GB2406774A

GB2406774A - Paving slab gap scraping tool

Info

Publication number: GB2406774A
Application number: GB0422384A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Stephen Chase
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-09
Filing date: 2004-10-08
Publication date: 2005-04-13
Also published as: GB0422384D0

Abstract

A horticultural implement 10 has a T-shaped arrangement of six cutting blades 12, 13,14,15,16 and 17 at the lower end of a shaft 11. A fin 18 with the blades 17 and 16 at its front and back ends can be inserted between two paving slabs or bricks while fins 19 and 20 with the blades 15,12 and 13,14 at their front and back ends are at ground level to clear weeds which have emerged from the crack. Trunnions 31 and 32 can be inserted in grooves (33 and 34 figure 6) in a shoe (30 figure 6), which can then be kicked forward. Two components (100 and 110 figure 5) of the horticultural implement 10 are releasably locked by a spring loaded button (130 figure 5) located in registering holes (140 and 150 figure 5). When the holes are in register oblique surfaces (160 and 170 figure 5) are in abutment to ensure a predetermined angular orientation between the components.

Description

"HORTICULTURAL IMPLEMENT" This invention relates to an improved, multi-

purpose horticultural implement one of the functions of which will be to serve as an improved patio knife, by which is meant a hoeing implement having a blade which can be inserted in the interstices of paving slabs, path bricks or the like to root out weeds.

One of the problems associated with the use of a conventional patio knife is that the single, vertical blade is ill adapted to clear vegetation which has emerged from the crack between adjacent slabs or the like and spilled over onto the surface of the patio or path. When the patio or path has been sufficiently neglected this "overspill" may be to a greater or lesser extent rooted on the surface and needs to be cut as well as the roots within the crack before it can be removed. Another problem is that the use of a conventional patio knife requires a certain amount of strength which the elderly or infirm may lack.

A further problem addressed by the present invention concerns the attachment of the tool itself to a long handle. Long-handled horticultural implements with interchangeable tools are examples of the need for a connection which is easy to use, efficient and yet economical to manufacture. A form of connection commonly used is a screw thread. This is not particularly easy or cheap to manufacture and it has the drawback that the relative angular orientation of the two components when screwed together cannot accurately be predicted, yet this is important in the case of some tools. For example if a handle has a bend to provide a grip it may be important that a bladed tool attached to the handle has the blade or blades in a given orientation relative to the grip. Various forms of snap-engagement have been proposed but none is fully satisfactory in terms of strength and ease of manufacture.

A principal object of the present invention is to address these problems and at the same time to provide a versatile horticultural tool.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a horticultural implement comprising a generally T-shaped arrangement of cutting blades and a shaft extending oppositely to the stem of the T. the arrangement being such that with the stem of the T inserted in the interstice between adjacent patio or path slabs or bricks the blades of the arms of the cross piece of the T can be moved over the exposed surfaces of the slabs or bricks to clear vegetation adjacent the interstice.

Preferably both the forward and the rearward edge of both the stem and the cross piece of the T is formed as a cutting blade thereby providing a six-bladed tool.

The rearward portion of the stem of the T is preferably curved downwardly to provide a spike at the distal end of the stem.

Each arm of the cross piece of the T is preferably triangular in plan view, having a longest side which extends forwardly and outwardly of the implement.

Each arm of the cross piece of the T may have a leading edge which extends forwardly and 1 5 outwardly.

The shaft may have oppositely extending trunnions near to the cutting blades and a shoe may be provided having grooves which will respectively receive the trunnions to support the cutting blades at a predetermined height relative to the slabs or bricks, the shoe being adapted to be kicked or pushed over the exposed surfaces of the slabs or bricks when the cutting blades are to be moved away from the user.

The shoe may be equipped with wheels or rollers.

The shaft may comprise two mutually telescoping, circular section tubular components, a button being provided spring loaded to project radially through an aperture in the inner component and complimentary formations on the components which have mutual abutment surfaces which are oblique with respect to the longitudinal axes of the components, the arrangement being such that when said formations are in abutment said aperture in the inner component will register with an opening in the outer component, enabling the button to project through both apertures releasably to lock the components together, the abutment of said formations ensuring a predetermined angular orientation of the two components.

