CA1269272A - Accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper - Google Patents
Accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipperInfo
- Publication number
- CA1269272A CA1269272A CA000492900A CA492900A CA1269272A CA 1269272 A CA1269272 A CA 1269272A CA 000492900 A CA000492900 A CA 000492900A CA 492900 A CA492900 A CA 492900A CA 1269272 A CA1269272 A CA 1269272A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- blade
- handle
- mounting
- billet
- chipper
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B1/00—Hand tools
- A01B1/22—Attaching the blades or the like to handles; Interchangeable or adjustable blades
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B1/00—Hand tools
- A01B1/16—Tools for uprooting weeds
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B24—GRINDING; POLISHING
- B24C—ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL
- B24C3/00—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants
- B24C3/32—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks
- B24C3/34—Abrasive blasting machines or devices; Plants designed for abrasive blasting of particular work, e.g. the internal surfaces of cylinder blocks for cleaning sparking plugs
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25G—HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS
- B25G3/00—Attaching handles to the implements
- B25G3/02—Socket, tang, or like fixings
- B25G3/10—Socket, tang, or like fixings with elastic, taper, or other self-grip socket or tang
Abstract
AN IMPROVED ACCURATE LIGHTWEIGHT MANUAL LAWN AND GRADE
WEED CHIPPER
ABSTRACT
An improved accurate lightweight manual tool to cut suburban lawn and garden weeds efficiently and with little time and effort expended. It is like a miniature hoe half a man's height in length with a very thin very narrow blade (E), in length four to five times its width (FIG. lb). The chipper's light weight is achieved with a very lightweight conduit handle (A) of any section joined at right angles to (D) a backing plate for the blade (F) and weighted with billet (G) to increase and change the power for weight. A thin shock absorber (X) may be bolted between plate and blade by (F).
The joint uses a steel billet (G) driven through the metal plate (D) into the conduit handle (A) thereby expanding the handle (A) against the metal collar (C) and plate(D) which has a self-centering protrusion which abuts with a bevelled surface of collar (C). The permanent right angle locking joint uses totally prefinished components.
WEED CHIPPER
ABSTRACT
An improved accurate lightweight manual tool to cut suburban lawn and garden weeds efficiently and with little time and effort expended. It is like a miniature hoe half a man's height in length with a very thin very narrow blade (E), in length four to five times its width (FIG. lb). The chipper's light weight is achieved with a very lightweight conduit handle (A) of any section joined at right angles to (D) a backing plate for the blade (F) and weighted with billet (G) to increase and change the power for weight. A thin shock absorber (X) may be bolted between plate and blade by (F).
The joint uses a steel billet (G) driven through the metal plate (D) into the conduit handle (A) thereby expanding the handle (A) against the metal collar (C) and plate(D) which has a self-centering protrusion which abuts with a bevelled surface of collar (C). The permanent right angle locking joint uses totally prefinished components.
Description
~2ti~ ~7Z
_ IMPROV~D ACCURATE LIG~TWEIG~T MANUAL LAWN AND GARDE~
WEED C~IPPER
This invention is an improved tool for manual usè by any person to cut and remove weeds from a 6uburban lawn and garder efficiently and with little time and effort expended.
The impr~ved weed chipper of the present invention is much lighter than the original chipper herein described, being only 61.3% of its weight, one of the major imprcvements made.
~0 Thi6 i~proved accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper is like a miniature hoe. It i6 very light and has a very high power for weight ratio. This is achieved by altering the weight balance and locating the maximum weight concentration at the blade end though not in the blade itself. This has other advantage6 as well. Nanufacturing innovations are incorporated and this ~akes the chiE~per viable. The benefits to the user are therefore ea6e of use and a 6aving of time.
Previou61y the removal of weeds was done by one of the following methods:-1. 20e out the weed and in the process lea~e a large hole in the lawn or garden. Skill was needed and a lot of stamina.
Due to the weight and inefficiency of a normal hoe the average gardener finds this method too tiring and seldom finishes the weeding job.
_ IMPROV~D ACCURATE LIG~TWEIG~T MANUAL LAWN AND GARDE~
WEED C~IPPER
This invention is an improved tool for manual usè by any person to cut and remove weeds from a 6uburban lawn and garder efficiently and with little time and effort expended.
The impr~ved weed chipper of the present invention is much lighter than the original chipper herein described, being only 61.3% of its weight, one of the major imprcvements made.
~0 Thi6 i~proved accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper is like a miniature hoe. It i6 very light and has a very high power for weight ratio. This is achieved by altering the weight balance and locating the maximum weight concentration at the blade end though not in the blade itself. This has other advantage6 as well. Nanufacturing innovations are incorporated and this ~akes the chiE~per viable. The benefits to the user are therefore ea6e of use and a 6aving of time.
Previou61y the removal of weeds was done by one of the following methods:-1. 20e out the weed and in the process lea~e a large hole in the lawn or garden. Skill was needed and a lot of stamina.
Due to the weight and inefficiency of a normal hoe the average gardener finds this method too tiring and seldom finishes the weeding job.
2. Many inventions have been designed and manufactured and a great amount of human effort expended to dig out tbe weed and A ~
, . ~ . . .
~Z~2'72 its roots. Complicated systems of lever6 for foot and hand action have been developed. Generally the same re6ult as the hoe was produced - a large hole and a large pile of rubbish to dispose of.
, . ~ . . .
~Z~2'72 its roots. Complicated systems of lever6 for foot and hand action have been developed. Generally the same re6ult as the hoe was produced - a large hole and a large pile of rubbish to dispose of.
3. The average gardener having tired of methods 1 and 2 turned to chemicals to kill the weeds. A lot of good lawn and prize plants are killed in the process. Refinements were to direct the chemicals by varicus methods onto the o~fending weed only, using a handle.
~ven with the better ~ersions the chemical leaches or touches the lawn and generally results in a series of brown spots over the lawn which take a week or two to cover in.
~he dying wsed still has to be removed in a week or so.
~ven with the better ~ersions the chemical leaches or touches the lawn and generally results in a series of brown spots over the lawn which take a week or two to cover in.
~he dying wsed still has to be removed in a week or so.
4. The skilled dedicated gardener has learnt to use a sharp knife, a kneeling pad and a sore back to do the job by slicing only the crown of the weed off at ground level. This preserves the lawn or garden plants and immediately removes the weed forever.
A search of available tools in Australia and throu~h world 20 trade catalogues i~dicates that the perfect method for removing the offending weed has not yet been developed.
This improved accurate lightweight lawn and garden weed chipper i~ used like the traditional hoe and i6 designed to cut the crow~ of the weed off cleanly at ground level without bending the user's back. Its features are :-1. The weed is cut cleanly with a very thin blade.
:~
. ' ~" , , :' , ~2~9~t,`~2 2. The blade is quite narrow.
3. The power to allow this blade to cut i6 achieved byconcentrating weight at the blade end of the chipper - ard by reducing weight in the handle itself. The power for weight ratio is dramatically increa~ed.
