in the upright position and urged back to tom brush mounted horizontally over said base
Ward this position for cleaning engagement with in an elevated position, side, brushes disposed
side portions of a shoe. vertically at opposite Sides of said bottom brush
In order to do so, there has been provided a and extending longitudinally thereof, hinge
helical spring 27. This spring is housed in a metal members carried by Said brushes and mounting 60
tube 28 Serving as a shield for the same and the the side brushes for Swinging movement toward
spring and its shield extend transversely under and away from the botton brush, a tube extend
the back of the botton brush midway the length ing under the back of the bottom brush trans
thereof. The upper portion of the tube engages Versely thereof and engaged in a groove formed
655 in a groove 29 formed in the under face of the in the back intermediate its length, a saddle plate
back of the bottom brush and its lower portion Secured against the under face of the back of the
rests in the channel of a saddle plate 3 which bottom brush and formed with a channel receiv
is secured to the brush back by screws 3. This ing Said tube, said tube having its end portions
tubular shield Serves very effectively to retain projecting from sides of the bottom brush and
70 the spring in its proper position and also as means deflected upwardly, and a spring extending 70
for preventing dirt from gathering between con through said tube with its end portions project
volutions of the Spring and clogging it. There ing OutWardly therefrom and secured to lower
fore, the Spring may always contract freely and portions of Said Side brushes and exerting inward
exert pull upon the side brushes to yieldably hold pull urging the side brushes towards the bottom
5. them in an upright position and maintain their brush, 5
 2,210,365
3. A shoe cleaner comprising a base, a bottom
brush over said base, bolsters extending under
Said bottom brush transversely thereof for Sup
porting the bottom brush in an elevated position
5 relative to the base, hinge strips under said
bolsters having their end portions projecting from
ends of the bolsters and formed with hinge ears,
side brushes, hinge Strips carried by said side
brushes with end portions projecting downwardly
lO therefrom and formed with hinge ears pivoted to
3
the hinge ears of the first hinge strips to mount
the side brushes for vertical SWinging movement
toward and away from the bottom brush, Shields
for the hinge ears carried by the projecting end
portions of said bolsters, and a spring extending 5
under the bottom brush with its ends secured to
said side brushes and yieldably resisting swinging
movement of the side brushes away from the bot
tom brush.
HARRY C. GIPN. 10