GB2119211A

GB2119211A - Gardening tool

Info

Publication number: GB2119211A
Application number: GB08212801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwin Charles Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-05-04
Filing date: 1982-05-04
Publication date: 1983-11-16

Abstract

A gardening tool useful for weeding has a shaft (10) having a crank (14) near its upper end and a central prong (18) and at least one lateral tine (20) mounted on a circular plate (16) and parallel to the central prong. A cage having at least one plate perforated with holes surrounding the prong and tines is movable by a handle (36) pivoted (38) on the shaft, and connected to the top (25) of the cage by a lever (34). In use, the tool, with the cage raised, is pivoted by means of the crank (14) about the central prong so that the tines (20) uproot weeds and aerate the soil; to clean earth from the tines the handle (36) is moved up and down. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gardening tool This invention relates to a gardening tool for removal of weeds and aeration of the soil, which is usable by a standing person.

The tool according to the invention comprises a shaft having a cranked portion towards its upper end whereby it can be rotated by a person standing with one hand on the cranked portion and the other hand holding the top of the shaft, the shaft terminating at its lower end in a central pointed prong for insertion in the earth, and at least one tine is mounted at said lower end parallel to the prong, and means is provided which engages each tine and is movable by control means on the shaft whereby material clinging to the tine can be removed.

Three to five tines are preferably provided.

The means movably engaging the tines can be a cage movable by a lever attached to a handle on the shaft.

The invention will be further described by reference to the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of the entire tool, with most of the cage omitted at the lower end, Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the righthand end of Fig. 1, showing the cage, and Figure 3 is an end view from direction Ill in Fig. 2.

A shaft 10 is of a length so that its upper end 1 2 can comfortably be grasped by one hand of the user; just below this end the shaft is bent to form a crank 1 4.

At its lower end there is a plate 16, a stout cental prong 1 8 and mounted around the prong four tines 20. A sliding cage 22 comprises two annular pieces 24, 25 linked by rods 26 which pass through holes 27 in plate 16; in the lower piece 24 are provided holes 28 for passage of the tines and the upper piece 25 has a hole 30 for the shaft 10; the cage 22 is linked at 32 by a lever 34 to a handle 36 pivoted at 38 onto the shaft and retainable by a clip 40 on the shaft.

The tines 20 are preferably mounted slightly loosely, e.g. by having head portions 42 which are retained between two plates 16a, 16bwhich are bolted together at 44; thereby broken tines can readily be replaced.

The handle 36 and cage 22 shown are of simple and sturdy constructions, but could be replaced by other constructions having the same effect of allowing easy cleaning of the tines 20.

In use, the shaft is held vertically, the prong and tines placed in the soil of a flower bed or the like, the shaft is rotated by means of the crank and the movement of the tines uproots weeds and aerates the soil and improves its texture. The handle 36 is moved down and up when necessary so that the lower piece 25 of the cage cleans the tines. The tool is especially of use to the elderly and others who do not wish to bend their backs or knees whilst gardening.

The tool can be used for thinning out or removing and picking up any type of dead or unwanted growth.

The cage 22 could be encased in a cylinder, fixed at each end to the plates 24 and 25 to prevent any earth or other material clogging the space between plates 1 6b and 24 when the cage is returned to its (uppermost) working position.

1. A gardening tool which comprises a shaft having a cranked portion towards its upper end whereby it can be rotated by a person standing with one hand on the cranked portion and the other hand holding the top of the shaft, the shaft terminating at its lower end in a central pointed prong for insertion in the earth, and at least one tine is mounted at said lower end parallel to the prong, and means is provided which engages each tine and is movable by control means on the shaft whereby material clinging to the tine can be removed.

2. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means engaging the tines comprises a cage having holes for passage of the tines.

3. A tool as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means engaging the tines is movable by means of a handle mounted on the shaft.

4. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each tine has a head portion which is retained between two plates attached to the lower end of the shaft.

5. A gardening tool substantially as shown in the accompanying drawing.

CLAIMS (18 Apr 1983) 1. A gardening tool which comprises a shaft having a cranked portion towards its upper end whereby it can be rotated by a person standing with one hand on the cranked portion and the other hand holding the top of the shaft, the shaft terminating at its lower end in a central pointed prong for insertion in the earth, at least one tine is mounted at said lower end and parallel to the prong, and a cage having holes for passage of the tines is provided which engages each tine and is movable by control means on the shaft whereby material clinging to the tines can be removed.

2. A tool as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cage engaging the tines is movable by means of a handle mounted on the shaft.

3. A tool as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each tine has a head portion which is retained between two plates attached to the lower end of the shaft.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gardening tool This invention relates to a gardening tool for removal of weeds and aeration of the soil, which is usable by a standing person. The tool according to the invention comprises a shaft having a cranked portion towards its upper end whereby it can be rotated by a person standing with one hand on the cranked portion and the other hand holding the top of the shaft, the shaft terminating at its lower end in a central pointed prong for insertion in the earth, and at least one tine is mounted at said lower end parallel to the prong, and means is provided which engages each tine and is movable by control means on the shaft whereby material clinging to the tine can be removed. Three to five tines are preferably provided. The means movably engaging the tines can be a cage movable by a lever attached to a handle on the shaft. The invention will be further described by reference to the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of the entire tool, with most of the cage omitted at the lower end, Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the righthand end of Fig. 1, showing the cage, and Figure 3 is an end view from direction Ill in Fig. 2. A shaft 10 is of a length so that its upper end 1 2 can comfortably be grasped by one hand of the user; just below this end the shaft is bent to form a crank 1 4. At its lower end there is a plate 16, a stout cental prong 1 8 and mounted around the prong four tines 20. A sliding cage 22 comprises two annular pieces 24, 25 linked by rods 26 which pass through holes 27 in plate 16; in the lower piece 24 are provided holes 28 for passage of the tines and the upper piece 25 has a hole 30 for the shaft 10; the cage 22 is linked at 32 by a lever 34 to a handle 36 pivoted at 38 onto the shaft and retainable by a clip 40 on the shaft. The tines 20 are preferably mounted slightly loosely, e.g. by having head portions 42 which are retained between two plates 16a, 16bwhich are bolted together at 44; thereby broken tines can readily be replaced. The handle 36 and cage 22 shown are of simple and sturdy constructions, but could be replaced by other constructions having the same effect of allowing easy cleaning of the tines 20. In use, the shaft is held vertically, the prong and tines placed in the soil of a flower bed or the like, the shaft is rotated by means of the crank and the movement of the tines uproots weeds and aerates the soil and improves its texture. The handle 36 is moved down and up when necessary so that the lower piece 25 of the cage cleans the tines. The tool is especially of use to the elderly and others who do not wish to bend their backs or knees whilst gardening. The tool can be used for thinning out or removing and picking up any type of dead or unwanted growth. The cage 22 could be encased in a cylinder, fixed at each end to the plates 24 and 25 to prevent any earth or other material clogging the space between plates 1 6b and 24 when the cage is returned to its (uppermost) working position. CLAIMS

4. A gardening tool substantially as shown in the accompanying drawing.

5. A gardening tool substantially as shown in the accompanying drawing.

CLAIMS (18 Apr 1983)

1. A gardening tool which comprises a shaft having a cranked portion towards its upper end whereby it can be rotated by a person standing with one hand on the cranked portion and the other hand holding the top of the shaft, the shaft terminating at its lower end in a central pointed prong for insertion in the earth, at least one tine is mounted at said lower end and parallel to the prong, and a cage having holes for passage of the tines is provided which engages each tine and is movable by control means on the shaft whereby material clinging to the tines can be removed.