Abstract:
A device capable of procuring one or more objects from a surface, particularly the removal of pet waste from the ground or another surface. The device can allow a person to remove waste while standing or sitting in a comfortable position, thereby reducing or eliminating strain or injury. The device can be used with one hand and with minimal effort.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/976,995, filed on Oct. 2, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of pet care equipment, specifically a device for the removal of pet waste from the ground or another surface. 
     2. Background 
     Dog owners often enjoy taking their canines for walks outdoors, however the task of cleaning up the waste left behind by the dogs can be bothersome. A dog walker has to not only carry around several bags on each outing but must also pick up the dog&#39;s feces, a task that usually includes squatting or bending down, using a bag and one&#39;s hand to scoop up the waste, and simultaneously holding onto the dog&#39;s leash and making sure that he or she does not run away. Depending on the length of the walk this task may need to be completed several times. For some people with physical limitations, waste removal can be not only annoying but also difficult and/or painful. 
     In order to make the waste removal process easier, it is important to have a device that allows a person to remove waste while standing in a comfortable position. It is also important to have a device that is compact and easy to carry. Several dog waste removal devices are currently on the market. However, these devices require the use of both hands, are bulky and non-retractable, are inefficient, and/or are difficult to use. 
     What is needed is an efficient waste removal device that is compact and easy to carry, requires the use of only one hand with minimal effort, and can be used while standing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the present device in a fully retracted position. 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of the present device in a partially extended position. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a cross-section of the present device. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a perspective view of the inner components of the present device. 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a perspective view of a disposable receptacle being removed from a raised receptacle compartment. 
         FIG. 2C  depicts one embodiment of a plurality of tines proximate to the closed end of a disposable receptacle. 
         FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of a handle member for the present device. 
         FIG. 3A  depicts another embodiment of a handle member for the present device. 
         FIG. 3B  depicts yet another embodiment of a handle member for the present device. 
         FIG. 4  depicts an internal view of a telescoping portion of the present device. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an in-use, extended tine configuration of the present device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present device  100  in a fully retracted position. A tubular telescope housing member  102  can house a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106 , which can be in a nested configuration and substantially hidden when the present device  100  is in a fully retracted position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Each of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can have a proximal end and a distal end. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the proximal end of the circumferentially smallest member of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be connected to a handle member  108 , and the distal end of a tubular telescope housing member  102  can be connected to a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . In an alternate embodiment, the proximal end of a tubular telescope housing member  102  can be connected to a handle member  108 , and the distal end of the circumferentially smallest member of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be connected to a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . 
     A tubular telescope housing member  102  can have a circular, square, or triangular cross section, or any other known and/or convenient geometry. In one embodiment, a tubular telescope housing member  102  can be made of injection-molded plastic. In alternate embodiments, a tubular telescope housing member  102  can be made of polymer, metal, or any other known and/or convenient material. 
     A plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can have circular, square, or triangular cross sections, or any other known and/or convenient geometry. The geometry of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be the same as or different from the geometry of a tubular telescope housing member  102 . In one embodiment, a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be made of injection-molded plastic. In alternate embodiments, a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be made of polymer, metal, or any other known and/or convenient material and/or combination of convenient materials. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2 , a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  can house a tine drive assembly  212  comprising several components. A first DC motor  214  can be housed within a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  and located near the proximal end of said housing member  104 . Said first DC motor  214  can have a torque arm  216  located at its distal end. An acme screw  218  can be an externally threaded cylindrical member. A torque arm  216  of a first DC motor  214  can be operatively coupled with the proximal end of an acme screw  218 . An internally threaded nut  220  can be operatively coupled with the distal end of an acme screw  218 . An acme screw  218  can translate the rotational motion of a first DC motor  214  into the linear motion of an internally threaded nut along the length of said acme screw  218 . 
     An internally threaded nut  220  can also have a plurality of engagement arms  222  extending radially outward from its central axis. A plurality of engagement arms  222  can be coupled with at least one proximal end of one or more tine control elements  224 . A substantial portion of each of one or more tine control elements  224  can each be coupled with a plurality of tines  226 , located at the distal end of the present device  100 . 
     One or more of the tine control elements  224  can be cables, semi-rigid metal, flexible polymer, or any other known and/or convenient flexible or semi-flexible material, or any known and/or convenient combination of materials along the length of said plurality of tine control elements. 
