Radio controlled dog waste collection device
11284604 · 2022-03-29
Inventors
Cpc classification
A01K23/005
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A canine feces catching device for removal of excrement includes a leash that includes an extendable cord; a radio controller within the leash for control of the feces catching device; a button on the leash for operation of the radio controller; a moving element that moves along the cord in response to a signal from the radio controller; a platform formed as either as a widened part of the extendable cord or as a separate wider element supported by the leash; the moving element including a collecting device supported by the platform and configured to move along the platform and to stop at a predetermined location; a soft insert for the collecting device; a movement stopper that limits movement of the device along the platform; and a guiding rod for positioning the collecting device on the platform in a forward or backward direction.
Claims
1. A canine feces catching device for removal of excrement, the device including: a) a leash that includes an extendable cord; b) a radio controller within the leash for control of the feces catching device; c) a button on the leash for operation of the radio controller; d) a moving element that moves a collecting device forward and backward in response to a signal from the radio controller; e) a platform formed as either as a widened part of the extendable cord or as a separate wider element supported by the leash; f) the collecting device being supported by the platform and configured to move along the platform and to stop at a predetermined location; g) a soft insert for the collecting device; h) a movement stopper that limits movement of the device along the platform; and i) a guiding rod for positioning the collecting device on the platform in a forward or backward direction.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the collecting device supports the soft insert.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the collecting device is a round or rectangular-shaped “catcher” made of plastic.
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a coaster element having the same shape as the collecting device and wherein the collecting device is inserted into the coaster element.
5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a lid attachable to the collecting device.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the leash and the collecting device are lowered so that the collecting device is on the ground in response to the same command.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the collecting device moves forward only once the leash touches the ground in a location where the collecting device is located.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the collecting device is always located above the cord and moves only along a central axis of the cord.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the cord is connected to a harness of the dog.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein at least the inserts used in the collecting device are made from a biodegradable material.
11. The device of claim 1, wherein the collecting device stops movement along the guiding rod once the limiter is reached.
12. A canine feces catching device for removal of excrement, the device including: a leash that includes an extendable cord; a radio controller within the leash for control of the feces catching device; a button on the leash for operation of the radio controller; a collecting device that moves in a forward and backward direction in response to a signal from the radio controller; a platform formed as either as a widened part of the extendable cord or as a separate wider element supported by the leash; the collecting device being supported by the platform and configured to move along the platform and to stop at a predetermined location; a soft insert for the collecting device; a movement stopper that limits movement of the device along the platform; and a guiding rod for positioning the collecting device on the platform in the forward or backward direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED FIGURES
(1) The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
(2) In the drawings:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(16) Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
(17) According to one embodiment of the invention, the following are the advantages of the invention: the waste to be disposed without the owner coming into contact with it; the device to require no cleaning (washing) before subsequent to use; guarantee of the ability to clean a surface from dog waste without contamination; ability to prevent the dog from coming into contact with its feces; suitability of the device (method, technique) for a pet of any size (mainly—any height); practically instantaneous isolation (encapsulation) of the feces post-defecation; ensuring the dog owner can remain on a flat, safe surface (dry, free from snow, ice, not slippery) during the dog's defecation process; dog owner does not need to carry devices, bags, chemicals, scoops, etc; radio signal remote controller is located on the handle of the leash; the dog owner can properly position the capturing device at any moment in time, regardless of their distance to the animal; the proposed device (invention) stimulates the dog owner to spend more time outdoors, if the device does not create any inconveniences; the device does not take up much additional space; no additional actions are required prior to taking the dog for a walk; the proposed device adds only several simple elements to the harness or leash;
(18) The device of the present invention allows the owner to avoid having to bend over while picking up the animal's feces. The method of using the device is safe.
(19) In one embodiment, the dog excrement collecting device includes the following components: a leash, widened in the area of placement of the waste collector, pusher or platform (not required for small animals); a platform widened in the area close to the animal providing for balancing of the overall system with the suspended leash; a radio-controlled or non-moving waste collector, a pusher (for one of the device's versions); handle complete with the remote control mechanism to enable movement back and forth; collector movement limiter (stopper); and leash length extension or shortening regulator button.
(20) When the animal is ready to defecate, its owner lowers the leash to the ground as soon as possible and activates the radio-controlled (RC) device (radio-controlled system immediately assumes the position required for dog waste collection). At the end of the entire procedure, the radio-controlled device moves in the opposite direction (away from the animal), the leash lifts up from the ground, its length shortens, the dog owner encapsulates the collector to either leave it on the leash or empty it into a garbage can.
(21) The following reference numbers are used in the figures: 1. Dog. 2. Device (moving part). 3. Feces collector. 4. Soft part of collector (one out of several types). 5. Platform (separate of part of leash). 6. Leash with a variable length or without it. 6′. Widened part of the leash. 7. Leash handle. 8. Button (for the leash). 9. Supporting elements. 10. Button (for the device). 11. Barriers, or platform limiters. 12. Guiding rod. 13. Part of harness. 14. Part of the device connecting harness and leash. 15. Tail. 16. Ground level. 17. Magnets or Velcro. 18. Feces collector lid. 19. Device connecting the waste collector to the leash or platform. 20. Insert seals.
