Abstract:
A device for combining two rakes to provide a combination raking and picking up apparatus comprising a pair of sleeves pivotally attached to one another. A first rake handle is secured into the first of the connected sleeves. A second rake handle is removably attached to the second of the connected sleeves. The attachment of the second rake handle to the second sleeve allows the second rake to rotate at least 180 degrees within the second sleeve. This allows a user to use the apparatus for raking lawn debris and to easily convert the apparatus into a tool to pick up debris. An attachment for packing leaves into a receptacle is also provided.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 10/706,718, filed Nov. 11, 2003, entitled “Leaf Rake Combo Kit,” which claimed the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/493,261, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/536,073, filed Jan. 13, 2004, entitled “Leaf Rake Combo Kit,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to gardening and lawn-care rakes, more particularly it relates to a leaf rake and leaf pick-up combination apparatus or kit, specifically a device that can combine and utilize two otherwise independent existing rakes and convert them into a new and useful dual-purpose gardening (raking) and lawn-clearing (picking) tool to facilitate ready disposal of raked material.  
         [0003]     The leaf rake is an ancient, relatively simple gardening tool of which there are many varieties with significant differences. Gardeners and landscapers who wish to maintain a well-groomed lawn will regularly cut the grass and will use these standard hand tools to gather loose grass cuttings or clippings, fallen leaves, and other unattached relatively light lawn or yard debris. Although there are alternate and modern solutions to leaf raking and subsequent removal, including leaf blowers, bag-equipped power lawn mowers, or even burning in place, these are usually either noisy, comparatively expensive, unsafe, or environmentally suspect and thus the traditional, though laborious, lawn-raking task is still in wide use.  
         [0004]     A typical leaf rake has a straight, cylindrical, elongated, inflexible, either metallic, hard plastic or wooden handle, that is attached to a fan-type rake head usually consisting of a thermoplastic or metallic plurality of teeth or tines that are inwardly curved at their edges. Although raking itself can be a difficult task due the upper body strength required, after the leaves are raked and gathered into piles, they still require pick up and removal. Conventional leaf rakes are well suited to raking leaves into piles, but rakes are generally not designed for lifting capabilities. Because of the necessary leverage for picking up and transporting the raked material, this task is usually the most difficult aspect of this largely seasonal activity and generally requires alternating use of separate pick up implements, such as a shovel and yard broom. If the proper tools are unavailable, leaf and debris pick up may involve bending over, kneeling, or stooping, then gathering and pressing the leaves or other raked material with one hand, against the rake head and tines held by the other hand.  
         [0005]     Although those skilled in the prior art will be aware of multi-purpose rake combination devices and rake attachments, such as a rake and shovel combination, or an all-in-one pick-up rake that uses two oppositely directed rake heads for grabbing leaves and debris, and facilitating the leaf pick up task, these are generally of cumbersome design, sometimes requiring costly, complex and bulky additions to a conventional rake. In addition, these inventions generally do not fully employ both rake heads during the raking operation. Furthermore, such combination rakes and rake attachments are generally not intended to accommodate complete separation into independent rakes so that two individuals may rake simultaneously and complete the task within a shorter period.  
         [0006]     Even though one conceivably can use a pair of unconnected independent rakes for raking and picking up grass, leaves and light debris, the rake combo kit&#39;s major advantage is its ability to combine these implements in a simple manner and into an efficient and steadfast tool that will accomplish both tasks while reducing the tedium of both raking and picking up. In addition, with the present invention both rakes are functional during raking thereby achieving greater raking efficiency when the two rake heads are aligned with two rows of back-to-back teeth, as well as during leaf pick up.  
         [0007]     It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a two-rake attachment device that has advantages not taught by the prior art.  
