Abstract:
A combination dustpan and broom form a kit wherein the dustpan includes a handle adapted to receive and grip the handle of the broom and further wherein the dustpan is formed in an asymmetric shape including a straight sidewall that facilitates directional movement of dust or trash collected in the dustpan.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     In a principal aspect, the present invention relates to a combination dustpan and broom kit wherein the dustpan has an asymmetric configuration and is constructed to snap onto the handle of a broom which has asymmetric features.  
         [0002]     A combination dust brush or broom and dustpan combination kit has heretofore been utilized. Typically, a dustpan may be formed by a plastic molding process with a handle along the top side of the dustpan opposite a leading edge of the dustpan provided for placement against a floor. Dust and trash may then be swept into the dustpan which is held by its handle. The handle of such a dustpan construction may include a gripping or detent mechanism designed to frictionally engage and hold the handle of a brush or a broom. Thus, when storing the dustpan and broom or brush, it is possible to store them together with the dustpan snap-fitted onto the broom handle and with the bristles of the broom or brush retained generally within the region of the tray of the dustpan.  
         [0003]     Generally, such dustpans are made by a plastic injection molding process and thus the dustpan itself is a plastic material. Typically, the broom or brush is made from molded plastic in combination with bristles from various sources. Also broom handles may be metal, wooden or plastic. Such combinations are useful and especially popular with homeowners inasmuch as the dustpan and the broom may be stored together. That is, the component dustpan and broom assembly or kit, when stored together, become more useful inasmuch as the dustpan may be used optionally as necessary and, of course, the broom and dustpan are kept together when not in use.  
         [0004]     Despite the popularity of such combinations, there has remained a need for improved features to be associated with such constructions. The ability to use the component parts in restricted spaces is desirable. When the dustpan is being emptied, or when the trash is being removed therefrom, it is desirable to insure that the contents of the dustpan will flow appropriately in a manner desired by the user. As a consequence, there has remained a need for improved functional designs for such items.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Briefly, the present invention comprises a dustpan and broom retained together as a kit, though the individual components are separable for separate use. The dustpan includes a tray with a leading edge and a retention rib opposite the leading edge. The tray and retention rib are formed asymmetrically having an arcuate section joined to a straight line section with each of the sections connected respectively to the opposite ends of the straight leading edge of the tray. A handle is formed extending from the retention rib. The handle extends generally at a right angle to the leading edge and is positioned approximately midway between the opposite ends of the leading edge. The handle includes a broom handle cavity for receiving and retaining a broom handle. The dustpan is designed to be useful for collecting dust in generally inaccessible corners and to provide to function as a funnel when emptying the filled dustpan.  
         [0006]     A broom includes a handle, a bristle support head and bristles inserted in and projecting from the bristle support head. The bristle head is configured to fit within the pan with the handle engaging the handle retention mechanism of the dustpan. The dustpan thus has the capability of being attached to the broom and thus, in combination with the broom, form a kit.  
         [0007]     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved dustpan and broom kit.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a dustpan having an asymmetric configuration which incorporates aesthetic characteristics as well as functional characteristics.  
         [0009]     Another object of the invention is to provide a dustpan which is especially useful when attempting to collect dust or trash in generally inaccessible corners and other restricted access places and to provide a feature which enables controlled emptying of the dustpan by directing the trash or dust therefrom.  
         [0010]     Another object of the invention is to provide an easily used combination dustpan and broom kit having utilitarian functions, yet which is aesthetically attractive and further which can be easily stored, particularly in combination when not in use.  
         [0011]     These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0012]     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the combination dustpan and broom kit assembled;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the broom and dustpan of the invention wherein the component parts forming the kit have been separated and are arranged in side-by-side array;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the broom of the kit;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the dustpan component of the kit;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the dustpan of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the dustpan of  FIG. 4  taken along the line  6 - 6 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the combination dustpan and broom illustrating the manner of use thereof. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     Referring to the figures, the kit of the invention is comprised of a broom and dustpan. A broom  9  includes a handle  10  in the form of a rod. The handle  10  in the form of a rod may be a hollow metal handle, a wooden handle, a molded or extruded plastic rod. Typically, the handle  10  will include a hook, slot or passage  12  at its outer distal end which will enable the handle  10  to be hung from a peg or a hook for storage.  
         [0021]     The broom handle  10  defines a longitudinal axis  14  and is engaged or fitted into a bore  16  in a bristle support head  18 . The bristle support head  18  is typically manufactured from a molded plastic such as polypropylene. Bristles  20  are fastened into the head  18 . Typically, the bristles  20  will form a sweep plane  22  which is a generally straight line. Plane  22  is inclined at an obtuse angle  23  with respect to the axis  14  of the handle  10 .  
         [0022]     The bristle support head  18  is configured in a manner which has a forward side or end  24  and a rear side or end  26 . The ends  24  and  26  are reduced in height relative to center section  28  of the bristle support head  18 . This enables and facilitates movement of the broom beneath the ledge of a step, for example, or in another difficult or inaccessible places to reach.  
         [0023]     The broom cooperates with a dustpan  30 . The dustpan  30  includes a generally straight line leading edge  32  which forms a right angle with axis  34  of a handle  36  of the dustpan  30 . The axis  34  also bisects the leading edge  32  of the dustpan  30  intersecting the midpoint  38  thereof between opposite ends  40  and  42 . The dustpan handle  36  is in the form of a semi-cylindrical member with a slot or opening  40  therethrough so that the dustpan may be supported on a hook by way of example. Detent gripping members  42  and  44  are molded on the inside surface of the semi-cylindrical handle  36 . In this manner, the broom handle  10  may be fitted into the compatibly sized and configured dustpan handle  36  and retained and engaged by means of the retention members  42  and  44 .  
         [0024]     The dustpan  30  further includes a tray  46  which is generally a flat planar tray bounded by the straight line leading edge  32  and further bounded opposite the leading edge  32  by a retention rib or retention wall  48 . The retention wall  48  is comprised of a first arcuate section  50  which, in the preferred embodiment, is the arc of a circle. The wall  48  further includes a generally straight line section  52 , which forms an angle  53  in the range of 50-75° with the leading edge  32 . The arcuate wall  50  joins or connects to the substantially straight section  52  at a junction  54  which is located to one side of the handle  36  thereby providing an asymmetric configuration for the tray  46 .  
         [0025]     In use, the asymmetric configuration of the dustpan  30  facilitates its ability to direct and collect dust and trash into the tray  46 . Thus, the sidewall  52 , which is a straight wall section, provides or acts as a funnel so that trash may be easily directed into a receptacle or container after it is collected in the tray  46 . Additionally, the configuration of the straight section  52  in combination with the leading edge  32  defines a shape for the tray  46  which enables positioning of the end  42  in difficult to reach places, such as corners, thereby facilitating the transfer of trash or dust into the tray. The arcuate section  50  facilitates movement of dust or trash along its periphery by action of the broom bristles toward a straight section  52 . Again this augments the funneling of trash when emptying tray  46 .  
         [0026]     The asymmetric configuration of the tray provides functional benefits as well as providing a unique and aesthetic appearance. It is possible to vary the configuration and shape of the tray, as well as the broom as described herein. For example, the angles of the various sections and the configuration of the arcuate wall  50  may be varied significantly. The shape and configuration of the handle  36  of the dustpan may be altered or configured in a different manner. Thus, while there has been set forth the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.