Abstract
A specifically configured gardening implement including an arced extension between the handle and the tool component. Such an implement permits greater versatility and facilitates typical gardening operations without losing any tool-using capabilities. Such an arced extension leads from a standard elongated, straight handle to the edge of a tool component, providing an ergonomic disposition of the tool in relation to the handle itself. In such a manner the arced extension allows for greater reach from a standing position, as well as the ability to adjust the actual handling of the overall implement to different angles without the need for uncomfortable and/or possibly. harmful repositioning by the user, as well. The inclusion of different tool components within the base handle/extension structure are also encompassed within the invention.
Claims
1. A gardening/landscaping implement including: i) a handle portion having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said handle portion is configured in a substantially straight direction from said top end to said bottom end; ii) a tool portion having a connecting end and a tool end, wherein said tool end is one of a pitchfork component or a shovel component; and iii) a connecting curved sleeve portion having a top end and a bottom end; wherein said bottom end of said handle portion is inserted within and connected to said top end of said connecting curved sleeve portion; wherein said bottom end of said connecting curved sleeve portion is connected to said connecting end of said tool portion; wherein said connecting curved sleeve portion is separate from said tool portion; wherein said tool portion exhibits a curvature extending from the bottom end of said connecting curved sleeve portion to said tool end; wherein said connecting curved sleeve portion exhibits a curvature measured from 8 to 20 as the angle between its top end and its bottom end; and wherein said implement further exhibits a curvature between said bottom end of said handle portion and said tool end measured to be an angle within the range of 15 to 30.
2. The implement of claim 1 wherein the connecting curved sleeve portion is configured in concave relation to the tool portion.
3. The implement of claim 1 wherein said curvature of said connecting curved sleeve portion is from 10 to 15.
4. The implement of claim 3 wherein said curvature of said connecting curved sleeve portion is about 11.
5. The implement of claim 1 wherein said implement is a pitchfork implement, and wherein the tool portion is curved itself at an arced angle of about 7 to 10 from the connecting end thereof.
6. The implement of claim 2 wherein said implement is a pitchfork implement.
7. The implement of claim 2 wherein said implement is a shovel implement.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a prior art pitchfork of straight handle, curved tine structure.
(2) FIG. 1A depicts a front view of the prior art pitchfork of FIG. 1.
(3) FIG. 2 depicts the prior art pitchfork of FIG. 1 in a lift operation.
(4) FIG. 3 depicts the prior art pitchfork of FIG. 1 in a raking operation.
(5) FIG. 4 depicts the prior art pitchfork of FIG. 1 in a forward pushing operation.
(6) FIG. 5 depicts a side view of one potentially preferred embodiment of a pitchfork implement of the present invention.
(7) FIG. 5A depicts a front view of the inventive pitchfork of FIG. 5.
(8) FIG. 6 depicts a view of the pitchfork implement of FIG. 5 in use in a scoop and lift operation.
(9) FIG. 7 shows a view of the same pitchfork implement of FIG. 5 in use in a raking operation.
(10) FIG. 8 shows a view of the same pitchfork implement of FIG. 5 in use in a forward pushing operation.
(11) FIG. 9 depicts a side view of one potentially preferred embodiment of a shovel implement of the present invention.
(12) FIG. 10 depicts a side view of one potentially preferred embodiment of a rake implement of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
(13) The following drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner and are simply provided as non-limiting examples thereof.
(14) FIGS. 1-4 (including FIG. 1A) show a prior art pitchfork 1 with a straight handle 2 and curved tines 3 (having a curvature from the handle of , being ostensibly the same curvature for the tool portion of FIGS. 5 and 6-8, below) at the end thereof. Such a curvature may be between 5 and 15, here roughly 5. Such a pitchfork 1 thus exhibits a limited curve 4 directly at the handle/tines interface 5. In operation, as in FIGS. 2-5, the pitchfork 1 is limited in its capabilities of carrying yard debris 6 (FIG. 2), raking debris 6 at a steep angle 7 (FIG. 3), and pushing debris 6 at a flat angle 8 (FIG. 4). In any such operation (FIGS. 2-4), the user must utilize greater torque for manipulations and the lifting capacity is subject to a limited curvature at the interface 5, thus reducing the overall carrying effectiveness, requiring compensation in terms of applied forces by the user, or greater numbers of repetitive motion operations to achieve a desired debris clearance result.
(15) In FIGS. 5-8 (including FIG. 5A), then, there is shown an inventive pitchfork 10 with a straight handle 12 with a top end 14 and a bottom end 16, a tool portion 18 with a top end 20 and multiple tines 22 having a shared bottom end 23 leading away from the handle, and a curvature (FIG. 5) (as above roughly 5). Also included is a connecting portion 24 with a top end 26 and a bottom end 28, exhibiting a curvature (measured between 8 and 20, here specifically 11). The handle bottom end 16 is durably connected to the connecting portion top end 26 and the tool portion top end 20 is connected to the connecting portion bottom end 28. The curvature of the connecting portion 24, coupled with the curvature of the tool portion a create an overall disposition between handle 12 and tool portion bottom end 23 with a total curvature measurement (measured between 15 and 30, here roughly 16). In relation to the tool portion curvature , the curve direction of the connecting portion curvature is the same, although the actual angle of disposition is not necessarily the same. Thus, when held as a scoop-like pitchfork implement 10, the result is a concave disposition.
(16) In FIG. 6, the implement 10 is provided in its scoop-like arrangement, thus allowing for pick up, lift, transfer, and placement of target gardening/landscaping materials 30. The concave disposition provided by the combined curvatures of the connecting portion 24 and the tool portion 18 provide a highly effective result in this manner with less strain on the user, and, with a more rounded base tool structure when substantially parallel to the ground, greater capacity to hold and retain such materials (particularly in comparison with the prior art depiction in FIG. 2).
(17) In FIG. 7, the pitchfork implement 10 has been flipped over to permit use as a rake-like tool. In this manner, the curvatures of both the connecting portion 24 and the tool portion 18 work together to allow for reach and pull (dragging) target materials 30 along the ground with greater reach and less strain on the user (particularly as compared with that shown in FIG. 3, at a flatter angle).
(18) FIG. 8 shows further versatility of this ergonomic implement 10 by placing the bottom of the tool portion 20 on the ground and pushing target materials 30 away from the user. The height of the handle is sufficient for proper manipulation by the user for such a purpose with, again, the resultant capability of operating such an implement in such a manner without the need to bend over unnecessarily as well as the greater reliability to push forward greater amounts of target materials than for other configurations (particularly that of FIG. 4, at a steeper angle in comparison).
(19) FIG. 9 thus shows the similar structure but with a shovel head 32 attached to a straight handle 34 and a connector 36, as in FIG. 5 (with the similar curvature measurements). The similar benefits as described for the FIG. 5 pitchfork implement are thus available in relation to the shovel 31 depicted herein.
(20) FIG. 10 thus shows the similar structure but with a rake head 42 attached to a straight handle 44 and a connector 46, as in FIG. 5 (with the similar curvature measurements). The similar benefits as described for the FIG. 5 pitchfork implement are thus available in relation to the rake 41 depicted herein.
(21) Thus, when introduced between a straight handle and a typical tool portion within an integrated implement, the connecting portion accords greater material manipulation controls at more suitable disposition angles for a user. This combined result has heretofore been unexplored nor fairly suggested within the industry.
(22) The preceding examples are set forth to illustrate the principles of the invention, and specific embodiments of operation of the invention. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the method. Additional embodiments and advantages within the scope of the claimed invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
