Gardening implement having enhanced leverage

• US 5,937,627 A
• Filed: 08/06/1996
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patricia C. Greene
• Original Assignee: Janie Mckittrick
• Inventors: McKittrick, Janie
• Primary Examiner(s): SHACKELFORD, HEATHER CHUN
• Application Number:
  US08/693,345
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 56/400.01, 56/400.04, 56/400.05, 56/400.17, 172/378, 294/58
• US Class Current: 56/400.01
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/00 Hand tools edge trimmers for lawns A01G3/06 ; machines for working soil A01B35/00; making hand tools B21D
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/022 Collapsible; extensible; combinations with other tools
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/06 Hoes; Hand cultivators rakes A01D7/00; forks A01D9/00; picks B25D
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 1/14 with teeth only

Abstract

A hand held garden tool configured to enhance downward force for digging and raking. The tool has a rod frame which extends from a working element attached to the tool at the front end of the tool to a brace located at the rear of the tool. The brace rests on the user'"'"'s wrist or forearm, so that additional force is developed when the working element is urged downwardly into the ground. A handle depends from the frame at a point between the working element and the brace. Vertical orientation of the handle is more natural and comfortable than would be a horizontal orientation. The handle is provided with a molded grip for cooperating with a user'"'"'s hand. The tool has a chuck for accepting diverse working heads, and preferably is provided with a plurality of diverse working heads. Exemplary working heads include rake, spade, and pry.

Claims

1. A hand held gardening implement to be operated with a hand and associated forearm of a user comprising:

a frame member having a longitudinal dimension, a proximal end, and a distal end;

a working element removably attached to said frame member adjacent said proximal end of said frame member, said working element projecting substantially perpendicular to said frame member;

a brace attached to said frame member adjacent said distal end of said frame member, wherein said brace has a U-shaped portion having legs extending substantially perpendicular to said frame member and substantially parallel to said working element, said brace also having an extension member integrally extending from each leg parallel to said frame member;

a strap having loops slipped over each extension member adapted to engage the forearm when in use;

and a handle attached to said frame member intermediate said working element and said brace, said handle projecting substantially perpendicular to said frame and substantially parallel with said work element for being grasped by the user'"'"'s hand.

2. The gardening implement according to claim 1, said working element including a plurality of tines, whereby said gardening implement is a rake.

3. The gardening implement according to claim 1, said handle further comprising a grip having means for conforming to the configuration of the human hand.

4. The gardening implement according to claim 1, further comprising a chuck solidly fixed to said frame member at said proximal end of said frame member.

5. The gardening implement according to claim 4 adapted to receive one of a plurality of different working heads.