WO2015057084A1

WO2015057084A1 - Horticultural tool

Info

Publication number: WO2015057084A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2014/000218
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Francis Lucas; Patrick TEASDALE
Original assignee: Rolling Stone Cleaning Co Limited
Priority date: 2013-10-16
Filing date: 2014-10-16
Publication date: 2015-04-23

Abstract

A horticultural tool that includes at least two handle portions connected to each other and at least two gripping portions that are each connected to a handle portion. Each gripping portion may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion to which it is attached.

Description

HORTICULTURAL TOOL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of gardening tools.

BACKGROUND ART

Often in gardening, it is required that a plant needs to be extracted out of containers such as a plant pot or plant tray with its roots and the soil that is associated with the roots intact, so that the plant can be planted into a garden, or moved to a different pot or tray. Currently, this is a manual process whereby the gardener will place the plant containers upside down with the hand over the opening, and tap the bottom of the container until the plant and the soil associated with it falls out. This is then hand-carried to a different location for the plant to be planted elsewhere.

One problem with this method is that, sometimes the soil is loosely packed so that when it is extracted out of the containers it does not stay intact. Therefore, a lot of effort has to be exerted by the gardener in order to keep the soil and the plant intact such that the soil does not fall from the plant and create a mess, and so that the roots of the plant are protected. Additionally, in this situation the gardener may need to use both hands to keep the soil and plant intact, preventing them from completing other tasks with a free hand, such as reaching for a new pot or tray, or digging a hole in a garden.

Often the plant and the soil within the container are not extractable by simply tapping. This can occur when the soil has been tightly packed in the container. It can also occur when the plant has been in the container for an extended period of time, and the root system of the plant has expanded within the container. In these situations, the gardener may need to insert a device such as a trowel or hand-fork, or their fingers, down the side of the plant container in order to first loosen the plant within the container. In use the device or fingers will scoop underneath the plant which may result in damage to the lower roots of the plant. This is particularly so with smaller plant containers such as seed punnets, as the device or fingers are often too large to be easily inserted into the container.

Further to this, if the gardener uses their fingers this can cause mud and dirt to cake onto the gardener's hands, which can make it a pain to handle other items while gardening.

Alternatively or in addition, depending on how stuck the plant is, the gardener may apply force to the plant itself in order to extract it. For example, the gardener may pull on the stem of the plant. This may result in damage of the plant, for example the stem may break, or leaves or flowers may be pulled from the plant.

Particularly for larger containers, these methods may cause a waste in soil. This is because the hand or device can only cover a portion of the plant container and therefore a portion of the soil will not be contained by the hand or device, which makes it difficult to keep the plant and the soil substantially intact once they are extracted out of the plant containers.

These methods are also relatively time-consuming. Even if the plant can be extracted by tapping the bottom of the container the extraction process generally involves:

1. Turning the container upside down;

2. Holding a hand over the opening;

3. Tapping or pushing on the bottom of the container so that the soil and plant falls onto the waiting hand;

4. Removing the container from the bulk of the soil and plant;

5. Placing another hand on the bottom end of the soil and plant (currently facing upwards); and

6. Turning the plant over so that the roots are facing downwards and the stems and leaves are facing upwards.

This multi-step process is extended if there are issues with the soil being too loosely or too tightly packed (as discussed above).

Due to the above, it is desirable to derive a device and method that will extract the plant and the soil associated with it out of a plant container in less time-consuming and efficient manner without damaging the plant while minimising soil wastage.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a horticultural tool including: at least two handle portions connected to each other; at least two gripping portions; characterised in that each gripping portion is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle portions.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing plant material from a container including the steps of: a) providing a horticultural tool with at least two handle portions which are connected to each other, and at least two gripping portions; b) inserting the gripping portions into the container; c) activating the handles of the horticultural tool such that the gripping portions approach each other to grip plant material within the container; d) removing the plant material from the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a horticultural tool including: at least two handle portions which are connected to each other; at least two gripping portions; characterised in that the handle portions are connected via at least one resilient portion, wherein the resilient portion includes unequal flexing lengths. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a horticultural tool including: at least two handle portions connected to each other; at least two gripping portions; characterised in that the horticultural tool is made from one piece of plastics material.

The term horticultural tool should be understood to be a means or apparatus made or adapted for gardening purposes.

