GB2449643A

GB2449643A - Manually operated sieve for horticultural use

Info

Publication number: GB2449643A
Application number: GB0710178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Heyes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-29
Filing date: 2007-05-29
Publication date: 2008-12-03
Also published as: GB0710178D0

Abstract

A sieve for horticultural use comprise a frame on which a mesh is mounted. The frame has vertical sides. The base of the frame may have wheels 11, 12 which run along rails 20. The frame may be mounted on four legs 1, 4 which may each have a wheel 13 on the ground contacting end. The sieve may be manually operated by means of handles 28, 29 on the vertical sides of the frame. A wheelbarrow may be positioned under the sieve to collect the sieved soil. The frame may then be tilted by means of tilt wheels 9a, 9b to remove the remaining stones. Baskets may be attached to the sieve to hold small items. The sieve may be converted to a cold-frame.

Description

TRANSPORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED SIEVE

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a construct used for the sifting of solid matter such as stones and pebbles from soil.

When individual gardeners use a sieve it is generally of the hand held variety regardless of how large or small the job is. Landscape gardeners, nurseries, allotment holders and more, also generally use hand held sieves.

This invention has been designed to enable individuals and organisations the opportunity to utilise a sieve that is transportable and capable of accepting heavy loads. With a push -pull motion generated by the users arms the strain and pressure on the body is drastically reduced.

The transportable features of the sieve coupled with the fact it is capable of far heavier loads than a band held one will enable all users to carry out tasks more efficiently due to increased productivity and the easing of physical pressure on the body parts.

It has been designed for use by one or more people. During the sifting operation the sifted soil fall onto the ground in one operation. In another operation a wheel-barrow can be placed beneath the mesh within the construct thus collecting the sifted soil were it can then be barrowed to another area. This method enables the user to sift large loads using less physical energy in less time.

When the sifting of a load has been carried out the sieve and associate member pieces can be tilted upwards toward the rear of the construct, gravity and a stop bar is such that at the tilting angle the pebbles-stones and other sifted matter will fall into a wheel barrow situated outside of the construct. In terms of how many people can be employed on the construct is dependent upon the tasks and objectives of the users.

The construct utilises two wheels on the front legs. For transportation the construct is pulled by means of an handle situated at the back. If the wheels are not required the can be removed and placed securely upon an extending rod protruding from one front leg. The construct is manuiintured from a light material pulled without undue pressure on the quadriceps and upper torso. 2.

BACKGROUND

The design of the invention is such that it is capable of withstanding heavy loads without being difficult to transport from different areas of the site. With the use of various carpentry joints and metal fastenings t he construct is capable of withstanding heavy loads over a long period of time.

The construct comprises a number of individual components that can be flat-packed and placed on the rear seat of an average medium-sized British saloon. Alternatively, it can be retailed in situ for those with appropriate transportation. Once on site the construct is easy t build. When not in use it can be dismantled and placed on or against walls utilising the bolt holes in the construct.

When not in use the sieve unit can be utilised as a small cold frame utilising the design.

The construct can be modified to suit either a gardeners or a builders wheelbarrow or any other barrow which is on the market. The smaller the barrow the nre accessibility to provide flat packed versions for with smaller than average cars.

The construct is capable of transporting gardening equipment and accessories within the sieve itself thus enabling users to gather and place in the sieve all material required for a particular task that may be some distance from where the equipment is stored.

The sides of the construct have been designed to enable baskets to be fixed. These baskets have been constructed in such a fashion as to be easily inserted onto the sides to carry such things as garden tools, equipment, accessories, seeds, bulbs and the like.

The advantage of this system as with the utilisation of the sieve member for carrying large tools, spades, forks etc, is that the user can prepare, place and transport all his needs for a task within and upon the construct. When not in use the metal baskets can be placed upon shed and garage walls and used for storage purposes. The advantages of the baskets is that they are light and, adding very little weight to the construct when in use, versatile and handy for storage.

The front member of the sieve has two hand holes cut out. These holes/handles enable the user to exert maximum use of the sieve whilst exerting minimum pressure on the body. The advantage of this operation as opposed to other sifts is the reduction in stress and strain on the susceptible limbs/joints of the user.

Within the sieve, towards the rear of the construct, slots have been inserted on both sides into which a bather can be placed. The barrier prevents sifted soil from thlling beyond the construct and

BACKGROUND

onto the ground.

The sieve when in operation sits upon four wheels attached to both sides of the construct. The composition of the wheels and the bottom of the sieve, where it touches the wheels is such that it allows for a smooth action with little strain on the body parts of the user.

From an health and safety perspective the construct offers minimal problems, if any.

