Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand bars and hand barrows – Opposing jaws
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-01
2001-12-04
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 2167)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand bars and hand barrows
Opposing jaws
C294S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325432
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to devices for lifting and removing covers and more particularly to an improved cover lifting device for removing and manipulating covers that are modified such that the user can pry open the cover and remove it.
BACKGROUND ART
There are various types of covers that are particularly difficult to remove because of the shape of the cover and its weight depending on what type of material is used in manufacturing the cover. Many covers, such as those for manholes, sewers, storage tanks and water meters are manufactured of heavy metals and difficult to remove because of the small distance between the cover and the reservoir within which the cover is placed. Many of these covers are threaded which further presents a problem when trying to unthread the cover before removing it due to the lack of space between the cover and the reservoir which the cover resides. This presents a problem upon removal in that it is difficult to manipulate and remove the cover without the use of an object or some sort of lever to unthread and pry open the cover and then physically pick it up. Without a device for removal, it is necessary for persons to use their hands thereby increasing the risk of possible injury to the hand or fingers. By way of example and not limitation, the description of the present invention will be given herein in relation to a device for prying open, lifting and removing covers such as those described above. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will be able to see that the invention may be used for a wide variety of functions and covers.
Accordingly, most tools and devices are designed for performing a specific task such as removing covers on spark plugs, tightening or loosening screws or bolts in difficult to reach places, and for general purpose uses such as gripping and manipulating various articles. Unfortunately, none of the devices or tools are designed to unthread and remove a cover of a storage tank or similar difficult to remove covers. This is a large problem in the art field.
Devices similar to the present invention found in the prior art do not have designs to accommodate the general shape and construction of covers to obtain the objective of unthreading and removing such covers. Further, the prior art devices similar to the present invention do not have inwardly turned handle ends which form a hand hold when engaged for gripping and lifting covers of varying sizes and weights. The prior art devices have not solved the problem of the necessity of the use of a person's hands in unthreading and removing the covers which increases the risk of possible injury to the hand or fingers.
One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,506,675 that describes tongs having crossed handles and square notches formed in the jaws for engaging a workpiece. This invention has a pair of opposed jaws which are notched so that when the jaws are closed a squared opening is formed. This invention has straight handles and is designed to enter the universal joint tang and into the squared opening of the drive plate assembly of the type comprised in Ford automobiles. The '675 patent is not designed for engaging covers and does not have inwardly turned handles that would similarly provide a hand hold when engaged for removing covers. Another example in the art field is U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,938. This patent describes a pliers type tong tool having turned handles for the removal of a spark plug cover. However, the turned ends of the handles turn outwardly rather than inwardly, and thus can not serve as a hand hold to remove and lift covers in the manner of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 1,250,365 shows a pliers type tong tool having inwardly turned handles. However, the inwardly turned ends of the handles meet in direct interference, and thus can not serve as a hand hold in the manner disclosed in the present invention. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 1,293,696 has notches formed in each jaw which form complementary portions of a hexagonal opening for engaging a workpiece. The '696 patent is not designed to lift a cover such as the present invention. Further, the '696 has straight handles that can not form a hand hold for lifting covers of any significant weight.
None of these teach nor suggest using inwardly turned handle ends to form a hand hold for removing and lifting covers.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cover lifting device with inwardly turned handles to form a hand hold when removing various covers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an improved cover lifting device for lifting and unthreading covers of various weights and sizes including manhole covers, liquid storage tank covers, sewer and water meter covers, comprising a first flat elongate lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted for engaging a cover; a second flat elongate lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end adapted for engaging a cover, the second flat elongate lever arm pivotally connected to the first flat elongate lever arm; a first handle attached to the second end of the first flat elongate lever arm and inwardly disposed at an angle from the first lever arm; a second handle attached to the second end of the second elongate lever arm and inwardly disposed at an angle from the second lever arm, the first handle and second handle forming a hand hold when manually gripped.
Because of the preferred embodiment's inwardly turned handles, the present invention is capable of forming a hand hold when engaged to lift covers that vary in weight from small to large depending on the type of materials used in manufacturing the cover. A preferred embodiment's inwardly turned handles facilitates the prying open of the lid so that it can be engaged and removed. Further, the preferred embodiment's notched ends can be used to engage a workpiece and remove covers that require unthreading before removal.
This summary is not intended to be a limitation with respect to the features of the invention as claimed, and this and other objects can be more readily observed and understood in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the claims.
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patent: 4572566 (1986-02-01), Terrington
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patent: 5070564 (1991-12-01), Fey
patent: 11360 (1908-10-01), None
Kramer Dean J.
The Matthews Firm
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