Abstract:
A tool, having a handle attached to a gripping structure, for ergonomically pulling weeds, including the bulk of their root systems, or other protruding shafts from the ground. The gripping structure has at least one tong that rotates from pressure against the surface of the ground. The rotation of the tong or tongs causes a gripping surface at the end of a tong to compress towards a mated gripping surface, forming a jaw. When operating the tool, the two gripping surfaces sandwich the weed-stalk to be extracted. This gripping structure works automatically with pressure against the surface, so unnecessary steps are eliminated in engaging or disengaging the tool. The handle is a lever arm pivoting the entire gripping structure, this forces whatever is held in the jaw away from the surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to weed removing tools, specifically tools that grip weeds near the ground and utilize some mechanism to extract gripped weeds, including the underlying root system. 
     2. Problems to Overcome and Inefficiencies of Prior Art 
     Invasive plant species ruin the biological diversity of wildlands, and diminish the productivity of croplands and rangelands. One attempted remedy to this problem is to cut the weeds off at ground level. Many prior art tools do this; some on a massive scale like dozers and mowers, but cutting weeds down often does not cure the problem. Land cleared by cutting can be reinfested with weeds growing from the thriving root systems left behind. Oftentimes, cutting makes land productivity worse because the same weeds regrow, crowding out any desired plant growth, while also leaving dangerous stumps that can trip humans or damage livestock&#39;s hooves. 
     Herbicides and controlled burns are also utilized in destroying weeds, but these methods have drawbacks. There are many legalities to research before application, and oftentimes a permit is required. The costs can be prohibitive with permits, expensive chemicals, and costly safety equipment. Many invasive plant species are resistant to these methods, multiplying the costs with multiple applications. Environmental concerns rank among the strongest reasons not to use herbicides or land burning. Oftentimes, desired species are indiscriminately killed. Humans, wildlife, and livestock can have ill effects from these methods as well, due to contaminated air and food supplies. Herbicides can also have unknown toxic effects limiting the agricultural productivity of the land. 
     The best solution is to remove a weed along with its underlying root system, preventing further regrowth. In the past, this meant physically bending over to get the best hold near the ground, grabbing the weed-stalk or clump of weed-stalks by hand, and pulling up. Hand-pulling weeds is prohibitively fatiguing for large stands of dense weed growth, working at awkward angles against well-fortified root systems. Hand-pulling is also undesirable for weeds with thorns, requiring one to wear gloves and other protective clothing in the close proximity of the thorns. Some weeds are just too large to remove by hand and require mechanical assistance. 
     Consequently, inventors created several types of tools to remove weeds along with a corresponding root system, but nevertheless all prior art weed removal tools suffer from at least one of the following disadvantages: 
     (a) The tool makes no use of leverage to pull up forcibly against the well-fortified root system. This is just as straining as hand-pulling is on the knees, shoulders and back. 
     (b) There is no mechanical assistance available to hold or release a weed, requiring one to forcibly hold a mechanism closed to continue holding a weed. This tires arms, wrists and hands unnecessarily. 
     (c) Using the tool is not ergonomical, requiring one to bend at the waist or squat down, close to the weed to apply a grip, or one needs to repeatedly apply pressure to a lever, switch, or manual setting. If the tool relies extensively on human muscle power, it is impractical in long-term use for reasons of fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motion. 
     (d) Human effort or extra steps are required to dislodge a weed from the tool itself, before the tool can be used on another weed. 
     (e) The tool can only be used on a weed of a certain size or of a particular form. This tool is ineffective on the uncooperative tangles of weeds found in the field. Weeds only rarely grow identical in form and evenly spaced from one another. 
     (f) Many of these tools must be fabricated in only one size to accommodate for human use, as they do not work correctly in alternate sizes. 
     (g) The tool requires one to stand unreasonably close to a weed, because it only works vertically, increasing the chance of toppling a thorned weed onto one&#39;s self. 
     (h) The tool removes a significant amount of soil with the extracted weed, leaving one the extra task of filling holes in. These holes can be dangerous to any person or animal stepping in one, as well as unsightly. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, a weed-gripping pry tool comprises a gripping jaw that closes when a fulcrum protrusion is pressed against a surface, and a handle used to pry the entire gripping structure, including the weed held, away from the surface. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are: 
     (a) to provide leverage to help the one extracting weeds and the corresponding root system, saving the user&#39;s muscles and joints from fatigue and injury, 
     (b) to grip the weed or weeds mechanically and automatically, so one need only exert pressure downwards on a handle to grip the weed or weeds, as well as pry up the weed or weeds, 
     (c) to allow application of the tool from an upright, ergonomical position, with no excessive bodily force required so one can use the tool comfortably for long periods of time, 
     (d) to release the weed as necessary, so the one using the tool need not waste time or force, allowing the tool to quickly release and secure a new grip quickly, 
     (e) to easily adapt to weeds of differing size and form and penetrate thick masses of weeds, because of a V-shaped gripping jaw that can grip weeds anywhere inside the jaw, thereby grabbing large weed stalks in the wide part of the gripping jaw, and small weeds deep within the jaw where it is narrow, 
     (f) to allow any size tool be made, from a one handed model up to any size, even mounted on the back of a machine to pull out large trees or stumps, 
     (g) to provide one a reasonable distance from a weed for the tool to work, so one need not be nudged by thorns or sharp branches, afforded because the handle runs in line with the axis about which each tong rotates, 
     (h) to remove little or no soil along with the extracted weed, freeing one from filling in unnecessary holes. 
     Further objects and advantages are to easily compress a forceful grip at the base of a weed or weed clumps, and easily, conveniently, and ergonomically force a weed up. This tool is simple in construction and operation as well as inexpensive to manufacture and requires virtually no maintenance. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a weed-gripping pry tool 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a weed-gripping pry tool 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10A 
                 binding 
               
