Patents Assigned to TCI97 Inc.
  • Patent number: 7347276
    Abstract: A manual garden tool having an elongate shaft with an actuator rotatably mounted at its lower end, tine(s) mounted to the actuator, and a cam surface at the lower end of the shaft in contact with a surface of each tine such that, as the actuator is rotated between the first and second positions, the upper portion of each tine rotates with respect to the actuator and the lower portion of the tine moves between extended and contracted positions. The actuator and tines are locked against rotation when the tines are in either position, with the tines being locked against movement by being seated in troughs of a stop plate. The actuator and tines can be unlocked and moved up the shaft to provide clearance past seat walls for the tines to move between the extended and contracted positions. A molded a plastic handle is also provided. The handle can be secured at the upper end of the shaft of a manual garden tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: TCI97 Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Basek