Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SCRAPER DEVICE FOR A BROOM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a scraper deviee for attaehment to a
broom.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventional push brooms are used for sweeping shop floors, publie
buildings, garden patios, roads, sidewalks, ete. Often the push broom encounters
materials sueh as mud, snow, iee, ehewing gum, and other debris whieh stiek to the
surfaee being swept. In sueh cireumstances, the sweeping aetion of the push broom
alone is insuffieient to free the stieking materials. As a result, the user of the push
broom may reverse the broom head by turning it upside down and using the broom
head to scrape the materials off the surfaee being eleaned. However, the head alone
may not be suffieient to scrape the surfaee and it is subjeeted to unneeessary wear
and tear. Alternatively, a separate eleaning tool such as a scraper may be used.
However, the use of a separate eleaning tool may be ineonvenient.
As a result, seraper attaehments 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 eomprised of a number of parts
welded together to form a relatively eomplex struetural arrangement. Further, the
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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
10 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
Sproston patent describes a scraper for attachment to a broom which is comprised of
20 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
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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
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
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
scraper into one of the sockets and is threaded into a bracket, also located within the
20 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
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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
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,
10 although the scraper 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. As well, the screws mounting the
brace member into the broom handle may tend to loosen over time, rendering the
brace member less effective.
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
compared to known scraper devices, without damaging the broom such that its
20 structure is weakened. Further, there is a need in the industry for means for bracing
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.
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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
broom that may weaken the broom structurally. Further, the present invention relates
to means for bracing the handle and supporting the scraper device 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. The scraper device comprises: a blade
carrying member, having an upper end and a lower end, for attaching to the broom in
a position such that the upper end of the blade carrying member abuts against the
handle and the blade carrying member extends downwards and forwards over the
head; means for attaching the blade carrying member to the broom when the blade
carrying member is positioned for attachment to the broom so that the blade carrying
member is secured to the broom and movement of the scraper device relative to the
20 handle is restricted; and a scraper blade located along the lower end of the blade
carrying member so that debris may be scraped from a surface by the scraper device
when the orientation of the broom is reversed from that normally used for sweeping.
~133060
In this aspect of the invention, the scraper device is preferably further
comprised of first means, associated with the blade carrying member and
substantially parallel to a major axis of the head when the blade carrying member is
attached to the broom, for bracing the handle and supporting the blade carrying
member when the blade carrying member is attached to the broom. The first bracing
means may extend from the blade carrying member to abut against the head when
the blade carrying member is positioned for attachment to the broom. The first
bracing means engages the abutting surface of the head such that the first bracing
10 means supports the handle from stresses which tend to break the handle at the point
where it is mounted to the head and supports the blade carrying member by
restricting the movement of the blade carrying member relative to the handle. The
first bracing means may be comprised of a discontinuity integral with a lower surface
of the blade carrying member such that the discontinuity engages the abutting
surface of the head. Preferably, the discontinuity is comprised of a groove defined by
the blade carrying member such that the groove is formed from the blade carrying
member. However, any shape or form of first bracing means may be used as long as
the first bracing means braces the handle and supports the blade carrying member
when the blade carrying member is attached to the broom.
Further, the scraper device preferably includes a handle mounting
bracket, associated with the blade carrying member, for receiving the handle therein
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when the blade carrying member is positioned for attachment to the broom. The
handle mounting bracket may be integral with the upper end of the blade carrying
member. Further, the blade carrying member preferably defines the handle mounting
bracket such that the handle mounting bracket is formed from the blade carrying
member. As well, at least an upper end of the handle mounting bracket may be
shaped to be compatible with the shape of the handle when the scraper device is
positioned for attachment to the broom in order to receive the handle within the
handle mounting bracket. However, any shape of handle mounting bracket capable
of receiving the handle may be used.
As well, the scraper device may further comprise second means,
associated with the blade carrying member and oriented so that the second means is
not substantially parallel to a major axis of the head when the blade carrying member
is attached to the broom, for bracing the handle when the blade carrying member is
attached to the broom. The second bracing means is preferably comprised of at
least one bracing member depending from a lower surface of the blade carrying
member, the bracing member having a top end adjacent to the upper end of the
blade carrying member and a bottom end for abutting against an upper surface of the
head of the broom such that the bracing member supports the handle from the
20 stresses which tend to break the handle at the point where it is mounted to the head.
