Abstract: A device for changing the axle orientation in a balance beam suspension operates by introducing a variable axial eccentricity between an axle carrier and the beam hanger to vary the amount of yaw on the axle to enable the wheels on the axle to be oriented in alignment with the vehicle axis.

Abstract: A camber adjusting system for use on the steerable wheels in a closed knuckle steering system comprises eccentrically mounting the steering knuckle relative to the axle tube such that the camber angle of the steering knuckle is adjustable by rotation of the eccentric mounting between the knuckle and the axle tube until the desired camber angle is achieved.

Abstract: A quick attachment mounting plate comprises a flat back plate adapted to be bolted to thrust plates on the back of a backhoe bucket, and a pair of mounting arms extending perpendicularly from the back plate adapted to be connected to a support arm and control linkage of a backhoe or the like. The mounting plate may be reversed so the bucket may be worked toward the backhoe or worked away from the backhoe. A bucket angling device attachable to the mounting plate permits horizontal rotation of the bucket.

Abstract: An apparatus having two slide supports, adjustable with respect to one another, which have attachment surfaces for attaching two holding devices. The balance of the holding devices attached to the attachment surfaces of the slide supports are compensated by having the slide supports each divided into a slide support base plate and an attachment plate with the attachment surface. The attachment plates are connected in a limited adjustable manner with the slide support base plates under spring tension using spring-stressed bolts oriented perpendicular relative to the attachment surfaces. The attachment plate of the first slide support is adjustable in a limited manner through use of an adjustment bolt oriented perpendicular relative to the direction of adjustment of the slide supports on the coordinated slide support base plate.

Abstract: A connector plate for use with T-posts permitting great versatility in bracing, extending, guying and otherwise enhancing the utility and strength of T-posts. The connector comprises a rigid plate having a minor portion and a major portion connected at an angle which may be oriented variably on a T-post by virtue of unique aperture arrangements, and have other such plates and T-posts quickly connected thereto.

Abstract: An improved adjustable crimping tool having jaws each with a die wheel, each jaw and die wheel having aligned non-round apertures therethrough, and for each jaw and die wheel an axle through the non-round apertures having axially aligned first and second portions selectively engageable with the non-round apertures, the jaw and die wheel non-rotatable on the first portion and rotatable on the second portion.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for adjusting at least one wheel alignment parameter for use in a vehicle wheel suspension system of the type having a suspension member with a bore therein adapted for mounting a ball-joint-shaft-receiving bushing and with at least one positioning surface located adjacent to the bore in the suspension member, including a bushing member with a generally cylindrical body portion and a radially extending head portion having a ball joint shaft receiving bore therethrough; an annular locking member having at least one recess in a bottom portion thereof for engaging the suspension member locating surface; and a post member insertable through axially extending peripheral bores in the locking member and the bushing head portion for adjustably locking the bushing member against rotation with respect to the locking member, the locking member being positioned between the bushing head portion and the suspension member.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices for rotating documents in place, such as clip boards, in the absence of tables, desks and similar supports. A writing tablet is secured to a thigh of a user, while seated by a belt which wraps about the thigh of a user and the ends of which are locked by a buckle or Velcro.RTM. strips. Positioning of the writing tablet in relation to the belt can be varied by rotating the writing tablet in relation to the belt and, after the most convenient position for the user has been selected, the writing tablet is locked in that position in relation to the belt.

Abstract: An operating handle for a winch having a four or eight-sided socket which comprises a hand engaging portion, a lever arm and a socket driver, the driver being of square shape and having a spring loaded detent therein arranged to extend outwardly of a side of the driver and engage a wall of a socket, the detent being positioned off-center of the vertical center line of the side of said driver and so positioned as to engage on a wall of an eight-sided socket.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spiral spring power source for a toy, which can select a method of winding a power spiral spring 7 by a pulling string type winding cord 25 and a method of winding the power spiral spring 7 by a winding key 43 by removing a mechanism relative to the winding yarn 25, can alter the pulling direction of the winding cord 25 at 360.degree. in case of the method with the winding cord 25, can drive the output shaft through a gear set when uncoiling the energized power spiral spring 7, but can produce outputs not at one position but at a plurality of positions to be connected to a plurality of gears selected from the gear set.

