US3183540A

US3183540A - Brush head and handle lock

Info

Publication number: US3183540A
Application number: US234739A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph J Mccrink
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-11-01
Filing date: 1962-11-01
Publication date: 1965-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-18

Description

y 18, 1955 J. J. M CRINK 3,183,540

BRUSH HEAD AND HANDLE LOCK Filed Nov. 1, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 8

Joseph J McCrink 1N VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,183,540 BRUSH HEAD AND HANDLE 06K Joseph J. McCrink, 16 Moore Terrace, West Orange, NJ. Filed Nov. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 234,739 6 Claims. (Cl. -145) The present invention relates to an improved brackettype brush head and handle lock or retainer and the combination therewith of a handle-equipped implement, for example, a heavy duty push-type broom which is used for vigorously sweeping and cleaning diificult-tdclean pavements, floors and the like.

Stated somewhat more particularly the invention pertains to a retainer which lends itself to use on and in conjunction with a brush head which has a socket therein for reception and retention of the shank portion of a leading or forward end of an elongated push-pull handle. It is common in the art to provide the socket with screwthreads and the shank of the handle with cooperating threads to thus assist in thus providing a reasonably reliable joint. However, and in many push-type brooms and brushes in this field of endeavor the head or so-called back of the elongated brush is made of wood and the handle is likewise made of wood. Consequently, it is not infrequent that the handle will break and have to be replaced. When a screwthreaded socket and the shank is used between the head and handle to make the separable connection the threads soon loosen and consequently the handle becomes accidentally displaced and incapable of satisfactorily serving the needs of the user.

Persons conversant with the art to which the invention relates are aware that various types of brackets, stabiliz ing braces and locks and retainers have been devised with a view toward preventing the handle from loosening and twisting and turning relative to the head. Because it has a general bearing on this aspect of the instant invention reference may be made to Patent 2,815,990 or" December 10, 1957, granted to me. Many other similar handle reinforcing and retaining attachments have been devised and offered for use but apparently have not met with wide spread adoption and use. It follows that it is an object in the instant matter to structurally, functionally and in other appreciated ways to improve upon prior art handle retainers, including, for example, the above identified Patent 2,815,990.

In carrying out the present invention the unique brackettype retaines is generally U-shaped in form and, more explicitly, is horseshoe-shaped in appearance. Thus constructed the retainer provides a pair of legs which straddle the portion of a handle which extends between the legs, the free or terminal end portions of the legs terminating in laterally bent hook-like fingers which engage over an edge or shoulder portion of the brush head for reliable anchorage.

To the ends desired the median or bight portion of the retainer is provided with a screw threaded hole to accommodate the setscrew which can be loosened or tightened as circumstances require. More explicitly, the binding end of the setscrew is desirable in that it is pointed and may be embedded in the wood of the handle in such a way that undesirable axial turning, twisting and unscrewing of the handle is prevented.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views;

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective showing a handleequipped heavy duty type of brush or push-pull broom which is equipped with a novel type horseshoe-like brace Patented May I8, 1955 "ice and retainer constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating how it is applied and used;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional View on the transverse section line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective of the retainer by itself;

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective of the retainer or lock basically like the one illustrated in FIG. 3 but showing a modified form thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a section on the vertical line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective of a third modification;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken on the vertical section line 7-7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a View in perspective showing the component parts of the retainer of FIGURE 6 exploded and separated from each other;

FIGURE 9 is a view in perspective showing a fourth modification;

FIGURE 10 is a section on the line 19-10 of F1 URE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a view in perspective showing a fifth modified form of the invention; and

FIGURE 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of FIG- URE 11.

By way of introduction to the description of the details it will be seen that the disclosure embodies five embodiments or forms of the generic concept. Therefore, and generically speaking, all of the embodiments are characterized by a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped bracket characterized by duplicate spaced generally parallel limbs or legs having free end portions with terminal anchoring hooks, and wherein the bight portion has a screw-threaded hole to accommodate the screw-threaded shank of a setscrew, the inner handle engaging end of the setscrew being pointed to be embedded in the wood of the handle.

Taking up first FIGS. 1 to 3 and with reference to FIG. 1 the numeral 14 designates a conventional-type sweepers push broom or brush having a rigid elongated semi-cylindrical head 16 provided on its bottom side 18 with tufts of bristles 20. The overhanging

lengthwise edges

22 and 24 constitute shoulders. The median portion of the head or, alternatively, backing is provided with divergent duplicate selectively usable screw-threaded sockets 2.6 and 28. The handle, which is of elongated term, is denoted generally at 39 and embodies a leading end pent-ion 32 terminating in a reduced screw-threaded shank 34 which is screwed into the socket 26 in the manner shown.

The bracket-type retainer or look is preferably of onepiece rigid metal form and it is here denoted, as an enti ty, by the numeral 36 and, as already suggested, is of U-shaped form and consequently represents a sort a horseshoe. The two limbs 38 are designed and adapted to straddle the cooperating end portion 32 of the handle and when used with the back or head construction 16 shown in FIG. 2 these legs are curved longitudinally and conform in part to the convex surface as denoted at 49. The free end portions of the legs are widened and flattened, that is transformed from circular cross-section to non-circular substantially rectangular cross-section as denoted at 42. The laterally bent flattened tips 44 constitute anchoring and stabilizing hooks which engage nicely and securely over the edge or shoulder 22 in the manner illustrated. The bight portion is preferably flattened as at 46 and provided with a screw-threaded hole 48. The hole 48 serves to accommodate the screw-threaded shank of the setscrew 50. The inner end of the shank between the limbs is pointed at. 52 and is designed and adapted to embed itself in the wooden handle in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 so that when the screw is amply tightened accidental turn-ing or twisting of the handle is virtually eliminated. The outwardly projecting end portion of the setscrewis fashioned into a suitable finger-gripping and screw-turning eye 54. V g

It will .be evident from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the curved bight portion arches over the portionof the handle which is bridged thereby, whereby the legs straddle diametricaL ly opposite sides and depend to a point that the anchoring books 44 may be engaged with a shoulder 22. Man ifestly, upon tightening of the setscrew the retainer is securely harnessed in place. Accordingly, the joint between the shank 34 and socketed portion of the head 16 legs which likewise straddle the handle are denoted at 58 and the web or connecting bight portion 60 is provided with a lateral reinforcing lip or flange 62 having a screw.- threaded hole. 64 (PG. 5) for reception and retention of the screw-threaded shank '66 which has a pointed handle penetrating inner end 68 and a fingergripping eye 70. If desired the setscrew in this instance may be provided with a safety locknut 7 2 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The median portions of the legs. are bent at '74 and the teruninals laterally bent at 76 to provide hook-like anchoing fingers which function in the manner of the aforementioned fingers 44. 1 Instead of using the one-piece construction of FIGS. 3 and 4 it is within the purview of the invention to use a multi-pant construction which is covered in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, inclusive. With reference to FIG. 8 the legs or limbs are denoted at 76, median portions being bent at 7 8 to provide lateral offset portions 80 having right angular terminal bends 82 which constitute hook-like anchoring fingers designed and adapted to serve as the alreadyv mentioned

fingers

44 and 76, respectively. The upper ends of the limbsare also bent laterally as at 84 and these bent portions are fitted into the space 86 between the parallel flanges 88 of the assembling sheath. The bent portion of the sheath is denoted at 90 and the flanges are provided with screw-threaded holes 92 which register with the screw-threaded hole 94 in the space filling cleat 96. The cleat when fitted into the space assists in separating the conneotible tongues or bent portions 84. Here again a setscrew 98 is provided, the same having a pointed end 100 and a fingergripping eye 102.

