Abstract:
A pet waste collector including a shaft including a first end and a second end, a clamp mechanism connected to the second end of the shaft, and an actuator mechanism operably connected to the clamp mechanism, the actuator mechanism be disposed at the first end of the shaft. The clamp mechanism is movable between an open position and a closed position. The clamp mechanism is configured to retain a bag in the open position. The clamp mechanism moves to the closed position in response to actuation of the actuator mechanism to capture pet waste within the bag.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/866,192, filed Aug. 15, 2013, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to pet waste collectors and, more particularly, to a pet waste collector that utilizes disposable bags. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recent history has seen a proliferation of dogs being adopted as household pets. Pets provide many benefits to our lives; yet, every benefit has an associated duty. Duties associated with pets include caring for them, spending time with them, feeding them, walking them, and, of course, cleaning up after them. 
     The days of tying up the dog to a post and providing a doghouse in the back yard are over, which is seen, at the very least as socially unacceptable and at most inhumane treatment. Consequently, most pets live in the house with us and must be walked throughout the neighborhood for exercise. 
     As pets are no longer confined to the back yard, cleaning up after them has taken on a heightened sense of duty. Laws, and the enforcement of them, have become strict regarding cleaning up after pets. This requires having something portable to bring with us during walks that can be used to collect pet waste and transport it back to the home. 
     Pet waste collectors do exist, but they tend to be heavy and unwieldy. Furthermore, the use of them requires one to clean the fecal matter from the apparatus after use. For this reason pet owners tend to opt for plastic bags as a source of waste collection. The use of bags, however, requires one to kneel down close to the waste, use one&#39;s hand as the means to entrain the waste, and carry the entrained waste within the bag back to the home. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the functionality of a pet waste collector and the ease and convenience of a waste bag can be exploited in one device. 
     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 an improved pet waste collector. 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 collector including a shaft including a first end and a second end, a clamp mechanism connected to the second end of the shaft, and an actuator mechanism operably connected to the clamp mechanism, the actuator mechanism be disposed at the first end of the shaft. The clamp mechanism is movable between an open position and a closed position. The clamp mechanism is configured to retain a bag in the open position. The clamp mechanism moves to the closed position in response to actuation of the actuator mechanism to capture pet waste within the bag. 
     In another embodiment, the disclosed pet waste collector including a plurality of tubes, the plurality of tubes being releasably connected to form a shaft including a first end and a second end, a clamp mechanism connected to a lowermost tube of the plurality of tubes at the second end of the shaft, the clamp mechanism including a flexible framework defining a mouth configured to retain a bag, a flexible cord extending through the plurality of tubes from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft, the cord including a first end and a second end, the second end connected to the mouth of the framework of the clamp mechanism, an actuator mechanism connected to the first end of the cord, a spool assembly disposed within the lowermost tube at the second end of the shaft, the spool assembly including a plurality of the bags wound therearound, and a door hingedly connected to the lowermost tube at the second end of the shaft and covering an opening into the lowermost tube. The flexible framework of the clamp mechanism is biased in an open position. Actuation of the actuator mechanism exerts a tensile force upon the mouth of the flexible framework of the clamp mechanism to move the flexible framework of the clamp mechanism to a closed position to capture pet waste within the bag. The bag is removed from within flexible framework of the clamp mechanism through the opening. 
     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 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 a front elevational view of the disclosed pet waste collector, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tube of the pet waste collector; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the pet waste collector taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; and, 
         FIG. 4  an enlarged front elevational view the handle of the pet waste collector. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  pet waste collector 
               15  shaft 
               20   a  first tube 
               20   b  second tube 
               20   c  third tube 
               21   a  first curvature 
               21   b  second curvature 
               21   c  third curvature 
               30  cord 
               40  actuator mechanism 
               50  clamp mechanism 
               60  first end 
               70  second end 
               80  stripped surface 
               90  locking coupling 
               100  flange 
               110  locking mechanism 
               120  eyelet 
               130  handle 
               140  aperture 
               150  spool assembly 
               155  waste bag 
               160  hinged door 
               170  latch 
               180  framework 
               190  mouth 
               200  port 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a one or more of the disclosed embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the disclosure 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. 
     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. 
     As used herein, relative terms such as “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “top”, “bottom”, “below”, “above”, “upper”, “lower”, “horizontal”, or “vertical” are used to describe a relationship of one (1) element, feature and/or region to another element, feature and/or region as illustrated in the figures. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , disclosing a hand-held pet waste collector (herein described as the “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The device  10  includes a shaft  15  equipped with a spool assembly  150  to feed and position a waste bag  155  around a clamp mechanism  50 . In use, a user positions a deployed bag  155  over top of fecal matter  210 . The clamp mechanism  50  then collapses the bag  155  around the fecal matter (not shown) allowing for hands-free disposal thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device  10  includes the shaft  15 . In one (1) embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the shaft  15  includes three (3) hollow sections of tube  20  (illustrated individually as a first tube  20   a , a second tube  20   b , and a third tube  20   c ). The device  10  includes a length of cord  30  ( FIG. 3 ), an actuator mechanism  40 , and the clamp mechanism  50 . 