4. The concentration of weight is achieved in a locking device ~hich ~lows the use of a multitude of lightweiBht conduit handle materials to be joined at right ~gles to a strong backin& plate in one efficient manufacturing operation.
lQ. 5. The very thin cutting steel blade which i6 narrow for its length is then secured by two bolts and nuts or fastening devices to the backing plate.
The solution to the problem of cutting weed6 out efficiently is achieved with this lightweight chipper. It can be u~ed either single handed or double handed by a little old lady or man without bending their back or getting tired before the job i~ done. They can cut the offending weed off with a 6hort downward dropping action or by swinging the blade in a short cutting arc. There will not be a big hole to repair where 20.the weed wa6. The side of the blade is a natural lightweight rake to drag back the weed that has been cut off. Addition~lly the chipper i6 a natural cultivating tool for loosening the top few centimetre6 of 60il while the chipper is still in the hand after cutting the odd weed out.
This chipper i8 an improvement on the origin~l chipper made by Mr. Cecil Carl Daley of 7 Wiangarie Street, Kyogle, N.S.W.
~Z~9~ t2 Mr. Daley made and refined the chipper for his own use. ~e used it for about 30 years before he died on 4th June, 1973 at the age of 81 years. ~e never patented his chipper or sold it commercially. Only one or two clo6e friends over the years were privileged with the gift of a chipper.
Mr. D~ley 16 hoe was made from a wooden broom haGdle and weighted at the blade with a short piece of waterpipe welded to a small piece of flat steel at right a~gles at its centre to form a Tee shape. ~astened to the flat steel Tee with two bolts and nuts was a very thin narrow cutting blade proportioned one in width to five or six in length. ~oth ends of the blade were sharpened, one 6quare cut and one end pointed to a square cut one half of the blade width. The blade which was wider than the flat steel Tee section,allowing one siXth of the blade width exposed on both sidec of the flat 6teel.
The total effect of the tool is to provide a very light weight chipper with an e~tremely high power for weight action delivering a large force in a downward arc at almost right angle6 to the weed to be cut off at grou~d level. The blade was of the finest steel having been cut from an old hand saw. The blade wa6 therefore very thin and held its edge for a long time.
The wooden handle was only half a man's height~in length.
Previous tools of thi6 type relied on the weight of the handle to add to the weight of a very hea~y blade which was much wider than Mr. Daley's invention. In use Mr. Daley's weed chipper was an ideal lightweight tool for a person of little ~12t~2 ~'2 strength. It del~vered a sharp cutting force to e~actly cut off the top of the weed - and nothing el6e, with ver~ little effort.
Because of its light ha~dle and heavily weighted head, its accuracy is inherent in its de6ign. lo reach over a wide garden and deliver a blow from a foot high, cut off the weed in the proce~s and with a quarter turn of the wrist uRe the weight of the head and the protruding thin ed3e of the blade len~th to rake back the ~eed and le~el the 60il in the same action is usi~g in~enti~eness to produce truly efficient work with a minimum of effort.
The improved accurate lightweight lawn and garden weed chipper of the present invention follows on from Mr. Daley's original invention, by further refining the power for weight advantages of the chipper and fully exploiting its potential using a light and strong tubular, square or oval conduit handle of either durable metal or plastic or fibreglass of the same length as Mr. Daley's original chipper,ie. half a man's height.
The attachment of this handle at right angles to the flat backing plate mounting for the blade comprises the second improvement made to the chipper and in effect provides a new modern chipper designed for efficient manufacture and production in either a small one-at-a time machine shop or equally in a robotised mass production assembly line.
The present invention, in one aspect, resides in a gardening implement of the type having a lightweight tubular handle provided with a hand grip at its upper end and a mounting assembly .~
:~2~ 2 at its lower end for a chipping blade~characterised in that said mounting assembly includes:- an elongated plate-like mounting member having a mounting aperture extending therethrough; a billet insert having an elongate body part which extends through said mounting aperture and into said tubular handle and an enlarged head part disposed externally of said handle which engages said mounting member about the periphery of said mounting aperture, and an external retaining collar supported about the lower end of said handle and retained in an elastically expanded state about said lower end by said billet insert.
In another aspect the present invention resides in a gardening implement as defined above wherein the mounting member supports a chipping blade detachably secured thereto. Preferably the chipping blade is a narrow rectangular blade which extends outwardly beyond said mounting member and wherein said mounting member is provided with fixing apertures spaced from said mount-ing aperture whereby said blade may be bolted to said mounting member.
In still another aspect, the present invention resides in a gardening implement as defined above wherein there is provided a resilient mounting pad adapted to be interposed between said mounting member and said chipping blade.
~ he present invention, in yet another, preferred aspect, resides in a gardening implement as defined above, wherein the enlarged head part is a tapered annular collar and wherein said mounting aperture is correspondingly tapered and receives said -5a-~2~2t~2 tapered annular collar.The present invention further provides a gardening implement as defined above wherein said body part is stepped and includes an inner end portion which slides freely within said tubular handle and an intermediate portion which retains said collar.
The present invention, in a further aspect, resides in a method of securing a mounting member to one end of a lightweight tubular handle of a gardening implement as defined above, which method includes:
(a) forming a retaining collar to fit neatly about the lower end of said handle;
(b) placing said retaining collar on said lower end;
(c) forming an aperture in said mounting member whereby the latter may pass over said lower end and abut the annular end face of said retaining collar;
(d) forming an elongate billet having:- an inner end which fits neatly within said tube; an intermediate portion adapted to fit through said mounting aperture and to enlarge said lower end when forced therein, and a head portior which will not pass through said mounting aperture;
(e) placing said mounting member over said lower end for support about said mounting aperture by said retaining collar; and (f) forcing said billet into said lower end until said head portion clamps said mounting member to said lower end.
A -5b-~2~72 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure la is an exploded perspective view of the manual weed chipper of the present invention, the optional handgrip being omitted, showing the actual size components prior to assembly.
Figure lb is a diagram of the manual weed chipper one half of a person's height in length.
Figure lc illustrates the actual size components of the manual weed chipper in assembled form with the handle and handgrip length reduced by portions thereof being shown as broken away.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the manual weed chipper, including the handgrip, in assembled form.
Figure 3a illustrates the method of joining of components of the manual weed chipper of the present invention.
Figure 3b (heavy circle) is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 3a, and more specifically is a magnified sectional view of the right angle joint.
Figure 3c (light circle) is an enlarged view of another portion of what is shown in Figure 3a, and more specifically is a magnified view of the top shoulder of the collar C, with the handle A being forced outwards by the billet G.
Figure 4a is a bottom view of the assembled weed chipper as seen by a user.
Figure 4b is a side view of the lower portion of the assembled weed chipper as seen by a user.
-5c--~ .
~2~:~2~2 Figure 4c is a plan view of chipping blade E which is detachably secured to the manual weed chipper of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention, showing the lower portion of the assembled weed chipper.
