Patent Publication Number: US-9409666-B1

Title: Apparatus for collecting debris and method of use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the filing benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/812,730, filed Apr. 17, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention pertains generally to debris collection, and more particularly to apparatus and method for effecting the collection. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Yard debris collection presents a problem for the occupants of residential property. In the fall leaves must be collected, and at other times of the year grass clippings must be removed. Blowers and rakes can be used to move the debris into piles, however in order to be transported, the debris must be packaged within a bag or other collection device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to apparatus and method for collecting debris. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in collecting yard debris such as leaves, grass clippings, twigs and branches, and the like, but can also be used to collect other types of residential or commercial debris. The user fills the apparatus with the debris, and can then transport the debris-filled apparatus to a disposal area or facility. The apparatus is positioned on a support surface and the debris is blown or otherwise directed into the apparatus. The apparatus has two diverters which are positioned so that they channel the debris into the mouth of the apparatus. The apparatus can be used on soft support surfaces such as a lawn or the ground, wherein stakes are used to hold the apparatus in place. Or, the apparatus can be used on a hard support surface such as concrete or asphalt wherein weights are used to hold the apparatus in place. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, apparatus for collecting debris is positionable upon a support surface. The apparatus includes a body which has a first end and an opposite second end. The first end has a first side, an opposite second side, and a mouth for receiving the debris. A first diverter is connected to the first side of the first end, and a second diverter connected to the second side of the first end. The first and second diverters are positionable so that they channel the debris into the mouth. The first diverter has a first distal end. A first stake is provided for connecting the first distal end to the support surface. The second diverter has a second distil end. A second stake is provided for connecting the second distal end to the support surface. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the first end includes a first wire frame which forms the mouth. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the second end includes a second wire frame. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus cooperates with first and second weights. The first diverter includes a first pocket for receiving the first weight, and the second diverter includes a second pocket for receiving the second weight. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the apparatus cooperates with a tether. The body includes a tether connector for attaching the tether. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the body and the first and second diverters are made from fabric. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the first stake is connected to the first distal end of the first diverter, and the second stake is connected to the second distal end of the second diverter. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second diverters are positionable to cover the mouth. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the first and second diverters each have a triangular shape. 
     Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the apparatus and method of use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of apparatus for collecting debris; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus filled with debris; 
         FIG. 3  is top plan view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a wire frame; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of area  10  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross sectional view along the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the apparatus with first and second diverters positioned to cover the mouth of the apparatus; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the apparatus; and, 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view tethers being used to hold the apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are illustrated empty and filled views respectively of apparatus  20  for collecting debris  500 , apparatus  20  being positionable upon a support surface  600 . In the shown embodiment support surface  600  is a soft surface such as a lawn or the ground upon which debris  600  is disposed. However in another embodiment of apparatus  20 , support surface  600  can be a hard surface such as a concrete or asphalt driveway, a stone or brick walkway, a road, or the like (refer to  FIGS. 8-11  and the associated discussions). Apparatus  20  includes a body  22  which has a first end  24  and an opposite second end  26 . First end  24  has a first side  28 , an opposite second side  30 , and a mouth  32  for receiving debris  500 . A first diverter  34  is connected to first side  28  of first end  24 , and a second diverter  36  is connected to second side  30  of first end  24 . First  34  and second  36  diverters are positionable so that they channel debris  500  into mouth  32 . That is, first  34  and second  36  diverters are angled with respect to the longitudinal center line of body  22 , so that they serve to funnel debris  500  into open mouth  32 . First diverter  34  has a first distal end  38 . A first stake  40  is provided for connecting first distal end  38  to support surface  600 . Second diverter  36  has a second distal end  42 . A second stake  44  is provided for connecting second distal end  42  to support surface  600 . That is, stakes  40  and  44  are driven into support surface  600  (e.g. a lawn or the ground) to anchor apparatus  20  in place. 
