Abstract:
A shovel device having a base region and a transverse blade, the transverse blade having a longitudinally positioned forward blade edge that is operatively configured to cut the earth and trim a portion thereof. The shovel device is adapted to create an edge portion and further has a rearward wall so as to more easily allow the repositioning of removed earth from the edge region.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosure relates to shovels and edging devices for molding the edge between walking surfaces, and landscaped surfaces such as lawns, graveled areas, beauty bark, and other similar areas. Shovels have been in use for much of recorded history, demonstrated by patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 1,690,944 which discloses a shovel-like mechanism with a very broad flat main blade having a front cutting edge, a handle and a side blade. This patent includes a side blade of less width than the main blade. Furthermore, piece connecting the handle to the flat blade is very narrow. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,801 discloses and claims a sidewalk edger for cutting a shallow groove and vertical trench in the turf along the edge of a sidewalk. U.S. Pat. No. 1,891,066 claims a lawn trimmer handheld device configured to require that the user&#39;s body be near the ground, with a handle that is relatively short in comparison to the height of an individual. While the patent discloses very broadly a lawn trimmer including a flat blade handle and a grass-trimming side member, the patent relates to a blade and arm being cut from a single blank sheet folded into the correct orientation. Furthermore, the material being trimmed is delivered rearwardly through the trough-like guide, and a second step must be taken to remove the trimmings from the edge of the lawn. Furthermore, the cutting edge of the &#39;066 patent includes the cutting heel protruding perpendicular below or beneath the lowermost portion of the guide to assure severance of flattened grass. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,009 includes a horizontal plate, a forward cutting edge, a second plate vertically perpendicular to the horizontal plate, and a fourth plate adjacent to the rear of the edger. This patent also includes an extension of the vertical member below the horizontal member and the rear plate being angled to directly cut material away from the vertical member. For example, on a raised edge being cut adjacent to concrete, the cut material would be projected onto the concrete, such as a sidewalk. Furthermore, the &#39;009 patent discloses a third plate lying lateral to the horizontal plate being disposed of at an oblique angle to said vertical plate, the lateral plate having a lower edge connected to and having a forward cutting edge and a rearward edge. The intermediate plate is oriented at an oblique angle relative to the lateral plate. This relationship of plates creates a trench alongside the shovel as it is being used. U.S. Pat. No. 913,790 is designed to cut a channel of a consistent width and depth, and involves scraping a horizontal area adjacent to a walkway or path. Furthermore, the &#39;790 patent shows a three-sided cutter formed of sheet metal. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 1,082,570 is designed to cut a groove or trench in the sod and trim the edge of a lawn. Furthermore, the &#39;570 patent discloses a single piece of steel being dented and formed to a plurality of digging surfaces attached to an extended handle. The U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,176 teaches a flat shovel blade and a handle, with one side of the flat shovel blade being bent upwardly. This patent includes a concave notch portion of the side cutting edge of the lawn edge patent. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 1,546,463 discloses a lawn trimmer including a side wall, a bottom cutting portion and a handle. This patent teaches a projection to be used as a knife in some instances, the parts of the patent being created from a bent sheet of sheet metal, in addition to an incline wing on the patent and corresponding flange. The patent is configured to create a trench adjacent to a walkway. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 1,552,517 is very similar to the previous reference; however, it includes the addition of a tray for receiving material cut with a tool to the end of the device. Furthermore, the patent includes a shoe or bent portion configured to ride along a surface adjacent to the lawn to be trimmed and a blade configured to create a trench between the sod and the sidewalk, roadway, or surface to be trimmed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     This disclosure relates to a shovel device having a base region with a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end, a first transverse side and a second transverse side. Also included is a handle region attached to the operating region, a back plate connected to the base region at the first longitudinal end of the base region, a transverse blade at the second longitudinal end of the base region, and a vertical sidewall having a first side connected to the first transverse side of the base region and a second side adjacent to the first side connected to the back plate. In this embodiment, the vertical sidewall has a third side opposite the second side forming a vertical blade operatively configured to cut landscape material. 
     In another embodiment of the disclosure, the vertical angle between the handle portion and vertical axis is between 35 and 45°. In one preferred form this vertical angle of the handle portion is 40°. In another form, there is a second vertical sidewall connected to the second transverse side of the base region. 
     In yet another form of the disclosure, the transverse blade forms a point near the transverse median of the transverse blade. The base region can be substantially planar in cross section. The base region may also be conceived to have a slight V-shape cross section in the transverse direction, or even a slight concave cross section in the transverse direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of the apparatus in operation; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus  20 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up view of the support and scooped portions of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the support and scooped portions; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the support and scooped portions; 
         FIG. 6  is an environmental view of the apparatus in use; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of a grassy region and walking surface prior to use of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-section view of a grassy region and walking surface after use of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the scoop portion; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the scoop portion of the apparatus having a plurality of vertical blades; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the scoop portion of the apparatus having a singular transverse blade; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional front view of the scoop portion having a vertical view cross-section; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional front view of the scoop portion having a concave vertical cross-section. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before going into a more detailed discussion, an axis system  10  is utilized to help describe the drawings herein, with the axis indicated at  12  indicating a vertical axis and the arrow pointing in an upward direction. The axis indicated at  14  indicates a horizontal direction and an arrow pointing in an outward direction. The axis indicated at  14  indicates a longitudinal direction. As shown in  FIG. 4  the axis at  15  indicates a transverse direction. Of course, the axes described hereunder are for general reference purposes and locate directions for ease of description and general orientation of components described herein. 
     In general, the apparatus comprises three portions shown in  FIG. 2 , the first being a handle portion  22 , the second being a support portion  24  connected to the handle portion  22 , and the third portion being a scoop portion  26  connected to the support portion  24 . 
     The handle portion  22  is further comprised of four separate portions, the first portion being a first end  32 , the second portion being an interface portion  34 , the third portion being a central portion  36 , and the fourth portion being a second end  38 . It should be noted that the interface portion  34  can be configured to reduce or to increase the frictional coefficient between the user&#39;s hands and the surface of the interface portion  34 . In  FIG. 2 , a plurality of annular rings  40  are utilized to increase friction between the user&#39;s hands and the surface of the interface portion  34 . The central portion  36  simply connects the interface portion  34  with the second end  38  of the handle portion  22 . The second end  38  of the handle portion  22  can be configured to fit within a surface defining a void  40  of the support portion  24 . This hollow portion could extend to a terminus  42 . A pin  44  could be utilized to further affix the handle portion  22  within a surface defining a void  40  of the support portion  24 . This pin  44  can also be accomplished by a rivet, screw, nut and bolt, or any other affixing means. It is also conceivable that the surface defining a void  40  could extend the complete length of the support portion  24 . Furthermore, the support portion  24  has a first end  48  generally configured to couple to the handle portion  22  and a second end  50  generally configured to couple to the scoop portion  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  the angle  52 ′ between the handle portion  22  and the scoop portion  26  could be approximately 130° (40° from vertical as indicated by the angle  52  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). Present analysis indicates that a 120° to 160° angle provides a better ergonomic feel for the user of the apparatus  20 . Referring back to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen how a relatively long handle portion  22  and an approximate 130° angle  52 ′ between the scoop portion  26  and the handle portion  22  results in the user  21  not needing to bend over excessively to utilize the apparatus  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  there is a surface defining a void  54  which can be useful for storing the apparatus  20  such as by placing the device on a hook or nail. It is conceived that a simple nail driven to a support could be used upon passing through the surface defining a void  54  to hang the tool in an inverted position in a storage location. While it is conceived that the support portion  24  and the scoop portion  26  are comprised of a unitary structure, it is also conceived that the support portion  24  may be a separate structure directly connected to the scoop portion  26 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first connective region  56  and the second connective region  58  are coupled to the base region  60 . In the event the back plate  62  is not of a unitary structure with the base region  60 , the first connective region  56  can be connected to the back plate  62 . These two elements can be connected by way of nuts, bolts, screws, rivets welded together, or by any other fastening system. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen that the support portion  24  couples with the scoop portion  26  and further comprises a taper  64 , thus reducing the transverse cross-section of the support portion  24  at the second connective region  58 . 
     The scoop portion  26  as seen in  FIG. 4  includes a plurality of structures. Beginning with the base region  60  which is a longitudinal and transverse plate at the first end of the base region  60 , there is a back plate  62 , this back plate being vertical and transverse to the base region  60 , the back plate  62  having a first end  66  and a second end  68 . The back plate in one form is substantially vertical where sod being forced into the chamber region of the shovel remains in this area to be immediately repositioned to a second location. 
