WO1997049869A1

WO1997049869A1 - Multi-purpose manually operated grading device

Info

Publication number: WO1997049869A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/010743
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank H. Leach
Original assignee: Leach Frank H
Priority date: 1996-06-27
Filing date: 1997-06-20
Publication date: 1997-12-31

Abstract

A multi-purpose manually propelled grading device (10) for moving snow, leaves, sand, dirt, gravel, or even water, from a surface. The device (10) includes a tubular frame (14) to which a blade (12) is cantilever-mounted on the frame front side and is adjustable about a vertical axis by clevis and pin means (30, 32). The frame (14) is mounted on a wheel carriage (16, 18, 22) for ease of movement, and a pair of handle bars (24, 26) are mounted on the rear side of the frame (14) to enable to operator to push the carriage mounted blade (12) against a load. Angular adjustment of the blade (12) about a vertical axis is accomplished by a wire cable system (50) connecting the blade (12) to the handle bars (24, 26) for ease of manual adjustment by the operator.

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE MANUALLY OPERATED GRADING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF TITLE INVENTION Field of the Invention: The field of this invention relates generally to manually operated plowing, grading, pushing, and scraping devices.

Description of Related Prior Art: Manually operated devices are known to push, grade, and/or otherwise move various materials such as snow, leaves, top soil, silt, gravel, sand, and the like. Such devices range from ordinary hand shovels to blades mounted on wheels and pushed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The subject invention is a multi-purpose tool for pushing, plowing, leveling, and/or grading various materials encountered by those who maintain residences, small stores, shops, and similar structures. The device comprises a wheel-mounted frame with a detachable horizontal blade pivotally mounted on a clevis-type bracket secured between the blade and the frame. The position of the lower horizontal edge of the blade is substantially at ground level. The blade is longitudinally straight and is arcuate in vertical cross section, with its concave surface addressing the material to be moved. The frame is cantilever mounted and balanced on a two-wheel carriage assembly, and extends rearwardly

sarSrmrcaeoM i over the top of the carriage assembly ending in a pair of handle bars. The horizontal attitude of the blade is controlled by a flexible steel wire rope and pulley system controlled by a manual shifting mechanism mounted on each one of the handle bars within easy reach of the operator. These mechanisms are designed to shift the blade approximately 45" from dead center parallel to the front edge of the frame about a vertical axis to either right or left. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at the dead center position the blade cuts a swath substantially 41 inches in width. In the full 45' pivoted position, the blade cuts a swath substantially 28.5 inches in width. Quick release locking mechanisms are mounted on the handle bars directly above the wire rope and pulley system. These locking mechanisms prevent horizontal blade movement and secure the blade at any angle about a vertical pivotal axis. The blade is further stabilized by the addition of casters mounted near the extreme ends on the lower back side of said blade. The benefits of the casters are twofold. First, they share the burden of the weight of the blade with the frame mounting. Secondly, they preserve the life of the leading edge of the blade by keeping it from ground contact. The casters maintain a clearance between the lower edge of the blade and the ground within a range of substantially .25 inch to 1.5 inches, depending upon the degree of angulation of the blade. The blade is

St^TiTffTΕSHGET(Hα£2β) further protected from uneven pavement by three egually spaced skids mounted on the leading edge of the blade. For ease of storage, the clevis-type mounted blade can be detached and stored separately from the wheeled frame. Although a snow plow blade is described in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in another preferred embodiment a squeegee can be attached to the frame of this device to quickly remove liquid from a surface.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-purpose, manually operated, device suitable for moving snow, top soil, gravel, silt, leaves, and similar such substances to be moved or repositioned. It is an object of the invention to provide a wheel carriage-mounted, hand pushable, device. It is an object of the invention to provide a device with a pushing blade that is horizontally adjustable about a vertical axis. It is an object of the invention to provide a device with a horizontally adjustable pushing blade controlled by hand from a mechanism mounted on the frame of the device within easy reach of the operator. It is an object of the invention to provide a device with a wire rope and pulley system to horizontally control the angle of attack of the pushing blade. It is another object of the invention to provide a device with a quick release over-center lock for the

S11BSTπiIΪ!aEϊ(rliZB) purpose of securing the pushing blade at any desired angle of attack. It is still another object of the invention to provide a device with casters on the pushing blade to protect the blade from surface abrasion. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device with a squeegee attached to the device to remove water or other liquids from a surface. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a plow blade with tines to facilitate moving and disposing of wet substances. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the blade and clevis attachment to the frame of the inventive device; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the quick release braking mechanism of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is another preferred embodiment of the invention showing a side elevational view of the blade with a squeegee attachment; and FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, showing a

