US 5,795,004 A · Hand held device for elevating objects

Abstract

A device for scooping or grasping an object on the floor and then lift it to hand level. This device is primarily for use by a person who cannot bend to pick up an object from the floor. An extendable/retractable lazy tong assembly is connected at one end to an extension on a cane-like member and at the other to a scoop assembly. The scoop includes two hinged halves that move apart, are placed around an object, are moved together to scoop up the object. By pressing the cane extension against the floor, the lazy tongs are caused to rotate and extend, lifting and moving the scoop to within reach of the user's hands without requiring the user to bend over. The scoop can also include pinch bars for pinching, then lifting, a flexible sheet, such as paper or cloth. A thin bar may be provided on the scoop for insertion into items such as key rings or necklaces to lift them to the user's hand level.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A scooping and lifting apparatus for scooping an object from a floor-like surface and lifting the object to within reach of a user's hands, which comprises:

a scooping assembly having a scooping means movable between an open scooping position and a closed holding position for scooping and holding an object;
an elongated member having a proximal end to be held by a user's hand;
lifting means secured between the distal end of said elongated member and said scooping means for lifting said scooping means to a position adjacent to a user's hands in response to said distal end being pressed against a surface;
means for actuating said scooping means;
and
means for actuating said lifting means.

3 more elements

A scooping and lifting apparatus for scooping an object from a floor-like surface and lifting the object to within reach of a user's hands, which comprises:

an elongated cane-like member having, at the proximal end, a handle means;
a normally collapsed lazy tong assembly secured at its proximal end to the distal of said elongated cane-like member;
a scooping device secured to the lazy tong assembly distal end;
means at said handle means for moving said scooping device between a closed, object containing, position and an open, object release position;
and
extension means at the distal end of said elongated cane-like member for extending said lazy tong assembly to raise said scooping device to a position within reach of the user's hands when said distal end of said elongated cane-like member is pressed against the floor surface.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hand held device for elevating objects

Life of this patent

Hand held device for elevating objects

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13