US3608644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weeding tool
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-08-12
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A tool is disclosed for digging weeds having a handle member with a root-cutting and extracating blade at one end with a pair of spaced spring tines held adjacent to and spaced from the cutting blade from a pivoted bracket member that is biased to resiliently hold the tines in adjacency to the cutting blade. The bracket allows the tines upon contact with the ground to spring upwardly over the top of any outspread parts of the plant as the cutting blade severs the root upon being thrust into the ground. As the tool is removed the plant or weed is automatically held between the tines and the blade for easy disposal.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward B Ambrose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:31
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B1/00; A01B1/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A weeding tool including: an element having a shank portion with a blade and cutting edge at its front end adapted to engage and sever the stem of a weed; a pair of spaced stop means carried by said shank portion; a bracket member slidably carried by said shank portion between said spaced stop means; means providing limited pivotal movement of said bracket member on an axis transverse to said shank member; a pair of tines supported by said bracket and extending in spaced relationship from each other above and along said shank portion; the terminal ends of said tines being upturned in the region of said cutting edge; and resilient means between one of said stop means and said bracket urging said bracket against the other stop means whereby said tines are biased against pivotal movement on said shank portion upon contact of said terminal ends of said tines with the ground as said blade is thrust thereon to sever the weed stem and thereby retain said weed between the tines and blade as the tool disengages a weed from the ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A weeding tool including: an element having a shank portion with a blade and cutting edge at its front end adapted to engage and sever the stem of a weed; a pair of spaced stop means carried by said shank portion; a bracket member slidably carried by said shank portion between said spaced stop means; means providing limited pivotal movement of said bracket member on an axis transverse to said shank member; a pair of tines supported by said bracket and extending in spaced relationship from each other above and along said shank portion; the terminal ends of said tines being upturned in the region of said cutting edge; and resilient means between one of said stop means and said bracket urging said bracket against the other stop means whereby said tines are biased against pivotal movement on said shank portion upon contact of said terminal ends of said tines with the ground as said blade is thrust thereon to sever the weed stem and thereby retain said weed between the tines and blade as the tool disengages a weed from the ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A weeding tool in accordance with claim 1 in which: said resiliEnt means comprises a spring member encompassing said shank member urging said bracket member against one of said stop members; said bracket member is provided with an aperture encompassing said shank member in slidable relationship on the longitudinal axis thereof; and the transverse sides of said shank member pivotally engaging said aperture and the vertical sides thereof being spaced from said shank member to provide space for said pivotal movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A weeding tool including: an element having a cutting edge at its front and adapted to engage and sever the stem of a weed; a pair of tines supported by said element and extending in spaced relationship from each other above and along said element; said tines being transversely pivoted and slidably mounted to said element at one end between spaced shoulders thereon and having their extended ends adjacent to and laterally spaced on each side of said cutting edge and with their extended ends beyond the outermost part of said cutting edge; and coil spring means encompassing said element biasing said tines about said pivot against one of said shoulders toward said cutting edge and allowing said tines to pivot upwardly upon contact with the ground as said blade is thrust into the ground whereby a weed is received and retained between the tines and the blade as the tool disengages a weed from the ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
A weeding tool including: an element having a cutting edge at its front and adapted to engage and sever the stem of a weed; a pair of tines supported by said element and extending in spaced relationship from each other above and along said element; said tines being transversely pivoted and slidably mounted to said element at one end between spaced shoulders thereon and having their extended ends adjacent to and laterally spaced on each side of said cutting edge and with their extended ends beyond the outermost part of said cutting edge; and coil spring means encompassing said element biasing said tines about said pivot against one of said shoulders toward said cutting edge and allowing said tines to pivot upwardly upon contact with the ground as said blade is thrust into the ground whereby a weed is received and retained between the tines and the blade as the tool disengages a weed from the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
150 words
A weeding tool comprising: a shank member having a blade portion with a cutting edge at its front adapted to engage and sever the stem of a weed: a pair of spaced shoulders on said shank member; a bracket having a depending member encompassing said shank member between said shoulders; a pair of tines supported at one end to said bracket and extending in spaced relationship from each other above and along said shank member to said blade portion; said depending member being pivotally mounted on an axis substantially normal to said shank member and laterally spaced from said cutting edge; compression spring means between one of said shoulders and said depending member biasing and resiliently holding said tines so as to pivot upwardly upon contact with the ground as said blade is thrust therein whereby a severed weed is received and retained between the tines and said blade portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
A weeding tool comprising: a shank member having a blade portion with a cutting edge at its front adapted to engage and sever the stem of a weed: a pair of spaced shoulders on said shank member; a bracket having a depending member encompassing said shank member between said shoulders; a pair of tines supported at one end to said bracket and extending in spaced relationship from each other above and along said shank member to said blade portion; said depending member being pivotally mounted on an axis substantially normal to said shank member and laterally spaced from said cutting edge; compression spring means between one of said shoulders and said depending member biasing and resiliently holding said tines so as to pivot upwardly upon contact with the ground as said blade is thrust therein whereby a severed weed is received and retained between the tines and said blade portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A weeding tool in accordance with claim 4 in which: a. said depending member is provided with an aperture encompassing said shank; and b. said shank has opposed edges engaging opposite sides of said aperture as pivot points for said bracket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A weeding tool in accordance with claim 5 in which: a. said shank is essentially square in cross section; and b. said aperture in said depending member is quadrilateral with one diagonal substantially equal to the diagonal of said shank to engage same as the pivot axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A weeding tool comprising: a. a handle member; b. a shank extending from said handle member; c. said shank having a pair of side opposite corners along a portion of the length thereof and a flat flared blade with a terminal cutting edge; d. a flange on said shank on each side of said cornered portion; e. a pair of spaced tines having a base member with a depending tab; f. an aperture in said tab encompassing said shank and in pivoted contact with said side corners; g. spring means between one of said flanges and said tab supporting said tines in resilient pivotal relationship from said base member; and h. said tines having upturned ends extending in spaced relationship above said cutting edge whereby to engage portions of a severed weed against said blade.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A weeding tool comprising: a. a handle member; b. a shank extending from said handle member; c. said shank having a pair of side opposite corners along a portion of the length thereof and a flat flared blade with a terminal cutting edge; d. a flange on said shank on each side of said cornered portion; e. a pair of spaced tines having a base member with a depending tab; f. an aperture in said tab encompassing said shank and in pivoted contact with said side corners; g. spring means between one of said flanges and said tab supporting said tines in resilient pivotal relationship from said base member; and h. said tines having upturned ends extending in spaced relationship above said cutting edge whereby to engage portions of a severed weed against said blade.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
A weeding tool in accordance with claim 7 in which: a. said shank is quadrilateral in cross section; b. said aperture in said tab has opposing corners of said shank portion as said pivoted contact; and c. said spring means comprises a compression spring encompassing said shank between one of said flanges and said tab member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |