Motorized broom and collector

• US 7,631,387 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Walker, Andrew, Sclafani, Adam C., DeCecco, Stefano F., MacTavish, Corey D., Marcil, Patrick, Marshall, James D., Schonewille, Todd A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Muller; Bryan R
• Application Number:
  US11/128,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20060282964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,677 Days
• Field of Search: 15/411
• US Class Current: 15/41.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/001 Cylindrical or annular brush bodies
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/302 Broom
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/10 as a rotating cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4036 Parts or details of the surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4075 Handles; levers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices

Abstract

A cleaning device has an elongated handle attached to a housing. The housing includes a stationary brush extending through the housing. Also, the housing includes a rotatable brush, as well as a debris collector. In a first position the cleaning device is used as a conventional broom. The handle is pivoted to a second position which enables the broom to be used as a debris collector.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising:

an elongated handle;

a housing attached at one end of said handle;

a stationary brush having bristles coupled with said housing; and

a movable brush coupled with said housing, said handle pivots relative to the housing between a first and second position, in said first position the longitudinal axis of the handle is substantially parallel to the bristles on the stationary brush and said stationary brush is in a use position for contacting a surface to be cleaned and said movable brush is in a non use position removed from contacting the surface to be cleaned, and in the second position, said movable brush is in a use position for contacting the surface to be cleaned and said stationary brush is in a non use position removed from contacting the surface to be cleaned; and

wherein movement of said handle to the second position activates said movable brush and movement of said handle to said first position will deactivate said movable brush.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1 further comprising a debris collector in said housing.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 1 further comprising a motor for rotating said movable brush.

4. The broom according to claim 1, wherein a motor is coupled with said movable brush.

5. The broom according to claim 1, wherein handle is coupled to a switch for terminating power to said motor.

6. The broom according to claim 1, wherein said handle includes a plurality of segments, each segment including a plunger.

7. The broom according to claim 1, wherein a latch is coupled with said handle for locking said handle in a first position.

8. A broom comprising:

a housing;

a first stationary brush with bristles coupled with said housing;

a second rotatable brush coupled with said housing;

a motor in said housing coupled with said second rotatable brush for rotating said second rotatable brush;

a power source coupled with said motor;

a handle pivotably coupled with said housing;

said handle pivotal between a first and second position relative to said housing, in said first position said first stationary brush is in a use position for contacting a surface to be cleaned and said second rotatable brush is in a non use position removed from contacting the surface to be cleaned and the longitudinal axis of the handle is substantially parallel to the bristles on the first stationary brush, and in the second position, said second rotatable brush is in a use position for contacting the surface to be cleaned and said first stationary brush is in a non use position removed from contacting the surface to be cleaned;

an activating member coupled with said handle for activating said motor when in the second position and deactivating said motor in said first position; and

a debris collector coupled with said housing for collecting debris from said second rotatable brush.

9. The broom according to claim 8, wherein said power source is a battery coupled with said housing.

10. The broom according to claim 8, wherein said activating member includes a pushbutton mechanism in said handle.

11. The broom according to claim 8 further comprising wheels on said housing.

12. The broom according to claim 8 further comprising a movable door adjacent said debris collector, said movable door moving between an open and a closed position.

13. The broom according to claim 12, wherein said handle extends from said housing and pivots between said first and second positions for opening and closing said movable door.