Patent Application
20130232721
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to cleaning devices. More particularly, the exemplary embodiments relate to a combined broom vacuum cleaning device.
Traditionally, brooms have been used to clean loose debris from flooring. Typically, this practice involves using the broom to sweep the dirt into a concentrated pile and then directing the pile into a dustpan. Although the transfer of dirt to the dustpan can be accomplished by a single individual, it requires the individual to either bend over or squat down to properly position the dustpan. This can prove to be difficult for people with arthritis, back pain, or other ailments, and may prove impossible for the elderly, disabled, or otherwise physically challenged individuals.
Once the dirt is transferred to the dustpan, the dustpan must be carried to a waste receptacle. While in transit, it is easy for dirt to be spilled from the dustpan. In addition, the simple act of carrying the dustpan may result in dirt loss due to the air flow over the dustpan.
Further, dustpans often leave a thin and elusive line of dust and other small particles that can only be removed by hand, sponge, damp cloth or vacuum cleaner. Often a full-sized or hand-held vacuum cleaner may be used. As with the dustpan, this approach requires additional time and physical effort to locate, position, power and use the equipment to apprehend the debris. In most cases, a standard-sized vacuum cleaner is excessive for most light refuse collection and is therefore not optimal from an energy consumption perspective.
There have been attempts at combining a broom and a vacuum; such combinations involve an approach wherein the vacuum portion is housed within or otherwise integrated into the mechanism that sweeps the debris. These designs require that the vacuum cleaner possesses sufficient power to not only remove the debris itself, but must do so at some distance from the debris and must provide suction through the bristles of the sweeping element. This results in devices that are overly complicated and heavy for the average user, and impractical for the elderly or disabled. Consequently, there is a need for a device that combines the simplicity of a broom with the efficiency of a vacuum in a single device that is functional and easily manipulated by a variety of users.
Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept provides for a lightweight cleaning device including a vacuum component integrated with a common broom. The vacuum component is connected to or housed within the top end of the broom handle opposite the bristle portion of the broom. This embodiment enables efficiency and flexibility in dust collection by simply flipping the handle to the vacuum end and positioning the suction tip sufficiently close to the dust pile. In other exemplary embodiments, the vacuum may be detached from the handle and used independently therefrom. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are designed to ease physical effort and provide increased efficiency in the process of collecting debris. The invention may have embodiments that can be implemented as stand-alone attachments with a standard or custom connector to allow integration with an existing broom handle or as a fully integrated tool with the option to detach the vacuum component from the broom handle.
Some embodiments of the invention include a handle having bristles and a vacuum at opposing ends. The vacuum has an insert portion that extends into the hollow handle. The insert portion may contain the power supply or other parts of the vacuum. The vacuum may be separate and detachable from the handle. In embodiments having a detachable vacuum, a variety of attachment methods may be employed. Some attachments may include mechanical fasteners, sleeves, pressure fittings, adhesives, magnets, clips or combinations thereof.
In other exemplary embodiments, the vacuum may include a depression therein. The depression is adapted to receive the handle into its interior. In this way the vacuum may be used with both hollow and solid handles. Like other embodiments, the vacuum may be detachable and use a variety of attachment methods. It should also be understood that the vacuum may be permanently attached to the handle.
In still other exemplary embodiments, of the inventive concept, the vacuum and the handle may be constructed from a single unit. In this embodiment the shell of the vacuum and the handle may be molded together to have a unitary design.
In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
A broom/vacuum combination device 5, according to the inventive concept, is illustrated in
The broom portion 20, including the bristles 15 and the handle 10, can have any configuration typically available. The handle 10 of the device 5 may be either hollow or solid as the vacuum 25 may be affixed to handles having either design. Accordingly, the broom 20 may be any broom currently available and the vacuum 25 may be retro fit onto the handle 10 opposite the bristles 15. Although shown with a conventional broom 20 for home use, one of skill in the art should also understand that the inventive concept also encompasses push brooms and other broom designs.
In some exemplary embodiments, rather than retro fitting the vacuum 25 to an existing handle 10, the handle 10 and the vacuum 25 may be molded together as a single unit. In these embodiments, the end of the handle 10 opposing the vacuum 25 may have a molded bristle portion or the end of the handle 10 may have an attachment means for bristles, such as a threaded portion, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or other connection elements. In embodiments having a handle 10 molded with the vacuum 25, the vacuum 25 may open to allow access to the power source and to allow the debris to be removed.
In some exemplary embodiments of the device 5, the vacuum 25 is removably attached to the handle 10. This removable attachment can be seen in
It should also be understood that the removable connection between the handle 10 and the vacuum 25 having an insert 40 can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the handle 10 and the insert 40 can be joined using mechanical fasteners, biased pins (as shown in
It should be understood that the vacuum 25 may be removable from the handle 10 in some exemplary embodiments. This removability of the vacuum 25 allows for easy replacement of batteries and removal of collected dirt. In other exemplary embodiments, the device 5 may have a permanently attached vacuum 25. As with all other exemplary embodiments described herein, the vacuum 25 may be powered by disposable batteries or rechargeable batteries.
As stated herein, the vacuum 25 may be attached to a variety of different types of brooms and associated handles 10, such as that illustrated in
While certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. The scope of the invention is not to be considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as evidenced by the following claims:
