GB2415883A

GB2415883A - Lawn mower for use on a slope

Info

Publication number: GB2415883A
Application number: GB0415326A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Redman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-08
Filing date: 2004-07-08
Publication date: 2006-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2024-07-08
Also published as: GB2415883B; GB0415326D0

Abstract

A gardening apparatus 1 suitable for use on inclined ground 2 comprises a body 10 carrying a gardening implement and guide means 20 mounted to the body. An operator 3 positioned uphill 4 of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline. In one embodiment the guide means comprises first and second guide lines 30, (40, fig 2) to be manoeuvred by an operator and connector means 50 by which the guide lines are connected to the body. Also provided are alternative embodiments of gardening apparatus, guide means for gardening apparatus and a method of using the apparatus.

Description

1 2415883

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO GARDENING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a gardening apparatus, particularly, though not exclusively, to a mower apparatus for use on inclined ground. The present invention also relates to a method of using a gardening apparatus and to a guide means for a gardening apparatus.

It may often be desirable to perform a gardening operation lo upon an area of inclined ground. For example it may be necessary to maintain inclined ground on a golf course or in a park. However, whilst there are known a number of mechanical gardening devices such as lawn mowers, fertiliser and weed killer spreaders and scarifiers, such machines are generally designed for use on substantially horizontal areas of ground. If an operator requires to work on an incline, for example to cut grass on a banked area, they must use such known machines as best they can.

This can be a burdensome task.

For example, if an operator requires to cut a relatively steeply inclined area of lawn with a "push-along" mower they must generally allow the mower to move down a slope in front of them and then pull it back up the slope to cut the grass in a series of stripes running substantially transverse to the contours of the slope. This can be very tiring especially on more steep slopes or areas of any considerable size. Additionally, mowing on a slope while operating a mower may be difficult and potentially dangerous. For example, there is the potential for the blades of a mower to cut into the toes and feet of an operator.

Alternatively, an operator may use a strimmer which is lighter and more manoeuvrable and thus more suited to cutting grass on slopes. However, as such strimmers cut only small areas at a time they are unsuitable for cutting large grass slopes.

One known solution is to use a hover mower of the FLYMO (TM) type having its handle tied to a rope. A user can stand uphill of the mower and swing it from side to side to cut grass or lower it down and pull it up the slope.

This method is not particularly well controlled and does not give an even level of cut across the whole surface as would be desired. Additionally, swinging and pulling the mower in this manner can also be quite tiring. Further, such mowers generally have a "deadmans handle" safety feature to cause the blade motor to turn off if a user releases the handle. However, this safety feature is normally disabled by tying the handle down when the mower is used in such a manner. This means that the mower can continue to run when not under the operators control, thus representing a safety hazard.

Attempts have been made to adapt a wheeled "push-along" mower to cut an inclined grass area. JP 2002-065023 provides a mower having ropes connected to the chassis (body) of the mower. A rope is connected at the front and another at the rear of the chassis. To use the mower a user stands uphill of the mower and uses the ropes to pull the mower along the slope substantially along the contours of the slope. By controlling the amount of pull on each rope the mower can also be steered up and down the slope.

However, this modification is relatively basic and thus has a number of disadvantages. In particular, the manner of connection of the ropes to the chassis means it can be difficult to control the mower to travel in a straight line along a contour. In addition, it can be difficult to control the mower to turn as and when desired.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to address at least one disadvantage associated with known gardening apparatus whether discussed herein or otherwise.

lo According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a gardening apparatus suitable for use on inclined ground, said apparatus comprising a body carrying a gardening implement and guide means mounted to the body such that an operator positioned uphill of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and connector means by which the guide lines are connected to the body.

As used herein the term "gardening apparatus" encompasses both agricultural apparatus and horticultural apparatus.

The gardening apparatus may comprise a mower, spreader, for example fertiliser spreader or weed killer spreader, or scarifier. Suitably, the gardening apparatus comprises a mower. Preferably, the gardening apparatus comprises a wheeled mower. Alternatively the gardening apparatus may comprise a hover mower not having wheels.

As used herein the term "gardening implement" encompasses both agricultural implements and horticultural implements.

The gardening implement may comprise a mower blade, a spreader, which may be for fertilizer or weed killer, or a scarifier. Preferably, the gardening implement comprises a mower blade and drive mechanism therefore which suitably includes a motor.

