Abstract:
Gravity-actuated device for retrieving various types of objects from various ground surfaces. The device has a single retrieval arm pivotably mounted on a slender frame. Gripping elements on the end of the retrieval arm allow the operator to grip a variety of objects, including soft flexible objects, such as a glove, rigid slender objects, such as an arrow, or objects having a loop or strap, such as a thermos bottle. The device is suspended from above to retrieve the object and collapses to a slender compact configuration when not in use.

Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to the field of devices for retrieving or grabbing objects. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for retrieving objects from above that have fallen from an above-ground perch onto the ground below. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Hunters often position themselves in hunting blinds or tree stands, because this allows the hunter to clearly see a hunting ground, without in turn being seen by the hunted game. The tree stands frequently are rough built wood structures built on the edge of fields, high off the ground so as to provide a good view over a distance. The platforms of the stands are accessible via a ladder. Hunters climb into the tree stands with their gear and ensconce themselves. Their gear includes extra clothing, weapons and ammunition, accessories, such as animal calling devices and binoculars, and food. Because game spook easily, hunters generally try to remain as quiet as possible and move minimally and slowly. If a hunter drops an item from the tree stand onto the ground below, he or she must climb down from the tree stand to retrieve it. This activity risks frightening the game. As a result, a dropped object is often not retrieved. This is a problem if the dropped object is a necessary or useful item, such as a hat or glove, a thermos bottle, or an arrow. 
   For these reasons, it is desirable to have a device for retrieving an object from above. Several such devices are known. Their disadvantages are that they are bulky and not easily carried in a backpack. One single device typically cannot accommodate a variety of objects that include large, soft objects such as a hat or jacket, long, slender objects, such as an arrow, or bulky objects with a strap or loop, such as a thermos bottle or a camera. 
   What is needed therefore is an object retrieval device that is light weight and small in size, adjustable, simple to use. What is further needed is such a device, that is able to retrieve a variety of types of objects and able to retrieve those objects from varying conditions of ground surface. What is yet further needed is such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is a gravity-actuated object retrieval device. The device is light weight, adjustable, and easy to use and enables an operator to retrieve an object that lies a significant distance beneath the operator. The object retrieval device comprises a frame or chassis that supports a retrieval means and an actuation means, and a suspension means for maneuvering the device over the object to be retrieved and bringing the object back up to the operator. The actuation means automatically releases a trigger when the object retrieval device makes contact with the ground surface, or the object. This in turn releases the retrieval means, which captures the object. The object retrieval device is then pulled up to the operator by the suspension means. 
   The actuation means is a trigger that is slidably mounted over an opening in the frame. A pivot arm is mounted in the opening in the frame. A proximal end of the pivot arm is rotatably assembled in the opening and a distal end with gripping elements extends outward from the proximal end to an anterior side of the frame. The trigger and the pivot arm cooperate to provide a cocked position, in which the pivot arm is poised to clasp an object, or a closed position, in which the pivot arm is either holding a retrieved object up against the frame as the object retrieval device is being lifted up to the operator, or is held in a collapsed configuration for non-use or stowing. A biasing means biases the retrieval means toward the closed position, when the device is not cocked. 
   A roller bearing is attached to the proximal end of the pivot arm, as are means for locking the distal end of the pivot arm against the frame. To set the cocked position, the distal end of the pivot arm is rotated upward and away from the frame. The trigger is pulled upward by the suspension means until the roller bearing rests on the anterior side of the trigger foot. This prevents the pivot arm from rotating back into a closed position. The trigger remains in this cocked position only as long as an upward pull is exerted on it by the suspension means. Once the suspension means slackens, the trigger gravitates downward, the roller bearing rolls off the trigger, and the pivot arm is released from the cocked position. 
   The distal end of the pivot arm is provided with retrieval means for retrieving various types of objects, such as gripping elements or claws for grabbing soft objects, a recess for holding slender, rigid objects, and a curved shape for engaging loops. In the closed position, the gripping elements rest against the frame. Ideally, the points of the gripping elements are seated in recesses provided on the frame, to protect them against damage. 
   The object retrieval device according to the invention includes additional features that are optional, but provide improved function. A trigger guide aids in transferring the weight of the retrieved objects from the retrieval means to the frame itself, thereby preventing other components of the object retrieval device from bearing the weight and suffering deformation as a result. A locking means may be provided on the pivot arm and trigger to hold the distal end of the arm in a closed position. An adjustable foot may be provided in the lower end of the frame. The foot is particularly useful when using the object retrieval device to retrieve objects from a ground surface that is covered with litter, such as leaves or other soft or movable debris. The foot is slidably assembled onto the bottom of the frame to provide a height adjustable support, which allows overall the height of the object retrieval device to be adjusted to accommodate the particular size and features of the object to be retrieved, as well as type of or conditions on the ground surface. 
