Abstract:
A leaf gathering trouser comprised of a pair of flexible leg stalls and a flexible net, said net attached at opposing side edges to cooperating portions of the leg stalls and substantially occupying a space between the leg stalls in order to make contact with loose leaves located upon a ground surface and to accumulate said leaves into a pile for disposal while a user is wearing the leg stalls and walking in a normal manner. The net, comprised of a web section and a solid section, can be permanently attached to the leg stalls or releasably attached thereto by means of cooperating rows of zippers and zipper heads.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This version of the invention is concerned with the field of leaf gathering and collection devices. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with leaf gathering trousers that are constructed with a trouser or pant portion and a flexible net either permanently or releasably attached thereto. 
     Collecting and gathering leaves that have fallen to the ground has proven to be a time consuming lawn and yard chore, especially in geographic locations that are characterized by a preponderance of deciduous trees and shrubs that drop their leaves in the fall season. A variety of tools and devices, which are available in the marketplace, are used to collect and gather these leaves and include but are not limited to rakes, power blowing and vacuuming devices, scoops, and the like. Each tool and device functions to a limited degree to collect and gather leaves but suffers from certain limitations and disadvantages. Rakes, for instance, are cumbersome and strenuous to use for some people and remove leaves only from a limited area during each stroke. Gasoline and electric powered blowing and vacuuming devices are relatively expensive and can be cumbersome to use. In addition, their use requires provision of a fuel source and constant maintenance to ensure adequate service. 
     What is needed then to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of current leaf gathering and collection devices is the provision of a device or item that collects and gathers leaves in a manner that is relatively simplified and efficient and compatible with the natural body movement of a person. In this respect, the instant invention consists of modified pants or trousers that are fitted with a net between the leg stalls thereof so that leaf collecting and gathering can be accomplished by walking. Additionally, the instant invention, if desired, can be used in conjunction with a rake to enhance the leaf collecting and gathering process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present version of the invention, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, relates to the field of leaf gathering and collection devices. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with leaf gathering trousers that are constructed with a trouser or pant portion and a flexible net either permanently or releasably attached thereto. My version of the invention overcomes all of the shortcomings listed previously, in addition to novel aspects that will be described in detail hereinafter. 
     Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment, the invention presents a pair of leaf gathering trousers that are comprised of two leg stalls and a net that is attached on opposing side edges to facing sides of the leg stalls. The two leg stalls are fabricated of first and second outer layers of durable material, such as canvas, and an inner layer of insulation surrounded or enclosed by said first and second outer layers of material. In a first embodiment of the invention, the net is permanently attached to the leg stalls, and in a second embodiment the net is releasably attached by zippers to the leg stalls. The lower portion of each leg stall can be separated or closed by a zipper and zipper head, which aids in the donning and removal of each leg stall from the leg of a wearer. 
     The net is triangular in shape in that it has a wider base or bottom end and tapers to a narrow end or tip commensurate with the crotch area of the trousers. The net generally consists of a majority web section that is commensurate with the lower portion thereof and a lesser solid section located at the upper end thereof. The net is constructed of first and second exterior layers of material, such as canvas, with a layer of resilient material, such as foam rubber, situated therebetween. 
     With either embodiment, leaves can be collected and gathered simply by walking into a pile of leaves and walking or directing the leaves toward a specific direction in order to accumulate the leaves into a pile. This process can be enhanced by use of a hand rake. 
     My invention, therefore, resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed. It is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. In order that the detailed description of the invention may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated, additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention and that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing summary is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The summary is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of my version of the invention to provide low-cost, easy-to-manufacture, and easy-to-market leaf gathering trousers. 
     A further object of my version of the invention is to provide easy-to-use and versatile leaf gathering trousers. 
     A significant object of the invention is to provide leaf gathering trousers that are comprised of two leg stalls with the lower portion of each leg stall able to be opened or closed by a zipper or other means to permit donning and removing of said trousers and further comprised of a net that is either permanently attached or releasably attached by zippers or other means to facing sides of the leg stalls. 
