U.S. patent application number 12/774523 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for push broom bracket assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Libman Company. Invention is credited to Robert J. Libman.
Application Number | 20100212096 12/774523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37587830 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100212096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Libman; Robert J. |
August 26, 2010 |
PUSH BROOM BRACKET ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A bracket assembly for use with cleaning implements such as push
brooms has a handle connector for mounting a handle and a plate
with a pair of depending flanges that are inserted into the broom
head. The bracket assembly may be removably secured to the broom
head with a fastener such as bolt and nut to provide an attachment
mechanism having sufficient strength to withstand repeated sweeping
motion. The removable bracket allows the arrangement of the handle
and broom head to be reversed so that both faces of the broom head
and bristles can be used interchangeably for sweeping. The
removable bracket can be used with cleaning implements having heads
of various dimensions and shapes.
Inventors: |
Libman; Robert J.;
(Champaign, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
The Libman Company
Arcola
IL
|
Family ID: |
37587830 |
Appl. No.: |
12/774523 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11275141 |
Dec 14, 2005 |
7730571 |
|
|
12774523 |
|
|
|
|
60636254 |
Dec 14, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/145 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/302 20130101;
A46B 7/04 20130101; Y10T 16/469 20150115; B25G 3/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/145 |
International
Class: |
A46B 5/00 20060101
A46B005/00 |
Claims
1. A bracket assembly for removably connecting a handle to a head
of a cleaning implement, the bracket assembly comprising: a plate
having a first edge and a second edge; a first flange positioned
along the first edge of the plate, the first flange extending
downwardly away from the plate and sized to fit within a recess in
the head; a second flange mounted along the second edge of the
plate; the second flange extending downwardly away from the plate
and sized to fit within a recess in the head; and a handle
connector extending from the plate and configured for engagement
with an elongated handle.
2. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first flange and
the second flange are disposed generally perpendicular to the plate
to form a channel for nestably engaging a portion of the head.
3. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first flange and
the second flange are generally parallel to each other.
4. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the plate includes an
opening configured for use, during operation, in mounting the plate
to the head of the cleaning implement.
5. The bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle connector
comprises a sleeve having an opening configured to accept an end of
a handle.
6. The bracket assembly of claim 5, wherein the sleeve includes an
aperture for receiving a fastener to secure the position of the
handle, the aperture positioned adjacent the opening.
7. The bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fastener
for mounting the bracket to the head of the cleaning implement.
8. The bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein the fastener is a
bolt.
9. A bracket assembly for removably connecting a handle to a broom
head that includes a first recessed portion and a second recessed
portion, the bracket assembly comprising: a plate having a first
edge and a second edge; a first flange positioned along the first
edge of the plate, the first flange extending downwardly away from
the plate and configured to be inserted into the first recessed
portion in the broom head; a second flange mounted along the second
edge of the plate; the second flange extending downwardly away from
the plate and configured to be inserted into the second recessed
portion in the broom head; and a handle connector extending from
the plate and configured for engagement with the handle.
10. The bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the first flange and
the second flange are disposed generally perpendicular to the plate
to form a channel for nestably engaging a portion of the head.
11. The bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the first flange and
the second flange are generally parallel to each other.
12. The bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the plate includes an
opening configured for use, during operation, in mounting the plate
to the head of the cleaning implement.
13. The bracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the handle connector
comprises a sleeve having an opening configured to accept an end of
a handle.
14. The bracket assembly of claim 13, wherein the sleeve includes
an aperture for receiving a fastener to secure the position of the
handle, the aperture positioned adjacent the opening.
15. The bracket assembly of claim 9, further comprising a fastener
for mounting the bracket to the head of the cleaning implement.
16. The bracket assembly of claim 15, wherein the fastener is a
bolt.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/275,141, filed Dec. 14, 2005, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/636,254, filed
on Dec. 14, 2004. Both applications are entirely incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate to cleaning
implements such as push brooms and the like. More particularly, the
various embodiments relate to a bracket assembly for removably but
securely connecting a handle to a head of a cleaning implement in
one or more orientations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Brooms sometimes are classified as either "push" brooms or
"upright" brooms. Upright brooms are often wide and generally have
relatively long bristles, typically extending from a shroud or
broom head. An elongated handle having a central longitudinal axis
aligned with the bristles may facilitate side-to-side sweeping of
the upright broom. An end of the handle may be permanently secured
within an opening in the broom head.
[0004] Push brooms generally have relatively short bristles, which
may be set in a wide block, or broom head. The broom head is
generally rectangular. An elongated handle may extend upwardly from
the broom head and be set at an angle to facilitate pushing the
broom, with a long side of the broom head facing in the direction
of sweeping. Push brooms often have detachable handles. A
detachable handle facilitates shipping of the brooms. Additionally,
depending on the configuration of the broom head, a detachable
handle can permit the handle to be mounted on the broom head in the
opposite direction, and thus allow sweeping in reverse direction to
prolong the life of the bristles.
