IE20170258A1 - Walking cane comprising an animal excrement retrieval means - Google Patents

Abstract

A walking cane or stick comprises a device for retrieving animal excrement comprises a handle section; a hollow elongate shaft; an elongate actuator rod slidable longitudinally inside the hollow shaft; a lever handle connected to an upper end of the actuator rod; an excrement retrieving means connected to a lower end of the actuator rod and an excrement containment means. <Figure 2>

Description

t Q D G ^Qtking Jane comprising an animal excrement retrieval means" Introduction Tire present invention relates to a walking cane or stick which incorporates a mechanism for the retrieval of animal excrement.

The issue of picking up animal waste, in particular dog waste, has become a major problem especially in urban areas or popular walking areas. The problem of dog littering is well recognised and regulations exist to ensure owners pick up their own dog waste. While it can be appreciated that this is an unpleasant task many owners do their civic duty and retrieve their dog’s waste, however a large number do not.

To make the task of retrieving pet waste more pleasant there are many different types of pooper scooper devices on the market for retrieving waste deposits in a sanitary manner. Many of the devices however involve the user having to bend down and come into close contact with the deposits.

There is a need for an improved device which is easy to use through simple hand manipulation without coming into contact with the animal waste deposits and which makes the task of cleaning up after ones pet much easier.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a walking cane or stick comprising a device for retrieving animal excrement comprising; a handle section; a hollow elongate shaft; an elongate actuator rod slidable longitudinally inside the hollow shaft; a lever handle connected to an upper end of the actuator rod; an excrement retrieving means connected to a lower end of the actuator rod; and an excrement containment means.

In one embodiment of the invention the lever handle is located on the exterior of the elongate shaft.

In one embodiment of the invention the lever handle is hingedly connected to the upper end of the actuator rod by means of a rocking block and pin system.

In one embodiment of the invention the excrement retrieving means comprises two arms hingedly connected to the lower end of the actuator rod. Preferably the two excrement retrieving arms are connected to the actuator rod by means of a rotating hinge. Most preferably the two excrement retrieving arms are contained when not in use within the elongate shaft.

In one embodiment of the invention the lower end of the elongate shaft comprises an elongate opening for the excrement retrieving arms to move from a non-working to a working position. Preferably the walking cane comprises a cover sleeve longitudinally slidable along the exterior of the shaft covering the elongate opening.

In one embodiment of the invention the retrieving arms are movable from a nonworking position wherein the arms extend substantially parallel to the actuating rod within the shaft to a working position wherein the arms are rotated and extend horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the elongate shaft of the walking cane.

In one embodiment of the invention the retrieving arms are movable from a closed configuration wherein the two arms are substantially aligned parallel with one another to an open configuration wherein one arm extends outwardly from the other arm fonning a substantially V shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the excrement containment means comprises a disposable bag placed over the retrieving arms to contain the animal waste or excrement. Preferably the bag comprises elongate pockets to slidably engage with the arms and a closure flap to close the bag.

In one embodiment of the invention the height of the handle section is adjustable.

In another embodiment of the invention the excrement containment means comprises a cage or basket attached at an upper end of the shaft of the cane.

According to the invention there is provided a method of collecting animal excrement comprising the steps of:sliding the cover sleeve upwards on the shaft of the walking stick; operating the lever handle attached to the actuator rod to automatically move die retrieving arms from a non-working to a working position perpendicular to the elongate shaft; inverting the walking cane; sliding a bag over the retrieving arms; inverting the walking cane; opening the retrieving arms; placing the open arms over the excrement; closing the arms under the excrement; inverting the walking cane; closing the closure flap on die bag; sliding the bag off the retrieving arms; inverting the walking cane; sliding the cover sleeve downward on the shaft; and disposing of the bag containing the excrement.

