Abstract:
A hand trowel with an adjustable handle that enables a user to dig in confined spaces that would otherwise be too small to dig. The scoop can be configured in two positions. In the first position the handle is behind the scoop like traditional trowels. In the second position the handle is above the scoop so that it may be used to dig directly beneath the user in confined spaces.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    U.S. provisional application No. 61/685,541 dated Mar. 20, 2012 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to hand tools and more particularly to a new and improved hand trowel for gardening and other digging applications. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates particularly to digging in soil with hand tools. The use of trowels is known in the prior art, and many previous designs include soft or shock absorbing handles. But one of the largest problems in using a traditional trowel is the fact that the handle is mounted in a fixed position behind the blade. A trowel of this type can only be used to dig from behind the area intended for excavation and requires at least 13 inches of space in order to be effective. If the handle were adjustable it could be used to dig from above the area intended for excavation and could be used in more confined areas. 
         [0004]    The intent with the present invention is to address limitations posed by mounting the handle to the blade in a fixed position. 
       PRIOR ART REFERENCES 
       [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,836,557 November 2010 Baker discloses an ergonomic garden trowel where the handle minimizes antagonism between the muscles and tendons of the wrist. 
         [0006]    D549,643 July 2007 Shan discloses a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0007]    US2005/0029825A1 Heneveld, SR discloses a tool including an adjustable handle where the blade portion can be rotated from approximately parallel to the plane of the handle to approximately perpendicular to the plane of the handle. It also enables using different tools upon the handle. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,301 October 2003 Czuwala discloses hand tools with ergonomic hand grip that contains spring actions. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,406 December 2003 Shonfeld discloses garden tools and ergonomic handles therefore. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,928 September 2003 Ducitt discloses a powered garden tool with a power source in the handle and a rotably mounted bit. 
         [0011]    D459,957 July 2002 Lin discloses a foldable trowel with a unique design. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,341 November 2001 Leon discloses a shovel having an adjustable blade angle and locking mechanism. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,971 October 2000 Chen discloses a foldable spade which enable the blade to be folded against the handle to minimize space during storage. 
         [0014]    D427,031 June 2000 Winchester discloses a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,857 April 2000 Donahue discloses a flexible trowel with a compliant coupling between the handle and blade. The blade is mounted upon a spring within the handle. 
         [0016]    D422,857 April 2000 Choi discloses a handle for a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,153 February 2000 Marshall discloses a trowel with a long handle so that two hands can be used and that is ergonomically shaped. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,408 September 1998 Armstrong discloses an ergonomically efficient tool with a handle containing two joints, and telescoping extension capability. 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,240 August 1996 Harshorn discloses a hand-held trowel with an accessible hollow handle compartment that may carry personal hygiene products. 
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,648 September 1995 Dovin discloses a mason&#39;s hand trowel. 
         [0021]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,909 Mar. 24, 1992 Jauhal discloses a garden trowel tool kit with a lotion emitting handle. 
         [0022]    D323, 271 January 1992 Barenthsen discloses an adjustable trowel with a unique design. 
         [0023]    D353,085 December 1994 Choi discloses a handle for a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,013 August 1990 Yonkers discloses a gardening trowel where the handle is offset from the center line of the trowel. 
         [0025]    D305,496 January 1990 Jasperson discloses a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0026]    D292,865 November 1987 Scott discloses a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,757 October 1984 Glock discloses a spade with an adjustable blade. 
         [0028]    D276,405 November 1984 Jackson discloses a foldable digging tool with a unique design. 
         [0029]    D256,979 September 1980 Nadle discloses a garden trowel with a unique design. 
         [0030]    D254, 705 April 1980 Whiteside discloses a garden trowel with the handle built as a part of the blade, where the handle is positioned directly above the trailing portion of the blade. 
         [0031]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,340 November 1976 Rusing discloses a chopping spade. 
