Broom and method of cleaning with the same

Abstract

 A broom (A) comprising a broomstick (1) and a broom body (2), wherein the broom body (2) having an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint comprises a retaining portion (3) to be attached to the flat tip portion (1a) of the broomstick (1), and a sweeping portion (5) to be implanted into the retaining portion (3), and the retaining portion (3) further comprises right and left linear implantation frames (6, 7) which receive the sweeping portion (5) through implantation and are connected orthogonally to each other, and right and left forked connection arms (11, 12) which are adapted to attach the right and left linear implantation frames (6, 7) to the flat tip portion (1a) of the broomstick (1).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a broom for use in cleaning appliances, indoor areas, and outdoor areas, and to a method of cleaning with the same.

[0002] This kind of broom serving as a cleaning device comprises a broomstick to be held in the hands, and a broom body connected to the tip portion of the broomstick. The horizontal cross-section of the sweeping portion of a conventional broom is substantially linear or circular. The bottom surface of the sweeping portion has a substantially rectangular shape, elongated elliptic shape, or circular shape. The sweeping portion has a uniform tip length or is elongated centripetally.

[0003] Also, the broomstick and the axis of the broom body are aligned along a vertical line.

[0004] Such a shape of the broom body is suited for sweeping a wide free plane but tends to result in insufficient cleaning when the user sweeps corners of rooms or corridors, recessed corners that are formed in furniture or defined by adjacent pieces of furniture and that have projections and concave portions, corners defined by a column projecting from a wall and the wall surface in a concrete building, corners of stairs, etc., because the poor contact between the sweeping portion of the broom body and a space to be cleaned results in a circular sweeping motion.

[0005] A cleaning contractor specialized in indoor cleaning is required to perform cleaning in two steps. That is, after rough cleaning is performed with an ordinary indoor broom, careful cleaning is performed with a special broom for cleaning corners or with other special brooms, thus consuming time and labor and requiring skill. This tendency is remarkable particularly in the cleaning of corners of stairs and landings.

[0006] When cleaning is performed with a vacuum cleaner, the tip unit thereof must be replaced with a special elongated and narrow nozzle in order to clean corners, and thus two steps of cleaning are required. Since there are places where no outlet is available or where an outlet is beyond the reach of a power cord, or a vacuum force may be insufficient for cleaning corners, there are still many places where a cleaning contractor is required to use a broom to clean.

[0007] During cleaning of an outdoor area, a vacuum cleaner cannot be used, and trash, dead leaves, and the like being collected by the sweeping portion of a broom may be blown in every direction in the midst of cleaning when the wind blows because the broom itself is not equipped with a windbreak. Thus, the scattered trash, dead leaves, and the like must be swept up repeatedly when the wind stops blowing. Therefore, cleaning takes much time and satisfactory cleaning cannot be expected. In some cases, cleaners must gave up their attempts to clean.

[0008] Further, a conventional broom has only a function to parallel-displace scattered trash and the like in the same direction as that of the moving sweeping portion of the broom and does not have a function to displace and convergently collect trash and the like as the sweeping portion moves. Thus, a conventional broom fails to securely retain trash and the like, allowing a frictional force to be generated against movement. Consequently, a conventional broom cannot prevent trash and the like from escaping or coming off from both ends of the sweeping portion thereof.

[0009] Accordingly, in order to collect trash and the like to a certain point, the sweeping portion must be reciprocatively moved in many times. In addition, the distance of movement for a single sweep cannot be made very long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Major objects of the present invention are as follows.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a broom capable of reliably capturing, pushing in a cleaning direction and forcibly collecting trash and the like inward while the sweeping portion of a broom body is moved for cleaning, as well as a method of cleaning with the same.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a broom capable of reliably cleaning indoor areas, outdoor areas, corners of stairs, and the like, as well as a method of cleaning with the same.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a broom optimally suited for cleaning outdoor areas when the wind blows, as well as a method of cleaning with the same.

