Patent ID: 7380848

Claim:
A shovel ( 10 ) comprising: an elongated handle assembly ( 50 ) having an upper end, a lower end and a handle axis (A); a blade ( 20 ) having a blade axis (B 1 ), the blade being pivotally connected to the lower end of the handle assembly, for pivoting between a first position at a first acute angle (C) between the handle and blade axes on one side of the blade, and a second position at a second acute angle (D) between the handle and blade axes on an opposite side of the blade; a first elongated cross brace having a lower end connected to one side of the blade, the first cross brace having an upper end detachably connected directly or indirectly to the handle assembly at a bracing location on the handle assembly that is spaced from the blade; and a second elongated cross brace having a lower end connected to an opposite side of the blade, the second cross brace having an upper end detachably connected directly or indirectly to the handle assembly at the bracing location on the handle assembly; each of the first and second cross braces having, at their respective upper ends, means ( 70 ) for bracing the blade in the first and the second positions; and a bracket comprising an upper bracket portion pivotally connected to a lower end of the handle assembly, a lower bracket portion fixed to the blade, the handle assembly being pivotally connected with the blade, the upper bracket portion including an arcuate slot and a handle assembly engaging hole spaced vertically from the arcuate slot, the shovel including fasteners extending through the slot and handle assembly engaging hole, and engaged to the handle assembly for pivotally connecting the handle assembly to the blade.