GB2410167A

GB2410167A - Garden tool for lawn edging

Info

Publication number: GB2410167A
Application number: GB0401482A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Anthony Stamp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-23
Filing date: 2004-01-23
Publication date: 2005-07-27
Also published as: GB0401482D0

Abstract

A garden tool 10 for manual use has a shaft 12 connected to a blade 16 which has a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft. The cutting edge of the blade 16 has a cutting angle of between about 10 degrees and 60 degrees from the normal to the axis of the shaft. The blade 16 is substantially rigid and flat.

Description

GARDEN TOOL

The present invention relates to a garden tool and in particular to a garden tool for manual use.

Numerous manual garden tools exist such as spades, shovels, hoes and edging tools, and certain tasks require the use of more than one of these. A well known edging tool for lawns is the half moon edging tool, which is readily available in DIY stores and garden centres and is commonly used by many amateur and professional gardeners. It comprises a long shank connected at one end to a small semi-circular blade which is arranged so the cutting edge is curved. In order to tidy an edge of a lawn, a series of short cuts is made by positioning the tool so that each cut overlaps the previous cut. In order to clear away the surplus soil and/or grass which has been cut from the edge, the gardener has to change tools and for example, use a spade and/or clear away the material by hand. This is time consuming and tiring, especially for physically infirm users such as the elderly.

In addition to edging lawns, the half moon edging tool is also used to cut around a piece of worn turf in a lawn which is to be replaced with new turf. However, in order to remove the worn turf by cutting underneath to separate the underside from the soil below, the gardener must switch tools and use a spade. Furthermore, using a spade results in an untidy hole in which to place the new turf.

Preferred aspects of the present invention seek to reduce or overcome at least one of the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a garden tool for manual use comprising a shaft connected to a blade, the blade having a plane which is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft, wherein the blade has a cutting edge which has a cutting angle of between about 10 degrees and 60 degrees from the normal to the axis of the shaft.

The cutting angle is defined as the angle between the cutting edge of the blade and the normal to the axis of the shaft.

An advantage of this arrangement is that it can be used for many functions, for example as a cutting tool and as a collection tool for removing garden material.

Preferably the cutting angle is between about 20 and 50 degrees. Most preferably, the cutting angle is between 30 and 45 degrees.

Advantageously, the blade is substantially flat. The blade may be substantially trapezoidal.

Preferably the blade is substantially rigid.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaft extends into the blade. The shaft preferably extends into the blade by a distance of about 50 to 90% of the length of the blade.

The shaft may be connected to a handle. The handle and shaft preferably comprise the same material. Advantageously, the handle and shaft are each a tubular section of material having substantially the same internal diameter.

Preferably, the length of the shaft is adjustable.

At least a part of the tool is preferably stainless steel.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a front view of a garden tool in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side view of the garden tool of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, garden tool 10 has a hollow shaft 12 made of stainless steel. The length of the shaft is typically 97cm, and the diameter is about 2.5 cm. One end of the shaft 12 is attached to a handle 14. Handle 14 is a tubular section of stainless steel, of the same diameter as the shaft and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the shaft 12. Shaft 12 is attached to approximately the centre of the handle, such that the shaft and handle form a T shape. Typically, the length of the handle is about 1 gem. The opposite end of the shaft 12 is connected to a blade 16 which has a plane substantially coaxial with the shaft.

The blade 16 is substantially flat and is rectangular in shape with a section removed which forms a cutting edge 18. The cutting edge 18 has a cutting angle of about thirty degrees.

The blade is about 1 8cm wide, and 21 cm long at its longest point. The thickness of the blade is approximately 3mm.

The shaft 12 extends about 16cm into the blade 16, which is about 75% ofthe length of the blade, in order to reduce the flexibility of the blade.

In use, the gardener positions the tool 10 such that the shaft is substantially perpendicular to an edge of a lawn or green. He pushes the tool 10 into the ground 22 to produce a cut by pressing on the handle 14 and by pressing his foot on the top edge 20 of the blade 16. The shape of the blade means the blade does not have to be completely lifted out of the ground to produce a further cut. The gardener makes a series of adjacent cuts along the edge. To remove surplus material cut from the edge of the lawn, the gardener changes the position of the tool, such that the angle between the shaft 12 and the ground 22 is reduced, and pushes the blade along the cut edge in a plough like action.

Where the lawn edges to be tidied are in particularly bad condition, there is a greater amount of surplus material, typically an extra one to two inches, to be removed after the new edge has been cut. The gardener uses the tool to cut under the waste material and the surplus material can then be pushed away as before.

The tool 10 has many uses. In addition to using the tool for edging lawns and clearing away the material cut from the lawn, the tool 10 can be used to remove ground from and returf and area of lawn. The tool 10 can also be used as a spade and to turn soil. By twisting the tool, it can be used as a hoe, for example to remove weeds. Furthermore, since the tool 10 has a flat blade, it can be used to scrape climbing plants such as Ivy, Russian vine and Virginia creeper from the walls of a property.

The garden tool 10 has many advantages. It is more versatile and is multifunctional. The cutting action of the tool is a guillotine / chopping action and thus is particularly effective.

In addition, the tool 10 has a greater working surface area than the half moon edging tool currently available. The user does not have to switch between tools. The tool 10 is thus faster and more efficient to use. This is particularly beneficial for use in large grounds such as sports fields. The tool 10 is also easy to use. It can be used with either a left or right foot and has an easy turning action. It is less tiring to use which is particularly advantageous for the physically infirm. Furthermore, the tool 10 can be made from three pieces of stainless steel and with only two welds. Thus the tool 10 is easy and cheap to manufacture.

Numerous variations are possible.

The upper edge of the blade may have a lip so that the user's foot can rest more comfortably on the blade whilst pressing down to use the tool. The blade may have different dimensions, for example the blade may be longer and/or narrower. The cutting angle of the blade may vary, for example it may be 45 degrees. Alternatively, the blade may be rectangular. The blade may not be trapezoidal. The cutting edge may be rounded.

The dimensions of the tool may vary.

The shaft may be provided in a variety of lengths. A longer shaft, for example one foot, is more suitable for tall gardeners and/or for using the tool in an upright position when the gardener is standing. Shorter shafts are better for shorter gardeners and/or for use when kneeling. The shaft may be of fixed length or adjustable. The shaft may include a telescopic mechanism with a locking facility to secure the shaft at the desired length.

The degree the shaft extends into the blade can vary and this varies the rigidity of the blade. The shaft may not extend in to the blade, however this is not preferred as the blade is not as rigid. The rigidity of the blade may be increased by other means. In an alternative, the blade may extend into the shaft.

The tool may have any type/shape of handle for example a D shaped handle. However a T shaped handle is preferred as it makes the tool easier to use. The handle may be provided for example on opposite ends of the T shaped handle with a plastic grip, the lower side of which has moulded recesses for the user's fingers. This is more comfortable for the user.

The handle may be adapted for one handed operation which is particularly beneficial for stroke patients for example. A shoulder strap may be provided. The tool may not have a separate handle. Instead, the end of the shaft may function as a handle. However, a separate handle is preferred as this facilitates a turning action.

Parts of the tool may be detachable. For example, the blade may be detachable so that the user can replace it with a different blade or tool.

The tool may be made from a variety of materials, for example one or more of the following: steel, stainless steel; wood and/or plastics such as high impact plastic.

Claims

1. A garden tool for manual use comprising a shaft connected to a blade, the blade having a plane which is substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft, wherein the blade has a cutting edge which has a cutting angle of between about 10 degrees and 60 degrees from the normal to the axis of the shaft.

2. A garden tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cutting angle is between about 20 and 50 degrees.

3. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cutting angle is between about 30 and 45 degrees.

4. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the blade is substantially flat.

5. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim where the blade is substantially trapezoidal.

6. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the blade is substantially rigid.

7. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shaft extends into the blade.

8. A garden tool as claimed in claim 6 wherein the shaft extends into the blade by a distance of about 50 to 90% of the length of the blade.

9. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a handle connected to the shaft and wherein the handle and shaft comprise the same material.

10. A garden tool as claimed in claim 9 wherein the handle and shaft are each a tubular section of material having substantially the same internal diameter.

11. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the length of the shaft is

adjustable.

12. A garden tool as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least a part of the tool is stainless steel.

13. A garden tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.