Abstract:
A scooper that has a plurality of pivoting scoop jaws that rotate between an open position and a closed position defining a substantially enclosed object-holding scooper chamber that operably cooperates with a skirt overlying the scoop jaws covering a top of the chamber that also which protects scoop jaw pivoting linkages and pivots of the scooper. Such a scooper can be constructed with an elongate frame that can be tubular in which a scoop jaw actuating linkage arrangement is disposed enabling the scooper to be used while standing up. Such a scoop can also be configured to be stored uprightly and is well suited for a wide variety of indoor and outer scooping applications including for fecal matter scooping, trash or refuse pickup, object pickup and the like.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/864,519, filed Aug. 9, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a manually operated scooper and more particularly to a scooper with scoop jaws that form a chamber when closed that substantially completely encloses the object(s) scooped up. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Pets provide a great deal of joy and companionship to persons of all ages, including the elderly and infirm. No matter what the age, it has always been a challenge to dispose of fecal matter. 
         [0004]    Many types of devices have been developed to enable a person to pick up and facilitate removal of many different types of objects without the person having to come into direct contact with the object. With an increasingly elderly population, attempts have been made to develop hand operated refuse pickup devices, typically referred to as “poop scoopers,” “pooper scoopers,” or the like, which employ a long enough handle to enable the user to scoop or pick up refuse while standing up. 
         [0005]    While prior long handled refuse pickup devices have been designed for outdoor use, with an ever growing indoor pet population, a need has arisen for a long handled refuse pickup device that can not only be used outdoors but which is particularly well suited for indoor use. One such refuse pickup device capable of such dual use is the refuse or poop scooper disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,434, which has an elongate handle with a pair of relatively movable scoop jaws that are biased in an open position when not in use to enable the scooper to be stood uprightly on a flat surface in a convenient ready-to-use position. 
         [0006]    While the scooper disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,434 is an advancement over other prior art scoopers, improvements nonetheless remain desirable. What is needed is a long-handled refuse or poop scooper with scoop jaws used to scoop an object into a chamber formed by the closed jaws that is more sanitary than prior scoopers. What also is desired is a long-handled refuse or poop scooper that can be stood uprightly in a ready to use condition whether the scoop jaws are open or closed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a device for picking up one or more objects that preferably is a refuse pickup device well suited for use as a scooper, e.g., pooper scooper, having a pair of scoop jaws pivotally movable between an open position enabling scooping up of one or more objects and a closed position where the scoop jaws form an object-holding chamber that substantially completely encloses the scooped up objects. The scooper has a frame of hollow, tubular construction that can be formed of a tube of one-piece or two-piece construction defining a frame tube that provides a guide for a scoop jaw actuator linkage arrangement that facilitates scoop jaw movement between the open and closed positions. The scoop jaws are each pivotally attached to a corresponding one of a pair of radially outwardly and downwardly extending scoop jaw pivot anchors that forms a cradle that supports the scoop jaws when the scoop jaws are closed. The scooper has a skirt that covers an opening formed between the scoop jaws through which scoop jaw links of the scoop jaw actuator linkage arrangement extends and protects the scoop jaw actuator linkage arrangement during scooper use and operation. The tubular frame of the scooper preferably is elongate having a length long enough to enable a user to operate the scooper while standing up. The scoop jaws have a generally flat bottom wall that form a base or pedestal upon which the scooper can be uprightly stood on the floor or ground when not being used. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
         [0008]    One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a scooper with the scoop jaws shown in an open position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the scooper of  FIG. 1  with the scoop jaws shown in a closed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the scooper shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged exploded view of a scooper head of the scooper shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the handle and part of the frame of the scooper of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the scooper head with the scoop jaws in an open position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the scoop head with the scoop jaws in an open position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the scooper head with the scoop jaws in a closed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view of the scooper head with the scoop jaws in the closed position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the scooper with the scoop jaws in the closed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of a scooper; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged side elevation of the scooper head of the scooper of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description and illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIGS. 1-10  illustrate one preferred but exemplary embodiment of a refuse pickup device  30 , a scooper  32 , having a scooper head  33  that includes a pair of scoop jaws  34 ,  36  with at least one of the jaws  34 ,  36  being movable relative to at least one other of the jaws  34 ,  36  between an open or scooping position, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a closed or object-retaining position, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , forming an object-retaining chamber  38  when the jaws  34 ,  36  are substantially closed that releasably retains one or more objects, such as refuse, fecal matter, trash and/or the like, in the chamber  38 . The jaws  34 ,  36  are pivotally coupled to a frame  40  that has a handle  42  at an end of the frame  40  opposite the jaws  34 ,  36  that is manipulable by a user of the scooper  32  to enable one or preferably both of the jaws  34 ,  36  to be moved by the user between open and closed positions during use and operation of the scooper  32 . 
