An ergonomically designed, adjustable, multi-purpose hoe

Abstract

This invention relates to an ergonomically designed adjustable multi-purpose hoe, comprising an angled handle, a tapered connecting straight tube, a matching zigzag angled sleeve between the two, and ferrules at both ends, connected to a cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting rod and a multi-purpose modular blade. This invention has a simple structure, novel and practical design, low cost, wide range of applications, and broad application prospects and development value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to an agricultural production tool, specifically an ergonomically designed, adjustable, multi-purpose hoe. Background Technology

[0002] The hoe is one of the earliest agricultural tools invented by humankind, and its development history has evolved from a "soil-breaking tool" to an "agricultural symbol." In the early stages of agricultural civilization, to meet the needs of "turning the soil and sowing seeds," the earliest "hoe" originated from the utilization of natural tools.

[0003] With the advent of mass industrial production in the 19th century and the industrialization of steel processing, hoe blades were produced using rolled steel stamping, and wooden handles were standardized using hardwoods (such as locust and jujube), reducing costs and unifying designs (e.g., the "flat hoe" of northern China and the "weeding hoe" of southern China—the flat hoe had a wide blade suitable for tilling, while the weeding hoe had a narrow blade suitable for weeding). Regional improvements were made: the structure was optimized according to the characteristics of different soils and crops in different regions. For example: in heavy clay soils of the north, the blade was thickened and the blade angle increased (about 80°) to enhance soil-breaking ability; in paddy fields of the south, the blade was treated with rust prevention (such as galvanizing), and the wooden handle was painted for waterproofing; in Western garden hoes, the blade size was reduced, and a "handle sleeve" (rubber or plastic) was added to improve grip comfort. At this time, the hoe was still a core tool of the small-scale farming economy, but it began to combine with "semi-mechanization" (e.g., in some areas, a combination tool of "hoe + small plow" appeared, adapted for animal-drawn traction).

[0004] With the widespread adoption of agricultural mechanization (such as large tractors and tillers), the hoe's function of "large-scale farming" has been replaced, but it remains in specific scenarios: home gardening and small-scale planting (such as vegetable gardens and greenhouses): hoes are still needed for fine weeding and loosening the soil; specialty crop cultivation (such as medicinal herbs and fruit trees): mechanization can easily damage crops, so the hoe is retained as a tool for "precision farming"; cultural symbol: it has become a symbol of agricultural culture (such as in agricultural tool museums and rural tourism displays). At this time, the materials of the hoe are further optimized (such as using high-strength alloys for the blade and fiberglass for the handle), but the core structure has not undergone a radical change.

[0005] Furthermore, the use of straight handles in agricultural tools such as hoes has ergonomic flaws, forcing the tools into an undesirable upright posture, yet this has remained unchanged since ancient times. Its shortcomings are:

[0006] 1. Excessive bending of the waist: When using straight-handled farm tools (such as traditional hoes), users need to bend over to make the tool touch the ground, which can cause the lumbar spine to bend forward at an angle of 60°-90°. The erector spinae muscles are under continuous tension, which can easily lead to lumbar muscle strain (according to WHO statistics, 30% of farmers worldwide suffer from chronic low back pain).

[0007] 2. Abnormal shoulder load: The fixed length of the straight handle requires taller users to raise their arms and shorter users to bend over to accommodate it, resulting in excessive static load on the deltoid and trapezius muscles (electromyography shows that muscle activation is 40% higher during traditional hoe operation than in the ergonomic design).

[0008] 3. Wrist torsion injury: The straight handle and the working part (such as the blade of a hoe) are at a fixed angle. When weeding, the wrist needs to make repeated ulnar / radial deviation movements, which can easily cause carpal tunnel syndrome (the incidence rate is 2.3 times higher than that of angle-adjustable farm tools, according to the U.S. Agriculture Agency).

[0009] 4. Low work efficiency: Because the straight handle cannot be matched to different crop row spacings and soil textures (e.g., compacted soil requires a large angle to break the soil, while loose soil requires a small angle to cut close to the ground), users need to frequently change tools or adjust their body posture, wasting about 20% of work time. At the same time, the direction of force is deviated. The straight handle forces the angle between the direction of force and the working surface to be fixed (e.g., traditional hoes require vertical downward hoeing), while the ideal direction of force should be consistent with the direction of soil resistance (experiments show that adjustable angle hoes can increase effective force by 35%).

[0010] Based on the integration of scenario needs and technology, the modern innovation of hoes still needs to focus on "scenarios that have not been replaced by mechanization" (such as precision farming and home gardening) and "traditional pain points" (such as laborious and single function), combined with breakthroughs in materials, ergonomics, and intelligent technology. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Based on the above discussion, this invention focuses on solving the three major problems of traditional hoes: "heavy blade (tiring to exert force), poor angle (uneven force distribution), and limited applicability (non-adjustable)." Based on ergonomic theory, this invention innovates upon traditional hoes to reduce labor injuries and adapt to different user groups. It overcomes the problem of traditional hoes, where "fixed force angle" easily leads to strain on the waist, shoulders, and wrists with prolonged use (especially for the elderly and female users). According to ergonomic principles, the technical solution addresses "force exertion method, grip design, and height adaptation": an adjustable multi-purpose hoe suitable for ergonomics, mainly composed of a multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle, a cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting crank, and a multi-purpose modular blade. The multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle is characterized by: an angled grip, a tapering connecting straight tube, and a matching zigzag angled sleeve between them, with features at both ends... The components consist of a swivel; the cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting rod is a question mark-shaped metal rod, wherein one end of the straight rod is fixed to the thin end of the variable diameter connecting straight pipe, and adjacent to each other are a quick-locking corner mechanism that can rotate parallel to and perpendicular to the overall plane of the question mark-shaped metal rod. The quick-locking corner mechanism consists of two locking discs with concentric meshing teeth and a central hole on their mating surfaces, which are respectively fixed to the two ends of the question mark-shaped metal rod where the quick-locking corner mechanism is disconnected. After passing through the central hole and a short shaft pin, they are hinged to the arm with an eccentric hole; the multi-purpose modular blade is a hoe blade of the weeding blade and soil loosening blade type, which is bolted to the fixing module provided at the question mark-shaped end of the bidirectional adjustable connecting rod through a unified positioning and fixing hole.

[0012] The multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip, with its angled handle and zigzag angled sleeve, along with the ferrules at both ends, allows for radial adjustment of the multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip angle and axial adjustment of the distance between the multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip and the zigzag angled sleeve. This facilitates adaptation to the force angle and comfort of the user's two hands. The variable-diameter connecting straight tube, the zigzag angled sleeve, and the ferrules at both ends allow for adjustment of the length of the multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip, catering to the requirements of different users and usage environments.

[0013] The cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting crank can rotate parallel to and perpendicular to the plane of the question mark-shaped metal rod via a quick-locking angle mechanism, thereby achieving rapid and free adjustment of the angle between the multi-purpose modular blade and the ground, facilitating the operator's force application and improving work efficiency.

[0014] The multi-purpose modular blade is designed as a weeding blade and a soil-loosening blade type of hoe blade, in order to more professionally meet different work needs and improve efficiency.

[0015] To make it easier to grip and exert force, the angled grip can be designed with a curved hand rest made of silicone and with a breathable texture, improving the user's comfort.

[0016] The multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip uses CNC bending and TIG welding technology to ensure the quality of the multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip.

[0017] The main structure of the multi-purpose modular blade is forged from high-carbon manganese steel (65Mn), and the cutting edge is laser-hardened. The multi-purpose modular blade is connected to the bidirectional adjustable connecting rod via a bolt connection structure, allowing for the replacement of different types of hoe blades, such as weeding blades and loosening blades.

[0018] The ergonomic design of this hoe is based on the following principles: Spinal load model: According to the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting equation, the force on the lower back during traditional hoeing is approximately 1.5 times the body weight, while this design, with its distributed load via a back brace, reduces the force to only 0.6 times the body weight. Muscle fatigue test: Using surface electromyography (sEMG) to monitor erector spinae muscle activity, the new hoe delayed muscle fatigue by 30 minutes (compared to noticeable fatigue after 20 minutes of continuous use with traditional hoes). Based on international field trial data: In a 100-acre demonstration field, the average daily weeding area increased by 25% (thanks to the angle-adaptive design reducing adjustment time); the incidence of lower back pain after work decreased from 85% to 12%; therefore, it significantly improves work efficiency.

[0019] Furthermore, regarding the choice of materials for the hoe, the handle can be made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy (6061-T6), which is lightweight (single weight ≤1.2kg) and has an impact strength of up to 270MPa. The multi-purpose modular blade is made of high-carbon manganese steel (65Mn), with a hardness of HRC55-60 after quenching treatment, and the cutting edge is reinforced with a wear-resistant layer using laser cladding technology. In terms of manufacturing process, the hoe handle is produced using CNC bending + TIG welding.

[0020] Working principle of the invention:

[0021] 1. Angle Adjustment: Users can rotate the multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle to adjust the angle of the hoe to the desired angle. The hoe is composed of a segmented curvature and length adjustable structure consisting of an angled grip, a matching angled sleeve, an adjusting hoop, and a tapered connecting straight tube that matches the angled sleeve and adjusting hoop. Then, the blade angle can be adjusted through the bidirectional adjustable connecting rod to adapt to different weeding needs.

[0022] 2. Angle Locking: After adjustment, tighten the adjusting collar and remove the eccentric arm to keep the multi-purpose modular blade stable and ensure that the angle does not change during operation.

