Scooper assembly

Abstract

A scooper assembly has a scoop container attached to the end of a hiking stick and a bag-retainer for retaining a roll of waste collection bags. The container is configured with a set of teeth that extend out from the bottom of the inlet opening and an outlet opening on the back of the container is configured for dumping feces from the container. The container is configured to retain a bag around the back outlet opening. The bag-retainer has a slot for pulling the end of the roll of bags therethrough, bag-teeth to aid in tearing a bag off from the roll, and a cleat and tray for holding a filled bag. A light-mount is configured to allow positioning of a light in any direction and a detachable rake may be alternately used to collect feces. A receptacle for personal articles and for pepper spray is provided.

Claims

1. A scooper assembly for collecting feces comprising: a) a hiking stick having a length from a handle end to a container end; b) a handle configured on the handle end; c) a bag-retainer comprising: i) a bag roll receiver; ii) a bag-slot in the bag roll receiver to allow an extended end of a roll of bags to pass therethrough; and iii) a cleat comprising two vertical slots for receiving and retaining a filled bag that has feces collected therein.

2. The scooper assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag-retainer is detachably attachable to the hiking stick and comprises a bag-clip that extends at least partially around the hiking stick.

3. The scooper assembly of claim 1, wherein the bag-retainer further comprises bag-teeth configured on a vertical arm to engage with perforations in the roll of bags to separate a bag from the roll of bags.

4. The scooper assembly of claim 1, further comprising a filled bag tray for receiving and retaining said filled bag, and wherein the filled bag tray is configured under the bag-retainer and cleat, whereby a filled end of the filled bag is configured for retention in the filled bag tray and a tied end of the filled bag is configured for retention in the cleat.

5. The scooper assembly of claim 1, further comprising a receptacle attached to the hiking stick.

6. The scooper assembly of claim 5, wherein the receptacle is detachably attached to the hiking stick by a receptacle-clip.

7. The scooper assembly of claim 1, further comprising a light-mount attached to the hiking stick and comprising: a) an insert end; b) a protrusion end; c) a plurality of leaves tapering down toward the protrusion end and configured to expand outward when a light is inserted therethrough; d) a light pivot configured between the light-mount and the hiking stick that allows for 360-degree rotation of the light-mount.

8. The scooper assembly of claim 7, wherein the light-mount is detachably attached to the hiking stick by a light-mount clip, wherein the light pivot is configured between said light-mount clip and the light-mount.

9. A scooper assembly for collecting feces comprising: a) a hiking stick having a length from a handle end to a container end; b) a handle configured on the handle end; c) a bag-retainer comprising: i) a bag roll receiver; ii) a bag-slot in the bag roll receiver to allow an extended end of a roll of bags to pass therethrough; and iii) a bag core interface extending from the bag roll receiver for receiving and retaining said roll of bags d) a container coupled to the container end of the hiking stick and comprising: iv) an interior for receiving and retaining feces; v) a front having an inlet opening for receiving said feces therethrough; vi) a plurality of teeth extending from the front of the container; vii) a back having an outlet opening for disposing feces from the container interior; viii) a plurality of clips including a clip on a top, a clip on a left side and a clip on a right side of the container; wherein the container is configured to retain a bag by the plurality of clips with an opening of the bag extended around the outlet opening of the container to receive said feces collected in the container.

10. The scooper assembly of claim 9, further comprising a door coupled to the back of the container and comprising a pivot to enable said door to pivot from a closed position, wherein it covers at least a portion of the outlet opening to an open position to allow said feces collected in the container to be dumped through the outlet opening.

11. The scooper assembly of claim 9, wherein the container is detachably attached to the hiking stick by a threaded attachment feature.

12. The scooper assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of clips comprises a clip flange that extends outward from the container body to retain a bag thereover.

13. The scooper assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of teeth have extended ends that form a concave shape.

14. The scooper assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of teeth extend up from the bottom of the container at an incline angle of at least 5 degrees.

