Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand forks and shovels – Grappling type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-26
2001-06-26
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand forks and shovels
Grappling type
C056S400120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250697
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device which can be quickly attached to a tool handle for assisting a user in trapping debris against the toolhead.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Various tools such as rakes, shovels and brooms are used to accumulate and remove debris from floors, lawns and similar surfaces. Typically, the debris is maneuvered into one or more piles which must be transferred to a waste container. To remove leaves, a user must stoop and grasp the tool with one hand and press the debris against the tool head with the other. To remove dirt or dust, the user must bend over and rake the debris into a dust pan or similar receptacle for disposal. In either event, such a task is laborious, strenuous and time consuming. The present invention provides a device which may be attached to any one of a number of tool handles that can trap debris against the tool head so that the debris may be quickly and easily transferred to a disposal receptacle.
A myriad of devices for trapping debris against rakes and similar tools exists in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,267 issued to Bricker et al relates to a raking and pickup tool including a pair of shafts pivotally joined at intermediate portions thereof. One shaft has a scooping head, such as a shovel or rake head, while the other shaft has a rake head having tines extending away from the scooping head.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,988 issued to Glaser relates to a quick connect rake system comprising two rakes or similar yard tools pivotally attached by a quick connect tube system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,370 issued to Russell relates to a pickup head hingedly attached to the rear side of a lawn rake. The device includes a clamp for securing the pickup head in an upright storage position so as not to interfere with raking. When debris removal is desired, the arm is pulled forward releasing it from the clamp. The head is then pushed adjacent the main rake head thereby compressing debris therebetween.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,189 issued to Nelson relates to a rake having a grasping head pivotally attached to a link fastened to the rake head. The pivotable link separates the upper portions of the two heads such that the grasping capacity is greater than that of conventional rakes with grasping devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,671 issued to Gascon relates to a pickup rake having a main rake head and an auxiliary rake head movably mounted with respect to the main rake head.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,945 issued to Spencer relates to a lawn rake including a pair of rake heads.
Although various tools for trapping debris against a rake head exist in the prior art, the above described devices have several disadvantages. In order to maintain debris between the tool head and auxiliary head, pressure must be continuously applied to the auxiliary head. If the requisite amount of pressure is not applied, the debris will be released. Furthermore, each of the auxiliary heads described above either relate to a rake head or a larger shovel type head, either of which have limited utility. The present invention provides a device attachable to a tool handle which includes a clip for locking a scoop in a position immediately adjacent the tool head to trap debris therebetween. Furthermore, the tool head is uniquely configured to be interchangeably used with rakes, shovels, brooms and other tools. This interchangeability can occur without modification to the tool itself (i.e. no special connection features are required on the shaft). Additionally, the device of the present invention provides an increased range of pivotal motion for the device, relative to the tool. Finally, the scoop functions as a dust pan for receiving and transferring debris.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for trapping debris against a toolhead. The device comprises a base portion having an arcuate indention for receiving a portion of a tool handle. A clamp is mounted to an opposing portion of the handle and is secured to the base portion. Hingedly attached to the base portion is an elongated auxiliary head. The auxiliary head includes a pair of arcuate arms having a debris scoop disposed therebetween. The scoop is positioned proximal the distal ends of the arms so as to be insertable beneath a pile of debris. At an opposing end of the auxiliary head is a stem having a handle attached thereto. A locking clip is disposed on the base portion for removably receiving the handle stem. When the handle is moved towards the tool handle and the stem is inserted into the locking clip, the scoop is locked in a position immediately adjacent and facing the tool head, automatically trapping debris thereagainst. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device that can effectively trap debris against a tool head.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for trapping debris against a tool head that can be interchageably used with various tools which are standard, requiring no modification for attaching the device.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a device for trapping debris against a tool head which may be locked in a position adjacent the tool head. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 917634 (1909-04-01), Melby
patent: 1222711 (1917-04-01), Armstrong
patent: 2942401 (1960-06-01), Napoli
patent: 3164945 (1965-01-01), Spencer
patent: 4037397 (1977-07-01), Fiorentino
patent: 4185448 (1980-01-01), Blanco
patent: 4378671 (1983-04-01), Gascon
patent: 4427227 (1984-01-01), Haskell
patent: 4545189 (1985-10-01), Nelson
patent: 4991386 (1991-02-01), Dirksen
patent: 5058370 (1991-10-01), Russell
patent: 5459988 (1995-10-01), Glaser
patent: 5564267 (1996-10-01), Bricker et al.
patent: 5901540 (1999-05-01), Vella
Cherry Johnny D.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
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