Abstract:
A rake having a curved handle and a rake head which is made up of a frame having a crossbar connecting the sides of the frame and connecting to the handle. The rake head contains sidepieces which are so shaped as to enable the rake head to glide across the ground. The sidepieces may fit into ski glides or spoon glides to provide this property. The frame is straight or is arced so as to provide a large area of containment. The invention also presents a broom or squeegee having the same handle as the rake. The handle is connected to an adapter, which fits into either side of a handle connector. The broom or squeegee is also connected to wheels so that it may be moved without being lifted from the surface to be cleaned or dried.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0001]     (Not applicable)  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0002]     (Not applicable)  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1) Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     This invention relates to rakes for gathering leaves or other debris. Also, this invention is directed to implements for cleaning floors, such as push brooms, for cleaning dirt and other debris from floors.  
         [0005]     2) Description of the Related Art  
         [0006]     Raking leaves is often arduous and time-consuming labor. Heretofore, devices have been developed for reducing the laborious task of hand raking by providing wheeled raking devices.  
         [0007]     Power raking machines which utilize a gas or electric motor to drive a reciprocating rake head are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,777,460 and 3,417,554. These machines are often used for general lawn conditioning purposes such as removing thatch or dead grass from lawns. They require access to an external electrical hookup as well as extended lengths of electrical extension cord. The resulting machines are rather heavy and inconvenient to use for raking loose lawn cover such as leaves. Power machines do not appear to be practical for such purposes.  
         [0008]     Manual raking devices have been developed, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,329,708 and 1,020,228, wherein raking tines are supported by wheels. The devices may be rolled along the ground with the raking tines gathering leaves and the like in the path of the device. Such devices do not require an auxiliary power source. However, the raking tines are only moved over the ground and are not provided with a simulated raking action. Leaves can soon accumulate beneath the raking tines resulting in a dragging raking action which will not rake cleanly.  
         [0009]     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,773, a wheeled power raking device is disclosed having a plurality of individual hand rakes operated by a crankshaft. The crankshaft is powered by an electric motor to move the individual rakes through a raking motion over the ground. Again, the attendant inconveniences and dangers of having an auxiliary power source are necessary and appear to outweigh the practical advantages of such a device, except possibly for commercial application.  
         [0010]     The process of using rakes which do not have the above labor-saving additions varies depending on the type of landscape to be cleared. In the raking process in open areas, the user stands upright, lifts the rake, extends it forward and places it on the ground having debris. The user then retracts the rake, pulling back the debris. This sequence is repeated until the ground has been cleared of debris.  
         [0011]     In the raking process under low-imbed trees and shrubs, the user bends over and grips the rake so that the rake may be extended off the ground in a low trajectory. The rake is then extended under the limbs before placing it on the ground having debris. The rake is then retracted, pulling the debris with it.  
         [0012]     As can readily be appreciated, in spite of the improvements which have been made, raking is still an arduous process. The wheeled rakes are heavy and are not easily turned. The conventional rakes require lifting each time the rake is moved.  
         [0013]     Implements for cleaning floors are well known. Such implements are brooms, mops, and squeegees. Common push brooms contain bristles of horsehair, fiberglass, or plastic. These bristles are fastened into generally rectangular bases made of wood or plastic. The bases have two attachment holes for the handles. These holes are placed at complementary angles to allow for even wear of the bristles. Commonly, the holes and the handles are threaded for easy attachment and disengagement. Some type of stabilizing reinforcement mechanism is common in push brooms. A typical prior art push broom is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,383, granted to Bryant May 24, 1983.  
         [0014]     The prior art push brooms may be used with a pushing motion to push dirt and other debris away from the user or may be operated with a pulling motion to bring dirt and other debris toward the user. Either mode of use requires the broom to be lifted at the end of one cleaning movement and placed in a new desired position for the next cleaning movement.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The present invention addresses the problems outlined above and seeks to eliminate them while still maintaining a rake which will clear debris or an implement for cleaning floors. The present invention is directed to a new rake or implement for cleaning floors which allows the user to remain upright under all conditions and which eliminates the step of lifting the rake or implement for cleaning floors each time it is used. The rake or implement for cleaning floors of this invention has a unique handle which allows the user to remain erect while raking or cleaning floors. The handle also allows for easy storage and has a unique handgrip which allows for easy transportL  
         [0016]     The rake of one embodiment of the present invention has a bulb-shaped front end joining sloping shoulders for penetration into hard-to-reach areas. This shape increases the debris-contaiunment width and overall containment area. The rake of a second embodiment contains a rake head featuring a single smooth arc. The rake head of a third embodiment features a rake head having a straight frame. The rake head has sidepieces which glide along the ground. The sidepieces may have bottoms which are so shaped to glide along the ground or which fit into skis or spoons which glide along the ground to enable the user to avoid lifting the rake each time the rake is used. The rake of the invention may also have an adjustable handle.  
