FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatuses for filling bulk particulate matter into flexible receptacles such as bags or the like.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sudden needs to produce large quantities of particulate filled flexible sacks or bags from a central storage location or caches can occur often without the necessary time or infrastructure to create permanent processing solutions.

[0003] For example, large numbers of sandbags are used each year to protect property from the harmful flooding occurring in and around oceans, rivers, lakes and other waterways when faced with a sudden prospect of flooding.

[0004] In other situations, bulk particulate material mounds or stores of grains, fertiliser, silage and the like may also need to be repacked for ease of handling/transportation from a central location to another place. Cost, location or other constraints may require filling particulate material into the bags or sacks to be performed without the construction of automatic filling stations or permanent infrastructure.

[0005] Bags or sacks may typically prepared by manually filling each bag using a shovel or other manual device. It would be appreciated that this approach is quite slow and labor intensive, typically requiring one person to hold the sack or bag and another to shovel the particulate material. Using this approach means that a large number of workers produce only a relatively modest number of filled bags. Particularly in relation to filling sand bags, the need for filling the bags or sacks can arise at multiple locations and under pressing time constraints.

SUMMARY

[0006] In a first broad aspect there is provided a shovel apparatus comprising:

a body comprising: a bottom comprising side edges opposite each other, a front edge and a back edge distal to the front edge; and two sides, each side comprising a first side edge and a second side edge distal to the first side edge, each side fixedly coupled along the first side edge of the side to the side edge of the bottom, each side comprising a front located adjacent to the front edge of the bottom and a back located adjacent to the back edge of the bottom, wherein a portion of each side attached to the bottom extends upward away from the bottom. A first handle is coupled to each of the sides, and a second handle is coupled to each of the sides and extending past the back of the sides and away from the body. The first handle is spaced apart from the second handle and said first handle is connected towards the front of the shovel apparatus to extend away from the bottom of the shovel apparatus. The shovel apparatus is sized to fit in a bag or sack and to hold the bag or sack in an open position for filling.

[0007] Advantageously, the second handle extends from the sides at an angle between a plane perpendicular to the bottom and a plane parallel with the bottom, wherein the sides slope away from the second handle at an angle substantially similar to the angle that the second handle extends from the sides.

[0008] Optionally, the bottom comprises a notch on the back edge extending toward a center of the bottom, wherein the second handle, the sloping side and the notch form an opening.

[0009] Preferably, the handle, the slope of the sides and the notch in the bottom are shaped without edges to catch on a bag or sack when the shovel apparatus is inserted in the bag or sack.

[0010] Advantageously, the shovel apparatus is sized to fit in a bag or sack and hold an opening in the bag or sack in a substantially open position for filling.

[0011] Preferably, the shovel apparatus has a length less than a length of the bag or sack wherein when the shovel apparatus is inserted in the bag or sack, the second handle touches near a bottom of the bag or sack and the first handle is near a top of the bag or sack.

[0012] A top of the first handle distal to where the first handle may be connected to the sides and positioned over the bottom at a position behind a plane perpendicular to the front edge of the bottom and the front edge of the sides.

[0013] Advantageously, the front edge of the bottom and at least a portion of the front edge of the sides are straight and are aligned along a common plane.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom is substantially planar, and comprises one or more ridges shaped to stiffen the bottom.

[0015] Advantageously, the sides each comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein each lower section is adjacent to the bottom and extends away from the bottom at an angle away from a plane perpendicular to where the sides attach to the bottom and each upper section angles toward the plane perpendicular to where the sides attach to the bottom.

[0016] Preferably each upper section comprises a front edge that slopes from a front edge of the lower section to toward the first handle. [0017] Advantageously, one or more of the first handle and the second handle detach from the shovel apparatus.

[0018] Optionally, each of the first and second handle extend away from the bottom and are connected so the first handle is located forward toward a front of the shovel apparatus, wherein the sides slope away from the second handle at an angle substantially similar to the angle that the second handle extends from the sides,

[0019] Advantageously, the shovel apparatus angles outward from rear to front to allow a first shovel apparatus to stack inside a second shovel apparatus.

[0020] Preferably, the first handle frames an opening formed by the bottom and sides for passage of particulate material therethrough when grasped by the user to scoop particulate material.

