Abstract:
A debris removal and compacting tool includes a lifting device having a flexible sheet with a first edge secured to a first support member, a second edge secured to a second support member, and a compaction device including a first surface attachable to the lifting device and a second surface for contacting the loose material within the receptacle. A fastening mechanism is provided to removably secure the lifting device to the compaction device. During use, a user engages the first and second support members and places the sheet into contact with the material, utilizes the support members to move the sheet to consolidated and maneuver the loose material. The lifting device is placed within the interior of the receptacle, and the material is released into the receptacle. The compacting device is then placed into contact with the material to compact it within the receptacle to achieve better receptacle utilization.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/165,009, filed Mar. 31, 2009 and entitled “Loose Material/Garden Debris Lifting and Compacting Device”, the entire contents of the application being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to a device for lifting and removing loose, solid material and garden debris and, more specifically, to a debris removal and compacting tool for consolidating, lifting, and maneuvering the debris to a suitable refuse receptacle and compacting the debris within the receptacle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of rakes and brooms is known for consolidating loose material such as leaves, plant clippings and other debris into large piles. Thereafter, the materials may be transferred to a refuse receptacle by hand, shovel or other device. Typically, the transfer capacity of such devices is limited to a small amount due to the relatively lightweight of the material which makes it difficult to control, and the fact that the devices are not specifically designed to handle this type of material. Further, once the material is in the receptacle, the material&#39;s light weight results in a great deal of under-utilized air space and therefore results in inefficient receptacle utilization. 
     In an attempt to facilitate the collection and transfer of loose, solid material and garden debris, collection and transfer devices have been developed in the prior art. In addition, there are also separate prior art devices for the compaction of loose solid material and garden debris. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,564,907 and 4,693,504 both disclose devices for picking up lawn, garden and other loose debris; while U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,158,995 and 7,152,894 disclose devices for packing waste materials and debris into garbage bags or containers with the device of the &#39;894 patent being attachable to the end of a rake. Although these patented devices provide some help to the worker, this type of yard and/or gardening work remains time consuming and inefficient. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided a debris removal and compacting tool for consolidating, lifting and compacting loose material within a receptacle. The debris removal and compacting tool includes a lifting device having a flexible sheet with a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being secured to the first support member and the second edge being secured to the second support member. The flexible sheet being disposed there between and a compaction device including a first, top attachable to the lifting device, and a second, bottom surface opposite the top surface to contact the loose material within the receptacle in order to compact the same. 
     A fastening mechanism is also provided to removably secure the lifting device to the compaction device. During use, a user engages the first and second support members to place the flexible sheet into contact with the loose material, and utilizes the first and second support members to move the flexible sheet in order to consolidated and maneuver the loose material onto the flexible sheet. The user then lifts the lifting device, placing it within the interior of the receptacle, and releases the loose material from within the lifting device into the receptacle. Thereafter, the user attaches the compaction device to the lifting device, places the compacting device into contact with the loose material and applies a force in order to compact the material within the receptacle to achieve better receptacle utilization. 
