COLLAPSIBLE SPADE Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC A01B1/02 

FIELD: agricultural engineering, in particular, horticultural equipment.

SUBSTANCE: collapsible spade has body consisting of two parts which may be fixed by means of locking mechanism in operating position and released in forced manner from operating position, one of said parts being made tubular, and handle inserted into tubular part. Handle inserted into tubular part is joined by means of pivot joint with bayonet. One of handle ends is made spring-loaded. Body tubular part is furnished with converging tip. Pivot joint has two bends and end portions, one of said portions being rigidly connected to bayonet and other portion being inserted into tubular part tip and spring-loaded so as to prevent said part from rotation relative to handle. Handle is provided with main stop at its one end and additional stop at its mid portion. End portions of pivot joint are designed so as to be telescopically tightly inserted into tubular part tip, without possibility for rotation upon straightening of bends, to operating position. Other part of body is furnished at its one side with inner cavity adapted for receiving of handle and having grip allowing additional stop to be introduced in predetermined position into inner cavity, and cylindrical surface provided with locking mechanism and telescopically inserted into tubular part so as to be restrictedly retracted. Grip of other part of body is adapted for cooperation with main stop of handle or additional stop upon rotation of said part of body relative to pivot joint through predetermined angle after introducing thereof into inner cavity. Grip is also designed for compressing spring in position fixed relative to tubular part of body. There is retainer in inner part of tube. Locking mechanism is adapted for cooperation with retainer in operating position, said retainer having two positions: with retracted other part of tube upon cooperation of grip with main stop or with non-retracted other part of body upon cooperation of grip with additional stop.

EFFECT: enhanced reliability in operation, simplified manufacture process, and simplified setting of spade in operating position owing to convenient gripping and workable position of bayonet relative to body.

4 cl, 4 dwg