Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to an all-in-one type garden tool. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tending to gardens normally requires a series of different tools designed to accomplish unique objectives (e.g., prune, dig, weed, etc.). The use of such a large number of tools is cumbersome and requires appropriate storage. Even with appropriate storage, often times tools are misplaced and not available when needed. 
     Thus, there is a need for an all-in-one type garden tool comprising multiple tools and features allowing the single garden tool to accomplish the objectives of the multiple individual tools now being used. Advantageously, the all-in-one tool should be safe to use and adaptable to gardening conditions. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention comprise a garden tool comprising multiple of the following features: fishtail weeder/nail remover, trowel, nail remover, machete, saw, blade, small-toothed saw, ergonomic handle, safety stop and attachment means for an elongated handle or cane. The all-in-one tool: (i) saves space and money; (ii) is lightweight; (iii) minimizes the number of necessary tools; and (iv) is adjustable to accommodate user limitations (i.e., disabilities). 
     In one embodiment, the tool comprises a generally U-shaped trowel with a leading edge weeder/nail remover, side edge saw, side edge machete, rear edge blade, rear edge micro-serrated saw, ergonomic handle, safety stop between said trowel and handle and attachment means for attachment of a elongated handle which converts the garden tool into a shovel or cane. In one embodiment, a rake attachment is configured for attachment to the elongated handle. 
     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an upper view of an all-in-one type tool according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate an elongated handle/cane according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the elongated handle/cane attached to the tool according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an elongated handle/cane with a rake attached according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary garden tool case according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to an all-in-one type garden tool comprising multiple features in a single tool. While specific tool configurations are illustrated and described herein, other tool configurations are contemplated and within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The tool and related attachable items illustrated and described herein may be fabricated of any suitable materials, including metals, alloys, composites, plastics and the like. The tool and its component parts may be fabricated using known techniques such as molding, machining, milling and the like. 
       FIG. 1  shows an all-in-one type garden tool  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The garden tool  100  comprises a trowel  105 , weeder and nail remover  110 , side edge saw  115 , side edge machete  120 , rear edge blade  125 , rear edge micro-serrated saw  130 , safety stop  135  and handle  140 . One end  145  of the handle  140  is configured for receipt of an elongated handle  150  (see,  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  3 ). A cap  155  protects an attachment means  146  configured for receipt of the elongated handle  150 . The attachment means  146  may comprise a threaded member (e.g., collar) configured to receive a threaded end of the elongated handle  150 , or a channel extending into the tool handle  140  which is configured to receive one end of the elongated handle  150  in a frictional relationship, or any other suitable means for attaching the elongated handle  150  to the tool handle  140 . 
     The weeder and nail remover  110  is positioned on the leading edge of the trowel  105  and comprises a cut-out which may or may not be sharpened along its edges. The tool handle  140  is ergonomically designed to accommodate a user&#39;s hand providing a comfortable experience. In one embodiment, the tool handle  140  includes four grooves forming a hand grip configured for comfortably accommodating a user&#39;s finger. 
     The safety stop  135 , as shown, is in the form of a bar. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other forms (e.g., circular collar, rectangular plate) may be integrated between the trowel  105  and tool handle  140  to prevent a user&#39;s hand from inadvertently slipping off the tool handle  140  during use and into the rear edge blade  125  and/or rear edge micro-serrated saw  130 . The safety stop  135  therefore prevents injury to the user. 
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  shows the elongated handle  150  comprising a grip  160 , telescoping shaft  165  and attachment device  170  configured to mate with attachment means  146  on the tool handle  140 . A cap  175  is configured to protect the attachment device  170 . The telescoping shaft  165  may use an arrangement comprising a pin and multiple openings to facilitate the lengthening and shortening of the telescoping shaft  165 . Other means including a tightening and loosening collar may be used to facilitate lengthening and shortening of the telescoping shaft  165 . When attached, the elongated handle  150  serves multiple purposes. First, the elongated handle  150  allows a user to operate the garden tool  100  in a manner synonymous with a conventional shovel. Second, the grip  160  and elongated handle  150  allows the garden tool  100  to be used in a manner synonymous with a cane such that an elderly or disabled user may utilize the garden tool  100  to move from one garden location to another garden location or more remote location (e.g., house). The curved nature of the grip  160  relative the telescoping shaft  165  (i.e., generally 90 degrees as shown) allows the elongated handle  150  and garden tool  100  to act as a cane. 
       FIG. 3  shows the elongated handle  150  attached to the garden tool  100 . As set forth herein, the attachment means  146  may comprise any suitable means configured to attach the elongated handle  150  to the tool handle  140 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a rake attachment  180  attached to the elongated handle  150  to form a conventional rake tool. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary case  185  for containing the garden tool  100  when not in use. The case  185  includes a trowel sleeve  190  configured to receive the trowel  105  thereby concealing the weeder and nail remover  110 , side edge saw  115 , side edge machete  120 , rear edge blade  125  and rear edge micro-serrated saw  130 . A snap, button  195 , opening or similar means allows the case  185  to be attached to a tool belt. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Technology Category: b