Multi-purpose garden tool

Abstract

A multi-purpose tool includes, in one embodiment, an elongated pole and a head that are pivotally joined by a coupling mechanism. The head is a unitary member that includes a semi-circular edger plate and a comb-like rake. The coupling mechanism includes a pivot screw pivotally connecting the pole to the gardening head, a lock rod extending longitudinally through the elongated pole, and a pull cam mounted within one end of the hollow pole, the pull cam being threadingly coupled to one end of the lock rod. By disposing the gardening head in a variety of fixed positions relative to the pole, a plurality of distinct gardening instruments can be created. Locking the position of the gardening head relative to the elongated pole is achieved through rotation of a handle that is mounted onto the free end of the pole, the handle being connected to the free end the lock rod.

1 . A multi-purpose gardening tool, the tool comprising:
 (a) a rake, the rake comprising,
 (i) an elongated rake pole having a first end and a second end, and 
 (ii) a rake head mounted on the second end of the rake pole, 
   (b) a spade, the spade comprising,
 (i) a spade pole having a first end and a second end, and 
 (ii) an edger plate mounted onto the first end of the spade pole, and 
   (c) a coupling mechanism for coupling the rake and spade together in a front-to-back relationship, the coupling mechanism enabling one of the rake and the spade to be longitudinally slidably displaced relative to the other of the rake and the spade, the coupling mechanism releasably locking the longitudinal position of one of the rake and the spade relative to the other of the rake and the spade in a variety of fixed positions to create a plurality of distinct gardening instruments.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-purpose gardening tool as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the coupling mechanism comprises:
 (a) a hollow slide tube having a first end and a second end, and 
 (b) a housing for retaining the first end of the hollow slide tube and the second end of the spade pole in the a fixed front-to-back relationship, 
 (c) wherein the hollow slide tube is dimensioned to slidably receive the elongated rake pole in a co-axial relationship relative thereto. 
 
     
     
         3 . The multi-purpose gardening tool as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a cam mounted onto the exterior of the second end of the slide tube. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-purpose gardening tool as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the cam comprises an annular collar and a plurality of pivotal fingers, each pivotal finger including an engagement tab that at least partially projects through a corresponding opening in the second end of the slide tube. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-purpose gardening tool as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the plurality of pivotal fingers can be inwardly displaced upon receiving a suitable radial force to the extent that the engagement tab on each pivotal finger engages the rake pole to lock the position of the rake pole within the slide tube. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-purpose gardening tool as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising a cam lock threadingly mounted on the cam, the cam lock applying a radial force onto each of the pivotal fingers on the cam. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-purpose gardening tool as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the cam lock is in the form of a hollow, conical sleeve with a tapered interior surface, wherein rotation of the cam lock varies the radial force applied by the cam lock on the plurality of pivotal fingers.