Patent Publication Number: US-2012024550-A1

Title: Guidance Tool for Landscaping Implements

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 61/369,695, filed Jul. 31, 2010, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to landscaping tools, and more specifically to a landscaping tool that permits guidance of a landscaping implement around an object such as a tree or pole. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gardening, and more generally landscaping has long been a popular pastime around the world. In recent times, there has been increasing attention to do-it-yourself approaches to all aspects of home and garden beautification. The complexity of residential and commercial landscaping has increased considerably, with gardeners and landscapers seeking new tools and methods to achieve their design goals. 
     In many respects, landscaping has become an art form, where accurate and precise arrangement and trimming of the gardening/landscaping space is paramount. However there is a lack of guidance/assistance tooling for use in maintaining a gardening/landscaping implement in a desirable orientation relative to an object in a landscape that also permits a high level of accuracy or control in achieving a certain landscaping feature or pattern. 
     There is a need in the landscaping market for specialized tooling that provides a landscaper, or more generally any user with enhanced guidance, so as to achieve a desired level of precision and accuracy in achieving a certain landscaping feature or pattern when using landscaping implements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the invention, provided is a landscaping tool for guiding a landscaping implement around an object of a landscape, such as a tree, post, or other relatively fixed structure. The landscaping tool includes an engagement segment, such as a hook, for engaging the object, a body portion extending from the engagement segment, and a repositionable coupler provided on the body portion. The coupler includes an attachment fixture to permit the mounting of a landscaping implement, wherein the rotation of the landscaping tool around the object maintains the landscaping implement at a predetermined distance or orientation relative to the object. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments hereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the landscaping tool, coupled to a marking device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the coupler of the landscaping tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of the landscaping tool of  FIG. 1 , showing rotation of the landscaping tool and the mounted landscaping implement (e.g. marking device) around an object (e.g. tree). 
         FIG. 3B  is a top a view of the landscaping toll shown in  FIG. 3A  showing the rotation of the landscaping tool around an object. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an engagement segment of a landscaping tool in accordance with another embodiment hereof. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of an engagement segment of a landscaping tool in accordance with another embodiment hereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an engagement segment of a landscaping tool in accordance with another embodiment hereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a landscaping tool having a body portion that includes a telescoping arrangement in accordance with another embodiment hereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a landscaping tool having a body portion that is extendible by way of multiple extension sections in accordance with another embodiment hereof. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a coupler for use with a landscaping tool hereof. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the landscaping tool of  FIG. 1 , showing a handle provided on the body portion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures. The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. While described primarily in respect of landscaping and landscaping implements, the tool may find application in other areas such as, but not limited to the construction field. 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  is a landscaping tool  10  used to guide a landscaping implement  32  in a pattern, of predetermined distance, around an object, such as, but not limited to a tree, pole, telephone post, rock or statue. Exemplary landscaping implements  32  suitable for use with tool  10  include commercially available marking devices and wheeled edging tools, but as will be appreciated, a range of other landscaping implements may be suitable for use with tool  10 . Where the landscaping implement  32  is shown in the drawings, it is generally represented as a marking device. Where the object around which the landscaping tool  10  is used in shown in the drawings, it is generally represented as a tree T. The use of the marking device and tree in the drawings is merely exemplary, and is not intended to limit the utility of the invention in any way. 
     The landscaping tool  10  includes an engagement segment or hook  20 , a body portion  24  extending from engagement segment  20 , and a coupler  28  for coupling landscaping implement  32  (e.g. marking device) to the landscaping tool  10 . Coupler  28  is configured to be repositionable on body portion  24 , so as to set coupler  28 , and hence landscaping implement  32  at a predetermined distance and/or orientation from an object (e.g. tree T). 
     In the embodiment shown, engagement segment  20  is predominantly angular, with four segments defining the general form of a hook, but as will be appreciated, engagement segment  20  may include fewer or greater number of segments. Engagement segment  20  also provides an angled seat  36  into which the object is set for guiding tool  10 . In general, angled seat  36  is configured to provide at least two points of contact with the object, so as to provide stability during rotation. As shown, angled seat  36  is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis  40  defined by body portion  24 , but it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, angled seat  36  may be offset from longitudinal axis  40 . 
