Weeding Tool

Abstract

This weeding tool is designed to make removing weeds with centralized, non-distributed root systems easy. The tip is designed for easy insertion into even fairly compact soil conditions that are difficult for many other tools of a similar nature. The unique features of this tool versus other tools of a similar nature is the tip length may be changed in a manner that no other tool of a similar nature has, to optimize the tool for the weeding conditions, and the tip itself can be changed out for other tip designs, even for non-weeding purposes, such as a shovel or a pick.

Claims

1. A Weeding Tool comprising: a) a cylindrical main shaft with a tapered external thread cut onto one end. The main shaft has one or more axial slots cut onto the threaded end, extending from the end of the main shaft to approximately a length equal to the outside diameter of the main shaft away from that end; b) a tip which is a round bar with an outside diameter sized for minimal clearance with the inside diameter of the main shaft. One end of the tip is inserted into the main shaft, the other end protrudes from the main shaft and has a tapered end for inserting into the soil to loosen the weed; c) two foot pressure bars affixed perpendicularly to the main shaft, at opposition to each other, proximally to the end of the main shaft into which the tip is inserted; d) a nut with an inside tapered thread matching the outside tapered thread on the end of the main shaft, which is tightened onto the threaded end of the main shaft, pinching the end of the main shaft, capturing and locking the tip onto the main shaft; and e) optional caps placed on any shaft orifices to keep particulate matter out of the Weeding Tool.

2. The Weeding Tool of claim 1, in which the tip length can be changed to the weeding conditions by loosening the nut, moving the tip further into or out of the main shaft, and then re-tightening the nut.

3. The Weeding Tool of claim 1, in which the tip can be removed and replaced by a tip of another design, for a similar or different purpose (such as a shovel).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0028] FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of the invention from the front, as an operator would face it to begin a weeding operation.

[0029] FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1, but with callouts to the individual components matching the Detailed Description Of The Invention section.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a right projection view of FIG. 2.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a bottom projection view of FIG. 2.

[0032] FIG. 5 is an abbreviated view of the main shaft (1), showing the axial cut in the threaded end that allows that end to clamp onto the tip (2) when the nut is tightened.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view A-A, called out in FIG. 2, showing the nut and the threads. The dashed lines extending beyond the parts is an imaginary extension of the thread taper, to indicate that as the nut is tightened and moves upward in the figure, the shaft end gets pinched radially, and clamps on to the tip (2).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] This weeding tool is made up of a solid metal round rod tip (2) with one end tapered, to allow it to be easily inserted into the ground. The other end of the rod tip (2) is inserted into a cylindrical metal shaft (1) which has an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the round rod tip (2). The end of the shaft (1) which the rod tip (2) inserts into has a narrow slit or narrow slits cut axially along the shaft (1) for approximately the outside diameter of the shaft. That end also has a tapered outside thread cut into it, tapered so the thread at the end of the shaft cuts more deeply into the shaft than where the thread terminates on the shaft. A nut (3) is tightened onto the end of the shaft (1). The nut (3) has an inside tapered thread, tapered so that the diameter of the end which first mates with the shaft (1) is bigger than the opposite end of the nut. In conjunction with the slit or slits, that end of the shaft (1) becomes a collet-like device. Tightening the nut (3) squeezes the collet-type end of the shaft (1), capturing the rod tip (2). The length of rod tip insertion into the shaft can be adjusted by loosening the nut (3), moving the rod tip (2) into or out of the shaft (1) until the length is appropriate for the work being done, and then re-tightening the nut (3).

[0035] Near the threaded end of the shaft (1) two short cylindrical rod foot pegs (4) are attached (5), perpendicularly and at opposite sides to each other, so the operator can easily apply their body weight to the weeding tool and insert the tip (2) into the soil.

[0036] Caps (6) may be placed on the end of the shaft (1) and the foot pegs (4) to keep dirt and other particles out from any cavities in the weeding tool.

[0037] To use the weeding tool, the operator optionally adjusts the rod tip (2) to a desired length. After tightening the nut (3) to finish the operation, they then place the rod tip (2) between themselves and the weed, in proximity to the weed. The operator presses the tool into the ground using their body weight to press their foot down on one of the foot pegs (4). Once the foot pegs (4) are pressed to the ground, the operator removes their foot and pulls the top of the shaft (1) towards them, using it as a lever to move the tip (2) in the opposite direction through the ground, dislodging the dirt around the weed and making the weed easy to pull from the ground.