Abstract: A device for fastening a drawer front plate to a drawer metal drawer side wall having in a front end thereof a recess includes a block having a groove and fastened to the front plate by dowels. The drawer side wall is insertable into the groove. An adjustment plate which is held in the block projects into the recess of the drawer side wall. The drawer side wall has a slot which is disposed behind the recess and into which engages a projection protruding from a side wall of the block. An adjustment plate which abuts with the upper and lower edges of the recess in the side wall is arranged in the groove of the block.

Abstract: This invention is a wheel steering axis inclination, caster, and camber adjustment assembly operable to be connected to each joint and wheel assemblies on motor vehicles and, more particularly, on a 4-wheel drive motor vehicle. The wheel caster and camber adjustment assembly includes (1) a first flange assembly; (2) a second flange assembly; (3) a connector assembly to interconnect the first flange assembly to the second flange assembly; (4) a main shim assembly to be placed between the first flange assembly and the second flange assembly to adjust camber thereof; and (5) another main shim assembly to be placed between a knuckle assembly and a spindle assembly on the vehicle to adjust SAI. The first flange assembly and second flange assembly are ring like structures having an inner portion welded to adjacent surrounding severed portions of a support housing of the wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A support system for the armature system of an electromagnetic shear lock on a door having a recessed top rail which comprises two pairs of spaced apart headed bolts threaded into the rail, each pair having a clamping plate below the heads thereof and a support plate resting on the heads of each pair, the support plate having recesses to provide access to the bolt heads, and the armature mounting plate is secured to the support plates. The bolt heads may be adjusted in height to align to the armature with a soffet mounted electromagnet.

Abstract: A door stop for mounting on a hinge pin of a hinged door is disclosed and comprises a body including at one end portion thereof at least two apertures for receiving the hinge pin. Two bumpers are secured with respect to said body, each bumper being spaced from the other bumper and the axis of each aperture to define one angle between one aperture axis and the bumpers and another angle between another aperture axis and the bumpers to provide for multiple mounting positions of the door stop on the hinge pin.

Abstract: An intermediate shaft subassembly comprises two members--an inner intermediate shaft member and an outer intermediate tube member. The subassembly connects the upper section of the intermediate shaft to the lower section of the intermediate shaft. The two members of the subassembly make a sliding fit, with the shaft member telescoping inside the tube member, and they are connected by a midpoint connection near their junction where they overlap. The midpoint connection comprises a bolt which is positioned through aligned holes through the tube member and an elongated slot through the shaft member. The elongated slot allows the shaft and tube members to be positioned in variable relative positions before the bolt is tightened to lock the two members together. When the bolt is tightened, the tube member is deformed around the shaft member to form a tight connection with minimal rotational lash.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus for detachably connecting a bucket to a power operated boom of a self propelled backhoe or excavator vehicle in which the hitch includes a body having a pair of upstanding side walls for hinge mounting onto the manipulative end of the boom. At the underside of the body secured in a relatively forward location of a bottom wall connecting the sidewalls is a hook member defining a transverse jaw channel in which to receive a transverse hingepin extending between spaced apart support lugs secured to the backside of the bucket. Rearwardly extending downward from the backside of the bottom wall is an elongated transverse sleeve adapted to be received intervening between the lugs of the bucket and containing a cyindrical rotatably displaceable bushing within the bore of the sleeve. The bushing is formed having an eccentric internal bore that by arcuate displacement of the bushing can be axially aligned with opposite apertures in the lugs.

Abstract: An energy absorbing bumper unit attaching a bumper to a vehicle which incorporates a threaded jack screw that varies the distance between the screw and the side rail to accordingly tilt the energy absorber unit and the bumper assembly for effecting a mating of adjacent surfaces of the bumper and the bodywork of the vehicle to obtain a predetermined match line with reduced gap between the bumper and the body work.

Abstract: A device for fixing an object on a supporting surface and having structure for adjusting the position of the object comprises a lower part for fixing against the support surface, an upper part for mounting on the lower part, and locating structure between the two parts for determining the relative position therebetween in two mutually perpendicular directions in the dividing plane between the parts. The locating structure consists of parallel locating strips placed on either side of a rectangular cavity in the lower part. The position of the upper part relative to the lower part in each direction is adjusted by replacing the two locating strips with two other ones of the same total width but with individual widths differing from those of the strips they replace. The upper part is also fixed by a fastener to the lower part and the supporting surface and has structure for fixing the object.

