Hand Forks And Shovels Patents (Class 294/49)
  • Patent number: 7320490
    Abstract: An impact handle for a shovel and other tools to assist the user or laborer in digging and/or moving material such as dirt or snow, or other compacted materials. An impact handle with a shovel attachment would have similar physical features as generic shovels on the market today. However, the impact handle includes an impact generator within the handle. As a user or operator applies his/her foot-pressure on the foot actuator located at the top of the scoop or blade, the impact generator using electro-magnetic principles produces impulses of 1 to 10 hertz of downward blows. These impulses reduce the effort required by the operator to force the tool scoop or blade to penetrate the material being excavated. The impact handle dramatically reduces time required to complete hand excavation projects. The impact handle can also be used, but is not limited to, to reduce the time required for chiseling, scraping, prying, nail pulling and carpet-stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ray James Yakimchuk
  • Publication number: 20080012369
    Abstract: The present invention is a demolition shovel that includes a handle, a shovel head, and a leverage attachment. The leverage attachment includes an attachment sleeve and leverage sleeve. A user can use the leverage sleeve to leverage force applied to the shovel handle against the shovel head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Don D. HELTON
  • Patent number: 7222899
    Abstract: A motion assisted manure fork having a handle, a fork head having a plurality of tines, and a motor assembly that imparts a sinusoidal motion to the plurality of tines. The fork head includes a frame having a neck dimensioned to receive one end of a handle and a plurality of tines. The plurality of tines has an inner tine section, and an outer tine section on each side of the inner section with a hinge positioned between the inner tine section and each of the outer tine sections. The fork head also has an angle of inclination, which divides the plurality of tines into an upper portion of tines at a first angle to the handle and a lower portion of tines at a second angle to the handle. A support member extends across the plurality of tines, which includes a plurality of supports positioned between the tines to provide strength to the fork head during use. The outer tine sections are attached to and extend from the frame, while the inner tine section is not fixedly attached to the frame except by the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Berto
  • Patent number: 7222900
    Abstract: A motion assisted manure fork having a handle, a fork head having a plurality of tines, a leverage assembly and a motor assembly that imparts a sinusoidal motion to the plurality of tines. The fork head includes a frame having a neck dimensioned to receive one end of a handle and a plurality of tines. The plurality of tines has an inner tine section, and an outer tine section on each side of the inner section with a hinge positioned between the inner tine section and each of the outer tine sections. The fork head also has an angle of inclination, which divides the plurality of tines into an upper portion of tines at a first angle to the handle and a lower portion of tines at a second angle to the handle. A support member extends across the plurality of tines, which includes a plurality of supports positioned between the tines to provide strength to the fork head during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Joseph Berto
  • Patent number: 7216907
    Abstract: A shovel having a handle connected to an elongated shaft that is connected to a blade. The shaft is connected to the blade by a bracket having a hollow cylinder, a support member, and a support plate. The hollow cylinder is formed to receive one end of the shaft. The support member is connected to the support plate and has a concave arcuate bottom surface formed to receive a curved portion of the blade. The support plate is fixedly connected to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: R & M Supplies & Mfg.