The button may be integral with one arm of a U-shaped spring which is in compression within the inner component.

One end of the outer component may be cut obliquely to provide one of said formations and the cut end may be fixed to the inner component to provide the other formation.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial perspective view from in front and above of a horticultural implement in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the implement of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front end elevation of the implement of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates the entire implement of Figures 1-3; Figure 5 illustrates partly in section an alternative handle arrangement; Figures 6 & 7 illustrate respectively in side elevation and in plan view a shoe accessory to be used optionally with the implement of Figures 1-4, or 1-3 and 5, and Figure 8 illustrates a side view of the implement of Figures 1-4 with the shoe accessory of Figures 6 and 7.

The horticultural implement 10 illustrated comprises a shaft 11 attached to the bottom end of which is a T-shaped or cruciform arrangement of six cutting blades 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The blades 16 and 17 are at opposite ends of a keel-like fin 18. From an upper region of this oppositely extend similar triangular fins 19 and 20. The blade 12 is at the leading end of the fin 20 while the blade 13 forms the longest side of the triangular fin 20. The blade 15 is at the leading end of the fin 19 while the blade 14 forms the longest side of the triangular fin 19. The blade 16 curves downwardly and rearwardly, providing the fin 18 with a rearwardly directed spike 21.

A principal use of the implement 10 is in clearing weeds and other detritus from the interstices between paving slabs, path bricks or the like. The keel fin 18 is inserted in an interstice and as the implement is moved forward or backward the blades 17 and 16 cut the roots of weeds and because of their angular orientation tend to lift material out of the interstice. With the fins 19 and 20 generally horizontal at ground level their blades 12, 15 or 13,14 will sweep the exposed surfaces of the slabs or bricks between which the keel fin 18 has been inserted, thus cutting or displacing any weed material which has emerged from the interstice.

Referring to Figure 4, the shaft 11 is of a length such that it can be rested on a shoulder of the user approximately at the position A while the user pulls toward him or her the handles 22 and 23 which project from the shat't 11 intermediate its ends. The position of the handles 22 and 23 is preferably adjustable along the length of the shaft 11 to suit individual users. With the user's shoulder acting as a fulcrum the spike 21 can be pulled forcefully along a crack between paving slabs or bricks with relatively little exertion. The position A of the shaft 11 can be cushioned to provide a more comfortable working arrangement.

An alternative embodiment of the shaft 11 is shown in Figure S. In this arrangement, the tool is used one-handed. The user's arm (not shown) fits through the brace 220 to grip the handle 200.

Referring to Figure 5, the handle of the horticultural implement may be in two portions 100 and 110 which can be disassembled, e.g. for transport or storage. Each portion 100 and 110 is a circular-section tube, the tubes being mutually telescopic. Within the inner tube near to its end which is inserted into the outer tube 100 is a U-shaped strip 120 of spring steel in compression within the wall of the tube 110. Integral with one arm of the spring 120 is a button 130 which protrudes radially of the tube 110 through a hole 140.

When the inner tube 110 is received to a predetermined extent into the outer tube 100 the hole 140 in the inner tube comes into register with a hole 150 in the outer tube. The spring is then able to project the button also through the hole 150 which locks the two tubes against relative axial movement. However when it is desired to disassemble the handle the button 130 is pressed in sufficiently to clear the hole 150 after which it will slide along the inner wall of the outer tube 100 as the two tubes are pulled apart. It will be noted that the button 130 has a domed distal end. This means that although one may not be able to poke it into the inner tube 110 sufficiently fully to clear the hole 150 nevertheless as the two tubes are relatively moved axially the button will be moved fully into the hole 140 by encountering the periphery of the hole 140. Likewise when the inner tube 110 is first inserted into the outer tube 100 the button 130 must be pressed in but its inward movement will be completed by the dome encountering the end of the outer tube 100.

