Weeding tool

Abstract

To provide a weeding tool that can easily perform weeding work by man power without requiring much arm force or physical strength.SOLUTION: A weeding tool comprises a pair of right and left traveling wheels 3 in a front end part of a main body frame 2, and a cutting blade 4 in a width direction of the main body frame 2 at a lower position of a rear end part. A handle body 9 to be grasped by a worker is pivotally attached to a nearly central part in a front-rear direction of the main body frame 2 so as to be freely inclined to a rear side from a nearly perpendicular direction of the main body frame 2. When the worker advances the main body frame 2 while pushing down the side of the rear end part of the main body frame 2 via the handle body 9, the cutting blade 4 at the lower position of the main body frame 2 cuts weeds together with a surface layer of a ground G.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manual weeding tool.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when performing weeding work on weeds growing on the ground such as in a garden or a field, a lawn mower equipped with a prime mover may be used. However, due to cost and ease of handling, a manual weeding tool may be used. As such a manual weeding tool, for example, there is one in which a cutting blade for cutting weeds is fixed to the tip of a long handle held by an operator (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Among these, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-121601), the weeds are scraped off together with the surface layer of the ground by pulling the substantially U-shaped cutting blade at the tip of the handle toward the front while pressing it against the ground. On the other hand, in the one disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2017-18048), the weeds are scraped off together with the surface layer of the ground in the same manner by pushing the spoon-shaped cutting blade forward while pressing it against the ground.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the weeding tool of Patent Document 1, an operator in a standing posture holding the weeding tool pulls it toward the front while pressing the cutting edge at the tip against the ground, and weeds are scraped off together with the surface layer of the ground with well-developed roots. Therefore, the work tends to rely on arm strength and requires a certain amount of physical strength. On the other hand, as in Patent Document 2, if an operator in a standing posture presses the cutting edge of the weeding tool against the ground and pushes it forward to scrape off weeds together with the surface layer of the ground, some reduction in the work load can be expected because the operator's own body weight can be utilized. However, the operator still has to hold and support the weeding tool itself by hand, and it is still expected to require a certain amount of physical strength.

[0006] In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide a weeding tool that can perform weeding work easily with little reliance on arm strength and physical strength while being manual.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, in the weeding tool according to claim 1 of the present invention, a pair of left and right traveling wheels are provided at the front end portion of the main body frame, a cutting edge is provided in the width direction of the main body frame below the rear end portion, and a handle body that an operator grips is pivotally attached to a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the main body frame so as to be tiltable from a substantially vertical direction of the main body frame toward the rear. When the operator advances the main body frame while pressing down the rear end portion side of the main body frame via the handle body, the cutting edge below the main body frame cuts weeds together with the surface layer of the ground.

[0008] Further, in the weeding tool according to claim 2 of the present invention, the cutting edge is inclined so as to gradually separate from the ground from the front edge to the rear edge.

[0009] Further, in the weeding tool according to claim 3 of the present invention, the inclination angle of the cutting edge is adjustable.

[0010] Further, in the weeding tool according to claim 4 of the present invention, the leading edge of the cutting blade is characterized in that it has a shape that gradually recedes from the central part toward both end parts.

[0011] Further, in the weeding tool according to claim 5 of the present invention, the handle body is characterized in that it is provided with self-standing means for standing independently in a substantially vertical position with respect to the main body frame.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the weeding tool according to claims 1 to 5 of the present invention, the weeding tool itself can be supported so as to be able to travel by a pair of traveling wheels, rather than being held and supported by an operator by hand. Also, the operator can cut weeds together with the surface layer of the ground by advancing while pushing the main body frame forward while utilizing his own body weight. Therefore, the operator can perform the weeding work relatively easily without much need for arm strength or physical strength.

[0013] In particular, according to the weeding tool according to claim 2, the leading edge of the cutting blade can be effectively bitten into the surface layer of the ground where weeds grow, and the weeding work can be efficiently performed.

[0014] In particular, according to the weeding tool according to claim 3, the angle of the cutting blade can be adjusted according to the properties of the ground to be weeded, etc., and the weeding work can be performed more efficiently.

