Dustpan handle

Abstract

This is a lobby dustpan handle which has a plurality of arcuate and straight segments resulting in a more effective and versatile utility of the dustpan and a broom used with the dustpan.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] I. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention is in the general field of janitorial services and devices;

[0003] The invention is more particularly in the field of sweeping and cleaning floors and the like;

[0004] The invention is even most particularly in the field of an improved, novel and useful handle for dust pans and the like.

[0005] II. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] There has been much prior art in the field of dust pans and the like. In particular of interest in connection with my present invention there have been various developments in handles for dust pans.

[0007] Examples of prior art dustpan handles which may be considered of interest as compared to my present invention include the following United States Patents:

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,892: This is a device designed to be used as a cane and for collecting debris. While interesting and no doubt useful, this does not accomplish the benefits of my present invention, nor does it suggest no anticipate it in this very crowded field.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,589: This handle is specifically designed to allow a janitor or the like to carry the dustpan by using the incorporated ridge to allow the dust pan to be carried over the arm of a user when moving from place to place. Although novel and useful, this device cannot accomplish, and does not anticipate nor suggest my present invention;

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,871: This apparatus includes a forwardly extending curved portion of a handle. Once again, it appears to be novel and useful, but, as with everything I have found, it does not accomplish the desired objectives, and it does not anticipate nor suggest the detailed and novel construction for the purposes desired and accomplished by my present invention.

[0011] I have been unable to find any prior art as to the unique, novel, useful handle I have invented, and I do not know of any prior art which teaches or suggests my present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] I have been involved in janitorial services and in the manufacture of janitorial products for many years. From time to time I have invented different janitorial implements and systems. I have observed that a frequently and universally used device is the simple dustpan, especially the type dustpan which is sometimes referred to as a “lobby dustpan”.

[0013] Lobby dustpans normally have an elongated handle with provisions for a short handled broom to be attached for transport and storage. The customary and most frequently seen lobby dustpans have straight handles, with a variety of means to attach and carry a broom. The attachment of the broom sometimes interferes with convenient transport and can cause inadvertent spilling of the contents of the dust pan.

[0014] I have now designed a handle for a lobby dustpan which facilitates control of the dustpan and largely eliminates the danger of inadvertent spills. It also makes transport of the dustpan itself and the broom more efficient. Lastly, it makes storage of the device quite simple and useful.

[0015] It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and useful lobby dustpan handle;

[0016] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handle which virtually eliminates inadvertent spillage from the dustpan;

[0017] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handle which makes the attachment of a broom more effective.

[0018] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment, which follows, in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a preferred embodiment of a lobby dustpan incorporating the novel and useful handle of this invention and carrying a broom;

[0020] FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1 except that the broom is shown detached from the handle; and

[0021] FIG. 3 is a section on 3-3 on FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] An inventory of items in the drawings with reference numerals is: 1 Numeral Item 10 handle generally 11 fifteen inch straight segment 12 one and one-half inch arcuate segment on two and one-half inch radius 13 four inch straight segment 14 five inch arcuate segment on two and one-half inch radius 15 two and one-half inch straight segment 16 hand grip 17 clip to hold broom handle 18 rivet 19 dustpan 20 broom generally 21 hand grip 22 broom shaft 23 broom bristles

[0023] A handle 10 made of any suitable material (I prefer aluminum tubing, although any other material, including, without limitation, wood, which can be shaped as described below and shown in the drawing may be used) is fastened to a customary dust pan collector unit 19 by means known to those skilled in the art. One method is by a rivet (not shown, but understood by those skilled in the art).

[0024] The handle 10 has been formed in a very precise manner in order to achieve the desired results. Straight segment 11 is fifteen inches long. A one and one-half inch long arcuate segment 12 on a two and one-half inch radius is a transition to a four inch long straight segment 13 at a fifteen degree angle to the axis of straight segment 11. A four and one-half inch arcuate segment 14 on a two and one-half inch radius connects segment 13 to a one and one-half inch straight terminal segment 15 the axis of which is at a 90 degree relation to the axis of segment 11. Hand grip 16 formed of soft plastic or the like slips over the upper end of the handle as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0025] A broom generally 20 consists of a broom shaft 22 with plastic grip 21 and bristles 23 as will be understood by those skilled in the art. When not being used to sweep material into the dustpan the broom handle 22snaps into clip17 which is attached to handle segment 14 by rivet 18. This feature is important, since other arrangements for holding brooms in cooperation with dustpan handles usually are cumbersome and make the transport of the items together clumsy or uncomfortable.

[0026] While the embodiment shown and described is fully capable of achieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be understood that such embodiment has been shown for purposes of demonstration only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0027] In the claims which follow if I should fail to claim any patentable feature such failure to claim will be inadvertent and is not to be interpreted as an abandonment or dedication of such feature. In such event, upon discovering the failure to claim I shall immediately seek to correct it by any proper means.

Claims

1. An improved lobby dustpan comprising: a debris collecting bin having an open front for receiving debris; a pivotal handle connector connected to said bin; a handle having a hand grip area and multiple arcuate and straight segments connected to said handle connector in such manner that the hand grip area extends in a horizontal plane in the direction of a closed rear of the debris collecting bin; and a clip suitable to receive a broom handle fastened to said handle at its most forward arcuate location.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is at least one arcuate segment of the handle between the first segment and the segment suitable to be gripped by a human hand.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are a multiplicity of arcuate segments between the first straight segment and the segment suitable to be gripped by a human hand.

4. A handle for a lobby dustpan comprising: an elongate rigid handle in a single plane having a first segment with a straight axis; a first end of said first segment incorporating means to attach a handle to a debris collecting compartment; a second arcuate end of said first segment; a second straight segment with a straight axis depending from said arcuate end at a fifteen degree angular relationship to the axis of the first segment; a second arcuate segment terminating in a horizontal straight end suitable to be gripped by a human hand with an axis at an angular relationship to the axis of the first segment.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the angular relationship is ninety degrees.