U.S. patent application number 17/237534 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-30 for floor cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to Origyn LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Origyn LLC. Invention is credited to Jason Thorne.
Application Number | 20210401160 17/237534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005534936 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210401160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thorne; Jason |
December 30, 2021 |
FLOOR CLEANER
Abstract
A sweeping tool includes an elongated handle having a proximal
end and a distal end, a bracket coupled to the distal end of the
elongated handle, and a cleaning assembly coupled to the bracket.
The cleaning assembly is designed to rotate about an axis passing
through a portion of the bracket. The cleaning assembly includes a
housing designed to hold a rotatable brush head and to collect
debris swept up by the rotatable brush head. The cleaning assembly
also includes a broom head coupled to the housing and a plurality
of bristles coupled to the broom head.
Inventors: |
Thorne; Jason; (Dover,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Origyn LLC |
Boston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Origyn LLC
Boston
MA
|
Family ID: |
1000005534936 |
Appl. No.: |
17/237534 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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17126355 |
Dec 18, 2020 |
11006741 |
|
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17237534 |
|
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63043381 |
Jun 24, 2020 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 11/22 20130101;
A47L 11/33 20130101; A46B 13/005 20130101; A46B 13/08 20130101;
A46B 2200/302 20130101; A47L 13/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 13/08 20060101
A46B013/08; A47L 13/12 20060101 A47L013/12; A47L 11/33 20060101
A47L011/33; A46B 13/00 20060101 A46B013/00; A47L 11/22 20060101
A47L011/22 |
Claims
1. A broom module configured to be removably coupled to a housing,
the broom module comprising: a broom head structure having an outer
surface and an inner surface; a plurality of bristles coupled to
the outer surface of the broom head structure; and one or more
brackets coupled to the inner surface of the broom head structure
and configured to removably engage with corresponding one or more
brackets on a separate housing structure to secure the broom head
structure to the separate housing structure.
2. The broom module of claim 1, wherein the one or more brackets
coupled to the inner surface of the broom head structure are
configured to slide laterally to engage with the one or more
brackets on the separate housing structure.
3. The broom module of claim 1, wherein the separate housing
structure comprises a spring-loaded catch, and wherein the inner
surface of the broom head structure includes an indentation
configured to engage with the spring-loaded catch of the separate
housing structure.
4. The broom module of claim 3, wherein the indentation is
centrally located on the inner surface of the broom head
structure.
5. The broom module of claim 4, wherein the indentation is located
between a first bracket and a second bracket of the one or more
brackets coupled to the inner surface of the broom head structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/126,355, filed Dec. 18, 2020, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/043,381, filed
Jun. 24, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cleaning tools such as brooms and sweeper devices have been
used for decades to aid in cleaning dirt and other debris from
floors. Brooms typically require a dustpan or other similar
receptacle to place the dirt in after being swept by the broom.
Sweepers may have a built-in area to collect dirt, but the units
are often heavy, bulky, and expensive. Accordingly, there exist
some drawbacks and other unsolved issues that limit the convenience
of brooms and sweeping tools.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Features and advantages of embodiments of the claimed
subject matter will become apparent as the following Detailed
Description proceeds, and upon reference to the Drawings, in
which:
[0004] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate different perspective,
three-dimensional views of a sweeping tool, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 1C illustrates a three-dimensional cut-away view of the
sweeping tool, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0006] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate different positions of a broom
and brush assembly on the sweeping tool, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0007] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate views of a release door as part
of a debris catch tray, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0008] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate different perspective,
three-dimensional views of the sweeping tool, in accordance with
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate three-dimensional views of another
sweeping tool design, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 5D illustrates a three-dimensional cut-away view of the
sweeping tool of FIGS. 5A-5C, in accordance with some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate different exploded views of a
wheel assembly of a sweeping tool, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of another wheel
assembly of the sweeping tool opposite to the wheel assembly from
FIGS. 6A and 6B, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate three-dimensional views of a
broom head attachment, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 8C illustrates an exploded view of an underside portion
of the sweeping tool housing, in accordance with some embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0015] Although the following Detailed Description will proceed
with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many
alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be
apparent in light of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] As noted above, there are some non-trivial issues with
cleaning equipment such as brooms and sweepers. Many of the issues
pertain to matters of convenience for the user. For example, brooms
may require the use of a separate dustpan to hold the swept debris.
