Innovative Device to Facilitate and Ease the Stresses Inherent in the Shoveling Process

Abstract

The instant invention is an innovative device designed to reduce the stress and strain on an individual's back that are associated with the shoveling process. The device is comprised of a shovel receptacle holder, a base plate, a base pad with a hard outer shell that contours to an individual's leg, and straps that hold the assembled device to the leg. The device is practiced by attaching the assembled device to an individual's leg; placing a shovel handle in the shovel receptacle holder; and then engaging in the normal shoveling process. However, instead of using the back to lift the shovel, the device allows the individual to use the fulcrum property to facilitate the shoveling process. This is accomplished by the individual pushing down primarily on the rear part of the shovel handle while lightly lifting the front of the handle thereby lifting the front end of the shovel. In so doing, the lifting is accomplished primarily by the downward motion of the arm, the upper leg, and the fulcrum property of the instant invention and not by an individual's back. A lightweight version of the device is also disclosed wherein the shovel receptacle and shovel receptacle holder are combined into one integrated piece.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application 61/331,369.

FEDERAL RESEARCH STATEMENT

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device designed to significantly ease the stresses and strains upon an individual inherent in the shoveling process. More particularly, the instant invention is a simple leveraging device that acts as a flexible fulcrum about which a shovel can act as a lever. The device straps on the upper leg above the knee to help any person of any age use any shovel, or tool with a handle (for example, a hoe) that requires lifting, moving or transporting materials (earth, snow, rocks, gravel, etc.) more effectively. The device achieves maximum leverage by redirecting the main locus of pressure from the lower back and onto the upper leg. In so doing it can reduce and prevents the likelihood of strain, stress, pain or injury to the lower back when used appropriately. While the instant invention is demonstrated by use of a shovel, it is equally applicable to any type of implement that requires lifting such as a pitchfork.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a device that is designed to significantly ease the stresses and strains upon an individual inherent in the shoveling process. More particularly, the instant invention is a simple leveraging device that acts as a fulcrum for a shovel. The device straps across the upper leg and serves to help any person of any age use any type of shovel, or tool with a handle (for example, a hoe) that requires lifting, moving or transporting materials (earth, snow, rocks, gravel, etc.) more effectively. The device achieves maximum leverage by redirecting the main locus of strain and pressure from the lower back and onto the upper leg. In so doing it can reduce and prevent the likelihood of strain, stress, pain or injury to the lower back. While the instant device can be used for a variety of long handled tools such as shovels, hoes, rakes, etc., the functions and benefits of this device will be illustrated by describing the functioning of the device with a shovel.

A variation of the instant invention is the lightweight version that attaches to the belt of an individual and does not require a base plate. The lightweight version would be used for light implements such as a small shovel that do not require the same degree of structure or “lift capacity” that a regular shovel or snow shovel would require.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the device 10; including the shovel receptacle 15; the shovel receptacle holder 20; the base plate 25; the pad 30; holding straps 35; primary welded lock washer and bolt 40; small nuts 45 on the shovel receptacle holder; and larger nuts 50 on the base plate. The pad 30 is contoured to fit snuggly against the upper leg. The straps 35 hold the pad and the rest of the device firmly against the upper leg. The base plate 25 is a rigid structure which is firmly affixed to the pad 30. The shovel receptacle holder 20 is connected to the base plate in such a manner that it can rotate or swivel about the connection mechanism.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the device 10; including the shovel receptacle 15; the shovel receptacle holder 20; the base plate 25; the pad 30; holding straps 35; primary welded lock washer and bolt 40; small nuts 45 on the shovel receptacle holder; and larger nuts 50 on the base plate.

FIG. 3 shows the device 10 attached to the leg of an individual and furthermore shows a typical snow shovel attached in the shovel holder. Also shown is the basic utility of the device. As the individual presses down on the rear of the shovel, the fulcrum provided by the instant device results in the front of the shovel being elevated and lifting along with it the snow or other material that the shoveler desires to lift. The downward motion of the rear arm coupled with the fulcrum effect significantly reduces the amount of stress and strain on the shoveler's back and shoulders and can significantly reduce injuries to persons engage in shoveling activities.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device 10 showing an alternate mode of attaching the shovel receptacle 15 and shovel receptacle holder 20 to the base plate 25, namely a rivet 60 with one side 55 welded to the base plate 25. The protective pad 26 covers the welded area.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of the lightweight version of the device 110 showing the reduced size shovel receptacle 115; the base plate 135; the pad 136 flat hex set socket head Allen shoulder bolt 130; the orifice 137 through which the shoulder bolt goes and tee nut 140. Other means of attaching the base plate 135 to the shovel receptacle 115 can be used as the user desires.