     Body portion  24  extends from engagement segment  20 , and is configured to extend radially outwardly from the object around which tool  10  is rotated. In the embodiment shown, body portion  24  is of fixed length, the length generally being suitable for setting a range of circular patterns around the object, depending on the position of adjustable coupler  28 . 
     Coupler  28  is configured to enable attachment of landscaping implement  32  to landscaping tool  10 . Depending on the desired circular pattern to be marked around the object, coupler  28  is repositionable on body portion  24  as determined by the user. As shown in  FIG. 2 , coupler  28  is configured for sliding engagement with body portion  24 . In general, coupler  28  includes a sliding sleeve  44  with a releasable fastener  48  being provided to secure coupler  28  at a selected location on body portion  24 . As shown, releasable fastener  48  is configured as a threaded screw with a handle  52  to facilitate adjustment. Coupler  28  also provides an attachment fixture  56  for mounting landscaping implement  32  on coupler  28 . As will be appreciated, attachment fixture  56  may take on a variety of forms, so as to match the shape/dimensions of the commercially available landscaping implement  32 . Attachment fixture  56  shown in  FIG. 2  is an integral part of coupler  28 . In other embodiments, attachment fixture  56  may be a detachable feature, and may be available in a range of configurations to suit a variety of landscaping implements. Adaptability of attachment fixture  56  to a variety of landscaping implements may be further facilitated through the use of an adaptor kit that provides a specific geometry for mating to the specific shape/dimension of a certain landscaping implement. As noted in  FIG. 2 , attachment fixture  56  includes a fastening mechanism  58  (e.g. threaded nut/bolt) to effectively tighten attachment fixture  56 , such that landscaping implement  32  is fixedly retained. Although represented as a threaded nut/bolt, fastening mechanism  58  may take on a variety of forms, with the intended function being the secure retention of landscaping implement  32  on coupler  28 . 
     It will be appreciated that landscaping tool  10  may be constructed from a range of materials, including metal and/or various polymers/resins, with the sections of tool  10  being of either tubular and/or solid construction. In the embodiment shown, engagement segment  20  and body portion  24  are constructed from square tubing. While square tubing facilitates alignment of coupler  28  on body portion  24 , it will be appreciated that other cross-sectional configurations of material may be suitable implemented (e.g. circular). In an embodiment, aluminum or an aluminum-alloy may be used to facilitate lightweight construction. 
     As indicated above, landscaping tool  10  is designed to be coupled to a range of separately available landscaping implements  32 . For an explanation of use, reference will now be made to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in which tool  10  and a coupled landscaping implement  32 , in this case a marking device, are shown with reference to a tree T. In use, marking device  32  is attached to landscaping tool  10  by way of attachment fixture  56  of coupler  28 , and the longitudinal position of coupler  28  on body portion  24  is selected for achieving the desired marking distance around tree T. Tool  10  is then hooked around tree T by virtue of engagement segment  20 . While walking around the tree with tool  10 , the user imparts an outwardly directed pressure to ensure accurate engagement with tree T, while at the same time triggering marking device  32  to release a marking product contained therein, for example a paint or marking powder onto the ground. With the surface around the tree now marked with a circular pattern, the user can proceed with landscaping around the tree as desired, using the marked circular pattern as a guide. In general, landscaping tool  10  permits for accurate and precise engagement of landscaping implement  32  with the surface being worked, using the object located at angular seat  36  as a reference point. 
