This application claims priority based on provisional application bearing Ser. No. 61/573,769, filed Sep. 13, 2011 and titled CRACK AND CREVICE WEEDER TOOL, whose teachings are incorporated herein by reference.
This invention relates to tools and apparatus for removing weeds from cracks and crevices in sidewalks, driveways, patios and between cement slabs and similar structures.
Known weeding tools (devices) are constructed to remove weeds by cutting the portion of the weeds that extend above a surface. This does not remove the roots of the weeds below the surface and the weeds just grow back again. Other known tools are constructed so that the weeding tool and the cutting edge are pulled towards the user. The pulling motion is uncomfortable, requires the exertion of much force and, if there is a slip, may cause the tool to hit the user. Moreover, these tools do not allow the removal of weeds growing in a crevice along the edge (corner) of a vertical and horizontal surface (e.g., the side of a house and a driveway).
These disadvantages are overcome in tools embodying the invention.
A tool for removing undesired growth between adjacent surfaces (e.g., two adjacent horizontal slabs of cement) includes a pair of flange members of generally equal width and length symmetrically located about a central axis and having a front end and a back end. The flange members are shaped to form a generally curved V-shaped opening, centrally located along their front end, whose width decreases gradually in a curved manner to form a narrow region terminating at an end point along the central axis. The flange members have inner facing surfaces which are disposed with respect to each other to define a predetermined interior angle. A handle is attached via a bracket to the flange members for enabling the front end of the flange members to be urged forward under undesirable growth and wedging the undesirable growth within the narrow region for enabling the removal of the undesirable growth with its roots.
In the accompanying drawings which are not drawn to scale, like reference characters denote like components, and
Referring to
The plate 5 may be folded, along its length, about a center line 50 of the plate 5 to from two flanges 18 of generally equal width and length. The flanges extend between a front end 53 and a back end 55 of the plate. The inner surfaces of flanges 18, at, and near, their front ends, along the center line 50, are cut away in a generally symmetrical fashion to form a curved V-shaped opening which decreases along a curve to form a slit terminating at an end point 13 along the center axis. The end point 13 may also be referred to as the apex. The distance of the end point 13 from the front end may range between one quarter and three quarters of the length L measured from the front end.
The cutaway at the front end of the flanges forms a V-shaped opening having rounded edges 4. Starting from the front end 53, the distance between the edges decreases gradually and smoothly terminating in a narrow slit which ends at apex 13. The shape of the opening is designed to enable weeds to wedged within the narrow sleet region near the apex 13 between the flanges 18.
Bracketing apparatus 8 for securing a handle 10 to the flanges is mounted generally symmetrically about the center line. In
An advantage of the bracket 82 is that it can maintain the angle between the flanges fixed and at the same time add structural strength to the rear portion of the flanges. By maintaining an angle of, for example, about 90 degrees between the flanges it is possible to remove weeds in a crevice (corner) between a vertical surface and a horizontal surface.
Wedging the weed within the narrow opening region between the flanges is a unique feature of the tool. It enables the weed to be removed, roots and all, without cutting the weed at it base above ground.
The tool may be formed from a single piece of metal or from two or more pieces which may be combined to form a tool shaped as shown in
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61573769 | Sep 2011 | US |