Non-planar Earth Working Portion Patents (Class 172/381)
  • Patent number: 10710256
    Abstract: A knife including a body with a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis that extends centrally through the first end and the second end. The knife further includes a first scoring tip that points in a first direction, a second scoring tip that points in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a scoring tip axis that extends centrally through the first scoring tip and the second scoring tip. The scoring tip axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A chisel extends from the second end of the body and the longitudinal axis of the body extends centrally through the chisel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: TTI (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITED
    Inventors: Drew A. Dahill, Nicholas A. Costanzo
  • Patent number: 10617052
    Abstract: A shovel includes a continuously curved blade comprising a curved central portion that extends from a first cutting edge to a second cutting edge and a first curved wing and a second curved wing disposed along a curved central portion. The shovel also includes a base operably coupled to the continuously curved blade and comprising a first side wall coupled to a concave surface of the first curved wing, a second side wall spaced from the first side wall and coupled to a concave surface of the second curved wing, and a third side wall coupled to the curved central portion, wherein the third side wall extends from the first side wall and the second side wall toward the first cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Sonny S. Galea
  • Patent number: 10602652
    Abstract: The weeding tool is a hand tool. The weeding tool is configured for use in agriculture. The weeding tool is adapted for use in removing a weed from a maintained plot. The weed is further defined with a root. By maintained plot is meant a plot of land that is either cultivated or landscaped. The weeding tool comprises a blade and a handle. The handle attaches to the blade. The blade is the working end of the weeding tool. The blade: 1) wedges itself into the weed; and, 2) pulls the weed out of the maintained plot by the root. The handle is an extension structure that: 1) connects the blade to the control grip, 2) is used to manipulate the blade; and, 3) allows the weeding tool to be used by a standing person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Douglas L. Joh
  • Patent number: 10442093
    Abstract: A safety blade for use with a knife assembly having a handle with a cutting head engagement portion, the safety bade comprising (a) a blade body, a bade attachment having a first inner edge and a second inner edge, a first blade shield, a second blade shield, a first blade cutting edge, and a second blade cutting edge, and (b) a handle adaptor having a body portion and a handle engagement portion with a handle securing mechanism. The first blade cutting edge is positioned between the first blade shield and the first inner edge, and the second blade cutting edge is positioned between the second blade shield and the second inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Jacobs, Jeffrey Kempker, Orville Crain
  • Patent number: 10143121
    Abstract: A hand held tool for gardens, landscapes and the like; comprising a handle, and a tool head. The tool head is formed from a flat blade that has tapers and is bent in substantially a “J” shape that is beveled along a portion of its edges. The open end of the “J” has a beveled tip, preferably containing a center notch. The bent, closed portion of the “J” shape is beveled at least 50% and forms a heel. The short leg of the “J” forms a flange, which is preferably not beveled and provides an area for attaching the tool head to the handle, preferably via a tang. The blade width is generally four or more times wider than the thickness of the blade material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Randolph Artemas Holdredge
  • Patent number: 9681597
    Abstract: A weed-pulling tool including a rectangular blade with a V-shaped notch at one end thereof and a handle connected to the blade via a tubular extension member extending from a second end thereof. The handle forms approximately a 50° angle with the level ground when the blade is laid flat against the ground. Such a configuration provides suitable leverage whereby a user may: (i) slide the blade into position with stems from one or more weeds in the V-shaped notch and (ii) push down on the handle thereby causing rotation about a support point such that the V-shaped notch portion of the blade pulls the one or more weeds, including root systems, out of the ground. One or more stiffening ribs runs along the perimeter of the V-shaped notch. The stiffening rib helps prevent the blade portions adjacent to the V-shaped notch from bending or failing while weeds are being pulled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Timothy M. Henshaw
  • Publication number: 20140360742
