GB2502829A

GB2502829A - Apparatus for the collection of animal excrement

Info

Publication number: GB2502829A
Application number: GB1210195.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Henry Turner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-08
Filing date: 2012-06-08
Publication date: 2013-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-08
Also published as: GB201210195D0; GB2502829B

Abstract

An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings, which includes a frame 1 with handles 15 for a person to grip, is mounted on wheels 3 to enable the apparatus to be mobile and the frame mounts a bucket 2 essentially of circular profile. A catchment means 10 prevents the bucket from rotating about a pivot 13 in one setting, but allows rotation in another. A pedal 18 is mounted to the frame which when depressed by an operators foot causes movement of a mounting 8 and attached rake or brush 5 guided on slide bars on each side of the apparatus across a collection zone 19. A pan 6 and arms connect to the pivots and have a handle 12 connected at pivot points 17 on the frame and which when raised by the hand of an operator causes the pan to raise to an emptying position (figure 17) in one mode of operation. When a catchment 14 is suitably set, and in a second mode of operation, the bucket and pan rotate together (figure 11) to empty the contents of the bucket.

Description

Apparatus for the collection of animal excrement (droppings)

Background

Currently there are numerous pieces of apparatus and devices available to collect animal droppings from their paddock areas where most of their grazing time is spent.

Most of this equipment is intended for use with horses as many people are involved with equestrian activities as a hobby and so these apparatus and devices are an essential part of the process of taking care of the animals and maintaining a healthy environment for the animals to graze in.

Generally, when animals, such as horses produce droppings in a grass paddock, then they are predominantly in single clumps which can be quite heavy and dense.

The most important reason for removing the droppings is to reduce the potential for worms in the soil and for the purpose of hygiene, to reduce spread of bacteria and the amount of flies in the vicinity around the animals.

Large equipment is available which is towed behind a tractor or quad bike or a four by four vehicle and may work by spreading the droppings by mechanical rotating devices so that the grass can be allowed to grow and is fertilized, or may employ a vacuum device which sucks the droppings up and collects them in a storage container. The problem with this type of powered apparatus is that they require a certain skill level and level of physical strength to operate and are expensive to purchase.

Smaller devices are available, which are essentially a scoop on the end of a handle and a rake on the end of a handle, so that the scoop is held in one hand of a person collecting the droppings and the rake in the other and the droppings are collected in the scoop and then placed in a wheel barrow which the person must wheel around the paddock.

Some people pick the droppings up with their hands wearing rubber gloves and place them in the wheel barrow, but this is messy and in wet and cold conditions is quite an unpleasant process to perform.

Statement of invention

The present invention proposes a frame which is mounted on wheels and the frame has suitable handles for a person to lift and push and manoeuvre the apparatus and a collection zone is provided between the person and the wheels in the frame envelope where a means is provided for a formed profile such as a rake to move forwards across the said zone from a normal none activated position in a direction towards the wheels when the operator activates a pedal with one of their feet in a generally vertical downwards direction from a normal none activated position to push droppings from the collection zone onto a collection pan waiting in a normal none activated position and the said rake and pedal is biased to return to their normal none activated positions by a suitable means such as springs, when the operator removes their foot from the pedal and in a first mode of operation when a suitable catchment is set in a first position, the said collection pan can rotate about a pivot point on the frame, when the operator raises a suitable handle with one of their aims such as to empty the contents of the pan into a bucket which is provided to contain the droppings and the said collection pan rotates independently to the said bucket which is essentially circular in profile in the side elevation of the apparatus and which is able to rotate about the same pivot centre as the said collection pan and in a second mode of operation when the said suitable catchment is set to a second position, the said bucket and said collection pan rotate together when the operator raises the same handle used for mode one of the operation, such that the bucket is caused to rotate to an empty position to empty the contents of the bucket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the proposed apparatus showing the collection bucket at the forefront and the general relative position of a person when operating the apparatus.

FIGURE 2 is an isometric view of the proposed apparatus showing the collection rake, collection zone and collection pan and the general relative position of a person when operating the apparatus.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation view of the proposed apparatus showing the general relative position of a person when operating the apparatus, the rake, coflection zone, pan and bucket.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 shows side elevations of the proposed apparatus showing the sequence of operation for a person to operate the apparatus with one of their feet to activate the rake and collect droppings onto the pan.

FIGURES 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 shows side elevations of the proposed apparatus showing the sequence of operation for a person to operate the apparatus to empty the bucket.

