Abstract:
The present invention provides a lightweight shovel with a large scoop type blade, a plastic coated metal handle and a compact shock absorbing cartridge located between the distal end of the metal handle and a D-shaped handgrip so as to not interfere with the operation of the shovel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation In Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/293,068 filed Dec. 2, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,145 entitled Shock Absorbing Shovel Handle, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to manual tool handles, and more specifically, to a shock absorbing shovel assembly useful for moving and scraping debris and the like. 
   BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
   The shovel may be one of the oldest known hand tools. The basic components of the shovel include an elongated handle and a blade. The elongated handle serves as a lever to increase force on the blade. The blade includes a load bearing plate to which the handle is connected. The load bearing plate terminates in a straight or curved edge. The handle is used to swing or rapidly push the blade into debris whereby 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 resulting strain on the user. For example, publications, such as WO9952685A1, WO9739858A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,691,954, 5,533,768, 5,727,829, 5,816,634, and 6,792,829 disclose shovels with two-piece telescoping handles having an internal spring and guide to limit travel and prevent rotation. In each of the disclosed devices, the resilient portion of the handle is located close to the blade approximately where the user may grip the shaft to transfer a load. This construction increases the possibility of hand pinching, as well as subjecting the moving components to dirt, debris and the like. 
   In the &#39;768 patent, the handle shaft, per se, has an integral flexible portion that distorts to lessen shock. 
   In the &#39;954, &#39;634, and &#39;829 patents, 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 distal portion of the handle telescopingly cooperates with the shovel blade. A lower portion of the handle includes a washer secured thereto and a biasing member is placed between the washer and the shovel blade. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 483,477 and 6,145,899 disclose shovels with handles terminating in a D-shaped grip. Both devices include a perpendicular cross bar portion having springs mounted on opposite distal ends thereof within parallel side portions of the grip. In each of the disclosed devices, the resilient portion of the grip is located where the user grips the perpendicular cross bar subjecting the user&#39;s hands to pinching during operation. 
   Such prior art devices, while working well, have not met all of the needs of manufacturers to provide a product that can be easily manufactured, packaged and shipped to the consumer. Nor have they met the needs of consumers requiring structural integrity combined with a pleasing aesthetic appearance and ease of use. 
   Paramount among such needs is a shock absorbing tool construction which resists binding, buckling and weather infiltration. 
   Also, from a safety standpoint, the biasing member should be located at a position where a user rarely places his hands and a cover should be present which prevents pinching of the operator&#39;s hands if placed in proximity of the biasing member. 
   There are also commercial considerations that must be satisfied by any viable shock absorbing tool assembly; considerations which are not entirely satisfied by state of the art products. The shock absorbing assembly must be formed of relatively few component parts that are inexpensive to manufacture by conventional techniques. 
   Finally, there are ergonomic needs that a shock absorbing assembly for a hand operated tool must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user. The shock absorbing assembly and thus the tool must not require or include heavy component parts. Moreover, the components of the shock absorbing tool must connect together in such a way so as not to detract from the utility or versatility of the tool. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a lightweight shovel with a large scoop type blade, a plastic coated metal handle and a compact shock absorbing cartridge located between the distal end of the metal handle and a D-shaped handgrip so as to not interfere with the operation of the shovel. The construction of the shock absorbing cartridge simplifies assembly of the shock absorbing shovel while providing a non-pinching and non-binding utility. The leading edge of the blade includes a removable and replaceable shock absorbing wear member to further reduce shock incurred by a user. The blade, D-shaped handle and portions of the shock absorbing cartridge are formed of injection molded plastic having integrated connectors to cooperate with one another in an interlocking manner. Metal fasteners or connectors may be utilized to insure the components remain attached in the harshest conditions. 
   The device incorporates a minimum number of components by integrally forming the connectors into the injection molded components which slide together for ease of assembly, whereby assembly of the device requires minimal hardware and a minimum number of hand tools. Injection molding allows the components to be formed with a single wall having integral spines, ribs and gussets for increased rigidity. In addition, the polymeric construction prevents corrosion for an aesthetically pleasing tool. 
   The shock absorbing cartridge includes a one-piece casing for housing the biasing member. One end of the casing includes an integrally formed outwardly projecting boss for interlocking cooperative engagement with an inwardly extending socket formed into the D-shape handgrip. A second end of the casing is constructed with an integrally formed inwardly extending socket for sliding cooperative engagement with the distal end of the elongated handle. The engagement between the bosses and the sockets serve to rigidly connect the components together into a secure shock absorbing shovel. The one piece casing permits the biasing member to be retained completely inside of the shock absorbing cartridge. 
   Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a shock absorbing shovel assembly for moving snow and other particulate matter from one place to another. 
   A further objective is to provide a shock absorbing shovel assembly having components with integrated connectors which accommodates injection molding plastic formation of the components for increased structural integrity. 
   Yet a further objective is to provide a scoop type blade having a removable and replaceable shock absorbing wear member along the leading edge thereof. 
   Another objective is to provide a shock absorbing shovel handle having an enclosed biasing member to prevent pinching. 
