Sweeper stand and guard system and method

Abstract

A system for cleaning includes a handle, a head connected to the handle, and a stand incorporated with the head. The stand selectively supports the system in upright position with the head directed to the ground and the handle directed upward. The system also includes an implement, for example, bristles, connected to the head. The stand is retractable in conjunction with the head to selectively retain the stand from interference with the implement when the system is used for cleaning. The stand is extendable in conjunction with the head to extend the stand beyond the implement, such as bristles, and retain the system in upright freestanding position for storage and the like when not in use for cleaning.

1 . A system for cleaning, comprising: 
 a handle;    a head connected to the handle; and    a stand incorporated with the head, for selectively supporting the system in upright position.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises: 
 an implement connected to the head;    whereas the stand is retractable in conjunction with the head to selectively retain the stand from interference with the implement.    
   
   
       3 . A broom having a handle, a head connected to the handle, and bristles connected to the head, comprising: 
 a support slidably engaged with the head;    wherein the support is selectively extendable from the head beyond an extent of the bristles.    
   
   
       4 . The broom of  claim 3 , wherein the broom is storable in upright freestanding position on the support.  
   
   
       5 . The broom of  claim 4 , wherein the bristles do not bear any force in supporting the broom in upright freestanding position.  
   
   
       6 . An implement comprising a handle and a feature connected to the handle, comprising: 
 a stand for retaining the implement with the feature suspended.    
   
   
       7 . The implement of  claim 6 , wherein the stand includes at least three points of contact with a planar surface.  
   
   
       8 . The implement of  claim 6 , wherein the stand is incorporated with the implement, and can be retracted or extended to provide retention of the implement in upright freestanding position.  
   
   
       9 . A method of storing a broom, comprising the steps of: 
 fixing a stand to the broom head;    locating the broom on the stand, with bristles of the broom suspended from providing any significant support.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of locating maintains the broom in an upright freestanding position.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of: 
 retracting the stand when the broom is employed for cleaning; and    extending the stand prior to the step of locating.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the steps of retracting and extending are effected by slidable movement of the stand with respect to the head.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of locating includes placing the stand on a planar floor.  
   
   
       14 . A broom comprising: 
 a handle;    bristles connected to the handle; and    a guard for shielding the bristles.    
   
   
       15 . The broom of  claim 14 , wherein the bristles are fixably connected to the handle and the guard is slidably engageable with respect to the handle and the bristles to shield or unshield the bristles.  
   
   
       16 . The broom of  claim 15 , wherein the guard forms a stand for the broom when slidably shielding the bristles.  
   
   
       17 . The broom of  claim 16 , wherein the guard prevents forceable contact of the bristles with a surface on which the guard is located as the stand.  
   
   
       18 . The broom of  claim 17 , wherein the guard is a shroud substantially surrounding the bristles.  
   
   
       19 . The broom of  claim 17 , wherein the guard is a projection that extends beyond the bristles when the guard is located as the stand.  
   
   
       20 . A method of storing a broom, comprising the steps of: 
 standing the broom on a guard that protrudes beyond the bristles of the broom and supports the broom in upright freestanding position without supporting force on the bristles.