CA1076069A - Undercarrier for snow shovel - Google Patents
Undercarrier for snow shovelInfo
- Publication number
- CA1076069A CA1076069A CA286,858A CA286858A CA1076069A CA 1076069 A CA1076069 A CA 1076069A CA 286858 A CA286858 A CA 286858A CA 1076069 A CA1076069 A CA 1076069A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- support means
- shovel
- materials handling
- snow
- lateral support
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
- E01H5/00—Removing snow or ice from roads or like surfaces; Grading or roughening snow or ice
- E01H5/02—Hand implements
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning Of Streets, Tracks, Or Beaches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention provides an apparatus for converting a materials handling device having handle means and material-receiving body means to a multi-purpose wheeled materials handling apparatus which comprises:
a) lateral support means;
b) axial support means;
c) a pair of axle and wheel means mounted on said lateral support means in spaced apart relation;
d) means for mounting said lateral support means beneath the body of said materials handling device; and e) means including tension means for mounting said axial support means beneath the body of said materials hand-ling device,
The present invention provides an apparatus for converting a materials handling device having handle means and material-receiving body means to a multi-purpose wheeled materials handling apparatus which comprises:
a) lateral support means;
b) axial support means;
c) a pair of axle and wheel means mounted on said lateral support means in spaced apart relation;
d) means for mounting said lateral support means beneath the body of said materials handling device; and e) means including tension means for mounting said axial support means beneath the body of said materials hand-ling device,
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for attachment to a conventional scoop type snow shbvel or similar material handling means for converting it to rollable multipurpose use.
As is well-known, light weight shoveIs or similar devices having a handle and reIatively wide blade or scoop means have been in wide-spread use for many years for the removal of snow or for the handling of other relatively light-weight materials such as flour, grain, vermiculite or the like for commercial or industrial purposes. Due to the relatively wide blade or scoop means of such shovels they are generally made of relatively thin guage metal such as galvanized iron, aluminium, copper or the like, in order to minimize the weight of the shovel and attendant fatigue by the user. This, of course, provides a shovel which is relatively subject to damage in use, particularly at the leading edge of the shovel which may be bent or deformed by contact with heavy objects, or hard pavement, or by a workman leaning his weight on the shovel. The prior art has suggested ~rarious means for preventing or reducing such damage and for otherwise increasing the utility of such shovels.
THE PRIOR ART
Among e pr~or suggestlons ~or the lmproverent of light weight shovels may be mentioned ~eingart U.S.
patent 2,598,952 issued June 3, 1952 which discloses a !l -1- * ''`' 'I ,, snow shovel having a conventional single handle and a wide slightly curved blade or scoop means. The suggested improvement is the addition of small wheels or rQllers at each side of the blade just rearward of the leading edge. These wheels are said to greatly reduce the energy normally required in shoveling snow and to permit the user to control the height of the forward edge of the blade or scoop above the ground.
Harrison U.S. patent 3,~24,547 issued March 13, 1962 discloses a combined snow plow and cart having a shaped tubular handle, either single or double, attached to a blade, scoop or bin-like receptacle for snow, garden refuse or ~ther light materials to be handled. This device is also fitted with a pair of wheels and a pair of depending legs. The wheels are detachable to convert the garden cart mQde of the apparatus into its snow removal mode.
Ludin U.S. patent 3,063,174 relates to a scoop shovel comprising a sheet metal scoop, a centrally positioned handle and a pair of rollers mounted adjacent the sides of the scoop at the back lower edge so as to act as a fulcrum for raising and lowering the forward edge of the scoop shovel with respect to the ground.
Eriksson U.S. patent 3,594,932 issued July 27, 1971 describes a combined snow plow and garden cart having swingably fixed holders or handles as well as swingably mounted wheels. Plus arrangement permits use of the wheels on the ground for transportation of leaves in the fall and retraction of the wheels to permit the body to slide on the ground for snow plow use during the winter.
This invention relates to apparatus for attachment to a conventional scoop type snow shbvel or similar material handling means for converting it to rollable multipurpose use.
As is well-known, light weight shoveIs or similar devices having a handle and reIatively wide blade or scoop means have been in wide-spread use for many years for the removal of snow or for the handling of other relatively light-weight materials such as flour, grain, vermiculite or the like for commercial or industrial purposes. Due to the relatively wide blade or scoop means of such shovels they are generally made of relatively thin guage metal such as galvanized iron, aluminium, copper or the like, in order to minimize the weight of the shovel and attendant fatigue by the user. This, of course, provides a shovel which is relatively subject to damage in use, particularly at the leading edge of the shovel which may be bent or deformed by contact with heavy objects, or hard pavement, or by a workman leaning his weight on the shovel. The prior art has suggested ~rarious means for preventing or reducing such damage and for otherwise increasing the utility of such shovels.
