Abstract:
A trenching tool including an elongated pole having a bottom end connected to an elbow construction. A hollow cylindrical tube is movably mounted to the bottom end of the elbow construction. The tube is opened on both ends allowing loading of and emptying material scooped from the trench. An adjustable connection secures the tube to the elbow construction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/193,530, filed Jul. 16, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of hand tools, namely shovels and other types of implements for removing material from the bottom of a trench. 
         [0004]    Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    My invention relates to a device for the removal, relocation, or other manipulation of excess soil, gravel, mud, sludge, water, rubble, or other debris from trenches, elongated holes, or the like. More particularly, the invention provides a means for the safe removal of material from trenches, especially deep trenches, which involves a substantial improvement over the existing practice of climbing down into the trench in order to reach the excess material. 
         [0006]    The task of removing soil and other debris from trenches is required when installing buried utility components, including electrical and telephone lines. Cutting the trench bottom to a precise elevation is of vital importance for certain installations, particularly gravity drains. As the demand for construction and technology increases, so does demand for efficiency in all aspects of the construction process. Attempts to create a more efficient tool to perform the task of preparing trenches for utilization is apparent from the prior art. 
         [0007]    Early scoop devices pivotally mounted to an elongated rod include the devices shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 333,173 issued to Taylor and U.S. Pat. No. 1,271,287 issued to Daly. These scoops included an open end to receive the debris and then lifted upwardly from the trench. U.S. Pat. No. 625,629 issued to Wyatt discloses a shovel or scoop fixed to the end of the elongated rod with a bend in the rod rather than a pivot connection of the scoop attached to the rod to enable the tool to be extended down into the trench. A different approach is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,220,666 issued to McCormick wherein a shovel is pivotally mounted to the bottom of the elongated rod. In the U.S. Pat. No. 2,318,277 issued to Yensen, the shovel is offset relative to the elongated rod and does not pivot. 
         [0008]    More recent trenching tools or shovels are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,141 issued to Martin; U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,129 issued to Byrd; U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,708 issued to Capriotti; U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,911 issued to Engelsiepen; and D474,082 issued to Leiser. These tools include a shovel or scoop fixedly mounted to the bottom of an elongated rod with neither means to adjust the cutting angle nor other advantages of capacity or functionality. 
         [0009]    Despite the prior art devices, there is still a need for a trenching device that provides a means for the safe removal of various types of material, including liquids, from any hole or trench, and specifically deep trenches. The efficiency of use of a trenching device depends upon the construction of the scoop relative to the handle. My invention locates the connection between the handle or elongated pole and the scoop in such a manner to allow the scoop to be adjusted to an ergonomic angle or to change the function of the device. The design also incorporates a balance feature, which allows for ease of unloading by causing the loaded scoop to favor rotation on the axis of the pole handle when removed from the trench. More specifically, the connection point between the handle and scoop is positioned closer to the forward open end of the scoop as compared to the rearward open end with the scoop defining an interior volume greater between the connection point and the rearward end as compared to between the connection point and the forward end, which causes the device, upon removal from the trench, to favor rotation on the axis of the pole handle and naturally to tend to invert, thereby automatically emptying the material within the scoop. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A trench scoop comprises a pole attached to a hollow cylindrical tube. The pole has a longitudinal axis extending from its top end to its bottom end. The tube has a tubular wall with an exterior surface extending circumferential 360 degrees around and defining a passage with an open forward end and an open rearward end with the exterior surface extending there between. The open forward end opens in a direction perpendicular to the opening of the rearward end for the debris to enter the passage through the open forward end and move in the passage toward the open rearward end. A positioning means is located between the pole and tube and locates the center of gravity of the tube when loaded above the axis as the pole extends down into a trench. As the pole is lifted out of the trench, the axis extends horizontally with the center of gravity causing the loaded tube and pole to rotate around the axis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the trench scoop device incorporating the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the device looking in the direction of arrows  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the device looking in the direction of arrows  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line and viewed in the direction of arrows  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an end view looking in the direction of arrows  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is the same view as  FIG. 1  only with the trench scoop device rotated 180 degrees about horizontal axis  24 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
         [0019]    Referring to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a trench scoop device  20  having an elongated pole or rod  21  with a bottom end portion  22  and a top end portion  23 . A longitudinal axis  24  extends centrally through the length of pole  21  with an adjustable second handle  25  arranged to extend outwardly in a perpendicular direction from axis  24 . A positioning means or elbow member  26  has an elbow configuration with an approximate 35 degree bend relative to pole  21 . Member  26  has a top end  72  portion connected to the bottom end portion  22  of pole  21  with the bottom opposite end  54  portion of elbow member  26  being attached by adjustable connector  27  to a hollow cylindrical tube  28  having an entrance opening  29  and an exit opening  30 . Bottom end portion  54  has a longitudinal axis  80  arranged at angle  81  relative to axis  24  of pole  21  of approximately 35 degrees. Axis  80  is parallel over a distance  60  to center line  40  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 5 ), which is the center line of tube  28 . 
