Fireplace log and coal feeder

Claim 1

Apparatus for use in the delivery of solid fuel into a fireplace comprising: support means including frame means defining a first plane, means attached to said frame means for facilitating the movement thereof including at least a pair of surface contacting rolling members, handle means coupled to said frame means for providing control over the movement of said frame means, and support arm means defining a second plane which intersects said first plane, said support arm means having first and second ends coupled to said frame means for movement therewith, said support arm means second end being pivotally attached to said feeder means, the axis about which said feeder means is rotatable being perpendicular to said second plane; feeder means including a fuel support and being pivotally attached to said support means, said feeder means being rotatable about an axis and having at least first and second operating positions, said first position of said feeder means providing stable support for the fuel, said second position of said feeder means discharging the fuel from said feeder means into a fireplace under the influence of gravity; elongated control lever means having first and second ends, said first end being continuously coupled to said feeder means whereby raising of said second end of said control lever means moves said feeder means between said first and said second operating positions and lowering of said control lever means moves said feeder means between said second and said first operating positions; leg means having first and second ends, said leg means first end being secured to said support arm means, said leg means extending from said support arm means to support said apparatus on the surface engaged by said rolling members via contact between said leg means second end and the surface; and lock means pivotally attached to said support arm means and having first and second positions, said lock means retaining said feeder means in said first operating position when in said first position, said lock means further including flange means affixed to said feeder means and defining a locking surface, an elongated arm having first and second ends and being pivotally coupled to said support arm means, a projection extending from said first end of said elongated arm, said projection being engageable with said locking surface when said lock means is in its first position, and means for constraining the motion of said elongated arm to a plane generally perpendicular to said second plane.