YARD WASTE COLLECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A yard waste collection device having an integral body, handle, and clamping means. The integral body has a planar surface and a continuous side. The continuous side has a large opening. Leaves and grass clippings can be raked or swept into the integral body and through the opening. A lawn or leaf bag, held in place by the clamping means, collects the leaves.

Claims

1. A yard waste collection device comprising, a planar surface with at least one free edge, wherein the free edge can be defined by a planar curve connecting two end points; a continuous side surface, extending vertically from the planar surface, from end-point to end-point, sharing at least one edge in common with the planar surface and encompassing the entire edge of the planar surface, with the exception of the free edge; wherein the vertical continuous side surface and planar surface both have an interior side and an exterior side; an opening in the continuous side surface, extending from the interior side to the exterior side; a rim, defining the exterior side of the opening; a handle; a clamping means; wherein the clamping means, located on the exterior of the rim, is capable of capturing a bag in which to collect yard waste.

2. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the continuous side surface, planar surface, and rim comprise an integral body.

3. The yard waste collection device of claim 2, wherein the integral body further comprises an integrally molded handle shank.

4. The yard waste collection device of claim 2, wherein the integral body is fabricated from at least one of steel, zinc, or aluminum.

5. The yard waste collection device of claim 2, wherein the integral body is molded from at least one of poly(methyl-methacrylate) (“PMMA”), polycarbonate (“PC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polypropylene (“PP”), high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), and low-density polyethylene (“LDPE”).

6. The yard waste collection device of claim 5, wherein the integral body is fabricated in a gas-injection mold.

7. The yard waste collection device of claim 5, wherein the raw material is augmented with at least one of glass beads, flue ash, or re-grind material.

8. The yard waste collection device of claim 5, wherein a gaseous substance is introduced into the mold in order to foam the interior of the integral body, creating small air pockets within the material, wherein all of the exposed surfaces of the integral body are smooth.

9. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the linear length of the free edge of the planar surface, between the two end points, is at least 24 inches.

10. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the largest dimension of the opening in the continuous side surface is 18 inches.

11. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the opening on the interior side is semi-circular, and at least part of the opening's interior surface is semi-cylindrical, wherein the straight edge of the semi-circle and the flat surface of the semi-cylinder are co-planar to and parallel with the planar surface.

12. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the opening is centered about the length of the continuous side surface, when the length of the continuous side surface is measured, at a constant elevation, from end-point to end-point, along the entire continuous side surface.

13. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the rim defining the exterior side of the opening is cylindrical.

14. The yard waste collection device of claim 13, wherein the cylindrical rim is extended in length, so that the length of the cylindrical rim is at least equal to the radius of the opening.

15. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the free edge is a line.

16. The yard waste collection device of claim 15, wherein the planar surface, in proximity to the free edge, is beveled.

17. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the continuous side surface is composed of at least two discernible sections.

18. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the continuous side surface is composed of at least three discernible sections.

19. The yard waste collection device of claim 17 or 18, wherein at least a portion of the continuous side surface is substantially triangular.

20. The yard waste collection device of claim 17 or 18, wherein at least a portion of the continuous side surface is substantially rectangular.

21. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the interior of the continuous side surface is substantially orthogonal to the interior of the planar surface.

22. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the interior of the continuous side surface is obtuse with respect to the interior of the planar surface.

23. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the length of the handle can be adjusted through the use of telescoping tubes.

24. The yard waste collection device of claim 23, wherein the relative position of the telescoping tubes are held in place by a pin.

25. The yard waste collection device of claim 24, wherein the pin is spring-loaded.

26. The yard waste collection device of claim 23, wherein the cross-section of the telescoping tubes is a circle.

27. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the clamping means is a plurality of retaining clips, made from spring steel, durably attached to the exterior of the rim.

28. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the clamping means is a retaining ring.

29. The yard waste collection device of claim 28, wherein the retaining ring is durably attached to the rim with a hinge.

30. The yard waste collection device of claim 29, wherein the retaining ring is tightened with a screw.

31. The yard waste collection device of claim 1, wherein the clamping means is a plurality of spring clamps.

32. The yard waste collection device of claim 31, wherein the plurality of spring clamps is permanently and durably attached to the exterior surface of the rim.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention is illustrated with 21 drawings on 16 sheets. FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a reverse isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a standard embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a reverse isometric view of a standard embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of a standard embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a reverse isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached. FIG. 11 is a reverse isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached. FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached.

[0026] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached. FIG. 14 is a reverse isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached. FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached.

[0027] FIG. 16 is an in situ view showing the relative size of the invention to a user.

