GB2132061A - Footrest for a garden tool - Google Patents

Abstract

A footrest for a spade or other garden tool comprises a body (1), including a slot adapted to receive a blade of the tool, a screw threaded aperture extending between the exterior of the body and the slot and a screw threaded member (3) engaged in the aperture, the body including a surface (4) arranged generally perpendicular to the slot. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Footrest for a garden tool This invention relates to a footrest for a garden tool such as a spade, fork, lawn edging tool or any other tool having a blade which, in use, is urged into the ground by pressure from the sole of a boot, shoe or other item of footwear.

Conventional spades have a disadvantage that the sole of a user's footwear may be cut by repeated pressure against the edge of the blade. Some spades have been provided with an integral fiange on the upper edge of the blade but these flanges have been found to fracture in use.

According to the present invention there is provided a footrest adapted to be removably secured in use to the blade of a garden tool.

The footrest may further comprise a body including a slot adapted to receive said blade, a screw threaded aperture extending between the exterior of the body and the slot and a screw threaded member engaged in the aperture, the body including a surface arranged generally perpendicular to the slot.

The body is preferably composed of metal, although plastics or other tough materials may be used.

The slot may be curved to closely cooperate with the curvature of the blade of a spade or other tool.

The said surface may be corrugated or provided with ridges or indentations to provide a good grip with the sole of a user's footwear. The surface may be slightly inclined to the slot to present a level surface to the sole of a user's footwear.

The thickness of the body may be reduced adjacent the slot so that the footrest does not impede passage of soil over the blade of the tool in use.

The footrest is removeable and may be secured upon either side of the shaft of a spade to accommodate on both right-handed and left-handed users.

This invention is further described by means of an example with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 illustrates a footrest in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the footrest; Figure 3 is a view of the underside of the footrest; and Figure 4 shows the footrest in use.

The footrest shown in the Figures comprises a body 1 composed of aluminium. A slot 2 having a rectangular cross-section extends through the body 1. The slot 2 is slightly curved to accomodate the curved edge of the blade of a spade. On the front side a screw 3 extends through a threaded aperture in the body 1, perpendicular to the slot 2. The screw 3 may be provided with a socket adapted to cooperate with an Allen key, screwdriver or any other convenient means. A wing-nut may alternatively be provided.

A corrugated surface 4 extends generally perpen dicularto the slot 2. The surface 4 is inclined slightly from the front to the rear so that it is generally parallel to the sole of a user's footwear.

The surfaces of the body adjacent the slot are inclined towards the mouth of the slot so that the footrest presents a minimal obstruction in use to passage of soil over the blade of a spade.

Figure 4 shows the footrest secured to the blade of a spade. The footrest may be secured to the blade on either side of the shaft dependent on the preference of a user.

CLAIMS (Filed on 7 Dec 1983) 1. Afootrest adapted to be removably secured in use to the blade of a garden tool.

2. A footrest as claimed in claim 1, comprising a body including a slot adapted to receive said blade, a screw threaded aperture extending between the exterior of the body and the slot and a screw threaded member engaged in the aperture, the body including a surface arranged generally perpendicular to the slot.

3. A footrest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body is composed of metal.

4. A footrest as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the slot is curved to cooperate with the curvature of the blade.

5. A footrest as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said surface is provided with ridges or indentations.

6. A footrest as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said surface is inclined to present a level surface in use to the sole of a user's footwear.

7. Afootrest as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the thickness of the body is reduced adjacent the slot.

8. A footrest substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Footrest for a garden tool This invention relates to a footrest for a garden tool such as a spade, fork, lawn edging tool or any other tool having a blade which, in use, is urged into the ground by pressure from the sole of a boot, shoe or other item of footwear. Conventional spades have a disadvantage that the sole of a user's footwear may be cut by repeated pressure against the edge of the blade. Some spades have been provided with an integral fiange on the upper edge of the blade but these flanges have been found to fracture in use. According to the present invention there is provided a footrest adapted to be removably secured in use to the blade of a garden tool. The footrest may further comprise a body including a slot adapted to receive said blade, a screw threaded aperture extending between the exterior of the body and the slot and a screw threaded member engaged in the aperture, the body including a surface arranged generally perpendicular to the slot. The body is preferably composed of metal, although plastics or other tough materials may be used. The slot may be curved to closely cooperate with the curvature of the blade of a spade or other tool. The said surface may be corrugated or provided with ridges or indentations to provide a good grip with the sole of a user's footwear. The surface may be slightly inclined to the slot to present a level surface to the sole of a user's footwear. The thickness of the body may be reduced adjacent the slot so that the footrest does not impede passage of soil over the blade of the tool in use. The footrest is removeable and may be secured upon either side of the shaft of a spade to accommodate on both right-handed and left-handed users. This invention is further described by means of an example with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 illustrates a footrest in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the footrest; Figure 3 is a view of the underside of the footrest; and Figure 4 shows the footrest in use. The footrest shown in the Figures comprises a body 1 composed of aluminium. A slot 2 having a rectangular cross-section extends through the body 1. The slot 2 is slightly curved to accomodate the curved edge of the blade of a spade. On the front side a screw 3 extends through a threaded aperture in the body 1, perpendicular to the slot 2. The screw 3 may be provided with a socket adapted to cooperate with an Allen key, screwdriver or any other convenient means. A wing-nut may alternatively be provided. A corrugated surface 4 extends generally perpen dicularto the slot 2. The surface 4 is inclined slightly from the front to the rear so that it is generally parallel to the sole of a user's footwear. The surfaces of the body adjacent the slot are inclined towards the mouth of the slot so that the footrest presents a minimal obstruction in use to passage of soil over the blade of a spade. Figure 4 shows the footrest secured to the blade of a spade. The footrest may be secured to the blade on either side of the shaft dependent on the preference of a user. CLAIMS (Filed on 7 Dec 1983)

1. Afootrest adapted to be removably secured in use to the blade of a garden tool.

2. A footrest as claimed in claim 1, comprising a body including a slot adapted to receive said blade, a screw threaded aperture extending between the exterior of the body and the slot and a screw threaded member engaged in the aperture, the body including a surface arranged generally perpendicular to the slot.

3. A footrest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body is composed of metal.

4. A footrest as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the slot is curved to cooperate with the curvature of the blade.

5. A footrest as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein said surface is provided with ridges or indentations.

6. A footrest as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein said surface is inclined to present a level surface in use to the sole of a user's footwear.

7. Afootrest as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the thickness of the body is reduced adjacent the slot.

8. A footrest substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.