Patent ID: 7134263

Claim:
A combination weeding, raking and grooming tool comprising: an elongated handle having a longitudinal centerline defining a first axis, a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end constructed and arranged for gripping by an operator, said distal end including a means for cultivating a working surface and a means for grooming said working surface, said means for cultivating said working surface includes a metal blade, said metal blade is formed generally into a trapezoid, said metal blade includes two upright portions, a top portion connected to said upright portions and a bottom portion connected to said upright portions, said metal blade is mounted to said distal end of said elongated handle, traverse with respect to said first axis, a means for mounting said metal blade to said handle includes a pair of brackets, said brackets are mounted to opposite sides of said elongated handle and include outwardly extending end portions to which said top portion of said metal blade is mounted, said metal blade having a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge, said first cutting edge is constructed and arranged to cultivate said working surface during a pushing motion of said weeding, raking and grooming tool, said second cutting edge is constructed and arranged to cultivate said working surface during a pulling motion of said weeding, raking and grooming tool, said means for grooming includes a rake assembly, said rake assembly including a plurality of tines, said tines having a base end, a center portion and a tip end, said tip end including a hook constructed and arranged for gathering cut vegetation and grooming cultivated soil, said rake assembly is slidably mounted on said first axis and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, said rake assembly extends through the interior of the trapezoid formed by the metal blade, said rake assembly extends beyond said means for cultivating while in said extended position and said means for cultivating extends beyond said rake assembly while said rake assembly is in said retracted position, said rake assembly further including a sliding means to which one end of said tines are attached, a guide member including apertures through which the center portion of said tines pass, wherein said tines and said guide member cooperate to divert said tip ends of said tines laterally outwardly when said rake assembly is in said extended position and divert said tip ends of said tines laterally inwardly when said rake assembly is in said retracted position, whereby pushing or pulling said elongated handle allows said means for cultivating to cut vegetation below said working surface.