US3506996A

US3506996A - Cleaning implement with swivel-mounted head

Info

Publication number: US3506996A
Application number: US742575A
Authority: US
Inventors: Martin J Brennan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-07-05
Filing date: 1968-07-05
Publication date: 1970-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1987-04-21

Description

April 21, 1970 M. J. BRENNAN 3,505,996

v CLEANING IMPLEMENT WITH SWIVEL-MOUNTED HEAD Filed July s, 1968 5 FIGB FIG.4

United States Patent C) U.S. Cl. -144 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A push broom having a handle and an elongate head removably mounted on a pivot pin at one end of the handle to permit swinging movement of the head about an axis at an angle to the handle, and a tension spring interconnecting the head and the handle for biasing the head to a position at right angles to the handle on pivoting the head in either direction away from the right angle position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to cleaning implements, and more particularly to a floor cleaning implement such as a push broom, mop, applicator, or the like. There have been a number of problems attendant upon conventional designs of such implements Iwhich have been on the market. For example, as to a conventional push broom, in which the head is rigidly mounted at the end of the handle, the broom is diflicult or impossible to use when it is desired to clean under low objects (e.g., furniture, machinery, etc.), in corners, around obstacles and in close quarters. In many instances, it is impossible or awkward to place the full Width of the head squarely against a wall or the like, as is frequently desired. Another problem is that present designs are prone to breakage if the implement is handled roughly or if the head strikes an immovable object with considerable force, breakage occurring because the 'construction of such implements is relatively unyielding, the head being rigidly connected to the handle, usually simply by the handle being doweled or threaded into a hole in the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a cleaning implement which may be used to clean under low objects, in corners and in close quarters; which is not prone to breakage in use even when handled roughly; and which is inexpensively and simply constructed.

Briefly, a cleaning implement made in accordance with this invention comprises a handle, and a cleaning instrumentality having a head, e.g., a push broom brush having a head centrally pivoted at one end of the handle so that it may swing about an axis at an angle to the handle. A spring interconnected between the handle and the head biases the head to a position generally at right angles to the handle if the head is pivoted in either direction away from that position. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 s a View in perspective of a cleaning implement of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 implement, showing swinging movement of the handle in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

3,506,996 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 lCC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is indicated generally at 1 a cleaning implement of this invention, more particularly a push broom. The handle of the broom is designated 3. A brush indicated generally at 5 comprises an elongate head 7 and bristles 9. While a brush is shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to a push broom and that other types of cleaning instrumentalities, e.g., a mop, polisher, or applicator, may be employed in place of the brush. The head 7 and the handle 3, as shown, are of wood, although other suitable materials may be used. The head is centrally pivoted to one end of the handle by means of a pivot pin 11 |which extends at an angle of approximately 45 from the end of handle 3. The head is rotatably and removably socketed with respect to pivot pin 11, having a hole 13 drilled therethrough receiving the pin. The pivot pin, which extends into a hole 14 in the handle, and is preferably of aluminum, is secured to the handle by means of a bolt 15 which extends through holes drilled through the handle and the pivot pin.

A tension spring 17 interconnected between the handle and the head holds the head in place on the pivot pin. The spring is connected at one end to screw eye 19 at a point in the plane defined by handle 3 and pivot pin 11. The other end is connected generally at the center of the head by means of a wire eye member 21. The latter has a straight portion 21a spaced from the head which extends generally parallel to the axis of pivot pin 11. Legs 2lb extend down from the ends of the first portion toward the head. Feet 21C extend from legs 2lb generally parallely outward in opposite directions at angles to portion 21a. Each foot 21e has a hooked end 21d engaging the head for afiixing the eye member to the head and is secured to the head by screws 23.

The spring 17 tends to maintain the head 7 in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally at right angles to the handle. If the head is pivoted in either direction away from this position, the tension of the spring y17 is increased to bias head 7 back to the original position generally at right angles to the handle. Pivoting of the head in either direction has the effect of changing the angle between the handle and the head because the pivotal axis is at an angle to the longitudinal axis ofthe handle. This is best shown in FIG. 2 in which the dotted line positions of the handle show the handle moved with respect to the head as the effect of pivoting the head on pivot pin 11. The result of pivoting or rotation of the head, therefore, is to change the angle between the head and the handle. This permits the head to be used in a corner or in restricted spaces since the angle between the head and the handle will change as required. When the angle between the longitudinal axes of the head and the handle is 45, the handle Will be parallel to the floor without disturbing the even contact of bristles 9 or other cleaning surface (such as a wax or paint application sponge) with the floor therefore permitting the implement to be used under objects having a clearance even as low as portion 21a of eye member 21.

Because the head may pivot freely about pivot pin 11 subject only to the bias of spring 17,` the implement is far less likely to be damaged by rough handling or by striking objects than constructions of the prior art.

An important feature of the implement is that the head is reversibly mounted to permit the head to be easily` removed, reversed, or replaced. Thus, after the bristles 9 (or other Wearing surface) become Worn or bent from constant pushing on the implement, it may be desired to reverse the head in order to permit the other side of the Wearing surface to be exposed, thus prolonging the useful life of the implement. Accordingly, one or both ends of spring 17 are readily disconnectable. In addition, opening 13 extends through head 7 to provide openings on opposite sides of the head. Thus, spring 17 may be readily disconnected at one end and the head reversed. Eye member 21 is symmetrical so that when the head is reversed, the length of spring 17 will not be changed.

If it is desired to positively prevent the head from being pulled off of the pivot pin in spite of spring 17, then a screw such as the knurled thumbscrew 2S shown in FIG. 4 may be threaded into the end of pivot pin 11. The thumbscrew is easily removed to allow the head to be removed and reversed.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning implement comprising a handle, a cleaning instrumentality having an elongate head centrally pivoted at one end of the handle for swinging movement about an axis at an angle to the handle, and a spring interconnected between the handle and the head biasing the head to a position generally at right angles to the handle on pivoting the head in either direction away from said position, said spring being a tension spring connected at one end to Vthe handle and at its other end generally at the center of the head, the head being removably socketed with respect to the pivot and the spring removably holding the head in place, the handle having a pivot pin extending at an angle from said end of the handle, and the head having an opening receiving the pivot.

2. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head has openings on opposite sides thereof each adapted to receive the pivot pin for reversible mounting of the head.

3. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 2 Wherein the spring is connected to the handle at a. point in the plane defined by the handle and the pivot.

4. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 3 Wherein one end of the spring is readily disconnectable.

5. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 4 wherein the end of the spring connected to the head is connected by means of a wire eye member, the latter having a first portion spaced from the head and extending generally parallel to said axis; a pair 0f legs extending down from the ends of the first portion toward the head; and feet extending from the legs generally parallely outward in opposite directions at angles to the first portion, each foot having a hooked end engaging the head for axing the eye member to the head.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 706,144 8/1902 Young 306-20 716,161 12/1902 vWinstanley 306--20 1,161,179 11/1915 Wolhaupter 306-20 1,538,145 5/1925 Sturgis 306-3 2,171,444 8/1939 Frank 15--172 XR 2,707,293 5/1955 Ferrer 15-144 XR 2,817,107 12/1957 Zellinger 15-144 3,129,970 4/1964 St. John 15-144 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 1,029,271' 3/ 1953 France.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 15-145; 306-3, 20