[0028] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a clamping means for the present invention. FIG. 18 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a clamping means for the present invention. FIG. 19 is an isometric view of the same alternative embodiment of the clamping means for the present invention as shown in FIG. 18, with the retaining hoop articulated. FIG. 20 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a clamping means for the present invention. FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a clamping means for the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the present invention, by offering and illustrating various embodiments of the present invention, a yard waste collection device.

[0030] FIGS. 4-7 show a standard embodiment of the present invention 111, a yard waste collection device. The present invention 111 has an integral body 150, fabricated from poly(methyl-methacrylate) (“PMMA” or tradenames Plexiglass or Lucite®), polycarbonate (“PC” or tradename Lexan®), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polypropylene (“PP”), high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low-density polyethylene (“LDPE”), steel, zinc, or aluminum. In one embodiment, the integral body 150 is molded as a single piece out of a polymer: PMMA, PC, ABS, PP, HDPE, or LDPE.

[0031] The integral body 150 has several discernible features. The integral body has a planar surface 112 connected to a continuous side surface 115, 116. The continuous side surface has two discernible regions, 115, 116, which are both substantially triangular. The angle between the planar surface 112 and the continuous side surface 115, 116 is substantially orthogonal, although that is not a requirement of the present invention 111. The angle between the planar surface 112 and the continuous side surface 115, 116 could also be obtuse, or slightly acute. The planar surface 112 has an interior surface 112 and an exterior surface 129. The continuous side surface 115, 116 has an interior side surface 115, 116, and an exterior side surface 128, 130, 138. The planar surface 112 has at least one free edge 114. The free edge 114 has two end points 160, 161. A beveled surface 113 transitions between the planar surface 112 and the free edge 114. An interior edge 133, 135 defines the transition between the interior planar surface 112 and the interior continuous side surface 115, 116. An exterior edge 131, 132, 141 defines the transition between the exterior planar surface 129 and the exterior continuous side surface 128, 130, 138. The interior edge 133, 135 and the exterior edge 131, 132, 134 may be filleted. The continuous side surface 115, 116 has a top edge 120, 121.

[0032] A cylindrical opening 118 is centered on the continuous side surface 115, 116. The cylindrical opening 118 has an interior opening 118 and an exterior opening 148, connected by an interior cylindrical surface 124. An interior edge 119 defines the transition between the interior continuous side surface 115, 116, the opening 118, and the interior surface of the opening 124. The opening 148 has an exterior surface, or rim 125. The rim 125 has an edge 126. The interior surface 124 of the opening 118, 148 also has an exterior surface that is a vertical cylindrical segment 122, disposed on the relative top of the integral body 150.

[0033] The present invention 111 has a handle 123 attached to the integral body 150 by a handle shank 127. The handle shank 127 is attached to the vertical cylindrical segment 122, and can be integrally molded into the integral body.

[0034] FIGS. 1-3 show an alternative embodiment of the present invention 11, a yard waste collection device with an integral body 50. The integral body 50 has several discernible features. The integral body has a planar surface 12 connected to a continuous side surface 15, 16, 17. The continuous side surface has three discernible regions, 15, 16, 17. Two of the regions 15, 16 are both substantially triangular, while the remaining region 17 is roughly rectangular. The planar surface 12 has an interior surface 12 and an exterior surface 29. The continuous side surface 15, 16, 17 has an interior side surface 15, 16, 17, and an exterior side surface 28, 30, 38. The planar surface 12 has at least one free edge 14. The free edge 14 has two end points 60, 61. A beveled surface 13 transitions between the planar surface 12 and the free edge 14. An interior edge 33, 34, 35 defines the transition between the interior planar surface 12 and the interior continuous side surface 15, 16, 17. An exterior edge 31, 32, 41 defines the transition between the exterior planar surface 29 and the exterior continuous side surface 28, 30, 38. The roughly triangular region of the continuous side surfaces 15, 16 have a top edge 20, 21. The roughly rectangular region of the continuous side surfaces 17 has a top surface 22.

[0035] A cylindrical opening 18 is centered on the roughly rectangular region of the continuous side surface 17. The cylindrical opening 18 has an interior opening 18 and an exterior opening 48, connected by an interior cylindrical surface 24. An interior edge 19 provides the transition between the roughly rectangular region of the interior continuous side surface 17, the opening 18, and the interior surface of the opening 24. The opening 48 has an exterior surface, or rim 25. The rim 25 has an edge 26.

[0036] The present invention 11 has a handle 23 attached to the integral body 50 by a handle shank 27. The handle shank is attached to the top surface 22 of the roughly rectangular region of the continuous side surfaces 17.

