Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SCRAPER AND BRACE ATTACHMENT FOR A BROOM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a scraper device for attachment to a
broom having a head and a handle, the handle having a lower end for mounting to
the head. The scraper device may include means for bracing the handle when the
10 scraper device is attached to the broom.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventional push brooms are used for sweeping shop floors, public
buildings, garden patios, roads, sidewalks, etc. Often the push broom encounters
materials such as mud, snow, ice, chewing gum, and other debris which stick to the
surface being swept. In such circumstances, the sweeping action of the push broom
alone is insufficient to free the sticking materials. As a result, the user of the push
broom may reverse the broom head by turning it upside down and using the broom
20 head to scrape the materials off the surface being cleaned. However, the head alone
may not be sufficient to scrape the surface and it is subjected to unnecessary wear
and tear. Alternatively, a separate cleaning tool such as a scraper may be used.
However, the use of a separate cleaning tool may be inconvenient.
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As a result, scraper attachments for push brooms have been developed.
United States Patent No. 5,123,138 issued June 23, 1992 to Flamm describes a
combined push broom and scraping apparatus comprised of a number of parts
welded together to form a relatively complex structural arrangement. Further, the
apparatus is mounted to the push broom by a series of wood screws screwed directly
into the head of the broom. This manner of mounting renders attachment and
detachment of the apparatus a relatively time-consuming and difficult task, likely
requiring the use of tools to do so. Further, the manner of mounting the apparatus
damages the broom head and may weaken it structurally.
Similarly, United Kingdom Patent Application No. 2,150,015A filed
November 16, 1983 by Dymott et. al. and published June 26, 1985 describes a
combined brushing and scraping tool. The scraping tool is attached to the broom by
fasteners which mount directly into both the broom handle and the broom head.
Thus, again, attachment and detachment of the tool to the broom are relatively time-
consuming and difficult, likely requiring the use of tools, and both the handle and the
head are damaged and may be weakened structurally.
Other prior combination tools such as those described in United States
Patent No. 2,163,979 issued June 27, 1939 to Judson and United States Patent
No. 2,742,658 issued April 24, 1956 to Sproston have been developed which are
mounted to the push broom without damaging it or weakening it structurally. The
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Sproston patent describes a scraper for attachment to a broom which is comprised of
a relatively complex structural arrangement made up of a number of pieces. In the
preferred embodiment, the scraper is directly mounted to the broom head by a bolt
that passes through the broom head. However, an alternate embodiment is also
described for use with a broom head having two sockets in it which merge and form
an opening in the bottom of the broom head, thus forming a V-shaped passage.
Conventionally, the broom handle is capable of being mounted in either of these
sockets. When using the alternate embodiment, the broom handle cannot be
mounted to the head conventionally as both sockets are used to mount the scraper to
10 the broom head. This manner of mounting utilizes a U-bolt placed within the sockets
and held in place by wing nuts. This manner of mounting also renders attachment
and detachment of the scraper relatively time-consuming and difficult to perform.
Although the structure of the actual scraper attachment in the Judson
patent is less complex than in the Sproston patent, the manner of mounting the
scraper attachment to the push broom in the Judson patent renders attachment and
detachment of the scraper attachment relatively time-consuming and difficult to
perform. The scraper attachment is only for use with a push broom of the type
having two sockets in the head which merge and form an opening in the bottom of
20 the broom head. The scraper attachment is mounted to the handle by a split collar
clamp which is held in place by a bolt and a nut. The scraper attachment is mounted
to the broom head by one of the sockets in the broom head. A bolt extends from the
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scraper into one of the sockets and is threaded into a bracket, also located within the
socket. The bracket includes a curved arm which extends out the other end of the
socket and contacts the outer surface of the head of the broom. Tools may be
required to mount the scraper attachment and to tighten it in place on the push
broom.
Finally, when using a push broom, the broom handle is subjected to
stress which may cause the broom handle to break. This is most likely to occur at
the point where the handle is mounted to the broom head. Further, this problem may
10 be compounded when a force is applied through the handle for using the scraper
attachment. However, with the exception of the Dymott patent, none of the prior art
described herein addresses this difficulty. With respect to the Dymott patent,
although the scraping tool includes a brace member, the brace member is mounted
into the broom handle, as well as the head, which structurally weakens the portion of
the broom which the brace is designed to support.
