Abstract:
A pet waste collection apparatus includes a mobile housing assembly defining an interior, a pick-up roller disposed within the interior, wherein the pick-up roller is configured to collect solid waste, a plurality of fragmentation rollers disposed within the interior upstream from the pick-up roller, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers is configured to progressively break up the solid waste, and a hopper disposed within the interior, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers transfer the solid waste into the hopper.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/170,760 filed on Jun. 4, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to pet waste disposal and, more particularly, to a portable pet waste collection and disposal apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The act of walking a dog or other pet is a pleasure enjoyed by many pet owners. The ability to get outside and experience nature and the surroundings is a simple joy. There are also the great health benefits associated with exercise for both the dog and the human walker. However, one (1) additional task associated with walking of a dog is the cleaning up of droppings. This act is not only the responsible thing to do, but it is the sanitary thing to do as well. Such droppings are usually picked up in a bag, and then placed in the nearest trash can where they add to the waste stream, and take up space in landfills. Others, with their own yards, may choose to let Mother Nature take its course, and allow such droppings to break down on their own where they act like fertilizer. However, the feces remain an eyesore as well as a sanitation hazard for days or weeks until such breakdown happens. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which dog droppings can be picked up to avoid a sanitation, and eyesore hazard, but still be used as an ecologically friendly fertilizer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a waste collection apparatus that provides dog owners an effective means to clean up pet droppings during a walk in an ecologically friendly manner. The development of the present invention, which will be described in greater detail herein, substantially departs from conventional solutions to fulfill this need. 
     In one (1) embodiment, the disclosed pet waste collection apparatus includes a mobile housing assembly defining an interior, a pick-up roller disposed within the interior, wherein the pick-up roller is configured to collect solid waste, a plurality of fragmentation rollers disposed within the interior upstream from the pick-up roller, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers is configured to progressively break up the solid waste, and a hopper disposed within the interior, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers transfer the solid waste into the hopper. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed pet waste collection apparatus includes a mobile housing assembly defining an interior, a push handle attached to the housing assembly, an axle connected to a front of the housing assembly, a pair of wheels connected to opposed ends of the axle, a pair of casters rotatably connected to the housing assembly rearward of the pair of wheels, a collector assembly attached to the housing assembly and configured to collect solid waste from a ground surface, a pick-up roller disposed around the axle within the interior, wherein rotation of the wheels causes rotation of the pick-up roller, and wherein the pick-up roller is configured to engage the collector assembly, a plurality of fragmentation rollers disposed within the interior and upstream from the pick-up roller, wherein the pick-up roller is configured to transfer the solid waste from the collector assembly to the plurality of fragmentation rollers, and wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers is configured to progressively break up the solid waste, a drive train mechanically interconnecting the pick-up roller and the plurality of fragmentation rollers, wherein rotation of the pick-up roller causes rotation of the plurality of fragmentation rollers, and a hopper disposed within the interior and upstream from the plurality of fragmentation rollers, wherein the plurality of fragmentation rollers transfer the solid waste into the hopper. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental front perspective view of a pet waste collection apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the pet waste collection apparatus, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view of the pet waste collection apparatus taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of the pet waste collection apparatus taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 1 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic operational diagram of a gear train of the pet waste collection apparatus, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  pet waste collection apparatus 
               15  fastener 
               20  housing assembly 
               22  top panel 
               24   a  first side panel 
               24   b  second side panel 
               26  front panel 
               27   a  first access cover 
               27   b  second access cover 
               28  bottom panel 
               30  rear panel 
               34  top opening 
               40  top door 
               42  top door hinge 
               44  top door latch 
               46  hopper 
               48  hopper opening 
               50  rear door 
               52  rear door hinge 
               54  rear door latch 
               56  rear opening 
               60  slide plate 
               62  slide plate handle 
               64   a  first wheel 
               64   b  second wheel 
               68  tread 
               80   a  first caster 
               80   b  second caster 
               90   a  first push handle support 
               90   b  second push handle support 
               92  push handle 
               94  mounting bracket 
               100  pick-up roller 
               101  bristle 
               102  front axle 
               103  first gear 
               104  roller body 
               105  collector assembly 
               106  pick-up arm 
               110  collector plate 
               112  front edge 
               116  mounting flange 
               120  drive train 
               130  first fragmentation roller 
               132  first roller shaft 
               133  second gear 
               140  second fragmentation roller 
               142  second roller shaft 
               143  first sprocket 
               146  second sprocket 
               150  third fragmentation roller 
               151  pulverizing surface 
               152  third roller shaft 
               153  third sprocket 
               155  drive chain 
               200  user 
               210  ground surface 
               212  ground cover 
               220  pet feces 
               230  travel path 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention described herein is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. 
