Suction powered pick-up stick

It is an objective of the present invention to provide users with a pick-up stick, that can pick up flat objects from the floor that are difficult to grab or reach. In order to accomplish that, the present invention comprises a battery operated, suction powered pick-up stick that is also retractable. According to the present invention, with the push of a button on the handle, the suction may be turned on and turned off. Further, the retractability and the low weight of the present invention enables a user to collapse and carry the pick-up stick in a small purse/pouch. Additionally, the present invention comprises one or more light at the tip of the pick-up stick for easy visibility. The present invention further comprises a tip that bends and flexes so that suction may be initiated from a desired direction and a grab is made efficiently.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a pick-up stick. More specifically, the present invention relates to a retractable pick-up stick that is powered by a suction motor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People play cards all over the world. When cards fall to the ground it is difficult to pick them up especially if you need to stay at the table. A pick-up stick, reach extender, grabber arm, or helping hand is a handheld mechanical tool that is used to increase the range of a person's reach when grabbing objects. It has applications in waste management, assistive technology, gardening and outdoor work, etc. However, most of these pick-up sticks cannot pick up flat things such as playing cards, and/or tiny things, such as a piece of jewelry from the ground. Thus, a pick-up stick that can pick up flat and small things without folding or deforming them, as well as retract and collapse to fit into a small purse is a rare find in the current.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide users with a pick-up stick that can pick up flat objects from the floor that are difficult to grab or reach, such as playing cards lying flat on the ground or any flat object that cannot be picked up with a magnet or grabbed with a claw. In order to accomplish that, the present invention comprises a battery operated, suction powered pick-up stick that is also retractable. According to the present invention, the suction power is strong enough to extend through the length of a long stick, such that with the push of a button on the handle, the suction begins and object/s at the tip of the stick will be suctioned inwards. Further, once the button is released the suction stops, thereby releasing the object at the tip of the stick. Furthermore, the collapsibility and the low weight of the present invention enables a user to fold and carry the pick-up stick in a small purse/pouch. Additionally, the present invention comprises one or more light at the tip of the pick-up stick for easy visibility of the items that need to be picked up. The present invention further comprises a tip that bends and flexes, so that suction may be initiated from a desired direction and an efficient grab is made quickly. Thus, the present invention is a compact and efficient pick-up stick, that will be a useful addition for game tables such as in casinos, as well as a great pick-up tool in general for finding and grabbing small things from difficult to access places.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

In reference toFIG. 1throughFIG. 12, the present invention is a suction powered pick-up stick. It is an objective of the present invention to provide users with a pick-up stick that can pick up flat objects from the floor that are difficult to grab or reach, such as playing cards lying flat on the ground or any flat object that cannot be picked up with a magnet or grabbed with a claw. In order to accomplish that, the present invention comprises a battery operated, suction powered pick-up stick that is also retractable and collapsible. According to the present invention, the suction power is strong enough to extend through the length of a long stick, such that with the push of a button on the handle, the suction begins and object/s at the tip of the stick will be suctioned/pulled inwards. Further, once the button is released the suction stops, thereby releasing the object at the tip of the stick. Furthermore, the collapsibility and the low weight of the present invention enables a user to fold and carry the pick-up stick in a small purse/pouch. Additionally, the present invention comprises one or more light at the tip of the pick-up stick for easy visibility. The present invention further comprises a tip that bends and flexes when needed, so that suction may be initiated from a desired direction and a grab may be made efficiently. Thus, the present invention is a compact and efficient pick-up stick, that will be a useful addition for card players, as well as a great pick-up tool in general for finding and grabbing small things from difficult to access places.

The following description is in reference toFIG. 1throughFIG. 12. It is an aim of the present invention to provide users with a pick-up stick, that can pick up flat objects from the floor that are difficult to grab or reach. In order to accomplish that, the present invention comprises a handle1, a shaft2, a tip3, and a suction channel4. The handle1, the shaft2, and the tip3may comprise any size, shape, material, orientation, components or arrangement of components, as long as the objectives and intended purpose of the present invention are fulfilled. However, it is preferred that, the handle1, shaft2, and tip3comprise an overall cylindrical shape and are made of light-weight durable materials. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle1further comprises a casing5, an inner cavity6, a battery7, a suction motor8, and a human interface device (HID)9. As seen inFIG. 7, the inner cavity6traverses into the casing5, such that the casing5may hold the necessary internal components for the functioning of the present invention in a concealed fashion within the inner cavity6. Accordingly, the battery7and the suction motor8are mounted within the inner cavity6. The battery7is used to deliver electrical power to the suction motor8. It is preferred that the battery7is rechargeable and fits within the dimensions of the casing5. However, any other source of power, or a combination of the following power sources may be employed for the smooth functioning of the suction powered pick-up stick. Examples of such power sources include, but are not limited to, Li ion batteries, magnetic power converters, solar power converters etc.

As seen inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 6, andFIG. 7, the HID9is laterally mounted onto the casing5, so that the user may easily access the HID9for performing the various operations associated with the HID9. In order to accomplish that, the HID9and the battery7are electrically coupled to the suction motor8, wherein interacting with the HID9governs the operation of the suction motor8. Preferably, the HID9comprises one or more push buttons. However, the HID9may comprise any other shape, size, and/or technology that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intended purpose of the present invention is not hindered. Further, the suction motor8may comprise any brand, size, or power, as long as the suction motor8fits within the dimensions of the casing5and fulfills the intends of the present invention.

According to the preferred embodiment, the suction channel4longitudinally traverses through the shaft2, so as to provide an obstacle-free path and smooth flow channel for the suction process to happen within the pick-up stick. Further, the handle1is terminally connected to the shaft2and the tip3is terminally connected to the shaft2, opposite to the handle1. This is so that, by operating the HID9in the handle1, the user may actuate the suction motor8and introduce suction at the tip3of the pick-up stick, wherein the suction extends all the way through the suction channel4. In other words, the tip3is in fluid communication with the suction motor8through the suction channel4, wherein the suction motor8induces a pressure differential that draws particulate matter into the suction channel4.

Continuing with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle1comprises a charging port10, for ease of charging the battery7externally. Preferably, the charging port10is a small inlet for any charging wire to connect to the battery7, such as a USB port. However, any other charging mechanisms that are known to one of ordinary skill in art may be employed, as long as the intended purpose of the present invention is not altered. Further, the charging port10is integrated into the casing5, so as to enable the user to access the battery7and charge the battery7easily and externally through the outer surface of the casing5. Furthermore, the charging port10is electrically coupled to the battery7, such that charging the battery7enables the battery7to store and provide enough energy for the smooth functioning of the present invention.

As seen inFIG. 1throughFIG. 12, the shaft2is collapsible and retractable. Preferably, the shaft2may retract to a length ranging between 24″ and 30″, and collapse into approximately 6″ in length. However, a shaft having any other range of length will also fall under the scope of the present invention. Further, the shaft2comprises multiple cylindrical segments with varying radii, such that the radius of each segment decreases, as they traverse from the handle1to tip3. This enables the multiple segments to slide within one another in the collapsed mode, thereby reducing the length of the pick-up stick to almost that of the handle1, with just the tip3protruding outside the handle1. Similarly, in order to retract the pick-up stick, the tip3may be pulled out, which results in extension of each of the multiple segments of the shaft2, from within the other segments and the handle1. However, it should be noted that, any other method/technique that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, that may be used to retract and collapse the shaft2, would fall under the scope of the present invention, as long the objective of the invention remains the same.

It is an aim of the present invention to be able to use suction power from different angles or directions, so as to efficiently pick the object near the tip3of the pick-up stick. In order to accomplish that, the tip3comprises an articulated tube11, or a tube that allows bending and flexing. Further, in order to control the bending and flexing of the tip3from the handle1, the present invention comprises an actuation device12. The actuation device12may be a simple string or spring that is integrated into the articulated tube11, such that pulling the string would bend the articulated tube11and hence the tip3of the pick-up stick. In other words, the actuation device12is operatively coupled to the articulated tube11, wherein the actuation device12is able to modify the shape of the articulated tube11. In order to access the functioning of the articulated tube11from the handle1, the actuation device12is electronically coupled to the HID9. However, it should be noted that, any other actuation device12and/or method that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be employed for bending the tip3of the pick-up stick from the handle1.

In a first alternate embodiment of the present invention, the pick-up stick comprises a collection unit13, such that smaller particles that pass through the aperture of the tip3may be collected. As seen inFIG. 8, the collection unit13is connected in between the tip3and the shaft2. According to this embodiment, the tip3is in fluid communication with the shaft2through the collection unit13, such that collection unit13does not hinder with the smooth functioning of the suction process and flow of the suction channel4. Further, according to this embodiment, the collection unit13comprises a transfer tube14, a filter15and a debris trap16. As seen inFIG. 8, the transfer tube14is connected in between the tip3and the shaft2, such that any particulate matter that enters through the tip3, passes through the transfer tube14before entering the shaft2. Furthermore, the filter15is mounted within the shaft2, such that the filter15lets in particulate matter of a specific size, but do not let them fall out into the ground when the suction motor8stops. In order to ensure smooth functioning of the suction induced pick-up stick, the tip3remains in fluid communication with the suction channel4through the filter15. Additionally, as seen inFIG. 8, the debris trap16is operatively coupled to the transfer tube14, wherein the debris trap16prevents particulate matter that is sucked into the tip3from traveling into the shaft2. This prevents any particles from entering the handle1and messing with the suction motor8or the battery7. Thus, the collection unit13enables the user to find and collect hard to find objects such as a small piece or jewelry, a screw etc., without hindering with the functioning of the pick-up stick.

In a second alternate embodiment of the present invention, the tip3comprises a manifold17and a plurality of suction tubes18. As seen inFIG. 12, the manifold17is connected in between the plurality of suction tubes18and the shaft2. This arrangement of the tip3helps in picking up multiple objects simultaneously. Accordingly, in this alternate embodiment, each of the plurality of suction tubes18is in fluid communication with the suction motor8through the manifold17and the suction channel4, thereby enabling to create a pressure difference at the tip of each of the plurality of suction tubes18.

Continuing with the preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a light19. As seen inFIG. 4, the light19is mounted onto the tip3in a ring like fashion, such that it provides improved visibility to the user while using the pick-up stick. Preferably, the light19is a ring of multiple LED lights. However, any other form of light that is known to one or ordinary skill in the art, and which will not hinder the intended purpose of the present invention may be employed. Further, the light19is electrically connected to the battery7, such that the battery7provides the energy needed for the light19.

As clearly seen inFIG. 7, the handle1comprises an ergonomic grip20. However, the handle1may comprise any other grip that is known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the present invention is not hindered.