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(30) The leash has a standard form along most of its length, with the exception of its last section, several inches long (the length mainly depends on the animal's/dog's size). This short segment near the dog gradually transforms into the vertical part of the leash that has been shifted off the entire system's central axis in order to ensure an easier, simple and quick adaptation of the system to its objective: the feces collecting part must be positioned in a strictly defined spot at the time of the defecation process. This spot is determined prior to taking the dog outdoors. Apart from the leash-length controlling button, its clamping and release, the leash handle box also has a built-in signal-sending device, by the dog's owner, for the movable part of the system (device). The control button for the aforementioned device is located on the handle's surface. In some cases, when dealing with small-sized or miniature dogs, radio control is not required, because given the very short leash and its small cross-section, it is possible to catch the feces via independent movement of the device in dog's direction. The widened part of the leash depends on the overall length of the leash. A leash of greater length is almost always positioned at different angles in relation to the horizontal. This angle changes often depending on the animal's command. The widened part of the leash is designed mainly to prevent the leash from tipping over to the left or right off vertical axis.
(31) The radio-controlled (RC) element receives the sensor signal and as a result the feces retrieving part almost instantaneously assumes the previously prepared spot (position).
(32) Depending on its location on the leash, the platform represents a square or rectangular, thin and simple construct of minimal possible weight, yet from the other point of view, the platform plays a certain role in keeping the device in balance when the entire system is in a suspended state (when the animal is moving).
(33) The movable part has several elements, attached to the leash and moving along the leash's axis, while the leash is in suspended state or exclusively along the horizontal when the leash is on the ground. With the exception of miniature and small dogs, the feces retriever moves on a relatively long leash, which provides additional freedom to the animal. For miniature and small dogs (taking into account their height) the feces retriever takes up its final position by moving down under its own weight along the leash. At the same time, it is allowable to increase the retrieving element's weight in order to speed the movement up. The leash for miniature and small dogs can be without a handle (and its built-in button).
(34) The collector can be protected from outside influences by plastic parts. The device can move along the leash under some tension in order to prevent its slipping into the final position before activation of the radio-controlled signal. This condition is not typically used for miniature and small-sized dogs. For animals (dogs) of miniature and small sizes, the use of laces or strings for movement of collector into its final position can be employed.
(35) The radio signal receiver is typically of a small height of 0.5-1 inches, which allows for the overall device height reduction and device placement under the dog's body regardless of the dog's size. The leash and the collecting device can be operated independently or upon the same command.
(36) The dog wears a harness, which is connected to the leash and splits off in order to provide more freedom of movement in any direction to the dog. At the same time the entire device, including part of leash located near the animal: feces retriever, harness, acquires additional rigidity without introduction of other elements.
(37) The barrier or limiters are made of the same material as the widened part of the leash, located near the animal (from behind). Barriers (or limiters) can move along the leash or platform and be attached to them by various methods. One barrier located on the side of the leash control handle can be placed on various spots along the leash, while the second barrier is attached to a strictly determined position.
(38) Supporting elements located on the lower part of the leash, or, when the leash is of widened size, then at the ends of this widened element. The supporting elements provide additional stability for feces retriever, allow the leash to remain in the same condition (not to tip over) and, finally, protect the leash from getting dirty and wet when the leash lies on the ground along with the device attached thereto.
(39) The feces retriever that is pushed from behind has a lower height than the one located on the moving RC-signal receiving platform. However, a retriever on a platform is of more reliable construction, the proposed device takes up less space; is easier to operate and the entire construction is simplified. Such a direct catchment of feces guarantees non-propagation of illnesses (transmitting of deceases) and non-contamination of water supply.
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(45) All waste disposal options are shown on the figures.
(46) Based on
(47) The platform (5), in turn, is manufactured long enough and wide enough to fit the following on it: device's movable part (2), and the animal waste receiving device (3), (4) to collect the waste. The shaded area in
(48) For the version depicted in
(49) The leash handle (7) which has the buttons (8) and (10) is constantly placed in the dog owner's (user's) hands. When the animal is ready to defecate, the receiving device (3) is put into motion with the help of the command button (10), although some situations call for the use of both buttons (8) and (10).
(50) This depends on the leash tension and its distance from the ground surface. At the same time, the distance from the device (its front part) (3) to the spot where the receiving device stops, should not exceed several inches. The supporting elements (9) are manufactured from the same material as the leash. Velcro can be used to attach them to the leash (6) prior to starting the dog walk.
(51) The leash length (6), its cross-section, and consequently some of details of the device (the movable part) (2) depend mainly on the dog's (1) size in direct proportion: the larger the dog (1) size, the longer the leash (6).
(52) In the majority of cases, the barrier or platform limiter (11) should be attached in front of the waste collector (3). This removes the danger of the collector shifting past the designated stopping spot when the dog moves to the side.