   The object retrieval device according to the invention requires no hand strength or dexterity to operate. To capture a dropped object, the object retrieval device is set in the cocked position, lowered via the suspension means to the ground in a manner such that the object to be captured is positioned in the opening between the bottom of the frame and the retrieval means. As soon as the object retrieval device sets down on the ground surface, the suspension means will slacken. Gravity then moves the trigger downward in the frame, thereby releasing the retrieval means. Force exerted by a torsion spring biases the retrieval means toward the closed position, with the ends of the retrieval means urged toward the frame. This increases the gripping force of the gripping elements on the object to be retrieved. Serrations may also be provided toward the lower, anterior end of the frame. These serrations, in conjunction with the gripping element, improve the gripping ability of the device. Lifting the device by the suspension means raises the trigger so that the locking means provided on the trigger engages with the locking means on the proximal end of the pivot arm, thus locking the retrieval means in the closed position and preventing the pivot arm from swinging open during the retrieval maneuver. The operator then recovers the object by lifting the object retrieval device along with the captured object by the suspension means. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The drawings are not drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the object retrieval device. 
       FIG. 2  is an elevational perspective view of the frame, showing the entire length of the frame and the opening in the frame. 
       FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the frame. 
       FIG. 2B  is a partial front elevational view of the frame of  FIG. 2A , showing the opening. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the retrieval means. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an on-edge view of the base end of the retrieval means from the posterior side of the object retrieval device. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the trigger guide. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the trigger. 
       FIG. 6A  shows the actuation means held in the engaged position. 
       FIG. 6B  shows the actuation means biased in the released position by the torsion spring. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the adjustable foot. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention will now be described more fully in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention should not, however, be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     FIG. 1  provides a general view of an object retrieval device  100  according to the invention. The object retrieval device  100  comprises a frame or chassis  103 , a retrieval means  400 , an actuation means  200 , and a suspension means  165 . 
     FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  2 B illustrate the frame  103 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective front elevational view that shows the frame  103 , which provides means for retaining the actuation means  200  and the retrieval means  400 . In the embodiment shown, the frame  103  is an elongate member  105  having a top end T, a bottom end B, an anterior side A, and a posterior side P.  FIG. 2A  illustrates the cross-section of a particularly suitable shape. The elongate member  105 , as shown, is an I-beam structure having an anterior channel  106  with two parallel and opposing anterior grooves  110 , and a posterior channel  107  with two parallel and opposing posterior grooves  115 . It is understood, however, that the elongate member  105  can be of a different shape and need not be an I-beam at all.  FIG. 2B  illustrates a portion of the frame  103 , showing a frame opening  120  that is provided for mounting the retrieval means  400 . A series of serrations  160  may be provided in the anterior side A of the frame  103  near the bottom end B. One or more seating recesses or holes  170  may also be provided in the frame  103  in the vicinity of the serrations  160 . The purpose of these serrations  160  and seating recesses  170  is described below. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the retrieval means  400 , which is a pivot arm  401  in the shape of an elongated “C”. The pivot arm  401  has a distal end  417  and a proximal end  405  and various features that allow it to retrieve a variety of objects. In the embodiment shown, gripping elements  420  are provided at the distal end  417 . These gripping elements  420  are preferably claw-like elements that are particularly well suited for grabbing soft objects, such as a hat, gloves, jacket, etc. A gripping recess  424  between the gripping elements  420  allows the retrieval means  400  to retrieve long slender objects, such as an arrow. A valley  435  in the inner curve of the pivot arm  401  allows the pivot arm  401  to scoop under and engage a loop or strap on an object. The curved sweep of the valley  435  allows the object suspended from the loop or strap to find a balanced position in the curve, so that when the object retrieval device  100  is lifted above the ground, the object will not slide around and cause a weight shift on the retrieval means  400 , which could result in a shift of the pivot arm  401  to an extent that the object is dropped from the pivot arm  401 . Depending on the particular envisioned use of the object retrieval device  100  according to the invention, the gripping elements  420  may be shaped differently. Serrations  160  may be provided toward the bottom end B on the anterior side A of the frame  103 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . These serrations  160 , in conjunction with the gripping element  420 , improve the gripping ability of the object retrieval device  100 . 