[0021] In a second broad aspect there is provided a shovel apparatus comprising:

a body comprising: a bottom comprising side edges opposite each other, a front edge and a back edge distal to the front edge, the bottom comprising one or more ridges shaped to stiffen the bottom; and two sides, each side comprising a first side edge and a second side edge distal to the first side edge, each side fixedly coupled along the first side edge of the side to the side edge of the bottom, each side comprising a front located adjacent to the front edge of the bottom and a back located adjacent to the back edge of the bottom, wherein a portion of each side attached to the bottom extends upward away from the bottom; a first handle coupled to each of the sides, and a second handle coupled to each of the sides and extending past the back of the sides and away from the shovel apparatus, the second handle extends from the sides at an angle between a plane perpendicular to the bottom and a plane parallel with the bottom, each of the first and second handle extend away from the bottom and are connected so the first handle is located forward toward a front of the shovel apparatus, wherein the sides slope away from the second handle at an angle substantially similar to the angle that the second handle extends from the sides, wherein the shovel apparatus is sized to fit in a bag or sack and to hold the bag or sack in an open position for filling, wherein the bottom comprises a notch on the back edge extending toward a center of the bottom, wherein the second handle, the sloping side and the notch form an opening, wherein the front edge of the bottom and at least a portion of the front edge of the sides are straight and are aligned along a common plane.

[0022] Advantageously, the bottom is substantially planar, and the sides each comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein each lower section is adjacent to the bottom and extends away from the bottom at an angle away from a plane perpendicular to where the sides attach to the bottom and each upper section angles toward the plane perpendicular to where the sides attach to the bottom.

[0023] Optionally, one or more of the first handle and the second handle rotate to a position near the bottom facilitating stacking of two or more shovel apparatuses.

[0024] In a third broad aspect there is provided a shovel apparatus comprising:

a body comprising: a bottom comprising side edges opposite each other, a front edge and a back edge distal to the front edge; and two sides, each side comprising a first side edge and a second side edge distal to the first side edge, each side fixedly coupled along the first side edge of the side to the side edge of the bottom, each side comprising a front located adjacent to the front edge of the bottom and a back located adjacent to the back edge of the bottom, wherein a portion of each side attached to the bottom extends upward away from the bottom; a first handle coupled to each of the sides, and located forward toward a front of the shovel apparatus and extending away from the bottom, wherein a top of the first handle distal to where the first handle is connected to the sides is positioned over the bottom at a position behind a plane perpendicular to the front edge of the bottom and the front edge of the sides; and a second handle coupled to each of the sides and extending past the back of the sides and away from the shovel apparatus and extending from the sides at an angle between a plane perpendicular to the bottom and a plane parallel with the bottom, wherein the sides slope away from the second handle at an angle substantially similar to the angle that the second handle extends from the sides, wherein the shovel apparatus is sized to fit in a bag or sack and to hold the bag or sack in an open position for filling, wherein the sides each comprise a lower section and an upper section, wherein each lower section is adjacent to the bottom and extends away from the bottom at an angle away from a plane perpendicular to where the sides attach to the bottom and each upper section angles toward the plane perpendicular to where the sides attach to the bottom.

[0025] Advantageously, each upper section comprises a front edge that slopes from a front edge of the lower section to toward the first handle; and the shovel apparatus angles outward from rear to front to allow a first shovel apparatus to stack inside a second shovel apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a shovel apparatus with detachable handles;

[0028] Figure 2 is an end view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is a top view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 4 is a side view further illustrating another embodiment of a shovel apparatus with a handle extending backward;

[0031] Figure 5 A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a shovel apparatus with rotatable handles in a useable position;

[0032] Figure 5B is a side view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 5A with rotatable handles in a collapsed position;

[0033] Figure 6 is a side perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a shovel apparatus with fixed handles;

[0034] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 6;

[0035] Figure 8 is a top view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 6;

[0036] Figure 9 is an end perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 6;

[0037] Figure 10 is a bottom view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 6;

[0038] Figure 11 is an end perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure

6 inserted in a bag or sack;

[0039] Figure 12 is a side perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 6 inserted in a bag or sack with a person demonstrating insertion; and

[0040] Figure 13 is a side perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus of Figure 6 inserted in a bag or sack with a person demonstrating grasping the handles of the shovel apparatus through the bag or sack.