15. The scooper assembly of claim 9, further comprising a rake detachably attached to the hiking stick by a rake retainer clip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings 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) FIG. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a right side view of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a back view of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(5) FIG. 4 shows back perspective view of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an exemplary receptacle and bag-retainer coupled to the hiking stick of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(8) FIG. 7 shows an exemplary bag-retainer coupled to the hiking stick of an exemplary scooper assembly with a filled bag tray.

(9) FIG. 8 shows an exemplary bag-retainer coupled to the hiking stick and the bag-teeth configured to tear an individual bag free from a roll of bags; for ease of illustration, the filled bag tray shown in FIG. 7 is not depicted.

(10) FIG. 9 shows an exemplary rake coupled to the hiking stick of an exemplary scooper assembly.

(11) FIGS. 10 and 11 show an exemplary light-mount coupled to the shaft of the hiking stick by a mount clip.

(12) FIG. 12 shows a side perspective view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly.

(13) FIG. 13 shows a side perspective view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly with a rake coupled over the front inlet opening of the container.

(14) FIG. 14 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly with a rake coupled over the front inlet opening of the container.

(15) FIG. 15 shows a back perspective view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly.

(16) FIG. 16 shows a front view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly.

(17) FIG. 17 shows a back view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly with the back door in a closed position.

(18) FIG. 18 shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly with the door in a closed position.

(19) FIG. 19 shows a back-side perspective view of an exemplary container of a scooper assembly with the door in an open position and a bag configured around the back outlet opening of the container and under the clip and in the retainer slit between the door connector and the bottom of the container.

(20) FIG. 20 shows the container as shown in FIG. 19 with the door in a closed position and the bag placed loosely inside the container.

(21) FIG. 21 shows a front perspective view of a hiking stick coupled to the container via an adapter.

(22) FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of the hiking stick, attachment feature of the hiking stick on the container end, an adapter, and a container attachment feature.

(23) FIG. 23 shows a cross sectional view of the hiking stick, attachment feature of the hiking stick on the container end, an adapter, and a container attachment feature.

(24) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION F THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

(25) As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of a or an are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

(26) Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

(27) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an exemplary scooper assembly 10 comprises a container 100 coupled to a hiking stick 20 and configured to scoop up animal feces. The hiking stick is coupled to the container by an adapter 27 that is coupled to a container attachment feature 110. A plurality of components are coupled to the hiking stick including a receptacle 40, a bag-retainer 50, a rake 70 and a light-mount 90.

(28) The hiking stick has a length from a handle end 21 to a container end 23, wherein the hiking stick is detachably attached to the container by a hiking stick attachment feature 28, such as threads. The container may be detached from the container end of the hiking stick by this hiking stick attachment feature 28. The container may be threaded onto an adapter 27 which extends between the attachment feature of the hiking stick, male threads for example, and the container attachment feature 110, such as a housing with female threads, on top of the container 100. The adapter 27 may have two threaded portions. The exemplary hiking stick comprises a first portion 24 and a second portion 26 coupled by a hiking stick coupling 25 which may enable one portion of the hiking stick to slide within the other portion of the hiking stick to adjust the length of the hiking stick and/or to compress the hiking stick length for transport and storage. An exemplary hiking stick coupling may comprise a collar that is rotated to retain the two hiking stick portions in a fixed position. A handle 30 is configured on the handle end of the hiking stick and may have contours to provide a firm and positive grip.

(29) The exemplary receptacle 40 is coupled to the hiking stick by a receptacle-clip 44 and provides a convenient place for a beverage, wallet, cell phone and other personal articles. The receptacle may be detachably attachable to the hiking stick.

(30) The exemplary bag-retainer 50 is coupled to the hiking stick by a bag-clip 54 and has a bag-retainer portion for a roll of new bags and a filled bag tray (not shown) may be coupled to the bottom of the bag-retainer portion. The bag-retainer may be detachably attachable to the hiking stick.

(31) The exemplary rake 70 is coupled to the hiking stick by rake-clip 76 and can be detached and coupled to the container 100 to form a gate over the inlet opening 111 of the container, as shown in subsequent figures. The exemplary rake may be detachably attachable to the hiking stick.