         [0023]    The scooper frame  40  is elongate and can be formed of a tube  44  having the handle  42  disposed at one end and a scoop jaw mount  46  disposed at an opposite end with the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  pivotally attached to the mount  46 . The scoop jaw mount  46  forms part of a scoop jaw pivot joint arrangement  48  rotatively connecting or pivotally grounding the jaws  34 ,  36  to the frame  40  with the mount  46  having a pair of jaw pivot anchors  50 ,  52  that extend oppositely outwardly from the frame  40 . One of the jaws  34  has a pivot joint mount  54  attached to one of the jaw pivot anchors  50  via a first pivot  56 , e.g., a pivot pin, and the other one of the jaws  34  has a pivot joint mount  58  attached to the other one of the jaw pivot anchors  52  via a second pivot  60 , e.g., another pivot pin respectively forming a pair of outer scoop jaw pivot joints  53 ,  55 . Such a scoop jaw pivot joint arrangement  48  enables each one of the jaws  34 ,  36  to rotate about its respective pivot  56 ,  60  outwardly away from the other one of the jaws  36 ,  34  from the closed position, shown in  FIG. 2 , towards an open position, such as the open position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    The scooper  32  has a scoop jaw actuator assembly  62  that includes an elongate scoop jaw actuator connector  64  that preferably is an elongate connecting link  66 , such as an elongate substantially rigid connecting rod  68 , which is slidably telescopically received in the scooper frame tube  44  and operatively connected to the handle  42  and scoop jaws  34 ,  36 . As is best shown in  FIGS. 3-9 , the scoop jaw actuator connector  64  is operatively connected at or adjacent one end to a trigger  70  pivotally carried by the handle  42  and operatively connected at or adjacent its opposite end by a scoop jaw actuator linkage arrangement  72  to at least one of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  and preferably both of the jaws  34 ,  36 . The scoop jaw actuator linkage arrangement  72  includes a pair of scoop jaw actuator links  74 ,  76  each pivotally attached at one end to a pivot joint coupling  78  mounted to the scoop jaw actuator connector  64  and each pivotally attached at an opposite end to a corresponding one of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36 . 
         [0025]    As is best shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each one of the scoop jaw actuator links  74 ,  76  are pivotally attached at or adjacent one end by a common pivot  80  to the coupling  78  forming an in-frame pivot joint  82  therewith disposed within the frame  40  upwardly or upstream of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36 . As is also shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each one of the links  74 ,  76  are attached at or adjacent an opposite end by a corresponding pivot  84 ,  85  to a respective one of the jaws  34 ,  36  forming in-jaw scoop jaw pivot joints  87 ,  89 . Each one of the links  74 ,  76  is pivotally attached by respective pivot  84 ,  85  to a corresponding one of a pair of scoop jaw pivot joint arms  86 ,  88  projecting outwardly from within a respective scoop jaw  34 ,  36 . 
         [0026]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each one of the scoop jaw pivot anchors  50 ,  52  attached to the frame  40  is formed by a corresponding one of a pair of elongate scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92  that extend generally radially outwardly from the frame tube  40  generally in a direction opposite one another. Each one of the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92  is angled downwardly toward the corresponding scoop jaw  34 ,  36  to which the scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  is pivotally connected. Each scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  is downwardly angled in a manner such that a free end of each scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  extends axially outwardly beyond the axial end of the frame  40 . Each scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  is downwardly angled in a manner that forms an obtuse angle with a longitudinal axis of the frame  40 , i.e., longitudinally extending centerline of the frame tube  44  along which the connector link  66  generally extends. As is also shown in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92  also form an obtuse included angle with one another and can form an acute included angle with one another if desired. 
         [0027]    As is further depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 9 , each one of the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92  can be and preferably is inclined or curved about an adjacent portion of the corresponding scoop jaw  34 ,  36  to which the respective scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  is pivotally connected defining a scoop jaw cradle  91  against which part of a corresponding scoop jaw  34 ,  36  can be and preferably is supported when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed to help keep the jaws  34 ,  36  closed. Where inclined or curved, each one of the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92  generally conforms to at least a portion of the corresponding scoop jaw  34 ,  36  to which the respective scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  is pivotally connected that also can be curved. 
         [0028]    Each scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  has a shoulder  93  facing a corresponding one of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  defining a cradle  91  that not only supports each jaw  34 ,  36  when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed but which also provides a stop or an abutment  95  against which an adjacent portion of a respective jaw  34 ,  36  stops during jaw closure to help keep the jaws  34 ,  36  closed. By each shoulder  93  of each scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  serving as a stop or abutment  95  against which part of each jaw  34 ,  36  stops when closed, each scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90 ,  92  supports the object-enclosing chamber  38  formed by the closed jaws  34 ,  36  advantageously helping to maintain the integrity of the chamber  38  when subjected to loading, stresses, strains, torsion, bending moments, and the like during scooper use and operation. 
         [0029]    As is best shown in  FIG. 9 , the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  form an object-retaining chamber  38  of clamshell construction that substantially completely encloses each of one or more objects scooped up during scooper use and operation. Each one of the jaws  34 ,  36  has a convexly curved outer sidewall  94  connected to a bottom wall  96  defining an object-retaining chamber  38  that preferably is a bulbous or globular enclosure  97  that that can be generally spherical that completely encloses one or more objects  103  in the chamber  38  when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed. The bottom wall  96  of each jaw  34 ,  36  has a leading edge  99  that can taper or neck down to, for example, a knife edge defining a ground-engaging scoop ramp  109  that facilitates scooping up of one or more objects  103  on the ground  101  during closing of the jaws  34 ,  36 . To further facilitate scooping, including by enabling raking of the ground  101  next to one or more objects  103  being scooped up, the bottom wall outer edge  99  of each one of the jaws  34 ,  36  can have a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, teeth  104  formed therein that engage or intermesh with the teeth  104  formed in the bottom wall outer edge  99  of the other one of the jaws  34 ,  36  when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed. Additionally, when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed, the flat bottom wall  96  of each jaw  34 ,  36  adjoins or abuts one another forming a generally flat or planar pedestal or base  98  upon which the scooper  32  can be stood uprightly on a generally flat or planar surface  101 , such as the ground, floor, etc., when the scooper  32  is not in use. 
         [0030]    To provide an object-retaining chamber  38  possessing a larger retention volume that can substantially simultaneously hold a greater number of objects scooped up by the scooper  32  during use and operation, the sidewall  94  of each scoop jaw  34 ,  36  extends upwardly terminating at or adjacent the end of the frame  40  forming an opening  105  in communication with an opening  107  in the end of the frame  40  through which the jaw actuator links  74 ,  76  extend. As is best shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the uppermost portion of the sidewall  94  of each jaw  34 ,  36  disposed adjacent the frame  40  is inclined or curved toward the frame  40  terminating adjacent the opening  107  in the end of the frame  40  through which the jaw actuator links  74 ,  76  extend maximizing scooper retention volume while minimizing loss of scooped up matter retained in the chamber  38  when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed. While the links  74 ,  76  can be straight, the links  74 ,  76  can also be curved such as in the manner shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
         [0031]    Whether the links  74 ,  76  are curved or straight, end of the frame  40  has an annular inner shoulder  114  that defines a link guide or cam  116  that causes each one of the scoop jaw links  74 ,  76  to rotate or pivot about pivot  80  of the in-frame disposed joint  82  toward the other one of the links  76 ,  74  facilitating closing of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  when the trigger  70  is squeezed by a user seeking to close the jaws  34 ,  36 . As the trigger  70  is squeezed, pivotable movement of the trigger  70  relative to the rest of the handle  42  slidably telescopically displaces the elongate scoop actuator connecting link  66  upwardly within the scooper frame tube  44  thereby also pulling the pivot joint coupling  78  upwardly within the tube  44  toward the handle  42 . As the pivot joint coupling  78  is pulled upwardly, an outer edge of each scoop jaw link  74 ,  76  rides, e.g., is slidably guided, along the link guide or cam  116  formed by the shoulder  114  of the scooper frame tube  44  urging the scoop jaw links  74 ,  76  toward each other. As the scoop jaw links  74 ,  76  are urged toward one another, e.g., pinched together, by the opposite sides or opposite edges of the frame tube shoulder  114 , the angle of the acute included angle between the links  74 ,  76  decreases causing each link  74 ,  76  to pull the scoop jaw  34 ,  36  to which the corresponding link  74 ,  76  is connected toward the other scoop jaw  34 ,  36 . 