[0041] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a shovel apparatus with detachable handles;

[0042] Figure 15 is a side section view of the shovel apparatus with detachable handles of Figure 14; [0043] Figure 16 is a side view of the shovel apparatus with detachable handles of Figure 14;

[0044] Figure 17 is an end view of the shovel apparatus with detachable handles of Figure 14;

[0045] Figure 18 is an end section view of the shovel apparatus with detachable handles of Figure 14; and

[0046] Figure 19 is an enlarged view of a portion of the shovel apparatus with detachable handles of Figure 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments" unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to" unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also refer to "one or more" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0048] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as various handle positions, handle options, shapes, materials, sizes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

[0049] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a shovel apparatus 100 with detachable handles. Figure 2 is an end view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 100 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a top view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 100 of Figure 1.

[0050] The shovel apparatus 100 is depicted in a bag or sack 102 for filling with sand, one of skill in the art will recognize that the shovel apparatus 100 may be used to scoop dirt, rocks, gravel, water, wood, plastic, debris, or other material into a bag where the shovel apparatus 100 is sized and configured to hold the bag open while filling. It would further be appreciated that the shovel apparatus could be used to scoop bulk particulate flowable material such as grains, silage, fertilizer, landscaping supplies (such as dirt bark or mulch), snow etc into the bag or sack, where the shovel apparatus 100 is sized and configured to hold the bag open while filling.

[0051] The shovel apparatus 100 is depicted inside a bag or sack 102 with an opening 102a and a bottom 102b. The shovel apparatus 100 includes a bottom 104 and sides 106. The bottom 104 includes a front edge 104a, a back edge 104b distal to the front edge 104a, and side edges 104c opposite each other. The sides 106 each include a first side edge 106a fixedly coupled to a side edge 104c of the bottom. The sides 106 each include a second side edge 106b distal to the first side edge 106a. The sides 106 include a front edge 106c and a back edge 106d distal to the front edge 106c.

[0052] The shovel apparatus 100 includes a first handle 108 and a second handle 110 coupled to the sides 106. The first handle 108 is positioned near a front of the shovel apparatus 100 and extends away from the sides 106 and bottom 104 at an angle toward a front of the shovel apparatus 100. The angle, in one embodiment, is about 45 degrees. About 45 degrees, hereinafter, may include angles that are exactly 45 degrees and angles that are close to 45 degrees. For example, the angle may include a range from about 30 degrees to 60 degrees. In another embodiment, the first handle 108 extends across an opening between the sides 106 and does not extend above the sides (not shown). The first handle 108 may be shaped to allow a user to grasp the handle while providing an opening formed by the bottom 104, sides 106 and first handle 108 with the user grasping the handle so that sand can pass through the opening when the user scoops sand.

[0053] The first handle 108 is positioned to be forward toward the front of the shovel apparatus 100, as depicted in Figures 1 and 3. The first handle 108 is shaped to extend away from the bottom 104 and sides 106 to hold open a bag or sack 102. For example, the size and shape of the bottom 104, sides 106 and first handle 108 may be sized just smaller than the opening 102a of the bag or sack 102 so that the shovel apparatus 100 holds open the bag or sack 102 s much as possible while allowing the shovel apparatus 100 to fit in the bag or sack 102.

[0054] For example, for a particular circumference of the opening 102a of the bag or sack 102, the size and shape of the bottom 104, sides 106 and first handle 108 may have a circumference that is 5% smaller than the circumference of the opening 102a of the bag or sack 102. In another embodiment, the circumference of the bottom 104, sides 106 and first handle 108 may have a circumference that is within a range of 1% to 20% of the circumference of the opening 102a of the bag or sack 102. One of skill in the art will recognize other sizes and shapes of the bottom 104, sides 106 and first handle 108 to fit in a bag or sack 102 while holding the bag or sack 102 open for filling may be possible.

[0055] The first handle 108 is depicted as rounded in Figure 2. In another embodiment, the first handle 108 may have straight sections, for example where the handle is grasped by a user, may be oblong, or other shape. The first handle 108 is also depicted to angle forward in Figures 1 and 3. In addition, the sides 106 each may be shaped with a lower section 106e and an upper section 106f where the lower section 106e angles up and away from the bottom 104 and then the upper sections 106f angle back toward a center of the shovel apparatus 100. The lower section 106e and the upper section 106f may be substantially planar, which facilitates the stiffness of the shovel apparatus 100.

[0056] As depicted in Figure 1, the upper sections 106f may be angled back toward the first handle 108. For example, with the angled sections of the upper section 106f and the first handle 108 sloped forward toward the front of the shovel apparatus 100 (right side of Figures 1 and 3), a user may be able to more easily grasp the first handle 108 and wrap a portion of the bag or sack 102 around the first handle 108 to secure the bag or sack 102 to the shovel apparatus 100 while filling the bag or sack 102. In other embodiments, the upper section 106f of the sides 106 may not be sloped at the front of the shovel apparatus 100 and the first handle 108 may not be angled and may attach to the sides 106 at a position closer to the front of the shovel apparatus 100.

[0057] In the depicted embodiment of Figures 1-3, the sides 106 are depicted with a lower section 106e and a lower section 106f as essentially planar with a bend. The bend may be sharp or gradual. In other embodiments, the sides 106 may be rounded to by somewhat cylindrical, may have other sections, etc. The sides 106, in the various embodiments, are shaped to hold the bag or sack 102 open for filling. In addition, the bottom 104 is shaped to be flat, but may also be curved. A flat bottom 104 may be useful to scoop sand off of a flat surface. A curved bottom 104 may be useful to scoop sand or other particulate material in other situations, such as from a pile or where the material has been exposed to weather. The bottom 104, in another embodiment, may have multiple sections, such as a center flat section and side sections that are angled upward, for example, at shallow angle so that the sides 106 may be lifted to form more of an overall rounded shape with flat sections. One of skill in the art will recognize other shapes that will serve to hold open a bag or sack 102 while filling with sand or other flowable particulate material.

[0058] The second handle 110 is attached near the back of the sides 106, as depicted in Figures 1 and 3. Having the second handle 110 positioned to the back of the shovel apparatus 100 facilitates holding the bag or sack 102 more in an open condition. For example, the shovel apparatus 100 with the second handle 110 extending past the end of the sides may be sized to be about the same length of the bag or sack 102 so that the shovel apparatus 100 holds the bag or sack 102 in a condition to more easily fill the bag or sack 102. The second handle 110 may be inserted in the bag or sack 102 to touch a bottom portion of the bag or sack 102 while the front of the shovel apparatus 100 is near the opening 102a of the bag or sack 102.

[0059] The shovel apparatus 100 may be sized so that when the second handle 110 is touching a back portion of the bag or sack 102, the first handle 108 may be inside the bag or sack 102 and near the front of the bag or sack 102 to enable a user to wrap a portion of the bag or sack 102 around the first handle 108. For example, the shovel apparatus 100 may be sized as depicted in Figures 1 and 3 so that a portion near the opening 102a of the bag or sack 102 may be wrapped around the bag or sack 102 while a portion of the shovel apparatus 100 protrudes from the bag or sack 102 for scooping sand or other material.

[0060] In the depicted embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the second handle 110 of the shovel apparatus 100 is angled upward. For example, the first handle 108 may be angled upward to be grasped by a user through the bag or sack 102 while allowing the portion of the bag or sack 102 below where the user is grasping the second handle 110 through the bag or sack 102 to hang down and be filled while scooping sand or other material.

[0061] In the depicted embodiment, the second handle 110 is angled away from the sides 106 at about the same angle as a slope in the lower section 106e, which may help prevent the bag or sack 102 from catching on the sides 106 when the shovel apparatus 100 is inserted in the bag or sack 102. The second handle 110 is depicted above a line of the slope of the lower section 106e and the back edge 106d of the sides 106 have a rounded portion which may decrease catching of the bag or sack 102 on the back edge 106d. In another embodiment, the second handle 110 is positioned with a lower edge closer to or in line with the sloped second of the lower section 106e to reduce catching of the bag or sack 102 on the back edge 106d of the sides 106. Other embodiments of the second handle 110 are described below.