More particularly, and for ease of reference, the horticultural tool shall be referred to as tongs throughout this specification. The preferred embodiment of the tongs includes all of the inventions defined above. However, one or more may be used exclusive of each other.

The term plant material should be understood to be any articles or plants that may be in a plant container. This may include the plant and its structure (including roots and stems), the soil contained within the plant container, seeds, animals that may be found in a plant container, such as slugs, and it also includes a combination of the plant and soil associated with it. The term container should be understood to be any apparatus or receptacle that is used to contain plant material as defined above. This can include, for example, pots, seed punnets or trays.

Preferably, the tongs are used to move plant material from one container into another container or garden. The tongs may be made of any material. In an embodiment, the tongs may be made from a plastics material. In a preferred embodiment, the tongs may be made of polypropylene. Polypropylene is advantageous as it is low cost, easy to colour and UV stabilise and is resistant to chemicals used commonly in the garden. However, this should not be seen as limiting and other materials may be used, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, rubber or metal.

The tongs may be a unitary part. They may also be formed from a single piece of plastics material via conventional moulding processes. This saves costs and labour in manufacturing. Alternatively, the tongs may be made of multiple parts attached together. The tongs should be understood to have at least two handle portions.

The term handle portion should be understood to be a part of the horticultural tool which is configured to be held and operated by the hand of a gardener.

Each handle portion may have a first border and a second border that define the length, or the longitudinal axis, of the handle portion. Each handle portion may also have a bottom edge and a top edge that define the width of the handle portion.

The bottom edge of each handle portion should be understood to be the edge that will be located closer to the ground relative to the top edge when the tongs are in use.

The top edge of each handle portion should be understood as referring to the edge that will be located further from the ground relative to the bottom edge when the tongs are in use.

In an embodiment, the handle portions may be configured such that each handle portion is substantially elongate along its longitudinal axis. This may provide the tongs with a longer reach.

The cross-section may also be thin. This may be beneficial as less material may be required to make the tongs, which may reduce manufacturing costs. It also may be beneficial in supporting the twisting action that is described below. Preferably the handles may be configured with a thickness such that they can withstand the loading conditions of the gardener applying the forces on the handles. However, this is not intended to be limiting and the handle portion may also be of any thickness in cross-section. In an embodiment, the handle may be curved across it's width of the handle. In an embodiment, the handle may be inwardly concave across its width. The concave shape may add strength to the handle. However, this is not intended to be limiting and the handle portion may be flat in cross-section. It should be understood that the handle portions are connected proximate the first border of each handle portion.

In an embodiment the handle portions may be directly connected. In an alternative embodiment, the handle portions may be indirectly connected, with another portion of the tongs connecting the handles. In an embodiment the handle portions may be indirectly connected at one end via a joining portion.

A joining portion should be understood to be a part of the horticultural tool which is attached to each handle portion to connect the handle portions together.

In an embodiment, the handle portions may be attached to the joining portion such that there is a distance of joining portion between the attachments of each handle portion. This acts to space apart the handle portions. This may be advantageous, as it may allow the handle portions to hold the gripping portions (discussed in more detail below) apart such that, in use, they can be inserted into a container on either side of the plant material of interest.

In an embodiment the joining portion may be substantially a semi-circle shape in cross-section. However this is not intended to be limiting and the joining portion may be of any shape in cross- section, for example the joining portion may be triangular or square.

In an embodiment, the joining portion may extend along the full width of each handle portion. This may contribute to the strength of the joining portion and rigidity of the horticultural tool, which may decrease the risk of loading and fatigue fracture or failure. However, this is not intended to be limiting and the joining portion may extend only partially along the width of each handle portion.

In an embodiment, the joining portion may be solid. This may also contribute to the strength of the joining portion and rigidity of the horticultural tool, which may decrease the risk of loading and fatigue fracture or failure. This is not intended to be limiting and the joining portion may be hollow or substantially concave between the first and second handle portions. The joining portion may also be substantially convex and protrude towards the handle portions.

In a preferred embodiment the tongs may include at least two resilient portions.

A resilient portion should be understood as a part of the horticulture tool that connects to both the joining portion and at least one handle portion and extends partially along the length of the at least one handle portion.

Each resilient portion may have an open edge. This should be understood as referring to the edge of the resilient portion that extends between a first and second handle portion.

