GB2298158A

GB2298158A - Garden hand tool

Info

Publication number: GB2298158A
Application number: GB9503650A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lionel Charles Crockett
Original assignee: PETA
Current assignee: PETA
Priority date: 1995-02-23
Filing date: 1995-02-23
Publication date: 1996-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-23
Also published as: GB9503650D0; GB2298158B

Abstract

A garden hand tool having a handle 3 with a ground-engaging tool head 1 extending therefrom in a first direction, the handle 3 having a hand-grip extending to one side of the handle 3 in a direction substantially normal to the first direction. A shaft 5 extends rearwardly of the handle 3 having a support means 6 which is engageable on the user's arm. The support means may comprise resilient plastic clip members with free ends 7 curved to facilitate introduction of a user's arm. The support means may comprise a strap with a buckle fastening. The shaft 5 is non-circular to prevent rotation of the shaft in a socket 4 at the rear of handle 3.

Description

HAND TOOL Field of the Invention This invention relates to a hand tool, for example of the type used for the cultivation of garden borders and the like.

Background of the Invention In our Patent Application No. 9312038.4 we disclosed and claimed a hand tool having a hand-grip which extends generally normally to the direction of movement of the tool in use. This design permits tools of various types to be used by these people who find the conventional straight handle uncomfortable or even impossible to use.

We have found that, although this design substantially reduces the load in the user's wrist, there are some users who still find that the force required for nor mal digging, raking and hoeing operations is too great, especially where an elongated shaft extending between the handle and the tool head is used to extend the reach of the tool.

The present invention provides an improvement to the tool which extends its use.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a garden hand tool having a handle with a ground-engaging tool head extending therefrom in a first direction, the handle having a hand-grip extending to one side of the handle in a direction substantially normal to the first direction characterised hy a shaft extending rearwardly of the handle and mounting a support means engageable on the user's arm.

Preferably, the support means comprises a resilient collar piece which can clip on to the user's fore-arm, in use. Alternatively, the support means may comprise a strap fastenable with a buckle or with a loop-and-hook fastening material, for example of the type sold under the Registered Trade Mark "VELCRO".

The shaft mounting the support means is preferably attachable to the handle by way of a socket provided therein, into which the shaft may be inserted, fric- tion holding the shaft in place during normal use. The shaft, or at least that part of the shaft which is inserted in the socket, is suitably non-circular to prevent rota- tion of the handle relative to the support means. The shaft may be attached to the support means in the same manner as for the attachment to the handle, permitting different lengths of shaft to be readily substituted according to the needs and Icngth of arm of the user.

The tool of the invention may have any of a wide range of different tool heads attached, according to the desired use, for example a trowel head, a fork head, a hoe or a rake, and the head may be permanently attached to the handle, or detachable to permit different heads to be substituted. The shaft between the tool head and the handle may be of any suitable length, according to need. For example, a short shaft may be used for window-box and raised border use, while a long shaft permits ground beds to be cultivated without the need for the user to bend or get down on his or her knees.

The support means and its shaft may be purchased separately from the tool, permitting it to he added on at a later dated if the user finds that use of the standard tool becomes too difficult.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tool showing the support means prior to fitting; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tool in use.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment The tool is generally of the type disclosed and claimed in our earlier Patent Application No 9312038.4 and will therefore not be described in detail. It comprises a tool head 1 in the form of a towel blade having a shaft 2 moulded into a handle 3 whose general shape is that of an inverted pistol grip so that it can be gripped by the user without significant bending of the wrist, as may be seen from Figure 2.

At the rear of the handle a square section socket 4 is moulded, to receive one end of a square section shaft 5 carrying at its other end a resilient plastics clip member 6 which is adapted to fit on the user's fore-arm. The clip member 6 consists of a generally circular loop attached to the shaft 5 at its lowermost part and open at its uppermost part, with the flee ends 7 curved over to facilitate introduction of the user's arm. The material, for example poly(ethylene) or poly(propylene), is arranged to be sufficiently resilient to permit the free ends 7 to separate as the user pushes the fore-arm through it, but sufficiently rigid to prevent the clip member 6 from becoming detached from the arm too readily in use.

It will be seen from Figure 2 that, when a load is placed on the trowel blade 1, this would be transferred to the user's fist, tending to cause a forward and downward rotation of the wrist. Such movement is resisted by the tool of the invention by the support means bearing against the underside of the forc-arm.

Claims

1) A garden hand tool having a handle with a ground-engaging tool head extending therefrom in a first direction, the handle having a hand-grip extending to one side of the handle in a direction substantially normal to the first direction characterised by a shaft extending rearwardly of the handle and mounting a support means engageable on the user's arm.

2) A garden hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a resilient collar piece which can clip on to the user's fore-arm, in use.

3) A garden hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a strap which can be wrapped around the user's forearm, and is fastenable with a buckle or with a loop-and-hook fastening material.

4) A garden hand tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the shaft mounting the support means is attachable to the handle and/or the support means by way of a socket provided therein, into which the shaft may be inserted, friction holding the shaft in place during normal use.

5) A garden hand tool according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the shaft, or at least that part of the shaft which is inserted in the socket, is non-circular to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the support means.

6) A garden hand tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool head is a trowel head, or a fork head, or a hoe, or a rake, and the head is either permanently attached to the handle, or detachable to permit different heads to be substituted.

7) A garden hand tool substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

7) A support means and its shaft for a garden hand tool according to any preceding claim.

8) A garden hand tool substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims

1) A garden hand tool having a handle with a ground-engaging tool head extending therefrom in a first direction, the handle having a hand-grip extending to one side of the handle in a direction substantially normal to the first direction characterised by a shaft extending rearwardly of the handle and mounting a support means engageable on the user's arm, wherein the shaft mounting the support means is attachable to the handle and/or the support means by way of a socket provided therein, into which the shaft may be inserted, friction holding the shaft in place during normal use.

2) A garden hand tool according to claim 1, wherein the shaft, or at least that part of the shaft which is inserted in the socket, is non-circular to prevent rotation of the handle relative to the support means.

3) A garden hand tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support means comprises a resilient collar piece which can clip on to the user's fore-arm, in use.

4) A garden hand tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support means comprises a strap which can be wrapped around the user's forearm, and is fastenable with a buckle or with a loop-and-hook fastening material.

5) A garden hand tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool head is a trowel head, or a fork head, or a hoe, or a rake, and the head is either permanently attached to the handle, or detachable to permit different heads to be substituted.

6) A support means and its shaft for a garden hand tool according to any preceding claim.