Soil tamper

Abstract

A device for tamping soil comprising a rectangular plate having a flat bottom surface, beveled edges and a top surface having a sleeve extending upward therefrom. A set of support ribs extend between the sleeve and the top surface. A handle fits within the sleeve. Preferably, a pin passes through a bore in the handle and apertures in the sleeve to removably maintain the handle within the sleeve. The handle can be removably locked or attached into the sleeve. The plate optionally has a curved claw member extending from one edge of the plate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for tamping or compressing soil or other particulate matter, comprising: 
 a) a top surface;    b) a bottom surface;    c) a first pair of opposing sides having upper and lower edges, at least a portion of said lower edge being rounded toward said bottom surface;    d) a second pair of opposing sides, said second pair of opposing sides being narrower in width than said first pair of opposing sides; and,    e) a sleeve extending upward from said top surface.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said second pair of opposing sides is at least one half the width of said first pair of opposing sides.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve has a circular cross-section.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said sleeve has a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated handle associated with said sleeve.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a pin for removably connecting said handle and said sleeve, said handle having a bore defined therethrough proximate to one end and said sleeve having at least one aperture defined in said sleeve through which said pin can pass.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface is generally flat and rectangular.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one rib extending from said top surface to said sleeve  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface has at least one protuberance extending outward therefrom.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface has a pattern formed therein for imparting a pattern to said soil or other particulate matter.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface is convex curved.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom surface is concave curved.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device has at least one chamber defined therein and further comprises at least one opening defined therein for accessing said at least one chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one plug for removably sealing said at least one chamber.  
     
     
         15 . A device for tamping or compressing soil or other particulate matter, comprising: 
 a) a top surface;    b) a bottom surface;    c) a first pair of opposing sides having upper and lower edges, at least a portion of said lower edge being rounded toward said bottom surface;    d) a second pair of opposing sides, said second pair of opposing sides being narrower in width than said first pair of opposing sides;    e) a curved member extending outward from one of said second opposing sides, said curved member terminating in an edge; and,    f) a sleeve extending upward from said top surface.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said edge is straight.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said edge has at least one tooth or tine formed therein.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein said edge is narrower in width than the width of said plate.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one rib extending from said top surface to said sleeve.  
     
     
         20 . A device for tamping or compressing soil or other particulate matter, comprising: 
 a) a plate comprising, 
 i) a top surface,  
 ii) a generally flat rectangular shaped surface bottom surface,  
 iii) a first pair of opposing sides having upper and lower edges, at least a portion of said lower edge being rounded toward said bottom surface,  
 iv) a second pair of opposing sides, said second pair of opposing sides being narrower in width than said first pair of opposing sides,  
 v) a sleeve extending upward from said top surface, said sleeve comprising, 
 a) a hollow segment having an inner wall and an outer wall,  
 b) at least one slot or notch defined therein, and,  
 
   b) a handle comprising, 
 i) a post having an upper end and a lower end,  
 ii) at least one pin protruding outward from said lower end of said handle, said pin sized to be received within said slot or notch in said sleeve.  
   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said handle further comprises a ring at least partially enclosing said lower end of said handle, said ring having at least one pin extending outward therefrom sized to be received within said slot or notch in said sleeve.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one fastener having a first end and a second end, said first end attached to said sleeve and a second end forming a hook or loop for removably engaging said pin.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one fastener is attached to said sleeve by a collar such that said at least one fastener can pivot within said collar.  
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising at least one rib extending from said top surface to said sleeve; and,