Shovel for agricultural applications

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a multi-piece shovel for agricultural applications. The disclosed shovel solves the problems of the blades of common shovels (including heavy weight to have enough strength and also the edges not being sharp enough due to the thickness, as well as the need for more hardness and wear resistance in the edges that are to be inserted into the soil). A head part of the shovel is made in the central and high-stress parts of the head part, thicker and with a softer alloy resistant to bending, and in the low-stress parts, including the edges that are to be inserted into the soil, thinner and with a harder alloy.

Description

SHOVEL FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to mechanical engineering. The present disclosure particularly relates to digging tools, and more particularly relates to a shovel for use by a single person and in agricultural applications.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Since the days of our earlier ancestors, men and women have utilized tools and other implements to perform various tasks. The types of tools that were utilized depended on the specific task that was being performed. For example, there were tools developed for hunting and cooking, which were two of the most important requirements of our early ancestors. As mankind has progressed, the number of tools and the functionality of tools has steadily increased. There are some tools that have remained fundamentally unchanged in both form and function. One such tool is a shovel, which has been in use for a long time. A shovel’s main function is to dig, although shovels may be used for other purposes such as moving a pile of dirt or debris from one location to another.

[0003] To accomplish its task, a typical shovel may be designed as a curved or flat substrate that is attached to a handle. A person may hold the handle while using the substrate to dig or carry an item. The extent of a typical shovel’s functionality depends on the strength / physical ability of the person using it. Shoveling, especially heavy material can be a difficult task, and many people, even someone who is strong and fit, may be only capable of shoveling for a limited amount of time.

[0004] Furthermore, when a blade of a shovel is inserted into the hard soil, and a user (such as a farmer), in order to digging the soil, exerts a downward force to the handle of the shovel, a great bending moment may be applied to the blade of the shovel which may lead to fracture in the blade of the shovel. In order to solve this problem, the blade of the shovel may be made with a relatively high thickness (for example, about 1.7 mm) but this high thickness may lead to higher weight of the blade which may lead to the user’s fatigue and decrease his / her efficiency. Furthermore, when thickness of the blade increases, it may be tougher to digging hard soil for the user. Also, cutting roots and weeds may be tougher. There is, therefore, a needfor a shovel that is easy to use for the user and also enough strength against applied forces to the shovel.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0010] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the present disclosure, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of the present disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

[0011] According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a shovel for agricultural applications is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosed shovel may include a shaft and a head part. In an exemplary embodiment, the head part may include a socket member, a middle member, and a blade member. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket member may include a shaft receiving opening and a connective opening. In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft receiving opening may be at a first end of the socket member. In an exemplary embodiment, the shaft receiving opening may be configured to receive the shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, the connective opening may be at a second end of the socket member.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the middle member may include a tubular part and a middle concave plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular part may be at a first end of the middle member. In an exemplary embodiment, the first end of the middle member may be associated with the second end of the socket member. In an exemplary embodiment, the tubular part may be configured to be inserted into the connective opening.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the middle concave plate may be at a second end of the middle part. In an exemplary embodiment, the middle concave plate may include a first semielliptical- shaped edge. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the middle concave plate may be between 1.6 millimeters and 2.2 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the middle concave plate may be 2 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, a width of the first semielliptical- shaped edge may be 1 centimeter.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the blade member may be attached to the middle member. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade member may include a blade concave plate with a second semielliptical- shaped edge. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of theblade concave plate may be between 1 millimeter and 1.4 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, a width of the second semielliptical-shaped edge may be 1 centimeter. In an exemplary embodiment, the second semielliptical-shaped edge may be associated with the first semielliptical- shaped edge. In an exemplary embodiment, the blade curved plate may be attached fixedly to the middle concave plate.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the middle concave plate and the blade concave plate may be welded to each other through resistance seam welding of the first semielliptical-shaped edge and the second semielliptical-shaped edge to each other.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a shovel for agricultural applications, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2C illustrates a top view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2D illustrates a bottom view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 3B illustrates an exploded view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3C illustrates an exploded view of a head part, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a socket member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of a socket member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 4C illustrates a bottom view of a socket member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a middle member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a middle member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5C illustrates a bottom view of a middle member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 5D illustrates a back view of a middle member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 5E illustrates a perspective view of a middle member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5F illustrates a sectional view of a middle member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of a blade member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of a blade member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 6C illustrates a front view of a blade member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 6D illustrates a bottom view of a blade member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 6E illustrates a perspective view of a blade member, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and / or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0042] The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples.Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0043] Disclosed herein is a shovel for agricultural applications. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a shovel 100 for agricultural applications, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, in an exemplary embodiment, shovel 100 may include a shaft 102 and a head part 104. FIG. 2A shows a side view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B shows a front view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C shows a top view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2D shows a bottom view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2E shows a perspective view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A shows an exploded view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B shows an exploded view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 3C shows an exploded view of head part 104, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C, in an exemplary embodiment, head part 104 may include a socket member 142, a middle member 144, and a blade member 146. FIG. 4A shows a side view of socket member 142, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4B shows a top view of socket member 142, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4C shows a bottom view of socket member 142, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4C, in an exemplary embodiment, socket member 142 may include a shaft receiving opening 402 at a first end 403 of socket member 142. In an exemplary embodiment, shaft receiving opening 402 may be configured to receive shaft 102.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, socket member 142 may further include a connective opening 404 at a second end 405 of socket member 142. In an exemplary embodiment,connective opening 404 may be associated with middle member 144. In an exemplary embodiment, connective opening 404 may be configured to connect socket member 142 to middle member 144. FIG. 5A shows a side view of middle member 144, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B shows a top view of middle member 144, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5C shows a bottom view of middle member 144, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5D shows a back view of middle member 144, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5E shows a perspective view of middle member 144, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5F shows a sectional view of middle member 144, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 5D, FIG. 5E, and FIG. 5F, in an exemplary embodiment, middle member 104 may include a tubular part 502 and a middle concave plate 504. In an exemplary embodiment, tubular part 502 may be at a first end 503 of middle member 144. In an exemplary embodiment, first end 503 of middle member 144 may be associated with second end 405 of socket member 142. In an exemplary embodiment, tubular part 502 may be configured to be inserted into connective opening 404 of socket member 142. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness 541 of middle concave plate 504 may be between 1.6 mm and 2.2 mm. In an exemplary embodiment, middle concave plate 504 may be at a second end 505 of middle member 144. In an exemplary embodiment, middle concave plate 504 may include a first semielliptical- shaped edge 542. In an exemplary embodiment, a width 5422 of first semielliptical- shaped edge 542 may be 1 centimeter.

[0047] FIG. 6A shows a top view of blade member 146, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6B shows a side view of blade member 146, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C shows a front view of blade member 146, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6D shows a bottom view of blade member 146, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 6E shows a perspective view of blade member 146, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, in an exemplary embodiment, blade member 146 may be attached to middle member 144. In an exemplary embodiment, blade member 146 may include a blade concave plate with a second semielliptical- shaped edge 602. In an exemplary embodiment, secondsemielliptical- shaped edge 602 may be associated with first semielliptical-shaped edge 542. In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness 603 of the blade concave plate may be between 1 millimeter and 1.4 millimeters. In an exemplary embodiment, a width 604 of second semielliptical- shaped edge 602 may be 1 centimeter.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, blade member 146 may be attached to middle member 144 in such a way that first semielliptical-shaped edge 542 coincide with second semiellipticalshaped edge 602. In an exemplary embodiment, first semielliptical- shaped edge 542 may be placed onto second semielliptical-shaped edge 602. In fact, a bottom surface of middle member 144 may be attached to a top surface of blade member 146. In an exemplary embodiment, second semielliptical-shaped edge 602 may be placed onto first semielliptical- shaped edge 542. In fact, a bottom surface of blade member 146 may be attached to a top surface of middle member 144. In an exemplary embodiment, middle concave plate 504 and the blade concave plate may be welded to each other through resistance seam welding of first semiellipticalshaped edge 542 and second semielliptical- shaped edge 602 to each other.

[0049] As discussed above, in order to solve the problems of the blades of common shovels (including heavy weight to have enough strength and also the edges not being sharp enough due to the thickness, as well as the need for more hardness and wear resistance in the edges that are to be inserted into the soil), multi-piece head part 104 is disclosed. Head part 104 are made in the central and high-stress parts of the head part, thicker and with a softer alloy resistant to bending, and in the low-stress parts, including the edges that are to be inserted into the soil, thinner and with a harder alloy.

[0050] This invention includes different types of agricultural shovels, such as flat blade shovels, round blade shovels (shovels and / or spades), etc. utilizing disclosed shovel 100 may provide significant benefits. For example, the central parts of head part 104, which may bear extreme bending stress, are thicker than the central parts of common shovels of the same type. Also, due to the selection of steel with relatively less carbon, it has less hardness than the blades of common shovels. As a result, the bending strength and resistance to failure of head part 104 of shovel 100 may be much higher than the blades of common shovels of the same type.

[0051] Furthermore, parts of head part 104 that bear less bending stress (middle member 144), have less thickness than the blades of common shovels of the same type in the market. As a result, the edge of head part 104 that is configured to into the soil in may be much sharper than the soles of common shovels. Also, because the steel material of the edge of head part 104 thatis configured to into the soil is selected from steel with a higher percentage of carbon than the usual shovels, as a result, the blades of the shovels produced by the method of this invention have greater wear resistance due to the final hardness of the edges of common shovels.

[0052] Also, because the surface area of the thinner part (socket member 142 and blade member 146) is greater than the surface area of the thicker part (middle part 144), the weight of head part 104 made by the method of this invention may be less than blades of common shovels of the same type in the market. Furthermore, the shape of sheet of the of the thicker piece (middle part 144) is designed in such a way that bending stresses are not concentrated anywhere on the surface of the final product and do not cause failure.

[0053] While the foregoing has described what may be considered to be the best mode and / or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

[0054] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0055] The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

[0056] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

[0057] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective spaces of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0058] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations. This is for purposes of streamlining the disclosure, and is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.While various implementations have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more implementations and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the implementations. Although many possible combinations of features are shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in this detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any implementation may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other implementation unless specifically restricted. Therefore, it will be understood that any of the features shown and / or discussed in the present disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the implementations are not to be restricted except in light of theattached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:1- A shovel for agricultural applications, the shovel comprising: a shaft; and a head part, the head part comprising: a socket member, the socket member comprising: a shaft receiving opening at a first end of the socket member, the shaft receiving opening configured to receive the shaft; and a connective opening at a second end of the socket member; a middle member, the middle member being made of a low carbon steel, a carbon percentage in the low carbon steel being between 0.04 and 0.3, the middle member comprising: a tubular part at a first end of the middle member, the first end of the middle member associated with the second end of the socket member, the tubular part configured to be inserted into the connective opening; and a middle concave plate at a second end of the middle part, the middle concave plate comprising a first semielliptical-shaped edge, a thickness of the middle concave plate being 2 millimeters, a width of the first semielliptical-shaped edge being 1 centimeter; and a blade member, the blade member being made of a high carbon steel, a weight percentage of carbon in the high carbon steel being between 0.6 and 2, the blade member attached to the middle member, the blade member comprising a blade concave plate with a second semielliptical-shaped edge, a thickness of the blade concave plate being 1 millimeter, a width of the second semielliptical-shaped edge being 1 centimeter, the second semielliptical-shaped edge associated with the first semielliptical-shaped edge, the blade curved plate attached fixedly to the middle concave plate; wherein:the middle concave plate and the blade concave plate are welded to each other through resistance seam welding of the first semielliptical-shaped edge and the second semielliptical-shaped edge to each other.2- A shovel for agricultural applications, the shovel comprising: a shaft; and a head part, the head part comprising: a socket member, the socket member comprising: a shaft receiving opening at a first end of the socket member, the shaft receiving opening configured to receive the shaft; and a connective opening at a second end of the socket member; a middle member, the middle member comprising: a tubular part at a first end of the middle member, the first end of the middle member associated with the second end of the socket member, the tubular part configured to be inserted into the connective opening; and a middle concave plate at a second end of the middle part, the middle concave plate comprising a first semielliptical-shaped edge, a thickness of the middle concave plate being between 1.6 millimeters and 2.2 millimeters, a width of the first semielliptical-shaped edge being 1 centimeter; and a blade member, the blade member attached to the middle member, the blade member comprising a blade concave plate with a second semielliptical-shaped edge, a thickness of the blade concave plate being between 1 millimeter and 1.4 millimeters, a width of the second semielliptical-shaped edge being 1 centimeter, the second semielliptical-shaped edge associated with the first semielliptical-shaped edge, the blade curved plate attached fixedly to the middle concave plate; wherein:the middle concave plate and the blade concave plate are welded to each other through resistance seam welding of the first semielliptical-shaped edge and the second semielliptical-shaped edge to each other.3- The shovel of claim 2, wherein the middle member is made of a low carbon steel.4- The shovel of claim 3, wherein a weight percentage of the low carbon steel is between 0.04 and 0.3.5- The shovel of claim 4, wherein the blade member is made of high carbon steel.6- The shovel of claim 5, wherein a weight percentage of the high carbon steel is between 0.6 and 2.7- The shovel of claim 6, wherein: the thickness of the middle concave plate is 2 millimeters; and the thickness of the blade concave plate is 1 millimeter.

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