Suitably, in use, an operator can cause the body of the gardening apparatus to travel along a contour of an area of inclined ground by walking along an area of ground uphill of the body and pulling on the guide lines to draw lo the body along. This may allow an operator to walk along a flat area at the top of an inclined area and the movement of the body may be approximately perpendicular to the general direction of extent of the guide lines. By pulling differentially on the guide lines an operator may also steer the body up and down the incline. By adjusting the length of the guide lines the operator may progressively move the body along adjacent, preferably successively lower, contours of the inclined ground whilst the operator remains at substantially the same height. An operator may thus be able to move the body of a gardening apparatus over a substantial area of inclined ground simply by walking back and forth above the area and manipulating the guide lines. In this manner the body may be manoeuvred by an operator located a substantial distance there from. For example, the operator may be up to around 15 metres from the body.

Suitably the body comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being arranged to lie downhill of the second end when the apparatus is in use on inclined ground.

Suitably, the body comprises a first side and a second side, the first side being arranged to lie to the right of the second side viewed in a downhill direction when the apparatus is in use on inclined ground.

Suitably, the gardening apparatus comprises a handle. The handle may form part of the connector means. Suitably, the handle comprises a grip portion by which it may be held by an operator. Suitably, the handle further comprises first and second stems connected to first and second sides of the centre of gravity of the body lo respectively.

Preferably, the gardening apparatus is adapted for two modes of operation, wherein in the first mode it is adapted to be employed on inclined ground with an operator using the guide lines to manoeuvre the body and in the second mode it is adopted to be employed on substantially horizontal ground with an operator using a handle and not the guide lines to manoeuvre the body. Alternatively, the gardening apparatus may be adapted to have only a first mode of operation in which it is employed on inclined ground with an operator using the guide lines to manoeuvre the body.

Suitably, in the first mode of operation the first end of the body comprises a downhill end and the second end comprises an uphill end. Suitably, the grip portion of the handle lies uphill of the second end. Alternatively, the handle may be folded up when the apparatus is in the first mode of operation.

Suitably, in the second mode of operation the first end of the body comprises a forward end and the second end comprises a rearward end with a grip portion of the handle lying rearward of the second end. Suitably, the gardening apparatus can be pushed or pulled along substantially horizontal ground by the handle in a second mode of operation.

Preferably, the gardening apparatus comprises rotatable supporting members mounted to the body. Suitably, said rotatable supporting members comprise wheels. Suitably, the wheels are arranged such that when the body is caused lo by an operator to travel along a contour of an area of inclined ground they resist the pull of gravity upon the body down the incline. Suitably, the wheels are arranged such that, in use on an incline, their axes of rotation lie substantially in line with the aspect of slope. The wheels may thus aid an operator to direct the gardening apparatus along a contour of the inclined ground.

The wheels suitably prevent the gardening apparatus moving down the incline under its own weight unless so steered by an operator. Thus, the operator need only pull the gardening apparatus along and need not support its weight.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises one or more, preferably two, first wheels mounted to the body at the first end thereof and one or more, preferably two, wheels mounted to the body at the second end thereof.

Suitably the axes of the wheels are rotatable through substantially 90 degrees such that the gardening apparatus can be switched between said two modes of operation.

Suitably the axises extend substantially parallel to the first to second end direction of the body in the first mode of operation and substantially perpendicular to the first to second end direction in the second mode.

Suitably, the axes of the second wheels are rotatable through 90 degrees between a first position and a second position and are fixable in said positions. The axes of the first wheels may be rotatable through 90 degrees between a first position and a second position and may be fixable in said positions. Alternatively, the first lo wheels may have free rotating axes, for example they may be castor type wheels.

Alternatively, the gardening apparatus may comprise wheels having fixed axes and may be switchable between first and second modes of operation by removing or folding up the guide means and attaching or unfolding a separate handle or reattaching the guide means frame to the body in another configuration to provide a handle. In this arrangement the first side of the body may comprise the forward end of the gardening apparatus in the second mode of operation.

Suitably, the connector means comprises a first attachment point for the first guide line and a second attachment point for the second guide line, said points being spaced apart in a side to side direction of the body.

Suitably, the separation between said attachment points is greater than the width (side to side dimension) of the body. Suitably, the attachment points each lie substantially the same distance from the ends of the body.

