Patent Application
20050273966
There are seemingly innumerable broom and dust pan combinations (kits) on the market. Many such kits are directed to household use, and for example, have a brush handle that is a meter and a half long. Such kits are not suitable for automotive use because they are not properly sized and dimensioned to be conveniently used in the closed spaced of a car.
Of course, broom and dust pan kits are known for automotive use, and are typically called auto valet kits. While useful for cleaning purposes, the known auto valet kits are not structurally robust enough to use as an ice scraper. Thus, an automobile operator in a wintry climate will often carry an ice scraper in addition to an auto valet kit. In addition to being inefficient, the carrying of an ordinary ice scraper and an ordinary auto valet kit means that the there is little market for a high end kit.
Thus, there is still a need for a combination auto valet kit that also has useful functionality as an ice scraper.
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a refuse pan has an elongated edge sufficiently hard and strong to operate as an ice scraper.
In preferred refuse pans the edge is at least 4 cm long, and more preferably at least 8 cm long. The edge can be positioned anywhere on the pan, including the front of the pan, and most preferably the backside of the body, opposite the opening of the cavity. Ideally, the edge would be continuous with the body of the pan at one or two corners.
The pan can comprise any suitable material or materials, including plastics. Where plastics are used, the edge and the remainder of the pan can comprise different chemical compositions.
Valet kits are contemplated that include a refuse pan with an ice scraper edge, and a brush that sized and dimensioned to be stored substantially within the cavity. The brush portion preferably extends outside the cavity of the pan. Valet kits are preferably marketed with a focus on the ice scraper edge.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.
In
The brush 10 of
Brush 10 advantageously has a stubby handle 12 with a soft touch material 14 to improve the “feel” of the brush. The bristles 13 are made of nylon or other durable and relatively stiff material.
The pan 30 has a body 34 that defines a cavity 36 into which the bristles of the brush can be fully inserted as shown in
In
Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a refuse pan with an ice scraper edge have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