SUBSTΓΠITΈ SBET (RULE 2β) plow blade with tines to facilitate removal of snow and other substances having a high moisture content.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, therein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention 10. The device 10, shown in perspective, comprises a pusher blade 12, preferably substantially 41 inches in length, pivotally secured to a main frame 14 mounted on wheels 16-18, shown in phantom. The main frame 14 comprises a blade mounting beam 20, a rectangular tubular wheel mounting frame 22 secured to the mounting beam 20, and a pair of tubular handles 24-26 integral with the wheel mounting frame. Stabilizing struts 25-27 interconnect handles 24-26 to wheel mounting frame 22 to provide rigidity therebetween. Referring to FIG. 2, the blade 12 is pivotally secured to the blade mounting beam 20 by means of a clevis 28 bolted to the blade 12 and a clevis 30 bolted to the mounting beam 20. Clevis 28 is pivotally connected to clevis 30 by means of a clevis pin 32 secured in place by a cotter pin 34. A pair of casters 36-38 are bolted to the back side 40 of blade 12 adjacent opposite ends 42-44. The casters carry the weight of the blade 12 and space the blade sufficiently above ground surface S so that the leading edge 46 of the blade 12 is protected from abrading action of the surface over which the blade is moved. Two or more horizontally spaced skids 48 may be secured to the blade leading edge 46 in lieu of, or in addition to,

SUBSTlTUTESrlEET(RUli2B) casters 36-38. The skids also reduce abrasion of the blade leading edge 46 by spacing the blade above surface S. The horizontal alignment of the blade 12 is adjusted by means of a wire rope 50 which is secured at a first end 52 to a bracket 54 fastened to the blade, FIG. 1. A first pair of wire rope guide pulleys 56-58 are rotatably secured to opposite sides of frame 22; a second pair of wire guide pulleys 60-62, are rotatably secured to handles 24-26; and an idler pulley 64 is positioned between pulleys 60-62 to ride on wire rope 50. Starting at bracket 54, wire rope 50 passes beneath pulley 58, over pulley 62, beneath idler pulley 64, over pulley 60, and under pulley 56. The second end 66 of wire rope 50 is fastened to bracket 68 secured to blade 12. The wire rope system is tensioned by connecting idler pulley 64 to a biasing mechanism comprising a wire rope tensioning spring 65 and a turnbuckle 67. The upper end of the turnbuckle 67 is fastened to idler pulley 64; the lower end is fastened to the upper end of the wire rope tensioning spring 65; and the lower end of tensioning spring 65 is fastened to wheel mounting frame 22. Desired tension in the wire rope system is obtained by contracting or expanding the turnbuckle 67, which compresses or releases compression in the tensioning spring 65. In order to shift the blade 12 about the clevis pin 32, wire rope shifting grips 70-72 are secured by clamp means 74-76 to wire rope portions 78-80. By gripping either handle 82 or 84 of grips 70-72, or both

SUBSTΪTUπ SHEET (fllJLE 2fl) simultaneously, the operator can cause the blade 12 to pivot horizontally when grips 70-72 are shifted parallel to handles 24-26 in opposite directions. Either grip may be used for this purpose, but there may be conditions when it would be beneficial to separately urge grips 70-72 simultaneously in opposite directions. Once the blade has been properly angulated, it can be locked into position by means of a pair of quick release clamps 86-88 mounted on handles 24-26. As shown in FIG. 1, clamp 86 is in the release position, and clamp 88 is in the lock position. As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, each clamp comprises a bracket 90 for mounting on a handle 24 or 26; a lever 92 pivotally secured at 94 to a lever anchor plate 96; and a toggle link 98 pivotally secured to the lever 92 at 100 and to a clamping plunger 102 at 104. When the lever 92 is in the downward, or forward, position, as shown in FIG. 3, plunger tip 106 is biased into pressure contact with the wire rope 50 passing over pulley 60 or 62, thereby clamping the wire rope against movement. Either clamp 86 or 88 is usually adequate for this purpose, depending on the preference of the operator, unless a heavy load requires the use of both clamps to maintain proper alignment of the blade 12. When the blade 12 is properly angulated and locked into place, the operator may use the device as long as desired at this blade angulation setting. When he wants a different setting, he can easily adjust the blade in a matter of seconds, under any weather conditions, using the

