GB2336284A

GB2336284A - A hoe

Info

Publication number: GB2336284A
Application number: GB9908299A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Claude Tyler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-16
Filing date: 1999-04-13
Publication date: 1999-10-20
Also published as: GB9807952D0; GB9908299D0

Abstract

A hoe (1) comprises a shaft (2) having a first blade (6) mounted at the end thereof, substantially transverse to the shaft (2), and a second blade (7) mounted below and substantially parallel to the first blade (6).

Description

1 Title - Hoe This invention relates to a hoe.

2336284 The hoe is a widely used horticultural tool, being used to break down the soil in preparation for planting and also to maintain the soil after planting, by aerating the soil and severing the roots of weeds.

Numerous different forms of hoe are known, but none is entirely satisfactory.

There has now been devised an improved form of hoe which offers significant advantages over known types of hoes.

According to the invention there is provided a hoe comprising a shaft or the like having a first is blade mounted at the end thereof, substantially verse to the shaft, and a second blade mounted below and substantially parallel to the first blade.

The hoe according to the invention is advantageous primarily in that it is more eflicient at breaking the soil down to a fine tilth, as well as being more effective at keeping weeds down and dispersing manure and other materials throut the soil. The hoe may be used with a forward and backward motion which makes the hoeing operation easier and quicker, and eliminates the need to rake the soil afterwards. The hoe may therefore be especially suitable for use by the elderly and disabled.

In one preferred embodiment, the hoe according to the invention is similar in forTn to a conventional Dutch hoe, ie the first blade is cected to the end of the shaft by a pair of support limbs extending from the tip of the shaft to the ends of the first blade. Typically, such support limbs are arranged in a V- or U-shaped configuration. The second blade is then preferably suspended from the support limbs, eg by the ends ofthe second blade being upturned and welded 30 to the support limbs.

2 In an embodiment which is currently particularly preferred, the first and second blades are connected to the end of the shaft by a single support limb. Such a support limb is preferably connected to one end of the first and second blades. The support limb is preferably of arcuate or similar form such that the arrangement of the first blade with respect to the shaft is similar to a conventional Dutch hoe as described above, but with the first blade (and second blade) having a free end. This arrangement improves the flow of soil between the first and second blades and reduces the likelihood of the space between the first and second blades clogging. The free ends of the blades may be used to break up large clumps of soil, eg using a chopping action. In addition, this arrangement has the important advantage that the first and second blades, and the support limb, may be produced in a single operation, eg by a simple pressing process, without the need for welding or the like.

It is particularly preferred that the second blade be disposed rearwardly of the first blade. This facilitates working of the soil, which passes through the space between the first and second blades, and in preferred embodiments through the space between the first blade and the support limb(s).

The front and/or rear edges of the first and/or second blades may be sharpened, eg by being bevelled, to improve the passage of the blades through the soil and the efficiency with which the blades cut the roots of weeds etc. The edges of the blades may be straight or arcuate, or may be scalloped or serrated.

One or more generally downwardly-depending extending tines may be provided on the second blade to further improve the efficiency with which the soil is broken down.

The hoe according to the invention may be manufactured using materials conventionally used for hoes. The shaft may, for example, be of wood. The first and second blades may be of steel or stainless steel and are preferably formed as part of a hoe head which is fitted to the end of the shaft. The hoe head may be fitted permanently to the shaft or may be a replaceable component, eg one of a number of tools which can be fitted to the same shaft. In preferred embodiments, the hoe head comprises the first and second blades, the support limb(s) and a socket in which the 3 lower end of the shaft is received. Thus, according to another aspect of the invention there is provided a head for a hoe, said head comprising a socket in which the lower end of a hoe shaft can be received, a first blade substantially transverse to the socket and a second blade mounted below and substantially parallel to the first blade.

The hoe according to the invention may be a simple manual hoe, or may be a powered hoe, eg an electrically powered hoe.

The invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hoe according to the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the head of the hoe of Figure 1, is Figure 3 is a side view of the head of the hoe of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a swmd embodi^tnent of a head for a hoe according to the invention, Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a third embodiment of a hoe according to the invention, Figure 6 is another view similar to Figure 2 of a fourth embodiment of a hoe according to the invention, Figure 7 is a plan view of the head of a fifth embodiment of a hoe according to the invention, Figure 8 is a side view of the hoe head of Fig= 7, and Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 of the head of a sixth embodiment of a hoe according to the invention.