(53) The barrier or platform limiter (11) should also be attached behind the movable element of the device because the waste collector (3) moves back along the leash for the length of the widened part of the platform (5).
(54) The device element (5) is made from the same material as the leash (6), which helps lower the cost of entire invention. It is considered acceptable to maintain this condition with respect to the supporting elements (9) as well.
(55) It is sometimes preferable to “stretch” the flexible part of the waste collector (the coaster-type) to the left or to the right of the central axis of the leash (6). This creates better situations for the capturing of feces, especially for the dogs of medium and large sizes. Although this variant results in some cost increase of the device on the account of the required change of its shape and size as well as additional complications in isolating the feces post-defecation. Besides this, the regular (round) coasters become unsuitable with this variant of the stretched soft part of the waste collector.
(56) The platform (5) can be shorter in those cases where the radio-controlled (2) waste collector (3), (4) is located on the front part of the device because there is no pushing element (2). In this case, there is also no need for the seal elements (22).
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(58) Referring to
(59) Referring to
(60) While walking the dog, its owner (or member of the owner's family) affixes the device movable parts ((3), (4), (5)) onto the leash (6) (barrier not shown). The moment the dog is ready to defecate, taking several seconds to adapt to the process, the dog owner presses the leash handle button (10). As a result of this action, the device moves forward and takes the final position (
(61) The animal typically searches for a convenient position for defecation, and it depends on the type of ground surface, obstacles located on it, time of year, dog's (1) condition, etc.
(62) When the waste collector (4) is placed on the part of the device that received the electronic signal for moving the waste collector forward (2), there is practically no difference with the system described above (
(63) Referring to
(64) Regarding
(65) Therefore,
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(68) In all versions, the main condition for successful realization of the objective is the human factor—the reaction speed time of the person walking the dog, and not the mechanism's (device) performance. Based on a multitude of experience, this reaction speed can be improved, amongst the adults as well as the children of various ages. In this sense, people with poor eyesight will be presented with a certain degree of difficulty.
(69) Once the objective is fulfilled, the device is moved away from the animal in the opposite direction for a short (several inches) distance with use of the same button (10) (or together with button (8), until it rests against the barrier (or platform limit). In order to simplify the device, it is possible to “sacrifice” the barrier as it has a limited influence on the process as a whole. The dog feces container is closed by the animal's owner, or automatically.
(70) In a variant similar to that depicted in
(71) Regarding
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(73) In real life the platform is placed almost all the way against the animal. At the same time, the leash is controlled by pushing button (8) only, located on the leash handle (7).
(74) Regarding
(75) A miniature remote control (RC), located on a leash containing the widened platform should preferably be available to customers in the same harness and kit set. More preferably, the RC block+harness+leash system should be manufactured as an integrated, ready-for-use product.
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(77) As shown in
(78) If the retrieving device's lid (not shown on the drawing) is manufactured from thin metal, then a magnet (17) is used to close it and isolate the dog feces. It is preferable to replace metal with light plastic (18) and to use Velcro instead of magnet, as shown by section C-C,
(79) As shown in
(80) The aesthetically isolated feces retriever's appearance is incomparably more attractive in comparison to what remains after the use of scoops, garments, bags to collect feces from the ground, or any of the flat materials—collecting sheets, or with what is left on the ground after use of freezing, dissolving, vacuuming, or if no method of clean-up was used at all.
(81) The dog's owner does not have to bend down in order to pick up the feces retriever to collect/dispose of its contents, as is the case with the majority of other inventions. In this case, the device moves away from its terminal position (between the dog's hind legs) in the owner's direction along the leash axis, this movement takes place over a short distance of a few inches. Furthermore, the movement only takes place when the leash is raised at an angle to the horizontal. If desired, the dog's owner draws the retrieving device nearer while simultaneously raising it to a height convenient for the insert (coaster) removal. The second stopper does not have to be there.
(82) The proposed device does not require expensive machinery or long time to manufacture. This fact allows for the device to be improved as a whole, or in part, without significant increase in cost. The main directions for additional modifications are: a) Universal harness creation; b) Increasing leash device stability once it is put on, during the dog walking process; c) Use of the latest constructions and methods of remote distance electronic control; d) Creation of more reliable leash and harness joining method, to ensure it follows the dog's movements in any direction and allows the feces retriever to be precisely positioned in a required spot at the right time.
(83) Additionally, the non-transparent feces collector makes the feces invisible. The proposed device helps increase dog walkers' reaction, especially among children, because in most cases it only takes fractions of a second, or several seconds at the most, from the moment an animal becomes ready to defecate to feces retriever's placement between the dog's hind legs, or in close proximity to them.
(84) The device leaves no dog feces on the ground, allowing the animal's owner not to have to worry about cleaning footwear as often is the case when other proposals-inventions are used (collecting of feces with the help of bags, scoops, collecting sheets, reprocessing methods, etc.). There is no need to clean any surface because dog feces end up directly in the feces retriever.
(85) Statistics obtained by the invention's author based on actual field experience shows the device's success rate of 80%.
(86) Having thus described a preferred embodiment, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the described method and apparatus have been achieved.
(87) It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.