Patent Publication Number: US-10765197-B2

Title: Foot broom devices and methods

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application generally relates to foot brooms, such as brooms that are releasably attachable to a shoe or boot. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some cases, small areas need to be swept clean frequently and quickly. Obtaining and using a handheld broom to perform such sweeping may take too much time, and so in some cases sweeping is postponed or avoided all together. 
     Small handheld brooms, such as whisk brooms, may require bending over to use, which can be difficult or burdensome for users with a lower back strains or other impairments, especially if the task is repetitive. 
     SUMMARY 
     This document describes broom devices that are attachable to footwear, such as a shoe or boot, or otherwise wearable on a user&#39;s foot. Such foot broom devices can, in some circumstances, provide quick and convenient option for sweeping debris from a floor, including regions of a floor area that are narrow or confined or regions or a floor that might otherwise require the user to bend or kneel. 
     In one aspect, this disclosure is directed to a foot broom device. Such a foot broom device can include a bracket defining a space configured to receive a portion of a user&#39;s footwear; a strap member extending from the bracket and configured to wrap around the footwear to releasably attach the bracket to the footwear; and a broom attached to the bracket and comprising a plurality of bristles. 
     Such a foot broom device may optionally include one or more of the following features. The broom may be fixedly attached to the bracket. The broom may be adjustably attached to the bracket. The space may be configured to receive a heel portion of the user&#39;s footwear. The space may be configured to receive an outsole portion of the user&#39;s footwear. The space may be configured to receive a toe portion of the user&#39;s footwear. The strap member may include one or more elastic portions. The strap member may be a first strap member and the foot broom may also include a second strap member extending from the bracket and configured to wrap around the footwear to releasably attach the bracket to the footwear. 
     In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a foot broom device that includes means for moving debris; and means for attaching the means for moving debris to footwear. 
     Such a foot broom device may optionally include one or more of the following features. The means for attaching the means for moving debris to footwear may include a bracket defining a space configured to receive a portion of the footwear. The space may be configured to receive a heel portion of the footwear. The means for attaching the means for moving debris to footwear may include a bracket configured to extend within the footwear. The means for moving debris may include a broom with a plurality of bristles. 
     In another aspect, this disclosure is directed to a method of sweeping an area. The method includes: connecting a foot broom device to footwear worn by a user or to be worn by the user, and moving, by the user while wearing the footwear with the foot broom device attached to the footwear, the footwear such that a plurality of bristles sweep a selected area. The foot broom device includes: a bracket defining a footwear-receiving space, a strap member extending from the bracket, and a broom attached to the bracket and comprising a plurality of bristles. The connecting step of the method includes: positioning a portion of the footwear in the footwear-receiving space; and wrapping the strap member around the footwear to releasably attach the bracket to the footwear. 
     Such a method may optionally include one or more of the following features. The portion of the footwear may be a toe portion and the broom may be positioned in front of the user&#39;s foot while wearing the footwear with the foot broom attached to the footwear. The portion of the footwear may be a heel portion and the broom may be positioned behind the user&#39;s foot while wearing the footwear with the foot broom attached to the footwear. The portion of the footwear may be an outsole portion and the broom may be positioned lateral of the user&#39;s foot while wearing the footwear with the foot broom attached to the footwear. The user may be an umpire and the area is a home plate of a baseball diamond. The method may also include adjusting the orientation of the broom relative to the bracket. The strap member may be a first strap member and the foot broom may also include a second strap member extending from the bracket. The method may also include wrapping the second strap member around the footwear to releasably attach the bracket to the footwear. 
     Some or all of the embodiments described herein may provide one or more of the following advantages. The foot brooms provided herein are well-suited to facilitate quick sweeping of small areas. For example, in one implementation, a home plate of a baseball diamond can be quickly and conveniently swept of dirt by an umpire. In other example implementations, factory workers can sweep small areas that are prone to frequently becoming dirty (such as areas where powders are dispensed, for example). Moreover, janitors and other types of maintenance workers may find it convenient and advantageous to wear and use the foot brooms described herein. Since the foot brooms described herein can be worn attached to a user&#39;s footwear, there is no need to spend time searching for a broom, or to carry a broom. Hence, time can be saved, and sweeping may tend to be performed more frequently. Also, the foot brooms described herein can be used without bending over. Therefore, some injury risks to users (back injuries, for example) may be mitigated. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a first example implementation of a foot broom in accordance with some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 2  shows another example implementation of a foot broom in accordance with some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 3  shows another example implementation of a foot broom in accordance with some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG. 4  shows another example implementation of a foot broom in accordance with some embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and indications in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example foot broom  100  can be attached to a user&#39;s footwear, such as a boot  10  in this example implementation. The foot broom  100  is releasably attachable to the boot  10 . Hence, a user can don and wear the foot broom  100  on the boot  10  at times, and thereafter remove the foot broom  100  from the boot  10  when the presence of the foot broom  100  is no longer desired. 
