Handgrip for cleaning tool handles

Abstract

A handgrip for the handle of a cleaning tool, and particularly a push broom, has a frustum shaped front section with side walls tapering downwardly from an outwardly extending upper lip portion to an opening at the terminus of the front section. The opening is shaped to retain the cleaning tool handle. A stock shaped rear section extends downwardly from the front section. The rear section has a curved top wall which merges smoothly downward into curved sidewalls and merges upwards to the lip portion. A curved notch is formed between the lip portion and the top wall. This configuration allows the user to maintain a comfortable grasp of the handgrip, eliminating the strain and risk of injury, while ensuring that the user's hand does not slip off the handle.

Claims

1. A handgrip for the handle of a cleaning tool, said handgrip comprising: an integral body comprising: a front section having exterior walls which all taper uniformally downwardly from an outwardly extending upper lip portion to an opening at the terminus of the front section, said opening being shaped to accept and retain the handle of a cleaning tool, the exterior walls comprising front section top and shallow concave side walls which extend downward to merge smoothly into a substantially straight bottom wall; and a stock shaped rear section having a length greater than the front section, said rear section extending downwardly from the front section and having a curved, convexly round shaped top wall which merges smoothly downward into convexly round shaped curved side walls as an uninterrupted continuation of the convexly round shaped top wall, said top wall merging smoothly upwards to the lip portion, forming a curved, concave shape notch between the lip portion and the top wall, the curved side walls of the rear section merging smoothly downward as an uninterrupted continuation of the curved side walls into a lower wall of the rear section.

2. The handgrip as in claim 1 wherein the rear section has a closed bottom end wall which merges smoothly upward into the top wall, side walls, and lower wall of the rear section.

3. The handgrip as in claim 1 wherein the front section is frustum shaped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the handgrip of the present invention without the attached cleaning tool handle.

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is the opposite elevation view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a front view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 7 is a top view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(9) FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the handgrip of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a representation of the manner a typical push broom is used.

(11) FIG. 10 is a representation of the manner a push broom having the handgrip of the present invention is used.

(12) FIG. 11 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the handgrip of the present invention.

(13) FIG. 12 is the opposite elevation view of the alternate embodiment of the handgrip of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) Handgrip 1 of the invention comprises frustum shaped front section 2 having exterior walls comprising top wall 4, shallow concave side walls 6 and 8, and substantially straight bottom wall 10. Top wall 4 and side walls 6 and 8 taper downward from outwardly extending upper lip portion 12, to opening 14 at the terminus of front section 2. Opening 14 is shaped and configured to accept and retain handle 40 of cleaning tool 50. Side walls 6 an 8 also extend downward to merge smoothly into bottom wall 10.

(15) Handgrip 1 also comprises stock shape rear section 20 which extends downwardly from front section 2. The FIGS. show that rear section 20 extends down from front section 2 at an angle of approximately 45. However, it is contemplated that this angle can be between 45 and 90. Elevation views of handgrip 1a having an alternate angle are shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

(16) Rear section 20 has curved exterior top wall 22 which merges smoothly downward into curved side walls 24 and 26. Top wall 22 also merges smoothly upwards to lip portion 12, forming notch 13 between the lip portion and the top wall. Curved side walls 24 and 26 merge smoothly downward into lower wall 28 of rear section 20. Rear section 20 also has closed bottom end wall 30.

(17) Handgrip 1 of the present invention is thus ergonomically designed to provide the user with a more efficient and less strenuous means of utilizing a cleaning tool, such as push broom 50. The design of handgrip 1 permits the handgrip to be grasped comfortably, while allowing the user to exert more downwardly, forward force on push broom 50 during the cleaning operation; but still allowing the user to assume an upright stance.

(18) Handgrip 1 is designed such that the user's thumb is positioned within notch 13 of rear section 20, with the palm of the user spread over curved top wall 2, and the remaining fingers wrapped around lower wall 28. This configuration serves to prevent undo stress on or jamming of the fingers while push broom 50 is being used. Handgrip 1 further has a built-in stop, formed by lip portion 12 and notch 13, which also aids in the application of the pushing force, and, significantly, prevents the user's hand from slipping off the handgrip during use.

(19) Use of handgrip 1 on a typical cleaning tool like push broom 50 allows the user to stand upright during the cleaning operation, which vastly reduces the strain on the back. See FIG. 10. The positioning of the hand on handgrip 1 decreases the stress on the hand and wrist, since the user's hand grasps the handgrip comfortably with his or her thumb positioned in notch 13. This is in distinct contrast to the usual manner a push broom is utilized, which compels the user to wrap the fingers of both hands around the handle, thereby requiring the user to bend over to apply the pushing force necessary to use the broom. See FIG. 9. In fact, handgrip 1 allows the user to accomplish the actual pushing and surface cleaning with the top hand, while using the second hand merely to guide the broom. The second hand need not provide any pushing force.

(20) While the handgrip of the present invention is primarily described for use with a push broom, it is contemplated that the handgrip is configured to be used on any cleaning tool with an elongated handle, such as a squeegee, deck scrubber, or scrapper. The handgrip is also designed to be used in an inverted position when attached to the handle of a cleaning tool having a cleaning element on both the top and on the bottom of its cleaning head, e.g. a mop which utilizes a sponge element on one side and a squeegee element on the flip side. Handgrip 1a, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, would be conducive for this purpose.

(21) Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.