FIGURE 12 is an isometric view of the proposed apparatus showing the collection rake, collection zone and collection pan relative to the bucket.

FIGURE 13 is an isometric view of the proposed apparatus showing the collection bucket at the forefront, in an activated tipped position to empty the contents.

FIGURE 14 is an isometric view of the proposed apparatus from the general operating side showing the collection rake, collection zone and collection pan and the general relative position of a person when operating the apparatus.

FIGURES 15, 16 and 17 shows side elevations of the proposed apparatus showing the sequence of operation for a person to operate the apparatus to empty contents of the pan into the bucket.

Detailed Description with Reference to Drawings

Please read in conjunction with the drawing sheets 1 to 8 inclusive.

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the proposed apparatus, which is intended to be manually pushed, pulled and manoeuvred, just like a typical wheel barrow by a person (9) and the said apparatus, comprises a frame (1) which has suitable handles (15) for a person to grip to enable mobility of the apparatus and rest supports (16) for the person to hold onto for stability when operating the apparatus. The frame (1) is mounted on suitable wheels (3) to enable the apparatus to be mobile.

The apparatus has essentially four areas of function and some parts are utilized to perform multiple functions dependant on the setting positions of catchments (10, 14) and these four areas of function are as follows:-a) Use the apparatus as a conventional twin wheeled barrow which is manually operated by a person.

b) Collect droppings onto a pan (6) when the operating person (9) depresses a suitable pedal (18) with one of their feet, causing a rake or suitable profile (5) to move across a collection zone (19) and push droppings onto the pan (6).

c) Empty the contents of the pan (6) into a bucket (2) when the person (9) operating the apparatus raises a suitable handle (12) with one of their hands.

d) Empty the contents (23) of the bucket (2) when the person (9) operating the apparatus raises a suitable handle (12) which is the same handle as used previously, with one of their hands.

With reference to Figures 2, 3, 12, 13 and 14, the frame (1) mounts a bucket (2) from pivot points (13) on the left and right sides of the frame as viewed by the person operating the apparatus. The bucket (2) is essentially circular in side profile as shown in Figure 3, and has pivot centres (13) at the centre of the profile on each side of the bucket (2), so that the change in the centre of gravity of the bucket (2) and its contents (23) is minimal when rotated to empty the contents (23), and the effort required by the person operating the apparatus is minimal in doing so. The circular profile of the bucket (2), allows a pan (6) which has an open face adjacent to the bucket, to pivot from the same pivot point (13) with a suitable clearance gap provided between the pan (6) and the bucket (2) such that the contents of the pan (6) is prevented from falling off the pan (6) whilst pivoting to the emptying position.

The bucket (2) pivot centres (13) are positioned directly above the axles of the wheels (3) so that the centre of gravity of the bucket (2) and contents (23) acts directly or as close to the centre axis of the wheels (3) axles to minimise the effort required by the person operating the apparatus.

A suitable catchment (10) is provided, which when set in a first position the bucket (2) is prevented from rotating about the pivot (13) and when set in a second position, the bucket (2) may rotate about the said pivot (13). When the catchment is set in the said first position, the apparatus may be used in a similar way to a conventional twin wheeled barrow, where a person enables mobility of the apparatus manually using the grips (15).

A suitable pedal (18)15 provided which pivots from left and right side pivot points on the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, and these pivot points on each side are also the axles for one of three cable guide pulleys (7) on both the left side and right side of the apparatus.

A slide bar (4)is mounted on the left and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, and spans a distance between the said cable guide pulleys (7) on each side of the frame, which is referred to as the collection zone (19) which is on the ground and the location of the droppings to be collected. A sliding mounting (8) is provided with suitable bushings to slide on the slide bars (4) on the left and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator and spans across the said left and right side of the frame. The slide mounting (8) is capable of detachably mounting various profiles (5) such as a rake profile as shown in Figure 2 but it may be appreciated that other attachments such as a brush may be fitted if required.

A cable loop (20) is provided on both the left side and right side of the frame as viewed by the operator, which passes around the three guide pulleys (7) on each side of the frame (1) as shown in Figure 3. Each end of the slide mounting (8) is anchored to the cable on the said left and right side of the frame, at a suitable position and similarly the pedal (18) is anchored on each side to the cable (20) at the connections (21) as also shown in Figure 3 such that when the operator (9) depresses the pedal (18) from a normal none activated position, in an essentially downwards direction using one of their feet, then the slide mounting (8) and attached rake profile (5) is causes to move a stroke distance proportional to the pedal (18) displacement, in a horizontal direction towards the wheels (3) across the collection zone (19) to push the droppings onto the pan (6) and the said pedal (18) and slide mounting (8) are biased to return to their normal, none activated positions by suitable means such as springs. 6 -

Handles (16) are provided on the frame (1) for the operator (9) to hold onto with their hands for added stability if required. whilst activating the pedal (18) using one of their feet.

