Dust removal equipment for dry shoe washing machine

Abstract

Conventional dry shoe washing systems relied on manual labor to remove dust and debris accumulated at the bottom of the grid-like plate. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate this task, we propose a smarter and more effective method for removing dust and debris. [Solution] The equipment for removing dust and debris generated by a dry shoe washing device is characterized by comprising: an air gun used for dry shoe washing; a suction port for sucking in the washed air consisting of washing air and dust and debris ejected from the air gun; a piping section through which the washed air sucked into the suction port flows; an irregularly shaped L-joint connecting the suction port to the piping section; and a dust collector for sucking in the washed air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to dust removal equipment for removing dust such as grass and soil adhering to the bottom and upper part of golf shoes, etc. after removing them with an air gun, and then removing the dust accumulated at the bottom of a dry shoe cleaning device. In particular, in recent times with a shortage of manpower, it relates to dust removal equipment for a dry shoe cleaning device that can be carried out with as little manpower as possible.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in order to remove soil, grass, or leaves of trees, etc. adhering to golf shoes, etc. after play, while wearing the shoes, the feet are placed on the grid-like plate of the cleaning table of a dry shoe cleaning device, and are blown off and cleaned with compressed air from an air gun. A dry shoe cleaning device is known.

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, with regard to removing the dust accumulated at the bottom of the grid-like plate, the conventional dry shoe cleaning device relied on manual labor. This removal is an operation of removing the grid-like plate, collecting the dust accumulated at the bottom with a broom, collecting it in a garbage bag using a dustpan, and then returning the grid-like plate to its original state. This operation was usually carried out by, for example, employees at a golf course, but it was an undesirable task for the employees. In particular, under the current situation of manpower shortage in recent times, improvement has been desired.

[0004] Or, even if it is not possible to eliminate such tasks completely, it is desirable to carry them out in a smarter and more effective way.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve such problems, and the specific means are as follows. (1) In order to solve the above problems, the equipment for removing dust and debris generated in a dry shoe washing device is characterized by comprising: an air gun used for dry shoe washing; a suction port for sucking in the washed air consisting of washing air and dust and debris ejected from the air gun; a piping section through which the washed air sucked into the suction port flows; a modified L-shaped joint connecting the suction port to the piping section; and a dust collector for sucking in the washed air.

[0006] With the invention described in (1) above, when a user cleans shoes with the dry shoe cleaning device, the dust collector operates simultaneously with the use of the air gun. As the cleaning air sprayed from the air gun moves the dust to the intake port, the dust is collected in the dust bag of the dust collector via the intake port, the irregular L-shaped joint, and the piping. Therefore, the dust accumulated at the bottom of the dry shoe cleaning device can be removed with minimal human intervention.

[0007] (2) In the above (1), the suction port is characterized in that at least one is provided at the lowest part of the wall surface of the dry shoe washing device.

[0008] The invention described in (2) above makes it possible to efficiently remove dust and debris accumulated at the bottom of the dry shoe washing device. The position of the suction port was determined by creating a model that closely resembles the actual device, including the wall surface and the side of the bottom of the dry shoe washing device, and confirming its effectiveness. As a result, it was confirmed that placing it at the very bottom of the wall surface was the most efficient.

[0009] (3) In the above (2), the suction ports are characterized in that they are provided in contact with each other at the lowest part of the wall surface.

[0010] The invention described in (3) above makes it possible to efficiently remove dust and debris accumulated at the bottom of the dry shoe washing device. It was confirmed using a model that closely resembles the actual device that dust and debris will not be sucked into the dust collector unless they are moved to the immediate vicinity of the intake port. It was confirmed that by placing the intake ports in contact with each other, dust and debris are more likely to approach the intake ports compared to when the intake ports are spaced apart.

[0011] (4) In the above (1), the irregular L-shaped joint is characterized in that the suction port side is rectangular and the piping side is circular, and as the L-shaped joint bends at 90°, it changes from a rectangle facing the suction port to a circle facing the piping.

[0012] With the invention described in (4) above, by employing an irregularly shaped L-shaped joint having a rectangular shape on the suction port side and a circular shape on the piping side, the protrusion of the piping section from the wall surface of the dry shoe washing device toward the rear can be minimized, thereby making the dust removal equipment more compact.