Abstract: These telescopic energy absorber units have outer tubes threaded into connection with vehicle hard bar bumper or fascia support to permit fore and aft adjustment by rotation of the piston tube of the unit in clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A shift tower housing and the outer housing of a vehicle transmission are both formed with a bolt pattern that permits mounting of the shift tower and associated shift lever in both a forward control position and a center control position. Each of the shift bars in the transmission is formed with a pair of notches, a forward notch and a center notch for engaging the lower end of the shift lever in the forward control and center control positions respectively. An interlock bracket is trapped and retained by a mounting plate prior to the installation of the shift tower and is adjustable between the center and the forward positions. The interlock bracket includes a pair of arms for engaging the notches in the shift bars not being engaged by the shift lever to prevent movement of the non-selected shift bars during actuation of the transmission.

Abstract: A pedestal wear liner for trucks of diesel electric locomotives and other railway vehicles has a bight and a flange on each side. Each flange has openings in it corresponding to liner bolt holes in a pedestal leg but greater in area than those holes. Plugs which can be indexed in those openings are provided, one set of plugs having bolt holes aligned with pedestal bolt holes arranged in a first pattern; another set which has bolt holes aligned with pedestal bolt holes arranged in a second pattern and so on so that the same liner can be adapted for several vehicles.

Abstract: A male or female connector (1) is mounted with radial play in an opening (8) of a mounting plate (6) whose thickness decreases uniformly in opposite directions from the center axis (11) of the opening (8). The male or female connector (1) can be tilted about the edge thus formed, so that it can align with a complementary connector half whose insertion axis deviates from the direction of insertion.

Abstract: Device for a steering wheel having a hub (2) with an axial bore (3) having a portion (4) defining a frustoconical surface adapted to cooperate with a portion (5) of the column (1) of complementary shape and first splines (6) arranged angularly in accordance with a given pitch. A screw (7) is provided for clamping the hub (2) to the column (1). The column is in the form of a tube in which is disposed an intermediate member (8) including a portion (9) defining a frustoconical surface adapted to cooperate with a portion (10) of the inner surface of the column having a complementary shape and second splines (13) adapted to cooperate with the first splines (6) forming splines of the hub (2) for preventing rotation between the hub and the intermediate member. The screw (7) clamps the hub (2) and the intermediate member (8) in such manner as to jam the column (1) between the hub and the intermediate member (8) and thus lock the steering wheel in the desired position of adjustment of the steering wheel on the column.

Abstract: A foldable expandable pallet (10) having a basic square configuration. Each pallet is comprised of a plurality of struts (11, 13) joined together by node point fittings (12) to make a rigid structure. Some of the struts have hinge fittings (15) and are spring loaded to permit collapse of the module for stowage (26) and transport to a space station. Dimensions of the pallet are selected to provide convenient, closely spaced attachment points between the relatively widely spaced trusses (21, 30, 31) of a space station platform. A pallet is attached to a truss at four points: one close fitting hole (22); two oversize holes (24, 25); and a slot (23); to allow for thermal expansion/contraction and for manufacturing tolerances. Applications of the pallete include its use in rotary or angular joints (29); servicing of splints; with gridded plates (34); as instrument mounting bases; and as a roadbed (36) for a Mobile Service Center (MSC) (37).

Abstract: A king pin member in the form of a plate portion adapted to index to a spindle knuckle, and a king pin stub extending from the plate portion in one of several positions offset from the indexing member, and thus from the nominal location of the king pin stub, such that the king pin member may be positioned in the spindle knuckle and engage an axle terminus to rotate the spindle knuckle to a desired orientation relative to the axle terminus to adjust and correct the camber relationship of a wheel journalled to the spindle knuckle. The offset king pin stub may be rotatable relative to the plate portion to provide variable offsets. By first measuring the camber maladjustment and selecting the king pin member with an appropriate offset king pin stub, camber corrections can be made. In particular applications, two corrective king pin members may be desirable to maintain the spindle knuckle and axle terminus geometry.