[0062] The sides 106 may also be sloped above the second handle 110 to further prevent the bag or sack 102 from catching on edges of the sides 106. As depicted in Figure 1, the upper section 106f of the sides 106 slope up and away from the second handle 110.

[0063] The back edge 104b of the bottom 104 is depicted in Figure 3 with a notch. The notch in conjunction with the sloping lower section 106e of the sides and the second handle 110 to form an opening for sand to fall through into the bag or sack 102 when sand or other material is scooped into the front of the shovel apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the slope of the sides 106 connect with the notch in the bottom 104 to avoid points that would catch on the bag or sack 102 when the shovel apparatus 100 is inserted in the bag or sack 102.

[0064] The first handle 108 may be attached to the sides 106 by rivets, welding, screws, and the like. In the embodiment of the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3, the first handle 108 and the second handle 110 include two attachment points 112 that may be rivets, screws, etc. One of skill in the art will recognize other ways to couple the first handle 108 and the second handle 110 to the sides 106 of the shovel apparatus 100.

[0065] The first handle 108 and/or the second handle 110 may be removable from the sides 106 of the shovel apparatus 100. In the embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 3, the shovel apparatus 100 includes a first handle 108 and a second handle 110 that snap into a portion attached to the sides. For example, the handles 108 and 110 may include a button 114 or other protrusion that extends into an opening of a portion coupled to the sides 106. In another embodiment, the handles 108, 110 bolt to the sides 106. In another embodiment, the handles 108, 110 connect with a friction fit. The handles 108, 110 may disconnect from the sides 106 or bottom 104 to allow stacking of shovel apparatuses 100. One of skill in the art will recognize other ways that the handles 108, 110 may be disconnected from the shovel apparatus 100.

[0066] In one embodiment, the bottom 104 of the shovel apparatus 100 includes raised portions 116. In one embodiment, the raised portions 116 provide stiffening of the bottom 104. For example, the bottom 104 and sides 106 may be made of a material that may flex and the raised portions 116 may stiffen the flexible material. The bottom 104 and sides 106 may be made of a metal, such as aluminum. For an aluminum, sheet metal, etc. that is thick or stiff enough to not require additional stiffening, the raised portions 116 may be deleted. For an aluminum, sheet metal, etc. that is thinner or has more flex, the raised portions 116 may be included. The bottom 104 and sides 106 may also be made of plastic, a composite, fiberglass, or other non-metallic material, which may be advantageous for weight reduction, cost control, etc. One or more raised portions 116 may be included to stiffen the non-metallic material.

[0067] The raised portions 116 are placed at the rear of the bottom 104 and run from rear to front. Placing the raised portions 116 at the back of the bottom 104 instead of the front may allow the front of the bottom 104 to be flat for scooping. Having the raised portions 116 run from back to front instead of from side to side may allow sand or other material to flow into the bag or sack 102 easier than side-to-side ridges. Raised portions 116 may also be placed in the sides (not shown).

[0068] Figure 4 is a side view further illustrating another embodiment of a shovel apparatus 200 with a second handle 202 extending backward. The second handle 202 is depicted as extending straight backward from the sides 106. The shovel apparatus 200 of Figure 4, in one embodiment, may be substantially similar to the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3, except for the second handle 202 position and the shovel apparatus 200 of Figure 4 may have any or all of the same options and features as the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3. A second handle 202 as depicted in Figure 4 may extend closer to the bottom of the bag or sack 102 and may facilitate supporting the shovel apparatus 100 to keep a portion of the shovel apparatus 200 extending outside the bag or sack 102. The first handle 108 and second handle 202 are depicted with a button 114 for detachment, but may also be fixed to the sides 106 without being removable.

[0069] Figure 5A is a side view illustrating another embodiment of a shovel apparatus 300 with rotatable handles in a useable position. Figure 5B is a side view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 300 of Figure 5A with rotatable handles in a collapsed position. The shovel apparatus 300 of Figures 5 A and 5B, in one embodiment, may be substantially similar to the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3, except for the first handle 302 and second handle 304 being rotatable and the shovel apparatus 300 of Figures 5A and 5B may have any or all of the same options and features as the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3. The first handle 302 and second handle 304, in one embodiment, rotate about a pivot point 306 to allow the first handle 302 and second handle 304 to rotate downward, for example, to facilitate a lower profile for storage or to be moved to a position to allow for stacking. The first handle 302 and second handle 304 may snap into position, for example, with a button that locks into an opening 308. Other designs may include a pine, a screw, etc. to retain the first handle 302 and the second handle 304 in a particular position for use or storage.

