Platform tool for moving material

• US 5,346,269 A
• Filed: 01/14/1993
• Issued: 09/13/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Owen D. Price
• Original Assignee: Owen D. Price
• Inventors: Price, Owen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, JOHNNY DAN
• Application Number:
  US08/004,454
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 294/7, 294/49, 294/51, 294/54.5, 294/55, 294/59, 15/236.01, 15/257.1, 37/130, 37/196, 37/264-266, 37/285, 254/131.5, 280/18, 280/19
• US Class Current: 294/49
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/02 Spades; Shovels hand-operated dredgers E02F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/12 Hand implements, e.g. litter pickers blowing or suction instruments E01H1/08; spraying instruments E01H1/101; rakes A01D7/00 ; brushes or brooms A46B, A46D; floor scrapers A47L13/02; floor squeegees A47L13/11
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 2001/1293 Walking cane or the like, i.e. implements allowing handling while in an upright position
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/02 Hand implements E01H5/04, E01H5/10, E01H5/12 take precedence shovels or spades in general A01B1/02; brooms, brushes A46B

Abstract

A tool for moving material includes a relatively large rectangular platform for receiving material to be moved. A handle extends from the rearward edge of the platform and is secured to the platform by a handle receiving shank secured to the platform over a portion of its length from the rearward edge of the platform. The platform is preferably a flat sheet of semi-rigid or slightly flexible material such as an aluminum-spring steel alloy and the handle receiving shank causes a slight curve in the material over the length of attachment. The platform is such that as it is pushed under material to be moved, and such material is loaded onto the platform, the platform curves or sags to receive and hold such material so that the loaded platform may be dragged and the loaded material will substantially remain on the platform during such dragging.

Claims

1. A tool for moving material comprising:

a rectangular platform for receiving a normal load of material to be moved by the tool and having a forward edge and a rearward edge defining a length therebetween and having a width, said length and width each being between about eighteen and thirty-six inches;

a handle;

a handle receiving shank secured to said platform and extending from the rearward edge toward the forward edge for a portion of the length of the platform, said handle receiving shank forming a curve in said platform over the portion of the length of the platform secured to the handle receiving shank; and

said platform being made of a material having a normally flat configuration over its length forwardly of the handle receiving shank but being flexible enough so that, as the platform is loaded to a normal load to be carried by the tool, the platform will flex to continue the curve formed by the handle receiving shank over at least a portion of the platform forwardly of the handle receiving shank so that a portion of the platform adjacent the forward edge thereof extends under the load, whereby material loaded on the platform will substantially remain on the platform as the platform is dragged over a surface by means of the handle with the handle extending at an angle to the surface.

2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the platform is made of a metallic material.

3. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the length and width of the platform are each about thirty inches.

4. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the handle is about five feet in length.

5. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the handle receiving shank extends forwardly from the rearward edge of the platform through about one-third of the length of the platform.

6. A tool for moving material comprising:

a rectangular platform for receiving a normal load of material to be moved by the tool and having a forward edge and a rearward edge defining a length therebetween and having a width, said length and width each being between about eighteen and thirty-six inches;

a handle;

means for securing the handle to the platform; and

said platform being made of a material having a normally flat configuration but being flexible enough so that, as the platform is loaded to a normal load to be carried by the tool, at least a portion of the platform will flex and sag and extend under the load whereby material loaded on the platform will substantially remain on the platform as the platform is dragged over a surface by means of the handle with the handle extending at an angle to the surface.

7. A tool for moving material comprising:

a rectangular, metallic platform for receiving a normal load of material to be moved by the tool and having a forward edge and a rearward edge defining a length therebetween and having a width, said length and width each being between about eighteen and thirty-six inches;

a handle;

a handle receiving shank secured to said platform and extending from the rearward edge toward the forward edge for a portion of the length of the platform, said handle receiving shank forming a curve in said platform over the portion of the length of the platform secured to the handle receiving shank; and

said platform being made of an aluminum-steel alloy material having a normally flat configuration over its length forwardly of the handle receiving shank but being flexible enough so that, as the platform is loaded to a normal load to be carried by the tool, the platform will flex to continue the curve formed by the handle receiving shank over at least a portion of the platform forwardly of the handle receiving shank so that a portion of the platform adjacent the forward edge thereof extends under the load whereby material loaded on the platform will substantially remain on the platform as the platform is dragged over a surface by means of the handle with the handle extending at an angle to the surface.

8. A tool according to claim 7, wherein the length and width of the platform are each about thirty inches.

9. A tool according to claim 8, wherein the handle is about five feet in length.

10. A tool according to claim 9, wherein the handle receiving shank extends forwardly from the rearward edge of the platform through about one-third of the length of the platform.