GB2041203A - Garden tool head - Google Patents

Abstract

A garden tool head formed as a generally triangular plate (12) with sharpened cutting edges (14, 15, 16), two of which (14, 15) are scalloped. A V-shaped notch (20) is formed in a forward apex of the plate (12) between the scalloped edges (14, 15) so as to define a pair of leading pointed tips (18, 19). The edges (22a, 23a) of the notch are also sharpened. Provision is made (30) to mount an elongate handle in a position in which the handle is inclined to the plane of the plate (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Garden tool head The present invention relates to a garden tool head and in particular to a tool head useful for weeding, lawn edging and other ground trimming and tidying operations.

The patent literature includes several examples of tool heads which essentially consist of hoes modified to improve their performance or to enhance their versatility. United States patent 880925 to Shanks, for example, discloses a hoe which comprises a metal plate with converging side cutting edges and a relatively short, transverse leading cutting edge. The three edges are notched to define a series of truncated cutting teeth along each edge.

The handle is mounted into a shaped trailing edge of the plate and the tool is employed essentially as a hoe, with the teeth assisting in cutting tougher and more fibrous roots.

United States Patent 2169557 to Curtiss describes a variation in which the handle is mounted byway of a ferrule to a tang at the centre of the plate. The side edges of the plate again converge but are here serrated, while the forward and rearward edges are ordinary bevelled cutting edges. The inclination of the handle can be reversed to allow either end of the hoe to serve as the working end. A tool with some similarities to the Curtiss device is disclosed in United States Patent 3015930 to Campbell. In this case all three edges of a triangular plate saw sickle are deeply serrated. The handle extends rearwardly away from one edge of the plate but is mounted near the opposite apex of the plate. The forward corners are truncated.

United States Patent 2594598 to Timmins proposes a tool which is essentially of bifurcated spade configuration. The tool includes a pair of forwardly projecting prongs formed at their extremities with notches defining sharpened V-shaped cutting edges for cutting the roots of weeds. The tool is intended essentially as a cultivatorfork.

A tool with a forward weed cutting notch is also illustrated in United States patent 1278680 to Klaffert. In this case the notch defines a pair of pointed teeth, but versitility of the tool is hampered by the breadth of the rear of the notched head. United States Patent 2266677 described a notched mattock but only a digging function is referred to and the proximity of the upright handle to the base of the notch limits its potential as a weed cutter.

It is an object of the present invention to provided an improved tool head of greater versatility and reliability than those described above.

According to the present invention there is provided a garden tool head comprising: a generally triangular plate bounded by three substantially straight sharpened cutting edges; means upstanding from the plane of the plate to mount an elongate handle in a position in which the handle is inclined to the plane of the plate; a plurality of spaced scallops formed along each of two said cutting edges; and a V-shaped notch formed in a forward apex of the plate between said scalloped edges so as to define a pair of leading pointed tips, the edges of the notch being sharpened to form a pair of further cutting edges.

Each of said scalloped edges is preferably disposed along a respective bevelled margin of said plate, said scallops being formed within said margin and being themselves unsharpened. Advantageously, a multiplicity of said scallops is formed at equispaced intervals along the, or almost the, full length of each of the respective edges.

Said pair of leading pointed tips may be sharp tips each formed by a pair of merging bevelled margins of the plate. The corners between the scalloped edges and the other edge may be truncated or rounded to provide for a chopping or digging action.

The underside of the plate may be recessed if found necessary to assist ground travel by the plate.

For use, the tool head may be attached to an alongate pole handle of the type normally found on for example, garden rakes, and hoes. Said handle mounting means may then comprise a ferrule welded to a surface of the plate centrally thereof. In the most preferred arrangement, the handle is directed upwardly and rearwardly away from the notched apex of the plate at an angle to the plate of about 40 , so that this apex, the axis of the pole handle and the centre of the cutting edge opposite the apex are in a common plane normal to the plane of the plate.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool head constructed in accordance with the invention shown secured to a wooden pole handle; Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sections on the lines 2-2 and 3-3 in Figure 1 respectively, Figure 2 being an enlarged view.

The illustrated tool head 10 comprises a plate 12 of generally triangular configuration. Plate 12 is formed from hardened steel of 12 to 14 gauge or from shovel grade metal such as for examples, cast iron and is bounded by three substantially straight sharpened cutting edges 14, 15, 16. The cutting edges are disposed along respective bevelled margins 14a, 15a, 16a of plate 12.

Cutting edges 14,15, are longer than edge 16 and are scalloped as shown. This is achieved by forming a multiplicity of semi-circular scallops 24 within the bevelled margins 14a, 15a adjacent the respective edges. These scallops do not extend right to ends of edges 14, so as to avoid weakening the tips of the plate. It will be noted that scallops 24 are not sharpened but are bounded by semi-circular upright surfaces 25 which increase in depth rearwardly from the associated cutting edge 14 or 15.The apex of plate 12 between scalloped edges 14, is provided with a V-shaped notch 20 which is symmetrically disposed relative to edges 14, 15 to define a pair of leading pointed tips 18, 19. Notch 20 is itself bounded by sharpened cutting edges 22, 23 disposed along bevelled margins 22a, 23a. Margins 22a, 14a and 23a, 15a merge respectfully in pairs whereby tips 18, 19 comprise sharp projecting points.

