Two-Handled Shovel Ergonomic Shaft Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snow shovels require users to bend over and lift, leading to back pain due to the strain on the back muscles from repetitive bending.
Innovation Solution
A two-handled shovel design featuring a secondary handle attached to a bent shaft, allowing users to maintain an upright position and reducing the need for bending, with the secondary handle positioned at an ergonomic angle to minimize strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a straight shaft snow shovel is used, then the shovel can effectively move snow, but the user must bend over repeatedly which causes back pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary shaft extending laterally from the main shaft, creating a two-dimensional handle configuration. This allows the user to grip the shovel at shoulder height rather than bending down to the blade level, fundamentally changing the operational posture from bent-over to upright standing position.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary shaft acts as an intermediary element between the main shaft and the user's hands. It provides an ergonomic grip point at a convenient height and angle, mediating the connection between the shovel blade and the user's body to eliminate the need for repetitive bending.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bent shaft with secondary handle is added, then back strain is reduced by allowing upright positioning, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft system is segmented into a main shaft and a separate secondary shaft that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately and simplifies the manufacturing process while reducing the overall structural complexity compared to a single complex bent shaft design.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary shaft is designed to be adjustable in position and angle, allowing dynamic adaptation to different user preferences and snow conditions. This adjustability is achieved through removable and repositionable mounting mechanisms, making the complexity manageable and the device versatile.
Data Source
AI summary
A dual handled utility apparatus, such as a shovel, is provided. The utility apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end. A first handle is affixed to the first end, and a utility head is affixed to the second end. The present invention further includes a secondary shaft. The secondary shaft includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the secondary shaft is affixed to the elongated shaft in about the middle between the first end and the second end of the elongated shaft. A second handle may be affixed to the first end of the secondary shaft.