Broom and dustpan combination

Abstract

A broom and dustpan combination, the broom and dustpan being connected by a flexible cord. A grip associated with a locking member slides up the hollow shaft of the broom and is capable of being secured in a locked position. The cord is at least partially disposed inside the hollow shaft of the broom and is connected at one end to the locking member and at the other end to the dustpan. The dustpan is configured to mate with the handle of the broom when the locking member is secured in the locked position. When the locking member is disengaged from the locked position, the dustpan is capable of being lowered to the ground where it is ready to collect dust or debris swept inside by the broom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A broom and dustpan combination, comprising:
 a broom, the broom comprising:
 a hollow, elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal channel extending from the proximal to the distal end, the channel in communication with an exterior of the broom via a longitudinal cut in a surface of the shaft; and 
 a flexible cord at least partially disposed within the longitudinal channel; and 
   a dustpan, the dustpan comprising a lower portion, an internal chamber, and a handle, wherein a portion of the dustpan is attached to a distal end of the cord.   
     
     
         2 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the dustpan is fixedly attached to the distal end of the cord. 
     
     
         3 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the dustpan is pivotably attached to the distal end of the cord. 
     
     
         4 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the dustpan is attached to the cord via an extension member. 
     
     
         5 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft comprises a grip slidably mounted to the surface of the shaft. 
     
     
         6 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 5 , wherein the grip comprises a locking member. 
     
     
         7 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 6 , wherein the locking member comprises a bridge. 
     
     
         8 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 7 , wherein the longitudinal cut in the surface of the shaft comprises an area of increased width configured to engage with the bridge of the locking member. 
     
     
         9 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the cord is one of a braided rope or rubber cable. 
     
     
         10 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the shaft comprises a projection configured to prevent distal movement of the grip. 
     
     
         11 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft further comprises a dustpan engaging member configured to removably engage a corresponding portion of the dustpan when the broom and dustpan combination is in a stowed position. 
     
     
         12 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 11 , wherein the dustpan engaging member is a transverse pin. 
     
     
         13 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 11 , wherein the dustpan engaging member is a hook. 
     
     
         14 . The broom and dustpan combination of  claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of the cord comprises a spring configured to apply tension on the cord when the broom and dustpan combination is in a stowed position. 
     
     
         15 . A method of removing debris from a surface, the method comprising:
 a) positioning a broom and dustpan combination near a surface having debris, the broom and dustpan combination comprising:
 a broom, the broom comprising a hollow, elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal channel extending from the proximal to the distal end, the channel in communication with an exterior of the broom via a longitudinal cut in a surface of the shaft; a flexible cord at least partially disposed within the longitudinal channel; and a body of strawlike members extending downward from the distal end of the shaft; and 
 a dustpan, the dustpan comprising a lower portion, an internal chamber, and a handle, wherein a portion of the dustpan is attached to a distal end of the cord; 
   b) rotating a grip slidably mounted to the surface of the shaft clockwise to release the grip from a locking slot formed by the longitudinal cut in the surface of the shaft;   c) sliding the grip distally down the surface of the shaft, creating slack in the flexible cord;   d) positioning the lower portion of the dustpan against the surface having debris;   e) sweeping the debris into the internal chamber of the dustpan;   f) pivoting the shaft of the broom so that it is substantially parallel with the surface having debris; and   g) emptying the debris from the internal chamber of the dustpan.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, after step g):
 h) returning the shaft to a substantially vertical position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after step h):
 i) sliding the grip proximally up the surface of the shaft, drawing the dustpan into a stowed position against the surface of the shaft.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, after step
 j) rotating the grip counterclockwise to engage the grip with the locking slot.   
     
     
         19 . A kit, the kit comprising:
 a broom, the broom comprising a hollow, elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal channel extending from the proximal to the distal end, the channel in communication with an exterior of the broom via a longitudinal cut in a surface of the shaft; a flexible cord at least partially disposed within the longitudinal channel; and a body of strawlike members extending downward from the distal end of the shaft; and   a dustpan, the dustpan comprising a lower portion, an internal chamber, and a handle; and   means for attaching the dustpan to a distal end of the cord.   
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 19 , wherein the means for attaching the dustpan to the distal end of the cord comprises at least one of a rivet, bolt or screw.