(32) The exemplary light-mount 90 is coupled to the hiking stick by a light-mount clip 94 and is configured to receive a light, such as a flashlight that can be directed in any desired direction. The exemplary light-mount may be detachably attachable to the hiking stick. Each of the elements attached to the hiking stick will be described in more detail with reference to later figures.

(33) As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary receptacle 40 is coupled to the hiking stick 20 by a receptacle-clip 44. The receptacle is five sided having five leaves 42 that flare outward and that are configured to deflect outward when articles are placed therein, such as a beverage container. A separate pepper-spray retainer 46 is configured in the receptacle-clip 44 and provides for quick access to the pepper-spray in the event of an emergency.

(34) Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 8, an exemplary bag-retainer 50 is coupled to the hiking stick 20 by a bag-clip 54. An exemplary bag-retainer 50 has a new bag or bag roll receiver 52. The bag roll receiver has a cylindrical portion with a bag core interface 53 centrally located therein. The exemplary bag core interface 53 shown comprises three tines that flare outward to engage with the bag core when slid thereon. A roll of bags may be slid down into the bag roll receiver with the core of the bag roll extending around the bag core interface 53. A new bag may be pulled from the roll and detached when needed. The bag-retainer has a bag-retainer arm 57 that is used to tear a bag from the roll inside the retainer.

(35) A bag-slot 55 in the bag-retainer 50 allows the free end of the bag-roll to extend out and around the hiking stick 20, wherein the extended roll of bags engages with the bag-teeth 59 at the top of the bag-retainer arm 57, shown in FIG. 8. A roll of bags has perforations between the bags on a roll. The bag-teeth are configured to catch on these perforations to enable easy detachment of a single bag from the bag roll. After a bag is used to collect feces, it is removed from the scoop container and typically tied in a knot where it can then be retained on the cleat 58, shown as two slots in the wall of the bag-retainer. The knotted end of the bag may be configured by pushing the bag down through a slot on one side of the outside bag-retainer wall and then pushing the other end of the bag down to where the bagged feces hangs from the other cleat slot on the outer side of the bag-retainer 50 wall. The feces end of the bag may then rest in the filled bag tray 56, as shown in FIG. 7. The filled bag tray may be part of the bag-retainer or a separate component that is detachably attachable to the bag-retainer or the hiking stick, but it is depicted as the bottom part of the bag-retainer.

(36) As shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary rake 70 is coupled to the hiking stick 20 by a rake-clip 76. The rake comprises a rake handle 72, a rake pan 71, rake teeth 74 and a rake attachment slot 78. As shown herein, the rake may be detached from the hiking stick and coupled to the container by slot 78 to the rake container connector 117 on the scoop container 100 shown in FIG. 12 to form a gate, which prevents feces from entering the inside of the container. In this instance, the scoop container acts as a rake only to hold feces until a disposal means is encountered.

(37) As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, an exemplary light-mount 90 is configured for detachable attachment to the hiking stick 20 by a mount clip 94. The exemplary mount clip is a spring clip comprising a spring 91 and two clip extensions 93 for opening the mount clip 94. The light-mount 90 is coupled to the mount clip by a light pivot 98, that allows the light-mount to rotated with respect to the shaft. The exemplary light-mount has an insert end 92 for receiving a light, such as a flash-light and a protrusion end 96, through which the light protrudes when retained by the light-mount. A plurality of leaves 95 taper down toward the protrusion end and are deflected outward by a light when inserted therein to positively retain the light. A small diameter light, such as a pen light having a small diameter may be inserted through the protrusion end. The flared light flanges 97 extended on the protrusion end to enable small diameter lights to be inserted through this end. The light may be directed in any direction as the mount-clip may rotate about the hiking stick and the light-mount may rotate about the light pivot 98, as indicated by the bold curved arrows.

