CA2626824C - A grasping tool for yard waste - Google Patents
A grasping tool for yard waste Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2626824C CA2626824C CA 2626824 CA2626824A CA2626824C CA 2626824 C CA2626824 C CA 2626824C CA 2626824 CA2626824 CA 2626824 CA 2626824 A CA2626824 A CA 2626824A CA 2626824 C CA2626824 C CA 2626824C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tool
- yard waste
- clamping surfaces
- elongated members
- handles
- 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 - Fee Related
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- Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
Abstract
A grasping tool is used to pick up yard waste. The tool has two pivotally mounted elongated members with opposed clamping surfaces at a lower end and handles at an upper end. The tool is manipulated by a user to grasp, pick up and place yard waste into a container without bending over.
Description
A GRASPING TOOL FOR YARD WASTE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 ] This invention relates to a grasping tool for use in picking up yard waste and to a method of operation thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 ] This invention relates to a grasping tool for use in picking up yard waste and to a method of operation thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] It is known to use rakes, often referred to as fan rakes to gather yard waste, particularly leaves. The yard waste is sometimes placed in bags for disposal by a user bending down to place and hold the yard waste against the rake using one hand of the user while holding the rake in the other hand. The user then stands up and moves the rake and yard waste over a suitable bag and then releases the yard waste into the bag. The process is repeated until all of the yard waste has been deposited into bags. Users sometimes suffer from muscle strains, back strain and back pain from the continuous and strenuous work of stooping down to pick up the yard waste, particularly in autumn, when there can be a large volume of fallen leaves. Alternatively, some users use a fan rake to gather the leaves or yard waste, but then simply stoop down and pick up as many leaves as the user can carry with both hands and deposit the leaves into a bag. Unfortunately, that method also can result in muscle strains. There are also motorized leaf blowers to blow the leaves into piles, but the leaf blowers are not suitable for depositing the leaves into bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a grasping tool for efficiently picking up yard waste and placing it into bags where the user can remain in a standing position (without stooping down) throughout the process. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a grasping tool and method of operation thereof in which a large volume of yard waste can be picked up by the grasping tool at one time.
[0004] A grasping tool for use in picking up yard waste comprises two elongated members, being a first elongated member and a second elongated member. The elongated members each having a handle at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface at a lower end. The elongated 1989380.1 members are mounted on a pivot axis relative to one another and the clamping surfaces move closer together or further apart as the handles are moved closer together or further apart respectively.
[0005] A grasping tool for use in picking up yard waste comprises two elongated members, each of the elongated members having a handle at an upper end and a opposed clamping surface at a lower end. The elongated members are pivotally mounted along a pivot axis. The opposed clamping surfaces are moved together or moved further apart as the handles are moved together or further apart respectively.
[00061] A method of using a tool to pick up yard waste and to deposit the yard waste into a container, the tool having two elongated members. Each of the two elongated members has a handle at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface at a lower end, the elongated members being pivotally mounted along a pivot axis. The method comprises grasping a tool by the handles, opening the tool, locating the clamping surfaces to straddle yard waste, closing the tool to grasp the yard waste between the clamping surfaces, holding the tool in that position while moving the clamping surfaces to a container, moving the handles to open the tool and release the yard waste into the container, repeating the method as required for further yard waste.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Figure 1 is a front view of a grasping tool in an open position;
[0008] Figure 2 is a front view of a grasping tool in a closed position;
[0009] Figure 3 is a side view of a grasping tool with a bag near the tool;
[0010] Figure 4 is a side view of one elongated member; and [0011 ] Figure 5 is a front view of one elongated member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, grasping tool 2 has two elongated members 4. Each elongated member 4 has a handle 6 at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface 8 at a lower end. The elongated members 4 are pivotally mounted relative to one another about a pivot axis 10. The pivot axis, as shown in Figure 1, is located substantially at a midpoint of each elongated member 4. The pivot axis can be higher or lower than the midpoint of each elongated member. In Figure 1989380.1 1, the gathering tool 2 is shown in an open position. In Figures 2-5, the same references numerals are used as those used in Figure 1 to describe those components that are identical.
[0013] In Figure 2, the grasping tool 2 is in a closed position with a lower edge 12 of each opposed clamping surface 8 being in contact with one another. From Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the opposed clamping surfaces 8 are angled relative to the elongated members 4 so that the lower edges 12 contact one another when the tool 2 is in the closed position and the opposed clamping surfaces form a V-shape. Upper edges 14 of the opposed clamping surfaces 8 are located apart from one another whether the tool 2 is in a closed position, or in an open position.