         [0032]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,472 November 1975 Carder discloses a trowel for applying adhesives. 
         [0033]    D213,014 December 1968 Kimbell discloses a garden trowel with an asymmetrically concave blade. 
         [0034]    D208,995 October 1967 Anderson discloses a hand trowel with a serrated edge. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    An object of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel which can be used to dig in confined spaces. 
         [0036]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand trowel which reduces soreness and fatigue in the user. 
         [0037]    Another object of the invention is to provide a hand trowel which provides greater leverage and is easier to dig with. 
         [0038]    Another object of the invention is to provide a hand trowel where the handle can be mounted in varying positions relative to the scoop. 
         [0039]    Yet another object for this invention is to provide a system where a person digging in a confined space can mount the handle in several positions in relation to the scoop so that they may dig successful in a confined space and comfortably. 
         [0040]    The present invention achieves its objects by providing a handle and scoop that can be positioned so that the handle can be mounted either directly behind the blade, 90° to the left of the blade, 90° to the right of the blade or directly above the blade. A person can then dig in an area which is directly in front of their position, or can also comfortably dig in an area which is confined, and directly beneath their position. 
         [0041]    The manners in which the invention achieves its objects and other objects which are inherent in the invention will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers indicate corresponding parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the handle grip is locked in line with the scoop end. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is locked in the 90° left position in relation to the handle. 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is locked in the 90° right position in relation to the handle. 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the handle is rotated 180 into the fourth position directly over the scoop. 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the handle grip is locked in line with the scoop end. 
           [0047]      FIG. 6  is a side cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the handle is locked securely in line with the scoop. 
           [0048]      FIG. 7  is a side cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is unlocked from the handle as the neck separates from the interlocking groove. 
           [0049]      FIG. 8  is a side cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is separated from the handle allowing it to be rotated freely. 
           [0050]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is locked into the fourth position with the scoop directly beneath the grip. 
           [0051]      FIG. 10  is a side cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop neck is secured into the handle groove with the scoop directly beneath the grip. 
           [0052]      FIG. 11  is a side cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is unlocked from the handle as the neck separates from the interlocking groove in the fourth position. 
           [0053]      FIG. 12  is a side cut away perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the scoop is directly beneath the grip yet separated from the handle allowing it to be rotated freely. 
           [0054]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged and exploded view. 
           [0055]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment where the handle is locked in line with the scoop end and depicting the four position locking grooves on the distal end of the bottom surface of the handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0056]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, 
         [0057]    A first embodiment of the invention is an improved hand trowel illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a HT  60 , where the tool is composed of a handle  20  and a scoop  54 . The handle  20  is between 6-10 inches in length, and is contoured to accommodate gripping by the hand. The handle  20  is further disposed with a distal or forward thumb seat  24  and a proximal or rear thumb seat  26  for improved handling. The proximal end of the handle  20  nearer the rear thumb seat  26  is disposed with a hanging hole  22 . The proximal end of the handle is also smooth and rounded so as not to cause injury to the user. 
         [0058]    The scoop  54  is affixed to the distal end of the handle  20 , nearer the forward thumb seat  24 . The scoop  54  is between 8-12 inches in length, the central portion of the scoop  54  is concave so that it may hold a volume of material, with the distal end of the scoop  54  being tapered to a point to facilitate penetration of the material being dug. The proximal end of the scoop, nearer the distal thumb seat  24 , is attached to the handle via a neck  32  element. The neck  32  also has a proximal and distal end. The distal end of the neck  32  is affixed to the proximal end of the scoop at the neck seat  52  via adhesive, weld or by similar methods of attachment known in the art. The central portion of the neck  32  is disposed with an “S” curve  FIG. 5 , the middle portion of which also serves as the neck locking ridge  50 , and the proximal end of the neck end is disposed with a threaded male end  34 ,  FIG. 6 . 
         [0059]    The threaded male end  34  of the neck  32  is inserted into an internal shaft  40   FIG. 13  located just distal to the forward thumb seat  24 . The opening for the internal shaft  40  on the bottom of the handle  20  has a smaller diameter than the opening of the same shaft on the top of the handle  20  where it becomes the internal chamber  38 . When the threaded male end  34  of the neck  32  is passed all the way through the internal shaft  40  and into the internal chamber  38 , a spring  36  is positioned over the top of the threaded male end  34  coming to rest at the bottom of the internal chamber  38 . The threaded male end  34  of the neck  32  is then threaded onto female threads  58  located on the underside of a button  30 . The button  30  anchors the spring  32  in place and adjustably secures the scoop  54  to the handle  20 . The button is further disposed with a wrench head  28  that allows the button  30  to be tightened onto the threaded male end  34  of the neck  32 .  FIG. 13  illustrates the scoop neck is anchored on one end to the scoop. It then has an “S” curve that goes up from the scoop to meet the groove in the handle, levels out fitting into the handle groove, then continues as a straight hinge pin up to a threaded male end. This piece is threaded through the small shaft in the base of the grip and out a larger hallow shaft in the top. A spring is then inserted inside this large hallow shaft with the male end threaded through it. The threaded male end of the neck is then threaded onto a female end located on the underside of the button anchoring the spring in place and securing the scoop to the handle. The seat of the scoop neck is then securely attached by adhesive, weld or other means to a set in the scoop. The level surface in the scoop neck corresponds to one of four grooves in the handle allowing it to be securely locked when tension from the spring pushes them together. 
         [0060]    The means of attachment between the handle  20  and the scoop  54  allows the handle  20  to occupy four positions  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  relative to the scoop  54 . The four positions are the scoop  54  located directly in front of the handle  20 ,  FIG. 1 , the scoop  54  located at a right angle to the handle  20  pointing to the left,  FIG. 2 , the scoop  54  located at a right angle to the handle  20  pointing to the right,  FIG. 3 , or the scoop  54  located directly underneath the handle  20 ,  FIG. 4 . The scoop can be moved to any of these four positions is by pressing downwards on the button  30 . When the button is pushed down by 1-50 mm into the internal chamber  38 ,  FIG. 7 , the threaded male end  34  and the rest of the neck  32  element are also displaced downwards by the same distance. This displacement removes the neck locking ridge  50  of the neck element  32  from the position locking groove, one of  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  FIG. 14 , in which the neck locking ridge  50  previously sat. The position locking grooves are disposed at 90 degree intervals around the opening of the internal shaft  40  with locking groove  42  corresponding to the scoop located directly in front of the handle  20 ,  FIG. 1 , locking groove  44  corresponds to the scoop  54  located at a right angle to handle  20  pointing to the left,  FIG. 2 , locking groove  46  corresponds to the scoop  54  located at a right angle to the handle  20  pointing to the right,  FIG. 3 , and locking groove  48  corresponds to the scoop  54  located directly underneath the handle  20 ,  FIG. 8 . 
         [0061]    When the neck locking ridge  50  is fully displaced from any position locking groove the scoop  54  is free to be rotated into one of the other four positions. When the neck locking ridge is  50  is then aligned with a new position locking groove, the button  30 , is released,  FIG. 8 , and the neck locking ridge  50  is reengaged in a position locking groove and the scoop  54  then ready to use in the new position. When the scoop  54  is rotated so that the neck locking ridge  50  is engaged by position locking groove  48 , and the scoop  54  is located directly beneath the handle  20  the trowel is ready to be used for digging immediately below the user and in tightly confined areas  FIG. 11 . The scoop  54  can readily be returned to any of the other positions by simply pressing the button  30 ,  FIG. 12 . 
         [0062]    It will be understood that various modifications can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, various devices are contemplated as well as various types of construction materials. Also, various modifications may be made in the configuration of the parts and their interaction. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the invention, but merely as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Those of skill in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.