WEEDING APPARATUS

A weeding apparatus includes a handle portion coupled to a blade attachment by a boom. The blade attachment is selectively coupled to the boom and includes a blade having a sharpened edge disposed thereon for severing or otherwise cutting weeds and other undesirable plants. The weeding apparatus is drawn across a surface to capture weeds against the blade to sever the weeds without throwing projectiles at nearby structures, vehicles, amongst others.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to landscaping apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for removing weeds in difficult or hard to reach areas.

Background of Related Art

Conventional landscaping equipment used for removing weeds or trimming plants are heavy, noisy, cannot be utilized in hard-to-reach places, and can cause projectiles to strike structures, vehicles, or other valuables causing significant damage, such as broken windows, dents, scratches, etc. Apparatus such as string trimmers and lawnmowers can quickly remove weeds and other undesirable plants, but risk throwing rocks or other debris which can damage nearby structures and vehicles. Further, string trimmers and lawnmowers are unable to be used in hard-to-reach places, such as around mechanical equipment (e.g., AC units, transformers), underneath parked vehicles, around vestibules or other structures having glass or that can be easily damaged.

Several methods exist for removing weeds and other undesirable plants in these conditions, such as using one's hands, digging, cutting using shears, hoes, cultivators, etc. However, these methods require one to bend over, be on their hands and knees, cause destruction to the soil, etc. The present disclosure seeks to address these and other shortcomings of prior weeding apparatus and methods.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a weeding apparatus includes a handle portion defining a first longitudinal axis, an elongate body extending from a distal end of the handle portion and defining a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis defining a non-parallel angle relative to the first longitudinal axis, an attachment portion extending from a distal end of the elongate body and defining a third longitudinal axis, the third longitudinal axis defining a non-parallel angle relative to the second longitudinal axis, and a blade assembly selectively coupled to the attachment portion, the blade assembly including a housing extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the housing including a first cavity extending through the proximal end portion, the first cavity configured to selectively receive the attachment portion and selectively couple the housing to the attachment portion, a second cavity defined through the proximal end portion of the housing, and a slot defined through an outer surface of the housing and into the second cavity, the slot extending through the proximal end portion to enable plants to be received within the slot as the blade assembly is translated relative to the plants, and a blade selectively coupled to a portion of the housing that is adjacent to the slot, the blade defining at least one sharpened edge to sever plants received within the slot as the blade assembly is translated relative to the plants.

In aspects, the attachment portion may include a detent mechanism configured to selectively couple the blade assembly to the attachment portion.

In other aspects, the weeding apparatus may include a bode defined through the outer surface of the housing and into the first cavity, the bore configured to selectively revive a portion of the detent mechanism to selectively couple the blade assembly to the attachment portion.

In certain aspects, the housing may define a fourth longitudinal axis, the slot defining a non-parallel angle relative to the fourth longitudinal axis.

In other aspects, the housing may define a fourth longitudinal axis, the slot defining a spiral profile about the fourth longitudinal axis.

In aspects, the slot may define a pair of opposed sidewalls, the pair of opposed sidewalls increasingly approximating one another in a proximal-to-distal direction.

In certain aspects, the blade may be a utility blade.

In aspects, at least one sidewall of the slot may define a groove, the groove configured to receive a portion of the blade and selectively couple the blade to the housing.

In other aspects, the housing may define a frustoconical profile.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a weeding apparatus includes a boom including a center portion extending between a handle portion and an attachment portion, the handle portion defining a first angle relative to the center portion and the attachment portion defining a second angle relative to the center portion, and a blade assembly selectively coupled to the attachment portion of the boom, the blade assembly including a housing defining a frustoconical profile, and a blade selectively coupled to a portion of the housing, the blade defining at least one sharpened edge configured to sever plants as the blade assembly is translated relative to the plants.

In aspects, the handle portion may define a first longitudinal axis and the attachment portion defines a second longitudinal axis, wherein the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the second longitudinal axis.

In certain aspects, an outer dimension of the handle may decrease in a proximal-to-distal direction.

In other aspects, the handle portion may include a cavity, the cavity extending through a proximal end portion of the handle and configured to receive and store at least one blade.

