GB2279274A - Garden sieve - Google Patents

Abstract

A practical gardener's utility sieve comprises a latticed drum A, B, C with adjustable tripod support D, and with a vertical central E that acts as a fulcrum 6 for the sieve proper F that caps the drum but is balanced on the fulcrum-rod E. The fulcrum 6 allows the sieve to move freely in three dimensions using only one hand. A chute G guides the siftings. The gravity-mounted sieve is freely removable from the drum for the tipping of lees and has clip-in meshes of various gauges. All components are releasably secured for ease of flat stowage, transporting, cleaning and assembly. The whole machine- when assembled and working- offers a stable, safe work-station, with wheelbarrow space below; and also overcomes the problems of back-ache and blisters caused by conventional sieves. <IMAGE>

Description

GARDENER'S UTILITY SIEVE This invention relates to the variety of garden tool known as "the sieve". Conventional sieves are simple and well known tools; their format comprising: 1. A rim: to contain the unsifted mix.

2. A fixed floor: the floor is perforated and the perforations are of regular gauge.

The sieve's purpose is to allow - by the action of vigorous shaking - a friable mix of soil/fertilizer/compost/sand, to percolate through the mesh and so be changed from a large aggregate to a finer aggregate.

Sieves are an essential but little regarded gardener's tool; and are known to be (by their physical construction and usage), clumsey and inefficient.

Sieves - by their method of operation - are incomplete in design; are cheap and cheerful; and for many years have not changed their format to a more efficient design.

Because sieves - in their present format - are ergonomically inefficient, they cause blisters and much back-ache. their poor reputation is well founded....

gardeners are reluctant to use them.

This invention - when assembled - takes the form of a latticed drum as in Figure 3 comprising essentially:- An upper wheel. A.

A lower wheel. B.

Bracing struts. C.

Tripod support. D.

The drum containing within itself: A concentrically located, vertically mounted, fulcrum-rod. E.

A concentrically located, guide-chute. G.

Capping the drum; but mounted on the fulcrum-rod, is a sieve. F.

This invention will - when assembled - provide a strong, safe, and stable work-station; below which can be manouvred a wheel-barrow to catch the siftings.

The sieve has clip-in meshes of various gauge.

The sieve may be freely removed from the work-station for the tipping of lees.

The three degrees of directional movement of the sieve on the fulcrum-rod allow that the sieve may be operated efficiently and by one hand; and in conjunction with the variable-height tripod, ensure that blisters and back-ache need not be a problem.

All components are releasably secured for ease of flat stowage, transporting cleaning and assembly.

The sieve-fig 3.F. & fig.4. will, on the fulcrum-rod fig 3.E.: 1. Rotate in a horizontal plane-clockwise & anticlockwise - about the fulcrum-rod's vertical axis; providing a sieving action.

2. Push/pull across the diameter of the drum; again providing a sieving action. Contact by the fulcrum-rod with the restraining wall of the hub of the top wheel fig 3.A.9. & fig 2.9. will further provide a sieving action.

3. Rock vertically on the fulcrum-rod's top ball fig 3.E.6. that is contained within the sieves cup-socket fig 3.F.5. providing again a sieving action. A further vibrational sieving action occurs where the sieve's proud base fig 3.F.4 & fig 4.4. makes contact with the raised lip of the fulcrum-rod's retaining wall fig 3.A.9. & fig 2.9.

These three (3) degrees of movement allow the maximum freedom of the sieve, making for efficient operation.

The sieve fig 3.F. & fig 4. is freely removeable from the fulcrum-rod fig 3.E. so allowing the tipping of lees. The diameter of the sieve is such that when maximally displaced horizontally, it will not trap a finger placed on the inner face of the top wheel's tyre fig 3.A.10 & fig 2.10.

The sieve fig 3.F. & fig 4. is constructed with: 1. A rim fig 3.F.3. & fig 4.3.

2. 6 braces - each radially located along the hexagonal points of the sieve floor - running from the rim to a concentrically located base/hub.

