An Improved Weed Exterminator.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 30th June, 1892-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Weed Exterminator.
We, JOSEPH TURVEY of Panshurst Farm near Sevenoaks, Foreman Shepherd,
and HENRY ARMSTRONG GRINDBOD of Tonbridge, Horticultural Chemical
Manufacturer, both in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for object the destruction of weeds by means of an instru-
ment which will cut them off; and at the same tine inject poison to destroy the
root.
It consists of a small handled spud or hoe which may be square or rounded at its
cutting edge, and may be flat or curved in section.
The handle is hollow and contains a reservoir for the poison, which by means of
a small tube is conveyed through the cutting blade to the back thereof, where there
is fixed a sliding plate covering the aperture of the tube. This sliding plate is
connected to a small rod which passes over the cutting blade and controls a small
valve in the tube. When the hoe is thrust into the ground, the sliding plate is
pushed up thus opening the valve and uncovering the aperture at the same moment,
whereby the destructive fluid is allowed to flow on the root of the weed. When
the hoe is withdrawn the return of the sliding plate is effected by a tension or other
spring, and the valve is closed.
Dated this 2nd day of October 1891.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Weed Exterminator.
We, JOSEPH TURVEY of Panshurst Farm near Sevenoaks, Foreman Shepherd,
and HENRY ARMSTRONG GRINDROD of Tonbridge, Horticultural Chemical
Manufacturer, both in the County of Kent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention is designed to effect the easy and rapid destruction of weeds,
by means of an implement furnished with a cutting blade and an automatic
arrangement for simultaneously injecting some poison or corrosive fluid sufficiently
powerful to destroy the root of the plant.
It consists of a handled spud or small hoe, which may be straight or curved at its
cutting edge, or of any preferred outline. It may also be flat angular or curved in
section.
This spud contains or carries a receptacle for the poison and an automatic or
other valve arrangement, which opens when the blade is thrust into the ground and
allows the fluid to flow from the receptacle onto the root below.
We will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of one of our exterminators drawn about one third
of real size.
Fig. 2 shows a back elevation of the same.
In this form of the implement the valve opening is beneath the sliding plate c.
Fig. 3 shows a front view of the lower part of the hollow handle a with the
sliding plate removed, leaving the valve hole uncovered.

page_text: Fig. 4 shows a side elevation of the lower parts of a different form of the exter-
minator, in which the fluid poison is conveyed from the receptacle a to the cutter b
by means of the small bent tube d, in which is a tap f, the plug of which has a
small projecting arm 9, by means of which the tap is opened and closed by the
action of the sliding plate c as it rises and falls. The arm 9 may be pivotted to
the plate e as shewn at 1, or may be otherwise connected so as to work therewith.
The plate is attached to the loose collar i, and has curved lugs or clips k, by
means of which it slides up and down on the handle a, and the blade b.
Fig. 5 shows a front view of the same arrangement shewn in Fig. 4, and displays
the slot and pin which regulate the travel of the sliding plate c.
The sliding plate c has a projecting ledge or foot m. When the cutter b is
thrust into the soil sufficiently far to allow this foot m to touch the ground, its
further progress forces the sliding plate upwards until it is stopped by the pin h
reaching the end of the slot. At this point the valve or tapfas the case may
be, has been opened, and consequently the fluid poison flows down the blade 6 on
to the root of the weed. When the blade is withdrawn from the ground, the
coiled spring e draws the sliding plate down and so closes the valve or tap. Instead
of the tension spring shewn, a compression spring of metal or india-rubber may be
employed. Also instead of the hollow handle a wooden handle with a receptacle
for poison inserted or attached to its surface may be used.
At the top of the hollow handle a is a knob n of some convenient shape for the
hand. In or near the summit of the knob is a feeder screw as shewn at o for filling
the receptacle a. This feeder screw may be let in flush if preferred. Provision is
made in it for a supply of air to the receptacle.
The whole implement is portable and resembles a stout walking stick.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
An implement for destroying weeds consisting of a cutting blade of any preferred
form, a handle or stem containing or carrying a receptacle for fluid poison and a
valve or tap opening automatically by the action of a sliding plate, as herein
described and set forth.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.