THE PRIOR ART
Among e pr~or suggestlons ~or the lmproverent of light weight shovels may be mentioned ~eingart U.S.
patent 2,598,952 issued June 3, 1952 which discloses a !l -1- * ''`' 'I ,, snow shovel having a conventional single handle and a wide slightly curved blade or scoop means. The suggested improvement is the addition of small wheels or rQllers at each side of the blade just rearward of the leading edge. These wheels are said to greatly reduce the energy normally required in shoveling snow and to permit the user to control the height of the forward edge of the blade or scoop above the ground.
Harrison U.S. patent 3,~24,547 issued March 13, 1962 discloses a combined snow plow and cart having a shaped tubular handle, either single or double, attached to a blade, scoop or bin-like receptacle for snow, garden refuse or ~ther light materials to be handled. This device is also fitted with a pair of wheels and a pair of depending legs. The wheels are detachable to convert the garden cart mQde of the apparatus into its snow removal mode.
Ludin U.S. patent 3,063,174 relates to a scoop shovel comprising a sheet metal scoop, a centrally positioned handle and a pair of rollers mounted adjacent the sides of the scoop at the back lower edge so as to act as a fulcrum for raising and lowering the forward edge of the scoop shovel with respect to the ground.
Eriksson U.S. patent 3,594,932 issued July 27, 1971 describes a combined snow plow and garden cart having swingably fixed holders or handles as well as swingably mounted wheels. Plus arrangement permits use of the wheels on the ground for transportation of leaves in the fall and retraction of the wheels to permit the body to slide on the ground for snow plow use during the winter.
-2-~ I ~
~ 1076069 It will be seen that while the prior art has suggested a wide variety of combination snow removal and garden cart devices, these have largely been of a previously permanently '~
assembled nature and requiring manipulation of a complex apparatus only part of which is in use at any given time.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention, to provide multi-purpose material handling apparatus which is of simple and inexpensive construction and which is also easy to use.
It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus for converting a conventional snow shovel into a multi-purpose device useful not only for snow removal but for handling any other light weight material.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a wheeled snow shovel which greatly reduces the energy and labor required to remove snow.
It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus for converting a snow shovel into a cart for moving garbage or trash cans, delivering newspapers, or for use as a ght-dutD wheel barrow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I The foregoing and other objects of the invention ¦ which will become apparent hereinafter are obtained by providing apparatus for converting a materials handling device having handle means and material-receiving body means, such as a snow shovel, into a multi-purpose wheeled materials handling apparatus. The apparatus includes at _3-least one lateral support means for the snow shovel, at least one axial support means, a pair of axle and wheel means mounted on one of said later~l support means in spaced apart relation, and means for mounting the lateral and axial support means on the snow shovel. The lateral and axial support means are preferably, but not necessarily, connected and the connection may be fixed or pivotal. The means for mounting the axial support means on the shovel preferably includes tension means such as a spring or other suitable equivalent. Optionally, means may be provided beneath the axial support means, such as a rigid metal 'j stand or a small wheel mounted for rotation to elevate the leading edge pf the snow shovel slightly above the ground.
The apparatus is optionably but preferably detachable from the snow shovel. In this way the snow shovel may be used in the usual way if desired, or preferably, with the wheeled apparatus attached so that the back-breaking labor of moving snow is greatly reduced by the use of the wheels.
The snow shovel with the wheeled apparatus attached is also useful the year around for moving any type of material such as sand gravel, soil, garden refuse, grass clippings, fallen leaves, bagged or loose trash, garbage cans, delivering newspapers and the like, the types of utility being virtually without number. The great advantage of such a materials handling device is that the operator does not lift or carry the load as is the case with a conventional wheel barrow.
The invention will now be described in greater detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
~ 1076069 ¦ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
:` I
¦ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred ¦ embodiment showing the apparatus attached to a snow shovel;
¦ Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing details of spring and hook means for attaching the apparatus to a snow shovel; and Figure 3 is a top plan view of the support and wheel means of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention as shown in Figure 1, includes a lateral support means 10 which may suitably be a rigid metal bar, a tube I ¦ or pipe or other suitable member to serve as the principal ¦ support for the snow shovel in its wheeled mode. An axial support means 12 is also provided and this may suitably be a rigid metal bar or strap. The axial support 12 may be connected to the lateral support 10 or not, ¦ as desired, but is preferabIy so connected by a suitable fastener 14 such as a rivet or the equivalent and may provide either a rigid fixed connection or a pivotal ~¦ `connection. The lateral support 10 is mounted on the ¦¦ snow shovel by means of a pair of rigid metal straps 16 suitably affixed to the member 10 as by welding or by the use of bolts or screws (not shown). The rigid straps 16 are provided with hooks 18 for engaging the edges of the snow shovel. The axial support 12 is provided with mounting , -5-ill ii i~
`: I 107606g I
means consisting of the hook 20 for engaging the leading edge of the snow shovel, and the hook 22 and spring 24 means for tensioned connection of the other end of axial support 12 to the rear edge of the snow shovel. The tension in the spring 24 should be sufficient to hold the axial support 12 and thereby the lateral support 10 in turn firmly against the bottom of the shovel.