     Each of a plurality of tines  226  can be substantially flexible and can be composed of a single piece of material or, alternatively, of several joined segments. Living hinges can be used to segment each of a plurality of tines  226 , whereby the process of injection-molding can create a thin, plastic hinge between two pieces of rigid plastic, allowing them to bend along the line of the hinge. As shown in  FIG. 2A , in one embodiment a plurality of tines can be comprised of an injection-molded polyolefin plastic material to provide segments joined by living hinges. In other embodiments, a plurality of tines  226  can be comprised of other plastics, polymers, metals or any other known and/or convenient material, and/or combination of desired and/or convenient materials. The material of the plurality of tines  226  need not itself be flexible, however each of a plurality of tines  226  can be constructed so as to be able to bend and collectively mimic the grabbing motion of a human hand. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 . one or more tine control elements  224  can be coupled with a plurality of tines  226  on at least one point on each segment of a plurality of tines  226 . In alternative embodiments, one or more tine control elements  224  can be coupled with a plurality of tines  226  in any other known and/or convenient fashion so as to facilitate the bending of each of a plurality of tines  226  when desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , in one embodiment a plurality of tines  226  can be biased to a naturally contracted state, wherein the living hinges on each tine can be bent such that the central portion of each tine can be curved away from the central axis of the present device  100 . In such an embodiment, one or more tine control elements  224  can apply tension to the plurality of tines  226  in order to extend said plurality of tines  226  radially outward relative to the central axis of the present device  100 . In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of tines  226  can be biased to a naturally extended state, wherein one or more tine control elements  224  can apply a force to the plurality of tines  224  in order to keep them contracted. 
     The above-described tine drive assembly  212  can be completely or substantially hidden within a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  when the present device  100  is not in use, and can be pushed out of or retracted into a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  via the second controlling mechanism  110  located on a handle member  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , a handle member  108  can be coupled to the proximal end of the circumferentially smallest member of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106 . In an alternate embodiment, the proximal end of a tubular telescope housing member  102  can be connected to a handle member  108 , and the distal end of the circumferentially smallest member of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be connected to a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . 
     A handle member  108  can have a closed loop configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or can have any other known and/or convenient configuration which can allow a user to easily grip the proximal end of the present device  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 3-3B . A handle member  108  can be made of plastic, polymer, metal, wood, or any other known and/or convenient material or combination of materials. 
     A handle member  108  can have a plurality of controlling mechanisms  110  that can control various operations of the present device  100 . A first controlling mechanism  110  can control the release of a damped spring  428  housed within a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  (see  FIG. 4 ). A second controlling member  110  can control the movement of a tine drive assembly  212  in and out of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  (see  FIG. 2 ). A third controlling mechanism  110  can extend a plurality of tines  226  radially outward (see  FIG. 5 ). First, second and third controlling mechanisms can be separate switches, buttons, or any other known and/or convenient actuating members on a handle  108 . Alternatively, first, second and third controlling mechanisms can be operated by the same multi-state switch, button, or any other known and/or convenient actuating member which has a plurality of operating states. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-1A , a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be retracted when the present device  100  is not in use, or can be extended in preparation for or during use of the present device  100 . Extension of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be facilitated via a damped spring  428 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . A spring  428  can be biased to an extended state and can be substantially similar in length to that of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  when in their fully expanded position. The proximal end of said spring  428  can be operatively coupled with a handle member  108 , while the distal end of said spring  428  can be operatively coupled with the distal end of a tubular telescope housing member  102 . In alternative embodiments, extension of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be facilitated via any other known and/or convenient mechanism. 
     Retraction of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be facilitated via mechanical means coupled with a second DC motor. In one embodiment, a second DC motor  111  can be located in a handle member  108  (see  FIG. 1A ). In other embodiments, a second DC motor  111  can be positioned at any convenient point along the circumferentially smallest member of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106 , or can be housed within a tubular telescope housing member  102 . In one embodiment, a cable can be housed within a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  and a motor driven clutch and reel mechanism can retract said cable in order to retract said plurality of tubular telescoping members  106 . In other embodiments, any other known and/or convenient mechanism for retraction of a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  can be employed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be located substantially close to the distal end of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  for use with disposable receptacles  230  (see  FIG. 2B ). In an open state, each of a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be extended radially outward from the central axis of the present device such that a portion of said retention members  228  protrudes from opening in the exterior surface of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . In a closed state, each of a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be retracted within said assembly housing member  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , in one embodiment a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be operatively coupled with the interior of the distal end of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  and separate from a tine drive assembly  212 . In such an embodiment, helical coil springs can be embedded within each of a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  causing each member to be naturally bias to an open state. Thus, a force would need to be applied against this bias in order to retract said retention members  228  into their closed state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in an alternate embodiment each of a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be operatively coupled with each of one or more tine control elements  224 , such that the movement of said tine control elements  224  controls the movement of said retention members  228 . In such an embodiment, a tine drive assembly  212  can have at least three stages of motion that can affect the state of the plurality of receptacle retention members  228 . A plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be in a closed state when a tine drive assembly  212  is fully retracted within a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . As said tine drive assembly  212  is pushed out of the distal end of said assembly housing member  104 , a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can extend outward to an open state. When said tine drive assembly  212  is ready to release captured material, it can extend even further from the distal end of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 , allowing a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  to once again retract into said housing member  104 . 