There is therefore a need in the industry for a scraper device for
attachment to a broom which has a relatively simple structure and which may be
attached and detached to the broom in a relatively quick and easy manner as
20 compared to known scraper devices, without damaging the broom such that its
structure is weakened. Further, there is a need in the industry for means for bracing
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the handle of the broom when the scraper device is attached to the broom, without
damaging the handle such that the structure of it is weakened.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a scraper device for attachment to a
broom of the type having a head and a handle, the handle having a lower end for
mounting to the head. The scraper device is attachable to and detachable from the
broom in a relatively quick and simple manner without causing any damage to the
10 broom that may weaken the broom structurally. Further, the present invention relates
to means for bracing the handle when the scraper device is attached to the broom.
In one aspect of the invention, the invention comprises a scraper device
for attachment to a broom of the type having a head and a handle, the handle having
a lower end for mounting to the head and an upper end. The scraper device
comprises: a handle mounting member for connecting the scraper device to the
handle, the handle mounting member defining an aperture which is sized to permit
the handle to be accepted therein; a blade carrying member depending from the
handle mounting member so that when the handle is mounted to the head and the
20 upper end of the handle is passed through the aperture and the handle mounting
member is positioned adjacent the lower end of the handle, the blade carrying
member extends downwards and forwards over the head; means for anchoring the
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scraper device when it is attached to the broom so that upward movement of the
scraper device relative to the handle is restricted; and a scraper blade located along
the edge of the blade carrying member opposite the handle mounting member, so
that debris may be scraped from the surface by the scraper device when the
orientation of the broom is reversed from that normally used for sweeping.
In this aspect of the invention, the scraper device may further comprise
means, associated with the blade carrying member, for bracing the handle when the
scraper device is attached to the broom. These bracing means preferably comprise
10 at least one bracing member depending from the lower surface of the blade carrying
member which contacts the head of the broom in order to support the handle from
the stresses which tend to break the handle at the point where it is mounted to the
broom head. Suitable bracing means may be comprised of a pair of bracing
members depending from the lower surface of the blade carrying member which abut
against the head when the scraper device is attached to the broom. However, other
arrangements including one or more bracing members are possible, so long as the
handle is supported thereby.
Further, the blade carrying member may comprise at least one rib
20 positioned adjacent the scraper blade for increasing the rigidity of the scraper blade.
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Further, the blade carrying member preferably depends from the handle
mounting member at a depending angle measured between the upper surfaces of the
handle mounting member and the blade carrying member. The handle mounting
member may be resiliently rotated relative to the blade carrying member so as to
alter the depending angle. The depending angle at rest may be less than the
depending angle when the scraper device is attached to the broom and the blade
carrying member is contacting the head, so that when the scraper device is attached
to the broom, the handle mounting member is urged to rotate relative to the blade
carrying member to reduce the depending angle, thus causing a gripping effect of the
10 handle mounting member against the handle. The aperture in the handle mounting
member may be sized so that the handle fits snugly within the aperture in order to
assist in the gripping effect. Further, the aperture may be defined by a sharp edge,
in order to assist further in the gripping effect.
The handle mounting member and the blade carrying member may be
formed from one piece of material. The scraper blade may be formed by the edge of
the blade carrying member opposite the handle mounting member.
The anchoring means of the scraper device comprise a fastening
20 system associated with the blade carrying member which serves to secure the blade
carrying member either to the head or the handle, and preferably includes one or
more bolts, plugs, cables or other fasteners which couple the blade carrying member
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to the head or handle without requiring modification of the broom by drilling or
screwing.