     In  FIG. 1 , apparatus  20  is shown empty and ready to receive debris  500 , such as the shown leaves. In  FIG. 2 , apparatus  20  is filled wherein debris  500  has been moved toward apparatus  20  in the direction of the arrows, such as by using a blower, rake, or even by the wind. As debris  500  is moved toward apparatus  20 , diverters  34  and  36  deflect the debris and channel it into mouth  32 . It is also noted that in  FIG. 2  debris  500  causes body  22  to expand with respect to the unfilled configuration of  FIG. 1 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , there are shown top plan, front elevation, rear elevation, and side elevation views respectively of apparatus  20 .  FIG. 7  shows a front elevation view of two wire frames  25  and  27  (each being the same in the shown embodiment). Wire frames  25  and  27  are each a closed contour (i.e. they are each a continuous loop which does not have ends). Body  22  has a top and an opposite bottom which resides on support surface  600 . First end  24  includes a first wire frame  25  (such as made of resilient spring wire) which forms mouth  32 . Second end  26  includes a second wire frame  27  which shapes second end  26 . Wire frames  25  and  27  hold first end  24  and second end  26  in a generally rounded rectangular shape (a rectangle with rounded corners). 
     In an embodiment, body  22 , first diverter  34  and second diverter  36  are each made from a flexible fabric (synthetic or natural). In an embodiment, the fabric is somewhat stiff so that, in conjunction with frames  25  and  27  and stakes  40  and  44 , apparatus  20  will retain the shape depicted in  FIG. 1  when empty, with mouth  32  positioned to receive debris  500 . A fabric such as a polymer tarp could be utilized. The fabric can also be waterproof and biodegradable. Because body  22 , first diverter  34  and second diverter  36  are made from fabric, apparatus  20  is collapsible, and can be folded and stored in a carrying bag. It is noted that in the shown embodiment first diverter  34  and second diverter  36  are made from unsupported (no ribs or other support members) fabric, and also first  34  and second  36  diverters have a triangular shape. It is noted that the triangular shape of first diverter  34  is formed by distal end  38  of first diverter  34  and two points on first side  28  of first end  24  of body  22 , and the triangular shape of second diverter  36  is formed by second distal end  42  of second diverter  36  and two points on second side  30  of first end  24  of body  22 . 
     Body  22  and second end  26  are closed so as to retain debris  500 . Second end  26  and a portion of the top of body  22  are make from breathable netting material  46  which will pass air therefore allowing body  22  to fill with debris  500 , but which will not pass debris  500 . 
     In the shown embodiment, first stake  40  is directly and permanently connected to first distal end  38  of first diverter  34 , and second stake  44  is directly and permanently connected to second distal end  40  of second diverter  36 . As such, stakes  40  and  44  are always readily available to anchor apparatus  20  to support surface  600 . However, in another embodiment, stakes  40  and  44  are not connected to the diverters (refer to  FIG. 13 ). Two carrying handles  47  are provided for transporting apparatus  20 . 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective and front elevation view respectively of a second embodiment of apparatus  20 .  FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of area  10  of  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross sectional view along the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, apparatus  20  is held in place upon support surface  600 , not by stakes  40  and  44 , but rather by first  700  and second  702  weights. Weights  700  and  702  can be sand, rocks (shown), pieces of metal, or any other weight which will hold apparatus  20  in place on a support surface  600  which is too hard to accept stakes  40  and  44  (e.g. a concrete driveway). First diverter  34  includes a first pocket  48  for receiving first weight  700 , and second diverter  36  includes a second pocket  50  for receiving second weight  702 . Pockets  48  and  50  are located on the lower part of first diverter  34  and second diverter  36  respectively so that they are adjacent support surface  600  when apparatus  20  is placed thereon. Weights  700  and  702  are removably received by first  48  and second  50  pockets respectively. A closure  52  such as of hook and loop fasteners allows pockets  48  and  50  to be selectively opened to receive weights  700  and  702  respectively, and then closed. It is noted that in  FIG. 8  first stake  40  and second stake  44  are not utilized to connect apparatus  20  to support surface  600 , but rather simply lay on support surface  600 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of apparatus  20  with first  34  and second  36  diverters positioned to cover  32  mouth of apparatus  20 . Referring also to  FIG. 8 , the inside distal end of first diverter  34  includes a first half connector  54  (e.g. of a hook and loop fastener), and the outside proximal end of second diverter  36  includes a second half connector  56  (e.g. of a mating hook and loop fastener). Once apparatus  20  is filled with debris  500 , first diverter  34  is overlapped with and connected to second diverter  36  using first  54  and second  56  half connectors. As such, first  34  and second  36  diverters retain debris  500  within body  22  for transportation or storage purposes. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of apparatus  20 . In this embodiment stakes  40  and  44  are not permanently connected to the distal ends of diverters  34  and  36  respectively as in the previously described embodiment. Rather, stakes  40  and  44  are separately provided. First diverter  34  has a first stake-receiving grommet  58 , and second diverter  36  has a second stake-receiving grommet  60 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of tethers  800  being used to hold apparatus  20  in place on support surface  600 . Body  22  includes a tether connector  62  (two in the shown embodiment) for attaching tethers  800 . In the shown embodiment, tether connectors  62  are rings. Tethers  800  are lines which connect tether connectors  62  to a stationary object so that tethers  800  generally extend away from first stake  40  and second stake  44 , and therefore serve to hold apparatus  20  in place such as in windy conditions. 
     In terms of use, a method for collecting debris  500  includes: (refer to  FIGS. 1-14 ) 
     (a) providing a support surface  600 ; 
     (b) providing debris  500  to be collected, the debris  500  disposed upon the support surface  600 ; 
     (c) providing apparatus  20  for collecting the debris  500 , the apparatus  20  including;
         a body  22  having a first end  24  and an opposite second end  24 ;   the first end  24  having a first side  28 , an opposite second side  30 , and a mouth  32  for receiving the debris  500 ;   a first diverter  34  is connected to first side  28  of the first end  24 , and a second diverter  36  is connected to the second side  30  of the first end  24 ;   the first diverter  34  having a first distal end  38 ;   a first stake  40  for connecting the first distal end  38  to the support surface  600 ;   the second diverter  36  having a second distal end  42 ;   a second stake  44  for connecting the second distal end  42  to the support surface  600 ;       

     (d) placing the apparatus  20  on the support surface  600 ; 
     (e) using the first stake  40  to connect the first distal end  38  of the first diverter  34  to the support surface  600 ; 
     (f) using the second stake  44  to connect the second distal end  42  of the second diverter  36  to the support surface  600 ; 
     in (e) and (f), the connecting including positioning the first  34  and second  36  diverters so that they channel the debris  500  into the mouth  32 ; and, 
     (g) moving the debris  500  into the mouth  32 . 
     The method further including: 
     after (g), using the first  34  and second  36  diverters to cover the mouth  32 . 
     Another method for collecting debris  500  includes: (refer to  FIGS. 1-14 ) 
     (a) providing a support surface  600 ; 
     (b) providing debris  500  to be collected, the debris  500  disposed upon the support surface  600 ; 
     (c) providing a first weight  700  and a second weight  702 ; 
     (d) providing apparatus  20  for collecting the debris  500 , the apparatus  20  including;
         a body  22  having a first end  24  and an opposite second end  26 ;   the first end  24  having a first side  28 , an opposite second side  30 , and a mouth  32  for receiving the debris  500 ;   a first diverter  34  is connected to the first side  28  of the first end  24 , and a second diverter  36  connected to the second side  30  of the first end  24 ;   the first diverter  34  including a first pocket  48  for receiving the first weight  700 , and the second diverter  36  including a second pocket  50  for receiving the second weight  702 ;       

     (e) placing the apparatus  20  on the support surface  600 ; 
     (f) placing the first weight  700  in the first pocket  48  of the first diverter  34 , and placing the second weight  702  in the second pocket  50  of the second diverter  36 ; 
     (g) positioning the first  34  and second  36  diverters so that they channel the debris  500  into the mouth  32 ; and, 
     (h) moving the debris  500  into the mouth  32 . 
     The embodiments of the apparatus and method of use described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the apparatus and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.