LID LIFTING HANDLE TOOL FOR TIGHT FITTING HEAVY CONTAINER LIDS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/703,046, filed 07/26/2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 ) Field of the I nvention

The present invention relates to a lifting tool for lifting container lids and more specifically, to a lifting handle tool removably attachable to a container lid for removing the lid from the containers where there is a tight fitting between the container lid and container body.

2) Description of Related Art

In many industries, particularly the hazardous waste disposal industry, the containers used to carry waste materials have lids that have a "tight fit" onto the waste container. The "tight fit" is advantageous to prevent the environment inside the waste container from contaminating the surrounding environment and vice-versa. A lid having a "tight fit" can prevent undesirable materials, whether in gas, liquid or solid form, from entering or exiting the container.

However, when containers are fitted with such tight fitting lids, the removal of the lid can be difficult for a variety of reasons such as low tolerance between the lid and container, warping of the container so that the lid may not have an exact fit, weight and bulk of the lid hindering ease of removal or other such factors. Further, the size of the lid and container can also hinder the easy of removal of the lid. These circumstances can cause operators, when attempting to remove a lid, to smash fingers, hands and arms, as well as cause tears in cloths, and shifting of the

container lid to an unsealed orientation, or other such problem. Further, gaskets that are used to form a tight seal between the container body and lid are often damaged by tearing due to the difficulty in removing a tight fitting heavy lid.

Most containers have versions of welded lid handles which are welded on the top of the lid and are very hard to use because the operators have to extend over the lid to vertically lift the heavy lids. This places a stressful moment on the operators' backs because they have to extend to where the lid handles are welded and leverage the heavy lids off of the container. Additionally, due to the heavy weight and tight fit, operators can have difficulty in removing container lids without smashing fingers and hands.

The prior art is also replete with various lifting handles designed for specific applications. For example, U.S. Patent No. 250,086 discloses a removable handle designed specifically for lifting stoves. U.S. Patent No. 5,522,116 discloses a removable casket handle designed specifically to attach to the lower moldings of a casket. U.S. Patent No. 1 ,334,510 discloses a barrel hook design that locates the handle over the top of the barrel for lifting, which is one of the problems with the prior art that the present invention seeks to correct. U.S. Patent No. 2,210,904 discloses multi-purpose lifting tongs adaptable to carrying a variety of items. None of these patents address the issues specific to removing the heavy tight fitting lids of hazardous waste containers.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to remove the operator's hands from the unsafe regions around the sides of the lid and provide a handle to better ergonomically lift the container lid.

It is a further object of the present invention to extend the lifting point for the container lid to a point alongside the container closer to the operator so they can use their legs rather than their shoulders and back muscles to more easily lift the lid.

It is a further object of the present invention to minimize damage to the gaskets or other sealing enhancing devices for containers by providing a lifting tool that allows for easy removal of heavy tight fitting lids without contacting the container gaskets.

It is a further object of the present invention to save considerable time and money spent in purchasing lid handles that are welded on each container lid and replacing damaged gaskets.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a removable, reusable, and safer lifting handle tool that extends the point of vertical lifting more towards the operator and away from the container to minimize stress on the back and shoulders during lifting and removing of the lids.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tool to the hazardous waste container industry that can assist with the removal of container lids having tight fitting tolerances, bulky, heavy or are difficult to remove, without modification to the container or Hd and without damage to the container or the lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a removably attachable lifting handle tool adapted for removing tight fitting heavy container lids with a downwardly extending lip overhanging the container. The tool comprises a first laterally extending support plate with a second laterally extending support plate spaced apart from the first support plate and arranged