Suitably, the separation between the attachment points in the side to side direction is greater than the width the body.

Suitably, the separation between the attachment points in the side to side direction is between 1.2 and 5 times the width of the body, preferably between 1.5 and 4.5 times the width of the body, more preferably between 2 and 4 times the width of the body, for example around 3 times the width of the body.

Suitably, the body has a width (side to side dimension) of between 500mm and 800mm, for example around 600mm.

Suitably, the body has a length (end to end dimension) of between 400mm and 700mm, for example around 500mm.

Suitably, the gardening apparatus is arranged such that the first guide line is attached to the connector means at a position lying beyond a first side edge of the body.

Suitably, the gardening apparatus is arranged such that the second guide line is attached to the connector means at a position lying beyond a second side edge of the body.

Suitably, the connector means is adapted to cause the guide lines to subtend a greater angle at the operator than if said guide lines were directly connected to the body of the gardening apparatus.

Suitably, the connector means is arranged such that forces exerted upon the guide lines are triangulated to have a significant component in the direction of the contour of an incline upon which the body is located. The connector means may thus minimise any unintentional turning force exerted upon the body as an operator pulls the gardening apparatus along a contour of an inclined area of ground.

Suitably, the guide lines are arranged, in use, to exert forces on the body which have components substantially in the direction of the contour of the incline and which are opposed to one another. Suitably, the greater the angle subtended by the guide lines at the operator then the larger are the two opposing forces exerted by the guide lo lines on the body substantially in the direction of the contour of the incline. Suitably, in use, as the resistance to movement of the body changes then these forces automatically balance the resistance force and the speed of movement in the direction of the contour of the incline may thus remain relatively constant dependent on the speed of movement of the operator.

Suitably, the connector means is arranged such that the attachment points of the guide lines are spaced from the centre of gravity of the body such that small movements of the guide lines substantially perpendicular to a contour of the incline have reduced turning effect upon the body.

The body may thus be easy to direct along a contour of a slope even on uneven ground. An additional force applied to a guide line to pull the body over a lump in the ground may suitably not inadvertently cause the body to turn or accelerate along the contour of the slope in an uncontrolled manner..

Suitably, the connector means is connected to the body such that a force applied via a guide line to the connector means and then to the body produces a greater moment about the centre of gravity of the body than if the guide line was directly connected to the body. The body may thus be easier to intentionally turn than would be the case if the connector means were not employed. The guide lines may require to be moved through a greater distance substantially perpendicular to a contour of the incline to turn the gardening apparatus but less force may need to be exerte. Operation of the apparatus may thus be less strenuous and more controlled than is the case when known gardening apparatus is employed on inclines.

Suitably, the connector means comprises a first connector member extending beyond the first side of the body and providing an attachment point for a first guide line.

Suitably, said first connector member is substantially rigid.

Suitably, the connector means comprises a second connector member extending beyond a second side of the body and providing an attachment point for a second guide line.

Suitably, said second connector member is substantially rigid.

Alternatively, the connector means may comprises a connector member extending beyond both first and second sides of the body and providing attachment points for first and second guide lines. Suitably said connector member is substantially rigid.

Preferably, the connector member or members extend from a frame via which they are connected to the body of said apparatus. The frame may be hingedly connected to the body. Suitably, the frame comprises the handle of the gardening apparatus. Suitably the frame is substantially rigid. The connector member or members may be fixedly positioned relative to the frame. The connector member or members may be pivotally connected to the frame.

Suitably, a first connector member extends from a first stem of the handle and a second connector member extends from a second stem of the handle. Suitably, said stems are substantially rigid. Suitably, in the first mode of operation the connector members extend substantially lo perpendicularly from the respective handle stems.

Suitably, in the second mode of operation the connector members fold away in line with the handle stems.

Suitably, the guide lines comprise flexible cords.

Suitably, the guide lines comprise handle assemblies.

Suitably, the cords are retractable within the handle assemblies. The guide lines may be of a type similar to extendible dog leads. Thus, an operator may adjust the length of cord separating them from the body of the gardening apparatus without having trailing lengths of cord.

Suitably, in use, the guide means do not contact the ground.