FIG. 6 shows a partial view of the lightweight version of the device 110 without the reduced size shovel receptacle and the shovel receptacle holder. This partial view shows the base plate 135, pad 136, orifice 137, upper thigh strap 140, lower thigh strap 145, vertical straps 120 and the belt 131 to which the straps are attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a device that is designed to significantly ease the stresses and strains upon an individual engaged in the process of shoveling. More particularly, the instant invention is a simple leveraging device that acts as a fulcrum for a shovel or any other type of long handled device that is designed to move dirt, snow, gravel or any other type of loose material. The device is essentially a holder onto which a shovel handle is placed. The holder is attached to a plate and pad in such a manner that the holder can swivel. The plate/pad assembly is secured to the straps across the upper leg and serves to help any person of any age use any type of shovel, or tool with a handle (for example, a hoe) that requires lifting, moving or transporting materials (earth, snow, rocks, gravel, etc.) more effectively. The device achieves maximum leverage by redirecting the main locus of strain and pressure from the lower back and onto the upper leg. In so doing it can reduce and prevent the likelihood of strain, stress, pain or injury to the lower back.

A base pad is the foundation of this device. The base pad can be made of a variety of soft cushion-like materials. Additionally, the base pad preferentially has a hard shell on the outer side of it to which the shovel receptacle is attached. It can be of varying thicknesses and is optimally from a quarter to three quarters of an inch in thickness. It is strapped across the leg or around the waist and optimally across the upper part of the thigh. This base pad is similar to a knee pad and is curved so that it fits comfortably over the leg or optimally the thigh. The Base Pad varies in size, but may be approximately 6 inches by 6 inches, but it may vary in size from as small as 4 inches by 4 inches to as large as 6 inches by 8 inches.

The base pad has several vertical slits and optimally four that are big enough for a strap to fit through easily. There is generally one slit in each corner. The straps can be run through the slits such that they fit snuggly and around the upper leg or thigh and are held in place with pull strap connectors or some other similar type of connector (including Velcro). By using the adjustable straps, they can be let out to fit those with thick legs, and fit over all types of pants (including denim, workmen's coveralls, and snow pants in the winter). Because it is adjustable, it may also be pulled taught and snug to fit more petite users.

The instant device may also be used with a padded waist strap which is placed around the waist and acts as the upper strap portion of the device. The padded waist strap is in addition to the upper thigh strap in this case to ensure the device is held up. This waist strap can be fed through the two or more existing vertical upper slits in the base plate for the pad. The base of the unit uses the same base strap.

In addition to this basic use of the padded waist strap, an alternate mode of the device is the addition of two or more adjustable horizontal straps that run from a padded waist belt down to the top of the device, where it is connected to two or more new horizontal slits in the upper end of the padded unit. These vertical straps are adjustable and allow the user to move the base pad up and down their thigh until it is in the right place to fit the shovel for maximum lever power and advantage. A further alternate mode of the device is to add an adjustable and variable height component to the base plate so the shovel lever holder can be adjusted to be further away from the upper leg.

On the top or outer side of the hard outer shell of the base pad is a base plate to which the shovel receptacle is attached with two or more and preferentially four flat head screws and nuts. The base plate is generally made of a hard metal such as steel. It may be made of plastic (PVC) or other materials. In other new iterations, the entire shovel receptacle may be attached to a single plastic base plate directly. There is a hole in the middle of the base plate through which the main connector (generally a bolt with a nut) connects the base plate to the shovel receptacle holder. This base plate always rests on the hard outer shell of the base pad to prevent chafing and/or injury to the user.

The main connector may be a nut and bolt in which the nut is welded or otherwise affixed to base plate. The main connector connects the shovel receptacle holder to the base plate in such a manner that shovel receptacle holder can rotate or swivel around the connector. The connector allows the shovel receptacle to rotate between 20 and 60 degrees and preferentially between 30 and 37.5 degrees to the left and right in a single plane from its resting position which is perpendicular to the top of the base plate (total movement range is approximately 60 to 75 degrees) so that users may reverse it for use on left or right leg. This main connector may also be a rotating ball, which would also have the same restrictions (60 to 75 degrees) of movement to the left and right, but which would have added a toggling up and down movement to the front and the back of the device (approximately ⅛ to ¼ inch) so that it allows easy movement for the shovel receptacle holder. This allows the shovel receptacle holder to more easily receive the shovel by demonstrating give and then tilting backwards as the user presses down on the top of the handle, thereby creating leverage.

The shovel receptacle is a section of lightweight tubing or other similar product that is approximately two inches or larger in diameter so that it can easily allow a shovel handle to fit into it. The tubing section is approximately 33 to 40 percent open such that a shovel handle or other garden tool handle can easily slip into the opening but not easily slip out again. The shovel receptacle has a fairly high coefficient of friction such that a shovel handle placed into the receptacle will not move axially during use. The shovel receptacle is embedded in a shovel receptacle holder which is section of rigid plastic or lightweight metallic pipe. This pipe section is also approximately 40 percent open such that the shovel receptacle can fit easily into the shovel receptacle holder. The shovel receptacle is attached to the shovel receptacle holder with a multiplicity of small bolts and nuts or other similar attachments. The shovel receptacle/shovel receptacle holder assembly is attached to the base plate as with the main connector as is described above. In other iterations, the shovel receptacle may not need a shovel receptacle holder and may be attached directly to the base plate with a bolt. This device can be used on the right or left thigh depending on the preference of the user (left handed or right handed, or merely wishing to switch during work) and the shovel receptacle holder can be rotated so work on either thigh in order to ease pressure on the back. Alternately, the device can be used with a Base Plate and pad attached or suspended from the waist.