Figure 6, is a magnified sectional view of an alternative joint which may be used in the manufacture of the manual weed chipper of this invention.
Figure 7 is a magnified sectional view of a further alternative joint which may be used in the manufacture of the manual weed chipper of the present invention.
The improved chipper of the present invention is made with the following parts:
A. The handle -5d-A
.. , .~; ~ ; . . , ~2~Z72 . The handgrip C. The collar D. The backing plate for the blade E. The blade F. The two bolts and nut units for attaching the replaceable blade.
G. The weighted steel billet H. The shock absorber The chipper of the present invention is described as follows:-A. The handle is made from standard size thin wall conduit of any section from square, oval or tubular stock. The wall thickness may be as thin as practical for the particular material used so that a strong lightweight durable conduit handle results.
Any mass produced conduit with normal manufacturing tolerances will be suitable. The emphasis is on lightweight durable strength. In length the handle is half a man's height.
B. The handgrip is optional as the chipper will workequally well without a handgrip. When used, however, it is essential that the handgrip be as light as possible. A light 20 weight chemically foamed conduit handgrip for both hands is ideal. A heavy moulded PVC handg~ip will only lessen the efficiency of the chipper.
C. The collar is made from a conduit of the same section as the handle selected so that the collar slips over the outside diameter of the handle conduit. A neat fit is not required thus,allowing a stock manufactured conduit to be used of any type of material. This allows for different materials to ~lZ~92'72 be used for the collar, the handle, the backing plate and the billet. ~his is a maJor feature of gre~t importance.
The o~ly other requirement for the collar is that the wall thickness i6 increased to ens~re sufficient 6trength to resist the manufacturing process u6ed and tbe in-ser~ice jarring blows of tbe chipper,thus transferring the ~wing of the handle e~enly through to the backing plate without failing in oervice by the collar 6plitting.
The collar is proportioned to be slightly longer than ~0 its diameter. It i~ manufactured by spinning in a lathe or a centralising external grip chuck and being parted off with a thin parting tool which is moved in at approsimately a 45 angle to the a~is of the conduit stock. The one parting tool action forms the angled or rounded off end of the collar and al60 forms the other approximately 45 bevelled end of the finished collar. This bevelling is very important in effecting joining of the oomponents. See FIGS. 3a-3c of the drawings.
D. The backing plate i6 required to be thin, 6trong and durable. It6 wei pt is not critical but it must not bend 6ignificantly in use as it transfers the jarring action of the blade to the billet and the handle. It may be sized from standard steel, alumi~`um or stainle66 steel 6tock - whiche~er is the most cost efficient material. It may also be cast. The standard proportions of 6tock size metal may be used with its length in the proportion of appro~imately three to four`times it6 ~idth. ~he width of the backing plate is required to be A
: L2~ 9~ .- 2 ap~roximately three quarters of the width of the blade.
The backing plate has two holes spaced approximately half the width of the backing plate from each end, the diameter of the holes to be punched to suit clearance size of the securing bolts (or devices used in their place).
Through the centre of the backing plate, ie. centre of its length and its width, a hole is required to be stamped, punched or formed. This hole is to be clearance size of the outside diameter of the handle used. In the forming of this lG hole the material should be stretched so that a slight protrusion is formed. This protrusion is to be one side only and should leave an equal recess on the other side.
The resultant hole should match the 4~ bevel formed by the parting tool when manufacturing the collar. Tight manufacturing control is required in the forming of this protrusion. It can be automatically formed by a punch & die set up for normal production. The backing plate may be flat or slightly curved to follow the circumference of a circle having a radius the length of the handle used. The securing bolts ensure 20 that the blade follows the curve.
E. The blade is required to be of cutting steel quality and very thin in proportion to its width and length. The width is to be approximately one and one quarter times the width of the backing plate and its length to be approximately five or four times its width a little more or a little less.
Two holes are to be punched to match the two holes of the backing plate. The diameter of the holes is to be clearance size only of the bolts or securing devices used to secure the blade to the backing plate. The blade is to be A
~2~92~.t2 sharpened at both ends. One end is to be sharpened the full width of the blade and the other end pointed both aide6 to form a sharpened square cut end approximately one half its width. The angle of the cutting edge must be suitable to the steel used in the blade.
~ . The two bolts and nuts or securing devices are to clamp the blade to the backing plate and tran6fer the jarrinE
force of the blade in u6e to the billet and handle 60 that no movement occurs be ~ the blade and bac3cing plate. The aecuring device6 are to be readily removable by the user to replace a worn blade should it be required.
G. ~he billet is to be of standard steel 6tock turned by lathe to achieve certain dimen6ions with a minimum of tolerance in the finished diameters selected. It could be formed by squeezing and slzing or be cast to size. The length of the billet i6 to be the sa~e for each chipper of a given production run. The weight of the finished chipper is controlled by the weight of the billet and exact production control for weight and quality control are achieved by usin~
billets manufactured to tight tolerances. ~he billet is to have a k~own predetermined length and in section it is to have tWD thicknes6es in its length. ~he 6mPlle6t of the6e thicknes6es is to be an easy slip fit into the internal diameter of the handle conduit and of a sectio~ to match the handle conduit selected, be it square, tubular or oval. ~he second and largest thicknes6 of the billet is to approximately _g_ ' ~2~ f 2 be the outside diameter or section width of the handle conduit and just smaller than the internal diameter or 6ection width of the collar selected. The step between the two thicknesses of the billet is to be angled to approximately 45 to the axis and smoothed to form a even gradual transition fro- one thickness to the other. ~his step when the billet is in place in the manufactured chipper will be located at the end of the collar which is away from the backing plate. ~he thick end of the bil~et is to be turned or $or~ed to a 45 a~gle 60 that a large taper i6 formed like the head of a counter sunk wood screw if a round section is used for the handle. Reference is made to FIGS. 3a-3c of the drawincs.
As6embly of the Chipper The as6embly of the chipper a~ a manufacturing process can be accomplished with minimal specialised equipment due to the inherent design of the component parts and is accomplished in the following manner.
~he joining of the handle, collar, billet and backing plate is made by:-1. Clamp the handle upright in a cla~p to provide even pressure to the top quarter of the handle and resting the bottom end OD a solid support and with the top of the handle proud of the top of the die clamp by the thickness of the backing plate plu6 a small predetermined amount.
2. Drop the collar such that it forms a slip fit over the exposed end of the handle and 6its nush i22~2 with the top of the die'clamp and has it5 45 bevelled section upwards. The die clamp is to ensure that the collar cannot move downwards.
~ . Drop the backing plate o~er the expo~ed end of the hsndle, ensuring that the formed protrusion is downwards and fits snug into the 45 bevelled end of the collar.
