Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hand forks and shovels – Attachments
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-16
2001-03-20
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hand forks and shovels
Attachments
C254S131500, C294S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203081
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The herein disclosed invention finds applicability where leveraged lifting is required. More specifically, the invention is directed to a modified hand shovel to be used mainly for snow removal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is a continuing need and desire to produce lifting instruments which can lift heavy loads without placing undue physical strain on the person doing the lifting. This is particulary true of shoveling snow where many times elderly folk do the shoveling and place undue strain on their back as well as their heart. The shovel of this invention is designed to allow the user to shovel the snow without placing undue strain on the back or the heart.
The problem presented in shoveling snow is the raising of the snow to dump it. The snow has to be raised to about waist level. That is what puts a strain on the back. Once the snow is gotten to about waist level, it is relatively easy to sling the snow to one side for disposal.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
In the normal manner of using a hand shovel, the operator is forced to assume an awkward and crouched position over the shank of the shovel and to grasp the shank of the shovel with one hand at the balance thereof and the other hand at or near the extremity thereof The operator then forces the blade of the shovel into the material, lifts the load on the blade, and flings the material to one side. The lifting of the load requires great physical effort and causes exertion to both the back and heart muscles and can cause back pain and heart attacks. This exertion can also cause hernias and general muscular pain. Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved hand shovel that will lessen the strain on the muscles, back, and heart of the human operator.
PRIOR ART PATENTS
U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,332 discloses a shovel with a levered fulcrum, however the levered fulcrum is not automatically retractable.
Champi (U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,933) teaches a shovel with a fulcrum which is foot operated.
Krug (U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,084) teaches a shovel with a fulcrum to be placed against the thigh for leverage.
Vroegindewey (U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,651) shows a cambered foot-operated lever fulcrum for attachment to a shovel.
Rocha (U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,582) shows a two-handed shovel.
Samuelson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,98,921) shows a shovel with a fulcrum to be used to facilitate the lifting of a load.
McLoughlin (U.S. Pat. No. 2,520,606) teaches a two-handed, fulcrum-levered handle for attachment to a shovel to provide a means for easy lifting of a load. The shovel has a pair of wheels. The wheels are mounted on an axle attached to the ends of a fork. In turn, the fork arrangement is attached to the shovel. This fork arrangement functions as a fulcrum for the shovel.
Underwood (U.S. Pat. No. 2,846,785) discloses a wheeled side-dumping scoop, wherein a wheel assembly serving as a fulcrum is adjustably mounted on the shaft. The device has the capability of tilting the load to the side for load removal.
Chetwynde (U.S. Pat. No. 3,748,761) further discloses a supplementary wheeled carriage acting as a fulcrum to facilitate lifting the load on the blade of the shovel.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
This invention has as its primary object producing a shovel which will be able to lift its load without placing undue physical stain on its user.
Another object of this invention is to produce a device for improving a shovel which can be retrofitted onto the handles of existing shovels.
A further object of this invention is to produce a shovel which is easy and safe to use while being able to lift heavy loads.
An important object of this invention is to produce a shovel which is able to lift heavy loads while both feet are on the ground rather than having one of the feet pressing on a lever to lift the load.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The herein disclosed invention relates to shovels, and more particularly, to an attachment for a hand shovel that will enable it to be operated with considerably less strain and physical exertion.
In this invention, a shovel is provided with an adjustable levered fulcrum. The adjustable levered fulcrum is pivotally attached to a handle (shank) of the shovel at a place intermediate to the handle and the scoop. The levered fulcrum is resiliently biased and with the levered fulcrum having a use position and a resting position. The levered fulcrum is attached to the handle of the shovel with a hinge and the resilient bias is provided by a torsion spring.
The invention is directed to a shovel with a levered lift means which serves as a fulcrum so that heavy loads can be more easily lifted. Another significant feature of this invention is that the levered fulcrum means is fitted so as to be automatically retractable once the load is to be removed from the shovel.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 2269119 (1942-01-01), Mason
patent: 2497771 (1950-02-01), Hirst
patent: 2520606 (1950-08-01), McLoughlin
patent: 2769612 (1956-11-01), Weisheit
patent: 2846785 (1958-08-01), Underwood
patent: 3035816 (1962-05-01), Conant
patent: 3748761 (1973-07-01), Chetwynde
patent: 4722512 (1988-02-01), Lighthizer
patent: 4881332 (1989-11-01), Evertsen
patent: 5133582 (1992-07-01), Rocha
patent: 5499852 (1996-03-01), Seigendall
patent: 5669651 (1997-09-01), Vroegindewey
patent: 5732933 (1998-03-01), Champi
patent: 5863084 (1999-01-01), Krug
patent: 5918921 (1999-07-01), Samuelson
patent: 1053224 (1959-03-01), None
patent: 1215811 (1960-04-01), None
patent: 659100 (1951-10-01), None
patent: 1426-478 (1988-09-01), None
Bloom Leonard
Kramer Dean J.
LandOfFree
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