Brief Descripti on of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partial cross sectional view of the walking cane or stick according to the invention: Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged side view of the upper end of the walking stick and the actuating handle of the animal excrement retrieval means on the device with (a) showing the lever handle and (b) showing a downward view of the lever handle; Fig. 4 is further side view of tire upper end of the walking stick of Fig. 3 showing the upward and outward movement of the handle and (a) showing the sideward movement of the handle; Fig. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of the lower end of the walking stick of the invention with the animal excrement retrieval means in a non-working position; Fig. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the lower end of the walking stick of the invention with the animal excrement retrieval means in a working position with (a) showing a downward view of the animal excrement retrieval means; Fig. 7 is a partial cross sectional view from the front of the device of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a side perspective of the device of the invention with the animal excrement retrieval means placed over some animal waste; Fig. 9 is a downward view of the animal excrement retrieval means; Fig. 10 is a side perspective view of the device in an inverted position for closing and removing the bag filled with animal waste; and Fig. 11 is a side perspective view of the detachable bag containing the retrieved waste.

Detailed description The invention relates to a walking cane or stick which incorporates an animal waste retrieval and/or waste lifting device and storage means.

The walking cane with its animal waste retrieval device provides a means wherein the unsanitary aspects normally associated with the retrieval and disposal of animal excrement are substantially alleviated. The retrieval of the waste/ excrement may be done efficiently with minimal physical exertion such as bending, stooping or the like, required on the part of the user and with the user not needing to come in contact with the waste.

The animal waste or excrement retrieving means is neatly and compactly contained within the shaft of the walking stick so that on its outward appearance it is simply a walking aid.

The walking cane or stick 1 comprises an elongate hollow shaft 2. The upper end of the shaft 2 has a height adjustable handle 3. The handle 3 has an L shape with one arm 3a extending perpendicular to the shaft 2 and the other arm 3b fitting over the upper end of the elongate shaft 2 like an outer sleeve. The upper end of the shaft 2 narrows slightly to accommodate the size of the handle. The lower end of the shaft 2 has an anti-slip covering 4 to provide a good grip on the ground surface.

The handle 3 is height adjustable so as to accommodate users of different height. The arm 3b has a number of apertures 5 along its length which engage with a spring biased snap button (not shown) on the elongate shaft 2. The height of the handle 3 may be adjusted by compressing the snap button and changing the aperture 5 on the arm 3b with which it engages.

The walking cane or stick 1 comprises an elongate actuator rod 6 slidable longitudinally within the elongate hollow shaft 2. The actuator rod 6 has an excrement retrieving means at its distal end for retrieval of animal waste 20 and a lever handle 7 at the opposite end for operating the retrieving means. The actuator rod 6 has right angled ends 8 at each end for attaching to the lever handle 7 at its upper end and the excrement retrieving means at its lower end.

The excrement retrieving means comprises two arms/limbs 9a, 9b which are located within the lower end of the shaft 2 of the walking stick 1. The shaft has an elongated opening 22 through which the arms/limbs 9a, 9b are extended when required. The right angled end 8 at the lower end of die actuator rod 6 is connected through a bushing 16 to the arms/limbs 9a, 9b. The arms/limbs 9a, 9b are connected to one another at one end by means of a rotating/ axle hinge 17. The axle 17 is‘connected to a right angled arm 18 which supports the arms/limbs 9a, 9b and the end of the actuator rod 6. One arm 9a is fixed in position while the other arm 9b is movable from a closed to an open position as shown in Fig. 9.

The lever handle 7 is mounted on a rigid rocking block 10 and is connected to the right angled end 8 of the actuator rod 6 by means of linear rotating pins 11. The lever handle 7 is pulled upwardly and outwardly from the shaft 2 and turned to actuate the excrement retrieving aims/limbs 9a, 9b.

A containment cage or basket 19 may be detachably attached to the side of the shaft 2 for holding and storing the gathered excrement until it may be otherwise disposed of in a bin or the like.

When not in use the excrement retrieving arms/limbs 9a, 9b lie substantially parallel to the actuating rod within the shaft 2 as shown in Fig. 1. A slidable cover sleeve 12 is slid down over the lower end of the shaft 2 covering the opening 22 through which the arms/limbs 9a, 9b extend when required. In this way the animal excrement retrieving means is disguised and the stick looks just like a normal walking stick.

To operate the animal excrement retrieving device the slidable cover sleeve 12 is slid upwards to uncover the opening 22. The lever handle 7 is pulled upwards and outwards from the shaft 2 causing the actuator rod 6 to move downward within the hollow shaft 2 and automatically move the retrieving arms/limbs 9a,9b from their non-working position to a working position where they extend horizontally and substantially at a right angle to shaft 2 as shown in Fig. 6. The walking cane 1 is then 6 inverted for the user to attach a disposable bag to the excrement retrieving arms 9a,9b by passing each arm 9a, 9b through elongate pockets on the bag 14. The walking cane 1 is then inverted back to its normal position.

The lever handle 7 is turned approximately 30° causing the retrieving arms/limbs 9a, 9b to open. Turning the lever handle 7 causes one arm 9b to move outwardly from the fixed arm 9a forming a substantially V shape (Fig. 9).

The open limbs 9a, 9b with the disposable bag attached are placed over the waste excrement on the ground. Turning the lever handle 7 approximately 30° in the opposite direction causes the arms 9a, 9b to close together under the excrement 20 effectively gathering the excrement into the disposable bag 14. The walking cane 1 is then inverted again to allow the user to manually slide and remove the bag 14 from the arms 9a, 9b. A closure flap 15 on the bag 14 may be drawn across the opening of the bag before sliding and removing the bag from the arms 9a, 9b to avoid any direct contact with the excrement. The bag 14 may then be placed in a waste bin or the containment basket 19 on the walking stick 1 for disposal at a later stage in a suitable manner.

The walking stick 1 is inverted back to its nonnal position for use as a walking stick. The lever handle 7 is pushed in towards the shaft 2 causing the actuator rod to slide upwards automatically drawing the retrieving arms/limbs 9a, 9b from their working position into their non-working position lying parallel within the shaft 2. The cover sleeve 12 is slid downward overtire opening 22.

The invention is not limited to tire embodiments hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (16)

1. A walking cane or stick comprising a device for retrieving animal excrement comprising; a handle section; a hollow elongate shaft; an elongate actuator rod slidable longitudinally inside the hollow shaft; a lever handle connected to an upper end of the actuator rod; an excrement retrieving means connected to a lower end of the actuator rod; and an excrement containment means.

2. A walking cane as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lever handle is located on the exterior of the elongate shaft.

3. A walking cane as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the lever handle is hingedly connected to the upper end of the actuator rod by means of a rocking block and pin system.

4. A walking cane as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the excrement retrieving means comprises two arms hingedly connected to the lower end of the actuator rod.

5. A walking cane as claimed in claim 4 wherein the two excrement retrieving arms are connected to the actuator rod by means of a rotating hinge.

6. A walking cane as claimed in claim 4 or 5 w'herein the two excrement retrieving arms are located when not in use within the elongate shaft.

7. A walking cane as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 wherein the lower end of the elongate shaft comprises an elongate opening for the excrement retrieving arms to move from a non-working to a working position.

8. A walking cane as claimed in claim 7 comprising a cover sleeve longitudinally slidable along the exterior of the shaft covering the elongate opening.

9. A walking cane as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the retrieving arms are movable from a non-working position wherein the amis extend substantially parallel to the actuating rod within the shaft to a working position wherein the arms are rotated and extend horizontally and substantially perpendicular to the elongate shaft of the walking cane.

10. A walking cane as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9 wherein the retrieving arms are movable from a closed configuration wherein the two arms are substantially aligned parallel with one another to an open configuration wherein one arm extends outwardly from the other arm forming a substantially V shape.

11. A walking cane as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the excrement containment means comprises a disposable bag placed over the retrieving arms to contain the animal waste or excrement.

12. * A walking cane or stick as claimed in claim 11 wherein the bag comprises elongate pockets to slidably engage with the arms and a closure flap to close the bag.

13. A walking cane as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the height of the handle section is adjustable.

14. A walking cane as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the excrement containment means comprises a cage or basket attached at an upper end of the shaft of the cane.

15. A method of collecting animal excrement comprising the steps of:sliding the cover sleeve upwards on the shaft of the walking stick; operating the lever handle attached to the actuator rod to automatically move the retrieving arms from a non-working to a working position perpendicular to the elongate shaft; inverting the walking cane; sliding a bag over the retrieving arms; inverting the walking cane; opening the retrieving arms; 5 placing the open arms over the excrement; closing the arms under the excrement; inverting the walking cane; closing the closure flap on the bag; sliding the bag off the retrieving arms; 10 inverting the walking cane; sliding the cover sleeve downward on the shaft; and disposing of the bag containing the excrement.

16. A walking cane or stick substantially as hereinbefore described with reference 15 to the drawings.