4. Drop the billet into the conduit handle and press the billet home. In preR~ing the billet home the 6mall diameter of the billet will follow down the internal conduit acting as a guide to keep the billet ~ertical. The gradual tra~ition of the thickness of the billet will swage the thin wall of the handle conduit. As the billet i~ pre6sed home and a6 the internal diameter of the handle conduit expand6, it will in turn swage slightly the thick wall collar. The resistance of this collar will be much greater and will form a joint under continual pre6sure. The degree of pressure exerted by the billet to cause deformation of the collar i6 to be pre-controlled by billet thickness to achieve minimal plastic deformation and maximum elastic deformation. This springback effect of the collar material permanently locks the joint.
The handle conduit i6 squeezed between the billet and the collar and the balance of plastic/elastic deformation i6 not critical though it must be con~idered in relation to material fatigue at the point where the end of the bi-llet finally fini6hes. The billet is pre6sed home in a total .. ..
., ~
.: ~
: ~`'`' . `
~2f~92~2 coldworking process and as a re~ult the inside of the handle conduit is 6tretched to follow the billet. Thus seamles6 or seamed conduit6 may equally be utili6ed.
As the billet pushes the la6t few millimetres the 45 tapered billet head will stretch the very end of the handle conduit past its point of elastic deformation and this will press hard against the reces6 of the backi~ plate. ~he pr~trusio~
of the backing plate will be pressed hard against the recess in the collar. The face of the collar will locate itself evenly against the face of the backing plate and square up the ~ee joint thus formed automatically.
The head of the billet will form n ush with tbe backing plate. The 45 bevelled end formed in the oollar and equally in the backing plate Al lows sufficient room for the displaced pla6tic deformed portion of the handle conduit. Thi6 result6 in a clean firished joint which requires no finishing proces6 whatsoever. A1BO~ the assembly require6 only un6killed labour or a robotised a6sembly plant only. ~he billet having been pres6ed home will require an additional pressure buildup at the end to take advantage of the ~prin6back and frictional qualities of the joint to ensure a maximum locking effect of the backing plate. Thi6 ca~ be achieved by a fast insertion of the billet using a press having a large excess of capacity beyond that normally required. Alternatively a jolt type pressing action dmilar to a fly pres6 may be u6ed, or a~ air actuated A
~z~n2~z punch.
The chipper i6 removed from it~ die clamp with a quickrelease on the split die clamp. The chipper can have its blade fitted after thi~ operation with the two securing bolt6 and captive nuts or 6imilar securing devices and tightened.
The handgrip can then be 61ipped on.
The 6cientific basis for the increased power for weight achieved with thi6 chipper lie6 in mass acceleration.
Beduction of weight in the handle and concentration of weight 10 in the billet and backing plate coupled with a thin cutting ~teel ~arrow blade of little weight produces a large force at the cutting edge. The force achieved allows a person of little strength to accelerate the m~ss at the end of the handle in a quick cutting action. The mass acceleration thu6 protuces a force which i6 mea6ured in newtans~ The length of the handle plus the length of the user' 6 arm from wrist to elbow becomes the radiu6 of the downward arc. The use of gravity in acceleration of the free fall of the blade i6 calculated as F - K x m x a where PORCE F - N~SS x ACCELERATION in Knm.
This force is concentrated upon a very narrow thin cutting blade at near to a right ansle to the axis of the weed, This force placed in the hand6 of a frail user enable6 the user to perform the cutting action of removing the weed and the weight balance pro~ide6 the accuracy to cut only the weed and not the surrounding gras6 or soil thu6 saving the hard manual work of hoeing. The crown of the weed i~ cut off A
.
`9Z'; Z
at ground level and the re5ult~nt hole i~ neglieible. Theohipper i~ the~ inhere~tly provided with a flht blade whlch i6 uaed with the handle vertical and the hole in the lawn i6 tsmpsd do~n with one o~ two dropping blow~ of the handle. The fl~t blade with the weight of the billet provido6 a natur~l t~mpin~ tool. A fl~t l~wn where the weed wa~, i& the r~ult in~t-ad of the u~ual ~agged hole mad~ w1th th~ conventlona~ hoe The long expo~ed edge of the blade b~comes h ~tur~l miniature rake to remove the offending ~eod to a oonvenient pickup point 10 ~aar the u~er 1 8 feet. Thu& time i~ ~avod for the user and o~ly fiv0 minutes now snd than completely oliminate~ tho offending weed immediately.
A3 c major improvement, this chipper may be p-o~ided with an option~l vory thin oynthetic rubber ohock ab~orber "B"
matching the ~h~pe of the ba~e of the backing plate being approximately the same thickness B5 the blade and which io equoezed betwcen the blade '~" And the backirg plate "D" by the two bolto aLd nut~ '~" or eimilar socuring devices. This ~outr~li7~o the ~rring forco ae the blade cut~ the weed or 20 gtrike~ a ~olid ob~oct. It does not ~lter ln any w~y the trAn~fer of ~gular Yolocity as the chippor i~ ~vung in a downw~rd arc~ Tho increaaed benefits of eaoe of use and reducod fatlgue for the u~er are thereby pro~ided at A umall oo-t to th- manufaoturer.
Thi~ tool should then move from the gtatug of a no~el tool which ~oon loee6 it~ appesl and io discarded to the ~tatus of a ~e~y handy, dopendable, useful tool which i6 kept handy to the -14~-A
;t2 door and used regularly for very short periods. Thesense of wasted mowing effort when weeds grow quite high within 2 or 3 days will be removed for the user of this chipper and will add much satisfaction to the average gardener.
It is anticipated that the demand for this improved accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper could be very high due to its inherent features which allow the user to satisfy an almost universal human need to eliminate an annoying weed.
Alternative embodiments of the invention described so far are now given as part of this specification.
Alternatives to the joint described hereinabove may be provided by one of the following five methods:-tl) Welding or moulding or casting the Tee jOillt or right angle joint in lieu of the joint so far described.
(2) By using a weighted billet and punching over or riveting over or centre punching and thereby 2J spreading the head of the billet to secure the backing plate; or straight to the blade without a backing plate.
(3) By deleting the 45 bevel to the collar where it mates with the backing plate and instead square cutting the collar, This can then be used in one of two ways.
(4) The backing plate is formed without the protrusion and the opposite side of the backing plate is countersunk to allow the space for the head of the 3~ billet as described in (l) and (2) and in Figure 6 showing one of two alternative joining methods in the drawings forming part of this patent.
A search of available tools in Australia and throu~h world 20 trade catalogues i~dicates that the perfect method for removing the offending weed has not yet been developed.
This improved accurate lightweight lawn and garden weed chipper i~ used like the traditional hoe and i6 designed to cut the crow~ of the weed off cleanly at ground level without bending the user's back. Its features are :-1. The weed is cut cleanly with a very thin blade.
:~
. ' ~" , , :' , ~2~9~t,`~2 2. The blade is quite narrow.
3. The power to allow this blade to cut i6 achieved byconcentrating weight at the blade end of the chipper - ard by reducing weight in the handle itself. The power for weight ratio is dramatically increa~ed.
4. The concentration of weight is achieved in a locking device ~hich ~lows the use of a multitude of lightweiBht conduit handle materials to be joined at right ~gles to a strong backin& plate in one efficient manufacturing operation.
lQ. 5. The very thin cutting steel blade which i6 narrow for its length is then secured by two bolts and nuts or fastening devices to the backing plate.
