Patent Publication Number: US-6708742-B2

Title: Leaf and debris chute

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a chute apparatus for facilitating leaf and debris collection. 
     2. Background Information 
     Many municipalities have relatively new laws prohibiting the dumping or burning of leaves and other debris. The debris must therefore be collected in trash bags, sometimes a specific type, size or color of trash bag, and set on the curb for pickup by a trash service, or hauled to a specified disposal location. Unfortunately, raking up and bagging fall leaves is difficult for a single person to undertake, particularly if the individual is handicapped or infirm. Once the leaves are raked into piles, it is difficult to hold the garbage or leaf bag open and at the same time insert handfuls of slippery leaves. Some people put one foot on the edge of the trash bag, lean over and hold the bag open with one hand, and attempt to scoop in leaves with the other hand. Since only a comparative few leaves can be inserted with each handful or rake full, the job is labor intensive and sometimes results in back sprains, spasms, and aching muscles. 
     The inexpensive chute apparatus of the present invention makes collecting leaves quicker and easier. It markedly decreases the amount of bending and stretching necessary to do yard work, and is especially helpful for older or infirm people. It can also be used for collecting outdoor trash, such as discarded napkins, paper cups, brochures, and other debris after a church festival, for example. It is versatile and can be used with a trash bag or garbage can. The chute apparatus can be hung in the garage or stored outdoors when it is not in use. A smaller, lightweight embodiment can be used indoors for sweeping up debris on a table, in a work space, etc. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a chute apparatus for collecting leaves or debris, which includes: 
     (a) an upper chute portion having an open front portion, the chute portion comprising a back portion, the back chute portion having a front end that is wider than its rear end, and two matching chute sides attached to either side of the back chute portion, the front end of the back chute portion being wider than each of the chute sides; and 
     (b) an open-ended lower channel portion connected to the chute portion, the channel portion comprising four sides: an upper section, a channel back section opposite to the channel upper section, and two narrower channel side sections, which are opposite to one another and which connect the channel upper section to the channel back section; 
     wherein the narrower end of the back chute portion is connected to the channel back section; and the two chute sides are connected at their lower ends to upper ends of the two opposite channel sides. 
     Also included herein is an alternate embodiment comprising a chute portion without a channel portion, wherein the chute sides are hinged to the back chute portion; an alternate embodiment comprising clips on the sides for holding a trash bag on the outside of the channel portion; and an alternate embodiment comprising a partial front portion and a ridge for holding a trash bag. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a chute apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chute apparatus according to FIG. 1, shown with a full trash can; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a chute apparatus according to the present invention, shown with a trash bag; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chute apparatus of FIG. 3, shown with a trash bag clipped on; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a chute apparatus according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chute apparatus of FIG. 5, shown with a trash bag; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the chute apparatus of FIG. 6, shown in a folded position; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a corner portion of the chute apparatus according to FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a chute apparatus according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the chute apparatus of FIG. 9, taken across line  10 — 10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “back,” “within,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described. 
     Turning first to FIG. 1, a chute apparatus, generally referred to as  10 , according to the present invention is shown in use on a lawn. In FIG. 1, a user is raking fallen leaves  11  and other lawn debris into the chute apparatus  10 , which has been placed on its back on the ground. A lower portion of the chute apparatus  10  fits closely into a trash receptacle  12 , which is also laying on its back. The chute apparatus  10  may include a trash receptacle  12  designed to fit closely over the chute apparatus, or an appropriately sized conventional open trash receptacle may be employed. The trash receptacle  12  preferably includes upper and lower handles  13  on its upper side for lifting the trash receptacle  12  with the chute apparatus  10  in it. The chute apparatus  10  preferably also includes a handle  14  on its upper side, as shown in FIG. 1, for aid in lifting the chute apparatus out of the trash receptacle once it is full, or the task has been completed. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the chute apparatus  10  is comprised of an upper chute portion  15  and a lower channel portion  16 . The channel portion is preferably generally rectangular or square-shaped as shown, although it can be semi-circular in cross-section. The leaves  11  and other debris are raked into an open front portion  17  of the chute portion  15 . The open front portion of the chute portion is narrower than the rear portion of the chute. The chute portion  15  comprises a back portion  18 , which is wider in the front than the rear. The back portion  18  preferably has straight edges, but its longitudinal sides may alternatively be slightly curved in at its mid-section, forming a generally hour glass shape (not shown). The back chute portion  18  is bordered on its opposite long edges by two chute sides  19 , the chute sides being approximately at right angles to the back portion  18 . Each of the chute sides  19  and the chute back portion  18  preferably form an angle of between about 80 and 110 degrees. This angle facilitates collection of the debris being swept into the front of the chute portion. The upper edges of the two chute sides preferably project outward slightly, forming flanges  20 . In addition to giving additional strength to the chute, the flanges  20  catch some of the stray debris that is tossed up by the raking action. 
