Patent ID: 6371542
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: A01B

Abstract:
A load lifting accessory which is adapted to be affixed to the shaft of a shovel, said load lifting accessory comprising:a bracket, a support arm, an extension member, and a retractor arm; wherein said bracket has inner and outer surfaces, first and second ends, and first and second side edges; wherein said bracket is adapted to embrace the underside of the shaft of a shovel when the shovel is oriented in a normal shovelling position, and wherein the underside of the shaft of the shovel, in the region of the midpoint thereof, is rested against said inner surface of said bracket; wherein said bracket is attached to the shaft of the shovel by attachment means, and wherein said outer surface of said bracket has said support arm attached thereto by attachment means which permits pivotal movement of said support arm; wherein said support arm has top and bottom ends, and first and second side edges; wherein said support arm is contiguous to said outer surface of said bracket at said second end, when in a first, non-operative position; and wherein said support arm extends substantially vertically downwardly from said bracket to the ground in a second, operative position; wherein said extension member has first and second ends, and said second end of said extension member is secured against said outer surface of said bracket in the region of one of said first and second side edges; and wherein said retractor arm has first and second ends, and wherein said first end of said retractor arm is pivotally and slidably attached to said first end of said extension member, and wherein said second end of said retractor arm is pivotally attached to one of said first and second side edges of said support arm at a point which is intermediate said first and second ends thereof.