GB2589881A

GB2589881A - Sweeping apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2589881A
Application number: GB1918138.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Fitzpatrick Dickens Anthony
Original assignee: Studio Make Believe Ltd
Current assignee: Studio Make Believe Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2019-12-10
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Also published as: GB201918138D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to collapsible sweeping broom apparatus. The broom comprises a collapsible shaft handle 12 and a broom head 14. The handle comprises a number of elongate members that when in a collapsed state are stowed side by side in a recess or mounting formation defined by the broom head. The elongate members may be connected by an elastic and flexible cord or similar. In an extended configuration a convex end (22b, figure 6A) of the shaft handle may be received in a concave portion of the broom head. A dustpan receptacle (30, figure 4) comprising a retaining portion (34, figure 4) for retaining the collapsed broom is also disclosed.

Description

SWEEPING APPARATUS

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed towards a sweeping apparatus and, more particularly, the present disclosure is directed towards a dustpan and a collapsible broom that is stowable within the dustpan when in a collapsed configuration.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, brooms comprise an elongate shaft and a broom head. The broom head may be removable from the shaft by unscrewing the broom head or releasing some other form of fastener. Conventional dustpans comprise a flat-bottomed receptacle had rear and side walls and an open front and are generally provided with a brush that is attachable to the dustpan in some way. This combination of components takes up storage space and conventional brooms, in particular, can be quite difficult to conveniently store due to their elongate nature and a requirement for a significant vertical space. This problem is exacerbated in small properties where there is not much storage space available, i.e. studio flats, beach huts and modular living premises that are prevalent in certain communities. Accommodating common house hold items can be difficult thus occupants seeking smaller alternatives that, in the most part, have significant functional limitations. For example, some occupants may elect not to use a broom as it would take up significant space and would be unsightly if there was not a cupboard available to store it in. Such occupants might rely solely on a compact dustpan and brush that is optimized for sweeping up debris and dust from a relatively small area. Such a scenario would not be satisfactory due to the increased time it would take to sweep a floor as opposed to with a conventional broom and the need for the user to be hunched or crouched to use the dustpan and brush.

The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of the invention provides sweeping apparatus comprising a utility head and a shaft, wherein the shaft is formed from a plurality of hollow elongate members and is changeable from a first configuration in which the plurality of elongate members are stowed in a side by side relationship and a second configuration in which the plurality of elongate members are extended in a linear relationship to form a single elongate shaft, and wherein the shaft is received by a mounting interface defined by the utility head when in the second configuration.

The collapsible nature of the sweeping apparatus means that it takes up very little storage space when in a collapsed configuration and it can be extended in order to be used as a full-sized broom. Furthermore, the mounting interface engages the shaft when the shaft is in an extended configuration to provide a resilient interface between the shaft and the utility head during use. It will be appreciated that while this description refers to a broom head, such an object is given by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the term utility head could relate to a broom head, mop head or paint brush, for example. The skilled person will understand that the term utility head may relate to any object that is securable to a conventional shaft.

The utility head may comprise a broom head.

The sweeping apparatus may further comprise an elasticated and flexible cord extending from a first end of the shaft distal to the utility head through each of the plurality of elongate members to a second end of the shaft proximate to the utility head.

Use of an elasticated and flexible cord ensures that the plurality of elongate members remain connected along a linear path and can be quickly and easily connected to extend the shaft.

The second end of the shaft may define a convex arcuate surface and the mounting interface of the utility head defines a concave arcuate surface so as to define a ball and socket arrangement therebetween to facilitate relative rotation of the shaft and utility head.

The ball-and-socket arrangement allows the shaft to pivot relative to the utility head such that the angle therebetween can be varied to facilitate use in a number of different positions.

The mounting interface of the utility head may further comprise a cutout therein for receiving a portion of the second end of the shaft when the shaft is in the second configuration such that relative rotation of the shaft and the utility head is prevented.

Locking the angle of rotation of the shaft relative to the utility head enables provides a rigid connection therebetween so that the sweeping apparatus can be used as a conventional broom, for example. Furthermore, to enable convenient storage in the extended configuration, the mounting interface provides engagement between the utility head and the shaft such that the shaft is locked in a vertical position during use and/or during storage if the sweeping apparatus is stored in the extended configuration.