[0014] Further object of the present invention is to provide a broom wherein the sweeping portion of a broom body has an orthogonally bent shape, as well as a method of cleaning with the same.

[0015] In order to attain the above-described objects through use of a single broom, the broom of the present invention has various features. The sweeping portion of a broom body has an orthogonally bent shape, so that trash and the like are swept up and at the same time collected while the sweeping portion moves for cleaning, and the orthogonal corner section of the sweeping portion allows a user to securely clean corners of rooms and stairs, and the like through use of a single broom.

[0016] Specifically, in order to attain the above-described objects, the present invention employs the following new and characteristic means and methods.

[0017] According to a first feature of the broom of the present invention, the broom comprises a broomstick, and a broom body connected to the flat tip portion of the broomstick, the broom body formed into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint.

[0018] According to a second feature of the broom of the present invention, the broomstick in the first feature of the broom is a long broomstick so that a user in a standing position holds it substantially in both hands for use.

[0019] According to a third feature of the broom of the present invention, the broomstick in the first feature of the broom is a short broomstick so that a user in a bent position holds it substantially in one hand for use.

[0020] According to a fourth feature of the broom of the present invention, the broom body in the first, second or third feature of the broom is made for use in appliances, indoor areas, or outdoor areas.

[0021] According to a fifth feature of the broom of the present invention, the broom body in the first, second, third or fourth feature of the broom is that of a room broom, a hemp-palm broom, a brush broom, a fern broom, a Yashima broom (Japanese specific type of broom), a bamboo broom, or a Sasara broom (Japanese specific type of broom).

[0022] According to a sixth feature of the broom of the present invention, the broom body in the first, second, third, fourth or fifth feature of the broom further comprises a retaining portion to be attached to the flat tip portion of the broomstick, and a sweeping portion to be implanted into the retaining portion.

[0023] According to a seventh feature of the broom of the present invention, the retaining portion in the sixth feature of the broom further comprises an implantation frame receiving the sweeping portion through implantation, the implantation frame formed into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint, and a forked connection arm used to attach the implantation frame to the tip of the broomstick.

[0024] According to an eighth feature of the broom of the present invention, the sweeping portion in the sixth or seventh feature of the broom is formed into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint through use of plant branches or stalks, such as bamboo branches, broom cypress, hemp palm, fern, straw, and Japanese bush clover, or plastic wire material.

[0025] According to a ninth feature of the broom of the present invention, the implantation frame in the seventh feature of the broom further comprises a pair of right and left linear implantation frames which are connected orthogonally to each other through use of appropriate means.

[0026] According to a tenth feature of the broom of the present invention, the appropriate means in the ninth feature of the broom is of metal or hard plastic.

[0027] According to an eleventh feature of the broom of the present invention, the broomstick in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or tenth feature of the broom is of metallic pipe or plastic pipe.

[0028] According to a twelfth feature of the broom of the present invention, the outer surface of the metallic pipe in the eleventh feature of the broom is coated with paint.

[0029] According to a thirteenth feature of the broom of the present invention, the retaining portion in the sixth or seventh feature of the broom is of metal or hard plastic.

[0030] According to a fourteenth feature of the broom of the present invention, the length of an implantation material of the sweeping portion in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth or thirteenth feature of the broom is gradually reduced inward across the width of the sweeping portion so that the bottom surface of the sweeping portion is formed into an inclined plain.

[0031] According to a fifteenth feature of the broom of the present invention, the material of the orthogonal corner section of the sweeping portion in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth or fourteenth feature of the broom is stiffer or thicker than that of the right-hand and left-hand sections of the sweeping portion.

[0032] According to a sixteenth feature of the broom of the present invention, the orthogonal corner section, whose material is stiffer or thicker, of the sweeping portion in the fifteenth feature of the broom is colored differently from the right-hand and left-hand sections of the sweeping portion.

[0033] According to a seventeenth feature of the present invention, the broom body in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth feature of the broom is connected to the broomstick at an appropriate angle therewith.

