Tool with attachment for collecting debris and method of using the same

摘要

An attachment to a shovel having a shovel head and a handle is provided, converting the shovel into a tool for collecting debris. The attachment has a clamping head and a pivot arm shorter than the shovel handle, and a pivot for attaching the attachment to the shovel handle. The attachment is movable between a closed position when the shovel head and the clamping head are juxtaposed face to face forming a tunnel therebetween, and an open position when the shovel head and the clamping head are spaced apart. In operation, the clamping head is moved into an open position to collect debris, and then moved into a closed position towards the shovel head to secure the debris, followed by rotating the tool by 90° plus an offset angle, thereby causing the clamping head to open under its weight and the debris to fall through the tunnel.

主权项

1. A tool, comprising:
a shovel having a shovel head for collecting debris and a shovel handle extending therefrom; and an attachment, comprising:
an attachment member comprising:
a pivot arm, which is shorter than the shovel handle, the pivot arm having a clamping end and a pivot end;a clamping head attached to the clamping end; anda pivot attached to the pivot arm for pivotally connecting the attachment to the shovel handle; the attachment member being movable between a closed position when the shovel head and the clamping head are juxtaposed face to face forming a tunnel therebetween having a tunnel axis along the tunnel, and an open position when the shovel head and the clamping head are spaced apart from each other; wherein friction in the pivot and a weight of the attachment member are chosen so that a component of the weight of the attachment member causing the clamping head to move away from the shovel head, when the tool is in a vertical position with the tunnel axis being aligned along a direction of gravity and rotated at an angle greater than an offset angle from the vertical position is greater than the friction, resulting in the clamping head moving away from the shovel head under the weight of the clamping head.