GB2286101A

GB2286101A - Adjustable pitch hand tool

Info

Publication number: GB2286101A
Application number: GB9422015A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Alan Bojar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-02-07
Filing date: 1994-11-01
Publication date: 1995-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-01
Also published as: GB9422015D0; GB2286102B; GB2286102A; GB9500917D0; GB2286101B

Abstract

An adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head (16) can be adjusted to control the dig or "bite" into the soil and comprises ferrule legs (11, 11') mounted on an extended handle (1) and adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head (16) mounted on the ferrule legs (11, 11') and a modified compression V spring (10) having a three sided trapezoidal shape with an apex segment of modified compression V spring (23) which is a straight segment at the apex mounted within the ferrule legs (11, 11') and arms (9, 9') of the modified compression V spring (10) extending into pitch set slots (4, 4') and pitch set stops (3, 3') in vertical sides (5, 5') of base blade (6) of the garden hoe tool head (16). A cutting notch (8) on the bottom back of either or both of vertical sides (5, 5') of base blade and the cutting notch and all edges of vertical sides (5, 5') of base blade and garden hoe tool base blade (6) are sharpened to a cutting edge. <IMAGE>

Description

Adjustable Pitch Tool This present invention relates to an adjustable pitch tool, for example, a garden hoe tool having an adjustable pitch headewhich can readily and easily be locked in a desired pitch position.

To date the usual garden hoe has a fixed head that is not adjustable thus the dig or bite into the soil cannot be easily controlled.

Prior art hoes are disclosed in US-A-386,197 in which the hoe includes a wedge shaped horizontal blade; US-A568,143, in which the hoe includes a cutting blade and side wings; US-A-824,862, in which the hoe is designed as a mulching tool; US-A-1,334,586, in which the hoe has an adjustable head to adjust the position of the blade; US-A-1,591,280, which discloses a scuffle hoe with an adjustable handle; US-A-1,627,901, in which the hoe has an adjustable blade section; US-A-1,870,891, which discloses a tool for gardening lawn edging etc. Other patents for the record US-A-1,895,055, US-A-1,940,169 and DE-A-606,411.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved adjustable pitch tool.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable pitch tool comprising a handle; first and second leg mount segments attached to the handle; a tool head mounted on the first and second leg mount segments by means of fastening pivot means, the tool head including a base blade and first and second side members extending from opposite sides of the base blade, each side member including a pitch set aperture and a plurality of pitch set stops associated with the pitch set aperture; a modified compression V spring mounted between the leg mount segments, the spring in cluding a first spring segment at an apex of the modified compression V spring, first and second legs extending from first and second ends of the first spring segments, respectiveiy and first and second arm members extending from the first and second legs, respectively, the first and second arms being adapted to move within a respective one of the first and second pitch set apertures and to move into and out of one of the associated plurality of pitch set stops.

Preferably, there is provided an adjustable pitch garden hoe tool which comprises a handle and ferrule leg mount segments attached to the handle and a hoe tool head mounted on said ferrule leg mount segments by means of fastening pivot pins and, a modified compressing V spring mounted between the ferrule leg mounts and the modified compressing V spring comprised of three sides of a trapezoid shape and a straight segment at the apex attached to legs of the modified compression spring and, arms of the V spring extending into pitch set slots and pitch set stops in vertical sides of base blade of the hoe tool head and arms of V spring leg segments of modified compression V spring movable back and forth from and into pitch set stops.

In another embodiment, there is provided an adjustable pitch garden hoe tool having a handle with ferrule legs attached thereto and a hoe tool head attached to the ferrule legs by means of fastening pivot pins and a V spring with arms extending outward from legs of the V spring, and the arms extending through the ferrule legs and into a pitch set slot and into pitch set stops, and the compression V spring movable along the long axis to move the arms from and to the pitch set slot and pitch set stops. The above mentioned fastening pivot pins includes either a bolt or a rivet as a substitute for the fastening pivot pins.

Preferably, there is provided an adjustable pitch garden hoe tool having a handle and ferrule legs attached thereto and a hoe tool head attached to the ferrule legs by means of fastening pivot pins and mounted within the ferrule legs is a modified V spring with arms extending from legs of the modified V spring, and the arms extending through holes or apertures in the ferrule legs and into pitch set slots and pitch set stops in each vertical side of the base blade and the bottom of the V spring extending towards the handle end with clearance between the handle end and bottom of the V spring coil.

The modified compression V spring may have a bend in each leg and an arm extending outward from each leg, and leg segments between each leg bend and arm of each leg segment are parallel, when the compression spring is assembled in an adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head.

