US4212150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rake attachment for garden tool
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-12-26
•
Granted: 1980-07-15
•
Expires: 1998-12-26
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a combination weed cutter and rake which cooperate by utilization of a common handle to permit weeds cut with a weed cutter to be raked into a pickup pile with the same implement. The rake is pivotally mounted on the handle at its lower end and is movable against a spring force into a work position back to back with the weed cutter with its tines extended below the weed cutter but directed 180° rotationally therefrom, and is locked in this position by a pin passed through a lock ear. The rake is urged by the spring to a stowed position with the tines disposed upwardly toward the mid-section of the handle and away from the action area of the weed cutter. In an alternate form, the rake is held in its work position or stowed position by resilient finger latches.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank M. Dmochowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:41
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01B; A01B1/00; A01B1/20; A01D; A01D11/00; A01D11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
320 words
In a hand tool having a first tool blade mounted on one end of an elongated handle an attachment for mounting a second tool blade on said handle comprising: clamp means disposed to engage and removably clamp onto a portion of said handle adjacent the mounting of said first tool blade thereon, said clamp means having a clamp plate; a second tool blade having a blade base plate at a proximal end and ground engaging surfaces at a distal end; and pivotal connection means interconnecting said second tool blade and said clamp means, said pivotal connection means including hinge means interconnected between said clamp plate and said blade base plate and disposed to permit pivotal movement of said second tool blade between a work position wherein said second tool blade is positioned adjacent said first tool blade and a stowed position wherein said ground engaging surfaces of said blade are positioned adjacent a portion of said handle and directed oppositely from said first tool blade, and securing means disposed to releasably secure said second tool blade in either said work position or said stowed position; said hinge means of said pivotal connection means includes a pair of spaced parallel base hinge ears projecting from said blade base and having a pair of aligned hinge pin holes therein, and a pair of spaced parallel plate hinge ears projecting from said clamp plate and having a pair of aligned hinged pin holes; and said securing means of said pivotal connection means includes a coil spring mounted coaxially on said hinge pin and contained between said hinge ears, said coil spring having legs extending from opposite ends thereof, one engaged with said clamping means plate and the other engaged with said second tool blade base with said spring stressed to resiliently urge said base into overlapping parallel relationship with said clamp plate and thereby dispose said second tool blade in its stowed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
320 words
In a hand tool having a first tool blade mounted on one end of an elongated handle an attachment for mounting a second tool blade on said handle comprising: clamp means disposed to engage and removably clamp onto a portion of said handle adjacent the mounting of said first tool blade thereon, said clamp means having a clamp plate; a second tool blade having a blade base plate at a proximal end and ground engaging surfaces at a distal end; and pivotal connection means interconnecting said second tool blade and said clamp means, said pivotal connection means including hinge means interconnected between said clamp plate and said blade base plate and disposed to permit pivotal movement of said second tool blade between a work position wherein said second tool blade is positioned adjacent said first tool blade and a stowed position wherein said ground engaging surfaces of said blade are positioned adjacent a portion of said handle and directed oppositely from said first tool blade, and securing means disposed to releasably secure said second tool blade in either said work position or said stowed position; said hinge means of said pivotal connection means includes a pair of spaced parallel base hinge ears projecting from said blade base and having a pair of aligned hinge pin holes therein, and a pair of spaced parallel plate hinge ears projecting from said clamp plate and having a pair of aligned hinged pin holes; and said securing means of said pivotal connection means includes a coil spring mounted coaxially on said hinge pin and contained between said hinge ears, said coil spring having legs extending from opposite ends thereof, one engaged with said clamping means plate and the other engaged with said second tool blade base with said spring stressed to resiliently urge said base into overlapping parallel relationship with said clamp plate and thereby dispose said second tool blade in its stowed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An attachment as described in claim 1, in which: said pivotal connection means interconnects said second tool blade base plate to said clamp plate with said second tool blade disposed in back to back relationship with said first tool blade when said second tool blade is in its work position, whereby said second tool blade is placed in a use position and said first tool blade is removed from a use position by rotating said handle 180°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
243 words
In a hand tool blade mounted on one and of an elongated handle, an attachment for mounting a second tool blade on said handle comprising: clamp means disposed to engage and removably clamp onto a portion of said handle adjacent the mounting of said first tool blade thereon, said clamp means having a clamp plate; a second tool blade having a blade base plate at a proximal end and ground engaging surfaces at a distal end; and pivotal connection means interconnecting said second tool blade and said clamp means, said pivotal connection means including hinge means interconnected between said clamp plate and said blade base plate and disposed to permit pivotal movement of said second tool blade between a work position wherein said second tool blade is positioned adjacent said first tool blade and a stowed position wherein said ground engaging surfaces of said blade are positioned adjacent a portion of said handle and directed oppositely from said first tool blade, and securing means disposed to releasably secure said second tool blade in either said work position or said stowed position; said securing means of said pivotal connection means includes a lock slot in said second tool blade base, a lock ear projecting from said clamp and disposed to pass through said lock slot when said second tool blade is in one of said positions, to lock said blade base to said clamp plate and secure said second tool blade in said position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
243 words
In a hand tool blade mounted on one and of an elongated handle, an attachment for mounting a second tool blade on said handle comprising: clamp means disposed to engage and removably clamp onto a portion of said handle adjacent the mounting of said first tool blade thereon, said clamp means having a clamp plate; a second tool blade having a blade base plate at a proximal end and ground engaging surfaces at a distal end; and pivotal connection means interconnecting said second tool blade and said clamp means, said pivotal connection means including hinge means interconnected between said clamp plate and said blade base plate and disposed to permit pivotal movement of said second tool blade between a work position wherein said second tool blade is positioned adjacent said first tool blade and a stowed position wherein said ground engaging surfaces of said blade are positioned adjacent a portion of said handle and directed oppositely from said first tool blade, and securing means disposed to releasably secure said second tool blade in either said work position or said stowed position; said securing means of said pivotal connection means includes a lock slot in said second tool blade base, a lock ear projecting from said clamp and disposed to pass through said lock slot when said second tool blade is in one of said positions, to lock said blade base to said clamp plate and secure said second tool blade in said position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
287 words
In a hand tool blade mounted on one end of an elongated handle, an attachment for mounting a second tool blade on said handle comprising: clamp means disposed to engage and removably clamp onto a portion of said handle adjacent the mounting of said first tool blade thereon, said clamp means having a clamp plate; a second tool blade having a blade base plate at a proximal end and ground engaging surfaces at a distal end; and pivotal connection means interconnecting said second tool blade and said clamp means, said pivotal connection means including hinge means interconnected between said clamp plate and said blade base plate and disposed to permit pivotal movement of said second tool blade between a work position wherein said second tool blade is positioned adjacent said first tool blade and a stowed position wherein said ground engaging surfaces of said blade are positioned adjacent a portion of said handle and directed oppositely from said first tool blade, and securing means disposed to releasably secure said second tool blade in either said work position or said stowed position; said securing means of said pivotal connection means includes a lock slot in said second tool blade base, a lock latch projecting from said clamping means plate and laterally displacable resiliently, said lock latch having a catch lip thereon and being disposed to pass through said lock slot and engage said catch lip on edge of said lock slot when said second tool blade is in one of said positions whereby said second tool blade is locked in said position and is releasable therefrom by lateral displacement of said lock latch in said lock slot to release said catch lip from the edge of said slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
287 words
In a hand tool blade mounted on one end of an elongated handle, an attachment for mounting a second tool blade on said handle comprising: clamp means disposed to engage and removably clamp onto a portion of said handle adjacent the mounting of said first tool blade thereon, said clamp means having a clamp plate; a second tool blade having a blade base plate at a proximal end and ground engaging surfaces at a distal end; and pivotal connection means interconnecting said second tool blade and said clamp means, said pivotal connection means including hinge means interconnected between said clamp plate and said blade base plate and disposed to permit pivotal movement of said second tool blade between a work position wherein said second tool blade is positioned adjacent said first tool blade and a stowed position wherein said ground engaging surfaces of said blade are positioned adjacent a portion of said handle and directed oppositely from said first tool blade, and securing means disposed to releasably secure said second tool blade in either said work position or said stowed position; said securing means of said pivotal connection means includes a lock slot in said second tool blade base, a lock latch projecting from said clamping means plate and laterally displacable resiliently, said lock latch having a catch lip thereon and being disposed to pass through said lock slot and engage said catch lip on edge of said lock slot when said second tool blade is in one of said positions whereby said second tool blade is locked in said position and is releasable therefrom by lateral displacement of said lock latch in said lock slot to release said catch lip from the edge of said slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
224 words
A rake attachment for a garden weeding hand tool with a weeding blade mounted on the lower end of an elongated pole shaped handle, said attachment comprising: a rake blade having a base and a plurality of spring tines projecting therefrom; a clamp having a plate and fastening means for releasably securing said plate to said handle adjacent to lower end thereof; a hinge interconnecting said clamp plate and said rake base and disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle, whereby said rake blade is pivotally movable about an axis normal to the axis of said handle between a work position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said weeding blade and a stowed position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said handle at a point above the position of said clamp; and securing means releasably securing said rake blade alternatively in said work position and said stowed position; said securing means includes a lock slot and a projecting resilient lock ear interposed between said second tool blade base and said clamp and disposed to interlock when said second tool blade base is disposed in said stowed position adjacent said handle to secure said second tool blade base to said clamp, and to release said second tool blade base from said clamp upon manual deflection of said lock ear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
224 words
A rake attachment for a garden weeding hand tool with a weeding blade mounted on the lower end of an elongated pole shaped handle, said attachment comprising: a rake blade having a base and a plurality of spring tines projecting therefrom; a clamp having a plate and fastening means for releasably securing said plate to said handle adjacent to lower end thereof; a hinge interconnecting said clamp plate and said rake base and disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle, whereby said rake blade is pivotally movable about an axis normal to the axis of said handle between a work position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said weeding blade and a stowed position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said handle at a point above the position of said clamp; and securing means releasably securing said rake blade alternatively in said work position and said stowed position; said securing means includes a lock slot and a projecting resilient lock ear interposed between said second tool blade base and said clamp and disposed to interlock when said second tool blade base is disposed in said stowed position adjacent said handle to secure said second tool blade base to said clamp, and to release said second tool blade base from said clamp upon manual deflection of said lock ear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A rake attachment as described in claim 5, in which: said hinge is disposed to interconnect said rake base with said clamp plate with said rake positioned back to back with said weed blade when said rake blade is in said work position whereby said rake blade, when in said work position, is placed in use by rotating said handle 180° from the use position of said weed blade.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
284 words
A rake attachment for a garden weeding hand tool with a weeding blade mounted on the lower end of an elongated pole shaped handle, said attachment comprising: a rake blade having a base and a plurality of spring tines projecting therefrom; a clamp having a plate and fastening means for releasably securing said plate to said handle adjacent to lower end thereof; a hinge interconnecting said clamp plate and said rake base and disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle, whereby said rake blade is pivotally movable about an axis normal to the axis of said handle between a work position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said weeding blade and a stowed position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said handle at a point above the position of said clamp; and securing means releasably securing said rake blade alternatively in said work position and said stowed position; said securing means includes a spring disposed between said clamp plate and said rake base and stressed to urge said rake base into parallel overlapping position with respect to said clamp plate, and releasable lock means disposed to releasably secure said rake base in co-planar alignment with said clamp plate against the resilient urging of said spring; and said spring is mounted on said hinge pin in co-axial alignment therewith and is coiled thereabout with extended legs at each end one of which engages said rake base and the other of which engages said clamp plate, and said releasable lock means includes an ear and slot interconnected between said rake base and said clamp plate and releasably engagable to secure said rake base and said clamp plate in fixed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
284 words
A rake attachment for a garden weeding hand tool with a weeding blade mounted on the lower end of an elongated pole shaped handle, said attachment comprising: a rake blade having a base and a plurality of spring tines projecting therefrom; a clamp having a plate and fastening means for releasably securing said plate to said handle adjacent to lower end thereof; a hinge interconnecting said clamp plate and said rake base and disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of said handle, whereby said rake blade is pivotally movable about an axis normal to the axis of said handle between a work position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said weeding blade and a stowed position in which said rake tines are disposed adjacent said handle at a point above the position of said clamp; and securing means releasably securing said rake blade alternatively in said work position and said stowed position; said securing means includes a spring disposed between said clamp plate and said rake base and stressed to urge said rake base into parallel overlapping position with respect to said clamp plate, and releasable lock means disposed to releasably secure said rake base in co-planar alignment with said clamp plate against the resilient urging of said spring; and said spring is mounted on said hinge pin in co-axial alignment therewith and is coiled thereabout with extended legs at each end one of which engages said rake base and the other of which engages said clamp plate, and said releasable lock means includes an ear and slot interconnected between said rake base and said clamp plate and releasably engagable to secure said rake base and said clamp plate in fixed position.
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) | 1983-07-15 | 1984-01-14 | 1984-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-15 | 1988-01-14 | 1988-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-01-14 | 1992-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |