CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional brooms have uniform length bristles that contact the floor while sweeping.
While the bristles can be pressed against the floor, most bristles contact the floor
at an angle such that a lateral surface of each bristle, especially those that are
bent, rather than and end of the bristle, sweeps against the floor as the broom is
moved. Moreover, when sweeping, almost half of the bristles fail to touch or impact
the dirt or debris being swept and only touch air while sweeping.
[0003] Additionally, conventional dustpans require a user to bend over or kneel to reach
the dustpan while collecting swept dirt and debris. Most users also hold the dustpan
at an angle that biases the edge of the collection area against the floor to facilitate
swiping of dirt and debris into the dustpan. Such use requires the user to bend and
stress their body, which may be uncomfortable for some users.
[0004] One solution that has been proposed in the past to address potential challenges with
using a waste receptacle such as a dustpan can be seen in
U.S. Patent No. 8,875,339 to Dobson. Dobson describes a dustpan that includes a blade (20, FIG. 1) that is
pressed against the floor, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, when the user steps and applies
a force a foot-pedal (14, FIG. 1) that is integrated with a handle (16) on the rear
of a dustbin (26). While Dobson's device provides some improvement over conventional
dustpans, the location of the foot-pedal decreases the overall capacity of the dustbin
(26), and while the dustpan is pressed against the floor, the dustbin's flat underside
(see 30, FIG. 5) may prevent an effective seal to be created under the blade (20)
when the dustpan is used on an uneven surface, or if there is debris present in the
area of contact between the dustpan and the floor.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides a system including a step-on dustpan configured to include
a step-on portion, a handle, a lip, a handle clip, a pan surface and side panels.
The system also includes a broom configured to include a broom handle, a broom block
and beveled bristles. The beveled bristles are disposed in the broom block to form
a v-shape in a transverse direction with respect to the broom block. When the step-on
portion is engaged by a user, the lip is configured to form a seal against a floor
surface.
[0006] In one aspect, the present disclosure describes a dustpan that includes a receptacle,
which is enclosed on four sides by a bottom pan, two sidewalls and a back panel, and
includes a lip at a free end of the bottom pan opposite the back panel. The dustpan
further includes a handle connected to the back panel and extending opposite the receptacle.
The handle has a curved shape that terminates at a floor pad. The dustpan is configured
to only contact a flat floor surface along the floor pad and the lip when in an at-rest
position. The dustpan further includes at least one foot disposed on an exterior surface
of the receptacle. A step-on portion is defined on the handle and is configured to
provide a surface for a user to apply a force. When the force is applied to the step-on
portion, the dust pan transitions from the at-rest position to an operating position
in which the handle deforms to permit the at least one foot to further contact the
flat floor surface and to decrease an angle between the lip and the flat floor surface.
In a particular aspect, the handle is deformable between the at-rest position (for
example without force to the step-on portion) and the operating position (for example
when the force is applied to the step-on portion).
[0007] In another aspect, the disclosure describes a broom having an elongate handle having
a first end and a second end. A broom block is connected to the first end of the elongate
handle, and a first plurality of bristles is connected to a first section of the broom
block. The first plurality of bristles defines a broom head, which has a sweeping
end. The sweeping end includes two planar sections, each having an elongate shape,
wherein the two planar sections are disposed at an angle relative to one another and
intersect a bottom edge to define a bevel along the sweeping end of the broom head.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the disclosure describes a cleaning system that includes a
broom and a dustpan. The broom has an elongate handle and a broom block connected
at one end of the elongate handle. The broom head comprises a first plurality of bristles
connected to the broom block, which define a broom head having a sweeping end opposite
the broom block. The sweeping end includes two planar sections disposed at an angle
relative to one another to define a bevel. The dustpan has a receptacle connected
to a handle, which includes a cylindrical channel with locking nubs that is releasably
attachable to the elongate handle of the broom. The handle further includes a floor
pad opposite its connection to the receptacle, and a lip disposed opposite its connection
to the handle such that, when the dustpan is detached from the broom and sits on a
flat floor surface in an at-rest position, the dustpan contacts the flat floor surface
only along the floor pad and the lip, and remaining portions of the handle and receptacle
are suspended above the flat floor surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0009]
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a step-on dustpan according to an embodiment
of the disclosure.
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the step-on dustpan according to an embodiment
of the disclosure.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the step-on dustpan according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the step-on dustpan according to an embodiment of
the disclosure.
