Working or collecting tool for one-handed operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a work tool with a working attachment 2 and with a handle 1 for operation by body force, wherein force introduction elements are attached to the handle 1 at at least two different longitudinal positions, characterized in that a force is introduced at a first force introduction element 3 by a hand 6 and a force is introduced at a second force introduction element 4 from the forearm 7 belonging to this hand 6.

Description

State of the art

[0001] In working life in general, and particularly in agriculture and animal husbandry, work tools, especially gathering tools, which are operated by physical force are often used. These are usually tools that have a (wooden) handle with a round cross-section, which is grasped with both hands in different longitudinal positions of the handle when using the tool. This allows all degrees of freedom of the gathering attachment located at the far end of the handle to be changed and corresponding forces and torques to be applied there. The necessary forces are introduced into the handle by the hands. This often also puts strain on hand muscles, which are not well suited to the sustained exertion of high forces. In addition, the wrist is often in an ergonomically unfavorable angle.

[0002] In order to exert high forces and torques at the tip of the harvesting attachment, the handle is often shorter than required for an ergonomic upper body posture. This results in a hunched working position, which is perceived as uncomfortable and can lead to back problems, especially over longer periods.

[0003] Furthermore, in many cases, the use of the collection tool is only part of an overall process, in which the transport of the collected goods often also plays an important role. Typically, the collection tool must be at least partially released for transport in order to be able to operate the transport device with at least one hand. This leads to a higher time expenditure compared to a process in which one hand would be used for the collection tool and the other for the transport device.

[0004] Specifically, we will consider the collection of horse manure, as is typically practiced in a riding arena or paddock, to remove organic residues in the sand, e.g. to prevent drainage systems from becoming blocked.

[0005] In the simplest case, this collection is done using a standard shovel and rake. The rake pulls the horse manure onto the shovel, ensuring that the sand does not get into the shovel. Since these standard tools are not ideal (shovel capacity, carrying capacity, rake design), various special tools are available for this purpose.

[0006] First, it's a special shovel, similar to a dustpan, but with a long, vertical handle and a grip parallel to the ground. It also has a special, relatively narrow rake for pulling the horse manure into the shovel. This combination of collection tool and transport shovel is available on the market under the names "Mistboy" or "Bollensammler," for example. However, the design of these tools is such that they require ergonomically disadvantageous handling (using the hand or back), requiring constant hand switching between the collection tool and the transport device.

[0007] Another tool on the market is a combination tool similar to a manure fork, but with very close spacing between the tines (the so-called Swedish fork). You push this fork into the sand under the horse manure and then dig it out, letting the sand trickle between the tines. This tool has two significant disadvantages, however: firstly, the capacity on the fork is small, so this tool can only be used in conjunction with another means of transport, such as a wheelbarrow. And secondly, and much more importantly, the tool is only able to pick up pieces above a certain size. Anything else falls between the tines, and the tool has no chance of removing it. This tool, like any shovel, is also operated with a bent back and bent wrists. Task

[0008] The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve the operation of a work or collection tool in such a way that an ergonomically correct posture is enabled, particularly for the hand and back, and that the work or collection tool can be operated with only one hand or arm, primarily utilizing the strength of the forearm, thus protecting the hand and eliminating the need to switch hands from the work or collection tool to the means of transport. For simplicity, the term "collection tool" will be used only as a representative in the following.

[0009] The object is achieved according to the invention by the teaching of patent claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

[0010] The collecting tool according to the invention consists of a collecting attachment and a handle attached to it, to which two additional force introduction elements are attached, which are acted upon by the hand on the one hand and the forearm of the same arm on the other hand.

[0011] A first force introduction element transfers the force of the hand to the handle, whereby the first force introduction element is preferably designed so that the hand assumes an ergonomically favorable position. This is particularly the case when the first force introduction element is grasped by the hand, whereby the hand is arranged in a straight line extension of the forearm. For this purpose, the first force introduction element must have an elongated shape and, since the forearm is arranged offset essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, preferably be attached at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle. This allows the hand to work in its natural position, the joints and tendons are stressed to the least extent, and the available force is at its maximum. In addition, this hand position offers the best possible control over the movements of the collecting attachment.

[0012] A second force introduction element transfers the forces of the forearm, preferably near the elbow, to the handle in such a way that, depending on the direction of the load from the collecting attachment, the forearm can rest against at least two contact surfaces on the second force introduction element. These two contact surfaces are preferably arranged so that the forearm can exert a force that can either counteract or amplify the gravitational force of the collecting attachment and handle.

[0013] In a further preferred arrangement, the second force introduction element is designed to completely surround the forearm. This not only allows forces to be exerted in the direction of gravity, but also transmits lateral forces, allowing the collecting attachment to be moved in all directions with minimal effort.

[0014] This results in a functional division for the generation of forces and moments on the collecting attachment. Forces along the stem direction and a moment about the stem's longitudinal axis are essentially generated by the first force introduction element. Forces on the collecting attachment in a plane perpendicular to the stem's longitudinal direction and moments about the transverse and vertical axes of the collecting attachment, on the other hand, are generated by the interaction of both force introduction elements.

[0015] To adapt the collecting tool, e.g., to the task at hand or the body dimensions of the operator, the position of the first and / or second force introduction element is also adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the handle. This should enable an ergonomically favorable posture, regardless of the task at hand and body dimensions, while simultaneously generating the greatest possible forces on the collecting attachment.

