SURFACE CLEANUP TOOL

Abstract

Described herein are examples of a surface cleanup tool. The surface cleanup tool includes a collection area. The surface cleanup tool also includes an intake ramp formed at an edge of the surface cleanup tool along the collection area to facilitate intake of debris from a floor to the collection area; a retention lip to resist loss of debris from the collection area. The surface cleanup tool also includes handles formed proximate opposite sides of the collection area to facilitate lifting of the surface cleanup tool from the floor. The surface cleanup tool has a combination of weight and friction, relative to the floor, to remain in place in response to a sweeping force applied to move the debris up the intake ramp and onto the collection area.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/148,834entitled “SURFACE CLEANUP TOOL”, filed on Feb. 12, 2021. The entire contents of the above-listed application are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Floor cleanup generally involves the gathering of debris into a central location for collection and transport for disposal. Tools are used in the gathering of the debris, the collection of the debris, and the transport of the debris for disposal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of various examples of surface cleanup tool. The description is not meant to limit the surface cleanup tool to the specific examples. Rather, the specific examples depicted and described are provided for explanation and understanding of surface cleanup tool. Throughout the description the drawings may be referred to as drawings, figures, and/or FIGS.

The present description will be understood more fully when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of various examples of graphical user interfaces with dynamic containers and variables. The description is not meant to limit the graphical user interfaces with dynamic containers and variables to the specific examples. Rather, the specific examples depicted and described are provided for explanation and understanding of graphical user interfaces with dynamic containers and variables. Throughout the description the drawings may be referred to as drawings, figures, and/or FIGS.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a surface cleanup tool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a surface cleanup tool with one side of the surface cleanup tool lifted, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a surface cleanup tool configured in funnel shape, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a flat surface cleanup tool, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example of a surface cleanup tool with a hinged arrangement, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A surface cleanup tool as disclosed herein will become better understood through a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various embodiments of surface cleanup tool. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity and clarity, all the contemplated variations may not be individually described in the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understand how the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered and not depart in substance from the scope of the examples described herein.

Dust pans are generally a hand-held implement used to collect debris from a floor or other surface. Generally, a dust pan will include a handle which can be grasped to hold the dust pan in place and to lift the dust pan to transport the debris to an unloading location once debris is collected in the dust pan. Many dust pans are light so that they are easily carried/stored and are made of light materials to reduce cost. Because these dust pans are so light, they must be held in place while sweeping debris into the dust pan. Additionally, many dust pans are rigid and inflexible which limits the ability to dispose of the debris. Many dust pans are sized to fit consumer-sized brooms but struggle to handle debris from push brooms or other commercial sweeping tools.

Implementations of surface cleanup tools described herein may address some or all of the problems described above. Embodiments of a surface cleanup tool described herein may be secured during sweeping without requiring a user to hold the surface cleanup tool, be sized to provide debris collection for a wide range of brooms or other tools, and provide additional functionality in collection, transport, and/or disposal of the debris on the surface cleanup tool.

The surface cleanup tools can include a base plate and a retention wall that forms a collection area of dirt, debris, and other items. The base plate include a ramp and retention lip to allow dirt, debris, and other items to enter and stay within the collection area. The surface cleanup tools can be formed of flexible materials that allow for a flexible and intuitive floor cleaning implement that remains in place without the need for a user to hold or otherwise stabilize the surface cleanup tools. The surface cleanup tools can also include materials that allow surface cleanup tools to be placed on a surface and remain stationary while dirt, debris, and other items are moved, e.g., swept, into the surface cleanup tools.

FIG. 1 illustrates a surface cleanup tool 100, according to an embodiment. The surface cleanup tool 100. The surface cleanup tool 100 can allow collection of debris, dirt, etc., during sweeping, without requiring a user to hold the surface cleanup tool 100. The surface cleanup tool 100 can be sized to provide debris collection for a wide range of brooms or other tools, and provide additional functionality in collection, transport, and/or disposal of the debris on the surface cleanup tool 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the surface cleanup tool 100 includes a base plate 150 with a retention wall 110 extending upward, in the positive x-direction, from a top surface 154 of the base plate 150. The base plate 150 and the retention wall 110 define a collection area 102. The base plate 150 can have an approximate rectangular shape having four sides. The retention wall 110 can extend from upward from the top surface 154 at three of the four side thereby defining the collection area 102 with three sides and one opening.