Figure 5 is a side plan view of one side of the step-on dustpan according to an embodiment
of the disclosure.
Figure 6 is a side plan view of another side of the step-on dustpan according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a step-on dustpan according to another embodiment
of the disclosure.
Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the step-on dustpan according to another embodiment
of the disclosure.
Figure 9 is a top plan view of the step-on dustpan according to another embodiment
of the disclosure.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a beveled broom according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
Figure 11 is a side plan view of the beveled broom according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
Figure 12 is a top plan view of the beveled broom according to an embodiment of the
disclosure.
Figure 13 is a bottom plan view of the beveled broom according to an embodiment of
the disclosure.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of the step-on dustpan and the beveled broom according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the beveled broom of FIG. 11 according
to an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure 16 is a compound side view of the beveled broom showing a sweep contact angle
according to an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples
of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding
or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the
same or corresponding parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein,
are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the
same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted
that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to
the plural and vice versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact
number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.
[0011] The present disclosure is directed to a floor cleaning system that includes a step-on
dustpan 100 and beveled broom 300 combination. The combination of the step-on dustpan
100 and the beveled broom 300 provides an effective and more efficient system to collect
floor debris than traditional broom and dustpan combinations in that the dustpan can
be used on uneven or unclean surfaces while still maintaining ease of use and a good
seal at the blade of the dustbin. Further, cleaning effectiveness of the floor cleaning
system is improved by providing beveled bristles on the broom, which increases contact
area between the broom and the floor and, also, the ability of the broom to push debris
past the blade of the dustbin and into the collection cavity of the dustpan. In certain
embodiments, the step-on dustpan 100 includes a hands-free feature to assist a user
in debris collection without the user bending or kneeling when in use.
[0012] Referring now to Figure 1, there is a front perspective view of a step-on dustpan
100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In certain embodiments, the step-on
dustpan 100 comprises a handle 135 that includes an angled step-on portion 136 (shown
in Figure 2). The handle 135 includes a floor pad 137 that contacts the floor 145
(shown in Figure 5). The floor pad 135 is adjacent the angled step-on portion 136,
which also includes ridges 138 that increase contact friction when a user steps on
the step-on portion 136. In an alternative embodiment, the ridges 138 may be omitted
in favor of a textured surface, for example, a diamond-plate pattern surface, which
includes protruding, 3-dimensional features that increase friction between the step-on
portion 136 and the bottom of a user's foot. One such pattern may be a molding texture
commonly referred to as MT-11620, which includes a staggered arrangement of raised
diamond or rhombic features that extend 0.003in. or 75µm from the surface. Such embodiment
is shown in FIG. 2, where the step-on portion 136 is shown occupying a top or ridge
surface of the handle 130.
[0013] The floor pad 137 contact with the floor is configured to hold the dustpan 100 in
place when a user steps onto the step-on portion 136. A force, F, applied by the user
while stepping onto the step-on portion 136 is disposed at an angle, gamma-sub-alpha
(γ
α), as shown in FIG. 6, relative to the floor, which acts as a foot-pedal to both press
the floor pad 136 against the floor and also deform a body portion of the handle 130
such that feet 140 (two shown, as can be seen in Figure 2) also contact the floor
while the body portion 130 of the handle is deformed under the force of the user's
foot.
[0014] The dustpan 100 further includes a pan or debris receptacle 111 that is closed on
four sides and open on two sides. The receptacle 111 is defined between a bottom pan
surface 110, two side panels 115 and a back panel 116. The bottom pan surface 110
includes a lip or blade 105 along its leading edge opposite the back panel 116 that
contacts the floor and has a triangular or beveled edge that terminates in a line
edge 113 to facilitate the sweeping of debris into the receptacle 111.
[0015] In some embodiments, the action by a user of stepping on the handle step-on portion
136 of the dustpan 100 applies the force F, which causes various other forces to be
applied at various locations tending to bias certain portions of the dustpan 100 against
the floor and also deform the handle body portion 130 in a direction tending to straighten
the handle. More specifically, and as shown in Figure 6, the user applied force F
applied at the angle γ causes two vertical reaction forces F1 and F2 applied, respectively,
at the floor pad 137 and at the line edge 113. A horizontal reaction force F3, which
opposes a horizontal component of the force F, is countered by friction between the
floor pad 137 and the floor 145. Due to the relatively small contact area between
the line edge 113 and the floor, the friction F3 is larger than any friction between
the floor and the line edge 113, which results in a sliding of the line edge 113 against
the floor. This sliding, an in addition a vertical component F4 of the force F applied
close to a junction between the body 130 of the handle and the receptacle 111 causes
the receptacle 111, which is generally rigid compared to the body 130 of the handle,
to move as the area between the body of the handle 130 and the receptacle 111 to bend.
