GB2359990A

GB2359990A - Retractable scoop

Info

Publication number: GB2359990A
Application number: GB0005526A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Melvyn Holman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-08
Filing date: 2000-03-08
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Also published as: GB0005526D0

Abstract

A retractable scoop, e.g. a walking stick with a retractable scoop, having a handle 5 with an operating sleeve 6, to extend and retract a self unfolding and automatically folding, flexible scoop 1, which can be used for material handling purposes. Additional features, namely green and red flashing warning lights and or, a personal attack alarm, may also be embodied in the device, if required, to enhance its overall usefulness.

Description

i RETRACTABLE SCOOP 2359990 This invention relates to a self unfolding and

automatically refolding scoop, which can be extended from and retracted into a suitable form of container or handle, which may then also be used for other different purposes.

Scoops are commonly of simple fixed construction providing only basic convenience for the handling and disposal of materials. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a form of scoop which will give greater convenience, both in the use and the convenience of the device and, when in its retracted form, allow the device to be used for other primary purposes, if required.

Additionally, features may also be embodied to further enhance the usefulness of the device as a whole.

According to the present invention, there is provided a retractable scoop comprising a purpose shaped flexible member or scoop, with means to be extended ftom and retracted into a suitable container or purpose shaped handle, so that when extended the flexible scoop self unfolds to a predetermined shape and may then be used to pick up, carry and deposit whatever material or materials the device is required to handle. When retracted into the container or handle, the flexible scoop is automatically folded by the combination of the retractive movement of the scoop and the reactive forces at its housing entry, acting against the specifically shaped periphery of the scoop.

Besides uses related to the device, when in scoop form, the container or handle may also be specifically designed for additional unrelated applications, preferred embodiments being a handle in the form of a walking stick, a walking stick embodying a battery operated green and red flashing warning light, a walking stick with flashing warning lights and also housing a personal attack alarm.

The handle may be made from wood, plastic, metal or any composite material suited to its primary use and preferred for its form, robustness and appearance.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- FIGURE 1 is a fragmented cross section showing the flexible scoop in its retracted position, folded and housed within its container. Means for extending and retracting the scoop are also shown.

FIGURE 2 shows the scoop unfolded, in its extended position, with the handle in the form of a walking stick.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmated cross section showing green and red, flashing waffling lights, embodied to be operated with the scoop operating means.

2 FIGURE 4 is a part cross section illustrating a personal attack alarm, housed within the hand grip of the handle in the form of a walking stick.

Referring to figure 1 the retractable scoop comprises a flexible member 1 (shown folded and housed within the handle 5), with one end securely attached to a connecting rod 3, having sliding means 2 and 4 at its ends.

Besides providing a housing for the folded scoop, the handle 5 also forms a guide for the assembled items, denoted above, to slide within. Operating and control means are provided by a control slot 8 in the handle, working in conjunction with a sliding pin 7, securely attached to the sliding means 4, the said pin also being freely located in the hand operating sleeve 6. These means permit the extension and retraction movements of the scoop to be achieved, either to convenient intermediate positions or to fixed, suitable limits. Fig 2 illustrates the scoop unfolded, in its fully extended position, with the handle 5 in a preferred embodiment of a walking stick. End cap 9 is used to blank the end of the stick, when the scoop is retracted. Fig J3 shows how the means for extending and retracting the scoop (refer to Fig 1) may also be used to control battery operated green and red, flashing L.E.D warning lights, embodied with the scoop device in a handle of walking stick form.

For the purpose of clarification, the hand operating sleeve 6 is omitted from Fig 3. The control slot 8 shown dotted, also shows a slot extension necessary to provide a means of switching the flashing lights on and off.

With the scoop in its normal retracted position, the flashing lights are switched ofF. A rotary movement and then a further retractive movement of the hand operating sleeve 6 brings sliding means 4 into contact with any acceptable means of switching 10, which then provides an electrical path from one terminal of the battery 11 through the switch 10, along an electrical conducting path through sliding means 4, to the handle 5, which must also embody a separate electrical conducting path if it is made from a nonconducting material. Any housing 12, suitable for accommodating the flashing L.E.Ds 13 & 14 and also providing an electrical conducting path, from the handle 5 or its conducting path, through to the opposing terminal of the battery 11, then completes the electrical circuit, thus switching on the flashing L.E.Ds. A final rotary movement secures the switch in its ON position.

The handgrip 16 is detachable to facilitate fitting and removal of the switch 10, cell or battery pack 11, switch and battery housing 15, housing 12 and the flashing L.E.Ds 13 & 14.

Fig 4 illustrates any suitable, tubular form of personal attack alarm 17, housed within the hand grip 16 of a handle of walking stick form. It may be retained in the hand grip by any suitable means 18, with means of triggering the alarm, a push button 19 for example, or, a pull cord (not shown) providing another example, being readily available and able to be quickly actuated.

3

Claims

1. A retractable scoop comprising a purpose shaped, flexible member or scoop, with means to be extended from and retracted into a suitable container or purpose shaped handle, so that when extended the flexible scoop self unfolds to a predetermined shape and may then be used to pick up, carry and then deposit whatever material or materials the device is required to handle. When retracted into the container or handle, the flexible scoop is automatically folded by the combination of the retractive movement of the scoop and the reactive forces at its housing entry, acting against the specifically shaped periphery of the scoop.

2. A retractable scoop as claimed in CLAIM 1wherein the container or purpose shaped handle is provided in the form of a walking stick..

3. A retractable scoop as claimed in CLAIM 1 or CLAIM 2, wherein the container or purpose shaped handle is provided with means for embodying battery operated green and red, flashing warning lights.

1

4. A retractable scoop as claimed in CLAIM 2 or CLAIM 3), wherein the container or purpose shaped handle is provided with means for housing a personal attack alarm.

5. A retractable scoop substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.