         [0032]    When the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  are closed, the scooper frame tube  44  constrains relative pivotable movement of the scoop jaw links  74 ,  76  away from one another helping to securely retain the jaws  74 ,  76  in their closed position until the trigger  70  of the handle  42  is released. When released, biasing force tending to want to open the jaws  34 ,  36  displaces the elongate scoop actuator link  66  downwardly toward the end of the scooper frame tube  44  urging the pivot joint coupling  78  toward the end of the tube  44 . As the pivot joint coupling  78  is urged toward the end of the tube  44 , both scoop jaw links  74 ,  76  are further extended outwardly from the tube  44  causing the pivot angle and spacing between the links  74 ,  76  to increase thereby causing the jaws  34 ,  36  to rotate about their respective pivot  56 ,  60  opening the jaws  34 ,  36 . 
         [0033]    To prevent any portion of any object scooped up into the object-retaining chamber  38  from passing through or otherwise falling downwardly from of the chamber  38  when the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  are closed, the bottom wall outer edges  99  and outer sidewall edges  100  adjoin and preferably abut one another as depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  8  and  9 . Depending on the nature of contact between the bottom wall outer edges  99  and outer sidewall edges  100 , closure of the jaws  34 ,  36  can and preferably does provide a seal therebetween forming an object-enclosing chamber  38  of substantially sealed construction that preferably prevents flow of granular material between the abutting scoop jaw edges  99  and  100  providing a seal therebetween that can even be liquid-tight if desired. Where the outer edge  99  of the bottom wall  96  of each scoop jaw  34 ,  36  is formed with spaced apart teeth  104 , the teeth  104  of both jaws  34 ,  36  engage and enmesh one another when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed in a manner that helps prevent any portion of any of the objects scooped up from passing through or otherwise falling out of the object-retaining chamber  38 . 
         [0034]    A scooper  32  made in accordance with the present invention having scoop jaws  34 ,  36  that form such an object-retaining chamber  38  of substantially completely enclosed construction when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed advantageously produces a more sanitary scooper  32  because it minimizes and preferably substantially completely prevents loss of matter from the chamber  38 . Where the jaws  34 ,  36  are of imperforate construction, such imperforate jaws  34 ,  36  form an object-retaining chamber  38  of substantially completely sealed construction produces an even more sanitary scooper  32  by minimizing and preferably substantially completely preventing disease transfer, insect infestation, parasitic outbreaks, and the like, particularly when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed during storage. 
         [0035]    To cover the opening  105  formed at the top of the object-retaining chamber  38  where the sidewall  100  of both scoop jaws  34 ,  36  terminate, a skirt  106  extends outwardly from the frame  40  and overlies at least a portion of the sidewall  100  of each jaw  34 ,  36  located adjacent the end of the frame  40 . Such a skirt  106  extends outwardly and downwardly from the frame  40  toward the jaws  34 ,  36  having a generally circular outer peripheral edge  108  overlying both jaws  34 ,  36  forming a generally bowl-shaped skirt  106  that covers or enshrouds a generally spherically shaped top portion of the object-retaining chamber  38 . Such a skirt  106  preferably also helps cover and protect the scoop jaw links  74 ,  76 , the pivot joint coupling  78 , and/or each one of the scoop jaw pivot joints  53 ,  55 ,  87  and  89 . 
         [0036]    Such a downwardly facing bowl-shaped skirt  106  is formed of a generally outwardly and downwardly extending conical, frustoconical or frustum shaped skirt sidewall  110  that can and preferably does extend from one scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  90  to the other scoop jaw pivot anchor arm  92 . Where the scooper  32  includes such a skirt  106  that interconnects or extends between the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92 , the skirt  106  can form part of a cradle  91  that helps support the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  along substantially the entire surface area of both jaws  34 ,  36  that is covered or enshrouded by the skirt  106  when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed. Where the scooper  32  includes such a skirt  106  that interconnects or extends between the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92 , the scoop jaw pivot anchor arms  90 ,  92  also function as stiffeners or stiffening ribs that help strengthen and structurally rigidify the frame  40  and the skirt  106 . 