3. A base/hub fig 3.F.4. & fig 4.4 that encloses and locates a concentrically located inverted cup.

4. An inverted cup fig 3.F.5. & fig 4.5. that mounts and encloses the fulcrum's upper ball fig 3.E.6.

5. A fixed mesh floor of large gauge fig 4.1.

6. Clip-in mesh floors of smaller gauge fig 4.2.

The action of the sieve is such that when a spadeful of siftables is placed on the sieve's mesh and vigorously agitated the siftables will percolate through the mesh and into the wheelbarrow.

The cup of the sieve may freely engage and disengage the fulcrum-rod's upper ball: it is releasably secured by friction fit.

The proud central base fig 3.F.4. of the sieve when rocked - can make contact with the raised upper lip fig 3.A.9. of the drum's upper wheel.

The rim of the sieve fig 3.F.3. can contact the drum's upper wheel when further tilted - disengaging from the fulcrum-rod's ball, so allowing the sieve to be tipped over for the tipping of lees.

The fulcrum-rod fig 3.E. comprises a single rod with a ball fig 3.E.6. at the high end, and an inverted cup fig 3.E.7. at its lower end.

The fulcrum-rod is mounted at the drum's vertical radial central axis; with a releasably secured friction fit.

The lower cup of the fulcrum-rod fig 3.7. encloses the ball of the drum's lower wheel fig 3.B.

The upper ball of the fulcrum-rod fig 3.6. is enclosed by the sieve's cup fig 3.F.5. as previously described.

The action of the fulcrum-rod (when so mounted), will be so as to freely describe an inverted conical action about the central vertical axis of the drum.

Also; the top ball - when rocked about a vertical plane will be so as to freely describe the arcs of a sphere.

The guide-chute fig 3.9. is concentrcally located within the drum: is constrained by the six drum-braces fig 3.C.12 and rests on the lower wheel of the drum fig 3.B.

The guide-chute is wider at its top and narrower at its base and of such dimensions and material as will allow the siftings to freely find the wheelbarrow that is placed below the drum.

The guide-chute is releasably secured by the action of the upper struts of the tripod fig D.13. passing through locating holes in the guide-chute.

The drum fig 3.A.B. & C. shows the drum in sectional elevation.

The drum proper comprising: 1. A lower wheel. fig B.3.

fig 1. shows the lower wheel in plan.

2. An upper wheel. fig 3.A.

fig 2. shows the upper wheel in plan.

3. Braces - vertical fig 3.C.12.

4. Tripod struts & sleeves. fig 3.D.13 & 14 The upper wheel of the drum comprises: 1. A central hub fig 2.9. & fig 3.9. that confines the fulcrum-rod, and has holes on the lower side fig 2.17. & fig 3.17. that locate and releasably secure the tripod's upper struts.

2. Stiff braces fig 2.11. that locate and confine the hub to its concentric position.

3. An outer tyre fig 2.10. with holes on the lower side fig 2.12. that confine and locate and releasably secure the vertical brace at their upper ends to the tyre at its hexagonal points.

The lower wheel of the drum comprises: 1. A central hub fig 3.B.8. & fig 1.8. on which is mounted the lower fulcrum-ball.

2. Stiffening braces fig 1.11. that located and confine the fulcrum-ball's hub to its concentric station.

3. An outer tyre fig 1.10. with holes fig 1.12.

that confine and locate vertically at the hexagonal points, releasably securable braces at their lower ends.

4. An outer tyre fig 10. with holes fig 1.16 & fig 3.B.16. equi-distant around the rim such as to confine and locate the releasably secured tripod sleeves.

The bracing-struts (vertical) comprise: Six vertically mounted bracing-struts fig 3.12.

which are located and confined and releasably secured in holes fig 2.12 & fig 1.12 in the tyres of the upper and lower wheels of the drum. The top and bottom wheels of the drum maintaining their position and dimensional stability by the placement of the struts at the hexagonal points of the drum.

When assembled and mounted as described, the drum provides a strong safe and stable home for the fulcrum-rod: so allowing the fulcrum-rod to fullfil its duties to the sieve as previously described.

The tripod fig 3.D. 13.14. & 15. comprises: Three legs; each of 4 pa: An upper strut fig 3.D.13.

A middle sleeve " 14.

A lower strut " 15.

A self levelling foot " 18.

