EXTENDABLE WASTE-SCOOPING DEVICE

Abstract

An extendable waste-scooping device is provided. The device is comprised of a scooping member used to pick up animal waste. The scooping member is comprised of at least one hole. The hole is sized such that the scooping member retains animal waste but allows landscaping material (or other material of the like) to fall from the member when scooped.

Claims

1. An extendable waste-scooping device comprising: a shaft comprised of a first end and a second end; a scooping member positioned at the second end, the scooping member comprised of an opening.

2. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 1, wherein the first end is comprised of a handle.

3. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 2, wherein the handle is comprised of a grip area.

4. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 3, wherein the grip area is comprised of a raised or a recessed texture.

5. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 2, wherein the scooping member is comprised of a 3-sided scooping member.

6. An extendable waste-scooping device comprising: a telescopic shaft comprised of a first end, a second end, and a locking member; a scooping member positioned at the second end, the scooping member comprised of an opening.

7. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 6, wherein the first end is comprised of a handle.

8. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 7, wherein the handle is comprised of a grip area.

9. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 8, wherein the grip area is comprised of a raised or a recessed texture.

10. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 6, wherein the locking member is comprised of a button lock, a latch lock, or a twisting lock.

11. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 6, wherein the scooping member attaches to the second end via a pivot point.

12. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 11, wherein the pivot point is comprised of a locking hinge or a ball and socket joint.

13. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 11, wherein the pivot is comprised of a locking member.

14. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 13, wherein the locking member is comprised of a locking button, a locking latch, or a locking ring.

15. The extendable waste-scooping device of claim 11, wherein the scooping member can rotate 360 degrees around the pivot point relative to the Y-axis of the shaft.

16. A method of using an extendable waste-scooping device, the method comprising the following steps: providing an extendable waste-scooping device comprised of a shaft comprised of a first end and a second end, the second end comprised of a scooping member comprised of an opening; using the extendable waste-scooping device to pick up an animal waste and a landscaping material; and disposing of the animal waste.

17. The method of using an extendable waste-scooping device of claim 16, wherein the scooping member is comprised of a 3-sided shape.

18. The method of using an extendable waste-scooping device of claim 16, wherein the shaft is comprised of a telescopic shaft.

19. The method of using an extendable waste-scooping device of claim 16 further comprised of a step of extending the telescopic shaft to a length.

20. The method of using an extendable waste-scooping device of claim 18, wherein the telescopic shaft can be locked at the length via a locking member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an extendable waste-scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of an extendable waste-scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of using one potential embodiment of an extendable waste-scooping device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0023] As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved pet waste scooper. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an extendable waste-scooping device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an extendable waste-scooping device that allows a user to easily remove animal waste from rock, gravel, or other landscaped areas. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an extendable waste-scooping device that allows a user to easily remove animal waste from rock, gravel, or other landscaped areas and wherein the device allows a user to easily reach said areas.

[0024] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an extendable waste-scooping device. The device is primarily comprised of a first end comprised of at least one handle, a shaft, and a second end comprised of at least one scooping member comprised of at least one opening.

[0025] The first end of the shaft may be comprised of at least one handle. The handle may be comprised of at least one grip area comprised of a foam or rubber material to provide comfort and grip. In one embodiment, the grip area is comprised of a raised or recessed texture to improve grip.

[0026] In one embodiment, the shaft is of any fixed length. In another embodiment, the shaft is comprised of a telescopic shaft comprised of at least one locking member. The locking member secures the shaft at a desired length.

[0027] The second end of the shaft is comprised of at least one scooping member that is generally shaped like a shovel or 3-sided shape which allows a user to pick up/scoop animal waste via the member. The member may be comprised of at least one opening. The opening preferably has a diameter that allows rock, gravel, mulch, or other landscaping material to fall through the member when the member is used to scoop animal waste resting on said landscaping material. However, the opening preferably has a diameter that does not allow the waste to pass through the opening. As a result, the scooping member automatically separates the animal waste from the material.

[0028] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a shaft comprised of a first end comprised of at least one handle and a second end comprised of at least one scooping member. Then, the scooping member can be used to scoop/pick up animal waste and any landscaping material the waste lays on wherein once scooped, the material falls through at least one opening of the scooping member, and the waste is retained within the member. The waste can then be disposed of.

[0029] In a second method of using the device, a device is provided comprised of a telescopic shaft comprised of a first end comprised of at least one handle and a second end comprised of at least one scooping member. Then, the shaft can be extended to a desired length and located at said length via at least one locking member of the shaft. Then, the scooping member can be used to scoop/pick up animal waste and any landscaping material the waste lays on. Once scooped, the material falls through at least one opening of the scooping member, and the waste is retained within the member. The waste can then be disposed of.

[0030] Accordingly, the extendable waste-scooping device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved pet waste scooper. More specifically, the device allows a user to easily remove animal waste from rock, gravel, or other landscaped areas. While doing so, the device can be extended in length to allow a user to easily reach said areas. In this manner, the extendable waste scooping device overcomes the limitations of existing pet waste scooping devices known in the art.

[0031] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an extendable waste-scooping device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a first end 110 comprised of at least one handle 120, a shaft 130, and a second end 140 comprised of at least one scooping member 160 comprised of at least one opening 162. In one embodiment, the shaft 130 is telescopic to allow the shaft 130 to increase in length.

[0032] The first end 110 of the shaft 130 may be comprised of at least one handle 120. The handle 120 may be any type such as, but not limited to, D-handles, T-handles, etc. In another embodiment, the handle 120 is simply the first end 110 of the shaft 130. The handle 120 may be comprised of at least one grip area 122. The grip area may be comprised of a foam or rubber material to provide comfort and grip. In one embodiment, the grip area 122 is comprised of a raised or recessed texture to improve grip.

[0033] In one embodiment, the shaft 130 is of any fixed length. In another embodiment, the shaft 130 is comprised of a telescopic shaft. In said embodiment, the shaft 130 is comprised of at least one locking member 132. The member 132 secures the shaft 130 at a desired length. The member 132 may be any style of locking mechanism such as, but not limited to, a button lock, a latch lock, a twisting lock, etc.

[0034] The second end 140 of the shaft 130 is comprised of at least one scooping member 160. The member 160 is generally shaped like a shovel or 3-sided shape which allows a user to pick up/scoop animal waste via the member 160. The member 160 may be comprised of at least one opening 162. The opening 162 preferably has a diameter that allows rock, gravel, mulch, or other landscaping material 12 to fall through the member 160 when the member 160 is used to scoop animal waste 10 resting on said landscaping material 12. However, the opening 162 preferably has a diameter that does not allow the waste 10 to pass through the opening 162. As a result, the scooping member 160 automatically separates the animal waste 10 from the material 12. In various embodiments, the diameter of the opening 162 may differ depending on the intended usage scenario, which depends on factors such as the size of the waste 10 and the size of the landscaping material 12.

[0035] In one embodiment, the scooping member 160 attaches to the second end 140 of the shaft 130 via at least one pivot point 150. The pivot point 150 may be in the form of a locking hinge, ball and socket joint, etc. The pivot point 150 may allow the member 160 to rotate 360 degrees around the x-axis and y-axis of the shaft 130. In this manner, the member 160 can be repositioned/adjusted as necessary during use. Further, the pivot point 150 may be locked via at least one locking member 152. Said member 152 can include, but is not limited to, a locking button, a locking latch, a locking ring, etc.

[0036] The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in FIG. 2. First, a device 100 is provided comprised of a shaft 130 comprised of a first end 110 comprised of at least one handle 120 and a second end 140 comprised of at least one scooping member 160 comprised of at least one opening 162 [Step 202]. Then, the scooping member 160 can be used to scoop/pick up animal waste 10 and any landscaping material 12 the waste 10 lays on [Step 204]. Once scooped, the material 12 falls through at least one opening 162 of the scooping member 160 and the waste 10 is retained within the member 160. The waste 10 can then be disposed of [Step 206].

[0037] In a second method of using 300 the device 100 (as seen in FIG. 3), a device 100 is provided comprised of a telescopic shaft 130 comprised of a first end 110 comprised of at least one handle 120 and a second end 140 comprised of at least one scooping member 160 comprised of at least one opening 162 [Step 302]. Then, the shaft 130 can be extended to a desired length and located at said length via at least one locking member 132 of the shaft 130 [Step 304]. Then, the scooping member 160 can be used to scoop/pick up animal waste 10 and any landscaping material 12 the waste 10 lays on [Step 306]. Once scooped, the material 12 falls through at least one opening 162 of the scooping member 160 and the waste 10 is retained within the member 160. The waste 10 can then be disposed of [Step 308].

[0038] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein extendable waste-scooping device and device are interchangeable and refer to the extendable waste-scooping device 100 of the present invention.

[0039] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the extendable waste-scooping device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the extendable waste-scooping device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the extendable waste-scooping device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the extendable waste-scooping device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the extendable waste-scooping device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0040] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0041] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.