Suitably, the handle assemblies comprise safety switches in communication, preferably electrical communication via the cords, with the gardening apparatus such that the apparatus turns off automatically if an operator drops a handle assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a gardening apparatus suitable for use on inclined ground, said apparatus comprising a body carrying a gardening implement and guide means mounted to the body such that an operator positioned uphill of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and the body comprises wheels mounted thereto and wherein the gardening apparatus is adapted for two lo modes of operation, wherein in the first mode it can be employed on inclined ground and in the second mode it can be employed on substantially horizontal ground.

Suitably, the gardening apparatus is adapted such that it is switched between its two modes of operation by rotating the axes of rotation of the wheels through 90 degrees.

The gardening apparatus may comprise any feature as defined in the first aspect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a gardening apparatus suitable for use on inclined ground, said apparatus comprising a body carrying a gardening implement and guide means mounted to the body such that an operator positioned uphill of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and wherein the guide lines each comprise flexible cords and handle assemblies into which the cords

are retractable.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a guide means for attachment to a body carrying a gardening implement to provide a gardening apparatus suitable for employment on inclined ground, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manocuvred by an operator and connector means lo by which the guide lines can be connected to the body.

Suitably, the gardening apparatus comprises a gardening apparatus according to the first aspect.

Suitably, the connector means comprises any feature as defined in the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of working on an inclined area of ground comprising manoeuvring a gardening apparatus according to the first, second or third aspect over said ground.

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a gardening apparatus in use on inclined ground; Figure 2 is a plan view of the gardening apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a gardening apparatus.

In the embodiment illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 the gardening apparatus 1 comprises a lawn mower. The apparatus 1 comprises a body 10 having guide means 20 mounted thereto to allow the movement of the body 10 across an area of inclined ground 2 to be controlled by an operator 3 positioned uphill of the body 10. In the lo illustrated embodiment the operator 3 is positioned upon a horizontal area of ground 4 at the top of the inclined area 2.

The body 10 comprises a first end 11 and an opposed second end 12 which lies uphill of said first end 11 when the apparatus 1 is in use on inclined ground 2. The body 10 comprises first and second sides 13, 14 respectively with the first side 13 lying to the right of the second side 14 when viewed in a downhill direction. The body 10 carries a blade (not shown) and a motor 15 for driving said blade.

The guide means 20 comprise first and second guide lines 30, 40 connected to the body 10 by connecting means 50.

The guide lines each comprise a flexible cord 31, 41 and a handle assembly 32, 42. The connecting means 50 comprises a rigid frame 51 hingedly connected to the body about mounting points 16, 17 lying either side of the centre of gravity of the body 10. Extending from the frame 51 is a rigid connecting member 52. The connecting member 52 provides a first attachment point 33 for the first guide line 30 lying to the right (when viewed downhill) of the body 10 and a second attachment point 43 for the second guide line 40 lying to the left (when viewed downhill) of the body 10. The guide line cords 31, 41 continue past attachment points 33, 43 and are also connected to the body by auxiliary attachment points 33a, 43a. These auxiliary attachment points may serve to reduce the bending moment in the rigid connecting member 52 and the torsional loads on the frame 51 exerted by the guide lines 30, 40 at the attachment points 33, 43. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, rather than being provided on the body 10 the auxiliary attachment points 33a, 43a are provided on the rigid frame 51 adjacent to its mounting points 16, 17 onto the body 10. The parts 31a, 41a of cords 31, 41 of the guide lines 30 lying between attachment points 33, 43 and auxiliary attachment points 33a, 43a thus effectively serve as part of the connector means 50.

The attachment points 33, 43 of the guide lines 30, 40 are further apart in the side to side direction of the body 10 than if the guide lines 30, 40 were directly attached to the body 10 rather than to the connecting means 50. As a consequence, the angle subtended by the guide lines at the operator is greater than would be the case if the guide lines 30, 40 were directly attached to the body 10 rather than to the connecting means 50. This may allow good control of the body by the operator even when the operator is ten or more meters from the body.

Mounted to the first end 11 of the body 10 are wheels 61 and to the second end of the body are mounted wheels 62.

The wheels 61, 62 are arranged with their axes of rotation fixed in the end to end direction of the body. The wheels may thus resist the body been drawn down hill by gravity unless the operator steers the body such that the end to end direction of the body is not aligned with the aspect of slope of the incline.

