GB2289861A

GB2289861A - Tool for picking up objects

Info

Publication number: GB2289861A
Application number: GB9410798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael James Chilvers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-28
Filing date: 1994-05-28
Publication date: 1995-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2014-05-28
Also published as: GB9410798D0; GB2289861B

Abstract

A hand held tool for picking up objects comprises two shafts 2 which cross at a movable crossover point 12. Each shaft 2 has a hand grip 4 at one end and a scoop member 6 at its other end. The shafts 2 are pivotally connected via a pivot point 10 which is remote from the crossover point 12. The tool allows objects to be picked up from the ground and moved with little strain to the user's back. The scoop members 6 may overlap in the closed position (Fig 2). The scoop may comprise a bar (18 Fig 3) with a plurality of tines (20 Fig 3) to act as a fork. <IMAGE>

Description

A TOOL The present invention relates to a hand held tool for picking up objects on the ground.

Tools such as shovels, for picking up and moving objects on the ground, for example earth, manure, or coal, typically involve much bending of the back and consequently risk back strain in the user.

According to the present invention there is provided a hand held tool for picking up objects, which tool comprises a first shaft and a second shaft which cross at a movable crossover point, each shaft having a hand grip at its proximal end and a scoop member at its distal end, wherein the shafts are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot point which is remote from the crossover point so that the scoop members may be brought together or moved apart by pivotal movement of the shafts.

The length of the shafts is preferably chosen so that the tool may be used by a standing user to pick up objects on the ground without the user having to bend his back unduly, thereby reducing the risk of back strain.

Alternatively the length of the shafts may be chosen so that a user who is sitting down, for example a user in a wheel-chair, may conveniently use the tool to pick up objects off the ground in his immediate vicinity. In a preferred embodiment the length of each shaft is adjustable to suit different users. This may be achieved, for example, by constructing each shaft from two parts which are slidably mounted with respect to each other.

The two parts may be locked together by any suitable means; for example a screw thread and wing nut.

The tool is operated by holding a hand grip in each hand, and bringing the hands apart, to separate the scoop members, or together, to bring the scoop members together.

Thus bringing the hands together allows the scoop members to grip or enclose an object which is to be picked up, and bringing the hands apart allows a user to drop the object.

The tool may be used to pick up materials, for example gravel, powders or sand. Pivotally linking the shafts at a point remote from the crossover point allows the scoop members to be opened wide enough to accommodate a relatively large object or collection of objects, for example straw or manure. The linkage may also provide a mechanical advantage whereby the scoop members are held firmly together by means of relatively gentle pressure exerted on the hand grips.

Preferably each shaft is provided with a side arm, and the pivot is formed between overlapping portions of the side arms. This allows a simple symmetrical construction of the tool. The pivot may also, however, be formed directly between the shafts if one or both shafts is bent inwardly.

One or both shafts may be bent at an angle in order further to improve the maximum separation of the scoop members.

Each shaft may be of tubular or solid construction, and the crossover between the shafts may be a simple side by side alignment. Alternatively one of the shafts may be provided with an axial slot through which the other shaft extends. This embodiment provides a tool which is particularly robust and resistant to lateral force. The slot may be formed in a single shaft, or it may comprise a gap between two separate shafts which are fixed in parallel alignment.

Each hand grip may simply comprise the end of the respective shaft. Preferably each hand grip is provided with a compliant layer, for example rubber, for ease of gripping..

In a preferred embodiment the shafts are provided with spring means which urge the shafts, and therefore the scoop members, to adopt a preset rest position. It is preferred that the spring means urge the shafts to pivot so that the scoop means are together (the closed position) when no external force is applied. This means that when an object is held by the tool it may be carried without the need for the user to exert an inward force on the hand grips. Release of the object is then achieved by pulling the hand grips apart against the spring force. Although it is preferred that the spring means urge the scoop members into the closed position, it is also possible to use spring means which retain the scoop members apart (the open position) when no external force is exerted.

The scoop members may each comprise flat or curved blades which are adapted to grip or enclose an object when brought together. Alternatively the scoop members may each comprise a fork for use, particularly, with larger objects. The fork may have straight or curved tines for gripping or scooping the object or objects. Different scoop members may also be used in the same tool; for example a blade may be used on one shaft, and a fork with the other shaft.