The form of modification illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 resembles in both structure and appearance the two forms of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively. In this modification, FIGS. 9 and 10, the retainer as an entity is denoted by the numeral 104 and again 15 made firom cast or stamped sheet metal of requisite strength. The construction is likewise in resemblance of a U-shaped horseshoe so that the legs or limbs may straddle the handle in the manner-already described. In this form of the. invention the duplicate legs are denoted at 106 and the laterally bent portions at 1678, the latter portion terminating in laterally bent ends 110 which constitute the desired anchoring hooks. Here the bight portion between the legs or limbs is denoted at 112 and is rigidified and reinforced by cooperating laterally

bent flanges

114 and 116 bent and disposed in overlapping relationship as at 18. The screw-threaded hole 129 serves to accommodate the screw-threaded shank 122 of the setscrew. The pointed end of the setscrew is denoted at 24 and the eye-equipped end portion is denoted at 26. i

In all the forms of the invention described the hookeqmppedlegs or limbs are fixed in relationto the adjoin- 4 ing bight portion. However, there are instances wherein adjustability of the legs or limbs is desirable. To take care of this requirement a four-part bracket of general U-shaped form isutilized. In this arrangement the limbs or legs are denoted at 126 and have median bent portions 128 and laterally bent free end or terminal portions 130 vwhich constitute shoulder-engaging and anchoring hooks.

The bracket here under-consideration is designated as a unit by the numeral 132 and the bight portion comprises a relatively small angle member with a flange 134 and a complemental depending flange 136 the first-named flange having a screw-threaded hole 138 to accommodate the shank 140 of the setscrew. Here again the shank has a pointed inner end 142 and a turning eye 144. To the left and right of the screw-threaded hole 38 additional screwthreaded holes 146 are provided to accommodate the screw-threaded shank portions 148 of the legs 126 The legs 126 in this form of the invention resemble the similarly constructed legs 38 of FIG. 3 in that the legs are made from circular rod stock with the free end portions flattened and fashioned into anchoring hooks. vHowever the significant feature in this adaptation has todo with the adjustable connection between the legs 126 and; the connecting bight portion whereby to permit theterminal hooks 130 to be adjusted toward and from said bight portion.

It is believed that the illustration of this horseshoetype fastener and retainer as it appears in FIGS. 1 and 2 will suflice to show how all of the retainers are intended to be used.

Minor changes in shape, size, "materials and rearrangement of component parts may be resorted to in actual practice without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use in conjunction with a heavy duty type pushpull broom of a type which has a block-like head which is semicylindrical with a convex sidefacing upwardly, wherein said head is provided intermediate its ends and on at least one side with a screw-threaded socket receiving the screw-threaded attachable and detachable end of an elongated push-pull handle; a handle reinforcing and securing bracket comprising a onepiece member which is horseshoe-shaped and embodies a bight portion and leg portions, the leg portions having free ends and said ends being laterally bent, the legs being circular in cross-section and the laterally bentv ends being flattened ,to provide hooked grips, said leg portions being longitudinally bowed and in opposite spaced-apart relationship and said bight portion being flattened and provided with ascrew-threaded lfiole, and a setscrew having a shank threaded into said ole.

2. A handle reinforcing and securing bracket comprising a horseshoe-shaped member embodying a bight portion adapted to bridge over a cooperating surfaceof a handle in spaced relation, the median portion of saidbight portion being fiat and provided with a screw-threaded hole, and a pair of duplicate leg portions havinglikeends connected by said bight portion, said leg portions being adapted to straddle diametrically opposite left and right sides of said handle in spaced relation, said leg portions having free terminal ends which are correspondingly and laterally bentand then flattened to providehook-shaped grips, said grips adapted to engage a shoulder portion of the head of a push-pull broom, said leg portions being bowed lengthwise and shaped to conformingly firmly reside against cooperating underlying surfaces of said broom head, and a setscrew' having a screw-threaded shank screwed through said hole, said shank having a pointed terminal end portion locatedwhenin' use. midway between the adjacent end portions of, said leg portions.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 and wherein said shank. portion is'provided withia lock nut adapted to be jammed and locked against a cooperating surface of the flattened part of said bight portion, andbeing further provided at an accessible end with a fingergripping and turning eye.

4. The structure according to claim 2 and wherein said member is made of one piece of rigid sheet material the component parts of which are rectangular in cross-section and accordingly flat-faced, said bight portion having an integral flange superimposed thereon and corresponding in length and width and having a screw-threaded hole aligned with the first-named screw-threaded hole.

5. In combination, a surface cleaning implement of the push broom type embodying an elongated block-like rigid head which is generally semicylindrical in cross-section and provided with a convex upwardly facing side, said head provided intermediate its respective transverse ends on one longitudinal side with an oblique angled screwthreaded socket, an angular elongated push-pull handle having a screw-threaded end screwed into said socket, and a handle-reinforcing and securing bracket horseshoeshaped in form and embodying a bight portion bridging an upper peripheral surface portion of the attachable end portion of said handle and spaced therefrom and projecting beyond diametrically opposite sides of the attachable end portion and joined with a pair of spaced coplanar depending legs, said legs being rigid and having portions thereof conforming in shape and residing in firm contact with underlying surfaces of coacting convex portions of said head, said legs having free end portions laterally bent and engaging a longitudinal edge portion of said head, a setscrew having a fingergrip at an upper end and a screw-threaded shank threaded through a hole provided therefor in the median part of said bight portion, the terminal end of said shank being pointed and embedded in a surface of said handle in a manner to guard against undesirable axial turning of the handle in said socket and relative to said head, said bracket being generally U-shaped in elevation, and said head being provided with surface brushing bristles.

6. For use in conjunction with a push-pull broom having a bristle-equipped head provided with a screw-threaded socket for reception and retention of a screw-threaded shank on a detachable handle for said head; a handle reinforcing and securing bracket comprising a bight portion and cooperating leg portions, said bight portion comprising a one-piece angle member having a straight flange "provided along one longitudinal edge with a depending reinforcing flange, said straight flange being provided intermediate its ends with a screw-threaded hole, a setscrew having gripping means at one end and a screw-threaded shank at the other end screwed through said hole, said first-named flange being provided at its respective ends with additional screw-threaded holes, said leg portions embodying individual legs made from rod stock and having free end portions which are flattened to provide anchoring hooks engageable with the shoulder portion of the aforementioned brush head, the ends of the leg portions adjacent said bight portion having screw-threaded shanks screwed through and adjustably mounted in the aforementioned additional screw-threaded hole, said legs being bent in lengthwise axial directions so that when in use they reside firmly atop underlying cooperating surfaces of the brush head.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 138,946 5/73 Smith.

1,124,283 l/15 Brophy.

1,459,582 6/23 Dubee.

FOREIGN PATENTS 105,793 11/38 Australia. 216,283 12/56 Australia. 836,285 10/38 France. 274,656 5/ 14 Germany. 324,141 8/20 Germany. 212,140 3 24 Great Britain. 784,813 10/57 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILMUTH, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH A HEAVY DUTY TYPE PUSHPULL BROOM OF A TYPE WHICH HAS A BLOCK-LIKE HEAD WHICH IS SEMICYLINDRICAL WITH A CONVEX SIDE FACING UPWARDLY, WHEREIN SAID HEAD IS PROVIDED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS AND ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE WITH A SCREW-THREADED SOCKET RECEIVING THE SCREW-THREADED ATTACHABLE AND DETACHABLE END OF AN ELONGATED PUSH-PULL HANDLE; A HANDLE REINFORCING AND SECURING BRACKET COMPRISING A ONEPIECE MEMBER WHICH IS HORSESHOE-SHAPED AND EMBODIES A BIGHT PORTION AND LEG PORTIONS, THE LEG PORTIONS HAVING FREE ENDS AND SAID ENDS BEING LATERALLY BENT, THE LEGS BEING CIRCULAR IN CROSS-SECTION AND THE LATERALLY BENT ENDS BEING FLATTENED TO PROVIDE HOOKED GRIPS, SAID LEG PORTIONS BEING LONGITUDINALLY BOWED AND IN OPPOSITE SPACED-APART RELATIONSHIP AND SAID BIGHT PORTION BEING FLATTENED AND PROVIDED WITH A SCREW-THREADED HOLE, AND SETSCREW HAVING SHANK THREADED INTO SAID HOLE.