In use, an operator may manoeuvre the gardening apparatus over inclined ground by walking along the horizontal area 4 in line with the edge thereof and pulling on the guide lines 30, 40 to draw the body across the inclined area along a contour thereof as illustrated by arrow X of Figure 2. When the operator reaches the end of the area lo they wish to move the body across they can pull differentially on the guide lines 30, 40 to cause the body to turn slightly downhill. The operator then lets out more cord 31, 41 to allow the body to move down the incline. The operator then walks back along the horizontal area 4 drawing the body 10 across the inclined area along another, lower, contour thereof as illustrated by arrow Y of Figure 2. This process can then be repeated.

The gardening apparatus is shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a first mode of operation for use on inclined areas. It may also be used in a second mode on substantially horizontal areas. To allow for this the body 10 further comprises additional mounting points 18, 19. The frame 51 may be detached from mounting points 16, 17 and hingedly attached at mounting points 18, 19. The frame 51 may then serve as a handle to allow the gardening apparatus to be pushed along by an operator standing behind second side 14 of the body 10 and walking in the side to side direction of the body 10.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a gardening apparatus 100, which again is a mower. Like parts are labelled accordingly.

The gardening apparatus 100 is switchable between a first mode of operation for use on inclined ground and a second mode of operation for use on substantially horizontal ground. Figure 3 illustrates the first mode but shows the position of components of the apparatus in the second mode lo in dotted outline.

The body 10 further comprises a grass box 70 mounted thereto for collecting cut grass. The grass box 70 is arranged to lie above the second end 12 of the body rather than to a side thereof such that the effect of gravity on the grass box 70 does not tend to cause the body 10 to turn when on inclined ground.

In this embodiment the guide means 50 comprises a rigid handle 53 hingedly connected to the body 10 by mounting points 16, 17, which handle 53 provides a rigid frame 51 from which extend first and second rigid connecting members 52a, 52b. The first connecting member extends to the right (when viewed downhill) of the body 10 to provide an attachment point 33 for the first guide line 30. The second connecting member extends to the left (when viewed downhill) of the body 10 to provide an attachment point 43 for the second guide line 40. Each guide line comprises a flexible cord 31, 41 respectively.

To switch from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation the connecting members 52a, 52b are folded in line with stems 54, 55 of the handle and the guide lines 30, 40 are detached from the connecting means or stowed away.

A main distinction between the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 and that of Figure 3 is that the axes of rotation of the wheels 61, 62 of the embodiment of Figure 3 are not fixed but are instead rotatable through 90 degrees. In the first mode of operation the wheels axes of rotation are aligned to extend in the end to end direction of the lo body. In the second mode of operation the wheels axes of rotation are aligned to extend in the side to side direction of the body 10 as illustrated by the dotted lines of Figure 3.

The wheels 61, 62 are mounted to the body 10 by hinged brackets which can be secured in position such that the axes of rotation lie in the desired orientation for the required mode of operation.

In use, an operator can manoeuvre the body across an inclined surface in substantially the same manner as that described for the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 with the apparatus 100 in a first mode of operation. To employ the apparatus on a substantially horizontal area the operator need not detach the handle 53. The operator simply needs to convert the apparatus to the second mode of operation by rotating the wheels 61, 62 axes through 90 degrees, folding away the connecting members 52a, 52b and stowing or detaching the guide lines. The body may then be pushed along by the handle 53 with the operator holding a grip portion 56 thereof.

It will be appreciated that preferred embodiments of the present invention may provide a gardening apparatus which is easily controlled when on an inclined area of ground and which may also be readily employed for use on substantially horizontal ground.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and lo which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. A gardening apparatus suitable for use on inclined ground, the

