Abstract:
The present invention is a device that combines the attributes of a standard push broom used to sweep up various residue in a garage, store, sidewalk, or industrial setting with the attributes of a specialized push broom designed to attract and pick up ferrous metals.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims priority based on the following three provisional patent applications: 
         [0002]    1. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/574,627 (Brian M. Martin) 
         [0003]    2. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/626,898 (Brian M. Martin) 
         [0004]    3. U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/686,536 (Brian M. Martin) 
     
    
     FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT 
       [0005]    None 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a device that combines the attributes of a standard push broom used to sweep up various residue in a garage, store, sidewalk, or industrial setting with the attributes of a specialized push broom designed to attract and pick up ferrous metals. Basically, this invention eliminates the need to have a separate standard push broom and a separate push broom to pick up ferrous metal. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0007]    The prior art teaches many different types of push brooms and cleaning devices, including those designed to attract and pick up ferrous materials, for example. U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,038 to Haase et al discloses a hand held magnetic sweeper. However, this device does not include the attributes of a standard push broom. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 3,377,641 to McGregor which discloses a magnetic push broom. Once again, this device does not incorporate the attributes of a standard push broom. Other examples include U.S. Pat. No. 3,206,783 for a magnetic floor cleaning device to Schwartz. U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,904 for a magnetic sweeper to Haase et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,310 for a magnetic sweeper to Haase. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,455 for cleaning implements having magnetic means to Rothweil. et al. 
         [0008]    All of the above patents represent various modes and improvements in the area of devices that can attract and pick up ferrous material. However, none combine the attributes of a standard push broom and a device designed to attract and pick up ferrous materials in one device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed toward a device that uniquely combines the attributes of a standard push broom used to sweep up various residue in a garage, store, sidewalk, or industrial setting with the attributes of a specialized push broom designed to attract and pick up ferrous metals. 
         [0010]    In simplest terms, the present invention is a slightly modified push broom with an attachment device mounted on the top of the push broom base which enables the user to attract and remove ferrous materials. The mounted attachment device is comprised of a body, at least two brackets that affix the device to the top of the push broom base, a set of wheels, and a plurality of magnets. The present invention is practiced by using the push broom in the normal manner in order to sweep up non-ferrous material. If the user wants to attract ferrous material, he or she merely rotates the broom base 180 degrees such that broom base is now resting on its wheels. In this position, the magnets are at the front of the rotated broom base and are in such a position that they attract and retain ferrous materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of the present invention  10 , including the broom handle  20 , the removable magnetic strip  70 , the broom base  30 , the wheels  40 , the broom handle brackets  50 , the magnets  60  that are affixed to the removable magnetic strip  70 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a frontal view of the attachment  80 , including the brackets  90  which attach to the broom base, the removable magnetic strip  70 , the wheels  40 , and the magnets  60 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the present invention  10  showing the removable magnetic strip  70 , the magnets  60 , the wheels  40 , the brackets  90  attached to the broom base  30 , and the broom handle cradle brackets  50 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view of the device in the inverted position showing the broom base  30 . broom handle  20 , wheels  40 , brackets  90 , and removable magnetic strip  70 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention is a modified push broom with an attachment device mounted on the top of the push broom base which enables the user to attract and remove ferrous materials. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the modified push broom  10  is shown as it would be used for sweeping up normal, non-magnetic residue on the floor of a factory, machine shop, garage, etc. Key components of the modified push broom  10  are: the wheels  40  which allows the push broom base  30  to be inverted and used to sweep up ferrous residue; the brackets  90  attached to the broom base  30 : the removable metallic strip  70  to which the magnets  60  are attached: and the cradles  50  into which the handle  20  of the broom can be inserted for ease in shipping and storage. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the attachment  80  is shown without the push broom base as it would rest on its wheels  40  on the floor. In this position, the magnets are strong enough and oriented close enough to the floor surface such that they attract ferrous materials. Conversely, when the modified push broom  10  is in the upright position with the bristles resting on the floor, the magnets are neither strong enough nor oriented properly so as to attract ferrous material. Also shown are the two brackets  90  the push broom base  30  is inserted into and snaps into place. 
         [0018]    The configuration, size and design of the metallic strip  70  and the magnets  60  is integral and vital to the optimum functioning of the modified push broom and attachment  80 . While the present invention and best mode discloses a metallic strip, the strip could also be wooden, plastic, composite or other similar material. Similarly, the present invention discloses approximately ten magnets positioned equidistant along the metallic strip. The number and spacing of the magnets can also be varied to change the amount and size of ferrous material that the device attracts and picks up. Similarly, the size of the magnets can be varied to change the characteristics of the attraction and removal function. The magnets can be attached to the strip in any of several means including use of adhesives. use of Velcro strips, insertion in inlaid recesses, mechanical fasteners or other similar means. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side perspective view of the modified push broom  10  is shown. In particular, this view shows the manner in which the two brackets  90  clamp onto the broom base  30  and hold the attachment  80  firmly in place. Also shown are the wheels  40  and the cradles  50  into which the push broom handle can be stored. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a rear view of the device  10  is shown as it would be used be used in for attracting and picking up ferrous material. In this view, the brackets  90  that hold the broom base  30  fast to the attachment  80  and also hold the wheels  40  are shown. Also note that the magnetic strip that contains the magnets (not shown in this view) is pointed downwards towards the surface and in fact is just a few centimeters from the surface. By adjusting the angle which the broom handle  20  makes with the horizontal plane, the metallic strip and magnets can be moved closer or farther away from the surface. 
         [0021]    One of the key features of the present invention is that the broom handle  20  does not have to be moved or inserted into a different opening in order to practice the invention in either the standard residue sweeping mode or the ferrous residue mode. The user merely has to turn the broom over by rotating the broom handle 180 degrees about the broom handle to transition from one mode to the other. In the standard or non-ferrous residue sweeping mode, the bristles of the broom are on the floor or surface. In the ferrous residue mode, the metallic strip with attached magnets is facing the floor or surface. 
         [0022]    Another key element is the size of the wheels. The present invention discloses standard two inch plastic wheels. However, the wheels can be of varying sizes in order to increase or decrease the distance that the metallic strip and attached magnets is off the floor or surface. 
         [0023]    In an alternate mode, the clamps can be adjustable so as to allow the attachment to be affixed to the top of push brooms of varying sizes. 
         [0024]    In an alternate mode, the metallic, composite or plastic strip can be removable and contain magnets of different sizes and shapes. Instead of having the wheels and clamps attach to the strip, they would attach to another structural member of approximately the same size as the strip. This would give the entire attachment fixed structure while allowing for the strip to be interchanged with other strips containing different magnet configurations.