   The retrieval means  400  is attached to the frame  103  of the object retrieval device  100  at its proximal end  405 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . For this purpose, a shaft hole  410  is provided for mounting the pivot arm on a mounting shaft  140 , shown below in  FIGS. 3A  and  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 3A  shows an on-edge view of the proximal end  405  of the retrieval means  400 . A roller bearing  430  is fixedly attached to the proximal end  405  by a fastener  445  and nut  450 . A torsion spring  360  is wrapped about a spacer  355  that is mounted on the shaft  140 . The spacer  355  keeps the pivot arm  401  properly aligned on the shaft  140  and the torsion spring  360  biases the pivot arm  401  to a closed position. Pivot arm teeth  440  are provided on the pivot arm  401 , just anterior of the roller bearing  430 . The purpose of these components will be discussed below in the discussion of operation of the object retrieval device  100 . 
   The actuation means  200  includes a trigger guide  201 , shown in  FIG. 4 , and a trigger  300 , shown in  FIG. 5 . The trigger guide  201  has a guide top  210  that is cantilevered from a guide base  240 . A guide aperture  220  is provided in the guide top  210  for allowing a portion of the trigger  300  to pass through, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown, the guide top  210  has a guide slot  230  that opens into the guide aperture  220 . Also, in the embodiment shown, the guide base  240  is slidably assembled in the posterior channel  107  of the frame  103  and is securely held in place, either by the friction of an interference fit or by a suitable fastening means. The trigger guide  201  may be integrated into the construction of the frame  103 , rather than provided as a separate component. When the guide base  240  is assembled in the posterior groove  120 , the guide top  210  is cantilevered across the top of and toward the anterior side A of the frame  103 , thereby holding the guide aperture  220  on the anterior side A of object retrieval device  100 . The trigger guide  201  serves as a retainer and guide for an upper end of the trigger  300 . 
     FIG. 5  is a view of the trigger  300 , which comprises a trigger loop  310 , a trigger offset  320  with a trigger throat  315  therebetween, and a trigger body  335 . The trigger loop  310  is dimensioned to slide through the guide slot  230  and to fit inside the guide aperture  220 . The trigger body  335  is assembled in the frame  103  in the anterior channel  106  (before the retrieval means  400  is assembled). Proturberances  340  provided on the sides of the trigger body  335  slidably retain the trigger  300  in the anterior grooves  110 . The trigger offset  320  is sufficient for the trigger body  335  to rest in the anterior channel  106  while the trigger throat  320  is retained in the guide aperture  220 . The trigger  300  is thus able to slide up and down in the frame  103 . A trigger opening  337  is provided in the trigger body  335 . The dimensions of the trigger opening  337  correspond approximately to the dimensions of the frame opening  120 . A trigger foot  350  extends from the trigger body  335  downward and in the anterior direction of the object retrieval device  100  when assembled. A suspension means  165 , which in the preferred embodiment is a rope or a cable, is attached to the trigger loop  310 . The suspension means  165  may be any other suitable means that allows the object retrieval device  100  to be suspended below the device operator. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the retrieval means  400 , the trigger  300 , and the actuation means  200  assembled in the frame  103 .  FIG. 6A  shows the retrieval means  400  in the cocked position (also shown in  FIG. 1 ) and  FIG. 6B  shows it in the closed position. The proximal end  405  of the pivot arm  401  is mounted in the frame opening  120  of the frame  103  on a shaft assembly that includes the shaft  140  and one or more spacers  355 . The shaft  140  is mounted in the frame  103  and inserted through the shaft hole  410  on the pivot arm  401 , so that the pivot arm  401  is rotatably mounted on the shaft  140 . The spacers  355  are assembled on the shaft  140  as necessary to maintain a proper alignment of the pivot arm  401 . The torsion spring  360 , wrapped about the spacers  355 , exerts force against the frame  103  and the pivot arm  401 . The pivot arm  401  is thus able to rotate on the shaft  140 , but the force exerted by the torsion spring  360  biases the distal end  417  of the pivot arm  401  shown in  FIG. 1 , to a closed position in which the gripping elements  420  are urged toward the frame  103 . 
   In the closed position, the pivot arm  401  has pivoted, such that the roller bearing  430  is on the posterior side P of the frame  103 , with the pivot arm teeth  440  still on the anterior side A. The trigger foot  350  engages or rests in a valley between two of the pivot arm teeth  440 , thereby preventing inadvertent upward rotation of the pivot arm  401 . This effectively locks the pivot arm  401  in a closed position. When the object retrieval device  100  is suspended by the suspension means  165 , with the pivot arm  401  in the cocked position, the trigger actuation means  200  partially blocks the frame opening  120  and the roller bearing  430  rests on the trigger foot  350 . 
     FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an adjustable foot  500 , which is particularly useful when using the object retrieval device  100  to retrieve objects from various types of ground surfaces. The foot  500  has a cantilevered support  510  perpendicular to a foot body  515 . The foot body  515  has a stabilizer  530  and a foot retaining means  520 . The adjustable foot  500  is slidably assembled in the posterior groove  115  at the bottom B of the frame  103  and is securely held in place by a spring force exerted by the foot retaining means  520  against the walls of the posterior grooves  115 . The stabilizer  530  is an optional device that prevents lateral shifting of the foot  500  when the foot retaining means  520  is extended far up into the frame  103 . The cantilevered support  510  extends away from the posterior side P of the frame  103 . The height of the object retrieval device  100  may be adjusted by sliding the adjustable foot  500  up or down the posterior channel  107 . The adjustable foot  500  allows the operator to adjust the distance between the retrieval means  400  and the ground surface. Depending on the object to be retrieved, it may be desirable to increase or decrease this distance. For example, if a bow were dropped, the string may be between one and four inches above the ground, depending on the rests and quiver attached to the bow riser. It is desirable to be able to increase the distance between the retrieval means and the ground, if the task is to scoop the bow string. A glove might land on top of litter and stay there, whereas an arrow might bury into the letter and come to rest closer to the ground. In these cases, too, it is desirable to adjust the distance of the retrieval means  400  to the ground surface, to enhance the gripping function by avoiding scooping up litter that would prevent the tips of the gripping elements  420  from gripping the object. 
   Operation of the object retrieval device  100 : First the height of the object retrieval device  100  is adjusted by sliding the adjustable foot  500  up or down the posterior channel  107 . The height may be adjusted to accommodate a layer of litter on the ground or to compensate for the size of the item to be captured. For example, the height of the object retrieval device  100  may be adjusted differently to capture a hat as oppossed to an arrow. The retrieval means  400  is then engaged. To accomplish this, the actuation means  200  is first deactivated by grasping the device  100  by the frame  103 . Gravity causes the trigger  300  to move downward in the anterior channel  106  and the trigger foot  350  disengages from the pivot arm teeth  440 . The pivot arm  401  is now lifted so that the distal end  417  rotates away from the frame  103 . The proximal end  405  of the pivot arm  400  and its attached roller bearing  430  rotate through the pivot arm aperture  120  from the posterior side P to anterior side A. The trigger  300  is slid upwards until the trigger foot  350  partially blocks the pivot arm aperture  120  and is supporting the roller bearing  430 . The upward pull of the suspension means  165  holds the trigger  300  and the pivot arm  400  in the cocked position. The operator positions himself so that he is directly above the object to be retrieved. For example, a hunter in a tree blind, who has dropped his hat to the ground, positions himself in the tree blind so that he is directly over the hat. The object retrieval device  100  is lowered via the suspension means  165  to the ground such that the object to be captured is positioned between the adjustable foot  500  and the gripping elements  420 . Support of the object retrieval device  100  by the ground surface causes the suspension means  165  to slacken. Gravity forces the trigger  300  downward in the anterior channel  106 , thereby unblocking the pivot arm aperture  120 . The torsion spring  360  forces the pivot arm  401  to rotate downward and the roller bearing  430  to roll off the trigger  300  and to move to its biased closed position. The pivot arm  401  closes onto to the object and captures it between the gripping elements  420  and the frame  103 . The operator then lifts the object retrieval device  100  and the captured object upwards via the suspension means  165 . The upward lift causes the trigger  300  to slide upward in the anterior channel  106 . The trigger foot  350  moves between the pivot arm teeth  440 , thereby locking the pivot arm  401  in the closed position. 
   The height of the trigger foot  350  within the frame opening  120  is adjustable to some extent by increasing or decreasing the trigger offset  320 . The relative height of the trigger foot  350  adjusts the ease with which the trigger  300  drops when the object retrieval device  100  contacts the ground surface. If the trigger foot  350  rides relatively low, a relatively lesser force, and conversely, if it rides relatively high, a relatively greater force is required to cause the trigger  300  to drop. When under load, contact between the trigger throat  315  and the trigger guide  201  transfers some of the weight of the object retrieved and suspended from the retrieval means  400  to the frame  103 , away from the trigger foot  350 , which is holding the pivot arm  401  in the locked position. This reduces the likelihood that the trigger foot  350  will bend under the weight of the load, which would change the alignment with the roller bearing  430 . This same contact is important when lowering the object retrieval device  100  in the cocked position. The weight of the pivot arm  401  shifts outward as the object retrieval device  100  is lifted. This causes the frame  103  to tip forward away from its perpendicular position. The trigger offset  320  compensates for the weight shift and brings the frame  103  back to the vertical position. 
   It is understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the construction of the gravity actuated retrieval device may be contemplated by one skilled in the art, without limiting the intended scope of the invention herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.