Hand held dustpans require the user to get down on their hands and
knees while dustpans on longer poles are cumbersome. Sweeper
systems may provide their own debris receptacle, but such systems
are often unwieldy and expensive. Accordingly, a sweeper design is
provided herein that combines the advantages of a broom with that
of a sweeper brush to provide a light-weight and affordable
cleaning solution. Some of the advantages of a broom include the
ability to reach under and around objects and the fact that a broom
is always ready to use (e.g., no need for power). The sweeper
design described in various embodiments herein keep all the
advantages of the broom while eliminating its primary
disadvantage--the need for a separate dustpan. In an example
embodiment, a sweeping tool includes an elongated handle having a
proximal end and a distal end, a bracket coupled to the distal end
of the elongated handle, a broom head coupled to the bracket, and a
brush assembly coupled to the bracket. The broom head is configured
to rotate about an axis passing through the bracket. The brush
assembly includes a rotatable brush head and a catch tray designed
to collect debris swept up by the rotatable brush head.
[0017] In another example embodiment, a sweeping tool includes an
elongated handle having a proximal end and a distal end, a bracket
coupled to the distal end of the elongated handle, and a cleaning
assembly coupled to the bracket. The cleaning assembly is designed
to rotate about an axis passing through the bracket. The cleaning
assembly includes a housing with a first portion designed to hold a
rotatable brush head and a second portion designed to collect
debris swept up by the rotatable brush head. The cleaning assembly
also includes a broom head extending away from the housing and a
plurality of bristles coupled to the broom head.
[0018] According to some embodiments, the sweeping tool disclosed
herein can quickly and easily change between a broom and a brush
sweeper at any time. A mechanical lever or similar structure on the
handle of the sweeping tool allows a user to easily switch between
broom mode or sweeper mode to pick debris up off the floor. For
example, the sweeping tool may be used in broom mode to collect
debris into a pile on the floor. Then, the user can switch the
sweeping tool into the sweeper mode which rotates the broom out of
the way and allows a brush sweeper to engage the floor and sweep
the debris into a catch tray. All of this can be performed quickly
and without needing to change between any tools. Furthermore, the
mechanical design allows for a cordless system that does not
require any electrical power. These and other such embodiments will
be described in more detail herein.
[0019] The description uses the phrases "in an embodiment" or "in
embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or
different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms "comprising,"
"including," "having," and the like, as used with respect to
embodiments of the present disclosure, are synonymous. When used to
describe a range of dimensions, the phrase "between X and Y"
represents a range that includes X and Y.
[0020] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below,"
"lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for
ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element (s) or feature (s) as illustrated
in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to
encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation
in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The
apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other
orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein
may likewise be interpreted accordingly.
[0021] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective three-dimensional view of
a sweeping tool 100, according to an embodiment. Sweeping tool 100
includes an elongated handle 102 to allow for user to comfortably
grasp elongated handle 102 at two positions to perform sweeping
motions or pushing motions with sweeping tool 100. Elongated handle
102 may be formed of any sufficiently stiff material, such as
metal, wood, or hard plastic. In some embodiments, elongated handle
102 is made from aluminum.
[0022] One end of elongated handle 102 includes a grip 104,
according to an embodiment. Grip 104 may be ergonomically designed
for an adult hand and may be made from a softer material compared
to elongated handle 102. In some embodiments, a second grip (not
illustrated) is located along the length of elongated handle 102
such that both hands can be comfortably placed with one hand on
grip 104 and the second hand on the second grip. In some
embodiments, elongated handle 102 includes telescoping portions to
adapt its length. In some embodiments, elongated handle 102 has a
length between about 50'' and about 60''.