     A plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be hooks, as shown in  FIG. 2A , or can be any other known and/or convenient device for retaining and releasing disposable receptacles. A plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be plastic, metal, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient material. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 2B , a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  can have a raised receptacle compartment  113  connected to a portion of its surface. Said raised receptacle compartment  113  can be used in conjunction with a prepackaged receptacle cartridge. In the absence of said cartridge, a raised receptacle compartment  113  can be used to house loose disposable receptacles, such as standard plastic grocery bags. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a raised receptacle compartment can be removable from the present device  100 . In yet an alternative embodiment, an automatic receptacle distribution system can be positioned in direct alignment with the present device  100 , rather than on the side of it, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for user handling of the bags. 
     In use, a user can first extract a disposable receptacle  230  from a raised receptacle compartment  113 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . A user can then place the handles or loops of a disposable receptacle  230  over a plurality of receptacle retention members  228 , such that the closed end of the disposable receptacle can be positioned away from the distal end of the present device  100  and a disposable receptacle  230  can be temporarily retained on the present device  100 . 
     A user can subsequently extend a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  via a first controlling mechanism  110  on a handle member  108 , which can release a damped spring  428  housed within said plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  and can cause them to reach a fully expanded position. A second controlling mechanism  110  on a handle member  108  can control the movement of a tine drive assembly  212  in and out of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . In said alternate embodiment, a user can activate a first controlling mechanism  110  prior to activating a second controlling mechanism  110 , or vice versa, or a user may deem it unnecessary to activate a first controlling mechanism  110  at all (thus, keeping the plurality of tubular telescoping members  106  in a nested position). In either embodiment, before any further operation of the present device  100  can commence, a tine drive assembly  212  must be pushed out of the distal end of a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104  such that a plurality of tines  226  can be substantially exposed and close to or in contact with the closed end of a disposable receptacle  230  (see  FIG. 2C ). 
     Once a plurality of tines  226  are substantially exposed, a user can activate a first DC motor  214  via a third controlling mechanism  110  on a handle  108  in order to extend said tines  226  radially outward and prepare them to accept fecal matter or other material. Once a first DC motor  214  is activated, its torque arm  216  can rotate an acme screw  218  thereby guiding an internally threaded nut  220  further toward the proximal end of the acme screw  218 . As an internally threaded nut  220  moves along the length of an acme screw  218 , a plurality of tine control elements  224  (which can be attached to the internally threaded nut  220  via a plurality of engagement arms  222 ) can move toward the proximal end of the present device  100 . Such movement of said tine control elements  224  can put tension on a plurality of tines  226  and cause them to extend radially outward relative to the central axis of the present device  100 . At this point, the tines  226  can be expanded and ready to accept fecal material or other matter, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     In one embodiment, when a first DC motor  214  reaches a predetermined torque level it can reverse direction, causing an internally threaded nut  220  to reverse the direction of its movement along an acme screw  218  and can thereby allow a plurality of tines  226  to contract to their natural state. In said embodiment, a user can have a predetermined amount of time in which to place the tines  226  over the material to be picked up before a plurality of tines  226  contract again. 
     In an alternate embodiment, when a first DC motor  214  reaches a predetermined torque level, it can cease motion until a user re-engages it. Once a user re-engages a first DC motor  214 , it can automatically reverse direction and can cause the internally threaded nut  220  to reverse the direction of its movement along the length of the acme screw  218 , thereby allowing a plurality of tines  226  to contract to their natural state. In said alternate embodiment, a user can have control over the timing of the contracted and expanded states of a plurality of tines  226 . 
     Once a plurality of tines  226  is expanded and ready to accept fecal material or other matter, a user can place the present device  100  over said material and said tines  226  can re-contract, enclosing said material and the closed end of a disposable receptacle within its grip. Re-contraction of said tines  226  can be controlled by either a user or a pre-programmed first DC motor  214 , as described in the previous paragraph. At this point, fecal material or other matter can be contained within the grip of a plurality of tines  226 , and a user can move the present device  100  away from the surface from which said material was picked up. 
     In order to dispose of collected fecal material or other matter, a user can position the present device  100  over a trash receptacle and once again activate a third controlling mechanism  110  on a handle  108  in order to re-extend a plurality of tines  226 . At the same time, a plurality of receptacle retention members  228  can be retracted into a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 , thereby releasing the handles or loops of a disposable receptacle  230 . With these simultaneous actions, a disposable receptacle and its contents can be released into a trash receptacle for disposal. 
     When a user desires to store the present device or compact it for easier portability, a user can activate mechanical means for retracting a plurality of tubular telescoping members  106 . A user can also activate a second controlling mechanism  110  on a handle  108  in order to retract the tine drive assembly  212  into a substantially tubular tine assembly housing member  104 . 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.