Grass comb and feces removal apparatus

Abstract

A grass comb for feces removal made up of a body, a control panel connected to the body, the panel having a first lever and a second lever, a grate, the grate connected to the first lever and the body, the grate having a raised position and a lowered position, and the state of the grate responding to a user input on the first lever, a scraper connected to the body and operably connected to the second lever, wherein the scraper is oriented such that it can move from a first position to a second position according to user input on the second lever, wherein when the grate is in the raised position, moving the scraper from the first position to the second position pushes feces off the grate and into a bag.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing animal feces comprising: a body; a handle attached to the body; a control panel connected to the handle, the panel having a first lever; wheels connected to the body and raising the body; a grate, the grate connected to the first lever and the body, the grate having a raised portion and a lowered position, and the state of the grate responding to a user input on the first lever; a bag, the bag having an opening and contained within the body and oriented such that when the grate is in the raised position, the opening is aligned with the grate such that animal feces can enter the bag; a second lever located on the control panel; a scraper connected to the body and operably connected to the second lever; wherein the scraper is oriented such that it can move from a first position to a second position according to user input on the second lever, wherein when the grate is in the raised position, moving the scraper from the first position to the second position pushes feces off the grate and into the bag.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: forward facing illuminating lights positioned on the body of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first and second levers can be locked into a chosen position and maintained in that position using springs.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the first lever is connected to the grate by a cord; and the second lever is connected to the scraper by a cord.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein: a first end of the grate is connected to the body such that it pivots around an axis; and the cord connecting the first lever and the grate passes through three pulley wheels such that the mechanical force of the cord on the grate operates on a second end of the grate pivoting the grate on the axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, the end caps comprising: the scraper further comprises a paddle.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the grate has a plurality of forward facing fingers; said forward facing fingers being tapered to facilitate feces moving onto the grate.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: illuminating lights on the control panel, said lights powered by a battery contained within the control panel and being activated by a toggle on the control panel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: forward facing illuminating lights positioned on the body of the apparatus said lights powered by a battery contained within the control panel and being activated by a toggle on the control panel.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: an electric motor contained within the body and connected to the wheels and the control panel; said motor powered by a battery contained within the body of the apparatus and being activated by a toggle on the control panel.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device 28 inches wide from one side of the body to another.

12. A grass comb for feces removal comprising: a body; a control panel connected to the body, the panel having a first lever and a second lever; a grate, the grate connected to the first lever and the body, the grate having a raised portion and a lowered position, and the state of the grate responding to a user input on the first lever; a scraper connected to the body and operably connected to the second lever, wherein the scraper is oriented such that it can move from a first position to a second position according to user input on the second lever, wherein when the grate is in the raised position, moving the scraper from the first position to the second position pushes feces off the grate and into a bag.

13. The grass comb of claim 12 wherein: the grate has a plurality of forward facing fingers; said forward facing fingers being tapered to facilitate feces moving onto the grate.

14. The grass comb of claim 13 wherein: a backend of the grate is connected to the body such that it pivots around an axis; and the first lever is connected to the grate by a cord that passes through three pulley wheels such that the mechanical force of the cord on the grate operates on a front end of the grate pivoting the grate on the axis.

15. The grass comb of claim 12 wherein: the first and second levers can be locked into a chosen position and maintained in that position using springs.

16. An method for picking up feces from a grass field comprising: providing an apparatus composed of a body, a handle attached to the body, a control panel connected to the handle, the panel having a first lever, wheels connected to the body and raising the body, a grate, the grate connected to the first lever and the body, the grate having a raised position and a lowered position, and the state of the grate responding to a user input on the first lever, a bag, the bag having an opening and contained within the body and oriented such that when the grate is in the raised position, the opening is aligned with the grate such that animal feces can enter the bag; a second lever located on the control panel, a scraper connected to the body and operably connected to the second lever, wherein the scraper is oriented such that it can move from a first position to a second position according to user input on the second lever, wherein when the grate is in the raised position, moving the scraper from the first position to the second position pushes feces off the grate and into the bag; positioning the grate in the lowered position; pushing the apparatus towards feces located on the grass field, causing said feces to move onto said grate; actuating the first lever to move the grate to the raised position; actuating the second lever to move the scraper and cause the feces to move into the bag.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the grate comprises: a plurality of forward facing fingers; said forward facing fingers being tapered to facilitate feces moving onto the grate.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising: returning the scraper to the first position; and returning the grate lever to the lowered position.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grass comb according to the present disclosure.

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the grass comb according to the present disclosure.

(4) FIG. 3 is second sectional view of the grass comb according to the present disclosure in a second state.

(5) FIG. 4 is a top view of a portion of the grass comb according to the present disclosure.

(6) FIG. 5 is a semi-exploded perspective view including an optional lighted control panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Referring now the drawings with more specificity, the present invention essentially provides for a grass comb and feces pickup device. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings. Variations and embodiments contained herein will become apparent in light of the following descriptions.

(8) Looking now to FIG. 1 a perspective view of the grass comb 10 is shown. Grass comb 10 is pushed by a user at handle 15, and various controls are available at panel 20. Typically, comb 10 will utilize wheels 30, control wires 40, and a grate 50. The grate 50 is typically oriented forward at a front end of the grass comb 10.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a detailed, sectional, of grass comb 10. In this view it is shown that control panel 20 includes lever 21 which is responsible for controlling grate 50. Lever 21 can be placed into operational state 21a which will raise the grate 50 which aids in the transport of feces 100 into bag 51. Control wires 40 can be passed through pulley wheels 41, and/or 43 and guide 42. Wires 40 can also control the scraper 55 which is selectively used in pushing feces 100 into bag 51. Scraper connector 56 also can be used for transporting feces 100.

(10) Looking to FIG. 3. shows a detailed, sectional, of grass comb 10 an a second state. In this state Paddle control 22 is also shown, as is control 23. In this state, the grate 50 is raised in state 50a and scraper 55 is in state 55a which is when the paddle 55 is pushing feces 100 into bag 51. This means that it difference from FIG. 2 in configuration, but demonstrates the operation of same or similar devices.

(11) FIG. 4 displays a top view, close up, view of the grass comb 10. This view more closely shows the operation of grate 50, bag 51, scraper 55, and connector 56. In this view it can be seen that connector 56 stabilizes the scraper that is used for moving feces 100.

(12) Looking to FIG. 5 we can now see an embodiment of grass comb 10 which demonstrates an optional battery and lighting unit for the control panel 20. In this embodiment it is clearly shown that both panel 20, and grass comb 10 can be illuminated using light controls placed on the control panel. Batteries can be placed within the control panel, or on the side of the device as a whole. In addition, such a control panel 20 can be configured for use with an electric or gas motor for driving the device.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION

(13) In some instances the grass comb 10 according to the present disclosure is constructed to specifications to deal with the issues associated with a lawn care device. To that end construction of comb 10 preferably is constructed from durable and sanitary materials. In one embodiment the device is made from aluminum, and in a second it is constructed from plastic. While construction from wood and steel is also possible, heavy materials are disfavored in implementations that do not include a motor for driving the grass comb 10. It may be preferable for cables 40 and the other moving parts to be made from steel or otherwise more durable materials as they will encounter more wear and tear than the body of the grass comb 10.

(14) The dimension of the grass comb in one embodiment is from the handle is 59 inches long and 28 inches wide from fender to fender. Body of grass comb 10 is held up by the wheels it is off the ground. In some embodiments the wheels are 10 ball bearing wheels. The blade 55 can be made from a rod, typically it is a in thickness rod. On both ends there can be a steel ball for rotation.

(15) As can be seen in the Figures, grate 50 can be shaped to be in a forward facing comb configuration, and the comb fingers can be tapered to improve performance.

(16) Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel arrangements be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosures and the appended drawings.