         [0020]    Rod  21  may consist of a single hollow rod extending from end portion  23  to end portion  22 ; however, the present invention includes a hollow rod having separate portions  31  and  32  removably connected together by any number of conventional means. For example, the bottom end of rod portion  31  may extend into the hollow top end of rod portion  32  forming a seam  33 . A detent movable projection may be placed on the bottom end of rod portion  31  and extended into the top end of rod portion  32  and through a complementary size hole provided in a tubular wall of rod portion  32  thereby securing the two sections of the rod together. An additional rod section may be added to thereby increase the length of the device depending upon the depth of the trench or the angle desired for ergonomic operation. The deeper the trench the more rod sections would be utilized and connected together into a single rod or pole. Similarly, a detent movable projection may be placed on the bottom end of rod portion  32  and through a complimentary size hole provided in elbow member  26  for attaching such piece when desired. 
         [0021]    The top end portion  23  of pole  21  forms a first handle for gripping whereas handle  25  provides a second handle for gripping. Handle  25  includes a grip  34  ( FIG. 3 ) fixedly attached to a connector  35  formed as a band extending around rod  21 . Any number of conventional bands  35  are commercially available and would include an adjustable device, such as a screw for tightening and loosening the band surrounding rod  21  thereby allowing the handle to be initially positioned along the desired length on axis  24  with the screw then being tightened to securely locate the handle with respect to the pole. 
         [0022]    Cylindrical tube  28  ( FIG. 5 ) provides a cutting head or trenching shoe with a centrally extending line  40 . Tube  28  has a constant inside diameter and has an exterior surface  41  which extends circumferentially 360 degrees around center line  40  defining a passage  42 . Passage  42  has an open forward end  29  and an open rear end  30 . Exterior surface  41  extends from end  29  to end  30  and provides a mounting surface upon which the adjustable connector  27  is fixedly mounted. Open end  29  is contained within vertical plane  43  as viewed in  FIG. 5  which may be arranged perpendicularly relative to plane  44  containing open rear end  30  as viewed in  FIG. 5 . Open end  29  opens in a horizontal direction  45  arranged perpendicularly relative to the vertical direction opening  46  of end  30  as viewed in  FIG. 5 . Pole  21  may therefore be pulled in a direction opposite of arrow  45  at the bottom of a trench allowing the material to be collected to enter into passage  42  via open end  29  and then moving in the passage toward end  30 . Pole  21  also may be pushed in the direction of arrow  45 , using a back and forth motion to assist in flattening or contouring the trench bottom. 
         [0023]    A connecting means or adjustable connector  27  ( FIG. 5 ) on tube  28  has a first mount consisting of a plate  50  forming a flanged end fixedly secured to exterior surface  41  with connector  27  being offset along center line  40  to be closer to end  29  as compared to end  30 . An upstanding wall  51  has a bottom end fixedly secured atop plate  50  with a hole  52  centrally located on wall  51  to receive a conventional fastener  55  extending there through and also through a plate  53  ( FIG. 6 ) fixedly attached to the bottom end of elbow member  26  or pole  21  if elbow member  26  is not in use. Fastener  55  extends through flanges  53  and  51  securing the flanges together. These flanges and fasteners may take the form of a tooth axle and pin connector. Fastener  55  may be loosened allowing flanges  50  and  51  to be rotated relative to each other about axis  75  positioning tube  28  relative to axis  75  with fastener  55  then being tightened. Tube  28  rotates on axis  75  ( FIG. 6 ) extending through hole  52  ( FIG. 5 ) allowing the tube to move clockwise or counterclockwise as viewed in  FIG. 5 . Axis  75  is forward of the mid-point length of tube  28 . 
         [0024]    The interior diameter of the tube is constant with the result that the interior volume in the rearward portion of the passage, extending along center line  40  a distance  61  from immediately beneath axis  75  to the open rearward end  30 , is greater than the interior volume of the passage in the forward portion, extending along center line  40  a distance  60  from immediately beneath axis  75  to the open forward end  29 . As the passage is loaded, the rearward portion of the tube becomes heavier than the forward portion of the passage. As the tube is being lifted from the trench, the trench side walls will keep the tube from rotating. Once lifted free of the trench, the loaded tube will naturally favor rotation on the axis of the pole (axis  24 ), and the entire device may be rotated about axis  24 , which tilts rearward end  30  downward ( FIG. 7 ) and allows the tube to invert and discharge the material therein. The secondary adjustable handle  25  allows control for returning the device to the dig position or to roll the device if the cylinder is not loaded enough to be top heavy. 