In certain aspects, the housing may define a cavity, the cavity extending through a proximal end portion of the housing and configured to selectively retain plants severed by the blade as the blade assembly is translated relative to the plants.

In aspects, a detent mechanism may be disposed on a portion of the attachment portion, the detent mechanism configured to selectively engage a portion of the housing of the blade assembly to selectively couple the blade assembly to the boom.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a weeding apparatus includes a boom extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a detent mechanism disposed on the distal end portion, and a blade assembly selectively coupled to the distal end portion of the boom, the blade assembly including a housing extending between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a longitudinal axis, the housing including a first cavity extending through the proximal end portion of the housing, the first cavity configured to selectively receive the distal portion of the boom, a bore defined through an outer surface of the housing and extending into the first cavity, the bore configured to receive a portion of the detent mechanism and selectively couple the blade assembly to the boom, a second cavity defined through the proximal end portion of the housing, and a slot defined through the outer surface of the housing and into the second cavity, the slot extending through the proximal end portion of the housing and defining a non-parallel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing, and a blade selectively coupled to a portion of the slot, the blade defining at least one sharpened edge to sever plants received within the slot as the blade assembly is translated relative to the plants.

In aspects, the slot may define a pair of opposed side surfaces, the pair of opposed side surfaces increasingly approximating one another in a proximal-to-distal direction.

In other aspects, the slot may define a pair of opposed side surfaces, at least one of the pair of opposed side surfaces defining a groove for receipt of a portion of the blade.

In certain aspects, the housing may define a frustoconical profile.

In other aspects, the second cavity may include an interior dimension for receiving and storing plants severed by the blade as the blade assembly is translated relative to the plants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a weeding apparatus that enables a user to remove weeds or other undesirable plants in hard-to-reach places or proximate object and/or structures that can be easily damaged. In this manner, the weeding apparatus described herein enables a user to reach under vehicles, remove weeds around buildings or other vehicles, etc. without requiring the user to disturb the soil and throw projectiles (e.g., rocks, debris, etc.) towards buildings, cars, etc.

The weeding apparatus includes a handle portion coupled to a blade assembly by a boom. The blade assembly is selectively coupled to the boom and includes a blade having a sharpened edge disposed thereon for severing or otherwise cutting weeds and other undesirable plants. The handle portion and the blade assembly are disposed in a generally parallel arrangement with the boom extending therebetween such that a user may grasp the handle portion and place the blade assembly in a generally parallel orientation relative to the ground. The handle portion may include a storage cavity defined therein for storing extra blades or in embodiments, a sharpening device, which can be selectively closed with a cap or other suitable device.

The blade assembly is selectively coupled to an attachment portion of the boom via a detent or other suitable coupling mechanism that is capable of selectively retaining the blade assembly thereto. The blade assembly includes a slot defined therein which includes a blade having a sharpened edge selectively coupled thereto. The slot, and thereby the blade, may be oriented at an angle relative a longitudinal axis, and in embodiments, may define a V-shaped profile to capture or otherwise compress weeds or other plants captured within the slot against the sharpened edge of the blade. It is envisioned that the blade may be removed from the blade attachment to be sharpened by the sharpening device or replaced altogether with a replacement blade. In this manner, the blade may be slidably received within a groove formed within the slot and retained therein using a locking mechanism, such as a resilient finger, detent, fastener, amongst others.

The weeding apparatus is utilized by grasping the handle portion and placing the blade assembly in a generally parallel orientation relative to a surface having weeds or other undesirable plants. The handle portion is pulled or drawn in a first direction such that the blade assembly is likewise caused to be drawn across the surface such that weeds are received or otherwise captured within the slot. Continued drawing of the handle portion causes the weeds received within the slot to contact the sharpened edge of the blade and be severed. The severed portions of the weeds can be captured within a cavity formed within the blade assembly and be disposed of when the weeding apparatus is done being used. These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings.

Turning now to the drawings,FIGS.1-5illustrate a weeding apparatus provide in accordance with the present disclosure and generally identified by reference numeral10. The weeding apparatus10includes a handle or boom12and a blade assembly30operably coupled to the boom12. The boom12defines an elongate body14extending between a proximal end portion14aand a distal end portion14b. The elongate body14includes a center portion14cis bounded by a handle portion16disposed adjacent the proximal end portion14aand an attachment portion18(FIG.3) disposed adjacent the distal end portion14b. In this manner, the center portion14cis a transversal interposed between, and intersecting, each of the handle portion16and the attachment portion18.

The center portion14cof the boom12defines a generally circular cross-sectional profile, although it is envisioned that the center portion14cmay include any suitable cross-sectional profile, such as square, oval, elliptical, hexagonal, amongst others, depending upon the design needs of the weeding apparatus10. The center portion14cdefines a generally linear profile extending along a longitudinal axis A-A (FIG.3) defined through the center portion14c. Although generally described as being linear, it is contemplated that the center portion14may be arcuate, partially linear, curvilinear, or include any suitable profile along the longitudinal axis A-A.

The handle portion16extends from the center portion14cand terminates at the proximal end portion14a. The handle portion16forms an angle relative to the longitudinal axis A-A to aid in grasping and to plate the attachment portion18at an orientation relative to a surface that enables a user to drag the weeding apparatus10along the ground and sever or otherwise cut weeds at the surface of the ground (FIG.2). In embodiments, the handle portion16and the attachment portion18are disposed in a parallel orientation relative to one another, in which the center portion14cforms a transversal having consecutive angles that are generally supplementary, although it is envisioned that the handle portion16and the attachment portion18may be orientated at any suitable angle relative to one another, and may form the same or different angle relative to the center portion14cdepending upon the design needs of the weeding apparatus10.

It is envisioned that the handle portion16may include any suitable cross-sectional profile, and in embodiments, may be circular, oval, elliptical, hexagonal, amongst others, and may maintain a constant profile from the center portion14cto the proximal end portion14a. In one non-limiting embodiment, the handle portion16defines an elliptical profile having a greater dimension in a vertical direction (e.g., a plane intersecting the ground at a perpendicular angle when the weeding apparatus10is grasped by a user) and flares or otherwise increases in a vertical dimension in a direction extending from the center portion14ctoward the proximal end portion14a. As can be appreciated, the flare of the handle portion16aids a user in grasping the handle portion16and inhibits the handle portion16from being pulled from the user's hand when the user is utilizing the weeding apparatus10. In embodiments, the handle portion16may include one or more crenellations, protuberances, indentations, knurling, amongst others, and in one non-limiting embodiment, may include a plurality of protuberances configured to be interposed between or otherwise engage a user's fingers.

The handle portion16includes a cavity16a(FIG.4) defined therein extending through the proximal end portion14a. The cavity16ais configured to receive or otherwise store extra blades, tools, sharpeners, or other devices for convenient access by the user. A cap or cover20(FIG.5) is configured to selectively cover the cavity16ato inhibit ingress of dust, water, fingers, etc. and inhibit the components stored within the cavity16afrom inadvertently falling out. It is envisioned that the cap20may include any suitable profile and may be the same or different from the profile of the handle portion16. In embodiments, the cap20may be disposed over the proximal end portion14aor at least a portion of the cap20may be received within the cavity16a. It is contemplated that the cap20may be selectively coupled to the handle portion16using any suitable means, such as friction fit, detents, hook and loop, amongst others.

The attachment portion18defines a generally linear profile extending from the center portion14cto the distal end portion14b. The attachment portion18defines a circular cross-section that may be the same or different than the cross-sectional profile of the center portion14c, although it is envisioned that the attachment portion18may include any suitable cross-sectional profile, such as rectangular, oval, elliptical, hexagonal, amongst others. The attachment portion18includes a detent or button22disposed thereon that extends radially outward from an outer surface of the attachment portion18. In this manner, the detent22may be disposed within a bore or other suitable feature formed within the attachment portion18. The detent22is configured to engage a corresponding feature on the blade assembly30to selectively couple the blade assembly30to the attachment portion18, as will be described in further detail hereinbelow. It is envisioned that the detent22may be a button spring clip, a ball detent (e.g., ball-nose spring plunger), amongst others. Although generally described as being a detent, it is envisioned that the detent22may be any suitable fastener, such as a screw, push in rivet, rivet, amongst others.