     Continuing with FIG. 2, the open-ended channel portion  16  comprises four sides: an upper section  21 , a channel back section  22  opposite to the upper section, and two narrower channel side sections  23 , which are opposite to one another and which connect the channel upper section  21  to the channel back section  22 . The narrower end of the back chute portion  18  is connected to the back section  22  of the channel portion, which is preferably generally rectangular or square in shape. The seam between the two sections is smooth so as not to impede movement of the debris through the channel portion  15 ; in fact, the two sections may be formed of one molded piece, or the entire chute apparatus may be formed in a mold. The chute apparatus is preferably made of a plastic (most preferred), wood, aluminum, or resin material, although it can be made of any suitable synthetic or naturally occurring material. The two chute sides  23  are connected (or continuous) at their lower ends to the upper ends of the two opposite channel sides  23 . Both ends of the channel portion  16  are open to allow passage of the debris from the chute portion  15  into the trash receptacle  11 . 
     To use the chute apparatus  10 , the channel portion  16  of the chute apparatus is placed into an empty trash receptacle  12 . The chute apparatus  10  may include its own close-fitting trash receptacle, or a conventional garbage can may be used. If the chute apparatus includes a trash can, two handles are preferred at opposite ends of the front face of the trash can (see FIG. 1) to facilitate lifting the trash can when it is full. The chute apparatus and trash receptacle are then tipped over onto their backs on the ground in the desired location of the yard, as shown in FIG.  1 . The chute apparatus is then in a generally horizontal position. A pile of leaves or other debris is swept into the open front of the chute portion  15 . Once the user is finished, he or she upends the chute apparatus and receptacle, so the chute apparatus is in a generally vertical position. The user then pulls the chute apparatus  10  out of the trash receptacle, as shown in FIG. 2, preferably shaking the chute apparatus  10  as it is removed so the leaves  11  remain in the trash receptacle  12 . The chute apparatus  10  lifts easily and cleanly out of the trash can. The leaves and other debris in the trash receptacle are then disposed of in a conventional manner. 
     Once the yard work is complete for the day, the chute apparatus  10  can be stored in the garage or, since it is preferably made of a durable plastic material, outdoors until its next use. Since it is durable and has no sharp edges, small children can crawl through it and play with it between uses. The chute handle  14  preferably projects away from the front of the chute portion, as shown in FIG. 2, so it can be hung over a nail or hook in a garage wall for off-the-ground storage of the chute apparatus. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, clips  25  are attached to the outside of the two channel side sections  23  for removable attachment of a trash bag. This most preferred, lightweight embodiment employs a trash bag  26  instead of a trash receptacle for holding the leaves/debris. The rigid channel portion  16  holds the upper part of the trash bag  26  open while the leaves are loaded in. This decreases the labor involved in yard work. With this apparatus, a second person is not required to hold the trash bag open while the first person loads it with leaves. 
     To use this embodiment, the user pulls the upper part of a conventional plastic trash bag  26  over the outside of the channel portion  16 , as shown in FIG. 3, and attaches an upper edge  27  of the trash bag to the clips  25  on either side of the channel portion, as shown in FIG.  4 . Other suitable means of attachment, such as clamps or snaps, may be used instead of clips. The user then lays the chute apparatus  10  on its back near the leaf pile or other debris to be collected. Once the user rakes the leaves, mulch or other debris into the chute portion  15  of the chute apparatus  10 , he or she tips the chute apparatus up, shakes it a few times, unfastens the top edge  27  of the trash bag  26  from the clips  25 , and sets the chute apparatus aside. The user then closes the top of the loaded trash bag and disposes of it in a conventional, acceptable manner. The user can then load another trash bag  26  onto the chute apparatus  10  and repeat the process. This embodiment is particularly well-suited for disposing of lightweight debris, such as fallen leaves. The leaves slide easily into the leaf bag without tearing the bag. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Turning now to FIGS. 5 through 8, an alternate embodiment  30  of the chute apparatus is collapsible to a flat position, as shown in FIG. 7, for easy storage on a shelf, under a porch, etc. As is apparent from FIGS. 5 and 7, this embodiment  30  of the chute apparatus has a chute portion  15 , but no channel portion. This chute apparatus  30  comprises an open front portion  17 ; a back portion  18  having a front end  28  that is wider than its rear end  29 ; and two matching chute sides  19  attached to either side of the back chute portion  18 . The front end of the back chute portion  18  is wider than each of the chute sides  19 ; and an upper edge of each chute side forms a flange  20 . The flanges  20 , strengthen the chute and catch a certain amount of airborne debris. The two chute sides  19  are hinged along opposite sides of the back chute portion  18 . In each of these embodiments, the front edge  32  of the chute may be sloped downward to facilitate collection of small debris. 
     As seen in FIGS. 5-7, the hinges  31  connecting the chute sides  19  to the back chute portion  18  preferably extend substantially the length of the chute sides  19 . The hinges  31  are preferably stepped so that the side flaps  19  can be opened at any desired angle and remain in position until they are moved again by the user. This is advantageous because the user may wish to have the chute sides  19  at right angles to the back chute portion  18  for assisting in collecting a small amount of lightweight debris (e.g., from sweeping the kitchen), or at a wider, obtuse angle to prevent larger debris, or a large pile of debris, from escaping along the outer edges of the chute. In the folded, storage-ready position shown in FIG. 7, the inside surface of the side flaps  19  contact the inside surface of the back chute portion  18 . The side flaps  19  open outwardly in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG.  7 . In addition to allowing for a folded, storage position, then, the hinges  31  permit various open positions with different degrees of angle. This chute apparatus is also preferably made of a plastic-type material. The first and second embodiments herein, which are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and  3  and  4 , respectively, may similarly comprise hinges  31  in the chute portion  15 . 
     In use, the front edge  27  of a standard sized trash bag  26  is attached to the chute apparatus  30  by means of clips  25 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The clips  25  are attached to the outside lower end portion of each of the chute sides  19  (see FIG. 7) for the removable attachment of a trash bag to the chute apparatus. 
     As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, one option for holding the chute sides  19  in an open position during use is a removable key  33  and corresponding aperture  34  in each chute side. The key  33  preferably has the shape of a capital “F”, as shown in FIG.  8 . The F-shaped key has a long spine  35  and two prongs at a right angle to the spine  35 . Each chute side has one aperture at its lower end (therefore the trash bag obscures the key in FIG.  6 ). The aperture  34  has the same shape as a lower prong  36  of the F-shaped key in cross-section. The lower prong  36  therefore closely fits through the aperture  34  from which placement it projects into an interior of the chute  30 . When the key  33  is in place in the aperture  34 , the spine  35  of the F-shaped key  33  is adjacent to and supports the outside surface of a chute side  19 . When the key  33  is in the aperture  34 , an outer (upper) prong  37  of the “F” key is adjacent to and supports the outside surface of the back chute portion  18 . The two keys  33  are placed in the apertures  34  on both sides of the chute by the user to hold the chute apparatus  30  in an open position. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 show a fourth alternate embodiment  40  of the chute apparatus, which can be used outdoors or indoors. In addition to facilitating collection of leaves and other debris outdoors, it can be used indoors, for example for collecting crumbs and other refuse swept up from a table surface, work space, or kitchen floor. This embodiment  40  of the chute apparatus comprises open front and rear ends; a back chute portion  18  with a front end  28  that is wider than its rear end  29 ; and two matching chute sides  19  attached to either side of the back chute portion  18 . The front end of the back chute portion  18  is wider than each of the chute sides  19 . An upper edge of each chute side forms a flange  20 . The chute apparatus  40  further comprises a partial front portion  41  with a rear edge  42  that is continuous with the rear edges of the two adjacent chute sides and the back chute portion  18 . As shown in FIG. 9, a small ridge  43  encircles the chute apparatus  40 , passing just below the front edge  44  of the partial front portion  41 . The partial front portion  41  adds strength to the structure, and a convenient handle, front edge  44 , for picking up and directing the apparatus. 