    Abstract: A hoe includes a handle and a blade. In some embodiments, the handle and the blade are connected via a connection member. The connection member permits flexing, which reduces how much shock is transmitted to the user with digging motions. In some embodiments, the blade includes one or more sections at different angles. The different angles accomplish a gripping effect, which reduces how much the hoe is driven out of the ground, as it is being pulled. Accordingly, fewer interruptions and digging motions are needed to cover an area, which one permits to finish faster. In some embodiments, the blade has a mouth that permits some of the soil to flow through it, as the hoe is being pulled. The flow may reshuffle the soil. Optionally, a tooth protrudes such that it further cuts the flow of the soil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Bernard Finney
  • Publication number: 20140334882
    Abstract: A hand tool that digs a shallow trench and places drip irrigation tubing, cable, or electrical wire is disclosed. The invention simplifies the process of laying drip irrigation tubing, cable, or wire requires less labor, fewer materials, and is not as costly. The tool has a rubber handle, a steel tube shaft, a hard metal claw for slicing through dirt, and polyethylene flexible tubing for guiding irrigation hose or electrical cable into the dirt. It also has a small cylinder and set screw for holding the tubing, and easy replacement when it wears out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Noah Webster Gale, Dale Lee Walter
  • Publication number: 20140209336
    Abstract: The present application is directed towards ring devices. The ring device includes a sheath and an elongated portion that is operably connected to the sheath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent A. Suozzi, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130062081
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a garden tool may include a handle, a blade and mechanism for securing the handle to the blade. In various embodiments, the mechanism may include a first portion, in some cases a first band, configured to securely receive the handle. In various embodiments, the mechanism may include a second portion, in some cases a second band, defining a channel to surround a span of the handle. In various embodiments, the channel may be wider than a width of the handle along the span. This may permit movement of the handle relative to the blade during operation of the garden tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Gerald Rudy Gerent, Joseph Scott Vermilyea
  • Publication number: 20120267131
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device for installing an upright support member in a particulate substrate is provided, comprising an elongated first member having proximal end and a distal end and a lumen therein of approximately constant cross-section, extending from said proximal end to said distal end, the full cross section of said lumen being open at said distal end; an elongated second member having proximal end and a distal end, the distal end slidably engageable under application of manual force in a lengthwise manner into the proximal end and within the lumen of the first member; and a third member, having a periphery, affixed to said distal end of the second member, and fitted around the periphery thereof to form a slidable seal with the lumen of the first member during insertion and withdrawal of the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ulisses Russo de Oliveira
  • Publication number: 20110127053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spade with an additional cutting part resembling a shark fin that is located on the blade with an angle of 90 degrees and of which the front side is about 45 degrees, which makes it possible by means of a T-form incision to remove a taraxacum in its entirety by hand and to push back lumps of earth by the foot, wherein the damage to the lawn is minimal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Adriaan Johannes STOFFELEN
  • Patent number: 7935007
    Abstract: A turf accessory placement device adapted for use with turf. The turf accessory placement device has a base. The base has a top, bottom and sides between the top and bottom. The turf accessory placement device has grip spikes extending from the bottom of the base which are adapted to grip the turf. The grip spikes have spike shanks projecting from the base in the same direction at an angle between one degree and eighty-eight degrees downward from a plane along the bottom of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Andrew Gawryla
  • Publication number: 20090321095
    Abstract: The fulcrum of this gardening device is relocated enhancing leverage. Mechanical advantage is achieved by the hinged two-sectioned handle and a pulling motion by the user. By reversing the load bearing handle of the instrument, and placing it horizontal to the ground, leverage is achieved by pulling the handle section of the jointed handle rather than striking or pressing as in other tilling tools. User's foot is strapped to the plow, spade or shovel head of the tool to move the tool. The jointed staff pieces are connected with a pivot hinge or other connection, and provide a range of movement along a central pivot point. Handle is adjustable by snap lock. Connected handle segments create unified one-handled instrument instead of hinged for use as a hoe, weeding tool, or the like. Tool is an improved hand-held plow, hoe or furrowing instrument for gardening or landscaping needs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: DAN E. SHISLER, IV
  • Publication number: 20080202780
