Dustpan with a latching mechanism

Abstract

A dustpan has a dustpan receptacle, a handle and a novel latching mechanism, which enables the dustpan receptacle to be latched in a horizontal position for a waste pick up and unlatched by hand or foot in a vertically extended position for a direct waste disposal and easier storage. The novel latching mechanism has two latching members interacting with each other and connecting the dustpan receptacle to the handle. Compared to dustpans in the prior art, the present dustpan is less fatiguing to use, and easier to construct and repair.

1 . A dustpan comprising 
 a dustpan receptacle;    a handle;    a latching mechanism comprising an upper latching member having a first latching interface and a lower latching member having a second latching interface, said handle being connected to said dustpan receptacle by said latching mechanism, said lower latching member being pivotally connected to and adapted to hook to said dustpan receptacle, and said first latching interface being connected to said second latching interface.    
   
   
       2 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said handle is connected to said upper latching member and said lower latching member.  
   
   
       3 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first latching interface has a ramp, said second latching interface has a hook, and said ramp is adapted to unlatch said hook.  
   
   
       4 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first latching interface has two ramps and said second latching interface has two hooks, said ramps being adapted to slide between and unlatch said hooks.  
   
   
       5 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said upper latching member further contains a hollow cylinder for accepting said handle, said ramps being located on each side of said hollow cylinder.  
   
   
       6 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first latching interface includes two parallel protrusions, said protrusions being adapted to fit into channels on said lower latching member.  
   
   
       7 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said protrusions are columns.  
   
   
       8 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said columns have a triangular cross section.  
   
   
       9 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said upper latching member has a member for receiving one of user's foot, user's fingers and a broom's handle.  
   
   
       10 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dustpan receptacle is cable of having a latched horizontal position and unlatched vertical position.  
   
   
       11 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dustpan receptacle is capable of being unlatched by hand so that one can easily discard the content of said dustpan receptacle directly into a trashcan.  
   
   
       12 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the dustpan receptacle is capable of being unlatched by foot.  
   
   
       13 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a spring, said spring being wrapped around said handle and located between said upper latching member and said lower latching member.  
   
   
       15 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said handle is one of a short handle and a long handle.  
   
   
       16 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said handle is a hollow rod for accepting an additional cleaning tool.  
   
   
       17 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said handle has one of a hook or slot for suspending said handle.  
   
   
       18 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said handle has an indentation for accepting another cleaning member such as a broom.  
   
   
       19 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dustpan receptacle has a broom-cleaning edge.  
   
   
       20 . The dustpan as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said dustpan receptacle has a front blade portion and a shoulder, said shoulder being slightly raised so that received debris would not slide back from the receptacle.