[0023] According to some embodiments, a bracket 108 is coupled to a
distal end 106 of elongated handle 102. Bracket 108 may have a `U`
shape to allow for a brush assembly 112 to rotate into and out of
the opening formed within the `U` shape. A top, flattened end of
the `U` shape may be coupled directly to distal end 106 of
elongated handle 102. In some embodiments, bracket 108 is formed
from a metal, such as stainless steel.
[0024] According to some embodiments, a broom head 110 is coupled
to a lower portion of bracket 108, which allows broom head 110 to
rotate about an axis passing through the lower portion of bracket
108. Broom head 110 may include a plurality of bristles 114
extending out from one side of broom head 110. Bristles 114 may be
fanned out to form a typical broom shape.
[0025] According to some embodiments, a lever 105 is movable along
a length of elongated handle 102 (e.g., slidable along the length
of elongated handle 102) to switch sweeping tool 100 between a
first state and a second state. FIG. 1A illustrates an example
first state of sweeping tool 100 where bristles 114 are extended
down substantially parallel (e.g., within 5 degrees of being
parallel) to elongated handle 102 and brush assembly 112 is
retained in bracket 108. Broom head 110 may be locked into the
illustrated first state such that sweeping can occur in either
direction without rotating either broom head 110 or brush assembly
112. Accordingly, in its first state, sweeping tool 100 can be used
like a traditional broom to sweep up debris 116 on any floor
surface. Furthermore, in its first state, sweeping tool 100 can lie
substantially flat against a wall surface for easy storage.
According to an embodiment, movement of lever 105 transitions
sweeping tool 100 between the first state and a second state where
broom head 110 rotates to bring brush assembly down towards the
floor surface while simultaneously rotating bristles 114 up and out
of the way. Lever 105 can take on any mechanical form and may also
represent spring-loaded push buttons to change between the first
state and the second state, and the broom head can be locked in
either position. In another example, lever 105 includes a coaxial
tubular shape around elongated handle 102 that slides along the
length of elongated handle 102 to switch broom head 110 between a
first state and a second state.
[0026] FIG. 1B illustrates a lower portion of sweeping tool 100 in
its second state, according to an embodiment. Broom head 110 may be
locked into the illustrated second state such that pushing sweeping
tool 100 across a floor surface occurs without rotating either
broom head 110 or brush assembly 112. Accordingly, broom head 110
may be locked into the first state, locked into the second state,
or transitioning between the first state and the second state.
During the transition period, broom head 110 rotates about an axis
118 to bring brush assembly 112 from a first state between bracket
108 to a second state down towards the floor. According to an
embodiment, since bristles 114 are attached to one end of broom
head 110, the rotation of broom head 110 also causes bristles 114
to rotate about axis 118 such that they do not contact the floor
when pushing brush assembly 112 across the floor to brush up debris
116. In some embodiments, when sweeping tool 100 is locked into the
second state, bristles 114 are rotated up to a position that is at
an acute angle with respect to elongated handle 102. In some
embodiments, bracket 108 is free to rotate about axis 118 while
brush assembly 112 and broom head 110 are locked in the second
state. The free rotation of bracket 108 allows for elongated handle
102 to rotate along with bracket 108 and can be used to rotate
elongated handle towards the floor to push brush assembly 112 under
furniture or other obstacles that would otherwise hinder progress.
In one example, bracket 108 may rotate such that elongated handle
102 is substantially parallel with bristles 114 while broom head
110 is locked in the second state. In another example, bracket 108
may rotate into a position that is substantially perpendicular to
brush assembly 112, thus allowing sweeping tool 100 to stand on its
own.