[0037] FIGS. 7-15 show three additional alternative embodiments of the present invention 211, 311, 411, a yard waste collection device with an integral body 250, 350, 450. The integral body has a planar surface 212, 312, 412 connected to a continuous side surface 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438. In FIGS. 7-15, the continuous side surface has two discernible regions, 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438. The discernible regions of the continuous side surface 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438 are all roughly rectangular. The planar surface 212, 312, 412 has an interior surface 212, 312, 412 and an exterior surface 229, 329, 429. The continuous side surface 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438 has an interior continuous side surface 215, 315, 415, and an exterior continuous side surface 228, 230, 238, 328, 330, 338, 428, 430, 438. The planar surface 212, 312, 412 has at least one free edge 214, 314, 414. The free edge 214, 314, 414 has two end points 260, 261, 360, 361, 460, 461. A beveled surface 213, 313, 413 transitions between the planar surface 212, 312, 412 and the free edge 214, 314, 414. An interior edge 233, 333, 433 defines the transition between the interior planar surface 212, 312, 412 and the interior continuous side surface 215, 315, 415. An exterior edge 231, 232, 241, 331, 332, 341, 431, 432, 441 defines the transition between the exterior planar surface 229, 329, 429, and the exterior continuous side surface 228, 230, 238, 328, 330, 338, 428, 430, 438. The roughly rectangular regions of the continuous side surfaces 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438 have a top edge 220, 221, 320, 321, 420, 421.

[0038] A cylindrical opening 218, 318, 418, is centered on the continuous side surface 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438. The cylindrical opening 218, 318, 418 has an interior opening 218, 318, 418 and an exterior opening 248, 348, 448, connected by an interior cylindrical surface 224, 324, 424. An interior edge 219, 319, 419 provides the transition between the the continuous side surface 215, 238, 315, 338, 415, 438, the opening 218, 318, 418, and the interior surface of the opening 224, 324, 424. The opening 218, 318, 418, 248, 348, 448 has a cylindrical exterior surface, or rim 225, 325, 425. The rim can be truncated like 225 or extended like 325, 425. The extended cylinder 325 can either be parallel to the planar surface 312, or the extended cylinder 425 can be angled with respect to the planar surface 412. The rim 225 has an edge 226. The rim 325, 425 edge is obscured by a retaining ring 360, 460, used to hold a standard lawn or leaf bag 370, 470. The interior surface 224, 324, 424 of the opening 248, 348, 448 also has an exterior surface that is a vertical cylindrical segment 222, 322, 422, disposed on the relative top of the integral body 250, 350, 450.

[0039] The present invention 211, 311, 411 has a handle 223, 323, 423 attached to the integral body 250, 350, 450 by a handle shank 227, 327, 427. The handle shank 227, 327, 427 is attached to the top surface 222, 322, 422. The handle shank 227, 327, 427 can have a telescoping feature 239, 339, 439, allowing the length of the handle shank 227, 327, 427 to be adjusted.

[0040] FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the present invention 311 being used, in situ, by a person 600. A standard leaf bag 370 is attached to the present invention 311 with a retainer ring 360. The handle shank 327 is adjusted with a telescoping feature 339 so that the grasp hand 323 is at the proper height for the person 600 to grasp it with their hand 601. With reference to FIGS. 13-15, by angling the cylindrical rim 425 with respect to the planar surface 412, a person 600 can more easily use gravity to dump leaves by tilting the invention.

[0041] A standard leaf bag 370, 470 is connected to the present invention 11, 111, 211, 311, 411 with a clamping means attached to the rim 25, 125, 225, 325, 425. FIGS. 17-20 show several embodiments of a clamping means. FIG. 17 shows a plurality of retaining clips 610 attached to an extended cylindrical rim 325. The retaining clips 610 are made with spring steel, and capture a law bag 370, 470 with a friction fit.

[0042] FIGS. 18 and 19 show a hinged retainer ring 620 connected to the cylindrical rim 325. The retainer ring has a tightening screw 622, a hinge 621, and the ring, itself, 620. The retainer ring 620 captures law bags 370, 470 with a friction fit. FIG. 20 is a variation on the retainer ring 630, in which there is no hinge. The retainer ring 630 separates from the cylindrical rim 325. The retainer ring 630 captures law bags 370, 470 with a friction fit, and is tightened using a screw 631.

[0043] FIG. 21 shows standard spring clamps 640 durably attached to the cylindrical rim 325. The spring clamps 640 hold law bags 370, 470 with a friction fit. The spring clamps 640 are opened by squeezing or depressing the handle 641.