Suitable bracing means may also be comprised of a pair of bracing members
depending from the lower surface of the blade carrying member. However, other
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arrangements including one or more bracing members are possible, so long as the
handle is supported thereby.
Further, the scraper blade is preferably formed by the lower end of the
blade carrying member.
The attaching means of the scraper device may comprise a fastening
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
10 more bolts, plugs, cables or other fasteners which couple the blade carrying member
to the head or handle without requiring modification of the broom by drilling or
screwing.
Suitable attaching means may be comprised of: a clamp member
defining two apertures and having a surface for receiving the handle located between
the apertures; a pair of fasteners; the blade carrying member defining two openings
which are sized and spaced apart from one another in order to accept the fasteners
therein and which are positioned next to each other along an axis which is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle when the blade
20 carrying member is attached to the broom, one opening located on either side of the
handle; so that when the handle is mounted to the head and the blade carrying
member is positioned for attachment to the broom, the surface of the clamp member
_ 2133060
can be abutted against the handle at a position on the handle opposite the blade
carrying member and the fasteners can be passed through the openings in the blade
carrying member and the apertures in the clamp member and secured therein in
order to secure the handle between the clamp member and the blade carrying
member and restrict the movement of the scraper device relative to the handle. The
surface of the clamp member may be shaped to be compatible with the shape of the
handle in order to assist in securing the handle between the clamp member and the
blade carrying member. As well, the fasteners are preferably comprised of a pair of
bolts, each having an end for accepting a tightener, and a pair of tighteners for
10 attaching to the ends of the bolts such that the bolts can be passed through the
openings in the blade carrying member and the apertures in the clamp member and
the tighteners can be attached to the ends of the bolts and tightened in order to
secure the handle between the blade carrying member and the clamp member.
Other suitable attaching means are comprised of: the head including a
first socket and a second socket for mounting the handle to the head, the sockets
convergingly extending from an upper surface of the head to a 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
20 the first socket and the blade carrying member is positioned for attachment to the
broom, 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
2133060
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. As well,
the plug may be long enough to abut against the head 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 socket, so as to restrict the movement of the handle in the first socket.
As well, the first end of the plug may include means for restraining the handle when
10 the lower end of the handle is in the first socket and the plug is in the second socket.
Still other suitable attaching means may be 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 at least 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 handle when the blade carrying member is attached to the
broom, one opening located on either side of the handle; so that when the handle is
mounted to the head and the blade carrying member is positioned for attachment to
20 the broom, the cable can be successively passed through the openings and about the
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 movement of the scraper
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~t33060
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 blade carrying member is positioned for attachment to
the broom, 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.
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
20 device attached to the broom;
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Figure 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the scraper device
attached to the broom;
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
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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. A major axis of
the head (24) extends or runs between the upper and lower surfaces (28, 30) of the
head (24), substantially parallel to the upper surface (28). The handle (26) 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 blade carrying member (38),
a scraper blade (40), and means for attaching the blade carrying member (38) to the
broom (22). As well, the scraper device (20) preferably includes first means for
bracing the handle (26) and supporting the blade carrying member (38). The blade
carrying member (38) has an upper end (42), a lower end (44), and first and second
side edges (46, 48). Further, the blade carrying member (38) has an upper surface
(50) and a lower surface (52).
When the handle (26) is mounted to the head (24), the blade carrying
member (38) is positioned for attachment to the broom (22) adjacent the lower end
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(36) of the handle (26). It is positioned such that the upper end (42) of the blade
carrying member (38) abuts against the handle (26) and the blade carrying member
(38) extends downwards, towards the bristles (32), and forwards over the head (24)
of the broom (22). The blade carrying member (38) 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 carrying member
(38) extends forwards, away from the user on the side of the handle (26) and the
head (24) opposite, or not facing, the user. In this position, the lower surface (52) of
the blade carrying member (38) is adjacent to, and faces towards, the head (24) and
the handle (26) while the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) faces
away from the user. When the blade carrying member (38) is positioned for
attachment to the broom (22), a portion or section of the lower surface (52) of the
blade carrying member (38) comes into contact with the head (24) of the broom (22)
as the blade carrying member (38) extends downwards and forwards over the head
(24). The contact between the head (24) and the blade carrying member (38) is
described further below.
