GB2459742A - Garden implement with angled shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

A garden implement comprises a handle 2 , a shaft 1 and a blade 3 in which the handle 2 is fitted to one end of the shaft 1 and the blade 3 is connected to the other end of the shaft 1 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 1 of between 40° and 50°. Preferably the angle may be approximately 45°. The blade 3 may be connected to the other end of the shaft 1 by a relatively short shank 4 . The shank may be cranked to the shaft 1 at an angle of between 130° and 140°, preferably approximately 135° which means that the blade 3 is actually cranked to the shaft 1 itself at an angle of approximately 135°. The implement may be used for weeding, thinning and lifting seedlings, the planting of bulbs, corns and sets and also for the drawing of seed drills.

Description

GARDEN IMPLEMENT

This invention relates to improvements in garden implements.

According to the invention, there is provided a garden implement which comprises a handle, a shaft and a blade wherein the handle is fitted to one end of the shaft and wherein the blade extends from the other end of the shaft at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft of between 40° and 50°.

Preferably, the angle at which the blade extends to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is approximately 45°.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blade is connected to the other end of the shaft by a relatively short shank. Preferably, the short shank is cranked to the shaft at an angle of between 130° and 140°, and most preferably approximately 135°.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which:-Fig I is a front view of one embodiment of a garden implement according to the invention and Fig 2 is a side view of the implement shown in Fig 1.

Referring to the drawings, the garden implement according to the invention comprises a shaft 1, a handle 2 mounted on one end of the shaft 1 and a blade 3 extending from the other end of the shaft 1. The blade 3 is connected to the other end of the shaft I by a relatively short shank 4 which is cranked to the shaft 1 at an angle of approximately 135° as shown in Fig 1. The blade 3 is cranked at an angle of approximately 45° to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 1 which means that it is actually cranked to the shaft itself at an angle of approximately 135°.

It has been found that the garden implement according to the invention is most effective at weeding between bedding plants whereby weeds can be readily cleared away from the plants without disturbing or damaging the plants themselves. The implement is extremely versatile allowing the removal of difficult deep rooted weeds, the thinning and lifting of seedlings, the planting of sets, corms and bulbs and the drawing of seed drills.

The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the implement is designed to be held in one hand for use as a hand implement, it is possible to make a larger version intended to be used by both hands in a standing position. In that case, the handle will be considerably longer than in the illustrated embodiment.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A garden implement which comprises a handle, a shaft and a blade wherein the handle is fitted to one end of the shaft and wherein the blade extends from the other end of the shaft at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft of between 400 and 50°.
2. 2. A garden implement according to claim 1, wherein the angle at which the blade extends to the longitudinal axis of the shaft is approximately 45°.
3. 3. A garden implement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the blade is connected to the other end of the shift by a relatively short shank.
4. 4. A garden implement according to claim 3, wherein the short shank is cranked to the shaft at an angle of between 130° and 140°.
5. S. A garden implement according to claim 4, wherein the short shank is cranked to the shaft at an angle of approximately 135°.
6. 6. A garden implement substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS: 1. A garden implement which comprises a handle, a blade and a cranked shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a relatively long portion and a relatively short portion which is cranked at one end to one end of the relatively long portion of the shaft in a first plane, wherein the handle is fitted to the other end of the relatively long portion of the shaft and wherein the blade extends from the other end of the relatively short portion of the shaft at an angle to said relatively short portion of the shaft in a second plane which is not parallel or perpendicular to the first plane.2. A garden implement according to claim 1, wherein the blade extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the relatively long portion of the shaft of between 400 and 500.3. A garden implement according to claim 2, wherein the angle at which the blade extends to the longitudina' axis of the relatively long portion of the shaft is approximately 45°.4. A garden implement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relatively short portion of the shaft is cranked to the relatively long portion of the shaft at an angle of between 130° and 140°.5. A garden implement according to claim 4, wherein the relatively short portion of the shaft is cranked to the relatively long portion of the shaft at an angle of approximately 1350. * * *6. A garden implement substantially as described herein with reference toS *-*the drawings. * . * * ** * S. * S * *S *) 4