In an embodiment, the resilient portion may connect to two or more handle portions. In an alternative embodiment, each resilient portion may connect only to one handle portion. In an embodiment, the open edge of each resilient portion may be substantially concave. This may be beneficial in supporting the twisting action when the handle portions are moved towards each other, as it may allow the top of one handle portion to be pushed slightly below the top of a second handle portion.

In an embodiment, each resilient portion does not extend along the full width of the handle portion. In an embodiment, each resilient portion may be thin.

In an embodiment, one resilient portion is aligned with the top of the handle portion and a second resilient portion is aligned with the bottom of the handle portion.

The resilient portions may provide a resilient 'spring-back' mechanism so the handles will return to their neutral positions upon release of a force that pushed them towards each other. The length of each resilient portion may be defined by the border of the resilient portion to the joining portion, and the outer point, points or border of the open edge.

Preferably, the resilient portions may be of unequal lengths. This may be beneficial in creating a twisting action when the handles are moved towards each other. This may create a stronger biasing force thus providing a better grip for the gripping members which will be further defined and described below.

The two unequal lengths are configured such that they are at an angle relative to each other. This further creates the twisting action as described above.

The preferred difference between the two lengths is between 5 and 40mm. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the difference between the two lengths is 20mm.

The thickness of the resilient portions may be such that they can withstand the loading conditions of the gardener applying the forces on the handles.

The horticultural tool also includes at least two gripping portions.

The term gripping portion should be understood to be any section of the tongs which is configured to, when in use, bias against an article in order to, together with another gripping member portion, hold plant material.

The gripping portions may be located proximate the second border of each handle portion.

Each gripping portion may have a first border and a second border that define the length, or the longitudinal axis, of the gripping portion. The first border may be understood as referring to the border that is closer to the handle portion relative to the second border.

In an exemplary embodiment the second border may be the end of the gripping portion.

In an embodiment the gripping portions may be directly connected to the handle portions. In an alternative embodiment, the gripping portions may be indirectly connected to the handle portions, with another portion of the tongs connecting the handles.

In a preferred embodiment the gripping portions are thin walled. This may be beneficial in minimising disturbance of the plant material within the container when the tongs are inserted into the container. This also may allow the material of the tongs to be twisted, to aid the twisting action as described above.

For the purpose of this invention, the gripping portion includes a biasing surface. This should be understood to be the area of the gripping portion that in use is in contact with the plant material.

Preferably the biasing surface of the gripping portion is configured is curved. In an embodiment the biasing surface is inwardly concave so that when the biasing surface of one gripping portion is held against the biasing surface of a second gripping portion they form a partially enclosed receptacle. This configuration may be beneficial for grasping friable material as it may act to contain the material.

However, this should not be seen as limiting and in some embodiments the gripping portions may be flat.

In some embodiments, the gripping portions further include a plurality of teeth or jaws arranged on the biasing surface in order to create more friction between the surface and the article being held. This may be substantially perpendicular to the plane of the jaws.

Preferably, the handle portions and the gripping portions may be arranged relative to each other such that when a gardener activates the handle, the gripping portions may be brought together. In use, this may create a biasing force between the biasing surfaces that hold the plant material.

Preferably the gripping portion is configured such that the longitudinal axis of the gripping portion does not align with the longitudinal axis of the handle portion. This resultant shape of the tongs may provide the advantage in use of allowing the gripping portion to be inserted into a container while keeping the handle portion substantially parallel to the ground. This may provide ergonomic advantages, as the user does not have to twist their hand or elbow to use the tongs to pick up plant material - their wrist may be kept relatively flat. It may also provide efficiency advantages, as the plant material may be picked up in the appropriate position for replanting, and can then be simply placed in a different container or garden in one movement, without having to re-position or handle the plant material multiple times. This may also result in less damage to the plant.

The resultant shape of the tongs may also make the gripping portions more accessible to the plant material. For example, it may provide clearance from the stems of the plants and the like during use of the tongs, as the handles may be parallel to the ground when in use, not above the plant.

In a preferred embodiment, each gripping portion is arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the gripping portion is offset from the longitudinal axis of the handle portion. The optimal range of offset distance between the handle axis and the gripper axis measured at the end of the gripper portion that is furthest from the handle portion is 25 to 100 mm. In an embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the gripping portion and the longitudinal axis of the handle portion may be between 20 - 80 degrees.

In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the gripping portion and the longitudinal axis of the handle portion is 60 degrees.

