US20170021486A1

US20170021486A1 - Multi-Functional Garden Tool

Info

Publication number: US20170021486A1
Application number: US14/809,172
Authority: US
Inventors: Lutz W. Reissmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-25
Filing date: 2015-07-25
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: US20190283229A1; US11224174B2; US20180169850A1

Abstract

A multi-functional garden tool having a first elongated cylindrical member and a second elongated cylindrical member. The elongated cylindrical members being configured and structured to receive water or such other aqueous liquids from an aqueous liquid source such that a user can apply the water, or other aqueous liquids, below a soil surface into the root zone of either potted plants or to garden plants. Additionally, the first and the second elongated cylindrical members of the multi-functional garden tool are configured and structured to give a user the ability to detachably attach a variety of tool heads to perform certain gardening tasks.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to gardening tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to tools that are used to water both potted plants and garden plants, as well as and to garden tools that have interchangeable tool heads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous garden tools commercially available to the home gardener, and each of such tools are typically designed as a single purpose tool. Some common single use garden tools which are available in various shapes and sizes include, but are not limited to, shovels, rakes, hoes, picks, cultivators, hand trowels, weeders, bulb planters, and limb pruners. Similarly, there are numerous devices available for the home gardener for watering his potted plants or garden plants. Watering devices also exist in multitude of configurations that range anywhere from the basic watering can to the complex and expensive electronic irrigation systems.
A limitation and inconvenience of single purpose garden tools is the need to have a variety of such tools on hand when a gardener is tending to his potted plants or to his garden plants. The need for a gardener to possess a variety of garden tools is further complicated depending on the kind of cultivation that is needed as well as the kind of plant to be cultivated. The tools required to cultivate potted plants are often quite different that the tools required for the cultivation of garden plants. In addition to the need to have a number of different single use tools on hand, the home gardener is also subjected to the cumbersomeness of having to transport a multitude of tools to the garden, or from potted plant to potted plant. Furthermore, the cost to obtain and maintain the numerous single use garden tools required to properly maintain garden plants and potted plants is also a factor that must be taken into consideration by the home gardener.
Likewise, the home gardener experiences numerous limitations and inconveniences when it becomes necessary to provide water, or other aqueous liquids, to garden plants or to potted plants. Regardless of whether a gardener is using a simple watering can, or a complex and expensive dedicated irrigation system, there is always a degree of water run-off and waste when applying water, or other aqueous liquids, to the top of plants, or to the soil surrounding the plant. Additionally, the inability to apply water, or other aqueous liquids, directly to the root zone of a plant often results in the watering, and thus growth promotion, of unwanted plants such as weeds that happen to be in the proximity of the garden plant or potted plant. Monitoring the amount of water, or other aqueous liquids, applied to potted plants or to garden plants is also a challenge with many watering devices. The inability to properly monitor the amount of water, or other aqueous liquids, can result in plant disease or death when too much water, or not enough water, is provided to a potted plant or to a garden plant.
Accordingly, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device that can function as either a multi-use garden tool, or a simple and effective device for applying water, or other aqueous liquids, to potted plants or to garden plants.
It is therefore at least one aspect of the present embodiments to provide a multi-functional garden tool comprising a first elongated cylindrical member having a length from about 8 inches to about 16 inches, a second elongated cylindrical member having a length from about 36 to about 48 inches, wherein each of the elongated cylindrical members being designed and structured to permit the flow there through of at least one aqueous liquid from at least one aqueous liquid source, and at least one tool head being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the elongated cylindrical members.
It is at least one aspect of the present embodiments to provide that each of said elongated cylindrical members having an upper end designed and structured to receive at least one aqueous liquid from at least one aqueous liquid source; a beveled lower end to facilitate the penetration of a soil by the elongated cylindrical members and to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid; at least one side wall extending therefrom and connecting the upper end and the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members; a gripping means encircling and affixed to the upper end of the first and second elongated cylindrical members for gripping the multi-functional garden tool during use; a plurality of vertically aligned apertures being configured and structured to efficiently disperse the at least one aqueous liquid beneath a soil surface into a plant root zone and being located within the side wall and extending a length upward from the beveled lower end of each elongated cylindrical member, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures further comprising a first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures, said first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means there through; a female connecter means affixed to the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member for detachably attaching the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member to the at least one aqueous liquid source; and a detachably attachable valve means to control the flow of the at least one aqueous liquid, said valve means having a male end being designed and structured to engage the female connector means of the elongated cylindrical members and a female end being designed and structured to engage the at least one aqueous liquid source.
It is at least one aspect of the present embodiments to provide at least one tool head being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the lower beveled end of the elongated cylindrical members, said at least one tool head having an elongated neck, said elongated neck designed and structured to receive a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member, and a second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck, said second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive the removable fastener means when the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member are in a coaxial alignment with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the elongated neck of the tool head.
It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide that the plurality of vertically aligned apertures have a plurality of diameters from about ½ inch to about ⅛ inch.
It is still a further aspect of at least one of the embodiments for the present invention to provide a removable fastener means comprising a detent ring pin dimensioned and structured to engage the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures to detachably secure the at least one tool head to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member.
It is at least one aspect of one of the embodiments of the present invention to provide the beveled lower end of said second elongated cylindrical member comprising a bumper member to assist with the removal of any accumulated soil within the second elongated cylindrical member.
It is a further aspect of at least one of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a detachably attachable valve means comprising a ball valve.
It is still a further aspect of at least one of the embodiments for the present invention to provide that the tool head is selected from the group consisting essentially of a hand trowel, a rake, a shovel, a weeder, a hoe, a bulb planter, a pick, a cultivator, and a limb pruner.
It is at least one aspect of one of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a first elongated cylindrical member that is about 12 inches in length.
It is still a further aspect of at least one of the embodiments for the present invention to provide a second elongated cylindrical member that is about 42 inches in length.
It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide that the first and second elongated cylindrical members are manufactured from aluminum.
It is still a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide for a method of using a multi-functional garden tool comprising the steps of providing a multi-functional garden tool as described above; selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to provide the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source to a potted plant, said elongated cylindrical member having a detachably attachable valve means attached thereto; attaching the at least one aqueous liquid source to the detachably attached valve means; inserting the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the plant root zone of the potted plant; supplying the at least one aqueous liquid to the plant root zone of the potted plant; removing the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member from the plant root zone of the potted plant; or, selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to provide the at least one aqueous liquid to a garden plant; attaching the at least one aqueous liquid source to the female connector means, the at least one aqueous liquid source including a pistol grip garden sprayer; inserting the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the plant root zone of the garden plant; supplying the at least one aqueous liquid to the plant root zone of the garden plant; removing the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member from the plant root zone of the garden plant; or, selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to appropriately cultivate a potted plant; selecting a tool head to cultivate the potted plant; inserting a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the elongated neck of the tool head; coaxially aligning the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck of the tool head; securing the tool head to the elongated cylindrical member by inserting the removable fastener means there through the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures; cultivating the potted plant; or, selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to appropriately cultivate a garden plant; selecting a tool head to cultivate the garden plant; inserting a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the elongated neck of the tool head; coaxially aligning the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck of the tool head; securing the tool head to the elongated cylindrical member by inserting the removable fastener means there through the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures; cultivating the garden plant.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a multi-functional garden tool with a tool head attached;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a multi-functional garden tool with a tool head attached;

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the multi-functional garden tool depicted in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is an exploded view of the multi-functional garden tool depicted in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2C is an enlarged exploded view of the tool head attachment depicted in FIG. 2B of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective of a multi-functional garden tool in one configuration for watering plants;

FIG. 3B is a perspective of a multi-functional garden tool in one configuration for watering plants;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating the present invention watering the root zone of a potted plant; and

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating the present invention watering the root zone of a garden plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.
In describing the various figures herein, the same reference numbers are used throughout to describe the same material, apparatus, or process pathway. To avoid redundancy, detailed descriptions of much of the apparatus once described in relation to a figure is not repeated in the descriptions of subsequent figures, although such apparatus or process is labeled with the same reference numbers.
As seen in reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, a multi-functional garden tool 10 is provided. In accordance to the present invention, a multi-functional garden tool 10 comprising a first elongated cylindrical member 11 having a length from about 8 inches to about 16 inches, a second elongated cylindrical member 21 having a length from about 36 inches to about 48 inches, and at least one detachably attachable tool head 51. Each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 being designed and structured to permit the flow of at least one aqueous liquid there through from at least one aqueous liquid source 61. The at least one detachably attachable tool head being designed and structured to be detachably attached to either of the elongated cylindrical members enabling a user to perform various gardening tasks when tending to potted plants or garden plants.
Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 of the present invention have an upper end 12, 22 designed and structured to receive the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source 61. Additionally, each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 have a beveled lower end 13, 23 that is designed and structured to penetrate a soil and to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid therefrom. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one aqueous liquid being water. However, other aqueous liquids may include aqueous fertilizer solutions or the like. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the at least one aqueous liquid source being a conventional garden hose 61 having the customary threaded male connection at its outlet end. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 5, other aqueous liquid sources may include pistol grip garden hose sprayers 61 connected to a garden hose with the pistol grip garden hose sprayer having a threaded male outlet for connecting to threaded female connectors, or other such devices designed and structured to provide for the flow of aqueous liquids there through.
Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 of the present invention have at least one side wall 14, 24 extending therefrom and connecting the upper end 12, 22 and the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical members. Each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 also have a gripping means 20, 30 encircling and affixed to the upper end 12, 22 of the first and second elongated cylindrical members 11, 21. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the gripping means 20, 30 is constructed of a durable synthetic rubber such as neoprene, or such other material that would provide a tactile surface for a user to grip when using the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, the present invention is shown in its configuration for providing the at least one aqueous liquid to a potted plant or to a garden plant. Each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 have a plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 being configured and structured to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid beneath the soil surface into a plant root zone 41. The plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 being located within the side wall 14, 24 of each of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 and extending a length upward from the beveled lower end 13, 23 of each elongated cylindrical member. The plurality of the vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 have a plurality of diameters from about ½ inch to about ⅛ inch. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there are four columns of vertically aligned apertures with the plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 being spaced at one inch intervals as measured from a center of each aperture. The plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 are arranged in a staggered pattern with coaxially aligned pairs of apertures having equal diameters. The diameters of each pair of vertically aligned apertures decrease as each location for said apertures extend upward and away from the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21. The diameters of the plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 that are in alignment with the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member being ½ inch, 7/16 inch, ⅜ inch, 9/32 inch, and ¼ inch. The diameters of the staggered plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 being ½ inch, 7/16 inch, ⅜ inch, 9/32 inch, ¼ inch, and ⅛ inch. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement and relative diameters for the plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 is illustrated FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4 and 5. Since a smaller volume of the at least one aqueous liquid is generally needed by a potted plant or a garden plant near the soil surface, smaller diameter apertures are appropriately positioned on the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members to reduce the volume of the at least one aqueous liquid dispersed just below the soil surface. Furthermore, since a greater volume of the at least one aqueous liquid is needed by a potted plant or a garden plant at the plant root zone 41, larger diameter apertures are appropriately positioned on the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members to increase the volume of the at least one aqueous liquid dispersed into or near the plant root zone 41. Additionally, the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 is open and as such disperses the at least one aqueous liquid therefrom into the plant root zone.
Now referring to FIGS. 1A, 111, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 further comprising a first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26 said first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means 17, 27 there through as is necessary when detachably attaching the at least one tool head to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26 being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means 17, 27 comprising a diameter of about ⅜ inch and a length sufficiently greater than the diameter of the of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21.
Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5, a female connecter means 18, 28 is affixed to the upper end 12, 22 of each elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 for detachably attaching the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member to the at least one aqueous liquid source 61. In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one aqueous liquid source 61 includes a garden hose comprising a threaded male end being designed and structured to engage the female connector means 18, 28. In another embodiment of the present invention the female connector means is designed and structured as a flanged upper end of the elongated cylindrical member, the flanged upper end of the elongated cylindrical member including a threaded female connector being disposed around the flanged upper end.
Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 4, each elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 comprise a detachably attachable valve means 19, 29 to control the flow of the at least one aqueous liquid, said valve means having a male end being designed and structured to engage the female connector means 18, 28 located at the upper end 12, 22 of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 and a female end being designed and structured to engage the at least one aqueous liquid source 61. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the valve means 19, 29 is a ball valve designed and structured to be detachably attachable to the upper end 12, 22 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 and to the at least one aqueous liquid source 61. The detachability of the valve means 19, 29 provides a user the option of using the present invention with other aqueous liquid source flow control devices. One example of an alternative flow control device includes a pistol grip garden hose sprayer with a male threaded outlet capable of engaging the female connector means affixed to the upper end of the elongated cylindrical member. Additionally, as shown in specifically in FIG. 5, the configuration and structure of the pistol grip garden hose sprayer when connected to the female connector means can provide the user additional leverage when submerging the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 into a plant root zone 41.
Now referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the present invention includes at least one tool head 51 being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21. Each of the at least one tool heads 51 have an elongated neck 52 that is designed and structured to receive a length of the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21. Each of the at least one tool heads 51 include a second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 which are located on the elongated neck 52. The second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 being designed and structured to receive the removable fastener means 17, 27 when the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26 of the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 are in a coaxial alignment with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 of the elongated neck 52 of the tool head 51. The coaxial alignment of the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26 on the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 and the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 located on the elongated neck 52 is achieved by inserting a length of the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 into the elongated neck 52 of the at least one tool head 51 to that point at which both said pairs of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26, 53 are coaxially aligned and thereby permitting the insertion of the removable fastener means 17, 27 there through to detachably attach the at least one tool head 51 to the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one tool head 51 is selected from the group consisting essentially of a hand trowel, a rake, a shovel, a weeder, a hoe, a bulb planter, a pick, a cultivator, and a limb pruner.
Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 2C, the removable fastener means 17, 27 comprising a detent ring pin dimensioned and structured to engage the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26 and second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 to detachably secure the at least one tool head 51 to the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the removable fastener means 17, 27 comprising a detent ring pin having a diameter of about ⅜ inch and a length sufficiently greater than the diameter the tool head elongated neck at the position of the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53.
As shown in FIGS. 1B, 2B, 3B, and 5, a bumper member 31 encircles and is affixed to the second elongated cylindrical member 21 above and adjacent to the plurality of vertically aligned apertures 25 located at the beveled lower end 23 of said second elongated cylindrical member 21. In one embodiment of the present invention the bumper member 31 serves to prevent damage to the second elongated cylindrical member 21 when it is bumped against a stationary object to dislodge any accumulated soil that may have become trapped within the beveled lower end 23 of the second elongated cylindrical member 21 when submerged into a plant root zone 41. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the bumper member 31 is made of a durable synthetic rubber, such as neoprene, which is generally inexpensive and capable of absorbing shock without incurring permanent deformation. Although a bumper member 31 made from natural rubber may also be acceptable, natural rubber has limited compatibility with petroleum products.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first elongated cylindrical member 11 has a length of about 12 inches, and the second elongated cylindrical member 21 has a length of about 42 inches. The length of each elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 being measured from the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 to the upper end 12, 22 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 excluding the female connector means 18, 28 and the valve means 19, 29 being attached thereto.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes first and second elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 that are manufactured from 16 gauge aluminum pipe and having an interior diameter of about ½ inches and an outside diameter of about ⅞ inches. It should be recognized that other embodiments of the present invention may include larger diameter tubing manufactured from aluminum, as well as other metals and plastics, capable of providing elongated cylindrical members having sufficient strength and rigidity to perform the tasks for which the present invention is directed.
In still another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 5, the at least one aqueous liquid source 61 comprising a pistol grip garden hose sprayer having a male threaded outlet structured to be detachably attached to the female connector means 28 affixed to the upper end 22 of the elongated cylindrical member 21.
The present invention also includes a method of using a multi-functional garden tool 10 depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 4, and 5 comprising the steps of providing a multi-functional garden tool 10 comprising a first elongated cylindrical member 11 having a length from about 8 inches to about 16 inches; a second elongated cylindrical member 21 having a length from about 36 inches to about 48 inches, wherein each of said elongated cylindrical members being designed and structured to permit the flow there through of at least one aqueous liquid from at least one aqueous liquid source 61, each of said elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 having an upper end 12, 22 designed and structured to receive the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source 61, a beveled lower end 13, 23 designed and structured to penetrate a soil 43 and to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid therefrom, at least one side wall 14, 24 extending therefrom and connecting the upper end 12, 22 and the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21, a gripping means 20, 30 encircling and affixed to the upper end 12, 22 of the first and second elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 for gripping the multi-functional garden tool 10, a plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 having a plurality of diameters from about ½ inch to about ⅛ inch, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 being configured and structured to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid beneath a soil surface into a plant root zone 41, and being located within the side wall 14, 24 and extending a length upward from the beveled lower end 13, 23 of each elongated cylindrical member 11, 21, wherein the diameters of the plurality of vertically aligned apertures 15, 25 decrease uniformly from a point away from the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures further comprising a first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26, said first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means 17, 27 there through, a female connecter means 18, 28 affixed to the upper end 12, 22 of each elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 for detachably attaching the upper end 12, 22 of each elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 to the at least one aqueous liquid source, a detachably attachable valve means 19, 29 to control the flow of the at least one aqueous liquid, said valve means having a male end being designed and structured to engage the female connector means of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21 and a female end being designed and structured to engage the at least one aqueous liquid source; and at least one tool head 51 to cultivate the soil and being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical members 11, 21, said at least one tool head 51 having an elongated neck 52, said elongated neck designed and structured to receive a length of the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21, and a second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 located on the elongated neck 52, said second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 being designed and structured to receive the removable fastener means 17, 27 when the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 16, 26 of the beveled lower end 13, 23 of the elongated cylindrical member 11, 21 are in a coaxial alignment with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures 53 of the elongated neck 52 of the tool head 51; selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to provide the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source to a potted plant, said elongated cylindrical member having a detachably attachable valve means; attaching the at least one aqueous liquid source to the detachably attached valve means; inserting the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the plant root zone of the potted plant; supplying the at least one aqueous liquid to the plant root zone of the potted plant; removing the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member from the plant root zone of the potted plant; or, selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to provide the at least one aqueous liquid to a garden plant; attaching the at least one aqueous liquid source to the female connector means, the at least one aqueous liquid source including a pistol grip garden sprayer; inserting the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the plant root zone of the garden plant; supplying the at least one aqueous liquid to the plant root zone of the garden plant; removing the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member from the plant root zone of the garden plant; or, selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to appropriately cultivate a potted plant; selecting a tool head to cultivate the potted plant; inserting a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the elongated neck of the tool head; coaxially aligning the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck of the tool head; securing the tool head to the elongated cylindrical member by inserting the removable fastener means there through the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures; cultivating the potted plant; or, selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to appropriately cultivate a garden plant; selecting a tool head to cultivate the garden plant; inserting a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the elongated neck of the tool head; coaxially aligning the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck of the tool head; securing the tool head to the elongated cylindrical member by inserting the removable fastener means there through the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures; cultivating the garden plant.
In a preferred embodiment of the above method, the plurality of vertically aligned apertures are arranged as staggered pairs of horizontally opposing apertures.
In one embodiment of the above method, the removable fastener means comprising a detent ring pin dimensioned and structured to engage the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures to detachably secure the at least one tool head to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member.
In another embodiment of the above method, the beveled lower end of said second elongated cylindrical member comprising a bumper member to assist with the removal of soil lodged within the beveled lower end of the second elongated cylindrical member, wherein the bumper member being positioned adjacent to the plurality of vertically aligned apertures on the second elongated cylindrical member.
In one embodiment of the above method, the detachably attachable valve means is a ball valve.
In a preferred embodiment of the above method, the tool head is selected from the group consisting essentially of a hand trowel, a rake, a shovel, a weeder, a hoe, a bulb planter, a pick, a cultivator, and a limb pruner.
In another preferred embodiment of the above method, the first elongated cylindrical member is about 12 inches in length.
In yet another preferred embodiment of the above method, the second elongated cylindrical member is about 42 inches in length.
In a preferred embodiment of the above method, the first and second elongated cylindrical members are manufactured from aluminum.
The present invention provides a number of benefits and attributes for users of garden devices. Such benefits and attributes include, but are not limited to the features listed below, One beneficial feature of the present invention is a user's ability to direct a proportional amount of an aqueous liquid, most commonly water, below the soil surface directly to a plant root zone without over-watering the plant or producing wasteful water run-off. This attribute is accomplished by having apertures of different diameters for the dispersion of the aqueous liquids strategically placed on the elongated cylindrical member of the present invention. The specific placement of smaller diameter apertures on the elongated cylindrical member of the present invention provides for a small volume of aqueous liquid to be dispersed just below the soil surface. Similarly, the placement of the larger diameter apertures at the lower end of the elongated cylindrical member of the present invention provides for a larger volume of aqueous liquids to be dispersed at or now the plant root zone. Additionally, the design and structure of the present invention allows a user to accurately apply an aqueous liquid above or below the soil surface. This proper placement of an aqueous liquid helps to prevent of watering of unwanted weeds and other undesirable plants. Also, the cylindrical void that remains once the elongated cylindrical member of the present invention is withdrawn from the soil is a simple means to provide limited aeration to the soil and to a plant's root zone.
Another key attribute of the present invention is its ease of use due to its simple design and an absence of complex interaction between device components. The simple design of the present invention also helps to minimize manufacturing costs. The multi-functional garden tool easily converts from one tool to another tool with the manipulation of only a simple pin-type fastener to effect the transformation. The interchangeability of the tool heads eliminates the need to have multiple single purpose tools, which in turn reduces the costs associated with owning multiple single purpose tools. Furthermore, the conversion from a cultivation tool to a watering tool only requires the removal of any tool head followed by the connection of the device to an aqueous liquid source via traditional male-female connectors. The relative compact size of the present invention's individual components facilitates its transportation of from site to site. Finally, the size, simple design, and structure provides a multi-functional garden tool that can be used with both potted plants as well as garden plants.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description if for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged, both in whole, or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

That which is claimed:

1. A multi-functional garden tool comprising:

a first elongated cylindrical member having a length from about 8 inches to about 16 inches;

a second elongated cylindrical member having a length from about 36 inches to about 48 inches;

wherein each of said elongated cylindrical members being designed and structured to permit the flow there through of at least one aqueous liquid from at least one aqueous liquid source, each of said elongated cylindrical members having

an upper end designed and structured to receive the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source,

a beveled lower end designed and structured to penetrate a soil and to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid therefrom,

at least one side wall extending therefrom and connecting the upper end and the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members,

a gripping means encircling and affixed to the upper end of the first and second elongated cylindrical members for gripping the multi-functional garden tool,

a plurality of vertically aligned apertures having a plurality of diameters from about ½ inch to about ⅛ inch, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures being configured and structured to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid beneath a soil surface into a plant root zone, wherein said plurality of vertically aligned apertures being located within the side wall and extending a length upward from the beveled lower end of each elongated cylindrical member, wherein the diameters of the plurality of vertically aligned apertures decrease uniformly from a point away from the beveled lower end, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures further comprising a first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures, wherein said first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means there through,

a female connecter means affixed to the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member for detachably attaching the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member to the at least one aqueous liquid source,

a detachably attachable valve means to control the flow of the at least one aqueous liquid, said valve means having a male end being designed and structured to engage the female connector means of the elongated cylindrical members and a female end being designed and structured to engage the at least one aqueous liquid source; and

at least one tool head to cultivate the soil being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members, said at least one tool head comprising

an elongated neck being designed and structured to receive a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member, and

a second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck,

wherein said second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive the removable fastener means there through,

wherein when the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member are in a coaxial alignment with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the elongated neck of the tool head the removable fastener means is inserted there through to detachably attach the at least one tool head to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member,

wherein the tool head is selected from the group consisting essentially of a hand trowel, a rake, a shovel, a weeder, a hoe, a bulb planter, a pick, a cultivator, and a limb pruner; and

a bumper member encircling and affixed to the second elongated cylindrical member to assist with the removal of soil lodged within the beveled lower end of the second elongated cylindrical member, wherein the bumper member being positioned adjacent to the plurality of vertically aligned apertures on the second elongated cylindrical member.

2. A multi-functional garden tool comprising:

a plurality of vertically aligned apertures having a plurality of diameters from about ½ inch to about ⅛ inch, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures being configured and structured to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid beneath a soil surface into a plant root zone, and being located within the side wall and extending a length upward from the beveled lower end of each elongated cylindrical member, wherein the diameters of the plurality of vertically aligned apertures decrease uniformly from a point away from the beveled lower end, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures further comprising a first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures, said first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means there through,

at least one tool head to cultivate the soil and being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members, said at least one tool head having

an elongated neck, said elongated neck designed and structured to receive a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member, and

a second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck, said second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive the removable fastener means when the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member are in a coaxial alignment with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the elongated neck of the tool head.

3. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein said plurality of vertically aligned apertures are arranged as staggered pairs of horizontally opposing apertures.

4. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein said removable fastener means comprising a detent ring pin dimensioned and structured to engage the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures to detachably attach the at least one tool head to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member.

5. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein the beveled lower end of said second elongated cylindrical member comprising a bumper member to assist with the removal of soil lodged within the beveled lower end of the second elongated cylindrical member, wherein the bumper member being positioned adjacent to the plurality of vertically aligned apertures on the second elongated cylindrical member.

6. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein the detachably attachable valve means is a ball valve.

7. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein the tool head is selected from the group consisting essentially of a hand trowel, a rake, a shovel, a weeder, a hoe, a bulb planter, a pick, a cultivator, and a limb pruner.

8. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein said first elongated cylindrical member is about 12 inches in length.

9. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein said second elongated cylindrical member is about 42 inches in length.

10. The multi-functional garden tool of claim 2, wherein the first and second elongated cylindrical members are manufactured from aluminum.

11. The method of using a multi-functional garden tool comprising the steps of:

providing a multi-functional garden tool comprising:

a first elongated cylindrical member having a length from about 8 inches to about 16 inches,

a second elongated cylindrical member having a length from about 36 inches to about 48 inches,

wherein each of said elongated cylindrical members being designed and structured to permit the flow there through of at least one aqueous liquid from at least one aqueous liquid source, each of said elongated cylindrical members having an upper end designed and structured to receive the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source, a beveled lower end designed and structured to penetrate a soil and to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid therefrom, at least one side wall extending therefrom and connecting the upper end and the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members, a gripping means encircling and affixed to the upper end of the first and second elongated cylindrical members for gripping the multi-functional garden tool, a plurality of vertically aligned apertures having a plurality of diameters from about ½ inch to about ⅛ inch, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures being configured and structured to disperse the at least one aqueous liquid beneath a soil surface into a plant root zone, and being located within the side wall and extending a length upward from the beveled lower end of each elongated cylindrical member, wherein the diameters of the plurality of vertically aligned apertures decrease uniformly from a point away from the beveled lower end, said plurality of vertically aligned apertures further comprising a first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures, said first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive a removable fastener means there through, a female connecter means affixed to the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member for detachably attaching the upper end of each elongated cylindrical member to the at least one aqueous liquid source, a detachably attachable valve means to control the flow of the at least one aqueous liquid, said valve means having a male end being designed and structured to engage the female connector means of the elongated cylindrical members and a female end being designed and structured to engage the at least one aqueous liquid source, and

at least one tool head being designed and structured to be detachably attached to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical members, said at least one tool head having an elongated neck, said elongated neck designed and structured to receive a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member, and a second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck, said second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures being designed and structured to receive the removable fastener means when the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member are in a coaxial alignment with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the elongated neck of the tool head;

selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to provide the at least one aqueous liquid from the at least one aqueous liquid source to a potted plant, said elongated cylindrical member having a detachably attachable valve means;

attaching the at least one aqueous liquid source to the detachably attached valve means;

inserting the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the plant root zone of the potted plant;

supplying the at least one aqueous liquid to the plant root zone of the potted plant;

removing the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member from the plant root zone of the potted plant; or,

selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to provide the at least one aqueous liquid to a garden plant;

attaching the at least one aqueous liquid source to the female connector means, the at least one aqueous liquid source including a pistol grip garden sprayer;

inserting the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the plant root zone of the garden plant;

supplying the at least one aqueous liquid to the plant root zone of the garden plant;

removing the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member from the plant root zone of the garden plant; or,

selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to appropriately cultivate a potted plant;

selecting a tool head to cultivate the potted plant;

inserting a length of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member into the elongated neck of the tool head;

coaxially aligning the first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures of the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member with the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures located on the elongated neck of the tool head;

securing the tool head to the elongated cylindrical member by inserting the removable fastener means there through the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and the second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures;

cultivating the potted plant; or,

selecting an elongated cylindrical member having a length to appropriately cultivate a garden plant;

selecting a tool head to cultivate the garden plant;

cultivating the garden plant.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said plurality of vertically aligned apertures are arranged as staggered pairs of horizontally opposing apertures.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said removable fastener means comprising a detent ring pin dimensioned and structured to engage the coaxially aligned first pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures and second pair of horizontally opposing fastener apertures to detachably secure the at least one tool head to the beveled lower end of the elongated cylindrical member.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the beveled lower end of said second elongated cylindrical member comprising a bumper member to assist with the removal of soil lodged within the beveled lower end of the second elongated cylindrical member, wherein the bumper member being positioned adjacent to the plurality of vertically aligned apertures on the second elongated cylindrical member.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the detachably attachable valve means is a ball valve.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the tool head is selected from the group consisting essentially of a hand trowel, a rake, a shovel, weeder, a hoe, a bulb planter, a pick, a cultivator, and a limb pruner.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said first elongated cylindrical member is about 12 inches in length.

18. The method of claim 11, herein said second elongated cylindrical member is about 42 inches in length.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second elongated cylindrical members are manufactured from aluminum.