Abstract: A broom has a rigid backing plate having a rectangular cross section, an overall length, an upper surface and an undersurface, the backing plate having two straight regions connected by a curved region, a bristle unit comprising an elastic and flexible backing having a rectangular cross section with a width and length the same as the backing plate, an upper surface and an undersurface, with bristles extending orthogonally from all of the undersurface of the bristle unit, providing a brushing surface at the end of the bristles away from the backing plate, and a handle connected by a connector mechanism to a point on the upper surface of the shaped rigid backing plate. The upper surface of the bristle unit is joined to the undersurface of the backing plate by an adhesive along the full length of the undersurface of the backing plate.

Abstract: A broom for brushing a curb has a rigid backing plate of a width, an overall length, an upper surface and an undersurface, bristles extending orthogonally from the undersurface of the backing plate, providing a brushing surface at the end of the bristles away from the backing plate, and a handle connected by a connector mechanism to a point on the upper surface of the backing plate. The curb to be brushed has a specific shape in lateral cross section that is other than a straight line, and wherein the broom has a backing plate shaped such that the brushing surface conforms to a portion of the specific shape of the of the lateral cross section of the curb.