[0034] According to an eighteenth feature of the present invention, the height of the sweeping portion in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth or sixteenth feature of the broom is gradually reduced along the longitudinal length of the sweeping portion from the tip of the orthogonal corner section of the sweeping portion to the ends of the right-hand and left-hand sections of the sweeping portion.

[0035] According to a first feature of the method of the present invention, the method comprises bringing a sweeping portion of a broom body of a broom into contact with trash and the like on an area to be cleaned, applying, to the trash and the like, a force of pushing the trash and the like in a direction of movement of the sweeping portion and a force of collecting the trash and the like toward the center of the sweeping portion, as the sweeping portion moves for cleaning, and converging effectively the trash and the like.

[0036] According to a second feature of the method of the present invention, the sweeping portion in the first feature of the method has a sloped guide surface for collecting the trash and the like toward the center thereof from both ends thereof.

[0037] According to a third feature of the method of the present invention, the sweeping portion in the first or second feature of the method has a sloped guide surface which is bent orthogonally at the center thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The foregoing and other related objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 to 5 are a front view, a rear view, a right-hand side view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, showing an embodiment of a broom having a long broomstick according to the present invention; and

Fig. 6 is a front view showing an embodiment of a broom having a short broomstick according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] With reference to drawings, descriptions will be given of embodiments of a broom and a method of cleaning with the same according to the present invention.

[0040] In the embodiments, a brush broom, the most suited for cleaning wooden floors, concrete floors, and the like will be described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto but encompasses brooms for cleaning appliances, indoor areas, and outdoor areas; room brooms, hemp-palm brooms, fern brooms, Yashima brooms (Japanese specific type of broom), bamboo brooms, and Sasara broom (Japanese specific type of broom); and brooms using plant branches or stalks, such as bamboo branches, broom cypress, hemp palm, fern, straw, and Japanese bush clover; as well as plastic wire materials.

[Embodiment of the broom]

[0041] An embodiment of the broom will be described with reference to drawings.

[0042] Figs. 1 to 5 show a front view, a rear view, a side view, a plan view, and a bottom view, respectively, of a broom.

[0043] A broom A of the present embodiment comprises a broomstick 1 and a broom body 2 having an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint. The broom body 2 comprises a retaining portion 3 to be attached to the tip portion of the broomstick 1, and a sweeping portion 5 which, in turn, comprises groups of bristles 4 implanted into the retaining portion 3.

[0044] The retaining portion 3 comprises right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7, which are connected orthogonally to each other by a connecting piece 8 made of metal or hard plastic, and right and left forked connection arms 11 and 12, which are formed collectively into a forked shape and attach the right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7 to the broomstick 1 by tightening bolts 9 and nuts 10 so as to clamp a flat tip portion 1a of the broomstick 1 from both sides with right and left flat portions 11a and 12a thereof.

[0045] The broomstick 1 is made of metallic pipe or plastic pipe. Metallic pipe made of aluminum or stainless steel is uncoated, whereas metallic pipe susceptible to rust such as iron pipe is coated with color paint over the entire outer surface thereof. Regarding the length of the broomstick 1, there are two types of the broomstick 1, i.e. a long broomstick (see Figs. 1 to 3) which a user in a standing position uses substantially with both hands, and a short broomstick (see Fig. 6) which a user in a bent position uses substantially with a single hand. The top end of the broomstick 1 is capped with a cap 14 made of metal or hard plastic, coated or uncoated with paint, having a hooking ring 13.

[0046] The retaining portion 3 may be made of metal or hard plastic (for example, engineering plastic) and be coated or uncoated with paint. Also, right and left bent tip portions 11b and 12b of the right and left forked connection arms 11 and 12 may be connected to the broomstick 1 at a certain angle in the forward-backward direction. This angle is ergonomically selected so that the burden of a user of the broom A is decreased.