     The present invention improves the efficiency of consolidating loose solid material or garden debris such as leaves, plant clippings, initially collected in a pile on the ground or other surface; aids in maneuvering a substantial quantity of the collected material to the interior of a suitable refuse receptacle (e.g., standard paper yard bag, rigid or semi-rigid container), and can be utilized to compact the material within the receptacle to achieve better receptacle utilization. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a lifting device of a debris removal and compacting tool in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2.1  is a top view of a compaction plate of the debris removal and compacting tool in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2.2  is a bottom view of the compaction plate of  FIG. 2.1 ; 
         FIG. 2.3  is a side view of the compaction plate of  FIG. 2.1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the lifting device of  FIG. 1  connected to the compaction plate of FIGS.  2 . 1 - 2 . 3 , forming the debris removal and compacting tool in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4.1  is a schematic view of a connection mechanism for connecting the lifting device of  FIG. 1  to the compaction plate of  FIG. 2.1 ; 
         FIG. 4.2  is a side cross-sectional view of the connection mechanism of  FIG. 4.1  in a first position; 
         FIG. 4.3  is a side cross-sectional view of the connection mechanism of  FIG. 4.1  in a second position; 
         FIG. 5.1  is a top view of the lifting device of  FIG. 1  illustrating a handhold position during use; 
         FIG. 5.2  is a side view of the lifting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the lifting device of  FIG. 1  placed over a large pile of loose, solid material (e.g., leaves and garden debris); 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  wrapped around the loose, solid material, the lifting device forming a generally cylindrical shape; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  positioned within a refuse receptacle and the loose, solid material being discharge by gravity into the receptacle; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the debris removal and compacting tool of  FIG. 3  with the compaction plate in position over non-compacted loose, solid material in a first non-compacting position within the receptacle; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the debris removal and compacting tool of  FIG. 3  with the compaction plate in position after a downward force is exerted on the device to compress the loose, solid material within the receptacle; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  illustrating a user holding the lifting device and placing the lifting device over a large pile of loose, solid material; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  illustrating a user holding the lifting device and consolidating the loose solid material by forming the lifting device into a cylindrical shape around the loose, solid materials in order to lift and transport the materials to a refuse receptacle; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  illustrating a user positioning the lifting device within an exemplary receptacle (e.g., standard paper yard bag or other rigid/semi-rigid refuse container) to begin the discharge process of the loose, solid material; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  illustrating a user with one hand securing a handhold, and the other hand helping to guide the loose material as it falls by gravity into the receptacle; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the lifting device of  FIG. 6  illustrating a user emptying and removing the lifting device from the receptacle with one hand; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a user connecting the lifting device of  FIG. 6  to the compaction plate of FIGS.  2 . 1 - 2 . 3  in order to form the multi-purpose tool of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the debris removal and compacting tool of  FIG. 16  in a first, ready position to begin the compression of loose material within the receptacle; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view the debris removal and compacting tool of  FIG. 16  in a second, position illustrating a user applying a downward force to compress the loose material within the receptacle; 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the lifting and compacting device of  FIG. 3  in a vertical storage position on a hook mounted on a wall or other vertical support; and 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the lifting and compacting device of  FIG. 3  in a vertical storage position on a hook mounted on a wall or other vertical support. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a debris removal and compacting tool  12 , that is a “two-in-one product” having two distinct devices that serve separate, but complimentary functions. The first device is a lifting device  10  designed to consolidate, maneuver and transport loose, solid material and garden debris (e.g., leaves, vegetation clippings, loose debris, etc.), initially collected in a pile on a ground or other surface into a receptacle, and the second device is a compaction device  4  designed to compress the loose, solid material within a receptacle in order to better utilize the space defined by the receptacle. After transporting the material the lifting device  10  can be used to discharge the material that has been collected into a suitable receptacle (e.g., standard paper yard bag or other container for holding debris). The compacting device  4  is then attached to the lifting device to form the debris removal and compacting tool  12  that can be used to compact the material within the receptacle by engaging the compacting device  4  with the loose, solid material. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 6 , the first device, lifting device  10  includes a flexible sheet  1  that may be made from any of a variety of commercially available materials for example, cloth, plastic, vinyl, composite, and the like. The flexible sheet  1  defines a first sheet edge  1   a  and a second sheet edge  1   b , positioned opposite and substantially parallel to the first sheet edge. A first support member  2   a  that can also be made from a variety of commercially available materials, for example wood, plastic, vinyl, metal, composite, etc., is disposed along the first sheet edge  1   a , the first support member  2   a  being configured to maintain the first sheet edge in a substantially rigid position, for example by securing with a fastener such as staples, tacks, adhesive, and the like. Likewise, a second support member  2   b , which can be made from the same or similar materials as the first support member, is disposed along the second sheet edge  1   b . The second support member  2   b  is also configured to similarly maintain the second sheet edge  1   b  in a substantially rigid position. 
