US3617084A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
And-operated shovel for picking up refuse
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-07
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Granted: 1971-11-02
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Expires: 1989-05-07
Abstract
Abstract The shovel, which is especially well adapted for picking up pet manure or other similar refuse, comprises a pair of clamshell scoops pivotally mounted on supporting arms at the lower end of an outer tubular shaft. The scoops are biased toward their closed position by means of springs. An inner shaft is rotatably mounted within the outer shaft. First and second handles extend radially from the upper end portions of the inner and outer shafts so that the shovel can be held in both hands for easy operation. Lever arms extend radially from the lower end of the inner shaft and are connected to the scoops by means of links, so that the scoops can be opened and closed by turning the inner shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry Mares
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:32
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01H; E01H1/00; E01H1/12; E01H1/1206; E01H2001/122; E01H2001/1293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A hand-operated shovel for picking up refuse, said shovel comprising a pair of clamshell scoops for receiving the refuse, each of said scoops having a bottom wall, a sidewall and a pair of end walls, said side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall for retaining the refuse on the bottom wall, an elongated outer tubular shaft, a pair of laterally offset supporting arms secured to the lower end of said outer shaft, pivot means connected between said arms and said end walls of said clamshell scoops to support said scoops for swinging movement between open and closed positions, said bottom walls of said scoops being brought together when said scoops are in said closed positions, the corresponding end walls of each scoop being brought together when said scoops are in said closed position, spring means biasing said scoops toward said closed position, an elongated inner shaft extending through said tubular outer shaft and rotatably received therein, a first handle extending radially from the upper end portion of said outer shaft, a second handle extending radially from the upper end portion of said inner shaft, and an operating mechanism connected between the lower end of said inner shaft and said scoops for opening and closing said scoops in response to rotary movement of said inner shaft in opposite directions, said spring means being effective to hold said scoops resiliently in said closed position to prevent accidental dumping of the refuse from said scoops, said operating mechanism comprising a pair of lever arms extending radially from the lower end of said inner shaft, and a pair of links connected between said lever arms and said scoops for opening and closing said scoops when said lever arms are turned in opposite directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
A hand-operated shovel for picking up refuse, said shovel comprising a pair of clamshell scoops for receiving the refuse, each of said scoops having a bottom wall, a sidewall and a pair of end walls, said side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall for retaining the refuse on the bottom wall, an elongated outer tubular shaft, a pair of laterally offset supporting arms secured to the lower end of said outer shaft, pivot means connected between said arms and said end walls of said clamshell scoops to support said scoops for swinging movement between open and closed positions, said bottom walls of said scoops being brought together when said scoops are in said closed positions, the corresponding end walls of each scoop being brought together when said scoops are in said closed position, spring means biasing said scoops toward said closed position, an elongated inner shaft extending through said tubular outer shaft and rotatably received therein, a first handle extending radially from the upper end portion of said outer shaft, a second handle extending radially from the upper end portion of said inner shaft, and an operating mechanism connected between the lower end of said inner shaft and said scoops for opening and closing said scoops in response to rotary movement of said inner shaft in opposite directions, said spring means being effective to hold said scoops resiliently in said closed position to prevent accidental dumping of the refuse from said scoops, said operating mechanism comprising a pair of lever arms extending radially from the lower end of said inner shaft, and a pair of links connected between said lever arms and said scoops for opening and closing said scoops when said lever arms are turned in opposite directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A shovel according to claim 1, in which said pivot means comprise a pivot rod extending between said suppporting arms, said scoops having portions swingably mounted on said rod, said spring means comprising at least one torsion spring mounted on said rod and connected to said scoops.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-01 | 1975-05-03 | 1975-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-05-03 | 1979-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-01 | 1983-05-03 | 1983-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |