US1658963A

US1658963A - Foot-plate attachment for spades or the like

Info

Publication number: US1658963A
Application number: US60811A
Authority: US
Inventors: Oscar F Bergquist
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-10-06
Filing date: 1925-10-06
Publication date: 1928-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1945-02-14

Description

Feb. 14, 1928. 1,658,963

0. F. BERGQUIST FOOT PLATE ATTACHMENT FOR SPADES OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 6. 1925 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES OSCAR F. IBERGQUIST, OF FORSYTH, MICHIGAN.

FOOT-PLATE ATTACHMENT FOR SPAIDES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed October The present invention relates to a footplate for use in connection with spades, shovels, pitchforks, and the like, and aims to provide a novel and improved device of this character which can be conveniently associated with a tool of the above indicated character for presenting a relatlvely large surface for engagement with the foot so asto eliminate the breaking of the arch of a shoe and the injuring of a foot caused by engagement with the thin edge of a spade or the like.

A further object of the inventlon is the provision of a footplate having means for permitting the foot engaging surface there of to be swung at various angles so as to be in engagement with a relatively large surface of the shoe of the user, independent of the angle the pressure is applied from, thus causing the efficient operation of the tool at all times.

It is also an object of the invent on to provide a device of the above indlcated character, which is simple and substantial in construction, which can be manufactured economically, and which will be thoroughly efiicient and practical in use.

With the foregoing and other ob ects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides 1n the construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed, wlthout departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front eleyatlon of a spade showing my improved devlce apphed thereto,

Figure 2 is a fra entary edge new of a spade, showing the evice thereon, and

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 1, showing the device removed from the spade.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 5 dcsi ates a spade having a handle 6 and eartfi engaging blade 7. Most s ades are slightly reinforced at the upper e ge of the blade, as at 8, for slightly increasing the width of the blade at its upper edge where the foot of the user is placed for forcing the blade of the spade into the soil. In order to increase the surface at the upper edge of the blade 7, I have provided my improved footplate;

In carrying out my invention, the numeral 6, 1925. Serial No. 60,811.

10 indicates an inverted U-shaped bracket, the opposite depending

legs

11 and 12 thereof being arran ed for enga ing opposite sides of the bla e 7 of the spa e at the upper portion thereof adjacent the reinforcement 8. The

legs

11 and 12 conform to the general configuration of the blade of the spade and each is provided with an opening 13 through which a rivet or bolt 14 is passed which also extends through an opening provided in the blade 7 for securing the bracket to the blade. The

legs

11 and 12 are formed so as to engage each other adjacent the bight portion of the inverted U-shaped bracket, as at 15, and are riveted or secured together in any well known manner, as shown by the numeral 16. The bight portion of the U-- shaped member is arranged in circular formation in cross section as shown at 17 for receiving therein a bolt 18.

Arranged above the bight portion of the inverted U-shaped bracket 10 is a slightly arcuate plate 19 which has the upper surface thereof roughened or serrated, as at 20, for eliminating to a great extent the danger of the foot of a user from sliding thereofi'. Secured to the under surface of the late 19 by means of rivets 21 is a pair 0 angled members 22, which have one angled portion thereof depending therefrom so as to engage the opposite side edges of the circular portion 17 of the inverted U-shaped bracket. The depending portions of the angled members 22 have openings therein through which the opposite ends of the bolt 18 extend so as to pivotally connect the plate 19 to the bracket 10. The bolt 18 has a head on one end thereof and a nut on the op osite end thereof so as to cause a slight bindin action on the opposite edges of the brac et for yieldably holding the plate against easy swinging movement with relation to the bracket.

With my improved footplate attached to a spade or the like by means of the rivet 14, the user may apply pressure on the blade of the spade from any angle, the pivotal connection of the foot engaging plate with the spade permitting the pressure to be applied from all downward angles. It can thus be seen that a relatively large surface is always in engagement with the shoe of the user, thus eliminating danger of the user in'uring his foot by excessive pressure or the making of the arch of his shoe, as often occurs while using spades without my improved teal attachment. As the upper surface of the plate 19 is roughened and slightly arcuate, the danger of the foot of the user slipping thereoff is also eliminated, so as to provide an attachment for spades or the like which will be thoroughly efiicient for the purpose intended. By removing the bolt 14: the attachment may be readily disconnected from the spade and attached to another tool it so desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A foot engaging member in combination with a tool comprising a bracket, a foot engaging plate, a pair of angled members secured to said plate and arranged at each side of said bracket, and a bolt extending through said angled members and through said bracket for pivotally connecting said plate to said bracket.

2. A foot engaging member in combination with a tool comprising an inverted U- shaped bracket adapted to engage over the soil Working element of the tool, said bracket having a cylindrical opening formed in the upper portion thereof, a foot engaging plate, angled members secured to said plate and depending therefrom, and a bolt extending through said angled members and through the cylindrical opening in said bracket for pivotally connecting said plate to said bracket.

3. A foot engaging member in combination with a tool comprising an inverted U- shaped bracket, the opposite legs of said U-shaped bracket being adapted to engage the opposite sides of the soil Working ele ment of the tool, means for securing said opposite legs of said bracket to the tool, said U-shaped bracket being formed so that the opposite leg portions thereof engage each other adjacent the upper portion of the bracket, means for securing said engaging portions of said legs together, said U-shaped bracket having a cylindrical opening formed therein above the engaging portions of the legs, a foot engaging plate, a pair of angle-d members each having one side thereoi secured to said plate While the other sides of said angled members extend downwardly on each side of said bracket at said cylindrical opening, and a bolt extended through said cylindrical opening of said bracket and through the depending sides of said angled members for pivotally connecting said plate to said bracket.

In testimony whereof, it have afixed my signature.

USCAR l5. BERGQUIST.