Abstract:
A lightweight molded plastic shovel for removing snow and ice has a reinforced scoop and a shock absorbing mechanism in the handle. The handle has a “D shaped” hand grip at one end telescoped over a guide surrounded by a coil spring. The other end of the guide telescopes into the shaft of the handle. The movement of the “D shaped” hand grip toward the scoop compresses the spring reducing shock during use.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to manual shovels having shock absorbing handles for manipulating the blades to load and unload debris. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The shovel may be one of the oldest known hand tools. The basic components are an elongated handle which serves as a lever to increase force on the blade. The handle is connected to a blade comprising a solid load bearing plate terminating in a straight or curved edge. The handle is used to swing or rapidly push the blade into debris and any obstruction encountered by the blade is transmitted through the handle to the hands and arms of the user. The handle is usually made of wood and the blade is of metal. Some blades are flat, some are simple curves and some are compound curves for scooping material. 
   The handle may be a straight or curved shaft with one end connected to the blade in numerous ways, such as rivets, nails, bolts, etc. Other handles may have a “D-shape” terminal end opposite the blade with a cross bar perpendicular to the long shaft of the handle providing greater thrust to the blade. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   There are many variants of shock absorbing handles designed to lessen the shock and resultant strain on the user. For example, publications, such as WO 9952685A1 and WO 9739858A1 disclose snow shovels with two piece telescoping handles having an internal spring and guide to limit travel and prevent rotation. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,768; U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,954; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,829 each disclose a shovel handle with two components separated by a spring or resistence mechanism to reduce the shock forces. In each of the disclosed devices, the resilient portion of the handle is located approximately where the user may grip the shaft. 
   In the &#39;768 patent the handle shaft, per se, has an integral flexible portion that distorts to lessen shock. 
   In the &#39;954 patent, the shovel handle has an upper and a lower portion that telescope together compressing an internal spring to lessen shock. 
   In the &#39;829 patent, the lower portion of the handle has a smaller diameter extension that telescopes throughout the upper portion terminating near the “D-shaped” grip. The upper portion of the handle terminates in a shoulder that engages a coil spring disposed about the smaller diameter extension. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   What is needed in the art is a lightweight molded shovel with a large scoop blade and a compact shock absorbing mechanism located in the handle at a point so as not to interfere with the operation of the shovel. 
   Disclosed is a lightweight molded plastic shovel for removing snow and ice has a reinforced scoop and a shock absorbing mechanism in the handle. The handle has a “D shaped” hand grip at one end telescoped over a guide surrounded by a coil spring. The other end of the guide telescopes into the shaft of the handle. The movement of the “D shaped” hand grip toward the scoop compresses the spring reducing shock during use. 
   Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to provide a molded plastic shovel with a shock absorbing handle for moving snow and other particulate material from one place to another. 
   It is a further objective of the instant invention to provide a compound curved blade with reinforcing ribs and an integral socket for connection to a plastic coated steel handle. 
   It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a shock absorbing mechanism having a center guide extending through upper and lower brackets and surrounded by a coil spring with the opposite ends of the spring contacting each bracket, respectively. 
   It is yet another objective of the instant invention to provide a shock absorbing shovel handle having a guard over the shock absorbing portion of the handle to prevent pinching. 
   It is a still further objective of the invention to provide a molded plastic “D shaped” end on the handle opposite the blade. 
   Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective of the assembled shovel of this invention; and 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the shovel of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The shovel  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 , has an elongated handle  11  with a “D shaped” hand grip  12  on one end and a blade  13  on the other end. The blade  13  has a straight edge  14  for separating the shovel load from the mass of material to be moved. The hand grip and blade components are made of molded plastic polymers having the necessary strength and rigidity to repeatedly separate and lift a scoop full of material, such as snow and ice. The elongated handle is constructed of a suitable metal, such as steel, and coated with a suitable polymer, such as plastic, to prevent surface deterioration and/or oxidation of the handle. 
   The blade  13  is curved in the longitudinal and lateral axes to form a deep scoop. The deep reinforcing ribs  15  add strength to the blade and also function to divide the load into segments for easy separation from the blade during unloading. In addition to the ribs  15 , the blade has a socket  16  into which one end of the handle  11  is inserted. The socket  16  forms a partition  17  extending through the center of the blade  13 . Stabilizing flange  18  and stabilizing flange  19  project from the longitudinal sides of the socket  16  providing additional resistence against torque on the blade from uneven loads. The blade  13  is a one piece molded component preferably constructed through the process of injection molding. 
   The bottom of the handle  11  is inserted into the socket  16  to a depth approximating the center of the blade adding more strength to the blade and ensuring adequate overlap to the connection. The handle and socket may be secured through the overlap by rivets, bolts, adhesive, or thermoplastic welding (not shown). The plastic coated steel handle extends from the blade to the “D shaped” end of the handle providing a smooth stable lever for manipulation by the user. The handle  11  may alternatively be constructed from aluminum or fibreglass with a suitable bore to receive guide  23 . 
   The one piece molded “D shaped” end  12  has yoke  32  supporting the opposite ends of a hand grip  31  oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The yoke  32  has a stem  33  extending along the longitudinal axis of the handle. The stem has a rivet hole  34 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , for connection with the shock absorbing mechanism  20 . Other fastening devices may be used, as mentioned above. 
   The shock absorbing mechanism  20  is composed of an upper bracket  21  and a lower bracket  22 . The upper bracket is attached to the stem  33  of the “D shaped” handle, either directly or by the connector  30 . The connector  30  provides reinforcement, particularly when the connection is by a rivet or through bolt  26  extending through the bracket, the connector and the stem. The upper bracket  21  is formed as an annular plate having an attached or integrally formed guard  37 . The guard  37  is constructed and arranged to extend around the coil spring  24  to prevent pinching during operation of the shock absorbing mechanism. The guard is preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material, but may alternatively be constructed from opaque materials suitable for guarding the shock absorbing mechanism. The lower bracket  22  is formed as an annular plate with a central bore. Extending normal to the annular portions of the upper and lower brackets about the circumferences thereof are a pair of upper ears  35  and lower ears  36 . The stem  33  and the connector  30  extend between the ears  35  and engage the annular plate. A rivet  26  or other fastener penetrates the upper ears, the connector  30  and the stem  33  to secure the “D shaped” hand grip to the shock absorbing mechanism. 
   The upper end of the handle  11  attaches to lower bracket  22  by extending between the lower ears  36  to contact the annular plate of the bracket. As shown, a rivet  25  extends through the ears  36  and the handle fastening the handle to the shock absorbing mechanism  20 . The end of the handle has a bore into which the guide  23  slides. The bore extends at least the length of the slot  35 . 
   The guide  23  is of a size to telescope through the central bores of the annular plates of the upper and lower brackets. The guide has a slot  35  through which the rivet  25  extends. The slot  35  limits the travel of the shock absorbing mechanism  20 . The guide  23  is surrounded by a biasing member illustrated herein as coil spring  24  which is compressed between the annular plates of the upper and lower brackets when the “D shaped” hand grip moves toward the blade. The compression of the spring cushions the shock produced by encountering obstructions with the blade. 
   All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein-incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
   It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
   One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.