Suitable anchoring means may be comprised of: the head including a
first socket for mounting the handle to the head and a second socket, the sockets
convergingly extending from the upper surface of the head to the lower surface of the
head so that they intersect near the lower surface of the head; the blade carrying
member defining a hole therein so that when the handle is mounted to the head using
the first socket and the upper end of the handle is passed through the aperture and
10 the handle mounting member is positioned adjacent the lower end of the handle, the
hole corresponds with the second socket; and a plug having a first end which is sized
to fit within the second socket and having a second end which is larger than the hole,
in order that the first end of the plug may be passed through the hole and secured
within the second socket, and so that the second end of the plug will not pass
through the hole and will secure the blade carrying member to the head. The second
socket may be threaded and the plug may be sized and threaded so that it may be
secured into the second socket and thereby secured to the head. The plug may be
long enough to abut against the handle at the point of convergence of the sockets
when the lower end of the handle is in the first socket and the plug is in the second
20 socket, so as to restrict the movement of the handle in the first socket. The first end
of the plug may include means for restraining the handle when the lower end of the
handle is in the first socket and the plug is in the second socket. The restraining
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means may comprise a point at the first end of the plug. Further, the restraining
means may comprise a rubber pad at the first end of the plug.
Other suitable anchoring means are comprised of: a U-shaped bolt with
two ends for accepting tighteners; a pair of tighteners for attaching to the ends of the
U-shaped bolt; and the blade carrying member defining two openings which are sized
and spaced apart from one another in order to accept the ends of the U-shaped bolt,
and which are positioned next to each other along an axis which is substantially
perpendicular to the axis defined by the aperture in the handle mounting member; so
10 that when the handle is mounted to the head and the upper end of the handle is
passed through the aperture and the handle mounting member is positioned adjacent
the lower end of the handle, the U-shaped bolt can be positioned around the handle
and the ends of the U-shaped bolt can be passed through the openings in the blade
carrying member and the tighteners can be attached to the ends of the U-shaped bolt
and tightened in order to secure the U-shaped bolt to the handle and restrict the
upward movement of the scraper device relative to the handle. The surface of the U-
shaped bolt may be textured so that it may be more positively secured to the handle.
Further, the surface of the U-shaped bolt may be textured by threads that extend
over substantially the entire length of the U-shaped bolt and the tighteners may be
20 threaded for attaching to the ends of the U-shaped bolt.
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Still other suitable anchoring means are comprised of: a flexible cable
having two ends for accepting tighteners; a pair of tighteners for attaching to the ends
of the cable; and the blade carrying member defining two openings spaced apart from
one another for accepting the cable therethrough and which are positioned next to
each other along an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the head when the scraper device is attached to the broom; so that when the
handle is mounted to the head and the upper end of the handle is passed through the
aperture and the handle mounting member is positioned adjacent the lower end of the
handle, the cable can be successively passed through the openings and about the
10 head and the tighteners can be attached to the ends of the cable and tightened in
order to secure the cable about the head and restrict the upward movement of the
scraper device relative to the handle. The blade carrying member may define two
pairs of openings spaced apart from one another and positioned such that when the
handle is mounted to the head and the upper end of the handle is passed through the
aperture and the handle mounting member is positioned adjacent the lower end of the
handle, one pair of openings is located adjacent to the head on either side of the
handle. The ends of the cable may be threaded for accepting the tighteners and the
tighteners may be threaded for attaching to the ends of the cable.
The scraper device may be further comprised of a cleaning flange
depending from the lower surface of the blade carrying member substantially parallel
with the scraper blade such that when the scraper device is attached to the broom,
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the cleaning flange is directed towards the head for limiting debris from being trapped
between the head and the scraper device. The cleaning flange may be welded to the
lower surface of the blade carrying member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the scraper device
attached to a broom;
Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment of
the scraper device attached to the broom;
Figure 3 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the scraper
device attached to the broom;
Figure 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the scraper device
20 attached to the broom;
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Figure 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the second embodiment of
the scraper device attached to the broom;
Figure 6 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the scraper device
attached to the broom;
Figure 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of the scraper device
attached to the broom;
Figure 8 is a side view, partly in section, of the third embodiment of the
scraper device attached to the broom; and
Figure 9 is a rear view of the third embodiment of the scraper device
attached to the broom.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT INVENTION
Referring to Figures 1 through 3, the invention is comprised of a scraper
device (20) for attachment to a broom (22). The broom (22) is of a type
20 conventionally known as a push broom or brush broom and having an elongated
head (24) and a handle (26). The head (24) is comprised of an upper surface (28)
and a lower surface (30) having attached bristles (32) for sweeping. The handle (26)
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is conventionally a pole having an upper end (34) for gripping by the user of the
broom (22) and a lower end (36) for mounting to the upper surface (28) of the head
(24). The handle (26) typically extends from the upper surface (28) of the head (24)
at an angle from vertical orientation in order to allow the user of the broom (22) to
grip the upper end (34) of the handle (26) while maintaining the contact of the bristles
(32) with the surface to be cleaned.
