BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In particular, this invention relates to an improved shaft for an implement such as a shovel. The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the implement being a shovel. It should be appreciated that this is by way of example and that the implement may be something other than a shovel. For example the implement may be a spade or fork.

Implements such as shovels typically have a generally straight shaft and a head at one end of the shaft. The head may be integrally formed with the shaft or attached thereto and at one end of the shaft. The other end of the shaft may have a handle attached to it or formed integrally with it. Where a handle is present, the handle may be a D shaped handle.

Such implements, when used, require the user to adopt a particular stance or posture. One of the user's hands typically grasps the shaft at a location spaced a short distance from the head and the other hand grasps the shaft adjacent the other end of the shaft and spaced a substantial distance from the head. If the implement is being used to shift soil from a location near ground level the user is required to assume a stance with his spine inclined or bent to a substantial degree. Where the user is attempting to remove the contents from a location or receptacle spaced above the normal ground level such as from a wheelbarrow or the like the way in which the shaft is normally held results in the user's hand being particularly close to the lip of the wheelbarrow and usually between the lip and the shaft. There is a real danger that the user's hand becomes jammed between the shaft and the lip of the wheelbarrow. This can and often does lead to the user's hand being

injured. Such known implements place undue strain on the user's back and over time and continued use can lead to permanent damage to the user's back.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shaft for an implement which at least minimises the disadvantages referred to above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a shaft for an implement having a leading portion to which a head of an implement is attachable or integrally formed therewith, the leading portion extending generally along a first axis, a trailing portion spaced from the leading portion and extending either along the first axis or at an acute angle to and upwardly of the first axis, and an intermediate portion extending between the leading portion and the trailing portion and laterally spaced from the first axis, whereby a user may grasp the trailing portion with one hand and grasp the intermediate portion with another hand such that the other hand is laterally spaced from the first axis.

The shaft may be made from any suitable material. For example, the shaft may be made from wood, a synthetic material such as plastic or from metal. Preferably, the shaft is made from metallic material. Although the shaft may be solid in its construction it is preferred that the shaft be tubular in its construction.

The head of the implement may comprise a shovel blade, spade blade or fork tynes. The head may be formed integrally with the leading portion of the shaft. Alternatively, the head may be formed separately from the shaft and simply mounted or attached to that portion. It is preferred that the head be formed as a separate component to the shaft and attached thereto. The head may extend along the first axis or at some angle thereto.

The leading portion may be relatively short in length.

The trailing portion, as mentioned, may either

extend along the first axis or at some angle to the first axis. Where the trailing portion extends along the first axis it may be spaced laterally from the axis and parallel to it. Alternatively, the trailing portion may extend along the axis and be coincident with it. Where the trailing portion extends at an angle to the first axis, the angle may be anywhere between 0° to 45°. More preferably, the angle at which the trailing portion extends is an acute angle of about 30°. A handle may be integrally formed with the trailing portion or attachable thereto. Where a handle is present a D shaped handle is preferred.

The intermediate portion may be integrally formed with the remainder of the shaft and form an extension or continuation of the leading portion and the trailing portion. The intermediate portion bridges between the leading and trailing portions.

In one embodiment the intermediate portion is formed as a separate component from the remainder of the shaft and is attachable thereto. Thus the intermediate portion may be secured to an existing implement so that the implement may benefit by the improved construction in accordance with the invention. Releasable fasteners may be used for this purpose. With such an embodiment the leading and trailing portions may be co-extensive with one another and provided by a unitary straight shaft of an implement with the intermediate portion releasably secured to the shaft.

The intermediate portion may be arcuate in configuration or have some other shape provided it presents at least one user graspable portion laterally spaced from the first axis. In an alternative form, the intermediate portion is substantially V-shaped. An arcuate shape is particularly preferred. DISCLOSURE OF THE DRAWINGS

A particular preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of an implement incorporating a shaft according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of a shaft according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an implement according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an implement according to another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in Figure 1, the implement 10 the implement 10 has a shaft 11 consisting of a leading portion 12 of a relatively short length and extending along a first axis indicated by the numeral 13. The head of an implement, which in this embodiment is a shovel blade 14, is shown secured to the leading portion 12 although the head 14 may extend generally along the first axis, in this embodiment the head 14 extends at an angle to the first axis and as a consequence to the leading portion. In this embodiment the head extends at about 30° to the first axis although the angle at which the head extends may be something other than this.

The shaft has a trailing portion 15. Portion 15 in this embodiment extends along the first axis 13 and is coincident with it. If desired, a handle 16 may be either integrally formed with or attached to the trailing portion. In the embodiment illustrated, the handle is formed separate from the trailing portion of the shaft and attached thereto. In the illustrated embodiment the handle 16 is a D shaped handle although handles of other shapes or configurations may be employed.

The shaft 11 of Figure 1 has an angular intermediate portion 17 having a first part 18 nearer the leading portion 12 of the shaft and a second part 19 nearer the trailing portion of the shaft. The user may grasp either of parts 18 or 19 with one hand when using the implement 10. In either case the user's hand is spaced laterally from axis 13.

The embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 has the trailing portion 15 extending along the axis 13.

In Figure 2 the numerals are employed to show corresponding features to the implement illustrated in Figure 1. The diagrammatic view of Figure 2 shows an implement 10 having an arcuate or curved intermediate portion 17. In this figure the trailing portion 15 extends along axis 13.

Figure 3 shows a view of an implement constructed in accordance with he diagrammatic representation of Figure 2. The implement 20 has a head 21, a leading portion 22, a curved intermediate portion 23 and a trailing portion 24. A handle 25 is formed at or secured to the portion 24. The implement 30 of Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 3 except that the trailing portion 31 extends at an acute angle to the axis 32 along which the leading portion of the shaft extends. Handle 33 is secured to the trailing portion 31. The implement according to the invention, when in use, enables the user to adopt a more upright stance than would be the case with an implement having a straight shaft. In addition, by having the laterally spaced intermediate portion of the shaft, the hand which grasps that portion is laterally spaced from the leading and trailing portions. In this way the tendency for the user's hand to be damaged or injured while the implement is being used is reduced.