Patent Abstract:
An animal waste removal tool is described that may be utilized alone or in conjunction with a waste bag. The waste removal tool of the invention includes tines that guide waste into the receptacle and a handle that extends over and above the tines.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
     Not Applicable 
     JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention pertains generally to an object scoop. More particularly, the invention pertains to a scoop particularly well suited as an animal waste removal tool. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Over the years many apparatus have been devised to aid an animal owner in cleaning up the waste of their animal from the ground. Although a simple shovel may be used to scoop under the waste the shovel may also inadvertently scoop up a portion of the underlying ground. Today, many animal owners have well maintained and manicured lawns making it undesirable to use a shovel to scoop up the waste. Further, the waste may become entangled in tall, thick grass of these lawns, making removal of the waste difficult without damaging the lawn. 
     Additionally, although shovels and pitch forks have been used in the past to scoop waste, use of a shovel or pitch fork requires an undesirable pushing motion to scoop up the waste. Also, once the waste is scooped with a shovel or pitch fork, two hands are required to lift and balance the waste on the shovel or forks. Further, the pushing and lifting may require an undesirable bending or twisting motion by the user. There is accordingly a need for a waste removal tool that may be pulled through and over grass to remove waste from the grass without causing damage to the lawn. There is a further need for a tool that is operable by the user in an up-right, standing or walking position that also allows the user to scoop and lift waste with a one hand operation. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments according to aspects of the invention provide an animal waste removal tool that facilitates the scooping of waste enmeshed in thick grass. The tool includes spaced apart tines that are offset and angled to easily slide through entangled grass and underneath waste left on the grass. Once the tines are positioned under the waste, the handle may be rotated up and away from the user. A receptacle or bucket is attached to the tines and handle. The upward rotation of the handle also rotates the tines upward causing the waste to lift up and away from the grass and displace into the bucket. Those familiar with the use of shovels and pitch forks will appreciate that an upward rotation to displace the waste is preferred over forcing down on a handle to rotate a shovel or fork upward. 
     In accordance with aspects of the invention, an embodiment of the invention includes a handle attached to a waste receptacle in a manner that allows the user to pull the receptacle towards the user while sliding tines under the waste. The attachment of the handle to the receptacle also allows the user to rotate the handle up and away from the user to displace waste into the receptacle. The waste receptacle has a forward facing edge that defines an opening into the receptacle. A row of tines extend from the forward facing edge of the receptacle. The row of tines are offset from a lower outer edge of the receptacle to further facilitate sliding the tines under the waste. The row of tines may also include an outer tine on each end of the row of tines that is not offset from the lower outer edge of the receptacle. The outer tines restrict the waste from falling off either side of the row of tines. 
     In accordance with aspects of the invention, the row of tines are attached to the receptacle in a fixed relation. Alternatively, the row of tines may be attached to the receptacle with a hinge arrangement that allows the tines to be clamped to or removed from the receptacle. When using the removable tines, prior to attaching the tines, an open end of a waste bag may overlap the opening of the receptacle with the remaining portion of the bag positioned within the receptacle. The tines may then attach to the receptacle to effectively clamp a portion of the bag between the receptacle and tines. A retention member located on an upper portion of the receptacle may also engage and hold in place an additional portion of the bag. Without limitation intended a portion of the retention member may be magnetic and the receptacle may include a metal portion aligned with the retention member such that the waste bag may be sandwiched between the magnetic retention member and the metal portion of the receptacle. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the tool is particularly well suited to scoop under a desired object that may then be further directed into a holding receptacle. The holding receptacle has a forward facing edge defining an opening into the receptacle. A row of tines extending from the forward facing edge of the receptacle are offset from a lower outer edge of the receptacle. The offset tines further facilitate scooping under the desired object. A handle is affixed to a rear portion of the receptacle. Although the tines are affixed to the receptacle, the tine arrangement includes a hinging and clamping mechanism and a clip member that clips the row of tines to the lower outer edge of the receptacle. When unclamped, the hinge allows the tines to rotate away from the receptacle and allows for complete separation of the receptacle from the bag. The tines may further include an outer tine on each end of the row of tines that is not offset from the lower outer edge of the receptacle. The outer tines may act as guards or rails to restrict an object from moving off a side of the row of tines. The receptacle may further be adapted to receive a bag such that scooped objects are guided directly into the bag. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a portion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to further explain the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components. 
         FIG. 1  is a front right perspective view of a waste removal tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front left perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a left back perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a right back perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front right perspective view of a scoop and tines in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front left perspective view of the scoop and tines of the type shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front right perspective view of a waste removal tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a back left perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a front right perspective view of a waste removal tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention illustrating initial disengagement of a tine assembly from a scoop; 
         FIG. 12  is a back left perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom back left perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a back right perspective view of a waste removal tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention illustrating disengagement of a tine assembly from a scoop; 
         FIG. 15  is a front left perspective view of the waste removal tool of the type shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a front left perspective view of a tine assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a right side elevational view of the tine assembly of the type shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a back right perspective view of the tine assembly of the type shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom right perspective view of the tine assembly of the type shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description provides detail of various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each of these embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention also cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     The waste removal tool  10  of the present invention generally includes a handle  14 , a bucket, receptacle, or scoop  16 , tines  18 , and hand grip  20 . The bucket  16  is shaped and the handle  14  is attached to the bucket in a manner that removal of waste from the ground while walking or standing in an upright position. A row of tines  18  are attached to the bucket but are offset below a bottom of the bucket. The offset tines  18  slide through entangled grass while the bottom of the bucket may remain elevated above the grass. In this manner the waste may be removed from the grass with reduced snagging and drag. In various embodiments depicted in the Figures handle  14  is extendable between a short and long handle. To modify the length of the handle  14 , the user loosens handle clamp  50  and depresses adjustable stop  52 . The handle may then extend or retract until the adjustable stop  52  engages another aligned aperture. 
     With reference to the Figures, the waste removal tool  10  is described in greater detail.  FIGS. 1-5  illustrate an embodiment of the waste removal tool  10  having a row of tines  18  attached to the waste receptacle  16 . The waste receptacle  16  includes an outer perimeter edge  30  that defines an opening of the receptacle. The receptacle further includes enclosed sides  34 , a bottom  36 , an angled back  38  and a rounded back rocker panel  40 . The opening is further defined by lower edge  32  to which the row of tines  18  is attached. The tines may be made integral with the waste receptacle or may be made separately and attached to the receptacle at the lower edge  32 . The attachment may include fasteners, welds, adhesives or other structure to join the tines to the lower edge, with a rivet being preferred. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bucket and tines may be constructed from several desirable materials using known methods of construction including die stamping, sheet metal formation, and plastic molding. 
     The row of tines  18  includes tine plate  60  that attaches to the bottom  36  of the bucket  30 . The plurality of tines extend from the tine plate at an angle to form an angled portion  66  of the row of tines. The tines are further angled to extend parallel with the tine plate  60  to define an offset portion  68  of the tines. Each tine terminates at a chisel shaped end  62 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that flat tines constructed from a heavy gauge steel or aluminum sheet material provides desirable strength and rigidity. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate an embodiment of the tines  18  and bucket  34 . Outer tines  64  extend from the outer ends of the tine plate  60  parallel with the tine plate. The outer tines may act as rails or guides to direct waste into the bucket and restrict movement off the ends of the row of tines. The tine plate  60  is illustrated as attached to the bucket  16  with rivets  42 . Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 16-19 , the tine plate  60  extends under the bottom of the bucket to form tine frame  70 . A handle  72  is rotatably attached to frame  70  at hinge  78 . End portions of the handle  72 , attached to form a portion of hinge  78 , include a slot  80 . Also attached to the tine handle  72  is a spring clamp  74  that is sized to clamp and engage handle  14 . Clips  76  are attached to tine frame  70  to form channels  84  (see  FIG. 17 ) that the lower edge  32  of the buckets slides into and engages. 
       FIGS. 8-15  illustrates an embodiment of the removable tines  18  engaged and disengaged to the bucket  16  and handle  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 8-10  the lower edge  32  of the bucket engages channels  84 , slot  80  engages around pin  82 , and tine handle  72  is rotated to engage clamp  74  to handle  14 .  FIGS. 11-13  depict the tine handle  72  and clamp  74  disengaged from handle  14  and rotated away from bucket  16  about  82 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , lower edge  32  of bucket  16  is slid out of engagement with channel  84  of clip  76  and the bucket and handle are elevated above tine frame  70 . 
     In use, it may be desirable to line the bucket  16  with a waste bag before attaching the tines  18  to the bucket. The opening of the bag may overlap the outer edge  30  of the bucket and the remaining portion of the bag may be pressed into the bucket. Bag retention member  90  includes a flexible spring clasp  92  with a magnet  94  on a free end. The open end of the bag overlapping the outer edge of the bucket may be sandwiched between the magnet  94  and a metal plate  98  attached to the bucket. The attraction between the metal plate and the magnet further restricts movement of the bag between the spring clasp  92  and the bucket. Once the bag is positioned surrounding the outer edge of the bucket, the bucket is lowered, engaging pins  82  into slots  80  and the lower edge  32  (having the bag enveloping the lower edge) resting on top surface of tine frame  70 . The tine handle  72  is then rotated upward toward handle  14  until clamp  74  engages handle  14 . This action pushes lower edge  32  under clips  76  and into channel  84 , thereby securing bucket  16  to tine frame  70 . After bag is filled with waste, the user may disengage bucket  16  from tine frame  70  by rotating tine handle  72  downward and away from handle  14 . The upper edge of bag can be released by opening the bag retention member  90 . With bucket  16  separated from tine frame  70 , the bag can be easily removed from bucket  16 . To remove the bag, the user lifts up on the flexible spring clasp  92  and slides the bag out of engagement with the bucket. 
     These and various other aspects and features of the invention are described with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This invention has been described herein with detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically different constructions, and that various modifications, both as to the construction and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appended claims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in the open ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated may also be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing this document.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4