gardening apparatus comprising a body carrying a gardening implement and guide means mounted to the body such that an operator positioned uphill of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline, wherein the guide means lo comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and connector means by which the guide lines are connected to the body.
2. A gardening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gardening implement comprises a mower blade.
3. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the connector means is adapted to cause the guide lines to subtend a greater angle at the operator than if said guide lines were directly connected to the body of the gardening apparatus.
4. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector means comprises a first attachment point for the first guide line and a second attachment point for the second guide line, said points being spaced apart in a side to side direction of the body.
5. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the gardening apparatus is arranged such that the first guide line is attached to the connector means at a position lying beyond a first side edge of the body and 2a the second guide line is attached to the connector means at a position lying beyond a second side edge of the body.
6. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the separation between the attachment points in the side to side direction is between 1. 2 and 5 times the width of the body in said side to side direction.
7. The gardening apparatus as claimed any preceding claim, wherein the connector means comprises a first connector member extending beyond the first side of the body and providing an attachment point for a first guide line and wherein the first connector member is substantially rigid.
8. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connector means comprises a second connector member extending beyond a second side of the body and providing an attachment point for a second guide line and wherein the second connector member is substantially rigid.
9. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connector means comprises a connector member extending beyond both a first side and a second side of the body and providing attachment points for first and second guide lines and wherein the connector member is substantially rigid.
10. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the connector member or members extend from a frame via which they are connected to the body of said apparatus. a3
11. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a handle of the gardening apparatus.
12. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the handle comprises a grip portion, arranged so that it can be held by an operator, and first and second stems connected to first and second sides of the centre of gravity of the body respectively.
13. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gardening apparatus comprises a handle and is adapted for two modes of operation, wherein in the first mode it is adapted to be employed on inclined ground with an operator using the guide lines to manoeuvre the body and in the second mode it is adapted to be employed on substantially horizontal ground with an operator using the handle and not the guide lines to manoeuvre the body.
14. The gardening apparatus as claimed 13 when dependent on claim 12, wherein a first connector member extends from a first stem of the handle and a second connector member extends from a second stem of the handle and in the first mode of operation the connector members extend substantially perpendicularly from the respective handle stems and in the second mode of operation the connector members fold away in line with the handle stems.
15. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gardening apparatus comprises rotatable supporting members mounted to the body.
16. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claim 15 when dependent on claim 13 or 14, wherein the rotatable supporting members comprise wheels whose axes are rotatable through substantially 90 degrees such that the gardening apparatus can be switched between said two modes of operation wherein the axes extend substantially parallel to an end to end direction of the body in the first mode of operation and substantially perpendicular to said end to end direction in the second mode.
17. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the gardening apparatus comprises wheels having fixed axes and is arranged such that the gardening apparatus can be switched between first and second modes of operation by removing or folding up the guide means and attaching or unfolding a separate handle or reattaching a frame of the guide means to the body in another configuration to provide a handle.
18. The gardening apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the guide lines comprise handle assemblies and flexible cords which are retractable within the handle assemblies.
19. The gardening apparatus as claimed in 18, wherein the handle assemblies comprise safety switches in communication with the gardening apparatus such that the apparatus turns off automatically if an operator drops a handle assembly.
20. A gardening apparatus suitable for use on inclined ground, wherein the apparatus comprises a body carrying a gardening implement and guide means mounted to the body such that an operator positioned uphill of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and the body comprises wheels mounted thereto and wherein the gardening apparatus is adapted for two modes of operation, wherein in the first mode it can be employed on inclined ground and in the second mode it can lo be employed on substantially horizontal ground.
21. The gardening apparatus as claimed in 20, wherein the gardening apparatus is adapted such that it is switched between its two modes of operation by rotating the axes of rotation of the wheels through 90 degrees.
22. The gardening apparatus as claimed in claims 20 or 21, wherein the gardening apparatus comprises any feature as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19.
23. A gardening apparatus suitable for use on inclined ground, wherein the apparatus comprises a body carrying a gardening implement and guide means mounted to the body such that an operator positioned uphill of the body can cause the body to travel across said inclined ground substantially along a contour thereof and can steer the body up and down the incline, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and wherein the guide lines each comprise flexible cords and handle assemblies into which the cords

are retractable.
24. The gardening apparatus as claimed in 23, wherein the gardening apparatus comprises any feature as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19.
25. A gardening apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings.
26. A guide means for attachment to a body carrying a gardening implement to provide a gardening apparatus suitable for employment on inclined ground, wherein the guide means comprises first and second guide lines to be manoeuvred by an operator and connector means by which the guide lines can be connected to the body.
27. The guide means according to claim 26, wherein the connector means comprises a connector member or members for extending beyond a side or sides of the body.
28. The guide means according to claim 27, wherein the connector member or members extend from a frame which comprises a handle of the garden apparatus.
29. The guide means as claimed in any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the gardening apparatus comprises a gardening apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 19.
30. A guide means for attachment to a body carrying a gardening implement to provide a gardening apparatus suitable for employment on inclined ground, wherein said guide means is substantially as herein described with reference to one or more of the accompanying drawings. Z7
31. A method of working on an inclined area of ground comprising manoeuvring a gardening apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 25.