The preferred embodiment provides an adjustable pitch garden hoe tool having a head with a modified V shaped hoe blade base and vertical sides on the hoe blade base and a modified compression V spring fitting between ferrule legs. The legs are attached at one end thereof to an extended handle and the opposite ends of the ferrule legs, to each of which is attached its respective vertical side of the hoe blade base by means of fastening pivot pins. Each arm of the modified compression V spring legs extends into a pitch set slot and into a pitch set stop on adjustment of the pitch by means of withdrawal of the V spring arm from pitch set stop. Leg segments of the compression V spring are parallel to each other on assembly of the adjustable pitch garden hoe tool. The modified compression V spring can be described as the apex angle replaced by a straight segment, connected to legs of the V spring. Thus the modified compression V spring can be further described as including three sides of a trapezoid comprised of two legs and an apex of a straight segment. The modified compression V spring can be identified as a trapezoidal shape. The modified compression V spring is movable back and forth to withdraw or enter arms of V spring in pitch set stops to adjust the desired pitch of the garden hoe tool head. A cutting notch may be located at the bottom edge of either or both vertical sides of the base blade. The edges of vertical sides, base blade and cutting notch are preferably sharpened to a cutting edge.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l is a perspective view of an embodiment of adjustable pitch garden hoe tool; Fig.2 is a left side elevational view of the view of left side tool of Figure 1; Fig.3 is a bottom plan view of the tool of Figure 1; Fig.4 is a top plan view of the tool of Figure 1; Fig.5 shows a V spring of the tool of Figure 1; Fig.6 is a side elevational view of the tool of Figure 1 in which the hoe tool is disassembled from its ferrule legs and handle; Fig.7 is a perspective view of the tool of Figure 1 showing the location of an optional cutting notch; and Fig.8 is a left side elevational view of the tool of Figure 7.

Referring to Figure 1, the adjustable pitch garden hoe tool shown includes a handle 1, to which is attached by means of bolts 22 ferrule mount segments 2, 2' and ferrule legs 11, 11' attached to the ferrule mount segments 2, 2'. Thé-adjustable pitch segment of this garden hoe tool head 16 is an assembly of garden hoe tool base blade 6, and two "vertical" sides 5, 5' of garden hoe tool base blades 6. The base blade 6, and "vertical" sides 5, 5' of base blade 6 is a unitary or single unit garden hoe tool head 16 and is adjustable for the variable pitch of hoe tool head 16. The "vertical" sides 5, 5' attached to the sides of base blade 6 are mounted on the ends of ferrule legs 11, 11' by means of fastening pivot pins 12, 12' to thus allow pivoting of hoe tool head 16, in an "up and down" direction. (see Fig.l).

To adjust the pitch of the hoe tool head 16, in each of the "vertical" sides 5, 5' there is a pitch set slot 4, 4' and each slot is arc shaped on a radius having the fastening pivot pins 12, 12' as the centre point. The arms 9, 9' extending outwards from legs 15, 15' of modified compression V spring 10 extend into their respective slot 4, 4' in "vertical" sides 5, 5' of base blade 6.

The slots 4, 4' are of such width to allow arms 9, 9' of V spring 10 to be movable back and forth easily therein (see Fig. 2).

The modified compression V spring 10 can be described as the apex angle replaced by a straight segment 23, connected to legs 15, 15' of the V spring, thus the modified compression V spring 10 can be further described as three sides of a trapezoid comprised of two legs 15, 15' and an apex of a straight segment 23. The modified compression V spring can be identified as a trapezoidal shape.

On adjustment of the pitch of the garden hoe tool, the hoe tool head 16 is to be locked in the adjusted position by means of arms 9, 9' of V spring legs 15, 15'. The arms 9, 9' of V spring legs 15, 15' extending into pitch set slots 4, 4' slide into pitch set stops 3, 3' on release of compression V spring 10. Spring 10 on being forced downward to withdraw the arms 9, 9' from pitch set stops 3, 3' allows setting of the pitch of hoe tool head 16 (see Fig. 4).

The modified compression V spring 10, is mounted in the fork of the mounted ferrule legs 11, 11' and is held in position by mounting of arms 9, 9' in pitch set slots 4, 4' and extending into pitch set stops 3, 3'.

The legs 15, 15' of compression V spring each have a leg bend 13, 13' extending inward so that leg segments 19, 19' are parallel each to the other on assembly and these leg segments 19, 19' on compression V spring 10, reciprocate in guides 20, 20' located on the inside of ferrule legs 11, 11'. (see Fig.5).

Reference is now made to Fig.2, where the legend 7 front edge of garden hoe tool base blade is shown and legend 14 back edge of garden hoe tool blade is shown of the garden hoe tool head 16.

In the above discussion, for identification purpose the legends with a "prime" (') indication are on one side of the garden hoe tool head 16, and the prime legends are in general a mirror image of the non-prime legends.

Holes or apertures 18, 18' in ferrule legs provides for arms 9, 9' to extend through the ferrule legs and align with and extend into respective pitch set slots 4, 4' and pitch set stops 3, 3' thus the arms 9, 9' of V spring legs extend through the holes 11, 11' in their respective ferrule legs and into the pitch set slots 4, 4' and pitch set stops 3, 3'.

Holes or apertures 18, 18' in ferrule leg segments for arms of V spring legs are slotted to allow back and forth movement of V spring arms 9, 9' of V spring 10 in pitch set slots 4r 4' and pitch set stops 3, 3' on adjusting the pitch of the hoe tool head 16.

Reference is now made to Figs. 1,2,3, and 4 to identify the legend 7, front edge of garden hoe tool base blade.

The V spring is shown in Fig.5, and as shown legend 23, of modified compression V spring 10 is a straight segment to replace the apex angle of a V shape.

To adjust the pitch of the garden hoe tool head 16, the compression V spring 10 is forced backward toward the handle 1 which withdraws the arms 9, 9' down from the pitch set stops 3, 3', and into pitch set slots 4, 4', at which time the pitch is adjusted as desired and on release of the V spring 10, the arms 9, 9' slide into the desired pitch set stops 3, 3' to lock the tool head in the desired pitch or angle for use.

Reference is now made to Fig.4 wherein directional arrows are shown to indicate that the compression V spring can be reciprocated back and forth in a lengthwise direction which serves to release the arms 9, 9' of V spring 10 from the pitch set stops 3, 3' to set the pitch of the hoe tool head 16.

The pitch set slots 4, 4' in each vertical side 5, 5' of the base blade 6 of the garden hoe tool head 16, are arc shape with fastening pivot pins 12, 12' at the centre point of the arcs and pitch set stops 3, 3' of two or more on the outer edges of the pitch set slots 4, 4'.

It is to be pointed out that legends 17, 17' for holes in ferrule legs for fastening pivot pins 12, 12' are aligned with holes in 5, 5' vertical sides of base blades to allow for pitch adjustment of the garden hoe tool head 16, and further the holes 18, 18' in the ferrule legs 11, 11' are oblong or of a slot shape to allow for movement of the arms 9, 9' in ferrule legs 11, 11' to move back and forth between pitch slots 4, 4' and pitch set stops 3, 3' to thus adjust the pitch of adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head 16.

A minimum of two pitch set stops 3, 3' adjoining each of pitch set slots 4, 4', but a plurality greater than two pitch set stops 3, 3' is preferred.

Referring now to Figs. 1-4, the garden hoe tool base blade 6 is of a modified V shape, with the "point" extending forward and is identified as legend 7, front edge of garden hoe tool blade and legend 14 is back edge of garden hoe tool base blade.

The guides 20, 20' for leg segments 19, 19' of compression V spring 10 may be merely pins, or grooved clips on each ferrule leg 11, 11' for guiding of the leg segments 19, 19' in their back and forth movements of the V spring 10 to allow adjustment of the pitch of the garden hoe tool head 16.

On assembly of the hoe tool head 16 to the ferrule legs 11-11' holes 21, 21' in vertical sides 5, 5 of base blade align with holes 17, 17' in ferrule legs for insertion of fastening pivot pins 12, 12', and the compression V spring 10 is mounted as outlined above with arms 9, 9' extending through slotted holes 18, 18' in ferrule legs 11, 11' and into pitch set slots 4, 4' and pitch set stops 3, 3' to adjust to the desired pitch of the hoe tool head 16.

The arms 9, 9' extending outward from leg segments 19, 19' of the compression spring 10, mounted between ferrule legs 11, 11' extend into pitch set stops 3, 3' in normal operating mode when the pitch is set for desired used. The leg segments 19, 19' of compression V spring 10, are essentially parallel each to the other when mounted in the adjustable pitch garden hoe tool. As described above the arms 9, 9' are forced into the pitch set slots 3, 3' due to the nature of the compression spring 10 which forces the legs 15, 15' and leg segments 19, 19' in a direction away from the handle 1, and the arms 9, 9' are withdrawn from the pitch set slots 3, 3' by hand forcing the spring coil base 8 of the V spring in a direction toward the handle 1, which then brings the whole V spring including the legs 15, 15' leg segments 19, 19' and arms 9, 9' toward the handle in the back and forth movement of the modified compression V spring 10.

