Innovative Device to Facilitate and Ease the Stresses Inherent in the Shoveling Process

Abstract

The instant invention is an innovative device designed to reduce the stress and strain on an individual's back that are associated with the shoveling process. The device is comprised of a shovel receptacle holder, a base plate, a base pad with a hard outer shell that contours to an individual's leg, and straps that hold the assembled device to the leg. The device is practiced by attaching the assembled device to an individual's leg; placing a shovel handle in the shovel receptacle holder; and then engaging in the normal shoveling process. However, instead of using the back to lift the shovel, the device allows the individual to use the fulcrum property to facilitate the shoveling process. This is accomplished by the individual pushing down primarily on the rear part of the shovel handle while lightly lifting the front of the handle thereby lifting the front end of the shovel. In so doing, the lifting is accomplished primarily by the downward motion of the arm, the upper leg, and the fulcrum property of the instant invention and not by an individual's back. A lightweight version of the device is also disclosed wherein the shovel receptacle and shovel receptacle holder are combined into one integrated piece.

1 . A device to significantly reduce the amount of stress and strain inherent in the shoveling process by transferring weight from the back to the upper leg comprising the following:
 a. A pad   b. One or more straps that attach the pad to the upper leg of the shoveler   c. A base plate that is fixedly attached to the pad by mechanical means   d. A shovel receptacle into which a shovel or other tool handle can be placed   e. A shovel receptacle holder   f. A means of fixedly attaching the shovel receptacle to the shovel receptacle holder such that a single integrated shovel holder assembly is produced   g. A means of attaching the integrated shovel holder assembly to the base plate such that the integrated shovel holder assembly can rotate and swivel about the attachment.   
     
     
         2 . A means for utilizing the device disclosed in  claim 1  comprising the following:
 a. Attaching the device to an individual's upper leg 
 b. Placing a shovel handle portion of a shovel into the shovel receptacle 
 c. Engaging the material to be shoveled by placing the shovel into or under the material 
 d. Placing the forward hand on the front part of the shovel handle and the rear hand onto the rear part of the shovel handle. 
 e. Lifting up on the forward part of the shovel handle with the forward hand and forward arm and pressing down with the rearward hand and arm on the rearward part of the shovel handle, thereby allowing the shovel to swivel about the fulcrum produced by the device, and transferring much of the weight from the back to the upper leg. 
 
     
     
         3 . A lightweight device to significantly reduce the amount of stress and strain inherent in the shoveling process by transferring weight from the back to the upper leg comprising the following:
 a. A pad   b. One or more straps that attach the pad to the upper leg of the shoveler   c. A one piece shovel receptacle   d. A means of attaching the one piece shovel receptacle to the pad such that the integrated shovel holder assembly can rotate and swivel about the attachment.