Patent Publication Number: US-2023147964-A1

Title: Weed removal tool

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to gardening tools. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to weed removal tools used to remove weeds from the ground. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Weeds are undesired plants that grow in a garden or field of desired plants. Weeds can grow vigorously and crowd or choke out the desired plants. When this happens, a gardener or farmer may attempt to remove the weeds. For example, the gardener may pull the weed by hand or attempt to use a weed removal tool, such as a hoe, to chop or dig the weed out of the ground. 
     SUMMARY 
     Removing weeds using existing weed removal tools can be physically strenuous and ineffective. For example, generating the force required to chop a weed requires substantial physical strength and, in the case of large gardens with many weeds, endurance. Furthermore, chopping the weed may remove a stem of the weed but leave the root of the weed intact in the soil. This is especially the case in dry soil in which the soil strongly retains the root. The remaining root can allow the weed to regrow, and thus, existing weed removal tools only provide a temporary weed abatement solution. Accordingly, there is a need for a weed removal tool that can remove the entire weed, including the root, from moist or dry soils, and which require minimal physical exertion to use. 
     The present invention provides a weed removal tool. In an embodiment, the weed removal tool includes a head mounted on an end of a handle. The head includes one or more claws that extends laterally to a claw tip. For example, the head can include claws suited to pulling differently sized weeds on each side of the handle. Each claw can extend laterally and proximally from a distal end of the handle. 
     The claw(s) of the tool head are configured to engage a weed. Each claw can include a slot separating a pair of prongs. The slot can receive a stem of the weed. For example, the slot can include a v-shaped notch between the pair of prongs to receive the weed stem. The prongs may include a gripping surface, e.g., serrations or a beveled surface, to grip the weed stem. Accordingly, when a user strikes at the weed, the stem can be received in the slot and the claw engages the stem. In a method of using the weed removal tool, the handle may then be pivoted about the head, e.g., rocked about the head on the ground, to uproot the weed from the ground. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present invention. It is contemplated that the invention includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings illustrate only certain aspects or implementations of the invention by way of example and are not meant to limit the scope of the claims. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a weed removal tool, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of a weed removal tool, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of a head of a weed removal tool, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a distal end view of a weed removal tool, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a proximal end view of a weed removal tool, in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIGS.  6 - 7    are pictorial views of operations of a method of removing a weed from the ground using a weed removal tool, in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments describe a weed removal tool and a method of using the weed removal tool to remove a weed from the ground. The weed removal tool can be used to pull a weed. The weed removal tool may be used, however, to remove any plant, e.g., to thin a crop. Thus, reference to the tool as being for weed removal is not limiting. 
     In various embodiments, description is made with reference to the figures. However, certain embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or in combination with other known methods and configurations. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific configurations, dimensions, and processes, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. In other instances, well-known processes and manufacturing techniques have not been described in particular detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the description. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, configuration, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrase “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or the like, in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, configurations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     The use of relative terms throughout the description may denote a relative position or direction. For example, “distal” may indicate a first direction relative to a reference point. Similarly, “proximal” may indicate a second direction opposite to the first direction. Such terms are provided to establish relative frames of reference, however, and are not intended to limit the use or orientation of a weed removal tool to a specific configuration described in the various embodiments below. 
     In an aspect, a weed removal tool is provided to remove a weed from the ground. The weed removal tool includes a tool head mounted on a handle. For example, the tool head can be a metal head having one or more fork-like claws. In an embodiment, the head includes two claws, one on each side of the handle, to engage differently sized weed stems. More particularly, a user can hold the handle and strike once at a base of a weed stem. The user may then pull and/or rock the handle to dislodge and remove the weed roots from the ground. The rocking motion uses leverage, and thus, requires minimal strength. Furthermore, the motion dislodges the weed roots from all soil types, whether the soil is dry or wet. Accordingly, the weed removal tool provides an easy to use weed control solution that pulls weeds out by their roots such that the weeds cannot grow back and a garden or flower bed remains free of weeds for long periods of time. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a perspective view of a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. A weed removal tool  100  can be used to pull a weed out of the ground. The weed removal tool  100  can include a handle  102  that a user can hold to strike at the weed. More particularly, the user can engage a head  104  of the weed removal tool  100  to a stem of the weed, as described below, and then pivot the handle  102  to dislodge the weed from the earth. 
