Portable, hand-held device for forming crop-receiving cavities in the ground

Claim 1

Portable, hand-held device for use in transplanting crops comprising: a handle for gripping by an individual adapted for connection to a supply of fluid; substantially rigid tubular means including a first tubular portion extending from said handle and a second tubular portion extending from said first tubular portion, said first and second tubular portions having their longitudinal axis offset from one another; a nozzle mounted on a discharge end of said second tubular portion for directing fluid outwardly therefrom so that the fluid will impinge against the ground to form a crop receiving cavity in the ground; orienting means connected to said tubular means adjacent said discharge end including a first member extending beneath said discharge end and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said second tubular portion and a stabilizing means comprising an elongate member secured to said first member, said elongate member being positionable along its length against the ground to orient said tubular means and said nozzle above the ground so that fluid may be discharged substantially vertically into the ground; and adjustable means interconnecting said first member and said elongate member operable for preselecting and fixing the distance between the ends of said elongate member relative to said discharge end.