Earth working – Diverse tools – Second implement follows path of first
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-07-10
Pezzuto, Robert E. (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Diverse tools
Second implement follows path of first
C172S029000, C172S612000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257345
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for collection of debris.
BACKGROUND ART
U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,211 discloses a ground surface debris collection device suitable, for example, for collecting small debris such as leaves from a ground surface. This comprises a device of flexible grid like construction having slots so that, as the device is moved over the ground surface, debris passes through the slots and onto the upper surface of the device.
While the arrangement shown in Pat. No. 5,284,211 has been found to be very satisfactory in use, particularly for grooming and cleaning tennis court surfaces, it has now been found it is not efficient as is desirable on rougher surfaces such as rough asphalt.
International Patent Application WO96/09440 discloses a device suitable for efficiently collecting debris from a variety of surfaces. The device has a generally planar matting the undersurface of which is formed with depending bristles. An opening is provided whereby when the device is moved across a ground surface with the bristles in contact therewith, debris on the ground surface are passed through the opening to rest on the matting.
The device described in International Patent Application WO96/09440 has been found to be particularly useful. It would be desirable to improve its operating characteristics and extend the life of the planar matting.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention provides a device for collecting debris from a surface, comprising a generally planar member having at least a portion thereof defining an undersurface of the device formed of a conformable material such that when the device is moved over a ground surface with the undersurface in contact with the ground surface the undersurface is caused to locally conform to undulations in the ground surface, the device having an opening, whereby, under said movement over a ground surface, debris on the ground surface passes through the opening onto an upper surface of the device wherein said generally planar member has forward and aft edges corresponding to the direction the device is moved over the ground surface, said edges being provided with stiffening members extending transversely to the direction the device is moved over the ground surface and said stiffening members being at least partially supported by a plurality of wheels disposed for contact with the ground surface. The opening may be formed in or adjacent the conformable material.
The aforementioned portion may be formed from a flexible layer, such as of foam plastics material, or an open mat of sinuous fibres, such as open looped fibres. In a preferred form, however, the conformable material comprises a brush-like structure. The planar member may include a backing portion which may be flexible or may be relatively rigid.
Preferably, the stiffening members are transversely extending aluminium bars secured to the conformable material. In some applications plastics stiffening members can be used.
The stiffening members may be stitched, glued or otherwise securely fixed to the conformable material. In one preferred form the edge of the conformable material is formed into a hem through which the stiffening member extends.
In another aspect, the invention provides a device for collecting debris from a surface, comprising a generally planar member having at least a portion thereof defining an undersurface of the device formed with depending bristles thereover and the device having an opening therethrough whereby when the device is moved over a ground surface with the bristles in contact therewith debris on the ground surface is passed through the opening to an upper surface of the device wherein said generally planar member has forward and aft edges corresponding to the direction the device is moved over the ground surface, said edges being provided with stiffening members extending transversely to the direction the device is moved over the ground surface and said stiffening members being at least partially supported by a plurality of wheels disposed for contact with the ground surface.
The opening may have at a rear edge thereof a forwardly and downwardly depending surface to facilitate pick up of debris. Also, to assist in retention of debris on the device, the device may be fitted at its upper surface with upstanding projections ridges or the like. For example, an upstanding wall may be formed along the front edge of the opening and/or at one or both side edges of the opening.
There may be a single opening, but it is preferred that there are a number of openings.
In a still further aspect, the invention provides a device for collecting debris from a surface, comprising a generally planar member having an opening through the generally planar member whereby, under said movement over a ground surface, debris on the ground surface passes through the opening onto an upper surface of the device, the device having means for entrapping debris having passed through the opening wherein said generally planar member has forward and aft edges corresponding to the direction the device is moved over the ground surface, said edges being provided with stiffening members extending transversely to the direction the device is moved over the ground surface and said stiffening members being at least partially supported by a plurality of wheels disposed for contact with the ground surface. The entrapping means may comprise a mesh material. The material forming the entrapping means may comprise material which forms a cavity over the upper surface of the generally planar member. Otherwise, the device may for example be constructed as above described. Alternatively, it may be for example be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the abovementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,211, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated to form part of the present specification.
In each aspect of the invention the wheels are preferably spaced along the stiffening members. Preferably, the wheels are disposed forward and aft of at least one of the stiffening members. In one form of the invention at least some of the wheels are arranged in pairs with one wheel of the pair forward and the other aft of the stiffening member and aligned in the direction the device is moved. The wheels preferably protrude through the planar member to contact the ground surface. In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention the stiffening member has wheels disposed only on the aft side. The wheels preferably have a diameter not substantially greater than the thickness of the planar material.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1997248 (1935-04-01), Densberger
patent: 5018587 (1991-05-01), Gandrud et al.
patent: 5284211 (1994-02-01), Tozer
patent: 5918684 (1999-07-01), Tozer
Aero-Tech Pty Ltd
Pezzuto Robert E.
Seed IP Law Group PLLC
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