[0016] Bending of the dustpan 100 in this way augments the biasing force that pushes the
lip 105 against a floor 145 and an angle, alpha (α) between the lip 105 and the floor
145 to decrease, which facilitates entry of debris into the receptacle 111 and also
provides a better seal against dust or debris passing under the lip 105 rather than
into the receptacle 111 when swept in past the line edge 113. In this position, the
bottom surface of the receptacle may be at an angle of 3 to 5 degrees relative to
the floor, which can be reduced to zero when the user steps on the step-on portion
136 and applies a downward force. As can be appreciated, any other angle can also
be used. At the lip 105, the angle α will also assume an inclination when the dustpan
is at an at-rest condition, and reduce while the user pushes down on the step-on portion
136. In some embodiments, the lip 105 is disposed within or integral to a pan entry
lip portion 107 (Figure 1) where lip portion 107 is angled apart from pan surface
110 to further facilitate entry of debris into the receptacle 111.
[0017] As can be seen in Figure 6, when the dustpan 100 is in the operating position with
the force F applied and the body 130 of the handle 135 deflected or disposed into
its deformed, biased position, the bottom of the feet 140 contact the floor 145, which
is now disposed at dashed line 145'. At this position, the feet 140 maintain a distance,
d, between the bottom of the pan surface 110 that permits proper alignment and continuous
contact between the line edge 113 and the floor 145 (or 145') on floors that are uneven
and/or in instances where debris is trapped or present in an area, A (shown in Figure
5), between the receptacle 111 and the floor 145 (or 145').
[0018] In some embodiments, the dustpan 100 comprises a large cleaning comb 120 for removing
hair from the broom 300 shown in Figure 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the comb
120 includes a plurality of triangular fins connected to the back panel 116 and extending,
generally perpendicularly relative to the back panel 116, into the area of the receptacle
111. Each fin 126 from the plurality of fins 126 has a generally triangular shape
(isosceles, in the embodiment of Figure 1), having its base connected to the back
panel 116 and its sides extending into the receptacle 111 such that the tip 127 is
suspended above the bottom pan 110. A lower edge or side of each fin 126 may include
serrations 129 to facilitate removal of debris. During use, and as shown in Figure
14, the tips 127 cut into and separate groups of broom bristles such that hair or
other elongate debris that engages more than one group of bristles simultaneously
can be engaged by a bottom edge of one or more fins 126 and be retained thereby while
the broom passes over the comb 120. Elongate debris thus combed out of the broom then
falls into the receptacle 111.
[0019] The body 130 of the handle 135 further includes a handle clip 125, which in the illustrated
embodiment is shown as a channel extending at least partially along a middle portion
of the body 130. The channel 125 is defined between two ribs 124 (shown in FIG. 3)
and includes a cylindrical section 128 into which a portion of a broom handle can
be retained, for example, the broom handle 305 shown in FIG. 10. The cylindrical section
128 further includes locking nubs 123, also shown in FIG. 3, which interlock and engage
the broom handle 305 to lock and retain the same engaged within the handle clip 125
to pair the dustpan 100 with the broom 300 when not in use. In the illustrated embodiment,
the dustpan 100 is made from a elastically flexible plastic material and, optionally,
the lip 105 is made from a soft, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material to provide
improved compliance with a rough floor surface 145, which in turn provides a better
seal between the lip 105 and the floor 145. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle
135 further includes an opening 122 formed in the floor pad 135, and a strengthening
rib 121 extending within the channel 125 and forming one of the locking nubs 123.
[0020] Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, various views of the dustpan 100 are shown including
is a top and bottom plan view, respectively, of the step-on dustpan 100 according
to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, dustpan 100 comprises cleaning
combs 120 disposed orthogonal to the pan entry lip portion 107 and lip 105, as shown.
Also, dustpan 100 includes a pan bottom surface 112 disposed opposite pan surface
110 that faces the surface of floor 145, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.
[0021] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there are side plan views of the step-on dustpan
100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In certain embodiments, dustpan
100 operates by a user engaging or stepping on step-on portion 135 after placing dustpan
100 upon floor 145 as shown. This step-on action causes lip 105 to engage floor 145
at the angle α to create a seal between lip 105 and floor 145 during a sweeping and
collecting of debris by a user.