         [0017]     The floor cleaning implement of this invention contains a handle similar to that used with the rake. The preferred embodiment of such an implement is a push broom. The broom base contains conventional bristles, a connection for the handle, and connections for the wheel mechanism. The wheel mechanism may be mounted on either side of the broom base so as to permit even wear of the bristles. The wheel mechanism supports either fixed or swivel wheels so as to allow the broom to be moved to a desired new position without lifting the broom.  
         [0018]     As can be readily seen from the above, this invention allows for the accomplishment of the laborious tasks of raking and cleaning floors without the usual steps of lifting and carrying the rake or implement for cleaning floors and setting the rake or implement for cleaning floors in a new position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the rake of this invention in the lowered, or operating, position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the rake of this invention in the raised, or moving, position  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational perspective view of the rake head of one embodiment of this invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational perspective view of the rake head of a second, and preferred, embodiment of this invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational perspective view of the rake head of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the rake head of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a rear sectional view of the rake head of this invention at the point where the handle attaches to the crossbar.  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of the rake head according to a third embodiment of this invention  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the rake head of the third embodiment of third invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the rake head of the third embodiment.  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of a portion of the crossbar showing attachment of the handle to the crossbar.  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  shows one alternative of transporting the rake of this invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  shows a second alternative of transporting the rake of this invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational perspective view showing the mechanism which allows for lengthening and shortening of the handle.  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of the rake head and a portion of the handle showing a handgrip on the distal end of the handle.  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a front view of the handgrip located at the proximal end of the handle.  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the handgrip of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is an elevational side view of several alternatives for designs of the side-piece and glide of the rake of this invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a side elevational view showing the rake hung on a wall using a conventional implement hanger.  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is a side elevational view showing the rake hung on a wall using a nail.  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a type of implement hanger which may be used to hang the rake or broom of this invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 22  is a side elevational view of the broom of this invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 23  is a plan view of the broom head.  
         [0042]      FIG. 24  is an exploded elevational perspective view showing the handle holder, adapter, and the distal portion of the handle.  
         [0043]      FIG. 25  is a side elevational view of the broom head showing the wheel plate holder and the handle adapter.  
         [0044]      FIG. 26  is an elevational perspective view of the wheel plate holder.  
         [0045]      FIG. 27  is a side elevational view of the pin assembly for the wheel plate holder.  
         [0046]      FIG. 28  is a front elevational view of the pin assembly for the wheel plate holder.  
         [0047]      FIG. 29  is a plan view of the front portion of a wheel plate inserted in a wheel plate holder.  
         [0048]      FIG. 30  is a plan view of the front portion of a wheel plate.  
         [0049]      FIG. 31  is a side elevational view of a wheel attached to a wheel plate.  
         [0050]      FIG. 32  is a side elevational view, partly in cut-away, of a swivel wheel attached to a wheel plate. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0051]     The rake  2  of the present invention presents several improvements not known to the prior art, each improvement designed to make the task of raking easier to the user. The rake  2 , broadly, is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The rake  2  has a proximal handgrip  4  at the proximal end  6  which is attached to, and almost completely covers, the first, upwardly slanted, section  8  of the handle  10 . The first section  8  of the handle  10  is bent to form a second, horizontal, section  12 . The second section  12  is bent to become a steep downwardly slanted third section  14 . The third section  14  is bent upward to form a fourth, straight, gradually downwardly slanted, section  16  of the handle  10 . The fourth section  16  attaches at its distal end  18  to the rake head  20 .  
         [0052]     With reference to  FIGS. 3-7  and  18 , the rake head  20  will be described. A rear crossbar  22  having two ends  24  is attached at each end  24  to a sidepiece  26  of the rake head  20 . The sidepiece  26  may be no more than a frame but preferably it is substantially solid, as see  FIG. 18 . The sidepiece  26  may be rounded on the bottom  28  and cause the rake  2  to glide when it is pulled along the ground or, preferably, it fits into a glide ski  30  or a glide spoon  32  with the same effect. Reference is made once more to  FIG. 18  for the various alternatives. When a glide ski  30  or glide spoon  32  is used, the glide ski  30  or glide spoon  32  is preferably welded to the sidepiece  26  although other forms of attachment, such as bolting, are acceptable.  
         [0053]     In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 , the frame  34  extends from the forward end  36  of each sidepiece  26  in a single arc meeting at the center  38  which is the forward extension of the frame  34 . Extending downwardly from the frame  34  are the tines  40 . The tines  40  may be the same as or similar to tines of conventional rakes. They are spaced apart the same distance as in conventional rakes. However, since the angle at which the tines  40  contact the debris is different from the angle in a conventional rake, the apparent spacing between the tines  40  is decreased and there is greater contact of the tines  40  with the debris as compared to conventional rakes. It is intended that the present rake  2  be substantially wider than rakes of the prior art. This greater width, coupled with the presence of the side pieces  26 , allows the rake  2  of the present invention to transfer a substantially greater amount of debris.  