Further disclosure is made of an article of manufacture an adjustable pitch an hoe tool 16 comprising a handle 1 and ferrule mount segments 2, 2' attached to the handle 1, and a hoe tool head 16 mounted on the ferrule leg segments 11, 11' mount segments by means of fastening pivot pins 12, 12' and, a modified compression V spring 10 mounted between the ferrule leg segments 11, 11' and the modified compression V spring 10 comprised of three sides of a trapezoid shape and a straight segment at the apex 23 attached to legs 15, 15' of the modified compression V spring 10 and, arms 9, 9' of the V spring 10 extending into pitch set slots 4, 4' and pitch set stops 3, 3' in vertical sides 5, 5' of base blade 6 of said hoe tool head 16 and arms 9, 9' of legs of V spring 15, 15' segments of modified compression V spring 10 movable back and forth from and into pitch set stops 3, 3'.

"Movable back and forth" may be used interchangeable with "reciprocate", or equivalents thereof.

The modified compression V spring 10 when mounted in the tool head 16, under compression, the arms 9, 9' are at all times forced into pitch set stops 3, 3' until released by retraction of the modified V spring 10 by hand to reset the pitch of the adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head 16.

All edges of the garden hoe tool base blade and vertical sides of the base blade and the cutting notch are sharpened to a cutting edge, these including: The front edge 7, of garden hoe tool base blade, and back edge 14 of the garden hoe tool blade, and edges of vertical sides of the base blade 6 may be sharpened to facilitate use of this adjustable pitch garden hoe tool.

A cutting notch 8, may be provided at the bottom back of either or both vertical sides of base blades 5, 5' as is shown in Figs. 7 & 8 on "vertical" sides of the base blade.

In the above discussion apertures may be referred to in the alternate as holes which are identified as oblong or slotted. The word "spring" may be used as an alternate to "modified compression V spring 10 having a trapezoidal shape".

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, to show the back and forth indication of movement of the modified compression V spring 10.

The disclosure in United States patent applications no.

08/192,613 and 08/278,599, from which this application claims priority, and in the abstract accompanying this application are incorporated herein by reference.

LEGEND of DRAWINGS 1. Handle 2,2' Ferrule mount segments 3,3' Pitch set stops 4,4' Pitch set slots 5,5' Vertical sides of base blade 6. Garden hoe tool base blade 7. Front edge of garden hoe tool base blade 8. Cutting notch 9,9' Arms of V spring legs 10. Modified compression V spring 11,11' Ferrule leg segments 12,12' Fastening pivot pins 13,13' Leg bend 14. Back edge of garden hoe tool base blade 15,15' Legs of V spring 16. Adjustable pitch garden hoe tool head 17,17' Holes in ferrule legs for fastening pivot pins 18,18' Holes or apertures in ferrule legs for arms of spring legs.

19,19' Leg segments between leg bends 13, 13 and arms 9, 9' of V spring legs 15, 15 of compression spring 10.

20, 20' Guides for leg segments 19, 19' on inside of ferrule legs 11, 11'.

21,21' Holes in vertical sides of base blades 22. Bolts attaching ferrule mount segments of ferrule legs to handle.

23. Apex segment of modified compression V spring

Claims

Claims 1. An adjustable pitch tool comprising a handle; first and second lveg mount segments attached to the handle; a tool head mounted on the first and second leg mount segments by means of fastening pivot means, the tool head including a base blade and first and second side members extending from opposite sides of the base blade, each side member including a pitch set aperture and a plurality of pitch set stops associated with the pitch set aperture; a modified compression V spring mounted between the leg mount segments, the spring including a first spring segment at an apex of the modified compression V spring, first and second legs extending from first and second ends of the first spring segment, respectively, and first and second arm members extending from the first and second legs, respectively, the first and second arms being adapted to move within a respective one of the first and second pitch set apertures and to move into and out of one of the associated plurality of pitch set stops.
2. A tool according to claim 1, wherein the first and second legs include leg portions substantially parallel to one another, each leg mount segment including guide means on an inner surface thereof co-operable with a respective leg portion to guide the operation of the modified compression V spring.
3. A tool according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first and second leg mount segments are pivotally fastened to the first and seconds side members, respectively, by means of the fastening pivot means.
4. A tool according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the modified compression V spring can reciprocate back and forth along a longitudinal axis of the first and second leg mount segments.
5. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein each pitch set aperture is in the form of a slot.
6. A tool according to claim 5, wherein each slot is in the shape of an arc having its centre of curvature substantially at its associated fastening pivot means, the pitch set stops including at least two stops located on an outer surface of the slot.
7. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the first spring segment is substantially straight.
8. A tool according to any preceding claim, comprising a cutting notch located between the or one of the first and second side members and the base blade of the tool head.
9. A tool according to claim 8, wherein the base blade, the first and second side members and the or each notch include cutting edges.
10. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein each fastening pivot means includes a pin, bolt or rivet.
11. A tool according to any preceding claim, wherein the tool is a garden hoe.
12. An adjustable pitch tool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.