GB2281685A

GB2281685A - Garden implements incorporating collection of debris.

Info

Publication number: GB2281685A
Application number: GB9318742A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Edward Howells
Original assignee: Electrolux Outdoor Products Ltd
Current assignee: Husqvarna UK Ltd
Priority date: 1993-09-09
Filing date: 1993-09-09
Publication date: 1995-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2013-09-09
Also published as: GB9318742D0; GB2281685B

Abstract

This invention relates to garden implements for use in tending beds, for example by hoeing, raking and rotovating, the garden implement including a support 2, a soil/vegetation disturbing element 1, means for detachably securing the element to the support, means 6 for producing a flow of pressure air, a debris collection passage 4 for conveying debris disturbed by the element from a mouth 9 disposed at an upstream end of the passage and in the region of the element, and an air outlet 8 opening into the collection passage at an upstream position for directing pressure air in a downstream direction in the passage whereby, in operation, the debris is drawn through the mouth and transported in a flow of pressure air downstream through the collection passage for collection. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GARDEN IMPLEMENTS This invention relates to garden implements and, in particular, to garden implements for use in tending beds by for example hoeing, raking and rotovating; Hoes are used to loosen soil and cut down weeds. Hoes, rotovators and rakes are each used for producing a relatively fine tilth prior to the sowing of seeds or for propagation of plants.

Conventional hoes comprise an elongate handle attached to a blade which is used for digging into the soil beneath the top growth of weeds. The blade is frequently formed with a cutting edge at its leading end and is, therefore, usually pushed forwardly along and into the ground in order to dig and cut weeds. A hoe may also be formed with a cutting edge at its trailing end permitting use when pulled so that such a hoe is double-acting in that it can perform its intended function when both pulled and pushed.

Conventional rakes comprise an elongate handle attached to a bank of tines which during raking scratch into the soil. Conventional rotovators may be manually controlled or may be ride-on machines in which rotatable disc cutters or discs carrying tines are rotated edge-on into the soil so as to break-up the soil prior to planting.

A major disadvantage of conventional hoes, rakes and rotovators is that weeds and other debris cut or disturbed during use are left lying on the ground where they must be picked up or simply left on the ground. Some weeds may contain seeds which, if left, may germinate and certain weeds which have been hoed re-root. Collection of such weeds is, therefore, very desirable.

The present invention enables much of the debris to be collected at the same time as the ground is hoed, raked or rotovated and, consequently, less debris, if any, is left on the ground to be picked up later. No significant extra effort is required by the operator other than pressing an operating switch and emptying a receptacle in which debris is collected.

According to the present invention a garden implement includes a support, a soil/vegetation disturbing element, means for detachably securing the element to the support, means for producing a flow of pressure air, a debris collection passage for conveying debris disturbed by the element from a mouth disposed at an upstream end of the passage and in the region of the element, and an air outlet opening into the collection passage at an upstream position for directing pressure air in a downstream direction in the passage whereby, in operation, the debris is drawn through the mouth and transported in a flow of pressure air downstream through the collection passage for collection.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a hoe during operation and indicating debris collection; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective of the hoe according to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the hoe according to Figure 1 showing a collection mouth positioned to the rear of a hoe blade; Figure 4 is a schematic side elevation of the hoe according to Figure 1 showing a collection mouth positioned above a hoe blade; Figure 5 is a schematic side elevation of the hoe according to Figure 1 showing the collection mouth positioned forwardly of the hoe blade; Figure 6 is a schematic side elevation of the hoe according to Figure 1 showing a hoe blade detached to permit attachment of interchangeable blades; Figure 7 is a schematic side elevation of the hoe according to Figure 1 supported on a skid; and Figure 8 is a schematic side elevation of a conventional hoe with a debris collector according to the present invention attached thereto.

