Multifunctional broom apparatus and related methods

Abstract

An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: a handle; and a body connected to the handle via a rotatable joint; the body comprising a bristle component on a first side and a cloth component on a second side, the bristle component comprising broom bristles and the cloth component configured to accept a cloth, the body rotatable with respect to the handle, between a first position and a second position, the first position placing the broom bristles in contact with a floor surface, and the second position placing the cloth in contact with the floor surface. One or more method embodiments comprise using the apparatus as a broom, with the body in the first position; rotating the body from the first position to the second position; and using the apparatus as a mop, with the body in the second position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a handle; and   a body connected to said handle via a rotatable joint;   said body comprising a bristle component on a first side and a cloth component on a second side, said bristle component comprising a plurality of broom bristles and said cloth component configured to accept one or more cloths,   said body rotatable with respect to said handle, via a rotatable joint, between a first position and a second position,   said first position placing said plurality of broom bristles in contact with a floor surface, and   said second position placing said one or more cloths in contact with said floor surface.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises a pressure fitting for retaining said body in said first position. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said joint is a universal joint. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said cloth component comprises a hook-and-loop fastener surface for holding a cloth. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said cloth component is configured to retain a micro-fiber cloth. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said handle comprises a broom stopper slidable along a length of said handle and operable to support said apparatus adjacent to a flat surface. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said handle has an oval cross section. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said cloth component comprises a pad. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristles are flagged bristles. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristles are unflagged bristles. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising using the apparatus of  claim 1  as a broom. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising using the apparatus of  claim 1  as a mop. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 using the apparatus of  claim 1  as a broom, with said body in said first position;   rotating said body from said first position to said second position; and   using the apparatus of  claim 1  as a mop, with said body in said second position.