In other embodiments, the base plate 150 of the surface cleanup tool 100 can be other shapes, for example, square, triangular, semi-rounded, hexagonal, or so forth. In any of these embodiments having, the retention wall 110 can from the top surface 154 of the base plate 150 such that a collection area 102 is formed having side and an opening. For example, if the base plate 150 is triangular, the retention wall 110 can extend from the top surface 154 at two of three sides, with the opening being at the third side.

The base plate 150 of the surface cleanup tool 100 includes a front edge 104. The front edge 104 runs along an edge of the base plate 150, not including the retention wall 110 and defines one side (opening) of the collection area 102. In some embodiments, the front edge 104 of the surface cleanup tool 100 can include an intake ramp 106. The intake ramp 106 may have a tapered or sloped geometry to facilitate sweeping or otherwise encouraging debris onto the collection area 102 of the surface cleanup tool 100. For example, the intake ramp 106 can be formed by taping down the base plate 150 from a thickness at the collection area 102 to a reduced thickness at the front edge 104 of the base plate 150. The reduced thickness at the front edge 104 of the base plate 150 can reduce resistance to debris coming onto the collection area 102 of the surface cleanup tool 100. For example, whereas smaller debris might stop at an edge with a greater thickness, the reduced thickness of the front edge 104 may allow more of the smaller or finer debris to pass up and onto the surface cleanup tool 100 with less effort or attempts.

In some embodiments, the intake ramp 106 may slope up from the front edge 104 to a retention lip 108. The retention lip 108 may drop downward, in the negative y-direction, from the top surface 154 to form an inside edge of the intake ramp 106 to retain debris swept onto the collection area 102 and resist loss of the debris back off and out of the collection area 102 of the surface cleanup tool 100. In some embodiments, the retention lip 108 extends only along the front edge 104 of the base plate 150 of the surface cleanup tool 100. In other embodiments, the retention lip 108 extends beyond to the front edge 104 to adjoining edges and/or an edge of the base plate of the surface cleanup tool 100 opposite the front edge 104.

As noted above, the retention wall 110 can be a raised structure positioned along one or more edges of the surface cleanup tool 100. For example, the retention wall 110 can form a back wall opposite the intake ramp 106 to assist in retention of debris that might be swept sufficient to otherwise continue off the opposite side of the surface cleanup tool 100. In some embodiments, the retention wall 110 can also aid in retaining the debris as the surface cleanup tool 100 is lifted from the floor or other surface for disposal of the debris. In some embodiments, the retention wall 110 may have a consistent height across a length of the retention wall 110. In other embodiments, the retention wall 110 may have a height that varies along the length of the retention wall 110. For example, the retention wall 110 may have a relatively low height proximate the front edge 104 of the surface cleanup tool 100 and may increase in height as distance from the front edge 104 of the surface cleanup tool 100 increases.

The retention wall 110 can include at least one of a first side portion 112, a second side portion 114 opposite the first side portion 112, a first back portion 116 proximate the first side portion 112 and oriented at approximately ninety degrees relative to the first side portion 112, and a second back portion 118 parallel to the first back portion 116 and intersecting the second side portion 114 at approximately ninety degrees. In some embodiments, the first side portion 112 and the second side portion 114 have a consistent height along the surface cleanup tool 100. In other embodiments, the first side portion 112 and the second side portion 114 may have a ramped or sloped height along the surface cleanup tool 100.

The first back portion 116 and the second back portion 118 interface at a joint 120. In some embodiments, the joint 120 is a point in the retention wall 110 at which the first back portion 116 and the second back portion 118 can overlap or otherwise displace to allow for the surface cleanup tool 100 to be rolled, folded, doubled up, or otherwise deformed. In some embodiments, the joint 120 can include a flexible material or region. In some embodiments, the joint 120 can include a coupler to secure the first back portion 116 relative to the second back portion 118.

In some embodiments, the surface cleanup tool 100 can include a one or more handles 122. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the surface cleanup tool 100 can include two handles 122, one formed in the first side portion 112 of the retention wall 110 and one formed in the second side portion 114 of the retention wall 110. In some embodiments, the handles 122 can be through holes extending through a thickness of the surface cleanup tool 100, for example, through a thickness of the retention wall 110. The handles 122 can be positioned in the retention wall 110 at a distance above the top surface 154 of the base plate to prevent debris from escaping through the handles 122. In other embodiments, the handles 122 can include hardware or other structure that may be formed in, or coupled to, the surface cleanup tool 100, for example, the retention wall 110.

The handles 122 can be formed to any size, shape, and dimensions to accommodate appendages of a user. For example, the handles 122 can have an oblong shape to provide sufficient space to fit a human hand. In other embodiments, the handles 122 can be rectangular, circular, oval, or so forth. In some embodiments, the handles 122 can be oriented parallel to an edge of the base plate 150 of the surface cleanup tool 100. For example, the handles 122 can be positioned such that each handle 122 is proximate an opposite edge of the surface cleanup tool 100 from the other handle 122. While FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary location of the handles 122, the handles 122 can be positioned at any location of surface cleanup tool 100, for example, in the collection area 102, other location on the retention wall 110, or another portion or region of the surface cleanup tool 100. In some embodiments, the handles 122 may be reinforced to resist tearing or wear.

The components of the surface cleanup tool 100, e.g., base plate 150 and retention wall 110, are formed of a rubber, polymer, or other flexible or semi-flexible material. The material of components of the surface cleanup tool 100, e.g., base plate 150 and retention wall 110, may be a natural material, a synthetic material, or a mixture of natural and materials. The components of the surface cleanup tool 100, e.g., base plate 150 and retention wall 110, can be formed of the same material or formed of different material.

In some embodiments, the material of the surface cleanup tool 100 provides increased friction or grip with the floor or other surface upon which the surface cleanup tool 100 is placed. In some embodiments, the surface cleanup tool 100 may include a texturing, a treatment, a coating, a shape, a pattern, a structure, or so forth disposed on at least the underside of the surface cleanup tool 100 to increase friction or otherwise affect resistance to relative motion of the surface cleanup tool 100 relative to the floor or other surface. The friction or grip of the surface cleanup tool 100 allows the surface cleanup tool 100 to remain in place while debris is swept or otherwise transferred onto the surface cleanup tool 100. In other embodiments, the handles 122 are formed of the same or similar material as another portion of the surface cleanup tool 100.

During use and operation, the surface cleanup tool 100 may be placed on the floor in a position to receive debris from the floor. A broom may be used to push debris onto the surface cleanup tool 100 without the need to support the surface cleanup tool 100 to prevent sliding, flipping, rolling, etc. With the debris collected, the surface cleanup tool 100 may be picked up by the handles 122 to transport the debris to a collection location or structure and offload the debris from the surface cleanup tool 100. While the surface cleanup tool 100 is described as being used on a floor, the surface cleanup tool 100 can be used on any surface, e.g., table, counter, wall, stairs, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a surface cleanup tool 200 with one side of the surface cleanup tool 100 lifted, according to an embodiment. The surface cleanup tool 200 can be formed of flexible materials that allow for a flexible and intuitive floor cleaning implement that remains in place without the need for a user to hold or otherwise stabilize the surface cleanup tool 200.

The surface cleanup tool 200 can include components similar to the surface cleanup tool 100 described above. The similar components are denoted with the same reference numbers, and a complete description of the similar components can be found above. The surface cleanup tool 200 includes a base plate 150 and a retention wall 110. The surface cleanup tool 200 can include handles 222 that are formed in the base plate 150.

The retention wall 110 can include at least one of a first side portion 212, a second side portion 214 opposite the first side portion 212, a first back portion 116 proximate the first side portion 212 and oriented at approximately ninety degrees relative to the first side portion 212, and a second back portion 118 parallel to the first back portion 116 and intersecting the second side portion 214 at approximately ninety degrees. The first side portion 212 and the second side portion 214 may have a ramped or sloped height along the surface cleanup tool 200. As illustrated, the first side portion 212 and the second side portion 214 can be sloped downward in height as the first side portion 212 and the second side portion 214 approaches the front edge 104 of the base plate 150.