    Abstract: A power drill accessory includes a drive shaft (46) having an end removably interconnected to a power drill. A blade (12) for digging in soil is removably coupled by a pin (52) with the other end of the drive shaft (46). The blade (12) includes two parallel, spaced lateral sides (18) extending in a direction parallel to a blade axis (34) coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the drive shaft (46). The blade (12) further includes a top edge (20) and a bottom edge extending between the lateral sides (18). The blade (12) further includes two parallel, spaced, planar surfaces (36) each extending between the lateral sides (18) and the top edge (20) and the bottom edge. The blade axis (34) is intermediate the lateral sides (18) and intermediate the planar surfaces (36). The lateral sides (18), the top edge (20), and the bottom edge are located in a plane including the longitudinal axis and the blade axis (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: John P. Reiter
  • Patent number: 7213658
    Abstract: An ergonomic hand tool for enhancing the leverage available to a user includes a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and a working element operably coupled to a distal end of the distal portion. The frame further includes a handle that is pivotally coupled to the frame at a portion thereof intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion. A brace structure is preferably operably coupled to the proximal portion of the frame, with the brace structure being configured to operably brace against an upper side of a user's forearm while the user operably grasps the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Legacy Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Hurt
  • Patent number: 7093667
    Abstract: An ergonomic hand tool for enhancing the leverage available to a user includes a frame having a distal portion and a proximal portion, and a working element operably coupled to a distal end of the distal portion. The frame further includes a handle that is pivotally coupled to the frame at a portion thereof intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion. A brace structure is preferably operably coupled to the proximal portion of the frame, with the brace structure being configured to operably brace against an upper side of a user's forearm while the user operably grasps the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Legacy Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel P. Hurt
  • Patent number: 6827153
    Abstract: A garden tool with a non-slip handle grip, designed for immediate and not difficult removal of deep-rooted plants such as Thistle and Dock weeds. The body of the tool is of rigid and strong construction, with angled cutting faces and includes a plant/soil containment chamber. The tools angular cutting faces and profile, are designed to produce efficient insertion and soil compression when downward thrust is applied, which therefore holds captive the plant root in the containment chamber, hence achieving successful plant removal from the ground when the tool is withdrawn. The slotted front of the containment chamber allows for unwanted plant and soil removal from the tool. Optional hand and foot cross-members added, to produce more forceful insertion into and easier withdrawal from the ground, and to create a convenient standing operating stance, when using the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Edward Constable
  • Publication number: 20040206515
    Abstract: An implement for removing honeysuckle bushes and the like wherein the implement is inserted below the soil surface and the root ball of the bush is leveraged up and out of the soil. The implement may be manually used to break the roots of the bush before ultimate removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Christopher Grenner
  • Patent number: 6733057
    Abstract: An Apparatus and method for breaking off cores from a material to be tested includes a tube split by opposing slots, a tightening device for moving confronting ends of a split tube towards each other so that the split tube grasps the core to be broken, and a handle for exerting lateral forces to break off the core. The core breaker is inserted into a space left by a core drill bit. The split tube is tightened around the core to be broken off, and lateral pressure is then applied to the handle to break off the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventors: Dovovan Lee Gustafson, Theodore Allen Spencer
  • Patent number: 6612379
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-purpose gardening tool. In one preferred embodiment, the tool includes an arcuate central base. Extending from one end of the base is an arcuate scoop adapted to dig into, scoop up and transport a quantity of material. Extending from an opposite end of the base is a substantially V-shaped cutter having a sharpened peripheral edge for cutting through roots and the like. Preferably, the base, scoop and cutter are aligned and have a common radius of curvature to define a smooth bottom surface. The tool includes a handle extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool. To protect a hand of a gardener gripping the handle, the handle offset from the peripheral edges of the scoop and cutter and the handle is supported at opposite ends by a pair of solid circular supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Wilmart, Ltd.
