GB2356544A

GB2356544A - A weeding tool

Info

Publication number: GB2356544A
Application number: GB0011404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margaret Pamela Jean Gidney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-09-24
Filing date: 2000-05-11
Publication date: 2001-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-11
Also published as: GB2356544B; GB9922823D0; GB0011404D0

Description

2356544 _JL A WEEDING TOOL The present invention relates to a weeding

tool.

Gardening can often place significant physical strain upon the body. For example, one I s hands can become stiff and sore from gripping the handle of a trowel or a shovel. In addition, the back muscles can become tired from bending over to pull up weeds and other debris.

It is therefore desired to provide an easy to use weeding tool or rake.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a weeding tool comprising a plurality of prongs having a generally rectangular is cross-section wherein at least one prong is bent in a first direction away from a plane and at least one prong is bent in a second direction away from the plane, the second direction being generally opposed to the first direction.

Preferably, at least some of the prongs have one or more serrated edges.

Preferably, at least some of the prongs have substantially sharpened tips.

Preferably, all the prongs are substantially the same length. Alternatively, at least some of the prongs are substantially different in length.

Preferably, the weeding tool further comprises a shaft or handle.

Preferably, the weeding tool further comprises a hand grip disposed at one end of said shaft or handle.

Preferably, the weeding tool further comprises a side handle disposed on the shaft or handle other than at the ends of the shaf t or handle.

Preferably, the side handle comprises a clamp for clamping to the shaft or handle.

Preferably, the side handle is telescopically adjustable.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a rake for removing moss and weeds comprising:

at least two curved prongs extending in a first direction and at least one curved prong extending in a second direction generally opposed to the first direction, wherein at least one of the prongs has a serrated edge.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garden rake comprising:

at least three prongs, wherein at least one of the prongs is curved in its length direction and has a curved serrated edge.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool head comprising three prongs of generally equal length, wherein two prongs are similarly curved in a first direction and the third prong is curved in a different direction.

Preferably, at least one edge of the prongs is serrated.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rake comprising a handle and a tool head, wherein the tool head comprises three curved prongs, at least one of the prongs having a serrated edge.

Preferably, the serrated edge is the outside edge.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rake head comprising three curved prongs, wherein a prong has two serrated edges and the two other prongs have only one serrated edge.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weeding tool having between two and five prongs, wherein at least some of the prongs have at least one serrated edge and at least two prongs are curved in generally opposite directions.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rake comprising a handle or shaft, a tool head having a plurality of curved prongs, and a telescopic side handle disposed on the handle or shaft.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weeding tool having a plurality of substantially curved elongated tines, the tines having a generally rectangular cross-section.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weeding device comprising three curved prongs having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

Preferably, two prongs are curved so that they point in a first direction and a third prong is curved so that it points in a second direction different from the first direction.

is Preferably, the weeding device further comprises a handle portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rake or weeding tool, comprising two, three, four or five curved prongs having at least one serrated edge.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rake comprising a three pronged claw device having two outer prongs and a single inner prong, the outer prongs -having a first angle of curvature and the inner prong having a second angle of curvature.

Preferably, the first angle of curvature is between 500 and 700 and the second angle of curvature is between 800 and 1000.

Preferably, the first angle of curvature is approximately 60' and the second angle of curvature is approximately 900.

Preferably, the outer prongs and the inner prong depend from a common bar.

Preferably, the two outer prongs have serrations along their outer edges and the inner prong has serrations along both edges.

4 According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tool head attached or attachable to a shaft having a longitudinal axis, said tool head having a plurality of prongs depending from a common bar, wherein the upper portion of each prong nearest said common bar is substantially parallel with said axis and the lower portion of each prong curves away from said axis.

The weeding tool according to the preferred embodiment comprises a tool head which is designed for weeding and other gardening tasks. The tool head may be disposed on a handle or shaft, with a grip portion and optionally also a side handle which is preferably telescopic.

is The prongs of the tool head may have one or more serrated edges which help separate soil from weeds. The rake is useful for removing moss from brick and stone, and eases the planting of small plants and general weeding.

The design of the tool lessens the physical strain placed on the body by gardening. The tool is easily portable and can be readily manufactured from high quality durable materials. The tool can also be easily stored when not in use.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a preferred tool head; Fig. 2 shows the tool head disposed on a handle having a grip portion; and Fig. 3 shows an optional side handle.

A particularly preferred embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. A tool head 1 is provided comprising three tines or prongs 2. The prongs are preferably between half an inch (1.25 cm) and one inch (2.5 cm) in width.

The prongs are preferably wider that they deep/thick.

The prongs may have a generally rectangular cross section, and the prongs may or may not he all of substantially the same length.

Preferably, two prongs are curved forwards, and one prong is curved backwards. The backwards curving prong preferably has one, further preferably two serrated edges. The forwards curving prongs preferably have serrated outer edges 3.

Preferably, the two outside prongs go through an approximately 60' turn and the middle single prong goes though an approximately 900 turn in an opposite direction to the two outside prongs.

In a less preferred embodiment the inner edges of the forwards curving prongs may also be serrated i.e.

both inside and outside edges have teeth or serrations.