[0070] Figure 6 is a side perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a shovel apparatus 400 with fixed handles. Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a top view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is an end perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6. Figure 10 is a bottom view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6. Figure 11 is an end perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6 inserted in a bag or sack. Figure 12 is a side perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6 inserted in a bag or sack with a person demonstrating insertion. Figure 13 is a side perspective view further illustrating the shovel apparatus 400 of Figure 6 inserted in a bag or sack with a person demonstrating grasping the handles of the shovel apparatus 400 through the bag or sack.

[0071] The shovel apparatus 400 of Figures 6-13, in one embodiment, may be substantially similar to the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3, except for the first handle 402 and second handle 404 are fixed and the shovel apparatus 400 of Figures 6-13 may have any or all of the same options and features as the shovel apparatus 100 of Figures 1-3.

[0072] Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a shovel apparatus with detachable handles. The shovel apparatus 500 comprises a bottom 104, sides 106, the raised portions 116 and the like. The sides have the lower section 106e and the upper section 106f, similar to that described as shown above. The shovel apparatus 500 comprises a front detachable handle 502, a back detachable handle 504, a tube section 506 on each side 106, release mechanism 508, securing mechanism 510, raised tabs 512 and top side segment 514, which will be described in more details in Figures 15 and 19.

[0073] Figure 15 is a side section view along A-A' of the shovel apparatus 500 with detachable handles of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a side view of the shovel apparatus 500 with detachable handles of Figure 14. Figure 17 is an end view of the shovel apparatus 500 with detachable handles of Figure 14. Figure 18 is an end section view along B-B' of the shovel apparatus 500 with detachable handles of Figure 14. Figure 19 is an enlarged view of a portion of the shovel apparatus with detachable handles of Figure 18.

[0074] The detachable handles 502, 504 are inserted into the tube section 506 on each side 106. In one embodiment, the tube section 506 is fixed by the securing mechanism 510 onto the upper section 106f or the top segment 514. The securing mechanism 510 may comprise rivets, screws, pins, adhesives or other means to fix the tube section 506 to sides 106 of the shovel apparatus 500.

[0075] In addition to the fixed mechanism 510, the raised tabs 512 also provides the structural support for the tube section 506. The raised tabs 512 is connected to the upper section 106f of the sides 106. In one embodiment, the raised tabs 512 are the internally bent portion of the upper section 106f. In another embodiment, the raised tabs 512 are separate from the sides 106 and attached to the upper section 106f of the sides 106 by the fixed mechanism (not shown) such as rivets, screws, pins, adhesives or the like. The raised tabs 512 of the sides 106 is disposed against the tube section 506 of the sides 106. The shovel apparatus 500 further comprises top segment 514 above the upper section 106f the sides 106, and the top segment 514 angles towards the tube section 506 to provide mechanical support for the tube segment 506.

[0076] The detachable handles 502, 504 inserted into the tube section 506 have external diameters which conform to the internal diameter of the tube section. In one embodiment, the detachable handles 502, 504 have the same diameter throughout the entire detachable handles 502, 504. In another embodiment, the portion of the detachable handles 502, 504 inserted into the tube section 506 have smaller diameters. When the detachable handles 502, 504 are inserted into the tube section 506, the portion of the detachable handles 502, 504 that transitions to a smaller diameter can be used as a stop.

[0077] In one embodiment (as shown in Figure 15), the detachable handles 502, 504 comprise the releasing mechanism 508 which allows the detachable handle to be locked into the tube section 506 and then release the detachable handles 502, 504, for example, by pressing the releasing mechanism 508. In one embodiment, the releasing mechanism 508 is spring loaded pin which enable a user to press the pin to insert or release the detachable handle 502, 504. In other embodiment, the detachable handle 502, 504 is connected via other means such as a friction fit, a detachable pin, a screw, or the like. Although a cross-section of the detachable handle 502, 504 is shown in round shape, other shapes such as a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, an oval cross-section, and the like may also be used.

[0078] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.