     Each hollow tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  can be made from a light weight, rigid polymer material and has a cylindrical shape. However, it is understood that other materials and configurations may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the present disclosure and, as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. The hollow construction of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is a beneficial feature of the device  10  because it facilitates the housing of internal components of the device  10 , enables movement of each component when manipulated, and allows the device  10  to be assembled and disassembled easily and efficiently. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is configured to have a first end  60  and a second end  70 . In an embodiment, each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is cylindrical and has a first degree of curvature  21   a  for its inner circumference and outer circumference. Each second end  70  of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is configured to have a stripped surface  80  about an outer surface. Each outer circumference of each stripped surface  80  exhibits a second degree of curvature  21   b . An outer diameter of each stripped surface  80  is less than that of an inner diameter of each first end  60  so that each second end  70  of a tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is able to slidably insert into each first end  60  of a different tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c.    
     Each first end  60  of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  includes a locking coupling  90  affixed to an outer perimeter edge. Each locking coupling  90  includes at least two (2) flanges  100  and a locking mechanism  110 . However, it is understood that other types or configurations of locking coupling  90  may be utilized without deviating from the teachings of the present disclosure and, as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     The flanges  100  are a cylindrical extension of each first end  60  of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , having a third degree of curvature  21   c  for its inner surface, but an inner diameter slightly greater than that of an outer diameter of each first end  60 . As a second end  70  of an inserting tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is inserted into a first end  60  of a receiving tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , each flange  100  of the locking coupling  90  of the first end  60  slidably receives an outer surface of the inserting tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  that is not stripped. 
     The locking mechanism  110  of each locking coupling  90  is positioned around an outer surface of each flange  70 . When actuated, the locking mechanism  110  advances each flange  100  in a centripetal direction to securely fasten two (2) tubes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  together. The flange  100 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , takes the form of a threaded fingered flange. A locking mechanism  110  in the form of a threaded locking nut acts upon the flanges  100  to advance each flange  100  in a centripetal direction. 
     To assemble the device  10 , a second end  70  of one (1) tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is inserted into a first end  60  of another tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  by way of the stripped surface  80  of the second end  70  of the inserting tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c . The flange  100  of the receiving tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  also receives an outer surface of the inserting tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c . The locking coupling  90  of the receiving tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is actuated to make a secure fit between the two (2) tubes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c . Actuating the locking coupling  90  in an opposite direction enables the user to detach the two (2) tubes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  for disassembly of the device  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an inside surface of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  is provided with a plurality of eyelets  120 . These eyelets  120  serve as retention guides for the cord  30 . The cord  30  can be a length of cable or string that is both flexible and able to transfer linear tensile forces. The flexibility of the cord  30  is important because the cord  30  remains attached to the inner surface of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c , whether the device  10  is assembled or disassembled. The cord  30  extends the length of the device  10  and is fastened to an inner surface of each tube  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  via the eyelets  120  by being routed therethrough. One (1) end of the cord  30  is placed into mechanical connection with the actuator mechanism  40 , whereas an opposite end is placed into mechanical connection with the clamp mechanism  50 . 
     The actuator mechanism  40  is attached to a handle  130  of the device  10 . The handle  130  includes an additional integral stripped surface  80  that is secured to the first end  60  of the first tube  20   a . The actuator mechanism  40  provides a mechanism that serves to manipulate the clamp mechanism  50  when displaced. An example embodiment of the actuator  40  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  as being a pull-ring device being affixed to an end of the cord  30 . However it is understood that other means such as, but not limited to; a trigger, a push-button member, or the like, may be utilized with equal benefit and should not be interpreted as a limiting factor. 
     The cord  30  is run from the actuator mechanism  40  and through each eyelet  120  of the first tube  20   a . The subsequent second  20   b  and third  20   c  tubes are coupled to each other via the locking couplings  90  as the cord  30  is routed through each eyelet  120  of each tube  20   b ,  20   c . A second end  70  of the third tube  20   c  is connected to the clamp mechanism  50  via a locking coupling  90  disposed on the clamp mechanism  50 . The cord  30  is placed into mechanical connection with the clamp mechanism  50 . The actuator mechanism  40  operates as a lever that transfers linear motion into the cord  30 , which in turn transfers that motion to the clamp mechanism  50  to manipulate the clamp mechanism  50 . The handle  130  can include an aperture  140  to enable hanging the device  10  while stowing the device  10 . 