In an open position, the opposed clamping surfaces 8 are located apart from one another. The opposed clamping surfaces converge toward the lower ends 12 and this angled arrangement assists in preventing the yard waste from falling out the bottom of the tool when the tool is moved toward the closed position to trap yard waste between the opposed clamping surfaces.
The angled relationship of the opposed clamping surfaces also allows the tool to grasp a larger volume of yard waste than a tool with clamping surfaces parallel to the elongated members.
[0014] In Figure 3, in a side view of the tool 2, it can be seen that the opposed clamping surfaces are offset from a longitudinal centre line of the elongated members 4. Since the elongated members 4 are pivotally mounted side by side along the pivot axis 10, the opposed clamping surfaces 8 can only be aligned with one another by having the clamping surfaces mounted so that the clamping surface on one of the elongated members is mounted laterally off centre, being further to the right when viewed from the side on which the elongated member is located. There is a spacer 16 mounted on the pivot axis 10 between the two elongated members 4 to keep the two elongated members slightly apart from one another so that they can easily pivot relative to one another. If desired, the spacer 16 can be eliminated and the elongated members will then pivot in contact with one another. The opposed clamping surfaces 8 are preferably planar and rectangular and are preferably flat plates. There is a yard waste bag 17 located adjacent to the tool 2. Preferably, the opposed clamping surfaces are small enough to fit into container and to be moved apart within the container to release the yard waste. It can be seen that the width of the clamping surfaces is significantly shorter than a length of the bag into which the tool is to be inserted.
1989380.1 [0015] In Figure 4, the handle 6 has an opening 18 therein that can be used to hang the tool on a hook when it is not in use. As with Figure 3, it can be seen that a centre of the opposed clamping surface 8 is offset from the longitudinal centre line of the elongated member 4. The opposed clamping surface 8 is offset to the left as the elongated member 4 is viewed from the side of the opposed clamping surface. While the opposed clamping surfaces can be any suitable size, one size that has been found to be suitable is a width of substantially eight inches and a height of substantially six and a half inches. Preferably the spacer 16 is connected to a rod 20 that extends along the pivot axis 10. In Figure 5, it can be seen that the elongated member 4 is curved at the handle 6. The opposed clamping surfaces are preferably held at an angle relative to the elongated members by each of the wedges 22. Other means, for example, brackets can be used to hold the opposed clamping surfaces at the appropriate angle relative to the elongated members. The same reference numerals are used in Figure 5 as those used in Figure 4 for those components that are identical.
[0016] In Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the further apart that the handles 6 are moved from one another, the further apart the opposing clamping surfaces 8 move from one another, and vice versa. To use the grasping too12, a user would first gather yard waste into a pile or piles. The user would then locate a bag or other container (for example, a paper environmentally friendly yard waste bag) into which the waste is to be inserted at a suitable location near the pile or piles.
The user then holds the tool with one handle in each hand and moves the tool to the open position while inserting the lower end into the pile of yard waste with the opposed clamping surfaces straddling at least some of the yard waste. The user then moves the handles towards the closed position so that the opposed clamping surfaces grasp the yard waste.
While continuing to force the handles toward one another, the user raises the tool so that the opposed clamping surfaces are above the container. The user then moves the handles toward the open position to release the yard waste into the container. Alternatively, the user can insert the opposed clamping surfaces into the bag or container before releasing the yard waste. The tool can also be used to compact the yard waste that has been deposited into the container by pressing the tool downward several times with the lower end in contact with the yard waste. Preferably, the yard waste is leaves, but the tool can be used for other types of yard waste as well.
1989380.1 [0017] The tool can be made from various materials, and, preferably, the elongated members and clamping surfaces are made from moulded plastic, but the elongated members and clamping surfaces can also be made from aluminium, steel or another metal or wood or a combination of materials. For example, the elongated members can be made from plastic and the opposed clamping surfaces can be made from aluminium.
[0018] The curved handles 6 make the tool easier to grip. The tool has a T-shaped bottom surface on each elongated member and clamping surface comprised of the lower end of the elongated member, the lower end of the wedge, and the lower edge of the clamping surface. Each elongated member has a T-shaped bottom that can be used to compact the yard waste after it has been inserted into the bag or other suitable container.
1989380.1
[00061] A method of using a tool to pick up yard waste and to deposit the yard waste into a container, the tool having two elongated members. Each of the two elongated members has a handle at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface at a lower end, the elongated members being pivotally mounted along a pivot axis. The method comprises grasping a tool by the handles, opening the tool, locating the clamping surfaces to straddle yard waste, closing the tool to grasp the yard waste between the clamping surfaces, holding the tool in that position while moving the clamping surfaces to a container, moving the handles to open the tool and release the yard waste into the container, repeating the method as required for further yard waste.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Figure 1 is a front view of a grasping tool in an open position;
[0008] Figure 2 is a front view of a grasping tool in a closed position;
[0009] Figure 3 is a side view of a grasping tool with a bag near the tool;
[0010] Figure 4 is a side view of one elongated member; and [0011 ] Figure 5 is a front view of one elongated member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] As shown in Figure 1, grasping tool 2 has two elongated members 4. Each elongated member 4 has a handle 6 at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface 8 at a lower end. The elongated members 4 are pivotally mounted relative to one another about a pivot axis 10. The pivot axis, as shown in Figure 1, is located substantially at a midpoint of each elongated member 4. The pivot axis can be higher or lower than the midpoint of each elongated member. In Figure 1989380.1 1, the gathering tool 2 is shown in an open position. In Figures 2-5, the same references numerals are used as those used in Figure 1 to describe those components that are identical.
[0013] In Figure 2, the grasping tool 2 is in a closed position with a lower edge 12 of each opposed clamping surface 8 being in contact with one another. From Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the opposed clamping surfaces 8 are angled relative to the elongated members 4 so that the lower edges 12 contact one another when the tool 2 is in the closed position and the opposed clamping surfaces form a V-shape. Upper edges 14 of the opposed clamping surfaces 8 are located apart from one another whether the tool 2 is in a closed position, or in an open position.
In an open position, the opposed clamping surfaces 8 are located apart from one another. The opposed clamping surfaces converge toward the lower ends 12 and this angled arrangement assists in preventing the yard waste from falling out the bottom of the tool when the tool is moved toward the closed position to trap yard waste between the opposed clamping surfaces.
The angled relationship of the opposed clamping surfaces also allows the tool to grasp a larger volume of yard waste than a tool with clamping surfaces parallel to the elongated members.
[0014] In Figure 3, in a side view of the tool 2, it can be seen that the opposed clamping surfaces are offset from a longitudinal centre line of the elongated members 4. Since the elongated members 4 are pivotally mounted side by side along the pivot axis 10, the opposed clamping surfaces 8 can only be aligned with one another by having the clamping surfaces mounted so that the clamping surface on one of the elongated members is mounted laterally off centre, being further to the right when viewed from the side on which the elongated member is located. There is a spacer 16 mounted on the pivot axis 10 between the two elongated members 4 to keep the two elongated members slightly apart from one another so that they can easily pivot relative to one another. If desired, the spacer 16 can be eliminated and the elongated members will then pivot in contact with one another. The opposed clamping surfaces 8 are preferably planar and rectangular and are preferably flat plates. There is a yard waste bag 17 located adjacent to the tool 2. Preferably, the opposed clamping surfaces are small enough to fit into container and to be moved apart within the container to release the yard waste. It can be seen that the width of the clamping surfaces is significantly shorter than a length of the bag into which the tool is to be inserted.
1989380.1 [0015] In Figure 4, the handle 6 has an opening 18 therein that can be used to hang the tool on a hook when it is not in use. As with Figure 3, it can be seen that a centre of the opposed clamping surface 8 is offset from the longitudinal centre line of the elongated member 4. The opposed clamping surface 8 is offset to the left as the elongated member 4 is viewed from the side of the opposed clamping surface. While the opposed clamping surfaces can be any suitable size, one size that has been found to be suitable is a width of substantially eight inches and a height of substantially six and a half inches. Preferably the spacer 16 is connected to a rod 20 that extends along the pivot axis 10. In Figure 5, it can be seen that the elongated member 4 is curved at the handle 6. The opposed clamping surfaces are preferably held at an angle relative to the elongated members by each of the wedges 22. Other means, for example, brackets can be used to hold the opposed clamping surfaces at the appropriate angle relative to the elongated members. The same reference numerals are used in Figure 5 as those used in Figure 4 for those components that are identical.
[0016] In Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that the further apart that the handles 6 are moved from one another, the further apart the opposing clamping surfaces 8 move from one another, and vice versa. To use the grasping too12, a user would first gather yard waste into a pile or piles. The user would then locate a bag or other container (for example, a paper environmentally friendly yard waste bag) into which the waste is to be inserted at a suitable location near the pile or piles.
The user then holds the tool with one handle in each hand and moves the tool to the open position while inserting the lower end into the pile of yard waste with the opposed clamping surfaces straddling at least some of the yard waste. The user then moves the handles towards the closed position so that the opposed clamping surfaces grasp the yard waste.
While continuing to force the handles toward one another, the user raises the tool so that the opposed clamping surfaces are above the container. The user then moves the handles toward the open position to release the yard waste into the container. Alternatively, the user can insert the opposed clamping surfaces into the bag or container before releasing the yard waste. The tool can also be used to compact the yard waste that has been deposited into the container by pressing the tool downward several times with the lower end in contact with the yard waste. Preferably, the yard waste is leaves, but the tool can be used for other types of yard waste as well.
1989380.1 [0017] The tool can be made from various materials, and, preferably, the elongated members and clamping surfaces are made from moulded plastic, but the elongated members and clamping surfaces can also be made from aluminium, steel or another metal or wood or a combination of materials. For example, the elongated members can be made from plastic and the opposed clamping surfaces can be made from aluminium.
[0018] The curved handles 6 make the tool easier to grip. The tool has a T-shaped bottom surface on each elongated member and clamping surface comprised of the lower end of the elongated member, the lower end of the wedge, and the lower edge of the clamping surface. Each elongated member has a T-shaped bottom that can be used to compact the yard waste after it has been inserted into the bag or other suitable container.
1989380.1
Claims (16)
1. A grasping tool for use in picking up yard waste, said tool comprising two elongated members, being a first elongated member and a second elongated member, said elongated members each having a handle at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface at a lower end, said elongated member being mounted to move said opposed clamping surfaces closer together or further apart as said handles are moved closer together or further apart respectively.
2. A grasping tool for use in picking up yard waste, said tool comprising two elongated members, each of said two elongated members having a handle at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface at a lower end, said elongated members being pivotally mounted along a pivot axis, said opposed clamping surfaces moving together or moving further apart as said handles are moved together or further apart respectively.
3. A tool as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said elongated members are identical to one another.
4. A tool as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said clamping surfaces have a planar and rectangular shape and are located on an inside of said elongated members.
5. A tool as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the clamping surfaces are plates.
6. A tool as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the elongated members are straight from a handle to said opposed clamping surfaces.
7. A tools as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said opposed clamping surfaces are mounted on said elongated members at an angle to one another so that when said tool is moved into a closed position, said opposed clamping surfaces contact one another along a lower edge of each clamping surface, but are otherwise apart form one another.
8. A tool as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said elongated members are mounted side by side and are identical to one another.
9. A tool as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the opposed clamping surfaces are mounted laterally off centre to said elongated members so that each elongated member and opposed clamping surface is identical to one another, said opposed clamping surfaces being aligned with one another.
10. A tool as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said tool has an open position and a closed position, said opposed clamping surfaces moving closer together or further apart as said handles are moved closer together or further apart respectively.
11. A tool as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said tool is sized to enable a user to pick up yard waste and to insert a lower end of said tool and said yard waste into a bag for receiving said yard waste without bending down.
12. A tool as claimed in Claim 7, wherein a wedge on each handle supports each clamping surface at an angle relative to one another.
13. A tool as claimed in Claim 12, wherein said tool has a T-shaped bottom surface on each elongated member and clamping surface to enable said tool to be used to compact said yard waste.
14. A method of using a tool to pick up yard waste and deposit the yard waste into a container, said tool having two elongated members, each of said two elongated members having a handle at an upper end and an opposed clamping surface at a lower end, said elongated members being pivotally mounted relative to one another along a pivot axis, said opposed clamping surfaces moving closer together or moving further apart as said handles are moved closer together or further apart, said method comprising grasping said tool by said handles, with one handle in each hand of a user, manually opening said tool by moving said handles apart, locating said clamping surfaces to straddle yard waste, moving said tool toward a closed position by moving said handles closer together to trap said yard waste between said clamping surfaces, moving said clamping surfaces to said container and moving said handles apart to open said tool, thereby releasing said yard waste into said container.
15. A method as claimed in Claim 12 including the step of inserting said clamping surfaces into said container before moving said handles apart to release said yard waste.
16. A method as claimed in Claim 12 including the step of using said tool to compact yard waste already in said container by forcing the tool downward into said yard waste already in the container several times.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US89621507P | 2007-03-21 | 2007-03-21 | |
| US60/896,215 | 2007-03-21 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2626824A1 CA2626824A1 (en) | 2008-09-21 |
| CA2626824C true CA2626824C (en) | 2011-01-25 |
Family
ID=39787933
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2626824 Expired - Fee Related CA2626824C (en) | 2007-03-21 | 2008-03-20 | A grasping tool for yard waste |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2626824C (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2466618B8 (en) | 2008-12-23 | 2011-08-17 | Dramafreeze Ltd | A tool |
-
2008
- 2008-03-20 CA CA 2626824 patent/CA2626824C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2626824A1 (en) | 2008-09-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20140320 |