ANMAL DEFECATE COLLECTION APPARATUS

Abstract

A pet waste disposal device having an open and closed state includes a shaft, a slide, a hinged latch, and a base member. The shaft has a hollow center with one or more cables extending through it. The slide is able to move within a range along the shaft to change between the open and closed state. The cable(s) is connected to the slide. The hinged latch is connected to the shaft that engages the extrusion preventing movement of the slide when in the closed state. The base member is connected to a lower end of the shaft and includes a left tine and a right tine. When in the closed state, the left and right tines are positioned proximate to the center of the base member. When in the open state, the left and right tines are positioned as far away from the base member as possible. In one embodiment, transitioning from the open to closed state flips or rotates outer discrete portions of the base member, where the flipping and movement of the discrete portions of the base members repositions the tines.

Claims

1. A pet waste disposal device comprising: a shaft having a hollow center with at least one cable extending through the hollow center along a length of the shaft, wherein the at least one cable has a movement range along the length of the shaft, said movement range having a lower range position and an upper range position. a cable adjustor having a first placement and a second placement, wherein when in the first placement, the at least one cable is in the lower range position, wherein when in the second placement, the at least one cable is in the upper range position, wherein the at least one cable is substantially taunt in the first and second placements; a base member connected to a lower end of the shaft, said base member having at least five discrete portions, comprising a rightmost portion, a right center portion, a center portion, a left center portion, and a leftmost portion, wherein, the right center portion is positioned between the center portion and the rightmost portion, and wherein the left center portion is positioned between the center portion and the leftmost portion, the rightmost portion having a right tension anchor disposed therein connected to a right tensioner, the leftmost portion having a left tension anchor disposed therein connected to a left tensioner; the right tensioner being connected through the right center portion and the center portion to the at least one cable, wherein movement of the at least one cable from the lower range position to the upper range position results in the right tensioner applying a first force in a horizontal plane pulling the rightmost portion and the right center portion towards the center portion causing the rightmost and the right center portions to move in the horizontal plane toward the center portion, wherein movement of the at least one cable from the lower range position to the upper range position results in the right tensioner applying a second force in the horizontal plane pulling the rightmost portion and the right center portion away from the center portion causing the rightmost and the right center portions to move in the horizontal plane away from the center portion; the left tensioner being connected through the left center portion and the center portion and to at least a portion of the at least one cable, wherein movement of the at least one cable from the lower range position to upper range position results in the left tensioner applying a third force in the horizontal plane pulling the leftmost portion and the left center portion towards the center portion causing the leftmost and the left center portions to move in the horizontal plane toward the center portion, wherein movement of the at least one cable from the lower range position to the upper range position results in the left tensioner applying a forth force in the horizontal plane pulling the leftmost portion and the left center portion away from the center portion causing the leftmost and the left center portions to move in the horizontal plane away from the center portion; wherein the base member is configured to removably attach and support a flexible waste disposal bag, wherein when attached to the base member the flexible waste disposal bag has a single opening facing substantially upwards relative to a ground surface, which is substantially parallel to the horizonal plane, said opening having a large aperture when the at least one cable is in the lower range position and having a small aperture when the at least one cable adjustor is in the upper range position, wherein said large aperture has a first length in the horizontal plane greater than a second length in the horizontal plane of the small aperture, whereby the large aperture position is associated with inserting pet waste into the flexible waste disposal bag, wherein the small aperture position is associated with detaching the flexible waste disposal bag from the base member and disposing the waste disposal bag presumed to contain pet waste.

2. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein the cable adjustor is a slide through which the shaft runs.

3. The pet disposal device of claim 2, wherein the slide comprises an extrusion, wherein a locking mechanism is coupled to the shaft that engages the extrusion preventing movement of the slide when in the second placement, wherein in absent of preventing movement of the slide via the locking mechanism, the slide will move resulting in the first placement.

4. The pet disposal device of claim 1, further comprising: a handle connected to the shaft, wherein the handle includes a storage compartment for flexible waste disposal bags.

5. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one cable is two cables, wherein the right tensioner is connected to a first of the two cables, wherein the left tensioner is connected to a second of the two cables.

6. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one cable is elastic, wherein the movement range along the length of the shaft results from stretching the at least one cable.

7. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is in the lower range position, the pet disposal device is in an open state, wherein when in the open state, a horizontal length of the base member is at least a sum of the horizontal length of the rightmost portion, the right center portion, the center portion, the left center portion, and the leftmost portion.

8. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is in the upper range position, the pet disposal device is in a closed state, wherein when in the closed state, a horizontal length of the base member is greater than a horizontal length of the center portion but less than a sum of the horizontal length of the center portion and any of the other discrete portions.

9. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is in the upper range position, the pet disposal device is in a closed state, wherein when in the closed state, a horizontal length of an aperture of an attached flexible waste disposal bag is less than a horizontal length of any of the discrete portions.

10. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is in the lower range position, the pet disposal device is in an open state, wherein when in the open state, a horizontal length of an aperture of an attached flexible waste disposal bag is approximately a sum of the horizontal length of the rightmost portion, the right center portion, the center portion, the left center portion, and the leftmost portion.

11. The pet waste disposal device of claim 1, said rightmost portion comprising a right tine and said leftmost portion comprising a left tine, which form a right and left edge supporting an opening of a flexible disposable bag attached to the base member.

12. The pet waste disposal device of claim 1, wherein transitioning from the lower placement to the upper placement results in a flipping of the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion along a pivot point so that what was previously a backside of the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion relative to the horizontal plane is now a frontside of the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion, wherein the flipping results in the tines previously extending from an outermost region of the rightmost and leftmost portions relative to the center portion changing to an innermost region of the leftmost portion and rightmost portion relative to the center portion.

13. The pet disposal device of claim 1, wherein the pet disposal device is a non-powered mechanical device.

14. The pet disposal device of claim 14, wherein the at least one cable being under tension biases the pet disposal device to be in the lower range position in absence of locking the cable adjustor.

15. A pet waste disposal device comprising: a shaft having a hollow center with at least one cable extending through the hollow center along a length of the shaft, wherein the at least one cable is configured within the device to have a movement range along the length of the shaft, said movement range having a lower range position and an upper range position. a cable adjustor having a first placement and a second placement, wherein when in the first placement, the at least one cable is in the lower range position resulting in an open state for the pet waste disposal device, wherein when in the second placement, the at least one cable is in the upper range position resulting in a closed state for the pet waste disposal device, wherein the cable is substantially taunt in the first and second placement; a locking mechanism for inhibiting movement of the at least one cable and the cable adjustor to maintain the closed state when locked, wherein when the locking mechanism is unlocked, the pet waste disposal device is in the open state; a base member connected to a lower end of the shaft, said base member having at least three discrete portions, which are mirrored relative to a vertical plane bisecting a center of the base member, said vertical plane being approximately perpendicular to a horizontal plane approximately parallel to a ground surface, wherein flexible waste disposal bags are attachable to the base member, said at least three discrete portions, comprising: a center portion; a rightmost portion having a right tension anchor disposed therein connected to a right tensioner, which is connected to the at least one cable, said rightmost portion having a tine extending approximately parallel to the vertical plane; and a leftmost portion having a left tension anchor disposed therein connected to a left tensioner, which is connected to the at least one cable, said leftmost portion having a tine extending approximately parallel to the vertical plane; wherein when in the open state, a horizontal length of the base member is approximately the sum of a horizontal length of the discrete portions, wherein a large aperture of an attached one of the flexible waste disposal bags has an aperture horizontal length approximately equal to the horizontal length of the base member; wherein when in the closed state, a horizontal length of the base member is greater than the horizontal length of the center portion but less than the sum of the length of the center portion and the leftmost portion, wherein a small aperture of the attached one of the flexible disposable base has an aperture horizontal length less than a horizontal length of any of the discrete portions; and wherein transitioning between the open and the closed state results in a flipping of the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion along a pivot point connecting said portions to the center portion so that what was previously a backside of the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion relative to the horizontal plane is now a frontside of the leftmost portion and the rightmost portion, wherein the flipping results in the tines previously extending from an outermost region of the rightmost and leftmost portions relative to the center portion changing to an innermost region of the leftmost portion and rightmost portion relative to the center portion.

16. The pet disposal device of claim 15, wherein a horizontal length of the rightmost portion approximately equals a horizontal length of the leftmost portion, wherein a horizontal length of the center portion is greater than the sum of the horizontal length of the rightmost and leftmost portions.