     The foot broom  100  includes a bracket  110 , a broom  120 , and a strap member  130 . The strap member  130  extends from the bracket  110  and is configured to wrap around the boot  10  to releasably attach the bracket  110  (and the foot broom  100  as a whole) to the boot  10 . The foot broom  100  may be donned onto the boot  10  while the user is wearing the boot  10 , or prior to wearing the boot  10 . The broom  120  is attached to the bracket  110  and comprises a plurality of bristles  122 . 
     The bracket  110  defines a space configured to receive a portion of the boot  10 . In the depicted example, the portion of the boot  10  that the space is configured to receive is a toe portion of the boot  10 . Hence, while the boot  10  with the attached foot broom  100  is worn by a user, the broom  120  is positioned in front of the user&#39;s foot. 
     The bracket  110  may be constructed of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, rubber, leather, fabric, and the like, and combinations thereof. In some implementations, the bracket  110  includes a rubberized non-slip portion on the bottom of the bracket  110 . The bracket  110  may be constructed using any suitable technique such as, but not limited to, molding, machining, stamping, sewing, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
     In some implementations, the bracket  110  is size-adjustable to fit on footwear of various sizes. In particular implementations, the bracket  110  is a fixed size. Various sizes of such a fixed-sized bracket  110  can be made available. 
     The strap member  130  extends from the bracket and is configured to wrap around the boot  10  to attach the bracket  110  (and the foot broom  100  as a whole) to the boot  10 . In some implementations, the strap member  130  is a single strap that is attached to the bracket  110  at two points. Such a strap member  130  may be elastic as a whole, or include one or more elastic portions. In some implementations, the strap member  130  includes two portions that are coupled together around the boot  10 . Such a two-portioned strap member  130  may include elastic portions and/or one or more inter-fastening elements such as, but not limited to, VELCRO®, snaps, ties, buckles, clamps, and the like, and combinations thereof. 
     The strap member  130  may be constructed of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, plastic, leather, fabric, and the like, and combinations thereof. While the depicted embodiment includes a single strap member  130 , in some implementations two or more strap members  130  are included. In such a case, the two or more strap members  130  can have differing orientations so as to provide enhanced securement of the foot broom  100  to the boot  10 . 
     The broom  120  is attached to the bracket  110  and comprises a plurality of bristles  122 . In the depicted embodiment, the broom  120  is attached to the bracket  110  by a mount  124 . In some implementations, the mount  124  is adjustable such that the relative orientation between the broom  120  and the bracket  110  is selectively adjustable by a user. In some implementations, the mount  124  non-adjustable such that the relative orientation between the broom  120  and the bracket  110  is fixed. 
     The bristles  122  may be constructed of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, natural materials, metal fibers, composite materials, and the like, and combinations thereof. In some implementations, the extent to which the bristles  122  extend is selectively adjustable. In some implementations, the bristles  122  extend by a fixed (non-adjustable) amount. In particular implementations, the bristles  122  are replaceable such that new bristles  122  can be installed in the broom  120  when previous bristles  122  become worn or damaged. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , another example foot broom  200  can be attached to a user&#39;s footwear, such as a shoe  20  in this example implementation. The foot broom  200  is releasably attachable to the shoe  20 . Hence, a user can don and wear the foot broom  200  on the shoe  20  at times, and thereafter remove the foot broom  200  from the shoe  20  when the presence of the foot broom  200  is no longer desired. 
     The foot broom  200  includes a bracket  210 , a broom  220 , a first strap member  230   a,  and a second strap member  230   b.  The strap members  230   a - b  extend from the bracket  210  and are configured to wrap around the shoe  20  to releasably attach the bracket  210  (and the foot broom  200  as a whole) to the shoe  20 . The foot broom  200  may be donned onto the shoe  20  while the user is wearing the shoe  20 , or prior to wearing the shoe  20 . The broom  220  is attached to the bracket  210  and comprises a plurality of bristles  222 . 
