Patent Publication Number: US-2006010848-A1

Title: Broom and rake tool

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Over the years, there have been several attempts to combine, into a single hand tool, the cleaning and sweeping benefits of a pushbroom with the unique gardening effects of a rake. Representative examples of these attempts are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,084,498, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,149, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,447. However, the design and configuration of such tools fail to effectively and efficiently accomplish the desired pushbroom and raking functions. Additionally, such tools are awkward or difficult to use and their designs cause the broom sweeping function to interfere with the raking function and visa versa. To date, there has been no manual hand tool configured to be efficiently and effectively used both for broom sweeping and raking functions.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a manual hand tool combining the features of a pushbroom and a rake which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of prior tools.  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a manual hand tool which effectively incorporates a pushbroom component and a rake component.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manual hand tool which can effectively and efficiently be used both as a pushbroom and as a rake.  
      It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a manual tool having pushbroom and rake functions which do not interfere with each other, as the tool is used for each function.  
      It is another object of the present invention to provide a manual tool which will remain sturdy and in tact during prolonged periods of usage.  
      It is a further object of the present invention to provide a manual tool which is readily and easily used in both the sweeping and raking functions and which allows the user to easily switch between functions.  
      These and other objects are accomplished by the present invention, a manual hand tool which combines the features of a pushbroom and a rake in a unique configuration. The tool&#39;s handle is connected substantially at the center of a pushbroom head from which bristles downwardly extend. A notch in the upper surface of the pushbroom is configured to receive rake tines which extend outwardly and forwardly from the broom head.  
      Novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with the additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the manual hand tool of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  shows the front view of the manual hand tool of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  shows the rear view of the manual hand tool of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  shows the elevation view of the manual hand the tool of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  shows the bottom view of the manual hand tool of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  shows the top view of the manual hand tool of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Tool  1  comprises elongated handle  2  which is secured to pushbroom head  4 . Head  4  comprises broom support base  6  with top surface  7 , bottom surface  8  and bristles  9  extending downwardly from bottom surface  8 . Handle  2  is secured to top surface  7  of base  6  substantially at its center via connector  10 . Alternatively, handle  2  may be connected, threadably or otherwise, directly to base  6 .  
      At the forwardmost edge of top surface  7  and running substantially the full length of base  6  is notch  12 . Secured within notch  12  are rake tines  14 , extending outwardly and forwardly of head  4 . The embodiment disclosed herein discloses integral rake support member  16  with tines  14 . Support member  16  is secured within notch  12  by bolts  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 . Alternatively, it is contemplated that tines  14  can each be a separate component and each can be individually secured within notch  12 .  
      Triangular shaped bracket  28  provides a further rigid connection between handle  2  and head  4 , and the necessary rigid support to ensure that handle  2  remains in place whether tool  1  is being used in the pushbroom function or the raking function.  
      It thus can be seen that tool  1  of the present invention can be efficiently and effectively be used as a pushbroom without interference or encumbrance from raking tines  14 . Tool  1  can then be turned over and efficiently and effectively be used for raking without interference or encumberance from bristles  9 .  
      Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.