Patent Application
20240360635
The present invention relates generally to the field of waste-scooping devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an extendable waste-scooping device that is comprised of a telescopic shaft and a scooping member with at least one hole that retains animal waste but allows landscaping material to fall from the member when scooped. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
Picking up pet waste can often feel like a daunting task for many pet owners. Not only is it time-consuming, but it can also be a source of immense frustration, especially when the waste is located in challenging environments. For instance, when pets choose to relieve themselves on top of rocky terrains like gravel or amidst stones, the clean-up process can become notably challenging. One has to carefully sift through these materials, attempting to retrieve the waste without disturbing the landscape or inadvertently picking up the rocks along with it.
Moreover, for those who have invested significant resources in beautifying their outdoor spaces with expensive landscaping materials, the continuous defiling of certain areas by pets can lead to both aesthetic and financial concerns. There is the potential cost of constantly having to replace or clean these materials to keep the surroundings looking pristine.
The repercussions of not picking up pet waste extend beyond mere inconvenience or financial concerns. Leaving such waste untreated and outside can have adverse effects on the environment. It can contaminate groundwater, harm local ecosystems, and spread diseases. In addition, there is also the physical challenge to consider. Pet waste might end up in areas that are hard to reach or inaccessible, making the cleanup even more cumbersome for individuals.
Therefore, 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.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an extendable waste-scooping device. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of a telescopic shaft that allows the device to increase and decrease in length. The device is also 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.
In this manner, the extendable waste-scooping device of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and 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.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an extendable waste-scooping device 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.
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. The grip area may be 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.
In one embodiment, the shaft is of any fixed length. In another embodiment, the shaft is comprised of a telescopic shaft. In said embodiment, the shaft is comprised of at least one locking member that secures the shaft at a desired length.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Referring initially to the drawings,
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.
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.
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.
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.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in
In a second method of using 300 the device 100 (as seen in
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.
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.
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.
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.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/462,743, which was filed on Apr. 28, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63462743 | Apr 2023 | US |