         [0008]     Another object of this invention is to supply a dual-purpose rake combo kit for attaching, in one embodiment, two conventional leaf rakes to provide a convenient method for both leaf and debris gathering or raking and then trouble-free pick up of such material, and effortless alternating between these tasks, thereby eliminating the need for additional tools for these separate tasks.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     The rake combo kit is directed toward a simple rake attachment apparatus for attaching two rakes in cooperation. The apparatus for combining two rakes or the like comprises a first sleeve, adapted to be secured to a first longitudinally extending handle; and a second sleeve pivotally connected to the first sleeve. The second sleeve is adapted to receive a second longitudinally extending handle. The second sleeve further comprises a guide channel for receiving a projection extending radially relative to the second handle for allowing rotation of the second rake handle within the second sleeve.  
         [0010]     The kit of the present invention may be constructed of metal, molded plastic or any other suitable materials and is assembled, fitted, and operated as described in more detail below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     One can better understand the present invention when one refers to the accompanying drawings of the present invention:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  shows in perspective view a partial section through a pin in a groove in an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view with the free rake sleeve outside of the outer sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows another perspective view from below the sleeves so that the outer sleeve guide pin is visible in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts an overview of two rakes connected at their tops and in raking position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a front perspective view of two rake heads in raking position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a partial top detailed view of two rakes nested together in operative raking position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts an overview of two rakes connected at their tops and in picking up position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  shows in perspective view the combo apparatus with partial view of attached fixed rake and free rake in their respective sleeves;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a first perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, with the latch in a locked position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a side cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention with the latch in an unlocked position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a side cross sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a free rake sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of an outer sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  shows a top view of a combo kit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of a latch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of a outer sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  shows a perspective view of a free sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  shows a side view of a leaf-packing attachment in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 20  shows a perspective view of a leaf-packing attachment in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 21  shows a perspective view of a free rake sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 22  shows a perspective view of a fixed rake sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 23  shows a perspective view of a leaf-packing attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 24  shows a perspective view of a disk for leaf packing in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     The figures illustrate various embodiments of the present invention, which may be used to join two rakes and wherein identical parts are identified with identical reference numeral. In general, the present invention comprises a first fixed sleeve, which is adapted to receive a first rake, and a second sleeve, pivotally connected to the first sleeve. Some embodiments of the invention also include a third sleeve. The third sleeve is attached to a second rake. The second and third sleeves are adapted to be connected together, at least temporarily, so that the third sleeve and the second rake may be rotatably positioned within the second sleeve.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a first embodiment of the rake combo kit  10  with cylindrical sleeves designed to accommodate the upper portion of the elongated rake handles of a pair of rakes. In one embodiment, the rake combo kit  10  has the following main parts: an outer sleeve  20 , a fixed rake sleeve  30 , and a free rake sleeve  40 . The outer sleeve  20  and fixed rake sleeve  30  are pivotally attached to facilitate rotation in a plane around a common pivot point  12  and allow moving apart the rakes  32  and  42  between a raking position and a picking up position, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cylindrical free rake sleeve  40  has a 180 degree wide groove  44  designed for inserting, via an assembly opening  46 , a corresponding solid guide pin  22  situated on the inside of the outer sleeve  20 . In one embodiment, the guide pin groove or channel  44  corresponds to a half circle path running at least halfway around the circumference of the free rake sleeve  40 . In one embodiment, the guide pin groove path  44  may begin or end at a point apart from but vertically in line with a sleeve tightening screw  48 . The assembly opening  46  may be situated at or near the center of the groove path  44  and sized to fit the guide pin  22  so that guide pin may move within assembly opening and groove path. The guide pin  22  is located perpendicular to the location of at least one fixed rake sleeve tightening screw  34 . In one embodiment, a fixed rake sleeve tightening screw  34  is located on the sleeve  30  at a point along its outermost circular edge. However, it is contemplated that the groove  44 , assembly opening  46 , guide pin  22  and tightening screws  34  and  48 , may be placed at alternate locations such that their fitting together and operation will achieve substantially the same results.  
