Truck Bed Dust Pan

Abstract

A dust pan for use on grooved or uneven surfaces, such as a truck bed. The grooves of the dust pan allow the dust pan to be flush with the surface and prevent any debris from being swept under the dust pan. The ridges of the dust pan can be manufactured to conform to various grooved or uneven truck beds and other surfaces.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device for removing debris from a grooved surface. More particularly the present invention relates to a dust pan with ridges 2 that conform to the shape of a truck bed, allowing for the user to more easily collect and remove debris from the grooves of a truck bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Truck beds are generally not flat surfaces. Instead, truck beds have grooves which serve several purposes. They allow water and dirt to drain from the bed, preventing rust and corrosion. They prevent items in the bed from sliding around and causing damage to the items or the truck. They also provide additional strength and support to allow the truck to carry heavier items. Although water can drain out of the bed and dirt can be washed out, other solid debris can collect in these grooves. This debris can be swept out with a broom, but traditional dust pans would not allow the user to collect the debris. Dust pans of many shapes and sizes are known in the art. However, the prior art dust pans typically have a flat front edge, and the grooves of a truck would cause debris to be swept under the dust pan.

It would therefore solve a long felt need in the art to provide a dust pan structured to conform to a surface that is not flat, namely a truck bed. An objective of the present invention is to provide a tool that allows users to easily collect and remove debris from a grooved surface, particularly from the grooves of a truck bed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The dust pan of the present invention solves the problem of existing devices by providing an improved means for collecting debris from a grooved surface, particularly a truck bed or truck bed liner. In this regard, the present invention provides a dust pan with a plurality of ridges which fit into the grooves of a truck bed. The present invention is a dust pan comprising a tray, walls extending vertically from the perimeter of the tray on three sides, and a handle extending horizontally from the back wall. The side walls angle downward toward the front end. The tray features a plurality of ridges which are shaped to conform to the grooves of a truck bed. The ridges ensure that the dust pan contacts the truck bed at all points along the surface and that no debris can be swept through the grooves and under the dust pan. Once the dust pan is flush with the truck bed, the user can use a broom or brush to sweep the debris into the dust pan to be collected and thrown away. The present invention can be made of metal, hard plastic, or any other suitable material. The invention can be manufactured to fit any truck bed or truck bed liner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a preferred dust pan of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 1-5 show a preferred embodiment of a dust pan of the present invention. The dust pan is made of metal, plastic, or any other suitable material. The dust pan has a tray 1 in which debris is collected. The tray 1 includes a plurality of ridges 2. Said ridges 2 are generally manufactured to conform to the shape of the grooves of a truck bed. The grooves of various truck beds and truck bed liners may vary in shape and pattern. Multiple embodiments of the present invention can be manufactured to conform to any pattern or shape of truck bed grooves. When the tray 1 is placed into the truck bed, the surface of the tray 1 will be flush with the grooves of the truck bed, with no space beneath the tray 1. This ensures that debris will not be swept under the tray 1. The tray 1 has a front edge. In some embodiments, the front edge 3 may be tapered. In other embodiments, the front edge 3 may have a rubber lip attached to it. In any embodiment, the front edge 3 allows the user to use a broom or brush to sweep debris into the tray 1.

The tray 1 further comprises walls 4 extending vertically from the perimeter of the tray 1, said walls 4 being on the sides and the back of the tray 1. In the preferred embodiment, the walls 4 connect with each other to form a continuous vertical surface around the sides and back of the tray 1. In the preferred embodiment, the back wall is the highest, and the side walls 4 are angled downward toward the front of the dust pan. The back wall allows for the user to pick up and tilt the dust pan without letting any debris spill out. The top of the dust pan and the front edge 3 are open, forming a generally scoop-like shape. The scoop-like shape allows for debris to be collected in the dust pan and held until the user disposes of the debris.

The dust pan further comprises a handle 5. In the preferred embodiment, the handle 5 extends horizontally from the back wall of the dust pan. The shape of the handle 5 in the preferred embodiment is flat on the top and curved on the bottom, as shown in FIG. 3 This shape allows the user to easily grasp the handle 5 with the hand. In other embodiments the handle 5 may have a different shape.

The dust pan of the present invention provides an improved method of cleaning up debris from a grooved surface. The dust pan can be placed onto a grooved surface and allow the user to sweep in any debris without substantial spillage and without having any debris be swept under the dust pan. Although the utility of the preferred embodiment is for debris to be collected from a truck bed, it is additionally contemplated that other embodiments of the present invention may allow a user to sweep debris from any non-flat or grooved surface into the dust pan of the present invention.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A dust pan for truck beds comprising, a tray;a plurality of ridges;a front edge;walls; anda handle.

2. The dust pan of claim 1, wherein the tray is a horizontal surface forming the bottom of the dust pan, said tray comprising, a plurality of ridges, said ridges being conformed to shape to the grooves of a truck bed or other uneven surface;a front edge, which may be tapered or flat and have a rubber lip attached; andwalls extending vertically from the perimeter of the tray on the sides and back of the tray, said walls being connected and forming a continuous vertical surface around the sides and back of the tray, said walls further comprising, a handle extending horizontally from the back wall of the dustpan, said handle being shaped to allow it to be easily grasped by the user.

3. The dust pan of claim 1, said dust pan allowing the user to place it onto a grooved or uneven surface which matches the shape of the grooves, further allowing the user to sweep debris into the dust pan, collect the debris within the tray and walls of the dust pan, and prevent debris from spilling or being swept under the dust pan.