Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus includes a bracket assembly for securely attaching a handle to a block. The bracket assembly aids in securing the handle in a fixed position during use so that the handle will not loosen and/or disengage with use. The bracket assembly may include one or more flanges for engaging multiple sides of the block. The handle and the bracket assembly may be configured to allow the handle to be reversed so that it extends first from the back face of the block and then from the front face of the block.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/732,484 filed Nov. 2, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The embodiments of the present invention relate to push brooms and similar cleaning implements. More particularly, the various embodiments relate to a bracket assembly for removably yet securely connecting a handle to a push broom head. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Brooms sometimes are classified as either “push” brooms or “upright” brooms. Upright brooms are often wide and generally have relatively long bristles, typically extending from a shroud or broom head. An elongated handle having a central longitudinal axis aligned with the bristles may facilitate side-to-side sweeping of the upright broom. An end of the handle may be permanently secured within an opening in the broom head. 
   Push brooms generally have relatively short bristles, which may be set in a wide block, or broom head. The broom head may have a generally rectangular shape. An elongated handle may extend upwardly from the broom head and be set at an angle to facilitate pushing the broom, with a long side of the broom head facing in the direction of sweeping. Push brooms often have detachable handles. A detachable handle, among other benefits, facilitates shipping of the brooms. Additionally, depending on the configuration of the broom head, a detachable handle can permit the handle to be mounted on the broom head in the opposite direction, and thus allow sweeping in reverse direction to prolong the life of the bristles. 
   Conventionally, detachable handles are connected to broom heads by screwing a threaded end of the handle into a threaded aperture in the broom head. For some time, it has been known that, with such brooms, the handle has a tendency to rotate and loosen during use. Various efforts have been made to avoid this and other problems. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,259 discloses an industrial push broom that includes an attachment means for connecting the handle to the back of the push broom. A first flange of the attachment means is fastened to the top face of the broom, and a second flange is fastened to the rear edge of the broom. The handle extends from the intersection of the rear edge and the top face. The positioning of the attachment means is fixed with respect to the back of the broom. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,564 discloses a brush block assembly with latching means for maintaining the handle in an interlocked position. One end of the handle extends into a hole in the broom block. The positioning of the brush block assembly is fixed with respect to the broom block. 
   There remains a need for improved features for a bracket assembly for a push broom to facilitate removal of the handle from the broom head when desired but otherwise maintain the handle securely connected to the broom head. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A push broom having a bracket assembly for securely attaching a handle to a broom head provides a strong and durable push broom. The bracket assembly secures the handle in a fixed position during use so that the handle will not loosen with use. The bracket assembly also provides reinforcement for the handle and stabilizes the handle relative to the broom block. The connection assembly also allows the position of the handle to be reversed to extend first from the back face of the broom head and then from the front face of the broom head. Reversing the position of the handle enables the bristles along the back face of the broom head to be moved to the front and utilized for sweeping, which can be useful when the bristles along the front face of the broom head become worn or bent. The bracket assembly also is reusable and allows replacement of the handle and broom head separate from one another when needed. 
   The resulting push broom is simple to manufacture and easier to assemble, disassemble, and reassemble than previously-known brooms. Further advantages of the invention should be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawings comprised of the following figures: 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a portion of a push broom, including a push broom block, a handle and a bracket assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, showing the locking nut in the assembled position; 
       FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the portion of the push broom of  FIG. 1 , showing the bracket assembly without the locking nut in assembled position; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the push broom of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the bracket assembly of the push broom of  FIG. 1 , showing the disassembled two bracket pieces; 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the bracket pieces of the bracket assembly of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of one of the bracket pieces of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged top perspective view of the locking nut of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the locking nut of  FIG. 7 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a push broom  10  is shown. The push broom  10  generally includes an elongated handle  12 , a broom block  14  and bracket assembly  16  to connect the handle  12  to the broom head  14 . The handle  12  includes a perimeter that, in operation, allows a user to grip the handle  12  and use the push broom  10 . Although the connection assembly is shown and described herein with respect to a push broom, the connection assembly also could be used with other cleaning implements that include a block and are pushed forward and pulled back during use, including mops, dusters, sweepers and the like, and such use is contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. 
   The broom block  14  is depicted as being substantially rectangular. Blocks can come in a variety of shapes and sizes and, in general, allow fibers and bristles and the like to the coupled to a handle in a secure manner while providing an increased surface area for supporting the fibers and bristles and such. The handle  12  can be connected to the broom block  14  by connection assembly  18  or by any other method known to those of skill in the art. While any method may be used, it is noted that certain embodiments are more suitable to the use of a fastening mechanism that is removable, thus such an embodiment may not be suited for the use of relatively permanent fastening techniques such as welding, adhesives or the use of rivets and the like. 
