Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to brooms, including dust mops and brushes, and in particular to push brooms and handheld whiskbrooms. The invention relates to a broom head frame having a left section, center section and right section where the left section and right section are at an angle to the center sections. The left and right sections can be adjustable.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of brooms, including dust mops and brushes, and in particular to push brooms, handheld whiskbrooms and straight brooms. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Brooms in general are old and well known in the art. Push brooms are known and handheld whiskbrooms are known. However, while known and commonly used, there is a continuing need to develop brooms that handle sweeping dust and debris in a better, more efficient manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a broom comprising a broom head frame. The frame has a front edge terminating in a front left end and a front right end. The frame having a left section, a right section and a center section with a left portion of the front edge forming a part of said left section, a center portion of the front edge forming a part of the center section and a right portion of the front edge forming a part of the right section. The front edge having a front apogee point between the front left end and the front right end, and a front apogee tangent line. The front edge having a concave shape such that the left portion and the right portion each extend ahead of the front apogee tangent line by from 10 degrees to 60 degrees. The length from the front left end to the front right end defining a frame length. 
     In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a broom comprising a broom head frame having a straight center section, a straight left section and a straight right section. The straight center section has a first end and a second end. The straight left section has a left end forming the left end of the frame and a right end mounted to the first end so as to be rotationally adjustable. The straight right section having a right end forming the right end of the frame and a left end mounted to the second end so as to be rotationally adjustable. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a push broom in accordance with one embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a push broom in accordance with the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a dust mop in accordance with another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a tabletop brush or whiskbroom in accordance with yet another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a house broom or straight broom in accordance with still another embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an adjustable push broom in accordance with a further embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of a curved frame broom with extended bristles in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the current invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The current invention concerns a sweeping broom or dust mop with a head that has an angled or curved concave design, but fabricated with a straight center or slightly curved section, and two forward-angled or curved end sections. The end sections are angled or curved at from 10 degrees to 60 degrees from the center section line or from an apogee tangent line as described below. This angle can be pre-formed in a fixed position, or it can be adjustable. The length of the center section can vary, as can the length of the end sections. The broom handle attaches to the broom head at the center or slightly offset to the center, or can protrude from the side, as in a counter top brush. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2  a push broom  10  in accordance with the current invention can be seen. Push broom  10  comprises handle  12 , head or head frame  14  and bristles  16 . Handle  12  is connected to the head frame  14 . The connection can be by any conventional known means, such as by screw mounting or by the handle  12  being formed integrally with the head frame  14 . The bristles  16  are attached to the head frame in known conventional means for such push brooms. The frame  14  comprises a left section  18 , a center section  20  and a right section  22 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the left section  18 , center section  20  and right section  22  are integrally connected. At this point, it should be noted that herein the embodiments will be described with reference from the position of a user during normal broom operation and, thus, terms such as left, right, front and back are to be interpreted from that perspective. Additionally, the angling of the frame will be described with reference to an apogee point and an apogee tangent line. For a straight center section such as shown in  FIG. 1 , the apogee point can lie longitudinally anywhere along the center section  20  and the apogee tangent line will be a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the center section  20 . For a curved frame such as shown in  FIG. 7 , the apogee point will be the point along a curved front edge  54  of head frame  44  farthest from both the ends ( 56  and  58 ) of head frame  44  and the apogee tangent line  72  will be a line tangent to that front curved edge of head frame  44  at the apogee point. Laterally, the apogee point can lie any where along the width of the frame. Common choices would include choosing the apogee point at the front edge, back edge or center of the frame. The apogee points can be better understood with reference to the descriptions of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7  below. 
     Returning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the head frame  14  has front edge  24 . Front edge  24  terminates in front left end  26  and front right end  28 . Front edge  24  extends across left section  18 , center section  20  and right section  22  such that a left portion of the front edge  24  extends across left section  18 , a center portion of front edge  24  extends across center section  20  and a right portion of front edge  24  extends across right section  22 . As mentioned above, front edge  24  has front apogee point  30 , which can be anywhere along the center portion of front edge  24 . Front apogee tangent line  32  is parallel to the portion of front edge  24  at center section  20  and passes through the front apogee point  30 . The end sections (left sections  18  and right sections  22  will be angled such that they extend ahead of the front apogee tangent line  32  and, thus, the frame will have a concave configuration. As illustrated, the left portion of front edge  24  is at an angle α to the front apogee tangent line  32  and the right portion of front edge  24  is at an angle β to the front apogee tangent line  32 . Generally, angles α and β will be equal but it is within the scope of the invention for them to be different. Angles α and β can be from 10 degrees and 60 degrees, can be from 20 degrees to 40 degrees or can be from 22 degrees to 30 degrees. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the frame length is defined as the length from the front left end  26  to the front right end  28 . The length of the center section  20  can vary, as can the length of the end sections. Generally, the center section  20  will comprise from 40 percent to 60 percent of the frame length and the left section  18  and the right section  22  will each comprise from 20 percent to 30 percent of the frame length. Often the center section  20  will comprise about 50 percent of the frame length and the left section  18  and the right section  22  will each comprise about 25 percent of the frame length. 
     The bristles  16  are positioned downward on the center section, and can be directed slightly inward on the end sections to help facilitate the debris being directed towards the center of the broom head. The bristles  16  are flared outward on each end (front left end  26  and front right end  28 ) of the frame to facilitate entry into confined spaces. These end bristles can generally be slightly longer than the other bristles to ensure contact with the floor. The amount of flaring of these end bristles depends on the type of broom and the length of the bristles. For typical push broom bristle lengths, the end bristles will generally flare outward from 0.5 inch to 3 inches from each end of the frame and can flare outward about 1 to about 2 inches. For example, if the bristles for the push broom are 3.5 inches then the end bristles can flare out about 1.5 inches from each end of the frame and the end bristles will be about a quarter of an inch longer than the non-end bristles. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the design can also feature a semi-circular head, where the center section is slightly concave, and the end sections continue this curvature. This could be in a gradual curve or various degrees. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , a straight broom  40  is illustrated; however, the discussion is applicable to other types of brooms. Straight broom  40  has a handle  42 , head or head frame  44  and bristles  46 . Handle  42  is connected to the head frame  44 . The connection can be by any conventional known means, such as by screw mounting or by the handle being formed integrally with the head frame. The bristles are attached to the head frame in known conventional means for such straight brooms. The head frame  44  comprises a left section  48 , a center section  50  and a right section  52 , which make a continuous curve. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 7 , the head frame  44  has front edge  54 . Front edge  54  terminates in front left end  56  and front right end  58 . Front edge  54  extends across left section  48 , center section  50  and right section  52  such that a left portion of the front edge  54  extends across left section  48 , a center portion of front edge  54  extends across center section  50  and a right portion of front edge  54  extends across right section  52 . Front edge  54  has front apogee point  60 , which as mentioned above, is the point on front edge  54  farthest from both front left end  56  and front right end  58 . In the embodiment illustrated, the front apogee point  60  is in the middle of front edge  54 ; however, for asymmetrical brooms this may not be the case. Front apogee tangent line  62  is tangent to the curve of front edge  54  and passes through the front apogee point  60 . End sections (left section  48  and right section  52  will extend ahead of the front apogee tangent line  62  and, thus, the frame will have a concave configuration. As illustrated, both the left portion of front edge  54  and the right portion of front edge  54  extend an angle γ from the front apogee tangent line  62 ; however, it is with in the scope of the invention for the two sections to be different angles. The angle γ can be from 10 degrees and 60 degrees, can be from 20 degrees to 40 degrees or can be from 22 degrees to 30 degrees. 
     A house broom (also called a straight broom) or a dust mop (also called a dry mop) can utilize this same angled or curved design in both directions allowing the broom to be used in forward or backward sweeping motions. The center section remains the same but the angle/curved ends protrude in forward and backward directions, joining at the ends to form a loop. This can create a hollow center or remain solid. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a dust mop  80  utilizing the design in both directions can be seen. Dust mop  80  comprises handle  82 , head or head frame  84  and dry mop pad  86 . Handle  82  is connected to the head frame  84 . The connection can be by any conventional known means, such as by screw mounting or by the handle being formed integrally with the head frame. The dry mop pad is attached to the head frame in known conventional means for such dust mops. Typically, the pad will be a glove fitting over the frame. The head frame  84  comprises a left section  88 , a center section  90  and a right section  92 . 
     Head or head frame  84  has front edge  94  and back edge  104 . Front edge  94  terminates in front left end  96  and front right end  98 . Front edge  94  extends across left section  88 , center section  90  and right section  92  such that a left portion of the front edge  94  extends across left section  88 , a center portion of front edge  94  extends across center section  90  and a right portion of front edge  94  extends across right section  92 . Front edge  94  has front apogee point  100 , which can be anywhere along the center portion of front edge  94  since the center section  90  is straight. Front apogee tangent line  102  is parallel to the portion of front edge  94  at center section  90  and passes through the front apogee point  100 . The end sections (left section  88  and right section  92 ) will be angled such that they extend ahead of the front apogee tangent line  102  and thus the frame will have a concave configuration. As illustrated, the left portion of front edge  94  is at an angle α to the front apogee tangent line  102  and the right portion of front edge  94  is at an angle β to the front apogee tangent line  102 . Generally, angles α and β will be equal but it is within the scope of the invention for them to be different. Angles α and β can be from 10 degrees and 60 degrees, can be from 20 degrees to 40 degrees or can be from 22 degrees to 30 degrees. 
     Back edge  104  terminates in back left end  106  and back right end  108 . In the embodiment illustrated, the dust mop  80  has rounded ends thus the front left end  96  and the back left end  106  are at the same point. Also, front right end  98  and back right end  108  are at the same point. This may not be the case for other configurations. Back edge  104  extends across left section  88 , center section  90  and right section  92  such that a left portion of the back edge  104  extends across left section  88 , a center portion of back edge  104  extends across center section  90  and a right portion of back edge  104  extends across right section  92 . Back edge  104  has back apogee point  110 , which can be anywhere along the center portion of back edge  104  since the center section  90  is straight. Back apogee tangent line  112  is parallel to the portion of back edge  104  at center section  90  and passes through the back apogee point  110 . The end sections (left section  88  and right section  92 ) will be angled such that they extend behind the back apogee tangent line  112  and, thus, the frame will have a concave configuration. As illustrated, the left portion of back edge  104  is at an angle δ from the back apogee tangent line  112  and the right portion of back edge  104  is at an angle ε to the back apogee tangent line  112 . Generally, angles δ and ε will be equal but it is within the scope of the invention for them to be different. Angles δ and ε can be from 10 degrees and 60 degrees, can be from 20 degrees to 40 degrees or can be from 22 degrees to 30 degrees. 
     Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the length of the center section  90  can vary, as can the length of the end sections. Generally, the center section  90  will comprise from 40 percent to 60 percent of the frame length and the left section  88  and the right section  92  will each comprise from 20 percent to 30 percent of the frame length. Often the center section  90  will comprise about 50 percent of the frame length and the left section  88  and the right section  92  will each comprise about 25 percent of the frame length. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6  an embodiment is illustrated where a push broom  114  has an adjustable format. Push broom  114  generally comprises handle  116 , head frame  118  and bristles (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). The head frame  118  has left section  120 , center section  122  and right section  124 . Center section  122  is a straight center section and has a first end  126  and a second end  128 . Center section  122  has a center line  127  as shown, which is an apogee tangent line taken at the center of the frame. Left section  120  has a left end  119 , which is the left end of the head frame  118 , and a right end  121 . Right end  121  of left section  120  is mounted to first end  126  of center section  122  so as to be rotationally adjustable. Similarly, right section  124  has a right end  123 , which is the right end of head frame  118 , and a left end  125 . Left end  125  of right section  124  is mounted to second end  128  of center section  122  so as to be rotationally adjustable. As illustrated left section  120  and right section  124  are mounted onto center section  122  by tension screws  130  and  132 , respectively. Left section  120  and right section  124  can be rotationally adjusted from an angle of 60 degrees in front of the center section to an angle 60 degrees behind the center section. Optionally, left section  120  and right section  124  can be rotationally adjusted from an angle of 40 degrees in front of the center section to an angle 40 degrees behind the center section. In other words the center line  129  of the left section  120  will be at an angle α to center line  127  of the center section and the center line  131  of the right section  124  is at an angle β to center line  127 . The angles α and β can be from 60 degrees behind the center line  127  to 60 degrees ahead of the center line  127 , or can be from 40 degrees behind the center line  127  to 40 degrees ahead of the center line  127 . 
     In the adjustable format, the operator can loosen tension screws  130  and/or  132  or similar mechanisms, such as tongue and groove design, and adjust the angle of the end sections to the desired shape. It can be used as a straight broom (as shown by the solid lines in  FIG. 6 ), or the ends can be adjusted forward (as shown by the phantom lines in  FIG. 6 ) or backwards (not shown). This allows the broom to be used in both directions, to reduce bristle memory and wear. 
     Similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the length of the center section  122  can vary, as can the length of the end sections. Generally, the center section  122  will comprise from 40 percent to 60 percent of the frame length and the left section  120  and the right section  124  will each comprise from 20 percent to 30 percent of the frame length. Often the center section  122  will comprise about 50 percent of the frame length and the left section  120  and the right section  124  will each comprise about 25 percent of the frame length. 
     Other embodiments are illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a table top brush  133  (also known as a dust broom or whisk broom). Brush  133  has a handle  134 , a head frame  135  and bristles  136 . Head frame  135  has left section  138 , center section  140  and right section  142  wherein left section  138  and right section  142  are angled as described above.  FIG. 5  illustrates a house broom  150  (also known as a straight broom). Similar to the other embodiments, house broom  150  has a handle  152 , a head frame  154  and bristles  156 . Head frame  154  has left section  158 , center section  160  and right section  162  wherein left section  158  and right section  162  are angled as described for the other embodiments. 
     For the various embodiments of the current invention, the broom head can be of any suitable material (plastic, metal, wood composites, etc.) and the bristles can be of numerous materials (plastics, straw, wire, wool, yarn, etc.) and in various sizes and lengths. The bristles can be of various firmness, depending on the target material to be swept. The broom handle can be of wood, plastic or metal, and can be solid or hollow. Additionally, the bristles are positioned downward on the center section, and can be directed slightly inward on the end sections to help facilitate the debris being directed towards the center of the broom head. The bristles can be flared outward on each end tip to facilitate entry into confined spaces. 
     While the entire head sweeps the floor, the angled or curved ends also gather and direct the dirt and debris toward the straight center area of the head. This helps collect and control the debris during sweeping and minimizes loss of material to the sides. It also makes it easier to collect into a receptacle for disposal. This broom can be in the style of a push broom, a house broom, a whisk broom, dust mop or counter top brush. 
     It will be seen therefore, that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. While the presently preferred embodiments of the apparatus has been shown for the purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts may be made by those skilled in the art. All of such changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0