In an exemplary tool head, plate 12 measures about 21 cm along scalloped edges 14, 15 and about 16.5cm along back edge 16. The ratio of these lengths is about 0.8 a preferred range for the ratio being 0.7 to 0.9. The scallops are of 5mm diameter at about 1 Omm centres, an arrangement which is found to be especially effective whatever the lengths of edges 14, 15. In general, the diameter of each scallop is preferably between 3 and 7mm for a hand held domestic tool, and their spacing preferably about twice their diameter. Still referring to the exemplary tool, a V-shaped notch 20 is preferably such that tips 18,19 are about 2cm apart with the apex of the notch about 2cm from the line connecting the tips.These dimensions are preferably about equal and their ratio to the lengths of edges 14, 15 is preferably in the range 0.05 to 0.2.

The upper surface 26 of plate 12 is essentially planar and carries, in the vicinity of it geometrical centre, handle mounting means 30 in the form of a ferrule welded to the plate surface 26. To mount the tool head for use as a tool, ferrule 30 receives an elongate pole handle 34 which is held in place by any suitable means such as nails, staples or clamps (not shown) and is of a length typical for tools such as garden rakes and hoes. As depicted in Figure 3, the handle is so positioned that it is inclined at about 40 to the plane of plate 12, being directed upwardly and rearwardly away from notch 20 so that the longitudinal axis of the pole handle lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of plate 12 and bisects both the notched apex and the rear edge 16.An angle of inclination between 30 and 60 is preferred, with 40 being most satisfactory.

A tool of the form depicted has proven to be of special versatility in ground tidying and trimming operations. The scalloped cutting edges 14, 15 may be used in trimming away grass along paths, driveways and garden beds, and, preferably with the plate tipped into a vertical plane, along the bases of fences and walls, the scallops 24 providing a self-cleaning action and assisting to maintain the respective edges in close proximity to the fence or wall. The vertical disposition may often be advantageous when tidying around feature shrubs, perhaps with a downward chopping action. By not being sharpened, as would be the case were they serrations, scallops 24 do not become clogged with for example grass and fibres. The scallops edges give the tool further utility as a rake to transfer trimmed waste from paths or driveways onto an adjacent lawn.

The V-notch 20 can be used to cut roots or;prefer- ably, wholly uplift individual weeds with at least a substantial part of their root structure and without disturbing their seed pods. Where desirable, such as with rose bush suckers, V-notch 20 may be pushed into the soil to cut off stems below ground level. The sharp tips 18, 19 facilitate these operations for crowded weeds, especially those in lawns, or with weeds of a ground hugging or prickly type, and the strict V-shape aids transfer of the weeds to a container without handling.

Back edge 16 may be used as a conventional hoe, and, because of the central inclined mounting of the handle; may be pulled back along the ground under trees and shrubs to trim away unwanted but otherwise fairly inaccessible grass and weeds. The forward part of the tool head can be employed in a spade-like fashion, the dual tip and taper of the plate aiding breaking of the ground.

Claims (11)

1. A garden tool head comprising: a generally triangular plate bounded by three substantially straight sharpened cutting edges; means upstanding from the plane of the plate to mount an elongate handle in a position in which the handle is inclined to the plane of the plate; a plurality of spaced scallops formed along each of two of said cutting edges; and a V-shaped notch formed in a forward apex of the plate between said scalloped edges so as to define a pair of leading pointed tips, the edges of the notch being sharpened to form a pair of further cutting edges.

2. A garden tool head according to claim 1 wherein each of said scalloped edges is disposed along a respective bevelled margin of said plate, and scallops being formed within said margin and being themselves unsharpened.

3. A garden tool head according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a multiplicity of said scallops is formed at equispaced intervals along almost the full length of each of the respective edges.

4. A garden tool head according to claim 1,2 or3 wherein said pair of leading pointed tips are sharp tips each formed by a pair of merging bevelled margins of the plate.

5. A garden tool head according to any preceding claim wherein the handle mounting means is fixed to the plate substantially centrally thereof whereby the axis of said elongate handle lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the plate and bisects the notched apex.

6. A garden tool head according to claim 5 wherein the handle mounting means is fixed to the plate whereby the handle extends upwardly away from the notched apex of the plate at an angle to the plate between 30 and 60".

7. A garden tool head according to claim 6 wherein said angle is approximately 40".

8. A garden tool head according to any preceding claim wherein the handle mounting means comprises a ferrule welded to a surface of said plate.

9. A garden tool head according to claim 8 in combination with an elongate wooden handle secured in said ferrule.

10. A garden tool head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A garden tool comprising a garden tool head according to any preceding claim.