Abstract:
A handheld collector device adapted to retrieve small objects, the device having an elongated handle, a head mounted to the handle, a plurality of tine sets retained by the head and an ejection mechanism to eject the objects. Each tine set has a plurality of individual tines projecting outwardly in spaced relation. The tines are relatively rigid members possessing a degree of flexibility such that when the ends of the tines are pressed onto objects to be collected, the tines flex sufficiently to pass over and capture the objects. The device is modular in construction such that the tine sets can be removed and replaced in order to adapt the device to provide optimum results for varying sizes and types of objects.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/076,116, filed Nov. 6, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to collector devices structured to collect, gather or retrieve small three-dimensional objects dispersed on a surface, such as the ground or floor. More particularly, the invention relates to such devices that are handheld and that comprise a discharge or ejection mechanism for releasing or removing the small objects from the device. 
         [0003]    There are situations where it is desired or necessary to gather up a large number of small objects that have been spread on the ground or another surface, such as for example, nuts that have dropped from pecan trees, golf balls on a practice range, shell casings at a shooting range, etc. Picking up each object by hand is time-consuming and uncomfortable, as the worker must stoop or kneel to retrieve the objects. With shell casings or other objects, it may be desirable to avoid skin contact due to toxic, corrosive or irritating residues present on the objects. A number of tools have been developed to make gathering the small objects a less arduous task, some of which are relatively large devices often towed behind motorized vehicles and some of which are handheld. One type of handheld device involves a collector assembly mounted onto a long handle, the collector assembly comprising a plurality of bales or wires that spread apart when pushed onto one or more object and then return to a close proximity to entrap the object within the collector assembly. Examples of these and similar devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,157 to Weathersby, U.S. Pat. No. 2,788,630 to Nisbet, U.S. Pat. No. 2,972,851 to Goehring, U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,071 to Laughlin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,953 to Luther, Sr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,618 to White, U.S. Pat. No. 6,925791 to Herndon, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,698,882 to Tinlin. 
         [0004]    These devices do not provide optimal mechanisms for retrieving or for ejecting the objects. For example, the wires or bales may be permanently deformed after a large number of uses if the device is pressed onto an excessively large object. Some devices do not possess mechanisms for ejecting the objects that have been retrieved. Some devices are not adjustable in order to accommodate different sized objects. 
         [0005]    It is an object of this invention to provide an improved handheld collector device for gathering small objects dispersed on a ground or floor surface, the device also having an ejection mechanism for easily and quickly releasing the objects from the device. It is a further object to provide such an improved handheld collector that is modular in construction such that the device can be easily adapted or reconfigured to correspond to the particular size of the objects being gathered, or to replace individual components that have been damaged. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handheld collector device for gathering small objects. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is another exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  focusing on the distal collector assembly. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a distal collector assembly assembled to retrieve relatively small objects. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a view showing a distal collector assembly assembled to retrieve relatively larger objects than the assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows a spacer member. 
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
         [0012]    The invention is a handheld collector device adapted to gather, capture or retrieve small objects, the device having an ejection mechanism to easily expel the collected objects from the device. The collector device is particularly suited to collecting a large number of small objects dispersed on a floor or ground surface, such as for example nuts, golf balls, shell casings, etc. 
           [0013]    The collector device in general comprises an elongated handle, a head mounted to the handle and a plurality of tine sets retained by the head. Each tine set comprises a plurality of individual tines projecting outwardly in spaced relation. The tines are relatively rigid members possessing a degree of flexibility such that when the ends of the tines are pressed onto objects to be collected, the tines flex sufficiently to pass over and capture the objects. The collector device further comprises an ejection mechanism whereby collected objects can be easily ejected from the tines in a straightforward, one-step action. The device is modular in construction such that the tine sets can be removed and replaced in order to adapt the device to provide optimum results for varying sizes and types of objects. For example, the tine sets may vary in number of tines, in the spacing of the tines, in the rigidity of the tines, etc. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail. In a broad sense, the invention in various embodiments is an improved handheld collector device for gathering small objects dispersed on a ground or floor surface, the device also most preferably having an ejection mechanism for quickly releasing the objects from the device, wherein the device is modular in construction such that the device can be easily adapted or reconfigured to account for the particular size or type of objects being gathered. 
         [0015]    As used herein, the term “proximal” shall refer to the direction toward the free end of the handle of the device and the term “distal” shall refer to the opposite direction toward the operative end of the device, i.e., toward the tines of the device. 
