GB2356363A

GB2356363A - Static garden sieve

Info

Publication number: GB2356363A
Application number: GB9925499A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Stewart-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-10-29
Filing date: 1999-10-29
Publication date: 2001-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-29
Also published as: GB9925499D0; GB2356363B

Abstract

A manually operated sieve apparatus comprises a sieve frame member 4, a sieve mesh member 5 supported in the sieve frame member and a support member 1 supporting the sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member at a convenient working height above the ground. The apparatus may comprise a hinge device 6 attaching the sieve frame member 4 to the support member 1. The hinge device 6 may be constructed so that the sieve frame member 4 can be detached from the support member 1.

Description

S-SMITH 01/99 2356363 GARDEN SIEVE The present invention relates to

manually operated sieve apparatus which has a particular application in sieving material in a garden.

It is well known to use a sieve in a garden to remove unwanted material from soil or garden waste. This enables stones, weeds etc. to be removed from soil to improve the soil in an area to be cultivated and larger items from base compost material (rotted grass, leaves, ash, household waste etc.).

Various types of manually operated sieve apparatus are well known and are of two general types. The first general type comprises a portable frame, usually circular, with a mesh extending across the frame. Material to be sieved is placed in the frame on the mesh and the whole apparatus is shaken manually so that the smaller particles of material fall through the mesh under gravity and the larger particles remain in the frame. The frame shaking operation takes place over a wheel barrow or other container so that the required smaller particles are captured or can take place over ground onto which the smaller particles will fall. The larger particles of material which remain in the sieve frame can be tipped out into a convenient container or onto a convenient piece of ground.

The second general type of sieve apparatus also has a frame, usually rectangular, with a mesh extending across the frame. In use one end of the frame is placed on the ground and the other end of the frame is supported above the ground by leaning the frame against a wall or other support. Material to be sieved is placed in the frame on the mesh and falls down over the mesh to the lower end of the frame. In doing so the smaller particles of the material pass through the mesh under the action of gravity and the larger particles of material fall to the lower end of the frame. The smaller particles can be captured in a wheel barrow or other container placed under the frame or allowed to fall to the ground. The larger particles of material can be removed from the lower end of the frame and transferred to a convenient container or a piece of ground.

S-SMITH 01/99 The operation of the second type of sieve apparatus can be improved by placing the end of a garden tool such as a spade in the material in the frame and moving it around or by throwing the material onto the mesh of the frame. Both these actions help the smaller particles of material to pass through the mesh in the frame.

The disadvantage of the first type of sieve apparatus is that the operation of causing the smaller particles to pass through the mesh by shaking the frame is a purely manual operation under the action of gravity. It requires the full weight of the sieve and the material to be carried by the operator and is tiring. The operation is also not very efficient at ensuring that all or most of the smaller particles pass through the mesh. Further the sieve has to be moved away to empty out the larger particles which do not pass through the mesh.

The disadvantage of the second type of sieve apparatus is that, since the frame is at an angle to the horizontal, many of the smaller particles remain trapped in the material and do not pass through the mesh. Also, if the end of a garden spade or other tool is used by the operator to force the smaller particles through the mesh, this operation takes place at or near the ground and it is not easy for the operator to control the position of the end of the tool so that it performs the required function efficiently. Further, the larger particles of the material which collect at the lower end of the frame clog up part of the mesh and reduce the effective area of the mesh. Also, these larger particles have to be removed manually by using a spade or other garden tool.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved manually operated sieve apparatus.

According to the present invention a manually operated sieve apparatus comprises a sieve frame member, a sieve mesh member adapted to be supported in the sieve frame member and a support member adapted to support the sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member at a convenient working height above the ground, as defined below.

