Dustpan

Abstract

A dustpan includes a handle assembly and a pan coupled to the handle assembly. The pan has a receptacle and a yoke. The receptacle is rotatable from a first position to a second position with respect to the yoke. The yoke has a plurality of teeth formed thereon configured for engaging an inner surface of the receptacle to militate against over-rotation of the receptacle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dustpan comprising:
 a handle assembly; and   a pan coupled to the handle assembly, the pan having a receptacle and a yoke, the receptacle rotatable from a first position to a second position with respect to the yoke, the yoke having a plurality of teeth formed thereon configured for engaging an inner surface of the receptacle to militate against over-rotation of the receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly includes a grip assembly and a shaft, the grip assembly formed from a first portion and a second portion coupled together. 
     
     
         3 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the yoke is disposed entirely within the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the yoke is flush with an inner surface of the receptacle in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of teeth engage an inner surface of the receptacle in the second position. 
     
     
         6 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the pan includes a push-and-release system to selectively lock the dustpan in the first position or release the dustpan into the second position. 
     
     
         7 . The dustpan of  claim 6 , wherein the push-and-release system includes a protuberance formed on the yoke and an opening formed in the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The dustpan of  claim 7 , wherein the protuberance includes a biasing member formed thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes a retaining feature formed in the receptacle, the retaining feature configured to prevent fluid from exiting the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The dustpan of  claim 9 , wherein the receptacle includes an open end and a retaining mouth formed at the open end of the receptacle, the retaining mouth including a step portion and a lip portion coupled to the step portion. 
     
     
         11 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the dustpan includes a pair of wheels. 
     
     
         12 . The dustpan of  claim 1 , wherein the dustpan includes a closed end and a torque assisting portion recessed in an outer surface of the closed end. 
     
     
         13 . A dustpan comprising:
 a handle assembly; and   a pan coupled to the handle assembly, the pan having a receptacle and a yoke, the receptacle rotatable from a first position to a second position with respect to the yoke, the receptacle having an open end, a closed end, an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of sidewalls cooperating together to form an interior, the upper wall including a first portion and a second portion, wherein an inner height of the receptacle at the first portion of the upper wall is less an inner height of the receptacle at the second portion of the upper wall.   
     
     
         14 . The dustpan of  claim 13 , wherein an outer height of the receptacle at the first portion of the upper wall is less than an outer height of the receptacle at the second portion of the upper wall. 
     
     
         15 . The dustpan of  claim 13 , wherein the yoke is flush with an inner surface of the receptacle in the first position. 
     
     
         16 . The dustpan of  claim 15 , wherein the yoke includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, the plurality of teeth engaging the inner surface of the receptacle in the second position. 
     
     
         17 . The dustpan of  claim 13 , wherein a retaining feature is formed in at least one of the sidewalls of the receptacle, the retaining feature is a recess formed in an inner surface of the at least one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         18 . The dustpan of  claim 13 , wherein the receptacle includes a retaining mouth formed at the open end thereof, the retaining mouth including a step portion integrally formed with the lower wall of the receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The dustpan of  claim 18 , wherein a lip portion is coupled to step portion, the lip portion including a fastener and a seal, the fastener coupling the seal to the step portion. 
     
     
         20 . The dustpan of  claim 13 , wherein a lip frames the open end.