(38) Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 18, an exemplary container 100 is coupled to the container end 23 of the hiking stick 20 by the hiking stick attachment feature 28. The container has a height from the top 107 to the bottom 109, a depth from the front 101 to the back 103, and a width from the left side 104 to the right side 106. A receiving volume is defined within the interior of the walls of the container. Teeth 120 extend from the inlet end of the container and are configured to aid in the collection of feces. The teeth have rounded ends and extend at an angle upward from the bottom of the container. The extended ends of the teeth are configured in a concave shape with the teeth along the edges extending further from the container than the teeth more proximal to the center. A pair of inlet side-flanges 112 extend from the container along the edges of the outer teeth to prevent feces from sliding off the teeth before being collected in the container. A rib 115 extends around the top and sides to add strength to the container to provide stability to a user by being able to support the user's leaning weight. Two cleats 116 are provided on each side of the top rib 115 to secure larger bags and bags with handles.

(39) Feces may be raked into the container by sliding the container such that the teeth 120 extend under the feces and direct the feces into the container. In an alternate method, the rake 70 may be used to rake the feces into the container. Also, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the rake may be coupled over the inlet opening of the container by the rake slot 78 and the rake connector 117, a protrusion on the container, for example. This prevents the feces from contacting the back of the container and/or the door 140. The rake 70 may be coupled over the inlet of the container when a receptacle for feces disposal such as a trash can is nearby. Clips 130 on the top and sides have flat flanges 131 for attaching waste bags. The smooth flange prevents bag damage.

(40) As shown in FIG. 18, the door connector 142 extends along the underside of the container and ends in the back at the door hinge 146 and creates a bag-slit 148 between the door connector and the bottom of the container 109. The bottom of the container 109 and the door connector 142 separate to create the bag-slit that ends as an opening just inside the door hinge 146. When the door is opened, a bag can be slid into the bag-slit 148 as far as it will go and then the opening of the waste-bag 12 can be fit around the outlet opening 114 of the container and under the clips 130 to secure the bag around the outlet opening of the container 110. The bag may extend under or around the clip flange 131 when attached. A small or large diameter bag may be retained under the clip 130 and a larger diameter bag may be retained around the clip flange 131, the portion of the clip that flares up. A bag may also be retained by the cleats 116 on the rib 115 as an alternate means to retain large bags or bags with handles during use. The door 140 is secured in a closed position by door clips 144 configured on the container 100, as shown in FIG. 16. The rib 115 extends to the bottom sides of the container to add strength to support a user's leaning weight.

(41) A bag 12 may be coupled around the outlet opening 114 of the container by the one or more clips 130 as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The door 140 may be opened by the door hinge 146 as shown in FIG. 19 to enable the bag to be slid over the outlet opening, under the clip or clips and into the tapered slit or slot between the bottom of the container 109 and the door connector 142. The container is tapered toward the outlet opening to facilitate coupling a bag over the outlet opening. After the bag 12 is retained around the outlet opening, the bag is pushed into the container and sits loosely inside and then the door 140 may be closed as shown in FIG. 20. Closing the door with the bag inserted into the slit above the door connector 142 prevents fecal matter from contacting the outside of the bag as the container is moved along the ground to collect the feces.

(42) After fecal matter is collected in the container, the door may be opened, and the container tipped to where the back of the container is facing downward so that the feces drops into the loose bag to fill it. The bag is subsequently removed from the container by the user's hand pulling the bag down and off of the container. With the bag inserted in the slit, the inside of the bag that is in the slit is protected from being soiled by fecal waste as the waste drops into the bag to remove it from the container. When the bag is tied off by a knot near the top of the bag, the inside of the bag above the knot should be clean so that there is no exposed waste during handling.

(43) As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the shaft of the hiking stick 20 is coupled to the container 100 by an adapter 27 that is configured between the container attachment feature 110 and the hiking stick attachment feature 28 of the shaft, such as threads. The adapter comprises threads for engagement with threads on the hiking stick attachment feature 28 and with threads in the container attachment feature 110. The adapter enables the container to be coupled to a wide variety of shafts or hiking sticks and different adapters may be required with different threads for coupling to the different types of hiking sticks.

(44) It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.