US20140325788A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20140325788A1
Application number: US13/875,562
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph W. McGuffey, III
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-02
Filing date: 2013-05-02
Publication date: 2014-11-06

Abstract

The device for collecting debris comprises a main section having an edge. The main section is divided into a first portion and as second portion by a main support. The main support extends across main section and connects at either end to the edge of the main section. Two handles are attached to the edge of the first and second portion of main section. A series of supporting members extend from the two handles to the main support. The interconnection of the edge, the handles and the series of supporting members provides a support system in order to allow the device to hold large amounts of heavy debris without ripping or tearing the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of collection devices. More specifically, the invention comprises a debris collection device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A garbage bag or bin bag made of plastic are typically used to collect garbage. Garbage bags can be used for most waste. However, as is often the case, waste can be bulky, sharp and/or heavy. Plastic bags are not ideal for collecting this type of debris. For example, after a car accident there can be a substantial amount of debris. A tow truck typically arrives at the scene of an accident to assist with the removal of the debris. A standard garbage bag would not adequately function to collect glass, heavy plastic and/or metal, It is therefore standard in the industry, for a tow truck to be equipped with an industrial trash can for collection of debris. The trash can takes up considerable space on the truck and requires a lid and mounting system so that it remains sturdily on board in transit. These mounting systems can be expensive. At the accident scene debris is swept and often shoveled into the trash can, the lid is secured and the tow truck driver takes the debris to a dump site. If the particular tow truck that arrives at the scene does not have a trash barrel the bed of the tow truck is often used to collect debris. This can result in trash and/or debris escaping out of the tow truck in transit after the truck leaves the scene. Further, it is not ideal to collect potentially hazardous materials, such as an automobile part containing or soaked in antifreeze, motor oil or gasoline, in a standard container.

The present invention seeks to resolve the issues present in the prior art by providing a debris collection device which allows a user to easily and safely collect and remove debris, Additionally, the present invention is easy and efficient to store both before and after collection of the debris. The present invention achieves these objectives, as well as others that are explained in the following description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a device for collecting debris. The device primarily comprises a main portion having a first and second portion. The main section includes a main support between the first and second portion. An edge extends around main section of the device. The first and second portion include a handle and a series of supporting members to allow the device to be sturdy enough to collect industrial debris, including, glass, metal, other hard or sharp objects and/or parts soaked in potentially hazardous chemicals. The device has an open position in which debris can be loaded onto the device on a flat surface. Once loaded the device is folded upward and the edges connect to form a pouch housing the debris. The debris is enclosed within the device and the user can lift the device to facilitate the removal and disposal of the debris.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the present invention including a supportive panel.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, showing the device in an open position lying flat on a surface.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the to portions being closed together around the debris.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, showing the edges of the first and second portion connected together.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the present invention in a closed position, with debris inside.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS


10	device	12	first portion
14	main support	16	edge
18	handle opening	20	first handle
22	second portion	24	supportingmembers
26	panel	28	debris
30	main section	32	first end
34	second end	36	second handle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is adevice10 for collecting debris, as illustrated inFIG. 1. While any waste products can be collected in thepresent device10 it is most effectively used for collecting industrial debris, such as glass, metal and hard plastic.Device10 is primarily comprised of a main section39 having anedge16. Main section is divided into afirst portion12 and asecond portion22 by amain support14.Main support14 connects toedge16 at afirst end32 and asecond end34.Main support14 is a supportive element, preferably made up of any known material that can withstand considerable weight and does not tear or rip easily from sharp objects. Thus,main section30 could be made up of a disposable and thick plastic.Main support14 defines the crease along which thefirst portion12 andsecond portion22 fold upward and together.First portion12 has afirst handle20 andsecond portion22 has asecond handle36.Main section30 has a series of supportingmembers24 extending from said first and

second handles

20,36, tomain support14. Anedge16 surroundsmain section30. Edge16 is sturdy and provides support fordevice10.

Handles

20,36 connect toedge16 and series of supportingmembers24 such that when thedevice10 is lifted a tension for is applied to thedevice10 in an upward direction and the weight downward is distributed through the handle to the most supportive portions ofdevice10. This ensures that thedevice10 will be easy to lift and move around without breaking. Edge16 preferably contains industrial strength hook and loop connectors so thatedge16 aroundfirst portion12 andedge16 aroundsecond portion22 ear securely attach to one another.