     While presented as an angular arrangement, engagement segment  20  of landscaping tool  10  may take on a variety of forms, with the intended function of engagement segment  20  being the engagement of an object to provide support and guidance to the tool during use. In another embodiment hereof, landscaping tool  110  includes an engagement segment  120  having a predominantly rounded or curved configuration as shown in  FIG. 4A . As will be appreciated, variations and/or combinations on these arrangements are possible. For example, in another embodiment, the engagement segment may have a predominantly rounded or curved configuration, as shown in  FIG. 4A , with the addition of an angled seat, similar to angled seat  36  in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , for engagement with the object. In another embodiment hereof shown in  FIG. 4B , landscaping tool  210  includes engagement segment  220  formed from a number of adjustable sections. Engagement segment  220  includes four sections  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c ,  64   d  that are interconnected by way of adjustable fasteners  68 . Adjustable fasteners  68  permit the adaptation/reconfiguration of engagement segment  220 , and generally landscaping tool  210  to different sized objects as necessary. Adjustability of engagement segment  220  may be in the form of altering the angles between the sections, and/or may include the interchangeability of differently sized sections. In general, the ability to adjust and/or reconfigure the shape of engagement segment  220  enables a user to customize tool  110  to suit a range of objects around which tool  210  is being rotated. The ability to reconfigure engagement segment  220  also permits for easier storage and retail packaging, as the generally bulkier engagement segment of landscaping tool  210  can be substantially collapsed. 
     While the engagement segments of the preceding embodiments are represented as generally hook-shaped, engagement segment  320  of landscaping tool  310  shown in  FIG. 5  has a V-shape to contact an object on two inner sides. In this configuration, instead of applying an outwardly directed pressure in use, the user applies an inwardly directed pressure towards the object, as represented by the arrow in  FIG. 5 , to ensure engagement while directing landscaping tool  310  around the object. 
     While body portion  24  is described in the embodiments above as being of fixed length, body portion  624  of landscaping tool  610  shown in  FIG. 6  utilizes a telescoping construction in which multiple elongated body sections  76 ,  80  are coupled to seat in a telescoping relationship to permit for a wider range of adjustability in terms of length. In this way, the telescoping arrangement enables extension or retraction of body portion  624  as necessary for the landscaping application. To maintain the telescoping arrangement at a selected length, one or more locking fixtures  84  may be provided. In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  in which coupler  28  is not shown for clarity, landscaping tool  710  includes body portion  724  defined by a plurality of sections  88   a ,  88   b , which couple together, for example through threaded engagement, to form a desired length. 
     While releasable fastener  48  of coupler  28  is described above as having a threaded set screw, a variety of other fastening or locking arrangements are possible. For example, releasable fastener  48  may include a simple set screw that is adjustable by way of any standard screw and/or socket driver. Alternatively in another embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , releasable fastener  848  includes a locking cam  92  that releasably engages body portion  24 . In such an arrangement, locking cam  92  may be rotated between a first position A in which coupler  28  is free to slide on body portion  24  and a second position B that imparts a force on body portion  24 , thereby retaining coupler  28  in a fixed position on elongated body  24 . 
     To facilitate handling of landscaping tools in accordance with embodiments during usage, the tool may be provided with an adjustable handle  96  as shown in  FIG. 9 . Adjustable handle  96  is repositionable along body portion  24  to permit placement at a location comfortable to the user. In this way, during usage, the user is able to grasp adjustable handle  96 , for example with their left hand, while guiding and operating landscaping implement  32  coupled to tool  10  with their right hand. Adjustable handle  96  is provided with a similar releasable fastener  100  as that described above with respect to coupler  28 . While handle  96  is shown as being positioned generally in the same plane as engagement segment  20 , handle  96  may be positioned to extend upwardly of tool  10 , i.e., generally 90° to the plane of engagement segment  20 . It will be further appreciated that where the material used to construct tool  10  is circular in cross-section, handle  96  may be positioned at any intermediate position that is comfortable for the user. Still further arrangements of handle  96  are possible, such as a handle that includes an adjustable hinge (not shown) to permit for angular adjustments. 
     While landscaping tool  10  has been shown as having a single hook structure, in some embodiments, landscaping tool  10  may include a plurality of spaced-apart hook structures to engage the object (e.g. tree) at multiple locations along the object&#39;s longitudinal axis. In such an arrangement, the multiple hook structures may be situated in parallel planes. In this way, the spaced-apart relationship of the plurality of hook structures provides additional stability when the tool  10  is situated on an object. 
     While various embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment.