Apparatus for collecting debris and method of use

Apparatus for collecting debris which resides upon a support surface includes a body which has an open mouth end and an opposite closed end. Two diverters are connected to opposite sides of the open end. The diverters are angularly positioned so that they channel the debris into the open end of the apparatus. In one embodiment the apparatus is held in place by staking the distal ends of the diverters to the support surface such as a lawn. In another embodiment weights are placed in pockets in the diverters to hold the apparatus in place on a hard surface such as a driveway.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to debris collection, and more particularly to apparatus and method for effecting the collection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Yard debris collection presents a problem for the occupants of residential property. In the fall leaves must be collected, and at other times of the year grass clippings must be removed. Blowers and rakes can be used to move the debris into piles, however in order to be transported, the debris must be packaged within a bag or other collection device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and method for collecting debris. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in collecting yard debris such as leaves, grass clippings, twigs and branches, and the like, but can also be used to collect other types of residential or commercial debris. The user fills the apparatus with the debris, and can then transport the debris-filled apparatus to a disposal area or facility. The apparatus is positioned on a support surface and the debris is blown or otherwise directed into the apparatus. The apparatus has two diverters which are positioned so that they channel the debris into the mouth of the apparatus. The apparatus can be used on soft support surfaces such as a lawn or the ground, wherein stakes are used to hold the apparatus in place. Or, the apparatus can be used on a hard support surface such as concrete or asphalt wherein weights are used to hold the apparatus in place.

In accordance with an embodiment, apparatus for collecting debris is positionable upon a support surface. The apparatus includes a body which has a first end and an opposite second end. The first end has a first side, an opposite second side, and a mouth for receiving the debris. A first diverter is connected to the first side of the first end, and a second diverter connected to the second side of the first end. The first and second diverters are positionable so that they channel the debris into the mouth. The first diverter has a first distal end. A first stake is provided for connecting the first distal end to the support surface. The second diverter has a second distil end. A second stake is provided for connecting the second distal end to the support surface.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first end includes a first wire frame which forms the mouth.

In accordance with another embodiment, the second end includes a second wire frame.

In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus cooperates with first and second weights. The first diverter includes a first pocket for receiving the first weight, and the second diverter includes a second pocket for receiving the second weight.

In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus cooperates with a tether. The body includes a tether connector for attaching the tether.

In accordance with another embodiment, the body and the first and second diverters are made from fabric.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first stake is connected to the first distal end of the first diverter, and the second stake is connected to the second distal end of the second diverter.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second diverters are positionable to cover the mouth.

In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second diverters each have a triangular shape.

Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the apparatus and method of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially toFIGS. 1 and 2, there are illustrated empty and filled views respectively of apparatus20for collecting debris500, apparatus20being positionable upon a support surface600. In the shown embodiment support surface600is a soft surface such as a lawn or the ground upon which debris600is disposed. However in another embodiment of apparatus20, support surface600can be a hard surface such as a concrete or asphalt driveway, a stone or brick walkway, a road, or the like (refer toFIGS. 8-11and the associated discussions). Apparatus20includes a body22which has a first end24and an opposite second end26. First end24has a first side28, an opposite second side30, and a mouth32for receiving debris500. A first diverter34is connected to first side28of first end24, and a second diverter36is connected to second side30of first end24. First34and second36diverters are positionable so that they channel debris500into mouth32. That is, first34and second36diverters are angled with respect to the longitudinal center line of body22, so that they serve to funnel debris500into open mouth32. First diverter34has a first distal end38. A first stake40is provided for connecting first distal end38to support surface600. Second diverter36has a second distal end42. A second stake44is provided for connecting second distal end42to support surface600. That is, stakes40and44are driven into support surface600(e.g. a lawn or the ground) to anchor apparatus20in place.

InFIG. 1, apparatus20is shown empty and ready to receive debris500, such as the shown leaves. InFIG. 2, apparatus20is filled wherein debris500has been moved toward apparatus20in the direction of the arrows, such as by using a blower, rake, or even by the wind. As debris500is moved toward apparatus20, diverters34and36deflect the debris and channel it into mouth32. It is also noted that inFIG. 2debris500causes body22to expand with respect to the unfilled configuration ofFIG. 1.

Now referring toFIGS. 3-6, there are shown top plan, front elevation, rear elevation, and side elevation views respectively of apparatus20.FIG. 7shows a front elevation view of two wire frames25and27(each being the same in the shown embodiment). Wire frames25and27are each a closed contour (i.e. they are each a continuous loop which does not have ends). Body22has a top and an opposite bottom which resides on support surface600. First end24includes a first wire frame25(such as made of resilient spring wire) which forms mouth32. Second end26includes a second wire frame27which shapes second end26. Wire frames25and27hold first end24and second end26in a generally rounded rectangular shape (a rectangle with rounded corners).

In an embodiment, body22, first diverter34and second diverter36are each made from a flexible fabric (synthetic or natural). In an embodiment, the fabric is somewhat stiff so that, in conjunction with frames25and27and stakes40and44, apparatus20will retain the shape depicted inFIG. 1when empty, with mouth32positioned to receive debris500. A fabric such as a polymer tarp could be utilized. The fabric can also be waterproof and biodegradable. Because body22, first diverter34and second diverter36are made from fabric, apparatus20is collapsible, and can be folded and stored in a carrying bag. It is noted that in the shown embodiment first diverter34and second diverter36are made from unsupported (no ribs or other support members) fabric, and also first34and second36diverters have a triangular shape. It is noted that the triangular shape of first diverter34is formed by distal end38of first diverter34and two points on first side28of first end24of body22, and the triangular shape of second diverter36is formed by second distal end42of second diverter36and two points on second side30of first end24of body22.

Body22and second end26are closed so as to retain debris500. Second end26and a portion of the top of body22are make from breathable netting material46which will pass air therefore allowing body22to fill with debris500, but which will not pass debris500.

In the shown embodiment, first stake40is directly and permanently connected to first distal end38of first diverter34, and second stake44is directly and permanently connected to second distal end40of second diverter36. As such, stakes40and44are always readily available to anchor apparatus20to support surface600. However, in another embodiment, stakes40and44are not connected to the diverters (refer toFIG. 13). Two carrying handles47are provided for transporting apparatus20.

FIGS. 8 and 9are perspective and front elevation view respectively of a second embodiment of apparatus20.FIG. 10is an enlarged view of area10ofFIG. 8, andFIG. 11is an enlarged cross sectional view along the line11-11ofFIG. 10. In this embodiment, apparatus20is held in place upon support surface600, not by stakes40and44, but rather by first700and second702weights. Weights700and702can be sand, rocks (shown), pieces of metal, or any other weight which will hold apparatus20in place on a support surface600which is too hard to accept stakes40and44(e.g. a concrete driveway). First diverter34includes a first pocket48for receiving first weight700, and second diverter36includes a second pocket50for receiving second weight702. Pockets48and50are located on the lower part of first diverter34and second diverter36respectively so that they are adjacent support surface600when apparatus20is placed thereon. Weights700and702are removably received by first48and second50pockets respectively. A closure52such as of hook and loop fasteners allows pockets48and50to be selectively opened to receive weights700and702respectively, and then closed. It is noted that inFIG. 8first stake40and second stake44are not utilized to connect apparatus20to support surface600, but rather simply lay on support surface600.

FIG. 12is a perspective view of apparatus20with first34and second36diverters positioned to cover32mouth of apparatus20. Referring also toFIG. 8, the inside distal end of first diverter34includes a first half connector54(e.g. of a hook and loop fastener), and the outside proximal end of second diverter36includes a second half connector56(e.g. of a mating hook and loop fastener). Once apparatus20is filled with debris500, first diverter34is overlapped with and connected to second diverter36using first54and second56half connectors. As such, first34and second36diverters retain debris500within body22for transportation or storage purposes.

FIG. 13is a perspective view of a third embodiment of apparatus20. In this embodiment stakes40and44are not permanently connected to the distal ends of diverters34and36respectively as in the previously described embodiment. Rather, stakes40and44are separately provided. First diverter34has a first stake-receiving grommet58, and second diverter36has a second stake-receiving grommet60.

FIG. 14is a perspective view of tethers800being used to hold apparatus20in place on support surface600. Body22includes a tether connector62(two in the shown embodiment) for attaching tethers800. In the shown embodiment, tether connectors62are rings. Tethers800are lines which connect tether connectors62to a stationary object so that tethers800generally extend away from first stake40and second stake44, and therefore serve to hold apparatus20in place such as in windy conditions.

In terms of use, a method for collecting debris500includes: (refer toFIGS. 1-14)

(a) providing a support surface600;

(b) providing debris500to be collected, the debris500disposed upon the support surface600;

(c) providing apparatus20for collecting the debris500, the apparatus20including;a body22having a first end24and an opposite second end24;the first end24having a first side28, an opposite second side30, and a mouth32for receiving the debris500;a first diverter34is connected to first side28of the first end24, and a second diverter36is connected to the second side30of the first end24;the first diverter34having a first distal end38;a first stake40for connecting the first distal end38to the support surface600;the second diverter36having a second distal end42;a second stake44for connecting the second distal end42to the support surface600;

(d) placing the apparatus20on the support surface600;

(e) using the first stake40to connect the first distal end38of the first diverter34to the support surface600;

(f) using the second stake44to connect the second distal end42of the second diverter36to the support surface600;

in (e) and (f), the connecting including positioning the first34and second36diverters so that they channel the debris500into the mouth32; and,

(g) moving the debris500into the mouth32.

The method further including:

after (g), using the first34and second36diverters to cover the mouth32.

(a) providing a support surface600;

(b) providing debris500to be collected, the debris500disposed upon the support surface600;

(c) providing a first weight700and a second weight702;

(d) providing apparatus20for collecting the debris500, the apparatus20including;a body22having a first end24and an opposite second end26;the first end24having a first side28, an opposite second side30, and a mouth32for receiving the debris500;a first diverter34is connected to the first side28of the first end24, and a second diverter36connected to the second side30of the first end24;the first diverter34including a first pocket48for receiving the first weight700, and the second diverter36including a second pocket50for receiving the second weight702;

(e) placing the apparatus20on the support surface600;

(f) placing the first weight700in the first pocket48of the first diverter34, and placing the second weight702in the second pocket50of the second diverter36;

(g) positioning the first34and second36diverters so that they channel the debris500into the mouth32; and,

(h) moving the debris500into the mouth32.

The embodiments of the apparatus and method of use described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the apparatus and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.