US3026553A

US3026553A - Disposal tool

Info

Publication number: US3026553A
Application number: US809705A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee O Whitmire
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-04-29
Filing date: 1959-04-29
Publication date: 1962-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1979-03-27

Description

March 27, 1962 L. o. WHlTMlRE 3,026,553

DISPOSAL TOOL Filed April 29, 1959 INVENTOR.

1 1 LEE 0. WH/TM/RE 26 BY MW [M/MZE nite States atent 6 Claims. (Cl. -104.8)

This invention relates to a tool for disposing of waste material and the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a convenient, handy, and highly effective tool for disposing of waste material, as for example, for cleaning up the yard after pets, for use in kennels or chicken yards, for picking up water, industrial shavings, saw dust or any other material.

A further object is to provide such a tool that can be used by a person with only one arm to clean up waste material and dump same without having to put the tool down.

A further object is to provide such a tool which is labor saving in that it cuts down on the number of trips required to clean a yard or the like, and eliminates the necessity of a person bending down to hold the pan.

A further object is to provide such a tool having unique means for performing the dumping operation.

A further object is to provide in such a tool a unique resilient handle or foot member upon which the users foot may be placed to provide the correct pressure of the pan against the ground and which foot member is reversible so that in the event of its being bent down- Wardly out-of-shape during use until it has little resiliency, it is adapted to be reversed so that the foot pressure may be exerted on the opposite side of the foot member and the resiliency restored.

A further object is, generally, to improve the design and construction of disposal tools.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specifications upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the pan being shown in a carrying position.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view on an enlarged scale of the pan, per se.

FIG. 3 .is a further enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 2, with a portionof the suspension means being shown, with the pan being shown in a ground engaging or loading position, and with the scraper blade being shown in a position to. scrape the material up the ramp.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational 'view on a reduced scale of the tool of the present invention, illustrating how the material is dumped with the aid of the scraper.

Referring to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the tool 11 of the present invention includes a scraper 13 comprising an elongated rod 15 and a substantially flat and thin blade 17 fixedly mounted adjacent the lower end of the rod by suitable means and is preferably angled downwardly and rearwardly from the rod.

A pair of projections 1'9 are fixedly mounted on rod 15 intermediate the ends of the rod and extend laterally in opposite directions therefrom. If desired, projections 19 may be formed from a single piece extended through a transverse bore in rod 15 and secured therein as by gluing or the like. Adjacent the opposite ends of projections 19 are respectively attached flexible suspension members 21, which members are preferably pivotally mounted from the projections and are preferably in the form of chains as shown in the drawings but may be formed of any suitable elongated flexible members as, for example, plastic or the like without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The lower ends of flexible members 21 are respectively attached to the

opposite sides

23, 25 of a pan 26, by suitable means, as by means of swivels 27 and brads 29 or the like attached to the respective sides and respectively extending through the swivels.

Between

sides

23, 25 extends a bottom 31 fixedly attached adjacent the opposite ends thereof to the sides to establish an open topped container 33. Bottom 31 preferably includes a rearward panel 35, which is downwardly and forwardly sloping from the rearward edge of pan 26 and a forward panel 37 integrally joined adjacent its rearward edge to rearward panel adjacent its forward edge as at 39 and which forward panel upwardly and forwardly slopes from joint 39 so that the bottom 31 of container 33 is substantially V-shaped. A ramp 41 forms the forward part of pan 26 and is upwardly and rearwardly sloping from its forward edge 43 with the rearward edge being integrally joined with the forward edge of forward panel 37 as at 45.

Sides

23, 25 respectively extend downwardly and forwardly from container 33 to respectively establish lips 47, 49 upstanding from the opposite side edges of ramp 41 and integrally formed therewith. Lips 47, 49 perform dual functions, namely, to prevent the material from spilling from the edges of ramp 41 during the loading opforward panel 37 to establish skirts 51, 53, each of which the like, with the rearward end 59 of the foot member engaging supporting surface S and with substantially the remainder of the foot member being spaced from the ground. Foot member 57 is preferably formed from a resilient material as a piece of steel wire or the like and shaped as follows:

A pairs of

legs

61, 63 are interconnected adjacent the rearward ends thereof as by a transverse connecting piecev 65 and forwardly extend therefrom in diverging relationship to points adjacent the underside of rearward panel 35 whereupon the foot member extends laterally in oppo site directions to establish transverse portions 67, 69. Thence the foot member 57 extends forwardly from the outer ends of transverse portions 67, 69 to establish forward projecting

portions

71, 73, and then adjacent the forward ends of

portions

71, 73, the foot member extends inwardly through bores 55 for short portions as at 75, 77. The portion preferably extends inwardly at a right angle relative to forward projecting portion 71, and portion 77 preferably extends at an angle extending inwardly and forwardly from forward projecting portion 73, so that the portion 77 engages the underside of ramp 41.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that foot member 57 is prevented from rotating relative to pan 26 in one direction by engagement of transverse portions 67, 69 with the underside of rearward panel 35 and is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by engagement of portion 77 with the under side of ramp '41.

disposition with pan 26 suspended below rod 15, the pan 26 will be suspended in a substantially horizontal disposition. Also, it should be noted that these attachment points above mentioned are substantially mid-way between the rearward panel 35 and the forward panel 37 so that when the container 33 is loaded, the pan will still be held in a substantially horizontal disposition so that the material loaded therein will not dump out.

The relative lengths of suspension members 21 and foot members 57 are such that by a swinging motion of scraper 13, pan 26 may be flipped to a vertical position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 with the forward edge 43 of ramp 41 resting on supporting surface S and by downward tilting movement of the forward part of scraper 13, the rearward end 59 of foot member 57 may be engaged by the rod 15 as best shown in broken lines in FIG. 4. In other words, suspension members 21 must be long enough relative to foot member 57 so that there is a space enough between foot member 57 and rod 15 to permit swinging movement of pan 26 from a position rearwardly of projection 19 as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 to a forward position in which the pan 26 is tilted forwardly as shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, and suspension numbers 21 must be short enough relative to foot member 57 so that by tilting the forward end of rod 15 downwardly as shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, the rod will contact the rearward end 59 of the foot member. It will be understood that the broken line position shown in this figure is a dumping position in which the contents of container 33 will tend to fall out, and it will be further understood that foot member 57 may be successively struck by rod 15 by moving rod 15 back and forth from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 4 to the position shown in broken lines which will aid in removing the material from the pan.

From the foregoing description of the movements illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be understood that the pan 26 may be emptied using only one hand to hold rod 15 and without having to touch foot member 57. Of course, if desired, foot member 57 may be used as a handle to turn pan 26 over to dump the material therein.

In using tool 11 for picking up waste material, the rod 15 is lowered to bring pan 26 to rest on supporting surface S, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the users foot is placed on foot member 57 to apply pressure downwardly and hold the pan securely against supporting surface S with the correct amount of pressure applied. It will be understood that pressure is preferably applied until the

legs

61, 63 of the foot member are substantially horizontal and in engagement with supporting surface S. Thus it will be understood that the same amount of pressure will always then be applied if the

legs

61, 63 are urged into engagement with the supporting surface. With pan 26 secured on supporting surface S, as above described, the material is scraped up ramp 41 by manipulation of scraper 13 so that blade 17 urges the material up the ramp and into container 33. Then the tool 11 may be moved to another spot to pick up additional waste and so on until container 33 is full. Then, pan 26 is emptied as heretofore described.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the entire picking up and emptying of the waste material may be accomplished by the use of only one arm, which is used to grasp rod 15, and is accomplished without the person bending down. Also, it will be understood that foot member 57 is easily and quickly removable for the replacement of a worn-out or damaged foot member, as by pulling outwardly on forward projecting portion 71 to remove short portion 75 from bore 55, whereupon the other short portion 77 may be easily removed. Also, in this manner, the foot member 57 may be reversed, as, for example, when during usage, the

legs

61, 63 become bent downwardly, the foot member may be turned over with the portions 75, 77 inserted in the opposite bore 55, from which it was originally inserted. a

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A tool for disposing of waste material and the like, said tool comprising a scraper including a rod and a blade mounted adjacent the lower end of said rod with said blade being angled downwardly and rearwardly from said rod, a pair of projections mounted intermediate the ends of said rod and extending laterally in opposite directions therefrom, a pan including a container and a ramp adjacent said container adapted to be engaged by said blade for moving the waste material into said container for the loading thereof, a foot member attached to said pan and extending rearwardly therefrom for engagement by a persons foot during the loading of said container, a pair of elongated flexible suspension members respectively attached adjacent one of the ends thereof to said projections and depending therefrom, each of said suspension members being of constant length, said suspension members being respectively attached adjacent the lower ends thereof to said pan and arranged so that said pan is suspended substantially horizontal for carrying and adapted to be placed in a substantially horizontal position on a supporting surface for the loading thereof, said foot member and said suspension members being of such relative lengths and so arranged that said pan by motion of said rod is adapted to be flipped from a substantially horizontal position to vertical positions for the dumping thereof and is adapted to be struck by said rod for aid in dumping.

