GB2106761A - Cultivating implement with all components replaceable - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention comprises a device for the cultivation or working of soil for agricultural or horticultural purposes. A feature of the device is that every component can be easily replaced. In one form, as illustrated on the attached Figure 1, the device incorporates prongs which are similar in shape to standard joiners' nails. The unique construction is such that the encompassed ends of the prongs themselves prevent relative rotation between the two parts of the housing. Assembly or disassembly of the device is easily accomplished and either long or short handles are readily incorporated. The construction readily accepts actual joiners' nails of suitable size if this is considered necessary. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cultivating implement with all components replaceable The invention relates to manual implements incor porating prongs to enter the surface of the earth and work the soil for agricultural or horticultural pur poses.

Various pronged implements are in common use for digging, turning over soil, weeding etc. but invariably their designs do not facilitate economic repair or replacement of components. This is inherent to their designs because prongs and main bodies are manufactured as integral structures.

One object of the invention is to allow all individual components of the implement, especially each prong, to be easily replaced.

Another object of the invention is to enable standard joiners' nails of various shapes and sizes to be incorporated to constitute the working prongs.

The invention also allows different prongs, handles or attachments of various lengths or types to be substituted to suit specific applications.

One form of the implement (Figure 1), will now be described as an example to illustrate the invention.

The implement comprises a handled metal housing in the form of an oblong of approximately square section from which four parallel prongs of circular section project normal to the axis of the housing. All the prongs are arranged to face the same direction.

The prongs are evenly disposed along the length of the housing and their outer ends are sharpened. The handle, on the opposite side of the housing to the prongs, is secured with its axis transverse to that of the housing.

The housing itself comprises two portions of rectangular bar, designated the body and the cover, clamped together.

Clamping is achieved by means of a threaded protruberance on the end of the handle which passes through a clearance hole in the cover and engages with a threaded hole in the body. Rotation of the handle in the correct direction brings cover and body together.

The prongs are similar in shape to joiners' nails of the round wire variety, their blunt ends having a narrow raised portion of circular cross section to form a head.

To assemble the implement, the prongs are first passed through plain holes in the body until their heads prevent further passage. The cover, which contains recesses to accommodate the heads, is then placed over the prongs. From this juncture, relative rotation of the cover and the body is not possible. Assembly is completed by inserting and rotating the handle.

On assembly, a slight gap remains between the cover and the body, as the depth of the recesses in the cover ensures that all heads are firmly secured.

Once the concept of replaceable components is recognised, many variations of the basic design are possible. After variations are described as examples.

Metal prongs of various cross sectional shapes.

Prong heads shaped to prevent rotation (e.g.

square).

Prongs of various metals suitably heat treated.

Implements with several prongs incorporating localised clamping of prong heads remote from the centre by means of through bolts located between individual prongs.

A cover with a single recessed channel to facilitate manufacture by rolling or extrusion.

A cover with no recess constituting a crude version ofthe implement.

Each prong individually fixed orfastened into the housing in such a manner that economic replacement is possible.

1. Apronged manual implementforweeding or digging soil, the implement having all components easily replaceable.

2. An implement according to claim 1 with each prong initially manufactured as an inividual component.

3. An implement according to claim 1, all parts of which can be interiocked by a single rotary motion.

4. An implement according to claim 1 which can readily accomodate joiners' nails of various sizes and shapes as the working prongs.

5. An implement according to claim 1 which can incorporate divers types of prongs with only slight variations from the basic design.

6. An implement according to claim 1 which can easily be manufactured without special purpose machinery.

7. An implement according to claim 1 which can readily accept components of different types and sizes, for example handles, prongs or attachments to suit specific applications.

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

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cultivating implement with all components replaceable The invention relates to manual implements incor porating prongs to enter the surface of the earth and work the soil for agricultural or horticultural pur poses. Various pronged implements are in common use for digging, turning over soil, weeding etc. but invariably their designs do not facilitate economic repair or replacement of components. This is inherent to their designs because prongs and main bodies are manufactured as integral structures. One object of the invention is to allow all individual components of the implement, especially each prong, to be easily replaced. Another object of the invention is to enable standard joiners' nails of various shapes and sizes to be incorporated to constitute the working prongs. The invention also allows different prongs, handles or attachments of various lengths or types to be substituted to suit specific applications. One form of the implement (Figure 1), will now be described as an example to illustrate the invention. The implement comprises a handled metal housing in the form of an oblong of approximately square section from which four parallel prongs of circular section project normal to the axis of the housing. All the prongs are arranged to face the same direction. The prongs are evenly disposed along the length of the housing and their outer ends are sharpened. The handle, on the opposite side of the housing to the prongs, is secured with its axis transverse to that of the housing. The housing itself comprises two portions of rectangular bar, designated the body and the cover, clamped together. Clamping is achieved by means of a threaded protruberance on the end of the handle which passes through a clearance hole in the cover and engages with a threaded hole in the body. Rotation of the handle in the correct direction brings cover and body together. The prongs are similar in shape to joiners' nails of the round wire variety, their blunt ends having a narrow raised portion of circular cross section to form a head. To assemble the implement, the prongs are first passed through plain holes in the body until their heads prevent further passage. The cover, which contains recesses to accommodate the heads, is then placed over the prongs. From this juncture, relative rotation of the cover and the body is not possible. Assembly is completed by inserting and rotating the handle. On assembly, a slight gap remains between the cover and the body, as the depth of the recesses in the cover ensures that all heads are firmly secured. Once the concept of replaceable components is recognised, many variations of the basic design are possible. After variations are described as examples. Metal prongs of various cross sectional shapes. Prong heads shaped to prevent rotation (e.g. square). Prongs of various metals suitably heat treated. Implements with several prongs incorporating localised clamping of prong heads remote from the centre by means of through bolts located between individual prongs. A cover with a single recessed channel to facilitate manufacture by rolling or extrusion. A cover with no recess constituting a crude version ofthe implement. Each prong individually fixed orfastened into the housing in such a manner that economic replacement is possible. CLAIMS

1. Apronged manual implementforweeding or digging soil, the implement having all components easily replaceable.

2. An implement according to claim 1 with each prong initially manufactured as an inividual component.

3. An implement according to claim 1, all parts of which can be interiocked by a single rotary motion.

4. An implement according to claim 1 which can readily accomodate joiners' nails of various sizes and shapes as the working prongs.

5. An implement according to claim 1 which can incorporate divers types of prongs with only slight variations from the basic design.

6. An implement according to claim 1 which can easily be manufactured without special purpose machinery.

7. An implement according to claim 1 which can readily accept components of different types and sizes, for example handles, prongs or attachments to suit specific applications.