[0013] (5) The present invention is characterized in that, in the present invention, one dust collector is connected to each of the suction ports, that is, there are as many dust collectors as there are suction ports.

[0014] With the invention described in (5) above, the number of dust collectors to be activated can be controlled according to the number of users using the dry shoe washing device, thus achieving power savings compared to installing a single large dust collector.

[0015] (6) In the above (1), the material of the outer surface of the dust collector is made of resin.

[0016] As a result of the invention described in (6) above, when installing debris removal equipment in areas close to the coast, the outer material of large dust collectors is generally made of carbon steel, so if the outer material is made of stainless steel from the standpoint of corrosion resistance, the cost will increase. On the other hand, small dust collectors (vacuum cleaners) are often made of resin and are inexpensive, so it is possible to install inexpensive debris removal equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a dry shoe cleaning device. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a front view of Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is a side view of Figure 2. [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0018] Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a conventional dry shoe washing device. The user grasps the handrail 141 with one hand and stands with both feet together on the grid-like plate 102 of the washing platform 101, or with one foot at a time on the grid-like plate 102, and uses the other hand to operate one of the air guns 121A, B, C, D, or E to blow compressed air diagonally downwards to blow away dust and debris adhering to their shoes. Brushes 131A, B, C, D, or E are used as needed.

[0019] Figure 2 is a plan view of the dust removal equipment 1 according to the present invention for a dry shoe washing device 100. The dust removal equipment 1 mainly consists of suction ports 10A, B, C, D, E, irregular L-shaped joints 20A, B, C, D, E, piping sections 30A, B, C, D, E, dust collectors 40A, B, C, D, E, and an operation panel 50. In the dust removal equipment 1 shown in Figure 2, five sets of the main components are provided, but for example, all components could be in three sets, or all components could be in six sets. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the dust removal equipment 1 according to the present invention is housed in a piping box 60 and a dust collector box 70 so that it is not visible from the outside. In Figure 2, the dust collectors 40A, B, C, D, and E housed in the dust collector box 70 with the cover removed are shown.

[0020] Figure 3 is a front view of the debris removal equipment 1 shown in Figure 2. The right side, where the dry shoe washing device 100 is located, is shown in the cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side view of the debris removal equipment 1 shown in Figure 2, viewed from the right side, and is shown in the cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in Figure 2.

[0021] The suction inlets are provided at the lowermost part of the wall surface 111 of the dry shoe cleaning device 100, with five suction inlets 10A, B, C, D, and E being provided adjacent to each other. The shape of each suction inlet is rectangular, for example, with a height of about 40 mm and a length of about 300 mm. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, five suction inlets 10A, B, C, D, and E are provided over the entire length of the lowermost part of the wall surface 111. However, under the condition of providing them adjacent to each other at the lowermost part of the wall surface 111, two suction inlets may be used, or three suction inlets may also be used.

[0022] The location where the suction inlets are provided was confirmed using a model close to the actual machine. Tests were conducted, such as installing two suction inlets at intervals on the wall surface, side of the bottom, etc. of the dry shoe cleaning device, and installing two suction inlets adjacent to each other. As a result, it was confirmed that providing the suction inlets at the lowermost part of the wall surface can most efficiently suck dust. It was confirmed by a model close to the actual machine that dust cannot be sucked into the dust collector side unless it is moved to the vicinity of the suction inlets. It was confirmed that by providing the suction inlets adjacent to each other, dust is more likely to approach the suction inlets compared to the case where the suction inlets are provided at intervals.

[0023] Note that the number of suction inlets may be one over the entire length of the lowermost part of the wall surface 111 of the dry shoe cleaning device 100. In this case, one dust collector with a large capacity needs to be provided. Then, even if there is only one user using the dry shoe cleaning device 100, it is difficult to achieve power saving because the dust collector with a large capacity needs to be started. Therefore, if the number of suction inlets is made plural and the suction inlets are provided adjacent to each other, when there is one user, power saving can be achieved by starting only the dust collector connected to the corresponding suction inlets. Note that which dust collector is started is controlled by the operation panel.