A pair of axle and wheel means 26 are suitably mounted on the lateral support lO so as to permit free rotation Or the wheels and thereby provide rolling movement for the snow shovel. The axles of the means 26 may suitably be tightly inserted in the open ends of the lateral support 10 if a tubular support member is employed. Otherwise the axles may be welded to the support 10 in a fixed manner, leaving the wheels free to rotate on the fixed axles. The diameter of the wheels may be relatively small as shbwn in order to keep the snow shovel low to the ground for snow removal or, if desired, larger wheels may be employed, up to 8 to 12 inches or more, in diameter if the modified apparatus is to be used primarily for garden work or over rough ground. Indeed, interchangeable sets of wheels of various diameters may be provided for various uses.
Optionally, a stand means 28 is provided beneath the axial support 12. This may take the form of the rigid metal V-shaped member shown in Figure 1, or a suitable small wheel or axial skid means may be provided.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown attached to a deep scoop push type snow shovel _~_ it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, in view of the description of the apparatus herein, that other embodiments could be made adapted to fit other types of existing materials handling devices such as snow shovels with relatively flat or slightly concave curved blades. '~
~ith little or no side panels, and/or with single, stick 3 type handles rather than the rectangular double handle shown in the drawings.
It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus of the present invention is both easy to attach to and easy to detach from an existing snow shovel. The apparatus may, of course, be sold separately or in combination with the shovel itself.
In view of the foregoing description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that the objects set forth above are achieved thereby and that the apparatus obviates the complex devices of the prior t.
~, .
l `~
~ 1076069 It will be seen that while the prior art has suggested a wide variety of combination snow removal and garden cart devices, these have largely been of a previously permanently '~
assembled nature and requiring manipulation of a complex apparatus only part of which is in use at any given time.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention, to provide multi-purpose material handling apparatus which is of simple and inexpensive construction and which is also easy to use.
It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus for converting a conventional snow shovel into a multi-purpose device useful not only for snow removal but for handling any other light weight material.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a wheeled snow shovel which greatly reduces the energy and labor required to remove snow.
It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus for converting a snow shovel into a cart for moving garbage or trash cans, delivering newspapers, or for use as a ght-dutD wheel barrow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I The foregoing and other objects of the invention ¦ which will become apparent hereinafter are obtained by providing apparatus for converting a materials handling device having handle means and material-receiving body means, such as a snow shovel, into a multi-purpose wheeled materials handling apparatus. The apparatus includes at _3-least one lateral support means for the snow shovel, at least one axial support means, a pair of axle and wheel means mounted on one of said later~l support means in spaced apart relation, and means for mounting the lateral and axial support means on the snow shovel. The lateral and axial support means are preferably, but not necessarily, connected and the connection may be fixed or pivotal. The means for mounting the axial support means on the shovel preferably includes tension means such as a spring or other suitable equivalent. Optionally, means may be provided beneath the axial support means, such as a rigid metal 'j stand or a small wheel mounted for rotation to elevate the leading edge pf the snow shovel slightly above the ground.
The apparatus is optionably but preferably detachable from the snow shovel. In this way the snow shovel may be used in the usual way if desired, or preferably, with the wheeled apparatus attached so that the back-breaking labor of moving snow is greatly reduced by the use of the wheels.
The snow shovel with the wheeled apparatus attached is also useful the year around for moving any type of material such as sand gravel, soil, garden refuse, grass clippings, fallen leaves, bagged or loose trash, garbage cans, delivering newspapers and the like, the types of utility being virtually without number. The great advantage of such a materials handling device is that the operator does not lift or carry the load as is the case with a conventional wheel barrow.