    Inventor: William D. Timmons
  • Patent number: 6595298
    Abstract: A multi-purpose weeder attachable to a hand-held rotary power implement is designed to weed, aerate and till soil. A vertical shaft is removably attached to the implement to permit erect operation of the weeder. A pair of substantially spiral-shaped blades are rigidly connected at an acute angle with the lower end of shaft to cause discharge of weeds upwardly and outwardly from soil when the shaft is rotated. The blades are equally spaced from the shaft as they diverge upwardly. A top end of an auger is connected to the lower end of the shaft to penetrate weed and soil at its free end. An annular member with a cross horizontal element connects the upper ends of the blades to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Morris A. Crady
  • Patent number: 6257346
    Abstract: A device for removing weeds from the ground comprises an elongated shaft, a handle mounted to an upper end of the shaft, a pair of blades mounted for opposed pivotal movement at a lower end of the shaft, and a plunger. Each blade has an upper section located above a pivot point of the blade and a lower section located below the pivot point. The plunger is mounted for reciprocal sliding movement between an extended position intermediate the lower sections of the blades and a retracted position intermediate the upper sections of the blades. The plunger and the upper sections of the blades include cam surfaces configured such that movement of the plunger from the extended position to the retracted position forces the upper sections of the blades away from one another, whereby tips of the blades are forced to converge towards one another to capture the weed and accompanying root structure. The weed and surrounding soil plug can be released by squeezing a hand-lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Alterra Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Schofield, Paul A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6244356
    Abstract: A repair tool that attaches to the handle end of the shaft of a golf club for repairing golf ball marks on a putting green includes a body with spaced, radially arranged, circumferencial, wedge shaped prongs on a first said. A slotted skirt attached to the second side of the body, in combination with a tapered plug, a bolt and a nut, fits into the shaft and expands outward to tightly attach the tool to the golf club. A cap fits over the prongs to prevent injury to the golfer. A ridge on the prongs fits into an internal groove in the cap to prevent accidental removal of the cap while allowing the cap to be removed when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: John Luna
  • Patent number: 6073702
    Abstract: A garden tool is for use by a user to lay out columns of planting holes in a garden. The tool has a chassis that is sufficiently long to span a distance between columns to be laid out for the garden. A pair of blades each shaped for marking a surface of soil in the garden and for digging planting holes along a column in the garden, is fixed at an adjustable spacing to the chassis. The distance between the blades is selected to correspond to a desired distance between columns in the garden. A handle is connected to the chassis at a location between the blades, the handle being sufficiently long so that the blades are in contact with soil of the garden when a user is standing while holding the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventor: Rocco Petruzzelli
  • Patent number: 6062320
    Abstract: A single-handle tool (20) for manually forming cylindrically-shaped holes in soil is useful for planting shrubbery or for posting. A uniquely angled and shaped pocket (30) is formed in a shovel (26). The shovel is attached to one end of a shaft (22) while a handle (24) with a knob (28) extends at 90.degree. to the other end of the shaft. Shovel (26) comprises an upper component (32) secured to a lower component (34) at an angle of about 135.degree.. The upper component is formed from a pair of joined portions (36, 38) to form an arched (curved or angled) configuration. This combination of the 135.degree. angle between the upper and lower components and the arched configuration forms pocket (30). In operation, the user swivels the handle to rotate the shaft and pocket such that the unique sharp ended and contoured shovel cuts a cylindrical hole (52) and retains cut soil in the pocket for removal from the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Juan A. Pinto, Sergio Hernandez
  • Patent number: 6056068
    Abstract: A gardening device comprising a weed engaging portion having forwardly projecting portions with a gap therebetween, a foot portion adapted to receive pressure applied by a foot, a base support having an arcuate lower surface and a handle portion connectable to an elongate handle; wherein pressure applied to the foot portion can be directed to move the weed engaging portion forward to engage a weed and a handle connected to the handle portion can be used to pivot the weed engaging portion upwardly with respect to the base to remove the weed from a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventor: Nicholas O'Callaghan
  • Patent number: 5960891
