Dustpan aid

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary tool for performing cleaning work in an easy posture by providing another handle above the handle of a dustpan.SOLUTION: The auxiliary tool 20 has a lower piece 22 provided with a flexible fitting part 30 freely attachably and detachably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the handle of the dustpan by spring force, an upper piece 26 arranged at an interval above the lower piece 22 and constituting a holding part and a connecting piece 24 for connecting the lower piece 22 and the upper piece 26. The fitting part 30 has a housing space 32 for housing the handle of the dustpan along the axial direction of the lower piece 22 and an opening part 34 communicated with the housing space 32, opened along the axial direction of the housing space 32 and expanded by pressing force against the spring force of the fitting part 30. The fitting part 30 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the handle of the dustpan by spring force by making the handle of the dustpan enter the housing space 32 from the opening part 34 against the spring force of the fitting part 30 so as to be freely taken in and out and housing it.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an auxiliary dustpan tool that is detachably attached to a dustpan and has a separate handle provided above the dustpan handle, allowing cleaning work to be done in a comfortable position. [Background technology]

[0002] An auxiliary dustpan tool that can be detachably attached to a winnowing basket that can be used as a substitute for a dustpan is described in Patent Document 1 below. This tool is designed by inserting the tip of an optional part (5, dustpan auxiliary tool) into a metal pipe (31) that makes up the handle body (3) of a winnowing basket (10) (the symbols in parentheses indicate the symbols used in Patent Document 1; the same applies below), and fastening it with a screw, thereby detachably attaching the optional part (5) to the winnowing basket (10). This provides a separate handle (51) made of the optional part (5) above the handle body (3), allowing cleaning work to be done in a comfortable position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3205113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, in order to attach the optional part (5) to the winnowing basket (10), it was necessary to provide a screw hole or the like in the metal pipe (31) of the handle body (3) of the winnowing basket (10). For this reason, it was not possible to retrofit the optional part (5) to an existing winnowing basket.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art and to provide an auxiliary dustpan tool that can be attached to an existing dustpan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The dustpan auxiliary tool of this invention is a dustpan auxiliary tool that can be detachably attached to a dustpan having a dust storage section, a support section in which support stays extending upward from the rear surface and left and right sides of the dust storage section are bent inwardly at a position above the dust storage section to approach and connect to each other, forming a T-shape when viewed from above, and a handle attached to a portion of the support stays extending upward from the rear surface of the dust storage section that is bent inward and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the dust storage section, so as to surround the portion around its axis and along the axial direction of the portion, and the dustpan auxiliary tool is a dustpan auxiliary tool having a lower piece with a flexible fitting portion that detachably fits onto the outer peripheral surface of a dustpan using spring force, an upper piece that is spaced above the lower piece and forms a grip, and a connecting piece that connects the lower piece and the upper piece, the fitting portion having a storage space that stores the handle along the axial direction of the lower piece, and an opening that communicates with the storage space, opens along the axial direction of the storage space, and expands with a pressing force that resists the spring force, the fitting portion being configured to fit onto the outer peripheral surface of the handle by inserting the handle into the storage space through the opening against the spring force and storing it therein.In this way, the dustpan auxiliary tool can be attached to the dustpan by inserting the handle of the dustpan into the storage space through the opening of the fitting portion against the spring force and fitting it onto the outer peripheral surface of the handle. As a result, a handle can be attached to the dustpan's existing handle using the grip portion of the upper piece of the dustpan auxiliary tool, allowing for a more comfortable posture during cleaning work. Furthermore, since there is no need to drill screw holes or the like into the dustpan to attach this dustpan auxiliary tool to the dustpan, it can be attached to an existing dustpan and used. Furthermore, the fitting portion is flexible and detachably fits onto the outer periphery of the dustpan handle using spring force, allowing it to accommodate slight differences in handle diameter and be attached to dustpans from different manufacturers.

