Push-flex attachment

Abstract

A flexible attachment mechanism used in conjunction with a push broom or floor squeegee having a handle and a broom head or squeegee blade to provide a flexible attachment mechanism at the junction where the broom head or squeegee blade handle is connected to the broom head or squeegee blade support frame. The flexible attachment mechanism allows the broom head or squeegee blade to flex up and down causing the flexible attachment mechanism to be pre-loaded when pushing with the handle and upon releasing the downward movement during a normal sweeping action, the pre-loaded flexible attachment mechanism springs up, which in turn causes the broom head or squeegee blade to spring upwardly to kick the debris further away from the broom head or squeegee blade holder. Furthermore, the new innovation allows heavy equipment to run over the handle and/or cleaning head and flex thus reduce handle and/or cleaning head damage.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning or a sweeping apparatus and in particular for brooms and floor squeegees or applications where material is being removed by an apparatus. The present invention further relates to a flexible insert apparatus which can enhance the ease of use and cleaning capability of brooms. In particular, the present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus or the like having the capability of up and down flexing for providing improved sweeping action and reduce damage when being run over by heavy objects along with flexing laterally when hitting objects reducing handle breakage.

2. Description of Prior Art

The standard brush broom has two primary components. The first component is the head that comprises a rectangular piece of material usually made of wood that supports therein a multiplicity of bristles of fibers that extend transversely to the head. The second primary component of the brush broom is the handle which is usually a cylindrical pole that is rigidly although sometimes removable affixed to the top of the head in the manner which permits the brush broom to be pushed and pulled by the exertion of a force on the handle.

One significant problem with brush brooms is longer length bristles are needed to create sufficient flick action to push the debris when sweeping, also they are usually laid down on the floor thus making the broom venerable to being run over by vehicles or walked over causing either or the handle and brush block to break. Also the broom handle can break when used in confined spaces is the rigid nature of the connection between the handle and head causes difficulty in sweeping adjacent, corners, tables, chairs and other areas where obstacles are placed on the floor. The edge of the broom head it's the obstacle straight on and then it is necessary to stop the sweeping action and reorient the push broom to avoid or go around the obstacle. In addition, if the force of the sweeping action is sufficiently strong, the head—on impact of the brush broom could cause damage to the object being hit, inflict injury to the operator or break the push broom handle and/or brush block. The reason for the damage is due to the moment between the handle and broom head length which causes a fulcrum effect. To overcome this problem prior art has been developed to allow the brush broom to be flexible at the joint between the brush broom and the pole handle. However, to effectively have a workable flexible brush broom, the flex mechanism needs to be somewhat rectangular in shape along the longitudinal axis to retain sufficient rigidity yet have enough flexibility to allow an up and down movement in the longitudinal axis while being flexible in the lateral axis.

Patent on mechanisms or attachments that allow for a flexible joint between the brush broom handle are simply cylindrical in shape thus allowing the connector to be threaded into a broom block. Such is the case of polymeric or polyurethane adapter U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,722,634 and 5,333,345. Since all known prior flexible adaptors are made to flex laterally to absorb impacts when hitting stationary objects. The present innovation optimizes the design of the flexible connector to flex up and down thus rendering it almost unbreakable when being run over by large vehicles that causes most of the broom handle block damage. Also, the flexible attachment mechanism allows the broom head to flex up and down causing the flexible attachment mechanism to be pre-loaded when pushing with the broom handle and upon releasing the downward movement during a normal seeping action, the pre-loaded flexible attachment mechanism springs up, which in turn causes the broom head to spring upwardly to kick the debris further away from the broom head.

Therefore, a significant need exists to improve upon the previous prior art patents and to provide a flexible attachment mechanism that can be adapted for controlling the up and down flexing of the cleaning head to push debris further reducing the bristle length of the bristles and lateral flexing to provide an improved sweeping action and to eliminate breakage when heavy loads, such as vehicles, are applied on top of the broom while being laid down on the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a mechanism that is affixed at the location between the brush handle and the head of the brush broom to provide a flexible member at the junction where the handle is attached to the head. Through use of the flexible member and the arc designed shape, the handle maintains sufficient rigidity in the direction in which it is moved when pushed lightly but when placing a sufficient load on the handle the attachment mechanism allows the broom head to flex up and down causing the flexible attachment mechanism to be pre-loaded when pushing the broom handle and upon releasing the downward movement during a normal sweeping action, the pre-loaded flexible attachment mechanism springs up, which in turn causes the broom head to spring upwardly to kick debris further way from the broom head thus shorter bristles can be used reducing cost. Through use of the flexible member the attachment is adequately flexible in the lateral direction. Therefore, when the brush broom comes in contact with a stationary object, the broom will flex and have sufficient enough movement to reduce hand injury to the operator and/or damage to the broom handle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible attachment mechanism which can be adapted for connecting a push broom head to a push broom and or floor squeegee handle and thereby forms a complete cleaning apparatus. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a flexible attachment mechanism that can be adapted for controlling the up and down flexing of the cleaning head to provide an improved sweeping action and eliminate breakage when heavy loads are applied on top of the broom while being laid down on the floor.

Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claim, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:

FIG. 1. Is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention insert apparatus attached to the top of the head and attached adjacent to the forward end of the handle of a brush broom.

FIG. 2 Is a perspective isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention insert apparatus attached to the top of the head and attached adjacent the forward end of the handle of a brush broom.

FIG. 3. Is a cross-sectional view looking down along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4. Is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention insert apparatus illustrating the movement of the attachment and the use of the recess relief cavity allowing the broom to flex upward when the broom and handle are being run over while in the laid down position.

FIG. 5. Is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention insert apparatus attached to the top of the head and attached adjacent to the forward end of the handle of a brush broom.

FIG. 6. Is a front elevational view as shown in FIG. 1, showing a partial cross section of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the alternate embodiment attachment without limit stops.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing the sweeping action of the alternate invention flexing in the downward position.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the present invention flexible attachment mechanism connected between a push broom head and a push broom handle to form a complete broom apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a partial rear plan view of the complete broom apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an illustration showing the sweeping action of the present invention flexible attachment mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a partial illustration showing the flexible attachment mechanism connected between a pus broom head and a push broom handle laid down on the ground and being run over by a heavy vehicle tire.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a frontal view of the alternate embodiment connected between a push broom head and a push broom handle to form a complete broom apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention as further defined in the appended claims.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, there is shown at 10 the present invention flexible apparatus on the top of a brush broom. In the preferred embodiment the flexible insert member 10 comprises a longitudinal section 14 and a lateral section 16 that are interconnected through an arcuate connecting section 18. In general appearance, the one piece molded insert looks like a pyramid shaped object with two open ended symmetrical open-ended recess cavities 19 and 20 to allow for a relief recess to allow the broom head to flex laterally roughly between 3-75 degrees when hitting stationary objects. Relief recess cavity 364 allows for the flexing in the upward position between 3-75 degrees allowing both the brush head and handle to lay flat on the ground when being run over by large equipment or heavy objects thus eliminating any damage to handle and/or broom head when abused and eliminate breakage.

The flexible apparatus 10 is made of a flexible elastomeric rubber like material like polyurethane. The handle 120 is either press fit, screwed or riveted or any other means attached into the apparatus housing 140. When press fit, the flexible elastomer material expands and thus requires the hole diameter in the apparatus housing 140 to be a minimum 0.050″ less in diameter than the diameter of handle 120.

In the preferred embodiment, the insert member 10 is made of any flexible substance with memory such as rubber, plastic, titanium, polyurethane and polyvinyl. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the attachment to be made of flexible but strong plastic such as Mylar, polyethylene or any other flexible material exhibiting the required memory characteristics.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower base mount positions 26 and 16 protrude upward and merge into a cylindrical sleeve portion. The upper cylindrical portion extends upwardly and outwardly preferably at an angle of inclination of approximately 45 degrees in relation to the base mount as shown in FIG. 5, item “A”. Accordingly, the upper sleeve portion of the cylindrical sleeve section 130 includes an axial bore 140 having a uniform dimension so as to receive the transverse dimension of the handle 120. The thickness of the material encapsulating handle 120 is sufficient to not crack when impact to the head of the broom occurs. The upper sleeve section 130 has a diameter to tightly receive in a generally slip-fit relationship the transverse dimension of the handle to frictionally retain the handle therein and is also retained by means of a screw or rivet as shown in FIG. 1. 131.

In the preferred embodiment, the insert member 10 is made of any flexible substance with memory such as rubber, plastic, titanium, polyurethane, polyvinyl. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the attachment to be made of flexible but strong plastic such as mylar, polypropylene or any other flexible material exhibiting the required characteristics.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in use on FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8. The conventional brush broom 100 comprises a head member 102 and a handle 120. The head 102 in turn comprises a top surface 104 and a bottom surface 106. For floor squeegees the bristles would be the same as the blade. The bottom surface 106 supports a multiplicity of bristles or fibers 108 that are cut so as to be aligned in the same plane flush against the floor during sweeping operations. The handle 120 is an elongated member that in the preferred embodiment for ease of gripping is a pole. When fitted with the preferred embodiment of the insert apparatus 10, the handle 120 is encapsulated into recess 140 which is sufficient length to accommodate a sufficient length of the longitudinal handle 120. The molded apparatus is comprised of left and right open-ended recess cavities 27 and 28 respectively that are open on both sides of the embodiment that form the upper and lower left side stops 21 and 24 and right side stops 22 and 23. The two open-ended recess cavities share the same back portion of the cavity that forms the generally rectangular flexible member 18. The recessed cavities 19 and 20 are elongated along Y axis to allow for the member to flex in the lateral movement as shown in FIG. 8. Relief recess cavity 364 are elongated along the X-axis to allow the member to flex in the pitch upward movement as shown in FIG. 4. The base of the attachment is supported onto the broom head by screws 150 and 151 that are either screws, T-Nuts with bolts, hangar bolts, bolts with wing nuts.

In order to facilitate the ease of motion for the sweeper, the longitudinal section 14 (and flexible member 18) is offset at an angle relative to its respective lateral sections 26 and 16. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the preferred relative angle “A” is approximately 45 degrees, although any angle from approximately 10 to approximately 90 degrees is allowed. With recess cavity 364 or alternate open cavity 264 allows for a variation of degrees as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10 when excessive force is applied thus moving the head in the upward movement or a downward movement when pushing the broom.

An alternate embodiment for the base of the attachment is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 16. This embodiment is identical to the preferred embodiment with the flexible member having a rectangular shaped flexible member as indicated in FIG. 3, item 18 and being a one-piece unitary molded attachment and recess cavity 364. The width of connecting section 19 in alternate embodiment said connecting section having a thickness which is thinner than the thickness of said mounting section for allowing a predetermined angle of lateral flexing of said connecting section with said longitudinal section. The difference between the preferred attachment and the alternate attachment is that the lateral recess cavities 19 and 20 have been removed as indicated in FIG. 7.

Defined broadly, the present invention is a flexible insert member with and recess cavities to allow flexing around the y and x axis that is made from a one piece unitary molded flexible material that is attached to the end of a brush broom handle and attached to the head of the brush broom without stop limits that is attached to thereby provide a controlled flexible connection between the handle and head of the brush broom, the flexible insert being rigid in the longitudinal direction to permit the handle to cause the broom head to move back and forth yet flex along longitudinal x-axis in order for the broom head and handle to be flat with no arc when heavy equipment or vehicles weight is applied onto the handle and or brush broom. To allow for sufficient flexing motion the distance between the bottom side of the recess cavity 364 and lower base mount positions 26 and 16 as shown in FIG. 11 item 77 is approximately between 0.25″-7″.

Therefore, through use of the present inversion, a flexible sweeper can be manufactured that is economical and durable and thus allow a person doing the sweeping to sweep liberally and freely without worry of nicking or denting other objects along with reducing hand injury due to sudden broom impact. At the same time, the brush broom has the rigidity to push and pull large loads without flexing beyond the predetermined degree via the stop limits and allow heavy equipment to run over the broom without damage. The life of the broom handle and broom brush is also increased.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 there is shown at 210 alternate invention flexible attachment mechanisms used in conjunction with a conventional push broom apparatus which includes a push broom 202 and a push broom handle 204, where the flexible attachment mechanism act as a stop limit mechanism in the down movement of the push broom head when pushing debris yet also flex upward B-B if run over with heavy load when in a flat laid down position. Shown in FIG. 11 is the lowest point of the mounting section height 77 directly aft of mounting bolts 250 and mounting section height 76. The flexible material between the recess cavity 364 and bottom of mounting section 211, as shown in 77, is thinner and/or its mass less dense than the thickness and density of the longitudinal section 14 as shown in 78 that encompasses a dense hardened pole 204, thus the connecting section 218 flexing ability is enhanced around the x-axis when heavy loads such as shown in FIG. 14 whereby a vehicle tire 505 runs over the broom in a laid down position allowing the back side of apparatus 507 flexible attachment 210 and aft end of broom head 262 to flex in order to lay flat on ground 506 thus means for limiting the upward flexing of said connecting section and said longitudinal section, where the limiting means controls the amount of upward flexing; and reducing if not eliminating handle and/or broom breakage. The push broom head 202 includes a top surface and a bottom cleaning surface which has a plurity of bristles or fibers 206 that are flush against the floor during a sweeping action.

The flexible attachment mechanism 210 is molded from a unitary elastomer material and includes an inclined longitudinal section 214, a lateral mounting section 216 and an arcuate connecting section 218 (see FIG. 12) which interconnects the longitudinal and lateral sections together. Specifically, the flexible attachment mechanism 210 is generally a pyramid-shaped object with two elongated symmetrical through openings 219 and 220 located on both sides of the connecting section 218. The longitudinal section 214 has a circular axial bore 240 with an open end 244. The axial bore is a uniform bore for receiving the broom handle 204, where the broom handle 204 is press-fitted thereto. The lateral section 216 is attached to the top surface of the push broom head 202 by conventional bolts and nuts, hanger bolts and wing nuts or screws with wing nuts. The bolts 250 are inserted through the bottom surface of the broom head 202 and through bores in the mounting section 216 of the flexible attachment mechanism 210 and secured thereto by two corresponding wing nuts. The mounting section 216 may be secured by at least two threaded bolts respectively inserted through the top of the mounting section 216 and threadedly engaged with the broom head 202 for securing the broom head 202 to the flexible attachment mechanism 210.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 12, each of the through openings 219 and 220 is arcuate in shaper and forms top stop pads and bottom stop pads that lie around the lateral axis. The gap between the stop pads can vary to allow the broom head to flex approximately between 3 degrees to up to 75 degrees depending on the application type of the push broom. Typically, the gap distance between the upper and lower stops pads is set to allow no more than 30 degrees broom head to broom handle deflection. When the broom head comes in contact with an object, the lower stop pad will come in contact with the upper stop pad, thereby causing the broom head not to continue the flex movement and reducing debris loss during sweeping.

In order to facilitate the ease of motion for the user, the longitudinal section 214 and the flexible connecting section 218 is offset at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, preferably a range between 15 degrees to 80 degrees can be used.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, the flexible attachment mechanism 210 further comprises a downward limit stop member 260 which is the bottom surface and integrally molded to the connecting section 218, where gap 264 is formed between the limit stop member 260 and the rear aft end of cleaning head 262 and an open cavity 264 is formed between the top of the broom head 204 and an open cavity 264 is formed between the top of the broom head 204 and the underside of the flexible attachment mechanism 210. Recess cavity 364 could be used to enhance the flexing motion.

The flexible attachment mechanism 210 allows the broom head 202 to move in a downward motion which causes the mechanism to be pre-loaded when a user pushes down on the broom handle 204 and upon releasing the downward pressure during a normal sweeping action, the pre-loaded flexible attachment mechanism 210 will spring up the broom head 202 causing the debris in front of the broom head to be lifted up and pushed further away from the broom head. The rectangular shaped connecting section 218 is wide enough approximately between 0.5″-12″ to allow for a controlled spring action and not cause excessive wobble effect of the broom head. The stop limit member 260 of the flexible attachment mechanism 210 controls the amount of flexing in the downward direction to ensure that the broom head 202 moves approximately 75 degrees when the user pushes down on the broom handle 204. If the downward flexing is not controlled, the broom head will flex too far causing the bristles to not make sufficient contact with the floor and debris being pushed. The limit stop member 260 engages with the rear aft end of the broom head 262, thereby stopping any further movement of the flexible attachment mechanism 210. Also, the downward pre-loaded flexing action of the flexible attachment member to push the debris will allow the length of the bristles to not be as long since the attachment will enhance the flicking action thus is a cost savings.

The present invention conforms to conventional forms of manufacture or any other conventional way known to one skilled in the art, and is of simple construction and is easy to use. The flexible attachment mechanism 210 can be made from several materials. The manufacturing process which could accommodate the construction of the flexible attachment mechanism may be injection, thermoform, etc. or other molding processes. By way of example, the flexible attachment mechanism 210 can be made of any flexible substance with memory such as rubber, plastic, titanium, santoprene, acetal, polyurethane, polypropylene or any other flexible material exhibiting the required memory characteristics.

Define in detail, the present invention is a floor squeegee or push broom, comprising: (a) an elongated laterally disposed broom head having a top surface and a bottom cleaning surface, the bottom cleaning surface having plurity of bristles or squeegee blade extending downwardly therefore; (b) a unitary flexible attachment mechanism having amounting section, an inclined longitudinal section, and a flexible connecting section integrally connecting the mounting section and the longitudinal section together, the mounting section centrally affixed to the top surface of the broom head such that the longitudinal section extends upwardly and outwardly to form an angle relative to the mounting section, the longitudinal section having an axial bore with an open end; (c) an elongated broom handle having one end press-fitting from the open end and secured with the axial bore of the longitudinal section of the flexible attachment mechanism; (d) the flexible connecting section having a pair of recesses located on opposite sides and extending pad and a lower stop limit pad, where the upper engagement pad and its respective lower stop limit pad form a predetermined gap for allowing lateral flexing of the longitudinal section and the broom handle; and (e) a downward stop limit member that engageable with a rear aft end of the broom head, where the downward stop limit member controls the amount of downward flexing of the connecting and longitudinal sections in the downward direction: (f) whereby the attachment mechanism is pre-loaded when a user pushes down on the broom handle causing the connecting and longitudinal sections to flex downward and upon releasing the downward pressure during a normal sweeping action, the pre-loaded flexible attachment mechanism springs up the broom head causing the debris in front of the broom head to be lifted up and pushed further away from the broom head.

Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment disclosed herein, or any specific use, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention herein above shown and described of which the apparatus shown is intended only for illustration and for disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modification in which the invention might be embodied or operated.

The invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the invention, or the scope of patent to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An attachment member to be used in conjunction with a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head and a handle, the attachment member comprising:

a. A flexible body having a mounting section for mounting to said cleaning head, a longitudinal section for receiving and securing one end of said handle thereto, and a connecting section interconnecting the mounting section and the longitudinal section together.

b. Said connecting section having a thickness which is thinner than the thickness of said mounting section for allowing a predetermined angle of lateral flexing of said connecting section with said longitudinal section;

c. Means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus;

d. Means for limiting the downward flexing of said connecting section and said longitudinal section, where the limiting means controls the amount of downward flexing; and

e. Said means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus having at least two bolts inserted through said cleaning head and through said mounting section of said body and secured thereto by at least two corresponding wing nuts or nuts;

f. Whereby said body of said attachment member is pre-loaded when a user pushes down on said handle causing said connecting and longitudinal sections to flex downward and upon releasing the downward pressure during a normal sweeping action, the pre-loaded body of said attachment member springs up said cleaning head causing the debris in front of said cleaning causing the debris in front of said cleaning head to be lifted up and pushed further away from said cleaning head;

g. whereby means for limiting the upward flexing of said connecting section and said longitudinal section, where the limiting means controls the amount of upward flexing; and

h. said limiting means includes said back side of apparatus and aft end of broom head when in contact with said ground to form an upward stop limit when heavy weight is applied to said cleaning head and/or handle;

i. whereby said mounting base aft of bolts that attach said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that has a material density that is less dense and more flexible than combined said longitudinal section and said push broom handle;

2. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, wherein said body is made out of elastomer material.

3. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, wherein said angle is approximately between the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees.

4. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting section further comprises a pair of symmetrical arcuate recesses located on opposite sides and extending the width of said connecting section, each arcuate recess forming an upper engagement pad and a respective lower stop limit pad such that when said cleaning head comes in contact with an object, either one of the upper engagement pads comes in contact with its respective lower stop limit pad and thereby prevents said handle from lateral movement such that said attachment member prevents said handle from breaking from said cleaning head.

5. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, wherein said connecting section is generally rectangular shape.

6. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, wherein said limiting means includes a downward stop limit integrally formed with said body from said connecting section for engaging with said rear aft end of cleaning head.

7. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, whereby said height of mounting base aft of bolts that attach to said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that is thinner than said longitudinal section.

8. The attachment member in accordance with claim 1, whereby said means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus having at least two threaded bolts inserted through the top of said mounting section and threadedly engaged with said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus;

9. An attachment member to be used in conjunction with a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head and a handle, the attachment member comprising:

a. a flexible body having a mounting section for mounting to said cleaning head, a longitudinal section for receiving and securing one end of said handle thereto, and a connecting section interconnecting the mounting section and the longitudinal section together;

b. said connecting section having a thickness which is thinner than the thickness of said mounting section for allowing a predetermined angle of lateral flexing of said connecting section with said longitudinal section;

c. means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus;

d. wherein said means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus includes at least two bolts inserted through said cleaning head and through said mounting section of said body and secured thereto by at least two corresponding wing nuts or nuts and/or;

e. at least two threaded bolts respectively inserted through the top of said mounting section and threadedly engaged with said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus;

f. means for limiting the upward flexing of said connecting section and said longitudinal section, where the limiting means controls the amount of upward flexing; and

g. said limiting means includes said back side of apparatus and aft end of broom head when in contact with said ground to form an upward stop limit when heavy weight is applied to said cleaning head and/or handle;

h. whereby said mounting base aft of bolts that attach said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that has a material density that is less dense and more flexible than combined said longitudinal section and said push broom handle;

i. attachment member in accordance with claim 9, wherein said predetermined angle of lateral flexing is approximately between the range of 3 degrees to 75 degrees;

j. attachment member in accordance with claim 9, wherein said connecting section is generally a rectangular shape.

10. The attachment member in accordance with claim 9, wherein said flexible body is made out of elastomer material.

11. The attachment member in accordance with claim 9, wherein said angle is approximately between the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees.

12. The attachment member in accordance with claim 9 wherein said connecting section further comprises a pair of symmetrical arcuate recesses located on opposite sides and extending the width of said connecting section, each arcuate recess forming an upper engagement pad and a respective lower stop limit pad such that when said cleaning head comes in contact with an object, either one of the upper engagement pads comes in contact with its respective lower stop limit pad and thereby prevents said handle from lateral movement such that said attachment member prevents said handle from breaking from said cleaning head.

13. The attachment member in accordance with claim 9, whereby said height of mounting base aft of bolts that attach to said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that is thinner than said longitudinal section;

14. An attachment member to be used in conjunction with a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head and a handle, the attachment member comprising:

a. a flexible body having a mounting section for mounting to said cleaning head, a longitudinal section for receiving and securing one end of said handle thereto, and a connecting section interconnecting the mounting section and the longitudinal section together;

b. said connecting section having a thickness which is thinner than the thickness of said mounting section for allowing a predetermined angle of lateral flexing of said connecting section with said longitudinal section;

c. means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus;

d. whereby said mounting base aft of bolts that attach said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that has a density with less mass and more flexible than combined said longitudinal section and push broom handle;

e. said connecting section further comprises a pair of symmetrical arcuate recesses located on opposite sides and extending the width of said connecting section, each arcuate recess forming an upper engagement pad and a respective lower stop limit pad such that when said cleaning head comes in contact with an object, either one of the upper engagement pads comes in contact with its respective lower stop limit pad and thereby prevents said handle from lateral movement such that said attachment member prevents said handle from breaking from said cleaning head;

f. means for limiting the upward flexing of said connecting section and said longitudinal section, where the limiting means controls the amount of upward flexing; and

g. said limiting means includes said back side of apparatus and aft end of broom head when in contact with said ground to form an upward stop limit when heavy weight is applied to said cleaning head and/or handle;

h. whereby said mounting base aft of bolts that attach said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that has a material density that is less dense and more flexible than combined said longitudinal section and said push broom handle;

i. wherein said means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus includes at least two bolts inserted through said cleaning head and through said mounting section of said body and secured thereto by at least two corresponding wing nuts;

j. Wherein the material is made from any material that has a flexible memory.

15. The flexible insert member in accordance with claim 14, wherein said means for attaching said mounting section to said cleaning top surface of said cleaning head includes at least two threaded bolts respectively inserted through the top of said mounting section and threadedly engaged with said cleaning head of said cleaning apparatus.

16. The attachment member in accordance with claim 14, wherein said flexible body is made out of, elastomer material.

17. The attachment member in accordance with claim 14, wherein said angle is approximately between the range of 10 degrees to 90 degrees.

18. The attachment member in accordance with claim 14, wherein said connecting section is generally a rectangular shape.

19. The attachment member in accordance with claim 14, wherein the hole diameter in said apparatus housing is a minimum of 0.050″ less in diameter than the diameter of said handle.

20. The attachment member in accordance with claim 14, whereby said height of mounting base aft of bolts that attach to said mounting section to said cleaning head has a segment that is thinner than said longitudinal section;