GB2204782A

GB2204782A - Excrement collector with flushing device

Info

Publication number: GB2204782A
Application number: GB08712126A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Bernard White
Original assignee: TAYLOR WOODROW
Current assignee: TAYLOR WOODROW
Priority date: 1987-05-22
Filing date: 1987-05-22
Publication date: 1988-11-23
Also published as: GB8712126D0

Abstract

A portable flushing device is disclosed in the form of a walking stick, the device including a container for liquid 12 forming the shaft of the stick, with a shovel member 14 being provided at one end thereof. The container 12 is also provided with a valve 16 operated by a handle 18 and an air pump 22, 23, 24. In use, the container 12 is filled with liquid, which is held in the container by valve 16. If a pet fouls the pavement, the shovel member 14 is used to remove the animal's deposit, to a drain, for example. Pressure in the container 12 is then raised by means of air pump 22, 23, 24. The valve is then released thus allowing the liquid in the container 12 to flow over the shovel member 14, under pressure, thus washing the deposit down the drain. <IMAGE>

Description

PORTABLE FLUSHING DEVICE This invention relates to flushing apparatus.

The problem of dogs and like animals fouling foot-paths and other public places is a major nuisance to pedestrians, as well as being a potential health risk. Recently local authorities have taken action to punish owners who allow their animals to defaecate in such public places.

According to the invention there is provided a portable flushing device comprising; a shovel member or tray, a container for liquid, the container being coupled to the shovel member and a valve for releasing liquid held in the container to flow over the shovel member.

Preferably compressed air means is coupled to the container for providing a back pressure to force liquid held in the container over the shovel member when the valve is opened.

Furthermore, the container preferably comprises a hollow elongate tube, with the shovel member being coupled at one end of the tube and the valve being provided adjacent said end.

Also, the shovel member is preferably fan-shaped and is also preferably pivotally mounted relative to the container so that it may be moved between an operating position and a stored position adjacent a side of the container.

Furthermore the portable flushing apparatus is preferably in the general form of a walking stick, with the container forming the shaft of the stick, the air pressure device forming the handle of the stick, means for manually operating the valve being provided adjacent the handle, and the shovel being provided at the opposed end of the stick to the handle.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described. by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a part-sectional side view of an embodiment of the invention Fig 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of figure 1, showing the device in an alternative position.

Fig 3 is a perspective view of a part of the embodiment of figures 1 and 2.

With reference to the figures, an embodiment of the portable flushing device of the invention is shown which is generally in the form and size of a walking stick and is designated by reference numeral 10. The portable flushing device 10 includes a container for liquid 12 in the form of an elongate plastics tube, having a stem 26 and end portion 21 at an angle, preferably 80 , to the stem 26. The tube is preferably of 19 mm (0.75 inch) inside diameter. The container 12 is connected to a shovel member 14 or tray at one end thereof. The container 12, adjacent the point of connection to the shovel member 14 is provided with a spout 30. The container 12 and shovel member 14 are preferably connected together by a pivot 15, as described below, although the container 12 and member 14 may be permanently connected by ultrasonic welding or via a push-fit connection.The end of the container 12 adjacent the shovel member 14 is provided with a stainless steel toe cap 17.

A pivotally mounted valve member 16 is provided between the spout 30 and remainder of the container 12, the valve member being movable between a closed position (as shown) in which a water-tight seal is effected between the container 12 and spout 30 and an open position, as shown in phantom lines in figure 1. The valve member 16 is opened by means of a operating lever 18, connected via a bowden cable or connection rod 20 to the valve member 16, via a cam (not shown), for example. The valve 16 is preferably biased into the closed position so, upon release of the handle 18, the valve automatically returns to the closed position. The operating handle 18 is connected, via a pivotal mounting 19, to the container 12.

A end portion 21 of the container forms a handle of the device 10. The portion 21 acts as an air reservoir as will be described hereinafter and at its open end is provided with a one-way valve 22, for letting air into the portion 21, a rubber bulb hand pump 24 being connected to the valve 22. The end 23 of the portion 21 is internally threaded, for engagement with a complementary threaded portion of the valve 22, the engaging portions forming an air tight connection, with the aid of a washer (not shown) if necessary. In use, the container 12 may be filled with liquid through end 23 by detaching the valve 22 and pump 24.

Alternatively, the container 12 may be provided with a separate filling opening in the stem 26 with an air tight screw cap. The opening may be disposed so that the air reservoir portion 21 is not filled with liquid when filling the container 12, excess liquid overflowing through the opening.

The shovel member 14 is of generally fan-shaped form. having side portions 40, 41 as can be seen with reference to figure 3 and includes a reinforced lip 28 which tapers to an edge 29. As the shovel member is pivotally attached to the container 12 it may be placed in a position parallel to the side of the container 12 and held in place by a catch 38, when not is use, as shown in figure 2.

In use, the container is filled, to the level of the lever 18, with liquid. The device is carried by a user and may be used as a walking stick. If the user's pet fouls the pavement, for example, the shovel member is lowered to the position shown in figure 1 and is used to remove the deposit from the public area to a drain or gutter. The hand bulb 24 is then used to raise the air pressure in the tube portion 21.

When a suitably high pressure has been reached, the valve member 16 is then opened by actuation of the lever 18 and the liquid will then be forced, by a combination of gravity and air pressure, out of the spout 30 thus flushing the deposit into the gutter or down the drain.

The inventor also believes that a users pet could be trained to use the shovel directly.

The liquid in the container 12 may be water but is preferably a mixture of water and disinfectant.

A clip-on scraper is preferably detachably connected to the stem 26 to assist with final removal of any deposit.

The dimensions of the portable flushing device are, preferably; length L1, of stem: 91.5 (3ft), length L2, of portion 21; 15 cm (6ins), length L3 of shovel member: 21.5 cm (8.5ins), width L4, L5 of the shovel member : 7.5 cm (3ins), 12.7 cm (5ins).

The dimension of the portion 21 may be reduced, if it is desired to reduce the corresponding amount of pumping required to raise the portion 21 to sufficient pressure.

The valve may be spring loaded and biased into the open position and include a catch, which when released by the lever 18 causes the valve to spring open, with means being provided for returning the valve to its closed position after actuation. Alternatively the valve may take the form of a captive ball operating in a matching diameter recess and biased into a sealed position by a spring. the valve being opened by a cam, operated by lever 18. which would move the ball away from the recess.

Claims

1. A portable flushing device comprising a shovel member or tray, a container for liquid, the container being coupled to the shovel member and a valve for releasing liquid held in the container to flow over the shovel member.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for raising the pressure of air in the container for providing a back pressure to force liquid held in the container over the shovel member when the valve is opened.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said means comprises an air pump.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the container comprises a hollow elongate tube, with the shovel member being coupled to the tube at one end of thereof.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shovel member is fan-shaped.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the shovel member is pivotally mounted relative to the container.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the shovel member is rotatable into a stored position and further comprising means for holding the shovel member in the stored position.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the device is in the general form of a walking stick, having a handle, the container forming the shaft of said stick and the shovel member being provided at the end of the stick distant from the handle.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the container has a spout provided adjacent the shovel member.

10. A portable flushing device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.