FR2544354A1 - Individual apparatus for picking up objects on the ground, particularly animal faeces - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises a pincer 1 comprising six curved elements 2 articulated at their end; a trigger-handle 10-11 making it possible, on the one hand, to hold the apparatus and, on the other hand, by pressing on the control trigger 10 against the resistance from elastic means 14, to open the pincer 1; a hollow rod 8 joining the pincer 1 to the trigger-handle 10-11 housing members 7 for transmitting the movement of the trigger 10 to the pincer 1. The apparatus is associated with a plastic bag 18, 19 placed in the pincer for the picking-up operation.

Description

Individual device for collecting earth objects, in particular animal excrement.

 For many years, the problem posed by the growth in the number of dogs in small or large urban agglomerations, for municipalities concerned with the cleanliness of their streets and sidewalks, has been solved only imperfectly, if not at all, this despite the constant efforts and the expenses allocated to this use.

 It is obvious that municipal employees cannot completely and especially immediately eliminate animal excrement.

 Only the owner is & even to do it, it is still necessary that he has the means of it: however until now, it was proposed only apparatuses whose use did not give satisfaction in particular in the measure or a part of the device remained dirty after use and embarrassed the user.

 The object of the invention is to provide a device that is truly efficient, convenient, completely clean, light, and compact.

This object is achieved by a device which includes:
- on one side a clamp comprising at least three curved elements articulated at their upper end on a common support for a radial displacement corresponding to the opening or closing of the clamp, these three elements touching in the state closed by their lower end and defining a gripping volume, elastic means being provided to normally maintain the clamp in the closed state,
- on the other side, a handle - trigger making it possible on the one hand to hold the device and, on the other hand, by pressing the control trigger against the elastic means of opening the clamp,
- a hollow rod connecting the clamp to the trigger handle housing organs for transmitting the movement of the trigger to the clamp.

 Used with a disposable bag, as will be explained below, the device is completely clean before, during and after use. At no time does the device itself come into contact with the object picked up.

 It is simple to handle: one hand is sufficient during the picking-up operation, ensuring that the animal is kept on a leash and preventing any risk of vagrancy.

 Advantageously, the clamp has six clamp elements, to ensure good grip.

 Advantageously, the elements of the clamp are provided at their lower end with spatulas.

 Advantageously, the hollow rod houses a control rod and a spring constituting said elastic means.

 Advantageously, the hollow rod measures approximately between twenty and fifty centimeters.

 Advantageously, the clamp has a maximum opening of approximately fifteen to twenty centimeters, for a height of approximately ten to fifteen centimeters.

 The device can therefore be light (around 0.500 ka) and has the size of a folded umbrella. It is advantageously associated with a case with zipper provided with a pocket to store a few plastic bags.

 Although the device is particularly intended for the collection of animal droppings, it goes without saying that it can receive other applications: this is how the bowlers can use it to collect the balls without having to stoop too low.

 The invention will be better understood on reading the description of a particular embodiment made with reference to the single figure representing a side view of an apparatus according to the invention.

 The apparatus comprises a clamp 1 comprising six curved elements 2 of clamp uniformly distributed, and articulated at their upper end on the crown 3 of a common support 4 in the form of a ball. The elements 2 end at their lower end with spatulas 5 which widen the bearing surface of the clamp.

These spatulas are not necessarily full, and can be simply defined by their outline in resistant wire welded to the elements 2. When the clamp 1 is closed (as shown in solid lines), it defines a gripping volume of approximately 10 cm. 15 cm in average diametrical dimension. When the clamp is open (as shown in dotted lines for two elements), it defines an opening of about 15 cm to 20 cm.

 The pivoting of the gripper elements 2 is ace on d by a mechanism known per se, housed in the ball 4 and essentially comprising a control piston 6 which, in its vertical stroke drives a part integral with the elements 2 and causes them to tilt on their joint.

 The piston 6 is itself linked to a control rod 7 housed in the hollow tube or rod 8 of the device.

The upper end of the control rod 7 abuts on the bottom of a housing 9 formed in the trigger 10 associated with the handle 11. This molded plastic handle has an articulation for the trigger 10 and a recess 13 for housing the trigger when pressed against the handle.

 A helical spring 14, housed between the control rod 7 and the hollow rod 8, is held between a lower stop stop 15 secured to the hollow rod, and an adjustable upper stop 16 secured to the control rod 7. Thus, this is constantly urged upwards and keeps the clamp closed and the trigger raised.

 To open the clamp, it suffices, with one hand, to press the trigger with sufficient force to overcome the force of the spring.

 A carabiner 17 can be attached to the base of the tube 8, allowing attachment to the dog's leash during the walk.

The use of the device is as follows
The closed clamp is made to penetrate inside a plastic bag, over a length of about 10 centimeters.

 We tighten the trigger handle, which tends to tighten the bag, and we find the part that remains free of the bag (that is to say the bottom 18) inside the clamp (see figure).

 We cover the dejection, the open clamp remaining on the ground.

 The trigger handle is released, and, by this simple gesture, the dejection is found inside the bag. There has been a surprising suction effect during the abrupt closing of the clamp which ensures better pick-up of the discharge, with, in addition, a wiping effect carried out from the outside towards the inside <therefore on a very limited area).

 We raise the device, we turn the outer edge 19 surrounding the clamp, which edge has remained clean. Then simply reopen slightly, the clamp, take out the bag and throw it in a trash can, gutter, etc. being on the course. We can also leave the bag in the clamp while finding a trash can. or go home.

Claims (7)

1. Individual apparatus for collecting objects on land, in particular animal excrement, characterized in that it comprises  - on one side a clamp (1) comprising at least three curved elements (2) articulated at their upper end on a common support (3) for a radial displacement corresponding to the opening or closing of the clamp ( 1), these three elements (2) touching each other in the closed state by their lower end and defining a gripping volume, elastic means (14) being provided for holding the clamp (1) in particular in the closed state,  - on the other side, a trigger handle (10-11) allowing on the one hand to hold the device and, on the other hand by pressing on the trigger (10) for control against the elastic means ( 14) - open the clamp (1),  - A hollow rod (8l connecting the clamp (1) to the trigger handle (10-11) housing transmission members (7) of the movement of the trigger (10) to the clamp (1). 2. Apparatus according to: claim 1, characterized in that the clamp (1) comprises six elements (2) of clamp; 3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow rod (8) houses a control rod (7) and a spring (14) constituting said elastic means. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow rod (8) measures approximately between twenty and fifty centimeters. 5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp (1) has a maximum height of approximately fifteen to twenty centimeters, for a height of approximately ten to fifteen centimeters. 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements (2) of the clamp are provided with spatulas (5) at their lower end.  7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated with a plastic bag (18,19) disposed in the clamp for the pickup operation.