17. The pet disposal device of claim 15, wherein the cable adjustor is a slide through which the shaft runs, wherein the slide comprises an extrusion, wherein the locking mechanism is a hinged latch that engages the extrusion preventing movement of the slide when in the closed position.

18. A pet waste disposal device comprising: a shaft having a hollow center with at least one cable extending through the hollow center along a length of the shaft, wherein the at least one cable is configured within the device to have a movement range along the length of the shaft, said movement range having a lower range position and an upper range position; a slide through which the shaft runs, which is able to move within a range along the shaft, wherein the at least one cable is connected to the slide, wherein said slide has a first placement and a second placement, wherein when in the first placement, the at least one cable is in the lower range position resulting in an open state for the pet waste disposal device, wherein when in the second placement, the at least one cable is in the upper range position resulting in a closed state for the pet waste disposal device, wherein the cable is substantially taunt in the first and second placement, wherein the slide has an extrusion; a hinged latch connected to the shaft that engages the extrusion preventing movement of the slide when in the closed position; and a base member connected to a lower end of the shaft, said base member comprising a left tine and a right tine, which form a right and left edge supporting an opening of a flexible waste disposal bag attached to the base member, wherein when in the closed state, the left and right tines are positioned proximate to the center of the base member, wherein when in an open state, the left and right tines are positioned as far away from the base member as possible.

19. The pet waste disposal device of claim 18, said base member having at least three discrete portions, comprising: a center portion; a rightmost portion upon which the right tine is in a fixed position; and a leftmost portion upon which the left tine is in a fixed upon, wherein when in the open position, a horizontal length of the base member is a sum of horizontal lengths of the discrete portions, wherein when in the closed state, a horizontal length between the left and right tines is less than a horizontal length of any of the rightmost portion, the leftmost portion, and the center portion.

20. The pet waste disposal device of claim 18, further comprising: a handle connected to the shaft, wherein the handle includes a storage compartment for unused ones of the flexible waste disposal bags.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1A shows a pet waste disposal device in an open state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0017] FIG. 1B shows a pet waste disposal device in a closed state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0018] FIG. 1C shows a base member of a pet waste disposal device in an open state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0019] FIG. 1D shows a base member of a pet waste disposal device in a closed state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0020] FIG. 1E shows a base member of a pet waste disposal device in use and in an open state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a pet waste disposal device, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a base member of a pet waste disposal device in an open state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a base member of a pet waste disposal device in a closed state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a slider of a pet waste disposal device in an open state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a slider of a pet waste disposal device in a closed state, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a handle with an interior storage container of a pet waste disposal device, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an open interior storage container of a pet waste disposal device, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a base member and an elastic tensioner in an open position, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a base member and an elastic tensioner with a shaft rotation, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

[0030] FIG. 11 shows a base member and an elastic tensioner in a closed position, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0033] As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the, are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0034] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase at least one, in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase at least one refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, at least one of A and B (or, equivalently, at least one of A or B, or, equivalently at least one of A and/or B) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0035] As used herein, an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic is included in at least one or more manifestations, examples, or implementations of this invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Combinations of features of different embodiments are all meant to be within the scope of the invention, without the need for explicitly describing every possible permutation by example. Thus, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, e.g., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0036] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E provide illustrations for a pet waste disposal device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. A selected embodiment for the pet waste disposal device is shown with regards to FIGS. 2-11. Common elements are similarly labeled between the figures are provided for clarity and ease of understanding the novel concepts conveyed and claimed herein. Although the selected embodiment (with reference to FIGS. 2-11) illustrates the elements using common labels as more abstract rendering shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, no claim scope limiting inferences are being conveyed. For example, the slide mechanism configuration illustrated in FIGS. 2-11 for the claimed cable adjustor 117 is an elaborated upon implementation choice, which is not to be considered a constraint on the invention scope.

[0037] A pet waste disposal device 102 has a handle 110, a shaft 114, and a base member 124. At least one cable 120 extends through a central portion of the hollow shaft 114. A flexible bag 125 is able to be detachably coupled to the base member 124, which has an upwardly facing opening, when attached. With reference to FIG. 1E, the bag 125 is shown in use in conjunction with the base member 124 being in an open state. In this state, pet wastes 182 are placed into a bottom of the flexible bag 125, which is thereafter closed and discarded. Flexible bags 125 of various sizes can be used. In embodiments, smaller bags 120 can attach only to the base member 124 through a use of clips (not shown) or other bag 125 securing component.

[0038] Embodiments 102 and 302 (as well as FIG. 1C, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10) illustrate an open state for the pet waste device. Embodiments 104 and 402 (as well as FIG. 1D and FIG. 11) illustrate a closed state for the pet waste device. Open and closed are relative terms denoting a large aperture exists for the bag 125 compared to the smaller aperture of the bag 125 existent for the closed state. That is, the bag 125 may, but need not be, fully open in the open state and may, but need not be, fully closed in the closed state.

[0039] Transitioning between the open and closed state occurs through movement of the cable 120. Cable adjustor 117 allows the cable to travel within a range along the length of the shaft 114 from a lower range position 118 to an upper range position 116. Movement of the cable 120 results in movement of and/or force being applied to a right tensioner 136 and a left tensioner 138. This results in a horizontal movement of the rightmost 130 and leftmost 126 portions of the base member 124. With reference to FIGS. 9-11, the right 136 and left 138 tensioners can be implemented utilizing an elastic string anchored (910, and 916) to the leftmost 126 and rightmost 130 portions. Further, the tines 132 can be positioned further away from the central position 128 in the open position, and closer to the central position 128 in the closed position. Effectively, the leftmost 126 and rightmost 130 portions are flipped approximately upside down when transitioning from the open to closed state.

[0040] Although terms like lower and upper have been used to describe the positions consistent with the presented figures, such as FIGS. 1A and 1B, these need not be positioned in such a fashion in all embodiments. For example, a lower position could be positioned physically above the upper position and still be within scope of the disclosure. Thus, for interpretation purposes upper position can refer to any first position and lower can refer to any second position, and so forth.

[0041] The waste disposal device can be selectively locked or fixed onto the open and closed states. In embodiments, intermediate positions between the open and closed states may also have locked points.

[0042] In other embodiments, only the open and closed states are stable, where intermediate states are simply used during a transition.

[0043] For example, embodiment 202 (reference FIG. 2, FIG. 9, FIG. 10) shows a default state of open (reference embodiment 302 of FIG. 3) where a tension adjustor (117 is in a lower position) with reference to embodiment 502 of FIG. 5. Gravity and/or a biasing mechanism(s) result in the default state being open. One such biasing member includes a left 136 and right 138 tensioner, which may be implemented as an elastic string or equivalent as noted by FIGS. 9-11. Embodiment 402, as well as FIG. 11, shows a closed state achieved by sliding tension adjustor 117 upwards along shaft 112 as shown by embodiment 602. There, a latch 510 engages with backside of slide extension 520 to prevent the slide (adjustor 117) from moving downwards towards the base member 124. When in such a position (with reference to FIG. 6 and embodiment 602), a constant downward force can be exerted on the slide (adjustor 117), such that release of latch 510 results in a change from the closed to the open state. In one embodiment, the constant downward force results from the cable(s) 120 and/or the tensioners 136, 138 being formed from an elastic material. Biasing to exert equivalent constant downward force can alternatively be implemented through a series of springs or other biasing mechanisms.

[0044] As shown, latch 510 utilizes a spring and a pivot arrangement for selective locking and unlocking of an extrusion (slide extension 520). Other locks or stabilizers are possible for stabilizing the waste disposal device in the non-default state(s). The preferred default state is the open state (with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1C, 2, 3, 9, and 10).

[0045] In embodiments, one or more pullies or equivalent can be placed within the interior of the shaft 114 for mechanical advantage and/or to change a direction of force of an internal biasing component (such as an elastic cable 120). That is, inclusion of a single pully anchored in the interior of shaft 114 can result in the slide (cable adjustor 117) of embodiments 302 and 402 being biased in an upward position instead of the downward one as shown. As shown by FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, use of a hollow slide fitting outside the circumference of the shaft 114 is a user friendly, resilient, and cost effective way of implementing the cable adjustor 117, in one preferred embodiment.