[0005] Conventionally, detachable handles are connected to broom
heads by screwing a threaded end of the handle into a threaded
aperture in the broom head. For some time, it has been known that,
with such brooms, the handle has a tendency to rotate and loosen
during use. Various efforts have been made to avoid this and other
problems.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,259 discloses an industrial push broom
that includes an attachment means for connecting the handle to the
back of the push broom. A first flange of the attachment means is
fastened to the top face of the broom, and a second flange is
fastened to the rear edge of the broom. The handle extends from the
intersection of the rear edge and the top face. The positioning of
the attachment means is fixed with respect to the back of the
broom.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,564 discloses a brush block assembly
with latching means for maintaining the handle in an interlocked
position. One end of the handle extends into a hole in the broom
block. The positioning of the brush block assembly is fixed with
respect to the broom block.
[0008] There remains a need for improved features for the mounting
bracket assembly for a push broom to facilitate replacement of the
handle and broom head and to allow changing of the positioning of
the handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A push broom having a bracket assembly for securely
attaching a handle to a broom head provides a strong and durable
push broom with a handle that will not loosen with use. The bracket
assembly allows the position of the handle to be reversed to extend
first from the back face of the broom head then from the front face
of the broom head. Reversing the position of the handle enables the
back face of the broom head to be moved to the front and utilized
for sweeping, particularly when the bristles along the front face
of the broom head become worn or bent. The bracket assembly also is
reuseable and allows replacement of the handle and broom head
separate from one another when needed. Broom heads of different
widths also can be used with the bracket assembly.
[0010] The resulting push broom is simple to manufacture and easy
to assemble, disassemble, and reassemble than previously-known
brooms. Further advantages of the invention should be apparent to
those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be
made to the drawings comprised of the following figures:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a push broom in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the handle of
the push broom of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the push broom of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the broom head of the push
broom of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the broom head of the push
broom of FIG. 1 with the bristles removed;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the bracket assembly and
portion of the broom head of the push broom of FIGS. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of push
broom assembly taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a push broom 10 is shown. The push
broom 10 generally includes an elongated handle 12, a broom head 14
and a bracket assembly 16 to connect the handle 12 to the broom
head 14. In FIG. 1, the broom head 14 is rectangular and has a
front face 70 and a rear face 72. Although the bracket assembly 16
is shown and described herein in connection with a push broom, the
bracket assembly also could be used with other cleaning implements
that are pushed forward and pulled back during use, including mops,
dusters, sweepers and the like, and such use is contemplated as
being within the scope of the invention.
[0020] As depicted, the broom head 14 includes a plurality of
bristles 18 for sweeping. The bristles 18 can be of any desired
length and density and can be of a natural or man-made composition,
including but not limited to natural hairs, natural fibers,
polymeric or other synthetic fibers and metallic bristles. The
bristles 18 can be mounted to the broom head 14 in any
conventional, or other convenient, way. As illustrated, the
bristles are grouped in tufts and mounted into holes (not shown) in
the bottom surface 17 of the broom head.
[0021] As seen in FIG. 2, the handle 12 has a central axis 20, a
mounting end 21, and a distal end 22. The handle can be made of any
conventional material (such as plastic, metal, or wood) and have
any conventional or otherwise convenient length and configuration.
Although the illustrated handle is straight, it could also have one
or more bends or curves for added convenience or ease of use and
have a different length and diameter. It could also have a shaped
handgrip or hanger tip at the distal end 22.
[0022] As is commonly known, broom bristles can become bent or worn
after repeated use in one direction. Thus, it is desirable to be
able to periodically reverse the handle direction to allow sweeping
with the opposite face of the broom head as the leading face during
sweeping. The bracket assembly 16 for mounting the handle 12 to the
broom head 14 is readily removable and rotatable to enable this to
be done.
[0023] Referring also to FIG. 3, the bracket assembly 16 includes a
plate 30 having a first edge 33 and a second edge 35. A first
flange 32 extends downwardly from the first edge 33 and a second
flange 34 extends downwardly from the second edge 35. In an
embodiment, the first flange 32 and the second flange 34 may extend
generally perpendicularly to the plate 30 and generally parallel to
each other. The plate 30 is of a shape and size that correspond
with a receiving portion 50 in the top surface 15 of the broom head
14 so that plate 30 nestably engages receiving portion 50. The
first and second flanges 32 and 34 are of a width and thickness to
fit within open slots 52 and 54, respectively, in the receiving
portion 50. The flanges 32 and 34 may be of any suitable length. In
an embodiment, the length of the flanges 32, 34 may be configured
so that they extend a substantial depth into the slots 52 and 54
for engaging the broom head. This arrangement securely engages the
bracket assembly 16 with the broom head 14 (FIG. 7) and provides
improved stability of the bracket assembly 16 against the forces
associated with sweeping. Bracket assembly 16 can be fabricated of
metal, molded polymeric material or other strong, durable material.
In addition, the bracket may include more or fewer flanges in
similar or different arrangements than depicted. Flanges may also
be disposed at angles other than the substantially perpendicular
angle illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0024] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the receiving portion 50 also
includes an opening 56 through the entire thickness between a top
surface 15 and a bottom surface 17 of the broom head 14. The
opening 56 is shown as rectangular in shape but also can be any
other shape. In an embodiment, the opening 56 is an elongated
opening to accommodate variations in the configuration of the
bracket assembly, including positioning of the opening 38 and the
bolt 62 relative to the broom head 14. In an alternative
embodiment, the fastener 62 may be formed as a part of or with the
broom head 14 so that it extends upward from the top surface 14 of
the broom head. In another alternative embodiment, the opening 56
may be threaded or otherwise shaped so as to correspond with the
fastener configured to extend through the broom head 14. As can be
appreciated, numerous variations exist in how the bracket assembly
16 and broom head 14 are connected together.
[0025] Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, the bracket assembly 16
includes a handle connector 13, such as a mounting sleeve 36, which
extends from the bracket assembly. It should be noted that although
the handle connector 13 is depicted here as a mounting sleeve 36,
the handle connector 13 may be of any other suitable configuration
to allow the handle 12 generally to be mounted to the broom 10. By
way of example, an end of the handle 12 may fit about the handle
connector 13. The handle connector may be joined to the plate
through a known fastening method such as bonding or welding or
riveting. In certain embodiments, the handle connector 13 may
include a tab 44 extending from the proximal end 42 of the mounting
sleeve 36. The tab 44 and the plate 30 can be joined together by
any suitable means, including bonding, welding, rivets and the
like. In other embodiments, the handle connector 13 and the plate
30 may be a single piece construction and may be formed by casting
or molding or machining.
[0026] In certain embodiments in which handle connector 13 includes
a mounting sleeve 36, the mounting sleeve 36 has an opening 39 at
its distal end 40. The mounting end 21 of the handle 12 is sized to
fit within and extends into the opening 39 of the mounting sleeve
36. A pin, screw or other fastener (not shown) may be inserted
through an opening 37 near the distal end 40 and into the handle 12
to removably secure the handle 12 in the mounting sleeve 36 and
hold the handle 12 in place.
[0027] As also shown in FIG. 7, bolt 62 extends through the opening
56 and through the opening 38 of the plate 30. A nut 60, which may
be, but is not limited to, a winged nut, on the end of the bolt 62
holds the bracket assembly 16 to the broom head 14. In an
embodiment, the nut can be eliminated and opening 38 in the plate
may be configured to mate with a fastener, such as a screw. As can
be appreciated, however, other fasteners may also be used to
connect the bracket assembly 16 and the broom head 14, such as, but
not limited to, clips, screws and the like, and depending on the
type of fastener the opening 38 may be omitted. Numerous methods
are known to those of skill in the art for removably connecting a
bracket to another object with a fastener and are contemplated as
being within the scope of the invention.
[0028] As illustrated, mounting sleeve 36 (an embodiment of the
handle connector 13--FIG. 3) and handle 12 extend outwardly from
the broom head 14. The mounting sleeve 36 and handle 12 extend
upwardly from the broom head 14 at an acute angle, indicated by
.theta., relative to the top surface 15. The angle can be any angle
that will allow the longitudinal axis 20 of the handle 12 to be
positioned at an angle so that the push broom 10 is easily and
comfortably pushed. The angle .theta. can be less than about
90.degree., preferably in a range of between about 10.degree. to
about 80.degree., and more preferably in a range between about
20.degree. to about 50.degree..
[0029] In an embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 7, to remove
the bracket assembly 16 from the broom head 14 for replacement or
rotation, the bolt 62 and nut 60 are loosened and the bracket
assembly 16 removed from the receiving portion 50. The bracket
assembly 16 is rotated 180.degree. and the first and second flanges
32 and 34 inserted into the slots 54 and 52, respectively. The bolt
62 is re-inserted upwardly through the opening 56, and the nut 60
is tightened on the bolt 62 to securely connect the bracket
assembly 16 and the broom head 14. As a result of the 180.degree.
rotation of the bracket assembly 16, the handle 12 extends in the
opposite direction relative to the broom head 14. The rear face 72
of the broom head 14 thus becomes the leading face of the broom
during sweeping and the front face 70 is rotated to the back of the
broom.
[0030] In general, therefore, the bracket assembly 16 is configured
to be releasably fastened to the broom head 14 in a first position.
After unfastening the bracket assembly 16, it may be rotated around
and again releasably fastened to the broom head 14. In this manner,
different faces on the head of the cleaning implement can be set to
face forward. In another aspect, cleaning implements having heads
with differing widths or shapes can be used interchangeably with
the bracket assembly 16. By generally standardizing the size and
shape of the receiving portion 50 on the heads, the same bracket
assembly 16 can be used with a variety of cleaning implement
heads.
[0031] The present invention has been described in terms of
preferred and exemplary embodiments thereof. Numerous other
embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and
spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary
skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.
* * * * *