Combination of a dust pan and a broom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dust pan usage requires bending, straining the back and knees, as users must lift and lower the pan to collect debris, making the process inefficient and stressful.

Innovation Solution

A combination dust pan and broom design featuring a dust pan with a receptacle and a lifting strap, and a broom with a hook that allows the dust pan to be lifted without bending, utilizing an anti-slip bottom surface and a strap with a notch for secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional dust pan is used for cleaning, then debris can be collected, but the user must bend their back and knees to lift and lower the dust pan, causing physical strain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of dust pan operationVSAvoidstrain on back and knees

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a broom as an intermediary tool that the user holds upright, transferring the debris collection function from the dust pan alone to a combined broom-dust pan system. The broom acts as a mediator that extends the user's reach and provides a stable base for attaching the dust pan, eliminating the need for the user to directly lift and lower the dust pan with their back and knees.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the broom and dust pan into a single integrated unit where the dust pan is attachable to the broom handle. This merging allows the user to operate both tools simultaneously in one hand, transforming two separate lifting actions (broom and dust pan) into one unified operation that does not require bending.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the dust pan is lifted manually by bending, then debris can be disposed of, but time is lost and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidtime to lift and lower dust pan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dust pan is preliminarily positioned and secured to the broom handle before the cleaning task is complete. This preliminary attachment means that when debris collection is finished, the dust pan is already in the optimal position for immediate disposal, eliminating the time-consuming action of picking up the dust pan from the floor and reducing the number of discrete steps required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the dust pan is held at floor level, then debris can be collected, but the user's back and knees are under stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of debris collectionVSAvoidstress on back and knees

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the vertical dimension of operation by attaching the dust pan to an upright broom handle, raising the dust pan from floor level to a height that does not require bending. This dimensional change in positioning allows debris collection to occur at an ergonomically neutral height, eliminating stress on the back and knees while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11464387B2Combination of a dust pan and a broom

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 SALUCCIO RAYMOND

AI summary

The combination of a dust pan and a broom for cleaning surfaces without the need for a person to bend during use, including a dust pan having a receptacle for receiving and collecting debris, and a lifting strap extends over the receptacle. A broom is also provided having bristles and an upper section having a hook mounted thereon. In use, the hook is used to engage the strap to lift the dust pan having debris in it without the person having to bend their back or knees to lift up and lower the dust pan during use. The dust pan can be square or round or any other shape.