Patent Application
20090261604
This invention was not federally sponsored.
1Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the general field of handheld devices, and more specifically toward a pet waste collection tool having an integrated leash. The tool includes a retractable grasping device that can be retracted within the body portion of the tool. The retractable grasping device includes a grasping portion that has a means of attaching a bag. A trigger for activating the grasping portion enables a user to collect objects such as fecal matter within the attached bag. The leash is retractably stored within the body portion. A rotatable bag holder and a light source are also included. An arm holder helps secure the tool to the user during use.
When being walked, pets frequently have the need to answer nature's call. In many instances, this requires the pet owner to “clean up” after their pet. Such activity typically occurs by the pet owner bending down and using their hands to scoop the pet waste into a plastic bag. Such a method may present difficulty for pet owners who are not flexible or able to bend in such a position. Further, some pet owners may not want to risk potential contact with the pet waste and may opt not to clean up after their pet. Such behavior can anger property owners, can lead to uncleanly walking areas, and can increase the spread of bacteria and disease—all of which is undesirable. To alleviate the problem, some pet waste collection tools have been developed. While helpful, it is difficult for some pet owners to use such a tool in one hand while trying to contain their pet on a leash with the other hand.
Therefore, there is a current need for a pet waste collection tool having a retractable grasping device and an integrated leash that is lightweight, compact, and easy to use.
2Summary of the Invention
The pet waste collection tool of the current invention provides such a solution by having a body portion, a grasping trigger, a retractable grasping device, a leash attachment member, and a leash. It may also include a retractable trigger, leash trigger, light source, arm holder, and rotatable bag holder.
The body portion of the pet waste collection tool is lightweight and incorporates the various components of the device. The retractable grasping device includes an extendable portion and a grasping portion. The extendable portion allows for the grasping portion to be extended away from the body portion and retracted next to the body portion. The grasping portion is open and closed by the grasping trigger, thereby enabling a user to easily grasp portions from a distance. Optionally, the retractable trigger regulates the length of the extending portion by locking it in place or releasing it for expansion and retraction.
The body also includes a leash attachment member that secures the leash to the body. The leash attachment member is preferably a retractable device that allows the leash to extend out from and retract within the body. A leash trigger and spring mechanism can regulate the extension of the leash.
The pet waste collection tool can also include a light source that is preferably integrated into the body. An arm holder affixed to the body can also aid in securing the pet waste collection tool to the user. Bags used in the collection of pet waste are stored within a rotatable bag holder. The rotation of the rotatable bag holder allows for convenient placement of the bags during different instances of use.
It is an object of the invention to provide a pet waste collection tool that is lightweight and convenient to carry.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a pet waste collection tool that enables a user to grasp objects located on the ground without requiring the user to bend over.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pet waste collection tool that enables a user leash their pet without the need of an additional device.
It is a final object of this invention to provide a pet waste collection tool with an integrated bag storage device.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. The features listed herein and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with the references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.
The retractable grasping device 13 can be extended from and retracted within the body portion 11. This movement is regulated by a retractable trigger (not shown in this figure). A movable first claw 23 and an immovable second claw 24 make up the grasping portion of the retractable grasping device 13. A bag retention clip 22, connected to the second claw 24, and a bag retention hook 32, connected to the first claw, are used to secure a bag to the grasping portion of the device. A grasping trigger 12 can be pressed and released to move the first claw 23 closer to or further from the second claw 24 thereby closing and opening the grasping portion. This motion can be used to grasp objects, such as pet fecal matter.
The body portion 11 also includes an integrated leash attachment member 14. The leash attachment member 14 secures a leash to the pet waste collection tool 10. The leash is preferably retractably stored within the leash attachment member 14. In this embodiment of the invention, the leash passes through the leash opening 20. A leash trigger 16 regulates the retraction of the leash. For example, the leash can be spring loaded within the leash attachment member 14. A user can apply a force to the leash to withdraw it; however, if the force is no longer applied, it is withdrawn back into the leash attachment member 14. The leash trigger 16 can be used to hold the leash in place such that it will not retract even though there is no force being applied to the leash. Alternatively, The leash will be retracted within the leash attachment member 16 when the leash trigger 16 is pressed.
