Grip pliers exteritor of undesirable plants

Description

/ 8 Pliers for removing unwanted plants. Field of improvement

[001] The present improvement comprises a manual instrument for the mechanical, effective, safe and rapid removal of unwanted plants, such as weeds. The product is applied in the agricultural sector on cultivated properties, and may also be intended for domestic use. State of the Art

[002] Undesirable plants, also known as weeds, are known to harm agricultural yield and productivity, as well as affecting crop growth due to their competition for sunlight, nutrients, and water. In homes, these plants also represent a problem, mainly aesthetic, as they detract from the overall appearance. If left uncontrolled, they can grow in lawns, vegetable gardens, sidewalks, concrete cracks, between paving stones, and other undesirable areas, resulting in an unkempt look.

[003] Weeds, in general, exhibit a high rate of growth and propagation, high ecological adaptability and, consequently, have a developmental advantage over other plants.

[004] As a way to inhibit the growth and spread of said weeds, some type of herbicide is commonly used, which must be selected according to the crop to be cultivated, since the plant of interest must be resistant to the herbicide and the herbicide must be toxic to the weeds in question. The cultivated plant must metabolize or degrade the herbicide, however, the weed cannot present this same specificity of resisting the use of the pesticide.

[005] Among the effects of herbicide use are its accumulation in cultivated plants, soil, and aquatic environments, representing a toxic agent for the fauna and flora of both habitats. Furthermore, its indiscriminate use can lead to the emergence of Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, page 5 / 17 / 8 herbicide-resistant weeds, which were previously affected by the use of these chemical agents.

[006] Another way to remove weeds is by manual extraction. Manual weed removal can require considerable physical effort, especially in large areas or when the roots are deeply established in the soil. It is also difficult to ensure that all weed roots are completely removed during manual extraction. With the easy adaptability, rapid growth and proliferation of these plants, manual removal becomes time-consuming, in addition to the fact that the activity does not provide ideal working conditions.

[007] A third way to eliminate unwanted plants is by pulling them out using tools. However, commercially available equipment has the limitation of not efficiently exerting the leverage effect that facilitates the execution of the activity, requiring greater effort from the operator or even failing to remove the plant effectively. A lack of ergonomics can also be observed, both in relation to the grip of the equipment and its height. Furthermore, the contact area with the plant is insufficient to allow for its complete removal, extracting only the foliage and leaving the roots, which allows the weed to continue growing.

[008] Based on the state of the art, it is possible to cite some patent documents that highlight the problems described above.

[009] Document DE20017356 presents a weed extractor with two metal scissor-shaped rods joined by a screw. The lower part of each rod has a crossbar designed to hold the plant during removal when the rods are in the closed position. However, because they are metallic, the bars do not provide sufficient grip, and the plant may slip without being properly secured, making removal difficult or impossible. Furthermore, the rods lack a handle and anatomical geometry for handling, causing discomfort and hindering weed removal. Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, page 6 / 17 / 8

[0010] Document US7108076 describes a weed extractor consisting of two movable cylindrical rods with a pair of gripping jaws at their lower ends, which have rubber or plastic pads to increase grip on the plants during removal. The rods and jaws are preferably made of wood and plastic, respectively, and consequently do not have high durability compared to metal extractors, especially steel. The jaw is fixed to the rod by means of metal clamps, which generates maintenance and play in the equipment due to its fragility compared to welding, and may even cause the jaw to come loose. Additionally, as with document DE20017356, the equipment's handle is also not ergonomic.Furthermore, the upper part of the rods, where the operator's hand is positioned, does not have any kind of locking mechanism, which allows the operator's hand to slip and release the equipment, resulting in a lack of safety during weed removal.

