Aqua broom

• US 6,413,002 B1
• Filed: 12/04/1998
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Phillip Delaine Jr
• Original Assignee: Phillip Delaine Jr
• Inventors: Delaine, Phillip Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US09/205,747
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 401/282, 401/284, 401/285, 401/286, 401/289, 401/137, 401/138, 401/268, 401/136, 239/289, 239/578, 239/587.1, 239/754, 239/722, 15/24, 15/29, 15/501, 15/502, 15/503, 15/51, 153/20, 153/21, 15/971
• US Class Current: 401/289
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/063 by means of a supply pipe

Abstract

A device for sweeping a substantially horizontal surface is provided which includes a broom having a handle and a head, a valve disposed on the device, and a spray bar disposed on the head for directionally spraying a liquid that is supplied to the valve, wherein the valve regulates the pressure of liquid sprayed by the spray bar. The liquid may be water from a common garden hose. In embodiments, the spray bar is movably positioned on the head. In embodiments, the device may further include a reservoir for holding an agent for treating the horizontal surface. In embodiments, the valve is spring-loaded and/or hand-controlled. The device may include tubing between the valve and the spray bar. The tubing may be positioned internal to the handle or external to the handle. The handle may be used to convey liquid from the valve to the spray bar. In an embodiment, the head may include water channels. The spray bar may be made integral to the head. The spray bar may take a variety of shapes, including elliptical, u-shaped and straight shapes.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a surface, comprising:

a. providing a push broom having a broom head;

b. providing on the broom head a spray bar which is independently adjustable relative to the broom head, to change a spray angle to the ground, wherein the spray bar has an arcuate shape;

c. disposing a lever-controlled spring-loaded valve on the push broom that supplies fluid to the spray bar to enable the spray bar to spray fluid at a sufficient fluid pressure and force in front of and away from the broom head at an angle to the surface such that debris is lifted and carried forward of the broom head;

d. positioning the broom head behind debris to be swept;

e. enabling fluid flow through the lever-controlled spring-loaded valve while performing a sweeping stroke;

f. disabling fluid flow through the lever-controlled spring-loaded valve at the end of the sweeping stroke; and

g. if sweeping is to continue, lifting and repositioning broom head, then repeating steps (d) through (f).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of disposing, the debris lifted and carried forward of the broom head includes sand, dirt, grime, grass, clippings, pine needles, saw dust, bark, mulch, small rocks and any combination thereof.

3. A push broom, comprising:

a broom handle and a broom head;

a spray bar, positioned on said broom head and independently adjustable relative to said broom head, for spraying fluid in front of and away from said head at various spray angles to the ground, wherein said spray bar has an arcuate shape; and

a lever-controlled spring-loaded valve disposed on said broom handle, wherein said lever is supported by a fulcrum on said valve, and said valve is able to pulse the flow of fluid during sweeping strokes at a sufficient fluid pressure and force through a lumen to said spray bar such that debris is lifted and carried forward of said broom head.

4. The device of claim 3, where said valve is made to torsionally screw onto said handle.

5. The device of claim 3, where said valve is made integral to said handle.

6. The device of claim 3, where said lumen comprises a flexible tube that can be attached externally to said broom handle.

7. The device of claim 3, where said spray bar is mounted on said broom head.

8. The device of claim 3, where said spring-loaded valve is user-controlled.

9. The device of claim 3, where said valve has a spring-like action between the flow and no flow states.

10. The device of claim 3, wherein the debris lifted and carried forward of the broom head includes sand, dirt, grime, grass, clippings, pine needles, saw dust, bark, mulch, small rocks and any combination thereof.

11. A sweeping device, comprising:

a push broom head having a length; and

a tubular spray bar positioned along part of the length of said broom head and independently adjustable to a plurality of spray angles, wherein said spray bar has an arcuate shape and wherein said spray bar projects fluid at a sufficient fluid pressure and force in front of and away from said broom head at an angle of said plurality of spray angles to the ground such that debris is lifted and carried forward of said broom head.

12. The device of claim 11, where said spray bar is configured with a plurality of fluid spray jets.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the number of fluid spray jets is between ten and thirty.

14. The device of claim 11, where said spray bar is made to dispose on a common push broom.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the debris lifted and carried forward of the broom head includes sand, dirt, grime, grass, clippings, pine needles, saw dust, bark, mulch, small rocks and any combination thereof.

16. A kit, comprising;

a lever-controlled spring-loaded valve, the valve having a fulcrum for supporting said lever;

a lumen,

a spray bar having an arcuate shape, and

at least one fastener for attaching the valve, the lumen, and the spray bar to a common push broom wherein the spray bar is independently adjustable relative to the head of the common push broom, thereby converting the common push broom into a broom that can project fluid at a sufficient fluid pressure and force at various spray angles to the ground such that debris is lifted and carried forward of said broom.

17. The kit claim 16, where said valve has a spring-like action between a flow state and a no flow state.

18. The kit of claim 16, wherein the debris lifted and carried forward of the broom head includes sand, dirt, grime, grass, clippings, pine needles, saw dust, bark, mulch, small rocks and any combination thereof.