[0027] FIG. 1C illustrates a cutaway view of an interior portion of
brush assembly 112, according to an embodiment. Brush assembly 112
includes a rotatable brush head 120 and a catch tray 122. Rotatable
brush head 120 may include any number of brushes or bristles
radially extending out from a tubular structure that rotates to
move the brushes or bristles in a continuous circular direction.
The rotating brushes or bristles of rotatable brush head 120 sweep
up any debris in their path and deposit the debris within catch
tray 122 on the other side of an inclined dividing wall 124. In
some embodiments, rotatable brush head 120 can rotate in a
counterclockwise direction to direct the debris up dividing wall
124 and into catch tray 122. In some embodiments, movement of brush
assembly 112 across a floor surface causes rotation of rotatable
brush head 120. In some embodiments, rotatable brush head 120 is
coupled to wheels that move along the floor surface, such that
rotation of the wheels cause a corresponding rotation of rotatable
brush head 120.
[0028] FIG. 2A illustrates another view of sweeping tool 100 when
locked into a first state 200. In this position, brush assembly 112
may be parallel with bristles 114 such that it is pointing upwards
towards elongated handle 102 and is out of the way when using
bristles 114 to sweep up debris. FIG. 2B illustrates another view
of sweeping tool 100 when locked into a second state 201. In this
position, brush assembly 112 is rotated down towards the floor
until brush assembly 112 is substantially parallel with the floor.
Meanwhile, bristles 114 may be rotated upwards away from the floor
and lock into a position where bristles 114 make an acute angle
with respect to elongated handle 102. According to some
embodiments, brush assembly 112 and bristles 114 are coupled
together via a common assembly that rotates, thus causing the same
corresponding rotation to both brush assembly 112 and bristles 114.
According to some embodiments, bristles 114 remain at a 180-degree
orientation with respect to brush assembly 112 in second state
201.
[0029] FIG. 3A illustrates a view of an underside of brush assembly
112, according to an embodiment. Brush assembly 112 may include a
door 302 that can be opened to empty any debris within catch tray
122. Door 302 may be flush with a housing of brush assembly 112 in
its closed state and may rotate about a hinged axis to open and
drop whatever is stored within catch tray 122. FIG. 3B illustrates
another view of brush assembly 112 showing how door 302 can rotate
about hinge(s) 304 to open and close. In some embodiments, a button
306 may be provided on brush assembly 112 to cause door 302 to open
when button 306 is pressed. In some embodiments, pushing button 306
again causes door 302 to close. Button 306 may be located on any
part of brush assembly 112, such as on a side or top surface. In
some other embodiments, door 302 is manually closed by moving it
back into its closed position where it locks into place. Pushing
button 306 unlocks door 302 from its locked position and causes it
to freely swing downward about an axis passing through hinge(s)
304. Although button 306 is depicted on brush assembly 112, this
location is not required, and button 306 may be located anywhere on
sweeping tool 100, such as on elongated handle 102. Door 302 or
lateral parts of the housing, for example, can be made from
transparent material so that the user can observe how full catch
tray 122 is.
[0030] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate different views of another
example of a sweeping tool that includes a slidable grip 402
designed to slide along at least a portion of the length of
elongated handle 102 to switch between a second state (illustrated
in FIG. 4A) and a first state (illustrated in FIG. 4B), according
to some embodiments. Slidable grip 402 may be coupled to another
slidable lever 404. Movement of slidable grip 402 causes a
corresponding movement to slidable lever 404, which is mechanically
linked to a portion of broom head 110 and/or brush assembly 112
that is offset from the axis of rotation as seen, for example, in
FIG. 1B. When slidable lever 404 is pulled upwards as shown in FIG.
4A, it pulls on broom head 110 and causes it to rotate, moving
bristles 114 up towards elongated handle 102 and moving brush
assembly 112 down towards the floor. When slidable lever 404 is
pushed downwards as shown in FIG. 4B, it pushes broom head 110 and
bristles 114 back into a position where bristles are substantially
parallel to elongated handle 102. Additionally, brush assembly 112
is rotated back up between bracket 108 and away from the floor
surface when slidable lever 404 is pushed downwards.
