GB2094601A

GB2094601A - Improvements in horticultural tools

Info

Publication number: GB2094601A
Application number: GB8105562A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-02-21
Filing date: 1981-02-21
Publication date: 1982-09-22

Abstract

A horticultural tool comprising a pair of long-handled tongs (10), the ends of whose arms opposite the handles (12) carry or are formed with arcuate, spade-like blades (14) which are shaped so that, when the tongs are closed, they define a pot shape. <IMAGE>

Description

SPEClFlCATlO\! OSlR iin Dn Gel 5 The present invention relates to a tool for making holes in the soil to receive plants to be planted out.

A horticultural tool according to the present invention comprises a pair of long-handled tongs, the ends of whose arms opposite the handles are of generally arcuate somewhat spade like shape to that, when the tongs are closed, a pot-shape is defined.

The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a horticultural tool according to the present invention.

The illustrated tool comprises a pair of tongs 10 whose shafts 11 are provided with long handles 12.

The shafts are pivoted together at 13 and the ends of the tongs opposite the handles 12 are provided with arcuate blades 14 which, when closed, define a plant-pot-like shape. A stop 15 is attached to one arm of the tongs and co-operates with the other arm in order to limit the extent to which the tongs can be opened.

In use, the tongs in their fully closed condition are inserted downwardly into the ground until the tops of the blades 14 are level with the ground surface.

The tongs are then withdrawn, still in their closed condition, thereby removing the soil held between the blades 14 and leaving a plant-pot-shaped hole ready for receiving a plant to be planted out. The contents of the tool are discharged by opening the tongs to the position illustrated.

Conveniently the handles 12 are long enough to enable the tool to be used by a user standing nor mally. Of course the handles 12 can be made relatively short if the shafts 11 are correspondingly long.

The blades 14 do not need to be circularly arcuate as illustrated but could have other cross-sections so long as they define between them a space which is closed when the tongs are closed and which can retain the soil when the tongs are lifted from the ground. To facilitate holding of the soil and the lifting from the ground the blades are tapered as shown, towards the free ends of the tongs.

The tool has wide application in horticulture and agriculture; it may be used in greenhouses or out-of doors.

1. A horticultural tool comprising a pair of longhandled tongs, the ends of whose arms opposite the handles are of generally arcuate, somewhat spadelike shape so that, when the tongs are closed, a potshape is defined.

2. A horticultural tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tongs when closed define a plantwpot shape.

3. A horticultural tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pot-shape defined by said arms is tapered, towards the free ends of said arms.

4. A horticultural tool as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the pot-shape is defined by a pair of arcuate blades constituting said ends of the arms opposite the handles.

5. A horticultural tool as claimed in claim 1,2,3 or 4 including a stop carried by one arm of the tongs and adapted to co-operate with the other arm in order to limit the event to which the arms can be opened.

6. A horticultural tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

The drawing(s) originally filed wasiwere informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPEClFlCATlO\! OSlR iin Dn Gel 5 The present invention relates to a tool for making holes in the soil to receive plants to be planted out. A horticultural tool according to the present invention comprises a pair of long-handled tongs, the ends of whose arms opposite the handles are of generally arcuate somewhat spade like shape to that, when the tongs are closed, a pot-shape is defined. The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a horticultural tool according to the present invention. The illustrated tool comprises a pair of tongs 10 whose shafts 11 are provided with long handles 12. The shafts are pivoted together at 13 and the ends of the tongs opposite the handles 12 are provided with arcuate blades 14 which, when closed, define a plant-pot-like shape. A stop 15 is attached to one arm of the tongs and co-operates with the other arm in order to limit the extent to which the tongs can be opened. In use, the tongs in their fully closed condition are inserted downwardly into the ground until the tops of the blades 14 are level with the ground surface. The tongs are then withdrawn, still in their closed condition, thereby removing the soil held between the blades 14 and leaving a plant-pot-shaped hole ready for receiving a plant to be planted out. The contents of the tool are discharged by opening the tongs to the position illustrated. Conveniently the handles 12 are long enough to enable the tool to be used by a user standing nor mally. Of course the handles 12 can be made relatively short if the shafts 11 are correspondingly long. The blades 14 do not need to be circularly arcuate as illustrated but could have other cross-sections so long as they define between them a space which is closed when the tongs are closed and which can retain the soil when the tongs are lifted from the ground. To facilitate holding of the soil and the lifting from the ground the blades are tapered as shown, towards the free ends of the tongs. The tool has wide application in horticulture and agriculture; it may be used in greenhouses or out-of doors. CLAIMS