The solution to the problem of cutting weed6 out efficiently is achieved with this lightweight chipper. It can be u~ed either single handed or double handed by a little old lady or man without bending their back or getting tired before the job i~ done. They can cut the offending weed off with a 6hort downward dropping action or by swinging the blade in a short cutting arc. There will not be a big hole to repair where 20.the weed wa6. The side of the blade is a natural lightweight rake to drag back the weed that has been cut off. Addition~lly the chipper i6 a natural cultivating tool for loosening the top few centimetre6 of 60il while the chipper is still in the hand after cutting the odd weed out.
This chipper i8 an improvement on the origin~l chipper made by Mr. Cecil Carl Daley of 7 Wiangarie Street, Kyogle, N.S.W.
~Z~9~ t2 Mr. Daley made and refined the chipper for his own use. ~e used it for about 30 years before he died on 4th June, 1973 at the age of 81 years. ~e never patented his chipper or sold it commercially. Only one or two clo6e friends over the years were privileged with the gift of a chipper.
Mr. D~ley 16 hoe was made from a wooden broom haGdle and weighted at the blade with a short piece of waterpipe welded to a small piece of flat steel at right a~gles at its centre to form a Tee shape. ~astened to the flat steel Tee with two bolts and nuts was a very thin narrow cutting blade proportioned one in width to five or six in length. ~oth ends of the blade were sharpened, one 6quare cut and one end pointed to a square cut one half of the blade width. The blade which was wider than the flat steel Tee section,allowing one siXth of the blade width exposed on both sidec of the flat 6teel.
The total effect of the tool is to provide a very light weight chipper with an e~tremely high power for weight action delivering a large force in a downward arc at almost right angle6 to the weed to be cut off at grou~d level. The blade was of the finest steel having been cut from an old hand saw. The blade wa6 therefore very thin and held its edge for a long time.
The wooden handle was only half a man's height~in length.
Previous tools of thi6 type relied on the weight of the handle to add to the weight of a very hea~y blade which was much wider than Mr. Daley's invention. In use Mr. Daley's weed chipper was an ideal lightweight tool for a person of little ~12t~2 ~'2 strength. It del~vered a sharp cutting force to e~actly cut off the top of the weed - and nothing el6e, with ver~ little effort.
Because of its light ha~dle and heavily weighted head, its accuracy is inherent in its de6ign. lo reach over a wide garden and deliver a blow from a foot high, cut off the weed in the proce~s and with a quarter turn of the wrist uRe the weight of the head and the protruding thin ed3e of the blade len~th to rake back the ~eed and le~el the 60il in the same action is usi~g in~enti~eness to produce truly efficient work with a minimum of effort.
The improved accurate lightweight lawn and garden weed chipper of the present invention follows on from Mr. Daley's original invention, by further refining the power for weight advantages of the chipper and fully exploiting its potential using a light and strong tubular, square or oval conduit handle of either durable metal or plastic or fibreglass of the same length as Mr. Daley's original chipper,ie. half a man's height.
The attachment of this handle at right angles to the flat backing plate mounting for the blade comprises the second improvement made to the chipper and in effect provides a new modern chipper designed for efficient manufacture and production in either a small one-at-a time machine shop or equally in a robotised mass production assembly line.
The present invention, in one aspect, resides in a gardening implement of the type having a lightweight tubular handle provided with a hand grip at its upper end and a mounting assembly .~
:~2~ 2 at its lower end for a chipping blade~characterised in that said mounting assembly includes:- an elongated plate-like mounting member having a mounting aperture extending therethrough; a billet insert having an elongate body part which extends through said mounting aperture and into said tubular handle and an enlarged head part disposed externally of said handle which engages said mounting member about the periphery of said mounting aperture, and an external retaining collar supported about the lower end of said handle and retained in an elastically expanded state about said lower end by said billet insert.
In another aspect the present invention resides in a gardening implement as defined above wherein the mounting member supports a chipping blade detachably secured thereto. Preferably the chipping blade is a narrow rectangular blade which extends outwardly beyond said mounting member and wherein said mounting member is provided with fixing apertures spaced from said mount-ing aperture whereby said blade may be bolted to said mounting member.
In still another aspect, the present invention resides in a gardening implement as defined above wherein there is provided a resilient mounting pad adapted to be interposed between said mounting member and said chipping blade.
~ he present invention, in yet another, preferred aspect, resides in a gardening implement as defined above, wherein the enlarged head part is a tapered annular collar and wherein said mounting aperture is correspondingly tapered and receives said -5a-~2~2t~2 tapered annular collar.The present invention further provides a gardening implement as defined above wherein said body part is stepped and includes an inner end portion which slides freely within said tubular handle and an intermediate portion which retains said collar.
The present invention, in a further aspect, resides in a method of securing a mounting member to one end of a lightweight tubular handle of a gardening implement as defined above, which method includes:
(a) forming a retaining collar to fit neatly about the lower end of said handle;
(b) placing said retaining collar on said lower end;
(c) forming an aperture in said mounting member whereby the latter may pass over said lower end and abut the annular end face of said retaining collar;
(d) forming an elongate billet having:- an inner end which fits neatly within said tube; an intermediate portion adapted to fit through said mounting aperture and to enlarge said lower end when forced therein, and a head portior which will not pass through said mounting aperture;
(e) placing said mounting member over said lower end for support about said mounting aperture by said retaining collar; and (f) forcing said billet into said lower end until said head portion clamps said mounting member to said lower end.
A -5b-~2~72 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure la is an exploded perspective view of the manual weed chipper of the present invention, the optional handgrip being omitted, showing the actual size components prior to assembly.
Figure lb is a diagram of the manual weed chipper one half of a person's height in length.
Figure lc illustrates the actual size components of the manual weed chipper in assembled form with the handle and handgrip length reduced by portions thereof being shown as broken away.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the manual weed chipper, including the handgrip, in assembled form.
Figure 3a illustrates the method of joining of components of the manual weed chipper of the present invention.
Figure 3b (heavy circle) is an enlarged view of a portion of what is shown in Figure 3a, and more specifically is a magnified sectional view of the right angle joint.
Figure 3c (light circle) is an enlarged view of another portion of what is shown in Figure 3a, and more specifically is a magnified view of the top shoulder of the collar C, with the handle A being forced outwards by the billet G.
Figure 4a is a bottom view of the assembled weed chipper as seen by a user.
Figure 4b is a side view of the lower portion of the assembled weed chipper as seen by a user.
-5c--~ .
~2~:~2~2 Figure 4c is a plan view of chipping blade E which is detachably secured to the manual weed chipper of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an illustration of another embodiment of the present invention, showing the lower portion of the assembled weed chipper.
Figure 6, is a magnified sectional view of an alternative joint which may be used in the manufacture of the manual weed chipper of this invention.
Figure 7 is a magnified sectional view of a further alternative joint which may be used in the manufacture of the manual weed chipper of the present invention.
The improved chipper of the present invention is made with the following parts:
A. The handle -5d-A
.. , .~; ~ ; . . , ~2~Z72 . The handgrip C. The collar D. The backing plate for the blade E. The blade F. The two bolts and nut units for attaching the replaceable blade.
G. The weighted steel billet H. The shock absorber The chipper of the present invention is described as follows:-A. The handle is made from standard size thin wall conduit of any section from square, oval or tubular stock. The wall thickness may be as thin as practical for the particular material used so that a strong lightweight durable conduit handle results.
Any mass produced conduit with normal manufacturing tolerances will be suitable. The emphasis is on lightweight durable strength. In length the handle is half a man's height.
B. The handgrip is optional as the chipper will workequally well without a handgrip. When used, however, it is essential that the handgrip be as light as possible. A light 20 weight chemically foamed conduit handgrip for both hands is ideal. A heavy moulded PVC handg~ip will only lessen the efficiency of the chipper.
C. The collar is made from a conduit of the same section as the handle selected so that the collar slips over the outside diameter of the handle conduit. A neat fit is not required thus,allowing a stock manufactured conduit to be used of any type of material. This allows for different materials to ~lZ~92'72 be used for the collar, the handle, the backing plate and the billet. ~his is a maJor feature of gre~t importance.
The o~ly other requirement for the collar is that the wall thickness i6 increased to ens~re sufficient 6trength to resist the manufacturing process u6ed and tbe in-ser~ice jarring blows of tbe chipper,thus transferring the ~wing of the handle e~enly through to the backing plate without failing in oervice by the collar 6plitting.
The collar is proportioned to be slightly longer than ~0 its diameter. It i~ manufactured by spinning in a lathe or a centralising external grip chuck and being parted off with a thin parting tool which is moved in at approsimately a 45 angle to the a~is of the conduit stock. The one parting tool action forms the angled or rounded off end of the collar and al60 forms the other approximately 45 bevelled end of the finished collar. This bevelling is very important in effecting joining of the oomponents. See FIGS. 3a-3c of the drawings.
D. The backing plate i6 required to be thin, 6trong and durable. It6 wei pt is not critical but it must not bend 6ignificantly in use as it transfers the jarring action of the blade to the billet and the handle. It may be sized from standard steel, alumi~`um or stainle66 steel 6tock - whiche~er is the most cost efficient material. It may also be cast. The standard proportions of 6tock size metal may be used with its length in the proportion of appro~imately three to four`times it6 ~idth. ~he width of the backing plate is required to be A
: L2~ 9~ .- 2 ap~roximately three quarters of the width of the blade.
The backing plate has two holes spaced approximately half the width of the backing plate from each end, the diameter of the holes to be punched to suit clearance size of the securing bolts (or devices used in their place).
Through the centre of the backing plate, ie. centre of its length and its width, a hole is required to be stamped, punched or formed. This hole is to be clearance size of the outside diameter of the handle used. In the forming of this lG hole the material should be stretched so that a slight protrusion is formed. This protrusion is to be one side only and should leave an equal recess on the other side.
The resultant hole should match the 4~ bevel formed by the parting tool when manufacturing the collar. Tight manufacturing control is required in the forming of this protrusion. It can be automatically formed by a punch & die set up for normal production. The backing plate may be flat or slightly curved to follow the circumference of a circle having a radius the length of the handle used. The securing bolts ensure 20 that the blade follows the curve.
E. The blade is required to be of cutting steel quality and very thin in proportion to its width and length. The width is to be approximately one and one quarter times the width of the backing plate and its length to be approximately five or four times its width a little more or a little less.
Two holes are to be punched to match the two holes of the backing plate. The diameter of the holes is to be clearance size only of the bolts or securing devices used to secure the blade to the backing plate. The blade is to be A
~2~92~.t2 sharpened at both ends. One end is to be sharpened the full width of the blade and the other end pointed both aide6 to form a sharpened square cut end approximately one half its width. The angle of the cutting edge must be suitable to the steel used in the blade.
~ . The two bolts and nuts or securing devices are to clamp the blade to the backing plate and tran6fer the jarrinE
force of the blade in u6e to the billet and handle 60 that no movement occurs be ~ the blade and bac3cing plate. The aecuring device6 are to be readily removable by the user to replace a worn blade should it be required.
G. ~he billet is to be of standard steel 6tock turned by lathe to achieve certain dimen6ions with a minimum of tolerance in the finished diameters selected. It could be formed by squeezing and slzing or be cast to size. The length of the billet i6 to be the sa~e for each chipper of a given production run. The weight of the finished chipper is controlled by the weight of the billet and exact production control for weight and quality control are achieved by usin~
billets manufactured to tight tolerances. ~he billet is to have a k~own predetermined length and in section it is to have tWD thicknes6es in its length. ~he 6mPlle6t of the6e thicknes6es is to be an easy slip fit into the internal diameter of the handle conduit and of a sectio~ to match the handle conduit selected, be it square, tubular or oval. ~he second and largest thicknes6 of the billet is to approximately _g_ ' ~2~ f 2 be the outside diameter or section width of the handle conduit and just smaller than the internal diameter or 6ection width of the collar selected. The step between the two thicknesses of the billet is to be angled to approximately 45 to the axis and smoothed to form a even gradual transition fro- one thickness to the other. ~his step when the billet is in place in the manufactured chipper will be located at the end of the collar which is away from the backing plate. ~he thick end of the bil~et is to be turned or $or~ed to a 45 a~gle 60 that a large taper i6 formed like the head of a counter sunk wood screw if a round section is used for the handle. Reference is made to FIGS. 3a-3c of the drawincs.
As6embly of the Chipper The as6embly of the chipper a~ a manufacturing process can be accomplished with minimal specialised equipment due to the inherent design of the component parts and is accomplished in the following manner.
~he joining of the handle, collar, billet and backing plate is made by:-1. Clamp the handle upright in a cla~p to provide even pressure to the top quarter of the handle and resting the bottom end OD a solid support and with the top of the handle proud of the top of the die clamp by the thickness of the backing plate plu6 a small predetermined amount.
2. Drop the collar such that it forms a slip fit over the exposed end of the handle and 6its nush i22~2 with the top of the die'clamp and has it5 45 bevelled section upwards. The die clamp is to ensure that the collar cannot move downwards.
~ . Drop the backing plate o~er the expo~ed end of the hsndle, ensuring that the formed protrusion is downwards and fits snug into the 45 bevelled end of the collar.
4. Drop the billet into the conduit handle and press the billet home. In preR~ing the billet home the 6mall diameter of the billet will follow down the internal conduit acting as a guide to keep the billet ~ertical. The gradual tra~ition of the thickness of the billet will swage the thin wall of the handle conduit. As the billet i~ pre6sed home and a6 the internal diameter of the handle conduit expand6, it will in turn swage slightly the thick wall collar. The resistance of this collar will be much greater and will form a joint under continual pre6sure. The degree of pressure exerted by the billet to cause deformation of the collar i6 to be pre-controlled by billet thickness to achieve minimal plastic deformation and maximum elastic deformation. This springback effect of the collar material permanently locks the joint.
The handle conduit i6 squeezed between the billet and the collar and the balance of plastic/elastic deformation i6 not critical though it must be con~idered in relation to material fatigue at the point where the end of the bi-llet finally fini6hes. The billet is pre6sed home in a total .. ..
., ~
.: ~
: ~`'`' . `
~2f~92~2 coldworking process and as a re~ult the inside of the handle conduit is 6tretched to follow the billet. Thus seamles6 or seamed conduit6 may equally be utili6ed.
As the billet pushes the la6t few millimetres the 45 tapered billet head will stretch the very end of the handle conduit past its point of elastic deformation and this will press hard against the reces6 of the backi~ plate. ~he pr~trusio~
of the backing plate will be pressed hard against the recess in the collar. The face of the collar will locate itself evenly against the face of the backing plate and square up the ~ee joint thus formed automatically.
The head of the billet will form n ush with tbe backing plate. The 45 bevelled end formed in the oollar and equally in the backing plate Al lows sufficient room for the displaced pla6tic deformed portion of the handle conduit. Thi6 result6 in a clean firished joint which requires no finishing proces6 whatsoever. A1BO~ the assembly require6 only un6killed labour or a robotised a6sembly plant only. ~he billet having been pres6ed home will require an additional pressure buildup at the end to take advantage of the ~prin6back and frictional qualities of the joint to ensure a maximum locking effect of the backing plate. Thi6 ca~ be achieved by a fast insertion of the billet using a press having a large excess of capacity beyond that normally required. Alternatively a jolt type pressing action dmilar to a fly pres6 may be u6ed, or a~ air actuated A
~z~n2~z punch.
The chipper i6 removed from it~ die clamp with a quickrelease on the split die clamp. The chipper can have its blade fitted after thi~ operation with the two securing bolt6 and captive nuts or 6imilar securing devices and tightened.
The handgrip can then be 61ipped on.
The 6cientific basis for the increased power for weight achieved with thi6 chipper lie6 in mass acceleration.
Beduction of weight in the handle and concentration of weight 10 in the billet and backing plate coupled with a thin cutting ~teel ~arrow blade of little weight produces a large force at the cutting edge. The force achieved allows a person of little strength to accelerate the m~ss at the end of the handle in a quick cutting action. The mass acceleration thu6 protuces a force which i6 mea6ured in newtans~ The length of the handle plus the length of the user' 6 arm from wrist to elbow becomes the radiu6 of the downward arc. The use of gravity in acceleration of the free fall of the blade i6 calculated as F - K x m x a where PORCE F - N~SS x ACCELERATION in Knm.
This force is concentrated upon a very narrow thin cutting blade at near to a right ansle to the axis of the weed, This force placed in the hand6 of a frail user enable6 the user to perform the cutting action of removing the weed and the weight balance pro~ide6 the accuracy to cut only the weed and not the surrounding gras6 or soil thu6 saving the hard manual work of hoeing. The crown of the weed i~ cut off A
.
`9Z'; Z
at ground level and the re5ult~nt hole i~ neglieible. Theohipper i~ the~ inhere~tly provided with a flht blade whlch i6 uaed with the handle vertical and the hole in the lawn i6 tsmpsd do~n with one o~ two dropping blow~ of the handle. The fl~t blade with the weight of the billet provido6 a natur~l t~mpin~ tool. A fl~t l~wn where the weed wa~, i& the r~ult in~t-ad of the u~ual ~agged hole mad~ w1th th~ conventlona~ hoe The long expo~ed edge of the blade b~comes h ~tur~l miniature rake to remove the offending ~eod to a oonvenient pickup point 10 ~aar the u~er 1 8 feet. Thu& time i~ ~avod for the user and o~ly fiv0 minutes now snd than completely oliminate~ tho offending weed immediately.
A3 c major improvement, this chipper may be p-o~ided with an option~l vory thin oynthetic rubber ohock ab~orber "B"
matching the ~h~pe of the ba~e of the backing plate being approximately the same thickness B5 the blade and which io equoezed betwcen the blade '~" And the backirg plate "D" by the two bolto aLd nut~ '~" or eimilar socuring devices. This ~outr~li7~o the ~rring forco ae the blade cut~ the weed or 20 gtrike~ a ~olid ob~oct. It does not ~lter ln any w~y the trAn~fer of ~gular Yolocity as the chippor i~ ~vung in a downw~rd arc~ Tho increaaed benefits of eaoe of use and reducod fatlgue for the u~er are thereby pro~ided at A umall oo-t to th- manufaoturer.
Thi~ tool should then move from the gtatug of a no~el tool which ~oon loee6 it~ appesl and io discarded to the ~tatus of a ~e~y handy, dopendable, useful tool which i6 kept handy to the -14~-A
;t2 door and used regularly for very short periods. Thesense of wasted mowing effort when weeds grow quite high within 2 or 3 days will be removed for the user of this chipper and will add much satisfaction to the average gardener.
It is anticipated that the demand for this improved accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper could be very high due to its inherent features which allow the user to satisfy an almost universal human need to eliminate an annoying weed.
Alternative embodiments of the invention described so far are now given as part of this specification.
Alternatives to the joint described hereinabove may be provided by one of the following five methods:-tl) Welding or moulding or casting the Tee jOillt or right angle joint in lieu of the joint so far described.
(2) By using a weighted billet and punching over or riveting over or centre punching and thereby 2J spreading the head of the billet to secure the backing plate; or straight to the blade without a backing plate.
(3) By deleting the 45 bevel to the collar where it mates with the backing plate and instead square cutting the collar, This can then be used in one of two ways.
(4) The backing plate is formed without the protrusion and the opposite side of the backing plate is countersunk to allow the space for the head of the 3~ billet as described in (l) and (2) and in Figure 6 showing one of two alternative joining methods in the drawings forming part of this patent.
(5) By deleting the 45 bevel to the collar where it mates with the backing plate and by square cutting the collar. The backing plate is formed with a protrusion simply pressed or punched so that the metal thickness is not deformed at the top of the protrusion and remains square cut as shown in Figure A
.
:: .
.. ~ .
:az~9;~z 7 showing the second alternative joining method illustrated in the drawings forming part of this patent. This billet is similarly formed but with sn additional recess in its section or thickness close to the billet head. The result of this alternative joining method is that it requires much more pressure on the billet during assembly as the square cut of the collar which is held and clamped to remain solid is forced against the protrusion of the bscking plate. This protrusion is thus flattened to its original flat surface. When the protrusion flattens the diameter of the hole is reduced and the circumference of the hole becomes smaller allowing the flattened protrusion to grip into the recessed thickness of the billet head. This forms a locking device on the head of the billet which will be shaped to take advantage of this locking action. In the process the handle conduit is also deformed to follow the recess in the billet head. Any one or a combination of these variations, namely (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5),may be used.
