At a glance
| Patent number | CN212696458U (application CN202021765818) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Garden shovel for garden engineering (一种园林工程用园林铲) |
| Patent owner | Individual |
| Inventors | Zheng Yan, Zhao Zhiqiang, Zhu Lin |
| Filing date | 2020-08-21 |
| Grant date | 2021-03-16 |
| Status (China) | Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2022-08-12) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 0 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN212696458U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - A garden shovel comprising a shovel handle with massage bulges, a support rod threaded onto the handle, and a folding piece at the top of the support rod. The support rod has a groove and a sliding groove. A threaded sleeve locks the folding piece. The shovel body attached to the folding piece has a blade on one side and a V-shaped sword on the other. A scraper blade is at the bottom of the shovel body, connected to a slide bar inside the support rod. The slide bar has a push handle and is surrounded by a spring.
Claim 2 - The folding piece consists of a half-wrapped iron sheet, a fixed block, a connecting shaft, and shaft caps. The iron sheet holds the shovel body; the fixed block is on the support rod.
Claim 3 - The fixed block and iron sheet are movably connected by the connecting shaft, secured by shaft caps at both ends to prevent detachment.
Claim 4 - A C-shaped curved rod is located below the shovel handle, with support rods at its ends covered by anti-skidding sleeves.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently lapsed due to non-payment of fees. It does not restrict manufacturing or sales in China or elsewhere based on this specific document. However, garden tools are a mature market with many active patents.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Multi-function garden tools, folding mechanisms, and ergonomic handles are heavily patented in the US and Europe. Companies like Fiskars, Corona, and various hardware brands hold numerous patents on similar structural features. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review is essential before tooling to ensure the specific combination of the spring-loaded scraper and folding hinge does not infringe on active US patents.
- Material Safety. While the structure is expired, the materials used must meet current safety standards. Ensure no hazardous coatings are specified if targeting consumer markets.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Materials | Carbon steel, stainless steel, or fiberglass-reinforced polymer for the handle. |
| Dimensions | Total length (extended vs. folded), shovel body width, and scraper stroke length. |
| Finish | Powder coating, zinc plating, or raw metal finish. Color options for branding. |
| Ergonomics | Texture of the massage bulges, diameter of the handle, and soft-grip overmolds. |
| Mechanism | Spring tension (stiffness of the return action), locking sleeve thread pitch, and hinge durability. |
| Packaging | Retail hang-tags, blister packs, or bulk cardboard boxes for B2B distribution. |
Things to plan for (US market)
- CPSC Guidelines: General product safety requirements apply. Sharp edges on the blade and V-cutter must be properly managed in packaging to prevent injury during unboxing.
- California Prop 65: If using certain plastics for grips or coatings, ensure they do not contain restricted chemicals or provide appropriate warnings.
- ASTM Standards: While no single mandatory ASTM exists for general garden shovels, referencing ASTM F963 (toy safety) principles for sharp point testing is good practice for products sold near children, though primarily ANSI/BHMA or general hardware durability tests are relevant.
- Labeling: Country of origin labeling is required for imported goods.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - Define target market, desired material grade, and quantity estimates.
- Design Review - CAD modeling of the folding hinge and scraper mechanism to optimize fit and function.
- Prototyping - CNC machining or 3D printing of critical parts; assembly of functional samples.
- Testing - Durability testing of the spring mechanism, pull-tests on the threaded connections, and corrosion resistance checks.
- Production Setup - Tooling creation for stamping the shovel body and molding the handle components.
Quantities & timeline
The shovel body requires progressive die stamping or laser cutting and bending. The handle and support rod involve injection molding or tube forming. The folding mechanism and scraper assembly need precision machining for the shafts and springs. Development typically takes 8-12 weeks for prototypes and testing. Send us your material preferences, target retail price, estimated order volume, and desired launch date and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
