Abstract:
A protector is provided for a broom such as a concrete broom or the like. The protector of this invention is clamped onto the bristles of a concrete broom or the like to protect the same.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The instant invention relates to a protector or cover for a broom such as a concrete broom or the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a protector which is clamped onto the bristles of a concrete broom or the like to protect the same. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Concrete brooms are used to apply a non-slip finish to newly finished concrete surfaces. A concrete broom normally is comprised of an elongated, generally rectangular block having bristles set thereinto. An elongated handle is normally secured to the block. When the broom has been used to finish a concrete surface, it is frequently placed into the box of a truck or the like. The bristles of the broom frequently become bent, flared out or damaged during periods of non-use. Subsequent use of the broom becomes difficult and will have an effect on the finish of the concrete. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    A protector for a concrete broom is disclosed which includes an elongated rectangular block having flexible bristles extending therefrom. The protector of this invention comprises a first elongated clamping member having a first end, a second end, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The protector also includes a second elongated clamping member having a first end, a second, end, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface, and an outer surface. 
         [0007]    A pivotal clamp or clamps pivotally connect the first and second clamping members together so that the first and second clamping members may be selectively movable with respect to one another between a closed clamping position and an open non-clamping position. The first and second clamping members, when in the open non-clamping position, permit the bristles of the concrete broom to be inserted therebetween. The first and second clamping members are movable to their closed clamping position, after the bristles of the broom have been inserted therebetween, to clamp the bristles therebetween to protect the bristles from damage. 
         [0008]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a protector for a concrete broom or the like. 
         [0009]    A further object of the invention is to provide a protector for a concrete broom or the like which is easy to use. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a protector for a concrete broom which securely clamps the bristles of the concrete broom between a pair of clamping members to protect the bristles from damage. 
         [0011]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention being clamped onto the bristles of a concrete broom; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  with the protector being in the open position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the first embodiment in the open position about ready to be clamped onto the bristles of a concrete broom; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an end view illustrating the manner in which the clamping members may be clamped onto the bristles of the concrete broom; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view illustrating the protector being clamped onto the bristles of a concrete broom. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0020]    In the drawings, two embodiments of the invention are shown. In  FIG. 1 , the numeral  10  refers to the first embodiment of the protector of this invention while the numeral  10 ′ refers to the second embodiment of the protector of this invention which is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0021]    Protectors  10  and  10 ′ are designed to be used to protect the bristles  12  of a concrete broom  14 . The protectors  10  and  10 ′ could also be used to protect the bristles of other types of brooms as well. Broom  14  is conventional in design and includes an elongated, generally rectangular block  16  having a handle  18  secured thereto. The bristles  12  are usually arranged in rows as seen in  FIG. 5 . The inner ends of the bristles  12  are secured to the block  16  in conventional fashion. 
         [0022]    Protectors  10  and  10 ′ are identical except for the fact that two clamps are utilized on protector  10  rather than a single clamp being utilized on  10 ′. For that reason, only protector  10  will be described in detail with “′” being used to designate identical structure on protector  10 ′. 
         [0023]    Protector  10  includes an elongated, flat, rectangular first clamping member  20  having a first end  22 , a second end  24 , a first side edge  26 , a second side edge  28 , an outer surface  30  and an inner surface  32 . Protector  10  also includes an elongated, flat, rectangular second clamping member  34  having a first end  36 , a second end  38 , a first side edge  40 , a second side edge  42 , an outer surface  44  and an inner surface  46 . 
         [0024]    Clamps  48  and  50  pivotally interconnect clamping members  20  and  34 . The clamps  48  and  50  are of the type such as found on pants hangers. Clamps  48  and  50  are movable between clamping and non-clamping positions as seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0025]    When it is desired to protect the bristles  12  of the broom  14 , the clamps  48  and  50  are moved to their open position which moves clamping members  20  and  34  to their open position of  FIG. 4 . The broom  14  is then maneuvered so that the outer ends of the bristles  12  are positioned between clamping members  20  and  34 . The clamps  48  and  50  are then closed to compress the bristles  12  between the support members  20  and  32  to protect the same from damage ( FIGS. 1 ,  5  and  6 ). The protector  10 ′, shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , is used in the same manner as that just described with only clamp  48  being used. 
         [0026]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.