[0031] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate underneath and topside views,
respectively, of another example of a sweeping tool 500 locked into
its first state such that it can be used as a broom to sweep
debris, according to some embodiments. Sweeping tool 500 may
include any of the features as described above for sweeping tool
100, except that sweeping tool 500 includes a cleaning assembly 502
having a housing 504 that rotates about an axis passing through a
bracket 506, according to an embodiment. Accordingly, a distal end
of an elongated handle 501 includes bracket 506, such as a `U`
shaped bracket, and cleaning assembly 502 coupled to bracket 506.
Cleaning assembly 502 may be locked into a first state as
illustrated in both FIGS. 5A and 5B where bristles 508 extending
from a broom head 510 are used to sweep debris like a standard
broom. Both bracket 506 and housing 504 may be formed from an
injection molded plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS).
[0032] As described above, movement of a lever assembly 503 axially
along elongated handle 501 unlocks sweeping tool 500 from its first
state and allows for cleaning assembly 502 to rotate about an axis
passing through bracket 506. Lever assembly 503 may include an
elongated rod connected at one end to a movable structure
(activated via button 505) on elongated handle 501 and engaged with
a catch (not shown) on the underside of housing 504 at the opposite
end. Briefly, and in accordance with some embodiments, lever
assembly 503 is coupled to the catch within a curved housing 509 on
the underside of housing 504 when sweeping tool 500 is locked into
its first state. A button 505 is pressed and/or slid upwards along
a portion of elongated handle 501 to release the catch and enable a
corresponding mechanical sliding movement of lever assembly 503.
This sliding motion of lever assembly 503 disengages lever assembly
503 from within curved housing 509 and slides it up and out of the
way of cleaning assembly 502 so that cleaning assembly 502 can
rotate freely into its second state, as shown in FIG. 5C. A view of
lever assembly 503 retracted away from cleaning assembly 502 while
cleaning assembly 502 is rotated into its second state is more
clearly illustrated in FIG. 5D. To move cleaning assembly 502 back
to its first state, button 505 is pressed and/or slid downwards
along the length of elongated handle 501 to cause lever assembly
503 to slide back across the underside of housing 504 and re-engage
with the catch within curved housing 509, according to an
embodiment.
[0033] In some embodiments, sweeping tool 500 includes wheels 512
coupled to either side of bracket 506. In some embodiments,
cleaning assembly 502 rotates about an axis that also passes
through a center of wheels 512. Accordingly, wheels 512 act as a
kind of pivot point around about which cleaning assembly 502
pivotally rotates to move from its first state into its second
state. According to some embodiments, a button 513 is provided on
either or both sides of housing 504. Button 513 may be pressed to
open a door to a catch tray and release the contents therein, as
shown in more detail with reference to FIG. 5D.
[0034] FIG. 5C illustrates an example of sweeping tool 500 where
cleaning assembly 502 has been moved into a second state such that
sweeping tool 500 can be pushed along the floor to brush up debris,
according to an embodiment. Note that, in some embodiments,
cleaning assembly 502 does not need to be locked in place when
moved to the second state as the floor maintains the position of
cleaning assembly 502. In some embodiments, when removed from the
floor surface, cleaning assembly freely rotates back to its first
position, such that lever assembly 503 can be slid back across the
underside of housing 504 to re-engage with the catch. Housing 504
(mostly obscured from view in FIG. 5C by bracket 506) includes a
rotatable brush head 514. In its second state, cleaning assembly
502 rests upon wheels 512, such that pushing sweeping tool 500
across the floor causes a corresponding rotation of wheels 512.
