CA2323917A1 - The ally cat super shovel - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an all season mufti-purpose shovel and wheel barrow combination, in the fashion of a human powered mini front end loader. The apparatus is comprised of a multi-medium container for scooping snow, gravels, soils etc. This container (9) is moved along the ground or at varying heights scooping up any loose piled material to be shoveled and transported to another location. The container is attached to a wheeled frame (5,14), which is pushed by handles (3) similar to a wheel barrow, after said frame is rotated to a horizontal position. Upon reaching a destination the container [ shovel or bucket - (9) ] can be dumped efficiently by rotation through the use of dump straps (2). The dump straps are attached to the container dump strap connector bracket (15), and the frame hip thigh push bar (1) at the other end. The container is rotated by pulling the dump strap handle (6), sliding said straps over a directional control cross bar (7). The hinged gravity stop (8) locks the container while in the vertical position to allow filling. When the unit is rotated to the horizontal transport position, the loads center of gravity is transferred to the rear of the container helping balance the unit for increased mechanical advantage.
This shift of weight also trips the hinged gravity stop allowing rotation of the container for dumping. The container is held in place and rotated on two aligned rotation assemblies (10) which are connected to the frame. The re-enforced container forward edge (11) is driven into the material to be transported by pushing on the frame foot push bar area between the wheels (14). Adjustment of the container maximum rear rotation angle, is done with the dump strap buckles (4).

Description

Disclosures - Claims Apparatus for moving loose materials.
Field and background of the invention.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving various loose packed materials such as snow, gravel, sand, top soil, and sawdust etc. This apparatus is a mini human powered front end loader, which both scoops like a shovel and transports like a wheelbarrow, all in one unit.
The original concept in the development of this invention, was to create a means of removing snow from driveways and sidewalks which would be easier on the heart and back.
It had to be a device which could be used at a slower pace, with less bending and twisting but still accomplish the same job efficiently in the same amount of time. Light snow fall can usually be pushed away easily by a regular snow shovel.
Heavy and deeper snow however can be very exhausting to scoop up and throw far enough to be clear of the driveway.
A regular wheelbarrow is susceptible to dangerous sliding and tipping on ice and snow. This new said invention however, is built with two wheels for balance and creating a fulcrum point for mechanical advantage. The human operator does not have to lift the load but rather uses their body weight like a teeter-toter to raise the opposing weight. Moving the loaded apparatus is more like gushing with the legs, while partially riding the mechanism. The strap mechanism makes dumping the load much easier than dumping a loaded wheelbarrow.
The surprise was that this invention is not only valuable for snow removal, but has countless all season uses for moving any material that can be shoveled for home and commercial industry. Eg.-residential construction, landscaping, and farming.
This invention is not for every shovel and wheelbarrow type job, nor is it a magical solution for people with serious physical health problems. Tests to date however have shown this device to average an efficiency advantage over shovel and wheelbarrow, of fifteen to twenty five percent depending on the type of job being performed. This efficiency can be expressed either in time saved completing a job, or taking the same time with less energy loss and strain.
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Claims