[0024] Each of the five suction ports 10A, B, C, D, and E is provided with a special-shaped L-shaped joint 20A, B, C, D, and E. The special-shaped L-shaped joint is used to connect the suction ports 10A, B, C, D, and E to the pipe parts 30A, B, C, D, and E respectively. Since the suction ports are rectangular and the pipe parts are circular, the special-shaped L-shaped joint has a rectangular shape on the suction port side and a circular shape on the pipe part side. The special-shaped L-shaped joint changes its shape from the rectangle facing the suction port to the circle facing the pipe part while turning at a small radius of curvature by 90° in the L-shaped joint to connect the suction port to the pipe part.

[0025] The material of the special-shaped L-shaped joint is stainless steel, which is the same material as the dry shoe cleaning device 100, from the perspective of having strength and being required to be maintenance-free over a long period. By adopting a special-shaped L-shaped joint having a rectangle on the suction port side and a circle on the pipe part side, the protrusion of the pipe part to the rear from the dry shoe cleaning device can be minimized, and thus the dust removal equipment can be made compact.

[0026] The pipe part serves as a conduit for transporting the cleaned air composed of cleaning air and dust to the dust collector. Since the five suction ports 10A, B, C, D, and E and the five dust collectors 40A, B, C, D, and E correspond to each other one by one, the pipe parts connecting them are also composed of five pipe parts 30A, B, C, D, and E. As shown on the right side of FIG. 3 (cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2), for example, the special-shaped L-shaped joint 20A standing vertically and the pipe part 30A are joined, and the pipe part 30A changes its direction horizontally through a bend pipe and proceeds to the rear side of the wall surface 111 of the dry shoe cleaning device 100 and is connected to the dust collector 40A (see FIG. 2).

[0027] Piping sections 30A, B, C, D, and E consist of two types of components. On the dust collector side, a flexible hose included with a commercially available dust collector (vacuum cleaner) is used. From the end of this flexible hose to the connection with the irregular L-shaped fitting, PVC pipe is used. For example, HIVP30 (outer diameter 38 mm) is used. By using a flexible hose included with a commercially available dust collector (vacuum cleaner), the installation of the piping section becomes easier and less expensive.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, five dust collectors 40A, B, C, D, and E are installed. These dust collectors (vacuum cleaners) are commercially available, and for example, the RP150SB(L) dust collector from Koki Holdings is preferred. This dust collector has a rectangular prism shape with a resin exterior and casters with stoppers, so it can be fixed in place with the stoppers after being installed in the dust collector box. Furthermore, since a poly bag for collecting dust can be attached inside the dust collector, there is no need to provide a separate dust container in addition to the dust collector, making the construction of the dust removal equipment easier and cheaper.

[0029] The dust removal system 1 according to the present invention is controlled by a control panel 50 to activate the corresponding dust collector simultaneously when a user washes shoes with the dry shoe washing device 100. In addition, when a user is not using the dry shoe washing device 100, for example, a golf course employee may operate the dust removal system 1 using one of the air guns 121A, B, C, or D. In this case, the control panel 50 can activate all five dust collectors simultaneously, or it can activate only a specific dust collector. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 10A, B, C, D, E Inlet 20A, B, C, D, E Irregular L-shaped joints 30A, B, C, D, E Piping section 40A, B, C, D, E dust collector 50 Control panel 60 Box for piping 70 Dust collector box 100 Dry shoe washing device 101 Washing station 102 Grid plate 111 Wall surface 121A, B, C, D Air Gun 131A, B, C, D brushes 141 Handrail

Claims

1. In equipment for removing dust and debris generated in a dry shoe washing machine, An air gun used for dry shoe cleaning, A suction port for drawing in the cleaned air consisting of cleaning air and dust ejected from the air gun, A piping section through which the cleaned air drawn into the intake port flows, A modified L-shaped joint connecting the aforementioned suction port to the aforementioned piping section, Dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing device, characterized by comprising a dust collector for sucking up the cleaned air.

2. The dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction port is provided at least once at the lowest part of the wall surface of the dry shoe washing apparatus.

3. The dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned suction ports are provided in contact with each other at the lowest part of the wall surface.

4. The dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing device according to claim 1, wherein the irregularly shaped L-shaped joint has a rectangular side on the suction port side and a circular side on the piping section side, and changes from the rectangular side facing the suction port to the circular side facing the piping section while the L-shaped joint is bent at 90°.

5. The dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that one dust collector is connected to each of the aforementioned suction ports, that is, the number of dust collectors is equal to the number of aforementioned suction ports.

6. The dust removal equipment for a dry shoe washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer material of the dust collector is made of resin.

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