[0047] The sweeping portion 5 has right and left sloped guide surfaces 5a and 5b (see Fig. 2) which are formed collectively into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint. Also, right and left bottom surfaces 5c and 5d are oriented such that a V-shape is formed along the outermost edge of groups of bristles 4, and the length of the implanted bristles 4 is gradually reduced inward across width α so that the bottom surfaces 5c and 5d are formed respectively into an inclined plain. In addition, height γ of the sweeping portion 5 is gradually reduced along longitudinal length β of the right and left bottom surfaces 5c and 5d from the tip 5e' of the orthogonal corner section 5e to right and left ends 5f' and 5g' of the right-hand and left-hand sections 5f and 5g. As a result of this profile of the sweeping portion 5, trash and the like are pressed from above to be easily captured. Moreover, trash and the like can be easily raked out from corners of rooms, stairs, etc. And a material of groups of the bristles 4 of the orthogonal corner section 5e is made stiffer or thicker than that of the right-hand and left-hand sections 5f and 5g and is also colored differently from the right-hand and left-hand sections 5f and 5g.

[0048] Right and left cylindrical connection portions 6b and 7b project from the right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7, respectively, at the upper intermediate portions of the right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7. The right and left cylindrical connection portions 6b and 7b are supported by reinforcement ribs 6a and 7a projecting from the upper portions of and extending along the longitudinal directions of the right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7, respectively, and are engaged with the right and left bent tip portions 11b and 12b of the right and left forked connection arms 11 and 12. To secure this engagement, a pin 15 is inserted into the right and left cylindrical connection portions 6b and 7b in a diametrical direction.

[0049] Numeral 16 denotes a mounting screw for mounting the connecting piece 8 made of metal or hard plastic onto the right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7.

[0050] When the broomstick 1, the right and left forked connection arms 11 and 12, and the right and left linear implantation frames 6 and 7 can be integrally formed in a single unit, it is not necessary to provide the flat tip portion 1a, the right and left flat portions 11a and 12a, and the connecting piece 8.

[Embodiment of the method]

[0051] An embodiment of a method to be performed through use of the broom will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

[0052] The broomstick 1 of the exemplified device is held in the hand(s), and the right and left bottom surfaces 5c and 5d of the sweeping portion 5 of the broom body 2 are frictionally moved for cleaning on an area to be cleaned, such as a floor surface. Trash and the like in an oblique contact with the right and left sloped guide surfaces 5a and 5b are subjected to a force to push the trash and the like in a moving direction of the sweeping portion 5 indicated by arrow X and a frictional-resistance-induced force to inwardly collect the trash and the like in a convergent manner along the right and left sloped guide surfaces 5a and 5b. These forces cooperatively and simultaneously act on the trash and the like to thereby reliably capture the trash and the like inside the sweeping portion 5, thus performing cleaning.

[0053] In contrast with a conventional cleaning method, the captured trash and the like do not escape from the sweeping portion 5. Accordingly, trash and the like existing on a passage of the sweeping portion 5 are all cleaned away, and the stroke of movement of the sweeping portion 5 can be made longer than a conventional broom. Thus, the number of repetitions of movement decreases accordingly.

[0054] Also, when corners of rooms, stairs, etc. are to be swept, the tip 5e' of the orthogonal corner section 5e of the sweeping portion 5 can be brought into a corner all the way. Thus, trash and the like can be easily raked out from a corner with no need of a conventionally used special broom dedicated to the cleaning of corners.

[0055] Further, in the case of a broom used to clean appliances, dust, trash, and the like existing on the top surface of a shelf or furniture can be easily collected to a single position with no scatter of the dust, trash, and the like even when an area to be cleaned is small, thereby ensuring reliable collection of dust, trash, etc. in a dustpan. Even when there exist projections and recesses of some degree in a space to be cleaned, trash and the like can be raked out through use of the tip 5e' of the orthogonal corner section 5e of the sweeping portion 5.