The sequence required to collect the droppings onto the pan (6) may be summarised as follows, with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6):-Firstly, the suitable catchments (10, 14) are locked in their first positions, such that rotation of the bucket (2) and pan (6) about the pivot point (13 is prevented as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4.

Secondly, position the apparatus such that the droppings are in the collection zone (19) as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, and allow the apparatus to rest on the ground on its frame (1).

Thirdly, depress the pedal (18) to cause the slide mounting (8) to move and push the droppings onto the pan (6). The pedal may be activated once or numerous times to collect the droppings if required, as the pedal (18) and rake profile (5) are biased to return to their normal positions by suitable means such as springs.

Figure 5 shows, the pedal (18) depressed half of its stroke and the rake profile (5) correspondingly, halfway across its stroke over the collection zone. Figure 6 shows the pedal (18) fully depressed by the operators (9) foot and the rake (5) at the end of its stroke across the collection zone (19) and up to the pan (6).

With reference to Figures 2, 3 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17 the contents of the pan (6) can be emptied by firstly setting the catchment means (14) to a second position which allows the pan (6) to rotate about the pivot points (13). The catchrnent (10) remains set in the first position to prevent rotation of the bucket (2) about the pivot points (13). When the droppings are on the pan (6), then the operator (9) raises the handle (12) as shown in Figure 15. The pan and pivot arms are considered a single piece (6) and shown in Figure 15 with the pivot arms provided at the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator, on each side of the bucket (2) and connect the pan element to the pivot points (13) on the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator. The pan arms (6) provides a region on each, where a suitable sliding connection (11) ot suitable material, can slide along the tubular region on each of the pan arms (6) on the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator. The slide connection (11) is connected to the handle (12) on the left and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator, to establish a sliding link connection between the handle (12) and the pan arms (6) on each side, such that the full rotational stroke of the pan (6) about the pivots (13) may be achieved when the operator (9) raises the handle (12) with one of their hands.

Figure 15 shows the handle (12) which is connected to the frame (1) at suitable pivot points (17) on the left side and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, which the handle (12) pivots about and shows the handle (12), partially raised by the operators (9) hand, and the pan (6) correspondingly raised proportionally with the slide connections (11) moving radially away from the pivot points (13) on the left side and right side of the apparatus as viewed by the operator. It should be noted that the mechanical advantage to the operator increases as the handle (12) raises1 because the slide connections (11) are moving away from the pivot points (13) as they slide along the pan arms (6) and the torsional moment imparted to the pan arms (6) continuously increases up to the end of the stroke of the handle (12).

Figure 16, shows the handle (12) raised further by the operators (9) hand and the pan (6), raised correspondingly further towards the emptying position to empty the contents of the pan (6) into the bucket (2) and the slide connections (11) moved further away from the pivot points (13).

Figure 17, shows the handle (12) raised still further by the operators (9) hand to the end of its stroke, and the pan (6) correspondingly raised further to the end of its stroke to the emptying position to empty the contents of the pan (6) into the bucket (2) and the slide connections (11) moved further away from the pivot points (13) at their end of travel position. The pan (6) has an open side adjacent to the circular profile side of the bucket (2) and the contents of the pan (6) are prevented from falling off because the pan (6) follows the profile of the bucket (2) with a suitable clearance gap between, whilst moving up to the emptying position at which point the pan (6) has moved past the top of the bucket (02) and the contents can fall off the open back of the pan (6) and into the bucket (2) Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13 shows how the bucket (2) of the apparatus can be emptied. The suitable catchment means (14) provided, must be set to the first position, which prevents the pan (6) rotating relative to the bucket (2) about the pivot points (13) and effectively locks the two together. The suitable catchment means (10) provided, must be set to the second position, which allows the bucket (2) and pan (6) which are now connected by the catchment means (14) and prevented from moving relatively to each other, to both rotate together, about the pivot points (13) on the left side and right side of the frame (1).

