Adjustable broom device

Abstract

An adjustable broom comprising a pivotally adjustable handle having an extendable and retractable inner rod, lock system for locking the inner rod in place and a rotatably adjustable broom head having side sections that are extendable and retractable for adjusting the width of the broom head, as well as at least one and preferably a plurality of interchangeable brush cartridges of different sizes corresponding to the available widths of the broom head wherein the brush cartridges are removably mounted to the broom head by sliding them through tracks the bottom of the broom head.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/515,471 filed Oct. 29, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to an extendable broom, and, more particularly to a broom having an extendable and retractable handle and a rotatable head.

2. Description of the Background Art

Brooms known in the art comprise a fixed handle and fixed head that make it difficult to sweep certain areas. Existing brooms include wide push brooms with handles fixed at an angle relative to the brush head and sweeping-type brooms having a narrow brush head aligned with the handle along the same plane. These brooms are specifically designed to perform different sweeping functions. Oftentimes it would be convenient to have a single broom that could be set to operate like a push broom or conventional sweeping broom and having a rotatably adjustable brush head for reaching difficult areas. Conventional brooms comprise a single style and do not adequately address the shortcomings in the prior art. If a broom device existed that could be converted between a push broom and sweeping broom and having an extendable, retractable and angularly adjustable handle and angularly adjustable broom head it would eliminate the need for multiple brooms and would be well received. The instant invention addresses this unfulfilled need in the prior art by providing an adjustable broom as disclosed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a broom that could be converted to a push broom or sweeping broom.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a broom having a rotatably adjustable brush head.

It is also an object of the instant invention to provide a broom having an extendable and retractable brush head.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide a broom having a removable and interchangeable brush heads.

It is an additional object of the instant invention to provide a broom having an extendable and retractable handle.

It is still another object of the instant invention to provide a broom having pivotally adjustable handle.

In light of the foregoing, the instant invention provides a broom that can be converted into a push broom or sweeping broom having an adjustable handle and broom head. The adjustable broom comprises a pivotally adjustable handle having an extendable and retractable inner rod, lock system for locking the inner rod in place and a rotatably adjustable broom head having side sections that are extendable and retractable for adjusting the width of the broom head. The broom also comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of interchangeable brush cartridges of different sizes corresponding to the available widths of the broom head. The brush cartridges are removably mounted to the broom head by sliding them through tracks the bottom of the broom head. The adjustable broom of the instant invention allows the user to use a single broom to accomplish several tasks by simply extending or retracting the broom head side sections, rotating the head into a desired position and, or adjusting the length and, or angle of the handle. The invention is designed to make sweeping tasks easier and faster by allowing the user to perform several different sweeping operations with only one broom.

In accordance with these and other objects, which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable broom device in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable broom device in a retracted position and an extended position in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the adjustable broom device illustrating the broom head in a rotated position in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the head of the adjustable broom device in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the broom head angular locking system of the adjustable broom device in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the broom head angular locking system of the adjustable broom device in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the broom head sections of the adjustable broom device in accordance with the instant invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the broom head sections, the track system and example of the brush cartridge of the adjustable broom device in accordance with the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 depict the preferred embodiment of the instant invention which is generally referenced as an adjustable broom and, or by numeric character 10. With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the adjustable broom 10 comprises a pivotally adjustable handle 12 having an outer sleeve 14 and an adjustable extension rod/handle 16 slidably disposed in the outer sleeve 14, lock system 18 for locking the inner rod 16 in place and a broom head 20 having a static center section 20a, left extendable and retractable section 20b, right extendable and retractable section 20c, left head lock 24, right head lock 26, swivel joint system 30 and swivel lock 28 joining the head 20 to the handle 12 for locking the handle 12 at a desired angle. The instant invention 10 also comprises at least one and preferably a plurality of interchangeable brush cartridges 22 of different sizes corresponding to the available widths of the broom head 20, which are dictated by the broom head side sections' 20b and 20c extended and retracted positions. The brush cartridges 22 are removably mounted to the broom head 20 by sliding them through tracks 21a-c on the bottom of the broom head sections 20a-c. The inner handle 16 slides into and out of the outer sleeve 14 and may be locked at any desired height by the lock system 18. The broom head 20 is connected to the outer sleeve 14 by a head lock system 28 that facilitates rotation of the head 20 and the locking of the head 20 in any desired position or angle and the handle 12 at any desired angle. The adjustable broom 10 allows the user to use a single broom to accomplish several tasks by simply extending or contracting the handle and rotating the head 20. The invention 10 is designed to making cleaning easier and faster by allowing the user to perform several operations with only one broom 10.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the adjustable broom 10 has an angular adjustable, extendable and retractable handle 12. The handle's 12 outer sleeve 14 comprises a hollow rod that contains an extension rod 16 slidably disposed in the sleeve 14. The sleeve 14 includes a barrier for preventing the inner rod 16 from being pulled out of the sleeve 14. The extension rod 16 is secured or locked in place by the locking mechanism 18. The locking mechanism 18 comprises a spring-activated pin and, or button that is depressed and released to permit movement and lock the handle in place, respectively. The outer sleeve 14 includes an aperture that receives the locking mechanism's button 18 when it is released. It also provides access to the user for urging the button inward when the handle 16 is adjusted. The handle 12 is connected to the broom head 20 by a lockable joint 28 that allows angular adjustment of the handle 12 with reference to the broom head 20 and locks it into selected angles.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, the adjustable broom 10 has an extendable, retractable and rotatable brush head 20 that may be widened for a push broom or narrowed for a sweeping broom and rotated and locked in a desired position; and a plurality of interchangeable and replaceable brush cartridges corresponding to the adjustable widths of the brush head 20. The broom head 20 comprises a middle section 20a and a left section 20b and right section 20c that are telescopically mounted to the middle section 20a. The left and right sections 20b-c slide into the middle section 20a as shown in FIG. 7. The middle section 20a preferably has a width that equals, approximately matches or is substantially the same as the widths of the left and right sections 12b-c combined. The broom head side sections 12b-c may partially or fully retract into the middle section 12a. With reference to FIG. 8, the broom head sections 12a-c each have cartridge tracks 21a-c, respectively, for mounting the interchangeable brush cartridges 22. The cartridge tracks 21b-c telescopically mate with the middle cartridge track 12a when the left and right broom head sections 12b-c are retracted and extended. The cartridge tracks 21a-c have edges that curve slightly inward to retain a selected brush cartridge 22 by slidably gripping the brush cartridge track 23, which has a shape corresponding to the cartridge tracks 21a-c for facilitating a slidable, gripping engagement between the cartridge tracks 21a-c and 23. The broom head 12 has left and right locks 24, 26 that lock the left and right broom head sections 12b-c in selected positions. The left and right locking mechanisms 24, 26 are also operated by a spring-activated button. The left and right locking mechanisms 24, 26 facilitate lateral adjustment of the broom head section 20b-c.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the broom head 20 is mounted to the handle 12 with a swivel joint system 30 that may allow 180 degrees of rotation or zero to 360 degrees of rotation. The swivel joint system 30 includes a locking mechanism 28 having a spring-activated button, as described above with respect to the handle locking mechanism 18, for locking and unlocking the head 20 in a selected angular position. The swivel joint system 30 comprises a first plate 32 slidably and rotatably engabed with a second plate 36 by a known spring loaded tension device 40. One plate 32 or 36 has a lock tab 34 protruding outward while the other plate has a plurality of locking grooves or cavities 38 positioned and sized with reference to the lock tab 34 to facilitate a releasable lock when the lock tab 34 engages a cavity 38 in a selected position. The tab 34 may be spring-loaded or sized to allow it to release from a cavity 38 under sufficient, non-damaging force. The number of grooves 38 may vary to coincide with the number of preferred adjustment positions. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the swivel joint system 30 shown is a semi-circular and thus provides up to 180 degrees of rotational adjustment. The swivel joint system 30 could provide up to 360 degrees of rotational adjustment by employing circular plates 32, 36.

The interchangeable brush cartridges 22 are replaceable and comprise the track 23 and brushing material 25, such as bristles of varying rigidity, cloth, cloth straps, yarn or similar materials. The brush cartridges 22 may be made in various extension lengths and widths to permit use in different applications. The handle 12 of the adjustable broom 10 may be manufactured from tubular steel or fiber reinforced plastic. The base of the broom heads may be manufactured from plastic or wood with the bristles made of nylon or polypropylene plastic fibers, cloth, paper or woven fiber. The locking mechanisms 18, 24-28 may be made from steel, aluminum, magnesium or fiber reinforced nylon or polypropylene plastic with steel the preferred material.

Accordingly, the invention 10 includes the following features. The adjustable broom 10 is a broom with a replaceable, expandable head that can swivel. The invention has a hollow handle that contains an extension length of handle. The invention's extension handle is secured into place by a locking mechanism. The invention's locking mechanism is operated by a spring-activated button. The invention has a removable, replaceable broom head mounted on a swivel. The invention's removable, replaceable broom head is secured by a locking mechanism. The invention's removable, replaceable broom head locking mechanism is operated by a spring-activated button. The invention's removable broom head is capable of swiveling at any angle with respect to the axis of the handle. The base of the invention's removable swiveling broom heads is fitted with a sliding section. The invention's removable swiveling broom heads fitted with a sliding section allows the head to be extended or contracted as desired. The invention's removable swiveling broom head expansion sections are also secured by a locking mechanism operated by a spring-activated button. The invention may be manufactured with either a swiveling head or a head that locks into a fixed position. The invention's replaceable heads may be made with bristle, cloth or similar material. The invention's replaceable heads may be made in various extension lengths and widths to permit use in different applications. The invention extends and contracts including the replacement heads.

The features of the invention 10 facilitate use as follows. The broom 10 is used in the normal manner. The handle 12 is extended when it is necessary to reach over furniture, onto walls and ceilings or far behind items. The broom heads 20 are extended or contracted when it is necessary to reach in inaccessible spaces near furniture, into walls and crevices or far behind items with reduced space. Also expands into open areas such as driveways, corridors, hallways, loading zone areas and walkways. The adjustable broom's 10 heads 20 and handle 12 may be compacted for easy storage and transport.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functional modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An adjustable broom comprising:

a handle;

an adjustable brush head rotatably connected to one end of said handle, said brush head comprising means for adjusting the width of said brush head; and

at least one brush cartridge releasably connectable to said brush head, said brush head including means for brushing.

2. A broom as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

swivel means for rotatably joining said handle and said broom head so as to provide a predetermined number of degrees of rotation.

3. A broom as recited in claim 2, wherein said swivel means comprises:

a first plate slidably and rotatably joined to a second plate; and

plate locking means for locking said first and said plates into a selected orientation.

4. A broom as recited in claim 3, wherein said plate locking means comprises:

at least one tab protruding from said first plate; and

a plurality of grooves defined in said second plate, said tab being slidably engageable with said grooves for facilitating rotational adjustment and releasably locking said plates in selected positions, said grooves comprising a number corresponding to a desired number of adjustment positions.

5. A broom as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

cartridge means for slidably mounting said brush cartridge to said broom head.

6. A broom as recited in claim 5, wherein said cartridge means comprises:

a first track mounted to said broom head;

a second corresponding track mounted to said brush head, said first and second tracks being slidably engageable.

7. A broom as recited in claim 1, wherein said handle comprises:

a first rod slidably inserted in a base rod for extending and retracting, said base rod being pivotally mounted to said broom head; and

means for locking said first rod in a selected position with said base rod.

8. A broom as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

means for adjusting and locking said handle at a selected angle with respect to said broom head.