The sweeping apparatus may further comprise a receptacle for receiving the utility head and shaft when in the first configuration, the receptacle comprising a handle, a body and a retaining formation for securing the utility head and shaft within the body thereof.

Often, a dustpan from a dustpan and brush set is used to collect dust and dirt that is swept using a broom. The present invention provides a dustpan with an additional retaining formation that advantageously allows for the utility head and shaft to be retained and stored in the dustpan when in the collapsed configuration. The utility head, i.e. broom, can be used as a standard brush when in the collapsed configuration.

The retaining formation may comprise a projection facing into the body that defines a snap or push fit connection between the retaining formation and the shaft and/or utility head.

Such a configuration provides a cost effective and repeatable formation within fight tolerances to ensure a secure fit between the shaft and/or utility head and the receptacle or dustpan.

The handle may be rotatable between a first position in which the handle extends within the body of the receptacle and prevents vertical movement of the shaft and utility head relative to the body and a second position in which the handle extends rearwardly from the body of the receptacle. The handle may be connected to the body by way of a friction fit arrangement.

Provision of a rotatable handle provides added resistance to movement or detachment of the utility head and shaft relative to or from the receptacle, or dustpan. The handle when in a forward position prevents movement of the utility head and shaft in the Y-dimension relative to the receptacle, or dustpan.

A second aspect of the invention provides a receptacle for use with a brush or broom according to the first aspect of the invention, the receptacle comprising a planar bottom surface with side walls and a rear wall extending upwardly therefrom to define a cavity that is open at the front and top and a retaining formation projection upwardly from the planar bottom surface into the cavity for retaining at least a portion of brush or broom. The second aspect of the invention may also be configured for use with a paint brush, for example.

The receptacle may further comprise a handle that is rotatable relative to the cavity around an axis of rotation positioned externally and rearward of the cavity, wherein the handle is rotatable between a first configuration in which the handle projects handle projects forwardly into the cavity and a second configuration wherein the handle projects rearwardly away from the cavity.

A third aspect of the invention provides a broom head comprising a body portion having a first surface from which a plurality of bristles extend and a second, opposing surface defining a retaining formation for receiving a shaft in a fixed relationship with the broom head when the shaft is in a first configuration and a mounting interface defining a concave arcuate surface configured to interface with a convex surface of an end of the shaft to define a ball-and-socket arrangement therebetween, in use, when the shaft is in a second configuration.

The broom head may further comprise a cutout therein for receiving a portion of the second end of the shaft when the shaft is in the second configuration such that relative rotation of the shaft and the broom head is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for the purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. The drawings are provided to facilitate an understanding of the concepts disclosed herein and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of these concepts. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

FIG. la and lb are isometric views of the present invention when in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 2a, 2b and 2c are frontal views of a broom in collapsed, intermediate and extended configurations respectively, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a dustpan according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a broom in the collapsed configuration according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the broom in the extended configuration.

FIG. 6a and 6b are first and second detail views respectively of a mounting interface between a broom shaft and broom head according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific content of the present invention will be described below in detail by embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in the figures, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a collapsible broom 10 and a dustpan 30. The illustrated embodiment is shown in a collapsed configuration in FIGS la, lb, 2a and 3. The embodiment is shown in an extended configuration in FIG 2c and in an intermediate configuration in FIG 2b. The broom 10 comprises a shaft 12 and a broom head 14. The shaft 12 is collapsible and, in the embodiment illustrated comprises a plurality of connectible elongate members 16 connected together by way of an elasticated, flexible cord 18, such as a bungee. Each elongate member has a main shaft portion 16a, a first end 16b that is open and a second end 16c that is rounded, i.e. concave, and has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the first end 16b such that the second end 16c of a first hollow elongate member 16 may be received by the second end 16c of a second elongate member 16. The plurality of elongate members 16 may comprise two or more elongate members 16 of varying lengths and depending on application. The cord 18 is fixedly attached to the distal end of the shaft 12 relative to the broom head 14 and passes through each elongate member 16 before terminating and being fixedly attached to the proximate end of the shaft 12 relative to the broom head 14. A second end 16b of the first of the plurality of elongate members 16, in some embodiments, is rotatably attached to the broom head 14 by way of at least one pin 16d projecting perpendicularly therefrom and engaging with a corresponding cut-out within the broom head 14. The first of the plurality of elongate members 16 is biased towards the broom head 14 by way of the cord 18. The elongate member 16 furthest away, or distal, from the broom head 14 has an ergonomic coating, i.e. plastic or foam, to provide an area for a user to grip during use.

In some embodiments, the elongate members 16 may be hollow. In other embodiments, the elongate members 16 may be solid along most of their length except at the second end thereof to enable insertion of the first end of an adjacent elongate member 16. The plurality of elongate members 16 may be collapsible in the manner shown in the figures or alternatively configured in a telescopic relationship such that the first of the plurality of elongate members 16 has at least at the first end 16b thereof a first inner diameter. The next of the plurality of elongate members 16 has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the first of the plurality of elongate members 16. This arrangement is repeated such that each pair of adjacent elongate members 16 is configured such that the first end 16b of one of the pair has an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the second end 16c of the other of the pair.

The broom head 14 comprises a body portion 14a and bristles 20 extending from one side thereof. The body portion 14a of the broom 14 comprises a retaining formation 14b for holding the shaft 12 in a fixed position relative to the broom head 14 when the shaft 12 is collapsed and stowed. This is shown in FIG. 4. When the shaft 12 is collapsed and stowed, each of the plurality of hollow elongate members 16 are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The retaining formation 14b comprises opposed tabs 14c that, when viewed from an end of the broom head 14, are angled inwards. The body portion 14a of the broom head 14 is manufactured from a resilient material such as injection molded plastic such that when the collapsed shaft 12 is inserted between the opposed tabs 14c, they are urged apart by a compressive force and revert to their biased position once the compressive force is removed. This arrangement prevents the shaft 12 from being displaced relative to the broom head 14 in the Y-dimension without application of a significant tensile force to overcome the bending strength of the opposed tabs 14c. The opposed tabs 14c grip the shaft 12 to also provide displacement resistance relative to the broom head in the X-dimension.

As illustrated in FIGS 5, 6a and 6b, the body portion 14a of the broom head 14 also comprises a mounting interface 22 that is formed in the opposite side of the body portion 14a from where the bristles 20 extend. The mounting interface is defined by a cutout 22a through the body portion 14a that provides an interference fit between the proximal end of the shaft 12 relative to the broom head 14 and the cutout 22a. The proximal end of the shaft 12 further comprises a projection 12a that extends from the rounded end thereof. The projection 12a slots within the cut-out 22a when the shaft 12 is in the extended configuration and positioned perpendicularly relative to the broom head 14 for storage in an upright position. The mounting interface 22 further comprises a convex cut-out 22b that surrounds cut-out 22a but does not extend all the way through the body portion 14a of the broom head 14. The convex cut-out 22b engages with the rounded, i.e. concave, end of the proximate end of the shaft 12 to define a ball-and-socket arrangement. In use, this ball-and-socket arrangement provides relative movement of the shaft 12 and broom head 14. The body portion 14a of the broom head 14 is profiled to provide an ergonomical surface to grip and use the broom head 14 as a hand-held brush when the shaft 12 is in the collapsed configuration.

S

In some embodiments, the shaft 12 is rotatable between two or more positions relative to the broom head 14. This facilitated by at least one pin (not shown) projecting radially from the end of the shaft proximate the broom head 14. The at least one pin is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the walls of the body of the broom head 14. A corresponding cutout is provided in at least one wall of the broom head 14 within which the pin may engage when aligned therewith. Engagement of the pin with the cutout angularly locks the shaft 12 relative to the broom head 14. It will be appreciated that multiple cutouts may be provided to provide multiple positions in which the shaft 12 may be angularly positioned relative to the broom head 14 and locked in such positions. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the shaft may comprise two, diametrically opposed, pins that are each engageable with respective cutouts in the walls of the broom head 14.

The shaft 12 and broom head 14 may be received by a dustpan, or receptacle, 30 when the shaft 12 is in the stowed configuration. An example receptacle is shown in FIG. 4 and comprises a planar bottom surface 30a, side walls 30b and a rear wall 30c that together define a cavity with an open front and top. A retaining formation 34 projects upwardly from the planar bottom surface 30a and into the cavity. FIG. 4 shows a single retaining formation 34 positioned at the side of the cavity but it will be appreciated that two or more retaining formations 34 could be used and still fall within the scope of the present invention. The retaining formation 34 is profiled to receive the shaft 12 and restrain relative movement of the shaft 12 and dustpan 30 in the Z-dimension and the Y-dimension. The shaft is restrained in the X-dimension by the sidewalls 30b of the dustpan 30.

