Patent Application
20230337562
The present disclosure relates to tools for weed removal. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a handheld tool and attachment for cutting and removing weeds.
Weeds are any unwanted plants within lawns, gardens, and other landscapes. Oftentimes, weeds disrupt the growth of surrounding plants and produce irritants such as thorns and burrs. While some weeds may be pulled by hand, others require a handheld implement or tool to remove. A tool may be needed, for example, when the weed has thorns that can puncture a user's gloves. In particular, Tribulus terrestris (also known as “goathead weeds”) contain many thorns making removal impractical by hand. In addition, the weed may be horizontally displaced, which may make it difficult to find and grab the base of the weed. Even if the base is found, it may be too strong to remove by hand. Other weeds may also make it difficult to reach the base, either due to size, thorns, or other issues. As a result, a user may use a tool found in the prior art, such as a draw or scuffle hoe. However, use of these tools results in the weed being cut into several pieces, which not only makes cleanup a hassle, but spreads seeds into the ground, causing additional weeds to grow.
Many currents methods of removing goathead weeds are similarly inefficient. Some of these methods include burning the weeds with propane, spraying to inhibit new growth, or using various approaches to collect thorns. When using any approach to remove the goathead weeds, there still remains the issue of the thorny seeds that have been dispersed on the ground. Spray and burning may kill the weed, but may not kill all the seeds, which can lead to future growth of the goathead weed. Typically, by the time goathead weed growth is readdressed after burning or spraying, there are more dried-out thorny seeds on the ground. To prevent future goathead weed growth, it is essential that seeds are not dispersed in the first place and that any dried-out thorny seeds are collected and discarded.
Accordingly, there is a need for a tool that is capable of cutting and removing weeds at their base, regardless of the vertical or horizontal spread of the weed, and that maintains the weed as a single unit, limiting the spread of thorny seeds and making cleanup easier. The tool should further feature an ergonomic design that reduces physical exertion and fatigue of a user. The present disclosure solves these problems and others.
In some embodiments, a weed cutting apparatus comprises a handle with a head at a distal end. The head comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximal to the handle and the second end is distal thereto. The second end may comprise a blade and a plurality of tines extending from the blade, opposite the handle. As a result, any weed or object that passes through the tines is cut by the blade on the second end of the head.
In some embodiments, a weed cutting apparatus comprises a bladed member having one or more channels configured to receive one or more of a plurality of tines, the bladed member couplable to a pitchfork. The bladed member may be an aftermarket attachment that enables periodic maintenance and sharpening of the blade between uses and that is couplable to a user's pre-purchased pitchfork.
In some embodiments, the first end of the head comprises other working features, such as grooves or protrusions for uprooting the roots of a severed weed. The grooves may be substantially triangular in shape or otherwise tapered to receive a root of the weed within a mouth having a first length that is wider than a body having a second length. A user may thereby wedge a stem of the weed therein and then maneuver the handle as a lever to uproot the stem and roots.
The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.
Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.
It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.
The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
As previously discussed, there is a need for a tool that is capable of cutting and removing weeds at their base, regardless of the vertical or horizontal spread of the weed, and that maintains the weed as a single unit, limiting spread and making cleanup easier. The weed cutting apparatus disclosed herein solves these problems and others.
Referring to
The head 104 comprises a first end 108 and a second end 110, wherein the first end 108 is proximal to the handle 102 and the second end 110 is distal thereto. The second end 110 may comprise a blade 112A-C and a plurality of tines 114A-D extending from the blade 112A-C, opposite the handle 102. The blade 112A-C, without limitation, may be a straight back blade having a curving edge and a straight spine. It will be appreciated that a straight back blade is optimized for thrusting, as the curving edge, in practice, cuts a swath of the weeds that an entire width of the blade 112A-C can pass through without the straight spine having to push aside any material along its path. The blade 112A-C, in some embodiments, may comprise separate sections or areas between the plurality of tines 114A-D. The blade 112A-C, in other embodiments, may comprise a single area that extends across the plurality of tines 114A-D. As a result, any plant or object that passes between the tines 114A-D is cut by the blade 112A-C on the second end 110 of the head 104.
The plurality of tines 114A-D may be coupled at an angle, without limitation, between 0 and 30 degrees, relative to the first end 108. The angle enables the plurality of tines 114A-D to easily skim over a surface of the ground with minimal resistance to a user during a forward thrust and creates a gradient that moves the weed from the plurality of tines 114A-D back towards a flat portion of the head 104 in preparation for disposal. The angle further prevents the plurality of tines 114A-D from disrupting the soil and distributing seeds from the weed into the soil.
In some embodiments, as shown, a body of each of the plurality of tines 114A-D may be straight, flat, and wide in order to also help minimize disruption of the soil during use, as compared to traditional curved tines on pitchforks, as well as create an area on which the weed may be collected after being cut. A tip of the plurality of tines 112A-D may be pointed to push aside and penetrate a growth (e.g., leaves and branches) of the weed and expose the stem of the weed to the blade 112A-C.
In some embodiments, as best seen in
In some embodiments, a method of using a weed cutting apparatus 100 comprises a user holding a handle 102, placing a plurality of tines 114A-D substantially parallel to the ground, sliding the plurality of tines 114A-D beneath a growth of a weed until a blade 112A-C engages a stem of the weed, and cutting the stem of the weed with the blade 112A-C. Once severed, the method may further comprise lifting the weed, now resting on a head 104 of the weed cutting apparatus 100, and discarding it in a bin, bag, or however preferred by a user. In this way, it will be appreciated that minimal seeds are spread across the ground, and the user need not bend over to pull the weed out or collect it for disposal. Moreover, because the user does not need to grab the weed, there is no risk of perforation to the user by a thorn. With at least the stem and growth of the weed removed, a user may then apply a weed killer or other herbicide to the roots. Additionally, or in the alternative, a user may use the grooves 116A-B on the first end 108 of the head 104 to wedge the stem of the weed therein and then maneuver the handle 102 as a lever to uproot the stem and roots. As a result, the entire weed may be removed from unwanted areas.
In some embodiments, as shown in
The bladed member 218 may further comprise one or more channels 222 configured to receive one or more of the plurality of tines 214, respectively. The second end 210 is formed and sharpened to form a blade 212. In some embodiments, the bladed member 218 may be couplable to the plurality of tines 214, such that the blade 212 of the bladed member 218 is between the plurality of tines 214 and the ground during use. As a result, any plant or object that passes between the plurality of tines 214 is cut by the blade 212 on the second end 210 of the bladed member 218. While
It will be appreciated that a position of the bladed member 218 at a medial end 220 of the weed cutting apparatus 200 permits more leveraged strength exerted by a user to be directed towards cutting weeds at a tip of the blade 212. The blade 212 may have either a straight or rounded edge. The bladed member 218 may comprise steel, titanium alloys, ceramics, plastics, or related metals and materials sufficient for forming a blade 212.
As seen in
Therefore, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that the weed cutting apparatus 100, 200 disclosed herein solves the need for a tool that is capable of cutting and removing weeds at their base, regardless of the vertical or horizontal spread of the weed, and that maintains the weed as a single unit, limiting spread and making cleanup easier.
It will be appreciated that systems and methods according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties or features (e.g., components, bladed members, elements, parts, and/or portions) described in other embodiments. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment unless so stated. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, bladed members, elements, parts, and/or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein.
Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/333,466, filed on Apr. 21, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/374,937, filed on Sep. 8, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63333466 | Apr 2022 | US | |
| 63374937 | Sep 2022 | US |