[0007] The dustpan auxiliary tool of this invention may have the storage space of the fitting portion formed on the upper surface of the lower piece, and a gap formed between the connecting piece and the fitting portion into which the end of the dustpan handle or the portion of the support portion adjacent to the end is disposed when the dustpan handle is accommodated in the storage space. In this way, when the dustpan is carried using the dustpan auxiliary tool, the dustpan handle is supported by resting it on the upper surface of the lower piece, allowing the lower piece to more firmly support the weight of the dustpan than when the dustpan handle is supported by hanging it from the underside of the lower piece. Furthermore, when the dustpan handle is accommodated in the storage space, the end of the handle or the portion of the support portion adjacent to the end is disposed in the gap between the connecting piece and the fitting portion, allowing the dustpan handle to be accommodated in the storage space of the fitting portion without interfering with the fitting portion.

[0008] The dustpan auxiliary tool of this invention can include a pair of mating pieces whose mating portions are arranged opposite each other across a space and whose distal ends are free ends, the storage space is defined as a space sandwiched between the pair of mating pieces, the opening has a portion that opens along the axial direction of the storage space and a portion that connects to the portion and opens at both axial ends of the storage space, the portion of the opening that opens along the axial direction of the storage space is defined between the free ends of the pair of mating pieces, the portions of the opening that open at both axial ends of the storage space are defined at the axial ends of the pair of mating pieces, and the opening width of the portion that opens along the axial direction of the storage space is narrower than the maximum width of the storage space. In this way, the mating portion can be fitted to the handle by the spring force of the pair of mating pieces.

[0009] The dustpan auxiliary tool of this invention can have the side shapes of the upper piece, the connecting piece, and the lower piece be any of the following shapes, for example: U-shaped, C-shaped, Z-shaped, 2-shaped, S-shaped, or I-shaped.

[0010] In the dustpan auxiliary tool of this invention, the lower piece may have a structure in which a flexible fitting part constituting the fitting portion is attached to a rigid rod-shaped base material, thereby providing the lower piece with rigidity while providing springiness to the fitting portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of an auxiliary dustpan according to the present invention. [Figure 1B] 1B is a right side view of the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 1A (a view of the dustpan attached to the dustpan as seen from the right side of the dustpan); FIG. [Figure 1C] 1B is a rear view of the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 1A (a view of the dustpan attached to the dustpan as seen from behind the dustpan); [Figure 2] 1B is a photograph of a dustpan (a so-called railway dustpan) to which the dustpan auxiliary device of FIG. 1A can be attached, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 3] 1B is a photograph showing the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 1A being attached to the dustpan of FIG. 2, taken from the right side of the dustpan. [Figure 4A] This is a photograph taken from the right side of the dustpan, showing the state in which the dustpan handle has been pushed into the internal space of the fitting portion from the state shown in Figure 3 to fit the handle into the fitting portion, and the dustpan auxiliary device has been attached to the dustpan handle. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] This is a photograph of the state of FIG. 4A as seen from diagonally above. [Figure 5A] 3 is a photograph showing cleaning work using the dustpan of FIG. 2 without the dustpan auxiliary tool attached. [Figure 5B] 1B is a photograph showing a state in which cleaning work is performed using the dustpan of FIG. 2 with the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 1A attached thereto. [Figure 6] 10 is a photograph showing a dustpan auxiliary tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A]7 is a photograph showing the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 6 attached to the dustpan of FIG. 2. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in FIG. 7A. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing a dustpan auxiliary tool according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a rear view of the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] 8B is a photograph showing the dustpan auxiliary tool of FIG. 8A attached to the dustpan of FIG. 2. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the dustpan auxiliary tool according to the present invention. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the dustpan auxiliary tool according to the present invention. [Figure 10C] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the dustpan auxiliary tool according to the present invention. [Figure 10D] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the dustpan auxiliary tool according to the present invention. [Figure 10E] FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of the dustpan auxiliary tool according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Various embodiments of the dustpan auxiliary according to the present invention will be described below. First, the structure of a dustpan to which the dustpan auxiliary according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "auxiliary") can be attached will be described. FIG. 2 shows a dustpan to which the auxiliary according to the present invention can be attached. This dustpan 10 is a type of dustpan known as a "railroad dustpan." Specifically, the dustpan 10 has a dustpan compartment 12 with an opening at the front, a support section 14 with three support stays 14a, 14b, and 14c whose lower ends are fixed to the outer periphery of the dustpan compartment 12, and a handle 16 attached to the top of the support section 14. Typically, the dustpan compartment 12 and the support stays 14a, 14b, and 14c are made of metal, and the handle 16 is made of plastic. The height from the bottom of the dustpan compartment 12 to the top of the handle 16 is approximately 55 cm to 62 cm, although this varies depending on the manufacturer. The support stays 14a, 14b, and 14c are arranged to extend upward, with their lower ends fixed to the back, left wall, and right wall of the dust storage compartment 12, respectively. The support stays 14a, 14b, and 14c are bent inward toward each other at an upper position of the dust storage compartment 12, approaching and connecting to form a T-shape when viewed from above (as if the front of the dustpan 10 is positioned at the top). The handle 16 is bent inward on the support stay 14a, which extends upward from the back of the dust storage compartment 12, and is attached to a portion extending in the front-to-rear direction of the dust storage compartment 12, so as to surround the portion around its axis and extend along the axial direction of the portion. The plastic member constituting the handle 16 is attached to the support portion 14 so as to surround the connecting portion 14d of the support stays 14a, 14b, and 14c, as well as the connecting portion 14d. The cross section of the handle 16 taken perpendicular to the axis is circular, oval, rectangular with rounded corners, or the like. The underside of the handle 16 has a ridge and valley shape that allows fingers to hook for easy grip. The assisting tool of the present invention can be fitted onto the handle 16 and attached to the dustpan 10. The assisting tool of the present invention can also be configured to be attached to the dustpan 10 by engaging or fitting with the connecting point 14d, the tops of the support stays 14b and 14c on the left and right sides of the connecting point 14d, or the like, in addition to the handle 16.

[0013] First Embodiment 1A to 1C show a first embodiment of an assisting tool according to the present invention. In FIG. 1A, assisting tool 20 includes a lower piece 22, a connecting piece 24, and an upper piece 26. Lower piece 22 includes a rod-shaped base material 28a and a fitting portion 30 fixed to the upper surface of base material 28a with adhesive or fasteners such as screws. Upper piece 26 is disposed above and facing lower piece 22 with a gap therebetween. Upper piece 26 forms a grip (handle). Connecting piece 24 connects lower piece 22 and upper piece 26 to each other. The axial length of lower piece 22 and upper piece 26 is, for example, approximately 17 cm. The axial length of connecting piece 24 (the distance between lower piece 22 and upper piece 26) can be set according to the height of the worker, e.g., 20 cm or more for a worker 160 cm tall and 40 cm or more for a worker 180 cm tall. Connecting piece 24 can also be configured to be extendable, like a fishing rod, so that its length can be adjusted according to the worker's height. The base materials 28a, 28b, and 28c (hereinafter collectively referred to as "base materials 28") of the lower piece 22, connecting piece 24, and upper piece 26 are solidly constructed from wood, plastic, metal pipe, or other suitable rigid material. Base material 28 can be manufactured, for example, as a single unit (e.g., a one-piece plastic molding), or by connecting individual base materials 28a, 28b, and 28c. Base material 28 has a generally U-shaped side profile (as viewed from the side of dustpan 10 with auxiliary tool 20 attached). Base material 28 includes base material 28a, which extends linearly; base material 28b, which bends upward at a right angle from one end of base material 28a and extends linearly; and base material 28c, which bends at a right angle from the upper end of base material 28b toward the opposite side to base material 28a and extends linearly parallel to base material 28a.

