Rotatable Plow Shovel Handle with Locking Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shovels require lifting, which can be strenuous and inefficient for clearing paths, especially in deep snow or heavy materials like sand or mud.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable plow shovel with a concave plow blade and adjustable handle shaft that allows for straight, left tilt, and right tilt positions, enabling the shovel to be used without lifting, with a locking mechanism and angled grip for ergonomic handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional shovels are used for clearing paths, then material can be moved, but lifting is required which causes physical strain and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The handle shaft is made rotatable relative to the blade, allowing the user to dynamically adjust between a pushing position (handle aligned with blade) and a traditional shoveling position. This dynamic adjustment enables the tool to adapt to different task requirements, reducing physical strain during path clearing while maintaining versatility for other materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter of handle orientation by allowing rotation to different angles. When the handle shaft is rotated to align with the blade's longitudinal axis, it enables a pushing motion that reduces physical strain compared to traditional vertical shoveling, thereby improving ease of operation for specific applications.
2Ease of operation
If the handle shaft is made rotatable to enable pushing motion, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into discrete positioning points (first, second, and third positions) along the blade. The handle shaft includes engagement features that lock at these specific segments, providing stable positioning while keeping the overall mechanism simple. This segmentation approach balances functionality with structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adjustment positions are provided for the handle shaft, then adaptability improves for different materials and terrain, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different locking positions are provided at specific locations along the blade to address specific operational needs. The first position is optimized for pushing motions on hard surfaces, the second for intermediate applications, and the third for traditional shoveling. This local optimization provides adaptability without requiring a complex continuous adjustment mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable plow shovel apparatus for clearing a path without having to lift includes a plow blade and a shaft housing having a curved front face coupled to a back side of the plow blade. A shaft aperture extends through a top side of the shaft housing to proximal a bottom side and the back face has a plurality of adjustment apertures extending through to the shaft aperture. A handle shaft has a vertical engagement portion rotatably engaged within the shaft aperture and an angled extension portion coupled to the engagement portion. A locking pin is coupled to the engagement portion and is selectively engageable with each of the plurality of adjustment apertures of the shaft housing to lock the handle shaft in a straight position, at least one alternative left tilt position, and at least one alternative right tilt position.