TWO-SIDED RAKING DEVICE
20180184582 ยท 2018-07-05
Inventors
Cpc classification
International classification
Abstract
A two-sided raking device for inside and/or outside use. The raking device includes a handle operable to be held by a user. The raking device also includes a rake adapter coupled to the handle at a top end of the rake adapter. The rake adapter includes a body comprising a plurality of apertures. The rake adapter also includes a first aperture at a bottom end of the body configured to receive a first rake head. The rake adapter further includes a second aperture at the bottom end of the body configured to receive a second rake head. The raking device may include the first rake head coupled to the body of the rake adapter through the first aperture and the second rake head coupled to the body of the rake adapter through the second aperture.
Claims
1. A raking device comprising: a handle operable to be held by a user; and a rake adapter coupled to the handle at a top end of the rake adapter, the rake adapter comprising: a body comprising a plurality of apertures; a first aperture at a bottom end of the body configured to receive a first rake head; and a second aperture at the bottom end of the body configured to receive a second rake head.
2. The raking device of claim 1, further comprising: the first rake head coupled to the body of the rake adapter through the first aperture; and the second rake head coupled to the body of the rake adapter through the second aperture.
3. The raking device of claim 2, wherein the first rake head is oriented in a first direction and the second rake head is oriented in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
4. The raking device of claim 2, further comprising: a fastener coupled to one or both of the first rake head and the second rake head through a side aperture at a side of the body of the rake adapter.
5. The raking device of claim 2, wherein the first rake head and the second rake head form an angle between 5 and 20 degrees.
6. The raking device of claim 1, wherein the rake adapter is integrated with the rake handle.
7. The raking device of claim 1, wherein the rake adapter is configured such that: the first aperture is aligned with the rake handle such that at least part of the first rake head is aligned with the handle when the first rake head is coupled to the body of the rake adapter through the first aperture; or the second aperture is aligned with the rake handle such that at least part of the second rake head is aligned with the handle when the second rake head is coupled to the body of the rake adapter through the second aperture.
8. The raking device of claim 1, wherein the rake adapter is stainless steel.
9. The raking device of claim 2, wherein the first rake head is stainless steel.
10. The raking device of claim 2, wherein the second rake head is plastic.
11. A raking device comprising: a body comprising a plurality of apertures; a top aperture at a top end of the body configured to receive a handle operable to be held by a user; a first aperture at a bottom end of the body configured to receive a first rake head; and a second aperture at the bottom end of the body configured to receive a second rake head.
12. The raking device of claim 11, further comprising: the handle coupled to the body through the top aperture.
13. The raking device of claim 11, further comprising: the first rake head coupled to the body through the first aperture; and the second rake head coupled to the body through the second aperture.
14. The raking device of claim 13, wherein the first rake head is oriented in a first direction and the second rake head is oriented in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction.
15. The raking device of claim 13, further comprising: a fastener coupled to one or both of the first rake head and the second rake head through a side aperture at a side of the body.
16. The raking device of claim 13, wherein the first rake head and the second rake head form an angle between 5 and 20 degrees.
17. The raking device of claim 12, wherein the raking device is configured such that: the first aperture is aligned with the rake handle such that at least part of the first rake head is aligned with the handle when the first rake head is coupled to the body through the first aperture; or the second aperture is aligned with the rake handle such that at least part of the second rake head is aligned with the handle when the second rake head is coupled to the body through the second aperture.
18. The raking device of claim 11, wherein the body is stainless steel.
19. The raking device of claim 13, wherein the first rake head is stainless steel.
20. The raking device of claim 13, wherein the second rake head is plastic.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and various ways in which it may be practiced.
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[0019] In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a letter or by following the reference label with a dash followed by a second numerical reference label that distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the suffix.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to two-sided raking tools for inside and/or outside use. A two-sided raking tool as described herein may have a first rake head configured on a first side of the raking tool that may be used similar to a conventional rake. During use, a user may decide to rotate the two-sided raking tool by, e.g., rotating a handle, such that a second rake head on a second side of the raking tool may be used similar to a conventional rake. The user may continue to rotate the two-sided raking tool and alternate between the two rake heads as a project demands. For example, a particular project may require both collecting leaves and leveling soil beneath the leaves. As a user works through the project area he/she may first use a first rake head having widely-spaced plastic teeth secured by a plastic intersecting beam to collect the leaves, and subsequently use a second rake head having narrowly-spaced steel teeth secured by a steel intersecting beam to level the soil beneath the leaves. As another example, another project may require dethatching a lawn and clearing the removed thatch. As a user works through the project area he/she may first use a first rake head having thin narrowly spaced steel teeth to dethatch the lawn, and subsequently use a second rake head having widely-spaced plastic teeth to clear the removed thatch. Other possibilities are contemplated.
[0021] Advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to: (1) increased cost-savings by eliminating the need to purchase multiple tools to accomplish a project that may be accomplished with a single two-sided raking tool, (2) increased cost-savings by allowing a user to replace only a rake head portion instead of an entire raking tool when the rake head is damaged, (3) increased efficiency by eliminating the time needed to move from the project area, set aside a first rake, pick up a second rake, and return to the project area, (4) increased durability and longevity of the tool itself, as the two-sided raking tool has superior durability compared to conventional rakes due to the strength and placement of the rake adapter, (5) increased user flexibility as a user may customize which rake heads to attach to the rake adapter, and the like.
[0022] Although embodiments described herein include two different rake heads, this may not necessarily be the case in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the first rake head and the second rake head may be identical rake heads so that a user may continue to work in a project area after one of the rake heads becomes damaged. This may be particularly advantageous in situations where the likelihood of a rake head becoming damaged is high, for example, when raking heavy materials, e.g., rocks, broken concrete, etc.
[0023] As used herein, a rake, a raking tool, or a raking device may be used interchangeably and may refer to any tool comprising an implement or any portion of a tool that may potentially be coupled to an implement. In some embodiments, the implement may include a toothed bar fixed transversely to a handle, and may be used to collect leaves, grass, dirt, and the like. In some embodiments, the implement may include a solid or semi-solid material used to collect dirt, snow, water, and the like.
[0024]
[0025] In some embodiments, raking device 100 includes a rake adapter 120 coupled to handle 110 at a top side of rake adapter 120 and to a first rake head 130 and a second rake head 140 at a bottom side of raking adapter 120. In some embodiments, each of first rake head 130 and second rake head 140 include stem portions having a similar cross section to handle 110 that couple to rake adapter 120 at a bottom side of rake adapter 120. In some embodiments, the stem portions of first rake head 130 and second rake head 140 have a length in a longitudinal direction roughly 0.1% to 50% of the length of handle 110. In some embodiments, rake adapter 120 is coupled to only one of first rake head 130 and second rake head 140. In the same embodiments, first rake head 130 may be directly coupled to second rake head 140.
[0026] In the specific implementation shown in
[0027]
[0028]
[0029] Top aperture 222 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of handle 210 such that the externally-threaded portion of handle 210 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of top aperture 222. In other embodiments, top aperture 222 may employ alternative coupling means such as a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. Similarly, side aperture 225 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of fastener 226 such that the externally-threaded portion of fastener 226 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of side aperture 225. Alternatively, one or both of the stem portions of first rake head 230 and second rake head 240 may include an aperture for receiving fastener 226, and may further include an internally-threaded portion for receiving the externally-threaded portion of fastener 226. In some embodiments, the stem portions of one or both of first rake head 230 and second rake head 240 may extend through first aperture 223 and second aperture 224 (respectively) at a distance sufficient such that fastener 226 may couple to one or both of first rake head 230 and second rake head 240.
[0030] First aperture 223 and second aperture 224 may employ one or more of various possible connection types for coupling to first rake head 230 and second rake head 240, respectively, such as a threaded connection, a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. In some embodiments, first rake head 230 may couple to body 221 through first aperture 223 using a threaded connection, and second rake head 240 may couple to body 221 through second aperture 224 using a bolted connection. Such embodiments may be assembled by first inserting and rotating first rake head 230 followed by inserting second rake head 240. In some embodiments, both first rake head 230 and second rake head 240 may couple to body 221 through first aperture 223 and second aperture 224 (respectively) using a bolted connection. Other possibilities are contemplated.
[0031]
[0032]
[0033] Top aperture 322 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of handle 310 such that the externally-threaded portion of handle 310 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of top aperture 322. In other embodiments, top aperture 322 may employ alternative coupling means such as a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. Similarly, side aperture 325 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of fastener 326 such that the externally-threaded portion of fastener 326 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of side aperture 325. Alternatively, one or both of the stem portions of first rake head 330 and second rake head 340 may include an aperture for receiving fastener 326, and may further include an internally-threaded portion for receiving the externally-threaded portion of fastener 326. In some embodiments, the stem portions of one or both of first rake head 330 and second rake head 340 may extend through first aperture 323 and second aperture 324 (respectively) at a distance sufficient such that fastener 326 may couple to one or both of first rake head 330 and second rake head 340.
[0034] First aperture 323 and second aperture 324 may employ one or more of various possible connection types for coupling to first rake head 330 and second rake head 340, respectively, such as a threaded connection, a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. In some embodiments, first rake head 330 may couple to body 321 through first aperture 323 using a threaded connection, and second rake head 340 may couple to body 321 through second aperture 324 using a bolted connection. Such embodiments may be assembled by first inserting and rotating first rake head 330 followed by inserting second rake head 340. In some embodiments, both first rake head 330 and second rake head 340 may couple to body 321 through first aperture 323 and second aperture 324 (respectively) using a bolted connection. Other possibilities are contemplated.
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[0037] Top aperture 422 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of handle 410 such that the externally-threaded portion of handle 410 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of top aperture 422. In other embodiments, top aperture 422 may employ alternative coupling means such as a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. Similarly, side aperture 425 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of fastener 426 such that the externally-threaded portion of fastener 426 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of side aperture 425. Alternatively, one or both of the stem portions of first rake head 430 and second rake head 440 may include an aperture for receiving fastener 426, and may further include an internally-threaded portion for receiving the externally-threaded portion of fastener 426. In some embodiments, the stem portions of one or both of first rake head 430 and second rake head 440 may extend through first aperture 423 and second aperture 424 (respectively) at a distance sufficient such that fastener 426 may couple to one or both of first rake head 430 and second rake head 440.