     In an embodiment, the handle  102  extends longitudinally and distally to a handle end  106 . More particularly, the handle  102  can extend along a longitudinal axis from the handle end  106  at a distal end of the handle  102  to a second handle end  108  at a proximal end of the handle  102 . The handle  102  may include one or more curved sections between the ends. In an embodiment, a curved section may be nearer to the proximal end of the handle  102  than to the distal handle end  106 . The curved handle  102  can provide a comfortable grip for the user to hold while weeding a garden. 
     The weed removal tool  100  includes the head  104  mounted on the handle end  106 . In an embodiment, the head  104  includes one or more claws  110  extending laterally outward to respective claw tips  112 . For example, a claw  110  can extend laterally to a claw tip  112  on a first side of the handle  102 , and one or more additional claws  110  can extend laterally from the handle  102  at locations that are radially offset from the claw  110  relative to a longitudinal axis of the handle  102 . 
     Each claw  110  of the head  104  can have respective prongs  114  to engage the weed stem. More particularly, the claw  110  includes a slot  116  separating a first set or pair of prongs  114  at the claw tip  112 . When the user engages the claw  110  of the head  104  to the stem of the weed, the stem is received within the slot  116  of the claw  110 . Accordingly, the prongs  114  can grip the stem, which is received in the slot  116 , to pull the weed from the ground when the user pulls or pivots the handle  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a side view of a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The handle  102  can have a handle length  202  between the handle end  106  at the distal end of the handle  102 , and the second handle end  108  at the proximal end of the handle  102 . The length  202  can be sized to facilitate the generation of leverage when pulling the weed out of the ground. In an embodiment, the length  202  of the handle  102  is greater than 12 inches, e.g., at least 18 inches. In an embodiment, the handle length  202  is 24 inches or more. It will be appreciated from the description below that a longer handle  102  can generate more leverage to uproot the weed with less force input (less physical exertion). 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the handle  102  may be straight along its length  202 . More particularly, although the handle  102  may be curved ( FIG.  1   ), in some embodiments the handle  102  is straight between the handle end  106  and the second handle end  108 . Accordingly, the handle  102  may include a rod, pipe, dowel, or other readily available structure that the weed removal tool head  104  can be attached to and/or mounted on. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , a side view of a head of a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The weed removal tool head  104  can include a collar  302  extending longitudinally and distally to a collar end  304 . The collar  302  may, for example, have a tubular structure that extends from a proximal tube end to a distal tube end at the collar end  304 . The tubular structure can have an annular cross-sectional profile ( FIG.  5   ). Accordingly, the handle  102 , and more particularly the handle end  106 , can be received within the collar  302 . The head  104  may then be fastened to the handle  102  using a screw, an adhesive, a wedge inserted into the handle end  106 , or by other fastening techniques. 
     In an embodiment, the head  104  is denser than the handle  102 . For example, the head  104  may be fabricated from metal, and the handle  102  may be fabricated from wood. In any case, a weight of the head  104  can cause a center of gravity of the weed removal tool  100  to be nearer to a distal end of the handle  102  than to a proximal end of the handle  102 . The weighting of the tool can focus the force input at a base of the weed stem when the head  104  strikes the stem, and thus, facilitate engagement of the stem with the head  104 . 
     As described above, the head  104  can have two or more claws  110  extending laterally outward from the handle  102 . In an embodiment, the claw  110  extends laterally outward from the handle  102 , e.g., from the collar  302  mounted on the handle  102 , to the claw tip  112 . Similarly, a second claw  306  can extend laterally from the handle  102 , e.g., from the collar  302  mounted on the handle  102 , to a second claw tip  112 . The second claw  306  can extend laterally from the handle  102  opposite to the claw  110 . Accordingly, the weed removal tool  100  can have several claws  110  on opposite sides of the handle  102 . As described below, each of the claws may be suited to pulling differently sized weeds. For example, the claw  110  may be used to pull weeds having thin stems, and the second claw  306  may be used to pull weeds having thick stems. 
