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US 11,596,140 B2Granted
Vine removal device
AssigneeX-Tirp, Inc.
InventorPhilip W. Doberenz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vine removal device may include a shaft connected to a hook with a pocket. An actuation mechanism, such as a line connected to a user's belt, can actuate a movable jaw having a jaw projection configured to at least partly fit within the pocket. The hook has blade that supports a vine slide surface that facilitates collection of vines in the pocket where they can be gripped by the projection of the movable jaw. The blade may employ a surface skimmer to limit how deep the blade can penetrate the soil.
Claims27
A vine removal tool, comprising:
- a hook having a distal hook end, a proximal hook base, and a vine slide surface positioned between the distal hook end and the proximal hook base;
- a vine collection area formed around the proximal hook base and in proximity to the vine slide surface, wherein the vine slide surface is configured to direct multiple vines into the vine collection area;
- a movable jaw having a jaw projection, wherein the moveable jaw is operable to move the jaw projection toward and away from the vine collection area, wherein the jaw projection has a jaw projection gripping surface that is configured more for gripping the multiple vines directed into the vine collection area than for severing the multiple vines directed into the vine collection area;
- a shaft that is directly or indirectly connected to the hook;
- and
- a jaw actuation mechanism operable to cause the jaw projection to move toward the vine collection area to predominantly grip the multiple vines in the vine collection area rather than sever the multiple vines in the vine collection area.
3 more elements
A vine removal tool, comprising:
- a hook having a distal hook end, a proximal hook base, and a vine slide surface positioned between the distal hook end and the proximal hook base;
- a vine collection area formed around the proximal hook base and in proximity to the vine slide surface, wherein the vine slide surface is configured to direct one or more vines into the vine collection area;
- a movable jaw having a jaw projection, wherein the moveable jaw is operable to move the jaw projection toward and away from the vine collection area, wherein the jaw projection has a jaw projection gripping surface that is configured more for gripping a vine than for severing a vine;
- a shaft that is directly or indirectly connected to the hook;
- a jaw actuation mechanism operable to cause the jaw projection to move toward the vine collection area to grip the one or more vines;
- and
- a belt operable for fastening about a person, wherein the belt is connected indirectly to the shaft, hook, or jaw actuation mechanism such that force applied to the belt, in a direction away from the hook, is operable to pull the hook in a direction toward the person.
4 more elements
A vine removal tool, comprising:
- a hook having a distal hook end, a proximal hook base, and a vine slide surface positioned between the distal hook end and the proximal hook base, wherein a portion of the vine slide surface lies along a vine slide axis, and wherein the vine slide surface has a vine slide length that is longer than or equal to 8 inches;
- a vine collection area formed around the proximal hook base and in proximity to the vine slide surface, the vine collection area has a vine collection surface with a vine collection surface width that is perpendicular to the vine slide axis, and wherein the vine slide surface is operable to direct one or more vines into the vine collection area;
- a movable jaw having a jaw projection, wherein the moveable jaw is operable to move the jaw projection toward and away from the vine collection area, wherein the jaw projection comprises a jaw projection gripping surface having a gripping surface width that is perpendicular to the vine slide axis, wherein the gripping surface width is greater than or equal to 0.5 inches;
- a shaft that is directly or indirectly connected to the hook;
- and
- a jaw actuation mechanism operable to cause the jaw projection to move toward the vine collection area to grip the one or more vines.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.