Frank K Champi

US Patent:

57329338, Mar 31, 1998

Filed:

Jul 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658117

Inventors:

Frank Kenneth Champi - Newburyport MA

International Classification:

B66F 300

US Classification:

2541315

Abstract:

A lifting aid attachment for a conventional snow shovel or like tool features an elongate lever arm pivotally attached to the shovel handle, the opposite end of said lever arm terminating in a curved fork, spanned by a foot-engaging cross-bar. The curved fork serves as a fulcrum for the application of downward foot pressure by the user on the cross-bar, which combined with a rearward pull on the shovel handle enables a smooth and comparatively effortless raising of the loaded shovel to hip level, substantially free of the high stresses on the back, upper body and arms that accompany the use of conventional shovels. At the top of the lift the lever arm is suitably biased to support the raised load stably in a "cradled" position, requiring minimal effort by the user, prior to disposal of the load. Where desired an additional leg may be pivotally attached to the free end of the shovel handle, and enable the hand-free tabling of the raised load. Variations of the invention are suitable for use with lifting poles and other long-handled tools.

US Patent:

57617740, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Oct 23, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/735935

Inventors:

Frank Kenneth Champi - Newburyport MA

International Classification:

B25B 1300
B65D 6300

US Classification:

24274R

Abstract:

A band clamp tightening tool comprising a cylindrical body, having at one end an internal bore adapted to pressfit the tool over the hex shaped head of a hose clamp adjustment screw, to which a combination crank/thumbscrew element has been affixed, said element being formed by passing a metal rod through a transverse aperture in the tool body, bending said rod to form a crank arm and a crank handle on one side of the body, and, on the opposite side of the tool body bending said rod to form a semicircular loop or thumbscrew element in the plane of the crank handle. In the use of this tool when attached to a hose clamp, the crank handle is rotated between the thumb and index finger to take up any slack in the band of the clamp, and to tighten the clamp the index finger is moved across the tool body to the thumbscrew loop, and the tool is turned as a large thumbscrew.