Automatic handheld shovel with auger

Abstract

An electrical handheld shovel system includes a handheld shovel with an auger bit. The shovel includes a motor configured to rotate the auger bit and a portable power source configured to power the motor. The shovel includes an input/output (I/O) device and a controller to control rotation of the auger bit. The shovel has a handle and a shovel portion. In one example, the power source is integrated into the handle, and in another example, the power source is detachably coupled to the handle. The shovel has a gearbox coupled to the motor. The shovel portion includes a blade positioned proximal to the auger bit to retain debris from the auger bit. The auger bit has a flute that is partially covered by the blade, and the blade defines a discharge opening configured to discharge at least some of the debris.

1 . A shovel, comprising:
 a housing having a longitudinal axis;   an auger bit extending from the housing, wherein the auger bit is configured to dig;   a blade extending from the housing;   a gearbox enclosed in the housing, wherein the gearbox is configured to rotate the auger bit;   a motor coupled to the gearbox, wherein the motor is configured to rotate the auger bit through the gearbox; and   the motor and the gearbox being aligned along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The shovel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an input/output device;   a controller; and   wherein the input/output device and the controller are enclosed in the housing to control rotation of the auger bit.   
     
     
         3 . The shovel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an energy Storage System (ESS) configured to power the motor.   
     
     
         4 . The shovel of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the ESS is coupled to the motor; and   the ESS and the motor are aligned along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         5 . The shovel of  claim 4 , wherein the ESS is coupled to the housing in a detachable manner. 
     
     
         6 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the blade covers a lateral side of the auger bit to retain a plug of debris in the auger bit. 
     
     
         7 . The shovel of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the auger bit is configured to rotate in a first direction to dig the debris to form a hole;   the auger bit is configured to rotate in a second direction to discharge the plug of the debris from the auger bit; and   the second direction is opposite of the first direction.   
     
     
         8 . A shovel, comprising:
 a housing;   an auger bit;   a blade;   a motor enclosed in the housing to rotate the auger bit while the blade remains stationary relative to the auger bit;   a battery couple to the housing in a detachable manner; and   wherein the battery is configured to supply power to the motor.   
     
     
         9 . The shovel of  claim 8 , wherein the blade is positioned proximal to the auger bit to retain debris from the auger bit. 
     
     
         10 . The shovel of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the auger bit rotates in a first direction and a second direction;   the second direction is opposite of the first direction;   the blade defines a discharge opening where the auger bit is exposed; and   the auger bit is configured to rotate in a second direction to discharge the plug of the debris from the auger bit.   
     
     
         11 . The shovel of  claim 9 , wherein the blade contacts the auger bit. 
     
     
         12 . The shovel of  claim 9 , wherein the blade is spaced from the auger bit to form a clearance gap of at most 1 centimeter. 
     
     
         13 . The shovel of  claim 9 , wherein the blade has a semi-cylindrical shape that partially surrounds the auger bit. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 digging a hole with an auger bit of a shovel by rotating the auger bit in a first direction;   removing the auger bit from the hole;   retaining at least some debris from the hole between the auger bit and a blade of the shovel;   discharging at least a portion of the debris from the auger bit by rotating the auger bit in a second direction; and   wherein the second direction is opposite of the first direction.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further including:
 wherein the blade defines a discharge opening where the auger bit is exposed; and   discharging the debris from the hole through the discharge opening while a portion of the blade is inside the hole during said digging.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 wherein the shovel defines a multiway switch device to control rotation of the auger bit; and   actuating the multiway switch to rotate the auger bit.