Granted Patent B1

US 8,402,590 · App. 09/876,498 · Granted Mar 26, 2013

Abstract

Claims (49)

1. A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising:

a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface; and

a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned tufts of said first type of bristle;

wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristles is more rigid and includes a different material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type is greater than the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the first type; and each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base;

and further wherein, the angle of attack of one or more rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ; the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases; the difference in trim length of bristles between the leading edge and the trailing edge is about 0.75 inches, and the trim length of the trailing edge bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches; the trim length of the leading edge bristles is at least about 2 inches; and the ratio of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type to rows of tufts of bristles of the first type is at least 2:1; and further, wherein the tufts of bristles of the first type comprise one-third or less of the total number of tufts of the broom head.

2. A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising:

a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface; and

a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned behind the row of tufts of said first type of bristle;

wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristles is more rigid and includes a different material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type is greater than the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the first type; and each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base;

and further wherein, the angle of attack of one or more rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ; the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases; the difference in trim length of bristles between the leading edge and the trailing edge is about 0.75 inches, and the trim length of the trailing edge bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches; the trim length of the leading edge bristles is at least about 2 inches; and the ratio of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type to rows of tufts of bristles of the first type is at least 2:1; and further wherein each alternating row of tufts, when viewed in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge, are staggered with respect to one another.

3. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the base includes an inclined portion.

4. A broom head as recited in claim 3 , wherein the inclined portion includes at least one row of seats connected to tufts of bristles.

5. A broom head as recited in claim 3 , wherein the base includes an inclined portion substantially adjacent to the leading edge and an inclined portion substantially adjacent to the trailing edge.

6. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein, when not in contact with the surface to be swept, the angle of attack of the leading row of tufts of bristles exceeds 10 degrees in a forward direction relative to the central vertical axis of the base.

7. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the rows of tufts of bristles of the first type and rows of tufts of bristles of the second type include substantially the same number of tufts of bristles.

8. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the linear spacing between seats in each row of the lower surface of the base is substantially equivalent.

9. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the spacing between rows of tufts in the lower surface of the base, taken in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge, is substantially equivalent.

10. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the row of tufts includes at least two sections and the tufts of the sections adjacent one another form an angle between the bristles and an overlap.

11. A broom head as recited in claim 10 , wherein the angle between the bristles that overlap is at least 20 degrees.

12. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the base includes a connection means for attachment to a handle.

13. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the angles of attack of the rows of the first type of bristles is approximately 0 to 45 degrees in the forward direction from the central vertical axis of the base.

14. A broom head as recited in claim 2 , wherein the angles of attack of the rows of the second type of bristles increases with each row of such second type of bristles from those closest to the leading edge to those nearest the trailing edge.

15. A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising:

a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface; and

a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned behind the row of tufts of said first type of bristle;

wherein said plurality of tufts of bristles flex from said leading edge toward said trailing edge, when a forward force is applied to said rigid base;

wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristle is more rigid and includes a different material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type is greater than the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the first type; and each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base; and

and further wherein, the angle of attack of the leading row of tufts of bristles exceeds 10 degrees in a forward direction relative to the central vertical axis of the base; the angle of attack of one or more rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ; the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases; the difference in trim length of bristles between the leading edge and the trailing edge is about 0.75 inches, and the trim length of the trailing edge bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches; the trim length of the leading edge bristles is at least about 2 inches; and the tufts of bristles of the first type comprise one-third or less of the total number of tufts of the broom head.

16. A broom head as recited in claim 15 , wherein the base includes a connection means for attachment to a handle; and each alternating row of tufts, when viewed in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge, are staggered with respect to one another.

17. A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising:

a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, an inclined portion, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface, a portion of such seats being situated on said inclined portion; and

a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned behind the row of tufts of said first type of bristle;

wherein said plurality of tufts of bristles flex from said leading edge toward said trailing edge, when a forward force is applied to said rigid base;

wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristle is more rigid and includes a difference material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the ratio of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type to rows of tufts of bristles of the first type is at least 2:1; the trim length of the leading edge bristles is about 2 inches and the trim length of the trailing edge bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches; and each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base;

and further wherein, the angle of attack of the rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ and increases row-by-row, taken in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge; and the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases.

18. A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising:

a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface; and

a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned behind the row of tufts of said first type of bristle;

wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristles is more rigid and includes a different material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type is greater than the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the first type, and length of the second type of bristles varies along each row of tufts of bristles; and each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base;

and further wherein, the angle of attack of one or more rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ; the ratio of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type to rows of tufts of bristles of the first type is at least 2:1; the trim length of the leading edge of bristles is about 2 inches, the trim length of the trailing edge of bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches, and the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases.

19. A push broom head for sweeping a surface comprising:

a rigid monolithic base including a leading edge, a trailing edge, an upper and lower surface, a central vertical axis normal to the lower surface of the base, a connection means for attachment to a handle, an inclined portion substantially adjacent to the leading edge, an inclined portion substantially adjacent to the trailing edge, and a plurality of rows of seats in the lower surface, and at least one at least one of the inclined portions including a row of seats connected to tufts of bristles; and

a plurality of tufts of bristles connected to the seats of the rigid base and extending downwardly from the lower surface of the base, the tufts of bristles including a plurality of rows of tufts of a first type of bristle positioned closest to the leading edge of the base and a plurality of rows of a second type of bristle positioned behind the row of tufts of said first type of bristle; and

wherein the first type of bristle has a given length extending from the base and the second type of bristle has a length extending from the base that is longer than the length of the first type of bristle, the first type of bristles is more rigid and includes a different material composition or thickness than the second type of bristle; the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type is greater than the number of rows of tufts of bristles of the first type; each tuft of bristles has a central axis creating an angle of attack relative to the central vertical axis of the base; and

the angles of attack of the rows of the first type of bristles is approximately 0 to 45 degrees in the forward direction from the central vertical axis of the base;

wherein, the angle of attack of one or more rows of the second type of bristle relative to the central vertical axis of the base differ; the average length of bristles in each row, from the leading edge to the trailing edge, progressively increases; the difference in trim length of bristles between the leading edge and the trailing edge is about 0.75 inches, and the trim length of the trailing edge bristles does not exceed about 2.75 inches; the trim length of the leading edge bristles is at least about 2 inches; and the ratio of rows of tufts of bristles of the second type to rows of tufts of bristles of the first type is at least 2:1; and

wherein, when not in contact with the surface to be swept, the angle of attack of the leading row of tufts of bristles exceeds 10 degrees in a forward direction relative to the central vertical axis of the base; the tufts of bristles of the first type comprise one-third or less of the total number of tufts of the broom head.

20. A broom head as recited in claim 19 , wherein there are 4 rows of tufts of bristles of the second type and two rows of tufts of bristles of the first type.

21. A broom head as recited in claim 19 , wherein each alternating row of tufts, when viewed in the direction from the leading edge to the trailing edge, are staggered with respect to one another.

Assignments (7)