8ϋβSTfTBTE8HEET(RfllE2β) wire rope adjusting and locking system described. There is no need for any tool, there is no need to lift heavy parts or to change parts, and there is no need to shift guide pins from one hole to another. FIG. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention. This figure is substantially similar to FIG. 2, with the exception that skids 48 of FIG. 2 have been removed and replaced with a squeegee 108. Squeegee 108 is secured by threaded fastener means 110 to the front lower edge 46 of blade 12 and has a depending squeegee blade portion 112 that extends downwardly from edge 46 sufficiently to make substantial contact with surface S. The squeegee is made from rubber or rubber-like material, well known for use in making squeegees. Upon forward movement of the blade 12, the squeegee blade portion 112 will deflect slightly rearwardly, as shown in phantom at 113, to present a sharp edge 114 which sweeps the surface S free of liquid. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of L-shaped tines 116 are secured to lower edge 46 of blade 12A and project substantially horizontally forward from blade 12A. Each L- shaped tine 116 comprises an upper leg 118 secured to the front face 120 of blade 12A and a lower leg 122 which is substantially spatula-shaped to provide a lifting surface. Wet snow is a good example of a substance that can be plowed more efficiently with the tine-equipped blade of FIG. 5. When blade 12A pushes wet snow, the snow

SBsπτuTϊ_omτ(RuifZrj) becomes compacted and progressively more difficult to move. The increasing resistance to movement of the impacted snow can be overcome by pressing down on handles 24-26, which pivots blade 12A about axle 15 of wheels 16-18, so that the blade tines 116 will lift the compacted snow. The snow load can then be released from blade 12A by wheeling it to an open space and dumping it. Another technique for obtaining release of the snow load is to move the inventive device, with blade 12A in the elevated position, and ramming the snow load into a bank of snow, which further compacts the snow and bonds it with the snow bank, whereupon blade 12A can be backed out from under the snow load. These procedures can be repeated as often as necessary to break through a compacted build-up of snow, thus enabling further normal plowing of the snow surface. It will occur to those skilled in the art, upon reading the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with a study of the drawings, that certain modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the intent or scope of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be construed and limited only by the appended claims .

StβSTTTUTE SHEET (WR£ 2β)

Claims

1° I Claim: 1. A multi-purpose manually propelled grading device comprising: a frame having front, rear, and side portions; wheels mounted on said frame side portions to provide frame support and to enable locomotion; a blade mounted on said frame front portion for pivotal movement about a vertical axis; a pair of first and second handle bars secured to said frame rear portion; means to pivot said blade about said vertical axis; and means to lock said blade in any pivoted position about said vertical axis.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade is horizontally aligned and pivotally secured to said frame at the horizontal midpoint of said blade; a blade shifting cable formed in a loop and having first and second ends, said first end being secured to said blade horizontally spaced to the left of said vertical axis and said second end being secured to said blade horizontally spaced to the right of said vertical axis; said cable extending by guide means parallel to said first and second handle bars; and means to shift said cable parallel to said first and second handle bars.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said cable guide means comprise a plurality of pulleys mounted on said first and second handle bars to receive and to define a path of shifting for said cable; and a spring-biased idler pulley to receive and to tension said cable.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Mfli 28)

4. The device of claim 3, including a hand- operated locking device mounted on at least one of said handle bars to secure said cable against shifting.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said hand- operated locking device is a lever-actuated plunger positioned to make pressure engagement against said cable.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said plunger engages a portion of said cable passing over one of said pulleys.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said lever is pivotable beyond dead center to lock said plunger in place against said cable.

8. The device of claim 2, including at least one manual cable shifting hand grip secured to said cable.

9. The device of claim 8, including a manual cable shifting hand grip secured to said cable adjacent each of said handle bars.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade is provided with ground-engaging caster rollers.

SiaSTTTOTE SHEET (Rtftf 2B)

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said caster rollers maintain said blade lower horizontal edge substantially within the range of .25 inch to 1.5 inch clearance above grade level.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade has a lower horizontal edge and said edge has a plurality of skids secured thereto.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein a squeegee is secured to and projects below and parallel to said blade lower horizontal edge sufficiently to make pressure contact with a ground surface to be cleared.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade is pivotable about said vertical axis 45" to either side of dead center of said blade parallel to said frame front portion.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the effective working horizontal length of said blade varies from substantially 41 inches when said blade is positioned at dead center parallel to said front portion of said frame to substantially 28.5 inches when said blade is pivoted about said vertical axis 45" either to the right or left of dead center.

SWSTTTFTE S1BT (NILE 2E0

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said blade has a horizontal bottom edge and a plurality of tines secured to said bottom edge and projecting forward therefrom.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said tines are L-shaped and each includes an upper leg secured to said blade and a lower leg substantially spatula-shaped and horizontally aligned to provide a lifting surface.

SflBSTTTUTE SUEπ (FSJLE 26)