[0014] The fitting portion 30 is made of a flexible fitting part made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material. The fitting portion 30 detachably fits onto the outer periphery of the dustpan 10's handle 16 using its own spring force. In this embodiment, the fitting portion 30 is made by processing a PVC pipe. That is, the fitting portion 30 is made by cutting a PVC pipe of a suitable inner diameter (a diameter that can fit securely onto the outer periphery of the dustpan 10's handle 16) to an appropriate length, and then cutting a portion of the PVC pipe's peripheral wall along its entire axial length to a width narrower than the inner diameter. The axis of the fitting portion 30 (the axis of the PVC pipe) is aligned parallel to the axis of the lower piece 22. This configuration results in the fitting portion 30 comprising a pair of fitting pieces 30a, 30b (FIGS. 1A and 1C). The base ends (lower ends) of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b are fixed ends fixed to the base material 28a, and the tip ends (upper ends) are free ends (non-fixed ends). Therefore, the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b are flexible and bend in response to external forces, generating a spring force. A storage space 32 is defined in the space sandwiched between the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b. An opening 34 that is continuous with and communicates with the storage space 32 is defined around the entire periphery of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b. That is, a portion 34a of the opening 34 that opens along the axial direction of the storage space 32 is formed between the free ends of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b. Furthermore, portions 34b, 34c of the opening 34 that open to both axial ends of the storage space 32 are formed at both axial ends of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b. The opening width of the portion 34a of the opening 34 that opens along the axial direction of the storage space 32 is narrower than the maximum width of the storage space (see FIG. 1C). In this embodiment, the axial length of the fitting portion 30 is set to be approximately the same as the axial length of the handle 16, but this is not limited to this. That is, the axial length of the fitting portion 30 can be set to be shorter than the axial length of the handle 16, or longer than the axial length of the handle 16 as long as it does not interfere with the support portion 14.

[0015] In the fitting portion 30, the storage space 32 accommodates and holds the handle 16 on the upper surface side of the lower piece 22 (the upper surface side of the base material 28a) along the axial direction of the lower piece 22. The opening 34 communicates with and continuously opens from one axial end of the storage space 32 to the other end of the storage space 32 along the axial direction of the storage space 32, and expands due to a pressing force that resists the spring force of the fitting portion 30. In this embodiment, the opening 34 is configured such that a portion 34a that opens along the axial direction of the storage space 32 is an upward opening on the upper surface side of the lower piece 22. A gap 36 is formed between the connecting piece 24 and the fitting portion 30 in the axial direction of the lower piece 22 on the upper surface side of the lower piece 22 (above the base material 28a).

[0016] The fitting portion 30 fits onto the outer circumferential surface of the handle 16 by the spring force of the pair of fitting pieces 30a, 30b when the handle 16 of the dustpan 10 (FIG. 2) is pressed against the opening 34 against the spring force of the pair of fitting pieces 30a, 30b to expand the opening 34, and then the handle 16 is pushed in and out of the expanded opening 34 into the storage space 32. With the handle 16 fitted into the fitting portion 30, both axial ends of the handle 16 or portions of the support stay 14a adjacent to those ends are pulled out of the storage space 32 through portions 34b, 34c of the opening 34 that open to both axial ends of the storage space 32 (see FIGS. 4A and 4C). Furthermore, the connection points 14d of the support stays 14a, 14b, 14c are located in the gap 36 between the connecting piece 24 and the fitting portion 30 (see FIGS. 4A and 4C). Furthermore, the left and right support stays 14b, 14c are pulled out from the connecting point 14d through the gap 36. Therefore, the handle 16 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 32 of the fitting portion 30 without the support stays 14b, 14c interfering with the fitting portion 30.

