GB2361163A - Weed extractor - Google Patents

Abstract

A weed extractor comprises a rocker member 5 defining a fulcrum region by means of which the extractor can be rolled about an axis or a plurality of axes. There is a fork 6 projecting from one end of the fulcrum region 5, the fork 6 having an aperture 8 adapted to receive and retain a root, the aperture 8 lying perpendicular to the fulcrum axis or the plurality thereof. A handle H projects from the other end of the fulcrum region 5 and also there is a pedal 3 projecting from that end of the fulcrum region 5. The pedal 3 may be provided with a rubber cover 7 and the fork may have sharpened or chamfered portions 8'.

Description

2361163 1 WEED EXTRACTOR The invention relates to a hand held device for

uprooting weeds. It is particularly intended for providing for easy clearance of ragwort infestation of pasture and paddocks but can also be used to remove other types of weed.

Ragwort control has various drawbacks. Spraying puts land out of bounds to livestock for many weeks. Dying ragwort becomes palatable to livestock and if eaten toxins build up and lead to slow death so sprayed ragwort still has to be pulled up and disposed of. Ragwort is traditionally pulled up by hand. As this is usually in its second year as it is biennial and has to be large enough to get a strong grip on to pull it out of the ground.

The weed extractor of the present invention enables the operator to harvest the ragwort at its rosette stage in its first year when the weed is too small for hand pulling. This would provide for minimum ground disturbance since the ragwort is small at this stage and the resulting holes are relatively small and grass loss is minimised. In addition the harvested ragwort is easily disposed of and the seeding cycle is broken.

An object of this invention is to simplify the removal of ragwort and certain other weeds from infested paddocks and grassland by enabling ragwort to be harvested early in its growth cycle so causing little ground disturbance.

2 According to the present invention there is provided a weed extractor comprising: a rocker member defining a fulcrum region byineans of which the extractor can be rolled about an axis or a plurality of axes defined by the fulcrum region between a first alignment relative to ground containing a weed to be extracted to a second alignment relative to ground as aforesaid; a fork projecting from one end of the fulcrum region, or an extension therefrom, the fork defining an aperture adapted to receive and retain a root;, the fork aperture lying perpendicular to the axis or the plurality thereof a handle projecting from the other end to the one end of the fulcrum region, or an extension thereof, and adapted in use to provide for rotation of the fulcrum region, and so of the fork, about the axis or the plurality thereof; a pedal projecting from the other end to the one end of the fulcrum region or an extension thereof and adapted in use to provide for displacement of the fork by way of the fulcrum region or an extension thereof.

According to a first preferred version of the present invention the aperture has a range of lateral dimensions to accommodate a range of root sizes.

According to a second preferred version of the present invention or of the first preferred version thereof the aperture is provided at least in part with sharpened edges.

3 According to a third preferred version of the present invention of any preceding preferred version thereof the blade is substantially flat in a plane perpendicular to the or each, axis.

According to a fourth preferred version of the present invention or of the first or second preferred versions thereof the blade is substantially curved.

A weed extractor according to the present invention is operated by hand and makes use of foot pressure to apply any required displacement loads.

Preferred embodiments of the -nvention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of a weed extractor of which: Figure 1 shows side elevation of a first embodiment made up of the whole extractor less part of handle; Figure 2 shows a front elevation of the first embodiment; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of the first embodiment and from one side; Figure 4 (made up of Figures 4.1 to 4.5) comprises diagrammatic views of the first embodiment in use; and Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment.

1 4 Figures 1 and 2 Weed extractor E is made up of a handle H (about 800 r= long) attached to a fabricated steel implement S comprising: handle holder 2. foot pedal 3 with rubber cover 7; bracing frame 4; rocker5; fork 6 of stainless steel with inner cut-out 8 having chamfered edges 8; rod 11 extends across the bracing frame 4.

The fork 6 with its vee shaped inner cut out 8 serves initially as a sight to line up the extractor E on a ragwort or other weed before extracting it.

Figure 4 shows the weed extractor E in use.

Figure 4.1 shows from above the weed extractor E when initially positioned by a user using handle H adjacent a ragwort W. The weed W is located in the centre of the fork 8 and just in front of fork tips.

Flaure 4.2 shows from the side the result of tilting the extractor E by way of handle H away from the weed W until pedal rubber 7 is horizontal. The user then uses a foot to apply downward pressure to pedal rubber 7, and so pedal 3, to drive the tapered fork 6 into the ground G.

1 Figures 4.3 show from the side the end result of holding the handle H to steady the extractor E while applying pressure to the pedal 3 and holding the handle H to steady the extractor E. The rod 11, as shown, on reaching the ground acts as a stop to prevent further entry of the extractor into the ground.

Figure 4.4 shows from the side the result of drawing handle H back from the near vertical position shown in Figure 4.3 so as to cause the extractor E to roll over rocker 5 causing fork 6 to rise out of the ground G bringing with it the ragwort W wedged in the tapered cut out 8. The tapered cut-out provides for receiving and retaining a wide range of possible root sizes.

Figure 4.5 shows the use of region 10 of rocker 5 being used to push soil and Orrass displaced during the extraction operation to fill any cavity left in the ground and levelling any protruding material.

i i Figure 5 This shows a second embodiment of the weed extractor of the present invention. This embodiment is similar in most respects to the first embodiment described in connection with Figures 1 and 2 and items similar in form and function have been given the same references. The difference between the embodiments lies in tapered fork 30 in Figure D when compared with fork 6 in Figures 1 and 2.

Fork 6 is shown with a straight side elevation. Fork 30 is curved is side elevation. It has been found that in some circumstances of use the curved form shown in Figure 5 offers z 6 practical advantages by tending to retain a weed in place initially located in an aperture in the fork 30 during extraction.

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Claims (1)

1. Claims

   1 A weed extractor comprising:

   a rocker member defining a fulcrum region by means of which the extractor can be rolled about an axis or a plurality of axes defined by the fulcrum region between a first alignment relative to ground containing a weed to be extracted to a second alignment relative to ground as aforesaid; a fork proj ecting irom one end of the fulcrum region, or an extension therefrom, the fork defining an aperture adapted to receive and retain a root;, the fork aperture lying perpendicular to the axis or the plurality thereof a handle projecting from the other end to the one end of the fulcrum region, or an extension thereof, and adapted in use to provide for rotation of the fulcrum region, and so of tht- fork, about the axis or the plurality thereof., a pedal projecting from the other end to the one end of the fulcrum region or an extension thereof and adapted in use to provide for displacement of the fork by way of the fulcrum region or an extension thereof.

   A weed extractor as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the aperture has a range of lateral dimensions to accommodate a range of root sizes 3 A weed extractor as clair.-,ed in any preceding claim wherein the aperture is provided at least in part with sharpened edges.

   8 4 A weed extractor as claimed in any previous claim wherein the blade is substantially flat in a plane perpendicular to the or each, axis.

   A weed extractor as claimed in any of preceding claims 1 to 3 wherein the blade is substantially curved in a plane perpendicular to the or each axis.

   6 A weed extractor as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.