         [0037]    A scooper  32  constructed in accordance with the present invention can be resiliently urged or biased, such as by a biasing element or the like (not shown), e.g., spring, toward the closed position shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  8  and  9 , but preferably is biased toward an open position, such as the open positions shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7 . Although not shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the trigger  70  of the handle  42  can be resiliently biased toward the desired open or closed scoop jaw position by a spring, such as a torsion spring, a coil spring or the like. If desired, a coil spring captured in compression or disposed in tension could be grounded to the frame  40  and coupled to the trigger  70  and/or the actuating link  66  to urge or bias one or both scoop jaws  34 ,  36  to the desired open or closed position. Other suitable examples of one or more arrangements for resiliently urging or biasing one or both scoop jaws of a scooper toward either a desired open position or a desired closed position are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,434, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0038]    Although not shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the scooper  32  can include a manually operated lock, such as the trigger lock  112  shown in  FIG. 11 , configured to enable a user to releasably lock one or both scoop jaws  34 ,  36  in a desired open or closed position such as by locking the trigger  70  in place. In this regard, where a scooper  32  in accordance with the present invention is configured to urge or bias one or both jaws  34 ,  36  to an open position, e.g., an “always open” scoop jaw configuration, such a lock, e.g., trigger lock  112 , can releasably retain one or both jaws  34 ,  36  in the closed position until the lock  112  is disengaged. Where a scooper  32  constructed in accordance with the present invention is of an “always open” configuration and has scoop jaws  34 ,  36  with generally flat or planar bottom walls  96  upon which the scooper  32  can be uprightly stood, such a lock, e.g., trigger lock  112 , enables one or both jaws  34 ,  36  to be releasably locked in their closed position thereby enabling the scooper  32  to be stood uprightly when not in use. 
         [0039]    During use and operation of the scooper  32 , a user grasps the handle  42  to move the scooper  32  into a desired position relative to an object  103  on the ground, floor or another surface  101  disposed below the user that the user wishes to pick up. Where one or both scoop jaws  34 ,  36  have been locked, such as during storage of the scooper  32 , the lock is released enabling the scooper  32  to be used. When at least one of the jaws  34 ,  36  have been manipulated by the user so the teeth  104  of one of the jaws  34 ,  36  is disposed alongside the object, the user manipulates the trigger  70  of the handle  42  in a manner that moves at least one of the jaws  34 ,  36  relative to the other one of the jaws  34 ,  36  to scoop the object up and capture the object in the chamber  38  formed when the jaws  34 ,  36  are closed. 
         [0040]    Where the scooper  32  is of an “always open” configuration, releasing the lock, e.g., trigger lock  112  ( FIG. 11 ), opens the scooper  32  by enabling at least one of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  to move relative to the other one of the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  to an open position, During scooping up of the object, squeezing of the trigger  70  of the handle  42  causes each movable jaw  34 ,  36  to close. When closed, each object  103  scooped up is releasably retained in the chamber  38  formed by the closed jaws  34 ,  36  enabling each object  103  to be easily, securely and safely deposited elsewhere in a sanitary manner. 
         [0041]    Where the scooper  32  is equipped with a lock, e.g., trigger lock  112  ( FIG. 11 ), the scoop jaws  34 ,  36  can be releasably locked closed helping to ensure that any object  103  within the chamber  38  will not be inadvertently dropped or discharged until a user of the scooper  32  desires to do so. Where not equipped with a lock, a user can simply continue to squeeze the trigger  70  to keep the jaws  34 ,  36  closed until the chamber  38  is maneuvered over a desired location, such as a bag, refuse container or the like. Once maneuvered over the desired location, the trigger  70  can be released to cause one or both jaws  34 ,  36  to open releasing the object(s)  103  from the chamber  38  into the bag, refuse container or the like. 
         [0042]    A scooper  32  constructed in accordance with the present invention is well suited for outdoor use for picking up dog poop, for grasping and picking up objects  103  on the floor or ground  101 , as well as for indoor use in removing litter clumps and turds from litter boxes. Where the scooper  32  is intended for use in scooping fecal matter, turds, clumps and the like from granular litter in a litter box, the sidewall  94  and/or bottom wall  96  of one or both scoop jaws  34 ,  36  can be of perforate construction. 
         [0043]    Understandably, the present invention has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments and methods. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the claimed invention. Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the claimed invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the claims set forth below.