Patent ID: 7845696

Claim:
A weed removal tool comprising: a hollow shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a spike support assembly having a spike assembly and an inner rod assembly; said spike support assembly having a plurality of spikes structured to pivot between a first, open position, wherein the spikes are generally spaced apart from each other, and a second, closed position, wherein a portion of the spikes are drawn substantially together; said spike support assembly being rotatably coupled to said shaft lower end; said inner rod assembly having an elongated actuation rod, said actuation rod movably disposed within said shaft and structured to move between a first, lower position and a second upper position; said actuation rod coupled to said shaft and to said spike support assembly and structured to cause said spike support assembly to rotate and to move between said spike support assembly first, open position and said spike support assembly second, closed position; said shaft lower end has at least one cam slot; said at least one cam slot extending at least partially helically over said shaft lower end; said actuation rod engaging said cam slot; wherein, as said actuation rod moves between said actuation rod first and second positions, said actuation rod rotates in response to the engagement with said at least one cam slot, said rotation of said actuation rod further causing said spike support assembly to rotate; and said at least one cam slot includes a generally straight lower portion and a generally helical upper portion.