The blade carrying member (38) extends from its upper end (42)
downwards and forwards over the head (24) to its lower end (44). The distance
20 between the upper end (42) and the lower end (44) of the blade carrying member
(38), that is, the length of the blade carrying member (38), is determined by several
factors. First, the scraper blade (40) located along the lower end (44) of the blade
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- 2133060
carrying member (38) must be out of contact with the surface to be swept during use
of the broom (22) by the user for sweeping. Second, when neither the broom (22) is
being used for sweeping nor the scraper device (20) is being used for scraping, the
blade carrying member (38) is preferably of sufficient length to allow the scraper
device (20) to be used as a free standing stand or prop. To be used as a free
standing stand or prop, the broom (22) is first held by the user in a position for
sweeping. The handle (24) is then tilted away from the user, such that the broom
(22) pivots about the bristles (32). The handle (26) is pushed or tilted away from the
user until the scraper blade (40), located along the lower end (44) of the blade
10 carrying member (38), comes into contact with the ground while maintaining the
contact of the bristles (32) with the ground. At this point, the user may release the
broom (22) and the scraper blade (40) and the bristles (32) act together to prop or
maintain the broom (22) in a set position. Preferably, the handle (26) of the broom
(22) is independently maintained in a substantially vertical position. Finally, the
length of the blade carrying member (38) is preferably sufficient to allow the broom
(22) to be stored against a vertical surface, such as a wall, with the bristles (32) out
of contact with the ground in order to preserve the bristles (32) against wear. To
store against a wall, the broom (22) is again tilted or pushed away from the user
towards a wall until the scraper blade (40) comes into contact with the ground. The
20 broom (22) is then further tilted or pushed away from the user, such that the broom
(22) pivots about the scraper blade (40) and the bristles (32) are lifted from the
- 15-
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ground, until the upper end (34) of the handle (26) comes in contact with the wall.
The broom (22) may then be released by the user.
The blade carrying member (38) preferably includes a handle mounting
bracket (54) for receiving the handle (26) therein when the blade carrying member
(38) is positioned, as discussed above, for attachment to the broom (22). The handle
mounting bracket (54) is preferably integral with the upper end (42) of the blade
carrying member (38). The handle mounting bracket (54) may be comprised of a
separate member or part integrally connected to the lower surface (52) of the blade
10 carrying member (38). However, in the preferred embodiment, the handle mounting
bracket (54) is defined by the blade carrying member (38) such that the handle
mounting bracket (54) is formed from or by the blade carrying member (38). The
blade carrying member (38) is constructed out of a single piece of sheet metal which
is stamped or bent to form the handle mounting bracket (54) therein. However, the
blade carrying member (38) and the handle mounting bracket (54) may also be
molded out of a single piece of plastic.
Preferably, the handle mounting bracket (54) extends from an upper end
(56), formed from the upper end (42) of the blade carrying member (38), for a
20 distance towards the lower end (44) of the blade carrying member (38), to terminate
at a lower end (58). As well, it is preferably located approximately midway between
the first and second side edges (46, 48) of the blade carrying member (38).
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The handle mounting bracket (54) is shaped so that at least the upper
end (56) of the handle mounting bracket (54), which abuts against the handle (26), is
co"")alible with the shape of the handle (26) in order that the handle (26) is securely
received within the upper end (56) of the bracket (54). Thus, the lower surface (52)
of the blade carrying member (38) forming the upper end (56) of the handle mounting
bracket (54) is substantially concave and forms a C-shape to receive the convex
handle (26) therein. As the handle mounting bracket (54) extends from its upper end
(56) towards its lower end (58), the bracket (54) is tapered to become increasingly
more shallow such that its lower end (58) is substantially flattened out to joinsmoothly with the surface of the blade carrying member (38) not forming the handle
mounting bracket (54). As well, when the blade carrying member (38) is positioned
for attachment to the broom (22), as the handle mounting bracket (54) extends away
from its upper end (56) towards its lower end (58), the bracket (54) no longer abuts
against the handle (26) and the handle (26) is increasingly less contained or secured
within the bracket (54). Eventually, at the lower end (58) of the handle mounting
bracket (54), the handle (26) is completely out of contact with the lower surface (52)
of the blade carrying member (38) forming the handle mounting bracket (54) and is
completely outside the confines of the handle mounting bracket (54). The lower end
(58) of the handle mounting bracket (54) is located above, or nearer to the upper end
(42) of the blade carrying member (38) than, the portion of the lower surface (52) of
the blade carrying member (38) which contacts the head (24) of the broom (22) when
the blade carrying member (38) is positioned for attachment to the broom (22).
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_.
- Finally, the edge of the upper end (56) of the handle mounting bracket
(54) is preferably curved or tapered at the point that it actually abuts against the
handle (26) to more closely conform to the handle (26). Specifically, if the edge of
the upper end (56) abuts the handle (26) at too large an angle, the handle (26) will
not be as securely received and retained within the handle mounting bracket (54)
when the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22). Therefore the edge of
the upper end (56) is curved in such a manner that the angle between the edge and
the handle (26) is minimized. In the preferred embodiment, the edge of the upper
end (56) of the handle mounting bracket (54) is curved outwards sufficiently to form a
10 lip which lies flat against the handle (26).
First means for bracing the handle (26) and supporting the blade
carrying member (38) are associated with the blade carrying member (38) and are
substantially parallel to the major axis of the head (24) when the blade carrying
member (38) is attached to the broom (22). When the blade carrying member (38) is
attached to the broom (22), the first bracing means braces the handle by supporting
the handle (26) from the stresses which tend to break the handle (26) at the point
where it is mounted to the head (24). Further, the first bracing means supports the
blade carrying member (38) by restricting the movement of the blade carrying
20 member (38) relative to the handle (26). In the preferred embodiment, the first
bracing means is comprised of a discontinuity, preferably a groove (60), integral with
the lower surface (52) of the blade carrying member (38). Although the discontinuity
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is preferably a groove (60), it may be comprised of a ridge, wrinkle, fold, furrow, etc.,
in the lower surface (52) of the blade carrying member (38) as long as the
discontinuity engages the abutting surface of the head (24). In the preferred
embodiment, the groove (60) is located between the upper end (42) and the lower
end (44) of the blade carrying member (38) and extends from the first side edge (46)
to the second side edge (48) of the blade carrying member (38), and is oriented to be
substantially parallel to the major axis of the head (24) when the blade carrying
member (38) is attached to the broom (22). The groove (60) may be comprised of aseparate member or part integrally connected to the blade carrying member (38),
however, the groove (60) is preferably defined by the blade carrying member (38)such that the groove (60) is formed from or by the blade carrying member (38). In
the preferred embodiment, the blade carrying member (38) is constructed out of asingle piece of sheet metal which is stamped or bent to form the groove (60) therein.
However, the blade carrying member (38) and the groove (60) may also be molded
from a single piece of plastic.
When the blade carrying member (38) is positioned for attachment to
the broom (22), the groove (60) is formed in the blade carrying member (38) at alocation adjacent to the head (24) of the broom (22) such that the portion of the lower
surface (52) of the blade carrying member (38) forming the groove (60) abuts against
the head (24). The groove (60) is shaped to engage the surface of the head (24) at
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- 2133060
the point where the groove (60) abuts the head (24) in a manner such that the handle
(26) and the blade carrying member (38) are braced and supported thereby.