     The bracket  210  defines a space configured to receive a portion of the shoe  20 . In the depicted example, the portion of the shoe  20  that the space is configured to receive is an outsole portion of the shoe  20 . Hence, while the shoe  20  with the attached foot broom  200  is worn by a user, the broom  220  is positioned in lateral of the user&#39;s foot. 
     In some implementations, the bristles  222  extend around an entire periphery of the outsole of the shoe  20 . In some implementations, the bristles  222  extend around a less-than-entire portion of the periphery of the outsole of the shoe  20 . In some implementations, the bristles  222  comprise two or more distinct portions of bristles  220  that are spaced apart from each other around the periphery of the outsole of the shoe  20 . 
     In some implementations, the bracket  210  is size-adjustable to fit on footwear of various sizes. In particular implementations, the bracket  210  is a fixed size. Various sizes of such a fixed-sized bracket  210  can be made available. 
     The features, materials, and construction techniques of the bracket  210 , the broom  220 , the bristles  222 , and the strap members  230   a - b  can include any of the features, materials, and construction techniques of analogous elements described above in the context of the foot broom  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , another example foot broom  300  can be attached to a user&#39;s footwear, such as a shoe  30  in this example implementation. The foot broom  300  is releasably attachable to the shoe  30 . Hence, a user can don and wear the foot broom  300  on the shoe  30  at times, and thereafter remove the foot broom  300  from the shoe  30  when the presence of the foot broom  300  is no longer desired. 
     The foot broom  300  includes a bracket  310 , a broom  320 , and a strap member  330 . The strap member  330  extends from the bracket  310  and is configured to wrap around the shoe  30  to releasably attach the bracket  310  (and the foot broom  300  as a whole) to the shoe  30 . The foot broom  300  may be donned onto the shoe  30  while the user is wearing the shoe  30 , or prior to wearing the shoe  30 . The broom  320  is attached to the bracket  310  and comprises a plurality of bristles  322 . 
     The bracket  310  defines a space configured to receive a portion of the shoe  30 . In the depicted example, the portion of the shoe  30  that the space is configured to receive is heel portion of the shoe  30 . Hence, while the shoe  30  with the attached foot broom  300  is worn by a user, the broom  320  is positioned behind the user&#39;s foot. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the broom  320  is attached to the bracket  310  by a mount  324 . In some implementations, the mount  324  is adjustable such that the relative orientation between the broom  320  and the bracket  310  is selectively adjustable by a user. In some implementations, the mount  324  non-adjustable such that the relative orientation between the broom  320  and the bracket  310  is fixed. 
     The features, materials, and construction techniques of the bracket  310 , the broom  320 , the bristles  322 , the strap members  330  can include any of the features, materials, and construction techniques of analogous elements described above in the context of the foot broom  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , another example foot broom  400  can be attached to a user&#39;s footwear, such as a shoe  40  in this example implementation. The foot broom  400  is releasably attachable to the shoe  40 . Hence, a user can don and wear the foot broom  400  on the shoe  40  at times, and thereafter remove the foot broom  400  from the shoe  40  when the presence of the foot broom  400  is no longer desired. 
     The foot broom  400  includes a bracket  410  and a broom  420 . The bracket  410  includes a portion that extends (e.g., like a shoe horn) within the shoe  40  to releasably attach the bracket  410  (and the foot broom  400  as a whole) to the shoe  40 . Hence, in some implementations no strap is needed. The foot broom  400  may be donned onto the shoe  40  while the user is wearing the shoe  40 , or prior to wearing the shoe  40 . The broom  420  is attached to the bracket  410  and comprises a plurality of bristles  422 . 
     The bracket  410  defines a space configured to receive a portion of the shoe  40 . In the depicted example, the portion of the shoe  40  that the space is configured to receive is heel portion of the shoe  40 . Hence, while the shoe  40  with the attached foot broom  400  is worn by a user, the broom  420  is positioned behind the user&#39;s foot. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the broom  420  is attached to the bracket  410  by a mount  424 . In some implementations, the mount  424  is adjustable such that the relative orientation between the broom  420  and the bracket  410  is selectively adjustable by a user. In some implementations, the mount  424  non-adjustable such that the relative orientation between the broom  420  and the bracket  410  is fixed. 
     The features, materials, and construction techniques of the bracket  410 , the broom  420 , and the bristles  422  can include any of the features, materials, and construction techniques of analogous elements described above in the context of the foot broom  100 . 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the claims, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
     Thus, particular implementations of the subject matter have been described. Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.