Creation of gardening tools with leverage for finely removing weeds, especially in flower beds.

Abstract

The present invention aims to create fine weeding tools for amateur gardeners. These tools are designed to remove weeds without damaging surrounding plants. This is achieved through their compact size, allowing them to get close to the weeds and isolate them by softening the surrounding soil. Their shape provides leverage, similar to a crowbar, enabling the weeds to be pulled out by the root with minimal effort. A lever-like fork, positioned along the same axis, facilitates fine weeding operations with reduced effort. These tools, more ergonomic than current models, are suitable for amateur gardeners who are less physically fit than professionals. This is particularly relevant for elderly people who wish to continue tending their gardens with less effort and precision.

Description

Title of the invention: Creation of gardening tools with leverage effect for finely removing weeds, particularly in flower beds.

[0001] They act by freeing the roots of weeds from the surrounding soil, which makes it possible to remove them without touching the flowers.

[0002] We use the term planting tool for these tools which have the function of making holes in the ground, like planting tools, but whose function is on the contrary to extract plants instead of putting them in the ground.

[0003] Climate change has led to an increase in weeds in gardens, including flower beds. Current gardening tools are designed for large-scale work, which is not suitable for flower beds. Therefore, more precise tools are needed.

[0004] Working in a flowerbed does not allow the gardener to position themselves optimally, therefore more ergonomic tools are needed to allow for cleaning without encroaching on the flowerbed and with minimal effort. To remove weeds without leaving their roots in the ground and without damaging the flowerbed plants, after isolating them from the soil in which they are embedded, they must be gently extracted using a levering action.

[0005] A complementary tool has been created to clean the edges of flowerbeds by applying the same principle.

[0006] All the tools in this application utilize the leverage effect which is incorporated into their design.

[0007] First example: short lever-action transplanter.

[0008] It consists of a tube approximately 450 mm long, approximately 24 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick (without these data being limiting), cut at an angle at one end for 150 mm to give a penetrating shape. Perpendicular to this tube, another tube 80 mm long, 33 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick is welded to the first tube, perpendicular to it and at its midpoint, at the end of the angled cut, on the side opposite the cut. It provides the leverage effect [Fig. 1].

[0009] The first tube, which has a fine tip, can easily penetrate the soil and loosen the roots of weeds by rotating around them. Then, by pressing the second tube against the ground, a lever effect is achieved, making it easy to lift and remove the weed.

[0010] Second example: long lever-action transplanter

[0011] It consists of a simple tube approximately 800 mm long, approximately 21 mm in diameter, and 3 mm thick (without these specifications being limiting), with one end cut at an angle over a length of 130 mm to create a penetrating shape [Fig. 2]. Penetration occurs preferentially from the cut end, but the thinness of the cut end allows it to be used along all axes. The leverage effect is related to the angle of the cut when the uncut part is placed against the plant. In this case, when the tube is pressed and spread apart, it behaves like a crowbar. Since there is only the tube, the working surface required for the tool is very small, allowing for the safe cleaning of the inside of flower beds. Given the leverage effect, due to the length of the tool, a very strong metal tube is required.The leverage effect can be increased by placing an object, such as a stone or piece of wood, under the tube on the side where pressure is applied, but it is not possible to weld a tube as with the short trowel because one could not take advantage of the deep penetration that this trowel allows.

[0012] Third example: very fine lever-action weed remover for removing weeds inside a clump-forming plant.

[0013] To combine removal force with a small size to avoid damaging the plants, the tool is made of a solid, round metal bar approximately 10 mm in diameter. It is approximately 800 mm long, including the handle used to hold the bar. At the other end of the handle, the bar is bent 170 mm from the end to form a 10° angle with the axis of the remaining bar. The end of the bar is:

[0014] - on the one hand chamfered over 20 mm so as to ensure precise penetration and easy

[0015] - on the other hand, incised in a "V" shape over a length of 6 mm, which allows for gripping during the penetration a weed embedded in a flower bed plant, then extract it by levering by tilting the weeding tool, taking into account the angle of the end of the bar, as with a crowbar [Fig.3].

[0016] Fourth example: fork with 4 shortened tines for cleaning the edges of flower beds with leverage effect.

[0017] A standard commercial fork with a tooth length of approximately 250 mm and a width of 170 mm can be used as a blank. The tooth length is then reduced by 70 mm, bringing it down to approximately 180 mm between the tip and the crossbar that supports them, according to the invention presented.

[0018] This length does not allow for turning the soil like normal forks, which is not the object of the invention, but only for penetrating the soil deeper than the roots of grass or certain patches of weeds. Once the fork is driven in, the bar to which the tines are attached is in contact with the ground and serves as a support point. By tilting the fork, a lever effect is created, and unwanted patches of grass or weeds can be easily pulled up.

Claims

Demands

1. Claim 1: Weeding tools, fine weed removal tools or equivalents, of reduced dimensions so as to work in flower beds without damaging them.

2. Weeding tools, fine weed removal tools or equivalents, pointed so as to penetrate the soil easily to loosen it around the weed to be eliminated, and allow its uprooting including the roots.

3. Lever-action trowels to allow easier, more ergonomic work for the gardener, avoiding efforts that could damage the surrounding flowerbed plants.

4. a fork with shortened tines to allow leverage and enable the removal of patches of unwanted vegetation by lifting them under the roots, for example lawn edge growths or patches of invasive plants in a lawn.

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