     Further, those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations can be incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and that the example configurations shown and described herein are for the purpose of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation. 
     As used herein, the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1), as well as a plurality of, the referenced items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , disclosing a pet waste collection apparatus (herein described as an apparatus)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The disclosed apparatus  10  lifts pet feces  220  from a ground surface  210 ; fragments the pet feces  220 ; and, collects the pet feces  220  for subsequent disposal or re-distribution upon a ground surface  210  as a fertilizer. 
     As used herein, relative terms such as “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “below,” “above,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used to describe a relationship of one element, feature and/or region to another element, feature and/or region, as illustrated in the figures. For example, in the ensuing description, reference to a front of the apparatus  10  indicates a portion of the apparatus  10  that is opposite a user  200  during use and reference to a back, or rear, of the apparatus  10  indicates a portion of the apparatus  10  that is adjacent to the user  200  during use (i.e., the portion to which a push handle  92  is attached). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an environmental front perspective view and a bottom perspective view, respectively, of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. Generally, the apparatus  10  is a walk-behind, pushed tool, which includes a low-profile housing assembly  20  and the push handle  92 . The apparatus  10  is capable of being maneuvered by the user  200  across the ground surface  210 . The apparatus  10  is supported by an axially-joined first wheel  64   a  and a second wheel  64   b  located near the front of the housing assembly  20 . The apparatus  10  is also supported by a first caster  80   a  and a second caster  80   b  located near the rear of the housing assembly  20 . The housing assembly  20  is capable of being pushed across the ground surface  210  in a manner similar to a hand-powered lawn mower, while gathering pet feces  220  previously deposited upon the ground surface  210 . 
     As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used as labels to describe various elements, features, and/or components, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the referenced items, unless other indicated. For example, such terms may be used to distinguish one (1) element from another element. 
     The housing assembly  20  includes both internal and external features, which pick up, fragment, and temporarily store pet feces  220 . In an example construction, the housing assembly  20  includes a forwardly sloping and generally rectangular enclosure, which includes a top panel  22 , a first side panel  24   a , a second side panel  24   b , a front panel  26 , a bottom panel  28 , and a rear panel  30 . 
     In the example construction, the top panel  22  slopes slightly downward from the rear panel  30  to the front panel  26 . The front panel  26  includes a convex surface to provide sufficient space around an internal pick up roller  100 . The panels  22 ,  24   a ,  24   b ,  26 ,  28 ,  30  define an interior space containing a plurality of textured rollers  100 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), while also providing a hopper  46  to store a volume of the fragmented pet feces  220  within. The bottom panel  28  includes a pick up opening through which access is granted for the entrance of pet feces  220  into the housing assembly  20 . 
