Patent ID: 8402590

Claim:
A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising: a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface; and a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned tufts of said first type of bristle; wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristles is more rigid and includes a different material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type is greater than the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the first type; and each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base; and further wherein, the angle of attack of one or more rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ; the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases; the difference in trim length of bristles between the leading edge and the trailing edge is about 0.75 inches, and the trim length of the trailing edge bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches; the trim length of the leading edge bristles is at least about 2 inches; and the ratio of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type to rows of tufts of bristles of the first type is at least 2:1; and further, wherein the tufts of bristles of the first type comprise one-third or less of the total number of tufts of the broom head.