GB2244901A - Garden hoe - Google Patents

Abstract

A garden implement which can be used for digging out individual deeper-rooted weeds or as a Dutch hoe comprises a single straight prong 1 of triangular cross-section which is sharp at one end. Its other end is connected via a shaft 3 to a handle 4 whose axis 5 extends perpendicular to a face 2 of the prong 1. The shaft includes a crook portion 7 beyond the axis 5 and the prong extends at 6 beyond this axis before connection to the crook portion. The cross-section of prong 1 may alternatively be a three-pointed star. <IMAGE>

Description

GARDEN IMPLEMENT This invention relates to garden implements, and can be used for digging or hoeing. In the digging mode it is suitable for digging out individual deeper-rooted weeds or loosening soil; in the hoeing mode it is used in a similar way to a Dutch hoe for dislodging or collecting shallower-rooted weeds.

It is particularly useful for weeding, aerating and clearing congested flower beds or borders.

According to the present invention a garden implement comprises: a single substantially straight prong having a longitudinal face of which two substantially parallel opposite edges are relatively sharp; said prong being sharp at one end for piercing the ground and having its other end connected via a shaft to a handle whose axis extends away from said face in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, said shaft having a crook portion in the plane of said prong beyond said axis Preferably said other end of the prong extends beyond said axis before connection to said crook portion.

The prong may be of triangular cross-section, and the shaft may be of circular cross-section. The sharp end of the prong may comprise a large chamfer towards said longitudinal face and smaller chamfers on each edge towards the end of the prong.

An example of the invention will now be descibed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II in Figure 1 to a doubled scale.

Figure 3 is an alternative section to that of Figure 2.

In these drawings a straight steel prong 1 of equilateral triangular cross-section has a longitudinal face 2. The prong is connected via a steel shaft 3 of circular cross-section to a handle 4, eg of wood or plastic, whose axis 5 extends substantially perpendicular to the face 2. The prong 1 extends beyond the axis 5 before connection to the shaft as shown at 6, and the shaft 3 includes a crook portion 7 beyond this axis.

The free end of the prong 1 is sharpened by a large chamfer 8 towards face 2 and smaller chamfers 9 at the edges of face 2 towards this end.

Figure 1 is approximately to scale. The total length of prong 1 is 130mum and the face 2 is limm wide. The shaft 3 is 8mm in diameter. The handle 4 can be of any convenient length. In this embodiment two interchangeable handles are provided, one 1.5m long and the other 150mm long.

In the digging mode the prong is driven into the ground like a small pickaxe and pulled towards the user anchor twisted to dislodge large weeds or to loosen the soil. In the hoeing mode the prong Is held parallel to the ground and pushed and pulled through the soil like a Dutch hoe. In either mode the relatively sharp edges of the prong facilitate cutting and dislodrn the soil. The crook portion 7 helps to balance the implement by acting as a counterweight on the or side of the handle axis 5.

The extension 6 of the prong beyond this axis also improves the balance in the hoeing mode by making the soil drag more symmetrical about this axis. The crook also makes it easier to reach around and behind plants in either mode and reduces the risk of damage to plants.

In the described embodiment the prong is forged from the end of the circular rod used for the shaft. Circular rod is preferred for the shaft to reduce the risk of damage to plants. However, the prong can be a separate item secured, eg by welding, to a circular shaft.

The cross-section 2 of the prong need not be an equilateral triangle, or even triangular. An alternative form is shown in Figure 3 in which the cross-section 2 is a three-pointed star, improving the cutting action when used in the Dutch hoe mode.

The dimensions given for the described embodiment are not critical.

For example, for heavier soils and/or professional gardeners an implement made from lOmm diameter rod may be more suitable, and for handicapped gardeners 6mm rod may be preferable. In the latter case a corresponding scale reduction in the other dimensions, described in Figure 1 for an 8mm diameter rod, would be preferable.

Claims (8)

1 A garden implement comprising: a single substantially straight prong having a longitudinal face of which two substantially parallel opposite edges are relatively sharp; said prong being sharp at one end for piercing the ground and having its other end connected via a shaft to a handle whose axis extends away from said face in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, said shaft having a crook portion in the plane of said prong beyond said axis.

2 An implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said other end of the prong extends beyond said axis before connection to said crook portion.

3 An implement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the prong is of triangular cross-section.

4 An implement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the prong is of substantially equilateral cross-section.

5 An implement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the prong is of three-pointed star-shaped cross-section.

6 An implement as claimed in any preceding claim, herein the shaft is of circular cross-section.

7 An implement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sharp end of the prong comprises a large chamfer torts said longitudinal face and smaller chamfers on each edge towards the end of the prong.

8 A garden implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8 A garden implement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

"AMENDWENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWED" 1 A garden implement comprising: a single substantially straight prong having a threepointed cross-section providing three longitudinal, substantially parallel, relatively sharp edges; said prong being sharp at one end for piercing the ground and having its other end connected via a shaft to a handle-whose axis extends away from a plane intercepting the two said edges nearest said handle in a direction substantially perpendicular to said plane, said shaft having a crook portion in the plane of said prong beyond said axis.

2 An implement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said other end of the prong extends beyond said axis before connection to said crook portion.

3 An implement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the prong is of triangular cross-section.

4 An implement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the prong is of substantially equilateral cross-section.

5 An implement as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the prong is of three-pointed star-shaped cross-section.

6 An implement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the shaft is of circular cross-section.

7 An implement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sharp end of the prong comprises a large chamfer towards said longitudinal face and smaller chamfers on each edge towards the end of the prong.