[0023] 3. Operation process: During weeding, when the multi-purpose modular blade encounters uneven ground or obstacles, the angle can be quickly adjusted at any time to reduce hoe jamming and user operating resistance; and different multi-purpose modular blades can be replaced according to the operation requirements, which can greatly improve the operation efficiency, reduce labor intensity, and reduce labor injury.

[0024] This invention has a simple structure, novel and practical design, low cost, and wide range of applications, and has broad application prospects and development value. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A front view of an ergonomically designed adjustable multi-purpose hoe;

[0026] Figure 2 : Front view of the cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting crank;

[0027] Figure 3 : A front view of the locking disc with concentric meshing teeth and a central hole in the quick-lock corner mechanism;

[0028] Figure 4 : Front view of the short shaft pin in the quick-locking corner mechanism;

[0029] Figure 5 : Front view of the boom in the quick-lock corner mechanism;

[0030] Figure 6 A front view of the weeding blade in the multi-purpose modular blade section;

[0031] Figure 7 A front view of the soil-loosening blade in the multi-purpose modular blade section;

[0032] Attached Figures: 1. Multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip; 2. Cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting crank; 3. Multi-purpose modular blade; 4. Angle grip; 5. Zigzag angle sleeve; 6. Rotary hoop; 7. Variable diameter connecting straight tube; 8. Quick-lock corner mechanism; 9. Locking disc; 10. Short shaft pin; 11. Lifting arm; 12. Weeding blade; 13. Soil loosening blade; 14. Positioning and fixing hole; 15. Fixing module. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, outlining exemplary implementations according to this application. However, these exemplary implementations may be practiced in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the implementations set forth herein. It should be understood that these implementations are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and that the concept of these exemplary implementations is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, for clarity, the thickness of layers and regions has been enlarged, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the same devices; therefore, descriptions of them will be omitted.

[0034] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “above”, “between”, etc., may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship between one device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figures.

[0035] See Figure 1 A type of ergonomically adjustable multi-purpose hoe mainly consists of a multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle 1, a cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting rod 2, and a multi-purpose modular blade 3. The multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle 1 is composed of an angled grip 4, a tapered connecting straight tube 7, a matching zigzag angled sleeve 5 between the two, and swivel clamps 6 at both ends. The cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting rod 2 is a question mark-shaped metal rod, wherein one end of the straight rod is fixed to the thin end of the tapered connecting straight tube, and adjacent to each other are two integral parts that can be integrated with the question mark-shaped metal rod. The quick-locking corner mechanism 8, which allows for parallel and vertical rotation in a centered plane, consists of two locking discs 9 with concentric meshing teeth and a central hole on their mating surfaces. These discs are fixed to the two ends of a question mark-shaped metal rod at the break point of the quick-locking corner mechanism. The discs pass through the central hole and a short pin 10, and are then hinged to a lever arm 11 with an eccentric hole. The multi-purpose modular blade 3 is a hoe blade of the type 12 (weeding blade) and 13 (soil loosening blade). It is bolted to a fixing module 15 located at one end of a question mark-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting rod via a unified positioning and fixing hole 14.

[0036] When using this invention, the angle of the multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle, which can rotate 360 ​​degrees, is adjusted by using the angled grip, the tapered connecting straight tube at the tail, the matching zigzag angled sleeve between the two, and the hoops at both ends. The length can be adjusted within a certain range to achieve an angle and length suitable for users with different left and right habits and heights. Then, the hoops are tightened to fix it. Then, the multi-purpose modular blade is selected according to the work task. After that, the angle between the multi-purpose modular blade and the body and the ground is adjusted by using the bidirectional adjustable connecting rod. After fixing the angle, the corresponding agricultural work can be started smoothly.

[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ergonomic adjustable multi-purpose hoe, mainly consisting of a multi-dimensional adjustable bionic grip, a cross two-way adjustable connecting curved rod and a multi-purpose modular blade, characterized in that: The multi-dimensional adjustable bionic handle consists of an angled grip, a tapering connecting straight tube, a matching zigzag angled sleeve, and hoops at both ends. The cross-shaped bidirectional adjustable connecting rod is a question mark-shaped metal rod. One end of the straight rod is fixed to the thin end of the tapering connecting straight tube, and adjacent to it are quick-locking corner mechanisms that can rotate parallel and perpendicular to the overall plane of the question mark-shaped metal rod. The quick-locking corner mechanism consists of two locking discs with concentric meshing teeth and a central hole on their mating surfaces, fixed to the two ends of the question mark-shaped metal rod where the quick-locking corner mechanism is disconnected. After passing through the central hole and a short shaft pin, they are hinged to the arm with an eccentric hole. The multi-purpose modular blade is a weeding blade or a soil loosening blade type hoe blade, which is bolted to the fixing module at the question mark-shaped end of the bidirectional adjustable connecting rod through a unified positioning and fixing hole.

Images