U.S. patent application number 11/002840 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for pushbroom with support brace.
Invention is credited to Jace A. Weaver.
Application Number | 20060117511 11/002840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36572522 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060117511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weaver; Jace A. |
June 8, 2006 |
Pushbroom with support brace
Abstract
A pushbroom uses a broom brace, optimally manufactured as an
integral one-piece lightweight molded element. The brace consists
of a framework of outer and lower rib members substantially
circumscribing the outer surface of the brace and a central rib
member. Strengthening web sections are located and extend between
the rib members. The brace is secured to the handle and the broom
head by threaded connectors or similar attachment devices.
Inventors: |
Weaver; Jace A.;
(Gilbertsville, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hollstein Keating Cattell Johnson & Goldstein P.C.;Willow Ridge Executive
Office Park
750 Route 73 South, Suite 301
Marlton
NJ
08053
US
|
Family ID: |
36572522 |
Appl. No.: |
11/002840 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/175 ; 15/171;
15/176.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/302 20130101;
A46B 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/175 ;
015/176.3; 015/171 |
International
Class: |
A46B 15/00 20060101
A46B015/00 |
Claims
1. A pushbroom having a handle, a broomhead with a base having an
upper surface and broom bristles, and a broom brace, said broom
brace comprising an integral, unitary brace body having a framework
of rib members comprising lower and central rib members and outer
rib members, said body further comprising a plurality of solid,
substantially planar web sections, each web section being enclosed
within and extending between the central and lower rib members and
one of the outer rib members, said brace body further comprising
means to receive and retain the handle and means to secure the
brace to the broomhead.
2. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the outer rib members of the
framework are curvilinear.
3. (canceled)
4. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the brace body has a
substantially flat bottom surface for placement on the upper
surface of the base of the broomhead.
5. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the means to secure the
brace the broomhead permits the brace to be secured in two
reversible positions.
6. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the brace body is positioned
directly on the upper surface of the base of the broomhead.
7. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the means to receive and
retain the handle comprises an opening in the brace body.
8. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the means to secure the body
to the broom head comprises opening means for the placement of
attachment components between the brace body and the broom
head.
9. The pushbroom as in claim 1 wherein the brace body is made of
molded plastic.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Pushbrooms are effective cleaning tools. The standard
pushbroom consists of a separable elongated handle and a broomhead
made up of bristles, a rigid bristle supporting base, often made of
wood, plastic, light metal, or other hard material, and some
interconnection between the broomhead and the handle. Most often, a
threaded hole is located on the top side of the broomhead to allow
engagement with the end of the handle which has corresponding
threads. The handle is easily screwed into the broomhead to allow
use of the pushbroom. Sometimes a broomhead is provided with two
threaded holes, one on one side of the top surface of the head and
the other on the other side of the top surface of the head,
allowing the handle to be switched from one hole to the other, when
the bristles become worn in one pushing direction.
[0002] While this basic arrangement provides a functional
pushbroom, several inherent problems exist. During the use of the
broom, the threaded attachment between the handle and head
routinely loosens, resulting in the need to stop sweeping and
tighten or, if the head comes completely off, to reattach the
handle and head. Additionally, the handle is sometimes caused to
bend, fail or break near the head while sweeping, especially when
the bristles are pushed against heavy material or debris. An
elongated handle attached solely by threaded connection to the head
accounts for broom instability, which increases the required
sweeping effort and also tends to lead to handle breakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is thus the object of the present invention to overcome
the limitations and disadvantages of prior pushbrooms.
[0004] It is a general object of the invention to provide a
pushbroom with a brace which provides rigidity and stability to the
pushbroom, while ensuring for a secure connection between the
handle and the broomhead.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a pushbroom
with a brace which is lightweight and high strength in its design
and construction, yet provides a secure connection between the
handle and the broomhead.
[0006] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a pushbroom with a brace which, when a pushing force is
applied to the broomhead, assists in minimizing lateral forces
effecting the handle at the point of attachment of the handle to
the broomhead.
[0007] These and other objects are accomplished by the present
invention, a pushbroom using a broom brace, optimally manufactured
as an integral one-piece lightweight molded element. The brace
consists of a framework of outer and lower rib members
substantially circumscribing the outer surface of the brace and a
central rib member. Strengthening web sections are located and
extend between the rib members. The brace is secured to the handle
and the broom head by threaded connectors or similar attachment
devices.
[0008] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of
the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims.
The invention itself, however, both as to its design, construction,
and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof,
are best understood upon review of the following detailed
description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of the pushbroom with support brace
of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pushbroom with support brace of
the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of the pushbroom with support brace of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the pushbroom with support brace
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the pushbroom with support brace of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the components of the
pushbroom with support brace of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Pushbroom 1 comprises handle 2 and broomhead 3 with brace 4
and broom bristles configuration 5. As best seen in FIG. 4,
bristles configuration 5 consists of a row of relatively soft front
bristles 5a and soft rear bristles 5b. Relatively stiff bristles 5c
form the internal section of bristle configuration S and stiff side
bristles 5d and 5e cap the ends of the configuration. By this
arrangement, soft bristles 5a and 5b effectively gather dirt and
debris, while being provided more rigid support by stiff internal
bristles 5c and stiff side bristles 5d and 5e.
[0016] Broom brace 6 is an integral, unitary one-piece component
body preferably manufactured of lightweight, high strength moldable
plastic. Brace 6 has threaded opening at 8 into which handle 2 is
threadably connected. Screw 10 ensures for a tight connection
between handle 2 and brace 6.
[0017] Brace 6, as shown, is curved in nature, and comprises a
framework of rib members, including curved outer rib members 12 and
14 which partially circumscribe the brace, lower rib member 13, and
central rib member 16. Web sections 18 and 20 are located between
the rib members. Openings 22 and 23 in rib members 12 and 14 allow
attachment screws 25 and 26 to be inserted in the openings and
secured to the flat upper surface of base 4 of broomhead 3. As the
bottom surface of brace 6 is substantially flat, it is readily
positioned on the upper flat surface of base 4 to allow holes in
the upper surface of the base to be aligned with openings 22 and 23
for connection by screws 25 and 26.
[0018] Brace 6 is configured to be reversible. That is, when
bristles 5 are worn from being pushed in one direction, screws in
openings 22 and 23 can be removed and brace 6 rotated 180.degree.
to allow the brace and its connected handle 2 to be secured to
broomhead 3 from the opposite side of the broom head. This
arrangements ensures that handle 2 continues to be secured to brace
6 and both sides of bristles 5 can be used, thus prolonging the
useful life of the broom.
[0019] The ergonomic shape and angle of attachment of brace 6 also
makes use of the broom easier and more effective. Significantly,
brace 6 has a high degree of strength, adds rigidity, and provides
stability to pushbroom 6 by means of rib members 12, 13, 14, and
16, with interconnecting webs 18 and 20. These components also
distribute the pushing forces received from handle 2 to broomhead
3, while minimizing the lateral forces effecting the handle at the
point of attachment of the handle to the brace/broomhead. This not
only assists in preventing breakage of handle 2, but also provides
stability to the broom during the sweeping operation.
[0020] Certain novel features and components of this invention are
disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at
least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood
that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the
exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that
various modifications and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention.
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