[0038] First aperture 423 and second aperture 424 may employ one or more of various possible connection types for coupling to first rake head 430 and second rake head 440, respectively, such as a threaded connection, a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. In some embodiments, first rake head 430 may couple to body 421 through first aperture 423 using a threaded connection, and second rake head 440 may couple to body 421 through second aperture 424 using a bolted connection. Such embodiments may be assembled by first inserting and rotating first rake head 430 followed by inserting second rake head 440. In some embodiments, both first rake head 430 and second rake head 440 may couple to body 421 through first aperture 423 and second aperture 424 (respectively) using a bolted connection. Other possibilities are contemplated.
[0039]
[0040]
[0041] Top aperture 522 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of handle 510 such that the externally-threaded portion of handle 510 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of top aperture 522. In other embodiments, top aperture 522 may employ alternative coupling means such as a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. Similarly, side aperture 525 may include an internally-threaded portion configured to receive an externally-threaded portion of fastener 526 such that the externally-threaded portion of fastener 526 may be screwed into the internally-threaded portion of side aperture 525. Alternatively, one or both of the stem portions of first rake head 530 and second rake head 540 may include an aperture for receiving fastener 526, and may further include an internally-threaded portion for receiving the externally-threaded portion of fastener 526. In some embodiments, the stem portions of one or both of first rake head 530 and second rake head 540 may extend through first aperture 523 and second aperture 524 (respectively) at a distance sufficient such that fastener 526 may couple to one or both of first rake head 530 and second rake head 540.
[0042] First aperture 523 and second aperture 524 may employ one or more of various possible connection types for coupling to first rake head 530 and second rake head 540, respectively, such as a threaded connection, a fitted connection, a bolted connection, and the like. In some embodiments, first rake head 530 may couple to body 521 through first aperture 523 using a threaded connection, and second rake head 540 may couple to body 521 through second aperture 524 using a bolted connection. Such embodiments may be assembled by first inserting and rotating first rake head 530 followed by inserting second rake head 540. In some embodiments, both first rake head 530 and second rake head 540 may couple to body 521 through first aperture 523 and second aperture 524 (respectively) using a bolted connection. Other possibilities are contemplated.
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[0047] Having described several example configurations, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements may be components of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the technology. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description does not bind the scope of the claims.
[0048] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a user includes a plurality of such users, and reference to the processor includes reference to one or more processors and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.
[0049] Also, the words comprise, comprising, contains, containing, include, including, and includes, when used in this specification and in the following claims, are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.
LIST OF TERMS
[0050] 100Raking Device [0051] 110Handle [0052] 120Rake Adapter [0053] 130First Rake Head [0054] 140Second Rake Head [0055] 200Raking Device [0056] 210Handle [0057] 220Rake Adapter [0058] 221Body (of Rake Adapter 220) [0059] 222Top Aperture (of Rake Adapter 220) [0060] 223First Aperture (of Rake Adapter 220) [0061] 224Second Aperture (of Rake Adapter 220) [0062] 225Side Aperture (of Rake Adapter 220) [0063] 226Fastener [0064] 230First Rake Head [0065] 240Second Rake Head [0066] 300Raking Device [0067] 310Handle [0068] 320Rake Adapter [0069] 321Body (of Rake Adapter 320) [0070] 322Top Aperture (of Rake Adapter 320) [0071] 323First Aperture (of Rake Adapter 320) [0072] 324Second Aperture (of Rake Adapter 320) [0073] 325Side Aperture (of Rake Adapter 320) [0074] 326Fastener [0075] 330First Rake Head [0076] 340Second Rake Head [0077] 400Raking Device [0078] 410Handle [0079] 420Rake Adapter [0080] 421Body (of Rake Adapter 420) [0081] 422Top Aperture (of Rake Adapter 420) [0082] 423First Aperture (of Rake Adapter 420) [0083] 424Second Aperture (of Rake Adapter 420) [0084] 425Side Aperture (of Rake Adapter 420) [0085] 426Fastener [0086] 430First Rake Head [0087] 440Second Rake Head [0088] 500Raking Device [0089] 510Handle [0090] 520Rake Adapter [0091] 521Body (of Rake Adapter 520) [0092] 522Top Aperture (of Rake Adapter 520) [0093] 523First Aperture (of Rake Adapter 520) [0094] 524Second Aperture (of Rake Adapter 520) [0095] 525Side Aperture (of Rake Adapter 520) [0096] 526Fastener [0097] 530First Rake Head [0098] 540Second Rake Head [0099] 600Raking Device [0100] 620Rake Adapter [0101] 621Body (of Rake Adapter 620) [0102] 622Top Aperture (of Rake Adapter 620) [0103] 623First Aperture (of Rake Adapter 620) [0104] 624Second Aperture (of Rake Adapter 620) [0105] 626Fastener [0106] 630First Rake Head [0107] 640Second Rake Head [0108] 651Stem Fastener [0109] 652Top Fastener