Broom

Abstract

The broom having a bottom rod and an offset top rod is provided. Bristles are attached to the bottom of the bottom rod to contact a floor. Connecting the top and bottom rods is a grip rod. The grip rod desirably slants downward toward the floor when the broom bristles contact the floor. Desirably, the grip rod is attached at its bottom end to the bottom rod at an angle α of from about 100° to about 150° preferably 100° to 140°. The grip rod is attached at its top end to the top rod at an angle β of about 100° to about 150°, preferably 100° to 140°. As a result, the grip rod slants downward toward the floor when the broom bristles contact the floor. The grip rod is located a predetermined distance above the bristles so the grip bar can be grasped when the bristles contact the floor by the user in a standing position.

1 . A broom comprising;
 a) a bottom rod having a top and bottom;   b) a top rod having a top and a bottom, said top rod offset from said bottom rod;   c) a grip having a top end and a bottom end connecting said top and said bottom rods;   d) said grip attached at its bottom end to said bottom rod top;   e) said grip attached at its top end to said top rod bottom end;   f) bristles attached to the bottom of said bottom rod having a distal end to contact a floor;   g) said grip slanting downward toward said floor when said bristles distal end contact said floor; said grip rod located a predetermined distance above said bristles distal end for grasping by a user in a standing position, whereby the user can sweep in a standing position while grasping said grip rod.   
     
     
         2 . The broom according to  claim 1  wherein said grip is a rod. 
     
     
         3 . The broom according to  claim 1  wherein said grip and said top rod are a single unitary piece. 
     
     
         4 . The broom according to  claim 2  wherein in d) said grip rod is attached at its bottom end to said bottom rod top to form an angle α of from about 100° to about 150°; and in e) said grip rod attached at its top end to said top rod bottom to form an angle β of about 100° to about 150°. 
     
     
         5 . The broom according to  claim 2  wherein said bottom rod has an adjustable vertical length so that the distance of said grip rod from said bristles distal end can be adjusted. 
     
     
         6 . The broom according to  claim 5  wherein said bottom rod is a telescoping rod. 
     
     
         7 . The broom according to  claim 6  wherein said telescoping rod includes a first hollow cylinder, and a second cylinder mounted concentrically within said first hollow cylinder so the movement of said second cylinder within said first cylinder varies the vertical length of said bottom rod; an interlock to fix the relative position of said first and said second cylinders. 
     
     
         8 . The broom according to  claim 2  wherein said bottom rod and said top rod are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The broom according to  claim 2  wherein said grip rod is located in at about mid-thigh of a standing user. 
     
     
         10 . The broom according to  claim 1  further comprising an underarm support extending from said top rod to provide user support for the user during sweeping. 
     
     
         11 . The broom according to  claim 10  wherein said underarm support forms a 30° to 90° angle γ with said top rod. 
     
     
         12 . The broom according to  claim 11  further wherein said underarm support forms an angle γ with said top rod of from 60° to 80°. 
     
     
         13 . The broom according to  claim 11  wherein said underarm support is located at a preselected location on said top rod. 
     
     
         14 . The broom according to  claim 13  wherein said preselected location of said underarm support on said top rod is adjustable. 
     
     
         15 . The broom according to  claim 2  wherein during use said top rod extends under the arm of a user to provide shoulder support while sweeping. 
     
     
         16 . The broom according to  claim 12  wherein angle β is 100° to 140°. 
     
     
         17 . The broom according to  claim 16  wherein angle α is 100° to 140°. 
     
     
         18 . A broom comprising;
 a) a bottom rod having a top and bottom;   b) a top rod having a top and a bottom, said top rod offset from said bottom rod;   c) a grip rod having a top end and a bottom end connecting said top and said bottom rods;   d) said grip rod attached at its bottom end to said bottom rod top to form an angle α of from about 100° to about 140°;   e) said grip rod attached at its top end to said top rod bottom end to form an angle β of about 100° to about 140°;   f) bristles attached to the bottom of said bottom rod to contact a floor;   g) said grip rod located a predetermined distance above said bristles for grasping by a user in a standing position;   h) said bottom rod having an adjustable vertical length so that the distance of said grip rod from said bristles can be adjusted;   i) an underarm support extending from said top rod to provide support for the user during sweeping.   
     
     
         19 . The broom according to  claim 18  wherein said underarm support forms an angle γ with said top rod of from 30° to 90°. 
     
     
         20 . The broom according to  claim 19  wherein said angle γ 60° to 80°. 
     
     
         21 . A method of sweeping a floor or sidewalk comprising;
 a) providing a broom comprising
 i) a bottom rod having a top and bottom; and a top rod having a top and a bottom; a grip rod having a top end and a bottom end; 
   ii) said grip rod attached at said bottom end to said bottom rod top to form an angle α of from about 100° to about 150°; said grip rod attached at said top end to said top rod bottom end to form an angle β of about 100° to about 150°;   iii) bristles having a proximate end attached to the bottom of said bottom rod and a distal end to contact a floor; said grip rod located about waist-high of the user when said distal end of said bristles contract said floor;   b) providing a dust pan having a long handle operable in a standing position;   c) grasping said grip rod from above said grip rod with one hand with the grip rod located in between the thumb and forefinger of the user; and   d) grasping said long handle of said dust pan with one hand;   e) sweeping debris from said floor or sidewalk by move said bristles back and forth along said floor or sidewalk and moving said debris into said dustpan.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising wherein placing top rod under the arm of a user said top rod extending above the shoulder of the user to provide shoulder support during use. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising an underarm support extending from said top rod; locating said underarm support under the arm of the user to provide support during use.