Abstract
A magnetic tool for manipulated conveyance over a surface for magnetic collection of ferrous articles. This tool has a three-sided extruded channel, which cooperates with an opposing steel top plate to form a protective magnet housing for one or more magnets.
The extruded channel is configured to direct magnet flux downward to optimize the attraction efficiency of the tool.
Magnetic flux is further optimized by the use of multiple magnets in the channel housing of opposite polarity. The steel top plate channel also serves as the primary structural element of the tool for attachment of conveyance and manipulation means, such as an adjustable handle by means of an ACME collar and two axles for wheels.
The invention is the three-sided extruded channel, that has an incorporated track for a free-floating hinged release lever. The release lever has been designed specifically as a means of easily removing ferrous material attracted by the three-sided channel, that allows to pass through the magnetic field from the magnets. As a means of incorporating minimal mechanical friction, the magnets are allowed to remain in a static position within the housing. A free-floating release lever is incorporated via a hinge into the extruded housing as to create a space gap between the magnetic field and the ferrous materials collected when operated. This allows for easy removal of the ferrous material without the operator having to be in direct contact with it.
Claims
1. The invention is the three-sided extruded channel, that has an incorporated track for a free-floating hinged release lever. The release lever has been designed specifically as a means of easily removing ferrous material attracted by the three-sided channel, that allows to pass through the magnetic field from the magnets. As a means of incorporating minimal mechanical friction, the magnets are allowed to remain in a static position within the housing. A free-floating release lever is incorporated via a hinge into the extruded housing as to create a space gap between the magnetic field and the ferrous materials collected when operated. This allows for easy removal of the ferrous material without the operator having to be in direct contact with it.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIGS. 1(A-D) is a perspective view of a Magnetic Sweeper with three-sided extruded channel and free-floating Release Lever.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the magnetic tool of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the main body consisting of a 14-inch long flat bar of steel 6 to which the right and left axles 9 are welded along with the ACME collar 3.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main body as described in [0008] rotated about axis 180 showing the ACME collar 3, the axles 9 as well as multiple ceramic magnets 13 placed under the flat bar of steel 6 with magnetic shielding strips 10.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the extruded channel 11 housing the main body as described under FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 above. The extruded channel 11 has a track portion 14 that allows for the release lever FIG. 6 to pivot on it. This track portion 14, that accepts the hinge portion 15 of the free-floating-release lever FIG. 6 to slide into/connect to the extruded channel 11. The positioning ridge 16 keeps the track portion 14 from binding while creating a fluid motion of the free-floating-release lever FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the free floating-release lever 5 that pivots along the track portion 14 of the extruded channel FIG. 5 that houses the main body FIG. 4. The free-floating-release lever 5 has a hinge portion 15 to allow it to be connected freely to the track portion 14 of the extruded housing.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main body as described in [0008] rotated about axis 180 showing the ACME collar 3, the axles 9 as well as two ceramic magnets 13 placed under the flat bar of steel 6 with magnetic shielding strips 10 with indication of the North and South poles and the direction of the magnetic flux.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-cut view of the main body with three-sided extruded channel and free-floating release lever without the ACME collar. The individual parts have been described above under [0001-0012].
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1(A-D), FIG. 2, there is illustrated a magnetic sweeper tool, which includes the main component parts consisting of a 14 inch long flat bar of steel 6 that acts as support for the axels 9 and doubles as a shield to focus the magnetic field in a downward direction. The right and left axles 9 are welded to the top plate 6 along with the ACME collar 3 and the total assembly FIG. 3 is zinc plated to protect the surface from the elements. Multiple ceramic magnets 13 are placed under the top-plate 6 and two additional magnetic shielding strips 10 are attached to the front and rear of the magnets 13 to help focus the magnetic field in a downward direction. This entire assembly FIG. 4 slides into the extruded channel 11, FIG. 5 as to house all parts FIG. 4. A portion of the extruded channel 11, which also doubles as a hinge 14, allowing for a free-floating release lever 5, FIG. 6 to pivot along the track portion 14 of the extruded housing 11 without mechanically fastening the two pieces, the extruded housing FIG. 5 and the free-floating-release lever FIG. 6, together.
Two specially formed dirt washers 8 are placed down the axles 9 covering the ends of the extruded channel FIG. 5 and the free-floating-release lever 5, FIG. 6, closing the ends and preventing dirt or debris from easily entering the sweeper unit FIGS. 1(A-D), FIG. 2. Two 4-inch plastic wheels 4 provide the proper ground clearance for the sweeper unit FIGS. 1(A-D), FIG. 2, to roll freely across various types of surfaces such as grass, gravel, sand, and multiple kinds of floor surfaces. Two push nut caps 12 are placed over the ends of the axles keeping the assembly FIG. 2 together, but also allowing to be removed for cleaning or easy replacement of any part or component.
[0017] The magnetic sweeper unit FIGS. 1(A-D), FIG. 2, has been specifically designed for the easy collection and release of various sized ferrous material. The main component FIGS. 1(A-D) that makes up the magnetic sweeper consists of an adjustable handle 1 with an outer tightening collar 7, that locks the handle, after adjusting, into the desired length.
[0018] The adjustable handle 1 connects to the main magnetic sweeper tool FIGS. 1(A-D) through a standard ACME screw. The magnetic sweeper tool FIG. 1(D) connects to the handle 1 by connecting the female counterpart (ACME collar) 3 to the ACME male counterpart 2 on the handle 1.
[0019] Use the magnetic sweeper FIGS. 1(A-D) by pushing the assembly in a forward and backward motion over a surface area to be cleaned off ferrous material. Once the magnetic sweeper unit FIGS. 1(A-D) has obtained the amount of ferrous materials desired to be collected and/or has reached the maximum holding capacity of the magnetic sweeper, the operator simply places the magnetic sweeper unit FIGS. 1(A-D) over a collection drop area to receive the ferrous material as it is released from the magnetic sweeper unit FIGS. 1(A-D). By simply pushing the free-floating release lever FIG. 6 downward by either hand, foot or otherwise away from the main body FIG. 2and therefore away from the magnets 13thereby creating a gap between the ferrous parts and the magnets 13, the ferrous material pieces are moved out of the magnetic field FIG. 7, and fall away by means of normal gravitational pull. The use of the magnetic sweeper FIGS. 1(A-D) can be recommenced and repeated as described above until all ferrous material parts have been swept from the surface area.
LEGEND
[0020] Number 1Adjustable handle [0021] Number 2ACME male threaded handle [0022] Number 3ACME female collar [0023] Number 4ABS Plastic wheel (2) [0024] Number 5free-floating-release lever [0025] Number 6Top-plate of the main body [0026] Number 7Tightening collar to lock handle [0027] Number 8Dust/dirt washer [0028] Number 9Left/Right axles [0029] Number 10Unplated steel strips [0030] Number 11Three-sided channel housing the main body [0031] Number 12Push nut caps [0032] Number 13Ceramic magnets (2) [0033] Number 14The Track Portion of the extruded housing (Number 11above) [0034] Number 15The Hinge Portion of the free-floating-release lever (Number 5above) [0035] Number 16The Positioning Ridge to keep the track portion (Number 14above) from binding while creating a fluid motion of the free-floating-release lever.