[0022] Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, there are front and rear perspective views of an
alternative embodiment of a dustpan 200 according to the disclosure. In some embodiments,
dustpan 200 comprises a handle 235 configured to hold the dustpan 200 in place without
the user having to bend or kneel to sweep debris into the pan surface 210 surrounded
by side panels 215. In this embodiment, structures and features that are the same
or similar to corresponding structures and features of the dustpan 100 described above
are denoted by the same reference numerals as previously used for simplicity. In some
embodiments, the action by a user of stepping on the handle step-on portion 235 of
the dustpan 100 will deform the handle 230 to provide a biasing force that pushes
a lip 205 (the leading edge of pan 210) against a floor 145 at an angle α to provide
a better seal against dust or debris passing under the lip 205 rather than into the
pan surface 210 when swept in past a pan entry lip portion 207. In certain embodiments,
the angle α is between 20 to 30 degrees. In some embodiments, lip 205 is disposed
within or integral to pan entry lip portion 207 where lip portion 207 is angled apart
from pan surface 210.
[0023] Referring now to Figure 9, there is a top plan view of the step-on dustpan 200 according
to another embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the dustpan 200 includes
a handle clip 225 for storage or attachment to a broom handle 305 and a Thermoplastic
elastomers (TPE) lip 205 for sealed contact with the floor 145. In one aspect, the
dustpan 200 is similar in function to the dustpan 100 but omits the comb 120.
[0024] Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, there are a perspective view and a side plan
view of a beveled broom 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In certain
embodiments, the beveled broom 300 comprises a handle 305, a broom block 310 having
a variety of bristles 315 disposed therein. In some embodiments, the bristles 315
are grouped in sections comprising different types of bristles. For example, a first
section 325 is made from a first fiber at 0.75mm diameter, and a second section 326
is made from a second fiber at 0.65mm. As can be seen in Figure 10, the first section
325 is disposed between two second seconds 326, for a total of three sections, each
spanning about the same length along the broom block 310. The broom 300 further comprises
a beveled or chamfered broom head 320 having angled trimming and flagging, β, on both
sides. In certain embodiments, the broom head 320 provides increased floor contact
as shown in Figure 16 with flagged fiber versus conventional broom heads thereby collecting
more debris while sweeping.
[0025] Referring now to Figures 12 and 13, there is a top plan view and a bottom plan view
of the beveled broom 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In certain
embodiments, the dual beveled or chamfered broom head 320 is configured to be at an
angle β of about 30 to 45 degrees for maximum surface contact area to the floor surface
or ground 335 during use, as shown in Figure 16. In certain embodiments, the broom
300 comprises a beveled broom head 320 including dual beveled or chamfered floor contact
edges 340. As shown, also in Figure 11, the chamfered broom head 320 defines two planar
sections 321, each planar section defined by bristles that are cut such that their
free ends all terminate at or about each planar section 321. Each of the planar sections
321 has an elongate shape that extends along the broom block 310 and is generally
rectangular or trapezoidal defined between a bottom edge 322, along which the two
planar sections 321 meet at the angle β, and two lateral edges 323, which coincide
with the outer surface 327 defined by the bristles, as shown in Figure 10. Side edges
324 are defined by the ends of the bristles at each end of the broom.
[0026] Referring now to Figure 14, there is a perspective view of the step-on dustpan 100
and the beveled broom 300 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In certain
embodiments, the combination of the dustpan 100 and the broom 300 creates an advantage
over conventional brooms and dustpans by the aspects discussed above with respect
to more efficiently and effectively collecting debris in use. As can be seen here,
the comb 120 passes through bristles to remove debris that may be longed or caught
in the bristles. As the debris, which is generally denoted as 329, gets dislodged
from the bristles, it falls within the receptacle 111.
[0027] Referring now to Figure 15, there is an enlarged perspective view of the beveled
broom 300 of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments,
broom 300 comprises dual bristles at 325 and at 320 to better capture and sweep debris
of differing sizes which may pass through one set of bristles but get captured by
the second set of bristles as discussed above.
[0028] Referring now to Figure 16, there is a compound side view of the beveled broom 300
showing a sweep contact angle β according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In certain
embodiments, broom 300 in use is configured to engage a floor surface 335 at an optimal
angle, β', of about 30 to 45 degrees to effectively capture the maximum floor debris
while sweeping in a direction 330 at a sweep contact surface 340 of bristles 315 of
broom head 320 as shown. Advantageously, the beveled edge allows for use of the broom
while sweeping in both forward and reverse directions (right and left in the orientation
shown in FIG. 16).