     The third tube  20   c  includes a spool assembly  150 . The spool assembly  150  is positioned at terminus of the third tube  20   c  and situated at an inner surface of the third tube  20   c . The spool assembly  150  holds a roll of waste bags  155  and positions each bag for readied use in the clamp mechanism  50  of the device  10 . 
     The third tube  20  includes a hinged door  160  ( FIG. 1 ) to contain and provide access to the spool assembly  150  to replenish the spool assembly  150  with a fresh roll of waste bags  155  when the need arises. The hinged door  160  includes a latch  170  ( FIG. 1 ) to secure the door  160  in a closed position. 
     The clamp mechanism  50  includes a locking coupling  90  to facilitate removable attachment of the clamp mechanism  50  to the second end  70  of the third tube  20   c . The clamp mechanism  50  includes a flexible framework  180  ( FIG. 1 ), the peripheral of which creates a generally hemispherical shape having a subjacent circular mouth  190 . A perimeter edge of the framework  180  is provided with a plurality of eyelets  120  ( FIG. 3 ), through which the cord  30  is routed. The configuration of the clamp mechanism  50  and cord  30  is such that as a user pulls upon the actuator mechanism  40 , the tensile forces imposed on the cord  30  collapses the perimeter edge of the framework  180  in a central direction. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in preparing the device  10 , a waste bag  155  is extracted from the hinged door  160  and is manually inserted into the framework  180  of the clamp mechanism  50  and around edges of the mouth  190  such that the mouth of the bag  155  protrudes horizontally outwardly from the mouth  190 . As the actuator mechanism  40  is manipulated to advance the clamp mechanism  50  in a centripetal motion, the waste bag  155  is also forced into a centripetal motion. 
     A user positions the mouth  190  of the clamp mechanism  50 , with a waste bag  155  being positioned as described above, over the fecal matter of an animal. Manipulating the actuator mechanism  40  advances the framework  180  and the waste bag  155  in a centripetal motion, entraining the fecal matter  210  within the waste bag  155 . An upper surface of the clamp mechanism  50  includes a port  200 . The port  200  allows a user to retrieve the waste bag  155  containing the entrained fecal matter from the clamp mechanism  50 . A user&#39;s fingers are inserted into the port  200  to grasp the waste bag  155  and pull it through the port  200 . A user&#39;s fingers maintain contact with an outside surface of the waste bag  155  so as to obviate inadvertent contact with the fecal matter. The port  200  is to be large enough to facilitate common size fecal matter associated with an animal, such as a dog. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that other styles and configurations of the disclosed device  10  can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only particular embodiments have been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The disclosed embodiments of the device  10  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 device  10  it would be installed and utilized as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , one embodiment of the disclosed method for preparing the device  10  for use includes the following steps: 1). acquiring the device  10 ; 2). assembling the shaft  15  by coupling a first end  60  of a first tube  20   a  to the stripped surface  80  of the actuator mechanism  40 , coupling the second end  70  of the first tube  20   a  with a first end  60  of a second tube  20   b , coupling the second end  70  of the second tube  20   b  with a first end  60  of a third tube  20   c , and coupling the second end  70  of the third tube  20   c  with the locking coupling  90  of the clamp mechanism  50 ; 3). securing each piece together with the locking couplings  90 ; opening the hinged door  160  using the latch  170 ; 4). inserting a roll of waste bags  155  onto the spool assembly  150 ; and 5). closing the hinged door  160  and securing it shut with the latch  170 . The device  10  is now ready for use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , one embodiment of the disclosed method for utilizing the device  10  includes the following steps: 1). extracting a waste bag  155  from the hinged door  160 ; 2). inserting the waste bag  155  manually up into the framework  180  of the clamp mechanism  50  and around edges of the mouth  190 ; 3). positioning the mouth  190  of the clamp mechanism  50  and the opening of the waste bag  155  over the fecal matter of an animal; 4). manipulating the actuator mechanism  40  to advance the framework  180  and the waste bag  155  in a centripetal motion; 5). allowing the waste bag  155  to entrain the fecal matter  210  within; 6). retrieving the waste bag  155  containing the entrained fecal matter by inserting fingers into the port  200  to grasp the waste bag  155 ; 7). pulling the waste bag  155  outwardly through the port  200 ; 8). disassembling the device  10  by detaching the tubes  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c  of the shaft  15  from each other in reverse order of the assembly steps described above; and, 9). stowing the device  10  away, or keeping is assembled and hanging it upon a hook or similar appendage using the aperture  140 . 
     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.