The invention will now be described in greater detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
~ 1076069 ¦ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
:` I
¦ Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred ¦ embodiment showing the apparatus attached to a snow shovel;
¦ Figure 2 is a side elevational view showing details of spring and hook means for attaching the apparatus to a snow shovel; and Figure 3 is a top plan view of the support and wheel means of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention as shown in Figure 1, includes a lateral support means 10 which may suitably be a rigid metal bar, a tube I ¦ or pipe or other suitable member to serve as the principal ¦ support for the snow shovel in its wheeled mode. An axial support means 12 is also provided and this may suitably be a rigid metal bar or strap. The axial support 12 may be connected to the lateral support 10 or not, ¦ as desired, but is preferabIy so connected by a suitable fastener 14 such as a rivet or the equivalent and may provide either a rigid fixed connection or a pivotal ~¦ `connection. The lateral support 10 is mounted on the ¦¦ snow shovel by means of a pair of rigid metal straps 16 suitably affixed to the member 10 as by welding or by the use of bolts or screws (not shown). The rigid straps 16 are provided with hooks 18 for engaging the edges of the snow shovel. The axial support 12 is provided with mounting , -5-ill ii i~
`: I 107606g I
means consisting of the hook 20 for engaging the leading edge of the snow shovel, and the hook 22 and spring 24 means for tensioned connection of the other end of axial support 12 to the rear edge of the snow shovel. The tension in the spring 24 should be sufficient to hold the axial support 12 and thereby the lateral support 10 in turn firmly against the bottom of the shovel.
A pair of axle and wheel means 26 are suitably mounted on the lateral support lO so as to permit free rotation Or the wheels and thereby provide rolling movement for the snow shovel. The axles of the means 26 may suitably be tightly inserted in the open ends of the lateral support 10 if a tubular support member is employed. Otherwise the axles may be welded to the support 10 in a fixed manner, leaving the wheels free to rotate on the fixed axles. The diameter of the wheels may be relatively small as shbwn in order to keep the snow shovel low to the ground for snow removal or, if desired, larger wheels may be employed, up to 8 to 12 inches or more, in diameter if the modified apparatus is to be used primarily for garden work or over rough ground. Indeed, interchangeable sets of wheels of various diameters may be provided for various uses.
Optionally, a stand means 28 is provided beneath the axial support 12. This may take the form of the rigid metal V-shaped member shown in Figure 1, or a suitable small wheel or axial skid means may be provided.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown attached to a deep scoop push type snow shovel _~_ it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, in view of the description of the apparatus herein, that other embodiments could be made adapted to fit other types of existing materials handling devices such as snow shovels with relatively flat or slightly concave curved blades. '~
~ith little or no side panels, and/or with single, stick 3 type handles rather than the rectangular double handle shown in the drawings.
It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus of the present invention is both easy to attach to and easy to detach from an existing snow shovel. The apparatus may, of course, be sold separately or in combination with the shovel itself.
In view of the foregoing description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that the objects set forth above are achieved thereby and that the apparatus obviates the complex devices of the prior t.
~, .
l `~
Claims (10)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Apparatus for converting a materials handling device having handle means and material-receiving body means to a multi-purpose wheeled materials handling apparatus, which comprises:
a) lateral support means;
b) axial support means;
c) a pair of axle and wheel means mounted on said lateral support means in spaced apart relation;
d) means for detachably mounting said lateral support means beneath the body of said materials handling device;
and e) means including tension means for detachably mounting said axial support means beneath the body of said materials handling device.
a) lateral support means;
b) axial support means;
c) a pair of axle and wheel means mounted on said lateral support means in spaced apart relation;
d) means for detachably mounting said lateral support means beneath the body of said materials handling device;
and e) means including tension means for detachably mounting said axial support means beneath the body of said materials handling device.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lateral and axial support means are connected.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said said connection is pivotal.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said connection is fixed.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 for attachment to a snow shovel to convert it to a wheeled materials handling apparatus.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for mounting said lateral support means is a pair of rigid metal straps having hooks at one end thereof for detachably engaging the edges of said snow shovel, the other ends of said straps being connected to said lateral support means in spaced apart relation.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means for mounting said axial support means includes hook means for detachably engaging the leading edge of said shovel and spring and hook means for detachably engaging the rear edge of said shovel.
8. Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising in addition stand means for supporting the leading edge of said shovel just above the ground.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the stand means is a fixed metal support.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the stand means is a wheel mounted for rotation.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA286,858A CA1076069A (en) | 1977-09-15 | 1977-09-15 | Undercarrier for snow shovel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA286,858A CA1076069A (en) | 1977-09-15 | 1977-09-15 | Undercarrier for snow shovel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1076069A true CA1076069A (en) | 1980-04-22 |
Family
ID=4109549
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA286,858A Expired CA1076069A (en) | 1977-09-15 | 1977-09-15 | Undercarrier for snow shovel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1076069A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-09-15 CA CA286,858A patent/CA1076069A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |