Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of devices coupled with integrated
tilting shovel
head and adapted for engaging snow for maneuvering and manipulating purposes.
More specificaily, the invention is in the field such devices having shovel
head for
engaging snow, which include a tilting shovel head coupled with integrated
spring-
loaded mechanism in additional to the usual wheeled/levered shovel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I ~l
Wheeled and/or levered snow shovels have been invented, capable of scraping
and
gathering, lifting, dumping and launching quantities of material such as snow
with
minimal amount of physical exertion and strain on the operator, especially on
the spine.
U.S. Pat. No. 20050160633 issued to Mark Noonan on Jul. 28, 2005 discloses a
relatively large wheeled shovei having a handle formed at the end of an
elongated
yoke, the yoke in the middle is supporting through a wheel's axle of a large
wheel for
the purpose of picking up of a load, transporting it to a location, and
propelling the load
over-board with quick arm/body motion on the part of a person operating on the
handle.
?!i The substantially waist-high wheel is adapted to receive the body force of
an operator
as an effective leverage through the handle and causes a recoil action from
the wheel
to enhance the throwing power of the apparatus of the invention, comprising
the shovel,
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the wheel and the yoke as the driving member.
U.S. Pat. No, 20050160632 issued to Cyril Williams on Jul 28, 2005 discloses a
wheeled shovel with pivot mounted behind the scoop. Upon activation of a
release
lever, the scoop head is allowed to rotate downward, hence dumping its load. A
wheel
assembly mounted to an intermediate portion of the frame supports the scoop in
an
inclined position. Furthermore, the wheel assembly acts as a fulcrum whereby
downward pressure on the handlebars of the shovel elevates the scoop for ease
of
transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,887 issued to Mohiuddin Muzzammel on May 18, 2004
discloses a
wheeled shovel with a pair of large wheels placed well behind the snow scoop.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,921 issued to Vernon Samuelson on Jul. 6, 1999 discloses a
levered shovel with wheel assembly connected to approximately the centre of
the
handle shaft of a shovel, which wheel acts as a fulcrum for the shovel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,327 issued to Marlin/Kevin Jurkowski on Apr. 30, 1996
discloses a
cart-like structural wheeled shovel having a wheel centrally located, The
wheel acts as
a fulcrum in order to elevate the scoop by pressing downward on the handlebar.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,894 issued to Sam Emma on Dec. 1, 1981 discloses a cart-
like
structural wheeled shovel with wheel centrally positioned and manually
operated lever
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and when lever is activated, it causes the scoop to rotate downward thus
dumping the
load off the scoop.
Tilting shovel head has been developed to address the problem with operator
running
forward to facilitate adequate forward force, hence preventing slippage on ice
which
causes injuries in order not to receive snow shower during launch-off due to
centrifugal
force which pivotal around the wheel resting on the ground toward the
operator.
Tilting shovel head downward coupled with spring-loaded mechanism alter the
centrifugal circular-upward force; hence the launch is diverted to a forward
launch
direction.
Although, the above devices each may be useful for its intended purpose, it
would be
beneficial to the field to have an alternative combination of wheel/lever
shovel which
overcomes these limitations.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for removing and disposing of snow comprising: a handle; a foldable
wheel
assembly; shovel head that tAts to launch a snow load when a sudden force
downward
is applied on the handle bounces back to its original position when the snow
load is
launched off.
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With operator stationary in standing upright position, it is possible to
launch the snow on
the shovel head by introducing a sudden downward force on the handle by using
both
arms/upper body motion, hence create an additional artificial load on the
shovel head
on the other end and with the assistance of integrated tilting mechanism
located just
behind the shovel head, then snow load is launched toward horizontal direction
away
from the operator.
The shovel head tilts back once the snow is launched-off the shovel head, due
to
springs or alternate bendable plastic/rubber like compound material called
"elastic"
which retracts or bounce-back to its original length or straight-shape in a
sudden
manner which create an abrupt stop, which prevent snow to stick to and/or
build-up on
the shovel head.
The wheel assembly can be quickly folded after each use in order to save space
for
storing purposes.
The handle can be quickly removed after each use in order to save space for
storing
purposes.
The handie height can be quickly adjusted by means of telescoping to ensure
perfect
ergonomic comfort to the operator.
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IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of the device showing wheel, T-shape handle
at one
end and shovel head assembly on the other end for gathering then launching
snow load
in particular.
FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1, showing the placement of shovel head
assembly at the
front and T-shape handle at the rear with one wheel.
FIG. 2A is a front view of FIG. 1, showing the placement of shovel head
assembly at
the front and T-shape handle at the rear with two wheels to enhance stability
on a
largerlwider shovel head.
FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 2, showing the placement of shovel head assembly
at one
end and T-shape handle at the other end.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of FIG. 3, showing the device from the operator side
with one
wheel.
FIG. 4A is a rear view of FIG. 3, showing the device from the operator side
with two
wheels to enhance stability on a(arger/wider shovel head.
FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional view of the device with T-shape handte being
detached
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and the wheel assembly being folded for space-saving storage.
FIG. 6A is a wheel assembly folding sequence diagram by means of rotating
method.
FIG. 6B is a wheel assembly unfolding sequence diagram by means of rotating
method.
FIG. 7A is a wheel assembly folding sequence diagram by means of alternate
sliding
niethod.
FIG. 7B is a wheel assembly unfolding sequence diagram by means of alternate
sliding
method.
FIG. 8A is an operation diagram, indicating handle/shovel head relations to
the operator
at Gathering Load.
FIG. 8B is an operation diagram, indicating handle/shovel head relations to
the operator
at Initial Launch.
FIG. 8C is an operation diagram, indicating handle/shovel head relations to
the operator
at Final Launch.
FIG. 8D is an operation diagram, indicating handle/shovel head relations to
the operator
at Launched-Off.
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FIG. 9 is a combined sequences of operation diagram, indicating handle/shovel
head
relations to the operator at different sequences during operation.
FIG. 10A is a close-up view of the tilting bucket assembly showing shovel head
in
loading position utilizing springs arrangement.
FIG. 10B is a close-up view of the tilting bucket assembly showing
artificially loaded
shovel head position utilizing springs arrangement.
FIG. 11A is a close-up view of the tilting shovel assembly showing shovel head
in
loading position utilizing alternate bendable plastic/rubber like compound
material(s)
arrangement.
FIG. 11 B is a close-up view of the tilting shovel assembly artificially
loaded shovel head
position utilizing alternate bendable plastic/rubber like compound material(s)
arrangement.
FIG. 12 is a close-up view of pivot assembly.
FIG. 13A is a close-up view of alternate bendable plastic/rubber like compound
material
assembly at dormant stage.
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FIG. 13B is a close-up view of alternate bendable plastic/rubber like compound
material
assembly at bent stage.
FIG. 14 is a close-up view of wheel assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 - 14, the details of preferred
embodiments of the
present invention are graphically and schematically illustrated.
U
As shown on FIG. 1, the wheeled-levered snow/launcher with tilting shovel head
device
comprises a primary handle 20, bucket assembly 30, T-handle 40 and wheel
assembly 50.
As shown on FIG. 2 and 2A, handle 40 is inserted in 20 and can be adjusted up
and
down to suit operator height through different holes 21.
As shown on FIG. 3, is a side view of the device in gathering mode.
As shown on FIG. 4, is a rear view of the device with one wheel in gathering
mode.
As shown on FIG. 4A, is a rear view of the device with two wheels in gathering
mode,
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As shown in FIG. 5; Shovel head handle 32 having fixed to shovel head 31 in
one end
and spring pin 34 on the other end with pivot 33 in between. One end of
springs 35
mount to spring mounting pin 34 and the other end of springs 35 mount to
spring
mounting pin 23. Wheel assembly 50 is being separated by spacer 22. Spring-
loaded
snap-button 42 is used to secure handle 41 to desire holes of 21. Locking-pin
54 is
inserted in hole 24 in order to secure folded wheel assembly from opening up
unintentionally while it is in folding mode for storage.
As shown in FIG. 6A. Folding Sequence with rotating method; By pulling-out
locking-pin
I cr 54 from hole 25, arm 52 will free to rotate, while rotating arm 52
clockwise, arm 53
combined with wheel 51 also require to be rotated counter clockwise until the
arm 53
stop at spacer 22 where wheel 51 reaches behind shovel head 31, by keep
rotating arm
52 line-up to hole 24, then locking pin 54 is inserted into hole 24 in order
to secure
folded wheel assembly from opening up unintentionally.
As shown in FIG. 6B. Unfolding Sequence with rotating method; By pulling-out
locking-
pin 54 from hole 24, arm 52 will free to rotate, while rotating arm 52 counter
clockwise,
arm 53 combined with wheel 51 also require to be rotated clockwise, by keep
rotating
arm 52 line-up to hole 25, then locking pin 54 is inserted into hole 25 in
order to secure
?c~ wheel assembly in unfolded ready in-use position.
As shown in FIG. 7A. Folding Sequence with sliding method; By pulling-out
locking-pin
54 from hole 27, arm 52 will free to rotate, by sliding knuckle arm 28 upward
along
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primary handle 26, the wheel 51 also move forward as a result until knuckle
arm 28
reach its position at 28a, then locking pin 54 is inserted through hole 29 in
order to
secure folded wheel assembly from opening up unintentionally.
As shown in FIG. 7B. Unfolding Sequence with sliding method; By pulling-out
locking-
pin 54 from hole 29, arm 52 will free to rotate, by sliding knuckle arm 28
downward
along primary handle 26, the wheel 51 also move backward as a result until
knuckle
arm 28 reach its position at 28a, then locking pin 54 is inserted through hole
27 in order
to secure wheel assembly in unfolded ready in-use position.
As shown in FIG. 8A. Gathering Load, is possible by operator pushing the
device
forward, causing the snow to accumulate in the shovel head.
As shown in FIG. 8B. Initial Launch, when the operator at one end introduces a
sudden
force (jerk) downward on the handle and this causes the shovel head on the
other side
to receive an additional artificial load which overcomes the designed spring-
rate of the
spring. This causes the springs to extend and the shovel head assembly tilts
downward.
As shown in FIG. 8C. Final Launch, with operator pushing down on the handle
quickly,
the entire device then rotate toward the operator around the wheel resting on
the
ground, hence centrifugal force is created in which the force being used to
launch the
load, not in upward direction but rather in diagonal forward direction due to
tilted
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downward position of the shovel head.
As shown in FIG. 8D. Launched-Off, is completed then the springs will retract
to its
original length in a sudden manner which soon bottom-out. This creates an
abrupt
stop, which prevent any snow to stick to the shovel head.
As shown in FIG. 9
A1'; Handle elevation at gathering mode
A2'; Shovel head at gathering mode
B1'; Handle elevation at initial launch
'B2'; Shovel head at initial launch
C1'; Handle elevations at final launch and launched-off
C2'; Shovel head at final launch
C3'; Shovel head at launched-off
As shown in FIG. 10A. Shovel head in Loading utilizing springs arrangement;
Shovel
head 31 is resting on the ground at gathering mode with springs 35 in dormant
state.
Locking pin 54 is inserted through hole 25 in order to secure wheel assembly
in ready-
use operation.
As shown in FIG. 10B. Artificially Loaded Shovel Head utilizing springs
arrangement;
Due to induced load cause by sudden jerk by operator on the other end, the
springs 35
is extended and shovel head 31 tilted freely downward in vertical planes on
its pivotal
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33. Shovel head handle 32 then bottom-out against plastic/rubber like coated
bump
stop 24. Wheel assembly 50 comprises of wheel 51, arm 52 on one side and arm
53 on
the other side. Arm 52 is secured on one end with wheel axle 55 and the other
end is
secured with locking pin 54. Arm 53 is secured on one end with wheel axle 55
and the
other end is secured with pin 56. (Not shown) It is possible to use
compression springs
rather than extension springs as shown on Fig. 10B, by placing the compression
springs on the same side as the shovel head in respect to pivot 33 (to the
right of pivot
33) location in order to facilitate an equal effectiveness.
As shown in FIG. 11A. The Shovel utilizes an alternate bendable plastic/rubber
like
compound material(s) arrangement; Shovel head 31 is resting on the ground at
gathering mode with elastic 39 in dormant state.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 11 B. The Shovel utilizes alternate bendable
plastic/rubber like
compound material(s) arrangement; Due to induced load cause by sudden jerk by
operator on the other end, the elastic 39 is bent and shovel head 31 tilted
downward.
Shovel head handle 32a then bottom-out against plastic/rubber like coated bump
stop
24.
As shown in FIG. 12. Spring mounting pin 34 is inserted through shovel head
handle 32
and welded on both sides, shoulders to retain springs are provided on both
ends of
spring mounting pin 34. Spring mounting pin 23 is inserted through primary
handle 26
and welded on both sides, shoulders to retain springs are provided on both
ends of
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spring mounting pin 23. Metal sleeve 38 is inserted through shovel head handle
32 and
welded on both sides. Plastic like friction-free material bushing 37 then
inserted in metal
sleeve 38. Plastic like cove spacers 36 are provided on both sides of shovel
head
liandle 32. Finally, hollow metal axle 33 is inserted through pivot assembly
with fiares
on both ends to retain the whole assembly together.
As shown in FIG. 13A. Shovel head in Loading utilizing alternate bendable
plastic/rubber like compound material(s) arrangement; Elastic 39, one end is
inserted in
shovel head handle 32 and the other end is inserted in shovel head handle 32a.
Top
half-round closure guide 27 is provided. The closure-sides to keep the bucket
handle
32a from moving side to side and allowing it to rotate freely in a vertical
plane. The
closure-top to provide stopper on the shovel head handle 32a from bending
upward.
As shown in FIG. 13B. The Shovel utilizes alternate bendable plastic/rubber
like
compound material(s) arrangement; Elastic 39 bent due to artificial load on
the shovel
head.
As shown in FIG. 14. Wheel axle 55 is inserted through arm 52 and welded on
both
sides. Plastic like cove spacers 58 and 59 are provided on both sides of the
wheel 51.
Metal sleeve 57 is inserted through arm 53 and welded on both sides. Wheel
axle 55 is
hollow, then inserted through wheel and again through metal sleeve 57 then
flared on
the end to retain the whole assembly together. It is possible for wheel
assembly 50 to
be folded as shown on previous FIG. 4 due to arm 53 rotate freely around the
wheel
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axle 55 on one end and pin 56 on the other end.
The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention
which
is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as
limited to any
of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations
thereof as
come within the scope of the appended claims.
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