Abstract:
A shovel, particularly useful for weeding soil, has a tubular socket with a proximal end having an opening configured to receive a distal end of an elongate handle. The socket has a slot configured to receive a proximal end of a blade at its distal end, the slot. The slot is further configured to receive the blade such that the proximal end of the blade is positioned continuously through the slot without interruption. The shovel further includes a foot step having platform for accommodating a person&#39;s foot at the proximal end of the blade. The footstep has a support integral with the platform such that the support contacts the bottom surface of the blade at a location distal from the proximal end to provide support to the blade and the platform.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
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   INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
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   NOTICE OF MATERIAL SUBJECT TO COPYRIGHT PROTECTION 
   A portion of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. The owner of the copyright rights has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office publicly available file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The copyright owner does not hereby waive any of its rights to have this patent document maintained in secrecy, including without limitation its rights pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.14. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention pertains generally to shovels, and more particularly to a weeding shovel with an improved footplate for added stability and leverage. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Implements, such as shovels or spades, generally include a work engaging blade, an elongated handle for manipulating the blade and a socket which joins the handle to the blade. Because these shovels are typically used for pulling weeds or transferring or loosening relatively heavy material, such as dirt or similar material, by taking advantage of the leverage provided by the elongated handle, considerable stress is applied to the area where the handle and socket interface with the work engaging blade. This often leads to the blade being subjected to sufficient stress to either deform or break. Such a deformation or breakage can also in part result from metal fatigue caused by repeated stress over a long period of time. Typical implements currently used in the art are formed from a single sheet of material which is pressed or stamped into the required form. Such single sheet configurations frequently fail at the blade/handle interface, as there is insufficient support to handle the associated loads. 
   Typical implements often have a formed blade with a portion of the top of the blade is reinforced or folded over to provide a reinforced portion to which a foot is applied to force the shovel blade into the ground. If the ground is compacted or a clay soil, it is difficult to force the blade into the ground and the narrow reinforced folded portion may apply excess pressure on the foot through the sole of the shoe. 
   Accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a shovel for weeding and other high-leverage activities, with increased support in the blade/handle interface region most directly affected by stress and most likely to undergo fracturing or deformation. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a footstep that increases the platform for the user to apply foot pressure to the blade, and is supported by the shovel blade. At least some of these objectives will be met in the embodiments described herein. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An aspect of the invention is a shovel having a tubular socket with a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the socket has an opening configured to receive a distal end of an elongate handle. The socket has a slot at its distal end that is configured to receive a proximal end of a blade having an upper surface and a bottom surface. The slot is further configured to receive the blade such that the proximal end of the blade is positioned continuously through the slot without interruption. The shovel further has a foot step having platform at the proximal end of the blade for accommodating a person&#39;s foot. The footstep also has a support integral with the platform, wherein the support contacts the bottom surface of the blade at a location distal from the proximal end to provide support to the blade and the platform. 
   In a preferred mode of the present aspect, the slot is oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis of the socket. The slot is preferably oriented at an angle in the range of 10 degrees to 25 degrees from a central axis of the socket, and more preferably between 15 degrees to 20 degrees from a central axis of the socket. 
   In another preferred mode, the platform has a planar surface relatively normal to the central axis of the socket. Alternatively, the platform may be oriented normal to the blade. Ideally, the platform is integrated with the support via a curvilinear bottom section, such that the curvilinear bottom section is configured to generate leverage between the blade and the footstep when the blade is inserted into a region of soil. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the support is substantially parallel to the platform. Alternatively, the support may be at an angle with the platform. The platform may extend laterally past the proximal end of the blade, especially where the blade has a narrow width. Preferably, the support covers the distal opening in the socket 
   In a preferred embodiment, the slot emanates at a top region of the distal end of the socket such that a distal opening in the socket predominantly adjacent to the bottom surface of the blade. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the blade is laterally convex to produce a depression in the upper surface and the support is cupped at its upper end to cradle the bottom surface of the blade. 
   In a preferred embodiment wherein the shovel is configured as a weeding shovel, the blade has a distal end terminating at a bifurcated tip. The blade has a length significantly larger than the width. The blade also has an arcuate profile to promote entry of the blade into a region of soil. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, a shovel has a tubular socket having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end having an opening configured to receive a distal end of an elongate handle, wherein the distal end of the socket configured to receive a proximal end of a blade having an upper surface and a bottom surface. The shovel further includes a foot step having platform for accommodating a person&#39;s foot located at the proximal end of the blade. The footstep also has a support integral with the platform via a curvilinear bottom section, wherein the support contacts the bottom surface of the blade at a location distal from the proximal end of the blade to provide support to the blade and the platform; 
   In a preferred mode of the present aspect, the curvilinear bottom section is configured to generate leverage between the blade and the footstep when the blade is inserted into a region of soil. In one embodiment, the platform has a planar surface relatively normal to a central axis of the socket. Alternatively, the platform may have a planar surface relatively normal to the blade. When configured as a weeding shovel, the platform extends laterally past the proximal end of the blade. 
   In a further of the invention, a method is disclosed for weeding a region of ground soil using the shovel of the previously described aspect above. The method includes placing the distal tip of the blade at the soil with the blade oriented substantially perpendicular to the soil, stepping on the footstep to apply pressure to the platform sufficient to drive the blade a desired distance into the soil, pulling on the handle to rotate the shovel until the curvilinear bottom section of the footstep contacts the ground; and pivoting the shovel blade about the curvilinear bottom section to separate a section of soil from the ground. 
   Generally, the pressure applied at the platform is distributed into the bottom surface of the shovel blade. Additionally, wherein forces generated on the socket by pulling on the handle and pivoting the shovel blade are born by the bottom surface of the shovel blade. 
   In one mode of the present aspect, the shovel blade is oriented at an angle with respect to the shaft such that placing the distal tip of the blade at the soil comprises orienting the blade substantially perpendicular to the soil with the handle directed away from the user. This orientation of the blade with respect to the socket allows for a greater range of motion while rotating the shovel. 
   In a further aspect a shovel comprises a blade having an upper surface and a bottom surface, means for receiving a distal end of an elongate handle, wherein the receiving means coupled to a proximal end of the blade; The shovel also has a means for providing a platform for accommodating a person&#39;s foot at the proximal end of the blade. A support is integrated with said platform means such that the support contacts the bottom surface of the blade at a location distal from the proximal end of the blade to provide support to the blade and the platform. The platform means and support also provide a fulcrum means for generating leverage between the blade and the handle when the blade is inserted into a region of soil. 
   Generally, the fulcrum means comprises a curvilinear bottom section connecting the platform means and the support. The platform means may provide a planar surface perpendicular to a central axis of the receiving means, or perpendicular to the blade. 
   Further aspects of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
     The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a weeding shovel in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the top surface of the blade of the shovel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a side view of an exemplary socket in accordance with the shovel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a front view of the socket of  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates the platform surface of a footstep in accordance with the shovel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4B  is shows the footstep of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative shovel blade in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIGS. 6A–C  illustrate a method of using the weeding shovel of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  shows the platform and support of the footstep in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the present invention is embodied in the apparatus generally shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 . It will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration and as to details of the parts, and that the method may vary as to the specific steps and sequence, without departing from the basic concepts as disclosed herein. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a shovel  10  is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. Shovel  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , is particularly suited and configured for weeding soil. Shovel  10  comprises of a tubular socket  12  having a proximal end  26  with a proximal opening  28  sized to receive distal end  36  of handle  34 . The handle  34  may be retained inside socket either by tapering the distal end  36  of the handle  34 , or by a through hole in the socket and screw or cotter pin (not shown). 
   As illustrated in further detail in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the distal end  30  of the socket  12  has a slot  42  sized to receive proximal end  48  of shovel blade  14 . The slot is oriented at an angle α with respect to the central axis  56  of the socket. Angle α may vary, but generally ranges from 10–25 degrees, and is more preferably in the range from 15–20 degrees. The offset angle the slot, as opposed to the slot oriented in-line with the socket axis, provides additional range of motion for rotating the shovel blade when implanted in the ground, as shown in  FIGS. 6A through 6C  and described in further detail below. 
   The slot preferably emanates at the distal opening  32  toward the top side  44  of the socket  12 . The slot  41  continues in a straight line through both walls of the socket  12  at the angle α in relation to the socket axis  56  toward the bottom side  46  of the socket. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the proximal end  48  of the blade  14  is inserted into and down the length of slot  42 . Thus, the blade  14  passes uninterrupted through the socket  12 . The blade may then be welded to the socket at either or both the upper surface  54  or lower surface  56  of the blade  14  where it intersects the socket  12 . This construction provides a rigid interface between the blade  14  and the socket  12  so that torques or other loading are evenly dissipated between the socket  12  and the blade  14 . This provides a greatly improved strength over prior art shovels which have a sheet of metal at the blade interface. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the weeding shovel  10  further comprises footstep  16  comprising an integrated platform  18  and support  22 . The platform  18  is positioned around the socket  12  at the proximal end  48  of the blade  14 . The footstep  16  allows for placement of the user&#39;s foot on a stable platform so that pressure may be applied to the shovel blade  14  to drive the blade into the ground, particularly where the ground comprises compacted or hard soil or rocks. This relieves pressure off of the user&#39;s hands and/or arms, which would otherwise have to inefficiently generate the force required to overcome resistance by the soil. 
   The platform  18  of footstep  16  has an upper surface  20  that is substantially perpendicular to the socket axis  56 . Alternatively, the platform  18  may be positioned such that the platform is perpendicular to the blade  14 , or some angle in between. 