    Inventors: Richard W. Mussman, Jeffrey W. Mussman
  • Patent number: 7172229
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a shovel having a scoop with a bottom perforated by apertures and a movable sifting plate held in one of a plurality of possible positions by means of a retainer plate. The sifting plate may have apertures which do not overlap the apertures of the scoop in a first position, thus keeping the bottom of the shovel scoop closed for use as a shovel. In a second position, the sifting plate apertures may overlap the apertures of the scoop bottom so as to provide a degree of sifting ability. Either set of apertures may have a screen thereacross. The retaining plate may be biased by a spring so as to hold the sifting plate in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Charles Elton Gorbet
  • Patent number: 7070006
    Abstract: A shovel which has a blade and a handle, the blade having first and second side edges and first and second wings extending outwardly and upwardly from respective side edges, each of the wings having a front edge which merges with a respective shovel side edge at a point rearwardly of the shovel front edge. The wings provide an extra cutting edge useful for cutting roots and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Emilio M. Villani
  • Patent number: 7044520
    Abstract: A device is used to extract manure from bedding material in a manner that maximizes the amount of manure extracted from the bedding material. The device includes a detachable scoop head having a plurality of apertures, a detachable motor assembly coupled to the scoop head for vibrating the device, and a detachable handle coupled to the motor assembly via a connector. The handle can include a power pack for supplying electrical power to the motor assembly. The apertures are preferably formed between elongated elements. The power pack, which can be housed within the handle, forms a counterweight to the scoop head when the device is lifted. The device can further include a stand having a release mechanism coupled to the device, wherein the release mechanism releases the stand in a fully deployed position to facilitate raising the scoop head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Axiom International Group, LLC
    Inventors: Glenn A. Roberson, Jr., Glenn A. Roberson, III, Paul Domato
  • Patent number: 6837528
    Abstract: A novel shovel combining a curved blade with a flat front edge beveled on the back side to improve stability and soil penetration and root-cutting ability. The flat front edge greatly reduces the tendency of the shovel to roll from side to side in the user's hands, thereby providing stability when digging into hard or packed soil. The beveled surface on the back side of the front edge increases the soil penetration ability and further enhances the shovel's ability to slice into hard or packed soils. Root-cutting ability is greatly improved by the combination of the flat and beveled front edge. As compared to prior art pointed shovels, the flat front edge greatly increases the likelihood of contacting a root squarely with a cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Inventor: Jerold W. Britt
  • Patent number: 6815037
    Abstract: This invention provides a carrier member made of a UV resistant fiber-reinforced composite material where a UV resistant coating material is applied on the surface of the fiber-reinforced composite material and a process for producing thereof. A preferable fiber-reinforced composite material is a fiber-reinforced plastic or carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composite material. A UV resistant coating material is one or more selected from the group consisting of ceramics, cermets, metals and alloys. The carrier member is produced by coating the surface of the fiber-reinforced composite material with a UV resistant coating material by spraying. This carrier member is advantageous in that it can exhibit properties inherent to a fiber-reinforced composite material such as a light weight, higher rigidity and higher heat resistance and that it little contaminates a precision instrument material when being used in cleansing with UV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Ooshima, Takashi Kobayashi, Kenichi Aoyagi, Daisuke Uchida
  • Publication number: 20040032136
    Abstract: A slim-line hand tool trenching system for narrowly penetrating topsoil and creating a trench with a wider bottom and a smaller top opening, with improved vertical handling and providing reduced topsoil damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Bryan Smith
  • Patent number: 6681658
    Abstract: A roof-removing shovel apparatus for removing old shingles and other roofing material from building structures. The roof-removing shovel apparatus includes a scoop member including a main wall having a bottom edge, and also including side and top walls attached to the main wall; and also includes a blade member being attached along the bottom edge of the main wall of the scoop member; and further includes a shaft assembly including a support member being attached to the top wall of the scoop member; and also includes a handle member being mounted to the shaft assembly for controlling the scoop member; and further includes an assembly for oscillating the scoop member to effect chiseling of roof material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventors: Shonada D. O'Neal, Leon B. O'Neal
  • Patent number: 6604768
    Abstract: A specialized tool for utilization within the chute of a concrete truck enabling efficient direction of liquid concrete via a raised gripping edge and strategically shaped, replaceable/disposable head, wherein a generally semi-circular shaped head facilitates compatibility with the discharge chute of a cement truck for assisting in the direction and placement of concrete, a gripping edge facilitates a comfortably secure reach into the discharge chute of a cement truck for scooping, pulling, plugging or otherwise controlling the flow of concrete and a replaceable blade head provides long-term efficient usage thereof, thereby enabling a user to efficiently deposit, apply and manage fresh liquid concrete from a concrete truck's chute as the concrete is being discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Mark W. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6581994