The scraper device (20) is comprised of a handle mounting member
(38), a blade carrying member (40), a scraper blade (42) and means for anchoring
10 the scraper device. The handle mounting member (38) has an upper surface (44)
and a lower surface (46) and defines an aperture (48). The aperture (48) is sized to
permit the handle (26) to be accepted therein.
Preferably, the blade carrying member (40) has an upper edge (50), a
lower edge (52) and a first and second side edge (54, 56). Further, the blade
carrying member (40) has an upper surface (58) and a lower surface (60). In the
preferred embodiment, the upper edge (50) of the blade carrying member (40) is
connected to the handle mounting member (38) such that the blade carrying member
(40) depends from the handle mounting member (38).
When the handle (26) is mounted to the head (24), the upper end (34)
of the handle (26) may be passed through the aperture (48) in the handle mounting
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member (38) from the lower surface (46) of the handle mounting member (38) to the
upper surface (44) of the handle mounting member (38) and the handle mounting
member (38) may be positioned adjacent the lower end (36) of the handle (26).
When the handle mounting member (38) is so positioned, the blade carrying member
(40) depends from the handle mounting member (38) in a manner so that the blade
carrying member (40) extends downward, towards the bristles (32), and forwards over
the head (24) of the broom (22). The blade carrying member (40) is positioned so
that when the handle (26) of the broom (22) is gripped by the user in a manner for
sweeping, with the bristles (32) in contact with the surface to be cleaned, the blade
10 carrying member (40) extends forwards, away from the user on the side of the handle
(26) and the head (24) opposite, or not facing, the user.
The blade carrying member (40) depends from the handle mounting
member (38) at a depending angle. The depending angle is measured between the
upper surface (44) of the handle mounting member (38) and the upper surface (58) of
the blade carrying member (40). The point of connection between the handle
mounting member (38) and the blade carrying member (40) allows the handle
mounting member (38) to be resiliently rotated relative to the blade carrying member
(40) so that the depending angle may be altered. In the preferred embodiment, the
20 handle mounting member (38) and the blade carrying member (40) are integral.
They are formed from one piece of a resilient material which allows for the resilient
rotation of the handle mounting member (38) relative to the blade carrying member
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(40). In the preferred embodiment, the handle mounting member (38) and the blade
carrying member (40) are constructed out of a single piece of sheet metal which is
bent to form the depending angle. Alternatively, the handle mounting member (38)
and the blade carrying member (40) may be molded from a resilient plastic into a
single piece defining the depending angle.
When the handle mounting member (38) is positioned adjacent the
lower end (36) of the handle (26) and the means for anchoring the scraper device
(20) are not employed, the blade carrying member (40) is at rest. When at rest, the
10 depending angle is such that the blade carrying member (40) is held a spaced
distance from the head (24). When the means for anchoring the scraper device (20)
are employed, the handle mounting member (38) is resiliently rotated relative to the
blade carrying member (40), increasing the depending angle, and the lower surface
(60) of the blade carrying member (40) is brought into contact with the head (24).
Thus the depending angle at rest is less than the depending angle when the blade
carrying member (40) is contacting the head (24). The depending angle at rest may
vary depending upon, amongst other factors, the type and size of the head (24) of
the broom (22), the type of material from which the handle mounting member (38)
and the blade carrying member (40) are constructed, and the manner of connection
20 between the handle mounting member (38) and the blade carrying member (40).
However, in the preferred embodiment, the depending angle at rest is approximately
40 degrees.
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As a result of the varying depending angle and the resilient connection
between the handle mounting member (38) and the blade carrying member (40),
when the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22) by the anchoring means,
the handle mounting member (38) is urged to rotate relative to the blade carrying
member (40) to reduce the depending angle. This causes a gripping effect of the
handle mounting member (38) against the handle (26). The gripping effect assists in
minimizing unwanted movement or rotation of the handle (26) relative to the head
(24). For example, the head (24) may include a threaded socket for accepting a
threaded lower end (36) of the handle (26). During use, the handle (26) may tend to
10 loosen up and unscrew from the socket in the head (24). The gripping effect aids in
minimizing the rotation of the handle (26) relative to the head (24), thus assisting in
maintaining a tight fit or connection between the head (24) and the handle (26).