2. A tool for disposing of waste material and the like, said tool comprising a scraper including a rod and a blade mounted adjacent the lower end of said rod, a pair of projections mounted intermediate the ends of said rod and extending laterally in opposite directions there from, a pan including a container and an upwardly and rearwardly sloping ramp joined adjacent its rearward edge to said container adjacent its forward edge whereby said ramp is adapted to be slidably engaged by said blade for moving the waste material up the ramp and into said container for the loading thereof, said pan being provided with a pair of spaced bores respectively disposed on opposite sides of said pan, a resilient foot member embracingly engaging said pan and extending rearwardly therefrom for engagement by a persons foot during the loading of the pan, said foot member including portions engaging the bottom of said container to prevent ro tation of the foot member in one direction and including a pair of short portions engaging the bottom of said ramp to prevent rotation of the foot member in the opposite direction, a pair of elongated flexible suspension members, each of said suspension members being of a constant length, said suspension members being respectively attached adjacent the lower ends thereof to said container adjacent the opposite sides thereof and arranged so that said path is suspended substantially horizontal for carrying and adapted to be placed in a substantially horizontal position on a supporting surface for the loading thereof.

3. A tool for disposing of waste material and the like, said tool comprising a scraper including a rod and a blade mounted adjacent the lower end of said rod, a pair of projections mounted intermediate the ends of said rod and extending laterally in opposite directions therefrom, a pan, a resilient foot member removably attached to said pan and extending rearwardly therefrom, a pair of elongated flexible suspension members respectively attached adjacent one of the ends thereof to said projections and depending therefrom, said suspension members being non-resilient, said suspension members being respeetively attached adjacent the lower ends thereof to said pan and arranged so that said pan is suspended substantially horizontal below said projections in spaced relationship thereto for carrying and adapted to be placed in a substantially horizontal position on a supporting surface for the loading thereof, said pan including a container and a ramp adjacent said container adapted to be engaged by said blade for moving the waste material into said container during the loading thereof, said doot member and said suspension members being of such relative lengths and so arranged that said pan by motion of said rod is adapted to be flipped from a substantially horizontal position to vertical positions for the dumping thereof and is adapted to be struck by said rod for aid in dumping.

4. A tool for disposing of waste material and the like, said tool comprising a scraper including a rod and a blade mounted adjacent the lower end of said rod with said blade being angled downwardly and rearwardly from said rod, a pair of projections mounted intermediate the ends of said rod and extending laterally in opposite directions therefrom, a pan including a container and a ramp sloping upwardly from adjacent the forward edge of the pan to said container for use in guiding the material into said container, elongated flexible suspension means attached adjacent the upper end thereof to said projections for suspending said pan beneath said projections in a substantially horizontal position for movement of the pan between a carrying position and a ground engaging loading position upon raising and lowering of said rod, when in said carrying position said suspension means holding said pan in a balanced horizontal position substantially spaced from said rod, a resilient foot member mounted on said pan and extending rearwardly therefrom whereby the pan is adapted to be held when in said loading position by foot pressure thereon, said handle and said elongated fiexible suspension means being of such relative lengths and so arranged that said pan by movement of said rod is adapted to be flipped from a substantially horizontal loading position to vertical positions for the dumping thereof and is adapted to be struck by said rod for aid in dumping.

5. A tool for disposing of waste material and the like, said tool comprising a scraper including a rod and a blade mounted adjacent the lower end of said rod, a pan, means for suspending said pan beneath said rod, said pan being suspended in a substantially balanced horizontal position in spaced and unfixed relationship to said rod, said means being flexible so that with said pan resting on a supporting surface said scraper is adapted to be moved for scraping waste material and the like into said pan, and a handle mounted on said pan and extending rearwardly therefrom whereby the pan is adapted to be held on a supporting surface by foot pressure thereon during loading of the pan.

6. A tool for disposing of waste material and the like, said tool comprising a pan, a scraper adapted to be used with said pan for scraping material into said pan, said scraper including a rod, said pan being flexibly suspended from said rod in a substantially balanced horizontal position in spaced and unfixed relationship to said rod wherebysaid pan is adapted to be selectively carried by said rod or lowered to a ground engaging position for ruse by said scraper being moved in cooperating relationship thereto to load said pan.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 320,742 Allen June 23, 1885 851,441 Robinson Apr. 23, 1907 1,082,128 Low Dec. 23, 1913 1,375,017 Russell Apr. 19, 1921 2,305,950 Birch Dec. 22, 1942 2,823,470 Page Feb. 18, 1958