Patent Description:
The process for removing weeds from soil can require multiple tools and can be cumbersome, inefficient and time consuming, especially for large areas of soil such as for example fields. The process can be even more difficult when dealing with compacted soil.

Conventional machinery for removing weeds from soil often involves removing a top layer prior to subsequent processing of this layer of soil. This can however be labour intensive and can cause increased wear to machinery.

There is therefore a need for an efficient, easy-to-use weeding device which can be used to weed an area of land in a single pass.

Another aim is to provide a device which removes weeds without chemicals or pesticides.

<CIT> discloses a soil spreading scraper device comprising: a frame supported for movement along the ground in a forward working direction; an impeller member supported on the frame for rotation about an impeller axis within a plane of rotation lying generally perpendicularly to the impeller axis. The plane of rotation extends generally upward and rearward at an angle between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees from horizontal; a cutting blade supported on the frame forwardly and downwardly relative the impeller member and arranged to cut a top layer of soil from the ground as the frame is displaced in the forward working direction.

A kicker is supported on the frame for rotation about a kicker axis spanning above the cutting blade transversely to the forward working direction and is arranged to propel soil generally rearward onto the impeller member. The impeller member comprises a plurality of impeller blades arranged to spread soil deposited on the impeller member generally radially outward from the impeller axis as the impeller member is rotated. The cutting blade projects downwardly and forwardly to a forward cutting edge at an angle from the horizontal which is less than the plane of rotation of the impeller member; and the forward cutting edge being positioned rearwardly of the kicker axis.

Chinese utility model <CIT> discloses an ecological restoration device for heavy metal contaminated soil of a bamboo forest. The machine comprises a walking device and a soil turning device. The soil turning device comprises a soil crushing mechanism which comprises a front bracket and a soil crushing roller. The soil breaking device and crushing device enables soil, with developed root systems in a bamboo forest, to be easily broken and crushed using the device.

German Gebrauchsmuster <CIT> discloses a mechanical weed control device for the mechanical removal of weeds from cultivated plants which are arranged in beds. The device has elements attached to a chassis which act on the ground and rotate about an axis wherein the chassis there is a coulter which lifts the ground and sprung tines are arranged on the axle which act on the raised soil and break it up. IN the path of opened up soil there is an impact curtain on which the plants are separated from adhering soil parts.

UK patent <CIT> discloses a sowing machine which comprises discs for breaking up a surface layer of soil as the machine is pulled forwards. Soil is transferred by digger blade to a drum which has a canopy and closed sides. Inside the drum, cutting elements are rotated to break up the soil further. These cutting elements are mounted on shaft which is driven at one end by a chain from a drive shaft driven, via gearbox of a tractor.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for extracting vegetation from soil.

<CIT> discloses a soil turning and throwing device.

Conveyors and rollers may be positioned behind and above digger blades so as to assist in the raising of soil to the drum.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided weeding device as defined in appended claim <NUM>.

The invention therefore is able to remove weeds without pesticide or chemicals by exposing the roots and root system to sunshine and thereby irradicate weed sin an 'environmentally friendly' manner.

In one embodiment, the frame has substantially vertical, triangular sidewalls rising orthogonally from a substantially horizontal hoe blade. The horizontal blade does not dig into the ground. It acts as platform on which vegetation and debris are directed.

A toolbar may be provided along a front edge or face. The toolbar optionally has cutting edges or feet that cut into the soil. The cutting edges or feet ideally have a curved profile similar to a Cornish shovel or shark's head. The cutting edges or feet are curved along either side and taper to a sharp point so as to break up soil and thereby enable vegetation to be loosened. The rotating action of the reels then acts to lift the loosened vegetation onto the platform.

The toolbar or cultivator is attached to a three point linkage and is lowered and raised by the three point linkage. In one embodiment the cultivator or toolbar has no suspension. The cultivator however has feet which cut into the ground. As mentioned above the feet are shaped similar to Cornish shovels or sharks' heads.

The device which is attached to the cultivator has a wheel on either side to pro-vide support and the wheels have suspension. Importantly the front edge of the platform is bevelled, for example to resemble an edge of a chisel. And also an advantage of this is that the rear of the platform is curved so that the vegetation is directed upwards instead of immediately off the back of the platform. As soil is denser than vegetation and weeds, it tends to settle to the ground before the weeds and vegetation which remain exposed to the sunlight and elements. An adjustment means is preferably provided to raise and lower the device. In some embodiments the adjustment means includes a winding means which may be operated by hand using a winder. Optionally an adjuster is located on either side of device sop that each wheel can be raised and lowered independently of the other wheel.