2 S-SMITH 01/99 The sieve apparatus is suitable for use by an operator who will place material to be sieved on the sieve mesh member supported in the sieve frame member. The smaller particles of material will start to pass through the sieve mesh member under the action of gravity. The operator will then place his hand or the end of a garden spade, or similar tool, into the material on the sieve mesh and move his hand or the end of the tool backwards and forwards while pressing down on the material so as to assist the smaller particles to pass through the mesh. For this operation to be performed most efficiently, the sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member must be at a convenient working height for the operator. In practice this is roughly at the height of the waist of the operator or 1 metre from the ground. This is defined as a convenient working height for the sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member.

The support member may comprise a top support member adapted to support the sieve frame member directly and a plurality of legs adapted to position the top support member above the ground. The legs may be detachable from the top support member and may have feet suitable to provide a firm support for the sieve apparatus on rough ground.

The sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member must be sufficiently strong and rigid to enable the operator to press down on the material on the mesh either by hand or using a tool as described above so that the smaller particles of material are forced through the mesh.

The sieve frame member may be attached to the top support member by a hinge device. With this arrangement the sieve frame member can be rotated relative to the top support member so that the larger particles of material on the sieve mesh member, which do not pass through the mesh, can be tipped out of the sieve frame member into a suitable container or onto the ground. The hinge device may comprise one or more rods or bars attached to the sieve frame member adapted to rotate in suitable bearings attached to the top support member. The sieve frame member may also include a handle to assist in rotating the sieve frame member relative to the top support member.

3 S-SMITH 01/99 On end of the sieve frame member may be formed with a lip to control the movement of the larger particles of material being tipped out of the sieve frame member.

The sieve frame member, together with the sieve mesh member, may be detachable from the support frame and the support frame may be designed to be dismantled so that the whole apparatus is easily transportable and stored.

The sieve mesh member may be detachable from the sieve frame member so that different sieve mesh members, with different sized meshes, can be used in the sieve frame member.

The sieve apparatus may be designed so that a wheel barrow or similar container can be placed underneath the sieve mesh member within the support member so that the small particles of material falling through the mesh fall directly into the wheel barrow or other container.

The portion of the sieve frame member over which the larger particles fall when the sieve frame member is rotated can include an attachment for a bag or similar container to collect the larger particles.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a manually operated sieve apparatus in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view of the top support frame illustrated in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the sieve frame member illustrated in Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a plan view of the sieve mesh member illustrated in Figure 1. 4 S-SMITH 01/99 With reference to Figure 1 a manually operated sieve apparatus comprises a support member 1, having a top support frame 2 and four legs 3, and a sieve frame member 4 mounted on the top support frame 2. Within the sieve frame member 4 is supported a sieve mesh member 5. One end of the sieve frame member 4 is connected to the top support frame 2 by means of a hinge device 6 and the other end of the sieve frame member 4 is formed with a handle 7.

In the operation of the sieve apparatus, firstly material 11 to be sieved is placed on the sieve mesh member 5 by the operator. Next, the operator uses his hand or a tool 12, such as a garden spade, to break up and spread the material 11 over the mesh member 5. The smaller particles of the material 11 will start to fall through the mesh in the member 5 under the action of gravity. The operator then presses down on the material 11 with his hand or the lower edge 13 of the tool 12 so as to force the smaller particles of the material 11 through the mesh of the mesh member 5. The operator continues to spread the material 11 over the mesh member 5 and to press down on the mesh until all the smaller particles of the material 11 are forced through the mesh.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the top support frame 2 of the support member 1 is rectan gular in plan view and has an inner rectangular flange 14 and two supporting arms 15 extending from one end of the frame. The upper surface of each supporting arm 15 is formed with a laterally extending groove 16. As illustrated in Figure I each leg 3 extends into a respective socket 17 attached to the underside of the flange member 14 and is secured therein by a nut a bolt arrangement 18 so that each leg 3 can be detached from the respective socket 17. The lower end of each leg 3 is formed with a flat foot 19.