The upper strut of the tripod is located, confined and releasably secured at its top end in the locating hole in the hub of the upper wheel's fulcrum retaining wall fig 2.17. & fig 3.17. The upper strut of the tripod is located, confined and releasably secured at its lower end in the sleeve of the tripod leg fig 3.14. Each of the releasably secured sleeves is contained and located in a hole fig 1.16 & fig 3.B.16 sited equi-distant around the tyre of the lower wheel.

The lower strut fig 3.D.15. of each tripod leg fits into the sleeve and is releasably secured by locks (not shown) so as to provide vertical adjustment of the whole machine; thus allowing access below the machine for a wheelbarrow.

The tripod's legs are also splayed at an angle away from the machine - as shown in fig 3.D. so as to provide: 1. A safe base with good support and stability for the machine.

2. And so to maintain the the spatial integrity of the drum's dimensions.

3. Stability for the machine; so that it may not be dislodged nor easily tipped over.

4. Space below the machine: that a wheelbarrow may be comfortably located.

5. That the loads imposed upon the machine in use, may be efficiently dispersed.

Each self-levelling foot is composed of a disc of material located near the base of each lower strut.

Releasably securable pins (not shown) pass through the struts and hold the discs without restricting the discs self-levelling action. The self-levelling disc helping to spread the load of the machine when on soft ground.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: fig 3. shows in sectional elevation the gardener's utility sieve in assembled configuration. The whole devise resembling that of a drum on tripod with sieve cap.

The drum shown has releasably secured bracing struts regularly located about its perimeter. Within is a guide-chute. The guide-chute is located within the drum so as to guide the siftings into the wheelbarrow placed below the drum. Also located within the drum is the fulcrum-rod. The fulcrum-rod is the "engine" of the machine and when mounted, allows the sieve its three degrees of movement: 1. Vertical rocking.

2. Rotation in the horizontal plane.

3. Backwards & forewards.

The action of the fulcrum-rod is enabled by the engagement at its top end by a friction fit of its ball and the sieve's cup; and at its lower end by a friction fit of its own cup and the ball of the drum's lower wheel. The friction fit of the sieve's cup allowing the sieve to be easily removed for the tipping of lees.

fig 4. shows in plan the sieve with a portion of the large gauge fixed mesh in place and also a portion of one of the smaller guage clip in meshes.

fig 3. shows the sieve mounted on the fulcrum-rod that allows the machine to work with a sieving action and with the use of only one hand.

fig 3. shows that the releasably secured legs (locks not shown) may be adjusted so as to vary the height of the drum and so give good room, into which space, a wheelbarrow may be manouvered. Each tripod has attached at its foot, a self-levelling disc, that will distribute the machine's weight in soft ground and maintain the level of the machine under working-load conditions.

Refering to the drawings: fig 1. shows the bottom wheel of the drum in plan with rim tyre 10.; and showing the holes 12.; for the bracing-struts located at every 60.00 degrees, and the attachment of the stiffening-braces 11.; and the hole for the tripod-sleeve 16.; located every 120.00 degrees, and the centrally located hub on which the lower fulcrum-ball 8.; is fixed.

fig 2 shows the top wheel of the drum in plan with rim-tyre 10.; and showing the holes 12.; for the bracing-struts located every 60.00 degrees, and the attachment of the stiffeningbraces 11.; and the hub 9.; that confines the movement of the fulcrum, and the bulbs 17.; afixed to the hub every 120.00 degrees that locate the tripod-legs to the upper strut.

fig 4. shows the sieve in plan, with soilrestraining-rim 3.; and showing the attachment of the stiffening-braces 19.; at 60.00 degree intervals that locate the central hub with its proud base 4.; and inverted fulcrum-retaining-cup 5.; and permanently fixed large gauge mesh 1.; and clip-in finger gauge mesh 2.;.

figure 3. shows the invention in sectional elevation: The sieve fig 4 & fig 3.F. already described The top wheel fig 2 & fig 3.A.

The bottom wheel fig 1. & fig 3.B.

The guide-chute figure 3.g. is an inverted conic frustrum of hexagonal base located within the drum and sitting on the lower wheel. Three holes, one each at 120.00 degrees around the wall of the guide-chute, allow the passage of the tripod-strut and also maintain the dimensional stability of the chute.

The fulcrum-rod fig 3.E. is shown vertically mounted, with its lower cup 7.; enclosing the lower wheel's fulcrum-ball 8.; and is shown with the sieve balancing on a fulcrum-rod's top ball 6.;.

Claims (12)

1. A demountable gardener's utility sieve, such that when assembled, takes the form of a capped, latticed drum on a tripod.

2. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as claimed in claim 1., comprising essentially: a. An upper wheel. ) When assembled, b. A lower wheel. ) are collectively c. Bracing struts. ) known as the drum d. A fulcrum-rod.

e. A guide-chute.

f. A sieve.

and g. A supporting tripod.

3. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as claimed in claims 1. & 2. with means for releasably securing the: wheels, bracing-struts, tripod, guide-chute, fulcrum, and sieve, in the assembled position.

4. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed comprising releasably secured components that may easily be flat-stowed, transported, cleaned and assembled.

5. A demountable gardener's utitlity sieve as previously claimed that when assembled will provide a strong, safe and stable work-station, below which may be easily manouvered a wheelbarrow to catch the siftings.

6. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed that may easily be operated with one hand, and that in conjuntion with the variable-height tripod, and in conjuntion with the 3 (three) degrees of movement allowed by the fulcrum-rod, will allow efficient operation of the sieve and so ensure that blisters and back-ache be not a problem.

7. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed wherein the body of the machine is called the "drum" and comprises: a. An upper wheel.

b. A lower wheel.

c. Bracing-struts.

and d. A tripod: which fulfills a double duty as later described.

The melding of the bracing-struts, the tripod and the upper & lower wheels, all in their respective positions, maintain the spatial and dimensional integrity of the drum; providing a strong, safe and stable home for the engine of the machine: which is the fulcrum rod.

8. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed wherein the concentrically located guide-chute contained within the drum, will allow the siftings to freely find the wheelbarrow placed below the drum.

9. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed wherein is a tripod comprising at least three legs; and each leg comprising 4 major components: a. An upper strut.

b. A middle sleeve.

c. A lower strut.

d. A self-levelling foot.

The tripod legs may be releasably secured at various heights by locks (not shown) so as to allow free passage and manouverability of a wheelbarrow placed below the drum.

The feet of the tripod may be releasably secured at various heights, so allowing the machine to find a level.

The discs of the self-levelling feet may take up and spread the load of the machine when in operation.

The tripod's configuration helps maintain the spatial and dimensional integrity of the drum's dimensions; and so provde a strong, safe and stable home for the fulcrum-rod.

The degree of spread of the tripod legs ensures that the machine may not easily nor clumsily be tipped over.

The configuration of the tripod allows efficient dispersal of the loads imposed on the machine whilst in action.

10. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed wherein is contained a fulcrum-rod. The fulcrum-rod is the engine of the machine and comprises: a. A top ball.

b. A lower cup.

and c. A connecting-rod.

The sieve is releasably secured to the top ball of the fulcrum-rod.

The fulcrum-rod's lower cup is releasably secured to the pivot-ball, that is itself, fixed to the lower wheel.

The movement of the fulcrum-rod is constrained within the hub of the top wheel.

The location of the fulcrum-rod at the central vertical axis of the drum; and the dimensions of the fulcrum-rod; and the movement of the fulcrum-rod within the drum; and the configuration of the fulcrum-rod: allow the sieve its three directional degrees of movement.

The fulcrum-rod supports the sieve.

11. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed wherein is provided a sieve.

The sieve comprising: a. A rim.

b. A fixed central hub and cup and stiffening-braces.

c. Meshes of various gauge.

The purpose of the rim is to confine the siftables.

The meshes are of various gauge and are interchangeable and so allow siftings of various fineness to percolate through the meshes.

The central hub contains an inverted cup that releasably secures the sieve to the fulcrum-rod, so as to allow by, vigorous shaking, rocking and rotational movement of the sieve on the fulcrum, a sifting action.

At rest, the sieve may be supported by either or both, the fulcrum-rod and the top wheel of the drum.

In action; the sieve is supported on the fulcrum-rod, so allowing the effective agitation of the sieve and the the control of the seive by one hand.

The sieve is freely removeable from the fulcrum-rod so as to allow the tipping of lees.

12. A demountable gardener's utility sieve as previously claimed, substantially as described and with reference to figs 1. to 4. inclusive of the accompanying drawing.