U.S. patent application number 14/205979 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-16 for collapsible droppings collector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Richard Pluta. Invention is credited to Michael Richard Pluta.
Application Number | 20150102617 14/205979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52809070 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150102617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pluta; Michael Richard |
April 16, 2015 |
COLLAPSIBLE DROPPINGS COLLECTOR
Abstract
A collapsible system is provided for grasping and bagging an
item on the ground, where the system includes an elongate cane
having a proximal end that can be held by the user and a distal
end, the system includes a set of claspers secured to a distal end
of the elongate cane such that the claspers can be manipulated by
the user, where the set of claspers includes first and second
grasping arms each having a support hook configured to secure a
portion of a bag between the set of claspers, and where the system
also includes a control mechanism configured to permit the user to
operate from the proximal end of the cane the set of claspers
positioned to the distal end of the cane.
Inventors: |
Pluta; Michael Richard;
(Huntington Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pluta; Michael Richard |
Huntington Beach |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52809070 |
Appl. No.: |
14/205979 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61890724 |
Oct 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
294/1.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 2001/1293 20130101;
E01H 1/1206 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
294/1.4 |
International
Class: |
E01H 1/12 20060101
E01H001/12 |
Claims
1. A collapsible system for grasping and bagging an item on the
floor, the system configured to minimize a user's need to bend over
to pick up the item, the collapsible system comprising: an elongate
cane having a proximal end that can be held by the user and a
distal end; a set of claspers secured to a distal end of the
elongate cane such that the claspers can be manipulated by the
user, the set of claspers comprising a first and second grasping
arm each comprising a support hook configured to secure a portion
of a bag between the set of claspers; and a control mechanism
configured to permit the user to operate from the proximal end of
the cane the set of claspers positioned to the distal end of the
cane.
2. The collapsible system of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism
comprises a pivotable grip secured to the proximal end of the cane,
the grip configured so that the user can move the grip as needed to
operate the set of claspers between a closed and open position.
3. The collapsible system of claim 2, wherein the set of claspers
is hingeably secured to the cane so that the claspers can be moved
from a retracted position pointing proximally from a point of
securement to the cane to an extended position pointing distally
from the point of securement, the point of securement comprising a
hinge.
4. The collapsible system of claim 3, wherein the control mechanism
is configured to permit the user to both operate the moving of the
claspers between a closed and opened position while also moving the
claspers between a retracted and an extended position.
5. The collapsible system of claim 1, further comprising a bag
configured to be secured to the claspers in at least two positions,
a first position associated with the support hook on a first arm of
the claspers and a second position associated with the support hook
on a second arm of the claspers.
6. The collapsible system of claim 1, wherein the set of claspers
is secured to a distal tip of the distal end of the elongate
cane.
7. The collapsible system of claim 1, wherein the elongate cane is
segmented to permit collapsibility of the cane to reduce the
overall length of the cane for ease of transport.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The embodiments herein relate generally to a system for
facilitating the collection and disposal of animal droppings.
Mechanisms exist that the permit a user to use a long handled set
of claspers to grasp items on the ground. And mechanisms exist for
securing human waste in disposal systems (e.g., Diaper Genie.RTM.).
Nonetheless, no one has yet to tailor a system to collect animal
waste in a manner that eliminates the need for the animal owner to
bend over with an inverted plastic bag in hand to pick up the
droppings from multiple animals over a period of time using
separate discrete bags that then must be carried in hand for the
balance of the walk. Embodiments of the present invention address
at least this long-felt need.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0002] The detailed description of some embodiments of the
invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying
figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the
figures.
[0003] FIGS. 1A through 1C show a schematic front elevational view
of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0004] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a schematic side view of one embodiment
of a bag collection system applicable to the system embodiments
described and claimed herein;
[0005] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a schematic front elevational view of
the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C using the bag collection system
of FIGS. 2A and 2B;
[0006] FIGS. 4A through 4D show a schematic side elevational view
of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;
[0007] FIGS. 5A through 5C show a schematic front elevational view
of another embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a schematic front elevational view of
the embodiment of FIGS. 5B and 5C using the bag collection system
of FIGS. 3A and 3B;
[0009] FIGS. 7A through 7C show a schematic side elevational view
of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A through 5C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0010] By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1A through 1C, one
embodiment 10 of the present invention comprises an elongate cane
12. At a distal end of the cane 12 are a set of claspers 14a and
14b joined within a housing 16 where the claspers are joined at a
pivot point 18 within the housing to permit relative movement of
the claspers 14a and 14b from a first closed position (as shown in
FIG. 1B) to a second open position (as shown in FIG. 1C). To secure
the claspers 14a, 14b within the housing in pivotal fashion, pivot
pins 20a, 20b are provided through the housing the claspers 14a,
14b, respectively, so that as a linear force is applied to the
pivot point 18 to move the claspers 14a, 14b between and open and
closed position, each clasp 14a, 14b moves about pivot pins 20a,
20b.
[0011] Preferably, the housing 16, and thus claspers 14a, 14b, are
pivotally secured to the cane 12 by way of a hinge 22. In this
manner, the claspers 14a, 14b and housing 16 may be placed into a
collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 1A, when not in use, and an
uncollapsed (extended) position as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C for
operation. If desired, a portion of the cane at the distal end may
extend beyond the hinge 22, as shown in FIG. 1A, in case the user
desires to use the cane 12 as a walking stick when not in use for
collecting animal droppings.