FIG. 2 shows the present invention in an open position, with asupportive panel26 within the central portion of thedevice10 proximate to supportivemembers24.Panel26 can be attached tomain section30 in any known method, including being fully integrated withmain section30.Panel26 can be made of a material that provides additional support and absorption properties. Thus,panel26 will absorb and contain chemicals or liquids that are seeping from or surrounding the debris. Thepanel26 therefore provides an environmental advantage to a typical industrial trash can because thedevice10 will not permit the liquid to escape nor will it be easily punctured. Although not visible,main support14 still extends between first and

10 is shown in an open position withdebris28 being loaded onto first and

second portion

12,22.Device10 sits flat on any surface.Debris28 can be swept, placed or shoveled ontodevice10. The ability to collectdebris28 in this manner allows the user to easily and efficiently loaddebris28 ontodevice10. This can be particularly important at an accident scene where quick clean up is necessary to restore traffic flow.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, oncedebris28 is loaded intodevice10

first portion

12 andsecond portion22 are pulled together preferably usinghandles20, by graspinghandles20 athandle openings18.Handles20 perform a dual function of allowing the user to close and carry thedevice10 while also providing a point at which the weight is best supported. The arrows illustrate the direction that the user pulls the two portions together.Debris28 remains centralized onpanel26. As theedges16 offirst side12 andsecond side22 move together, as shown inFIG. 5, the user can begin to sealedges16 together to form a pouch fordebris28. Again, arrows illustrate the manner in which the two portions are connected together. An industrial Velcro® is preferable for connecting theedges16 together, However, any method of connecting theedges16 can be utilized so thatdebris28 is enclosed withindevice10.

Once thedebris28 is enclosed inside ofdevice10, illustrated inFIG. 6, the user can easily pick up andtransport device10. The reader will appreciate that interconnected nature ofedge16, series of supportingmembers16 and first and

second handle

20,36 act to strengthen and support a heavy load ofdebris28 inside ofdevice10. Oncedebris28 is collecteddevice10 can be placed in the back of a truck or even a trunk of a vehicle in order to dispose ofdebris28. One advantage of the present invention over the prior art is the ability for the user to dispose of thedevice10 with thedebris28 inside. Thus, the user is not required to have any further contact with potentially sharp or otherwise dangerous debris.

The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A device for use collecting debris, said device comprising:

a. a main section having a first portion, a second portion and an ethic;

b. a main support attached to said main section located between said first portion and said second portion and connecting to said edge;

c. wherein said first portion includes:

i. a handle; and

ii. series of supporting members extending from said handle to said main support;

d. wherein said second portion includes:

i. a handle; and

ii. a series of supporting members extending from said handle to said main support;

e. wherein said edge along said first portion and said edge along said second portion affix together.

2. The device as recited inclaim 1, wherein said edge of said first portion and said edge of said second portion is affixed together by a loop and hook attachment.

3. The device as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a panel integrated with said main section.

4. The device as recited inclaim 3, wherein said panel is absorptive.

5. The device as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a panel attached to said main section.

6. The device as recited inclaim 5, wherein said panel is absorptive.

7. The device as recited inclaim 1, wherein said device has an open position and a closed position.

8. The device as recited inclaim 7, wherein when said device is in said open position, said device is capable of lying flat on a surface.

9. The device as recited inclaim 7, wherein when said device is in said closed position, said handles are capable of supporting said debris and said device.

10. The device as recited inclaim 1, wherein said main section is made up of a disposable plastic.

11. A device for use collecting debris, said device comprising:

a. a main section having an edge;

b. wherein said main section is divided into a first portion and a second portion by a main support, having a first end and a second end;

c. wherein said main support connects to said edge at said first end and said second end;

d. wherein said main section has a first handle and a second handle connected to said edge opposite said first end of said main support and said second end of said main support;

e. wherein said first portion of said main section has a series of supporting members extending from said first handle to said main support;

f. wherein said second portion of said main section has a series of supporting members extending from said second handle to said main support; and

g. wherein, said edge along said first portion and said edge along said second portion affix together.

12. The device as recited inclaim 11, wherein said edge of said first portion and said edge of said second portion are affixed together by a loop and hook attachment.

13. The device as recited inclaim 11, further comprising a panel integrated with said main section.

14. The device as recited inclaim 13, wherein said panel is absorptive.

15. The device as recited inclaim 11, further comprising a panel attached to said main section.

16. The device as recited inclaim 15, wherein said panel is absorptive.

17. The device as recited inclaim 11, wherein said device has an open position and a closed position,

18. The device as recited inclaim 17, wherein when said device is in said open position, said device is capable of lying flat on a surface.

19. The device as recited inclaim 17, wherein when said device is in said closed position, said handles are capable of supporting said debris and said device.

20. The device as recited inclaim 11, wherein said main section is made up of a disposable plastic.