Due to the constructs design the user is able to position himself four square upon the ground, using his feet, correctly positioned, for balance, with hands positioned in hand ho1es for added security and comfort, The inner sieve support has been strengthened with braces at all four corners to prevent lateral movement of the sieve when in use. The metal sieve sits upon the inner sieve support framework and can be secured by either metal fasteners or other means, When in tilt position, sieve emptying solid mass into wheelbarrow, the sieve rests upon two wheels, the same size as the side wheels. These sieve wheels facilitate the action enabling the user to manually assist the solid mass into the wheelbarrow.

Accompanying the wheels in the tilt position are two stop bars inserted on either side of the sieve sides which, when sieve is tilted, rest firmly against the rear of the top of the two rear legs. These stop bars prevent the sieve from sliding off and allow the user to safely remove/assist the removal of solids from the sieve into the wheelbarrow.

When sieve is in operating mode, stop bars situated at the rear of the sieve( inserted onto either side) prevent sieve from extending into the sieve. These stop bars are optional and can be used by those who feel it suits their own particular requirements.

There is a retractable flap at the rear of the sieve which, when sieve in tilt position, can be moved into the upward position allowing solids to escape from sieve.

BACKGROUND

The wheels are independent of one another working in unison. If one is damaged or needs replacing it does not necessitate the removal of undamaged ones.

When inserting wheelbarrow into construct the design is such that it enables insert and extract barrow with ease. The whole concept of the operation has been to reduce the physical demands on the user whilst at the same time improving productivity and efficiency.

When using construct on level ground wheels can be inserted on all four legs. In this mode construct can be pushed. In pull mode construct requires wheels on front(side b), tilt stop bar will prevent sieve disengaging.

KEY

I smi -sieve frame member-outer 2 sm2-sieve frame member-inner 3 sm3-sieve frame mesh 4 support member-support framework system sm4 -front 6 sm5-back 7 sm6-side 8 sm7-side (0

TRANSPORTABLE MANUALLY OPERATED SIEVE

KEY TO DRAWiNG-PAGES I AN]) 2 NUMBER I AN]) 4 LEGS AND 6 BRACES 7A AND 7B CROSS MEMBERS 8 HANDLE 36 AND 37 WHEELS 9A AND 9B TILT WHEELS KEY TO DRAWINGS-PAGES 1 ANT) 3 NUMBER 2 AND 3 LEGS 13 AND 14 WHEELS 38A AN]) 38B BRACES

CROSS MEMBER

33 WHEEL ROD SECURE KEY TO DRAWiNGS-PAGES 1 AND 4 NUMBER 11 AND 12 SIEVE WHEELS AND 20 CROSS MEMBERS 16 AND 17 CROSSED BRACES 33 TILT WHEELS 40,4 1 AND 42 (SEE PAGE 4) STORAGE BASKET SUPPORTS 43,44 AND 45(SIDES C AND B) STORAGE BASKET SUPPORTS 32 CROSS BRACE CONNECTOR 13 AND 14 WHEELS 22 AND 23 SIEVE SECURE 18 AND 19 CROSSED BRACES KEY TO DRAWINGS-PAGES 1 AND 5-SIEVE MEMBER I NUMBER 24 TILT STOP BAR 22 AND 23 SIEVE SECURE 31A AND 31B SIEVE SIDES

HINGED FLAP

28 AND 29 HAND HOLES 46 INTERNAL SIEVE STOP/BARRIER 47A,B,C AND D COLD FRAME SUPPORTS 48A AND 48B UNDERSIDE SiEVE STRIP 21 DIRECTION OF PUSH MOTION 26 DIRECTION OF PULL MOTION 34A AND 34B EXTERNAL SIEVE STOP BAR KEY TO DRAWINGS-PAGES 1 AND 5 SIEVE MEMBER 1 NUMBER 40A,B,C AND D SIEVE SUPPORT BRACES

INNER SIEVE SUPPORT FRAME

27 MESH

Claims

1 A transportable manually operated sieve construct sieve frame member, a sieve mesh member adapted to be supported in the sieve frame.

2 A support member comprising four sides adapted to support sieve frame and sicve mesh. Construct to be of an height and width for convenient use.

3 Construct to comprise a sieve frame member as in claim one which contains two effiptically shaped handles.

4 Sieve frame member-I, with angled external tilt stop bars.

Sieve frame member-I, with internal sieve stop/barriers.

6 Sieve frame member-I, with external upright stop bars.

7 Sieve frame member-I, with internal slots to accept internal stop barrier-5.

8 Sieve frame member-I, with internal support blocks to accept Perspex glass lid.

9 Sieve frame member-i, with sieve secure bars.

Sieve frame member-I, comprises four detachable sides.

11 Sieve frame member-I, sides are identical in that claims, 4,5,6,7,8,9, are adjacently situated.

12 Sieve frame member-I, comprises a hinge flap side sieve at rear of sieve frame member. Rear end hinged flap side.

13 Sieve frame member-i, has strips of smooth material attached to underside of said frame. Adapted to run along and above sieve wheels.

14 Sieve frame member-i, as in claim 13, is made of a smooth man-made material.

Sieve frame member-I, as in(3) refers to front side of sieve frame member.

16 Sieve frame member-I, as sides which are detachable for ease of transport, storage and package.

17 Sieve frame member-2 (sm2) comprises a rectangular frame which sits in Sm! and is securely tied by metal fasteners.

18 Sm2 corners are motred.

19 Sni2 as angled braces flush with the top of sni2.

Sm2 contains a mesh of strong metal (sm3) which sits above frame sm2, 21 Sm2 and sm3 are supported by a sieve frame henceforth referred to as sm!(2).

22 TMOS as four detachable sides for ease of transport, storage and package. The front-sm4, consists of two legs and is joined together by a cross member utilising a carpentry joint which is flush to the front of the legs.

23 Sm4 as two angled braces running from the legs (internally) to meet underside of cross member 22.

24 The positioning of 22 and 23 enables the insertion of a wheelbarrow to the inside of smi.

Sm4 as two wheels attached to legs positioned to allow smi to be pulled along uneven ground.

26 Sm4 as a metal protruding rod on one leg to allow for safe, secure storage of wheels.

27 Sm4 as a rear side, sm5 which comprises an upper cross member positioned at the same height as cross member in 22, utilising same carpentry joints.

28 Sm5 as two wheels same specification as 25. When attached to legs, at same time as wheels in sm4-25, allows for smi to be pushed along even flat terrain.

29 Sm5 as a lower cross member attaching legs, same design fixing as in 22,27.

In centre of lower cross member29, there is a large smooth handle which pulls smi when wheels 25 are attached.

31 Between cross members 29and 27 there is an inverted V' shaped angular brace meeting in centre of upper cross member 27.

32 TMOS comprises two sides sm6 and sm7 which are affixed to legs of sm4(front) and sm5(rear) by means of carpentry joints and metal fastener.

32 Sm6 and sm7 are shorter in length than smi to enable sieve member apparatus to extend beyond the rear of srn5 and when in pull mode beyond sm4(22).

34 Sm6 and sm7 have two upper cross members which by means of carpentry joints of other means and metal fasteners are fixed to the legs of sm4 (22) and sm5(27).

upper cross members,34 are positioned to rest upon upper cross members of sm4 (22) and sm5(27).

36 Upper cross members of sm6 and sm7 (34) accommodate two sieve wheels apiece.

Sieve wheels are fastened to upper cross members by means of metal bolts machined internally and secured to 34.

37 Sieve wheels manufactured from man made material to rest above and run along 13. By means of bolts and axels (36) sieve wheels rotate in tandem response to pushing pulling of smi.

38 sieve wheels of 36 situated opposite to one another. Tops of wheels protrude above upper cross members 34 and are positioned to allow for smi to be operated smoothly within the sides of the sieve frame support. 2..

39 Upper cross members 34 have three or more hooks or other such device to accommodate storage system.

TMOS is capable and adapted for the transportation of materials by utilising smi and sm2, known as sieve frame and by use of wheels 25,28.

41 Storage system hooked onto upper cross member 34 by means of device in 39.

Storage system is light and can be detached and used for storage elsewhere. Storage system to be partitioned to allow for efficient storage of equipment.

42 Upper cross member 34 are inserted into rebate of legs sm4 and sm5 to rest above of upper cross members of sm4 and sm5.

43 Sm6 and sm7 have a lower cross member affixed to sm4 and sm5 in identical fashion.

44 Cross braces connect upper cross members 34 so that their centres overlap flush and arrow into corners where upper cross members 34 and lower cross members 43 meet legs of sm4, sm5-22 and 27 respectively.

To offset lateral movement of sieve unit battens are affixed to top of legs of sm2(22) ans sm5(27).

46 Connected to cross braces 44 towards front of sieve support framework is a cross member connecting upward shooting braces fixed so that it is flush to top surface of braces.

47 Construct designed to enable ease of transportation.packaging, erecting and dismantling.

48 Construct as six wheels of the same specification affixed to construct which are made of smooth man made material. Four sieve wheels as in 36 and two sieve tilt wheels.

Sieve tilt wheels are situated on the inside of legs-28, positioned slightly above cross member of smS(27) to allow for rotation when smi sieve member is in operation.

51 All reference to carpentry joints t o be omitted in favour of utilising a mode of fitting suitable for the maintenance of strength, ease of assembling and dismantling.

52 Construct in its entirety can be modified and adapted to suit individual needs. Such modifications will be adopted utilising aforesaid claims.