     FIG. 10 shows the chute apparatus  40  in cross-section. This cross-section is taken across lines  10 — 10  of the chute apparatus of FIG.  9 . The ridge  43  can be seen along the upper front portion  41  and the outside of the lower back portion  18 . For purposes of illustration, a trash bag is shown in outline in FIG.  10 . Because the trash bag is a standard size, it has a known diameter and its upper edge fits closely over the ridge  43 . The ridge dispenses with the need for clips or other means of attachment. Even though the edge of the trash bag fits tautly over the ridge, it is easy to put on and, once the task is complete, remove. The ridge may include a slit at one point for the insertion of a clip or clothespin if tighter attachment of the edge of the trash bag is needed. 
     In FIG. 10, the chute apparatus  40  is shown lying on the ground  38 . It can be seen that the back chute portion  18  is somewhat bent, or buckled, inward at its midsection  45  towards the interior of the chute. This feature forces the front edge  32  of the back chute portion  18  to press into the ground  38 . Since the ground is often relatively soft or grassy, this facilitates the raking of leaves, or the sweeping of crumbs or other debris, into the chute apparatus. On the other hand, the bend is not marked, so the slope to the ribbed midsection  45  is not steep enough to disrupt the flow of the debris down the chute into the trash bag  26  or other trash receptacle. This feature is preferably present in all embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ridge  43  along the outside (bottom) of the back chute portion  18  projects slightly into the ground, which also helps to maintain the chute apparatus in position. Since the back chute portion  18  is bent inward, the bottom edge of the chute sides  19  where they meet the back portion  18  are also slightly V-shaped to compensate. 
     Any of these embodiments are available in a larger size, which will work with a 30 to 60 gallon trash can or bag, for example, for yard work, and medium or smaller sizes, which will work with a 10 to 15 gallon trash can or bag, for example, for indoor use. The fourth embodiment herein with an accompanying five to ten gallon trash can is preferred for indoor use. In the latter case, the front portion of the chute portion is preferably slightly wider than the width of a broom. The second embodiment herein is preferred for outdoor use. 
     The trash can  11  and/or the chute apparatus  10 ,  30 ,  40  optionally includes two wheels, particularly for the larger embodiments herein. One wheel is attached to each end of a lower edge of the trash can or chute apparatus. To move the trash can or chute apparatus, the user leans the trash can or chute back on the wheels, lifting the opposite edge off the ground, and pushes the trash can or chute to the desired location. 
     From the foregoing it can be realized that the described device of the present invention may be easily and conveniently utilized for the collection of fallen leaves or other debris. It is to be understood that any dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be limiting. 
     While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these claims in connection with any other person&#39;s product which fall outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality do not materially depart from this invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 
     Brief List of Reference Numbers Used in the Drawings 
       10  chute apparatus 
       11  leaves 
       12  trash receptacle 
       13  trash receptacle handles 
       14  chute handle 
       15  chute portion 
       16  channel portion 
       17  open front portion of chute 
       18  back chute portion 
       19  chute sides 
       20  flanges 
       21  channel upper section 
       22  channel back section 
       23  channel side sections 
       25  clip 
       26  trash bag 
       27  edge of trash bag 
       28  front end of back chute portion 
       29  rear end of back chute portion 
       30  alternate embodiment of chute apparatus 
       31  hinge 
       32  front edge 
       33  key 
       34  aperture in chute side 
       35  spine of F-shaped key 
       36  lower prong of F-shaped key 
       37  outer prong of F-shaped key 
       38  ground 
       40  fourth alternate embodiment of chute apparatus 
       41  partial front portion 
       42  rear edge of front portion 
       43  ridge 
       44  front edge of front portion 
       45  bent midsection