In less preferred embodiments two, four or five prongs 2 may be provided. In such embodiments some of the prongs would face in one direction whilst other prongs would face in an opposed direction. Other forms of projections other than a serrated edge or ratchet teeth may be provided.

As shown in Fig. 2, a tool handle or shaf t 3 is inserted into the tool head 1. The handle or shaft 3 preferably has a handle or grip portion 4. The tool head 1 may be made from steel e.g. Type 303 or 304 stainless steel or from 1010 galvanized steel as these provide high tensile strength and good corrosion resistance. The shaft 3 may be cylindrical and manufactured from durable, rot-resistant wood. Ash or hickory may be used, and the wood may be treated with a sealant in order to protect it from moisture. In one embodiment the handle 3 is approximately five feet long (150 cm) and approximately two inches (5 cm) in diameter. The grip portion 4 may be fabricated from plastics e.g. inject ion- moulded from PVC or polyurethane plastic. Such a grip portion 4 is durable, lightweight, strong and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The bottom of the shaft 3 may be attached to a socket in the tool or rake head 2.

The tool as shown in Fig. 2 allows a user to grasp the handle and begin working. When in use, the rake may be used for tasks such as removing moss from brick paths, settling plants into plant beds or separating weeds from soil. The extended length of the handle allows the user to clean weeds, dig in to, rake or hoe the ground with ease and comfort. After use the rake can be stored in a garage or a- shed.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment wherein a side handle 5 is provided. This makes the rake easier to use, and is particularly useful for disabled or infirm gardeners to use. The side handle 5 may be in the form of a short aluminium handle with a clamp that allows it to be fastened to the handle or shaft 3. The aluminium side handle may be produced in two or three telescoping sections so that a gardener would be able to adjust the side handle as desired.

7 71306001.351

Claims

1. A weeding tool comprising a plurality of prongs having a generally rectangular cross-section wherein at least one prong is bent in a first direction away from a plane and at least one prong is bent in a second direction away from said plane, said second direction being generally opposed to said first direction.

2. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of said prongs have one or more serrated edges.

3. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some of said prongs have substantially sharpened tips.

4. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein all said prongs are substantially the same length.

5. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least some of said prongs are substantially different in length.

6. A weeding tool as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a shaft or handle.

7. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a hand grip disposed at one end of said shaft or handle.

8. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 6 or 7, further comprising a side handle disposed on said shaft or handle other than at the ends of said shaft or handle.

9. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 8, wherein said side handle comprises a clamp for clamping to said shaft or handle.

10. A weeding tool as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein said side handle is telescopically adjustable.

11. A rake for removing moss and weeds comprising: at least two curved prongs extending in a first direction and at least one curved prong extending in a second direction generally opposed to said first direction, wherein at least one of said prongs has a serrated edge.

12. A garden rake comprising:

at least three prongs, wherein at least one of said prongs is curved in its length- direction and has a curved serrated edge.

13. A tool head comprising three prongs of generally equal length, wherein two prongs are similarly curved in a f irst direction and the third prong is curved in a different direction.

14. A tool head as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one edge of said prongs is serrated.

15. A rake comprising a handle and a tool head, wherein said tool head comprises three curved prongs, at least one of said prongs having a serrated edge.

16. A rake as claimed in claim 15, wherein said serrated edge is the outside edge.

17, A rake head comprising three curved prongs, wherein a prong has two serrated edges and the two other prongs have only one serrated edge.

18. A weeding tool having between two and five prongs, wherein at least some of said prongs have at least one serrated edge and at least two prongs are curved in generally opposite directions.

19. A rake comprising a handle or shaf t, a tool head having a plurality of curved prongs, and a telescopic side handle disposed on said handle or shaft.

20. A weeding tool having a plurality of substantially curved elongated tines, said tines having a generally rectangular cross-section.

21. A weeding device comprising three curved prongs having a substantially rectangular cross-section.

22. A weeding device as claimed in claim 21, wherein two prongs are curved so that they point in a first direction and a third prong is curved so that it points in a second direction different from said first direction.

23. A weeding device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising a handle portion.

24. A rake or weeding tool, comprising two, three, four or five curved prongs having at least one serrated edge.

2S. A rake comprising a three pronged claw device having two outer prongs and a single inner prong, said outer prongs having a first angle of curvature and said inner prong having a second angle of curvature.

26. A rake as claimed in claim 2S, wherein said first angle of curvature is between 50' and 70' and said second angle of curvature is between 80' and 100'.

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27. A rake as claimed in claim 26, wherein said first angle of curvature is approximately 60' and said second angle of curvature is approximately 90'.

28. A rake as claimed in claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein said outer prongs and said inner prong depend from a common bar.

29. A rake as claimed in any of claims 25-28, wherein 10 said two outer prongs have serrations along their outer edges and said inner prong has- serrations along both edges.

30. A tool head attached or attachable to a shaft 15 having a longitudinal axis, said tool head having a plurality of prongs depending from a common bar, wherein the upper portion of each prong nearest said common bar is substantially parallel with said axis and the lower portion of each prong curves away from said axis. 20

31. A tool head substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A rake substantially as herein before described 25 with reference to the accompanying drawings.