Dual-Rake Apparatus with Arm-Engaging Loops for Debris Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lawn rakes are ineffective for picking up and disposing of debris from a pile as they lack a mechanism to grasp the debris securely, leading to cumbersome manual handling and strain on the user's wrists.

Innovation Solution

A dual-rake apparatus with a handle and loops that allows users to clamp debris between tines, reducing wrist strain and muscular effort by engaging the arms and inhibiting tool rotation, enabling efficient lifting and placement of debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional lawn rakes are used to move debris from the ground, then debris can be moved into a pile, but the rake cannot securely grasp debris for pickup and disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrasping capabilityVSAvoidrake structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate rake apparatuses into a unified system where each rake has a handle with a loop that engages the user's arm. The loops are positioned such that when the rakes are moved toward each other to clamp debris, the loops engage the arms to inhibit rotation, creating a coordinated grasping action that securely holds debris for pickup and disposal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If hand-worn rake tools are used to pick up debris from a pile, then more debris can be grasped between the hands, but the tool encloses the user's hands and causes strain on wrist joints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris capacityVSAvoidwrist strain

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces loops as intermediary elements that engage the user's arms rather than enclosing the hands. The loops are positioned on the handles and serve as mediators between the user's arms and the rake apparatuses. When the rakes are moved toward each other to clamp debris, the loops engage the arms to inhibit rotation, distributing the mechanical load away from the wrist joints and reducing strain while still enabling effective debris grasping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional rakes are used to pick up debris from a pile, then manual handling is required, but this leads to cumbersome tasks and increased muscular effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris pickup efficiencyVSAvoidmuscular effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic system where the loops on the handles are positioned to engage the user's arms during the grasping action. When the rakes are moved toward each other to clamp debris, the loops dynamically engage the arms to inhibit rotation, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the muscular effort required. This dynamic engagement of the arms through the loops enables more efficient debris pickup while reducing the physical strain on the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20240341219A1Hand rake

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 BOWNDS ALLEN

AI summary

A rake apparatus for moving debris, such as leaves or other yard waste, from the ground includes a body which is elongated from a first end to a second end of the body. A plurality of tines is coupled to and extends away from the first end of the body. A handle is coupled to a rear surface of the body adjacent to the second end of the body. A method of using two rake apparatuses in conjunction with each other to move debris is also claimed.