Manual compactor

A manual compactor having two handles each pivoted at one end for movement through adjacent arcs toward and away from each other, such reciprocating activation motion being translated into rotary motion in a single direction by means of ratchet and pawl arrangements about the pivot shaft of each handle, and thenceforth to rotary motion of opposing screws one each of which is driven by each handle, which in turn act through ball nut structures to forcibly draw together plates with force sufficient for compacting, the handles also having provisions for actuating push rod within the handles for the purpose of disengaging the pawls from the ratchets thereby allowing retraction through spring loading of the plates and repositioning of the apparatus for subsequent compacting.