It is envisioned that the boom12may be formed from any suitable material, such as a metallic material (steel, aluminum, etc.), a non-metallic material (plastic, rubber, etc.), composites (carbon fiber, fiberglass, etc.), wood, amongst others, or combinations thereof. In embodiments, the boom12may be formed from a continuous piece of material by bending, molding, hydroforming, extrusion, amongst others or may be formed from multiple pieces of material coupled to one another by welding, adhesives, fasteners, press fit, friction fit, amongst others, depending upon the design needs of the weeding apparatus10. It is further envisioned that the boom12may be formed form a hollow material, a solid material, or combinations thereof.

With reference toFIGS.6-9, the blade assembly30includes a housing32and a blade50selectively coupled to a portion of the housing32. The housing32defines a generally conical frustum profile having an outer surface32aextending between opposed proximal and distal end portions32band32c, respectively. Although generally described as having a conical frustum profile, it is envisioned that the housing32may include any suitable profile, such as circular, oval, elliptical, square, hexagonal, amongst others. In one non-limiting embodiment, a lower portion32dof the housing32includes an angle that is generally parallel attachment portion18of the boom12to aid in placing the lower portion32dof the housing32generally parallel with the ground. In embodiments where the attachment portion18of the boom12is not placed parallel with the ground, the lower portion32dmay form an angle relative to the attachment portion18such that when the handle portion16is grasped and placed proximate to the ground, the lower portion32dforms a generally parallel angle relative to the ground. It is envisioned that the housing32may be formed from any suitable material, such as a metallic material, non-metallic material, composite, amongst others, or combinations thereof.

The housing32defines a first inner surface34defining a cavity34aextending through the proximal end portion32b. The cavity34ais disposed adjacent the outer surface32a(e.g., offset from a center axis of the housing32) and includes an inner dimension that is configured to selectively receive a portion of the attachment portion18of the boom12. A detent bore36is defined through the outer surface32aand the first inner surface34for selective receipt of the detent22of the attachment portion18when the attachment portion18is received within the cavity34ato selectively couple the blade assembly30to the attachment portion18. Although generally described as being disposed adjacent the outer surface32a, it is envisioned that the cavity34amay be disposed at any suitable location within the housing32.

The housing32defines a second inner surface38defining a second cavity38aextending through the proximal end portion32b. A slot40is defined through the second inner surface38and the outer surface32aand extends through the proximal end portion32b. In this manner, the slot40extends along a longitudinal axis defined through the housing32and is configured to receive a portion of weeds or other plants, etc. therein. It is envisioned that the slot40may be oriented at perpendicular angle relative to the proximal end portion32b, may be oriented at an angle relative to the proximal end portion32b, may be disposed in a spiral fashion, etc. In one non-limiting embodiment, the slot40is oriented at an angle relative to the proximal end portion32bsuch that as weeds enter the slot40as the weeding apparatus10is drawn across the ground, the weeds are caused to abut or otherwise contact a wall of the slot40. In this manner, it is contemplated that the slot40may define a generally V-shaped profile, such that an acute angle is formed at a distal portion of the slot40to trap or otherwise compress weeds disposed within the slot40. In embodiments, the slot40may include a groove42(FIG.9) or other suitable feature for slidably receiving a portion of the blade50therein and selectively retaining the blade50within the housing32. It is envisioned that the housing32may include an aperture44(FIG.8) defined through the distal end portion32cand generally aligned with the slot40to receive the blade50therethrough. In this manner, a user may load or remove a blade50from the housing by advancing or retracting the blade50through the aperture44. In embodiments, the blade50may be selectively retained within the slot via a resilient finger, detent, fasteners, hook and loop, adhesives, amongst others.

The blade50defines a generally planar profile having at least one sharpened edge52extending longitudinally along a length of the blade50(FIG.7). Although generally described as being planar, it is envisioned that the blade50may define any suitable profile, such as arcuate, and the sharpened edge52may be linear, arcuate, curvilinear, amongst others. In one non-limiting embodiment, the blade50may be a conventional utility blade (e.g., a box cutter). It is contemplated that the blade50may be formed from any suitable material, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, high carbon steel, titanium, ceramic, plastic, amongst others, and may be coated with any suitable coating such as titanium nitride, amongst others.

