Disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes

Abstract

A disinfecting mat that enables better cleaning of shoes of a person through multi-functional capabilities. The mat has three discrete sections, with each section carrying out a different function in cleaning the shoes. A first section has a laterally extending bristle brush for cleaning material from the shoes while the second section includes a reservoir containing a liquid disinfectant that is transferred to the shoe of the user by an endless belt that dips into the reservoir and carries the disinfectant to the upper surface of the belt to be transferred to the shoes. Finally, in a third section there is a stationary wiping mat to enable the user to brush the shoes across the mat to rid the shoe of remaining material as well as dry the shoe from the liquid disinfectant. All of the sections are convenient to the user and housed within a unitary molded base.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes, said mat comprising: 
 a base having front edge, a rear edge and lateral side edges,    a first section formed in said base, said first section located proximate the front edge of said base, said first section containing a substantially stationary bristle brush, extending laterally at least substantially across the base,    a second section, said second section containing a sanitizing liquid and a belt movable within the sanitizing liquid to transfer a portion of the liquid to an upper surface of the belt where the liquid can be transferred to a shoe positioned on the upper surface of the belt, and    a third section having a stationary wiping mat located therein.    
     
     
         2 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 1  wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is vertically movable between an upper position where the roller can be rotated and a lower position where the roller contacts said base to be stationary with respect to said base.  
     
     
         3 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 2  wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is movable from said upper position to said lower position by the weight of a person stepping on said stationary brush.  
     
     
         4 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 1  wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is oriented generally parallel to the front edge and extends at least substantial across said base between said side lateral edges.  
     
     
         5 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 1  wherein said stationary wiping mat comprises a mat having upwardly directed bristles.  
     
     
         6 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second section comprises a plurality of support rollers rotatably affixed therein and said belt surrounds and is supported by said support rollers.  
     
     
         7 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 6  wherein said belt is comprised of a fabric material that at least partially absorbs the liquid.  
     
     
         8 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 1  wherein said base is comprised of hard rubber.  
     
     
         9 . A disinfecting mat for cleaning shoes, said mat comprising: 
 a base having front edge, a rear edge and lateral side edges,    a first section formed in said base, said first section located proximate the front edge of said base, said first section containing a substantially stationary bristle brush, extending laterally at least substantially across the base, and    a second section, said second section containing a sanitizing liquid and a belt immersed within the sanitizing liquid to transfer a portion of the liquid to an upper surface of the belt where the liquid can be transferred to a shoe positioned on the upper surface of the belt.    
     
     
         10 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 9  wherein said belt has a lower portion adapted to be located beneath the sanitizing liquid and an upper surface that is located above the liquid.  
     
     
         11 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 9  wherein said belt is supported by a plurality of support rollers.  
     
     
         12 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 9  wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is vertically movable between an upper position where the roller can be rotated and a lower position where the roller contacts said base to be stationary with respect to said base.  
     
     
         13 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 12  wherein said substantially stationary bristle brush is movable from said upper position to said lower position by the weight of a person stepping on said stationary brush.  
     
     
         14 . A disinfecting mat as defined in  claim 9  wherein said base is comprised of hard rubber.