Abstract:
A weed removal device having a handle and a frame through which a rod extends. The rod has a mechanical lock near one end that connects the rod mechanically to the frame, and a base portion near the opposite end. The base portion includes pins that extend into soil around the weed to grasp the weed, and a foot pedal on which the user rests his weight to drive portions of the device into the soil. A spring is compressed when the pins are driven into the soil and grasp the weed, and upon removal of the weed and a plug of soil the mechanical lock can release the spring to expand and thereby eject the weed and soil with force sufficient to propel the weed many feed into a receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/830,676 filed Jun. 4, 2013. U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/830,676 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    (Not Applicable) 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    (Not Applicable) 
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX 
       [0004]    (Not Applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention relates to garden tools and more specifically to garden tools that extract a weed, including the root, from the soil and eject the weed from the tool. 
         [0006]    Conventional garden tools extract weeds from lawns using serrated tines, spikes and levers that securely fasten to a handle. In most of these devices the weed and roots are removed by a lower portion that is spaced a significant distance from the operator&#39;s hands. The weed must typically be removed from the lower portion manually using a plunging mechanism or lever action. The force required to eject the weed from the base is excessive and often difficult to generate, particularly for those with limited dexterity or strength in their hands. There is a need to improve on the efficiency of the release mechanism of these devices. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The device and alternatives described herein provide an efficient means of removing weeds with roots from soil. The device has a mechanism that releases the weed from the tool with minimal effort. The present invention has all of the advantages of existing weed removing tools without the disadvantages. 
         [0008]    The preferred device contemplates an improved weed extraction device having an elongated frame with a central bore through which a rod extends. A foot pedal is rigidly mounted to the frame and a handle extends from the frame for gripping by an operator. 
         [0009]    Multiple pins are drivingly linked to the rod and extend away from the frame for inserting into soil surrounding a weed. The improvement comprises a spring that is drivingly linked to the rod and frame for compressing the spring when the rod is moved in a first direction relative to the frame. A lock limits movement of the rod relative to the frame in a second, opposite direction. A trigger is mounted adjacent the handle and is configured to unlock the lock upon movement of the trigger. Unlocking of the trigger allows the rod to move relative to the frame in the second direction under expansion of the compressed spring at speed sufficient to eject the weed from the device and project the weed a predetermined distance from the device. This avoids the need to stoop over to remove the weed from the device, and allows the user to project the weed a distance into a receptacle, waste pile or other location. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the weed extraction device lock further comprises a tab formed on the trigger, and a bias mounted to the trigger to bias the tab toward the rod. Multiple indentations are formed on the rod, and the tab can insert into an indentation for locking the rod against movement in the second direction. The trigger in a preferred embodiment is mounted beneath the handle when the device is in an operable orientation, such as when the device is substantially perpendicular to the surface in which the weed is growing. The trigger pivots about a pivot point on an opposite side of the frame from the handle, and the indentations on the rod are formed on a side of the rod facing away from the handle. The preferred foot pedal mounts rigidly to an end of the frame, directly below the handle, and has a pair of spaced sidewalls forming a gap therebetween. An anti-rotation guide extends toward the frame from attachment to a lower disk. The lower disk is mounted to the rod and the guide extends into the gap between the sidewalls of the pedal. 