         [0054]     In a second, and preferred, embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , the frame  34  extends from the forward end  36  of each sidepiece  26  in a gradual arc  42 . About halfway to the center  38 , the slope of the arc  42  becomes steeper  44  and changes again to become more gradual  46  near the center  38  so that the frame  34  reaches its greatest protrusion at the center  38  of the frame  34 . Using this configuration, the rake  2  is able to contact the ground farther under shrubbery than can conventional rakes. As with the first embodiment, the tines  40  extend downwardly from the frame  34  and may be the same as or similar to tines  40  of conventional rakes. They are spaced apart the same distance as in conventional rakes. However, since the angle at which the tines  40  contact the debris is different from the angle in a conventional rake, the apparent spacing between the tines  40  is decreased and there is greater contact of the tines  40  with the debris as compared to conventional rakes.  
         [0055]     The crossbar  22  contains a central notch  48  which holds the handle  10 . The distal end  18  of the handle  10  attaches to the center  38  of the frame  34 . This notch  48  helps to stabilize the handle  10 .  
         [0056]     A third embodiment is disclosed in  FIGS. 8-11 . The rake head  20  is made up of a straight frame  34  which extends from one side to the other as in conventional rakes. On each side, a sidepiece  26  extends rearwardly from the frame  34 . A crossbar  22  extends from one sidepiece  26  to the other behind the frame  34 . The crossbar  22  contains a notch  48  in the center for supporting the distal end  18  of the handle  10  prior to its attachment to the frame  34 . The bottom  28  of the sidepiece  26  may be rounded or a glide ski or glide spoon  32  may attached to the bottom  28  of the sidepieces  26 . As in the above embodiments, a downward pressure on the handle  10  tilts the rake head  20  upwardly allowing the rake  2  to be repositioned without lifting.  
         [0057]     As can be readily appreciated, in use the head  20  of the rake  2  is placed on the ground in the desired position, retracted toward the user, slid forward and to the side to another desired position, and retracted again. This operation does not involve lifting the rake head  20  off of the ground to change its position.  
         [0058]     The handle  10  may be lengthened or shortened by using a connecting sleeve  50  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The connecting sleeve  50  is a clamp which fits around the proximal  52  and distal  54  sections of two adjacent sections of the handle  10 . It may be fixedly attached to either section and moveably attached to the other section. For purposes of illustration, when the connecting sleeve  50  is fixedly attached to the proximal section  52 , the distal section  54  may be moved proximally or distally and when the distal section  54  is in the desired position, the connecting sleeve  50  may be tightened. The connecting sleeve  50  contains two bolts  62  and two nuts for use in the wing portions  64  of the connecting sleeve  50  or two bolts  62  and threaded wing portions  64 .  
         [0059]     The center of gravity of the rake  2  of the present invention is immediately proximal to the rear of the head  20 . Thus it may be easily carried as shown in  FIG. 12  by holding it at that place or it may be easily dragged along the ground as shown in  FIG. 13 . For holding the rake  2 , a distal handgrip  66  as shown in  FIG. 15  is provided.  
         [0060]     The rake  2  of the present invention may be easily stored by virtue of a proximal handgrip  4 . As seen in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the handle  10  contains a hole  68  in the proximal handgrip  4  so that the hole  68  may be placed over a nail driven into the wall. When this is done the rake  2  fits close to the wall and the tines  40  are pointed toward the wall as shown in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0061]     Alternatively, a common implement holder  70 , such as a Crawford broom clip, as shown in  FIG. 21  may be mounted on a wall and the rake  2  may be fitted into it at the bend between the third  14  and fourth  16  sections of the handle  10  as shown in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0062]     The implement for cleaning floors will now be discussed with reference to a push broom  72 . The broom  72  of the present invention is viewed in  FIG. 22 . The broom handle  74  has a handgrip  4  at the proximal end  6  which is attached to, and almost completely covers, the first, upwardly slanted, section  8  of the handle  74 . The first section  8  of the handle  74  is bent to form a second, horizontal, section  12 . The second section  12  is bent to become a steep downwardly slanted third section  14 . The third section  14  is bent upwardly to form a fourth, straight, gradually downwardly slanted, section  16  of the handle  74 . The fourth section  16  attaches at its distal end  76  to an adapter  78  which is connected to the rectangular base  80  of the broom  72 .  
