Garden tool with back strain relief feature

Abstract:

The present invention discloses an apparatus for removing unwanted plants from a specific area of soil. The invention is comprised of a blade that is adapted to penetrate the surface of the soil and moving substantially parallel to the surface thereof. Proper movement of the blade is assisted by fins positioned on the sides of the blade, and act similarly to the rudder of a boat. The blade has a support member that has one end attached to the blade and the other end is capable of receiving a handle. The handle is configured in an arcuate shape to better facilitate grasping and holding by the user. This combination allows the user to grasp the handle, one hand on each side of the support member and blade, and push the invention forward undercutting the undesirable plant roots, thereby killing them. Minimal disruption of the soil is experienced, thereby optimizing the efficiency of work done by the user.

Citations

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Claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A garden tool comprising in combination: a blade, the blade comprising a blade base including a right edge and a left edge and a straight cutting edge extending from theright edge to the left edge, the cutting edge suitable for cutting through soil and plant roots; the blade further including a right fin being continuous with said right edge and a left fin being continuous with said left edge, the fins being positionedsubstantially orthogonal to said blade base; and an elongated support member having a first end and a second end, the first end including a handle suitable for grasping by a user and the second end being capable of securing said blade thereto, wherebythe user can grasp the handle to orient the blade at the surface of the soil and push forward on the handle causing forward movement of the blade, wherein said straight cutting edge of said blade is oriented at an angle with respect to said elongatedsupport member and thereby similarly oriented to the forward movement of said blade.

2. The garden tool as described in claim 1, wherein the angle of the straight cutting edge of said blade is between 20 and 30 degrees from perpendicular to the forward movement of said blade.

3. The garden tool as described in claim 1, wherein said blade is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of steel, thermoplastic, aluminum and composite carbon fiber.

4. The garden tool as described in claim 1, wherein said handle is comprised of an arcuate structure, the elongated support joined to the handle at the midpoint of the handle.

5. A garden tool according to claim 1, wherein the right fin and the left fin are disposed in a parallel orientation one to another.

6. A garden tool according to claim 1, wherein one of the fins is higher than the other.

7. A garden tool according to claim 1, wherein the elongated support member has a length that is adjustable.

8. A garden tool according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the elongated support member is secured to the blade base.

9. A garden tool according to claim 1, wherein one of the fins is positioned behind the other.

10. A garden tool according to claim 9, wherein the fin positioned behind the other is also higher than the other.

11. A garden tool according to claim 1, wherein the fins extend at least 25 mm above the blade base.

Patent number:
6446733
View patent at USPTO

Filing date:
March 21, 2000

Issue date:
September 10, 2002

Inventor:
Gerald R. Johnson (Atascadero, CA)

Primary Examiner:
Victor Batson

Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP

Current U.S. Classification: 172/377 172/380 294/55 30/314