A light source 25 can be integrated into the body portion 11. The light source 25 can be used to illuminate the area in front of the pet waste collection tool 10. This can aid users in grasping objects in poorly lit areas. Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are preferably used as the light source, but other means of producing light are possible without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. A light source button 15 can be used to turn the light source 25 on and off.
Various features can be integrated into the body portion to enable a user to conveniently and effectively hold the pet waste collection tool 10. A user can grasp the pet waste collection tool 10 by placing his or her hand through an opening 40 in the body portion 11 where the grasping trigger 12 is located. A side handgrip 21 aids the user's other hand to grip the pet waste collection tool 10. An arm holder 17 can also hold the arm of a user. The arm holder 17 encircles the user's arm and secures it to the body portion 11 of the pet waste collection tool 10. In one embodiment, the arm holder 17 uses hook and loop fastener (known by its brand name Velcro®) straps to secure an arm to the body portion 11. Alternatively, semi-rigid plastic straps can be used, whereby the user bends the straps apart to insert his or her arm, and then they released to retain the arm within the straps. In another alternative embodiment, belts with buckles are used.
As stated previously, bags, preferably plastic, can be secured to the grasping portion. The bags allow a user to grasp objects, such as pet fecal matter, without it coming in direct contact with the first claw 23 or second claw 24. These bags can be stored within a rotatable bag holder 18. The rotatable bag holder 18 is connected to the body portion 11 by a pivot point 19, whereby the rotatable bag holder 18 rotates about the pivot point 19. Alternatively, the bag holder can be secured to the body portion in a fixed position.
Also shown in
The body portion 11 includes a light source 25 that is turned on and off by a light source button 15. A battery (not shown) contained within a battery case 28 powers the light source 25.
A leash can be stored within and retracted from the leash attachment member 14. Inside of the leash attachment member 14 is a leash retaining cylinder 29. A leash can be wound around the leash retaining cylinder 29 and withdrawn though the leash opening 20.
In a preferred embodiment, the leash retaining cylinder 29 is under an elastic force, such as from a spring, that rotates the leash retaining cylinder 29 and retracts the leash. An opposing force is required to withdraw and/or maintain the extension of the leash from the leash retaining cylinder 29. A leash retaining mechanism 30, activated by the leash trigger 16, can apply a braking force to the leash retaining cylinder 29 thereby preventing it from rotating and retracting the leash. In this fashion, a user can attach a leash to his or her pet and the leash will elastically withdraw and retract depending on the force applied by the pet. However, the leash can be kept at a fixed position by pressing, and thus activating, the leash trigger 16.
In an alternative embodiment, the leash retaining mechanism 30 applies a braking force unless the leash trigger 16 is activated. In this fashion, the leash will only withdraw and retract if the leash trigger is pressed and thus activated.
The process of walking a pet and collecting fecal matter is made simple with pet waste collection tool of the current invention. The leash can be withdrawn from the leash attachment member and secured to the pet. The user can insert his or her arm through the arm holder and insert his or her hand through the opening in the body portion to hold onto the pet waste collection tool.
A plastic bag can be secured to the grasping portion of the retractable grasping device. The plastic bag can be withdrawn from the rotatable bag holder. One part of the open end of the bag is secured to the second claw using the bag retention clip. The other end of the open bag can be placed around the bag retention hook. This creates a plastic barrier around and between the first and second claws of the grasping portion. The user extends the retractable grasping device by pressing the retractable trigger and withdrawing the retractable grasping device from the body, thereby exposing the extendable portion. Activating the grasping trigger, which closes the grasping portion around the fecal matter, allows the user to collect the fecal matter. The plastic bag can then be removed from the grasping portion and disposed of. The extendable portion of the retractable grasping device is then retracted within the body portion by activating the retractable trigger and applying an inward force.
These steps can also be performed in poorly lit areas. The light source, preferably made of LED lights, is activated by pressing the light source button. This will illuminate an area in front of the pet waste collection tool to aid in the collection of fecal matter or simply to illuminate an area where the user is walking.
It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/106,321 filed on Apr. 20, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12106321 | Apr 2008 | US |
| Child | 12487515 | US |