Preferably, the gripping members are configured and arranged such that they are complementary to the dimensions of standard plant pots or trays. This is to allow the gripping members of the tongs to gain full access to the plant material contained within the containers to minimise wastage.

In one embodiment, the outside edges of the gripping portions are arranged such that they are substantially equal to the internal diameter or width of a standard plant pot or tray. This is to allow the gripping members to fully access the interior of the plant pot or trays. Preferably, each gripping portion is indirectly connected to a handle portion by a connection portion, configured so that when the handles are moved towards each other, the connection portion aids in the twisting action of the two gripping members. This is to create a stronger biasing force, thus providing a stronger grip. In a preferred embodiment the connection portion is a thin walled curved structure that is substantially continuous to the curvature of the gripping portions.

In a preferred embodiment each connected handle portion, connection portion and gripping portion are substantially continuous with each other.

Furthermore, the twisting action may assist in retaining the plant material within the gripping members. The twisting action of the gripping portions as they move towards each other may provide the gripping portions with a bowl-like configuration. This may be particularly useful for retaining friable articles such as soil and seeds.

In exemplary embodiments, the tongs include additional gardening tools such that the tongs are multi-functional. In an embodiment, the additional gardening tool is a dibbier which is arranged substantially near the joining portion. This is so that the dibbier does not interfere with the normal function of the tongs.

The term dibbier should be understood to mean any devices configured and arranged to be used to make holes in the soil for planting of seedlings or plant bulbs. In an embodiment, the connection of the handle portions is further configured with an additional spring-back mechanism. This is to provide a stronger elastic connection between the handles. Furthermore, this reinforces the joining portion which prevents it from stress or fatigue fracture or failure.

In an embodiment, the additional spring-back mechanism is configured in the form of a dibbier. This provides a second function to the tongs in that there is further provided a dibbier which can be used to create holes in the ground or soil of the garden.

Preferably the dibbler is arranged to the joining portion which connects the handle portions. This is so that the dibbler can aid the spring-back motion of the handle portions, while reinforcing the joining portion in strength. The dibbler may assist in decreasing the risk of the joining portion fracturing or failing from too much load or fatigue.

When using the preferred embodiment of the invention, the gardener picks up the tongs with one hand and holds the handle portions. The gardener then places the gripping portions within a container that has plant material within it. A gripping portion is placed on either side of the plant material that is to be picked up. The gardener squeezes the handle portions together; this creates a twisting action that brings the biasing area of each gripping portion into contact with the plant material.

The gardener continues to exert force on the handle portions to hold the plant material between the gripping portions. The plant material can then be removed from the container.

Furthermore, it provides the following advantages: · A relatively cheap gardener's aid.

• One piece moulding which reduces costs in manufacturing.

• Shaped to fit plant pots, seed punnets and the like to minimise waste.

• Shaped for tension, i.e. the spring-back mechanism.

• Shaped to avoid stems. · Shaped to grasp friable material (soil).

• Multifunctional with a dibbler which also acts as a reinforcing spring-back mechanism.

• At the very least, the present invention offers the public a useful alternative. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Isometric view of the tongs; Figure 2 side view of the tongs; Figure 3 top view of the tongs, and Figure 4 front view of the tongs.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to Figure 1 , the tongs (1) include two handle portions (2) which are connected at one border via a joining portion (3).

The handle portions (2) are configured with a thickness such that it can withstand the loading conditions of the gardener applying a force to move the handle portions (2) towards each other. They are further configured such that they have a curved concave structure such that it aids the spring-back of the handle portions (2) upon release by the gardener.

The joining portion (3) is configured with a thickness such that it can withstand the loading conditions of the gardener applying a force to move the handle portions towards each other.

The tongs (1) include at least two resilient portions (7A and 7B). The resilient portions (7A and 7B) are unequal so that a twisting action is achieved by moving the handle portions (2) towards each other. This is to create a stronger biasing force thus providing a better grip for the gripping portions (6). The resilient portions have an open end (8) that is concave, this aids the spring- back of the handles upon release by the gardener. In this embodiment, the tongs include a further spring-back mechanism (4) in the form of a dibbler. The dibbler (4) is configured as a substantially flat structure connected at one end of the joining portion (3). This is so that it can provide a reinforcement to the joining portion to prevent it from loading and fatigue fracture or failure. Furthermore, the dibbler is substantially thin such that it can provide the dibbling effect.

