BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present invention relates to farming tools, particularly farming tools with interchangeable heads.

Background of the Invention

Farming tools have been used for centuries. However, there has been a continuing need for multi-purpose farming tools to eliminate the need of carrying numerous individual tools into the field.

Long handled cultivation tools and human powered (and now motor driven) wheel hoes are standard in agriculture and horticulture to control weeds that adversely affect growing conditions of the surrounding crops. As long as there have been these tools there too have been various methods of changing the function by detaching and reattaching the working section of the tool to allow for different uses.

There is a large body of published patent literature concerned with many aspects of this technology. U.S. Pat. No. 1,273,464 is an early example of interchangeable garden tools, along with the prior art included in this application.

Improvement has been needed in the type of heads available. Using thin wire attached to thicker shafts allows the creation of limitless shapes and uses. Using thin wire does not come without problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides farming tools as described herein.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a multi-headed farming tool system that may include a handle shaft that may be configured to be grasped by a human user and may have a shaft rear end, a shaft forward end, a shaft length extending from the rear end to the forward end, and a shaft width generally perpendicular to the shaft length. The system may further include a handle locking port that may be connected to the handle shaft and may include a handle locking port open forward end leading to a handle locking port socket, a handle locking port rear end, a handle locking port length extending from the handle locking port open forward end to the handle locking port rear end, and a handle locking port protrusion located between the handle locking port open forward end and the handle locking port rear end and configured to project into the handle locking port socket. The system may further include a multi-head attachment that may include a multi-head attachment rear end, a multi-head attachment forward end, a multi-head attachment length extending from the multi-head attachment rear end to the multi-head attachment forward end that may be generally parallel to the locking port length, a multi-head attachment left end, a multi-head attachment right end, and a multi-head attachment width extending from the multi-head attachment left end to the multi-head attachment right end and generally perpendicular to the multi-head attachment length. The multi-head attachment may further include a multi-head locking bit that may include a multi-head locking bit rear end located adjacent to the multi-head attachment rear end, a multi-head locking bit forward end, a multi-head locking bit length extending from the multi-head locking bit rear end to the multi-head locking bit forward end that may be generally parallel to the handle locking port length, a multi-head locking bit width generally perpendicular to the multi-head locking bit length, a multi-head locking bit rear notch located between the multi-head locking bit forward end and the multi-head locking bit rear end. The multi-head locking bit rear notch may be configured to removably seat inside the handle locking port socket. The handle locking port protrusion may be configured to releasably engage the multi-head locking bit rear notch. The multi-head attachment may further include a main head that may include a main base that may include a main base rear end that may be connected to the multi-head locking bit forward end, a main base forward end, a main base length extending from the main base rear end to the main base forward end that may be generally parallel to the multi-head attachment length, and a main base width generally perpendicular to the main base length. The multi-head attachment may further include a rail that may be connected to the main base and comprising a rail left end, a rail right end, and a rail width extending from the rail left end to the rail right end that may be generally parallel to the main base width and multi-head attachment width. The multi-head attachment may further include at least one lateral head located to the left or right of the main head. The at least one lateral head may include a lateral base comprising a rear end, a forward end, a length extending from the forward end to the rear end and generally parallel to the main base length, a width generally perpendicular to the length and generally parallel to the multi-head attachment width, a slot extending through the width and receiving a portion of the rail, and a lock. The lock may have a locked position in which the lateral base is not slideable along at least a portion of the rail width and an unlocked position in which the lateral base is not slideable along at least a portion of the rail width. Optionally, the handle locking port has an unlocked position in which the multi-head locking bit is removable forwardly out of the handle locking port socket and a locked position in which the handle locking port protrusion moves laterally towards the multi-head locking bit rear notch and prevents the multi-head locking bit from being moved out of the handle locking port socket.

Optionally, the shaft length is at least about 24 inches and the shaft width is no greater than about 2 inches. Optionally, the main base is fixed to the rail and not moveable along the rail width. Optionally, at least one of the at least one lateral head and the main head is detachably connected to a farming tool that may include a rear section comprising a rod detachably connected to the at least one lateral head or the main head and a forward section located forwardly relative to the rear section and comprising a metallic projection configured to move dirt or vegetation. Optionally, at least one of the at least one lateral head and the main head comprises a head locking port that may be located forwardly relative to the base of the respective head and may include a head locking port socket receiving the rod of the farming tool. Optionally, the farming tool further comprises a tool collar connecting the rod to the projection, the projection is in the form of a wire, the tool collar comprises a tool collar interior comprising at least one segment of the rod and at least one segment of the wire, and at least one segment of the rod extends rearwardly from the tool collar and at least one segment of the wire extends forwardly from the tool collar. Optionally, the tool collar is in the form of a crimp, the at least one segment of the wire located in the tool collar interior comprises a flat front, a flat rear, a thickness extending from the flat front to the flat rear and generally perpendicular to the multi-head attachment width, the tool collar comprises an indented front portion engaging the flat front and an indented rear portion engaging the flat rear. Optionally, the indented front portion and the indented rear portion are configured to prevent the wire from rotating within the tool collar interior. Optionally, the at least one segment of the rod located in the tool collar interior comprises a forward notch extending about a perimeter of the rod and the tool collar engages the forward notch and prevents the rod rotating in the tool collar interior. Optionally, the wire comprises a free proximal end and a free distal end and further wherein the at least one segment is adjacent to at least one of the free proximal end and the free distal end. Optionally, at least one of the main head and the at least one lateral head further comprises at least one head locking port that may include a head locking port open forward end leading to a head locking port socket, a head locking port rear end connected to, and located forwardly relative to, the main base or the at least one lateral base, a head locking port length extending from the head locking port open forward end to the head locking port rear end and generally parallel to multi-head attachment length, and a head locking port protrusion that may be located between the head locking port open forward end and the head locking port rear end and may be configured to project into the head locking port socket. Optionally, the rod of the farming tool is in the form of a tool locking bit comprising a tool locking bit rear end, a tool locking bit forward end, a tool locking bit length extending from the tool locking bit rear end to the tool locking bit forward end, a tool locking bit width generally perpendicular to the tool locking bit length, a tool locking bit rear notch located between the tool locking bit forward end and the tool locking bit rear end. Optionally, the tool locking bit rear notch is configured to removably seat inside the head locking port socket. Optionally, the head locking port protrusion is configured to releasably engage the tool locking bit rear notch. Optionally, the head locking port has an unlocked position in which the tool locking bit is removable forwardly out of the head locking port socket and a locked position in which the head locking port protrusion moves laterally towards the tool locking bit rear notch and prevents the tool locking bit from being moved out of the head locking port socket. Optionally, the rear ends of the multi-head locking bit and the tool locking bit are the same width and same shape. Optionally, the rear end of the multi-head locking bit, the rear end of the tool locking bit, the head locking port socket and the handle locking port socket are hexagonal in shape. Optionally, the multi-head locking bit rear notch extends about a perimeter of the multi-head locking bit and the tool locking bit rear notch extends about a perimeter of the tool locking bit. Optionally, the handle locking port open forward end is generally hexagonal in shape. Optionally, the rail is in the form of a generally rectangular ruler comprising indicia (e.g., numbers and/or hatch marks) spaced at regular intervals (e.g., whole inches or centimeters or fractions of inches or fractions of centimeters). Optionally, the lock of the at least one lateral base is in the form of a clamp configured to releasably engage the rail. Optionally, the clamp comprises a rotatable knob, and a bolt located forwardly relative to, and connected to the knob, and the clamp is located adjacent to the rear end of the at least one lateral base. Optionally, the multi-head locking bit and the main base are located approximately in the center of the multi-head attachment width. Optionally, the handle locking port comprises a handle rod having a handle rod length generally parallel to the shaft length, a handle rod collar comprising an interior receiving the handle rod and a handle rod flange comprising an interior comprising the handle locking port socket, and moving the handle rod collar rearwardly along a portion of the handle rod length relative to the handle rod flange is configured to move the handle locking port from the locked position to the unlocked position. Optionally, the handle rod collar interior comprises a forward ledge extending from the handle rod, a rear ledge and a spring located between the forward ledge and the rear ledge and moving the handle rod collar rearwardly along a portion of the handle rod length relative to the handle rod flange is configured to compress the spring. Optionally, the spring is configured to resist rearwardly movement of the handle rod collar relative to the handle rod flange and to bias the handle locking port in the locked position. Optionally, the handle locking port protrusion is a ball. Optionally, the handle shaft is in the shape of a straight cylinder. Optionally, the handle shaft length is greater than the handle shaft width, wherein the handle locking port is located forwardly relative to the shaft forward end and further wherein the multi-head attachment length is generally parallel to the shaft length. Optionally, the system further includes a wheel connected to the handle shaft. Optionally, the system is used in a method of using the multi-headed farming tool system that includes the steps of a) providing the system, wherein at least one of the at least one lateral head and the main head is detachably connected to a farming tool comprising a rear section comprising a rod detachably connected to the at least one lateral head or the main head and a forward section located forwardly relative to the rear section and comprising a metallic projection configured to move dirt or vegetation; and b) using the farming tool to move dirt or vegetation. In still further embodiments, the system may be used in a method that includes a) providing the system; and b) moving the handle rod collar rearwardly and moving the multi-head locking bit forwardly from the handle locking port socket. In still further embodiments, the system may be used in a method that includes a) providing the system; and b) moving a head rod collar of the head locking port rearwardly and moving the tool locking bit forwardly from the head locking port socket.