WO2021151484A1 - Lawn and ground level weeding bolt tool - Google Patents
Lawn and ground level weeding bolt tool Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2021151484A1 WO2021151484A1 PCT/EP2020/052194 EP2020052194W WO2021151484A1 WO 2021151484 A1 WO2021151484 A1 WO 2021151484A1 EP 2020052194 W EP2020052194 W EP 2020052194W WO 2021151484 A1 WO2021151484 A1 WO 2021151484A1
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- piston
- spring
- rod
- bolt
- tube
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01B—SOIL WORKING IN AGRICULTURE OR FORESTRY; PARTS, DETAILS, OR ACCESSORIES OF AGRICULTURAL MACHINES OR IMPLEMENTS, IN GENERAL
- A01B1/00—Hand tools
- A01B1/16—Tools for uprooting weeds
Definitions
- the disclosed invention relates to a domestic gardening and market gardening tool for mechanically destroying the roots and leaves of individual lawn weeds and/or other low-lying weeds through the use of a spring loaded portable mechanically operated tool.
- Typical non-chemical weeding tools and mechanisms involve digging or leverage of the plant as a whole, for example spades, trowels, and garden forks, and previous art reflects this. These typically involve a degree of physical exertion, through digging, pulling, or leverage, and often require the users to kneel or strain in order to remove the unwanted plant in question.
- the disclosed invention is designed to kill the unwanted plant through the destruction of the root system, without disturbing the surrounding soil. It requires much less physical exertion, and can be used from either a standing or sitting position (for example, from a wheelchair).
- 0003.1 Weeding is one of the most necessary and routine tasks for gardeners to perform. Unwanted plants can negatively impact the overall health and enjoyment of a garden, but some gardeners (for example, aging or disabled people) often find traditional measures for weeding at ground level limiting — they require a degree of physical exertion, and may involve positions that are difficult or painful.
- the disclosed invention removes the element of physical strain by significantly lowering the effort involved in killing the unwanted plant by requiring only a pulling action and to position the tool above the main body of the weed. This can be done from either a standing or sitting position, which increases the accessibility of the tool for those who may find traditional methods challenging or difficult.
- the disclosed invention significantly reduces the strain involved with weeding by reducing it to a much simpler and low effort process, that can be done sitting down or standing up.
- the mechanism simply destroys the root system by means of a spring loaded bolt shot into the ground, which destroys the unwanted plant directly, unlike more traditional methods which require that the gardener take the plant out of the ground directly through digging, leverage, or hand pulling.
- the disclosed invention also solves the issue of disrupting the earth surrounding the weed, by means of only directly targeting the centre of the unwanted plant in a limited, forceful manner.
- the plant is destroyed, but the surrounding soil is undisturbed save for the point of entry into the ground, which may serve the dual purpose of providing an aeration point for the soil.
- the disclosed invention pulverises weed root systems easily and effectively with much less effort than traditional means. It provides greater accessibility to the field of gardening for those who may find it difficult to destroy unwanted plants using the currently available tools. It is lightweight, intuitive to handle, and easy to store. It also reduces or eliminates the need to use chemical methods for maintaining a garden, which is a goal for many modem home gardeners.
- FIG. 0007 0007.1 Figure 1 is a cross-section of the ideal embodiment of the invention both primed and at rest, which shows bolt A that can be retracted within a tube C with a sharp or serrated end.
- the bolt is attached to a rod B housed within the tube and can be pulled upwards via the rod with a pull handle E at top.
- the upward pull is tensioned by a tension spring D which rod B runs through.
- the rod B also runs through a hole just larger than itself, made within a narrow control plate I that runs across the tube C and extends to provide a release or trigger (the same section of the mechanism as control plate I) just under one of the hand grips K of the device.
- the plate has movement on the vertical plane, from a position at 90 degrees to the tube (at which position the rod can run freely through the hole in the plate) to a position less than 90 degrees to the vertical (at which position the rod cannot run freely through the hole.)
- This metal plate rests at a position held off right angle to the rod by an external spring.
- FIG. 0007.2 Figure 2 shows a cross-section of an alternative embodiment (also both primed and at rest), whereby the upwards pull instead compresses a compressive spring D1 which is positioned in an opposite orientation to the tension spring embodiment, with the control spring I for the control plate H being placed above the control plate H rather than below, also using a compressive spring D1 as an alternative to the extension spring.
- Fig. 1 Showing a cross-section of the apparatus in its ideal embodiment, both primed and at rest
- FIG. 2 Showing a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the invention, using a compressive spring D1 in the place of a tension spring D Description of Embodiments
- the ideal embodiment of the disclosed invention should be comprised of a bolt attached to a rod, both housed within a tube with a sharpened end.
- the upper end of the rod is attached to a pulling handle that extends out of the top of the tube. Pulling this handle tensions the rod/bolt combination through the means of a tension spring attached near the bottom of the tube on one end and near the top of the rod at the other.
- the tensioned apparatus is maintained in its primed position by a control plate designed with a hole wide enough to allow only the rod to move through it, which extends out of the tube on one side to sit underneath one of two handgrips (as shown in fig.l).
- This control plate is kept at an angle to the rod by means of its own control spring, which holds it in position.
- the apparatus as a whole should have, externally, a pair of hand grips extending out from near the top of the tube perpendicularly, in addition to at least one foot grip near the bottom of the tube.
- the user should use the control plate by pulling it towards the handle above in in a manner similar to a bicycle brake, releasing the tension created by priming the tool initially.
- the bolt moves at speed into the ground (up to approximately 10cm), obliterating the crown of the plant and its primary root system beneath it and leaving behind a single aeration hole.
- Some embodiments may be comprised of a singular piston AB in place of the rod B/bolt A combination described in the ideal embodiment. This embodiment may be operated in the same manner as other embodiments.
- Some embodiments may utilise a compressed spring as depicted in fig 2, where the compressive spring D1 is positioned per figure 2, and the orientation of the control plate relative to the spring is reversed, with the control spring I being placed above the control plate H rather than below to serve the same function.
- Some embodiments may comprise merely the primary mechanism: the bolt A and rod B (or piston AB), pull handle E, tube C, tension or compressive spring Dl, and control plate H and control spring I, without the addition of hand grips K or a foot grip L.
- Some embodiments may be comprised in a such a way that they combine features from others described here in one apparatus.
- the primary industry this invention is applicable to is market agriculture and garden maintenance.
- the invention is designed to remove lawn and ground-level weeds and other unwanted plants, in market agriculture or smaller scale industrial agriculture, the invention is suited to clearing the ground around newly planted or young plants of weeds without disturbing the more delicate young plants that the user aims to keep.
- traditional weeding which involves a lot more disturbance of the soil around weeds, which can be hazardous to nearby plants the user plans to retain, and which can stimulate seeds from other unwanted plants to grow, there is minimal disturbance of the ground in the vicinity.
- gardeners and market farmers can weed around younger plants earlier, without disturbing them.
- the bolt A leaves behind an aeration hole in the soil, which is useful for maintaining soil quality.
Abstract
A tool for removing ground level and lawn weeds comprises: a bolt (A) and a rod (B), or a piston (AB) which is/are housed within a tube (C) and is surrounded by a tension spring (D) or a compressive spring (D1). The bolt and rod or piston is attached to a pull handle (E) which extends out of tube. A control plate (H) is provided to trigger or release the spring loaded rod or piston. To operate the tool, the user should position it above the centre of an unwanted plant or its root system, with bolt or piston angled towards it out of the bottom of tube, and then pull back handle in order to increase tension of the spring. The tension or compression force is held in place by control plate. Pulling control plate will allow rod or piston to move freely downwards at speed. As bolt or piston is driven downwards, it penetrates the ground beneath it, damaging the root systems beneath it and leaving behind an aeration hole the approximate diameter of bolt or piston. The tool cuts the foliage and pulverizes the root in situ, creating an aeration hole in the ground in the process.
Description
Description
Title of the Invention: Lawn and Ground Level Weeding Bolt Tool Technical Field
0001 The disclosed invention relates to a domestic gardening and market gardening tool for mechanically destroying the roots and leaves of individual lawn weeds and/or other low-lying weeds through the use of a spring loaded portable mechanically operated tool.
Background Art
0002.1 Typical non-chemical weeding tools and mechanisms involve digging or leverage of the plant as a whole, for example spades, trowels, and garden forks, and previous art reflects this. These typically involve a degree of physical exertion, through digging, pulling, or leverage, and often require the users to kneel or strain in order to remove the unwanted plant in question. The disclosed invention is designed to kill the unwanted plant through the destruction of the root system, without disturbing the surrounding soil. It requires much less physical exertion, and can be used from either a standing or sitting position (for example, from a wheelchair).
0002.2 Most weeding tools are designed for the physical removal of unwanted plants from the site. This typically involves collecting them in a wheelbarrow, bucket, or other device. Because the invention has been designed to kill the unwanted plant in-situ, this reduces the need for removal, as (at most) only the leaves or stems removed by the apparatus need to be removed, rather than an entire plant.
Summary of Invention Technical Problem
0003.1 Weeding is one of the most necessary and routine tasks for gardeners to perform. Unwanted plants can negatively impact the overall health and enjoyment of a garden, but some gardeners (for example, aging or disabled people) often find traditional measures for weeding at ground level limiting — they require a degree of physical exertion, and may involve positions that are difficult or painful. The disclosed invention removes the element of physical strain by significantly lowering the effort involved in killing the unwanted plant by requiring only a pulling action and to position the tool above the main body of the weed. This can be done from either a standing or sitting position, which increases the accessibility of the tool for those who may find traditional methods challenging or difficult.
003.2 The traditional means of ground level weeding can also disrupt the soil and wanted plants surrounding the weed. For low or ground-level plants such as those found in lawns, this creates more work for the gardener, requiring that they expend extra effort on undoing the damage done to the surrounding earth or repairing the damage done to the surrounding wanted plants.
Solution to Problem 0004
0004. 1 The disclosed invention significantly reduces the strain involved with weeding by reducing it to a much simpler and low effort process, that can be done sitting
down or standing up. The mechanism simply destroys the root system by means of a spring loaded bolt shot into the ground, which destroys the unwanted plant directly, unlike more traditional methods which require that the gardener take the plant out of the ground directly through digging, leverage, or hand pulling.
0005
0005.1 The disclosed invention also solves the issue of disrupting the earth surrounding the weed, by means of only directly targeting the centre of the unwanted plant in a limited, forceful manner. The plant is destroyed, but the surrounding soil is undisturbed save for the point of entry into the ground, which may serve the dual purpose of providing an aeration point for the soil.
Advantageous Effects of Invention 0006
0006.1 The disclosed invention pulverises weed root systems easily and effectively with much less effort than traditional means. It provides greater accessibility to the field of gardening for those who may find it difficult to destroy unwanted plants using the currently available tools. It is lightweight, intuitive to handle, and easy to store. It also reduces or eliminates the need to use chemical methods for maintaining a garden, which is a goal for many modem home gardeners.
Brief Description of Drawings
0007
0007.1 Figure 1 is a cross-section of the ideal embodiment of the invention both primed and at rest, which shows bolt A that can be retracted within a tube C with a sharp or serrated end. The bolt is attached to a rod B housed within the tube and can be pulled upwards via the rod with a pull handle E at top. The upward pull is tensioned by a tension spring D which rod B runs through. The rod B also runs through a hole just larger than itself, made within a narrow control plate I that runs across the tube C and extends to provide a release or trigger (the same section of the mechanism as control plate I) just under one of the hand grips K of the device. The plate has movement on the vertical plane, from a position at 90 degrees to the tube (at which position the rod can run freely through the hole in the plate) to a position less than 90 degrees to the vertical (at which position the rod cannot run freely through the hole.) This metal plate rests at a position held off right angle to the rod by an external spring.
0007.2 Figure 2 shows a cross-section of an alternative embodiment (also both primed and at rest), whereby the upwards pull instead compresses a compressive spring D1 which is positioned in an opposite orientation to the tension spring embodiment, with the control spring I for the control plate H being placed above the control plate H rather than below, also using a compressive spring D1 as an alternative to the extension spring.
007.3 List of drawings
Fig. 1 Showing a cross-section of the apparatus in its ideal embodiment, both primed and at rest
Fig. 2 Showing a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the invention, using a compressive spring D1 in the place of a tension spring D
Description of Embodiments
0008 The terminology used as follows is not intended to be limiting of the invention, only to describe certain possible embodiments as envisaged. Where technical terms are used, they should be taken to have the same meaning as would be commonly understood by one who has common skill in the art to which this invention relates. It should also be understood that terms, including those that may be defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having their meaning consistent with what is understood in the context of the relevant art here, not to be interpreted in an idealised or overly formal sense unless mentioned within the text.
Ideal Embodiment 0008.1 Design
0008.1.1 As shown in fig.1, the ideal embodiment of the disclosed invention should be comprised of a bolt attached to a rod, both housed within a tube with a sharpened end. The upper end of the rod is attached to a pulling handle that extends out of the top of the tube. Pulling this handle tensions the rod/bolt combination through the means of a tension spring attached near the bottom of the tube on one end and near the top of the rod at the other.
0008.1.2 The tensioned apparatus is maintained in its primed position by a control plate designed with a hole wide enough to allow only the rod to move through it, which extends out of the tube on one side to sit underneath one of two handgrips (as shown in fig.l). This control plate is kept at an angle to the rod by means of its own control spring, which holds it in position. When the control panel is pulled
upwards, the repositioning allows the tension to be released, sending the rod and bolt back into the “at rest” position at speed.
0008.1.3 The apparatus as a whole should have, externally, a pair of hand grips extending out from near the top of the tube perpendicularly, in addition to at least one foot grip near the bottom of the tube.
Lawn and Ground Level Weeding Bolt Tool components and envisaged dimension ranges for ideal embodiment
0008.2 Operation
0008.2.1 While the tool is “at rest” the user should position the bolt above the crown of the unwanted plant in question, pressed to the ground.
0008.2.2 The user should then “prime” the tool by pulling the handle upwards and back, holding it in place with the hand or foot grips. Priming the tool should move the tube so that it sits flush with the ground. The user can choose at this stage whether or not to press harder at the ground in order to damage above-ground leaves and stems or proceed to the next and final step.
008.2.3 After priming the tool, and holding it in position, the user should use the control plate by pulling it towards the handle above in in a manner similar to a bicycle brake, releasing the tension created by priming the tool initially. The bolt moves at speed into the ground (up to approximately 10cm), obliterating the crown of
the plant and its primary root system beneath it and leaving behind a single aeration hole.
0009 Alternative Embodiments 0009.1 Descriptions
0009.1.1 Some embodiments may be comprised of a singular piston AB in place of the rod B/bolt A combination described in the ideal embodiment. This embodiment may be operated in the same manner as other embodiments.
0009.1.2 Some embodiments may utilise a compressed spring as depicted in fig 2, where the compressive spring D1 is positioned per figure 2, and the orientation of the control plate relative to the spring is reversed, with the control spring I being placed above the control plate H rather than below to serve the same function.
0009.1.3 Some embodiments may comprise merely the primary mechanism: the bolt A and rod B (or piston AB), pull handle E, tube C, tension or compressive spring Dl, and control plate H and control spring I, without the addition of hand grips K or a foot grip L.
0009.1.4 Some embodiments may be comprised in a such a way that they combine features from others described here in one apparatus.
Industrial Applicability
0010
0010.1 The primary industry this invention is applicable to is market agriculture and garden maintenance. As the invention is designed to remove lawn and
ground-level weeds and other unwanted plants, in market agriculture or smaller scale industrial agriculture, the invention is suited to clearing the ground around newly planted or young plants of weeds without disturbing the more delicate young plants that the user aims to keep. Unlike traditional weeding, which involves a lot more disturbance of the soil around weeds, which can be hazardous to nearby plants the user plans to retain, and which can stimulate seeds from other unwanted plants to grow, there is minimal disturbance of the ground in the vicinity. As a result, gardeners and market farmers can weed around younger plants earlier, without disturbing them. In addition, the bolt A leaves behind an aeration hole in the soil, which is useful for maintaining soil quality.
Reference Signs List 0014
Claims
1. A tool for removing ground level and lawn weeds comprising: a. Either of i. A bolt A and a rod B, attached to each other ii. A piston AB b. Which is/are housed within a tube C c. And surrounded by: i. A tension spring D ii. A compressive spring D1
1. either of which must be attached to piston AB/rod B with spring-to-rod fixing F
2. and also attached to tube C with spring-to-tube fixing G
3. the orientation of fixings F and G will be inverted when comparing the position of a tension spring D apparatus compared with a compressive spring D1 apparatus d. The bolt A and rod B or piston AB should also be attached to a pull handle E which extends out of tube C e. Rod B or piston AB should extend through a hole only slightly wider than its diameter in control plate H, which extends through tube C and out of it to act as a trigger or release i. control plate H should be held in position by control spring I ii. if using tension spring D, control spring I should attach below control plate H
iii. if using compressive spring Dl, control spring I should attach above control plate H f. As it extends out of the top of tube C, piston AB/rod B should be attached to pull handle E g. To operate the tool, the user should position it above the centre of an unwanted plant or its root system, with bolt A or piston AB angled towards it out of the bottom of tube C, and then pull back handle E. h. When pulled upwards by pull handle E, through the hole in control plate H, rod B /piston AB should either i. increase tension in tension spring D ii. compress compressive spring Dl i. The tension or compression force is held in place by control plate H, by virtue of the angle it reverts to when “primed” — at a 90 degree angle to rod B or piston AB i. pulling control plate H upwards/towards the upper end of the tube will allow rod B/piston AB to move freely ii. this releases the tension or compression and drives bolt A/piston AB downwards/outwards at speed j. As bolt A/piston AB is driven downwards, it should penetrate the ground beneath it, damaging the root systems beneath it and leaving behind an aeration hole the approximate diameter of bolt A/piston AB.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/052194 WO2021151484A1 (en) | 2020-01-29 | 2020-01-29 | Lawn and ground level weeding bolt tool |
| EP20721420.6A EP3902384A1 (en) | 2020-01-29 | 2020-01-29 | Lawn and ground level weeding bolt tool |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/052194 WO2021151484A1 (en) | 2020-01-29 | 2020-01-29 | Lawn and ground level weeding bolt tool |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2021151484A1 true WO2021151484A1 (en) | 2021-08-05 |
Family
ID=70464974
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2020/052194 WO2021151484A1 (en) | 2020-01-29 | 2020-01-29 | Lawn and ground level weeding bolt tool |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP3902384A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2021151484A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20040089334A1 (en) * | 2002-11-08 | 2004-05-13 | Kuo-Chi Ko | Foldable stick assembly |
| CA2718700A1 (en) * | 2010-10-25 | 2012-04-25 | Christopher J. Kirchmann | Weed stomping tool |
| EP2491779A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-08-29 | Lv, Ke | Rotary weed root removing device |
| US10375871B1 (en) * | 2018-05-15 | 2019-08-13 | Addis Paul Elmore | Dallisgrassweeder a weed surgeon |
-
2020
- 2020-01-29 WO PCT/EP2020/052194 patent/WO2021151484A1/en unknown
- 2020-01-29 EP EP20721420.6A patent/EP3902384A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20040089334A1 (en) * | 2002-11-08 | 2004-05-13 | Kuo-Chi Ko | Foldable stick assembly |
| EP2491779A1 (en) * | 2010-10-08 | 2012-08-29 | Lv, Ke | Rotary weed root removing device |
| CA2718700A1 (en) * | 2010-10-25 | 2012-04-25 | Christopher J. Kirchmann | Weed stomping tool |
| US10375871B1 (en) * | 2018-05-15 | 2019-08-13 | Addis Paul Elmore | Dallisgrassweeder a weed surgeon |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP3902384A1 (en) | 2021-11-03 |
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