An end portion 100A of the outer tube 100 has been cut off by a cut oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube 100. The end portion lOOA is welded to the inner tube at a position such that when the complimentary surfaces 160 and 170 of the tube 100 and its cut end lOOA are in abutment the hole 150 is in register with the hole 140. Because the surfaces 160 and 170 are oblique to the axes of the tubes, the rotational position of one tube relative to the other when the inner tube is fully received into the outer tube is predetermined. this is of importance in ensuring that the holes 140 and 150 are in the same angular positions but it may also be of importance in ensuring that the blade attached to one of the components 100 or 110 of the handle has a desired angular orientation relative to the other component.

It will be understood that instead of being a second portion of an elongated handle the outer tube 100 may be part of the blade to be detachably connected to the inner tube 110, the latter serving as a handle for the implement.

When alternatively it is desired to move the implement 10 forward, using the cutting blades 12, 15 and 17, the accessory 30 of Figures 5 and 6 can be used. Near the bottom end of the shaft 11 are oppositely extending trunnions 31 and 32. These may be releasably engaged in respective slots or grooves 33 and 34 on the inner sides of sidewalls 35 and 36 of the shoe-like accessory 30. The dimensions of the shoe 30 are such that with the trunnions 31 and 32 engaged in the grooves 33 and 34 and the underside 36 of the shoe resting on the exposed surfaces of adjacent slabs or bricks with the fin 18 inserted between them the fins 19 and 20 will be generally at ground level. The back end 37 of the shoe can now be kicked to propel it forward, its underside sliding over the slabs or bricks. With the trunnions 31 and 32 engaged in the grooves 33 and 34 the implement 10 is carried forward so that its cutting blades 12, 15 and 17 perform their function. It will be noted that the trunnions 31 and 32 and the bottoms of the grooves 33 and 34 are all rounded.

Consequently the shaft 11 can easily be oscillated to alter the attack angle of the blades 12, 15 and 17 while still supported by the shoe 30.

If desired the shoe 30 may be provided with wheels or rollers 40 to assist its movement over the slabs or bricks.

Although intended primarily as a patio knife the implement 10 can additionally be used as a hoe. With the fin 18 dug into the ground it acts as a keel to stabilise the fins 19 and 20 as they are moved back and forth to clear weeds at ground level. Either of the fins 19 and 20 can be dug into the ground for localised displacement of a weed without disturbance to adjacent plants.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A horticultural implement comprising a generally T-shaped

arrangement of cutting blades and a shaft extending oppositely to the stem of the T. the arrangement being such that with the stem of the T inserted in the interstice between adjacent patio or path slabs or bricks the blades of the arms of the cross piece of the T can be moved over the exposed surfaces of the slabs or bricks to clear vegetation adjacent the interstice.
2. An implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein both the forward and the rearward edge of both the stem and the cross piece of the T is formed as a cutting blade thereby providing a six-bladed tool.
3. An implement as claimed in either preceding claim, wherein the rearward portion of the stem of the T is curved downwardly to provide a spike at the distal end of the stem.
4. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each arm of the cross piece of the T is triangular in plan view, having a longest side which extends forwardly and outwardly of the implement.
5. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each arm of the cross piece of the T has a leading edge which extends forwardly and outwardly.
6. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft has oppositely extending trunnions near to the cutting blades and wherein a shoe is provided having grooves which will respectively receive the trunnions to support the cutting blades at a predetermined height relative to the slabs or bricks, the shoe being adapted to be kicked or pushed over the exposed surfaces of the slabs or bricks when the cutting blades are to be moved away from the user. .
7. An implement as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shoe is equipped with wheels or rollers.
8. An implement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft comprises two mutually telescoping, circular section tubular components, a button being provided spring loaded to project radially through an aperture in the inner component and complimentary formations on the components which have mutual abutment surfaces which are oblique with respect to the longitudinal axes of the components, the arrangement being such that when said formations are in abutment said aperture in the inner component will register with an opening in the outer component, enabling the button to project through both apertures releasably to lock the components together, the abutment of said formations ensuring a predetermined angular orientation of the two components.
9. An implement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the button is integral with one arm of a U-shaped spring which is in compression within the inner component.
10. An implement as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein one end of the outer component is cut obliquely to provide one of said formations and the cut end is fixed to the inner component to provide the other formation.

A horticultural implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-4 and 6-8 or Figures 1-3 and S-8 of the accompanying drawings.