         [0038]     Rakes connected together via an apparatus in accordance with the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 4-8 . To connect two rakes  32  and  42 , one rake handle  36  is attached to a fixed rake sleeve  30  and one rake handle  45  is attached to a free rake sleeve  40 . Free rake sleeve  40  is then inserted into the outer sleeve  20  of the rake combo kit  10 . To attach the handle  36  of a first rake  32  to the fixed rake sleeve  30 , the top of handle  36  is placed into fixed rake sleeve  30  with the outer sleeve  20  on the same side as the rake head face  38  (the side of the head directed toward the ground during raking). In one embodiment, rake handle  36  is secured to fixed rake sleeve  30  by turning at least one fixed rake sleeve tightening screw  34  so that it contacts or penetrates the rake handle  36 . It is also contemplated that secure attachment can be achieved by any other mechanical fastening means known in the art, including but not limited to screws, bolts, pins, clamps, crimps, and the like. The first rake now becomes the fixed rake  32 . The fixed rake tightening screw  34  is perpendicular to the back rake edge  39  of the fixed rake  32  when the fixed rake handle  36  is within the fixed rake sleeve  30 . However, it is contemplated that the fixed rake tightening screw  34  may be placed at alternate positions on the fixed rake sleeve  30 . The fixed rake handle  36  should be secured to prevent rotation and vertical movement of the handle  36  within the fixed sleeve  30 . A second rake is used as the free rake  42 .  
         [0039]     In one embodiment, a handle  45  of a second rake  42  is attached to the free rake sleeve  40  via inserting rake handle  45  into free sleeve  40 . In this embodiment, the free sleeve  40  is rotated until the free rake sleeve tightening screw  48  is parallel with an edge  47  of free rake  42 . The free rake handle  45  is secured to free rake sleeve  40  by turning the free rake sleeve tightening screw  48  so that the screw contacts or penetrates rake handle  45 . Other known mechanical fastening means may also be used to secure the free rake sleeve  40  to rake handle  45 . The free rake handle  45  is secured to prevent rotation and vertical movement of the handle  45  within the free rake sleeve  40 .  
         [0040]     To assemble the combination kit  10 , the free rake sleeve  40  is fitted into the outer sleeve  20 . The free rake sleeve  40  fits inside the outer sleeve  20  by pushing the free rake sleeve  40  through the outer sleeve  20  until the guide pin  22  enters the assembly opening  46  of the free rake sleeve  40 . The guide pin  22  works to retain the free rake sleeve  40  inside the outer sleeve  20  and guides the free rake sleeve  40  when it rotates between the raking and picking up positions. The free rake sleeve  40  is thus in operative position and may then be rotated through a 180 degree range, in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction within the guide pin groove  44 , to alternatively accommodate either raking or picking up. From  FIGS. 2 and 3  one can visualize how the outer sleeve guide pin  22  works in conjunction with the assembly opening  46  and the guide pin groove  44  of the free rake sleeve  40 .  
         [0041]     To reorient the position of the free rake head  49  from a raking position to a picking up position the rake handles  36  and  45  are spread apart and the free rake sleeve  40  is rotated via its guide pin groove  44 . In the raking position (See  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 ), curvature of rake tines of fixed  32  and free rake  42  will be in the same direction, and in the pick up position (See  FIG. 7 ) rake heads  38  and  49  will face each other with the rake tine curvature of each rake oriented in opposite directions. Thus, depending on the initial positioning of the free rake  42  on the free rake sleeve  40 , the rake combo kit  10  either allows raking at zero degrees and picking up at 180 degrees or vice versa.  FIGS. 7 and 8  show the rake assembly in picking up position.  
         [0042]     The free rake sleeve  40  may be constructed so that it can be disengaged from the rake combo kit  10  to separate the rakes  32  and  42  for independent raking activities. The rakes  32  and  42  may be swung apart as shown in  FIG. 7 . The free rake sleeve  40  may then be rotated midway between the guide pin channel or through a 90 degree angle from either the raking or picking up position, so that it may be pulled through the assembly opening  46  and out of the outer sleeve  20 .  
         [0043]     Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 9-16 . This embodiment still employs a fixed rake sleeve  50 , an outer sleeve  52 , and a free rake sleeve  54 . This embodiment uses a latch  60  to secure the free rake sleeve  54  to the outer sleeve  52 . The latch comprises a base  61 , a C-shaped portion  63  extending perpendicular from the base  61 , and a guide pin  62 , extending perpendicular from the base  61  and parallel to the C-shaped portion  63 .  
         [0044]     In this embodiment, the outer sleeve  52  has a latch-receiving portion  70 . This latch-receiving portion  70  is substantially L-shaped and comprises a boss  72  for receiving a guide pin  62  and guide flanges  74 . The boss  72  has an opening, which extends through into the interior of the outer sleeve  52 . The free rake sleeve  54  includes a groove or channel  56  for receiving the guide pin  62  and a tightening screw  58 . The guide flanges mate  74  mate with channels  65  in C-shaped portion  63  of latch  60 , while the guide pin  62  is inserted into the boss  72 . The latch receiving portion  70  further includes a hole  68  for receiving latch retaining screw  66 . Latch  60  also includes a slot  64  for receiving the latch retaining screw. Latch retaining screw  66  is positioned within slot  64  and extends into hole  68 . Slot  64  is shaped to allow it to be snapped into an out of a locked position around the retaining screw  66  when fully assembled. In one embodiment, the latch has an open 8-like shape so that the latch has a detent feel when the latch is moved from a locked to an unlocked position and vice versa.  
         [0045]     In use, the fixed rake sleeve is attached to the fixed rake as described herein. The free rake sleeve is positioned on the handle of a second rake and is secured via at least one tightening screw  58 . One or more tightening screws  58  may be located at a lower portion of the free rake sleeve so that they do not interfere with the positioning and/or rotation of the free rake sleeve  54  in the outer sleeve  52 . For ease of use, the latch  60  may be secured to the outer sleeve  54  before inserting the free rake sleeve  54  and rake into the outer sleeve  54 . The latch  60  is slid over the lower latch component so that the channels  65  slidably engage flanges  74  and the guide pin  62  enters guide pin boss  72 . The latch retaining screw is then inserted into hole  68  and tightened. With the latch in the open position ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ), the free rake sleeve  54  and the free rake may be inserted into outer sleeve and rotated so that slot  56  is oriented towards guide pin  62 . The latch is then pushed towards free rake into the locked position ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). In the locked position, the guide pin  62  is positioned within the guide pin groove  56  so that free rake sleeve  54  cannot fall out of outer sleeve  52 . In this orientation, the free rake may be rotated at least 180 degrees between the raking and picking up positions. When the latch  60  is moved into the unlocked position, the guide pin  62  is withdrawn from the groove  56 . In this position, the free rake sleeve may be constructed so that it can be removed from the outer sleeve  52  for separate use.  
         [0046]     In a third embodiment shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the outer sleeve  80  includes a semi-circular guide channel  84  at least a short distance inward from an upper edge of the outer sleeve  80 . The outer sleeve also includes a horizontal channel perpendicular to the semi-circular guide channel  84  and extending downwardly to a lower edge of the outer sleeve. The channels  82  and  84  are adapted to receive a guide pin  92  located on the free rake sleeve  90 . Positioning the guide pin in the semi-circular guide channel  84  allows rotation of the free rake at least 180 degrees from a raking position to a picking up position. In this embodiment, the guide pin  92  may also be a tightening screw. If the guide pin  92  is not also a tightening screw, the free rake sleeve must be mechanically secured to the free rake handle by some other known mechanical means. Whether or not guide pin  92  is also a tightening screw, additional tightening screws  94  may be optionally positioned on the free rake sleeve  90  so long as the additional tightening screws do not interfere with the rotation of the free rake sleeve within the outer sleeve  90 . It is also contemplated that the outer sleeve may have a plurality of slots to correspond to a plurality of guide pins and/or tightening screws on the free rake sleeve.  