In a preferred embodiment both scoop members are curved and, when together in the closed position, one is located at least partly inside the other so as to provide a firm support for an object which is being carried. Where the scoop members are both forks it is preferred that the tines are curved and that the tines become at least partially interdigitated when together in the closed position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a hand held tool for picking up objects, which tool comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, each of which has a hand grip at its proximal end and a scoop member at its distal end, wherein the shafts cross at a crossover point and are pivotally connected to each other so that the scoop members may be brought together in a closed position or moved apart to an open position by pivotal movement of the shafts, and wherein the scoop members are curved so that one lies at least partly inside the other in the closed position.

Preferably the pivotal connection is remote from the crossover point.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a tool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in an open position; Figure 2 is a view of the tool of Figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 3 is a view of a tool in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a view of a tool in accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the invention.

The tool shown in Figure 1 comprises two shafts 2, each of which is provided with a rubber hand grip 4 at its proximal end and a scoop member 6 at its distal end. The shafts 2 cross over at a movable crossover point 12, and they are pivotally connected together by means of side arms 8 at a pivot point 10.

The scoop members 6 are in the form of curved blades which may be moved together by moving the hand grips 4 together, or moved apart by moving the hand grips 4 apart. This allows a user to open the scoop members to accommodate an object, for example a pile of manure, and then to close the scoop members so as to trap the object and allow it to be carried and released elsewhere.

Figure 2 shows the tool with the scoop members 6 in the closed position. The scoop members 6 overlap so that one lies partially inside the other to provide a secure platform for supporting the object and reducing the chance of anything falling through the bottom of the tool.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Each scoop member 6 now comprises a bar 18 from which project a plurality of curved tines 20 which act as a fork. When the scoop members 6 are brought together, the tines 20 can become interdigitated to provide a secure platform for an object which is to be carried. The tines 12 are particularly useful for carrying an object which can be impaled on a fork, for example a bale of hay or straw.

The shafts 2 are provided with a spring 16, which is attached via a pair lug 14 on each shaft. The spring 16 acts to urge the scoop members 6 into the closed position so that an object may be carried without the user needing to exert any inward force on the shafts 2.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention.

The tool is similar to that shown in Figure 1, but the shafts 2 have both been bent to form a knee and the pivot 10 connects the shafts 2 at the knees. This allows the tool to be constructed without the use of side arms.

The shafts have been illustrated for convenience as being arranged side by side. However the invention is not limited to this embodiment; one shaft may have an axial slot, and the other shaft may extend through this to provide a more robust structure. Similarly the spring means may equally well be chosen to act to urge the scoop members apart.

The invention provides a convenient tool for picking up and carrying objects on the ground without excessive strain on the user's back.

Claims

1. A hand held tool for picking up objects, which tool comprises a first shaft and a second shaft which cross at a movable crossover point, each shaft having a hand grip at its proximal end and a scoop member at its distal end, wherein the shafts are pivotally connected to each other at a.pivot point which is remote from the crossover point so that the scoop members may be brought together or moved apart by pivotal movement of the shafts.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein each shaft is of a length which allows a standing user to pick objects off the ground without unduly bending his back.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein each shaft is of a length which allows a sitting user to pick objects off the ground in his immediate vicinity.

4. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of each shaft is adjustable.

5. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each shaft is provided with a side arm, and the pivot is formed between overlapping portions of the side arms.

6. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the scoop members are curved and, when together in a closed position, one is located at least partially inside the other so as to provide a firm platform for an object which is to be carried.

7. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein spring means are provided which urge the shafts to adopt a preset rest position.

8. A hand held tool for picking up objects, which tool comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, each of which has a hand grip at its proximal end and a scoop member at its distal end, wherein the shafts cross at a crossover point and are pivotally connected to each other so that the scoop members may be brought together in a closed position or moved apart to an open position by pivotal movement of the shafts, and wherein the scoop members are curved so that one lies at least partially inside the other in the closed position.

9. A hand held tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in any one of the drawings.