In one embodiment, one of the sidewalls contains a chain to drive the axle.

In one embodiment, the frame supports a housing that contains connective gearing to drive the chain to drive the axle.

In one embodiment, the hoe blade extends substantially parallel to the axle.

The adjustment mechanism may for example be a threaded adjustment mechanism.

In one embodiment, the position of the hoe blade may be adjustable relative to the frame and/or platform to accommodate the vegetation and earth upon which the device is being used.

In one embodiment, the hoe blade is a rectangular, substantially planar plate which has runners running from a front edge of the hoe to a back edge of the hoe so as to provide guide channels for dislodged vegetation and earth.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weeding device as defined in appended claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the or each row comprising a plurality of spaced apart plough members,
In one embodiment, one or more, preferably each, plough member comprises a substantially planar plate for engaging with the layer of vegetation/earth. In one embodiment, the planar plate is substantially rectangular or triangular in shape, preferably triangular in shape. In one embodiment, the or each plough member provides one or more grooves, channels or runners extending between a front and rear end thereof (relative to the forward direction) to provide guide channels for dislodged vegetation and earth from the layer of vegetation or earth. In one embodiment, the or each row of plough members is aligned to extend in a first direction. The first direction preferably extends at an angle to the for-ward direction of the frame. Preferably, the first direction extends substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the frame.

The, or each, row of plough members preferably comprises at least <NUM>, preferably at least three, for example four or more plough members.

The plough members in a first row may be aligned (in the forward direction) with the plough members in a second adjacent row (or subsequent rows).

The plough members in a first row may be offset (in the forward direction) from the plough members in a second adjacent row (or subsequent rows).

The plough members in one row may be aligned (in the forward direction) with the plough members in alternate rows and offset (in the forward direction) from the plough members in adjacent rows.

Ideally a plurality of sprung support means, or bogies are provided in order to facilitate movement of the weeding device across uneven ground. The bogies may include suspension means, such as: leaf springs or sprung members or helical springs or dampers, such as hydraulic dampers, or any combination of the aforementioned devices in order to absorb shocks and facilitate travel across uneven ground.

Furthermore the frame may comprise two or more parts which are interconnected and articulated in order to facilitate travel across sloping or uneven ground.

The frame may comprise a plurality of pairs of wheel members. Preferably, each wheel member of the or each pair of wheel members are located on op-posing sides of the frame.

Preferably, the first axle defines a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the frame.

The first paddles are preferably located in front of (relative to the forward direction) the platform. The first paddles are preferably located to the rear of (relative to the forward direction) the plough members.

Preferably, the first paddles are uniformly spaced apart from each other along the first axle.

In one embodiment, the plurality of first paddles are provided in an arrangement comprising at least one set of first paddles. Preferably, the plurality of first paddles comprises a plurality of sets of first paddles, in which the sets of first paddles are spaced apart from each other along the first axle.

Preferably, the plurality of first paddles comprises at least two sets of first paddles, preferably at least five sets of first paddles, preferably at least ten sets of first paddles, preferably at least twelve sets of first paddles, for example thirteen sets of first paddles.

Preferably, the plurality of sets of first paddles are uniformly spaced apart from each other along the first axle.

Preferably, each paddle within each set of first paddle extends within a plane defined by the set of first paddles.

Preferably, the plane(s) defined by the or each set of first paddles extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first axle.

Each set of first paddles preferably comprises at least two, preferably at least five, preferably at least ten, preferably at least fifteen, for example sixteen paddles. Preferably, the plurality of first paddles within each set of first paddles are uniformly spaced apart from each other about the first axle.

Preferably, the location of the first axle relative to the frame as measured in a vertical direction may be adjustable to accommodate the vegetation and earth upon which the device is being used, i.e. to enable the first paddles to contact the displaced earth/vegetation.

Preferably, the second axle defines a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the frame. Preferably the first and second axles extend substantially parallel to each other.

The second paddles are preferably located above and vertically displaced from the platform. The second paddles are preferably located to the rear of the first axle and plough members.

Preferably, the second paddles are uniformly spaced apart from each other along the second axle.

In one embodiment, the plurality of second paddles are provided in an arrangement comprising at least one set of second paddles. Preferably, the plurality of second paddles comprises a plurality of sets of second paddles, in which the sets of second paddles are spaced apart from each other along the second axle.

Preferably, the plurality of second paddles comprises at least two sets of second paddles, preferably at least five sets of second paddles, preferably at least ten sets of second paddles, preferably at least twelve sets of second paddles, for example thirteen sets of second paddles.

