Dust pan broom stand

Abstract

A dust pan includes a scoop having at least three planar contact points, such as edges of the scoop, on which the scoop can stand and a retainer connected to the scoop, to grip a handle of a broom. The dust pan is suitable to support the broom as so retained, and selectively maintains the dust pan with the broom for storage. In storing the combination of the dust pan and broom, the dust pan can sit in upright position on the planar contact points of the scoop. The dust pan supports the broom in upright position with the dust pan, and the broom bristles are shielded and do not bear the weight of the combination during such upright storage. Moreover, the combination can be capable of so supporting the broom without bristles touching an underlying surface.

1 . A system for use with an implement, for supporting the implement on an underlying surface, comprising: 
 at least three contacts formed of angled edges; and    grips for selectively retaining the at least three contacts attached to the implement;    wherein the system can stand directly on the underlying surface on the at least three contacts with the at least three contacts each touching the underlying surface to support the system and implement.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system can support the implement, via the at least three contacts touching the underlying surface, on the at least three contacts such that the implement does not touch the underlying surface.  
   
   
       3 . A dust pan, for upright storage of a broom removably attached to the dust pan via a handle of the broom, comprising: 
 a scoop having at least three planar contact points of the scoop on which the scoop can stand to support the broom upright attached to the scoop;    wherein the scoop has a generally planar, wedge-shaped bottom portion, the bottom portion has a substantially straight edge and opposing side ridges extending peripherally from edges of the bottom portion not forming the straight edge, the ridges forming angled comers at extents of opposing ends of the straight edge;    wherein the straight edge of the bottom portion is one of the at least three contact points and the ridges at the extents of opposing ends of the straight edge at angled comers are two others of the at least three contact points.    
   
   
       4 . The dust pan of  claim 3 , further comprising a retainer of the scoop suitable to grip the broom handle, the retainer being disposed generally at a comer of the bottom portion between the opposing side ridges.  
   
   
       5 . The dust pan of  claim 4 , wherein the dust pan is suitable to support the broom via grip of the broom handle by the retainer, in upright position via the at least three contact points of the scoop.  
   
   
       6 . A stand for supporting an implement suspended upright above an underlying surface, comprising: 
 a scoop;    a grip connected to the scoop for retaining the implement with the scoop; and    an edge surface of the scoop for supporting the implement substantially without contact of the implement with the underlying surface;    wherein the edge surface comprises at least three points of contact of the scoop with the underlying surface, and wherein the scoop is a dust pan.    
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A shield stand for an implement, the implement having an operative head, comprising: 
 a surface of at least three points for accommodating the operative head, the at least three points being formed of straight edges joined by angled comers;    a retainer connected to the operative head, for selectively connecting the implement to the surface;    a support surface on which the at least three points of the surface can stand when the retainer is selectively connected to the implement.    
   
   
       9 . The shield of  claim 8 , wherein the at least three points of the surface comprise at least three planar panels, the planar panels joined forming angled comers and edges of each of the panels extending from the angled comers, the panels as joined together being generally of a shape of and larger than the operative head to contain the operative head, at least in part, between the panels, when the retainer is selectively connected to the implement.  
   
   
       10 . A self-supporting dustpan and broom combination, wherein the dustpan includes at least three edges, comprising: 
 a retainer connected to the dustpan for selectively gripping the broom at a handle of the broom; and    wherein the at least three edges are capable of supporting the dustpan, together with the broom so gripped by the retainer, on an underlying surface;    wherein the at least three edges directly contact the underlying surface in self-supporting the combination.    
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the dustpan supports the broom raised and positioned substantially upright above the underlying surface.  
   
   
       12 . A self-supporting stand and brush combination, the stand capable of storing the brush suspended above a storage surface, comprising: 
 a three edged surface of the stand for directly contacting the storage surface and supporting the stand and the brush;    a retainer connected to the three edged surface for selectively connecting the brush with the stand;    wherein the three edged surface of the stand supports the brush above the storage surface via the retainer and the three edged surface, but not the brush, directly contacts the storage surface.    
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a scoop formed of the three edged surface of the stand, for serving to collect dust swept by the brush when the brush is not connected to the retainer.    
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 bristles of the brush; and    a panel of the stand, for shielding the bristles when the brush is connected to the retainer, the panel providing one edge surface of the three edged surface.    
   
   
       15 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacture of a broom and stand combination, comprising the steps of: 
 forming a stand with at least three planar edges and a grip;    forming a broom with a handle for selectively connecting to the grip of the stand;    wherein the at least three planar edges of the pan stand are capable of supporting the stand and the broom in upright position by connecting the handle of the broom to the grip and disposing the stand on an underlying surface via the at least three planar edges, with the broom extending vertically and without substantial contact to the broom other than via the grip of the stand.