GB2122063A - Garden hoe - Google Patents

Abstract

A light groundworking tool has a hook-like head fixed into a straighter handle by shank. The forward outer periphery of the hook, and the forward inner periphery, are preferably sharpened to facilitate pushing and pulling of the hook through the soil for weeding. The point can be chisel shaped, with the chisel-edge at right angles to the general plane of the hook, for grubbing out weeds. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Garden hoe This invention relates to a new gardening and agricultural tool called a N'opook. It consists of a single hook-shaped tine attached to or integral with a long or short handle. It is operated either using the point of the-hook or with the hook on its side.

Two essential features are the comparatively small size of the hook -- typically about three to four inches across - and the lightweight construction, both of which contribute to ease of operation.

The tip of the hook may be formed into a chisel end or any other convenient shape. The body of the hook may follow a curve or a series of angles.

The cross-section of the hook may be round or multi-sided and is unlikely to exceed about three eighths of an inch diameter. The material from which the hook is made would typically be high tensile steel rod or any other material having similar characteristics.

The prototype was made from quarter inch diameter high tensile steel welding rod. The tip was formed into a chisel point and the hook bent into a series of angles. The angle nearest the tip was flattened and sharpened to improve the hoeing action when the hook was used on its side.

(See sketch.) The device is similar to the common three-tine cultivator but with the essential difference that it has only a single tine. This permits greater accuracy when weeding or hoeing close to plants and also allows the tool to be used on its side.

1. A groundworking tool comprising a working head at one end of a straight handle, the working head itself consisting of a metal member or member of like characteristics extending generally in one plane and having (a) a straight shank attached to or integral with one end of the straight handle so as to extend along the central axis thereof and (b) a hooked portion which crosses the notional line continuing the straight shank whereby pressure in the direction of the handle pushes the forward outer periphery of the hooked portion through the soil, and pulling in the direction of the handle draws the hooked portion through the soil.

2. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 1 which the hooked portion in cross-section presents a sharper profile at the forward outer periphery to facilitate pushing.

3. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 2 in which the hooked portion is of a flattened shape, generally in the plane of the working head, to present both the said sharper profile at the forward outer periphery and a further sharper profile at the forward inner periphery.

4. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim having a sharpened end of the hooked portion.

5. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 4 in which the sharpened end is chisel-shaped with a sharpened edge at right angles to the plane of the working head.

6. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the hooked portion comprises one or more arcuate portions.

7. A groundworking tool as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the hooked portion is shaped as an angled succession of straight portions.

8. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the hooked portion extends to approximately equal distances to either side of the notional line continuing the straight shank.

9. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the transverse dimension of the hooked portion is from 3 to 4 inches.

10. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the working head is fabricated from steel rod of cross-section up to three-eighths of an inch (10 mm).

11. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Garden hoe This invention relates to a new gardening and agricultural tool called a N'opook. It consists of a single hook-shaped tine attached to or integral with a long or short handle. It is operated either using the point of the-hook or with the hook on its side. Two essential features are the comparatively small size of the hook -- typically about three to four inches across - and the lightweight construction, both of which contribute to ease of operation. The tip of the hook may be formed into a chisel end or any other convenient shape. The body of the hook may follow a curve or a series of angles. The cross-section of the hook may be round or multi-sided and is unlikely to exceed about three eighths of an inch diameter. The material from which the hook is made would typically be high tensile steel rod or any other material having similar characteristics. The prototype was made from quarter inch diameter high tensile steel welding rod. The tip was formed into a chisel point and the hook bent into a series of angles. The angle nearest the tip was flattened and sharpened to improve the hoeing action when the hook was used on its side. (See sketch.) The device is similar to the common three-tine cultivator but with the essential difference that it has only a single tine. This permits greater accuracy when weeding or hoeing close to plants and also allows the tool to be used on its side. CLAIMS

1. A groundworking tool comprising a working head at one end of a straight handle, the working head itself consisting of a metal member or member of like characteristics extending generally in one plane and having (a) a straight shank attached to or integral with one end of the straight handle so as to extend along the central axis thereof and (b) a hooked portion which crosses the notional line continuing the straight shank whereby pressure in the direction of the handle pushes the forward outer periphery of the hooked portion through the soil, and pulling in the direction of the handle draws the hooked portion through the soil.

2. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 1 which the hooked portion in cross-section presents a sharper profile at the forward outer periphery to facilitate pushing.

3. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 2 in which the hooked portion is of a flattened shape, generally in the plane of the working head, to present both the said sharper profile at the forward outer periphery and a further sharper profile at the forward inner periphery.

4. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim having a sharpened end of the hooked portion.

5. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 4 in which the sharpened end is chisel-shaped with a sharpened edge at right angles to the plane of the working head.

6. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the hooked portion comprises one or more arcuate portions.

7. A groundworking tool as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which the hooked portion is shaped as an angled succession of straight portions.

8. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the hooked portion extends to approximately equal distances to either side of the notional line continuing the straight shank.

9. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the transverse dimension of the hooked portion is from 3 to 4 inches.

10. A groundworking tool as claimed in any one preceding claim in which the working head is fabricated from steel rod of cross-section up to three-eighths of an inch (10 mm).

11. A groundworking tool as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.