When the operator (9) raises the handle (12) with one of their hands, then the same function occurs as that for emptying the pan (6) except, now the bucket (2) is connected to the pan arm (6) and rotates also with it, such that the contents of the bucket are emptied.

The operator (9), raises the handle (12) as shown in Figure 8, and the pan and pivot arms are considered a single piece (6) as also shown in Figure 8, where a pan arm (6)and slide connection (11) are provided on the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator, each side of the bucket (2) with the pivot arms connecting the pan (6) element to the pivot points (13) on both left and right sides of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator. The arm elements (6), provides a region on each, where a suitable sliding connection (11) of suitable material, can slide along the tubular region of the pan arms (6). The slide connections (11) are connected to the handle (12) on the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator, to establish a sliding link connection between the handle (12) and the pan arms (6) such that the full rotational stroke of the pan (6) and bucket (2) connected to each other, about the pivots (13) may be achieved when the operator (9) raises the handle (12) with one of their hands.

Figure 8 also shows the handle (12) which is connected to the frame (1) at suitable pivot points (17) on the left side and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, which the handle (12) pivots about, and shows the handle (12), partially raised by the operators (9) hand and the pan (6) and bucket (2) which are connected, correspondingly raised proportionally with the slide connections (11) moving radially away from the pivot points (13). It should be noted that the mechanical advantage to the operator increases as the handle (12) raises, because the slide connections (11) are moving away from the pivot points (13) as they slide along the pan arms (6) and the torsional moment imparted to the pan arms (6) continuously increases up to the end of the stroke of the handle (12).

Figure 9, shows the handle (12) raised further by the operators (9) hand and the pan (6) and bucket (2) connected, correspondingly raised further towards the emptying position to empty the contents of the bucket (2) and the slide connections (11) moved further away from the pivot points (13).

Figure 10, shows the handle (12) raised a further amount to that of Figure 9, by the operators (9) hand and the pan (6) and bucket (2) connected, correspondingly raised further towards the emptying position to empty the contents of the bucket (2) and the slide connections (11) moved further away from the pivot points (13).

Figure 11, shows the handle (12) raised by the operators (9) hand to the end of its stroke, and the pan (6) and bucket (2) which are connected together, correspondingly rotated to the emptying position to empty the contents of the bucket (2) and the slide connections (11) moved further away from the pivot points (13) at their end of travel position.

Figure 13 shows that a suitable catchment means is provided, to hold the bucket (2) in the empty position when the handle (12) is raised to the emptying position, which is of a latching type, such that when the handle (12) is raised, the bucket (2) rotates to the empty position and clicks past the latch to hold their positions, until the operator (9) intervenes to release the catchment means with one of their hands.