[0015] In particular, according to the weeding tool according to claim 4, the leading edge of the cutting blade can be smoothly bitten into the surface layer of the ground, and the weeding work can be performed more efficiently.

[0016] In particular, according to the weeding tool according to claim 5, the handle body can be made to stand independently in a substantially upright state, and space saving during storage can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] In the weeding tool of the present invention, a main body frame which is the main part is provided. At the front end of the main body frame, a pair of left and right traveling wheels for supporting the main body frame and traveling back and forth on the ground to be weeded are provided. At the lower part of the rear end, a thin plate-shaped cutting edge made of metal is provided along the width direction of the main body frame.

[0019] Also, at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the main body frame, which is an intermediate position between the mounting positions of the traveling wheels and the cutting edge, the base end portion of a long handle body grasped by a standing operator is pivotally attached so as to be tiltable within a range of about 90° from a substantially vertical direction of the main body frame rearward.

[0020] And, for example, when a standing operator located on the rear side of the main body frame advances the main body frame while pushing down the rear end side of the main body frame downward via the handle body, the leading edge of the cutting edge below the rear end of the main body frame bites into the surface layer of the ground, and weeds are cut together with the surface layer of the ground.

[0021] At this time, since the main body frame is provided with a pair of left and right traveling wheels, the operator does not need to hold and support the weeding tool itself by hand, and can move forward and backward on the ground smoothly and in a well-balanced manner while utilizing his own body weight, and can perform the weeding operation relatively easily without much need for arm strength and physical strength.

[0022] In addition, since the traveling wheels are provided at the front end portion of the main body frame, when the main body frame is advanced and the surface layer of the ground is cut by the cutting blade provided below the rear end portion of the main body frame, the preceding traveling wheels serve as a guide, and it is possible to suppress the following cutting blade from biting unnecessarily deep into the ground. As a result, a further reduction effect of the working load can be expected.

[0023] Also preferably, the cutting blade may be inclined so as to gradually separate from the ground from its leading edge to the trailing edge. With the above configuration, when the main body frame is advanced, the leading edge of the cutting blade can be effectively bitten into the surface layer of the ground where weeds grow. Also, when it is reversed, it is possible to suppress the cutting blade from biting unnecessarily into the ground and getting caught, and it becomes possible to perform the weeding work efficiently.

[0024] Also preferably, the inclination angle of the cutting blade may be adjustable. With the above configuration, the inclination angle of the cutting blade can be appropriately adjusted according to various conditions such as the properties (hardness, etc.) of the ground to be weeded and the depth of the roots of the weeds, and it becomes possible to improve workability and perform the weeding work more efficiently.

[0025] Also preferably, the leading edge of the cutting blade may be substantially triangular, gradually retreating from the central portion to both end portions. With the above configuration, the leading edge of the cutting blade can be smoothly bitten into the surface layer of the ground, and it becomes possible to perform the weeding work more efficiently.

[0026] Furthermore, preferably, the handle body may be provided with a self-standing means that stands independently in a substantially vertical position with respect to the main body frame. With the above configuration, even if there is no place to lean around, the handle body can be made to stand independently in a substantially upright state, which is convenient to use and also makes it possible to save space during storage.

[0027] Thus, according to the weed removal tool of the present invention, simply by repeatedly moving the main body frame with traveling wheels back and forth on the ground, weed removal can be easily performed. Even if the work takes a long time, the operator does not need much arm strength or physical strength, and can perform the weed removal work relatively easily. In addition, since the weeds can be easily scraped off together with their roots, an effect of suppressing the regrowth of weeds can also be expected.

Embodiment

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] Reference numeral 1 in the drawings is a weed removal tool according to the present invention, which includes a main body frame 2 made of, for example, a metal frame having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. A pair of left and right traveling wheels 3 for traveling in the front-rear direction on the ground G to be weeded are provided at the front end portion of the main body frame 2, and a thin plate-shaped cutting blade 4 made of metal is provided below the rear end portion along the width direction of the main body frame 2. In FIGS. 1 and 5, the front side of the drawing is the front side, and the back side of the drawing is the rear side. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the left side of the drawing is the front side, and the right side of the drawing is the rear side.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting blade 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in a front view, and the tip portions of the support pieces 4a, which are the rising portions at both ends, are rotatably supported by pin bodies 5 respectively with the rear end portions of the side wall surfaces of the main body frame 2.

[0031] When the main body frame 2 is stationary on the ground G, the cutting blade 4 is inclined such that the leading edge 4x of the cutting blade 4 abuts or is close to the ground G, and gradually separates from the ground G toward the rear edge 4y on the opposite side from the leading edge 4x. With the above configuration, when the main body frame 2 moves forward, the leading edge 4x of the cutting blade 4 can be effectively bitten into the surface layer of the ground G where weeds grow. On the other hand, when the main body frame 2 that has moved forward is pulled back to the operator's side once during backward movement, it is possible to prevent the rear edge 4y of the cutting blade 4 from being unnecessarily bitten into the ground G and getting caught.

[0032] In addition, 6a to 6c in the figure are adjustment holes for adjusting the inclination angle of the cutting edge 4, and a plurality of them (three locations at predetermined angular intervals around the pin body 5 in this embodiment, at intervals of about 20°) are formed at the rear end of the side wall surface of the main body frame 2. Also, through holes 7 having substantially the same diameter as the adjustment holes 6a to 6c are formed at substantially the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each support piece 4a of the cutting edge 4.

[0033] When adjusting the inclination angle θ of the cutting edge 4, the cutting edge 4 is rotated around the pin body 5, and after aligning the through hole 7 of the support piece 4a with the position of any one of the adjustment holes 6a to 6c of the main body frame 2, a fixing pin 8 is passed through and fixed to these holes, so that the cutting edge 4 can be held at a desired inclination angle (in this embodiment, about 2° when aligned with the adjustment hole 6a, about 20° when aligned with the adjustment hole 6b, and about 40° when aligned with the adjustment hole 6c).

[0034] With the above configuration, according to various conditions such as the properties (hardness, etc.) of the ground G to be weeded, the degree of undulation, the depth and thickness of the roots of weeds, etc., the inclination angle θ of the cutting edge 4 can be appropriately adjusted, improving workability and enabling more efficient weeding work.

[0035] According to the results of the weeding test on the actual machine conducted by the present inventor, usually the inclination angle θ of the cutting edge 4 is adjusted to about 20° as a reference. When performing weeding treatment on weeds growing on relatively soft ground, it is adjusted to about 2° which is almost horizontal. When performing weeding treatment on weeds growing on relatively hardened ground or weeds with deep roots, when adjusted to about 40° with the steepest gradient, efficient weeding treatment could be performed respectively.

[0036] However, the inclination angle θ of the cutting edge 4 is not limited to the above angle. For example, through tests or the like, an angle that can efficiently perform the weeding process according to various conditions such as the hardness of the ground and the depth of weed roots can be found, and it may be appropriately determined based on the results. Further, for example, instead of a plurality of adjustment holes formed in the main body frame 2, if a substantially arc-shaped slit with the width of the fixing pin 8 is provided, it is possible to adjust the inclination angle θ of the cutting edge 4 steplessly, which is preferable.

[0037] Further, the cutting edge 4 has a substantially triangular shape in which its leading edge 4x gradually retreats from the central portion toward both end portions. With the above configuration, the leading edge 4x of the cutting edge 4 can be smoothly bitten into the surface layer of the ground G while suppressing resistance, and it is also easy to cut the roots of weeds, making it possible to perform the weeding operation more efficiently.

[0038] In this embodiment, the cutting edge 4 has a double-edge structure (formed not only on the leading edge 4x side but also on the trailing edge 4y side in a substantially triangular shape). Even when the blade wears during use, by reversing and replacing the front and rear of the cutting edge 4, it is possible to achieve a longer service life. Further, the cutting edge 4 is subjected to quenching and tempering treatments to enhance its durability, thereby also achieving a further longer service life.

[0039] Furthermore, since the cutting edge 4 and the main body frame 2 are only pivotally supported by the pin body 5, even if both the front and rear blades wear, only the cutting edge 4 can be easily replaced, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

[0040] On the other hand, at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the main body frame 2, which corresponds to an intermediate position between the mounting positions of the traveling wheels 3 and the cutting edge 4, the base end portion 9a of the long handle body 9 held by an operator in a standing posture is pivotally attached as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 so as to be tiltable within a range of about 90° from a substantially vertical direction of the main body frame 2 toward the rear.

[0041] Further, the handle body 9 is pivotally attached to the main body frame 2 so as to be self-standing in a substantially vertical position. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the handle body 9 is pivotally attached such that the base end portion 9a of the handle body 9 abuts against and is latched by a latching portion 10 which is a self-standing means at a position slightly exceeding (for example, about 5 to 10 degrees) forward from the vertical position. With the above configuration, even if there is no place to lean the handle body 9, such as at a weeding work site or a storage place for the weeding tool 1, the handle body 9 can be made to stand substantially upright, which is convenient to use and also saves space during storage.

[0042] When performing the weeding treatment with the weeding tool 1, first, the inclination angle θ of the cutting edge 4 is adjusted according to various conditions such as the properties (hardness, etc.) of the ground G to be weeded, the degree of undulation, the depth and thickness of the roots of the weeds. Then, for example, an operator standing upright on the rear side of the main body frame 2 holds the handle body 9 and tilts it to the rear side (operator side) of the main body frame 2, and while applying his own weight to push down the rear end portion side of the main body frame 2 downward (at this time, the main body frame 2 is maintained in a state where the rear end portion side is slightly inclined downward), the main body frame 2 is advanced.

[0043] Then, the leading edge 4x of the cutting edge 4 at the lower position on the rear end portion side of the main body frame 2 bites into the surface layer of the ground G, and weeds are cut together with the surface layer of the ground G. At this time, the preceding traveling wheel 3 serves as a guide, and the following cutting edge 4 is less likely to bite unnecessarily deep into the ground.

[0044] Next, while raising the handle body 9 in the vertical direction, the main body frame 2 is retracted and once pulled back to the operator's side. At this time, since the cutting edge 4 is inclined such that the rear edge 4y side is higher, there is little risk of it biting into the ground G unnecessarily and getting caught. Then, after slightly shifting the main body frame 2 pulled back to the operator's side in the lateral direction where weeding has not been done, the main body frame 2 is advanced while applying weight in the same manner, and by repeating these series of operations, the weeding treatment of the weeds growing on the ground G to be weeded is carried out.

[0045] Here, since the main body frame 2 is provided with a pair of left and right traveling wheels 3, the operator does not need to hold (lift and operate) the weeding tool 1 itself by hand. Also, even on uneven ground, the operator can move forward and backward smoothly and in a balanced manner while using their own body weight, and can perform the weeding work without much need for arm strength or physical strength.

[0046] Thus, according to the weeding tool 1 of the present invention, even if the work takes a long time, the operator does not need much arm strength or physical strength and can perform the weeding work relatively easily and efficiently. Also, since the roots of the weeds can be easily scraped off together with the surface layer portion of the ground G, an effect of suppressing the regrowth of weeds can also be expected.

Industrial Applicability

[0047] The present invention can be widely applied not only to weeding treatment but also, for example, when cultivating the surface layer portion of the ground.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1...Weeding tool 2...Main body frame 3...Traveling wheel 4...Cutting edge 9...Handle body G...Ground

Claims

1. A pair of left and right traveling wheels are provided at the front end of the main body frame, a cutting blade is provided in the width direction of the main body frame below the rear end portion, and a handle body for an operator to grip is pivotally attached to the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the main body frame so as to be tiltable from a substantially vertical direction of the main body frame rearward. When the operator advances the main body frame while pressing down the rear end side of the main body frame via the handle body, the cutting blade below the main body frame cuts weeds together with the surface layer of the ground. A weeding tool characterized by such a configuration.

2. The weeding tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting blade is inclined so as to gradually separate from the ground from the front edge to the rear edge.

3. The weeding tool according to claim 2, wherein the inclination angle of the cutting blade is adjustable.

4. The weeding tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the front edge of the cutting blade has a shape that gradually retreats from the central portion toward both end portions.

5. The weeding tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising self-standing means for the handle body to stand independently at a substantially vertical position with respect to the main body frame.

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