         [0025]    In the event elbow construction  26  is not used and instead connector  27  on tube  28  is mounted directly to the bottom end of pole  21 , the weight of material scooped into tube  28  is mostly located forward of axis  75  ( FIG. 6 ). In such a case, axis  24  extends through the center of the load resulting in the load and tube remaining fairly stable. By installing elbow construction  26  between the tube and pole as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , tube  28  and its load of material is located above axis  24  ( FIG. 1 ) thereby locating the center of gravity  85  ( FIGS. 1 &amp; 5 ) of the tube and load above axis  24  creating instability as the pole is lifted out of the trench to a horizontal position and allowing the device to rotate on axis  24 . 
         [0026]    The adjustable connector is located exteriorly of the hollow tube so that the debris moved through passage  42  is not impeded by the connector  27 . Further, connector  27  is spaced apart from passage  42  with the exterior surface  41  limiting contact between adjustable connector  27  and the material moving through the passage. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, tube  28  was produced from steel whereas the pole  21  was produced from fiberglass. The steel edge  70  surrounding entrance end  29  may be either smooth or scalloped.  FIG. 6  depicts end  70  as having a scalloped configuration  71  thereby providing a superior cutting edge in the event the material to be removed is compacted. 
         [0028]    The device is generally T-shaped and constructed of any suitable material such as steel, aluminum or other alloys. The device has an elongated pole assembly that functions as a handle, with a tubular scooping cylinder with a radius bend and openings on each end that is attached generally perpendicularly to the pole handle with an adjustable toothed axle &amp; pin (hirth joint or similar mechanism) connector, thus allowing for manual adjustment of the cylindrical scoop in relationship to the handle. There is also an adjustable grip that can be positioned anywhere along the length of the pole handle. The grip provides additional leverage to manipulate the device. 
         [0029]    The method of shaping and removing material from the bottom of a trench includes providing the tool or device disclosed herein and then extending the tool into the trench against the bottom of the trench. Rod  21  extending downwardly ( FIG. 1 ) is then pulled to move tube  28  along the bottom of the trench with material entering the tube via opening  29 . When it is determined that material has entered the tube and the tube is loaded by viewing the material located at the exit opening  30 , the pole and tube may be lifted out of the trench. As it is being lifted, the side walls of the trench will constrain the loaded tube  28  and keep it from rotating. When free of the trench, and with axis  24  of rod  21  extending horizontal, the center of gravity  85  of the loaded tube  28  will be located above axis  24  ( FIG. 7 ) and the loaded tube  28  will naturally favor rotation on the axis  24  of the pole handle. The entire device may then be rotated on the axis of the pole handle, which causes exit opening  30  to face downward, with the material within the tube then falling downwardly through opening  30 , thereby emptying the tube. The positioning means  26  locates the center of gravity  85  of the loaded tube  28  above the longitudinal axis of the pole when the pole extends into the trench. Thus, as the pole is lifted from the trench to a horizontal position the loaded tube tends to rotate the tube and pole about axis  24  with the material in the tube then falling out of the tube through the rearward end. In order to level the bottom of the trench, rod  21  is sequentially pulled in a direction opposite of arrow  45  ( FIG. 5 ) to engage the edge of the open end  29  against the trench bottom and then reversing the movement of the rod by pushing the rod in the direction of arrow  45  thereby forcing the outside surface of the radiused rearward portion extending along the distance  61  against the bottom of the trench. 
         [0030]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications, and equivalents which may be resorted to, fall within the scope of the invention. 
         [0031]    Although the description above contains specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of its presently preferred embodiments. For example, the handles, including the elbow member  26 , can have different lengths to reach varying depths of holes or trenches; the cylinders can be made wider or longer depending on the application; the materials that comprise the handles and components of the invention can vary among aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, etc.; the shape of the handles can take the form of cylindrical tubing as well as square tubing; elbow member  26  may be an optional attachment or may be a permanent part of the pole assembly. Further, the trench scoop may be converted into a pick tool by removing the elbow member  26  and connecting the bottom of the pole directly to tube  28  by connector  27  allowing use of the tool as a hoe or mattock. Tube  28  may be positioned at various angles relative to the pole axis through the use of connector  27  varying the angle from 0 degrees to 180 degrees. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.