Claims

Claims 1. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings, which comprises a frame (1) which is mounted on wheels (3) and the frame (1) has suitable handles (15) for a person to lift and push and manoeuvre the apparatus, and for a first mode of operation, where separate catchment means (10, 14) are both set to a first position, a collection zone (19) is provided between the person (9) and the wheels (3) in the frame (1) envelope where a means is provided for a formed profile such as a rake (5) to move forwards across the said zone (19) from a normal none activated position in a direction towards the wheels (3) when the operator (9) activates a pedal (18) with one of their feet in a generally vertical downwards direction from a normal none activated position to push droppings from the collection zone (19) onto a collection pan (6) waiting in a normal none activated position and the said rake (5), connected to a slide mounting (8) and the said pedal (18) are biased to return to their normal none activated positions by a suitable means such as springs, when the operator (9) removes their foot from the pedal (18) and in a second mode of operation when one of the catchment means (10) remains in the first position and the other suitable catchment means (14), is set in a second position, the said collection pan (6) can rotate about a pivot point (13) on the frame (1), when the operator (9) raises a suitable handle (12) with one of their arms such as to empty the contents of the pan (6) into a bucket (2) which is provided to contain the droppings (23) and the said collection pan (6) rotates independently to the said bucket (2) which is essentially circular in profile in the side elevation of the apparatus and which is able to rotate about the same pivot centre (13) as the said collection pan (6) and in a third mode of operation when the said suitable catchment means (1 0), is set to a second position, and the other said catchment means (14) is set to a first position, then the said bucket (2) and said collection pan (6) rotate together when the operator (9) raises the same handle (12) used for emptying the pan (6) contents into the bucket (2), such that the bucket (2) is caused to rotate to an empty position to empty the contents (23) of the bucket (2).
2. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1, where a frame (1), is provided, which has suitable rest supports (16) provided for a person to hold onto for stability when operating the apparatus.
3. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in any preceding claim, where a frame (1) of the apparatus is mounted on suitable wheels (3) to enable it to be mobile.
4. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in any preceding claim, which has essentially four areas of function and some parts are utilized to perform multiple functions dependant on the selling positions of catchments (10, 14) and these four areas of function are, first, to use the apparatus as a conventional twin wheeled barrow which is manually operated by a person, second, collect droppings onto a pan (6) when the operating person (9) depresses a suitable pedal (18) with one of their feet, causing a rake or suitable profile (5) to move across a collection zone (19) and push droppings onto a pan (6), third, empty the contents of the pan (6) into a bucket (2) when the person (9) operating the apparatus raises a suitable handle (12) with one of their hands and last, empty the contents (23) of the bucket (2) when the person (9) operating the apparatus raises a suitable handle (12) which is the same handle as used previously, with one of their hands.
5. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in any preceding claim, which can be manually pushed, pulled and manoeuvred, just like a typical wheel barrow by a person (9) and the said apparatus comprises a frame (1) which has suitable handles (15) for a person to grip to enable mobility of the apparatus.
6. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in any preceding claim, which has a bucket (2) mounted from suitable pivot points (13) on a frame (1) on the left and right sides of the frame as viewed by the person operating the apparatus, and the said bucket (2) is essentially circular in side profile, and has pivot centres (13) at the centre of the profile on each side of the bucket (2), so that the change in the centre of gravity of the bucket (2) and its contents (23) is minimal when rotated to empty the contents (23), and the effort required by the person operating the apparatus is minimal in doing so.
7. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claimi and 6. where the circular profile of the bucket (2), allows a pan (6) which has an open face adjacent to the bucket, and pivots from the same pivot points (13) with a suitable clearance gap provided between the pan (6) and the bucket (2) such that the contents of the pan (6) is prevented from falling off the pan (6) whilst pivoting to the emptying position.
8. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1, 6 and 7, where the bucket (2) pivot centres (13) are positioned directly above the axles of the wheels (3) so that the centre of gravity of the bucket (2) and contents (23) acts directly or as close to the centre axis of the wheels (3) axles to minimise the effort required by the person (9) operating the apparatus for both mobilization and rotation of the bucket (2) to empty the contents.
9. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1 to 5 inclusive, where cable guide pulleys (7) and cable loops (20), are provided on the left side and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, to guide the said activating cables, which connect the slide mounting (8) and the attached rake (5) with the pedal (18).
10. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims I to 7 inclusive, where a suitable catchment (10) is provided, which when set in a first position the bucket (2) is prevented from rotating about the pivot (13) and when set in a second position, the bucket (2) may rotate about the said pivot (13) and when the catchment is set in the said first position, the apparatus may be used in a similar way to a conventional twin wheeled barrow, where a person enables mobility of the apparatus manually using the grips (15).
11.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1 and claim 9, where a suitable pedal (18) is provided which pivots from left and right side pivot points on the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, and these pivot points on each side are also the axles for one of three cable guide pulleys (7) on both the left side and right side of the apparatus.
12. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1, claim 9 and claim 11, where a slide bar (4) is mounted on the left and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, and spans a distance between the said cab'e guide pulleys (7) on each side of the frame, which is referred to as the collection zone (19) which is on the ground and the location of the droppings to be collected.
I 3.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1 and claim 12, where sliding mounting (8) is provided with suitable bushings to slide on the slide bars (4) on the left and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator and spans across the said left and right side of the frame, and the slide mounting (8) is capable of detachably mounting various profiles (5) such as a rake profile, but it may be appreciated that other attachments such as a brush may be fitted if required.
14.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4, 9 and ii, where a cable loop (20) is provided on both the left side and right side of the frame as viewed by the operator, which passes around the three guide pulleys (7) on each side of the frame (1) and each end of the slide mounting (8) is anchored to the cable on the said left and right side of the frame, at a suitable position and similarly the pedal (18) is anchored on each side to the cable (20) at suitable connections (21) such that when the operator (9) depresses the pedal (18) from a normal none activated position, in an essentially downwards direction using one of their feet, then the slide mounting (8) and attached rake profile (5) is causes to move a stroke distance proportional to the pedal (18) displacement, in a horizontal direction towards the wheels (3) across the collection zone (19) to push the droppings onto the pan (6) and the said pedal (18) and slide mounting (8) are biased to return to their normal, none activated positions by suitable means such as springs.
15. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4 and 7, where the contents of the pan (6) can be emptied by firstly setting the catchment means (14) to a second position which allows the pan (6) to rotate about the pivot points (13) and the catchment means (10) remains set in the first position to prevent rotation of the bucket (2) about the pivot points (13), such that when the droppings are on the pan (6), then the operator (9) raises the handle (12) to empty the contents of the pan (6) into the bucket (2).
16.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4 and 15, where a handle (12) is provided, which is connected to the frame (1) at suitable pivot points (17) on the left side and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, which the handle (12) pivots about, such that when the said handle (12) is raised by the operators (9) hand, the pan (6) correspondingly raises proportionally towards the emptying position and suitable slide connections (11) move radially away from the pivot points (13) on the left side and right side of the apparatus as viewed by the operator in such a way that the mechanical advantage to the operator increases as the handle (12) raises, because the slide connections (11) move, increasingly away from the pivot points (13) as they slide along the pan arms (6) and the torsional moment imparted to the pan arms (6) continuously increases up to the end of the stroke of the handle (12).
17.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim I and 16, where the handle (12) can be raised to an end of stroke position, by the operators (9) hand and the pan (6), is raised correspondingly to an emptying position to empty the contents of the pan (6) into the bucket (2) and in this instance, the slide connections (11) have moved to their furthest point away from the pivot points (13).
18.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 14, 7 and claims 15 to 17 inclusive, where the pan (6) has an open side adjacent to the circular profile side of the bucket (2) and the contents of the pan (6) are prevented from falling off because the pan (6) follows the profile of the bucket (2) with a suitable clearance gap between, whilst moving up to the emptying position at which point the pan (6) has moved past the top of the bucket (02) and the contents can fall off the open back of the pan (6) and into the bucket (2).
19.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4, 7 and claims 15 to 18 inclusive, where suitable catchment means (14)is provided, which when set to a first position, the pan (6) is prevented from rotating relative to the bucket (2) about the pivot points (13) and effectively locks the two together.
20.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4, 7 and claims 15 to 20 inclusive, where upon setting the catchment means (14) provided to a first position, the pan (6) is prevented from rotating relative to the bucket (2) about the pivot points (13) and effectively locks the two together, and the suitable catchment means (10) provided, is set to its second position, which allows the bucket (2) and pan (6) which are now connected by the catchment means (14) and prevented from moving relatively to each other, to both rotate together, about the pivot points (13) on the left side and right side of the frame (1), in such a way that when the operator (9) raises the handle (12) with one of their hands, then the same function occurs as that for emptying the pan (6) except, now the bucket (2) is connected to the pan arm (6) and rotates also with it, such that the contents of the bucket (2) are emptied.
21. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1 and 20, where the pan and pivot arms are considered a single piece (6) and where the said pan arms (6) and slide connections (11) are provided on the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator, each side of the bucket (2) with the pivot arms connecting the pan (6) element to the pivot points (13) on both left and right sides of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator.
22.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claim 1 and claim 21, where the pan arms (6), are provided with a region on each, where a suitable sliding connection (11) of suitable material, can slide along the tubular region of the pan arms (6) and the slide connections (11) are connected to the handle (12)on the left side and right side of the apparatus, as viewed by the operator, to establish a sliding link connection between the handle (12) and the pan arms (6) such that the full rotational stroke of the pan (6) and bucket (2) connected to each other, about the pivots (13) may be achieved when the operator (9) raises the handle (12) with one of their hands.
23. An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4, 7, 10 and claims 15 to 22 inclusive1 where the catchment means (10, 14) are set accordingly so that when the handle (12) which is connected to the frame (1) at suitable pivot points (17) on the left side and right side of the frame (1) as viewed by the operator, is raised by the operators (9) hand and the pan (6) and bucket (2) which are connected, are correspondingly raised proportionally with the slide connections (11) moving radially away from the pivot points (13) such that the contents of the bucket (2) can be emptied, when the handle (12) reaches its end of stroke.
24.An apparatus for the collection of animal droppings as claimed in claims 1, 4, 7, 10 and claims 15 to 23 inclusive, where a suitable catchment means is provided to hold the bucket (2) in the empty position when the handle (12) is raised to the empty end of stroke position, and the said catchment means is a latching type, such that when the catchment is activated by raising the handle (12) to the said emptying position, then it will stop the handle (12) and bucket (2) from returning to their none activated or normal positions unless the operator (9) intervenes, by releasing the said catchment means with one of their hands.