[0011] Document US2291822 covers a device composed of two levers connected by a joint and with arched jaws at their lower end. It has a distinct concept, as it needs to be inserted into the ground to remove weeds, making it impossible to remove weeds from paved areas. One of the jaws is serrated to grip the plant; however, if the plants have thinner and / or more delicate stems, the stem may be cut, allowing the plant to continue developing. Furthermore, the jaws do not have sufficient contact area to hold the unwanted plants during removal, and, depending on the root development, if the engagement is not precise, the plant removal will not be efficient. Wooden handles are screwed onto the upper part of the levers, and, similarly to previous patents, they do not provide grip or ergonomics for the operator's hands.It also requires more effort from the operator, since the jaws are inserted into the ground, and it cannot be used on just any surface, such as sidewalks, for example. Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, page 7 / 17 / 8

[0012] Document KR102117664 presents a weed remover consisting of a pair of gripping rods, each connected to a handle, the assembly being attached to a wheeled support. Although the equipment's mobility is facilitated by wheels, these make it difficult to move on uneven cultivated land. Closing the gripping rods requires moving the entire extractor structure, including the handles and wheels, thus making the task complex. Complete weed extraction only occurs after moving the equipment sufficiently to remove the roots; therefore, the equipment itself can damage the cultivated plants while removing the weeds. The constructive concept is completely different from the present solution.

[0013] Document CN209497816 presents a weed extractor composed of upper and lower jaws, both connected to rods and forming an articulated pair of pliers. Inside the jaws there is an arc to which rubberized material is attached to increase grip on the plant to be removed. This arc shape inside the jaws allows for the removal of plants with thicker stems. Similar to document KR102117664, this one also has a system formed by a cylinder that functions as a wheel, providing mobility to the equipment, but only on flat terrain and may harm the growth of the plants of interest. Due to its similarity to document KR102117664, it differs significantly from the present patent.

[0014] Document CN207939955 describes an articulated weed remover with a clamping device on the bottom, coated with a rough material. The articulation is located on the upper part of the equipment, and one of the rods is fixed, which reduces the leverage effect in its handling, meaning it requires more force from the operator, making weed removal exhausting and ineffective. To facilitate opening and closing the remover, the equipment includes a system consisting of a set of springs, locks, cylinders, and connecting rods. Thus, due to its construction complexity, this equipment demands a higher manufacturing cost. Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, p. 8 / 17 / 8

[0015] In view of the problems mentioned in the state of the art, this patent aims to provide equipment that removes weeds effectively, easily, and ergonomically, due to its constructive concept, by means of a tool with simple construction, resistant and low production cost. Improvement objectives

[0016] The present improvement relates to a mechanically operated weed-removing gripping tool. It can be used on small farms, in family farming, and can also be an ally in organic production, eliminating the need for herbicides.

[0017] The tool consists of pliers formed by two levers, with a joint positioned at its lower part, resulting in less effort from the operator and greater force applied when closing the jaws. The lever, jaw, and handle assembly is symmetrical, which reduces manufacturing costs, since only one shape needs to be produced, and simplifies the assembly of the equipment, which is joined by the lower shaft.

[0018] The rectangular shape of the jaws allows the herb to be easily gripped, providing agility in its removal. This shape also allows a significant portion or even all of the herb to be held in place by the jaws, effectively securing it during extraction. Furthermore, the jaws have an outer lower curvature that grips the herb from its base, ensuring a higher extraction rate and enabling removal on paved surfaces. To increase the plant's adherence to the equipment, flexible material pads, such as rubber, are attached to the inside of the jaws.

[0019] Additionally, the pliers allow the extraction operation to be performed ergonomically due to the length of the levers, eliminating the need for the operator to bend or stoop, thus providing greater physical safety. Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, page 9 / 17 / 8

[0020] The handle also has an anatomical shape allowing the operator's hand to fit properly, providing stability and safety during operation. Furthermore, it can be coated with materials such as rubber or polymer, which provide greater grip for the operator's hands on the equipment. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] For better understanding, the drawings illustrate the embodiment of the present patent.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a bottom view of the weed remover pliers.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the weed remover pliers.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the components present in the pliers. Description of the improvement

[0025] The present improvement relates to a gripping tool for removing unwanted plants by pulling them out. The solution consists of a tool made up of two levers (30), joined by a joint (20). The levers (30) have at their lower end a pair of gripping jaws (10), where the plant is held, and at their upper end, they have handles (41), where the operator holds the tool and performs the radial movement to grip the plant and then pull it out of the ground.