    Abstract: A specialized tool for utilization within the chute of a concrete truck enabling efficient direction of liquid concrete via an elongated handle and strategically shaped, replaceable head, wherein a generally semi-circular shaped head facilitates compatibility with the discharge chute of a cement truck for assisting in the direction and placement of concrete, an elongated handle facilitates an extended reach into the discharge chute of a cement truck for shoveling, pulling, plugging or otherwise controlling the flow of concrete and a replaceable blade head provides long-term efficient usage thereof, thereby enabling a user to efficiently deposit, apply and manage fresh liquid concrete from a concrete truck's chute as the concrete is being discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: Mark W. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6568729
    Abstract: According to principles of this invention, a fiber shovel has a scoop assembly including a scoop and elongated pointed members attached to a front of the scoop, with the pointed members including V-shaped teeth formed in sheet metal of the scoop. The V-shaped teeth have side edges extending at angles of over 50° with a plane perpendicular to an elongated handle of the fiber shovel with side edges adjacent to other V-shaped teeth intersecting the side edges thereof to form V-shaped troughs between the V-shaped teeth. Further, a length of each pointed member, from its outer tip to an adjacent trough is at least 5 inches and this length is not less than 30% nor more than 50% of the total length of the scoop in the direction of the elongated handle. In the preferred embodiment there are four pointed members, and in one embodiment the pointed members are formed by the V-shaped teeth with tines extending from outer tips thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Karlus D. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20030067181
    Abstract: According to principles of this invention, a fiber shovel has a scoop assembly including a scoop and elongated pointed members attached to a front of the scoop, with the pointed members including V-shaped teeth formed in sheet metal of the scoop. The V-shaped teeth have side edges extending at angles of over 50° with a plane perpendicular to an elongated handle of the fiber shovel with side edges adjacent to other V-shaped teeth intersecting the side edges thereof to form V-shaped troughs between the V-shaped teeth. Further, a length of each pointed member, from its outer tip to an adjacent trough is at least 5 inches and this length is not less than 30% nor more than 50% of the total length of the scoop in the direction of the elongated handle. In the preferred embodiment there are four pointed members, and in one embodiment the pointed members are formed by the V-shaped teeth with tines extending from outer tips thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Karlus D. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20020175525
    Abstract: A specialized tool for utilization within the chute of a concrete truck enabling efficient direction of liquid concrete via an elongated handle and strategically shaped, replaceable head, wherein a generally semi-circular shaped head facilitates compatibility with the discharge chute of a cement truck for assisting in the direction and placement of concrete, an elongated handle facilitates an extended reach into the discharge chute of a cement truck for shoveling, pulling, plugging or otherwise controlling the flow of concrete and a replaceable blade head provides long-term efficient usage thereof, thereby enabling a user to efficiently deposit, apply and manage fresh liquid concrete from a concrete truck's chute as the concrete is being discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Mark W. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 6460911
    Abstract: A ditch scooping device for removing loose dirt from deep, narrow trenches. The ditch scooping device includes an elongate shaft having a top end and a bottom end; and also includes a particle pickup member being removably attached to the bottom end of the elongate shaft; and further includes handle members being attached to the elongate shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Raymond C. Engelsiepen
  • Patent number: 6416097
    Abstract: A vibrating sand sifting toy that has a selectively activated vibrating mechanism mounted in a portion of the toy for causing oscillatory vibration of a surface portion of the toy. Two embodiments are in the form of a scoop with a handle. The bottom of the scoop portion is provided with openings in a predetermined pattern and size for discharging sand, dirt or other particulate material in a predetermined pattern for the education and entertainment of a child operating the vibrating toy. In one of those two embodiments the scoop portion is removable and replaceable with other scoop portions having different predetermined patterns of openings. In the other of those two embodiments the bottom of the scoop portion has an open frame for removably receiving a template having a predetermined pattern of openings for discharging sand and various templates with different predetermined patterns may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony L. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 6338511
    Abstract: A shovel for manual use, comprising a shovel blade having concave and convex faces and defining a longitudinal center-line and having side edges, an upper edge and a forward cutting edge. The shovel blade defines a handle connector receptable having a shovel handle fixed therein. A root cutting blade is fixed to the shovel blade substantially along the longitudinal center-line and projects from the concave face of the shovel blade. A sharpened root cutting edge is defined on the root cutting blade and is oriented toward the forward cutting edge of the shovel blade. The root cutting edge of the central blade preferably defines an intermediate edge recess and forms a slightly inclined sharp edge section for enhancing root cutting action. A pair of side blades are fixed to side edge portions of the shovel blade and are oriented in diverging relation projecting from the convex face of the shovel blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: Ormond S. Douglas, William P. Killen