Wheels 512 may include tires or a coating of a material to provide
a high coefficient of friction with the floor. For instance, the
wheels can include a polymeric material such as silicone rubber or
polyvinylchoride (PVC). In some embodiments, wheels 512 are coupled
to rotatable brush head 514 such that rotation of wheels 512 causes
a corresponding rotation of rotatable brush head 514 using one or
more gears or belts as shown in more detail with reference to FIG.
7. The turn ratio between the wheels and the brush can be greater
than or less than 0.5:1, greater than or less than 1:1, greater
than or less than 2:1 or greater than or less than 3:1. In some
embodiments, the gears are disengaged on the backstroke to avoid
redepositing debris onto the floor from cleaning assembly 502. In
other embodiments, a simple transmission can allow either forward
or reverse motion of the wheels to drive brush head 514 in the same
direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise. When in its second
state, cleaning assembly 502 rotates such that broom head 510 moves
to a position that faces back towards elongated handle 501. As
noted above, in some embodiments, elongated handle 501 along with
bracket 506 are free to rotate about an axis passing through wheels
512 when cleaning assembly 502 is in the second state.
[0035] FIG. 5D illustrates a cutaway view of cleaning assembly 502
in its second state, according to an embodiment. Depending on the
orientation of elongated handle 501, bristles 508 may make an acute
angle with respect to elongated handle 501 when in the second
state. For example, bristles 508 may be rotated to an angle .alpha.
of at least 30 degrees, at least 45 degrees, at least 60 degrees,
at least 90 degrees, or at least 120 degrees with respect to
elongated handle 501. Lever assembly 503 is seen slid up and away
from cleaning assembly 502 along elongated handle 501. Rotatable
brush head 514 is seen within housing 504 of cleaning assembly 502.
Rotatable brush head 514 includes a plurality of brushes or
bristles 516 coupled to a rotating bar 518. Rotation of rotatable
brush head 514 moves debris from the floor up and into catch tray
520 within housing 504 of cleaning assembly 502.
[0036] According to some embodiments, housing 504 includes a
release door 522 that can be opened to empty any debris captured
within catch tray 520. Release door 522 may be hinged on one side
to swing open about an axis passing through the hinge. A small
lever or button may be present either along elongated handle 501 or
on cleaning assembly 502 to allow release door 522 to swing open.
In some embodiments, release door 522 may be manually shut and kept
in a closed position via any type of latch structure.
[0037] In some embodiments, cleaning assembly 502 further includes
a wedge plate 524 that is designed to scrape along the ground as
cleaning assembly 502 is moved across the floor. Wedge plate 524
may be formed from any pliable material and is provided at an angle
so as to assist brush head 514 in transporting debris from the
floor up and into catch tray 520.
[0038] Broom head 510 and coupled bristles 508 are components of a
broom module 511 that can be detached from housing 504. According
to some embodiments, broom module 511 can be decoupled from housing
504 and replaced by a different broom module. In one example, a
broom module having soft bristles may be attached to housing 504
for use on certain surfaces like hardwood floors. In another
example, a broom module having slightly thicker bristles may be
attached to housing 504 to sweep debris out from crevices or other
rough areas. In yet another example, a broom module having a foam
attachment may be attached to housing 504 to collect lighter debris
like pet hair and dander. In some other embodiments, housing 504
and broom head 510 are formed from a single molded material.
[0039] According to some embodiments, one of wheels 512 includes a
torsion spring while the other of wheels 512 includes a set of
gears to rotate rotatable brush head 514 along with the rotation of
the wheel. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate exploded views of one of the
wheels 512, according to an embodiment. FIG. 6A illustrates an
optional wheel design that includes a torsion spring 606 while FIG.
6B illustrates a wheel without a torsion spring. As seen in FIG.
