GB2488621A

GB2488621A - Combined rake and hoe

Info

Publication number: GB2488621A
Application number: GB1119771.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian John Soper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-09
Filing date: 2011-11-14
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Also published as: GB201018894D0; GB201119771D0

Abstract

A garden tool having combined rake and hoe portions comprises a hoe having a blade at one edge and a first connecting portion at the opposite edge, a rake having tines along one edge and a second connecting portion at an opposite edge and a connecting piece connecting the first and second connecting portions so that the hoe and rake are at an angle of less than 90Âº to each other. The connecting piece has a hole through which a handle can be inserted. In use, either the rake or the hoe portion is used, to use the other portion, the tool is inverted. The width of the rake portion is similar in width to the hoe portion.

Description

Weed Retrieval System This invention relates to a device for retrieving weeds from between rows of Vegetable and Fruit Crops and from beside upright plants (shrubs, Trees etc) within Horticultural and Agricultural.

When a Gardeners of Plantsmen sow seeds, they are usually sown in straight rows approximately 15 to 20 centimetres apart, although efficient this manner produces significant problems as the seeds develop and grow.

On initial breaking of the surface of the ground there are no specific differentials between the growth of seedling crops and destructive weeds and as the first weeks of growth continue differences begin to show.

At this early stage of development the small crop seedlings have not enough root growth to resist any violent removal of neighbouring growth of weeds and conventional tools are unable to be used to remove weed growth as the inflexibility of the tool destroys the ground texture around the weeds and disturbs the crop seedlings in such a way that they also either are removed or left to die on the surface of the ground.

However, the use of conventional tools which include current designs of the Garden Rake and the Garden Hoe, the conventional width of the current garden Rake is approximately 12 to 15 inches and unable to fit between the rows without causing damage.

The current invention is a dual tool comprising of a Dutch style Hoe as a primary use tool to fit between the rows of crop seedlings and separate the weed seedlings from the soil and lift them to the surface of the ground leaving the crop seedlings intact, the current invention also has an integral set of sprung tines forming a Rake measuring approximately 15 to 20 centimetres which can be introduced between the rows of crop seedlings and when drawn towards the user the tines collect the weed seedlings without destroying and crops or ground texture and formation.

The current invention can also be used in restricted areas such as directly adjacent to Shrub or Tree stems by inverting the Hoe Blade parallel to the Shrub or Tree with light downward pressure onto the side edge of the blade and drawing away from the Shrub or Tree the weeds are easily removed and can be "raked" away without destroying the ground texture or formation around the Tree or Shrub root systems.

The current invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2.

Reference of Drawings. #1

Drawing 1. Shows the Hoe blade (weed cutting edge) Shows the Hoe Blade Edge (for adjacent weed removal from Trees & Shrubs) Drawing 2. Shows the integral formation of both tools in the single unit and the central location hole for the handle.

Drawing 3. Shows the Tines and the formation of the Retrieval tool.

Drawing 4. Shows the side view of the integral tools and the location and securing areas for the handle.

Drawing 5. Shows the projected view of the tool as in use and the Handle insert hole.

Drawing 6. Shows an angled view of the current invention incorporating all tool elements and fixation sites for handle. #2

Drawing 1. Shows the current invention and the integration of the Garden Hoe and Garden Rake into a single tool.

Shows the unique handle location system, the cutting edges and the weed retrieval tines. 3.

Prawinfli In drawing 1, the current invention is showing from the underside of the "Hoe" blade and details the central hole for the discharge of debris once cut and removed from the ground.

In drawing 2, the unique handle location hole is shown in a central position which allow directional accuracy in keeping between the rows of crops as the user is "straight on" to the row and not "side on" as with conventional garden hoes. This unique invention also allows the user to apply sufficient pressure to the handle of the tool without any risk of strain injury.

In drawing 3, the current invention is showing the unique placement of a second tool being integral to a single tool, the sprung tines being approximately 5 inches wide which gently retrieve the cut weeds from the rows.

In drawing 4, the current invention is in profile showing the unique integration to a single tool and the handle location and fixing areas that enable the ease of use and control in direction.

In drawing 5, the current invention is shown as in use with the "Hoe" blade toward the ground and the "Rake" tines uppermost, when retrieving debris this unique tool is inverted to allow the retrieval operation to be enacted.

In drawing 6, the current invention shows the handle location sites through the locator "Hole" and the end "stopper flange" and fixator lug. The "edge" blade for removal of weeds adjacent to larger plants such as Trees or Shrubs is also shown.

Drawing #2 Drawing 7 shows the entire, unique aspects of the current invention. 4.

Claims

Claims1 1. A Garden Hoe is used to separate weeds and weed seedlings from the soil by severing the heads which are above ground from the roots and these heads are left on the top surface of the ground to wither and die as an individual tool.
2. A Garden Rake is used to drag any areas of weeds or weed seedlings from the surface of the ground as an individual tool for collecting and disposing of to a compost heap or bonfire, however due to the width of the Rake head, being 10 to 12 inches, it is not possible for the Rake head to be used between rows of vegetables in a direct manner without the potential to damage or displace crop seedlings and roots.
3. The current invention is a tool comprising of the integration of these 2 tools in a single manufactured tool head which can be placed between the individual rows of vegetables and in a pushing action sever the weed heads and allow them to drop back onto the ground through the evacuation hole at the rear of the Hoe blade (Dutch hoe) through the entire length of the row. By inverting the tool and using a drawing action the mass of severed weeds can be withdrawn to the users' position at the start of the individual row of crops.
4. The current invention also makes provision in the same single tool for any requirement to remove weeds from an adjacent position against any upright plant growth (Draw Hoe), this can be Trees, Shrubs and even large vegetable stalks such as Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage as weeds continue to accumulate throughout the growing season.
5. The weed retrieval system as in the current invention incorporates 3 tools operations which enable the user to complete the weeding tasks of a gardener in a single tool.