  • Patent number: 6170893
    Abstract: A reinforced implement such as a shovel is described having increased strength and resistance to deformation and/or fracture, especially in the area where the socket engaging the handle and blade are joined. Advantageously, the blade, socket, and reinforcement are formed from a single unitary piece of material having essentially uniform thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: UnionTools, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Parker
  • Patent number: 6098292
    Abstract: A tool having a flat, quadrangular shaped blade with a straight front edge and a parallel back edge, the front edge being tapered to provide a cutting edge. A handle receiving tube extends upwardly and rearwardly from the top of the blade, the tube being centered between the sides of the blade. At least one impact receiving member is on the tool positioned to allow the blade to be hammered in a direction to drive the blade forwardly to have the front edge of the blade cut through material. A groove is formed in the bottom surface of the blade, the groove being unshaped with the base of the groove parallel to the front edge of the blade and located in front of the handle receiving tube. The groove forms a strengthening ridge on the upper surface of the blade. A strengthening strap is fastened to the lower, front portion of the handle receiving tube and extends forwardly on the upper surface of the blade toward the front edge of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: William Harpell
  • Patent number: 6076614
    Abstract: A dirt-loosening tool comprising of an elongated handle having a head at one end that has multiple prongs in separate planes that can be easily pushed into soil. A footrest deposed between the separate planes doubles as a leveraged fulcrum. This allows for effortless cultivation of compacted dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Mark S. Gracy
  • Patent number: 6068313
    Abstract: A pizza paddle device is disclosed which can be used to transfer pizza or other food items between preparation surfaces and a pizza stone or other heating surface. The device comprises a support handle portion, a spatula portion for supporting the pizza or other food item having a support surface, an endless belt and an endless belt handle. When used for pizza, the pizza may be prepared on a preparation surface. When ready for cooking the pizza is moved onto the belt and transported to the preheated pizza stone. The device is used to transfer the pizza from the preparation surface by moving the device in a forward motion underneath the pizza. By holding the endless belt handle stationary, the endless belt is caused to rotate about the spatula portion. The forward motion coupled with the endless belt rotation results in the pizza being transferred to the pizza paddle device without disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventors: Gary D. Casper, Jennifer P. Casper
  • Patent number: 6047651
    Abstract: A hole digger is provided including a post and a hole digging attachment mounted to the post and having a closed bottom face and a tapered periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Orson W. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5997060
    Abstract: A chute shovel that facilitates manual pushing of garbage down a garbage chute in a wall, and which is replaceably mounted to the wall adjacent the garbage chute in the wall. The chute shovel includes a handle and a push plate affixed to the handle. The push plate has a center with an aperture therein that perpendicularly receives the handle, which is maintained therein by a nut. The push plate further has corners that are bent downwardly in opposition to the handle so as to prevent the push plate from sliding laterally on the garbage when the chute shovel is in use, wherein the corners of the push plate are generally semi-circular-shaped so as to prevent puncturing the garbage when the chute shovel is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Anthony V. Sperduto
  • Patent number: 5975601
    Abstract: The present invention is a one-piece hand-held gardening tool comprising a rigid, high strength tool portion to be used as an implement in gardening activities and a rigid, high strength annular handle portion to be manually grasped when the tool portion is used as an implement in gardening activities. The handle portion and the tool portion are molded integrally together from a molten material which provides the rigid, high strength tool portion and the rigid, high strength annular handle portion with suitable strength and rigidity for use in gardening activities when solidified. The handle portion has a hollow cavity surrounded by an annular, outer wall. The hollow cavity is formed in the handle portion by injecting pressurized gas into the molten material from which the rigid, high strength tool portion and the rigid, high strength annular handle portion are integrally molded before the solidification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: O. Ames Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth J Spear, Frank G Czerwinski
  • Patent number: 5951077
    Abstract: A multi-tiered shovel includes a generally stepped blade carried by a shaft with a handle. The blade comprises a lower distal portion, relative to user, having a pointed configuration with tapered edges extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom to a juncture between the lower portion and an adjacent medial portion. The medial portion is then defined by the blade edges which extend outwardly and upwardly to a juncture between the medial portion and an adjacent upper proximal portion. The blade edges likewise define the upper portion by extending outwardly and upwardly between the juncture between medial and upper portions and an upper edge of the overall blade. Accordingly, portions of the blade can be urged into the ground when force is applied to the top edge of the blade by a user's foot. Successive forces may thereafter be applied to cause the blade to penetrate the ground to a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Henry Dahill
  • Patent number: 5927779
    Abstract: A kit for assembling a tool and the resulting tool which includes a shaft member, a blade member and a locking clip member securing the shaft member to the blade member. The shaft has an orifice extending into its periphery toward a lower end thereof. The blade member has an aperture for receiving the lower end of the shaft member. The blade member has a first orifice extending therethrough and a second orifice which registers with the orifice in the shaft member when the shaft member is inserted fully into the blade member. The locking clip member is non-resiliently deformable and has a first end which may be bent to lodge the clip in the first orifice of the blade member. The locking clip member has a second end, opposite the first end, for insertion through the orifice of the shaft member and the second orifice of the blade member to lock the blade member to the shaft member. A method for assembling the kit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Melnor Canada Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Aquilina
  • Patent number: 5887921
    Abstract: A shovel having a rotatable foot pedal at the top edge of the scoop on each side of the point where the handle joins the scoop. When rotated forward, when the pedal is pressed down, the point of the scoop is directed straight down. When the pedal is rotated back, when the pedal is pressed down, the point of the scoop is forced forward. In addition, detachable handles of various types may be interchanged and the scoop of the shovel may have different edge configurations, including various sized teeth in the edge of the scoop to assist in cutting roots and other material that the shovel might encounter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kombi Garden Tool, Inc
    Inventors: Mitchell I. Rapoport, Gregory R. Becker
  • Patent number: 5875515
    Abstract: A scraper for removing residual material from a container having a curved wall. The scraper includes a spatula component and a rigid handle component. The spatula component is made of a substantially flexible material having formed thereon rigid top and side members along the upper portion. The handle component continues onto the spatula component such that a rigid spine is formed therealong. This construction allows flexing of the lower portion about the rigid spine but restricts flexing of the upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Gene Dallas
  • Patent number: 5865490
    Abstract: An impact shovel is provided comprising a lower extent and an upper extent. The upper extent is in slidable communication with the lower extent such that the upper extent may be extended and retracted with respect thereto. Further provided is a handle coupled to the upper extent. A shovel blade is coupled to the lower extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Jimmy D. Vowell
  • Patent number: 5829221
    Abstract: A roofing tool is disclosed and includes an elongated handle having top and bottom end portions. A head member is provided and includes a flange portion secured to the bottom end portion of the handle and has a base edge and first and second side surfaces. The head member also includes a foot portion extending outwardly from the base edge of the flange portion away from the flange first side surface, the foot portion having top and bottom surfaces, a front edge, a side edge distal from the flange first side surface, and a rear edge. The rear and side edges of the foot portion are tapered while the front side edge of the foot portion is at least blunted. Finally, the flange portion is aligned with the handle so that the plane defined by the bottom surface of the foot portion is at approximately a 30.degree.-60.degree. angle relative to the axis of the elongated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Rick A. Archuleta
  • Patent number: 5820183
    Abstract: An improved graduated tool handle for providing ready measurement of selected regions of a work area. Improved graduated tool handle (10) is readily adaptable for use with various implements such as rakes, shovels, and post-hole diggers. Improved tool handle (10) is graduated to indicate increments of feet, inches and fractions of an inch. Indicia (26) is provided to identify values in feet and further indicia (28) can provide ready reference to one half foot (1/2') dimensions. Markings (20), (22) and (24) are readily visible on any side of improved tool handle (10), and indicia (26) and (28) are provided on the front and rear sides of improved tool handle (10). A band marker (45) is provided so as to allow ready reference of a desired distance measurement. Markings (22) and (24) and indicia (26) and (28) can be inscribed in improved tool handle (10) in any assorted manner and in the preferred embodiment, are printed or painted a high visibility color in stark contrast from the color of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Marcus
  • Patent number: 5810407
    Abstract: A shovel includes a handle and a blade in which a central portion of the blade contains a plurality of perforations. The perforations are in an array of rows and columns and the rows extend in a direction perpendicular to the handle. The perforations are elongated and have a length in a direction approximately perpendicular to the handle. The perforations in adjoining columns and rows are interleaved a predetermined amount and the total area of the perforations is about one-half the area of the central portion. The blade is made from a single sheet of steel that is punched and bent into a compound shape to provide a rigid basket for retaining material. The perforated area is relatively flat, extends to the front edge of the blade, and can be reinforced with ridges that are formed when the sheet is bent. The front edge is reinforced by rolling the edge out of the plane of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Jacob Lloyd Neet dba Shrake Brand Tools