Preferably, the plurality of sets of second paddles are uniformly spaced apart from each other along the second axle.

Preferably, each paddle within each set of second paddle extends within a plane defined by the set of second paddles.

Preferably, the plane(s) defined by the or each set of second paddles extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second axle. Each set of second paddles preferably comprises at least two, preferably at least five, preferably at least ten, preferably at least fifteen, for example sixteen paddles.

Preferably, the plurality of second paddles within each set of second paddles are uniformly spaced apart from each other about the second axle.

Preferably, the location of the second axle relative to the frame as measured in a vertical direction may be adjustable to accommodate the vegetation and earth received on the platform, i.e. to enable the second paddles to contact the dis-placed earth/vegetation.

The frame may comprise a housing having opposed side portions extending be-tween a front end and an opposed rear end of the device. The side portions may provide at least one pair of aligned slots (i.e. aligned in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the device), each slot being configured to receive opposed ends of a first or second axle. Each slot preferably extends in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the layer of vegetation/earth and/or to the plane defined by the platform.

The housing may further comprise an adjustment mechanism in communication with each slot configured to enable the location of the corresponding first and/or second axle to be independently adjusted within the corresponding slots in order to enable the location of the first and/or second paddles to be independently adjusted to correspond to the conditions of the vegetation/earth.

The platform preferably extends underneath (i.e. between the vegetation and/or earth and the second paddles) and to the rear of (relative to the forward direction) the second paddles.

The platform preferably comprises a forward platform section (located adjacent the first paddles and underneath the second paddles) and a rearward platform section located to the rear of the second paddles. The platform comprises a first end located adjacent the first paddles and an opposed rear end defined by the rearward platform. Preferably, the forward platform section is configured to receive lifted, displaced vegetation and/or earth from the first paddles, and the rearward platform section is configured to receive weeded soil from the second paddles.

The term "weeded soil" is used herein to refer to soil which has been separated from vegetation or weeds.

In one embodiment, the second paddles are aligned with (and vertically dis-placed from) the forward platform section of the platform.

In one embodiment, the forward platform section extends substantially parallel to the plane defined by the layer of vegetation and/or earth.

In one embodiment, the rearward platform section extends upwardly away from the plane defined by the forward platform section. In one embodiment, the rearward platform section is curved in shape.

The rearward platform section is preferably shaped and dimensioned, for example curved, so as to receive the weeded soil from the second paddles whilst enabling the separated weeds or vegetation to be propelled over the rear end of the rearward platform.

In one embodiment, the drive mechanism comprises at least one drive chain operable to rotate the first and second axles.

In one embodiment, the drive mechanism is configured to independently rotate the first and second axles. As such, the operator may adjust rotation, for ex-ample rotation speed, of the first and/or second axles depending on the circum-stances.

In one embodiment, the frame further comprises a housing that contains the drive mechanism, for example connective gearing configured in use to drive one or more drive chains configured to drive the first and/or second axles.

In one embodiment, the weeding device comprises one or more attachment features for attachment, preferably releasable attachment, to a motorised vehicle. Preferably the motorised vehicle may be farm machinery, such as a tractor. The weeding device may for example be mounted on a tool bar or a cultivator of farm machinery such as for example a tractor. The weeding device of the present invention may be attached to a tractor's hydraulic linkage and top link and the power transfer shaft so as to provide powered adjustment and/or rotation as required.

In use the weeding device of the present invention is secured to a tractor and driven across the surface of vegetation/earth. Rotation of the wheel members carries the frame in a forward direction. As the frame passes over the vegetation/earth, the plough members dislodge the earth/vegetation, the rotating first paddles then lift the dislodged earth/vegetation onto the platform which is con-figured to not contact the layer of earth/vegetation beneath the device. Once received onto the platform the second paddles dislodge the vegetation and re-move the vegetation from the soil to provide weeded soil.

The device of the present invention provides a weeding device for efficient and continuous removal of vegetation and weeds from soil whilst the tractor makes a single pass across the layer of earth.

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the weeding device for providing weeding generally comprising a device <NUM> to be attached to a tractor <NUM>, said device <NUM> comprising a frame <NUM>, a hoe blade <NUM> and one or more rotating portions <NUM>; wherein the hoe blade <NUM> is arranged to cut at a first height, and the rotating portions <NUM> are arranged to rotate at a second height above the first height.

The device is envisaged to be attached to the tractor's hydraulic linkage <NUM> and top link <NUM> and the power transfer shaft <NUM> so as to provide powered adjustment and/or rotation.

The first height is below the tractor in use such that the hoe blade <NUM> may be arranged to cut into the surface of the ground.

The hoe blade <NUM> may be substantially horizontal, or for example having a depending front edge <NUM> in use.

In this way the hoe blade may be arranged in use to skim the ground, or cut a top surface thereof, and thereby displace topsoil, and vegetation or weeds. With reference to the pictured embodiment the device <NUM> is envisaged to be pulled behind a tractor <NUM> in use, and comprises a frame providing substantially vertical substantially triangular sidewalls rising orthogonally from a substantially horizontal hoe blade <NUM>, arranged to cut into the ground as the hoe moves forward, with a thin, depending and/or sharp front edge. The frame is attached in use to a tractor's three-point linkage hitch.

The device connects directly to the tractor's standard three-point linkage hitch <NUM> thereby allowing the device to be raised and lowered by the tractor.

The frame <NUM> provides an axle <NUM> parallel the hoe, having two vertical sides <NUM> supporting the axle. The axle comprises a plurality of rotating portions <NUM>, which portions rotate and catch or hit the dislodged vegetation or weeds after dislodging by the hoe at the lower height. The dislodged vegetation is thereby hit by the portions and thrown behind the device.

These portions <NUM> are provided on three rotating paddles <NUM>, each having a plurality of rotating portions <NUM> thereon. These paddles <NUM> are provided in three sections of the frame, which frame comprises the two sides <NUM>, and two intermediate walls <NUM> defining a middle section. The middle section's walls <NUM> extend above the axle to support a housing <NUM> providing a supporting connector <NUM> for a tractor hitch <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> further houses connective gearing in a gearbox <NUM> connecting the tractor hitch to a drive shaft <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> is parallel the axle wherein one of the sides <NUM> contains a chain <NUM> to drive <NUM> the axle and the connective gearing <NUM> is contained within the housing <NUM>.

The apparatus in this way aims to reduce a farmer's or user's dependence on harmful chemicals and is especially suitable for organic farming. The apparatus provides agricultural machinery designed to remove weeds from fields without spraying chemicals, ripping the weeds out and leaving them on the surface to decompose in the sun.

The transmission system comprises a constant tension chain drive which powers the paddle axle from the gearbox <NUM> and which connects to the (power take-off) PTO shaft on the tractor. A chain <NUM> transfers power from the driveshaft <NUM> to the axle <NUM> and paddles <NUM>, for example spinning them at 1000RPM. The central gearbox <NUM> transfers the power from the PTO shaft to the main driveshaft <NUM> using a bevel gear and idler gears. A gear <NUM> on the axle <NUM> is arranged to interact with the chain <NUM> and allow the axle to move up and down in a slot in the sides <NUM>. A swing arm <NUM> and gear keep the chain <NUM> in constant tension.

The paddles <NUM> can be adjusted in height by rotating a hex fitting which in turn spins a lead screw which raises a bearing block providing support for the axle.

As shown in <FIG> a side <NUM> of the frame contains the height adjustment system <NUM> for the paddles.

In order to raise the height of the axle and rotating paddle portions <NUM> therefore the user will:
Remove a protective panel <NUM> from the side, rotate two lead screws with a socket wrench such that the block supporting the axle moves on the threads on the lead screws.

Once the desired height is reached, the protective panel <NUM> can be replaced.

The pictured embodiment further comprises an adjustable height hoe <NUM> so as to allow for local conditions.

The height of the hoe blade can be adjusted by moving adjustment means, such as bolts <NUM>, to a higher or lower position to allow the base of the weeds to be targeted by the hoe blade <NUM>.

The hoe blade <NUM> is a rectangular substantially planar plate which comprises runners <NUM> running from a front edge to a back edge so as to provide guide channels for dislodged vegetation.

With reference to <FIG>, the weeding device <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> comprising a pair of wheel members <NUM> for contacting a layer of vegetation or earth. The pair of wheel members <NUM> are rotatable to move the frame <NUM> in at least a forward direction. The frame <NUM> supports four spaced apart rows of plough members <NUM>. It is to be understood that the frame may comprise any suitable number of rows of plough members, such as for example a single row of plough members, two rows, or more than four rows of plough members. The distal free end <NUM> of each plough member <NUM> is configured in use to be engageable with a layer of vegetation or earth to produce displaced vegetation and/or earth. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal free end <NUM> is substantially triangular in shape with guide channels for the disrupted vegetation/earth. It is however to be understood that the distal free end may have any suitable shape, with or without guide channels, and is not to be limited to this configuration.

The device <NUM> further comprises a first axle <NUM> supported by the frame <NUM>. The first axle <NUM> defines a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the frame <NUM>. The first axle <NUM> is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof relative to the frame <NUM>. The first axle <NUM> comprises thirteen sets of first paddles <NUM> uniformly spaced apart from each other along the length of the first axle <NUM>. Each set comprises a plurality of first paddles <NUM> extending radially outwardly from the first axle <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of each first paddle <NUM> is arranged such that upon rotation of the first axle <NUM> the distal end <NUM> of each paddle <NUM> is configured to sequentially engage with and lift the displaced vegetation and/or earth produced by the plough members <NUM>.

The device <NUM> further comprises a platform <NUM> located downstream from the plough members 206b and the first axle <NUM>. The platform <NUM> is spaced apart from and free from contact with the layer of vegetation or earth. The platform <NUM> is configured in use to receive the lifted, displaced vegetation and/or earth from the first paddles <NUM>.

The device <NUM> further comprises a second axle <NUM> supported by and rotatable relative to the frame <NUM> and positioned adjacent and vertically displaced from the platform <NUM>. The second axle <NUM> defines a longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the frame <NUM>. The second axle <NUM> is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof relative to the frame <NUM>. The second axle <NUM> comprises thirteen spaced apart sets of second paddles <NUM> extending radially outwardly therefrom. The distal end <NUM> of each second paddles <NUM> is arranged such that upon rotation of the second axle <NUM> the distal end of each second paddle <NUM> is configured to sequentially engage with the lifted, displaced vegetation and/or earth located on the platform to separate weeds therefrom.

The device <NUM> further comprises a drive mechanism <NUM> configured in use to rotate the first <NUM> and second <NUM> axles relative to the frame <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> further comprises a housing <NUM> having opposed side portions <NUM> extending between a front end and an opposed rear end of the device <NUM>. The side portions <NUM> provide a first pair of aligned slots <NUM> and a second pair of aligned slots <NUM> extending substantially perpendicular to the layer of vegetation/earth and/or to the plane defined by the platform. Each slot <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to receive opposed ends of the first <NUM> or second <NUM> axle. The housing <NUM> furthers comprises a threaded adjustment mechanism in communication with each slot <NUM>, <NUM> configured to enable the location of the corresponding first and/or second axle <NUM>, <NUM> to be independently adjusted within the corresponding slots in order to enable the location of the first and/or second paddles to be independently adjusted to correspond to the conditions of the vegetation/earth.

In use, the device <NUM> is coupled directly to the tractor's standard three-point linkage hitch thereby allowing the device to be raised and lowered by the tractor.

The tractor drives forward causing the wheels <NUM> of the device <NUM> to rotate and drive the frame <NUM> in a forwards direction. The distal ends <NUM> of the plough members <NUM> cut into and dislodge the earth/vegetation. As the frame <NUM> drives forward, the rotating first <NUM> contact the dislodged earth/vegetation and lift this vegetation onto the platform <NUM> of the device <NUM>. The second paddles <NUM> rotate, engage with the lifted, deposited vegetation/earth on the platform <NUM> and separate the vegetation from the earth to provide weeded soil.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
A weeding device (<NUM>) comprising: a frame (<NUM>) comprising at least a pair of wheel members for contacting a layer of vegetation or earth, in which the pair of wheel members are rotatable to move the frame in at least a forward direction, in which the frame supports: a platform comprising a front end and an opposed rear end, in which at least one hoe blade (<NUM>) is provided at the front end thereof and arranged in use to engage with, and displace, a layer of vegetation and/or earth onto the platform; an axle (<NUM>) supported by the frame above the platform, in which the axle defines a longitudinal axis extending at an angle to the forward direction of the frame, and in which the axle is rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof relative to the frame, in which a first axle comprises a plurality of paddles (<NUM>) extending radially outwardly therefrom, the distal end of each paddle is arranged such that upon rotation of the first axle the distal end of each paddle is configured to sequentially engage with, scoop and lift the displaced vegetation and/or earth received on the platform; and a drive mechanism (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured in use to rotate the first axle relative to the frame, wherein a spacing separating the first axle and the platform is adjustable; characterized in that:
the frame comprises: a housing having opposed side portions (<NUM>) extending between a front end and an opposed rear end of the device or platform, and in which the side portions provide a pair of aligned slots, each slot being configured to receive opposed ends of the axle and extending in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the layer of vegetation/earth and/or to the plane defined by the platform, and in which the housing further comprises an adjustment mechanism (<NUM>) in communication with one or each slot configured to enable the location of the axle to be adjusted within the corresponding slots in order to enable the location of the paddles to be adjusted to correspond to the conditions of the vegetation/earth.