Preferably, to assist in the gripping effect, the aperture (48) is sized
such that the handle (26) fits snugly within the aperture (48) yet still allowing for the
handle (26) to pass through the aperture (48) substantially unimpeded. To further
assist in the gripping effect, the aperture (48) is defined by a sharp edge.
A scraper blade (42) is located along the lower edge (52) of the blade
20 carrying member (40) opposite to the handle mounting member (38). In the preferred
embodiment, the scraper blade (42) is integral with the blade carrying member (40)
and is formed by the lower edge (52) of the blade carrying member (40). Thus, the
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scraper blade (42) is also constructed of sheet metal in the preferred embodiment.
Where the blade carrying member (40) is made of another material such as plastic, it
is preferred to mount a scraper blade (42) constructed of metal along the lower edge
(52) of the blade carrying member (40) to improve the wear of the scraper device
(20). Further, the blade carrying member includes a rib (62) for increasing the rigidity
of the scraper blade (42). The rib (62) is located at the lower edge (52) of the blade
carrying member (40) such that it is positioned adjacent the scraper blade (42) and
has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the
scraper blade (42). A greater number of ribs (62) may be used as required to
10 increase the rigidity of the scraper blade (42).
When the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22) and the
anchoring means are employed, the scraper blade (42) is out of contact with the
suRace to be cleaned during normal use of the broom (22). The scraper blade (42)
does not inteRere with the normal use of the broom (22). The scraper device (20) is
utilized by reversing the orientation of the broom (22) from that normally used for
sweeping. The upper suRace (58) of the blade carrying member (40) faces and is
adjacent to the suRace to be cleaned by the scraper device (20) and the bristles (32)
are out of contact with the suRace to be cleaned.
During use of the scraper device (20), debris scraped from the suRace
being cleaned may become trapped between the bristles (32) or the head (24) and
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the scraper device (20). Further, debris may become similarly trapped when usingthe broom (22) for sweeping. As a result, in the preferred embodiment, the scraper
device (20) includes a cleaning flange (64). The cleaning flange (64) depends from
the lower surface (60) of the blade carrying member (40) at its lower edge (52).Further, the longitudinal axis of the cleaning flange (64) is substantially parallel with
the scraper blade (42). As a result, when the scraper device (20) is attached to the
broom (22), the cleaning flange (64) is directed towards the head (24). Thus, the
cleaning flange (64) blocks the space between the scraper device (20) and the head
(24) and limits any debris being trapped therebetween. In the preferred embodiment,
the cleaning flange (64) is constructed of metal similar to the blade carrying member
(40) and is welded to the lower surface (60) of the blade carrying member (40).
Further, the scraper device (20) includes means for bracing the handle
(26) when the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22). In the preferred
embodiment, the bracing means are a pair of bracing members (66, 68) which
depend from the lower surface (60) of the blade carrying member (40). The bracing
members (66, 68) are flanges or protrusions from the blade carrying member (40). A
first bracing member (66) is located adjacent the first side edge (54) of the blade
carrying member (40). A second bracing member (68) is located adjacent the second
side edge (56) of the blade carrying member (40). Both bracing members (66, 68)
extend from the upper edge (50) of the blade carrying member (40), where the blade
carrying member (40) is connected to the handle mounting member (38), and along
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the side edges (54, 56) of the blade carrying member (40). When the scraper device
(20) is attached to the broom (22), and the handle mounting member (38) is
positioned adjacent the lower end (36) of the handle (26), the bracing members (66,
68) abut against the upper surface (28) of the head (24) so that the bracing members
(66, 68) brace the handle (26). Further, the abutment of the bracing members (66,
68) against the head (24) restricts the downward movement, or movement away from
the upper end (34) of the handle (26), of the scraper device (20) relative to the
handle (26).
In the preferred embodiment, the bracing members (66, 68) are integral
with the blade carrying member (40). The blade carrying member (40), including the
bracing members (66, 68) are cut from sheet metal. The bracing members (66, 68)
are then bent or folded towards the lower surface (60) of the blade carrying member
(40) to depend therefrom. Although the bracing means are preferably comprised of
two bracing members (66, 68) as described above, other arrangements including one
or more bracing members are possible as long as the bracing member depends from
the lower surface (60) of the blade carrying member (40) and contacts the head (24)
in order to support the handle (26) from the stresses which tend to break the handle
(26) at the point where it is mounted to the head (24).
The preferred embodiment further includes a hanging hole (72). The
hanging hole (72) is defined by the blade carrying member (40) and is located
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adjacent the lower edge (52) of the blade carrying member (40). Further, the
hanging hole (72) is located approximately midway between the first side edge (54)
and the second side edge (56) of the blade carrying member (40). When the scraper
device (20) is attached to the broom (22) and the anchoring means are employed, the
hanging hole (72) is used for storing the broom (22) by placing the hanging hole (72)
over a hook, nail or similar protrusion located on a wall. In this manner, the broom
(22) with the attached scraper device (20) may be safely and conveniently stored.
As stated above, the scraper device (20) includes means for anchoring
10 the scraper device (20) when it is attached to the broom (22). The anchoring means
act to restrict the upward movement of the scraper device (20) relative to the handle
(26), or in other words, the movement of the scraper device (20) towards the upper
end (34) of the handle (26). Further, the anchoring means assist in the gripping
effect described above. The anchoring means are comprised of a fastening system
associated with the blade carrying member (40) for securing the blade carrying
member (40) to either the head (24) or the handle (26) of the broom (22). Further,
the anchoring means include one or more bolts, plugs, cables or other fasteners
which couple the blade carrying member (40) to the broom (22) without requiring
modification of the broom (22) by drilling or screwing.
In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 through 3, the
anchoring means are comprised of a fastener, being a U-shaped bolt (74), a pair of
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tighteners (76, 78) and the blade carrying member (40) defining a first opening (80)
and a second opening (82). The first and second openings (80, 82) in the blade
carrying member (40) are sized and spaced apart from one another in order to accept
the ends of the U-shaped bolt (74) therein. Further, the first and second openings
(80, 82) are positioned next to each other along an axis which is substantially
perpendicular to the axis defined by the aperture (48) in the handle mounting member
(38). Finally, when the handle mounting member (38) is positioned adjacent the
lower end (36) of the handle (26), the first and second openings (80, 82) are located
between the handle mounting member (38) and the head (24) of the broom (22).
As a result of the placement of the first and second openings (80, 82),
when the handle mounting member (38) is positioned adjacent the lower end (36) of
the handle (26), the U-shaped bolt (74) can be positioned around the handle (26) and
the ends of the U-shaped bolt (74) can be passed from the lower surface (60) of the
blade carrying member (40), through the first and second openings (80, 82) to the
upper surface (58) of the blade carrying member (40). The ends of the U-shaped
bolt (74) are threaded for accepting the tighteners (76, 78). The tighteners (76, 78)
are compatibly threaded for attaching to the ends of the U-shaped bolt (74). Thus,
when the U-shaped bolt (74) is in position around the handle (26), the tighteners (76,
20 78) can be attached to the ends of the U-shaped bolt (74) and tightened against the
upper surface (58) of the blade carrying member (40) in order to secure the U-shaped
bolt (74) to the handle (26) and restrict the upward movement of the scraper device
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(20) relative to the handle (26). To more positively secure the U-shaped bolt (74) to
the handle (26), the surface of the U-shaped bolt (74) is textured by threads that
extend over substantially the entire length of the U-shaped bolt (74).
In a second embodiment of the scraper device (20), as shown in
Figures 4 through 6, the anchoring means are comprised of a fastener, being a
flexible cable (84), a pair of tighteners (86, 88) and the blade carrying member (40)
defining a first and second pair of openings (90, 92). More or fewer openings may be
used as required to anchor the scraper device (20). With respect to each pair of
10 openings in the preferred form of the second embodiment, the two openings are
spaced apart from one another and are positioned next to each other along an axis
which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head (24) when the
scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22). Further, the first and second pairs
of openings (90, 92) are spaced apart from one another and positioned such that
when the handle mounting member (38) is positioned adjacent the lower end (36) of
the handle (26), one pair of openings is located adjacent to the head (24) on either
side of the handle (26). Thus, the first pair of openings (90) is located between the
handle (26) and the first side edge (54) of the blade carrying member (40) and the
second pair of openings (92) is located between the handle (26) and the second side
20 edge (56).
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As a result of the placement of the pairs of openings (90, 92), when the
handle mounting member (38) is positioned adjacent the lower end (36) of the handle
(26), the ends of the cable (84) can be successively passed through the openings(90, 92) and about the head (24). For example, the cable (84) may pass from the
upper surface (58) of the blade carrying member (40), through the opening in the first
pair of openings (90) nearest to the upper edge (50) of the blade carrying member
(40), around the head (24), through the opening in the first pair of openings (90)
nearest to the lower edge (52) of the blade carrying member (40). The cable (84)then passes across the upper surface (58) of the blade carrying member (40),
through the opening in the second pair of openings (92) nearest to the lower edge
(52) of the blade carrying member (40), around the head (24), and through the
opening in the second pair of openings (92) nearest to the upper edge (50) of the
blade carrying member (40) to the upper surface (58) of the blade carrying member
(40). The specific passing of the cable (84) may vary as long as the cable (84) loops
around the head (24) and the ends of the cable (84) are located on the upper surface
(58) of the blade carrying member (40) for ease of access to them.
The ends of the cable (84) are threaded for accepting the tighteners (86,
88). The tighteners (86, 88) are compatibly threaded for attaching to the ends of the
cable (84). Thus, when the cable (84) is in position around the head (24), the
tighteners (86, 88) can be attached to the ends of the cable (84) and tightened
against the upper surface (58) of the blade carrying member (40) in order to secure
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the cable (84) about the head (24) and restrict the upward movement of the scraper
device (20) relative to the handle (26).
In a third embodiment of the scraper device (20), as shown in Figures 7
through 9, the anchoring means are comprised of the head (24) including a first
socket (94) and a second socket (96), a hole (98) in the blade carrying member (40)
and a fastener, being a plug (100). As shown in Figure 8, the sockets (94, 96)
convergingly extend from the upper surface (28) of the head (24) to the lower surface
(30) of the head (24) so that they intersect near the lower surface (30). In a
conventional broom, the two sockets (94, 96) are substantially identical and at
approximately right angles to each other. Thus, a V-shaped passage is formed in the
broom (22). Both sockets (94, 96) are threaded such that a threaded lower end (36)
of the handle (26) may be mounted in either socket (94, 96) as desired. In the
preferred form of the third embodiment, the lower end (36) of the handle (26) ismounted in the first socket (94).
As stated, the blade carrying member (40) defines a hole (98). When
the handle (26) is mounted to the head (24) using the first socket (94), and the upper
end (34) of the handle (26) is passed through the aperture (48) and the handle
mounting member (38) is positioned adjacent the lower end (36) of the handle (26),
the hole (98) corresponds with the second socket (96). The second socket (96) is
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threaded for receiving the plug (100) and the plug (100) is sized and threaded so that
it may be secured into the second socket (96) and thereby secured to the head (24).
The plug (100) has a first end (102) which is sized to fit within the
second socket (96) and a second end (104) which is larger than the hole (98). Thus,
in use, the first end (102) of the plug (100) is passed through the hole (98) and
secured within the second socket (96) by tightening the plug (100). The second end
(104) of the plug (100) will not pass through the hole (98) and therefore secures the
blade carrying member (40) to the head (24).
Further, the plug (100) is long enough for the first end (102) to abut
against the handle (26) at the point of convergence of the first and second sockets
(94, 96) when the lower end (36) of the handle (26) is in the first socket (94) and the
plug (100) is in the second socket (96). The abutment of the plug (100) against the
handle (26) restricts the movement of the handle (26) in the first socket (94) thus
inhibiting the loosening of the handle (26) during use of the broom (22) or scraper
device (20). To further restrict movement, the first end (102) of the plug (100)includes means for restraining the handle (26). The restraining means are comprised
of a point (106) at the first end (102) of the plug (100). The point (106) engages the
handle (26) when the lower end (36) of the handle (26) is in the first socket (94) and
the plug (100) is in the second socket (96), and thereby restricts its movement.
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Other restraining means may also be used such as a rubber pad (not shown) at thefirst end (102) of the plug (100).
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