Garden Tool Distributed Force Gripping Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-weeding tools are ineffective in removing weeds and their roots without crushing, severing, or breaking, and often require cumbersome designs or manual effort, leading to re-growth and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A plier-like hand tool with a distributed force gripping zone, featuring opposing jaws with teeth and a non-physical gripping area that allows soil and debris to exit, reducing crushing forces and enabling efficient root removal without clogging, and optionally incorporating a force multiplying system and ergonomic design for comfortable use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single point or narrow edge pinching mechanism is used, then the tool structure is simple, but the gripping pressure is concentrated causing crushing and severing of plant material
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping surface is segmented into multiple discrete gripping elements (protrusions or teeth) distributed across the jaw surface. This segmentation allows the gripping force to be distributed across multiple contact points rather than concentrated at a single point, preventing crushing and severing of plant material while maintaining effective grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping surface has non-uniform local properties with varying protrusion heights, spacing, and distributions in different regions. This local quality variation allows optimal adaptation to different plant sizes and root structures, distributing pressure appropriately across the plant material to avoid damage while maintaining secure gripping.
2Ease of operation
If cup or opposing channel sections are used to trap the weed, then the gripping capacity is improved, but the tool becomes clogged and requires repeated cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping surface incorporates a porous or permeable structure with gaps between gripping elements that allow soil and debris to pass through rather than accumulate. This porous design maintains gripping capacity while preventing clogging, eliminating the need for repeated cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The design extracts or removes the clogging problem by allowing soil and debris to exit through gaps in the gripping surface rather than being trapped. This extraction of harmful accumulated material maintains continuous operational efficiency without cleaning interruptions.
3Reliability
If a plurality of spikes or blades come together to trap the plant and root structure, then the removal effectiveness for large weeds is improved, but the tool becomes large and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism transitions from a three-dimensional enclosed structure (cups or channels) to a two-dimensional surface distribution of gripping elements. This dimensional change allows effective gripping and removal of plants with root structures while maintaining a compact, flat tool profile suitable for hand operation in garden spaces.
4Device complexity
If a narrow peak jaw design is used, then the tool is compact, but the knife-edge concentrates forces severing tender roots instead of gripping them
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw surface incorporates locally varied gripping elements with different heights, shapes, and distributions in different regions. This local quality variation allows tender roots to be gripped by lower, more distributed elements that prevent severing, while still maintaining tool compactness through the two-dimensional surface design.
Data Source
AI summary
A garden hand-weeding tool, which distributes, rather than concentrates, gripping forces in order to effectively grip and remove plants, including their roots, from the soil without crushing or severing them and without clogging the apparatus. The present invention generally comprises; pivotally connected specially contoured jaw and handle assemblies, a non-crushing gripping zone, and an opening for soil and debris to exit the gripping zone upon repetitive use. The jaws, biased to an open state, are positioned into the soil longitudinally about a weed and then closed via the operator's hand grip/force applied to the handles. The jaws when fully closed do not create a complete mating closure along their length thereby eliminating the chance of severing the weed or root. This allows the entire weed including roots to be easily removed from the soil. A jaw is self-cleaning with each new mouthful pushing the last out through the opening.