    Abstract: A multipurpose tool and a method for indoor or outdoor gardening, planting, and soil working are disclosed. The tool and method incorporate the capabilities of scooping, cutting, scraping, loosening, working, furrowing, trenching, digging, removing, and replacing kitchen commodities, household dirt or garden soil; of setting and removing plants; of weeding; of scraping, emptying, or cleaning planters, pots, and other kitchen or gardening containers, especially those having tight corners; and of cutting and removing plant roots and other obstacles found in or around soil. Preferred embodiments of the tool aspect of the invention provide a generally dished blade with a highly curved, offset pointed tip. Serrated blade edges for cutting of roots and other obstacles or debris are optionally provided. The method includes a procedure for loosening, furrowing, digging, and excavating soil with a single tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Kelly C. Sheehan, Michael O. Roser
  • Patent number: 5857528
    Abstract: A garden seeding tool is provided including a handle and a blade coupled to the handle and having a pointed end. Further included is a depth control mechanism for preventing the pointed end of the blade from penetrating the ground past a predetermined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence V. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5848653
    Abstract: A heavy duty, earth-working implement including an elongated handle having a wedge-shaped head mounted thereto which extends upwardly from a cutting blade along a continuously curved back surface which functions as a fulcrum to assist in prying rocks and other earth buried debris, which fulcrum terminates in a ledge which is aligned with the cutting block of the head so that a driving tool may be used to strike the ledge to thereby facilitate penetration of the cutting blade of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventor: Steve Warter
  • Patent number: 5833009
    Abstract: The lawn edger is made up of a number of interconnected flat plates. One plate lies horizontally in use and has a forward cutting edge. A second plate is vertical in use and depends downwardly from one side edge of the horizontal plate. A third plate lies beside the horizontal plate and is disposed at an oblique angle to the vertical plate. That plate has a forward cutting edge. A fourth plate lies adjacent to the rear of the edger. The angle of that plate is such that it directs material which collects on the horizontal plate to move to the side thereof opposite the lateral plate. An electric motor having an eccentric cam bay be mounted on the edger for causing the edger to vibrate or to reciprocate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Walter Rebot
  • Patent number: 5816338
    Abstract: A combined furrowing and tamping garden tool includes an elongated handle having a ground engaging member disposed at one end thereof. The ground engaging member has a furrow forming member and a soil replacing and tamping element formed therewith as a unitary member. The furrow forming member depends from a first edge of the ground engaging member and the replacing and tamping portion is in diametric opposition to the furrow forming member such that the handle can be rotated 180.degree. in either direction for the desired function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Damon S. Fleming
  • Patent number: 5816337
    Abstract: A gardening tool is composed of a blade, a handle, and an eccentric rotating device connecting the blade and the handle. The blade has a connector provided with a receiving hole, whereas the handle is provided at one end thereof with a fastening hole. The eccentric rotating device is composed of a locating rod, a rotating rod and a bolt. The locating rod is securely received in the receiving hole of the connector of the blade while the rotating rod is fitted into the fastening hole of the handle. The locating rod and the rotating rod are held together end to end by the bolt such that the rotating rod can be actuated by the handle to turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Hsu Kun-Chuan
  • Patent number: 5810093
    Abstract: A multi-purpose landscaping device for use with as hand-held rotary power tool such as an electric drill includes a shaft adaptable at one end for removable and operative connection to such a power tool, and a rotatable implement removably attached to the other end of the shaft, so that replacement of the rotatable implement is possible without replacement of the shaft. The rotatable implement is selected from the group consisting of a greenery cutter, a blower, a pruner, a soil augur and a weed extractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Media Group
    Inventor: Herman S. Howard
  • Patent number: 5787990
    Abstract: An improved lawn renovating tool for aerating, mulching, dethatching, seeding and fertilizing lawns which is lightweight and easy to use. The tool has a lightweight handle, an elongate tubular shaft with a seed or fertilizer feeding and soil breaking element attached to the bottom portion of the elongate shaft. The seed or fertilizer feeding and soil breaking element is a partially triangular tube having spike-tooth rotatable wheel-type attachments along its base and a series of holes for feeding seed or fertilizer from a feed hopper mounted on the elongate shaft. A damper and control pedal are also included, regulating the flow of seed or fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: William M. Miller
  • Patent number: 5765648