Abstract: Anti-twist signholder support assembly, formed of a male insert, connectable to an overlying signholder, and having an upper horizontal multi-sided anti-twist plate, and a lower lock formation of diametrically arranged resilient catch fingers, and a mating female socket having a platform containing an upper horizontal multi-sided anti-twist recess of shape corresponding to plate and sized for receiving the plate, and a lower slot formation of arrangement and shape corresponding to the lock formation and sized for receiving the lock formation, such that the insert is alternatively coaxially insertable in the socket with the lock formation in the slot formation in more than one interchangeable relative angular rotational position, and such that in any alternative insertion position the recess will engage stationarily the plate for providing an anti-twist connection therebetween in which all external rotational forces about the axes acting on the insert will be transmitted directly by the plate to the recess rem

Abstract: A lightweight folding wheelchair is provided with relatively wide range adjustment capability and/or adaptation to meet the specific needs of an individual wheelchair user. The folding wheelchair includes left and right tubular frame sections which are connected by pivoting cross braces to permit rapid movement between folded and unfolded positions. The frame sections include a respective pair of camber plates carrying wheel bushings for quick release attachment of relatively large rear wheels for the wheelchair, wherein the camber plates are adapted for mounting in one of several different orientations on their respective frame sections to select the specific wheel camber angle. The folding wheelchair further includes improved armrests adapted for rapid and facilitated positional adjustment with minimum dexterity requirement. Fabric side panels for the wheelchair are provided for easy installation without the use of tools and conveniently include accessible pockets for storage of selected items.

Abstract: A mounting which supports a bearing in a machine frame. The mounting is molded with the bearing being molded integrally therewith in an aperture therein. The outer race of the bearing is in molded non-rotative engagement with the mounting. The mounting has a plurality of mounting supports. At least one of the mounting supports is adapted to be received by the frame.

Abstract: A ski boot has a tongue part forwardly deflectable relative to the shank part connected to the sole of the boot, as the skier's lower legs move in the leaning forward direction. The deflectability of the tongue part can be limited by means of a limiting device consisting of laterally arranged limiting arrangements. By means of actuating elements, the limiting arrangements can be adjusted to different distances of deflection, permitting a more or less leaning forward stance depending on the needs of the skier. A ski boot with such a limiting device permits the skier to effortlessly adjust the degree of limitation in the leaning forward position in any desired way.

Abstract: An improved air chamber mounting bracket (40) for mounting an air chamber (41) to a rotary cam (32) actuated brake (10) is provided. The bracket includes a slot aperture (70) and a multiple hole aperture (72) for receiving air chamber mounting fasteners (44 and 46) for properly and positively positioning the air chamber for use with various length (54) slack adjuster levers (39). The slot aperture and the multiple hole aperture are centered about a longitudinal axis (74) for constant alignment of the air chamber in each selected mounting position thereof.

Abstract: The hose pump has plates forming the first pressure members and limbs which form second pressure members and which are actuated by the plates. The limbs are fastened at one end to a base plate, in such a way that second portions formed at the other ends are parallel to and near one another and the surfaces, facing one another, of the middle portions are inclined towards one another, in order to move the limbs to-and-fro by means of the projections of the plate. By means of resilient elements which on the one hand rest against webs in the frame and on the other hand against the plate, the plate is held in contact with the drive. As a result of these measures, the efficiency and the effect of the hose pump can be improved.

Abstract: A mounting socket installed in a compartment having spaced apart side walls with socket muonting holes and the side walls are spaced apart a greater distance at the front of the compartment relative to the back of the compartment. The socket is adapted to receive a horizontally extending support device and has a body with a first open end, a closed second end and an intermediate section therebetween. The body has an internal cavity extending along its central axis from the first end to the second end. The cavity has a horizontally oriented first portion adapted to receive a horizontally extending support device and has a first stop located in the intermediate section and a horizontally oriented second portion adapted to receive the horizontally extending support device and has a second stop located in the intermediate section with the second stop being spaced from the open end a distance less than the first stop.

Abstract: An adjustable steering wheel hub in an automobile steering mechanism comprises a first hub member and a second hub member. The first hub member includes a circumferentially splined bore adapted to be engaged with a circumferentially splined section of a steering shaft. The second hub member is coupled to a steering wheel and includes at least one threaded aperture registering with an arcuate aperture in the first member through which a fastener is secured to provide a selectively, adjustable, angularly fixed connection between the first hub portion and the second hub portion.