6A, the wheel includes an outer tire 602 that may be any polymer or
rubberized material. Outer tire 602 wraps around a cylinder 604
that forms the structure of the wheel. The wheel also includes
torsion spring 606 that is housed partially within a bracket cover
608. In some embodiments, torsion spring 606 is used to maintain
the angular position of (e.g., by holding the weight of) broom head
510 and its bristles 508 when cleaning assembly 502 is in the
second state. FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment of a wheel
that just includes outer tire 602 wrapped around cylinder 604
without any torsion spring assembly. In either embodiment, the
opposite wheel includes one or more gears for turning rotatable
brush head 514.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the opposite wheel
which includes the one or more gears, according to an embodiment.
The opposite wheel also includes an outer tire 702 and a cylinder
704 similar to those described above for the other wheel. A drive
wheel cap 705 may be disposed within a central portion of cylinder
704. In some embodiments, the wheel includes a fastener 706, such
as a screw, that holds the components together. Cylinder 704 fits
within a wheel sleeve 708 that rests against a large gear 712. In
some embodiments, wheel sleeve 708 rests directly on a washer 710
between wheel sleeve 708 and large gear 712. According to an
embodiment, the inner circumference of large gear 712 includes gear
teeth that engage with the teeth of a smaller gear 714. Smaller
gear 714 may be coupled directly to rotating bar 518 such that
rotation of smaller gear 714 results in a corresponding rotation of
rotating bar 518.
[0041] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate different views of removable
broom module 511 having bristles 508 coupled to broom head 510,
according to some embodiments. As noted previously, broom module
511 can be detached from housing 504 and replaced with another
broom module having a different bristle pattern or design.
According to some embodiments, bristles 508 are coupled to an
outside surface of broom head 510 while an inside surface of broom
head 510 includes one or more brackets that mechanically couple to
corresponding brackets on housing 504. For example, broom head 510
may include two brackets 802-1 and 802-2 that slide sideways into
corresponding brackets 804-1 and 804-2 of housing 504. A
spring-loaded catch 806 on housing 504 may be used to engage with a
corresponding indentation 808 in order to secure broom head 510 to
housing 504. In some embodiments, spring-loaded catch 806 is
mechanically coupled to lever assembly 503 on the underside of
housing 504. Spring-loaded catch 806 may be disposed within curved
housing 509 such that the coupling of lever assembly 503 into
curved housing 509 also engages a distal end of lever assembly 503
with spring-loaded catch 806. In one example, movement of lever
assembly 503 causes a corresponding retraction of spring-loaded
catch 806 to allow broom head 510 to be detached from housing 504
(e.g., via laterally sliding broom head 510 off of housing 504). In
another example, retraction of spring-loaded catch 806 is actuated
via any other button or lever either on housing 504, elongated
handle 501, or any part of lever assembly 503. In yet another
example, spring-loaded catch 806 is not coupled to any other
mechanism to retract it, such that the force of sliding broom
module 511 sideways is enough to overcome the spring force and
depress spring-loaded catch 806 to remove broom module 511 from
housing 504.
[0042] FIG. 8C illustrates an exploded view of a coupling mechanism
for spring loaded catch 806 on an underside of housing 504,
according to an embodiment. When cleaning assembly 502 is in the
first state, lever assembly 503 couples to a push slider 810 within
curved housing 509. In In some embodiments, push slider 810 in turn
is engaged with spring-loaded catch 806 within curved housing 509,
and is designed to provide a push and/or pull motion on
spring-loaded catch 806. In some other embodiments, push slider 810
is not coupled to spring-loaded catch 806 and they are both housed
separately within curved housing 509.
[0043] Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to
provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be
understood in light of this disclosure, however, that the
embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In
other instances, well known operations and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be
appreciated that the specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit
the scope of the embodiments. In addition, although the subject
matter has been described in language specific to structural
features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that
the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not
necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described
herein. Rather, the specific features and acts described herein are
disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Further Example Embodiments
[0044] The following examples pertain to further embodiments, from
which numerous permutations and configurations will be
apparent.