Referring to FIG. 1, the various components of the device 10 are shown in a front view; including the shovel receptacle 15; the shovel receptacle holder 20; the base plate 25; the base pad 30; holding straps 35; primary welded lock washer and bolt 40; small nuts 45 on the shovel receptacle holder; and larger nuts 50 on the base plate. The contoured aspect of the base pad 30 allows the device to fit snuggly to a person's leg or thigh. The base plate 25 is attached to the base pad 30 with two or more large nuts 50 or other similar means of attachment. The shovel receptacle holder is attached to the base plate with a main connector which is preferentially a primary welded lock washer and bolt. This allows the shovel receptacle holder to swivel while still attached to the base plate. Finally, the entire base pad/base plate/shovel receptacle holder assembly is held firm on an individual's leg with the holding straps.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the device 10 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 3, actual usage of the device 10 is shown as it is attached to the leg of an individual and furthermore shows a typical snow shovel 70 attached in the shovel holder. Also shown is the basic working of the device as the individual presses down on the rear of the shovel in order to lift the front of the shovel and therefore the snow. The swiveling fulcrum property of the device clearly shows how stress and strain on a person's back is transferred to the larger and stronger muscles and bones in an individual's upper leg. The utility of the device 10 is obvious from this FIG. 3 as it clearly shows the manner in which much of the weight of the empty or loaded shovel 70 is transferred from the arms and back of the shoveler to the device 10. In a normal shoveling motion, the shoveler engages the material that is to be shoveled with a forward motion and then uses back, shoulder, and arm muscles to lift the entire weight of the shovel and the engaged material. This puts tremendous stress on said back, shoulder and arm muscles. When the instant device 10 is used, the shovel 70 rests in the shovel receptacle 20 thereby transferring much of the weight from the loaded or unloaded shovel ultimately to the upper leg of the shoveler. When the shovel is lifted, the shoveler lifts up with the forward arm 77 and presses down with the rearward arm 79. The upward lifting of a loaded shovel places a great deal of stress and strain on the back and arms; however the downward motion of the rearward arm is a much less stressful motion than upward lifting and therefore reduces overall back and arm strain.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate version of the device 10 is shown with a revised connector, namely a rivet 60 that is inserted through the orifice 57 and welded to the base plate 25 at 55.

Referring to FIG. 5, a lightweight version of the device 110 is shown with an alternate means of attaching the shovel receptacle/shovel receptacle holder apparatus 115 to the base plate. The alternate method of attachment embodies a flat hex set socket head Allen shoulder bolt 130 that is inserted through an annulus 137 and is engaged and held in place by a tee nut 140. It is important to note that the lightweight version employs a combined single piece shovel receptacle/shovel receptacle holder apparatus 115 while the standard version comprises two separate pieces that are joined mechanically. Other means of mechanical attachment of the shovel receptacle/shovel receptacle holder to the base plate can be employed as desired by the manufacturer or user.

Referring to FIG. 6, a partial view of the lightweight version 110 of the device is shown. The shovel receptacle is not shown in order to show how the lightweight version is suspended from a belt 131 with two or more vertical straps 120. Also the orifice or annulus 137 through which the fastening mechanism extends is shown.

Claims

1. A device to significantly reduce the amount of stress and strain inherent in the shoveling process by transferring weight from the back to the upper leg comprising the following:

a. A pad

b. One or more straps that attach the pad to the upper leg of the shoveler

c. A base plate that is fixedly attached to the pad by mechanical means

d. A shovel receptacle into which a shovel or other tool handle can be placed

e. A shovel receptacle holder

f. A means of fixedly attaching the shovel receptacle to the shovel receptacle holder such that a single integrated shovel holder assembly is produced

g. A means of attaching the integrated shovel holder assembly to the base plate such that the integrated shovel holder assembly can rotate and swivel about the attachment.

2. A means for utilizing the device disclosed in claim 1 comprising the following:

a. Attaching the device to an individual's upper leg

b. Placing a shovel handle portion of a shovel into the shovel receptacle

c. Engaging the material to be shoveled by placing the shovel into or under the material

d. Placing the forward hand on the front part of the shovel handle and the rear hand onto the rear part of the shovel handle.

e. Lifting up on the forward part of the shovel handle with the forward hand and forward arm and pressing down with the rearward hand and arm on the rearward part of the shovel handle, thereby allowing the shovel to swivel about the fulcrum produced by the device, and transferring much of the weight from the back to the upper leg.

3. A lightweight device to significantly reduce the amount of stress and strain inherent in the shoveling process by transferring weight from the back to the upper leg comprising the following:

a. A pad

b. One or more straps that attach the pad to the upper leg of the shoveler

c. A one piece shovel receptacle

d. A means of attaching the one piece shovel receptacle to the pad such that the integrated shovel holder assembly can rotate and swivel about the attachment.