CA2417854A1

CA2417854A1 - Scythe shovel or scythe rake

Info

Publication number: CA2417854A1
Application number: CA 2417854
Authority: CA
Inventors: Claudio D. Carosi; Antonio F. Carosi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-01-28
Filing date: 2003-01-28
Publication date: 2004-07-28
Also published as: WO2004066711A2; WO2004066711A3

Abstract

The invention relates to scythe-like device, method and technique particularly useful for removal of snow and similar materials from surfaces such as driveways, parking lots, floors, etc. in a plowing/sweeping action. It is also particularly useful with different blade configurations to rake sand and similar materials such as on sandy beaches. The device, method and technique is characterized by using a device with a long handle (with a variety of options for curvatures and hand grips) with blades or rakes (of a variety of shapes, sizes and styles) at one end, and with the handle held firmly in two hands, with a twist of the upper body motion, performing work of snow removal, sand raking and similar tasks using the whole body more efficiently. The device, method and technique provides for more work with less effort than other tools and techniques used for similar tasks and in an ergonomically healthier and enjoyable manner.

Description

SCYTHE SHOVEL OR SCYTHE RAKE
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority from the provisional application number 2,417,854 entitled "SCYTHE SHOVEL OR SCYTHE RAKE"; Antonio Carosi and Claudio Carosi inventors filed January 28, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to implements, shovels, rakes, brooms and similar long handled hand tools.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to shovels, rakes, brooms and similar long handled hand tools used in a way that uses the upper body in side to side swinging and twisting motions, rather than the arms and back in a push/pull and lifting motions to perform various types of work, resulting in less effort and less strain.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A traditional snow shovel, as one example, is operated by the arms and back to push and lift material from the ground. It comprised of a long handle with a blade at the end design to dig into and lift snow or to push it forward away from the user. This relies mainly on muscles in the arms and the back to do most of the work and can be a heavy task. Likewise, with a traditional sand rake, one is required to push and pull mainly with the arm and back muscles to smooth out sand or soil or to remove debris. With a garden rake, used to rake fallen leaves, one also uses the arms in a sweeping motion from behind the operator to the front or from side to side in a straight line push/pull motion against the device. And, also for a broom, either the typical push-broom or husk broom, in each case they are used in lineal motions pushing or pulling and/or sweeping from side to side in straight lines. In all cases the traditional devices require few and specific muscles to do work from mainly the arms and back which cause fatigue after a relatively short time. As contrast, the historical scythe used to reap wheat typically has an individual working land covering many acres each day for ten hours or more without similar fatigue, mainly because of the swinging and twisting technique using the whole upper body, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, the device used to shovel, rake or sweep material is used in a circular arching motion rather than lineal motion.
The device is used in a swinging side-to-side motion similar to the Scythe. This technique is provided by the device having a longer handle than a shovel or rake, which handle is held at an angle to the ground and with the blade, at one end, being angled to a degree that keeps the digging part of the blade horizontal to the ground. Generally the device resembles an ice hockey stick and is held roughly in the same way. The device is held firmly in the hands and arms, and by a twisting of the upper body moves the device from side to side creating in a large arch with the business end of the device. By using the swinging motion the hips, legs, back, shoulders and most of the body's muscles are involved in producing the work with this device resulting in much less effort and less fatigue.

[0006] According to the snow shovel aspect of the present invention, the blade is curved to act as a snow plow which throws the snow away from the user in the arch created by the side to side swing motion of the device.

[0007] According to the sand rake aspect of the present invention, the blade is a comb as in the conventional sand rake. It is used in an arch motion rather than being pushed or pulled allowing for less effort to do the same work.

[0008] According to the broom aspect of the present invention, the blade is a brush as in conventional brooms, either push broom style or husk broom, it is used in an arch motion rather than being pushed or pulled allowing for less effort to do the same work.

[0009] According to the leaf rake aspect of the present invention, the blade can be made much larger but generally of the same composition as that of a conventional leaf rake. With the larger blade for leaf raking the invention applies also a rowing motion with the leaves pulled behind the user with the arch motion is started in front of the user. This permits a great volume of leaves to raked and thrown behind the user.

[0010]According to an aspect of the invention a hand grip is provided near the middle of the handle which assists in keeping the blade horizontal to the ground.
[0011 ] According to an aspect of the invention a hand grip is provided at the end of the handle opposite to the blade giving better comfort and control.
[0012] According to yet another aspect of the invention the blade particularly in the snow shovel version, two blades are provided back to back so that it can be used, right-handed and left-handed, and can be used in both directions of the blades travel.

