Abstract:
A weed extraction apparatus is provided for aiding in the removal of weeds from gardens, flower beds and the like. The invention has two claw like appendages at its lower end, which are held apart by a spring. The claws have multiple tines which mesh in an interlocking pattern to grasp the offending weed and its roots. The claws are forced together by an operating rod connected to a lever located at the upper end of the handle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document No. 477,577 filed on Jul. 28, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to lawn and garden tools and, more particularly, to a weed extraction apparatus.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Planting and caring for a vegetable or flower garden is a task enjoyed by many. Watching the plants develop, while watering, fertilizing, pruning and otherwise nurturing them is a simple pleasure. Recent technological advances in tilling, pest control, hybrid development and the like, have made it almost a foolproof task for anyone to have a beautiful garden. However, one task, and perhaps the most important one that still remains and is difficult for some people, is the process of weeding a garden. While chemical methods do exist, many do nor feel comfortable using such methods, especially on vegetable gardens. The only fool proof method, which also provides immediate results is the action of pulling weeds. This action however, presents great physical difficulties for those with bad backs, weak knees and other physical ailments and disabilities.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which one can pull weeds from flower and vegetable gardens from an upright, standing position in a quick and effective manner. The development of the weed extraction apparatus fulfills this need.  
           [0007]    A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. The following patents disclose a weed pulling device with a blade and leverage member: U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,325 issued in the name of De Armond; U.S. Pat. No. 4,281,866 issued in the name of Atcheson; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,976,282 issued in the name of Baker.  
           [0008]    The following patents describe a hand weeding tool with a pivotally-hinged jaw and curved blade: U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,833 issued in the name of Mathews; U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,401 issued in the name of Flickinger; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,554,911 issued in the name of Kettel.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,168 issued in the name of Jenson discloses an underwater weed cutter driven by an auger with scissor-like cutting blades.  
           [0010]    The following patents describe a weed removal device with a blade and rake assembly pivotally-mounted against each other: U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,198 issued in the name of McDaniels; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,504,746 issued in the name of Stecker et al.  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,836 issued in the name of Lingerfelt discloses a weed puller with a dual blade system pivotally-hinged.  
           [0012]    Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a device which allows those who enjoy gardening, but suffer from back pain, weak knees, arthritis, or other physical ailments the ability to quickly and easily remove weeds while standing in an upright position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device which allows removal of weeds from an upright and standing position.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device which does not require a gardener to bend over or get on hands and knees.  
           [0015]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device which saves time.  
           [0016]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device which works on all types of weeds and can be easily operated by one person.  
           [0017]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with grasping claws which are easy to insert in dirt and around weeds.  
           [0018]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with grasping claws which have multiple tines for insuring weeds and their roots are entirely removed.  
           [0019]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with a long handle which allows a user to remain standing.  
           [0020]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with a long handle which provides for increased leverage while inserting and removing the device.  
           [0021]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with a long handle which is easy to store and hang.  
           [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with a hand-operated lever which is connected to an operating rod.  
           [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with a hand-operated lever for opening and closing the grasping claws.  
           [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a weed removal device with a hand-operated lever which operates to open and close the grasping claws by simply squeezing the lever.  
           [0025]    Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a weed extraction apparatus is provided for aiding in the removal of weeds from gardens, flower beds and the like. The invention has two claw like appendages at its lower end, which are held apart by a spring. The claws have multiple tines which mesh in an interlocking pattern to grasp the offending weed and its roots. The claws are forced together by an operating rod connected to a lever located at the upper end of the handle. The overall height of the invention is approximately 3 to 4 feet. The user simply positions the invention over the weed and squeezes the lever. This action forces the claws into the ground thus grabbing the weed and its roots. The user simply lifts the invention up, positioning the removed weed over a refuse bin, compost pile, wheelbarrow or the like, and then releases the lever allowing the weed to fall free.  
           [0026]    The use of the present invention allows those who enjoy gardening, but suffer from back pain, weak knees, arthritis, or other physical ailments the ability to quickly and easily remove weeds while standing in an upright position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]    The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a weed extraction apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged side elevational view of the weed extraction apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a partial front side elevational view of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of a claw appendage shown in a closed position;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 is front elevational view of the claw appendages showing their pivotal connection; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the operating rod according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0034]    1. Detailed Description of the Figures  
         [0035]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 6 , a weed extraction apparatus  10  is shown, according to the present invention, comprised of a linearly elongated handle  20 , a pair of movable claw appendages  30 , an operating rod  50 , and a movable linkage arm  60 .  
         [0036]    The handle  20  is of a linearly elongated cylindrical configuration, having an anterior end  22  opposite a posterior end  23 , and is constructed of a metal material, preferably a rigid aluminum material of high tensile strength. It is envisioned that the handle  20  may also be constructed of wood. The handle  20  has a length measuring approximately 3 to 4 feet. The anterior end  22  of the handle  20  is encapsulated within a sleeve  25  comprised of a thin layer of rubber peripherally adhered thereto, extending a linear distance theredown, so as to allow a user to obtain a non-slip, firm grasp of the handle  20 . The handle  20  is further defined as having a linearly elongated lever  26  pivotally mounted to the anterior end  22  thereof, just below the rubber sleeve  25  by a bolt  28 . The bolt  28  also serves as a fulcrum for the pair of movable claw appendages  30  (to be described in greater detail below).  