To engage the abutting surface of the head (24) when the scraper
device (20) is attached to the broom (22), the groove (60) is comprised of an upper
portion (62) and a lower portion (64). When attached to the broom (22), the blade
carrying member (38) extends downwards and forwards from its upper end (42) to the
upper portion (62) of the groove (60) along a first plane. The upper portion (62) of
the groove (60) extends downwards and forwards at an angle to the first plane so
that the upper portion (62) of the groove (60) is positioned to contact the head (24)
such that downward movement of the blade carrying member (38) relative to the
handle (26), that is, movement towards the bristles (32), is limited or restricted. The
lower portion (64) of the groove (60) is connected to the upper portion (62) and
extends downwards and backwards, towards the bristles (32), to form a V-shaped
ridge with the upper portion (62). The lower portion (64) of the groove (60) is
positioned to contact the head (24) such that upward movement of the blade carrying
member (38) relative to the handle (26), that is movement towards the upper end (34)
of the handle (26), is limited or restricted. Finally, the blade carrying member (38)
extends downwards and forwards from the lower portion (64) of the groove (60) to the
20 lower end (44) of the blade carrying member (38) along a second plane substantially
coplanar to the first plane.
- 20 -
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As stated, when the blade carrying member (38) is attached to the
broom (22) by the attaching means, the groove (60) abuts against the head (24)
which braces the handle (26) by lessening the stresses at the point where the handle
(26) is mounted to the head (24), and which supports the blade carrying member (33)
by restricting the movement of the blade carrying member (38) relative to the handle
(26). As well, when the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22), the groove
(60) and the means for attaching the blade carrying member (38) to the broom (22)
may act together to hold the head (24) and the handle (26) in proper relation to each
other even when the head (24) is poorly or insecurely mounted to the handle (26).
10 Further, the groove (60) and the attaching means may also act together to minimize
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 loosen up and
unscrew from the socket in the head (24). The groove (60) and the attaching means
may aid 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). Further, even if the handle (26) becomes unscrewed from the head
(24), the groove (60) and the attaching means may hold the head (24) and the handle
(26) in proper relation to each other during use of the broom (22) or scraper device
20 (20).
2l330fio
A scraper blade (40) is located along the lower end (44) of the blade
carrying member (38). In the preferred embodiment, the scraper blade (40) extends
from the first side edge (46) to the second side edge (48) of the blade carrying
member (38) along the entire length of the lower end (44). The lower end (44) of the
blade carrying member (38), and as a result, the scraper blade (40) must be of a
slJrricie.1t width to provide for sufficient scraping of a surface by the scraper device
(20) and allow for the use of the scraper device (20) as a stand or prop as described
above.
In the preferred embodiment, the scraper blade (40) is integral with the
blade carrying member (38) and is formed by the lower end (44) of the blade carrying
member (38). Thus, the scraper blade (40) is also constructed of sheet metal in the
preferred embodiment. Where the blade carrying member (38) is made of another
material such as plastic, it is preferred to mount a scraper blade (40) constructed of a
metal along the lower end (44) of the blade carrying member (38) to improve the
wear of the scraper device (20).
Further, the blade carrying member (38) may include a rib (not shown)
for increasing the rigidity of the scraper blade (40). The rib is located at the lower
20 end (44) of the blade carrying member (38) such that it is positioned adjacent the
scraper blade (40) and has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel with the
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longitudinal axis of the scraper blade (40). A greater number of ribs may be used as
required to increase the rigidity of the scraper blade (40).
As stated, when the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22)
and the attaching means are employed, the scraper blade (40) is out of contact with
the surface to be cleaned during normal use of the broom (22). The scraper blade
(40) does not interfere 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 surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) faces and is
10 adjacent to the surface to be cleaned by the scraper device (20) and the bristles (32)
are out of contact with the surface to be cleaned.
During use of the scraper device, debris scraped from the surface being
cleaned may become trapped between the bristles (32) or the head (24) and the
scraper device (20). Further, debris may become similarly trapped when using the
broom (22) for sweeping. As a result, the scraper device (20) may include a cleaning
flange (not shown). The cleaning flange depends from the lower surface (52) of the
blade carrying member (38) at its lower end (44). Further, the longitudinal axis of the
cleaning flange is substantially parallel with the scraper blade (40). As a result, when
20 the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22), the cleaning flange is directed
towards the head (24). Thus, the cleaning flange blocks the space between the
scraper device (20) and the head (24) and limits any debris being trapped
~133060
therebetween. Preferably, the cleaning flange would be constructed of metal similar
to the blade carrying member (38) and be welded to the lower surface (52) of the
blade carrying member (38).