As illustrated in Figure 3 the sieve frame member 4 comprises a frame 21 which is generally rectangular in plan view and has an inner rectangular flange 22 and a lip portion 23 formed at one end. A bar 24 is attached to the underside of the lip portion 23 and extends laterally across the end of the sieve frame member 4. Where the lip portion 23 joins the inner flange 22 there are located two triangular 5 S-SMITH 01/99 shaped fillets 25 which are spaced vertically from the upper surface of the inner flange 22. A hole 26 extends through the frame member 21 at the middle of the end remote from the fillets 25 and is spaced vertically from the inner flange 22. A handle 7 is attached to the outer end surface of the frame member 21 by arms 27.

As illustrated in Figure 4 the sieve mesh member 5 comprises a rectangular frame 31 to which is attached a mesh 32 formed from a plurality of metal bars 33 extending in two mutually perpendicular directions. A rod 34 extends from one end of the frame 31.

The sieve mesh member 5 is held in place within the frame 21 of the sieve frame member 4 by inserting the rod 34 into the hole 26 so that the end portion 35 of the mesh member 5 lies on the inner flange 22 and is positioned clear of the fillets 25. The sieve mesh member 5 is then secured in position by moving the end portion 35 to the left (as viewed in Figures 3 and 4) so that it becomes located between the fillets 25 and the inner flange 22.

The sieve frame member 4 is located in position in the top support frame 2 by inserting the two ends of the bar 24 in the bearings formed by the grooves 16 on the upper surfaces of the arms 15 and then lowering the other end of the frame member 4 until it rests on the inner flange 14 of the top support frame 2.

It will be appreciated that the sieve mesh member 5 is fully supported on the inner flange 22 of the frame member 4 and this in turn is fully supported on the inner flange 14 of the top support frame 2 of the support member 1. Therefore any downward force exerted on the mesh member 5 by the operator using his hand or the tool 12 will be transmitted to the support member 1, which is constructed very rigidly and sturdily. By careful design, the gaps between the adjacent surfaces of the top support frame 2, the sieve frame member 4, the sieve mesh member 5, the sockets 18 and the legs 3 can be reduced to a minimum so that there is very little "play" between all the components. The feet 19 on the legs 3, by extending over a relatively large area of ground, help to hold the support frame 1 rigidly.

6 S-SMITH 01/99 When the sieve apparatus described is fully assembled and in use it provides a very rigid and sturdy structure. The operator can place material I I to be sieved on the mesh member 32. Initially the smaller particles of the material 11 will begin to fall through the mesh member under gravity. The operator can increase the amount of the smaller particles falling through the mesh member 32 by moving his hand or the tool 12 in the material 11 and over the mesh member and by exerting downward pressure using his hand or the tool 12. The material passing through the mesh 32 can either be allowed to fall on the ground beneath the apparatus or be collected in a wheel barrow or other receptacle (not illustrated) positioned under the mesh between the legs 3 of the support member 1.

When all the smaller particles of the material I I have passed through the mesh member 32, the larger particles left behind can be removed by raising the handle 7 and pivoting the sieve frame member 4 on the bar 24 about the bearings in the arms 15. These larger particles will begin to flow over the lip 23 and can be collected in a receptacle suitably positioned below the lip 23 or allowed to fall onto the ground.

The underside of the lip 23 can be formed with hooks (not illustrated) to which a sack or other soft material can be attached to collect the larger particles of the material 11.

In a practical embodiment of the manually operated sieve apparatus described above, the top support frame 2, the sieve frame member 4, and the sieve mesh member 5 were fabricated from mild steel strip and sheet having a thickness of 5 mms. the length and width of the top support frame 2 were 1 metre and 75 cms respectively. The height of the side of the top support frame was 5 cms and the height of the side of the sieve frame member 5 was 10 cms. The width of each of the inner flanges 14 and 22 was 5 cms.

The mesh of the sieve mesh meter 5 was made from mild steel bars of 3 mms diameter arranged in parallel in two sets at right angles to define square gaps.

