Improvements in and connected with Shovels for Military and other use.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 25th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Shovels for Military and
other use.
We, THOMAS Rowe, of Darling Point, Sydney, in the Colony of New South
Wales, Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Colonel commanding
he New South Wales Corps of Engineers, and GEORGE ADAMS, of Pitt Street,
Sydney, aforesaid, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:
This invention has for its object the improvement of certain ordinary military
intrenching tools, namely the pick and shovel, whereby they may be applied in
a novel manner to the purposes of defence. By these improvements the shovel
is made more portable and is also made serviceable for use either as a body shield
or as a head guard or cover.
To be serviceable as a body shield it is worn upon the breast and kept in
position by suitable devices so as to cover the most vital parts of the human body, .
and for the purpose of a head guard or cover it is used in combination with a
pick, bayonet, sword bayonet or equivalent supporting device, and is so constructed
that it may be placed in a desired position so as to afford head shelter to a person
occupying a prone position in the open, or in shelter pits, shelter trenches, or
behind breastworks or the like, the person so sheltered being able to return an
enemy's fire without exposing the vital parts of his body, and while enjoying a
sense of security he may rest his rifle and correct the uprightness of the back
sight by the straight side of the loop-hole and thus ensure greater accuracy in
firing.
The peculiar construction of the shovel renders it alike serviceable either to the
prone, kneeling or standing positions, and a person wearing it as a body shield may,
at a moment's notice, as in the case of a sudden surprise, disengage or detach
it from his breast, and by placing it in a suitable manner upon the ground, and
assuming a prone position, come instantly under cover.
To dispense with the necessity of constructing shelter pits, the shovel may be
used in association with any natural object, such as a log, or piled sods of turf.
By this means an effectual improvised safeguard is obtained, by which it is sought
to reduce the number of casualties incidental to the use of long range deadly
weapons now in use in modern warfare, such casualties being to a large extent
accounted for by the complete exposure of the troops in the open when being
marched to the front or manoeuvred into fighting line or skirmishing, and also
5 by the partial exposure of the head above the crest of the parapet of defence
works.
As it has become the practice to instruct the various sections of the military
forces and particularly the Infantry or Riflemen which are by far the largest pro-
portion of the Army, in the art of constructing shelter pits, shelter trenches, and
other defence works it is necessary to supply each man with intrenching tools.
These are taken to the front in transport waggons to be served out as required, but,

page_text: as now constructed, they are only serviceable for the purpose of intrenching
and are not adaptable to be carried by the men any great distance without personal
inconvenience.
This invention provides for the easy conveyance of the shovel by the person
using it, and for so attaching and adapting it to the shape of his body, that but
little discomfort will be experienced while he is wearing it, and he will not be
impeded in his military manoeuvres, or in using his rifle, bayonet, or sword.
The shovel is retained in position upon the body by using a cross belt or
bandoleer in association with a buckled shoulder strap, the point of the blade being
inserted under the waist belt. These appendages may be varied both in form and
construction to meet the requirements of the section of the army using it.
The shovel adaptable to this invention may be of any of the forms or patterns
at present in use, but the metal of which they are constructed must have. the neces
sary tenacity to resist the impact of a rifle bullet at a reasonable range. We therefore
provide a shovel blade in substitution for the existing shovel, which has this merit
of strength, the steel or combined metals used being bullet proof at a moderate
range. The shovel handle is jointed so as to pass over the shoulder and down the
back from which position it may be dislodged very quickly when desired.
The supporting devices suitable for adapting the shovel as a head shield may
consist of an ordinary pick, one end of which is driven into the ground so as to
obtain rigidity, and the other end is inserted in a socket formed in part of the
shovel blade, or a combined pick and axe may serve the same purpose, or, a staple
with the end standing out of the ground in lieu of the pick, or the ordinary bayonet
or sword bayonet may be used. When used in combination with any of the fore-
going devices the shovel may be brought to the required height sufficient to
protect a person in a prone, kneeling or standing position, by means of the adjust-
able or jointed handle. In these positions the loop-hole cover of the shovel may
be removed, and the rifle inserted through the loop-hole, a man in that position
being ready for action. If the shovel is used for head cover purposes in association
with a shelter pit, shelter trench, parapet, or the like, forked clasps or staples
are used for securing it at or near the blade and at intervals along the handle.
We provide a sector marked on the shovel blade itself, which may be used for
obtaining the desired angle for setting out works, and the handle of the pick or
pick-axe may be used as a measuring rod, by marking thereon the standard
measure of the country adopting the same.
To preserve the shovel handles from swelling in damp weather and to ensure
the easy sliding movement of the sleeve, we coat them with any suitable known
preserving oil, varnish or the like, or strips of metal may be inserted in the wood
for the sleeve to slide upon.