    Inventors: James R. Melendez, Jacob Lloyd Neet
  • Patent number: 5768785
    Abstract: An improved spade-type hand tool incorporates an easily operated impact member which is slidably received on the upper end of the tool handle for acceleration by gravity to generate an impactive force for increasing the efficiency of the tool for chopping ice, roots, hard soil, etc. Attached to the tool's spade-type blade is an inclined-ramp component that serves (a) to lift, separate, and break up material into which the blade is driven, and (b) to increase the effectiveness of the spade tool when it is used for prying or as a lifting wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Marlin Products & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray H. Pessin
  • Patent number: 5716086
    Abstract: A paddle apparatus for supporting a pizza includes a handle portion, a pizza supporting portion having a support surface with an air discharge port, an air source, and an air conduit interconnecting the air source and the air discharge port, so that a quantity of air is supplied by the air source and discharged through the air discharge port to dislodge the pizza from the support surface for removal of the pizza from the apparatus. The air conduit preferably includes a longitudinal passageway in the handle and pizza supporting portions, and opens through the discharge port out of the support surface. The air discharge port preferably includes a hole in the support surface with a disk insert having an opening at its center, the opening having a cross-section which is smaller than the cross-section of the passageway, for accelerating the speed of air delivered through the passageway by reducing the cross-sectional flow area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Phil Bifulco
  • Patent number: 5669649
    Abstract: A ditch shovel is disclosed with a total weight between 9 and 15 pounds. The weight of the shovel allows the user to develop significant downward momentum to penetrate more deeply into the ground and dislodge more compacted earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Inventor: Tom Metcalf
  • Patent number: 5601325
    Abstract: A material moving tool is provided and includes a blade and a handle for manipulating the blade. The blade has an outside perimeter defining the area of the blade. The blade has a plurality of ring shaped apertures therethrough. The blade has a material supporting surface defined by the outside perimeter and the apertures, and is from between 80% to 50% of the area of the blade. When the blade of the material moving tool is inserted in material, it has an effective area described by the perimeter of the blade immersed in the material, and a plurality of ring shaped apertures through the effective area of the blade. The blade has an effective material supporting surface defined by the perimeter of the blade immersed in the material and the effective apertures, and is from between 80% to 50% of the effective area of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Toolite Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas J. Sokaski
  • Patent number: 5558379
    Abstract: An implement for penetrating soil or similar substances. The implement includes a handle having a gripping portion, a socket having a receiving portion, a work engaging portion, and a step having a foot engaging surface to which the user applies force to drive the work engaging portion into the soil. The foot engaging surface of the step is aligned with the natural orientation of the user's foot by positioning the centerline of the gripping portion or the receiving portion substantially normal to the foot engaging surface. Alternatively, where the implement has steps with foot engaging surfaces lying in first and second planes, the centerline of the gripping portion or receiving portion is substantially perpendicular to a line formed by the intersection of the first and second planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: UnionTools
    Inventor: Herbert U. Wehner
  • Patent number: 5547240
    Abstract: The present invention is a hand-held trowel for digging and carrying standard sized personal hygiene products. The trowel comprises a blade assembly having a blade suitable for digging. The blade has a digging end and a handle end. A handle assembly is connected to the blade, and in preferred embodiments includes a substantially semi-cylindrical lower portion mounted to the blade assembly. In addition, a substantially semi-cylindrical upper portion is hingedly connected to the lower portion with the upper and lower portions defining a substantially cylindrical compartment which has a length equal to at least the length of a standard-sized piece of toilet tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventors: Gordon K. Hartshorn, Karen A. Pyrtek
  • Patent number: 5533578
    Abstract: A two pointed shovel comprising a structure bifurcated at a bottom edge of a shovel blade, for digging into and scraping the ground, so as to make the shovel blade more stable and less susceptible to rolling from side to side. The shovel blade is more efficient to use in removing various objects from the ground. A component between the bifurcated structure at the bottom edge of the shovel blade, is for cutting cleanly through a root when the root is encountered while digging into the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Inventor: Edward C. Powell
  • Patent number: 5529130
    Abstract: A root cutter having a blade front end portion and a rear edge provided with a handle and sufficiently wide to receive the foot of a user. The blade has a V-shaped cutting cavity at a front end. An intermediate edge, extending parallel to the rear edge, is located in the base of the cavity. The cavity has a first inward edge extending from the front end to the first end of the intermediate edge and a second inward edge extending from the front end to the second end of the intermediate edge. The inward edges are serrated cutting edges. The front end has a first arc extending from a first end of the first inward edge to a first end of the rear edge. A second arc extends form a first end of the second inward edge to a second end of the rear edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Yong S. Suk
