Abstract:
A waste retrieval device with integral storage stand. The integral storage stand provides for vertical storage of the waste retrieval portion and prevents any waste which may be adhering to the scoop jaws from contacting other surfaces.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 11/973,794, filed Oct. 11, 2007 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     None 
     MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     None 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a waste retrieval device with an integral storage stand. In particular, the present invention relates to a hand activated spring biased waste retriever with integral storage stand. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Several devices exist for the retrieval of pet waste. U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,468 to Hastings discloses one such device. The Hastings patent discloses a litter retrieval device formed of an elongated unitary plastic frame having a handle section at one end, scoop-supporting arms at the other end, and an elongated central section having a passageway for receiving a control rod. The control rod extends through the passageway from the handle to the scoops. Linkages connect the lower end of the control rod to the scoops and spring biasing means are provided for biasing the scoops in a closed position. 
     Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,321 to Simon. This device has a similar design to the &#39;468 patent, however the improvements appear to be the requirements for two pairs of linkage arms connecting the inner frame member to the scoop means, and the integration of the linkage arms with the inner frame member. 
     One disadvantage of such devices is that upon conclusion of the waste pickup, it is not uncommon to have waste adhere to the exterior of the scoop jaws, creating an unsightly and unsanitary condition. In this instance, upon conclusion of the waste pickup, users may be reluctant to transport the device within the “clean” areas of a house, deck or patio for fear of waste dropping off or contacting clean surfaces. Users must also find a means to store the soiled device since as there is no built-in storage means. 
     In view of the aforementioned disadvantage inherent in the known types of waste retrieval devices present in the prior art, my invention has 2 distinct advantages and improvements:
         1. Vertical storage of the waste retrieval device, thus saving floor space.   2. Prevention of any waste residue on the scoop jaws from contacting other surfaces.       

     While my prior application Ser. No. 11/973,794 contains an embodiment entailing the use of a vertical storage stand with a waste retrieval device, this application describes a vertical storage stand which can remain attached to the waste retrieval device during use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the aforementioned disadvantage inherent in the known types of waste retrieval devices present in the prior art, this invention provides a waste retrieval device with integral storage stand. The integral storage stand provides a free standing and cosmetically pleasing design when stored with all external surfaces being clean and free from waste residue, and remains attached to the waste retrieval device during use. 
     The system is comprised of a plurality of component elements. In their broadest context, such component elements include a waste retrieval portion similar to that found in the prior art, with the addition of an integral storage stand. The waste retrieval portion is formed of an elongated outer frame having a handle section at one end, scoop-supporting section at the other end, and an elongated central section having a passageway for receiving a control frame. The control frame extends through the passageway from the handle to the scoops. Links connect the lower end of the control frame to the scoops and spring biasing means are provided for biasing the scoops in a closed position. The improvement over the prior art involves the addition of a storage stand. The storage stand is pivotally attached to the outer frame near the scoop-supporting section such that it may be temporarily pivoted out of the way when operating the scoops. Upon conclusion of the pickup, the storage stand may be rotated back into position beneath the scoops. Locking features are provided such that the storage stand may be locked in the bottom position for storage, or in either of 2 other positions (rotated 90 degrees in either direction from bottom position) when the waste retrieval device is being used. 
     In one embodiment, the storage stand may be removable from the waste retrieval portion to allow easier cleaning of the scoops or the storage stand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in combination with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the waste retrieval device without the storage stand. 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of the scoop end of the waste retrieval device without the storage stand. 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of the waste retrieval device with storage stand, shown in the storage position. 
         FIG. 4  is a similar view to  FIG. 3 , with the storage stand rotated out of the way such that the scoops may be used. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , waste retrieval portion  51  is comprised of outer frame  2 , control frame  3 , scoops  4  and  5  and biasing springs  6 . Waste retrieval portion  51  has long axis  29 . 
     Outer frame  2  has handle section  9 , central section  10  and scoop supporting section  11 . The outer frame  2  also includes braces  15  extending inward from vertical sides  16  and  17 . Control frame  3  has handle end  12  and a scoop attachment end  13 . Control frame  3  is captured within the outer frame  2  to provide for slidable motion of the control frame along the long axis  29  of the device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , scoops  4  and  5  are formed to mate with each other at edge  28 . When the device has the scoops in the closed position as shown, the scoops mate so that they form a container having a closed bottom  20 . Each scoop  4  and  5  has central pivot points  22  at each end where the scoops connect to the outer frame  2  and allow for rotation of the scoops about outer nipples  14  and  67  of outer frame  2 . When a user pulls the handle end  12  of the control frame  3  upwardly toward the handle section  9  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the outer frame  2  against the force of biasing springs  6 , links  18  and  19  cause the scoops  4  and  5  to pivot in opposite directions, opening the bottom portion  20 . The bottom of links  18  and  19  are pivotally mounted on the scoops at pivots  63 , and the top of links  18  and  19  are pivotally mounted on scoop end  13  of control frame  3  at pivots  64 . Biasing springs  6  are attached between control frame  3  and braces  15  of outer frame  2 , providing the force to keep the scoops  4  and  5  in the closed position when handle section  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) of control frame  3  is released. Biasing springs  6  are thus of the extension-spring type in the preferred embodiment. 
     In an alternate embodiment, only one scoop may rotate and the other scoop may be fixed. 
     Outer nipple  14  is cylindrical in shape, and outer nipple  67  is cylindrical with flats  24 . Button  68  is slidably mounted on nipple  67  and flats  24  engage corresponding flats  69  (see  FIG. 3 ) of button  68  to prevent relative rotation between the 2 parts. Compression spring  70  provides a force to push button  68  outboard. Tab  71  of button  68  engages holes  72  and  73  of storage stand  74  (see  FIG. 3 ) and keeps storage stand fixed in a one of 3 given positions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the waste retrieval device  1  is shown in the storage position. Tab  71  resides in central hole  72  when the waste retrieval device is stored and in either of the other 2 holes  73  when the waste retrieval device is being used to pick up waste. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the waste retrieval device  1  is shown in the usage position. To move storage stand  74  from the storage position, the user taps the button  68  with his/her foot while holding the waste retrieval device with long axis  29  at a slight angle from vertical. Once tab  71  of button  68  clears hole  72  of storage stand  74 , storage stand rotates freely about nipples  14  and  67  (see  FIG. 2 ). By then turning waste retrieval device  1  such that long axis  29  is approximately horizontal, tab  71  will enter either of holes  73 , temporarily locking storage stand  74  in place. When the user is finished using the waste retrieval portion, the user taps the button  68  once again with his/her foot while holding the waste retrieval device  1  with long axis  29  approximately vertical, and storage stand  74  will rotate to the storage position once again and lock in place. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.