Our Invention is capable of further modification to meet the requirements of
Military Forces not wishing to wholly dispense with the existing intrenching
tools, by providing a bullet proof portable shovel blade which can be placed over
and attached as a cover to the non-bullet proof blade.
The handles of the existing shovels may either remain as they are or be jointed
as in this invention and the blade may be roughly pierced with a loop-hole to 4
correspond with the loop-hole in the portable bullet proof blade.
The aforesaid portable blade is also serviceable for use in conjunction with
two non-bullet proof shovels which are to be used to support it at the crest of the
parapet of defence works.
We desire it to be understood that the various modifications forming part of 5
this invention are all embraced in the novel improvement of the shovel and its
application to the dual purposes of an intrenching tool and a means of defence
either as a body guard or a head shield and cover, and its combined use with a
pick or its equivalent device, such as a rod, bayonet and sword bayonet by which
the shovel is supported in a desired position.
We desire it to be understood that although the primary object of the invention
is to provide a novel means of defence, yet one part of the invention may be

page_text: used for performing service incidental to peaceful occupations, that is to say,
the shovel, although termed in this invention an intrenching tool, may be used
by Agriculturists, Miners, Navvies and others for ordinary digging operations,
the jointed handle rendering it easier for transport than the shovels at present in
If used for this purpose the blade is made the same as an ordinary shovel
as at present constructed, with the exception of those parts necessary to secure it
to the body, an ordinary strap taking the place of the bandoleer.
use:
Referring to the Drawings which form a part of this Specification:
Figure 1 is a plan of an ordinary shovel without loop-hole, provided with
jointed handle.
Figure 2 is a plan of the concave side of an improved shovel, having loop-
hole etc.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a plan of the convex side of an improved shovel, with sector marked
on blade.
Figure 5 is a plan of the concave side of an ordinary shovel provided with a
loop-hole, the handle not being jointed.
Figure 6 shews shovel blade with loop-hole out of centre.
Figure 7 is an enlarged detail of the loop-hole cover.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 7.
Figure 9 is a detail of a hinged loop-hole cover.
Figures 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 shew different forms of jointed shovel handles..
Figure 15 shews a shovel with jointed handle, folded into smallest compass.
Figure 16 is a side view of a combined pick and axe to be used in conjunction
with an improved shovel, with standard measurements marked on the handle..
Figure 17 is a taper iron rod to be used as a substitute for the pick or pick-axe.
Figure 18 is another form of a taper iron rod, provided with a hook for securing
the handle of the shovel to parapets and breast works.
Figure 19 shews shovel and pick, fixed in position
Figure 20 shews shovel supported by taper iron rod.
Figure 21 shews shovel supported by bayonet or sword bayonet.
Figure 22 shews shovels in position behind parapet, one being shown with sleeve
upon the handle and one without.
Figure 23 shews portable bullet proof blade covering blade of ordinary shovel
with jointed handle.
Figures 24 and 25 shew front and back elevations of portable blade and ordinary
shovel etc.
Figure 26 shews portable blade attached to two ordinary shovels.
Figure 27 shews rifleman provided with shovel as a body shield, under bandoleer
and carrying rifle and combined pick-axe.
Figure 28 is a side view of Fig. 27.
Figure 29 shews rifleman same as in Fig. 27 but carrying haversack.
Figure 30 shews. rifleman in prone position using shovel shield supported by
word bayonet. :
Figure 31 shews rifleman in prone position using shovel shield supported by
ick-axe, and using a log as a body shield.
Figure 32 is a repetition of Figure 31 shewing turf used in lieu of log to
rotect body.
Figure 33 shews rifleman in shelter pit using shovel blade for head guard.
Figure 34 is a front view of an ordinary shelter pit shewing rifleman's head
xposed according to present system.
Figure 35 is a similar view to Figure 34 shewing shovel used as a guard for
ead.
Figure 36 shews rifleman in kneeling position in shelter trench using shovel
lade as head guard, with handle secured to earthwork.
Figure 37 shews rifleman's head exposed above crest of parapet.
Figure 38 shews front of parapet with shovel in position as head guard..

page_text: Figure 39 shews interior of shelter trench with shovel secured to parapet by
using pickaxe and forked staple.
Figure 40 shews rifleman behind breastworks consisting of gabion, fascine, and
sand-bags, also shewing method of securing shovel in position.
In constructing our improved shovel we make the blade A of bullet resisting 5
material, and secure it to the lower part B of the handle by the ordinary method
of rivetting. The loop-hole C is formed in the blade sufficiently large to receive
the rifle barrel, and may occupy either a central position, as shewn in most of
the figures or be out of the centre, as shewn in Fig. 6. The advantage gained
by having the loop-hole placed out of the centre is that additional head cover is
provided.
The slit D is provided to enable the rifleman to discern the back sight and is also
serviceable as a guide to the marksman when correcting the vertical position of the
sight. The bottom part E of the loop-hole serves as a rest for the rifle. Fis
a combined socket and stud secured to the blade A and shaped to receive the
point of the pick, pickaxe or the taper rods hereinafter described, the stud formation
fitting the ring of the bayonet or sword bayonet.
The slits GG formed in the blade A are used to receive a strap or other suitable
device for keeping the blade in position upon the breast. The loop-hole C is
covered with the guard H turning upon the pivot I which is rivetted to the shovel
blade A. The stiffening rib J is provided to give rigidity to the cover H which
When closed it does not impede
may be opened or closed as may be desired.
the use of the blade for digging purposes, as it is made to stand flush with the
surrounding part of the shovel blade and the large end K is housed beneath the
overlapping piece L of the shovel blade. In lieu of the aforesaid pivot I we provide
another form of moveable guard having a self acting spring hinge M.
The lower part B of the handle which is secured to the blade A, is, in the case
of a jointed handle, made of a sufficient length to provide for a rifleman occupying
the positions shewn in Figures 30, 31, 32, and 33, which is the most convenient
for easy and efficient firing, and also to obtain the desirable amount of head cover.
The jointed handle we provide with the sleeve N, which for lightness and strength
may be made of steel aluminium or other suitable metal, and is also made to slide
freely upon the straight portion of the handle. When the shovel is used for
intrenching and earthwork purposes, or for defence purposes, as in Figures 22,
36, and 40, the sleeve N occupies the positions shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4,
and is secured by means of the ordinary button or secret spring O, which will
yield to the pressure of the thumb, such spring being inserted in the upper part P
of the handle, but when carried upon the shoulder or used as a head guard for
the prone position, it is drawn back from the joints on to the upper part P of the
handle, as shewn in Figures 10 to 15, 19 to 21, and 27 to 33 inclusive. Five (5)
forms of jointed handles are shewn in the Drawings. In Figure 10 the scarf
joints QQ are formed both upon B and P, which are held together by the flat
hinge R. In Figure 11 the same scarf joint is shewn but the form of the hinge
is varied, and consists of the plate S pivotted upon the pins T.. In Figure 12
the scarf joint is dispensed with and what is termed a rule joint is substituted
which consists of stops U, formed upon the central part V, which is provided with
the pins W. In Figure 13 the scarf joint is again dispensed with and the but
joints X substituted, the hinge R also shewn in Figure 10 being used in this case
and attached respectively to B, Y, and P. In Figure 14 the ball and socket join
is substituted for the other kinds, the sockets N¹ are attached respectively to I
and P and the ball O¹ to the central part V of the same formation as the rule joint
In every case these hinges offer the necessary resistance when working with th
shovel, and will ensure a straight handle when the slide is to be operated. Th
parts R, S, V, and Y, in every instance serve as a shoulder rest when the shove
is worn as a body shield, as shewn in Figures 27, 28, 29, and will cause the blade
to cover the most vital part of the body. In order that the shovel -may-be wor
as a breast shield, and also to provide a convenient method of carrying the sam

page_text: &
upon
so that a rifleman may also carry the rifle in one hand and the pick in the other,
the handle
the shoulder, the
strap Z is provided to secure
bandoleer A (or the strap A2 of the haversack) passing over the blade of the shovel
upon the breast, the point of the blade being inserted beneath the waist belt B¹
which may have a special pocket provided for it. The shovel is put upon the
shoulder of the rifleman, as shewn in Figures 27, 28 and 29, the central part Y
of the handle resting upon the shoulder and the upper part P with the sleeve N
thereon will fold against the man's back, and the blade A will lie upon his chest
with the concave part towards his body. The rifle C is shewn in one hand, the
combined pick and axe D' in the other, the bandoleer A' over the right shoulder
and under the left arm, and the shovel blade A is represented covering the vital
part of the body.
Figures 19, 20 and 21 all shew the method of securing the shovel with the
different appliances so as to provide a head guard or cover for a soldier occupying
a prone position. Figure 19 shews the axe portion E¹ of the pickaxe D' driven
into the ground, and the pick end F inserted in the socket F, thus supporting
the shovel blade A in a vertical position, Figure 20 shews the pickaxe dispensed
with and the taper iron rod G¹ (Fig. 17) used instead. The lower part H¹ is
driven into the ground, the shoulder I¹ being used for that purpose, the taper
part J receiving the socket F. The taper rod shewn in Figure 18 has the upper
end similarly shaped to J of Figure 17, and may be used for the same purpose.
Another purpose for which this rod is used is for supporting the shovel against
parapet, the hook portion L' being used to clasp the handle of the shovel as
shewn in Figure 22. The use of the portable blades is shewn in Figures 23
to 26 inclusive. In Figures 23, 24, and 25 the portable blade P¹ is held upon
The handle
the ordinary non-bullet proof blade Q by means of the clips R¹.
of the shovel in these Figures has been made adjustable in accordance with this
invention, but the blade is pierced for the rifle. Figure 26 shews the portable
blade P supported by the ordinary blades Q1, being secured thereto by the
clips S. In this Figure the ordinary shovel blades Q are not pierced and the
handles are not jointed, but are secured to the parapet by means of the hooks L¹
as shewn in Fig. 18. Figure 30 shews a soldier in a prone position using the
sword bayonet K₁ for supporting the shovel. Figures 31 and 32 shew a soldier
in a prone position using the pickaxe for supporting the shovel. A log is used
in one case for a body shield, and sods of turf in the other. Either of the shovel
supports shewn in Figures 19, 20, and 21, are alike serviceable for supporting the
shovel. Figure 33 shews a soldier in a prone position in a shelter pit and shewing
the shovel secured to the mound by means of the sword bayonet K. Figures 36,
and 40 shew the manner of using the shovel with the sleeve upon the scarf,
the handle being kept straight. In Figure 36 the handle is secured by means
of forked staples M which are used as a substitute for the holdfast shewn in
with tho
Fig. 18. In Figure 40 the pickaxe I) is used in combination
sword bayonet KT.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is: -
1. A Shovel provided with a metal blade and a jointed handle, constructed so
that it may be carried upon the shoulder, the blade and part of the handle
adapting itself to the shape of the body of the person carrying it, and the other
portion of the handle being also adjustable to the body, as herein described.
2. In Shovels having jointed and adjustable handles, the combination of the
scarf jointed handle with the double hinge and the sliding sleeve, as shewn in
Fig. 10.
3. In Shovels having jointed and adjustable handles, the combination of the
scarf jointed handle with the hinged plate such as S, and the sliding sleeve, as
shewn in Figure 11.

page_text: 4. In shovels having jointed and adjustable handles, the combination of the
rule jointed handle with the sliding sleeve, as shewn in Figure 12.
5. In shovels having jointed and adjustable handles, the combination of the
butt jointed handle with the double hinge and the sliding sleeve, as shewn in
Figure 13.
6. In shovels having jointed and adjustable handles, the combination of the
ball and socket jointed handle with the sliding sleeve, as shewn in Figure 14.
7. A shovel (alike adaptable to intrenching purposes and a body shield and head
guard or cover) having the blade constructed of bullet proof metal and provided
with a loop-hole, loop-hole cover, a jointed or adjustable handle, a socket or
combined socket and stud, to receive the point of a pick, taper rod, or equivalent
device, or the ring of a bayonet or sword bayonet for supporting the blade in a
vertical position, and slits formed in the said blade for the insertion of a strap,
as described and shewn and for the purposes set forth.
:
8. The adaptation of a shovel blade constructed of bullet proof metal, to the
purposes of a body shield.
9. A shoulder strap, bandoleer or its equivalent device such as the strap of a
haversack, and waist belt in combination with a shovel of the class described for
the purpose of keeping the said shovel blade in position upon the breast of the
user, as described and shewn and for the purposes set forth.
10. A shovel having a bullet proof blade adaptable to the purposes of a head
guard or cover, and provided with a jointed or adjustable handle, in combination
with a pick or combined pick and axe or equivalent device for supporting the
said shovel in a vertical position and rendering it serviceable as a rifle rest, as
shewn in Figures 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, and 33.
11. A bayonet or sword bayonet used as a supporting device to secure a bullet
proof shovel blade in position as a head guard or cover as described and shewn.
12. A combined socket and stud secured to a bullet proof shield for the purpose
of engaging with supporting devices for keeping the said shield in position when
used as a means of defence as described and shewn.
13. The adaptation of a bullet proof shovel blade as a means of defence in com-
bination with an ordinary military shelter pit, as shewn in Figures 33 and 35.
14. The adaptation of a bullet proof shovel blade as a means of defence in com-
bination with an ordinary military shelter trench, as shewn in Figures 36, 38,
and 39.
15. The adaptation of a bullet proof shovel blade as a means of defence in com-
bination with ordinary military breastworks, as shewn in Figure 40.
16. A Shovel having a metal blade of the class described and provided with a
rigid handle as shewn in Figures 5 and 22.
17. A Shovel having a bullet proof blade and provided with a loop-hole placed
out of the centre, as shewn in Figure 6.
18. The combination and arrangement of the military equipment for the pur-
poses of defence, as herein described, and as illustrated in the Drawings.
Doted his 4th dose of
1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.