               
                   
                 10B 
                 binding 
               
               
                   
                 12L 
                 left tong 
               
               
                   
                 12R 
                 right tong 
               
               
                   
                 14L 
                 arch of left tong 
               
               
                   
                 14R 
                 arch of right tong 
               
               
                   
                 16L 
                 left gripping surface 
               
               
                   
                 16R 
                 right gripping surface 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 30A 
                 binding 
               
               
                   
                 30B 
                 binding 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 tong 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 fulcrum protrusion 
               
               
                   
                 36A 
                 left gripping surface 
               
               
                   
                 36B 
                 right gripping surface 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG.  1 —Preferred Embodiment 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a weed-gripping pry tool. An elongate handle  18  is of such length and made of such strength that one can comfortably use handle  18  as a lever arm. A binding  10 A is fixed to handle  18 . A binding  10 B is fixed to the terminating end of handle  18 . A tong  12 L and a tong  12 R are bound to handle  18  by bindings  10 A and  10 B, each tong  12 L and  12 R running through both bindings  10 A and  10 B. Binding  10 A firmly fixes tong  12 L and  12 R to handle  18 , but binding  10 B is only attached firmly to handle  18 , leaving tongs  12 L and  12 R free to rotate on an axis approximately parallel to handle  18 , but not free to move sideways or up and down in relation to handle  18 . 
     Tongs  12 L and  12 R are approximately symmetrical about handle  18 , made from a material with the property to spring back to original shape when a deforming force is no longer acting on the material. Tongs  12 L and  12 R are straight for a distance at the point in which they touch and are fixed by binding  10 A to handle  18 . After the straight portion of tong  12 L, an arch  14 L is added to tong  12 L. Arch  14 L is angled downwards and away from tong  12 R. After the straight portion of tong  12 R, an arch  14 R is added to tong  12 R. Arches  14 L and  14 R are symmetrical, and are angled downwards away from each other at the same angle from the handle. At binding  10 B, tong  12 L angles sideways in a short segment to the left and away from tong  12 R, then terminates. A gripping surface  16 L is added to the short segment of tong  12 L that runs from binding  10 B to the terminating end of tong  12 L. At binding  10 B, tong  12 R angles sideways in a short segment to the right and away from tong  12 L, then terminates. A gripping surface  16 R is added to the short segment of tong  12 R that runs from binding  10 B to the terminating end of tong  12 R. Gripping surfaces  16 L and  16 R form a symmetrical jaw. 
     Operation—FIG.  1 —Preferred Embodiment 
     While in an upright comfortable position, one holds handle  18  and sandwiches a weed-stalk or weed clump between gripping surfaces  16 L and  16 R. The weed-stalk or weed clump, in resisting compression, causes the elastic properties of tongs  12 L and  12 R to press back forming a grip. One then allows arches  14 L and  14 R to rest on the ground. As the physically lowest point to the ground, arches  14 L and  14 R are the first point of contact with the ground. The pressure of the ground against arches  14 L and  14 R forces the entire tongs  12 L and  12 R to rotate, except where they are physically fixed to binding  10 A. Tongs  12 L and  12 R rotate inside binding  10 B, forcing gripping surfaces  16 L and  16 R to compress towards each other, thereby grabbing the weed-stalk or weed clump. 