     The second end of the back plate  68  is connected to a vertical sidewall  70 . This vertical sidewall extends vertically and longitudinal to the base region  60 . The vertical sidewall couples at a first end  72  to the second end  68  of the back plate  62 . The vertical sidewall  70  has a second end  74  at a longitudinal opposite end from the back plate&#39;s  62 , and the vertical sidewall second end  74  terminates in a vertical blade  76 . This vertical blade  76  and its functions will be described at a later point. The base region  60  has a first end  78  already discussed and connected to the back plate  62 ; furthermore, the base region  60  has a second end  80  terminating in a transverse blade  82 . The transverse blade  82  may have several configurations as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; the version shown in  FIG. 4  terminates in a point  84  near the transverse medial point of the base region  60 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the transverse blade  82   b  has a point  84   b  at the transverse edge of the base region second end  80 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 6 , the apparatus  20  is being used in an operating direction  86  wherein the base region  60  is resting on a horizontal walking surface  90  adjacent to a grassy region  88 . Upon forcing the apparatus  20  in the operation direction  86 , the transverse blade  82  and the vertical blade  76  engage the grassy region  88  and cut the grass and possibly the grass roots as well separating them from the walking surface  90 . The tool is configured such that the vertical sidewall  70  and the back plate  62  contain the cut portion  94  and enable removal of this cut portion  94  to another location, such as a wheelbarrow or a pile. Upon utilizing the apparatus  20  as mentioned, a molded region  92  is created having a pleasing vertical surface  96  and a horizontal surface  98  which generally defines an average plane on the land. This molded region  92  has a much more pleasing look to it than the uncut grassy region. The grass edge  100 , previous to utilizing the apparatus  20 , has a very nonlinear structure as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Upon using the apparatus  20 , the vertical surface  96  and horizontal surface  98  of the molded region  92  have a much more linear cross-section and vertical view as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 9 , a new embodiment of the disclosure can be seen wherein the vertical blade  76   b  is set back longitudinally from the transverse blade  82 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a different embodiment was previously discussed wherein the vertical blade  76  extends beyond the longitudinal terminus of the transverse blade  82 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the vertical blade  76  having a transverse counterpart  76   d . This plurality of vertical blades  76   c  and  76   d  would form a trough, and in conjunction with the back plate  62  could be used to form trenches or to cut grass while using either or both blades. 
       FIG. 11  shows the transverse blade  82   b  having a different structure from the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  9  and  10 , wherein the transverse blade  82   b  extends the entire width of the base region  60  before converging to a point at the transverse terminus  84   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the base region  60  has a transverse and longitudinal surface being essentially flat with little or no depth in the vertical direction.  FIGS. 12 and 13  however show the base region having a separate vertical cross-section, wherein as shown in  FIG. 12 , the base region  60   b  has a V-shaped structure.  FIG. 13  shows the base region  60   c  having a vertically concave cross-section. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the dimension  120  represents the proximate width of the back plate  62  where the front surface  63  is substantially orthogonal to the base member portion  60 . This desirable arrangement allows for sod or earth, as shown at  94  in  FIG. 6 , to be held within the chamber region  65  that is roughly defined by the upper surface of the base region  60 , the inner surface of the vertical wall, and the forward surface  63  of the rear plate  62 . 
     It should be noted that the apparatus  20  can be used for a variety of other implements, such as clam digging for razor clams. The primary use is for lawn edging and trenching, electrical and irrigation systems as well as golf course maintenance. In a golf course application the tool is useful for (among other tasks) edging the perimeter region of a sand trap. The flat portion on the bottom portion is desirable for brick laying, hardscape, and other types of work. The flat edge can keep a 90° angle from the foundation and the bottom portion of the whole. Therefore, one preferred form is having a flat lower base surface  60  such as shown in  FIG. 5  is substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the vertical sidewall. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the outer surface  71  in one form is perpendicular to the lower surface  73 . In this form, the tool is ideally suited for edging along a lower perimeter of a structure or being utilized for various brickwork activities where the lower surface  73  is substantially planar and configured to level out the mater therebelow. 
     Further, having the central chamber region defined by the bottom side rear walls allows the user to remove the material while the excavating process is occurring. It can operate like a level and scoop at the same time. Therefore, the shovel  20  is a multipurpose shovel. 
     While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.