[0045] Example 1 is a sweeping tool that includes an elongated
handle having a proximal end and a distal end, a bracket coupled to
the distal end of the elongated handle, and a cleaning assembly
coupled to the bracket. The cleaning assembly is designed to rotate
about an axis passing through a portion of the bracket to move
between a first state and a second state. The cleaning assembly
includes a housing, a broom head coupled to the housing, and a
plurality of bristles coupled to the broom head. The housing is
designed to hold a rotatable brush head and to collect debris swept
up by the rotatable brush head when the cleaning assembly is in the
second state. The plurality of bristles are oriented substantially
parallel with the elongated handle when the cleaning assembly is in
the first state.
[0046] Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, wherein
the broom head is removably coupled to the housing.
[0047] Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 2, wherein
the broom head is removably coupled to the housing via a
spring-loaded catch and one or more brackets.
[0048] Example 4 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples
1-3, wherein the cleaning assembly is configured to be locked into
the first state where the plurality of bristles are oriented
substantially parallel with the elongated handle.
[0049] Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 4, wherein
the cleaning assembly is configured to rotate about the axis and
move into the second state where the plurality of bristles are
oriented at an angle with respect to the elongated handle.
[0050] Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 5, wherein
the bracket is configured to rotate about the axis while the
cleaning assembly is in the second state.
[0051] Example 7 includes the subject matter of Example 6, wherein
the bracket is configured to rotate such that the elongated handle
is substantially parallel with the plurality of bristles while the
cleaning assembly is in the second state.
[0052] Example 8 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples
1-7, wherein the elongated handle comprises a slidable component
coupled to a lever assembly, wherein moving the slidable component
causes a corresponding movement of the lever assembly that changes
the cleaning assembly between the first state and the second
state.
[0053] Example 9 includes the subject matter of Example 8, wherein
the slidable component comprises a button that is depressed in
order to move the slidable component axially along the elongated
handle.
[0054] Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 8 or 9,
wherein the lever assembly engages with a catch on an underside of
the housing when the cleaning assembly is in the first state.
[0055] Example 11 includes the subject matter of Example 10,
wherein the lever assembly is disengaged from the catch when the
cleaning assembly is in the second state.
[0056] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of
Examples 1-11, further comprising wheels coupled to the bracket,
the wheels configured to contact a floor surface when the cleaning
assembly is in the second state.
[0057] Example 13 includes the subject matter of Example 12,
wherein the rotatable brush head is coupled to the wheels such that
rotation of the wheels causes rotation of the rotatable brush
head.
[0058] Example 14 includes the subject matter of Example 12 or 13,
wherein at least one of the wheels includes a teethed portion that
engages with a toothed gear coupled to the rotatable brush
head.
[0059] Example 15 includes the subject matter of any one of
Examples 12-14, wherein at least one of the wheels includes a
torsion spring.
[0060] Example 16 includes the subject matter of any one of
Examples 1-15, wherein the housing comprises a catch tray
configured to collect debris captured by the rotatable brush
head.
[0061] Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16,
wherein the catch tray comprises a release door that is configured
to swing open to release contents of the catch tray.
[0062] Example 18 is a broom module configured to be removably
coupled to a housing. The broom module includes a broom head
structure having an outer surface and an inner surface, a plurality
of bristles coupled to an outer surface of the broom head
structure, and one or more brackets coupled to an inner surface of
the broom head. The one or more brackets are designed to removably
engage with corresponding one or more brackets on a separate
housing structure to secure the broom head structure to the
separate housing structure.
[0063] Example 19 is a method of removing debris from a floor
surface. The method includes sweeping debris into a pile using a
sweeping tool that includes a broom head coupled to a housing, and
a handle coupled to the housing; rotating the broom head to a
position at least 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees or
120 degrees with respect to a length of the handle; and pushing a
rotatable brush head over the pile, the rotatable brush head
conveying the debris into a compartment, wherein the rotatable
brush head is attached to the housing.
[0064] Example 20 includes the subject matter of Example 19 wherein
the pushing causes rotation of the rotatable brush head.
* * * * *