     Each of the claws  110  may extend laterally at a slight angle to a transverse plane that is orthogonal to the handle axis. More particularly, the claw  110  can extend laterally and proximally from the handle end  106  to the claw tip  112 . As such, the claw tip  112  may be proximally located relative to the collar end  304 . Although the claw  110  is shown as extending straight from the collar end  304  to the claw tip  112 , it will be appreciated that the claw  110  may be curved in the proximal direction. The lateral and proximal extension of the claw  110  can provide several benefits. First, the oblique angle of the claw  110  to the handle end  106  provides for a better angle of attack when the user strikes at the stem of the weed. Second, the curvilinear shape of the head claws allows the tool to be rocked more smoothly about the head  104  when the user applies leverage at the handle  102  to pull the weed out of the ground. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a distal end view of a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. Each side of the claw head  104  can include a set of prongs  114 . The claw  110  on a first side of the handle  102  includes a pair of prongs  114  separated by the slot  116 . For example, the slot  116  can include a v-shaped notch  402  extending laterally inward from the claw tip  112  toward the handle  102 . The v-shaped notch  402  between the pair of prongs  114  can have a width that narrows laterally inward in an inward radial direction, and terminates at a notch end  404 . Like the claw  110 , the second claw  306  can include a second pair of prongs. The second pair prongs includes a pair of second prongs  406  separated by a second slot  408 . The second slot  408  can include a v-shaped notch  410  between the second prongs  406 . 
     In an embodiment, the slot of each claw of the head  104  is sized differently. The size of the slot can correspond to a size of weed that the respective claw is suited to pull. For example, the second slot  408  of the second claw  306  may be wider than the slot  116  of the first claw  110 . By way of example, a width of the slot  116  between the first pair of prongs  114  at the claw tip  112  may be 0.375 inch, and a width of the second slot  408  between the second pair of prongs  406  at the claw tip  112  may be 0.75 inch. Accordingly, the second claw  306  may be better suited to pulling weeds having thick stems, and the first claw  110  may be better suited to pulling weeds having thinner stems. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , a proximal end view of a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The claw(s) of the head  104  can include a gripping surface  502  in the respective slot. The gripping surface  502  can provide a feature that engages and grips the weed stem. The gripping surface  502  can be located along an edge of one or more of the prongs  114 . For example, the gripping surface  502  can be a roughened surface, as compared to adjacent surfaces of the prongs  114 , along an edge facing inward toward the slot. 
     In an embodiment, the gripping surface  502  includes one or more serrations  504 . The serrations  504  can include a tooth, or several teeth, extending inward from the prong into the slot. The serration(s)  504  may be on each prong of the claw such that the teeth extend toward each other and coordinate to grip a weed stem. 
     The gripping surface  502  may include a beveled surface along an edge of the prongs. A bevel  506  can extend along the edge, such that the inward surface of the bevel (the portion nearest to the slot) is thinner than an outward surface of the bevel (the portion furthest from the slot). The bevel  506  may create a wedge that scrapes and digs into the weed stem. Accordingly, the bevel  506  can grip the weed stem even though it may not be rougher than the region around the bevel  506 , in contrast to the serration  504 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a pictorial view of an operation of a method of removing a weed from the ground using a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. The method of removing the weed  602  can begin by gripping the handle  102  of the weed removal tool  100  and striking at the weed  602 . More particularly, the user can engage the claw  110  of the head  104  of the weed removal tool  100  to a stem  604  of the weed  602 . When the stem  604  is received within the slot  116  of the claw  110 , the head  104  can be adjacent to the ground (e.g., soil) at a base  606  of the stem  604 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a pictorial view of an operation of a method of removing a weed from the ground using a weed removal tool is shown in accordance with an embodiment. After engaging the claw  110  to the weed  602 , the prongs  114 , e.g., the gripping surface  502  of the prongs  114 , can grip the weed stem  604 . Accordingly, the weed removal tool  100  can become fixed to the weed  602  such that movement of the weed removal tool  100  causes movement of the weed stem  604 . Such movement could include pulling the weed removal tool  100  upward, e.g., pulling up on the handle  102 . In moist soil, the upward pull may be sufficient to uproot the weed  602 , i.e., to pull a root  608  of the weed  602  from the ground. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , the movement of the weed removal tool  100  can include pivoting the handle  102  of the weed removal tool  100  about the head  104 . As the handle  102  pivots about the head  104 , the head  104  can roll over the ground from the prongs  114  on a first side of the handle  102  to a portion, e.g., the second prongs  406 , on a second side of the handle  102 . The rocking motion causes the prongs  114  engaged to the weed stem  604  to lift, and the handle  102  applies leverage that gradually applies high loading to the weed stem  604 . Accordingly, even under dry soil conditions, the claw  110  can pull the root  608  out of the soil when the handle  102  pivots about the head  104 . 
     The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the embodiments and various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.