     The housing assembly  20  includes a first access cover  27   a  and a second access cover  27   b  removably attached to respectively opposing side panels  24   a ,  24   b . The access covers  27   a ,  27   b  are retained in a user-protective position on the housing assembly  20  by a plurality of placed fasteners  15 . The access covers  27   a ,  27   b  also define respective interior spaces containing a drive train  120 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which provides for the transmission of rotary motion originating at the wheels  64   a ,  64   b . The access covers  27   a ,  27   b  provide protective isolation of the drive train  120  from the pet feces  220  and the clothing and person of the user  200 , as well as providing access and opportunity for any needed repairs or cleaning (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The housing assembly  20  further includes a top door  40  and a rear door  50  to access the interior space of the housing assembly  20  for servicing and/or cleaning internal portions (see  FIG. 3 ). The housing assembly  20  also provides a means to release and distribute a fragmented form of the pet feces  220  upon the subjacent ground surface  210  via a hopper  46  having a bottom hopper opening  48  (also see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The housing assembly  20  is envisioned to roll along the ground surface  210  in a relatively smooth manner via the aforementioned front first wheel  64   a  and front second wheel  64   b , for example, which are located at front corners of the housing assembly  20 , and the rear first caster  80   a  and rear second caster  80   b , for example, which are located slightly forward of the hopper  46  and extend downwardly to the ground surface  210 . 
     In an example construction, the casters  80   a ,  80   b  are commercially available components that provide an unrestricted rotation in at least two (2) axes to provide a means to steer and to propel the apparatus  10 . The wheels  64   a ,  64   b  are joined via a front axle  102  that is attached to the housing assembly  20  and extends between the wheels  64   a ,  64   b  and passing laterally through the housing assembly  20 . The front wheels  64   a ,  64   b  and front axle  102  provide rotary transmission of forces to drive the feces  220  collection and fragmentation equipment located within the housing assembly  20  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that ordinary provisions are made for the support, connection, and rotary motion of the wheels  64   a ,  64   b  and the front axle  102 , such as bearings and the like, without limitation. The wheels  64   a ,  64   b  also include an aggressive tread  68 , for example, being integrally molded in or otherwise affixed to a circumferential surface of each wheel  64   a ,  64   b  to improve traction and avoid slipping upon the ground surface  210  during use (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     In one (1) example construction, the push handle  92  is attached to the housing assembly  20  along a rear portion of the top panel  22  via a pair of mounting brackets  94  and attaching fasteners  15 . The mounting brackets  94  in turn include integral and upwardly protruding first push handle support  90   a  and second push handle support  90   b , respectively. 
     In the example construction, the push handle supports  90   a ,  90   b  protrude upwardly from the mounting brackets  94  and are angled slightly in a rearward direction. As an example, the push handle  92  is permanently affixed to respective top end portions of the push handle supports  90   a ,  90   b  in a perpendicular manner to form a rigid “T”-shaped structure. As one (1) example, the push handle supports  90   a ,  90   b  and push handle  92  are made of a tubular metal construction that form a rigid structure utilizing welding or other equivalent metal joining techniques. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the apparatus  10  includes a collector assembly  105  having an arcuate collector plate  110  attached to the front of the housing assembly  20  and an integral mounting flange  116  that is attached to the bottom panel  28 , for example, using fasteners  15 . The collector plate  110  extends downwardly from the mounting flange  116  and in a forward curving direction until parallel to the ground surface  210 . The collector  105  is attached to the bottom panel  28  in proximity to the pick-up roller  100 . The collector plate  110  includes a front edge  112  oriented parallel to the subjacent ground surface  210 , which enables the collector plate  110  to pass over ground cover  212 , such as grass, that may be present upon the ground surface  210 . 
     In an example implementation of use, as the apparatus  10  is propelled across the ground surface  210 , the arcuate collector plate  110  lifts and transports any pet feces  220  upwardly toward the superjacent pick up roller  100  being integral to, and attached to a central portion of the front axle  102 . The pick-up roller  100  includes a cylindrical member having a surface covered with bristles  101 . The bristles  101  in turn convey the pet feces  220  upwardly and into the housing assembly  20  where it is subsequently fragmented and collected (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , sectional views of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  is configured to fragment pet feces  220  having been extracted from the ground surface  210  by the collector plate  110  and transferred into the housing assembly  20  by the pick-up roller  100 . 
     In an example construction, the pick-up roller  100  includes the plurality of rigid or semi-rigid, natural or synthetic bristles  101 , for example being integrally molded into or otherwise permanently affixed to a roller body  104 . The front axle  102  passes through the pick-up roller  100  and extends uniformly from both ends. The pick-up roller  100  is attached to the front axle  102  by any conventional attachment device, such as tapered bushings, flanges, or threaded connections. The bristles  101  extend outwardly in a radial manner from the roller body  104  acting to contact and transfer the pet feces  220  from the collector plate  110  into the interior of the housing assembly  20 . 
     The apparatus  10  is also configured to extract residual pet feces  220  from the bristles  101  of the pick-up roller  100  via the pick-up arm  106  that is, for example, attached to an inner surface of the top plate  22 , for example by a plurality of fasteners  15 . 
     In an example implementation, during use, the bristles  101  are acted upon by the pick-up arm  106 , which is approximately the same width as the pick-up roller  100 , to extract and redirect any residual pet feces  220  that may remain attached to the bristles  101 . 
     The pet feces  220  progress through the housing assembly  20  in a travel path  230  across a plurality of progressive fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 , and  150  that are intended to have the cumulative effect of reducing the pet feces  220  into smaller particles. Thus, the fragmented pet feces  220  have a resultant reduced particle size and is temporarily accumulated within the rear hopper  46  of the housing assembly  20 , and positioned over the hopper opening  48 . 
     The embodiment of the apparatus  10  illustrated and described herein includes a plurality of fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150  having a first roller shaft  132 , a second roller shaft  142 , and a third roller shaft  152 , respectively. In this embodiment, the fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150  are mechanically driven by the drive train  120  ( FIG. 5 ) as the wheels  64   a ,  64   b  rotate upon the ground surface  210 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in an example construction, the front axle  102  of the pick-up roller  100  communicates rotational motion to a pair of first gears  103  attached to each end of the front axle  102 . The roller shafts  132 ,  142 , and  152  extend through the side panels  28   a ,  28   b  of the housing assembly  20  and are configured to be aligned along a longitudinal axis through the centers. Each first gear  103  is engaged with a second gear  133  attached to ends of the first roller shaft  132  of the first fragmentation roller  130 . The connection between the first gear  103  and the second gear  133  results in a rotary motion of the second gear  133 , and the attached first roller shaft  132 , and the first fragmentation roller  130  in a direction counter to the pick-up roller  100 , the front axle  102 , and the first gear  103 . 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in an example construction, the drive train  120  includes a first sprocket  143 , a second sprocket  146 , and a third sprocket  153 , all mechanically connected by a drive chain  155  (see  FIG. 5 ). The first sprocket  143  is attached to the first roller shaft  132 , for example, by a connection to a tapered bushing, retaining rings set in a splined or keyed shaft, or the like. The first sprocket  143  is located in a laterally outboard position relative to the second gear  133  and may, in some embodiments, share a mutual connection thereto. The second sprocket  146  is attached to the second roller shaft  142 . The third sprocket  153  is attached to the third roller shaft  152 . 
     In an example construction, the sprockets  143 ,  146 ,  153  are commercially available components available in a variety of pitches as necessary for the suitable transmission of drive forces. Similarly, the drive chain  155  is a commercially available roller chain supplied in corresponding pitches and having the requisite number of links, or partial links, as necessary to encircle the sprockets  143 ,  146 ,  153 . This arrangement of sprockets  143 ,  146 ,  153  and drive chain  155  preserves the desired direction of rotation as necessary to maintain the travel path  230  of the pet feces  220  through the housing assembly  20 . However, in other embodiment, the transmission of the rotational motion to the fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150  may be accomplished using various other techniques, mechanisms, and components, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     In an example construction, the roller shafts  132 ,  142 ,  152  extend through the side panels  28   a ,  28   b  of the housing assembly  20 , thereby positioning the gears  103 ,  133 ,  143 ,  153  within the respective first access cover  27   a  and second access cover  27   b  that are attached to the outer surfaces of the first side panel  24   a  and second side panel  24   b  of the housing assembly  20 . 
     In an example construction, the fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150  are arranged to slightly contact each other, thereby conveying the pet feces  220  in a rearward direction. In one (1) example, as illustrated, the fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150  are arranged parallel to each other along a horizontal plane along the bottom panel  28  of the housing assembly  20 . The first fragmentation roller  130  and second fragmentation roller  140  include similar materials and construction as the pick-up roller  100  and also include outer bristles  101 . The third fragmentation roller  150  includes an outer pulverizing surface  151  including a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid, parallel rib features. The pet feces  220  is reduced into smaller particles as it is conveyed rearwardly by the fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150 . 
     The housing assembly  20  provides a means to service and/or clean the internal surfaces of the housing assembly  20  via a top opening  34  and a rear opening  56 . The openings  34 ,  36  may be secured in a closed state by a top door  40  and a rear door  50 , respectively. The doors  40 ,  50  are configured to open and close, as desired, for example, using a top door hinge  42  and a rear door hinge  52 , respectively. The top door  40  is secured in a closed position utilizing a top door latch  44 . The rear door  50  is secured in a closed position utilizing a rear door latch  54 . The doors  40 ,  50  are configured to be flush with respective portions of the housing assembly  20  and made of a similar material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in an example implementation, during use, a quantity of fragmented pet feces  220  is collected within the hopper  46  located at a rear portion of the housing assembly  20 . The bottom panel  28  of the housing assembly  20  includes the hopper opening  48  located below the hopper  46  and adjacent to the third fragmentation roller  150  to selectively release and distribute a portion of the fragmented pet feces  220  from the housing assembly  20  onto the ground surface  210 , when desired. 
     In an example construction, the hopper opening  48  includes a rectangular opening that extends laterally across the bottom panel  28  and is normally covered by a slide plate  60 . The slide plate  60  may be moved rearward to expose a selected portion of the bottom hopper opening  48 , thereby controlling a rate of flow of the fragmented pet feces  220 , which flows from the tapered hopper  46 . The slide plate  60  includes an integral inverted “U”-shaped slide plate handle  62  along an exposed rear edge, which provides a means for a user to operably position the slide plate  60 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations of the disclosed apparatus  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only particular configurations have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The example embodiments of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10  it would be configured and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     In one embodiment, a method of utilizing the disclosed apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing a series of steps including: acquiring an appropriate model of the apparatus  10 ; securing the top door  40 , the rear door  50 , and the slide plate  60  in their closed states using the respective top door latch  44 , rear door latch  54 , and slide plate handle  62 ; supplying sufficient motive force to propel the apparatus  10  across the ground surface  210  containing pet feces  220 ; allowing the collector plate  110  and pick-up roller  100  to lift and convey the pet feces  220  into the housing assembly  20 ; permitting the internal fragmentation rollers  130 ,  140 ,  150  to pulverize and fragment the pet feces  220 ; collecting a quantity of fragmented pet feces  220  within the hopper  46  of the housing assembly  20 ; repeating the removal of pet feces  220  from the ground surface  210 , as desired; disposing of the fragmented pet feces  220  into a suitable disposal receptacle by moving the slide plate  60  to allow the fragmented pet feces  220  to be released through the hopper opening  48 ; and, benefiting from reduced effort required to remove and dispose of pet feces  220  from the ground surface  210 , afforded a user of the apparatus  10 . 
     Alternately, the fragmented pet feces  220  in the hopper  46  may be redistributed as a fertilizer material by selectively opening the slide plate  60  to distribute the fragmented pet feces  220  onto the ground surface  210  as the apparatus  10  is propelled across the ground surface  210 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise forms disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles and practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.