[0046] The base member 124 includes numerous discrete portions that move horizontally relative to each other. The discrete portions include a central portion 128, which is approximately centered at the lower end of the shaft 114. In one embodiment, using a reference plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane 172 or ground 170, where the reference plane vertically bisects the base member 124 and the shaft 114, base member 124 components mirror each other from the perspective of the vertical reference plane. Accordingly, portion 130 may be a mirror image of portion 126 and portion 129 May be a mirror image of portion 127. In embodiments, outward edges of each of the discrete portions are approximately (within 5%) parallel to the direction of a set of tines 132. When in the open state, the tines 132 form an outer edge defining, at least in part the shape of the aperture 125, as seen with reference to FIG. 1E. a terminal weighted guide 134 or chain assists in forming a cavity formed using the flexible bag 125.

[0047] Adjacent to the central portion 128 is the right center portion 129 and the left center portion 127. The rightmost 130 and leftmost 126 portions of the base member 124 may include extending tines 132. The tines 132 and the rightmost 130 and leftmost 120 portions may be a unified structural component. In another embodiment, the tines 132 may be separately constructed from the rightmost 130 and leftmost portions 120 but coupled thereto.

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D, the base member 124 is shown as having five discreate portions. Other embodiments exist. For example, the base member 124 may have only three discrete portions in contemplated embodiments lacking the right center 129 and left center 127 portions. Embodiment 202 of FIG. 2 illustrates an in-use positioning relative to a ground surface 170, where a bag 125 opening or aperture will be approximately opposing the force of gravity. A horizontal plane 172 is shown that is approximately parallel (+/20%) to the ground surface 170. When in the open state, a large aperture position exists for the bag 125, where a length 152 between times 180 and 182 is approximately (within 10%) of a horizontal length of a sum of the lengths 140, 142, 146, 148, and 150 of the base member portions 126-130 referenced along the horizontal plane 170.

[0049] In one embodiment, the horizontal length 140 of the leftmost portion 126 is approximately equivalent to the horizontal length 148 of the rightmost portion 130. Similarly, the horizontal length 142 of the left center portion 127 is approximately equivalent to the horizontal length 146 of the right center portion 129.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 1D, the horizontal length 150 of the smaller aperture 154 is less than or equal to the length 156 of the collapsed version (closed position) of the base members 124 in that direction. As shown in FIG. 1D, the smaller aperture 154 is approximately equivalent to the length 156. In another embodiment, the outer base members 126 and 130 are inwardly folded or flipped so that the tines 180 and 182 are facing a closer to a center of the center portion when in the closed state, as shown by embodiment 402 of FIG. 4. That is, effectively, the outermost members are flipped approximately 180 degrees (+/30%) to minimize length 154 and to make the smaller aperture more closed than if the outermost members 126 and 130 were not flipped. Accordingly, what is a frontside (facing away from the ground) of portions 126 and/or 130 in the open state become the backside when in a closed state, as shown by embodiment 402 of FIG. 4. FIGS. 9-11 show a closer, more detailed view of how such flipping occurs. That is, an left 912 (also 136) and right 916 (also 138) elastic cord or string has two anchor points 910 and 916 to which it is affixed to portions 126 and 130, in embodiments. Various portions 126-130 are connected via pins 1014, 1016 or other pivoting members to create an inward compression force 136, which secures the base member 124 in a closed position (see FIG. 11) by decreasing the compression force 136 and compressing the tensioners when closed.

[0051] The base member length 156 is at least as wide as the length of the central portion 150. In one embodiment, the length 156 is less than the sum of length 150 and 142 as well as being less than the sum of the length 150 and the length 140. In one embodiment, the length 150 is slightly greater than twice the length of the sum of 140 and 148, which allows them to flip as illustrated by embodiment 402 and FIGS. 9-11. Lengths 140 and 148 may be approximately equivalent to each other in some embodiments. Flipping the rightmost 130 and leftmost 126 portion when their sum is only slightly greater than length 150 results in tines 180 and 182 approximately touching and length 154 approaching zero (when the tines 180 and 182 are touching). In other embodiments as referenced by embodiment 402, the length 154 will be greater than zero but less than any of the discrete portion 140-150 lengths.

[0052] In one embodiment, the length 150 is at least as great as any of lengths 140, 142, 146, and 148. In embodiments, a height (perpendicular to length 156) of base member portions 126-130 in the closed state is greater than the vertical length of base member portions 126-130 in the open state. See, for example, embodiment 302, where the open position effectively results in component base members 126-130 being flat. In embodiment, 402, one or more of the potions 126-130 have been stacked on top of each other. In one embodiment, the previously horizontal surface of the right center 129 and left center 127 portions can be approximately vertically facing in the closed state (see embodiment 402).