     The support members  2   a ,  2   b  when joined together and attached to the compacting device  4  form handle  16  of the debris removal and compacting tool  12 , as described in greater detail below. The support members  2   a ,  2   b  together with the flexible sheet  1  enable a user to place the flexible sheet over the loose, solid material and garden debris “D” and thereafter maneuver the flexible sheet with respect to the materials, as shown in  FIG. 5 , and to form the flexible sheet into a cylindrical shape ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) in order to contain the debris. The rigid support members  2   a ,  2   b  allow the user to readily control and pick up the lifting device by placing the first support member  2   a  in one hand approximately centered on the support or handhold ( FIG. 6 ), and the second support member  2   b  in a second hand approximately centered on the second support ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ). With the support members  2   a  and  2   b  in hand, the user can readily maneuver the lifting device  10  by grabbing hold of each of the support members  2   a ,  2   b  ( FIG. 11 ) and then moving the support members toward each other and under the debris ( FIG. 12 ). The user is then able to easily and conveniently lift the device filled with the loose, solid material “D”, transport it, and discharge it into a suitable receptacle  14  (e.g., standard paper yard bag or other rigid or non-rigid refuse container) as illustrated in FIGS.  8  and  13 - 15 . 
     The size of the lifting device  10  of the present embodiment is designed to the particular ergonomic agility of an adult human being, and also relates to the circumference of the opening of a standard paper yard bag, so that the lifting device is readily maneuvered by the user while also easily fitting into the yard bag or other similarly sized receptacle. Therefore, the optimal width of the lifting device  10  is approximately in the range of about 30″ to about 48″ as measured between the two parallel support members. The length of the lifting device  10  is approximately in the range of about 36″ to about 52″ in order to be a manageable size easily maneuvered by an adult human being with normal agility. 
     The support members  2   a ,  2   b  of the present embodiment additionally have mounting members  3  which are attached symmetrically at each end. The mounting members  3  are key shaped components in the present embodiment, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 4.2  and  4 . 3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , one function of the mounting members  3  is to provide a hand-hold at the top of the support members  2   a ,  2   b , when the device is full of loose solid material/garden debris and held in a vertical position over the refuse receptacle  14 . Griping the mounting members  3  with one hand and releasing the other hand from the center position allows the tension at the bottom of the device to release, thus allowing the loose solid material/garden debris to discharge into the receptacle  14 . The second function of the mounting members  3  is to engage the compaction device  4  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 . 1 ,  4 . 2  and  4 . 3 ) in order to secure the lifting device  10  to the compaction device  4  and form the two-in-one debris removal and compacting tool  12 . The third function of the mounting members  3  is to engage a hook, for example a hook having a fork shape, attached to a wall or other vertical surface as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20  to conveniently hang and store the lifting device in a vertical position when not in use. 
     As described hereinabove, the lifting device  10  together with the compaction device  4  form debris removal and compacting tool  12 , with the lifting device and compaction device being removably secured together. To use the lifting device  10  it is removed from engagement with the compaction device  4 , while use of the compaction device  4  is achieved when the lifting device is secured as a handle to the compaction device. The compaction device can be used to compress the loose material/garden debris within the receptacle for better receptacle utilization, as described in greater detail below. 
     The debris removal and compacting tool  12  includes lifting device  10  secured to compaction device  4  ( FIGS. 2.1 ,  2 . 2 , and  2 . 3 ) which engages the loose material/garden debris “D” within the receptacle in order to compact the material. The compaction device  4  may be a substantially rigid plate including a first or top surface  4   a  for connection to the lifting device  10  and a second, or bottom surface  4   b  (opposite top surface  4   a ) to contact the loose material/garden debris within the receptacle  14  so as to compact the same.  FIG. 2.1  illustrates the top view of the compaction device  4  including top surface  4   a  and at least two openings  5  cut through plate  4  that are configured and dimensioned to receive corresponding key shaped mounting members  3  there through. As best shown in  FIG. 2.2  the bottom surface  4   b  of the compaction device  4  includes at least two keyhole openings  5  cut through the plate, and two spacers  6  attached to the bottom surface  4   b . As best shown in  FIG. 2.3 , the spacers  6  may be attached to the bottom of a compaction device  4  in order to hold the device  4  above a resting surface when the bottom surface  4   b  is opposite the resting surface. The compaction device may be preferably sized to the throat circumference of a standard paper yard bag and is considered so that the compacting device easily fits into the opening and throat of the receptacle  14 . In the present embodiment, the size of the compacting device is approximately 11½“×15½” in order to meet this criteria, but could be another shape or size to fit other sized receptacles more effectively, as would be known to those of skill in the art. 
     Connection of the lifting device handle  16  and the compaction device  4  is accomplished by a fastening mechanism  18  that positions the handle axis in a substantially perpendicular orientation and centered relative to the surface  4   a  defined by the compaction device  4 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4.1 ,  4 . 2  and  4 . 3 , the fastening mechanism  18  includes the symmetrical key shaped mounting members  3  supported at the ends of the lifting device support members  2   a ,  2   b , and keyhole openings  5  disposed in the compaction device  4  ( FIG. 4.1 ). The key shaped mounting members  3  are first inserted into a corresponding keyhole opening  5   a  ( FIG. 4.1  and  FIG. 4.2 ) and then slid into a corresponding keyhole slot  5   b  ( FIG. 4.2 ) to secure the compaction device  4  to the handle  16 . The mounting members  3  may include two thin flanges  3   a , that have approximately the same profile as the support member end, separated by a tubular shaft  3   b  smaller in width than the flanges and of a height slightly larger than the thickness of the compaction device  4  in order for the key shaped mounting members  3  to slide freely into the key hole slot  5  ( FIG. 4.3 ). The two-in-one lifting and compacting device  12  may be conveniently stored when not in use by securing the fabric of the lifting device with a strap  15  and sliding the keyhole openings  5  over a fork shaped hook  19  ( FIGS. 19 ,  20 ) supported on vertical surface or wall  17 , thus completing the storage of the lifting and compacting device. Alternatively, other manners of attaching the lifting and compacting devices may be utilized, as would be know to those of skill in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , formation of the debris removal and compacting tool  12  by connection of the lifting device  10  of  FIG. 1 , including flexible sheet  1 , support members  2   a ,  2   b , and mounting members  3  to the compaction device  4  of  FIGS. 2.1 ,  2 . 2  and  2 . 3 , is illustrated. The lifting device  10  and compaction device  4  together form the debris removal and compacting tool  12  including the handle  16  having the longitudinal handle axis, and plate  4  configured to contact loose solid material/garden debris within a standard refuse receptacle  14  ( FIG. 9 ). The length of the lifting device handles is greater than the height of a standard paper yard bag to enable a user to compact the loose material/garden debris within the yard bag while the user is in a standing position. Accordingly, the user is able to conveniently apply a downward force to effectively compress the loose solid material/garden debris within the receptacle ( FIG. 10 ). In the present embodiment the overall length of the lifting device support member is at least approximately 4′−0″, although other sizes may readily be used according to the height of the receptacle, as would be known to those of skill in the art. 
     The lifting device  10  and it&#39;s transformation to the compacting device  12  overcomes the ineffectiveness of other products on the market, and provides a cost-effective, simple device that can be utilized by a single user to collect and deposit loose, solid material and garden debris within any of a variety of conventionally available debris containers. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described, 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 as defined by these claims. For example, the dimensions, geometric shapes, and materials disclosed herein may be varied, including but not limited to the shape of the key members, as would be known to those of skill in the art. Furthermore, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments of the invention.