The handle conduit may be varied to further reduce its weight by reducing its diameter by a taper or a series of steps each of a lesser diameter similar to a golf club. It is my intention that such variation be incorporated within the scope of the present invention as claimed.
The alternative locking methods described in (1), (2),(3), (4) and (5) as illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 7 but excluding adhesive, welding, rivetting or wedging being normal joining methods sre intended to be encompassed by the present invention as disclosed and clsimed in this specification.
The use of the joint as illustrated in Figure 3a allows normal conduit stock materials with normal ~2~2 .Z
manufacturing tolerances to be used without special stock sizes having to be purchased and thereby incurring the associated additional costs involved. This cost saving feature is an important feature of the present invention.
' , ';
.
:: .
.. ~ .
:az~9;~z 7 showing the second alternative joining method illustrated in the drawings forming part of this patent. This billet is similarly formed but with sn additional recess in its section or thickness close to the billet head. The result of this alternative joining method is that it requires much more pressure on the billet during assembly as the square cut of the collar which is held and clamped to remain solid is forced against the protrusion of the bscking plate. This protrusion is thus flattened to its original flat surface. When the protrusion flattens the diameter of the hole is reduced and the circumference of the hole becomes smaller allowing the flattened protrusion to grip into the recessed thickness of the billet head. This forms a locking device on the head of the billet which will be shaped to take advantage of this locking action. In the process the handle conduit is also deformed to follow the recess in the billet head. Any one or a combination of these variations, namely (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5),may be used.
The handle conduit may be varied to further reduce its weight by reducing its diameter by a taper or a series of steps each of a lesser diameter similar to a golf club. It is my intention that such variation be incorporated within the scope of the present invention as claimed.
The alternative locking methods described in (1), (2),(3), (4) and (5) as illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 7 but excluding adhesive, welding, rivetting or wedging being normal joining methods sre intended to be encompassed by the present invention as disclosed and clsimed in this specification.
The use of the joint as illustrated in Figure 3a allows normal conduit stock materials with normal ~2~2 .Z
manufacturing tolerances to be used without special stock sizes having to be purchased and thereby incurring the associated additional costs involved. This cost saving feature is an important feature of the present invention.
' , ';
Claims (9)
1. A gardening implement of the type having a lightweight tubular handle provided with a hand grip at its upper end and a mounting assembly at its lower end for a chipping blade characterised in that said mounting assembly includes:- an elongate plate-like mounting member having a mounting aperture extending therethrough; a billet insert having an elongate body part which extends through said mounting aperture and into said tubular handle and an enlarged head part disposed externally of said handle which engages said mounting member about the periphery of said mounting aperture, and an external retaining collar supported about the lower end of said handle and retained in an elastically expanded state about said lower end by said billet insert.
2. A gardening implement according to Claim 1, wherein said body part is stepped and includes an inner end portion which slides freely within said tubular handle and an intermediate portion which retains said collar.
3. A gardening implement according to Claim 1 wherein said mounting member supports a chipping blade detachably secured thereto.
4. A gardening implement according to Claim 3, wherein said chipping blade is a narrow rectangular blade which extends outwardly beyond said mounting member and wherein said mounting member is provided with fixing apertures spaced from said mounting aperture whereby said blade may be bolted to said mounting member.
5. A gardening implement according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein there is provided a resilient mounting pad adapted to be interposed between said mounting member and said chipping blade.
6. A gardening implement according to claim 4 wherein the opposite ends of said narrow rectangular blade form opposed cutting edges.
7. A gardening implement according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said mounting aperture is dimensioned so as to fit closely about the lower end of said handle.
8. A gardening implement according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said enlarged head part is a tapered annular collar and wherein said mounting aperture is correspondingly tapered and receives said tapered annular collar.
9. A method of securing a mounting member to one end of a lightweight tubular handle of a gardening implement as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3, the method including:-(a) forming a retaining collar to fit neatly about the lower end of said handle;
(b) placing said retaining collar on said lower end;
(c) forming an aperture in said mounting member whereby the latter may pass over said lower end and abut the annular end face of said retaining collar;
(d) forming an elongate billet having:- an inner end which fits neatly within said tube; an intermediate portion adapted to fit through said mounting aperture and to enlarge said lower end when forced therein, and a head portion which will not pass through said mounting aperture;
(e) placing said mounting member over said lower end for support about said mounting aperture by said retaining collar; and (f) forcing said billet into said lower end until said head portion clamps said mounting member to said lower end.
(b) placing said retaining collar on said lower end;
(c) forming an aperture in said mounting member whereby the latter may pass over said lower end and abut the annular end face of said retaining collar;
(d) forming an elongate billet having:- an inner end which fits neatly within said tube; an intermediate portion adapted to fit through said mounting aperture and to enlarge said lower end when forced therein, and a head portion which will not pass through said mounting aperture;
(e) placing said mounting member over said lower end for support about said mounting aperture by said retaining collar; and (f) forcing said billet into said lower end until said head portion clamps said mounting member to said lower end.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU1984/000199 WO1986002233A1 (en) | 1984-10-12 | 1984-10-12 | An improved accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper |
| AU84/00199 | 1984-10-12 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1269272A true CA1269272A (en) | 1990-05-22 |
Family
ID=3761753
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000492900A Expired CA1269272A (en) | 1984-10-12 | 1985-10-11 | Accurate lightweight manual lawn and garden weed chipper |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0197029A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1269272A (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ213754A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1986002233A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1411435A (en) * | 1921-04-04 | 1922-04-04 | John E Hosmer | Gravity walking hand cultivator |
| DE901886C (en) * | 1951-11-15 | 1954-01-18 | Asse J N Alexander D | Handle attachment to brooms, scrubbers or the like. |
| FR2233146B3 (en) * | 1973-06-14 | 1977-01-21 | Dietsche Roman Kg | |
| FR2330294A1 (en) * | 1975-11-04 | 1977-06-03 | Gouvy Et Cie | Multipurpose gardening tool with detachable heads - has head held against handle seating by clamp with T-shaped locating tongue |
| US4037668A (en) * | 1976-04-14 | 1977-07-26 | Svejda Terry M | Gardening implement with offcenter balancing weight |
| FR2440679A1 (en) * | 1978-11-07 | 1980-06-06 | Deville Et Cie Sa | HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR GARDENING INSTRUMENT |
-
1984
- 1984-10-12 WO PCT/AU1984/000199 patent/WO1986002233A1/en unknown
- 1984-10-12 EP EP19840903794 patent/EP0197029A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1985
- 1985-10-09 NZ NZ213754A patent/NZ213754A/en unknown
- 1985-10-11 CA CA000492900A patent/CA1269272A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU3553184A (en) | 1986-05-02 |
| WO1986002233A1 (en) | 1986-04-24 |
| AU581416B2 (en) | 1989-02-23 |
| EP0197029A1 (en) | 1986-10-15 |
| NZ213754A (en) | 1988-07-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |