Patent Publication Number: US-10787313-B1

Title: Collection receptacle apparatus

Description:
I. RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/637,073, filed on Mar. 1, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application discloses and describes a collection receptacle apparatus. 
     III. MOTIVATION OF THE INVENTOR 
     Many apparatuses, systems, and methods have been attempted to collect loose articles and items, especially for gathering and collecting debris into a disposable storage receptacle. For example, there are several variants of chutes that are utilized with a lawn rake or brush to collect and then deposit the gathered lawn debris into a storage receptacle. The variants include chutes with various slopes and dimensions, as well as variants of the rake(s) and/or brush(es) that exist, including standard leaf rakes with an elongated handle or leaf rakes that are mounted to a user&#39;s hands. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,041, issued in the name of Jelincic; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,871, issued in the name of Reyes; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,117, issued in the name of Alexander, III; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,369, issued in the name of Ridley, Sr. et al.; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,461, issued in the name of Killian; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,522, issued in the name of Anderson; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,742 B2, issued in the name of Weathers et al.; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,965 B1, issued in the name of Bergell; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,991 B1, issued in the name of Sapp; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,959,704 B1, issued in the name of Pena; 
     U.S. Patent Application no. 2008/0052869 A1, published in the name of Fanning; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D429,609, issued in the name of Azevedo; 
     U.S. Pat. No. D567,465 S. issued in the name of Lucker; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. D513,352 S, issued in the name of Weathers et al. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus, system, and/or method that provides an improved device for gathering, collecting, and disposing of debris, including natural items (e.g., leaves, grass clippings) and man-made items (e.g., disposable container cartons). 
     This application presents claims and embodiments that fulfill a need or needs not yet satisfied by the products, inventions and methods previously or presently available. In particular, the claims and embodiments disclosed herein describe a collection receptacle apparatus, the apparatus comprises an elongated base member having a sloped front edge which extends into a horizontal upper surface section opposing a bottom surface; a receptacle attachment member and a coupling means for releasably attaching a mouth portion of a collection receptacle to the receptacle attachment member; and a pair of adjustable, distally-oriented vertical members secured to the horizontal upper surface section, the pair of vertical members is integrally joined by an elongated horizontal member; wherein the collection receptacle apparatus of the present invention providing unanticipated and nonobvious combination of features distinguished from the devices, apparatuses, inventions and methods preexisting in the art. The applicant is unaware of any device, apparatus, method, disclosure or reference that discloses the features of the claims and embodiments disclosed herein, and as more fully described below. 
     IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A collection receptacle apparatus is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises an elongated base member having a sloped front edge which extends into a horizontal upper surface section opposing a bottom surface. The apparatus further comprises a receptacle attachment member and a coupling means for releasably attaching a mouth portion of a collection receptacle to the receptacle attachment member. 
     A pair of distally-oriented vertical members is secured to the horizontal upper surface. The pair of vertical members is integrally coupled by an elongated horizontal member. A mouth portion a collection receptacle is opened and releasably attached in an opened condition around the collection receptacle attachment member via an attachment means. Each one of the pair of vertical members is telescopically adjustable. 
    
    
     
       V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a collection receptacle apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  depicting the receptacle attachment means in a different position articulated along pivot means; 
         FIG. 3  is side-view opposite to the view of the apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of an inner vertical or horizontal member telescopically arranged and movable about an outer vertical or horizontal member using adjustment means, such as an outwardly biased spring-loaded button and indexing holes; 
         FIG. 5  is the underside view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is an alternate embodiment wherein the distally-oriented vertical members are inserted through the upper surface; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of one embodiment of attachment means, depicted as a C-shaped clamp of returnably resilient material. 
     
    
    
     VI. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) 
     In accordance with the drawings illustrating at least one embodiment, as generally depicted in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 7 , a collection receptacle apparatus  10  comprises an elongated base member  12 . The base  12  has a sloped front edge  12   a  that is mutually coextensive with and/or extends into a horizontal upper surface section  12   b . The upper surface  12   b  is in mutual opposition to a bottom surface section  12   c . A receptacle attachment member  14  depends from the base  12 . The receptacle attachment member  14  serves multiple functions, including for maneuvering the apparatus  10  as well as for coupling a separate collection receptacle (R) (such as a plastic garbage bag) for collecting debris or loose items. Coupling means  16  couples the collection receptacle (R) with the attachment member  14 . 
     It is envisioned that the base  12  may comprise a variety of configurations without departing from the spirit of this description and disclosure. For example, the sloped front edge  12   a  may comprise a variety of dimensional widths, including a front edge  12   a  that is wider than the upper surface  12   b , a front edge  12   a  that is substantially similar in width to the upper surface  12   b , and/or a front edge that is narrower than the width of the upper surface  12   b . In another embodiment, the leading margin of the front edge  12   a  may include a bumper or lift that assists in sliding or moving debris from the native surface onto the sloped surface  12   a  and the upper surface  12   b , respectively. In another embodiment, the sloped surface  12   a  and/or the upper surface  12   b  may comprise surface material that enhances and/or promotes efficient sliding or movement of debris from the native surface onto the sloped  12   a  and/or upper surfaces  12   b . A transition or margin  12   c  may be indicated between the sloped surface  12   a  and the upper surface  12   b.    
     The base  12  may further include a first sidewall  12   d  and a second sidewall  12   e  aligned along either side of the sloped surface  12   a , each one of the sidewalls  12   d  and  12   e  is upwardly depending and/or extending sidewall that assists in guiding the targeted article(s), item(s), and/or debris through the sloped surface  12   a  and to minimize spillage and improve efficiency. Intermediately disposed between sidewalls  12   d  and  12   e  is a rear brace  12   f  with multi-sides and surfaces. The horizontal upper surface section  12   b  is the exposed upper surface of rear brace  12   f.    
     The receptacle attachment member  14  may have a variety of configurations. For example, in one embodiment, receptacle attachment member  14  comprises a unified, single-piece unit. It is envisioned that this single-piece receptacle attachment member  14  articulates along a means for pivoting  14   a.    
     In another embodiment, consistent with  FIGS. 1-3 and 6 , receptacle attachment member  14  comprises a plurality of elements, including a pair of distally-oriented vertical members  14   b  with a horizontal member  14   c  intermediately disposed between the vertical members  14   b . The vertical members  14   b  may insert into the base  12  at a variety of locations. In one embodiment, the vertical members  14   b  may insert into the base  12  via the sidewalls  12   d  and  12   e . In another embodiment, the vertical members  14   b  may insert into the horizontal upper surface  12   b  (and the exposed upper surface of rear brace  12   f ). 
     Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 3 , an anchor device  30  is provided for securing the apparatus  10  in position during use. The anchor device  30  is envisioned to be pivotally secured to opposing sidewalls  12   d  and  12   e . The anchor device  30  includes an elongated appendage with a pointed lower end for insertion into the ground. Other anchoring devices and mechanisms are envisioned and therefore are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a stake engaged through the hole of a flange, the flange extending integrally radially from the sidewalls  12   d  and  12   e.    
     It is envisioned that each one of the pair of distally-oriented vertical members  14   b  and the horizontal member  14   c  are separately linearly adjustable. In one embodiment, the vertical members  14   b  may comprise an inner vertical member  14   d  and an outer vertical member  14   e , wherein the vertical members  14   d  and  14   e  are adjustable and coupled via adjustment means  15 . In such an embodiment, the outer vertical member  14   e  has a diameter greater than the inner vertical member  14   d , thereby allowing the inner vertical member  14   d  to adjustably slide into and out from the inner diameter of the outer vertical member  14   e . It is also envisioned that the vertical members  14   b  articulate along means for pivoting  14   a.    
     Similarly, the horizontal member  14   c  may comprise an inner horizontal member  14   f  and an outer horizontal member  14   g , wherein the horizontal members  14   f  and  14   g  are adjustable and coupled via adjustment means  15 . It is envisioned that a variety of adjustment means  15  may be used to achieve telescoping movement and securement, including friction impingement utilizing a depressible button outwardly biased via a spring and residing on or within the inner vertical member  14   d  or the inner horizontal member  14   f , respectively and as applicable. The button is adjustable along a plurality of indexing holes  20  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) provided along the outer vertical member  14   e  or outer horizontal member  14   g , respectively. 
     Consistent with  FIGS. 2 and 3 , pivoting means  14   a  may comprise a variety of elements. In one embodiment, pivoting means  14   a  may comprise an articulating connector or hinge, or other suitably similar apparatus. In another embodiment, pivoting means  14   a  may comprise a linearly elongated shaft  17  ( FIG. 5 ) intermediately disposed between the opposing vertical members  14   b  along insertion points into the base  12 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 7 , coupling means  16  is provided for releasably attaching the mouth portion of the collection receptacle (R) to the receptacle attachment member  14 . Coupling means  16  may comprise a variety of configurations. In one embodiment, coupling means  16  may comprise a C-shaped clamp, adjustable to allow a user to manipulate the collection receptacle (R) boundary or edge so that the C-shaped clamp will impinge the receptacle (R) with the receptacle attachment member  14 . In one embodiment, the C-shaped clamp comprises a returnably resilient material. 
     It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims are not limited in application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and/or illustrated in drawings. Rather, the description and/or the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned, but the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or a preferred embodiment disclosed and/or identified in the specification. Any drawing figures that may be provided are for illustrative purposes only, and merely provide practical examples of the invention disclosed herein. Therefore, any drawing figures provided should not be viewed as restricting the scope of the claims to what is depicted. 
     The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways, including various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described above but that may not have been explicitly disclosed in specific combinations and sub-combinations. 
     Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the embodiments and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.