WO1992017049A1

WO1992017049A1 - Self raising spade

Info

Publication number: WO1992017049A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/000518
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Leonard Kelly
Original assignee: John Leonard Kelly
Priority date: 1989-09-28
Filing date: 1991-04-02
Publication date: 1992-10-15
Also published as: GB2236237A; GB8921871D0; GB2236237B

Abstract

The self-raising spade is designed to enable material to be moved from a low level and raised to a working height, without requiring the user to bend or stoop. The action does not require the user to take the weight of the load whilst in a bent posture, therefore reducing the risk of physical injury. The essential feature of this invention is the triangular support leg upon which the load rises to a selected height, this being brought about by the natural backwards motion of the user, the leg returning automatically towards the shaft on discharge of the spade towards the side.

Description

Specification

Self Raising Spade

1. Technical Field; This invention relates to manual implements designed to minimise physical strain on the user. Where reference is made to the term "spade" it is intended that the implement head is

5. exchangeable for a fork or shovel blade, employing the same principle of operation.

Background; Spades are well known implements used in agriculture, industry and in domestic applications, their operation generally involving 10. bending and stooping, placing a strain on the user's spine with a consequent risk of injury.

Essential Technical Features; The essential feature of this invention is a support leg, freely pivoting at opposite rear corners of the implement

15. head and bearing on the ground at a central point, upon which the load is raised, the rotation of the head on discharging the load causing a reaction in the leg whereby the leg returns automatically towards the shaft. The action does not require

20. the user to stoop or take the weight whilst in a bend posture. Versatility of the spade is improved by the ability to simply detach the leg for use as a general purpose implement. Drawings;

Fig 1: The spade is shown with a detachable

25. support leg pivoting freely in the sockets.

Fig 2: The triangular support leg detached from the spade. The leg is released by compression of the extreme ends of the side members.

Fig 3: The first stage of operation. The blade

30. is driven into the ground and the shaft levered to free the earth, or material to be raised. The support leg falls to the ground.

Fig 4: The foot is removed from the blade and applies pressure to the support leg base, fixing

35. it's position on the ground.

Fig 5: The shaft is gripped in the conventional way, the natural backwards motion of the user causing the blade to rise upon the leg to a height where the load may be moved or unloaded.

40. Fig 6: The spade head with the support leg attached.

Figs 7 & 8: Side and rear elevations of the mounting sockets.

Fig 9: - shows the leg in it's extended

45. (vertical) position. The outer arrows show the direction of rotation of the implement head on discharge to the side (to the left in this example) . The inner arrows show the relative motion of the leg pivoting against the helical

50. face of the socket, returning it towards the shaft.

Abstract: Figures 1 to 9 should accompany the abstract.

Claims

The Claims

1. A spade or fork incorporating a detachable support 55. leg, pivoting freely at opposite corners of the implement head, and bearing on the ground at a central point, upon which the load is raised, the rotation of the head on discharge of the load exerting a force of reaction on the leg, returning 60. it towards the shaft.

2. A spade or fork as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the leg is detached by compression of the extreme ends of the side members.

3. A spade or fork as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, 65. wherein the leg pivots freely in helically machined sockets, providing a leg-return reaction by virtue of the gradient presented by the helical socket face against the leg on rotation to the side. 70. 4. A spade or fork as claimed in Claims 1,2 and 3, wherein the sockets incorporate upper and lower limit stop faces, restricting the travel of the leg and preventing contact with the shaft.

AMENDED CLAIMS

_[receive_{d b}y the International Bureau on 6 April 1992 ⁽06.04.92⁾; origina_l c_laim 1 cancelled; remaining claims amended ⁽1 page⁾J

Cancelled

55.

60.

2. A spade or fork wherein the leg is detached by compression of the extreme ends of the side members.

3. A spade or fork as claimed in Claim 2. wherein 65. the leg pivots freely in helically machined sockets. providing a leg-return reaction by virtue of the gradient presented by the helical socket face against the leg on rotation to the side. 70.

4. A spade or fork as claimed in Claims 2 and 3, wherein the sockets incorporate upper and lower limit stop faces, restricting the travel of the leg and preventing contact with the shaft.