GB2250709A

GB2250709A - Connector for broom handles

Info

Publication number: GB2250709A
Application number: GB9126666A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor William Keynes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-14
Filing date: 1991-12-16
Publication date: 1992-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-16
Also published as: GB9126666D0; GB2250709B

Abstract

A connector for connecting a broom handle 22 to a broom head 21. A main body 8 has an externally threaded lower portion 17, divided into segments 14, which can be pushed into a hole 20 and turned by a bar 12 to screw it fully in. The broom handle 22 is screwed into the internally threaded upper portion 9 of the main body. A tapered plug 15 is pushed into the lower portion 17 by the end of the handle 22 as it is screwed in, focusing the segments 14 outwards to give a strong grip on the broom head. <IMAGE>

Description

Go n n G to 0 for r- B r- o o m H I S The present invention relates to connectors, particularly but not neceshar- ily exclusively for holding broom heads on broom handles.

A conventional broom consists of a head and a handle, the head being a block of wood of roughly semicircular section having an array of bristles mounted in its flat side and the handle being a wooden rod. The conventional way of mounting the handle in the head is to provide a blind bore in the head into which the end of the handle is inserted, with a nail being driven through the head adjacent to the bore and the end of the handle, It is well known that with this method of mounting, the handle tends to become disengaged from the head, generally by the end of the handle pulling away from the nail or the nail pulling out of the head.

The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of attaching a handle to a broom head.

Accordingly the present invention provides a connector for connecting a broom handle to a broom head, comprising a tubular main body having an upper portion for receiving the end of the broom handle, and a lower portion for insertion into a hole in the broom head. Preferably the upper portion of the main body is internally threaded to grip the end of the broom handle and the lower portion is externally threaded and divided into segments which can be urged outwardly, by the insertion of the broom handle into the upper portion, to grip the sides of the hole.

A connector embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing, which is a simplified and exploded perspective view of the connector.

Referring to the drawing, the connector consists òf three components: a main body 8, a plug 15, and a bar la. The main body 8 is generally tubular, and consists of an upper portion 9 and a lower portion 17. The upper portion 9 has internal threading 10; the lower portion 17 is divided into a plurality of segments 14, and has external threading 11. A pair of holes 13 in the upper portion 9 of the main body allow the bar 12 to be passed transversely through the main body.

To use the connector, the first step is to push the lower portion 17 of the main body 8 into a hole 20 in a broom head 21 (shown distorted and not to scale). This will usually result in the lower ends of the segments 14 being pushed slightly inwards.

If the main body cannot readily be pushed fully into the hole, ie so that the bottom ends of the segments 14 butt against the bottom of the hole, then the bar 12 is inserted through the holes 13 and used to rotate the main body.

The outer: threading 11 will engage with the sides of the hole, and the main body will therefore be screwed gradually down into the hole until it is fully in.

The bar 12 can be disposed of once the main body is fully inserted into the hole in the broom head. If desired, any convenient rod can be used as this bar, eg a skewer. Alternatively, other means can be provided for achieving full insertion of the main body, eg the provision of flats on the upper portion so that a spanner can be used to rotate the main body.

Once the main body is fully inserted into the hole 20, the plug 15 is inserted into the main body.

The end of the broom handle 22 is then inserted into the upper portion 9 of the main body 8, so that it- engages with . the threading 10 on the inside of this upper portion. The handle 22 is then rotated to bring it gradually further into the main body. As this is done, the end of the handle engages after a while with the top end of the plug 15, and further turning of the handle therefore pushes the plug 15 downwards into the lower portion 17 of the main body. As a result, the segments 14 are pushed outwards, strengthening their grip on the sides of the hole 20.

The diameters of broom handles are generally of a standard size, and the holes in broom heads are generally of the same size, to give a snug fit. The upper portion 9 of the main body 8 has to accommodate a broom handle, and its lower portion 17 has to be accommodated in the hole in a broom head. The upper portion of the main body 8 therefore has a larger diameter than the lower portion.

The plug 15 is tapered, with its narrower end 16 being inserted into the main body 8, to give a progressive outward force on the segments 14 as it is forced further into the lower portion of the main body. Instead of the plug being tapered, it can have constant diarneter, with the segments 14 of the main body S being thickened at their lower ends. The plug can also be slightly resilient.

The degree of taper required will generally be small, as the hole 20 in.the broom head will generally be of constant diameter. It is however desirable for the grip between the main body .5 and the sides of the hole 20 to be greatest at the bottom of the hole, because the top parts of the hole are mechanically weaker. Those parts are also more likely to be damaged if the connector is being used on a broom head which has previously had a handle nailed into it in the conventional manner.

More generally, the end of the handle 22 may be shaped to enter the lower portion of the main body 8 and push the segments 14 outwards. However, this would require the end of the handle to be appropriately shaped. It is therefore preferable to use a plug as shown.

The threading 11 on the lower portion of the main body serves two purposes; to assist in the insertion of that. portion fully into the hole 20, and to retain the main body in the hole. Its retention in the hole can also be assisted or achieved by providing it with external roughening or knurling and/or the use of glue.

Although the diarneter of broom handles is largely standardized, there are in fact two different standard sizes; the smaller is generally used for brooms for domestic purposes, while the larger may be used for brooms for outside and industrial purposes. The utility of the present adaptor can be increased by providing an adaptor (not shown), internally and externally threaded, which screws onto the lower portion of the main body to effectively enlarge it to the larger hole size. The adaptor may be segmented like the lower portion of the main body. In use, it can be first screwed either into the hole or onto the main body.

Claims

1 A connector for connecting a broom handle to a broom head, comprising a tubular main body having an upper portion for receiving the ends of the broom handle, and a lower portion for insertion into a hole in the broom head.

2 A connector according to claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the main body is internally threaded to grip the end of the broom handle and the lower portion is externally threaded and divided into segments which can be urged outwardly,.' by the insertion of the broom handle into the upper portion, to grip the sides of the hole.

3 A connector according to claim 2 wherein the lower ends of the segments are thickened.

4 A connector according to either of claims 2 and 3 including a plug for insertion in the main body before the broom handle is inserted therein.

5 A connector according to claim 4 wherein the plug is tapered.

6 A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5 having a pair of holes in the sides of the lower part of the upper portion.

7 A connector according to claim 6 including a bar receivable in the holes.

8 A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the upper portion has flats formed thereon.

9 A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 8 including an internally and externally threaded adaptor which screws onto the lower portion of the main body.

10 A connector substantially as herein described.

1 1 A broom comprising a broom handle connected to a broom head by a connector according to any previous claim.

12 Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).