The dustpan 30 further comprises a handle 32 positioned external to and rearward of the cavity. The handle 32 is rotatable around a vertical axis 33 such that when the handle 32 is in a first position it extends forwardly and into the cavity. When the handle 32 is in the second position it extends rearwardly and external to the cavity. When the handle 32 is in the second configuration it acts to further restrain movement of the shaft 12 in the Y-dimension relative to the dustpan 30. The handle 32 is connected to the rear wall 30c of the receptacle 30 by way of a friction fit, or other suitable, fitting. This is shown in FIGS la and 1 b.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this disclosure, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The above-described embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Sweeping apparatus comprising a broom head and a shaft, wherein the shaft is formed from a plurality of connectible elongate members and is changeable from a first configuration in which the plurality of elongate members are stowed in a side by side relationship at least partially within the utility head and a second configuration in which the plurality of elongate members are extended in a linear relationship to form a single elongate shaft, and wherein the shaft is received by a mounting interface defined by the utility head when the shaft is in the second configuration.
2. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an elasticated and flexible cord extending from a first end of the shaft distal to the utility head through each of the plurality of elongate members to a second end of the shaft proximate to the utility head.
3. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the second end of the shaft defines a convex arcuate surface and the mounting interface of the utility head defines a concave arcuate surface to provide a ball and socket arrangement therebetween to facilitate relative rotation of the shaft and utility head when the shaft is in the first configuration.
4. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a directional locking mechanism configured to only allow relative rotation of the shaft and the utility head in a single plane.
5. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the utility head defines a longitudinal axis and relative rotation of the shaft and utility head in a single plane is around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the utility head.
6 Sweeping apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the directional locking mechanism comprises at least one pin projecting perpendicularly from a first of the plurality of elongate members and a corresponding cutout defined by the utility head and within which the at least one pin engages.
7. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the mounting interface of the utility head further comprises a cutout therein for receiving a portion of first of the plurality of elongate members such that relative rotation of the shaft and the utility head is prevented.
8. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first of the plurality of elongate members is biased towards the cutout in the utility head by the elasticated and flexible cord.
9. Sweeping apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a handle portion that is defined by the utility head.
10. Sweeping apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising a receptacle for receiving the utility head and shaft when in the first configuration, the receptacle comprising a handle, a body and a retaining formation for securing the utility head and shaft within the body.
11. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the retaining formation comprises a projection facing into the body that defines a snap or push fit connection between the retaining formation and the utility head and/or the shaft.
12 Sweeping apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the handle is rotatable between a first position in which the handle extends within the body of the receptacle and prevents lateral movement of the shaft and utility head relative to the body and a second position in which the handle extends rearwardly from the body of the receptacle.
13. Sweeping apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the handle is connected to the body of the receptacle by way of a friction fit arrangement.
14. A receptacle for use with a brush or broom comprising a planar bottom surface with side walls and a rear wall extending upwardly therefrom to define a cavity that is open at the front and top and a retaining formation projection upwardly from the planar bottom surface into the cavity for retaining at least a portion of brush or broom.
15. A receptacle according to claim 8 further comprising a handle that is rotatable relative to the cavity around an axis of rotation positioned externally and rearward of the cavity, wherein the handle is rotatable between a first configuration in which the handle projects forwardly into the cavity and a second configuration in which the handle projects rearwardly away from the cavity.
16 A broom head comprising a body portion having a first surface from which a plurality of bristles extend and a second, opposing surface defining a retaining formation for receiving a shaft in a fixed relationship with the broom head when the shaft is in a first configuration and a mounting interface defining a concave arcuate surface configured to interface with a convex surface of an end of the shaft to define a ball-and-socket arrangement therebetween, in use, when the shaft is in a second configuration.
17. A broom head according to claim 13, wherein the handle is connected to the body of the receptacle by way of a friction fit arrangement.
18. A broom head according to claim 10 further comprising a cutout therein for receiving a portion of the second end of the shaft when the shaft is in the second configuration such that relative rotation of the shaft and the broom head is prevented.