         [0047]     In use, in this third embodiment, the fixed sleeve is secured to a first rake as described herein. The free rake sleeve is attached to a second rake, such that the guide pin is aligned with a side edge of the second rake. The guide pin/retaining screw  92  is inserted into channel  82  on the outer sleeve and slid upwardly until guide pin  92  is within the guide channel  84 . Now the second rake may be rotated within the outer sleeve between the raking and picking up positions. As an alternative to this embodiment, a guide pin may simply be attached to the free rake itself. In this embodiment, the free rake may be inserted into the outer sleeve and may be rotated within the outer sleeve. In another alternative embodiment, channel  82  may be eliminated. Free rake handle and/or free rake sleeve may be placed into the outer sleeve and then a tightening screw may be positioned within channel  84  to secure rake and/or sleeve within the outer handle and to allow rotation of rake.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate an attachment for use in packing collected leaves into a receptacle. Often, after the leaves are picked up and placed in a receptacle, such as a bag, it is necessary for the person to pack the leaves down in the bag so that more leaves may be placed in the bag. The attachment  100  comprises a disk  102 , with a latch  110  extending downwardly therefrom. The disk may be sized so that it effectively can be used to pack leaves in a bag but not interfere with raking and picking up the leaves. A suggested size is a disk with a six-inch diameter. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 , the fixed rake sleeve  104  is equipped with a notch  108  for mating with the latch  110  on the sleeve. It should be understood that any known mechanical means can be used to fixedly, removably, or permanently attach the disk  102  to either the fixed rake sleeve  104  or the free rake sleeve  106 . In use, as leaves are placed in a bag, the rake combination may be turned upside down and the disk used to pack the leaves down in the bag or other receptacle. The disk is preferably secured so that it will not fall off when the rake combination is inverted to pack the leaves, but so that the disk is selectively removable from the sleeve.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 21-24  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , a free rake sleeve  112  and a fixed rake sleeve  114  are shown. The free rake sleeve  112  comprises an aperture  116  for rotatably receiving a pivot embossment  118  on the fixed rake sleeve  114 . The free rake sleeve  112  further comprises a guide channel  120 . The guide channel  120  corresponds to a half circle path running approximately halfway around the circumference of the free rake sleeve  112 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 23  illustrates the fixed rake sleeve  114  and the free rake sleeve  112  installed together. Further, rake handle  45  is inserted into free rake sleeve  112 . A projection  122  extends radially from the rake handle  45  and engages the guide channel  120 . The projection  122  is adapted to fit within the guide channel  120  and travel within the guide channel  120  as the rake handle  45  is rotated. The free rake sleeve further comprises an access channel  124 . The access channel  124  is positioned to receive the projection  122  as the rake handle  45  is inserted into the free rake sleeve  112 . The access channel  124  begins at the opening of the free rake sleeve  112  and ends at the guide channel  120 . It is envisioned the access channel  124  will be placed in any convenient and effective position on the free rake sleeve  112 . In one embodiment, the access channel  124  is positioned to intersect the middle of the guide channel  120 .  
         [0051]     Alternately, the access channel  124  is eliminated. Without an access channel  124 , projection  122  may be installed within the guide channel  120  after the rake handle  45  or a third sleeve is placed into the free rake sleeve  112 . In this embodiment, the projection  122  is adapted to secure the rake within the free rake sleeve  112  and to allow rotation of the rake.  
         [0052]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide channel  120  extends at least 180 degrees around the circumference of the free rake sleeve  112 . In this embodiment, the projection  122  comprises a screw that is screwed into the rake handle  45 . In another embodiment, the projection  122  comprises a screw and a washer. It should be understood that any mechanical means to affix a projection to a handle known in the art could be used for projection  122 , including but not limited to screws, bolts, pins, clamps, crimps, and the like.  
         [0053]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 22 , the fixed rake sleeve  114  is configured to attach the disk  102 . The fixed rake sleeve  114  further comprises an extension member  126  and a notch  128  for mating with the latch  110 . The latch  1   10  is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . It should be understood that any known mechanical means can be used to attach the disk  102  to either the fixed rake sleeve  114  or the free rake sleeve  112 . In use, as leaves are placed in a bag, the rake combination may be turned upside down and the disk used to pack the leaves down in the bag or other receptacle. The disk is secured so that it will not fall off when the rake combination is inverted to pack the leaves, but so that the disk is selectively removable from the sleeve.  
         [0054]     Although the principles, alternate embodiments, and operation of the present inventions have been described in detail herein, this is not to be construed as being limited to the particular illustrative forms disclosed. It will thus become apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments herein can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.