Abstract: A device for fitting and adjusting an encoder comprising a first inclined plate and a second inclined plate joined together rotatably between an encoder fitting surface and a fitting flange, a joined surface between the two inclined plates being slightly inclined to a surface orthomic to the axis of a rotation shaft while remaining surfaces on the opposite side of each plate being orthogonal to the axis, so that the rotation shaft of a rotatable body is in parallel to a rotations shaft of the encoder by adjustment of either plate or both.

Abstract: The ditching apparatus includes a prime mover (A) and an arm assembly (B) for selectively positioning a ditching head (C). The ditching head includes a rotatably mounted circular supporting member (34) to which a plurality of mounting brackets (44) are mounted transversely and radially about an axis of rotation (36). A plurality of blades (50) are mounted to the brackets by a plurality of bolts (84). Each blade has first and second faces (66, 68) which are disposed symmetrically about a face axis (78). The faces terminate at first and second edges (52, 54) which are disposed symmetrically about an edge axis (56) and at first and second ends (60, 62) which are symmetric about an end axis (64). The blade includes a plurality of mounting apertures (80, 82) which are symmetrical with respect to both the end and edge axes. In this manner, the blade is reversible about both the end and edge axes to be mounted selectively in any one of four positions.

Abstract: A camber and toe arrangement includes an improved shim device that adjusts both the camber and toe of a motor vehicle wheel. The shim device includes a tapered plate having a plurality of spaced apart bolt-engaging notches around the periphery. The bolt-engaging notches permit the shim device to be inserted between the wheel and the axis without removing the wheel mount and permit the shim device to be rotated so that the position of the taper is adjustable for correction of both toe and camber. The shim is inserted between the axle and the wheel mount by loosening all the bolts and removing two of the bolts, inserting the shim in the desired position and so that the remaining bolts engaging the bolt-engaging notches of the shim, inserting back the two bolts that were removed, and tightening all four bolts.

Abstract: On the frame stave (1) of a heald frame there is by means of a rod holder (5) a heald carrying rod (6) arranged in such a way that its distance to the frame staves (1) can be changed. An eccentric ring (10) with a polygon shaped outer circumference engages for this purpose in a rectangularly shaped recess (7) provided in the rod holder (5). The eccentric ring (10) is securely connected against free rotation with an intermediate element consisting of a concentric ring (11) and a center core (12) which is securely connected against free rotation.

Abstract: A bumper main body has a pair of recesses into each of which a blank cap is disposed and fixedly and releasably held at its clipping portions by a first arm of a U-shaped leaf nut mounted on each of projections. The blank caps each have an outer surface flush with an outer surface of the bumper main body and a blind hole aligned with one of internally threaded flanged holes of the U-shaped leaf nut. The blind hole has a thin-walled closed end which is removed when a fastening bolt is screwed through the blind hole into one of the flanged holes to fasten a license plate to the bumper main body. The blind hole is alignable with the other of the flanged holes when the clipping portions are reversely attached to the leaf nut.

Abstract: A joint connection for attachment of reflector panels at a truss support structure of a radio telescope, where the bars of the truss and the reflector panels consisting of fiber composite material, and adjusting means for the reflector panels between the ball-shaped central body of the joint and the reflector panels.

Abstract: Rails supporting vehicles are suspended under utilization of a mounting plate being laterally adjustable by means of a detent structure and oblong slots secured to a lowermost portion of support tower or the like and having four bores threadedly receiving four suspension bolts for a C-shaped bracket member having an uppermost suspension plate with arc-shaped bores for receiving the suspension bolts; a plurality of nuts threadedly secure the suspension plate to the suspension bolts from above and from below in an elevationally adjustable manner; the rail is secured to the lower portion of the bracket member.

Abstract: A door hinge shim for use with hinge mounted doors to control the spacing beween first and second members that are interconnected by a set of threaded fasteners. The shim plate has slots opening in one of its edges at locations to receive the shanks of the fasteners and a shim installing handle is formed integrally with the shim plate and extends outwardly therefrom to facilitate manipulation of the shim plate during installation. A line of weakness is formed in the handle at its juncture with the shim plate to facilitate breaking of the handle off the shim plate after installation. Teeth are provided on one or more of the slots in the shim plate to engage the shanks of the hinge plate mounting fastener and to hold the shim plate in adjusted position.

