US20140053358A1

US20140053358A1 - Portable broom

Info

Publication number: US20140053358A1
Application number: US13/973,963
Authority: US
Inventors: Latitia Costa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-22
Filing date: 2013-08-22
Publication date: 2014-02-27

Abstract

A collapsible broom that folds into a size capable of being stored in a small bag with gripping material to make it easy for the user to pull the broom apart. The collapsible broom described herein provides a handle that may be broken down into segments and easy stored when not in use or during transport.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/692,092, filed on Aug. 22, 2012.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to a collapsible portable broom.
Currently there are a number of solutions for portable brooms. One such solution are fold-up brooms, however they use hinges to fold the broom in place which can pinch the user's hands. Some of these portable broom solutions attempt to collapse for easier transport, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of the industry because they use telescoping barrels which can be difficult to compress into a smaller shape for portability.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment of the invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a portable broom which provides easy transport and storage of a broom. The Broom and Bag combination may also provide a compartment inside the broom head to keep a collapsed portability bag safe to prevent the bag from being lost. Other inventions do not provide such a solution.
The standard prior art wooden broom is the most basic version. The broom described herein provides a novel broom with collapsible components that has gripping material around the broomstick that makes it easy for the user to pull apart. A shock or stretchable cord is used inside the broom to keep the pieces together. Once you have used the broom you can fold it and pack it away in a small bag that comes with the broom that can be stored in a small space in the broom head.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of the broom.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the broom partially collapsed.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the broom fully collapsed.

FIG. 4 depicts a bag for storing a broom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now to FIG. 1, which describes one example embodiment of a collapsible broom 1 in an expanded position. In this exemplary embodiment, the broom 1 is a handle operable cleaning device, that includes a handle 5 that comprises at least three handle segments 10, 15, 20, end cap 3 and connects cleaning head 25. Cleaning head 25 includes a body portion 30 and a cleaning device 40.
The handle portion 5 includes grip 6 that may be made of a number of materials. Materials that are water resistant and sufficiently non-porous are particularly useful. Handle portion 5 is coupled to body portion 30 at one terminal end of handle segment 20.
In at least this example embodiment. collapsible broom 1 comprises a cleaning device or member 40. Cleaning device 40 may include a number of known cleaning elements. One particularly advantageous cleaning element is a broom. In another related embodiment. the cleaning element is a scouring pad or sponge. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning element is either a cloth or a mop-type head with various strands, both of which are attached to the end of the collapsible broom.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown one example embodiment of the collapsible broom 1 in a partially collapsed position. In this exemplary embodiment, collapsible broom 1 handle segment 20 is uncoupled from cleaning head 25. Cleaning head 25 includes a body portion 30 and a cleaning device 40. In this example embodiment, handle 5 comprises a cord 45. Although not wanting to be bound by a particular theory cord 45 may run along the entire longitudinal axis of handle 5.
Referring now to FIG. 3, which describes one example embodiment of the collapsible broom 1 in a fully collapsed position. In this exemplary embodiment, collapsible broom handle segment 20 is uncoupled from cleaning head 25. Cleaning head 25 includes a body portion 30 and a cleaning device 40. In this example embodiment, handle 5 comprises a cord 45. In this example embodiment. collapsible broom 1 is also small enough to readily store in a collapsible broom bag (not shown).
Referring now to FIG. 4, which describes an example embodiment of a bag 50. Bag 50 may comprise a material well known in the art. In particular a material that is non-porous and water-resistant is highly preferred. In a related alternative embodiment bag 50 is machine washable. Bag 50 may also include a handle 55. Bag 50 may be easily rolled and stored in handle segment 10 and enclosed with end cap 3.
In a related embodiment, the broom comes with a bag that is stored in the top part of the broom. The end cap unscrews to reveal storage space for the bag. So the bag will not be lost since it is hidden inside the broom. In yet another related embodiment, a collapsible mop head can be included or generated as a separate cleaning tool. In yet another embodiment, the broom head is substituted with a dusting head to make it a dusting tool.
While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

Claims

1. A collapsible broom comprising:

a handle;

a cleaning head and

a connection means,

wherein said handle and said cleaning head are mechanically connected and wherein at least a portion of said connection means is contained in the internal cavity of said handle.

2. A collapsible broom as described in claim 1 wherein said handle further comprises at least three handle segments.

3. A collapsible broom as described in claim 1 where said handle further comprises a grip being disposed on a portion of the exterior surface of said handle.

4. A collapsible broom as described in claim 2 where said handle further comprises a grip, said grip being disposed on a portion of the exterior surface of at least one of said handle segments.

5. A collapsible broom as described in claim 1 wherein said connection mean is a cord.

6. A collapsible broom as described in claim 5 wherein said cord comprises a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, plastic, cloth and metal.

7. A collapsible broom as described in claim 1, further comprising an end cap wherein said end cap is removeably coupled on a terminal end of said handle.

8. A collapsible broom as described in claim 7 wherein said end cap is in removeably attached to said connection means.

9. A collapsible broom as described in claim 7 wherein said end cap is in permanently coupled to said connection means.

10. A collapsible broom as described in claim 1 wherein said cleaning head further comprises a body portion and a cleaning device.

11. A collapsible broom as described in claim 10 wherein said cleaning device is selected from a group consisting of a broom, a mop and a sponge.

12. A cleaning kit comprising:

a collapsible broom comprising a handle, a cleaning head and a connection means, wherein said handle and said cleaning head are mechanically connected and wherein at least a portion of said connection means is contained in the internal cavity of said handle;

a bag, being sized to place said collapsible broom, in a storage configuration, therein.

13. A cleaning kit as described in claim 12 wherein said handle further comprises at least three handle segments.

14. A collapsible broom as described in claim 12 where said handle further comprises a grip being disposed on a portion of the exterior surface of said handle.

15. A collapsible broom as described in claim 13 where said handle further comprises a grip, said grip being disposed on a portion of the exterior surface of at least one of said handle segments.

16. A collapsible broom as described in claim 12 wherein said connection mean is a cord.

17. A collapsible broom as described in claim 16 wherein said cord comprises a material selected from a group consisting of nylon, plastic, cloth and metal.

18. A collapsible broom as described in claim 12, further comprising an end cap wherein said end cap is removeably coupled on a terminal end of said handle.

19. A collapsible broom as described in claim 12 wherein said cleaning head further comprises a body portion and a cleaning device.

20. A collapsible broom as described in claim 19 wherein said cleaning device is selected from a group consisting of a broom, a mop and a sponge.