Patent Publication Number: US-2023140097-A1

Title: Trench Cleaning Shovel Tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/273,261, which was filed on Oct. 29, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to shovel heads and shovel handles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel trench cleaning shovel tool. The shovel tool has generally from about 2 inch to about 4 inch wide concave shaped shovel head connected to an extended handle. The concave shape enables the shovel head to easily accommodate soil and other materials without fear of falling. The shovel can be easily used within trenches made by a trenching machine without ruining walls of the trench. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND 
     By way of background, a shovel is a tool for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials, such as for example, soil, coal, gravel, snow, sand, or ore. Shovels come in different shapes and styles and every shovel includes a head and a handle that extends from the head. The shape and style of shovels widely depend on intended use. Nonetheless, currently available shovel heads have a nearly flat construction. The flat construction of the shovel heads provide smooth edges and is useful for smoothing a surface such as a gravel surface, however, such shovel heads typically do not hold much dirt and therefore, force an operator to shovel considerable amounts to move dirt and debris. 
     Especially in cases where a trenching machine or a ditcher is used for creating a trench, shovels are used for digging and removing soil and other materials from a trench area. Generally, standard trenching machines are 4 inches in width and create trenches having generally a 4 inch width. Standard shovels used for digging through and cleaning trench areas are also generally 4 inches in width and therefore, damage and ruin the sides of the trench areas while performing digging. Further, an operator may not be able to dig efficiently inside the trench area using the 4 inch wide shovel. There is a need for an improved shovel that can be efficiently used in trench areas that provides less strain on the operator. 
     Currently available trench clean-out shovels provide muscle strain and are inefficient in removing loose soil left in the bottom of a trench. This results in an uneven surface for drainage or water pipes to rest on which may cause blockage in water drainage or disrupt flow of liquid therein. Individuals desire an improved trench clean-out shovel that effectively removes rubble, stones, and soil from trenches. 
     Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that effectively cleans trenches after a trenching machine has been applied. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that helps in providing a planar and flat surface for resting or installing water lines and drainage pipes. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that reduces effort and strain on an operator during use of the shovel. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved shovel that can be used for more pressure application and for removing a large amount of dirt, debris, stone, soil and more. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that enables an operator to easily work in a trench area without ruining the sides or edges of a trench. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shovel tool that quickly digs through a trench area. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that saves time and effort when digging through trench areas for installation of pipes, lines, and cables. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a trench clean-out shovel tool. The shovel tool is used for easily and effectively cleaning trenches after a trenching machine has been operated to dig a trench and enables operators to efficiently install pipes into the trenches. The tool further comprises a telescoping handle having a top end and a bottom end, a shovel head attached to said bottom end through an arcuate connector, the shovel head is substantially concave, raising from a center towards raised side edges wherein the shovel head extends from a front edge to an aft end, the arcuate connector is integrally molded at said aft end, wherein the front edge defines a trench surface penetrating edge. The raised side edges and the aft end provide support to soil, stones, dirt, or any other material placed in the shovel head and prevents same from falling while the shovel is lifted, wherein the width of the head measured across the raised edges is up to three inches. 
     In this manner, the trench cleaning shovel tool of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with an improved shovel used for helping clean trenches made by a trenching machine. The tool enables users to effectively and efficiently install pipes, lines, and cables without digging out unnecessary additional dirt via the shovel. The shovel saves time and effort when digging through trench areas and reduces strain and effort of a user operating the tool. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a trench clean-out shovel tool. The shovel tool further comprising a telescoping handle having a top end and a bottom end, a shovel head attached to said bottom end via an arcuate connector, the shovel head is substantially concave with raised side edges wherein the shovel head extends from a front edge to an aft end, the arcuate connector is integrally molded at said aft end, the front edge is substantially concave in shape and defines a trench surface penetrating edge, the raised side edges and the aft end provide support to soil, stones, dirt, or any other material placed in the shovel head and prevents same from falling while the shovel is lifted, wherein the width of the head measured across the raised edges is up to three inches. 
     In yet another embodiment, a shovel device includes an aft end configured to receive a foot of a user for penetrating a front edge of a shovel head into a trench surface. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shovel includes a one-piece structure, and the handle is detachable from the shovel head. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shovel device for cleaning trenches made by a trenching machine is disclosed. The shovel device includes the shovel head operatively attached to a handle via an arcuate connecting member, wherein the arcuate connecting member is molded at an aft end of the shovel head, a substantially concave shape formed in the shovel head with a pair of opposing raised edges extending from a front edge to said aft end, the handle is fixed at an angle from about thirty degrees to about fifty degrees relative to the shovel head allowing easy movement of the shovel head for cleaning trenches wherein the shovel head can be made of 14-gauge steel for supporting a heavy load on the shovel head. 
     In yet another embodiment, a cleaning master trench shovel is disclosed. The cleaning master trench shovel includes a handle, a shovel head attached to the handle, a foot bar for accommodating a foot of an operator operating the tool for cleaning and digging a trench, the shovel head is substantially concave in shape with raised side edges, a concave front edge and a planar aft end wherein the raised side edges and aft end securely holds the soil, stones, gravel, dirt, or any other material placed on the shovel head while the shovel is lifted by the operator. 
     In yet another embodiment, the handle is made from a material selected from a steel, a metal, a plastic, a wood or a fiberglass. 
     In yet another embodiment, the shovel head includes a width in the range of 2 to 6 inches, and the shovel head is made from galvanized 14-gauge steel. 
     In yet another embodiment, the handle is telescoping and includes a maximum length from about 50 inches to about 70 inches. 
     Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
     To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the standalone trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a side view of standalone trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention showing the height and angle of the handle relative to the ground in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of an operator using the trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention for operating in a trench in accordance with the disclosed architecture; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the operator using the trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention from outside the trench in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view showing an operator using another potential embodiment of the cleaning master trench shovel of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. 
     As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that effectively cleans trenches after a trenching machine has been operated and applied to digging a trench. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that helps in providing a planar and flat surface for resting or installing water lines and drainage pipes. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that reduces effort and strain on an operator during use of the shovel. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved shovel that can be used for more pressure application and for removing a large amount of dirt, debris, stones, gravel, soil and more. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that enables an operator to easily work in a trench area without ruining sides or edges of a trench. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shovel tool that quickly digs through trench areas. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a trench clean-out shovel tool that saves time and effort when digging through trench areas for installation of pipes, lines, and cables. 
     The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel shovel device for cleaning trenches left by a trenching machine. The shovel device includes a shovel head operatively attached to a handle via an arcuate connecting member, wherein the arcuate connecting member is molded at an aft end of the shovel head, a substantially concave shape formed in the shovel head with a pair of opposing raised edges extending from a front edge to said aft end, the handle is fixed at an angle from about thirty degrees to about fifty degrees relative to the shovel head allowing easy movement of the shovel head for cleaning trenches wherein the shovel head can be made of 14-gauge steel for supporting a heavy load on the head. The shovel head is from about 2 inches to about 6 inches in width and from about 8 inches to about 10 inches in length, thereby making it easy for an operator to use the shovel inside a trench made by the trenching machine. 
     Referring initially to the drawings,  FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the standalone trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The trench clean-out shovel tool  100  of the present invention is an improved and novel shovel tool designed specifically for use in digging out and cleaning trench areas dug by a trenching machine. The shovel tool  100  is made from professional grade steel and enables an operator of the tool  100  to dig and clean trench areas faster and easier. Further, the tool  100  can be used by both pushing and pulling the tool  100  for effective operation. 
     More specifically, the trench clean-out shovel tool  100  includes a telescopic handle  102  having a top end  104  and a bottom end  106 . The telescopic handle  102  can be made of steel, wood, plastic, fiberglass, or other material. The handle  102  includes a plurality of telescoping slots  110  for extending or retracting to adjust a length of the tool  100 . A curved or arcuate connector  108  is permanently fastened, using welding, mechanical fastening, or any other technique, to the bottom end  106  of the handle  102  wherein the opposite end of the connector  108  is molded to the aft end  112  of the shovel head  114 . The aft end  112  includes a raised planar surface  113 . The shovel head  114  is preferably a concave shaped curvature including a longitudinal central axis line  116 . The shovel head  114  includes terminal side edges  118 ,  120 . A front edge  122  of the head  114  is substantially U-shaped or concave shaped. The length of the shovel head  114  is greatest along the longitudinal central axis line  116  relative to the length of the side edges  118 ,  120 . Further, the side edges  118 ,  120  are raised in order to keep the soil, stones, and dirt in place on the shovel head  114  when the shovel  100  is raised out of the trench. 
     A width of the shovel head  114  is measured across the side edges  118 ,  120  and is preferably from about 2 inches to about 6 inches. Further, the length of the head  114  measured from the front edge  122  to the aft end  112  and is from about 8 inches to about 12 inches. It should be noted that the width of the shovel head  114  can be customized to be less than 3 inches as per the preference of manufacturers and operators. The shovel head  114  and the arcuate connector  108  can be formed from one piece of thick 14-gauge carbon steel that provides the durability and hardness needed to prevent bending or breaking of the head  114  when striking or penetrating hard shale, rocks, and roots in the trench. The handle  102  measures generally from about 50 inches to about 70 inches in total length which enables less strain on the operator while performing digging and cleaning operations in a trench. 
     The arcuate connector  108  can also be used as a step for secure contact with a foot of an operator to push the shovel head  114  downward into the trench for digging. An operator can also place a foot on the planar surface  113  of the aft end  112  of the head  114  for pushing the front edge  122  of the shovel head  114  into the bottom of the trench for digging. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a side view of standalone trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention showing the height and angle of the handle relative to the ground in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, when the shovel tool  100  is placed on the ground  202  such that the bottom surface  204  of the shovel head  114  is placed flat on the ground  202  (i.e. central axis  116  contiguous with a bottom of the trench), then, the maximum vertical height of the top end  104  of the handle  102  is from about 30 inches to about 50 inches from the ground  202 . The handle  102  is designed such that length of the handle  102  is configured to provide less strain while digging and cleaning a trench area created by a trench machine. Further, the length of the handle  102  enables an operator to both pull and push the shovel  100  easily during use. 
     The angle made by the handle  102  relative to the ground  202  is from about thirty degrees to about fifty degrees which prevents excessive bending of an operator while using the shovel tool  100 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a perspective view of an operator using the trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention for operating in a trench in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The operator  302  can enter into a trench  304  or alternatively can use the cleaning master trench shovel  100  from outside the trench area  304  (as shown in  FIG.  4   ) for digging and cleaning the trench  304  made by a trench machine. The handle  102  can be adjusted in length as per the requirements or preferences of the operator  302  and the shovel  100 , having soil and other material placed on the shovel head  114 , can be lifted to clean the trench  304 . The concave shape along with side edges and aft end enables the soil and other material to be easily lifted for effective cleaning of the trench. Further, the operator  302  can apply a foot on an aft end and arcuate connector for digging (i.e. pushing) the shovel head  114  into the trench surface. 
     It should be appreciated that the width of the head  114  is designed such that the walls of the trench  304  are not broken or damaged while the shovel  100  is used by the operator  302 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a perspective view of the operator using the trench clean-out shovel tool of the present invention from outside the trench in accordance with the disclosed architecture. As illustrated, the operator  302  in the present embodiment operates the shovel  100  in the trench area  304  by standing outside the trench area  304  such as on the ground  402 . 
     The handle  102  of the tool  100  can be extended thereby allowing the shovel head  114  to reach the surface of the trench area  304 . Further, the head  114  can be easily used for cleaning out ground areas dug by a trenching machine. The head  114  holds more soil and dirt than conventional trench shovels and thus saves time and effort when digging through trench areas. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view showing an operator using another potential embodiment of the cleaning master trench shovel of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In the present embodiment, the shovel tool  500  includes a foot step bar  502  welded to the aft end  504  of the head  506 . The arcuate connector  508  is also molded to the aft end  504  in the same manner as shown in  FIG.  1   . The operator  302 , while using the tool  500 , can put a foot  306  on the foot step bar  502  thereby allowing the tool  500  to easily perform digging in the trench area  304  and also helps in lateral movement of the head [ 114 ]  506  along the surface of the trench area  304 . 
     Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “trench clean-out shovel”, “shovel tool”, “tool”, “shovel”, and “cleaning master trench shovel” are interchangeable and refer to the trench clean-out shovel tool  100 , 500  of the present invention. 
     Notwithstanding the forgoing, the trench clean-out shovel tool  100 , 500  of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the trench clean-out shovel tool  100 , 500  as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the trench clean-out shovel tool  100  are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the trench clean-out shovel tool  100 , 500  are important design parameters for user convenience, the trench clean-out shovel tool  100 , 500  may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user&#39;s needs and/or preferences. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.