Illuminated shovel assembly

• US 10,119,232 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Antonio Raymundo Herrera
• Original Assignee: Antonio Raymundo Herrera
• Inventors: Herrera, Antonio Raymundo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gyllstrom, Bryon T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Endo, James
• Application Number:
  US15/191,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20170370058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 362109, 362119, 362120
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/02 Spades; Shovels hand-operated dredgers E02F3/02
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/02 Hand implements E01H5/04, E01H5/10, E01H5/12 take precedence shovels or spades in general A01B1/02; brooms, brushes A46B
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0492 the sensor detecting a change in orientation, a movement or an acceleration of the lighting device, e.g. a tilt switch
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An illuminated shovel assembly including: an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft includes a length, a first proximal end, and a second distal end; a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secured to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft; a blade implement, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part of the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and a light sub-assembly, wherein the light sub-assembly includes an energy source, a switch, and one or more light sources.

Claims

1. An illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, comprising:

an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a length, a first proximal end, a second distal end, and an internal chamber;

a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secured to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft;

a blade implement having a plurality of ribs, wherein each rib comprises a front surface, and wherein a reflective member is positioned on the front surface of each rib; and

, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part of the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and

a light sub-assembly, wherein the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source positioned in the internal chamber of the elongated shaft, a switch, and a first light source positioned at least partially within the elongated shaft, wherein the first light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft, a second light source positioned at least partially within the handle sub-assembly, wherein the second light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft, and a third light source positioned at least partially within the blade implement, wherein the third light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft, and wherein the third light source emits light to the reflective member on the front surface of the plurality of ribs to illuminate an area proximate the blade implement.

2. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of the user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

3. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of the user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

4. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the third light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of the user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

5. An illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, consisting of:

an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft includes a length, a first proximal end, a second distal end, and an internal chamber;

a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secured to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft;

a blade implement having a plurality of ribs, wherein each rib includes a front surface, and wherein a reflective member is positioned on the front surface of each rib; and

, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part of the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and

a light sub-assembly, wherein the light sub-assembly includes an energy source positioned in the internal chamber of the elongated shaft, a switch, and a first light source positioned at least partially within the elongated shaft, wherein the first light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft, a second light source positioned at least partially within the handle sub-assembly, wherein the second light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft, and a third light source positioned at least partially within the blade implement, wherein the third light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.