         [0011]    The invention also contemplates a method of using a weed extraction device having an elongated frame with a central bore through which a rod extends. A foot pedal is rigidly mounted to the frame and a handle extends from the frame so an operator can grasp the handle. Multiple pins are drivingly linked to the rod and extend away from the frame for inserting into soil surrounding a weed. The method comprises depressing the frame at the foot pedal downwardly toward the soil surrounding the weed. The step of depressing the frame thereby moves the rod in a first direction relative to the frame, which compresses a spring that is drivingly linked to the rod and the frame. The pins are thereby inserted into the soil around the weed and grasp the weed and at least some soil. Furthermore, a lock that limits movement of the rod relative to the frame in a second, opposite direction is locked. The method further comprises lifting the device by at least the handle, thereby removing at least the device and the weed from the soil. And, while grasping the device handle, the method includes the step of raising from the ground a lower end of the device that includes at least the pins. The method includes positioning the lower end of the device substantially between the user and a receptacle and grasping a trigger mounted adjacent the handle to unlock the lock. By grasping the trigger, the operator thereby causes the rod to move relative to the frame in the second direction under expansion of the compressed spring. This movement occurs at speed sufficient to eject the weed from the device and project the weed a predetermined distance from the device, for example into a trash container, compost heap or other receptacle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a view in perspective illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the handle and mechanism enlarged. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view in perspective illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the handle and mechanism enlarged. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the base portion enlarged. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a view in perspective illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the base portion enlarged. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is schematic side view in section illustrating the preferred embodiment with the mechanism in a first position for when the base portion engages the soil. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side view in section illustrating the preferred embodiment with the mechanism in a second position for when the mechanism has compressed the spring and grasped a weed. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The above claimed priority application is hereby incorporated in this application by reference. 
         [0021]    The device  8  shown in  FIG. 1  is a manually-operated weed removal tool. A frame  10  has a central bore  11  formed through the center thereof, thereby defining the frame as a tubular body. The frame  10  is preferably circular in cross section, but can be rectangular, triangular, U-shaped or irregularly shaped. Unless described otherwise the frame  10  and all other components are made of steel. Of course, aluminum, plastic, fiber-reinforced polymer composite and other suitable materials can be substituted for steel, as will become apparent from the description herein to a person having ordinary skill. 
         [0022]    A central rod  12  extends slidably through the bore  11  and exits at the top through a narrow opening near a handle  18  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The rod  12  exits at the bottom of the frame  10  through a narrow opening at the base portion  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 , and attaches to the disk  20  as described in more detail below. The terms “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower” and similar terms are used in relation to the orientation of the device  8  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Of course, the device  8  can be used in different orientations than that shown in  FIG. 1 , and the person of ordinary skill will understand that the terms used herein transfer to the components in those different orientations. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a cap  13  fastens, such as by screwing onto a threaded tip (not visible) of the rod  12 . The cap  13  permits a user to readily push and pull on the top end of the rod  12  as needed. Multiple substantially V-shaped indentations  30  are formed in one side of the rod  12  near the top end. Each of the indentations  30  can receive a distal end of a tab  32 . The tab  32  is formed at the interior edge of a trigger  34  that is preferably spring-loaded toward the rod  12  by a bias, such as the coil spring  36 . The coil spring  36  may be replaced, as will be understood by the person having ordinary skill, by a leaf spring, an elastomeric spring, a pneumatic spring, a magnetic spring or any other equivalent structure that tends to force the tab  32  toward the rod  12 . The trigger  34  is mounted to the frame  10 , such as through a bracket  38  welded to the opposite side of the frame  10  as the handle  18 , to rotate relatively freely about the pivot  35 , which is preferably a hinge. This configuration permits a person grasping the handle  18  to pivot the trigger  34  with one or more fingers toward or away from the rod  12 . 
         [0024]    The tab  32  can insert into the deepest or lowest region of one of the indentations  30  when the tab and the cooperating indentation  30  are aligned, or the tab  32  can rest against the surface of the rod  12  between the lowest regions of adjacent indentations  30 . Regardless of whether the tab  32  and the lowest regions of an indentation are aligned, because of the angle of the tab  32  and the surfaces of the rod&#39;s indentations  30 , the tab  32  preferably presents little to no resistance to upward movement of the rod  12  relative to the frame  10  (which can likewise be referred to as “downward movement of the frame  10  relative to the rod  12 ”). This is because the preferred embodiment forms a ratchet mechanism in which the indentations  30  are asymmetrical and define spaces between gear teeth and the tab  32  serves as a pawl. Thus, relative movement in one direction is not resisted significantly by the ratchet mechanism. 
         [0025]    With regard to downward (opposite) movement of the rod  12  relative to the frame  10 , when there is not alignment of the tab  32  with the lowest region of an indentation, the tab  32  is biased by the spring  36  against the surface of the rod  12  adjacent the lowest region of one of the indentations  30 , and merely rests against the smooth surface. Under these conditions, the tab  32  does not resist downward movement of the rod  12 . Downward movement of the rod  12  is permitted until the tab  32  is seated in the lowest region of an indentation  30 . During normal use, upon insertion of the tab  32  into the lowest region of one of the indentations  30 , the rod  12  is prevented from moving downward relative to the frame  10  until the tab  32  is removed from the indentation or the rod  12  is moved upwardly relative to the frame  10 . Thus, when the tab  32  is in the lowest region of an indentation, the rod  12  cannot move downwardly relative to the frame  10 , and when the tab  32  is not in the lowest region of an indentation, the rod  12  is able to move downwardly relative to the frame  10  until the lowest region is reached. 
         [0026]    The coil spring  36  biases the tab  32  toward the rod  12 , but the bias can be overcome by an average human grasping the trigger  34 . The tab  32  may thus be pivoted away from the rod  12  by a finger-graspable portion of the trigger  34  that mounts below the handle  18  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The finger-graspable portion of the trigger  34  is preferably grasped by an operator whose hand is around the handle  18 , and whose finger or fingers extend beneath the trigger  34 . The trigger  34  therefore can be displaced upwardly toward the handle  18  in the manner of a trigger of a typical firearm. When this occurs with sufficient force, the tab  32  withdraws from any indentation  30  in which the tab  32  is positioned, and the rod  12  is able to move downwardly relative to the frame  10 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , an upper end of the foot pedal  16  mounts rigidly to the lower end of the frame  10 , such as by welding. The foot pedal  16  permits a user to press downwardly with substantial force on the device  8  with a foot on the top of the foot pedal  16 . This downward force is typically applied when the base portion  14  rests on the soil around a weed. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a lower disk  20  that can be about two inches in diameter is rigidly mounted to the lower end of the rod  12 , such as by welding. This disk  20  increases the effective surface area of the end of the rod  12  so that upon a user pressing the base portion  14  against the ground, such as when the frame  10  is perpendicular to the surface of the ground, the disk  20  and attached rod  12  do not substantially penetrate the soil, and thus stay at the same point on the ground while the frame  10  and its associated components are driven downwardly relative to the substantially stationary rod  12 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , a coil spring  42  within the bore  11  of the frame  10  surrounds the lower end of the rod  12 . The spring  42  can be a 12-15 pound, one-half inch outer diameter coil spring that is approximately four inches long when relaxed. Of course, other spring sizes, types and weights can be used under different circumstances. 
         [0030]    One end of the coil spring  42  seats against a pin  44  closer to the upper end of the rod  12 , and the opposite end of the spring  42  seats against a ferrule  40  (see  FIGS. 6-7 ) near the lower end of the rod  12 . The pin  44  is rigidly mounted to the frame  10 , and the rod  12  can bypass the pin  44 . The rod  12  slidably extends through an opening between the two ends of the pin  44 . The spring  42  cannot bypass the pin  44  but is compressed against the pin  44 . 
         [0031]    The ferrule  40  is rigidly mounted to the rod  12 , and seats against the flange  70  when the coil spring  42  is expanded (see  FIG. 6 ). As the rod  12  moves upwardly relative to the frame  10 , the ferrule  40  moves upwardly away from the flange  70  with the rod  12  (see  FIG. 7 ) and causes compression of the spring  42  between the ferrule  40  and the pin  44 . The ferrule  40  provides an opposing surface against which the spring&#39;s  42  lower end abuts and a mechanical stop to prevent the rod  12  from traveling in the downward direction out of the frame  10  when the trigger releases the rod  12 . 