The sharpened edge52of the blade50is configured to abut or otherwise contact weeds or other plants received within the slot40and second cavity38a. As the weeding apparatus10is drawn across the ground, the weeds or plants contacting the sharpened edge52are severed or otherwise cut. In embodiments, where the slot40defines a V-shaped profile, as the weeds are captured in the acute angle or apex of the slot, the weeds are compressed against the wall of the slot40and the sharpened edge52of the blade50, aiding in the cutting or severing of the weeds as the weeding apparatus10is drawn across the ground. As can be appreciated, the second cavity38aof the housing32can capture or otherwise receive a portion of the weeds severed by the sharpened edge52for storage until the user empties or otherwise dumps the contents of the second cavity38ainto a suitable location.

In embodiments, the weeding apparatus10may include a sharpening device (not shown) that is configured to sharpen or otherwise restore the sharpened edge52of the blade50. It is contemplated that the sharpening device may sharpen the sharpened edge52while the blade50remains coupled to the housing32or may be utilized when the blade50is removed from the housing32. In embodiments, the sharpening device may be stored within the cavity16aof the handle portion16or may be selectively coupled to a portion of the boom12using any suitable means, such as fasteners, hook and loop, resilient fingers, buttons, amongst others.

In operation, the handle portion16of the weeding apparatus10is grasped and the housing32of the blade assembly30is oriented proximate a surface having weeds or other undesirable plants. The housing32is angled generally parallel to the surface, at which point the handle portion16is drawn or otherwise pulled such that the housing32is caused to be drawn across the surface. Continued drawing of the housing32across the surface causes weeds or other plants to be received within the slot40of the housing32and abut the sharpened edge52of the blade50. Further drawing of the housing32across the surface causes the sharpened edge52of the blade50to sever or otherwise cut the weeds caught within the slot40. Once the weeds are cut, at least some of the severed portions of the weeds are captured within the second cavity38aof the housing32, which can then be disposed of in a suitable receptacle or suitable location. To aid disposing of the contents of the second cavity38a, the blade assembly30may be removed from the attachment portion18of the boom12by depressing the detent22. Once the contents of the second cavity38aare disposed of, the blade assembly30may be recoupled to the attachment portion18by inserting the attachment portion18into the cavity34auntil the detent22is received within the detent bore36of the housing32.

If the sharpened edge52of the blade50become dull or is damaged, the blade50may be replaced or sharpened. To replace the blade50, the blade50the locking mechanism (not shown) is disengaged to allow the blade50to be slide out from the slot40. The cap20is removed to enable access to the cavity16aof the handle portion16in which replacement blades may be stored. Once a new blade is retrieved from the cavity16a, the cap20is replaced and the new blade is inserted into the aperture44of the housing32and advanced into the slot40until the blade50is fully received within the slot40and the locking mechanism is engaged to retain the blade50within the slot40. Sharpening the sharpened edge52of the blade may be performed by removing the blade50using a similar procedure as described hereinabove. Additionally, it is envisioned that the sharpened edge52of the blade50may be repaired while the blade50is disposed within the slot40by drawing or otherwise sliding the sharpening device (not shown) across the sharpened edge52.

As can be appreciated, the use of the weeding apparatus10to remove weeds or other undesirable plants from a landscape avoids throwing rocks or other debris towards structures, vehicles, or other valuables. This is in contrast to other devices utilized to remove weeds, such as string trimmers, lawnmowers, etc., which can throw or otherwise launch projectiles which can break glass, dent vehicles, scratch paint, etc. Further, the weeding apparatus10can easily reach under cars, mechanical devices, or other encumbrances where string trimmers or lawnmowers are unable to reach. The weeding apparatus10described herein easily and quickly removes weeds in a non-destructive manner, avoiding the above-mentioned issues attributed to conventional weeding apparatus.

As used in the drawings and in the description hereinabove, terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and similar directional terms are used simply for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used herein, the term proximal refers to a location that is closer to a user and the term distal refers to a location that is further from a user. In the description hereinabove, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.