[0016] In particular, two adjustment options for the collecting tool are provided: 1. Adjusting the distance between the two force introduction elements. This allows the collecting tool to be adapted to different forearm lengths. And 2. Adjusting the distance between the effective area of ​​the collecting attachment and the first force introduction element. This allows the collecting tool to be adapted to different body sizes and, if necessary, to different lengths of various interchangeable collecting attachments.

[0017] The adjustability of both force introduction elements along the length of the stem enables both adjustment options. If only one force introduction element is adjustable, then 1. is adjustable in the above paragraph, but for 2., an additional adjustment of the stem length is required, which is provided for in this case.

[0018] The force introduction elements can be adjusted along the longitudinal axis of the stem, for example, using different holes, whereby the position of the hole determines the position of the force introduction elements. The hole axes then also define the alignment of the two force introduction elements in relation to one another. Another adjustment option is offered, for example, by two elements that can be moved and clamped along the stem, to each of which a force introduction element is attached. In this case, the alignment of the force introduction elements in relation to one another can be achieved, for example, by a surface that runs along the stem. The stem then no longer has a circular cross-section, but, for example, a square cross-section or a round cross-section with a flattened area.

[0019] For work on the ground, the collecting attachment is typically designed like a rake. In this case, it is advantageous to be able to change the elasticity and spacing of the rake's collecting elements to adapt to the task and soil conditions. This is possible, for example, by using an adjustable leaf rake as the collecting attachment. The rake's thin tines are either spread out widely by an adjustment mechanism, thus providing a large tine spacing with high elasticity, or the tines are drawn close together by the adjustment mechanism, resulting in a narrow tine spacing with low elasticity. Example

[0020] Based on the Fig. an example of implementation is explained.

[0021] The collecting tool in question is basically constructed from a handle 1 and a collecting attachment 2, with a first force introduction element 3 and a second force introduction element 4 being attached to the handle.

[0022] The collecting tool is operated by an arm 5, with the hand 6 of the arm 5 encompassing the first force introduction element 3. The latter is formed by a short, approximately 15 cm long, cylindrical stub, which has a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm and is screwed to the handle 1 such that the stub's longitudinal axis is aligned approximately perpendicular to the handle's longitudinal axis.

[0023] The forearm 7 of the arm 5 is thereby annularly surrounded by the second force transmission element 4. For an adult, the ideal distance between the two force transmission elements is approximately between 20 and 35 cm, among other things depending on body geometry and work task. In the example shown here, the second force transmission element 4 is formed by a circular ring made of a steel band. The diameter of the ring is chosen such that the forearm of an adult, together with clothing, can comfortably pass through. The ring can clamp onto the forearm; ideally, however, there is a clearance between the forearm and the ring to increase comfort. In the exemplary embodiment, the ring has an inner diameter of approximately 11.5 cm. In order to use the working tool, one therefore has to push the hand 6 and the forearm 7 through the ring and then grasp the first force transmission element 3 with the hand 6.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the second force introduction element 4 can also be designed such that it can be opened, e.g., by two semicircular half-rings connected by a pivot joint, which additionally have a closure. This allows the forearm 7 to be inserted directly into the opened ring and then closed.

[0025] It is important that both force introduction elements are approximately aligned with each other along the longitudinal axis of the stem. In the exemplary embodiment chosen here, this means that the central axis of the ring of the second force introduction element 4 is approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stem, and this central axis then intersects the stub longitudinal axis of the first force introduction element 3, or these two axes are only slightly spaced apart.

[0026] In the exemplary embodiment, both force introduction elements are screwed to the shaft 1. For adjustability, several bores are provided in the shaft for each force introduction element.

[0027] In the exemplary embodiment, the distance between the first force introduction element 3 and the working area 8 of the collecting attachment 2 is selected to be approximately 90 cm. This can be varied by approximately + / - 15 cm depending on body size through different fastening bores for the first force introduction element 3.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment, the collecting attachment 2 is designed as a tray.

Claims

[1] Working tool with a working attachment 2 and with a handle 1 for operation by physical force, with force introduction elements being attached to the handle 1 at at least two different longitudinal positions, characterized by that a force is introduced by a hand 6 at a first force introduction element 3 and a force from the forearm 7 belonging to this hand 6 is introduced at a second force introduction element 4. [2] A working tool according to claim 1, which is a collecting tool for agriculture and animal husbandry. [3] Working or collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first force introduction element 3 is an elongated element which is encompassed by the hand 6. [4] Collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first force introduction element 3 is mounted at a substantially right angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle 1. [5] Working or collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second force introduction element 4 has a support surface for at least two sides of the lower arm 7. [6] Working or collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second force introduction element 4 completely surrounds the lower arm 7. [7] Working or collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the position of the first force introduction element 3 and / or the second force introduction element 4 is variable along the longitudinal axis of the handle 1. [8] Working or collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the length of the handle 1 between the first force introduction element 3 and the effective area 8 of the working or collecting attachment 2 can be changed. [9] Collecting tool according to one of the preceding claims, in which the collecting attachment 2 is designed in the manner of a rake. [10] Working or collecting tool according to claim 8, in which the distance and / or the elasticity of the collecting elements of the collecting attachment 2 can be adjusted.

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