         [0032]    The preferred spring  42  provides a resistive force against movement of the rod  12  upwardly relative to the frame  10 . Upon relative upward movement of the rod  12  by overcoming the spring force (typically caused by placing the operator&#39;s foot on the pedal  16 ), the spring  42  compresses to store potential energy. Upward movement of the rod  12  corresponds to compression of the spring  42  against the lower face of the pin  44 , and downward movement of the rod  12  relative to the frame  10  corresponds to expansion of the spring  42 . Because the pin  44  is rigidly affixed to the wall of the frame  10 , the pin  44  provides a rigid base for the force of the spring  42  to push against to move the rod  12  downwardly relative to the frame  10  after the rod  12  is released when the spring  42  is compressed. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a preferably L-shaped bracket  48  is rigidly attached to one side of the lower disk  20 . The upper leg of the bracket  48  extends upwardly through a guide slot  51  (see  FIG. 5 ), preferably formed at one end of the upper disk  50 , and into a void formed between the sidewalls of the support  46  for the foot pedal  16 . The bracket  48  is rigidly mounted to the lower disk  20  and is guided by the sidewalls of the support  46  and the slot  51  in the upper disk  50 , which upper disk  50  is rigidly mounted to the frame  10 . Because the bracket  48  is so retained, the rod  12  cannot rotate substantially, such as when the rod  12  is moving up or down relative to the frame  10 . 
         [0034]    The flange  70  ( FIG. 4 ) is substantially the same diameter as the upper disk  50  and is rigidly mounted, such as by welding, to the lower end of the foot pedal  16 . The flange  70  has a central opening through which the lower end of the rod  12  extends freely. The upper disk  50  is fastened to the flange  70  by screws  71  and  72 . Multiple downwardly extending spikes  60  are spaced evenly around the rod  12  and are mounted with their heads pivotably mounted in spaces between the upper disk  50  and the flange  70 . The shafts of the spikes  60  extend downwardly through spaced openings in the upper disk  50 , and the pointed tips of the spikes  60  are at the opposite ends from the enlarged heads, extending through holes in the lower disk  20 . 
         [0035]    The rod  12  is free to travel through a central opening in the upper disk  50 , and extends down to attachment to the lower disk  20 , which has similarly spaced openings as the upper disk  50  that allow the spikes  60  to pass freely through the disk  20 . The openings of the lower disk  20  are spaced slightly closer to the axis of the rod  12  than the openings of the upper disk  50 . Thus, when the lower disk  20  moves upwardly with the rod  12  relative to the frame  10 , the spikes  60  are guided by the sidewalls of the openings in the lower disk  20  to pivot inwardly until, when the disk  20  is as high as it can raise and the spring  42  is fully compressed, the tips of the spikes  60  are close to, or touching, one another. This movement inward is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , and causes the soil and the roots of a weed positioned between the spikes  60  to be grasped by the spikes  60 . 
         [0036]    The upper disk  50  and lower disk  20  are mounted directly below the flange  70 , shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Serrated tines (not shown) may be rigidly mounted around the flange  70  at evenly spaced intervals. The tines can attach to the flange  70  by screws, welds or any fastener. The tines increase the area to include the broad leaves that extend from the center of the plant as will be described below. 
         [0037]    In use, the operator locates a weed in the soil, sand or other particulate found in a conventional yard and disposes the pointed tips of the spikes  60  against or close to the ground with the tips of the spikes  60  disposed around, and encircling, the main root of the weed. The frame  10  is oriented approximately vertically by disposing the handle  18  at about waist height, where the operator firmly grasps the handle  18 . The operator places his or her foot on the top surface of the foot pedal  16 , and begins to rest his or her body weight down on the foot pedal  16 . This initial downward force displaces the entire device downwardly until the contacting surface (the lower disk  20 ) compresses any grass plants surrounding the weed. Upon continued downward force, the disk  20  seats against the upper surface of the ground, or more typically the compressed grass plants surrounding the weed, and with further force the frame  10  begins to move downwardly relative to the rod  12  and disk  20 . 
         [0038]    In order for the frame  10  to move downwardly relative to the rod  12  and disk  20 , the downward force must exceed the force necessary to compress the spring  42 . Once this occurs, the tips of the spikes  60  begin to extend downwardly through the disk  20 . The spikes  60  enter the soil and are driven further downwardly (along with insertion of the tines, if any). At this time, the disk  20  stays in the same position relative to the top of the ground. Further pressure results in further compression of the spring  42  and further insertion of the spikes  60  and tines, if any. 
         [0039]    As the spikes  60  move downwardly and the disk  20  remains stationary, the spikes  60  pivot inwardly as shown in the illustrations of  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 7 . Simultaneous with the rod  12  being held stationary relative to the ground while the frame  10  moves downwardly, the spring  42  compresses as described above. While the frame  10  moves downwardly relative to the rod  12 , the tab  32  slides without significant resistance over the indentations  30  on the side of the rod  12  facing away from the handle  18 . 
         [0040]    Once the spikes  60  have reached their full insertion into the soil and the spring  42  is fully compressed, the weed&#39;s root and some surrounding soil have been grasped by the spikes  60  as a soil “plug”. At this point the tab  32  seats in the lowest region of an indentation  30 , or is between lowest regions of adjacent indentations. If the operator rotates the handle  18  approximately 90 degrees to permit any tines to form a cylindrical cut in the soil, this rotating action will free a larger “plug” consisting of soil and weed that might contain more roots and more leaves. 
         [0041]    The operator then extracts the plug from the ground by lifting the device  8  vertically upwardly. When lifting the device  8 , the operator&#39;s downward force is removed, which may cause the rod  12  to begin to move in the opposite direction as the compressed spring  42  begins to expand. The movement of the rod  12  relative to the upwardly moving frame  10  is arrested by the tab  32  being biased into the lowest region of the closest one of the indentations  30  in the rod  12  by the bias of the spring  36 . Thus, the ratchet mechanism allows some, but then prevents further, relative movement of the rod  12  and frame  10 . In this “locked” condition, the operator continues lifting the device  8  upwardly to completely remove the plug of soil containing the weed and no relative movement of the rod  12  occurs. 
         [0042]    Whenever he or she chooses, but preferably when the device  8  is raised to between the weed and the operator, the operator squeezes the trigger  34  to release the plug and weed. Squeezing the trigger  34  lifts the tab  32  from the lowest region of the respective indentation  30 , thereby freeing the rod  12  to move under the influence of the compressed spring  42  relative to the frame  10 . Because the spring  42  is significantly compressed and has a high spring constant, the rod  12  moves rapidly relative to the frame  10  during spring expansion, thereby rapidly displacing the lower disk  20  away from the upper disk  50 . This high speed movement causes the weed and soil plug to be ejected from the device  8  with sufficient force to allow the operator to expel the weed into a container, such as a trash can, brush container or compost container. This permits the operator to avoid bending over to obtain the plug and weed from the tip of the tool, or completely rotating the tool so the distal end is close to the user for removal. The device  8  instead serves as a “gun” that “shoots” the weed and plug out of the tool into a container or area that can be a few feet, and up to many feet, away. 
         [0043]    The present invention has improved on the prior art&#39;s attempt to eject the weed. The present invention provides a significant enough force to propel the weed rather than merely release it. The weed is ejected with enough force to reach a container six to eight feet away, thereby eliminating the need to stoop or bend over to collect the weed, which the prior art requires. Furthermore, the mechanical “catch” formed where the tab  32  positively engages the rod  12  by inserting into the indentation is not subject to failure when the components thereof are wet, dirty or otherwise not encountering ideal conditions. 
         [0044]    This detailed description in connection with the drawings is intended principally as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention and that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the invention or scope of the following claims.