Referring to Figure 1, a hoe includes a hoe blade (t), a handle (2) and a body portion (3) is disposed between the hoe blade (1) and the handle (2). The body (3) includes a debris collection passage (4) leading from the region of the hoe blade (1) to a detachable debris collection container (5). An air inlet (8) directs pressure air into and through the collection passage (4) towards the collection container (5). The pressure air is created by an impeller (6) which is driven by a motor (7). The debris collection passage (4) is open at one end to form a collection mouth (9), through which debris which has been cut or dug up by the blade (1) is drawn. The other end of the collection passage (4) opens into the collection container (5). The collection container (5) is air permeable so that the air entering the collection container (5) from the collection passage(4) can escape, while the debris entering the collection container (5) is retained until it is emptied.

During operation the pressurised air is directed through an air outlet (8) and into the collectionpassage(4).

The air outlet (8) is positioned in the region of the collection mouth (9) and at the upstream end of the collection passage (4). The air outlet directs the pressurised air generally in a downstream direction, towards the collection container. This is accomplished by the use of an air control surface which is directed both transversely and longitudinally of the passage. The air is, therefore, directed in a downstream direction by a combination of the direction of the outlet, and the shape of the control surface. In one particularly effective arrangement, the air outlet (8) directs the pressurised air in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of the collection passage (4). A control surface is disposed on the downstream side of the air outlet, and the pressurised air leaving the air outlet passes against the control surface and is thereby directed in a downstream direction. As the air passes downstream, ambient air is drawn into the collection passage (4) by the pressurised air as it leaves the air outlet (8) and passes downstream. This flow of air through the collection mouth (9) is strong enough to entrain debris and carry the debris through the collection passage (4) to the collection container (5).

In use, a user would turn the motor (7) on. The motor (7) drives the impeller (6) which draws air into the body portion (3) of the hoe through the air inlet (10). The impeller (6) directs a stream of pressure air to the air outlet (8) where the air is directed into the collection passage (4) in a downstream direction by the direction of the outlet (8) and by the shape of the control surface.

The flow of air in a downstream direction from the air outlet (8) draws air into the collection passage (4) through the collection mouth (9). The user then uses the hoe (1) by pushing and/or pulling the hoe through the soil to cut and dislodge weeds and debris. Movement of the hoe across the soil in a cutting/dislodging zone (A)cuts through weeds which are left on or behind the blade (1) where they fall into the pick-up zone (B). The pick-up zone (B) lies below the collection mouth (9) through which debris is drawn and passed into the collection passage (4) constituting a transport zone (C) and thence into the collection container (5) where the debris is stored and constituting a storage zone (D). The air which entrains the debris passes through the air permeable walls of the collection container (5).

Once the collection container (5) is full, it can be removed, emptied, and replaced. In this embodiment, the collection mouth (9) is disposed behind the hoe blade (1).

Figure 2 shows the present invention in a perspective view and the same reference numbers are used for the same components as in Figure 1. The hoe blade (1) is attached to the body portion (3) which is, in turn, carried by the handle R2). In this embodiment the blade (1) is of conventional shape, and the handle (2) is a conventional pole.

The body portion (3) includes a debris collection mouth (9) which faces generally downwards towards the hoe blade (1) and towards the area of ground disposed just to the rear of the hoe blade (1). In use, the blade (1) is pushed forward, and any cut or dislodged debris falls to the rear of the blade (1) into the pick-up zone (B). Once in the pick-up zone (B), the debris is drawn into the collection mouth (9) and stored in the collection container (5). The collection container (5) is supported by the body portion (3) or by the handle (2).

Figure 3 shows a side view of the hoe and the same reference numbers are used as in Figure 1. The collection mouth (9) faces the rear of the blade (1) and the region to the rear of the blade (1). The mouth (9) will collect debris after it has been cut or dislodged and the blade (1) has passed the debris.

