Patent ID: 7104576

Claim:
A shovel, comprising: a tubular socket having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end having an opening configured to receive a distal end of an elongate handle; the socket having a slot at its distal end, the slot passing through the socket at two separate points along a perimeter of the socket; the slot configured to receive a proximal end of a blade; the blade having an upper surface and a bottom surface; wherein the slot is further configured to receive the blade such that the proximal end of the blade is positioned in the slot continuously through the slot without interruption of the blade; and a foot step having a platform for accommodating a person's foot; the platform located at the proximal end of the blade; the footstep also comprising a support integral with the platform; wherein the support contacts the bottom surface of the blade at a location distal from the proximal end to provide support to the blade and the platform; wherein the slot is oriented at an angle with respect to a central axis of the socket; wherein the platform has a planar surface relatively normal to the central axis of the socket; wherein the platform is integrated with the support via a curvilinear bottom section; wherein the curvilinear bottom section is configured to generate leverage between the blade and the footstep when the blade is inserted into a region of soil; wherein said slot emanates at a top region of the distal end of the socket such that a distal opening in the socket is predominantly adjacent to the bottom surface of the blade; and wherein the support covers the distal opening in the socket.