         [0016]    The device comprises an elongated handle  14 , preferably cylindrical or tubular, which is attached either permanently or removably to a head member  1 . In an exemplary embodiment, the head  1  may be provided with an internally threaded bore or a threaded insert member  6  and the handle  14  provided with a corresponding externally threaded distal end so as to mate with the head  1 . The handle  14  may vary in length, with a longer handle of about 3 to 4 feet for example being preferred for situations where it is most comfortable for the user to be standing while gathering objects on the ground, or with a shorter handle of about a foot or so being preferred for situations where more control is required or the objects are on raised surfaces relative to the user, such as a table top. 
         [0017]    Head  1  is a housing member having an open distal side and is adapted to receive and retain a plurality of tine sets  20  in a manner such that the tine sets  20  extend outwardly in the distal direction beyond the head  1  and away from the handle  14 . Each tine set  20  comprises a plurality of elongated tines or projection members  21  mounted onto a convexly curved, elongated, narrow base  22 , preferably in a linear alignment. The tines  21  are preferably of equal length such that the convex base  22  results in the distal ends of the tines  21  presenting a curved external or distal configuration, i.e., the ends of the tines  21  of a tine set  20  are disposed along an arc. Alternatively, each tine set  20  may consist of a multiple rows of tines  21 . Alternatively, the base  22  could be planar and the length of the tines  21  could vary to provide the curved external configuration. The curved external configuration of the ends of the tines provides for effective capture of the objects without requiring the device to be perpendicularly aligned with the ground surface, and allows the device to be operated with a more efficient rolling or pivoting motion rather than a linear stabbing motion. 
         [0018]    The tine sets  20  are mounted laterally in side-by-side manner on head  1  to create a tine assembly  11 . In a preferred embodiment as shown, the tine sets  20  are secured by providing slotted tabs  23  on or extending from the proximal sides of the tine bases  22 . The head  1  is provided with opposing lateral slots  24  such that when assembled the slotted tabs  23  of the tine bases  22  align with the slotted tabs  23 , such that with the slotted tabs  23  of the tine bases  22  positioned within the open distal side of the head  1 , connector beams or members  4  can be inserted through the aligned head slots  24  and tine base slotted members  23  to retain a plurality of tine sets  20  in side-by-side abutment. Preferably the connector beams  4  are configured to snap into a secured position without requiring an additional fastening member. The tines  21  are composed of a material that is substantially rigid yet slightly flexible, such as a hard plastic or metal, such that when the tines  21  are pushed onto an object to be retrieved, the tines  21  flex slightly and the distal ends of tines  21  separate, passing over and around the object. The tines  21  are preferably provided on their distal ends with knobs, flanges or like retention members  25  in order to better retain the collected objects within the tine assembly  11 . When the collected objects are removed from the within the tine sets such that no objects remain to distort or flex the tines  21 , the tines  21  return or rebound to their original neutral configuration. 
         [0019]    With this structure small objects dispersed on a ground or floor surface are gathered by positioning the head  1  over one or more objects and pressing the tine assembly  11  downward to the surface, thereby forcing the tines  21  onto and around the objects. The rigidity of the objects causes the tines  21  to spread as the head  1  is pressed down, such that the objects become entrapped between the tines  21 , the tines  21  being sufficiently rigid to hold the objects within the tine assembly  11 . The retention members  25  on the distal ends of the tines  21  prevent the objects from falling from the tine assembly  11  once the device is raised from the ground surface. 
         [0020]    Most preferably the improved handheld collector device for gathering small objects further comprises an ejector assembly that enables the user to easily and rapidly eject or release the gathered objects from the tine assembly  11 . The embodiment of the ejector assembly shown in the drawings comprises a tubular sliding sleeve grip member  2  coaxially positioned on the main handle  14 , the sliding sleeve grip member  2  able to be moved axially along the main handle  14 . The sliding sleeve grip member  2  is preferably of sufficient length to be easily gripped by the hand of the user, for example approximately 4-6 inches. The distal end of the sliding sleeve grip member  2  is provided with connecting members or posts  15  for connection of the sliding sleeve grip member  2  directly to the ejector assembly, or in an extended manner a distance away from the ejector assembly using extension members or arms  9 . 