[0013] According to a further aspect of the present invention the handle can be curved and bent to a variety of shapes for different tasks and ergonometric tastes or uses particular to each user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of the scythe shovel for snow and similar material [0016] FIG. 2 is the front view of the scythe shovel for snow and similar material in its used position and showing the approximate angles and positions of the handles and grips and its relationship with the ground or surface to be cleared.
[0017] FIG. 3a, b and c are three options for blades that are used for different materials such as; a sand rake blade at 6, broom blade at 7, and leaf rake blade at $.

[0018] FIG. 4a, b, c, d, a and f shows the snow scythe shovel used to plow snow with the resulting motion of the body in relation to the invention which provides more work with less physical effort.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] FIG. 2 is a face on view of the invention as it is held ready for use.
The invention is embodied by the blade 4, 6, 7 or 8, which are at an angle to the handle 2 and horizontal to the ground; the long handle 2 which is at an approximate forty five degree, or similar angle to individual preferences, to the horizontal of the blade. The blades can vary in type depending on the material to be moved such as, snow 4, sand 6, dust 7, and leaves 8. The mid-point grip 3 is used to stabilize the position and angle of the blade to the ground as well as to hold the device.
The end grip 1 is the position for the other hand to complete the control and hold on the device.
[0020] The mid grip 3 is positioned to an individuals preferred position and can be placed different distances and angles to the ground.

[0021] The end grip 1 is positioned to an individuals preferred position and can be placed at different angles to the ground or eliminated in certain circumstances.
[0022] The blades 5 and handle 2 can also be positioned at different angles relative to each other to suit individual preferences and to suit the length of handle 2.
[0023] FIG. 4A shows how the invention in held in the hands and is the starting position of a typical sweep using the snow scythe shovel in FIG. l and 2. As the motion move through the arch as in FIGURES 4B,4C,4D,4E and 4F, attention is drawn to the shoulders, hips and upper torso which turn with the device and are used for power, while the arms and back are used less than in other shoveling and sweeping motions.
[0024] Blade version 4 (Fig. 2) is a conventional snow plow shovel shape that as it moves though the snow in an arch throws the snow forward and away from the device acting as a plow.

[0025] Blade version 6 (Fig. 3a) is a conventional sand rake that as it moves through sand in an arch levels the sand and removes large debris.
[0026] Blade version 7 (Fig. 3b) is a conventional brush broom that as it moves over surfaces in an arch sweeps away debris and dust.
[0027] Blade version 8 (Fig. 3c) is a conventional leaf rake that as it moves over surfaces in an arch catches and pushes leaves.
[0028] The present invention utilizes certain principles and/or concepts as are set forth in the claims appended to this specification. Those skilled in the arts will realize that these principles and/or concepts are capable of being utilized in a variety of embodiments which may differ from the present embodiment utilized for illustrative purposes herein. For this reason, the present invention is not to be construed as being limited solely to the illustrative embodiment, but should only be construed in view of the claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS AND PARTS
(for reference only) end handle grip 2. handle mid-handle grip 4. blade for snow horizontal ground or surface 6. blade for sand raking 7. blade for broom or brush 8. blade for leaf rake

Claims

1. An implement, shovel, plow, rake, or broom device characterized by the scythe-like manner it is held and used as well as the motion made when performing work that is characteristically similar to the typical age old scythe.

2. An implement wherein the handle is at an angle to a blade such that it can be used in a swinging arching motion similar to the typical age old scythe.

3. A scythe implement that uses blades designed for shoveling, plowing, raking, sweeping, and similar tasks, rather than the scythe's traditional use of reaping and cutting vegetation.

4. An implement that resembles an ice hockey stick but with blades that perform work of shoveling, plowing, raking, sweeping and similar tasks.

5. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 which is held firmly in the hands and used by twisting the upper torso in a swinging side to side motion creating an arch motion at the blade end to perform work.

6. A device as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 that is held firmly in the hands used as a paddle with motion starting from the front of the user arching back to behind the user to perform work of shoveling, plowing, raking, sweeping and similar tasks.

7. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 having a blade to plow snow or similar materials.

8. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 having a blade to shovel snow or similar materials.

9. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 having a blade to sweep snow or other materials.

10. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 having a rake to rake sand or soil.

11. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 having a rake to rake leaves, debris or garbage.

12. An implement having a blade that is horizontal to the ground with the handle extending at an obtuse angle from one side of blades as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

13. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 with a mid-handle grip to control and stabilize the angle of the handle and height of the blade from the ground.

14. An implement as claimed in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 with an end handle grip to control and stabilize the angle of the handle and height of the blade from the ground.