Combination of push broom and house broom

Abstract

A two in one broom comprising a standard sweep broom with a detachable push broom to extend the capacity of the broom. To provide support for the combination a brace having incl9ined legs is used wherein the handle of the sweep broom is enclosed in an arc of the brace. The brace is connected to the head of the push broom with slotted flanges extending obliquely from the legs and fastened to the head. The handle of the broom can be adjusted for different angulations and a scale can be located on the sweep broom head for measuring the type of angulation desired. There are several structural arrangements for combining the standard broom head with the push broom

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This device is directed to a 2 in one Broom Set. wherein a standard house broom can be joined with a push broom.

[0002] The art indicates that there are a number of patents which are similar in design or utility to the present invention. None of the aforesaid patents, however, militate against the unique structure defined by this invention.

[0003] As described below in brief ,are examples of somer of the most pertinent inventions.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,603 is directed to a size adjustable rake, wherein the rake can be adjusted as to its overall width and the number of rake fingers carried by the rake. The gardener can use the rake at its maximum size with a minimum number of fingers for raking leaves from the lawn, while areas having limited access to be raked such as between flowers in a flower bed can be handled by easily adjusting the rake to its smaller size with a minimum number of fingers.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,766 teaches a controllable broom rake convertible from a relatively wide lawn type rake to a relatively narrow type rake. This rake has a center section and two foldable end sections hinged to opposite ends and selectively movable between an open position extending contimuously from the center to provide a wide raking span and a closed position folded rearwardly over the center section to provide a narrow raking span.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,168 pertains to a broom rake useful outdoors for sweeping debris and raking leaves off a smooth hard surface such as sidewalks or a discontinuous surface such as gravel. The device has a base, a handle attached to the base from which bristles extend. Each bristle has a first portion attached to the base and a second portion at an angle to the first portion. By making the bend angle betweeen 100 and 150 degrees, the implement operates as a broom when pushed away from the user and as a rake when pulled toward the user.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,447 describes a gardening tool that includes a detachable broom head that can easily be removed from a garden rake on which it is mounted. A gardener can use a single tool for both raking and brooming. The detachable broom head makes it possible to switch from raking to brooming by merely rotating the rake side The broom head is attached to the upper face of the rake frame so that a dual purpose lawn and garden tool is created. Flipping the tool over so that the broom bristles face the ground, the tool becomes a broom. When no longer needed the broom can be detached and stored. There are several embodiments for attachement including a pair of flexible clips that grip the rake frame. The profile of the broom head is contoured to assist in engaging the frame.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,739 is cited to show a push broom handle brace similar to that used in the invention wherein the brace includes two integral angular legs each leg having a bottom end with an aperture through which a fastener is used to fasten the brace to the base of a broom. Coincident with the spaced apart legs is a horizontal section having in its medial region an arcuate section with two vertical legs. The arc embraces and secures the handle by passing a bolt through the two extending legs.

[0009] While the references cited do show tools that lend themselves to expansion and adjustment as well as a brace for securing a handle to a broom, the designs are structurally different from those of applicant's two in one broom. Furthermore for the most part the function of these tools is generally different. Outside of '739 the cited implements are used outdoors on lawns and sidewalks, whereas applicant's broom is intended to be used in the household. Of course if desired, this broom could readily be used on sidewalks and the like.

[0010] It is therefore an object of this invention to make a broom which combines the features of an ordinary house broom with that of a push broom.

[0011] It is also an object of this invention to make the so called two in one broom readily detachable so that for small jobs the house broom could be used per se.

[0012] It is a further object of this invention to make the handle of the broom angularly adjustable with respect to a vertical plane that intersects the transverse position of the broom head.

[0013] It is finally an object of this invention to use a brace to provide a strong support for combining the elements of a push broom and a house broom compactly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] This invention is directed to a convertible broom wherein the standard house broom is enlarged to be used as a push broom. Several embodiments can be used to achieve this objective. In one embodiment the standard broom is joined by fitting this broom into a U-shaped base with broom into respective interlocked mating surfaces. A second embodiment includes a broom head having identical right handed and left handed members wherein the standard broom is aligned with the two members and inserted therebetween. The two members are then pressed together whereupon a latch secures the three units together. A third embodiment has the two heads hinged at one end. the standard is aligned with the two members which are then swung together and latched as in the second embodiment. A fourth embodiment uses a rectangular slot in the push broom, wherein the standard broom is inserted upwardly through the slot and connected to the push broom. To make a secure connection between the two brooms a brace is fastened to the base of the push broom. The broom handle is secured to a seat of the brace. Additionally the broom handle is secured to the standard broom in such a manner that it can be adjusted for use at different angles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the standard broom.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a slight variation of the first embodiment

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the third embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment

[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of one type latch.

[0022] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a second type latch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a standard broom 1 that comprises a broom head 2 rectangular in shape and containing a conventional number of bristles 3. In the center of the head is a cylinder 4, oriented in a north south direction and pivotally mounted on a rod 5 that runs in an east to west direction through respective apertures 6 in the cylinder and spaced semicircular members 7, each adjacent the cylinder. Adhesively secured to at least one of the members 7 is a scale 8 marked in degrees from 0 to 180. A pointer 9 with a ring 10 fits tightly around the rod, and a butterfly nut 11 threadably engages the rod at the end adjacent the scale, whereas the other end of the rod that passes through the semicircular member is rotatably secured with a cap 12. A handle 13 is screwed into the top of the cylinder so that when the rod is pivoted by turning the screw. the desired angulation of the handle can be attained. The angulation can be maintained by turning the screw on the rod until it presses tightly on the semicircular member.Turning the screw counterclockwise on the rod enables readjustment of the angle of the broom handle. The standard broom described above can be converted into a push broom by combining the broom head 2 with another broom head 14. The attachment can be done in a number of ways. In FIG. 2 head 2 is combined with a broom head 14 by using interlocking mating surfaces of angles 14a and 14b. Broom head 14 is a U-shaped member having a plurality of bristles around the periphery of the U. Broom head 2 with surfaces 14a locks with 14b of head 10 wherein the horizontal legs of the angles of broom head 14 will overlap the horizontal legs of the angles of head 2. A slight modification is shown in FIG. 2a wherein horizontal legs of the angles of broom head 2 overlap horizontal legs of the angles of broom head 14. To support the broom head 2 in broom head 14 a brace 15 is used. Brace 15 comprises two inclined legs 16 with flanged, ends 17 that form an oblique angle with the legs. Each of these ends have slotted apertures 18 and fasteners 19 for securing the flanged ends of the legs to broom head 14. The legs are joined by an arc 20 located in the medial region between the legs. The arc is fashioned to have a circumferential length of 340 degrees with two parallel legs 22 extending downwardly from the respective ends of the arc.The handle is inserted in the arc. Legs 22 have apertures 21 secured by a bolt 23 and nut 24 whereby the broom handle is tightened in the arc. The apertures in the flanged ends 17 are slotted so that the legs can be shifted in accordance with the desired angular position of the handle. In FIG. 3 is a second embodiment wherein the second broom head 10a is made in two identical halves, each half having a U shaped slot. Broom head 2 is aligned with the respective broom heads 10a whereupon the heads 10a are pressed together over broom head two and latched together with catch 26. FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment wherein two broom heads 10b identical in shape to the broom head of FIG. 2 are joined at one end by a hinge 27. Broom head 2 is inserted into one of the two broom heads 10b and the other broom head half is swung around so as to enclose broom head 2. It is to be understood that the broom heads 10b are each half the width of the broomhead 14 shown in FIG. 2. The latch is the same as in FIG. 3 except that it is located at one end of a broom head and its connector is different. The brace described above is also useed in the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4a illustrates the fourth embodiment, wherein rectangular push broom head 34 is shown with a centrally located slot 35. Sweep broom head 2 with all the accessories such as the cylinder, semicircular members, rod and handle are inserted upward through the slot. The handle is then screwed into the cylinder and connected to the brace as explained above. FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the latch 26, used in FIG. 3 which comprises a hooked member 30, pivotally mounted on rod 29 with head 29a and threadably fastened close to the ends of one U shaped member 10a. 26 is connected to a stud 28 fixed on a correesponding position to the other identical U shaped member 10a when the members 10a are pressed together around broom 2. In FIG. 4 only one latch 26 is used to connect the two U shaped members 10b. FIG. 6 shows latch 26 attached at the end of U shaped member 10b opposite the side where the hinge 27 is connected. On the other U shaped member 10b a ring shaped connector 3 lends in a rod 32 which is threaded into the other member 10b The ring is so positioned that when the two U shaped members 10b are pressed together over broom 2, latch 26 will engage the connector 31.

[0024] Several embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, but it should be understood that it would be obvious to one skilled in the art that various modifications and changes could be without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A two in one broom comprising: a) a standard house broom combined with a push broom, said house broom having a rectangular head, b) two spaced semicircular members integral with said head and a cylinder between and adjacent said members, c) a longitudinal rod extending through apertures in said members and said cylinder, a cap on said rod extending through one of said semicircular members and a butterfly nut threadably engaged with said rod beyond another of said circular members, a scale marked in degrees from 0 to 180 adhesively attached to another of said semicircular members, a pointer fixed on said rod and extending upwardly in alignment with a 90 degree angulation on said scale, d) a broom handle mounted in said cylinder, said angulation of said handle being regulated by pivoting said rod and cylinder about said semicircular members, said angulation being maintained by pressing said nut against said another semicircular member, e) a brace supporting and connecting said rectangular head with a push broom head, said brace including a pair of oppositely inclined legs terminating in slotted, flanges forming an oblique angle, said legs being connected to said push broom head with a fastener for each flange, said legs being joined medially by an arc, said arc enclosing said handle, having a circumference of 240 degrees and joined by two vertical portions secured by a nut and bolt.

2. A two in one broom as in claim 1 wherein said brooms are combined by interlocking mating surfaces wherein said push broom has a U shaped head with two, spaced parallel angles having horizontal legs, said horizontal legs overlapping corresponding horizontal legs on said rectangular head.

3 A two in one broom as in claim 2 wherein said horizontal legs of said rectangular head overlap said horizontal legs of said push broom head.

4 A two in one broom as in claim 1 wherein two U shaped push broom heads of identical size have horizontal legs facing each other, a sweep broom inserted in alignment with said two heads, said heads being pressed together enclosing said sweep broom, a latch on each outer side of one of said legs for locking said push broom heads together.

5 A two in one broom as in claim 1 wherein a pair of U shaped broom heads are hinged together at one end, a sweep broom is placed in alignment with one of said U shaped heads, another of said U shaped heads is hingedly swung so as to enclose said sweep broom, one latch located at an end of said one U shaped head opposite where said heads are hinged together.

6 A two in one broom as in claim 1 wherein said push broom includes a rectangular push broom head and a rectangular slot located in a central region thereof, a rectangular sweep broom head including accessories such as said cylinder, said adjacent semicircular members, said handle fixed in said cylinder and said longitudinal rod, all accessories inserted through said slot, said brace securing said sweep broom head to said push broom head.

7. A two in one broom as in claim 4 wherein each said latch is hook shaped and is pivotally fastened to one of said legs, wherein said one of said two push broom heads of identical size has a stud projecting out from each side of said of said one of said two push broom heads, said stud being aligned with said latch so that when said latch pivots it will lock onto said stud.

8 A two in one broom as in claim 5 wherein said latch is hook shaped and pivotally connected at said one end of said U shaped head, said other of said U shaped heads has a ring shaped connector with an extension threaded into a corresponding end of said other head, such that when said U shaped heads enclose said sweep broom said hook is pivotally inserted into said ring connector.