The gripping portion (6) is configured such that it is a thin-walled curved structure such that when they are brought together they from a substantially enclosed receptacle.

A gripping portion (6) is located at the end of the tongs (1) opposite to the dibbler (4).

Preferably, the handle portions (2) and the gripping portions (6) are arranged relative to each other such that when a user activates the handle portions (2), the gripping portions (6) can be brought together. This is so that plant material can be gripped or held between the gripping portions (6) via the biasing force from each of the gripping portions.

Preferably, the gripping portion and the handle portion are connected via a connection portion (5), configured so that when the handles are moved towards each other, it aids in the twisting action of the two gripping portions (6). This is to create a stronger biasing force thus providing a stronger grip.

Each connection portion (5) is a thin walled curved structure. This further aids the twisting action as described above.

The twisting action of the gripping portions (6) as they move towards each other provides the gripping portions (6) with a bowl-like configuration to retain friable articles such as soil and seeds.

With reference to Figure 4, the gripping portion (6) is arranged such that the longitudinal axis of each gripping portion (6) does not align with the longitudinal axis of each handle portion (2). This provides the advantage of the gripping portions (6) being able to be more accessible to the plant material. In this embodiment, gripping portion (6) is arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the gripping portion is offset from the longitudinal axis of the handle portion (2). The offset distance is 75mm.

Furthermore, and with reference to Figure 2, each gripping portion (6) includes a first border (10) and a second border (9) that define the longitudinal axis (line X) of each gripping portion (6). Each handle portion has a first border (12) and a second border (11) that define the longitudinal axis (line Y) of each handle portion (2).

The gripping portion (6) is arranged such that the longitudinal axis (line X) of the gripping portion (6) is at an angle from the longitudinal axis (line Y) of the handle portion (2). The optimal range of the angle between the two axis is between 20 to 80 degrees.

The gripping portions (6) are configured and arranged such that the outside edge of the gripping portions (6) are substantially equal to the internal diameter or width of a standard plant seedling punnet (not shown). This is to allow the gripping portions (6) to fully access the interior of the seedling punnet. In this embodiment, the tongs (1) are a unitary structure and are made of one-piece plastic from conventional moulding processes.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A horticultural tool, including: at least two handle portions connected to each other; at least two gripping portions, each connected to a handle portions; characterised in that each gripping portion is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle portions.

A horticultural tool according to claim 1 , wherein the angle is between 20° and 80°.

A horticultural tool according to claim 2, wherein the angle is in the order of 60°.

A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the offset distance between the handle axis and gripper axis is 25 to 100mm, when measured at the end of the gripper portion that is furthest from the handle portion.

A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 4, wherein the horticultural tool is made from one piece.

A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the horticultural tool is made of plastics material.

A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein a joining portion connects the at least two handle portions.

A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the horticultural tool includes at least two resilient portions.

A horticultural tool according to claim 8, wherein the at least two resilient portions are of unequal lengths.

10. A horticultural tool according to claim 9, wherein the difference between the unequal flexing lengths is between 5 and 40mm.

1 1. A horticultural tool according to claim 10, wherein the difference between the unequal flexing lengths is 20mm.

12. A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 11 , wherein each handle portion is elongated along the longitudinal axis.

13. A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 12, wherein the gripping portions include a biasing surface.

14. A horticultural tool according to claim 13, wherein a plurality of teeth are arranged on the biasing surface.

15. A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 14, wherein each gripping portion is indirectly connected to a handle portion by a connection portion.

16. A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 15, wherein the horticultural tool includes a dibbler.

17. A horticultural tool according to claim 16, wherein the dibbler acts as a spring-back mechanism.

18. A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 17, wherein each gripping portion is curved.

19. A horticultural tool according to any one of claims 1 - 18, wherein each connected handle portion, connection portion and gripping portion are substantially continuous with each other.

20. A method of removing plant material from a container including the steps of: a) providing a horticultural tool with a pair of handles connected to each other; wherein at one end of each handle there is a gripping portion attached thereto; b) inserting the gripping portions into the container c) activating the handles of the horticultural tool such that the gripping members move relative to each other to grip a plant within the container d) removing the plant material from the container.

21. A horticultural tool substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by the Best Modes section and drawings.

22. A method of removing plant material from a container substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by the Best Modes section and drawings.