Combination weeding and raking tool

Abstract

The present invention relates to hand operated gardening and landscaping tools for use in cultivating soil and/or removing inferior or unwanted plants from a selected area. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combination scuffling hoe and rake assembly. The combination tool allows an operator to cut unwanted weeds below the ground surface and thereafter groom the weeded area without having to use separate tools to complete the task.

1 . A hand operated combination weeding and raking 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, said distal end including a means for cultivating a working surface and a means for grooming said working surface, wherein 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, wherein said rake tines are fixed in position having said tips diverging outwardly, wherein said rake assembly is slidably mounted on said first axis and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein said rake assembly extends beyond said cultivation means while in said extended position and wherein said cultivating means extends beyond said rake assembly while in said retracted position, wherein pushing or pulling said elongated handle allows said cultivating means to cut vegetation below said working surface to cultivate said working surface, wherein said grooming means is constructed and arranged to gather said cut vegetation and groom said cultivated working surface.    
   
   
       2 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 1  wherein said means for cultivating includes a metal blade, said metal blade formed generally into a U-shape, said metal blade mounted to said distal end of said elongated handle transverse with respect to said first axis, said metal blade having a first cutting edge and a second cutting edge, wherein said first cutting edge is constructed and arranged to cultivate said working surface during pushing motion of said weeding and raking tool, wherein said second cutting edge is constructed and arranged to cultivate said working surface during pulling motion of said weeding and raking tool.  
   
   
       3 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 2  wherein said U-shaped metal blade includes two upright portions and a bottom portion, said upright portions each including an upper end, said upper ends formed into a ferrule portion, said ferrule portion adapted to cooperate with said distal end of said elongated handle for securing said metal blade thereto.  
   
   
       4 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 2  wherein said distal end of said elongated handle includes a ferrule mounted thereon, said ferrule including at least two integrally formed bosses, said integrally formed bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with said metal blade; 
 wherein said two upright portions of said metal blade each including at least one aperture therethrough, said at least one aperture constructed and arranged to cooperate with said ferrule for attaching said metal blade to said elongated handle.    
   
   
       5 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 4  wherein said ferrule includes at least one stop pin, said stop pin constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one elongated slot formed in said upright portions of said metal blade; 
 wherein said cooperating at least one stop pin and said at least one elongated slot allow said metal blade to pivot slightly during forward and backward movement of the weeding and raking tool.    
   
   
       6 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 3  wherein said bottom portion of said metal blade is about flat.  
   
   
       7 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 2  wherein said metal blade is oriented at an obtuse angle with respect to said first axis.  
   
   
       8 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 1  wherein 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 for gathering cut vegetation and grooming cultivated soil.  
   
   
       9 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 1  wherein said rake assembly is slidably mounted on said first axis and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein said rake assembly extends beyond said cultivation means while in said extended position and wherein said cultivating means extends beyond said rake assembly while in said retracted position.  
   
   
       10 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 8  wherein said rake assembly includes a means for preventing said rake assembly from rotating around said first axis during movement and operation of said rake assembly.  
   
   
       11 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 10  wherein said means for preventing rotation of said rake assembly includes a key, said key constructed and arranged to cooperate with a key-slot extending along said elongated handle.  
   
   
       12 . The combination weeding and raking tool according to  claim 8  wherein said rake tines are fixed in position having said tips diverging outwardly.  
   
   
       13 . (canceled)