Patent ID: 8127392
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: A46B

Abstract:
1. A convertible broom comprising: an elongated handle; a broom head having bristles projecting therefrom; a head bracket attached to said broom head; a lower end of said handle having a pivotal connection to said head bracket allowing said head to swing relative said handle between a first pivoted position whereat said bristles project in the same general direction as a longitudinal axis of said handle and a second pivoted position whereat said bristles project in a generally transverse direction to said handle longitudinal axis; a pivot latch mechanism selectively operable to lock said head bracket to said handle in either pivoted position, said pivot latch mechanism including two sets of one or more locator features formed on said head bracket and an elongated movable locking element held on an operator member slidably mounted to said handle so that said locking element is movable against a stop to assume a retracted position against said stop; respective locator surfaces on said head bracket each able to be engaged by said retracted locking element upon movement from said retracted position to an advanced position in a respective first or second pivoted position of said head bracket by sliding movement of said operator member to locate said retracted locking element relative said head bracket in each of said first and second pivoted positions of said head bracket to be aligned thereby with said respective sets of one or more locator features on said head bracket in each of said first and second pivoted positions of said head bracket; said movable locking element able to be moved by sliding motion of said operator member to said advanced position and thereby engage one or the other sets of said one or more locator features with said head bracket in said first or second positions; and said movable locking element also able to be moved by said operator member to be retracted to disengage said movable locking element with either of said sets of one or more locator features with said head bracket in a corresponding first or second pivoted position and reengaged with the other set of one or more locator features upon pivoting of said head to the other pivoted position, whereby said broom head may be moved by gravity from either said first or second pivoted position to the second or first pivoted position by holding said broom in a position to cause said head bracket to pivot by gravity to the other pivoted position after retraction of said operator member and disengagement of said locking element from said one of said sets of one or more locator features and locked in either said first or second position by movement of said operator member to said advanced position whereat said locking element engages the other of said sets of one or more locking features after pivoting of said head bracket to said other pivoted position.