  • Patent number: 5520429
    Abstract: A shovel for digging narrow trenches, comprising a handle and a head, the head having at an upper end thereof a shank by which the head is secured to the handle and at a lower end thereof a blade which is slender and elongated and of generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The blade is comprised by a bottom wall and side walls upstanding from the bottom wall. The side walls flare outwardly in the direction of the shank to form wings on opposite sides of the blade. The wings have bent-over portions serving as footrests for pressing the blade into the ground to dig a trench. The wings are so disposed as to bear on shoulders of a trench to serve as fulcra such that when the handle is depressed, the shovel will swing vertically about these fulcra and the blade will be raised. The blade is forwardly concave in a digging direction in a plane perpendicular to its cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Charles A. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5496015
    Abstract: A roofer's ripping spade is fabricated by inserting an end of a tool handle into a handle receiving socket of a tool head having a blade and a back-side cavity in the blade. A molded composite block including a fulcrum portion and a frog portion is positioned adjacent to a lower surface of the blade such that the fulcrum portion extends away from a lower surface of the blade and the frog portion is situated within and configured to fill the back-side cavity. Attachment rivets extend through aligned apertures in the fulcrum portion of the composite block and the blade to fasten the composite block to the blade. A tang element has a first end secured to the frog portion of the composite block, and a second end secured to the tool handle, to interconnect the frog portion of the composite block with the end of the tool handle inserted into the handle receiving socket of the tool head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Joseph A. Carmien
  • Patent number: 5417463
    Abstract: An improved baker's peel of the type with a rigid, flat spatula and a handle has openings formed in the top surface of the spatula. The openings communicate with a conduit extending in the spatula and through the handle. A pump mechanism may be provided at the end of the conduit at the distal end of the handle, so that a gas such as air may be pumped through the conduit and out of the openings on the spatula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Steven DiPaola
  • Patent number: 5415448
    Abstract: The universal replacement handle of this invention may be used with a variety of tools such as shovels having a handle-receiving socket. The handle comprises a handle member having a tool coupling section at one end thereof and a hand-grasping section extending outwardly from the tool coupling section. The tool coupling section includes a plurality of socket adaptors effective to cause the handle to fit the handle-receiving sockets of a variety of shovels selected from the group consisting of a handle back shovel with a shoulder, a Razorback.RTM. open back shovel, a lock socket shovel, a solid socket closedback shovel with a shoulder, and a solid shank closedback shovel without a shoulder. The tool coupling section includes first and second adaptor mounting sections for carrying respective first and second adaptor mechanisms having removable segments designed to adapt the handle to a particular handle-receiving socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: IXL Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Bob N. Keathley
  • Patent number: 5383696
    Abstract: A shovel is disclosed having a conventional shovel handle and yoke with the surface formed of flattened expanded metal. The flattened expanded metal is conventional and of the type that forms a grid of four sided diamond shaped openings having an elongate dimension and a short dimension. The flattened expanded metal is aligned parallel to the handle of the shovel and cut to a width and length sufficient to form the shovel body. The left and right edges as well as the top of the expanded metal are lined with straight bars to impart even and uninterrupted side edges and a foot hold top edge adjacent the yoke. The flattened metal forming the body of the shovel is given a conventional arcuate section and formed from metal having sufficient strength that all necessary support for the shovel surface is from the flattened metal. The front edges are cut to expose the elongate diamonds of the flattened expanded metal in a serrated configuration with at least the front serrated edge being hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Inventor: Guenter O. Speier
  • Patent number: 5360071
    Abstract: A gardening tool for digging around weeds, vegetables, bushes, etc., and in particular, a gardening tool having a handle, two laterally mounted straight prongs extending parallel to one another, and a medially mounted pair of diverging prongs which extend in a gradually diverging manner from one another to define a V-shaped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Inventor: Frank H. Bergendorf
  • Patent number: 5346269
    Abstract: A tool for moving material includes a relatively large rectangular platform for receiving material to be moved. A handle extends from the rearward edge of the platform and is secured to the platform by a handle receiving shank secured to the platform over a portion of its length from the rearward edge of the platform. The platform is preferably a flat sheet of semi-rigid or slightly flexible material such as an aluminum-spring steel alloy and the handle receiving shank causes a slight curve in the material over the length of attachment. The platform is such that as it is pushed under material to be moved, and such material is loaded onto the platform, the platform curves or sags to receive and hold such material so that the loaded platform may be dragged and the loaded material will substantially remain on the platform during such dragging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Owen D. Price