Figure 4 shows a side view of a slightly different embodiment of the hoe where the collection mouth (9) is disposed above the blade (1). This has the advantage that less dust and soil is drawn into the body portion (3) since the blade (1) covers the soil. The collection container (5) will not fill up so quickly if less soil is collected.

However, the collection device can only draw in debris which passes over the top of the blade (1). Another advantage of this arrangement is that the likelihood of the collection mouth (5) colliding with the ground is greatly reduced.

Damage to the collection device is therefore less likely.

Figure 5 shows a side view of another embodiment of the hoe where the collection mouth (9) is disposed above the ground ahead of the hoe blade (1). The collection mouth (9) faces the front of the blade (1) and the region just ahead of the blade (1) thereby removing debris as the blade (1) cuts through or dislodges the debris, assisting the user in keeping the blade (1) free from clogging.

Figure 6 shows a hoe with a removable cutter blade (1). The blade (1) is replaceable so that if it becomes damaged or worn, it may be replaced. Alternatively, it is possible to have a set of different interchangeable hoe blades (1) which may be useful for different kinds of hoeing.

Figure 7 shows a hoe which includes a pair of ground engaging skids (11) of which only one is shown. The skids (11) trail the hoe blade (1) and assist in maintaining a clearance between the collection mouth (9) and the ground.

If a hoe without the skids (11) is used at an angle where the handle (2) is closer to the ground, then there is a risk that the body portion (3), and in particular the collection mouth (9) of the body portion (3) will either hit the ground and be damaged, or get too close to the ground and draw soil into the body portion (3). This latter problem may cause the collection container (5) to fill very quickly and require very frequent emptying.

The skids (11) may be attached to the underside of the body portion (3) to maintain sufficient clearance between the collection mouth (9) and the ground. There are two skids (11) in the present embodiment, and each skid (11) runs outside the transverse width of the hoe blade (1) and collection mouth (9) so that the skids (11) do not obstruct the blade (1) or the collection mouth (9). In this example, skids (11) are used, but any ground engaging member may be used, such as a wheel or roller. The skids (11) may, if desired, be replaced by one or more wheels.

Figure 8 shows a conventional hoe with a hoe blade (1) directly attached to the pole handle (2), but also including a body portion (3) which is attached to the conventional hoe. The body portion (3) of this embodiment is similar to the body portion (3) of other embodiments, but is attached to the hoe, rather than being an integral part joining the hoe blade (1) to the handle (2). This embodiment is intended to be a collection accessory for attachment to a conventional hoe.

In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), the blade (1) is inclined to face forward like a ramp or scoop. The collection mouth (9) is disposed at the top of the scooped blade (1) to collect the debris that is pushed up the blade (1).

Although specific reference has been made above to a hoe, the hoe blade (1) may be replaced by a fixed or rotatable brush or a rake head (not shown) comprising a bar having a plurality of tines. Further, the hoe blade may be replaced by one or more rotatable disc blades conventionally used in a rotovator. In such a case a drive line would serve to connect the motor and the rotatable disc blades in a manner known to those skilled in the art.

Further, if desired, the hoe blade and the rake head could be mounted for reciprocal movement using a cam/cam follower arrangement to produce reciprocal action thereby assisting in cutting the weeds and producing a fine tilth to the soil being worked.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A garden implement including a support, a soil/ vegetation disturbing element, means for detachably securing the element to the support, means for producing a flow of pressure air, a debris collection passage for conveying debris disturbed by the element from a mouth disposed at an upstream end of the passage and in the region of the element, and an air outlet opening into the collection passage at an upstream position for directing pressure air in a downstream direction in the passage whereby, in operation, the debris is drawn through the mouth and transported' in a flow of pressure air downstream through the collection passage for collection. 2. An implement according to claim 1, wherein means for producing a flow of pressure air is an impeller drivingly connected to a power source. 3. An implement according to claim 1 or claim 2, including a debris collector, means for detachably connecting and disconnecting the debris collector from the implement, and means for leading debris from the collection passage into the collector. 4. An implement according to claim 2 or claim 3, including means for separating the debris from the flow of pressure air. 5. An implement according to claim 4, including means for redirecting the flow of pressure air after said separation to the impeller. 6. An implement according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein ambient air is directed by the impeller to cool the power source prior to entry into the collection passage via the air outlet. 7. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the soil/vegetation disturbing element is a hoe blade and wherein the said mouth at the upstream end of the collection passage is disposed relative to the hoe blade so as to collect debris from:

1. behind the element considered in the direction of use,

2. -ahead of the element considered in the direction of use, and/or

3. above the element.

8. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the soil/vegetation disturbing element is a rake comprising a plurality of tines.

9. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the soil/vegetation disturbing element comprises at least one rotatable disc cutter driven via a drive line connecting the said at least one disc with a power source.

10. An implement according to any preceding claim, wherein the mouth disposed at the upstream end of the collection passage is in the form of a tubular extension and wherein the tubular extension is connectable to the passage via a joint permitting relative angular movement between the passage and the tubular extension.

11. An implement according to claim 7 or claim 8, including means for agitating the soil/vegetation disturbing element and a drive line connecting the said element with a power source.

12. An implement according to claim 11, wherein the means for agitating the said element comprises a cam/cam follower arrangement adapted, in use, to create reciprocal and/or rotary movement of the element relative to the soil.

13. An implement according to any preceding claim, including means for supporting the implement relative to ground datum, wherein the said means is selected from wheels or skids.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A hand-held garden implement including a support, a soil/vegetation disturbing element disposed at a forward end of the implement, means for producing a flow of pressure air, a debris collection passage for conveying debris disturbed by the element from a collection mouth disposed to the rear of the element at an upstream end of the passage, an air outlet opening into the collection passage in the region of the collection mouth for directing pressure air in a downstream direction in the passage and an air duct for leading air from the means for producing a flow of pressure air to the air outlet wherein, in operation, the debris is drawn through the mouth and transported in a flow of pressure air downstream through the collection passage for collection without passing through the means for producing a flow of pressure air.

2. An implement according to claim 1, wherein means for producing a flow of pressure air is an impeller drivingly connected to a power source.

3. An implement according to claim 1 or claim 2, including a debris collector, means for detachably connecting and disconnecting the debris collector from the implement, and means for leading debris from the collection passage into the collector.

4. An implement according to any preceding claim including means for detachably securing the element to a support.

5. An implement according to claim 3, including means for redirecting the flow of pressure air from the debris collector to the impeller.

6. An implement according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein ambient air is directed by the impeller to cool the power source prior to entry into the collection passage via the air outlet.

7. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the soil/vegetation disturbing element is a hoe blade.

8. An implement according to anyone of claims 1 to 7 modified in that the said mouth at the upstream end of the collection passage is disposed relative to the hoe blade so as to collect debris from:

1. ahead of the element considered in the direction of use, and/or

2. above the element.

9. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the soil/vegetation disturbing element is a rake comprising a plurality of tines.

10. An implement according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the soil/vegetation disturbing element comprises at least one rotatable disc cutter driveable via a drive line connecting the said at least one disc with a power source.

11. An implement according to any preceding claim, wherein the collection mouth disposed at the upstream end of the collection passage is in the form of a tubular extension and wherein the tubular extension is connectable to the passage via a joint permitting relative angular movement between the passage and the tubular extension.

12. An implement according to claim 7, 8 or claim 9, including means for agitating. the soil/vegetation disturbing element and a drive line connecting the said element with a power source.

13. An implement according to claim 10, wherein the means for agitating the said element comprises a cam/cam follower arrangement adapted, in use, to create reciprocal and/or rotary movement of the element relative to the soil.

14. An implement according to any preceding claim, including means for supporting the implement relative to ground datum, wherein the said means is selected from wheels or skids.