[0017] The procedure for attaching auxiliary tool 20 configured as described above to dustpan 10 will now be described. Figure 3 shows auxiliary tool 20 in the middle of being attached to dustpan 10. Hold upper piece 26 (handle portion) of auxiliary tool 20 with one hand, and insert the tip of lower piece 22 from the front of dustpan 10 into space 40 (Figure 2) surrounded by left and right support stays 14b, 14c (in other words, insert the upper part of support portion 14 into U-shaped opening 38 of auxiliary tool 20), and position fitting portion 30 below handle 16 as shown in Figure 3. From this state, the user pulls up the auxiliary tool 20 until the tops of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b (FIG. 1A) of the mating portion 30 come into contact with the underside of the handle 16 (i.e., the underside of the handle 16 is positioned to block the opening 34a of the mating portion 30 that is axially aligned with the storage space 32), and then uses the other hand to grasp and tightly surround the entire lower piece 22 and the handle 16. The force of this tight grip exerts a pressing force on the handle 16, expanding the opening 34 against the spring force of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b, and the handle 16 is accommodated and fitted into the storage space 32. In this fitted state, the spring force of the pair of mating pieces 30a, 30b presses the outer peripheral surface of the handle 16 firmly against the inner peripheral surface of the storage space 32. In this way, auxiliary tool 20 is attached to dustpan 10 and is kept standing upright relative to dustpan 10. This attached state is shown in Figures 4A to 4C. To remove auxiliary tool 20 from dustpan 10, grasp upper piece 26 with one hand and push it downward. This disengages handle 16 from fitting portion 30, and auxiliary tool 20 is removed from dustpan 10.

[0018] The following describes how to clean using dustpan 10. Figure 5A shows how to clean using dustpan 10 alone without attaching auxiliary tool 20. In this case, the worker has to bend over to work, which puts a lot of strain on the lower back. Figure 5B shows how to clean using dustpan 10 with auxiliary tool 20 attached. The worker can carry dustpan 10 and work by grasping upper piece 26 that forms the gripping portion (handle). Because upper piece 26 is located higher than the position of dustpan 10's original handle 16, the worker can work without bending over too much, reducing the strain on the lower back and making work easier.

[0019] According to auxiliary tool 20 of embodiment 1, handle 16 is supported by resting it on the upper surface of lower piece 22 (see FIG. 4B), which allows lower piece 22 to more firmly support the weight of dustpan 10 compared to when handle 16 is supported by hanging it from the underside of lower piece 22 (embodiment 3 of FIG. 9). Also, since opening 34 has portion 34a that opens along the axial direction of storage space 32 as an upward opening on the upper surface of lower piece 22, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of dustpan 10 coming off auxiliary tool 20 and falling due to its own weight compared to when the portion that opens along the axial direction of the storage space is configured as a downward opening on the lower surface of the lower piece (embodiment 3 of FIG. 9).

[0020] Second Embodiment FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the present invention. This tool uses flexible fitting components, commonly referred to as fixed holders, to form a fitting portion. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for corresponding components. In the auxiliary tool 44, the base material 28 is formed by connecting rod-shaped base materials 28a, 28b, and 28c, here made of wood, with an L-shaped metal bracket 46. The fitting portion 48 is formed by arranging two fixed holders 50 and 52 on the upper surface of the base material 28a at an appropriate distance along the axial direction of the base material 28a, and fastening the fixed holders 50 and 52 to the base material 28a with screws 53. The fixed holders 50 and 52 are formed by bending a flexible metal plate and coating the pair of fitting pieces 48a and 48b with a vinyl dip coating 54. The space between the pair of fitting pieces 48a and 48b forms the storage space 56. The pair of fitting pieces 48a, 48b define an opening 58 that is continuous with and communicates with the accommodation space 56. That is, a portion 58a of the opening 58 that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space 56 is defined between the free ends of the pair of fitting pieces 48a, 48b. Furthermore, portions 58b, 58c of the opening 58 that open to both axial ends of the accommodation space 56 are defined at both axial ends of the pair of fitting pieces 48a, 48b (both axial ends when the two fixing holders 50, 52 are viewed as one continuous fitting part). The opening width of the portion of the opening 58 that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space 56 is formed narrower than the maximum width of the accommodation space.

