Shovel and method of making the same

A shovel, which comprises:

• (a) an elongate handle having a lower end,
• (b) a generally T-shaped handle-retaining member mounted on said lower end of said handle,
• said handle-retaining member having a generally tubular central body portion secured over said lower end of said handle in concentric coaxial relationship relative thereto, said central body portion having a lower end,
• said handle-retaining member also having a generally tubular portion connected to said lower end of said central body portion in substantially right-angle relationship to said central body portion,
• said last-named tubular portion having opposite end portions which project laterally substantially equal distances from said lower end of said central body portion, thereby forming lateral projections,
• each of said lateral projections having an outer end,
• (c) a first side member having an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion,
• said upper arm portion having an upper end, said upper end of said upper arm portion being connected fixedly to said outer end of one of said lateral projections,
• (d) a second side member having an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion,
• said upper arm portion of said second side member having an upper end,
• said upper end of said upper arm portion of said second side member being connected fixedly to said outer end of the other of said lateral projections, and
• (e) a shovel blade having generally parallel side edges that connect to said lower arm portions of said first and second side members,
• said blade having lower edge portions remote from said side members and adapted to cut into the earth,
• said blade also having an upper edge adapted to be engaged by the foot of the operator to force said lower edge portions into the earth, said first and second side members being sufficiently large that said lateral projections and said central body portion of said handle-retaining member are spaced away from said upper edge of said blade a distance sufficient that the foot of the operator may be disposed therebetween,
• said first and second side members being spaced from each other a distance sufficient that said foot of said operator may be disposed therebetween,
• whereby said operator may place his foot on said upper edge of said blade between said side members and below said handle-retaining member to press said blade into the earth.