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a multi-head attachment that includes a multi-head attachment rear end, a multi-head attachment forward end, a multi-head attachment length extending from the multi-head attachment rear end to the multi-head attachment forward end, a multi-head attachment left end, a multi-head attachment right end, and a multi-head attachment width extending from the multi-head attachment left end to the multi-head attachment right end and generally perpendicular to the multi-head attachment length. The multi-head attachment may further include a multi-head locking bit that may include a multi-head locking bit rear end located that may be adjacent to the multi-head attachment rear end, a multi-head locking bit forward end, a multi-head locking bit length extending from the multi-head locking bit rear end to the multi-head locking bit forward end, a multi-head locking bit width generally perpendicular to the multi-head locking bit length, a multi-head locking bit rear notch that may be located between the multi-head locking bit forward end and the multi-head locking bit rear end. The multi-head locking bit rear notch configured to removably seat inside a handle locking port socket. The multi-head assembly may further include a main head comprising a main base comprising a main base rear end connected to the multi-head locking bit forward end, a main base forward end, a main base length extending from the main base rear end to the main base forward end that may be generally parallel to the multi-head attachment length, and a main base width generally perpendicular to the main base length. The multi-head assembly may further include a rail connected to the main base that includes a rail left end, a rail right end, and a rail width extending from the rail left end to the rail right end that may be generally parallel to the main base width. The multi-head assembly may further include at least one lateral head located to the left or right of the main head that may include a lateral base comprising a rear end, a forward end, a length extending from the forward end to the rear end and generally parallel to the main base length, a width that may be generally perpendicular to the length and the multi-head attachment length, a slot extending through the width and receiving a portion of the rail, and a lock. The lock may have a locked position in which the lateral base is not slideable along at least a portion of the rail width and an unlocked position in which the lateral base is not slideable along at least a portion of the rail width. The multi-head attachment may further include one or more features described above including without limitation a head locking port that may receive a rod (e.g., locking bit) of a farming tool, the main base may be fixed (not slideable), the lock may be in the form of a clamp as described previously, the rail may include indicia and may be in the form of a ruler as described previously, and the components may include particular shapes (e.g., a ball in the case of the protrusion(s) and hexagonal sockets and locking bits). In addition, the multi-head attachment may be detachably connected to a handle shaft as described previously.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a farming tool system that may include a handle shaft configured to be grasped by a human user and having a rear end, a forward end, a shaft length extending from the rear end to the forward end, and a shaft width generally perpendicular to the shaft length. Optionally, the shaft width is less than the shaft length. The system may further include a handle locking port that may be located forwardly relative to the handle shaft and comprising a handle locking port open forward end leading to a handle locking port socket, a handle locking port rear end, a handle locking port length extending from the handle locking port open forward end to the handle locking port rear end that may be generally parallel to the shaft length, and a handle locking port protrusion that may be located between the handle locking port open forward end and the handle locking port rear end that may be configured to project into the handle locking port socket. Optionally, the system further includes a farming tool that may include a farming tool rear end, a farming tool forward end, a farming tool length extending from the farming tool forward end to the farming tool rear end, a tool locking bit that may include a tool locking bit comprising a tool locking bit rear end adjacent to the farming tool rear end, a tool locking bit forward end, a tool collar in the form of a crimp and comprising a tool collar interior, and a wire extending forwardly from the tool collar interior to the farming tool forward end. Optionally, the wire comprises at least one segment located in the tool collar interior comprises a flat front, a flat rear, a thickness extending from the flat front to the flat rear and generally perpendicular to the shaft width. Optionally, the tool collar comprises an indented front portion engaging the flat front and an indented rear portion engaging the flat rear, the indented front portion and the indented rear portion configured to prevent the wire from rotating within the tool collar interior. Optionally, the system includes one or more features described in any of the embodiments above.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a farming tool system that may include a handle shaft configured to be grasped by a human user and having a rear end, a forward end, a shaft length extending from the rear end to the forward end, and a shaft width generally perpendicular to the shaft length. Optionally, the shaft width is less than the shaft length. The system may further include a handle locking port that may be located forwardly relative to the handle shaft and may include a handle locking port open forward end leading to a handle locking port socket, a handle locking port rear end, a handle locking port length extending from the handle locking port open forward end to the handle locking port rear end and generally parallel to the shaft length, and a handle locking port protrusion that may be located between the handle locking port forward end and the handle locking port rear end and that may be configured to project into the handle locking port socket. Optionally, the system further includes a farming tool that may include a farming tool rear end, a farming tool forward end, a farming tool length extending from the farming tool forward end to the farming tool rear end, a farming tool locking bit comprising a farming tool locking bit comprising a farming tool locking bit rear end adjacent to the farming tool rear end, a farming tool locking bit forward end, and a hoe comprising a curved rear shaft extending from the tool locking bit forward end and a blade connected to the curved rear shaft in the form of a generally rectangular plate oriented generally perpendicular to the shaft length. The plate may include a plate front end, a plate rear end, a plate thickness extending from the plate front end to the plate rear end, and a plate aperture extending from the plate front end to the plate rear end. Optionally, the system includes one or more features described in any of the embodiments above.

In still further embodiments, the present disclosure provides a farming tool system that may include a handle shaft that may be generally cylindrical and configured to be grasped by a human user and having a shaft rear end, a shaft forward end, a shaft length of at least about 24 inches extending from the rear end to the forward end, and a width/diameter of between about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches generally perpendicular to the shaft length. The farming tool system may further include a handle locking port that may be located forwardly relative to the handle shaft and may include a handle locking port open forward end leading to a handle locking port socket, a handle locking port rear end, a handle locking port length extending from the handle locking port open forward end to the handle locking port rear end connected to the handle shaft forward end, and a handle locking port protrusion that may be located between the handle locking port open forward end and the handle locking port rear end and that may be configured to project into the handle locking port socket. Optionally, the handle locking port socket is configured to receive a locking bit. Optionally, the handle locking port has an unlocked position in which a locking bit is removable forwardly out of the handle locking port socket and a locked position in which the handle locking port protrusion moves laterally into the handle locking port socket and prevents the locking bit from being moved out of the handle locking port socket. Optionally, the handle locking port comprises a handle rod having a handle rod length generally parallel to the shaft length, a handle rod collar comprising an interior receiving the handle rod and a handle rod flange comprising an interior comprising the handle locking port socket, and further wherein moving the handle rod collar rearwardly towards the handle shaft forward end along a portion of the handle rod length is configured to move the handle locking port from the locked position to the unlocked position. Optionally, the system includes one or more features described in any of the embodiments above.