Further, the scraper device (20) preferably includes second means for
bracing the handle (26) when the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22).
The second bracing means is oriented so that it is not substantially parallel to the
major axis of the head (24) when the blade carrying member (38) is attached to the
broom (22). In the preferred embodiment, the second bracing means is a pair of
bracing members (66, 68) which depend from the lower surface (52) of the blade
carrying member (38). The bracing members (66, 68) are flanges or protrusions from
the blade carrying member (38). A first bracing member (66) is located adjacent the
first side edge (46) of the blade carrying member (38) and has a top end (65) located
adjacent to the upper end (42) of the blade carrying member (38) and a bottom end
(67) for abutting against the upper surface (28) of the head (24). A second bracing
member (68) is located adjacent the second side edge (48) of the blade carrying
member (38) and has a top end (69) located adjacent to the upper end (42) of the
blade carrying member (38) and a bottom end (71) for abutting against the upper
surface (28) of the head (24). As indicated, both bracing members (66, 68) extend
from their top ends (65, 69) adjacent the upper end (42) of the blade carrying
member (38), along the side edges (46, 48) of the blade carrying member (38). The
bracing members (66, 68) have longitudinal axes from their top ends (65, 69) to their
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their bottom ends (67, 71) at angles to the major axis of the head (24) so that the
bracing members (66, 68) intersect the head (24) and abut against it. However, the
angles of the longitudinal axes of the bracing members (66, 68) must not be
substantially parallel to the major axis of the head (24) as abutment of the bracing
members (66, 68) against the head (24) will not occur. Therefore, the bracing
members (66, 68) are oriented so that their longitudinal axes are not substantially
parallel to the head (24) when the blade carrying member (38) is attached to the
broom (22). The angle or orientation of the first bracing member (66) need not be
the same as that of the second bracing member (68).
When the scraper device (20) is attached to the broom (22), the bottom
ends (67; 71) of the bracing members (66, 68) abut against the upper surface (28) of
the head (24) so that the bracing members (66, 68) brace and support the handle
(26). Further, the abutment of the bottom ends (67, 71) 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
20 with the blade carrying member (38). The blade carrying member (38), 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 (52) of the blade carrying member
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~I33060
(38) to depend therefrom. Although the second 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 (52) of the blade carrying member (38) and contacts
the head (24) in order to brace and 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 (70). The
hanging hole (70) is defined by the blade carrying member (38) and is located
10 adjacent the lower end (44) of the blade carrying member (38). Further, the hanging
hole (70) is located approximately midway between the first side edge (46) and the
second side edge (48) of the blade carrying member (38). When the scraper device
(20) is attached to the broom (22) and the attaching means are employed, the
hanging hole (70) is used for storing the broom (22) by placing the hanging hole (70)
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 attaching
the blade carrying member (38) to the broom (22) when the blade carrying member
20 (38) is positioned for attachment to the broom (22) so that the blade carrying member
(38) is secured to the broom (22). Thus, the attaching means act to restrict the
movement of the scraper device (20) relative to the handle (26), or in other words,
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2l33ofio
the movement of the scraper device (20) towards or away from the upper end (34) of
the handle (26). The attaching means are comprised of a fastening system
associated with the blade carrying member (38) for securing the blade carrying
member (38) to either the head (24) or the handle (26) of the broom (22). Further,
the attaching means include one or more bolts, plugs, cables or other fasteners which
couple the blade carrying member (38) 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
10 attaching means are comprised of a pair of fasteners, a clamp member (72) and the
blade carrying member (38) defining a first opening (74) and a second opening (76).
The pair of fasteners include a first bolt (78) and a second bolt (80), each having a
threaded end for accepting a tightener. The fasteners further include a first tightener
(82) and a second tightener (84) compatibly threaded for attaching to the ends of the
first and second bolts (78, 80) respectively. The clamp member (72) defines a first
aperture (86) and a second aperture (88) therein and has a surface for receiving the
handle (26) located between the apertures (86, 88). In the preferred embodiment,
the surface of the clamp member (72) is shaped to be compatible with the surface of
the handlè (26). As a result, the handle (26) may be more easily and closely secured
20 between the clamp member (72) and the handle mounting bracket (54), as described
below.