         [0037]    A spring  29 , shown in FIG. 3, is disposed on the bolt  28  and is adapted so as to connectively embrace the lever  26  in such a manner whereby the lever  26  is biased to a position extending away from the anterior end  22  of the handle  20 . The lever  26  includes a plurality of finger-gripping channels  27  formed on an upper surface thereof so as to facilitate gripping of the lever  26 .  
         [0038]    A small pulley  40  is coupled via a connecting rod  42  to the handle  20 , proximately positioned below the lever  26 , and is freely rotatable about its connecting rod  42 .  
         [0039]    A cable  44  operatively engages the pulley  40  and is connected at one end to a side of the lever  26  opposite the finger-gripping channels  27  via a suitable fastener  45 , and connected at an opposite end to a cable connecting stem  47 , which is in turn connected to an anterior end  51  of the metal operating rod  50 .  
         [0040]    The metal operating rod  50  is of a linear, rod-like configuration which extends parallel along a linear length of the handle  20 , and connects to the movable linkage arm  60  pivotally mounted near the posterior end  23  of the handle  20 . The operating rod  50  includes an integral circular loop  53 , shown in FIG. 6, formed at a posterior end  52  thereof for being pivotally attached via a bolt  62  to the linkage arm  60 .  
         [0041]    An eye hook  70  is mounted to an external circumferential sidewall of the handle  20  so as to provide a guide for vertical movement of the operating rod  50  therethrough.  
         [0042]    The linkage arm  60  is comprised of a pair of generally, linearly elongated rectangularly-shaped members  60   a,    60   b,  pivotally connected at ends in an overlapping manner to the handle  20  via bolt  62  inserted through the loop  53  of the operating rod  50 , through ends of the members  60   a,    60   b,  and mounted to the handle  20  near a posterior end  23  thereof. In a resting position, the members  60   a,    60   b  forming the linkage arm  60  are positioned perpendicularly, as shown in FIG. 1. The operating rod  50  serves to actuate opening and closing of the pair of movable claw appendages  30 .  
         [0043]    Each claw appendage  30  is of an elongated T-shaped configuration fabricated preferably of stainless steel, and is comprised of a base  32  which includes a plurality of sharpened, uniformly spaced, arcuate-shaped tines  33  extending outwardly therefrom. The claw appendages  30  are pivotally attached via a bolt  35  about a mid-section thereof in an overlapping manner. Ends of each claw appendage  30  opposite the base  32  are pivotally attached via bolts  37  to ends of each member  60   a,    60   b  opposite the members&#39;  60   a,    60   b  overlapping connection point.  
         [0044]    A spring  36 , shown in FIG. 5, is disposed on bolt  35  and is adapted so as to connectively embrace the claw appendages  30  in such a manner whereby the claw appendages  30  are biased to an open position.  
         [0045]    In order to actuate closing of the claw appendages  30 , a user squeezes the lever  26  downward in a direction toward the handle  20 , illustrated by direction arrow  72  shown in FIG. 1, thereby actuating upward vertical movement of the metal operating rod  50 , in turn actuating upward vertical movement of the linkage arm  60 . Being pivotally connected to the linkage arm  60 , the claw appendages  30  are pulled in an inward direction, wherein the tines  33  thereof mesh in an interlocking fashion, as shown in FIG. 4. Such action of the present invention serves to effectively aid a user in removing weeds from flower and vegetable gardens while standing in an upright position. More specifically, upon the user squeezing the lever  26 , the tines  33  of the claw appendages  30  are forced inward to a meshed interlocking closed position into the ground thus grabbing the weed and its roots. The user then simply lifts the present invention thereby effectively extracting the weed, positions the extracted weed over a refuse bin, compost pile, wheelbarrow, or other desired storage area, and releases the lever  26  thereby actuating the claw appendages  30  to their biased open resting position which in turn allows the weed to fall freely. The resultant functionality of the present invention allows the user to effectively remove weeds without bending over.  
         [0046]    2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment  
         [0047]    To use the present invention, after placing the open claw appendages  30  over a weed to be removed, the user squeezes the lever  26  whereby the tines  33  of the claw appendages  30  are forced inward to a meshed interlocking closed position into the ground thus grabbing the weed and its roots. The user then simply lifts the present invention thereby effectively extracting the weed, positions the extracted weed over a refuse bin, compost pile, wheelbarrow, or other desired storage area, and releases the lever  26  thereby actuating the claw appendages  30  to their biased open resting position which in turn allows the weed to fall freely.  
         [0048]    The use of the present invention allows those who enjoy gardening, but suffer from back pain, weak knees, arthritis, or other physical ailments the ability to quickly and easily remove weeds while standing in an upright position.  
         [0049]    Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following claims.