Abstract:
A material handling device to be used on non-horizontal platforms such as roofs, hills, construction sites, and other sloped surfaces. The device is comprised of a large blade for collecting debris or other materials such as shingles. The blade connects to a first handle that hangs forwardly over the opening of the blade. This handle is meant to assist lifting by placing the handle over the center of gravity of the load in the shovel. The blade is also attached to an angle adjustment pivot assembly. The pivot assembly is attached to an elongated handle. The adjustment mechanism adjusts the angle between the blade and the shaft. At the first end of the shaft is an anchor assembly, comprising an anchoring pin. The anchoring pin can be hammered into the surface to secure the shovel from falling or slipping. The shaft is then connected at its second end to a second anchor. The second anchor comprises a second anchoring pin to be used in the same manner as the first, an end handle for manoeuvring the shovel, as well as a remote latch mechanism to control the angle between the blade and the shaft.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/067,079, filed on Oct. 22, 2014 and titled “Material Handling Device”, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a material handling device, commonly referred to as a shovel. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Shovels are used in many applications for moving material between locations or accumulating and moving waste for disposal. Shovels consist of a blade, usually with upturned edges to contain material of varying sizes, with the blade coupled to handle to facilitate manipulation and movement. 
         [0004]    The handle is disposed at a convenient angle to the blade to allow the user to move the material. Because the user needs to get hold of the handle when the blade is in the material, the handle is usually arranged at an angle to the blade so the end of the handle is raised from the surface. The shovel is dimensioned to maximise the load that may be carried at any one time, depending on the material with which it is intended to be used and the environment in which it is used. An issue arises when the shovel is used on an inclined or sloped surface such as a roof. It is desirable to minimise the number of movements and number of trips for the relocation of the material. However, this suggests a large blade area where a larger amount of waste material may be accumulated. A larger blade area suggests an increase in the length of the handle to provide leverage for lifting. Moreover, the inclination of the handle relative to the blade means that one or other will project upwardly when the shovel is laid on the roof, causing a potential trip hazard and limited contact with the surface. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,841 provides a multiuse cleanup tool system construction wherein it can be utilized as a dustpan or a shovel. However, such a tool still poses limitations as it is not effective on sloped surfaces such as roofs and risks slipping or falling off the surface creating a potential safety risk. 
         [0006]    To attempt to enhance the ability to work on sloped surfaces, U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,397 shows a scoop for use on non-horizontal work surfaces. The patent shows the use of two baseplates connected to meet at a 120-170 degree angle with further plates attached to close blade in the to form a pan. The side of the scoop can have handles for lifting. However, this design also lacks a conventional handle to allow for ease in manoeuvrability and relies on friction between the scoop and surface to retain the scoop on the sloped surface when not attended by a user. 
         [0007]    It is desirable to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Below are example embodiments of the material handling device and example aspects thereof. Other embodiments and aspects are provided in the detailed description and the figures. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a shovel comprising a blade, a handle connected to the blade by a pivot assembly. The pivot assembly includes a latch to control relative movement between the blade and the handle. The latch is movable between a locked position in which relative movement is inhibited, and a released position in which such movement is permitted. An anchor is mounted on the shovel and may be deployed to engage a surface upon which the shovel is placed. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the anchor is a pin mounted on the handle and moveable between a stored position and the deployed position. As a further preference a pair of anchors is provided at spaced locations on the handle. 
         [0011]    It is also preferred that the latch is operated remotely from a distal end of the handle. 
         [0012]    The blade can have various configurations, based on the application. It can consist of a singular piece of curved material or a single plate coupled with a plurality of plates to form walls around the single piece. The shovel can be formed from either a metal, metal alloys, or from plastics. The blade can also include a variety of different ribbing. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, when the shovel is placed in a manner such that the anchoring pins are perpendicular to the surface, the anchoring pins can be driven into the surface. The number of anchoring pins can range from a single pin to a plurality of pins housed within anchor assemblies spaced along the elongated handle respectively. A hammer or similar device can be used to strike the pins and drive them into the surface. Once the anchoring pins are driven into the surface they are able to retain the shovel and inhibit it from sliding and falling. When it is desired for the shovel to be moved the pins can be pulled out from the surface and the shovel can be relocated as desired. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect, the present invention also provides a shovel having a blade, a first handle secured to the blade at a rear portion thereof and projecting rearward from the blade, and a second handle secured to said blade and projecting forwardly from the rear edge of the blade. 