[0026] The levers (30) consist of two bars joined by a joint (20) in a transverse manner. The joint (20) is formed by a screw (21), nuts (23) and a hole (24), located on the lower part of both levers (30), promoting the radial movement of the tool. To avoid friction between the levers (30) and facilitate radial movement, a washer (22) is also inserted, preventing contact between them.

[0027] At the lower end of the levers (30), are located the jaws (10), responsible for holding the plant that will be pulled. The jaws (10) constitute Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, page 10 / 17 / 8 if, of rectangular plates, with concave curvature in their lower part. On the inside of the plates, on each jaw (10), a pad (11) is fixed in flexible material, preferably rubber or polymeric material. The pads (11) provide greater grip of the pliers to the plant, ensuring better fixation of the plant during its removal.

[0028] The central rear part of the jaw plates (10) is welded to the recess (31) of the levers (30) perpendicularly, the geometry of the recess (31) being compatible with the plates (10). When the pliers are closed, the recess (31) allows the pads (11) to fit together so that there is no gap, ensuring the plant is held by the jaw (10) and pad (11) assembly.

[0029] At the upper end of the levers (30) are welded the U-shaped handle supports (40). The handle (41), preferably cylindrical in shape, is fixed to the upper part of the supports and attached to the supports (40) by screws (42) on both sides. The handle (41) is made of rigid material, preferably wood or rigid polymer, and may also be coated with rubber, polymer or other flexible material that provides greater grip for the operator when handling the pliers. The handle (41) can be modified to an anatomical shape, compatible with the shape of the hands, providing greater comfort in the activity of removing unwanted plants. The ergonomics of the equipment are maintained by manufacturing the pliers in different heights, ranging from 0.9 to 1.2 m.

[0030] For removal, the weeds must be positioned between the gripping jaws (10). Then the pliers are closed with the radial movement of the levers (30) from the handles (41). With the plant held by the gripping jaw (10), the pliers are then pulled with an upward vertical movement performed by the equipment operator, completely removing the weed.

[0031] Due to the greater distance between the joint (20) and the handle (41) compared to the distance between the joint (20) and the jaw (10), there is an amplification of force due to the leverage effect. That is, the force applied to the handle (41) by the operator is amplified by the distance, with the closing force of the jaw (10) being greater than the force applied by the operator of the pliers. Thus, the distance of the hole (24) located in Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, p. 11 / 17 / 8 the lower end of the lever (30) must be at most one quarter of the total length of said lever (30), to ensure force amplification.

[0032] It is understood that the product description presented here, with special reference to the drawings used, does not exclude the possibility of eventual changes in form and details. Therefore, other versions are included within the scope of this disclosure and the following claims, without departing from the inventive concept and scope described in this disclosure. Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, p. 12 / 17

Claims

CLAIMS 1. PLIERS FOR REMOVING UNWANTED PLANTS, formed by levers (30), at their lower end by a recess (31) in which jaws (10) are welded in parallel by the central rear part, with the shape of rectangular plates and concave curvature at the bottom, and also, in the inner part of the jaws (10) are fixed pads (11) of flexible material, and the levers (30) being constituted, at the upper end by handle supports (40) welded in a “U” shape, where handles (41) are screwed (42), preferably with a cylindrical shape, on both sides of the upper part of said supports (40), and characterized by being constituted by two symmetrical levers (30), joined transversely by an overlapping cross articulation (20) located in the lower part of both levers (30), at most a quarter of their total length, said articulation (20) being composed of a screw (21), a washer (22),nuts (23) and a hole (24)., Petition 870240086133, dated 07 / 10 / 2024, page 13 / 17

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