parallel with the first support plate. A major portion of the first and second support plates is arranged for extending across a top side of the lid when mounted to the lid. A minor portion of the first and second plates is provided being less than the length of the major portion and arranged for extending laterally outward from the top of the lid to overhanging the lid when mounted to the lid. A handle bar is carried by the first and second support plates at the minor portion of the support plates for lifting the support plates. A reinforcing bar is carried by the first and second support plates at the major portion of the support plates for resisting separation and torque of the support plates. A lifting plate is carried by the first and second support plates at the minor portion between the handle bar and reinforcing bar. The lifting plate protrudes vertically below the first and second support plates for extending beneath the lid when mounted to the lid. A carrier plate is fixed to a bottom of the lifting plate below the support plates that extends perpendicular to the lifting plate for extending underneath the lip of the lid when mounted to the lid. A retention plate is fixed to the carrier plate that extends upwardly and parallel to the lifting plate so that a lip receiving channel is defined at the bottom of the lifting plate by the retention plate, carrier plate and lifting plate for engaging a lip portion of the lid. In use, application of an upward force applied to the handle bar causes the support plates to pivot on the top of the lid for engagement of the lip receiving channel with the lip portion of the lid so that the lid may be raised off of the container.

In a further embodiment, each of the support plates includes an interior and exterior major surface defining the vertical height of the support plates, and a top and bottom minor surface defining the horizontal thickness of the support plates. In this arrangement, the major surfaces are greater than the minor surfaces so that the

support plates are taller than the plates are thick. In a preferred embodiment, the support plates are symmetrical and extend in a parallel arrangement with the interior major surface of each plate aligned facing each other to resist bending during lifting.

In the preferred embodiment, the first and second support plates includes a pivot point disposed on the bottom minor surface located at a second distal end of the plates at the major portion for pivoting on the lid when the upward force is applied to engage the lip in the lip receiving channel.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the lifting plate extends between the support plates from the top minor surface downwardly along the entire vertical height of the support plates and extends vertically beneath the support plates so that the lip receiving channel is located below the lip of the lid when mounted in position.

In a preferred embodiment, the handle bar is carried between the first and second support plates generally at a first distal end of the support plates for overhanging the lid when mounted in position. Additionally, the reinforcing bar is carried between the first and second support plates generally at a second distal end of the support plates so that the handle bar and reinforcing bar are carried at opposite ends between the support plates to resist separation and torque of the support plates.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the reinforcing bar is constructed and arranged in a V-shape with the point of the V-shape directed toward a second distal end of the support plates.

In a preferred embodiment, the lifting plate is fixed in position between the first and second support plates and located adjacent the major portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the lifting handle tool positioned on a container lid according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the lifting handle tool according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lifting handle tool positioned on a container lid according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an upward force applied to the lifting handle tool positioned on a container lid according to the present invention; and,

Figure 5 is a side view showing multiple lifting handle tools in use according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. This invention is a removably attachable lifting handle tool, designated generally as A, used to catch the lip of a container fitted with a lid having an overhanging lip. Individuals can use the invention to lift and remove the lid from the container in a safe and efficient manner without damage to the container. The invention provides for an easier method for "breaking" the seal between the container and the lid while helping prevent the individual's hands or fingers from

being caught in or damaged by the crevices between the lid and container where they can be pinched and smashed.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the lifting handle tool includes a first laterally extending support plate 10 with a second laterally extending support plate 24 spaced apart from first support plate 10. First and second support plates 10 and 24 are arranged parallel to each other. A major portion, designated generally as 13, of the first and second support plates is arranged for extending across a top side of lid 28 when mounted in position to lid 28, as best shown in Figure 1. A minor portion, designated generally as 15, of the first and second plates is provided being less than the length of the major portion. Minor portion 15 is arranged for extending laterally outward from the top of lid 28 to overhanging the lid.

Referring to Figure 3, each of support plates 10 and 24 include an interior major surface, designated generally as 36, and an exterior major surface, designated generally as 38, defining the vertical height of the support plates. Each of support plates 10 and 24 also include a top minor surface 40 and a bottom minor surface 42, which define the horizontal thickness of the support plates. In this arrangement, major surfaces 36 and 38 are greater than minor surfaces 40 and 42 so that support plates 10 and 24 are taller than they are thick. Preferably, support plates 10 and 24 are symmetrical and extend in a parallel arrangement with interior major surface 36 of each plate aligned facing each other to resist bending during lifting.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a handle bar 16 is carried by first and second support plates 10 and 24 at minor portion 15 of the support plates for lifting the support plates. Handle bar 16 provides a place for the individual to place his hand and apply an upward lifting force in a direction designated generally by arrow 18.

Preferably, handle bar 16 is carried between first and second support plates 10 and 24 generally at first distal end 12 of the support plates for overhanging lid 28 when mounted in position.

A reinforcing bar 26 is carried by first and second support plates 10 and 24 at major portion 13 of the support plates for resisting separation and torque of the support plates. Preferably, reinforcing bar 26 is carried between first and second support plates 10 and 24 generally at second distal end 14 of the support plates so that handle bar 16 and reinforcing bar 26 are carried at opposite ends between the support plates to resist separation and torque of the support plates. In a further advantageous embodiment, reinforcing bar 26 is constructed and arranged in a V- shape with the point of the V-shape directed toward a second distal end of the support plates.

A lifting plate 20 is carried by first and second support plates 10 and 24 at minor portion 15 between handle bar 16 and reinforcing bar 26. The lifting plate protrudes vertically below first and second support plates 10 and 24 for extending beneath lid 28 when positioned resting on top of lid 28. Preferably, lifting plate 20 is fixed in position between first and second support plates 10 and 24 and located adjacent major portion 13.

A carrier plate 21 is fixed to a bottom of lifting plate 20 below support plates 10 and 24 that extends perpendicular to lifting plate 20 for extending underneath downwardly extending lip 32 of lid 28 when mounted in position on lid 28.

A retention plate 22 is fixed to carrier plate 21 that extends upwardly and parallel to lifting plate 20 so that a lip receiving channel 23 is defined at the bottom of lifting plate 20 by retention plate 22, carrier plate 21 , and lifting plate 20 for engaging

downwardly extending lip 32 of container lid 28. As shown in Figure 4 and described further below, application of upward force 18 applied to handle bar 18 causes support plates 10 and 24 to pivot upward on the top of lid 28 allowing for engagement of downwardly extending lip 32 in lip receiving channel 23 so that lid 28 may be raised off of container 30.

Preferably, lifting plate 20 extends between support plates 10 and 24 from top minor surface 40 downwardly along the entire vertical height of the support plates and extends vertically beneath the support plates so that lip receiving channel 23 is located below lip 32 of lid 28 when mounted in a resting position as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Referring now to Figure 3, the lifting handle tool is shown in a resting position on lid 28. The lid is placed on container 30 so that downwardly extending lip 32 overhangs the side of container 30. The lifting handle tool rests on lid 28 in a manner allowing handle bar 16 to extend over edge of lid 28 thereby allowing the individual to easily grasp handle bar 16 and apply an upward force from underneath the lifting handle tool, as opposed to pulling handle bar 16 upward from above lid 28. Further, lifting plate 20 is of sufficient length so as to place lip receiving channel 23 underneath downwardly extending lip 32 so that when upward force 18 is placed on handle bar 16, lip receiving channel 23 engages lip 32 and is prevented from sliding out from under lip 32 by retention plate 22.

Referring now to Figure 4, the invention is shown with upward force 18 being applied to handle bar 16 at minor portion 15. With upward force 18 applied, lip receiving channel 23 engages lip 32 of lid 28 and lifts the lid away from container 30.

Additionally, the risk of damage to a gasket 34 that may be carried on the upper

edge of container 30 is reduced since lip receiving channel 23 engages lip 32 of lid 28 without prying or otherwise extending into or over gasket 34. Preferably, first and second support plates 10 and 24 includes a pivot points 44 disposed on bottom minor surface 42 located at second distal end 14 of both support plates 10 and 24 for pivoting on lid 28 when upward force 18 is applied to engage lip 32 in lip receiving channel 23. When two lifting handle tools are used at opposite end of lid 28 as shown in Figure 5, the entire lid can be removed by lifting the lid directly upward from container 30.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.