[0021] Auxiliary tool 44 can be detachably attached to dustpan 10 by fitting fitting portion 48 to handle 16 in the same manner as auxiliary tool 20 of embodiment 1. FIG. 7A shows auxiliary tool 44 attached to dustpan 10. FIG. 7B shows a cross section of FIG. 7A taken along the line B-B. Handle 16 is housed and fitted into storage space 56 between the pair of fitting pieces 48a, 48b of fitting portion 48 (fixed holder 50). In this fitted state, the spring force of the pair of fitting pieces 48a, 48b presses the outer peripheral surface of handle 16 firmly against the inner peripheral surface of storage space 56.

[0022] Third Embodiment Figures 8A and 8B show a third embodiment of an auxiliary tool according to the present invention. In this auxiliary tool 60, the fixed holders 50 and 52 used in the second embodiment are attached to the underside of the base material 28a to form the fitting portion 48. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the second embodiment are used for parts corresponding to those in the second embodiment. Figure 9 shows the state in which the auxiliary tool 60 has been attached to the dustpan 10. The auxiliary tool 60 is detachably attached to the dustpan 10 by pushing down the fitting portion 48 from above the handle 16 to fit it into the handle 16. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the base material 28a of the lower piece 22 of the auxiliary tool 60 is positioned above the support portion 14 of the dustpan 10, so that the auxiliary tool 60 can be attached to the dustpan 10 upside down.

[0023] Other Embodiments Other embodiments of the assisting device according to the present invention are shown in Figures 10A to 10E. In these other embodiments, the same reference numerals as those used in the first embodiment are used for parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment.

[0024] 10A has a base material 28 configured in a C-shape. That is, the base material 28 is configured by integrally connecting a base material 28a of the lower piece 22, a base material 28b of the connecting piece 24, and a base material 28c of the upper piece 26. On the upper surface side of the base material 28a of the lower piece 22, there is provided a fitting portion 30 having an opening 34 (more precisely, a portion 34a of the opening 34 that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space 32; the same applies below) that opens upward.

[0025] 10B has a Z-shaped base material 28. That is, base material 28 is formed by integrally connecting base material 28a of lower piece 22, base material 28b of connecting piece 24, and base material 28c of upper piece 26. A fitting portion 30 is provided on the lower surface side of base material 28a of lower piece 22, with opening 34 facing downward.

[0026] 10C has a base material 28 configured in a square shape. That is, the base material 28 is configured by integrally connecting a base material 28a of the lower piece 22, a base material 28b of the connecting piece 24, and a base material 28c of the upper piece 26. A fitting portion 30 having an opening 34 facing upward is provided on the upper surface side of the base material 28a of the lower piece 22.

[0027] 10D is an auxiliary tool 68 in which the base material 28 is configured in an S-shape. That is, the base material 28 is configured by integrally connecting the base material 28a of the lower piece 22, the base material 28b of the connecting piece 24, and the base material 28c of the upper piece 26. A fitting portion 30 having an opening 34 that opens upward is provided on the upper surface side of the base material 28a of the lower piece 22.

[0028] 10E has an I-shaped base material 28. That is, base material 28 is formed by integrally connecting base material 28a of lower piece 22, base material 28b of connecting piece 24, and base material 28c of upper piece 26. On the lower surface side of base material 28a of lower piece 22, fitting portion 30 is provided, with opening 34 facing downward.

[0029] <<Variation>> In the above-described embodiments, the portion of the mating portion that opens along the axial direction of the storage space of the opening is configured as an upward or downward opening. However, this portion can also be configured as a horizontal or diagonal opening, allowing the dustpan handle to be inserted horizontally or diagonally into the storage space of the mating portion. In the above-described embodiments, the lower piece 22, connecting piece 24, and upper piece 26 are arranged on the same plane. However, in this invention, the lower piece 22, connecting piece 24, and upper piece 26 do not necessarily need to be arranged on the same plane. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the upper piece 26 has a grip portion formed of the bare base material 28c. However, the grip portion can also be formed by covering the base material 28c with a gripping part made of molded plastic or the like (such as the handle 16 of the dustpan 10 in Figure 2) to make the upper piece 26 easier to grip. Furthermore, a supplementary fastener can be separately provided at the mating portion to prevent the handle and mating portion from coming loose or becoming loose. The auxiliary tool of the present invention can be sold as a single item to be attached to an existing dustpan, or can be sold as a set with the dustpan. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 10...dustpan, 12...garbage storage section, 14...support section, 14a, 14b, 14c...support stay, 14d...connection point of support stay, 16...handle, 20...auxiliary tool, 22...lower piece, 24...connecting piece, 26...upper piece, 28, 28a, 28b, 28c...base material, 30...fitting section (fitting part), 30a, 30b...pair of fitting pieces, 32...storage space, 34...opening, 34a...portion of the opening that opens along the axial direction of the storage space, 34b, 34c...portion of the opening that opens to both ends of the axial direction of the storage space, 36...gap, 38...C-shaped opening, 40...space surrounded by left and right support stays, 44...auxiliary device, 46...L-shaped metal fitting, 48...fitting portion, 48a, 48b...pair of fitting pieces, 50...fixed holder (fitting part), 52...fixed holder (fitting part), 53...screw, 54...vinyl dip coat, 56...accommodation space, 58a...portion of opening that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space, 58b, 58c...portion of opening that opens to both ends of the axial direction of the accommodation space, 58...opening, 60...auxiliary device, 62...auxiliary device, 64...auxiliary device, 66...auxiliary device, 68...auxiliary device, 70...auxiliary device.

Claims

1. a dustpan auxiliary tool detachably attachable to a dustpan having a dustpan, the dustpan having a dustpan, the dustpan having a dustpan, the dustpan having support stays extending upward from the rear surface and left and right side surfaces of the dustpan, the support stays being bent inwardly at a position above the dustpan to approach and connect to each other, forming a T-shape when viewed from above; and a handle attached to a portion of the support stays extending upward from the rear surface of the dustpan, the support stays being bent inwardly and extending in the front-to-rear direction of the dustpan, so as to surround the portion around its axis and to follow the axial direction of the portion, The dustpan auxiliary tool is a lower piece having a flexible fitting portion that is detachably fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the handle by spring force; an upper piece that is disposed above the lower piece with a gap therebetween and that constitutes a grip portion; a connecting piece that connects the lower piece and the upper piece, The fitting portion is an accommodation space for accommodating the handle along the axial direction of the lower piece; an opening communicating with the accommodation space, opening along the axial direction of the accommodation space, and expanding by a pressing force against the spring force; The fitting portion is configured to fit onto the outer circumferential surface of the handle by the spring force when the handle is inserted into the accommodation space through the opening against the spring force. Dustpan aid.

2. The accommodation space of the fitting portion is formed on the upper surface side of the lower piece, A gap is formed between the connecting piece and the fitting portion, in which an end of the handle of the dustpan or a portion of the support portion adjacent to the end is disposed when the handle is accommodated in the accommodation space. The dustpan auxiliary tool according to claim 1.

3. The fitting portion comprises a pair of fitting pieces arranged opposite each other across a space, with their tip ends being free ends, The accommodation space is defined as a space sandwiched between the pair of fitting pieces, The opening has a portion that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space and a portion that is connected to the portion and opens at both ends of the accommodation space in the axial direction, a portion of the opening that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space is formed between the free ends of the pair of fitting pieces, the openings are formed at the axial ends of the pair of fitting pieces, and the openings are formed at the axial ends of the pair of fitting pieces, The opening width of the portion of the opening that opens along the axial direction of the accommodation space is formed narrower than the maximum width of the accommodation space. The dustpan auxiliary tool according to claim 1.

4. 2. The dustpan auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein the side shapes of the upper piece, the connecting piece, and the lower piece are any one of U-shaped, C-shaped, Z-shaped, B-shaped, S-shaped, and I-shaped.

5. 5. The dustpan auxiliary tool according to claim 1, wherein the lower piece has a structure in which a flexible fitting part constituting the fitting portion is attached to a rigid rod-shaped base material.

Images