4 Referring first to Figure 1, a first embodiment of a hoe according to the invention is generally designated 1 and comprises a wooden shaft 2 to the end of which is fitted a hoe head 3. The hoe head 3 is formed of any suitable material, eg steel.

The hoe head 3, which is shown in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3, comprises a socket 4 which receives the end of the wooden shaft 2 and is welded to a generally U-shaped frame 5. The frame 5 in turn supports a main blade 6 with a bevelled front edge.

The features of the hoe 1 so far described are entirely conventional. In accordance with the invention, a second blade 7 is disposed below and substantially parallel to the main blade 6. The second blade 7 is formed integrally with a pair of upstanding limbs 8 which are welded at the upper ends to opposite sides of the frame 5. The forward edge of the second blade 7 is bevelled, like that of the main blade 6.

The hoe 1 may be used with a forward and backward motion which breaks down the soil and severs the roots of weeds. The hoe 1 is efficient at breaking down the soil and is also excellent for dispersing manure and fertiliser through the soil. The action of the hoe 1 aerates the soil and produces a fine tilth which is ideal for planting.

The hoe head embodiment (generally designated 40) shown in Figure 4 is generally similar to that of Figures 2 and 3, save that it is wider, the main blade 41 and second blade 42 acting on a correspondingly greater area of soil. Also, in this embodiment the main blade 41 extends laterally slightly beyond the limbs of the U-shaped frame 43.

Figure 5 shows a variation (generally designated 50) on the hoe head of Figures 2 and 3. In this embodiment the vertical separation of the main blade 51 and second blade 52 is somewhat less than that of the previous embodiment. The hoe head 50 may be suitable for tilling of lighter, more friable soils.

Figure 6 shows a further hoe head 60 in which there are provided a main blade 61 and, rather than just a second blade, also a pair of secondary blades 62,63 mounted one below the other.

Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the head 70 of a fifth embodiment of a hoe according to the invention is formed by pressing from a single sheet of stainless steel. The head 70 comprises an arcuate limb 71 which is formed at one end into a generally tubular split socket 72 into which the lower end of the shaft (not shown) of the hoe can be inserted. A hole 73 is provided in the wall of the socket 72 for a fixing screw by which the shaft can be fastened in the socket 72.

First and second blades 74,75 are formed integrally with the lower end of the limb 71 such that they are disposed, in use, horizontally and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and socket 7 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the front edges of the first and second blades 74,75 are bevelled and scalloped.

This embodiment differs from those previously described principally in that the blades 74,75 are joined only at one end, the other ends being free.

is Figure 9 shows a further modification. In this embodiment, the second (lower) blade 85 is somewhat broader and a plate 86 is fixed to its underside, eg by screws (not shown). Narrowed end portions of the plate 86 are folded downwards to form a pair of tines 87 which extend rearwardly from the rear edge of the lower blade 85. This arrangement is generally preferred, though the plate 86 could be fixed in the alternative orientation in which the tines 87 extend 20 forwardly (as shown by the broken lines).

6

Claims

Claims

A hoe comprising a shaft or the like having a first blade mounted at the end thereof, substantially transverse to the shaft, and a second blade mounted below and substantially parallel to the first blade.
A hoe as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second blades are connected to the end of the shaft by a single support limb.
3. A hoe as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the support limb is connected to one end of the first and second blades.
4. A hoe as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the support limb is of arcuate or similar form.

is
5. A hoe as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first blade is connected to the end of the shaft by a pair of support limbs extending from the tip of the shaft to the ends of the first blade.
6. A hoe as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the second blade is suspended from the support limbs.
A hoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second blade is disposed rearwardly of the first blade.
A hoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the front and/or rear edges of the first and/or second blades are sharpened.
A hoes as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more generally downwardlydepending extending tines are provided on the second blade.
10.A head for a hoe, said head comprising a socket in which the lower end of a hoe shaft can be received, a first blade substantially transverse to the socket and a second blade 7 mounted below and substantially parallel to the first blade.
11. A hoe substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in any of the accompanying Figures.