     Arches  14 L and  14 R become the fulcrum point of a lever, the mechanically advantaged end of the lever being handle  18  pulled downwards, the other end of the lever being the gripped weed-stalk or weed clump. As one pulls down on handle  18 , working with gravity to prevent fatigue, the other end of the lever is rolled up smoothly on fulcrum arches  14 L and  14 R uprooting the weed or weed clumps while simultaneously producing greater gripping compression. Once gripping surfaces  16 L and  16 R reach desired height from the ground, one can quit pressing downwards with gravity, and tongs  12 L and  12 R will spring rotationally back to their natural position, forcing gripping surfaces  14 L and  14 R apart, thereby releasing the weed. Tongs  12 L and  12 R spring back rotationally because they are made of a material that springs back to a natural position, and they are bound by binding  10 A in that natural position. Once tongs  12 L and  12 R rotate back to their natural position, one has the option of lowering arches  14 L and  14 R back against the ground getting a lower grip on the newly exposed roots or to quickly grab a new weed-stalk or weed clump. 
     FIG.  2 —Alternate Embodiment 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a weed-gripping pry tool. A gripping surface  36 B is added to one end of an elongate handle  38 . A tong  32  is bound to handle  38 A in parallel fashion by a binding  30 A, and by a binding  30 B near the end of handle  38  almost to gripping surface  36 B. Bindings  30 A and  30 B are fixed to handle  38 , but only surround tong  32 , allowing tong  32  to rotate on an axis approximately parallel to handle  38 , but not any sideways or up an down motion in relation to handle  38 . A gripping surface  36 A is added to tong  32  on the short segment that extends past binding  30 B. Gripping surfaces  36 A and  36 B are added in such a way that they form a gripping jaw. A fulcrum protrusion  34  is extended downwards at an angle from tong  32  in a fashion approximately parallel to the axis about which tong  32  rotates. 
     Operation—FIG.  2 —Alternate Embodiment 
     One sandwiches a weed-stalk or weed clump between gripping surfaces  36 A and  36 B. Touching fulcrum protrusion  34  to the ground causes tong  32  to rotate, compressing gripping surface  36 A towards gripping surface  36 B. The jaw squeezes the weed-stalk or weed clump. When the jaw is fully compressed, tong  32  can&#39;t rotate further in either direction, as fulcrum protrusion  34  against the ground holds one direction, gripping surface  36 A against gripping surface  36 B prevents the other direction. Fulcrum protrusion  34  is still angled downwards and becomes a fulcrum about which handle  38  pries the compressed gripping jaw away from the ground, pulling up the weed or weed clump, as downward pressure is applied on handle  38 . 
     Conclusion, Ramification, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the gripping mechanism of this invention efficiently grips a weed, and then one can comfortably pull downwards working with gravity on the handle to extract the same weed from a surface. Although the description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations to the preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, this invention is scalable. Any size, from tiny on up to tractor mounted, could be made and the principles would still remain intact. Another example is a cutting variant with scissors rather then gripping surfaces. Altering a fulcrum protrusion attached to a tong for greater contact area with the ground can allow more efficient use on very soft ground; altering a fulcrum protrusion attached to a tong for shape can allow the tool to get to areas where it is difficult to grip a weed due to contours in the land, or existing plant structures like vines or exposed roots. The handle can be angularly adjustable to allow one to be in close proximity to the weed or weeds to be extracted, or to allow use of the tool without one assuming an awkward position. The handle may terminate earlier, ending at the very beginning of the tongs rather then run up to the binding at the gripping surfaces. 
     The gripping surfaces can be shaped physically into the tongs, or a separate piece fastened on, to allow changing of gripping surfaces for adaptability to any relevant situation or in case of wear. The segments past the binding that the gripping surfaces are added to can be angled downwards, with the tongs crossing to allow the gripping surfaces to be pressed under the soil to grab an underground segment of a weed. 
     Alternately, a tong or tongs can be made of materials that are rigid and firm rather then spring back to an at rest position. The tong or tongs are bound to the handle, but allowed rotational movement. Gravity pulls the lever arm added to the each tong downwards, thereby opening the gripping jaw mechanically with the rotational movement of the tong or tongs. Springs or cord can be strewn between tongs and handle if a specific jaw position is desired, to allow working at odd angles. As another example, this invention need not be limited to pulling plants, but any shaft such as fence posts and shaft-like fasteners like bolts or screws. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.