     A final but very significant object of the invention is to provide leaf gathering trousers that are worn over the legs of a wearer and accommodate and function in response to the natural body movement of said wearer, such as walking, in order to gather and collect leaves efficiently and naturally, thereby overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional leaf gathering devices. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. 
     For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments in addition to the scope of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of leaf gathering trousers in accordance with the present version of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the leaf gathering trousers in accordance with the present version of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cross section view of a leg stall of the leaf gathering trousers illustrating the construction thereof. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cross section view of a net of the leaf gathering trousers illustrating the construction thereof. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the leaf gathering trousers with the net portion thereof separated from the trousers portion. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed, perspective view of a row of zipper teeth with zipper head attached to the bottom of a leg stall. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a user with a first embodiment of the leaf gathering trousers worn over the legs with said leaf gathering trousers being used to accumulate a quantity of leaves into one pile. 
    
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10  Leaf Gathering Trousers, First Embodiment 
       12  Leaf Gathering Trousers, Second Embodiment 
       14  Leg Stalls 
       16  Net 
       18  Top of Leg Stalls 
       20  Hollow 
       22  Bottom of Leg Stalls 
       24  Row of Zipper Teeth 
       26  Zipper Head 
       28  Top of Net 
       30  Bottom of Net 
       32  Solid section 
       34  Web section 
       36  Horizontal Member 
       38  Vertical Member 
       40  Aperture 
       42  First Exterior Layer 
       44  Second Exterior Layer 
       46  Middle Layer of Insulation 
       48  First Exterior Layer 
       50  Second Exterior Layer 
       52  Middle Layer of Foam Rubber 
       54  Leg Stalls, Second Embodiment 
       56  Net, Second Embodiment 
       58  Top of Leg Stalls 
       60  Hollow 
       62  Bottom of Leg Stalls 
       64  Row of Zipper Teeth 
       66  Zipper Head 
       68  Row of Zipper Teeth 
       70  Zipper Head 
       72  Top of Net 
       74  Bottom of Net 
       76  Solid section 
       78  Web section 
       80  Horizontal Member 
       82  Vertical Member 
       84  Aperture 
       86  Row of Zipper Teeth 
       88  User 
       90  Legs 
       92  Shoes 
       94  Leaves 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various other forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
     Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2 wherein there are illustrated a first embodiment of the leaf gathering trousers  10 . The present version of the invention  10  is comprised of a pair of let stalls  14  and a net  16 , said net  16  attached by stitching or similar means to the facing sides of the leg stalls  14 . The leg stalls  14  are comprised of a wider top end  18 , hollow interior  20 , and a narrower bottom end  22 . Two rows of zipper teeth  24  with zipper head  26  are located at the lower portion of each leg stall  14 , said zipper head  26  engaging the rows of zipper teeth  24  extending over the lower portion of said leg stall  14 . The trousers  10  can be donned or removed by pulling up and pulling down the zipper heads  26  along the rows of zipper teeth  24  to separate and close, respectively, cooperating flaps located at the lower portion of the leg stalls  14  and adjacent to an individual row of zipper teeth  24 . The net  16  is comprised of a narrower top portion  28  and a wider base or bottom portion  30 . The net  16  is further defined by a solid section  32  and a web section  34 , said web section  34  comprising a majority of the surface area of said net  16 . The web section  34  is constructed of a series of elongate horizontal members  36  and vertical members  38  that intersect at various locations along the lengths thereof and enclose a series of apertures  40 . 
     A partial cross sectional view of a trouser leg stall  14  is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein said leg stall  14  is comprised of a first exterior layer of material  42  and a second exterior layer of material  44 . A middle layer of material  46  is disposed between the first  42  and second  44  layers of material. The first  42  and second  44  exterior layers of material are comprised of material that is durable, lightweight, and resistant to moisture and liquids, said material consisting of lightweight canvas, various synthetic materials, and the like. The middle layer of material  46  is comprised of lightweight insulation or material having insulative characteristics such as that necessary to retain body heat in colder weather. 
     The net  16  is displayed in partial cross sectional view in FIG.  4  and is comprised of a first exterior layer of material  48 , a second exterior layer of material  50 , and a middle layer of material  52 . The first  48  and second  50  exterior layers of material are comprised of material that is durable, lightweight, and resistant to moisture and liquids, said material consisting of lightweight canvas, various synthetic materials, and the like. The middle layer of material  52  is comprised of lightweight, resilient material, such as foam rubber and the like. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, therein illustrated is a second embodiment  12  of the leaf gathering trousers having two leg stalls  54  that can be releasably attached to a net  56 . Each leg stall  54  is comprised of a wider top end  58 , a hollow interior  60 , and a narrower bottom end  62 . Two rows of zipper teeth  64  with cooperating zipper head  66  are located on the outside surface of each leg stall  54  at the lower portion thereof, and a single row of zipper teeth  68  with cooperating zipper head  70  is located on the outside surface of each leg stall  54  in opposition to the two rows of zipper teeth  64  and zipper head  66 . The trousers  12  can be donned or removed by pulling up and pulling down the zipper heads  66  along the rows of zipper teeth  64  to separate and close, respectively, cooperating flaps located at the lower portion of the leg stalls  54  and adjacent to an individual row of zipper teeth  64 . 
     The net  56  is comprised of a narrower top portion  72  and a wider base or bottom portion  74 . The net  56  is further defined by a solid section  76  and a web section  78 , said web section  78  comprising a majority of the surface area of said net  56 . The web section  78  is constructed of a series of elongate horizontal members  80  and vertical members  82  that intersect at various locations along the lengths thereof and enclose a series of apertures  84 . A row of zipper teeth  86  is affixed to opposing side edges of the net  56 . The net  56  can be releasably attached to the leg stalls  54  by aligning the individual rows of zipper teeth  86  located on opposing sides of the net  56  to individual rows of zipper teeth  68  located on the leg stalls  54  and engaging the said rows of zipper teeth  68 ,  86  with the zipper head  70 . 
     As shown in detail in FIG. 6, the zipper head  70  is positioned onto an individual row of zipper teeth  68  at the bottom  62  of a leg stall  54  before being engaged to a corresponding row of zipper teeth  86  on a cooperating side of the net  56 . Once the rows of zipper teeth  68 ,  86  are engaged, the zipper head  70  can be pulled up to releasably attach the net  56  to the leg stall  54 . In this manner, the net  56  can be attached to or separated from the leg stalls  54  in an efficient, trouble-free manner. 
     The first embodiment of the leaf gathering trousers  10  is illustrated in FIG. 7 as being worn by a user  88  to gather leaves. The legs  90  of the user  88  are disposed within the leg stalls  14  of the trousers  10  with the top end  18  of the leg stalls  14  located proximate to the waist of the user  88  and the bottom end  22  of the leg stalls  14  located adjacent to shoes  92  of the user  88 . The user  88  can walk in a normal manner while wearing the trousers  10  as the leg stalls  14  and web  16  flex and conform to the movement of the legs and thus do not impede the movement of the user  88 . As the user  88  walks upon a ground surface, the web section  34  of the net  16  makes contact with leaves  94  and collects and gathers said leaves  94  so that they begin to accumulate against said web section  34  of the net  16  into a manageable pile. Once the leaves  94  have been accumulated as illustrated, they can be easily transferred into a bag or receptacle for storage and disposal. The leaf gathering trousers  10  allows the user  88  to gather leaves  94  while using a normal walking motion without the necessity to employ tools such as rakes, the use of which requires a user to engage in series of repetitive, strenuous activities. 
     While this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the invention are desired to be protected. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     CONCLUSION AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
     From the foregoing, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that an improved leaf gathering trousers has been provided. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet affords a variety of uses. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the version of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiments thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Although this invention has been described in its preferred forms with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred forms has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.