0, J, McGANN,

SHOE CLEANING DEVICE,

APPLICATION FED JUNE 12, 1914.
1,138,232. Patented May 4, 1915,

I
7. at:
 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
OWEN J. McGANN, OF FOX TOWNSHIP, CARRott, County, oRIo.
SHOE-CLEANING DEVICE.
1,138,232. Specification of Letters Patent, Patented May 4, 1915.
Application filed June 12, 1914. Serial No. 844,644.
To all whom, it may concern; a flat portion 6 for securing the forward end
Be it known that I, OWEN J. McGANN, a of the device to the floor. This forward sup
citizen of the United States, residing in the port 5 is made of such length as to give the
township of Fox, county of Carroll, and main Support 1 a slanting or raking posi 60
State of Ohio, have invented certain new tion, as shown. Secured to the support 5
and useful Improvements in Shoe-Cleaning at its lower end by rivets, or similar fas
Devices, and I do hereby declare the follow tenings, port 7.
is a croSS brace or transverse sup
This brace prevents the device from
ing to be a full, clear, and exact description tilting sidewise, and taken in conjunction
of the invention, such as will enable others
0 skilled in the art to which it appertains to with the floor-plate sections 3 and 6, pro 65
make and use the same. vides a novel and rigid support for the en
The invention relates to improvements in tire device. Rigidly secured to the main
boot and shoe cleaning devices, and more Support 1 is a brush or cleaning element 9
particularly to a simple type of cleaner which acts as an additional cleaning medium
for the bottoms of the boot or shoe after the 70
5 which may be secured in any convenient lo Surplus mud or dirt has been first removed
cation or position. by the Scraper 4. Hinged to the outer ends
Briefly stated, the device comprises a
frame or support, preferably made of sheet of the transverse support 7 are two vertical
metal straps bent in the desired shape to side pieces 11 and 12, also made of strap
20 form a support for a set of cleaning brushes iron or steel, which extend up above the 75
and scrapers, and means for securing the middle brush 9 and have secured to their
device to a floor or the like. upper ends, side brushes 13 and 14, said
The object of the invention is to provide brushes being preferably secured to the side
a device of this character simple in construc pieces by Small bolts, as shown. Secured
25 tion and operation, and capable of being to the forward ends of the brushes 13 and 14 80
manufactured at a minimum cost, and yet so and projecting inwardly, are two metallic
constructed as to give long and efficient plates 16, which are adapted to remove or
service. Scrape most of the mud or dirt from the
Referring to the drawings, in which like edges or side of the shoe before the same is
30 numerals designate like parts throughout the brought back to be further cleaned by the 85
several views, Figure 1 is a side elevation of brushing elements 13 and 14. These scrapers
the device; Fig. 2 is a top plan view; and perform the same function for the edges of
Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 the shoe as the scraper 4 performs for the
of Fig. 1 showing the tension device for bottom thereof.
35 adjusting the side brushes in the desired op The hinged connections between the ends 90
erative position. of the cross support 7 and the side pieces
Particular reference being had to the 11 and 12 are formed by using loosely set
drawings, 1, designates the main portion of ap rivets 15, which is the preferred form,
the support of the device, preferably made but any other convenient means may be em
40 of strap iron or steel, the after end of which ployed. 95
is bent downwardly at 2 and terminating in By having the vertical pieces 11 and 12
an angular end portion 3, which is adapted hinged as described, the side brushes 13 and
to lie flat upon the floor or the like for se 14 may be forced apart or brought together
curing the after end of said device in the at will, according to the size of the boot or
45 desired position. The forward end portion shoe to be cleaned. To facilitate the Work 00
of the support 1 is bent upwardly and car ing of the side brushes, and to make the
ries a scraper 4 which is adapted to remove operation of the device automatic and more
the excess dirt or mud from the sole or bot effective, there is provided a return mecha
tom of the shoe during the operation of the nism in the form of a compression Spring 17.
50 device, and just prior to the cleaning of the This spring 17 is inclosed in a barrel or cyl 105
sole by the hereinafter mentioned brushes. inder 18, and Working therein are two head
To support the forward end of the main Sup ers or pistons 19 and 20, which confine the
port 1, there is provided a curved section 5 spring within the cylinder 18, said pistons
riveted or otherwise secured thereto, the having connecting rods 22 and 21, respec
55 lower end of said section being bent to form tively, inclosed by the spring and in parallel O
 2 1,138,232
relation to each other. The outer ends of forward ends of each of Said side cleaning 35
the rods 21 and 22 are connected to the ver brushes.
tical side pieces 11 and 12, and normally 2. A device for cleaning shoes and the
hold said side pieces in retracted position. like, comprising a skeleton-like frame or
By retaining or inclosing the spring 17 support carrying bottom and side cleaning
within the barrel or cylinder 18, the dirt brushes, a compression spring for holding 40
that falls down between the brushes during the side brushes in their contracted position,
the cleaning process will not clog said spring a barrel or cylinder inclosing said spring,
and interfere with the efficient operation of and oppositely disposed piston rods carry
the device. ing pistons working within said cylinder
The spreading facility of the brushes 13 and adapted to compress the spring between 45
and 14 not only allows the device to accom the same, said rods having their outer ends
modate shoes of different sizes, but when connected to the side brushes for controlling
spread apart will permit the dirt and mud to the movement of said brushes.
5 drop down between said brushes 13 and 14 3. A device for cleaning shoes and the
and bottom brush 9, thus preventing the ac like, comprising a skeleton-like frame or 50
cumulation of dirt in the above mentioned support consisting of a central or main lon
brushes. Another advantage to be noted is gitudinal support having front and rear
that by having the base or support of the securing legs, and a cleaning brush and
20 device of open or skeleton formation, the scraper rigidly attached thereto, a trans
cleanings will not clog the same, and can be verse support secured to the front support
easily swept up and removed from around ing leg of Said main support and at right
said device. angles thereto, a pair of vertical side mem
Upon referring to the drawings, and from bers hinged to the outer ends of said trans
25 the foregoing description, the function or verse support carrying side cleaning
working of spring 16 and the general opera brushes, and metallic side scrapers attached 60
tion of the device will be obvious. to the forward ends of said side cleaning
What I claim is:- brushes.
1. A device for cleaning shoes and the In testimony whereof I affix my signature,
30 like, comprising a skeleton-like frame or in presence of two witnesses.
support, a scraper and cleaning brush rig OWEN J. McGANN.
idly secured to said support, two vertical Witnesses:
side cleaning brushes hinged to said frame WM. J. GEER,
or support, and side scrapers secured to the J. W. MORROW.
Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the “Commissioner of Patents,
Washington, D.C.'