    Abstract: A multipurpose garden tool and method for indoor or outdoor gardening, planting, and soil working. The tool and method incorporate the capabilities of loosening, working, furrowing, trenching, digging, removing, and replacing soil; of setting and removing plants; of weeding; of scraping, emptying, or cleaning planters, pots, and other gardening containers, especially those having tight corners; and of cutting and removing plant roots and other obstacles found in or around soil. Preferred embodiments of the tool aspect of the invention provide a generally dished blade with a highly curved, offset pointed tip for loosening and furrowing soil. Serrated blade edges for cutting of roots and other obstacles or debris are optionally provided. The method includes a procedure for loosening, furrowing, digging, and excavating soil with a single tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Garden Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelly C. Sheehan, Mike Roser
  • Patent number: 5716132
    Abstract: An agricultural agitator used for disturbing matter such as compost includes a rod, a handle mounted on a top end of the rod, a first flat section formed at a middle portion thereof and a second flat section formed at a bottom end thereof. The second flat section is perpendicular to the first flat section and has a sharp tip at the bottom thereof. Two pairs of blades are respectively and pivotedly mounted on opposite sides of each of the first and second flat sections. Each blade resembles a tongue with a broad flat first end and a second end formed as two upright lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Hwei-rung Chou
  • Patent number: 5695011
    Abstract: A multipurpose work-saving and ergonomically designed gardening tool useful for transplanting seedlings and other gardening tasks. A creased metal blade has a faceted cutting edge with straight sides. A cylindrical handle supports the flat end of the blade with fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Francis P. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5549167
    Abstract: A hill maker hoe embodying a set of semicircular rearwardly opposing concavo-convex blades assembled to an angularly and extensibly adjustable handle which enables a user to accommodate the hoe for individual height and weight profile as well as for ease of manual use and efficiency in employing the same to form and make a planting hill from a single location with but a simple push-pull motion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: Kevin M. Keperling, Sr., Michael T. Moore
  • Patent number: 5529130
    Abstract: A root cutter having a blade front end portion and a rear edge provided with a handle and sufficiently wide to receive the foot of a user. The blade has a V-shaped cutting cavity at a front end. An intermediate edge, extending parallel to the rear edge, is located in the base of the cavity. The cavity has a first inward edge extending from the front end to the first end of the intermediate edge and a second inward edge extending from the front end to the second end of the intermediate edge. The inward edges are serrated cutting edges. The front end has a first arc extending from a first end of the first inward edge to a first end of the rear edge. A second arc extends form a first end of the second inward edge to a second end of the rear edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Yong S. Suk
  • Patent number: 5441118
    Abstract: A tool for removing roots, plants and other tubular objects from the earth while only minimally disturbing the surrounding soil. The tool includes a first, proximal end serving as a handle for rotating the tool and a second end including a plurality of coil-shaped tines. The tines include relatively sharp points and are shaped to efficiently penetrate the soil when the tool is rotated, disrupting the root system. Once engaged in the vertex of the tines, the main root stem entangles in the coil and rotates with the tool, eventually becoming free of the surrounding soil. The coil also maintains a grasp of the plant once removed from the earth which eliminates the extra step of picking up the removed plants from the surface of the soil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Ramon M. Cruz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5372205
    Abstract: A hand held garden implement (FIG. 1) for refilling a furrow, requiring only one hand for operation, and allowing the operator to stand and walk fully erect. A handle (11) is attached into a receptacle (12) on a cover plate (13) which is connected to an inclined and converging scraper (14) which is connected to a bottom plate (15). Dirt is lifted up and into the tool as well as being pushed by it. Dirt then traverses the scraper towards the centerline of the tool, and is deposited into the furrow. The bottom plate then smoothes out and levels the deposited dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas A. Velez
  • Patent number: 5277425
    Abstract: A repair tool for ball marks on golf greens is mounted on the grip end of a putter. The tool comprises a disc-like base mounting a cylinder on its periphery that is formed with blades which project away from the putter. The blades taper to points at their free ends for easy insertion into the soil about a ball mark. The adjacent sides of adjacent blades slope inwardly away from each other to define cutting edges on their outer periphery and plowing surfaces effective to plow soil which has been loosened by the cutting edges inward upon rotation to fill the ball mark/dent. An expandable fastener having an upper surface is inserted through the grip into the hollow end of a putter shaft for securely mounting the tool in place, the lower end of the cylinder also engaging the grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Greenskeeper Corp. of Dutchess
    Inventor: Vincent J. Petriano, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5257666
    Abstract: A stand up hand-held tool to penetrate soil for purposes of cultivation, weeding and the like. The tool comprises an elongate spear shaft, at least one end of which is pointed or otherwise formed to provide a leading edge for expeditious soil penetration. An elongate tubular handle grip, preferably extending about 2/5 the length of the shaft, is mounted on the shaft rod to provide a smooth manual hand grip surface to permit a user's hand to slidably grip the tool in a large variety of longitudinal positions along the lengthwise axis of the rod. The tool is specifically designed to permit a user in a standing position to manipulate the tool using an underhanded sliding grip with one hand on the smooth handle grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Inventor: Charles E. Townsend, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5097910
    Abstract: A weed cutting tool including an elongate handle mounting a generally "L" shaped leg at a lower end thereof for securement to a blade member. The blade member includes arcuate forward and rear cutting edges, with spaced parallel sides, each side including a cutting notch therewithin. Modifications of the invention include mounted forward and rear cutting blades, with the forward blade including saw tooth projections, and the rear blade including spaced notched members with intercommunicating cutting edges, with a handle including a cavity formed within the handle for securing gloves and the like therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Inventor: Edward F. Traczek
  • Patent number: 4950013
    Abstract: A gardening trowel is provided to permit easy loosening of earth around plants and the like through the utilization of a handle which is substantially offset from the center line of the trowel to simultaneously provide a pushing post and a lever arm such that the heel of the palm is utilized to press the point of the trowel into the earth. This same offset handle is utilized along with an asymmetric trowel blade to permit easy rotation of the blade, such that upon insertion, the trowel may be rotated by the side or heel of the hand due to the lever arm provided by the offset handle, so as to easily rotate the blade even after insertion of the blade into packed, hardened earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: E. Hubbard Yonkers
  • Patent number: 4892156
    Abstract: A garden tool for cultivating and tilling garden soil has a cultivating blade secured at one end of an elongated handle. The cultivating blade is formed by a plurality of sequential adjacent connected teeth, each formed by a pair of perpendicular facets intersecting at a ridge line. The leading edge of each of the facets is grounded to a sharpened cutting edge. In use, the cultivating blade is pushed forward and downward into the surface of the soil and subsequently pulled back. This reciprocating movement is repeated and tills the ground in a shaving or plowing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Inventor: Walter C. Willis
  • Patent number: 4865133
    Abstract: A gardening tool adapted to serve as a weeding hoe and a furrowing tool comprised of an elongated handle attached to a head part. The head part is five sided and is formed from flat material of generally uniform thickness having top and bottom surfaces angled downwardly from a central longitudinal rib. Two of the sides are shaped as a forwardly pointing "V" and have approximately three concave arcuate notches along the edges thereof. The "V" shaped portion merges into generally parallel sides with a perpendicular connecting rear side. The sides of the head are beveled and sharpened toward the bottom surface. The handle extends upwardly and rearwardly from a midportion of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Inventors: Paul S. Dawley, Sally Dawley
  • Patent number: 4618003
    Abstract: An elongated upstanding shank is provided including structure for manually applying rotary torque to the upper end of the shank. The lower end of the shank supports an elongated blade therefrom including a first horizontal upper end mounted at one end of the shank above the lower terminal end thereof for rotation with the shank. The first horizontal upper end of the blade extends outwardly from one side of the shank and terminates in a downwardly and inwardly curving portion which in turn terminates in a downwardly and inwardly inclined lower end portion of the blade. The downwardly and inwardly curving blade portion is slightly twisted about its longitudinal axis to position the lower terminal end of the blade lower end portion slightly outwardly of a second side of the shank facing outwardly in a direction disposed substantially 90.degree. from the direction in which the first side of the shank faces outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventor: John L. Hostetter
  • Patent number: 4546831
    Abstract: A crack and crevice weeder device for cleaning undesirable growth from cracks or crevices in sidewalks and expansion joints between sidewalk and street. A V-shaped cutting head is attached to an end of an U-shaped steel rod and a triangular-shaped scraper is attached to a point on the U-shaped rod. The U-shaped rod is fixed to a long handle which enables an operator, while standing, to remove undesirable growth from cracks, crevices or expansion joints by pulling the weeder towards him while simultaneously applying a downward pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Edward Albertson