The Weeding Claw: A Wire Fork That Grips, Then Levers

"My invention consists of a claw formed of wire, for readily pulling or removing weeds, grass, &c., without cutting them. It further consists of means for loosening the earth and weeds, and pulling or removing the latter." The claw is "curved rearward or toward the handle, and formed of two pieces of wire", so that its inner faces are rounded. "When weeds, grass, &c., are to be pulled or removed, the claw is brought thereagainst, and the handle drawn toward the operator, so as to embrace the weeds". "Should the weeds, grass, &c., be difficult of removal, the handle may be raised so that the claw turns on its outer curved face, the leverage thus exerted quickly overcoming the resistance of the weeds".

Pick three weeds of the same kind. Tie a loop of string round the first at ground level, hook the force meter to it, and pull straight up slowly, reading the peak. Note whether the root came out or the stem snapped. Lift the second with the claw as in the program and note whether the root came whole. Loosen the soil round the third first, then pull it with the force meter again. Compare the forces and the roots.

**John F. Turner** of Philadelphia filed US 203,798 on 30 March 1878; it is dated 14 May 1878. **Honest limits.** The lever model treats the claw as rigid and the fulcrum as a point; soil gives under it and roots break before they come out. Forces and lengths are examples. Your force-meter readings are the measurement.