Push broom bracket assembly

Abstract

A bracket assembly for use with cleaning implements such as push brooms has a handle connector for mounting a handle and a plate with a pair of depending flanges that are inserted into the broom head. The bracket assembly may be removably secured to the broom head with a fastener such as bolt and nut to provide an attachment mechanism having sufficient strength to withstand repeated sweeping motion. The removable bracket allows the arrangement of the handle and broom head to be reversed so that both faces of the broom head and bristles can be used interchangeably for sweeping. The removable bracket can be used with cleaning implements having heads of various dimensions and shapes.

1 . A bracket assembly for removably connecting a handle to a head of a cleaning implement, the bracket assembly comprising:
 a plate having a first edge and a second edge;   a first flange positioned along the first edge of the plate, the first flange extending downwardly away from the plate and sized to fit within a recess in the head;   a second flange mounted along the second edge of the plate; the second flange extending downwardly away from the plate and sized to fit within a recess in the head; and   a handle connector extending from the plate and configured for engagement with an elongated handle.   
   
   
       2 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are disposed generally perpendicular to the plate to form a channel for nestably engaging a portion of the head. 
   
   
       3 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are generally parallel to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes an opening configured for use, during operation, in mounting the plate to the head of the cleaning implement. 
   
   
       5 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the handle connector comprises a sleeve having an opening configured to accept an end of a handle. 
   
   
       6 . The bracket assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve includes an aperture for receiving a fastener to secure the position of the handle, the aperture positioned adjacent the opening. 
   
   
       7 . The bracket assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener for mounting the bracket to the head of the cleaning implement. 
   
   
       8 . The bracket assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener is a bolt. 
   
   
       9 . A bracket assembly for removably connecting a handle to a broom head that includes a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion, the bracket assembly comprising:
 a plate having a first edge and a second edge;   a first flange positioned along the first edge of the plate, the first flange extending downwardly away from the plate and configured to be inserted into the first recessed portion in the broom head;   a second flange mounted along the second edge of the plate; the second flange extending downwardly away from the plate and configured to be inserted into the second recessed portion in the broom head; and   a handle connector extending from the plate and configured for engagement with the handle.   
   
   
       10 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are disposed generally perpendicular to the plate to form a channel for nestably engaging a portion of the head. 
   
   
       11 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first flange and the second flange are generally parallel to each other. 
   
   
       12 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the plate includes an opening configured for use, during operation, in mounting the plate to the head of the cleaning implement. 
   
   
       13 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the handle connector comprises a sleeve having an opening configured to accept an end of a handle. 
   
   
       14 . The bracket assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the sleeve includes an aperture for receiving a fastener to secure the position of the handle, the aperture positioned adjacent the opening. 
   
   
       15 . The bracket assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a fastener for mounting the bracket to the head of the cleaning implement. 
   
   
       16 . The bracket assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the fastener is a bolt.