Abstract: A tabletop (32) is releasably attached to the armrest structure (4) of a wheelchair (2) by means of two mounting tubes (52). Each tube (52) has a rubber coated rear end portion (56) that is received into and frictionally engages an axial passageway (10) in a longitudinally extending upper horizontal frame member (6) of structure (4). Tube (52) extends along the lower surface (34) of tabletop (32) between the vertical flanges (46) of a pair of angle irons (40) secured to surface (34). A pair of longitudinally spaced bolts (76) extend through aligned openings (48,54) in flanges (46) and tube (52). Wing nuts (82) secure tube (52) against lateral movement along bolts (76) but may be loosened to permit lateral adjustment of the distance between tubes (52). The rear end (56) of the tube (52) may be replaced by a clamp (60) to engage an armrest structure (4') lacking an open axial passageway. Tabletop (32) may be replaced by a hinged desk top arrangement (32',88).

Abstract: A solder-free circuit base plate made by changing the two integrated halves of conventional circuit base plate to two separate pieces side-exchangeably and removably joined by means of butterfly tenons and mortises made in the edges of different width so that different spaces and distances between the inserting holes can be arranged for making full use of the inserting holes and for inserting of different sizes of electronic parts in addition to the round hole design which smooths the insertion, prevents the hole from deforming and enhances the efficiency.

Abstract: A joint between two or more surfaces that is self aligned and secured in all directions is provided with a plurality of interlocking ridges and notches. Preferably, the joint may be adjustable in one direction by disengaging the ridges and notches, moving them laterally with respect to each other and thereafter reengaging them. The ridges and notches are parallel to each other on each side of a dividing line and angularly oriented with respect to the ridges on the other side of the dividing line. Adjustment laterally of the dividing line may be provided by recessing the mating surfaces within the vicinity of the dividing line.

Abstract: A device comprising a ring coupled on its inside surface to a steering shaft and coupled on its outside surface to a member such as the hub of a steering wheel, the ring being adapted to be displaced in translation by means of a control member, at least one of the couplings being adapted to determine in addition to translation of the ring angular displacement of the hub relative to the steering column, the control member comprising a screw with its axis parallel to the rotation axes of the members and which, by cooperation with the ring on the one hand and the hub on the other hand, is adapted to bring about translation of the ring by virtue of commanded rotation.

Abstract: An improved method for aligning the wheels on a vehicle having a suspension system of the general type including a vertically disposed shock strut and a spindle having an upper and a lower arm bolted so the shock strut such that when the securing bolt is removed from the upper arm and the bolt securing the lower arm to the strut is loosened, the spindle can be pivoted about the bolt passing through the lower arm.

Abstract: The flex control device comprises a pin element associated with the ski boot shell and extending through an elongate aperture formed in an impression defined on the leg portion or lining quarter. Receivable in the cited impression is a small shaped plate having a slot to allow said pin element therethrough. The device further includes a means for releasably locking said small shaped plate in a first position wherein the slot is aligned with the elongate aperture, for a combined rotary and sliding movement between the leg portion or lining quarter and shell, and in a second position wherein the slot extends crosswise to the elongate aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a crank device comprising a crank and adapted to rotate an at least approximately vertical driving shaft, which may actuate a displaceable panel of an open roof construction for a vehicle. According to the invention a coupling member is mounted between the crank and the driving shaft and after uncoupling, the crank is rotatable about the central axis of the driving shaft without rotation of this driving shaft.

Abstract: A device for emptying different designs of containers including a lifting-tilting mechanism having a locking mechanism for engaging a container and an additional locking hook having an actuating mechanism which may be selectively adjusted so that the locking hook operates either in an operative or an inoperative mode depending on the type of container being emptied.

Abstract: A pivotable multiple socket for shovels comprising a rotatable socket member to receive the end of a shovel handle, the socket member being in the form of an adapter which itself seats in and is removable from the permanently mounted socket of the shovel blade, in which the rotatable socket member can be rotated to a plurality of different working positions. The rotatable socket member includes a tubular insert to rotatably seat in the permanently mounted socket of the shovel blade, a first tubular socket to receive the end of the shovel handle in axial alignment with the tubular insert of the socket member, and a second tubular socket for receiving the end of the shovel handle which extends at an oblique angle from the longitudinal axis of the tubular insert portion of the socket member. The socket member in accordance with this invention permits positioning the shovel blade at different angles to the shovel handle, both vertically and horizontally.