TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a device for cleaning the feet of people entering vehicles.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Debris is often carried on the feet of people into vehicles, such as caravans and cars. People sometimes brush the debris off their feet with their hands, but that makes their hands dirty. This action is also unhygienic and spreads germs from the ground onto the steering wheel of the car.

[0003] People can use water from a tap or bucket to clean their feet. However, as they walk from the tap to their car, their wet feet can collect even more debris (due to the wetness of the feet). In other instances, people wash their feet in buckets of water placed beside their driver’s side door. However, carrying and filling buckets with water is inconvenient. In addition, people often use excessive amounts of fresh water to clean their feet from a tap, which is a waste of that otherwise drinkable water. People often do not appreciate how much drinkable water they are wasting whilst cleaning their feet.

[0004] People may wear footwear to cover their feet or thongs (flip flops) after they wash them. However, wet thongs can collect even more debris (such as sand and dirt) than dry thongs or other footwear. That footwear than spread even more debris within the vehicle.

[0005] This problem can be particularly exacerbated in locations where there is sticky debris (such as mud) or coloured debris (such as red soil or sand).

[0006] There is a need for a device that can conveniently and easily clean the feet of most debris but leaves the feet dry before a person enters a vehicle.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a foot cleaner unit for a user of a vehicle, the cleaner comprising: (a) a body adapted to be affixed to the vehicle;

(b) an air inlet on the body;

(c) a fan connected to the body; and

(d) an air outlet so that the cleaner can expel air out of the outlet to blow debris from the feet of the user, wherein the foot cleaner unit is activated by a sensor.

[0009] Preferably, the sensor is a proximity sensor that is activated by the user waving their hand in front of the sensor. The foot cleaner unit preferably includes a hose to blow air from the air outlet. The hose preferably has a handle with brush to facilitate removal of the debris from the feet of the user.

[0010] Preferably, the foot cleaner unit is adapted to be integrated into the side wall of a caravan vehicle. The foot cleaner unit may have a mounting bracket to enable the body of the cleaner to be affixed to the bottom of a vehicle. The foot cleaner unit may be positioned in close proximity to the entry point of the vehicle. The motor may be connected to the battery of the vehicle as a source of power.

[0011] Preferably, the foot cleaner unit also includes an air inlet so that the foot cleaner unit can vacuum the feet of the user. The vacuum port may be connected to an internal repository (not shown) for debris, which can be removed and emptied.

[0012] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foot cleaner unit according to an embodiment of the present invention built into a caravan.

[0015] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the foot cleaner unit of figure 1 affixed to a caravan. [0016] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the foot cleaner unit of figure 1.

[0017] Figure 4 is a front view of the foot cleaner of figure 1.

[0018] Figure 5 is a front view of a foot cleaner according to another embodiment of the present invention wherein the foot cleaner unit has a vacuum port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to figure 1, the foot cleaner unit 10 is affixed within the sidewall of the caravan 12 proximate to the door entry 14 so that a user can clean their feet before putting their feet within the caravan 12. The foot cleaner unit 10 could be affixed to other locations on different types of vehicles. For example, the foot cleaner could be affixed to the underside of a tray on a utility vehicle (not shown).

[0020] The foot cleaner unit 10 is shown in more detail in figures 2 to 4. The foot cleaner unit 10 has a body 16 with an air inlet 18 and internal fans with an internal motor to drive air through the outlet 20. The cleaner 10 expels air out of the outlet 20 to blow debris from the feet of the user. The motor is connected by a power cable 22 to a battery (not shown), which may be the automotive battery of the vehicle.

[0021] The cleaner unit 10 has a hose 24 with a handle 26 and a brush 28. This makes a substantial contribution to the removal of debris from the feet of the user as it allows the outlet of the air to be positioned close to the feet where the maximum force of the air occurs.

[0022] The cleaner unit 10 has an on/off switch 30 which is activated by the user placing their hand in front of a sensor 32 (see figure 5). The cleaner unit 10 is programmed to turn itself off automatically after 30 seconds, so as not to waste the battery or burn the motor out.

[0023] The handle 26 of the hose 24 has a hoop 34 which can be connected with a hook 36 mounted on the side of the caravan 12 in a convenient location whilst the caravan is parked.

[0024] The foot cleaner unit 10 has a flap 38 with a lock 40 so that the air inlet 18 is not exposed to dust and water when the caravan 12 is moving. The foot cleaner unit 10 has a brackets 42 to secure the back of the unit 10 within the caravan 12 and prevent the unit 10 from becoming dislodged whilst the caravan 12 is moving.

[0025] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a foot cleaner unit 44 with a vacuum port 46. The vacuum port is connected to an internal repository (not shown) for debris, which can be removed and emptied.

[0026] The foot cleaner unit 10 thereby provides a water-free method of conveniently and easily cleaning the feet of most debris.

Concluding Remarks

[0027] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0028] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0029] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.