         [0015]    When relocating the shovel the second handle hanging over the blade can be used to assist in lifting the load. When the shovel is heavy it can be strenuous to lift and carry the shovel from a point away from the center of mass. Placing the handle in a manner that projects over the shovel blade places the handle closer to the center of mass and makes the process of relocating the shovel more ergonomic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a roof with a shovel placed on the roof 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the shovel of  FIG. 1   
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  on an enlarged scale 
           [0020]      FIG. 4 a    is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 2  in a first condition 
           [0021]      FIG. 4 b    is a view similar to  FIG. 4 a    in a second condition 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the shovel in the alternate configuration of  FIG. 4 b      
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view across the line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7 a    is a perspective view of the shovel in one configuration 
           [0025]      FIG. 7 b    is a perspective view of the shovel in an alternate configuration to  FIG. 6 b      
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the shovel used in a different configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    The features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a roof  102  is clad with shingles  104  that periodically require removal. To facilitate removal of debris such as removed shingles  106 , a shovel  100  is used to collect debris and transfer it to a disposal site. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a shovel  100  comprises a blade  202  and a handle  216 . The blade  202  and handle  216  are interconnected by an attachment assembly  205 . The assembly  205  is mounted on the blade  202  by a bracket  204  using fasteners  302 . In between the bracket and the blade there is a reinforcement plate  300 . 
         [0030]    A first handle  208  is attached to the bracket  204  using fasteners  306 . The handle  208  includes a pair of upstanding arms L-shaped  209  and a bar  211  extending between the arms  209 . The arms  209  project forwardly over the blade  202  to locate the bar  211  forwardly of the attachment assembly  206 . 
         [0031]    The attachment assembly  206  also includes a pivot assembly  210 , best seen in  FIG. 3 . The pivot assembly includes a pair of spaced plates  206  that are secured to the bracket  204 . The plates  206  include a plurality of bored out holes  304  and a plurality of adjustment holes  418  as shown in  FIG. 4 . A shaft  308  is coupled to the back of the pivot assembly  210  and is fastened to the attachment assembly  206  using fasteners  310  that pass through apertures  420  ( FIG. 4 a   ) in respective ones of the spaced plates  206 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    the adjustment holes  418  on plates  206  are spaced along an arc centered on the aperture  420 . The pivot assembly  210  further includes a clevis  314  with a pair of arms  324  extending from the clevis base  322 . The arms  324  are spaced apart to be received between the plates  206  and each has a bore  326  to receive shaft  308 . The shaft  308  thus defines an axis of rotation of the clevis  314  relative to the blade  202 . Each of the arms  324  has a through hole  328  spaced from the bore  326  along the arc of the holes  418 . The through-hole  328  receives a locking pin  416  that can slide relative to the arm  324  to engage one of the holes  418 . The pins  416  are biased by springs  414  that act between heads of the pins  416  and a central boss  316  projecting from the clevis base  322 . Movement of the pins  416  is controlled by a release mechanism located at the clevis. 
         [0033]    The release mechanism includes a latch base  400  slidably mounted in the boss  316  of the clevis  314 . The base  400  is coupled to a plurality of latch levers  404  via links  406 . The latch levers  404  are pivotally mounted on the clevis  314  on an axial bearing  410  and the opposite end engage a circumferential recess  408  formed on the heads of the pins  416 . The pivot assembly  210  is enclosed by a top plate  226  fastened to the clevis  314  using the fasteners  312 . 
         [0034]    The boss  316  of the clevis  314  includes a rear facing cylindrical recess to receive a shaft  217  of the handle  216 . The shaft  217  terminates in a grip  218  allowing the user to firmly grasp the handle  216  to maneuver or manipulate the device. 
         [0035]    A trigger  224  is located within the grip  218  and includes a lever  219  pivotally connected to the grip  218  by a pin  610  ( FIG. 6 ).The lever is connected to a cable  612  that extends through the handle  216  and is connected to the latch base  400 . 
         [0036]    The shaft  217  of the elongated handle  216  carries a pair of anchor assemblies,  212 ,  220  at spaced locations. The first anchor assembly  212  is secured adjacent the inner end of the shaft  217  using fastener  318  and the second anchor  220  secured using fastener  320 . 
         [0037]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , each of the anchor assemblies  212 ,  220  includes an anchor pin  214  slide-able in a boss  600 . The elongated handle has a transverse pinhole  612 , dimensioned to receive an anchoring pin  214 . The anchors  212 ,  220  include a compression spring  602  within the boss  600  that acts between an end plate  604  and the pin  214  to bias the pin to a retracted position in which the lower end of the pin  214  is located within the boss  600 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show alternate configurations of the pivot assembly  210 . In  FIG. 4 a    the pivot assembly is locked with the pin  416  engaged in one of the holes  418 . When the angle between the blade  202  and elongated handle  216  needs to be adjusted, the trigger  224  is actuated by operating the lever  219 . The lever  219  then pulls the cable  612  causing the latch base  400  to recede, thereby causing the pivot assembly to adopt the configuration as denoted by  FIG. 4 b   . The receding of the latch base  400  causes the link bar  406  to pull the latch levers  404  and pivot them about the bearing  410 . As the latch lever  404  rotates about the axial bearing  410  it acts through the head against the bias of the spring  414  to retract the pin  416  from engagement with adjustment hole  418 . The user can then adjust the angle of the handle  216  by pivoting about the shaft  308 . When the angle is adjusted as desired the user releases the remote latch  224  causing the latch base  400  to return to its original position under the bias of the springs  414 , reengaging the latch lock  416  and locking it into the desired adjustment hole  418 . In this manner, alternative configurations can be obtained for the shovel  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which shows the shovel  100  after the adjustment of the angle between the blade  202  and the elongated handle  216 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 6, 7   a  and  7   b , when the shovel  100  is desired to be secured on a sloped surface, such as when it is being loaded with debris, the orientation of the handle is adjusted so that it is generally parallel with the base of the blade  202 . In this configuration, the the nails  214  are perpendicular or near perpendicular to the surface  102 . The nail head  606  of the anchor pins  214  can be driven downwardly by a tool such as a hammer. The anchor pins  214  are driven out of the boss  600  and in to the underlying surface, such as the roof  102 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0040]    When it is desired to remove or relocate the tool, the anchoring nail  214  can be pulled out of the surface using a tool such as a hammer. 
         [0041]    One exemplary application of the tool is shown in  FIG. 1 . The shovel  100  is used on the sloped surface of the roof  102 . The anchor pins  214  are driven into the surface of the roof  102 , securing the shovel  100  from slipping or sliding. When the shingles  104  of the roof  102  are removed they can be gathered in the blade  202  of the shovel  100 . The shovel  100  can hold debris  106 , the debris comprising removed shingles along with other waste from working on the roof  102 . 
         [0042]    When it is desired for the shovel to be relocated the anchor pins  214  can be pulled out of engagement with the roof  102  and the angle between the blade  202  and elongated handle  216  can be adjusted using the pivot assembly  210  after pulling the trigger  224 . Then, when the shovel is in the desired configuration the shovel can be lifted at the first handle  208  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The handle  208  hangs forward over the blade  202  allowing the user to lift the tool from closer to the center of the mass after the debris has been collected in the blade  202 . The ability to lift from the center of mass offers a more efficient means to manoeuvre the shovel  100 . 
         [0043]    The adjustability of the handle  216  relative to the blade  202  facilitates the use of the shovel  100  in different orientations on the roof  102 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In this orientation, the blade  202  faces down the roof and is adjusted relative to the handle  216  to minimise the angle between them. The blade thus projects upwardly from the roof to provide a more horizontal surface than the roof itself. This permits debris to be cleared from the lower portions of the roof and from the eaves troughs and placed on the shovel in a stable manner. The handle is secured to the roof by the anchor pins  214  that prevent sliding down the roof and tipping of the shovel when loaded. The shovel may be released by withdrawing the anchor pins  214  and moved as previously described. 
         [0044]    The shovel  100  is shown in the exemplary embodiments as having two anchors to house the anchor pin  214 , however; it can be appreciated that only one anchor may be used, or several anchors can be utilized along the length of the elongated handle  216 . 
         [0045]    It can be appreciated that though the specification provided details the use of the shovel on a sloped surface, the shovel can still be utilized any surface in the same method of a traditional shovel or shovel. 
         [0046]    The particular design of the blade, elongated handle, the pivot assembly, and anchors are selected to satisfy structural conditions due to static and dynamic loads in repeated use within working environments. 
         [0047]    Below are general example embodiments and example aspects of the material handling device. 
         [0048]    In a general example embodiment, a shovel is provided which includes: a blade, a handle pivotally connected to the blade by a pivot assembly at one end to permit pivotal movement of the handle relative to the blade, and at least one anchor assembly mounted on the handle; the anchor assembly including a fastener operable to secure the shovel on a surface. 
         [0049]    In an example aspect of the shovel, the pivot assembly includes a lock assembly, the lock assembly operable between a locked position, in which relative movement between the blade and handle is inhibited, and a released position in which relative movement between the blade and handle is permitted. In another aspect, a pair of plates are attached to the blade and spaced along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the plates each having a corresponding aperture; and a rod member extends between the plates and is fastened at the apertures; and a housing is attached to the plates and the rod member, wherein the housing is pivotable about the rod member, and the housing has a bore to receive the handle. In another aspect, the housing houses the lock assembly. In another aspect, the plates each have a plurality of corresponding adjustment holes spaced along an arc centered on the aperture, and the lock assembly comprises locking pins operable by the movement of a release mechanism to engage and disengage with the adjustment holes to respectively inhibit and permit relative movement between the housing and the plates. In another aspect, the locking pins are biased to be engaged into the adjustment holes. In another aspect, the handle supports a trigger for the lock assembly, the trigger being operable to operate the release mechanism to further operate the lock assembly between said locked and released positions. In another aspect, the trigger includes a pivotable lever, the lever connected to a cable that extends through a longitudinal bore in the handle and connects to the release mechanism such that pivoting the lever disengages the locking pins from the engagement holes. In another aspect, the handle of the shovel includes an elongate shaft and a grip, wherein one end of the shaft is received into the bore of the housing and the grip is situated at the opposing end of the shaft. In another aspect, the trigger is proximal to the grip. In another aspect, trigger is incorporated in the grip. In another aspect, the shovel has a plurality of anchor assemblies provided at spaced locations on the shaft. In another aspect, a first anchor assembly is attached to the shaft proximate to the blade. In another aspect, the shovel further includes a second anchor assembly attached to the shaft proximate to the grip. In another aspect, the fastener of each of the first and second anchor assemblies is at least one pin. In another aspect, each of the anchor assemblies includes at least one boss in which the at least one pin is slideable, and the shaft has a transverse pinhole dimensioned and positioned to receive each of the at least one anchoring pin. In another aspect, the anchor assembly further includes a biasing element within the at least one boss to act between an end plate and the pin to bias the pin to a retracted position in which the lower end of the pin is located within the at least one boss. In another aspect, the second anchor assembly is incorporated in the grip. In another aspect, the shovel has an additional handle attached to the shovel proximate to the blade, and the additional handle projects above and over the blade. 
         [0050]    In another general example embodiment, a shovel is provided which includes: a blade, a first handle connected to the blade, and a second handle attached to the shovel proximate the blade wherein the second handle projects above and over the blade. 
         [0051]    In an example aspect of the shovel, the first handle projects away from the blade. In another aspect, the second handle projects in the opposite direction of the first blade. In another aspect, the first handle is pivotally connected to the blade by a pivot assembly at one end to permit pivotal movement of the first handle relative to the blade. 
         [0052]    In another general example embodiment, a shovel is provided which includes: a shovel comprising: a blade, a handle pivotally connected to the blade by a pivot assembly at one end to permit pivotal movement of the handle relative to the blade; wherein the pivot assembly includes a lock assembly such that the lock assembly is operable between a locked position, in which relative movement between the blade and handle is inhibited, and a released position in which relative movement between the blade and handle is permitted; and a trigger for the lock assembly attached to the handle distal from the lock assembly, wherein the trigger includes an actuator and a link extending from the actuator to a release mechanism such that moving the actuator operates the lock assembly between the locked and unlocked position. 
         [0053]    In an example aspect of the shovel, the actuator is a pivotable lever. In another aspect, the link is a cable. In another aspect, the lever is connected to the cable and the cable extends through a longitudinal bore in the handle, and the cable connects to a release mechanism such that pivoting the lever operates the lock assembly between the locked and unlocked position.