The floor cleaning tool 200 can be constructed of a flexible material that allow for flexure of the surface cleanup tool 200. The surface cleanup tool 200 can be both flexible and resilient enough to allow for flexure to aid in lifting and manipulating the surface cleanup tool 200 while providing sufficient structural stiffness to allow the surface cleanup tool 200 to resist rolling and other movement when debris is swept onto the surface cleanup tool 200. The handles 122 are positioned in the surface cleanup tool 200 to facilitate rolling or other manipulating of the surface cleanup tool 200. For example, as discussed above, the handles 122 can be positioned in the retention wall 110.

The joint 120 can facilitate folding, lifting, rolling, or so forth. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the joint 120 allows the first back portion 116 to translate relative to the second back portion 118. As the second side portion 214 of the surface cleanup tool 200 is flexed upward in the positive y-direction, the second back portion 118 can translate by the first back portion 116 thereby altering the dimension of the collection area 102. In another example, the joint 120 may connect the first back portion 116 to with the second back portion 118 and allow the first back portion 116 and the second back portion 118 to flex relative to one another.

While FIG. 2 is described as being made of a flexible material, any of the embodiments described herein can be made of a flexible material. For example, the surface cleanup tool 100 described in FIG. 1 can be flexed in a manner similar to FIG. 2 or any other embodiment described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates the surface cleanup tool 300, which can be altered into funnel shape, according to an embodiment. The surface cleanup tool 300 facilitates not only collecting debris from a floor or other surface in an intuitive and user-friendly manner but also handling of the debris once it is collected on the surface cleanup tool 300.

The surface cleanup tool 300 can include components similar to the surface cleanup tool 100 and the surface cleanup tool 200, described above. The similar components are denoted with the same reference numbers, and a complete description of the similar components can be found above. The surface cleanup tool 300 includes a base plate 150 and a retention wall 110. As illustrated, the surface cleanup tool 300 can be flexible to facilitate rolling, folding, dishing, or other out-of-plane manipulation of the surface cleanup tool 300. In some embodiments, the surface cleanup tool 300 can be rolled to form a funnel shape converging on a side or edge of the surface cleanup tool 300. For example, the surface cleanup tool 300 can rolled to funnel debris off a back edge of the surface cleanup tool 300 opposite the front edge 104. The surface cleanup tool 300 can also be rolled to funnel debris off the front edge 104 or sides of the surface cleanup tool 300. Funneling the surface cleanup tool 300 can provide an improved ability to dump debris from the surface cleanup tool 300 and into a trash bag, garbage can, dumpster, or other collection location or structure.

The retention wall 110 can include at least one of a first side portion 312, a second side portion 314 opposite the first side portion 312, a first back portion 116 proximate the first side portion 312 and oriented at approximately ninety degrees relative to the first side portion 312, and a second back portion 118 parallel to the first back portion 116 and intersecting the second side portion 314 at approximately ninety degrees. The first side portion 312 and the second side portion 314 may have a ramped or sloped height along the surface cleanup tool 300, as described above. The surface cleanup tool 300 may include securing structures 302. In some embodiments, the securing structures 302 can be formed on an outer surface of the first side portion 312, adjacent to the first back portion 116, and the second side surface 314, adjacent to the second back portion 118. As illustrated, when the surface cleanup tool 300 is flexed inward, the securing structures can be brought into proximity facing upward in the y-direction.

The securing structures 302 can be any structure that allows securing together, for example, knobs, buttons, hooks, clips, holes, snaps, and so forth. In some embodiments, the securing structure 302 may compliment and connect to one another to secure the surface cleanup tool 300 in the funnel shape. In other embodiments, a securing mechanism 304 may be used to facilitate securing or maintaining the surface cleanup tool 300 in the funnel shape or in another shape or arrangement. For example, the securing mechanism 304 may include a clip, pin, latch, hook, snap, loop, strap, elastic, hoop, or so forth which may maintain the funnel shape or other shape or resist leaving that shape.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flat surface cleanup tool 400, according to an embodiment. The flat surface cleanup tool 400 provide a hands-free solution for capturing debris during cleanup and facilitating disposal of the captured debris in an intuitive manner.

The flat surface cleanup tool 400 can include components similar to the surface cleanup tool 100, 200, and 300, described above. The similar components are denoted with the same reference numbers, and a complete description of the similar components can be found above. The flat surface cleanup tool 400 includes a base plate 150. The flat surface cleanup tool 400 can include a back intake ramp 406 on a back edge 404 of the base plate 150 opposite the intake ramp 106 on the front edge 104. The intake ramp 106 may extend around a periphery of the flat surface cleanup tool 400 beyond the front edge 104. Additionally, the back intake ramp 406 on the back edge 404 may extend around a periphery of the flat surface cleanup tool 400 beyond the back edge 404 of the flat surface cleanup tool 400. The flat surface cleanup tool 400 may include a back retention lip 408 to resist loss of debris from the collection area 102 of the flat surface cleanup tool 400.

FIG. 5 illustrates a surface cleanup tool 500 with a hinged arrangement, according to an embodiment. The surface cleanup tool 500 can provide a quick and intuitive way to catch and retain debris on a floor or other surface.

The surface cleanup tool 500 can include components similar to the surface cleanup tool 100, 200, 300, and 400, described above. The similar components are denoted with the same reference numbers, and a complete description of the similar components can be found above. The surface cleanup tool 200 includes a base plate 150 and a retention wall 110. The surface cleanup tool 200 can include handles 222 that are formed in the base plate 150.

The retention wall 110 can include at least one of a first side portion 112, a second side portion 114 opposite the first side portion 112, a first back portion 116 proximate the first side portion 112 and oriented at approximately ninety degrees relative to the first side portion 112, and a second back portion 118 parallel to the first back portion 116 and intersecting the second side portion 114 at approximately ninety degrees. The first side portion 112 and the second side portion 114 may have a ramped or sloped height along the surface cleanup tool 500. As illustrated, the first side portion 112 and the second side portion 114 can be sloped downward in height as the first side portion 112 and the second side portion 114 approaches the front edge 104 of the base plate 150.

The surface cleanup tool 500 includes include a central hinge 502 positioned at the joint 120 between the second back portion 118 and the first back portion 116. The central hinge 502 can be coupled to the second back portion 118 and the first back portion 116 of the retention wall 110. The central hinge 502 can separate the first back portion 116 from the second back portion 118 of the retention wall 110. The base plate 150 can be divided from the joint 120 to the front edge 104. The central hinge 502 can be formed of the same or similar material to that of the rest of the hinged surface cleanup tool 500. In some embodiments, the central hinge 502 can be constructed of a reinforced material or may be reinforced with a separate material.

In some embodiments, the central hinge 502 allows the hinged surface cleanup tool 500 to be pivoted to separate a first half 504 from a second half 506, thereby dividing the collection area 102 into separate collection areas. The first half 504 and the second half 506 can be opened and closed to capture or receive debris. For example, the hinged surface cleanup tool 500 can be opened and positioned to at least partially surround a debris pile. The hinged surface cleanup tool 500 can then be closed about the central hinge 502 to capture the debris on the hinged surface cleanup tool 500. In some embodiments, the central hinge 502 is free to rotate. In other embodiments, the central hinge 502 may have one or more fixable positions. At least one of the first back portion 116 and the second back portion 118 can be reinforced to support the hinging motion of the hinged surface cleanup tool 500.

In some embodiments, the front edge 104 wraps around to the interface of the first half 504 and the second half 506. The intake ramp 106 can also wrap around to the interface to facilitate the on-boarding of the debris onto the hinged surface cleanup tool 500. A retention lip 108 can extent from the front edge 104 to the joint 120 to retain the debris once on-boarded.

In any of the embodiments described above, the cleanup tools 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 can include a rigid element to resist deformation of the surface cleanup tool 300. For example, a rigid element may be disposed proximate the front edge 104 to prevent deformation of the front edge 104 of any of the cleanup tools 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500. In some embodiments, any of the cleanup tools 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 can include a deformable rigid element to accept and maintain a deformation of the surface cleanup tool 300. For example, any of the cleanup tools 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 can include a deformable rigid element in the back edge or another region of the surface cleanup tool 300 to form a funnel or fold geometry in the surface cleanup tool 300. In some embodiments, the deformable rigid element may include a natural or synthetic material or combination of natural and/or synthetic materials.

In any of the embodiments described above, the cleanup tools 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 facilitates connection of a garbage bag, can, chute, or other structure to the surface cleanup tool 100. For example, any of the cleanup tools 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 can include hooks, straps, clips, bands, or so forth to attach a bag or other structure to the surface cleanup tool 100 to capture debris offloaded from the surface cleanup tool 100.

A feature illustrated in one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature illustrated in another of the figures. Similarly, a feature described in connection with one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature described in connection with another of the figures. The same or similar features may be noted by the same or similar reference characters unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, the description of a particular figure may refer to a feature not shown in the particular figure. The feature may be illustrated in and/or further described in connection with another figure.

Elements of processes (i.e. methods) described herein may be executed in one or more ways such as by a human, by a processing device, by mechanisms operating automatically or under human control, and so forth. Additionally, although various elements of a process may be depicted in the figures in a particular order, the elements of the process may be performed in one or more different orders without departing from the substance and spirit of the disclosure herein.

The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several implementations. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some implementations may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present implementations. Thus, the specific details set forth above are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present implementations.

Related elements in the examples and/or embodiments described herein may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity and clarity, related elements may not be redundantly explained. Instead, the use of a same, similar, and/or related element names and/or reference characters may cue the reader that an element with a given name and/or associated reference character may be similar to another related element with the same, similar, and/or related element name and/or reference character in an example explained elsewhere herein. Elements specific to a given example may be described regarding that particular example. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that a given element need not be the same and/or similar to the specific portrayal of a related element in any given figure or example in order to share features of the related element.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the present implementations should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The foregoing disclosure encompasses multiple distinct examples with independent utility. While these examples have been disclosed in a particular form, the specific examples disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter disclosed herein includes novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above both explicitly and inherently. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more of such elements.

As used herein “same” means sharing all features and “similar” means sharing a substantial number of features or sharing materially important features even if a substantial number of features are not shared. As used herein “may” should be interpreted in a permissive sense and should not be interpreted in an indefinite sense. Additionally, use of “is” regarding examples, elements, and/or features should be interpreted to be definite only regarding a specific example and should not be interpreted as definite regarding every example. Furthermore, references to “the disclosure” and/or “this disclosure” refer to the entirety of the writings of this document and the entirety of the accompanying illustrations, which extends to all the writings of each subsection of this document, including the Title, Background, Brief description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, and any other document and/or resource incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein regarding a list, “and” forms a group inclusive of all the listed elements. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and D is an example that includes A, includes B, includes C, and also includes D. As used herein regarding a list, “or” forms a list of elements, any of which may be included. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, or D is an example that includes any of the elements A, B, C, and D. Unless otherwise stated, an example including a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude other examples that include various combinations of some or all of the alternatively-inclusive elements. An example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements includes at least one element of the listed elements. However, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes all of the listed elements. And, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes a combination of some of the listed elements. As used herein regarding a list, “and/or” forms a list of elements inclusive alone or in any combination. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and/or D is an example that may include: A alone; A and B; A, B and C; A, B, C, and D; and so forth. The bounds of an “and/or” list are defined by the complete set of combinations and permutations for the list.

Where multiples of a particular element are shown in a FIG., and where it is clear that the element is duplicated throughout the FIG., only one label may be provided for the element, despite multiple instances of the element being present in the FIG. Accordingly, other instances in the FIG. of the element having identical or similar structure and/or function may not have been redundantly labeled. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize based on the disclosure herein redundant and/or duplicated elements of the same FIG. Despite this, redundant labeling may be included where helpful in clarifying the structure of the depicted examples.

The Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed examples that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Examples embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same example or a different example and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the examples described herein.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a base plate including a top surface, a bottom surface, and one or more edges, wherein the bottom surface is formed of at least one material that, when a force is applied to the base plate, the at least one material operates to reduce the movement of the base plate relative to a surface on which the base plate is positioned, the top surface forms a collection area, and the base plate is formed of a flexible material that allows the base plate to change at least one of a shape or configuration;

an intake ramp formed at a first edge of the one or more edges, wherein the intake ramp is formed by a decrease in thickness of the base plate from the top surface to a bottom surface to facilitate intake of debris from the surface to the collection area;

a retention lip formed adjacent to the intake ramp, wherein the retention lip is formed lower relative to the top surface of the base plate to resist loss of debris from the collection area; and

at least one handle formed within or adjacent to the base plate.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more securing structures formed proximal to opposing edges of the one or more edges, wherein the one or more securing structures are configured to coupled together when the base plate is flexed to maintain a change in the shape or confirmation of the base plate.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the one or more securing structures are formed at opposing edges of the first edge thereby reconfiguring an opening to the collection area to facilitate an exit of the debris in the collection area.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a retention wall positioned adjacent to at least one second edge of the one or more edges of the base plate, wherein the retention wall extends from the top surface of the base plate to define the collection area.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the retention wall comprises:

a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion and second side portion are positioned adjacent to opposing edges from the at least one second edge; and

a back wall portion coupled between the first side portion and the second side portion, wherein the first side portion, second side portion, and back wall portion define an opening to allow entry to and retention within the collection area.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least handles are formed in the retention wall to allow a reconfiguration force to be applied to the base plate for altering the shape or configuration of the base plate such that the opening defined by the first side portion, second side portion, and back wall portion is altered to facilitate entry or exist of the debris in the collection area.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising:

one or more securing structures formed adjacent to opposing ends of the back wall, wherein the one or more securing structures are configured to coupled together to maintain the alteration of the shape or configuration of the opening.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the back wall comprises:

a first back portion and a second back portion, the first back portion and the second back portion coupled at a joint that allows the first back portion and the second back portion to move relative to one another when the reconfiguration force is applied to the base plate.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein:

the base plate is divided into a first half and a second half, the division extending from the joint of the first back portion and the second back portion to the intake ramp; and

the joint allows the first half and the second half to move relative to one another to increase the opening to the collection area.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the intake ramp extends along the division between the first half and the second half of the collection area to assist an entry of the debris into the collection area.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first side portion and second side portion reduce in extension height from the top surface of the base plate near the intake ramp to allow a sweeping tool to contact the top surface of the base plate near the intake ramp.

12. A device, comprising:

a base plate including a collection area, wherein: at least a portion of the base plate is formed of a flexible material that allows the base plate to change at least one of a shape or configuration, and the flexible material provides a combination of weight and friction, relative to a surface, to remain in place in response to a sweeping force applied to the base plate;

an intake ramp formed adjacent to the collection area, wherein the intake ramp facilitates intake of debris from a surface to the collection area; and

a retention lip formed adjacent to the intake ramp to resist loss of debris from the collection area.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the retention lip is formed lower relative to a top surface of the base plate to resist loss of debris from the collection area.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein:

the retention lip and the intake ramp extend along a first side of the top surface of the base plate to form an opening to the collection area; and

the remaining sides of the base plate are configured to resist debris from leaving the collection area.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein:

the base plate includes a first half and a second half, a division of the first half and the second half extending from the first side to an opposing side of the top surface; and

the retention lip and the intake ramp extend along the division of the first half and the second half.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the retention lip and the intake ramp extend along a parameter of the top surface of the base plate to allow access to the collection area from any side of the base plate.

17. A device, comprising:

a collection area; and

a debris access point at a first edge of the collection area to facilitate intake of debris from a surface to the collection area and to resist loss of debris from the collection area, wherein: the device is formed having a combination of weight and friction, relative to a surface on which the device is placed, and the combination of weight and friction operate to resist movement of the device in response to a sweeping force applied to move the debris up the intake ramp and onto the collection area.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the collection area is formed of a flexible material such that the collection area provides a collection surface that is approximately parallel to the surface on which the device is placed and provides an ability to reconfigure the collection surface.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein, when the device is removed from the surface, the collection surface is reconfigured into a conical shape in response to a reconfiguration force applied to the collection area.

20. The device of claim 18, wherein:

when the device is removed from the surface, a portion of the collection surface is reconfigured to form a retention wall in response to apply a reconfiguration force to the collection area; and

the retention wall resists debris from exiting the collection area.