[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure further relate to any one or more of the following
paragraphs 1-15:
- 1. A dustpan, comprising: a receptacle, the receptacle being enclosed on four sides
by a bottom pan, two sidewalls and a back panel, the receptacle including a lip at
a free end of the bottom pan opposite the back panel; a handle connected to the back
panel and extending opposite the receptacle, the handle having a curved shape that
terminates at a floor pad, wherein the dustpan is configured to only contact a flat
floor surface along the floor pad and the lip when in an at-rest position; at least
one foot disposed on an exterior surface of the receptacle; a step-on portion defined
on the handle, the step on portion configured to provide a surface for a user to apply
a force; wherein, when the force is applied to the step-on portion, the dust pan transitions
from the at-rest position to an operating position in which the handle deforms to
permit the at least one foot to further contact the flat floor surface and to decrease
an angle between the lip and the flat floor surface.
- 2. The dustpan of paragraph 1, wherein the at least one foot and an exterior surface
of the receptacle are suspended above the flat floor surface while the dustpan is
in the at-rest position.
- 3. The dustpan of paragraph 2, wherein the exterior surface of the receptacle remains
suspended above the flat floor surface when the at least one foot contacts the flat
floor surface when the dustpan is in the operating position.
- 4. The dustpan of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the handle comprises
a cylindrical channel that is disposed between two ribs that extend along a longitudinal
dimension of the handle.
- 5. The dustpan of any one of the preceding paragraphs, further comprising a comb connected
to the back panel, the comb comprising fins that extend into the receptacle.
- 6. The dustpan of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the handle and the
receptacle are made from an elastically flexible plastic material, and wherein the
lip is made from a soft, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.
- 7. A broom, comprising: an elongate handle having a first end and a second end; a
broom block connected to the first end of the elongate handle; a first plurality of
bristles connected to a first section of the broom block; wherein the first plurality
of bristles defines a broom head, the broom head having a sweeping end, the sweeping
end comprising: two planar sections, each having an elongate shape, wherein the two
planar sections are disposed at an angle relative to one another and intersect a bottom
edge to define a bevel along the sweeping end of the broom head.
- 8. The broom of paragraphs 7, further comprising a second plurality of bristles connected
to a second section of the broom block, wherein portions of the second section are
disposed on either side of the first section along the broom block.
- 9. The broom of paragraphs 8, wherein the broom head is further defined by the second
plurality of bristles.
- 10. The broom of any one of paragraphs 7 to 9, wherein the two planar sections are
further defined between two lateral edges, which coincide with two corresponding outer
surfaces of the broom head.
- 11. A cleaning system, comprising: a broom according to any of paragraphs 7-10; a
dustpan having a receptacle connected to a handle, the handle having a cylindrical
channel with locking nubs that is releasable attachable to the elongate handle of
the broom; wherein the handle further includes a floor pad opposite its connection
to the receptacle, and wherein the receptacle includes a lip disposed opposite its
connection to the handle such that, when the dustpan is detached from the broom and
sits on a flat floor surface in an at-rest position, the dustpan contacts the flat
floor surface only along the floor pad and the lip, and remaining portions of the
handle and the receptacle are suspended above the flat floor surface.
- 12. The cleaning system of paragraphs 11, wherein the receptacle is enclosed on four
sides by a bottom pan, two sidewalls and a back panel, and wherein the lip at a free
end of the bottom pan opposite the back panel.
- 13. The cleaning system of any one of paragraphs 11 to 12, further comprising at least
one foot disposed on the exterior surface of the receptacle, the cleaning system preferably
further comprising: a step-on portion defined on the handle, the step on portion configured
to provide a pedal for a user to apply a force; wherein, when the force is applied
to the pedal, the dust pan transitions form the at-rest position to an operating position
in which the handle deforms to permit the at least one foot to further contact the
flat floor surface and to decrease an angle between the lip and the flat floor surface.
- 14. The cleaning system of any one of paragraphs 11 to 13, wherein the dustpan is
configured such that, when a user applies a force on the step-on portion of the handle,
the dustpan transitions from the at-rest position to an operating position in which
the handle deforms to permit at least one foot connected to the receptacle and extending
below a bottom surface of the receptacle to further contact the flat floor surface
and to decrease an angle between the lip and the flat floor surface.
- 15. The cleaning system of any one of paragraphs 11 to 14, wherein the dustpan is
in accordance with any one of paragraphs 1 to 6.
[0030] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein
are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were
individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set
forth in its entirety herein.
[0031] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and "at least one" and similar referents
in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following
claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise
indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term "at least
one" followed by a list of one or more items (for example, "at least one of A and
B") is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or
any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated
herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including,"
and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including,
but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein
are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each
separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each
separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited
herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of
any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is
intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation
on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice
of the invention.
[0032] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best
mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred
embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading
the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations
as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications
and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted
by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all
possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
1. A dustpan (100, 200), comprising:
a receptacle (111), the receptacle (111) being enclosed on four sides by a bottom
pan (110, 210), two sidewalls (115, 215) and a back panel (116), the receptacle (111)
including a lip (105, 205) at a free end of the bottom pan (110, 210) opposite the
back panel (116);
a handle (130, 235) connected to the back panel (116) and extending opposite the receptacle
(111), the handle (130, 235) having a curved shape that terminates at a floor pad,
wherein the dustpan (100, 200) is configured to only contact a flat floor surface
along the floor pad (137) and the lip (105, 205) when in an at-rest position;
at least one foot (140) disposed on an exterior surface of the receptacle (111);
a step-on portion (136, 235) defined on the handle (130, 235), the step on portion
(136, 235) configured to provide a surface for a user to apply a force;
wherein, when the force is applied to the step-on portion (136, 235), the dustpan
(100, 200) transitions from the at-rest position to an operating position in which
the handle (130, 235) deforms to permit the at least one foot (140) to further contact
the flat floor surface and to decrease an angle between the lip (105, 205) and the
flat floor surface.
2. The dustpan (100, 200) of claim 1, wherein the at least one foot (140) and an exterior
surface of the receptacle (111) are suspended above the flat floor surface while the
dustpan is in the at-rest position.
3. The dustpan (100, 200) of claim 2, wherein the exterior surface of the receptacle
(111) remains suspended above the flat floor surface when the at least one foot (140)
contacts the flat floor surface when the dustpan (100, 200) is in the operating position.
4. The dustpan (100, 200) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (130,
235) comprises a cylindrical channel (125) that is disposed between two ribs (124)
that extend along a longitudinal dimension of the handle (130, 235).
5. The dustpan (100, 200) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a comb
connected to the back panel (116), the comb comprising fins that extend into the receptacle
(111).
6. The dustpan (100, 200) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (130,
235) and the receptacle (111) are made from an elastically flexible plastic material,
and wherein the lip (105, 205) is made from a soft, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
material.
7. A cleaning system, comprising:
a dustpan (100, 200) according to any of claims 1-6; and
a broom (300), comprising:
an elongate handle (305) having a first end and a second end;
a broom block (310) connected to the first end of the elongate handle;
a first plurality of bristles (315) connected to a first section of the broom block;
wherein the first plurality of bristles defines a broom head (320), the broom head
having a sweeping end.
8. The cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the sweeping end includes:
two planar sections (321), each having an elongate shape,
wherein the two planar sections (321) are disposed at an angle (β) relative to one
another and intersect a bottom edge (322) to define a bevel along the sweeping end
of the broom head (320).
9. The cleaning system of any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the broom (300) further
comprises a second plurality of bristles connected to a second section of the broom
block (310), wherein portions of the second section are disposed on either side of
the first section along the broom block.
10. The cleaning system of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the broom head (320) is further
defined by the second plurality of bristles.
11. The cleaning system of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the two planar sections
(321) are further defined between two lateral edges, which coincide with two corresponding
outer surfaces of the broom head.
12. The cleaning system of claim 7, wherein the handle (130, 235) of the dustpan (100,
200) has a cylindrical channel (125) with locking nubs (123) that is releasably attachable
to the elongate handle (305) of the broom.
13. The cleaning system of claim 12, wherein the handle (130, 235) further includes a
floor pad opposite its connection to the receptacle (111), and wherein the lip (105,
205) is disposed opposite its connection to the handle such that, when the dustpan
(100, 200) is detached from the broom and sits on a flat floor surface in an at-rest
position, the dustpan (100, 200) contacts the flat floor surface only along the floor
pad and the lip (105, 205), and remaining portions of the handle (130, 235) and the
receptacle (111) are suspended above the flat floor surface.