         [0063]     With reference to  FIG. 23 , it is seen that two wheel plate holders  82  are mounted on the top surface  84  of the broom base  80 . The two wheel plate holders  82  are equidistant from the side ends  86  of the broom base  80 . The handle holder  88  (not shown in  FIG. 23 ) is located at the center of the top surface  84  of the broom base  80 .  
         [0064]     With reference to  FIGS. 26-29 , the wheel plate holder  82  is made up of a bottom piece  90 , two side pieces  92  and a top piece  94 . The bottom piece  90  has a plurality of connector holes  96  at each end  98  thereof for connecting to the top surface  84  of the base  80  with screws or bolts. The bottom piece  90  also contains a plurality of locking holes  100  located along the center line of the bottom piece  90  for holding the locking pins  102 . The side pieces  92  extend upwardly from the bottom piece  90  medially from the connector holes  96 . The side pieces  92  are of such a height as to allow easy, but snug, entrance of the wheel plate  104 . The top piece  94  bridges the two side pieces  92  and contains a plurality of holes  106  equidistant from the side pieces. Thus, in use, the wheel plate holder  82  is an open slot firmly affixed to the top surface  84  of the broom base  80  and is of such size as to allow the snug fit of the wheel plate  104 .  
         [0065]     A pin holder  108  fits on the top piece  94  of the wheel plate holder  82  and holds a plurality, preferably two, locking pins  102 . The locking pins  102  pass through the top piece  94  of the wheel plate holder  82  and the wheel plate  104  and into the bottom piece  90  of the wheel plate holder  82 . As an option, the locking pins  102  may pass through the bottom piece  90  and into the broom base  80 . As another, but less desired, alternative, the locking pins  102  may be presented without the pin holder  108 . This alternative is just as effective, but allows for the loss of loose pins  102 .  
         [0066]     The wheel plate  104 , as seen in  FIGS. 30-32 , has a free front end  110  and a free rear end  112 . The free front end  110  contains holes  114  which are complimentary to the holes  100 ,  106  in the top  94  and bottom piece  90  of the wheel plate holder  82 . Thus the wheel plate  104  may be firmly held in place by the locking pins  102 . The wheel plate  104  may be used on either side of the broom base  80 , thus permitting even wear of the bristles  116 .  
         [0067]     The free rear  112  end of the wheel plate  104  may be a swivel wheel shown in  FIG. 32  which comprises ball bearings  118 , a wheel holder  120 , an axle  122 , and a wheel  124 . the ball bearings  118  allow free movement between the wheel plate  104  and the wheel holder  120 . The broom  72  preferably features fixed wheel holders  120  shown in  FIG. 31 . By use of the wheel plate holder  82 , the wheel plate  104 , and the wheel  124 , the operator may apply downward pressure on the broom handle  74  and the broom base  80  is lifted free from the surface being cleaned. This allows the rolling of the broom  72  to a new position for a new cleaning operation and avoids the lifting step common to prior art brooms.  
         [0068]     With reference to  FIG. 24 , the connection of the broom handle  74  to the broom base  80  will be described. The broom handle holder  88  is situated at the center of the top surface  84  of the broom base  80 . The broom handle holder  88  is made up of a bottom piece  126 , two side pieces  128  and a top piece  130 . The bottom piece  126  has at least one connector hole (not shown) at each end thereof for connecting to the top surface  84  of the broom base  80  with screws or bolts. The bottom piece  126  also contains at least one locking hole  132  located along the center line of the bottom piece  126  for holding the locking pin(s)  134 . The side pieces  128  extend upwardly from the bottom piece  126  medially from the connector holes. The side pieces  128  are of such a height as to allow easy, but snug, entrance of the handle connector plate  136 . The top piece  130  bridges the two side pieces  128  and contains at least one hole  138  equidistant from the side pieces  128 . Thus, in use, the handle holder  88  is an open slot firmly affixed to the top surface  84  of the broom base  80  and is of such size as to allow the snug fit of the handle connector plate  136 .  
         [0069]     A locking pin  134  fits on top of the handle holder  88  and passes through the top piece  130  of the handle holder  88  and the handle connector plate  136  and into the bottom piece  126  of the broom handle holder  88 . As an option, the locking pin  134  may pass through the bottom piece  126  and into the broom base  80 .  
         [0070]     The handle connector plate  136 , like the wheel plate  104 , fits into either side of the broom base  80 , allowing for even wear of the bristles  116 . The proximal end of the handle connector plate  136  contains an upward angle and is attached to an adapter  78 . The adapter  78  is preferably solid, but may be hollow. The adapter  78  contains a screw hole  140  in its upper surface  142 . The hollow handle  74  fits over the top of the adapter  78  and fastens thereto with a screw passing through the screw hole  144  on the handle  74  and the screw hole  140  in the adapter  78 . The features of the preferred broom handle  74  are like those described for the preferred handle  10  of the above-described rake  2 .  
         [0071]     Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.