~13~060
._,
The first and second openings (74, 76) in the blade carrying member
(38) are sized and spaced apart from one another in order to accept the ends of the
first and second bolts (78, 80) therein. Further, the first and second openings (74,
76) are positioned next to each other along an axis which is substantially
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle mounting bracket (54) and the
handle (26) when the blade carrying member (38) is attached to the broom (22).
Finally, when the blade carrying member (38) is positioned for attachment to thebroom (22), the first and second openings (74, 76) are located between the upperend (42) of the blade carrying member (38) and the head (24) of the broom (22) and
one of the first and second openings (74, 76) is located on each side of the handle
mounting bracket (54).
As a result of the placement of the first and second openings (74, 76),
when the handle (26) is mounted to the head (24) and the blade carrying member
(38) is positioned for attachment to the broom (22), the surface of the clamp member
(72) can be abutted against the handle (26) at a position on the handle (26) opposite
to the handle mounting bracket (54). The first bolt (78) can then be passed through
the first opening (74) in the blade carrying member (38) and the first aperture (86) in
the clamp member (72) and the second bolt (80) can be passed through the second
opening (76) in the blade carrying member (38) and the second aperture (88) in the
clamp member (72). The first tightener (82) can then be attached to the end of the
first bolt (78) and the second tightener (84) can be attached to the end of the second
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bolt (80). The tighteners (82, 84) can then be tightened in order to secure the handle
(26) between the handle mounting bracket (54) and the surface of the clamp member
(72).
In the preferred embodiment, the ends of the first and second bolts (78,
80) are passed from the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) to the
lower surface (52) and the tighteners (82, 84) are affixed to the ends of the bolts (78,
80) adjacent to the clamp member (72). However, the ends of the first and secondbolts (78, 80) may also be passed in an opposite manner, through the clamp member
(72) and the lower surface (52) of the blade carrying member (38) to the upper
surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) so that the tighteners (82, 84) are
affixed to the ends of the bolts (78, 80) adjacent to the upper surface (50) of the
blade carrying member (38).
As an alternative to using a pair of fasteners and a clamp member (72),
the attaching means may include a U-shaped bolt (not shown), having two ends forreceiving tighteners thereon, and a pair of tighteners (not shown). The U-shaped bolt
can be positioned around the handle (26) and the ends of the U-shaped bolt can be
passed from the lower surface (52) of the blade carrying member (38), through the
first and second openings (74, 76) to the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying
member (38). The ends of the U-shaped bolt are threaded for accepting the
tighteners. The tighteners are compatibly threaded for attaching to the ends of the
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~t33~60
U-shaped bolt. Thus, when the U-shaped bolt is in position around the handle (26),
the tighteners can be attached to the ends of the U-shaped bolt and tightened against
the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) in order to secure the
U-shaped bolt to the handle (26) and restrict the movement of the scraper device (20)
relative to the handle (26). To more positively secure the U-shaped bolt to the
handle (26), the surface of the U-shaped bolt may be textured by threads that extend
over substantially the entire length of the U-shaped bolt.
In a second embodiment of the scraper device (20), as shown in
10 Figures 4 through 6, the attaching means are comprised of a fastener, being a
flexible cable (90), a pair of tighteners (92, 94) and the blade carrying member (38)
defining a first and second pair of openings (96, 98). More or fewer openings may be
used as required to attach the scraper device (20). With respect to each pair of
openings (96, 98) in the preferred form of the second embodiment, the two openings
of each pair are spaced apart from one another and are positioned next to each other
along an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle
mounting bracket (54) or the handle (26) when the scraper device (20) is attached to
the broom (22). Further, the first and second pairs of openings (96, 98) are spaced
apart from one another and positioned such that when the blade carrying member
20 (38) is positioned for attachment to the broom (22), one pair of openings is located
adjacent to the head (24) on either side of the handle (26). Thus, the first pair of
openings (96) is located between the handle (26) and the first side edge (46) of the
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21 3~060
blade carrying member (38) and the second pair of openings (98) is located between
the handle (26) and the second side edge (48).
As a result of the placement of the pairs of openings (96, 98), when the
handle (26) is mounted to the head (24) and the blade carrying member (38) is
positioned for attachment to the broom (22), the ends of the cable (90) can be
successively passed through the openings (96, 98) and about the head (24). For
example, the cable (90) may pass from the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying
member (38), through the opening in the first pair of openings (96) nearest to the
upper end (42) of the blade carrying member (38), around the head (24), through the
opening in the first pair of openings (96) nearest to the lower end (44) of the blade
carrying member (38). The cable (90) then passes across the upper surface (50) of
the blade carrying member (38), through the opening in the second pair of openings
(98) nearest to the lower end (44) of the blade carrying member (38), around the
head (24), and through the opening in the second pair of openings (98) nearest to the
upper end (42) of the blade carrying member (38) to the upper surface (50) of the
blade carrying member (38). The specific passing of the cable (90) may vary as long
as the cable (90) loops around the head (24) and the ends of the cable (90) are
located on the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) for ease of
20 access to them.
2133060
The ends of the cable (90) are threaded for accepti,lg the tighteners (92,
94). The tighteners (92, 94) are compatibly threaded for attaching to the ends of the
cable (90). Thus, when the cable (90) is in position around the head (24), the
tighteners (92, 94) can be attached to the ends of the cable (90) and tightened
against the upper surface (50) of the blade carrying member (38) in order to secure
the cable (90) about the head (24) and restrict the movement of the scraper device
(20) relative to the head (26).
In a third embodiment of the scraper device (20), as shown in Figures 7
10 through 9, the attaching means are comprised of the head (24) including a first
socket (100) and a second socket (102), a hole (104) in the blade carrying member
(38) and a fastener, being a plug (106). As shown in Figure 8, the sockets (100, 102)
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 (100, 102) are substantially identical and at
approximately right angles to each other. Thus, a V-shaped passage is formed in the
head (24). Both sockets (100, 102) are threaded such that a threaded lower end (36)
of the handle (26) may be mounted in either socket (100, 102) as desired. In the
preferred form of the third embodiment, the lower end (36) of the handle (26) is
20 mounted in the first socket (100).
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~133060
-
As stated, the blade carrying member (38) defines a hole (104). When
the handle (26) is mounted to the head (24) using the first socket (100), and the
blade carrying member (38) is positioned for attachment to the broom (22) such that
the handle (26) is received within the handle mounting bracket (54) and the groove
(60) engages the abutting surface of the head (24), the hole (104) corresponds with
the second socket (102). The second socket (102) is threaded for receiving the plug
(106) and the plug (106) is sized and threaded so that it may be secured into the
second socket (102) and thereby secured to the head (24).
The plug (106) has a first end (108) which is sized to fit within the
second socket (102) and a second end (110) which is larger than the hole (104).
Thus, in use, the first end (108) of the plug (106) is passed through the hole (104)
and secured within the second socket (102) by tightening the plug (106). The second
end (110) of the plug (106) will not pass through the hole (104) and therefore secures
the blade carrying member (38) to the head (24).
Further, the plug (106) is long enough for the first end (108) to abut
against the handle (26) at the point of convergence of the first and second sockets
(100, 102) when the lower end (36) of the handle (26) is in the first socket (100) and
the plug (106) is in the second socket (102). The abutment of the plug (106) against
the handle (26) restricts the movement of the handle (26) in the first socket (100)
thus inhibiting the loosening of the handle (26) during use of the broom (22) or
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~133060
scraper device (20). To further restrict movement, the first end (108) of the plug
(106) includes means for restraining the handle (26). The restraining means are
comprised of a point (112) at the first end (108) of the plug (106). The point (112)
engages the handle (26) when the lower end (36) of the handle (26) is in the first
socket (100) and the plug (106) is in the second socket (102), and thereby restricts
its movement. Other restraining means may also be used such as a rubber pad (not
shown) at the first end (108) of the plug (106).
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