7 S-SMITH 01/99 Three different sizes of mesh were used with gaps of 5 cms, 2.5 cms and 1. 25 cms square.

The legs 3 were made from mild steel bars of 5 cms diameter and were each 1 metre long. The sockets 17 had an internal diameter of just over 5 crns and were 10 cmis in length.

The arms 15 were made from mild steel strips and had a width of 2.5 cms and a height of 10 cms. The bar 24 had a diameter of 2.5 crns In order to ensure that the sieve apparatus could withstand hard use and being kept out of doors all the surfaces of the components were painted with anti-rust paint.

It will be appreciated that the individual components of the sieve apparatus described can be dismantled from each other for ease of transporting, storing or packaging the sieve apparatus 8 S-SMITH 01/99

Claims

1 A manually operated sieve apparatus comprising a sieve frame member, a sieve mesh member adapted to be supported in the sieve frame member and a support member adapted to support the sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member at a convenient working height above the ground, as defined herein.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the support member comprises a top support member adapted to support the sieve frame member directly and a plurality of legs adapted to position the top support member above the ground.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the legs are detachable from the top support member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the legs have feet suitable to provide a firm support for the sieve apparatus on rough ground.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a hinge device attaching the sieve frame member to the support member.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 in which the hinge device comprises one or more bearing members attached to the support member attached and one or more bars attached to the sieve frame member and adapted to rotate in the bearing members.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 in which the hinge device is constructed so that the sieve frame member can be detached from the support member.

9 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows )0 1. A manually operated sieve apparatus comprising a sieve frame member (4), a sieve mesh member (5) adapted to be supported in the sieve frame member and a support member (1) adapted to support the sieve frame member and the sieve mesh member at a convenient working height above the ground, as defined herein.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the support member (1) comprises a top support member (2) adapted to support the sieve frame member (4) directly and a plurality of legs (3) adapted to position the top support member above the ground.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the legs (3) are detachable from the top support member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the legs (3) have feet (19) suitable to provide a firm support for the sieve apparatus on rough ground.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising a hinge device (6) attaching the sieve frame member (4) to the support member (1).

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 in which the hinge device (6) comprises one or more bearing members (15, 16) attached to the support member (1) and one or more bars (24) attached to the sieve frame member (4) and adapted to rotate in the bearing members.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6 in which the hinge device (6) is constructed so that the sieve frame member (4) can be detached from the support member (1).

8. A manually operated sieve apparatus comprising a sieve frame member (4), a sieve mesh member (5) adapted to be supported in the sieve frame member, a support member (1) adapted to support the sieve frame member and sieve mesh member at a convenient height above the ground, as defined herein, and a demountable hinge device (15, 16, 24) connecting the sieve frame member (4) to the support member (1) whereby the sieve frame member (4) can be rotated relative to the support member (1) and can be detached from the support member (1).

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 in which the demountable hinge device comprises two supporting arms (15) extending from one end of the support member (1) and each formed with a laterally extending groove (16), together with a bar (24) attached to the sieve frame member (4) and adapted to be supported in the grooves (16).

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the components are adapted to be dismantled from each other for ease of transporting, storing and packaging the apparatus.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a tool (12) adapted to be moved towards and over the sieve mesh member (5) whereby any material (11) on the sieve mesh member can be spread over the sieve mesh member and forced through the sieve mesh member.

12. A method of separating out particles of a selected size from a mass of material (11) using a sieve apparatus including a sieve mesh member (5) having gaps of a predetermined size comprising positioning the sieve apparatus so that the sieve mesh member (5) is at a convenient working height, as defined herein, placing the mass of material (11) on the sieve mesh member (5), and moving a tool (12) within the mass of material while exerting a pressure on the tool in the direction of the sieve mesh member, whereby the material (11) is spread over the sieve mesh member and particles of the material (11) of a size less than the size of the gaps in the sieve mesh member are forced through the sieve mesh member.

13. A manually operated sieve apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.