         [0021]    A plurality of generally C-shaped ejector blade members  5  are provided, each of the ejector blades  5  having a pair of slots  33  disposed in the legs of the ejector blades  5 . The ejector blades  5  each have a curved distal surface generally corresponding to the external curvature of the distal ends of the tines  21 . A generally C-shaped strut member  3  is disposed to each side of the ejector blades  5 , each of the strut members  3  having a pair of slots  34  disposed in the legs of the strut members  3 . The legs of the strut members  3  extend in the distal direction, while the legs of the ejector blades  5  extend in the proximal direction. A pair of ejector connector beams  12  extends through the slots  34  in the strut members  3  and the slots  33  in the ejector blades  5  such that the ejector blades  5  and strut members  3  are assembled into a unit. Preferably the connector beams  12  are configured to snap securely into position without requiring additional fastener members. 
         [0022]    Slots  32  are provided in the proximal portions of the strut members  3  for connection of the strut members  3  to the sliding sleeve grip member  2 . The strut members  3  may be connected directly to the distal end of the sliding sleeve grip member  2  by passing the connecting posts  15  through the slots  32  in the proximal portions of the strut members  3 . This configuration is preferred when the objects are to be picked up or dropped onto a table or other raised surface or bin, or into a shoulder satchel or pouch, since it allows the user&#39;s hand to be positioned closer to the tine assembly  11  during the ejection operation. 
         [0023]    Alternatively, the ejector assembly may be provided with extension arms  9  and an extension base  10 , whereby the extension collar  10  is a short sleeve or member that is slidingly disposed on the handle  14 . The extension collar  10  is provided with opposing connecting members or posts  16  which are received by the slots  32  in the proximal portions of the strut members  3 . The extension arms  9  are elongated members having slots  31  at each end, whereby the distal ends of the extension arms  9  may be connected to the posts  16  of the extension collar  10  and the proximal ends of the extension arms  9  may be connected to the posts  15  of the sliding sleeve grip member  2 . This configuration positions the sliding sleeve grip member  2  farther up the main handle  14  in the proximal direction, which is preferred when the collected objects are to be ejected onto the ground surface or into a container set on the ground surface. A helical spring  13  is coaxially mounted onto the main handle  14  between the head  1  and the distal end of the sliding sleeve grip member  2  or between the head  1  and the extension collar  10  in order to maintain the ejector assembly proximally biased or disposed in a recessed or neutral position relative to the tine assembly  11  until actuated by the user. 
         [0024]    The ejector blades  5  are alternatingly disposed between the tine sets  20  such that one ejector blade  5  is positioned between each adjoining tine set  20 . An ejector blade  5  is also preferably positioned exterior to each of the outermost tine sets  20 . In this manner advancing the sliding sleeve grip member  2  distally down the main handle  14  moves the ejector blades  5  from the recessed neutral position toward the distal ends of the tines  21 , thereby ejecting any objects retained within the tine assembly  11  in one motion. Upon release of the sliding sleeve grip member  2 , the spring  13  pushes the sliding sleeve grip member  2  or the extension collar  10  in the proximal direction, thereby retracting the ejector blades  5  proximally so that the device is ready for use again. 
         [0025]    The described structure provides a modular construction that allows the device to be disassembled and reassembled as needed to gather objects of differing size or type. As shown comparatively in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , closely spaced tine sets  21  may be replaced with tine sets  21  of greater separation, the tine bases  22  being wider to spread the tine sets  21  laterally. Alternatively, tine sets  20  having fewer tines  21  and/or tine sets  20  of differing flexibility or differing lengths may be utilized. With a reduced number of tine sets  20 , fewer ejector blades  5  are required to be mounted onto the ejector connector beams  12 . Alternatively, spacer members  26  in the shape of the tine base members  22  with slots  23  but having no tines  21  may be positioned between adjacent tine sets  20  to provide a larger lateral gap between tine sets  20 . 
         [0026]    Another advantage of the device as described is that it may be assembled without the need for screws or similar mechanical fasteners, thereby allowing for quick and easy size adjustment if needed. For example, in a shooting range scenario there may be shell cases of varying sizes to be retrieved from the ground surface. Shells of .22 caliber may require a gap of less than 0.2 inches between tines  21 , 9 millimeter shells may require a gap of 0.25 inches, and shotgun shells will require even larger gaps. The ability to rapidly adjust the sizing of the gathering device is very advantageous, and the ejection assembly insures that the user will not have to make contact with the shell cases, thereby avoiding lead contamination. An agricultural scenario may present similar sizing issues, in that the gaps must be adjusted depending on whether acorns, pecans, pine cones, etc. are being picked up. 
         [0027]    It is understood that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements set forth above may be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims. It is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the illustrations are not meant to be limiting with regard to the true scope and definition of the invention.