[0012] In certain embodiments, it is preferable that the cane 12
comprise a hollow tube of metal, wood, synthetic material or any
other material that is sufficiently rigid to permit effective
functionality described for the embodiments herein. By being
tubular in structure, i.e., hollow, a cable 26 maybe provided that
extends substantially the length of the cane 12 from close to the
proximal end to close to the distal end, as explained in more
detail below. The cable 26 serves to permit operation of the system
10 in at least two ways: the first is to collapse or extend the
claspers 14 and housing 16 and the second is to open or close the
claspers 14.
[0013] It should be noted that at the distal end of each clasp 14a,
14b is a support hook 28a, 28b, respectively. Such hooks are
preferably configured to permit securing of a bag system that can
be used with the system embodiments herein. In that regard,
reference is made to FIGS. 2A and 2B, where one example of such a
bag system may be described. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG.
2A, a collection of bags 40 are provided rolled in an annular ring
42 where each bag 44 is secured at a first end in a closed-off
manner, such as a knot 46, or the like. By pulling on the closed
end, as shown in FIG. 2B, the bag 44 is further exposed so that
droppings may fall into the opening of the bag defined by the ring
42. With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, one embodiment of the system
10 shows the annular ring 42 secured to the hooks 28a, 28b at the
distal ends of claspers 14a, 14b, respectively. By opening the
claspers 14, as shown in FIG. 3B, the ring 42 is enlarged to create
a sufficiently large opening of bag 44 to facilitate collection of
animal droppings at they are made. It is contemplated that when it
desired to collect animal droppings, that the system 10 be operated
whereby the bag system 40 is secured to the claspers 14, and then
the claspers 14 opened, as shown in FIG. 3B, so that the distal end
of the system 10 may be placed under the rear end of the animal to
permit the droppings to fall into the bag. At that point, once the
animal is finished, the claspers 14 may be closed, and the bag 44
twisted and tied off into a knot. By doing so, the animal droppings
are now secured discretely in their own bag. Where multiple animals
are being walked, a separate bag may be used for each animal, where
each set of droppings is secured in its own bag. The bags may be
left knotted but secured serially to each other, or knotted and
cut, if so desired by the user.
[0014] Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1C, functionality of the
cable 26 may be appreciated in more detail. In that regard, in one
embodiment 10 of the invention, a portion of the cable 26 resides
within the tubular cane 12, as shown by the dotted line 26 in FIG.
1C. A portion of the cable 26, in this particular example
embodiment, extends out of the cane proximal the distal end of the
cane 12 through opening 30 in the cane, as shown in FIG. 1A. The
cable continues into hole 32 of housing 16 where it engages pivot
point 18, thus permitting the cable to control the opening and
closing of the claspers 14.
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 4A through 4D, system 10 may include, for
example, a handle 50 comprising a grip 52 pivotally supported to
the handle 50 or cane 12 by way of a pivot pin 54. The grip 52 is
preferably linked to the proximal end of the cable 26 so that
pivoting of the grip 52 relative to the handle 50 pulls the cable
26 in the direction of arrow A to cause the claspers 14 and housing
16 to be pulled from a collapsed position (as shown in FIG. 4A), to
an extended position (as shown intermediately in FIG. 4B and
completely in FIG. 4C). In that regard, the grip 52 is moved in the
direction of arrow B, while the claspers 14 and housing 16 are
caused to be moved in the direction of arrow C. Upon full
extension, which may reflect one of numerous possible angles
between the housing 16 and the longitudinal axis of the cane 12,
depending upon the size and configuration of the components,
further pivoting of the grip 52 preferably causes the claspers 14a,
14b to open. In the side view of FIG. 4D, the opening of the
claspers 14 gives the appearance of the claspers 14 shortening. The
open position is shown more directly in FIG. 1C.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C and FIGS. 6A and 6B, an alterative
embodiment 110 is provided in which the housing 116 is pivotally
secured to the very distal end of the cane 112. In other words, in
this embodiment, by way of example, no (or essentially very little)
portion of the cane extends beyond the housing. Operation of the
system 110 is generally the same as system 10, but is shown for the
sake of illustrating variety in configuration and component
placement. In that regard, with reference to FIGS. 7A through 7C,
it made be appreciated that by placing the claspers 114 and housing
116 at the distal end of the cane 112, extension of the housing 116
may permit alignment of the housing and claspers generally with the
longitudinal axis of the cane, although it need not be exact
alignment. Again, variation of the configuration is
contemplated.
[0017] One of the contemplated features of embodiments of the
present invention is total collapsibility of the systems 10 and
110, by example, in which not only does the housing and claspers
collapse, but the cane collapses as well. For example, the cane 12
of system 10 is shown in FIGS. 4A-4B as comprising two sections,
12a and 12b. Likewise, referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, the cane 112 of
system 110 also comprises a plurality of sections in which they
sections may be folders relative to each other to collapse the
entire system more compactly, as shown in FIG. 7C. In that regard,
it may be preferable that cable 26 or cable 126 have some elastic
property to it to permit the plurality of cane sections, whether it
is two or more sections, be foldable relative to each other.
[0018] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that
numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the
functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide
variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the
present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the
breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments
described above.
* * * * *