   Yet another objective is to provide a shock absorbing shovel handle having a shock absorbing cartridge inserted between the distal end of the shovel handle and a D-shaped handgrip. 
   Yet another objective is to provide a shock absorbing shovel handle assembly that includes a removable and replaceable shock absorbing cartridge. 
   Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings 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 view of the shock absorbing shovel of the instant invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the shock absorbing shovel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the shock absorbing shovel embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the shock absorbing shovel embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a left side view of the shock absorbing shovel embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the shock absorbing shovel embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the shock absorbing shovel embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a partial cross sectional view of the shovel blade&#39;s leading edge. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     FIGS. 1-7  which are now referenced illustrate various views of the shock absorbing shovel assembly, generally referenced as  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shock absorbing shovel is made up of a blade  12 , an elongated handle  14 , a shock absorbing cartridge  16  and a handgrip  18 . In the preferred embodiment the components comprising the assembly are formed of, but not limited to, a suitable plastic such as polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene or suitable combination thereof, through the process of injection molding. The result is that the blade, shock absorbing cartridge and handgrip components of the shock absorbing shovel  10  are formed as unitary components with integral connectors. A strengthening spine  20  and gussets  22  are formed integral to the blade member  12  in order to enhance rigidity of the blade while leaving the external surfaces in a generally smooth condition for allowing debris to slide easily across the surfaces during use. In addition to maintaining the curvature of the blade  12 , the spine  20  includes an integrally formed socket  26  constructed and arranged to cooperate with a first end  24  of the elongated handle  14  for secure attachment thereof. The socket extends along an inner surface of the spine so that the first end  24  of the handle  14  enters and mateably engages the socket  26 , securing the components together in an inter-fitting engagement that prevents rotation therebetween. In addition, the overlapping engagement of the handle and spine serves to add significant rigidity to the blade member. 
   The integrally formed gussets  22  preferably extend along the two distal ends  28  of the curved blade  12  from about the leading edge  30  to about the rear edge  32 . The gussets  22  increase the structural integrity of the curved blade by preventing the blade from bowing, bending and/or twisting, and thus, adversely affecting the appearance or operation of the curved blade  12 . 
   In a most preferred embodiment, the leading edge  30  includes a shock absorbing wear member  54  extending substantially across the leading edge. The shock absorbing wear member is generally constructed and arranged to flex in a torsional manner during use of the shock absorbing shovel to reduce impact shock. The shock absorbing wear member includes at least one upwardly extending mounting boss  56  constructed and arranged to cooperate with a rear surface of the blade  12  for attachment thereof. The mounting boss(es)  56  are constructed and arranged to flex during use of the shovel for absorbing impact shock. The wear member is secured to the blade in a manner that allows removal and replacement of the wear member as needed. 
   The shock absorbing cartridge  16  includes an annular shaped substantially rigid outer casing member  32  having a first end  34  and a second end  36 . The outer casing member is constructed and arranged to enclose a biasing member  38  as well as providing a connective link between the second end  40  of the elongated handle  14  and the handgrip  18 . The first end  34  of the outer casing member  32  includes an integrally formed socket  42  constructed and arranged to cooperate with the second end  40  of the elongated handle  14  in an overlapping, telescoping and non-rotational relationship. To provide a controlled amount of movement between the handgrip  18  and the blade  12 , the second end of the handle includes a pair of elongated slots  44  which align with apertures  46  through which pin  48  extends. The second end  36  of the outer casing member  32  includes an integrally formed boss  50 . The boss  50  is constructed and arranged to interlockingly engage a corresponding socket  52  formed into a lower portion of the handgrip  18  resulting in a mechanically secure connection therebetween. The biasing member  38  is most preferably a coil spring, however it should be noted that other biasing means well known in the art may include, but should not be limited to, Belleville spring washers, resilient members, nitrogen springs and the like may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. The handgrip  18  is formed as a unitary member through the process of injection molding, to generally have a D-shape oriented transverse with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongated handle. The boss  50  and socket  52  are constructed and arranged so that the boss  50  enters and mateably engages the socket  52 , securing the components together in an inter-fitting engagement axially aligned arrangement. 
   The overlapping cooperation between the bosses and sockets as described above provides a secure connection and offers several advantages. First, the design allows the components to be connected without the need for separate fasteners. Second, the design creates a positive lock that prevents separation of the components. Third, the design maintains alignment of the components along the same axis and prevents bowing or bending of components relative to one another. The resultant shock absorbing shovel created by the combination of the interlocking components benefits from high structural integrity and reliable operation. 
   As noted above, the shock absorbing shovel assembly including the blade, elongated handle, shock absorbing cartridge and handgrip may be constructed and arranged for snap-together assembly without additional fasteners. Injection molding facilitates the forming of integral spring lock or detent type fasteners which cooperate with apertures and the like, to secure the components together. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the spring-lock fasteners can be used throughout the shock absorbing shovel  10  to mount or secure components to one another, and to facilitate ready assembly of the shock absorbing shovel if it is provided in an unassembled or broken-down condition. This construction also facilitates easy replacement of worn or broken components. 
   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. 
   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.