[0053] Referencing embodiment 402, the base member 124 can be pivotally connected to the shaft 114. For example, a sleave 410 into which the shaft 114 fits (securable via a screw or rivet, for example) can connected via a hinge or other connector 412 to the center portion 128. This is also shown clearly in FIG. 10. Specifically, pivot point 1010 permits shaft 114 rotation 1012 into a collapsed position. This permits various angles to exist between shaft 114 and the base member 124, as shown by FIG. 2 and FIG. 10. In one embodiment, the angle of the shaft 114 relative to a plane of the base members 124 or ground surface 170 can be between 0 and 180 degrees (with reference to FIG. 10. In other embodiments, it can be rotated between 0 and 90 degrees, that is the inhibiter shown in FIG. 10 can inhibit an effective rotation of shaft 114 about pivot point 1010.

[0054] Referring again to FIGS. 1A-1D and focusing upon cable(s) 120 and its interaction with the base member 124, a rightmost portion 130 is coupled to a right tension anchor, which is a terminal or connecting point for the right tensioner 138. The leftmost portion 126 is coupled to a left tension anchor, which is a connecting point for the left tensioner 136. Opposing ends of the right 138 and left 136 tensioners, referenced from the respective anchors, are coupled to the cable(s) 120. In embodiments, the right 138 and left 136 tensioners are integrated with and are part of the cable(s) 120. For example, two cables 120 can extend through the shaft 120, can be guided through cable channels to be ultimately anchored to portions 126 and 130. In another embodiment, the right and left tensioners are separate cables or components from the cables 120, which are coupled thereto. Channels and/or redirection mechanisms (including pulleys) can be used to guide the cable(s) 120 and/or tensioners 136, 138 in embodiments.

[0055] As mentioned, when the cable(s) 120 are in the lower position 118, the device is in an open state represented by embodiment 302. When the cable(s) 120 are in an upper position 116, the device is in a closed stated represented by embodiment 402. With reference to FIG. 1C, transitioning from position 118 to position 116 results in a horizontal force 160 being generated by left tensioner 136, which is anchored to portion 126. Concurrently, the transitioning from position 118 to 116 results in a horizontal force 162 being generated by rightmost tensioner 138. Forces 160 and 162 cause movement of portions 126, 127 and portions 129, 130 towards the center portion 128, which reduces distance 152 to 154, effectively closing the attached flexible bag 125.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 1D, transitioning from position 116 to position 118 results in a horizontal force 164 being generated by leftmost tensioner 136, which is anchored to portion 126. Concurrently, the transitioning from position 116 to 118 results in a horizontal force 166 being generated by rightmost tensioner 138. The forces 164 and 166 cause movement of portions 126, 127 and portions 129, 130 away center portion 128, which increases distance 154 to 152, effectively opening the attached flexible bag 125.

[0057] With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 7, and 8, a handle 110 of the device may include a storage compartment 112, in which flexible plastic bags 125 are stored. These bags 125 can be disposed after use. In one embodiment, the bags 125 stored in compartment 112 are extracted through an opening of the handle 110. For maximum storage capacity, the bags 125 may be bundled into a tight role. The handle 110 can include an opening/closing cavity for replacing to be used bags 125 and/or rolls thereof.

[0058] With reference to embodiment 702 of FIG. 7, handle 110 is shown with a storage compartment 112. A portion of a bag 710 extrudes from an opening 712 of compartment 112, which can be pulled to release a bag. Friction causes the next bag in the compartment to be extruded for future use. With reference to embodiment 802 and FIG. 8, compartment 112 is opened for insertion of another roll 812 of bags 125. A screw-based end or cover can be utilized in one embodiment, although other opening/closing mechanisms to access an interior of compartment 112 are contemplated. Placing new bags 125 in interior compartment 112 integrated into the handle 110 maximizes storage capability of the pet waste disposal device, makes extraction of bags easy for a user, and ensures a user need not separately carry these bags. This is a concern as pet owners often hold a leash and other items, so minimizing hand-held items or objects is essential for successful and convenient usage.

[0059] The block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of computer systems, methods, and computing devices according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the block diagrams may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

[0060] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0061] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.