[0056] As described above, in the present invention, the broom body is formed into a orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint to thereby enable a user to efficiently perform cleaning and handling, resulting in reduced or economized labor. Also, in contrast with conventional brooms, the broom of the invention can easily sweep corners of rooms and stairs. Further, since the orthogonally bent shape of the broom body can retain trash and the like inside the broom body, the broom of the invention is optimal for outdoor cleaning work which may encounter wind. When the broomstick and the broom body are detachable from each other, the broom body may be removed from the broomstick and replaced with a new one in the case where bristles or the like have worn away after long-term use. Also, a broom body for indoor use and a broom body for outdoor use can be replaced with each other as needed.

Claims

1. A broom comprising: a broomstick; and a broom body connected to the flat tip portion of said broomstick, said broom body formed into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint.

2. A broom according to Claim 1, wherein said broomstick is a long broomstick so that a user in a standing position holds it substantially in both hands for use.

3. A broom according to Claim 1, wherein said broomstick is a short broomstick so that a user in a bent position holds it substantially in one hand for use.

4. A broom according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said broom body is made for use in appliances, indoor areas, or outdoor areas.

5. A broom according to Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said broom body is that of a room broom, a hemp-palm broom, a brush broom, a fern broom, a Yashima broom (Japanese specific type of broom), a bamboo broom, or a Sasara broom (Japanese specific type of broom).

6. A broom according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said broom body further comprises: a retaining portion to be attached to the flat tip portion of said broomstick; and a sweeping portion to be implanted into said retaining portion.

7. A broom according to Claim 6, wherein said retaining portion further comprises: an implantation frame receiving said sweeping portion through implantation, said implantation frame formed into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint; and right and left forked connection arms used to attach said implantation frame to the tip of said broomstick.

8. A broom according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein said sweeping portion is formed into an orthogonally bent shape in a horizontal viewpoint through use of plant branches or stalks, such as bamboo branches, broom cypress, hemp palm, fern, straw, and Japanese bush clover, or plastic wire material.

9. A broom according to Claim 7, wherein said implantation frame further comprises a pair of right and left linear implantation frames which are connected orthogonally to each other through use of appropriate means.

10. A broom according to Claim 9, wherein said appropriate means is of metal or hard plastic.

11. A broom according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein said broomstick is of metallic pipe or plastic pipe.

12. A broom according to Claim 11, wherein the outer surface of said metallic pipe is coated with paint.

13. A broom according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein said retaining portion is of metal or hard plastic.

14. A broom according to Claim 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13, wherein the length of an implantation material of said sweeping portion is gradually reduced inward across the width of said sweeping portion so that the bottom surface of said sweeping portion is formed into an inclined plain.

15. A broom according to Claim 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein the material of the orthogonal corner section of said sweeping portion is stiffer or thicker than that of the right-hand and left-hand sections of said sweeping portion.

16. A broom according to Claim 15, wherein said orthogonal corner section, whose material is stiffer or thicker, of said sweeping portion is colored differently from said right-hand and left-hand sections of said sweeping portion.

17. A broom according to Claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein said broom body is connected to said broomstick at an appropriate angle therewith.

18. A broom according to Claim 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein the length of said sweeping portion is gradually reduced along the longitudinal length of said sweeping portion from the tip of the orthogonal corner section of said sweeping portion to the ends of the right-hand and left-hand sections of said sweeping portion.

19. A method of cleaning with a broom which comprises: bringing a sweeping portion of a broom body of a broom into contact with trash and the like on an area to be cleaned; applying, to the trash and the like, a force of pushing the trash and the like in a direction of movement of said sweeping portion and a force of collecting the trash and the like toward the center of said sweeping portion, as said sweeping portion moves for cleaning; and converging effectively the trash and the like.

20. A method of cleaning with a broom according to Claim 19, wherein said sweeping portion has a sloped guide surface for collecting the trash and the like toward the center thereof from both ends thereof.

21. A method of cleaning with a broom according to Claim 19 or 20, wherein said sweeping portion has a sloped guide surface which is bent orthogonally at the center thereof.

Drawing