   Support  22  is preferably integrated with the platform  18  via curvilinear section  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the support  22  and platform  18  may be substantially parallel to form a u-shaped cross section. Referring to  FIG. 4A , support  22  has a cupped upper surface  60  that is curved to match the convex bottom surface  56  of the blade  14 . For extra support, the cupped upper surface  60  of the support may be welded to the bottom surface  56  of the blade  14 . Thus, the support not  14  only stabilizes the platform  18  from rotation about or separation from the socket  12  and blade  14 , but also increases the strength of the joint created by the interface of the blade  14  and the socket  12 . The support  22  may also be distanced from the platform  18  such that the support seals off the distal end  30  and opening  32  of the socket  12 . 
   The platform  18  has a depression  62  that allows the socket  12  to pass through to meet up with the support  60 . Depression  62  allows the platform to extend in front of and over the front face  54  of the blade  14  to create a larger surface to place the user&#39;s foot. The depression is preferably curved at the bottom to match the outer surface of the socket  12 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4B , platform surface  20  may be roughened with surface pattern  62  to provide extra traction for the user&#39;s foot while applying pressure to the footpad. Pattern  62  may be protrusions, slots, or striations in the surface  20  and platform  18 , or an additional abrasive material deposited on the platform  18  to increase the coefficient of friction of the surface  20 . 
   Referring further to  FIG. 2 , the platform  18  may extend laterally outward from the socket past the blade  14 . This is particularly useful when the width of the blade  14  is smaller than the length, as shown in  FIG. 2 . For weeding type applications, the blade  14  preferably has a narrow and arcuate profile such that the blade forms a less blunt tip or distal end  50 . This allows for the blade to be implanted into hard or impacted soil with less resistance and correspondingly less foot or hand pressure. In such a configuration, the width of the shovel blade  14  on either side of the socket  12  may be smaller than the width of a typical user&#39;s shoe. Thus, the platform  18  extends laterally past the width of the blade  14  to maintain a sufficient platform. The support  22  can either have a step (not shown) or a curve inward profile  64  to meet up with the narrower blade surface, as partially illustrated in  FIG. 2  and by dashed lines in  FIG. 4A . 
   To further facilitate removal of weeds from the soil, the distal end  50  may have a bifurcated tip  52 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This configuration allows for the blade  14  to be positioned around the shaft of a weed lift and de-root the weed from the soil. 
   Alternatively, shovel  70  may have a blade shaped accordingly to allow for removal or placement of soil, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The distal tip  50  of the blade  14  may be relatively blunt, or even rectangular (not shown), with a substantially larger width for carrying soil, rocks, aggregate or other materials. In this configuration, the platform  18  of the footstep  16  extends to the edge of the blade  14  width. For extra wide blades, the platform  18  may laterally stop short of the blade. 
     FIGS. 6A–6B  illustrate the shovel  10  being used in accordance with the present invention to remove a weed or other plant from the ground. The shovel blade  14  is first positioned at the soil surface generally perpendicular to the ground  80 , as shown in  FIG. 6A . Because of the orientation of the shaft and blade at angle α, the handle  34  will be oriented away from the user by 90°+α (assuming perpendicular placement of the blade). This has the effect of increasing the range of motion for rotation of the shovel blade without the user having to step away from the shovel. With the shovel oriented properly, the user may then drive the blade  14  into the ground by applying foot pressure at the foot, as shown in  FIG. 6B . The shovel blade may then be rotated toward the user by pulling on the handle  34 . Further rotation is facilitated as the bottom surface  24  of the footstep  16  engages the ground, as illustrated in  FIG. 6C . Here, the curvilinear surface  24  facilitates rotation, acting as a fulcrum to generate additional leverage to lift the ground and uproot the weed or plant. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , it will be appreciated that the footstep may be varied in configuration to accommodate different needs. For example, the support  22  may be angled out of parallel with the platform  18  by angle β. For example, when the support  22  is angled toward the platform  20  by an angle β=α the support will engage generally flush to the ground such that any pulling of the handle is immediately facilitated by the fulcrum effect of bottom surface  24 . In this configuration, distance D may be spaced so that blade  14  and socket  12  have sufficient material to engage each other. The distal end  30  of the socket  12  may also be beveled to match the angle β for flush contact with the support  22 . 
   Alternatively, support  22  may be oriented away from platform  18  so that the support engages the shovel blade  14  closer to the distal end of the blade. The socket distal end  30  may be correspondingly beveled to have flush contact with the support  22 . 
   The platform  18  may also be configured at a non-orthogonal orientation with the socket  12 . For example where the platform  18  is oriented at angle θ=α, the platform  18  will have a parallel orientation with the ground for improved footing. Correspondingly, the platform  18  and support  22  may be configure to be parallel so that that β=θ=α, with both the platform  18  and support  22  parallel to the ground when the blade is inserted perpendicular. 
   The shovels  10  and  70  may be sized accordingly to efficiently meet the task at hand. By way of example and without limitation, an exemplary weeding shovel  10  may have a 50 in. handle  34  for increased leverage. The blade  14  may be 6 in. in length by 3 in. in width, and be connected to a 5 in long socket  12 . Distance D between the platform  18  and support  22  may be 1 in. or more. Correspondingly, shovel  70  may have a shorter handle  34  for better control. 
   Although the description above contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”