   The handle  12  can be made of any conventional material (such as plastic, metal, or wood) and have any conventional or convenient length and configuration. Although the illustrated handle is straight, it could also have one or more bends or curves for added convenience or ease of use and have a different length and diameter. It could also have a shaped handgrip or hanger tip at the distal end (not shown). 
   The broom block  14  includes a plurality of bristles  32  for sweeping. The bristles  32  can be of any desired length and density and can be of a natural or man-made composition, including but not limited to natural hairs, natural fibers, polymeric or other synthetic fibers and metallic bristles. The bristles  32  can be mounted to the bottom surface of the broom block  14  in any convenient or conventional way. 
   Looking at  FIGS. 4-7 , the bracket assembly  16  includes first and second bracket pieces  20  and  22  and locking nut  24 . Each bracket piece  20 ,  22  includes a curved receiving end  26  shaped to fit about the handle  12  and a mounting end  28  that attaches to the broom block  14 . As can be appreciated, in an embodiment, the receiving end  26  may be circular-shaped so as to securely engage a circular-shaped handle  12 . 
   In certain embodiments, the bracket pieces  20 ,  22  may be generally straight. In other embodiments, the bracket pieces  20 ,  22  may be angled. For example, they can extend out from the handle  12  at a first angle (such as 90 degrees with respect to the handle) and then extend at a second angle (such as about 45 degrees with respect to the handle) toward the broom block  14 , forming a bracket that may provide greater rigidity than a bracket extending directly between the curved receiving ends  26  and the mounting ends  28 . Thus, the bracket piece has an angle of about 135 degrees. Larger and smaller angles also are contemplated, and may range, for example, between about 95 and 180 degrees. As can be appreciated, the angle of the bracket piece  20 ,  22  allows forces exerted on the handle to be transferred to the broom block  14 . 
   The mounting end  28  may include a flange  30  at one or both ends of the mounting end  28  to fit about the front and rear edges  32  and  34  of the broom block  14  and further enhance the stability of the assembly. The flange  30 , if provided, can extend along an additional side (or sides if two flanges  30  are provided) of the broom block  14  and allow the bracket pieces  20 ,  22  to press against additional sides of the broom block  14  so as to provide greater support and resistance to bending and rotational moments exerted on the handle  12 . As can be appreciated from  FIG. 5 , if two flanges  30  are provided, the mounting ends  28  can provide a concave mounting surface, which can be square shape as depicted or more rounded, depending on the face of the broom block  14 . This can provide a more reliable assembly and robust assembly and lessen the possibility that the handle  12  will, for example, rotate with respect to the broom block  12  regardless of how the handle  12  is attached. To further provide strength while minimizing weight, the bracket pieces  20 ,  22  may include a substantially U-shaped cross-section as depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , for example, the bracket pieces  20  and  22  are positioned on either side of the handle  12 . Mounting ends  28  are fastened to the broom block  14  using any suitable fastener. For example, without limitation, a screw, with or without a corresponding nut may be used so that the mounting ends  28  can be readily fastened and unfastened to the broom block  14 . If the ability to unfasten the mounting ends  28  is not desired, then other known fastening means such as welding, rivets, adhesives and the like may be used. Once positioned around the handle  12 , receiving ends  26  are secured to the handle  12  by sliding locking nut  24  over and about the receiving ends  26 . As the locking nut  24  slides over the receiving ends  26 , they surround and grip the handle  12 . Receiving ends  26  may include inwardly-directed gripping elements such as fingers  27  ( FIG. 5 ) or similar features to engage the handle  12 . A threaded connection, such as on the exterior of the receiving ends  26  and the interior of the locking nut  24  ( FIG. 8 ), may secure the locking nut  24  in position around the receiving ends  26 . In certain embodiments, the locking nut  24  shrouds at least the end portion of the receiving ends  26  and the tightening of the locking nut  24  may cause the inwardly-directed gripping elements to be pressed toward the handle  12 . The locking nut  24  may also be rounded on one end ( FIG. 7 ). This has the benefit of providing a clean, aesthetically please appearance while protect the user from inadvertently scraping a hand on the gripping elements. Bracket pieces  20 ,  22 , as well as the locking nut  24 , can be fabricated of metal, molded polymeric material or other strong, durable material. 
   The present invention has been described in terms of preferred and illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.