Hand Rakepan with Grooved Head for Single-Hand Debris Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rakes are cumbersome for collecting and transporting debris due to their large size and elongated shafts, and existing alternatives either complicate the raking process or are difficult to use and store.
Innovation Solution
A hand rakepan with a triangular head, grooves, and flared handle for ergonomic grip and single-handed operation, along with a monolithic construction for reduced assembly costs, and a wrist strap for easy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elongated shaft and large head are used in a conventional rake, then the ability to rake leaves and debris is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to use for collecting and transporting debris
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the traditional rake into two separate components: a rake tool for gathering debris and a pan for collecting and transporting it. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating the cumbersomeness of the elongated shaft while maintaining effective debris gathering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan component serves multiple functions: it collects debris from the rake, transports the collected material, and can be easily attached to or removed from the rake. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate collection tools, improving overall ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If an open head design with tines is used, then raking capability is maintained, but debris collection during transport becomes difficult as material passes through the head
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the raking function (performed by the tine-based rake head) from the collection function (performed by the enclosed pan). This allows the rake head to remain open for effective raking while the pan provides enclosed collection, eliminating the problem of debris falling through during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan acts as an intermediary container between the rake head and the final destination for debris. It receives material from the rake and protects it during transport, serving as a mediator that solves the contradiction between open raking and enclosed collection.
3Ease of operation
If a second head and set of tines are added to create a claw-like structure for entrapment, then debris entrapment is improved, but the device becomes difficult to operate and requires complex opening and closing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the entrapment and collection function from the rake head itself and places it in a separate, removable pan. This eliminates the need for complex opening and closing mechanisms while maintaining effective debris entrapment, as the pan can be simply attached to capture material.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable from the rake handle, providing flexibility in operation. This dynamic configuration allows the user to attach the pan when collection is needed and remove it when not needed, simplifying the overall operation compared to fixed complex mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If leaf scoopers are used instead of a traditional rake, then the elongated shaft is eliminated, but the device requires two large scoopers and excess dexterity and grip strength
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the rake head and collection pan into a single integrated unit that can be operated with one hand. The pan is positioned and shaped to work in conjunction with the rake tines, combining gathering and collection functions in one tool rather than requiring two separate scoopers.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan is positioned perpendicular to the rake handle, creating a three-dimensional configuration that allows single-handed operation. This spatial arrangement enables the user to grip the handle while the pan extends outward for collection, eliminating the need for two-handed operation required by traditional scoopers.
5Ease of operation
If a large head and elongated shaft are used, then raking effectiveness is improved, but the device cannot be readily carried or stored
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the tool into a compact rake handle with an attached pan, eliminating the need for a long shaft. This segmentation allows the entire tool to be reduced to hand-held size, making it portable and easy to store while maintaining effective raking capability through the pan design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rake tines are designed to nest within or against the pan structure when not in use, and the pan itself can be collapsed or positioned flat against the handle. This nesting capability allows the tool to be compacted to a small size for easy carrying and storage.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provided herein is directed to a hand rakepan having a handle, a head, and plurality of tines. The handle, in some aspects, is ergonomically provided to accommodate a variety of grips during use that facilitate manipulation of the hand rakepan as a hand tool using only a single hand. Likewise, in certain aspects, the head of hand rakepan has one or more grooves and notches to provide various grip's to be used during one-handed manipulation of the hand rakepan during raking, collecting, and transporting.