US Patent 9775272 Auxiliary handle attachment for a material-moving tool

An auxiliary handle accessory attaches to a shovel's handle-shaft via a folding “clamshell” type clamp, with an intermediate stem member attached to the clamp, and a grip handle screwed into this intermediate stem member, completing the assembly. The intermediate stem member has a ball-knob at the bottom that becomes entirely enclosed by half-sphere “cups” in each of the clamshell clamp halves. When these clamshell-halves close together, they form a simple yet robust socket around the ball, and comprise a ball-and-socket joint. Advantageously, the clamshell-clamp halves are bolted together, insuring a strong and robust connection. This design accommodates the “to-and-fro” motion in the vertical axis during shoveling.