Two-handled shovel

• US 4,944,541 A
• Filed: 10/20/1988
• Issued: 07/31/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenneth P. Waldschmidt
• Original Assignee: Kenneth P. Waldschmidt
• Inventors: Waldschmidt, Kenneth P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Johnny D.
• Application Number:
  US07/260,533
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 294/2, 294/54.5, 294/57-59, 15/144 R, 15/145, 16/112, 16/114 R, 56/400.01, 56/400.04, 172/371, 172/372, 254/131.5
• US Class Current: 294/58
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/026 with auxiliary handles for facilitating lifting
• CPC Class Codes: A01D 7/00 Rakes mowers convertible to rakes or capable of raking A01D42/02; mowers combined with rakes A01D43/02
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/00 Handle constructions
• 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

Abstract

An auxiliary grip handle and shaft are pivotally connected to a main shaft of an implement to reduce the back and shoulder strain associated with the use of implements, such as garden tools and snow shovels. The implement has the main shaft which is extended, a main grip handle secured thereto and an implement tool fastened to the bottom end of the main shaft. A brace pivotally connects the main shaft to the auxiliary shaft, which has the auxiliary grip handle fastened thereto. When the invention is used with a shovel, the auxiliary shaft is movable from a push position into a pull position. In the push position, the auxiliary shaft is at a small angle relative to the main shaft, enabling the user to apply a forward force on the shovel through both the auxiliary and main grip handles. In the pull position, the auxiliary shaft is at a larger angle in relation to the main shaft, enabling the user to pull upwardly on the auxiliary grip handle to exert a transverse force on the main shaft to lift the shovel. The brace that connects the auxiliary shaft to the main shaft is firmly attached to the main shaft and is secured to the auxiliary shaft by a bolt and a wing nut. Spaced apertures extend through the main shaft to permit repositioning of the brace to accommodate different sized users.

Claims

1. A shovel for use by a shoveler to shovel material, comprising:

an extended main shaft having top and bottom ends, a longitudinal axis extending between said top and bottom ends and apertures spaced along said main shaft, said apertures extending through said main shaft perpendicular to said longitudinal axis;

a main hand grip secured to said top end of said main shaft;

a shovel blade fastened to said bottom end of said main shaft;

an auxiliary shaft having top and bottom ends, said auxiliary shaft having an aperture formed near said bottom end thereof;

a second hand grip securely attached to said top end of said auxiliary shaft;

a brace adjustably and pivotally connecting said bottom end of said auxiliary shaft to said main shaft at a point on said main shaft above the point at which said shovel blade is fastened to said main shaft, said brace including first and second members, each of said members having first and second ends and having first and second apertures formed near said respective first and second ends, said members being in spaced relation to each other with said main shaft in between so that each of said first apertures in said member is aligned with one of said spaced apertures in said main shaft;

first means extending through said first apertures of said members and through said one of said spaced apertures in said main shaft for securing said members to said main shaft;

second means extending through said second apertures in said members and through said aperture in said auxiliary shaft for pivotally securing said auxiliary shaft to said main shaft;

each of said members has a third aperture formed therein spaced from said first aperture therein; and

third means extending through said third apertures and through another of said apertures in said main shaft for securing said brace on said main shaft at a fixed angle.