Abstract: A refuse collecting device includes a frame configured with a longitudinal channel, an actuating member, a disposable container, and U-shaped retaining members. The actuating member is positioned within the channel and freely slides through the channel. The U-shaped retaining member releasably retains the disposable container to the actuating member. The disposable container is attached to the frame by sliding the container hinge over the U-shaped retaining member. After the container is attached, sliding the actuating member upward within the channel causes the container to close thereby picking up the refuse. The container is self-locking when closed and can be removed by sliding the container off the U-shaped retaining member.

Abstract: An improved device for collecting refuse by using a fixed holding member and moveable expander to releasably hold a bag open by virtue of tension forces exerted across the mouth of the bag. A paddle, spring-loaded to a closed position across the mouth, can also be hingedly rotated to an open position and held in the open position by a trigger. When an animal owner desires to have the paddle scoop refuse into the bag, he can manually move the trigger. This action releases the spring-biased paddle which then rotates under spring bias, scooping refuse before it, to the closed position. The scooped refuse, because of the propelling movement of the paddle's rotation, is thrown on into the bag. A moving mechanism, which is also spring-biased, can both cock the paddle in the open position and also release the bag. As the moving mechanism pulls the paddle toward the open position, a latch pin connected through a cable to the paddle is caught and held by the trigger.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling waste such as animal feces to be removed from a ground surface includes an actuator unit and a disposable receptacle. The receptacle includes a jaw portion having hinged jaw members, lower extremities thereof forming respective blade portions, one of the jaw members being movable relative to the other jaw member between an open position for receiving the waste into the receptacle, and a closed position, each of the jaw members having an engagement member for actuation by the actuator unit. A bag of the receptacle is sealingly connected to the jaw portion for holding the waste material in a bag cavity that joins the jaw cavity proximate a partition member that retains the waste in the bag and separate from the jaw cavity, a jaw holder yieldably holding the jaw members in the closed position.

Abstract: An open-ended container is carried on the end of a handle; and that connection is by a bail-wire, of a general U-shape, whose ends are rotatably mounted on the container side walls, the bail-wire's central or bight portion of the bail being rotatably connected to the handle by a pivotal connection which is also slidable. These features and their details provide that an easy swinging effort by the dog's owner will cause the container to swing to a reception condition in which the handle's scooper member is on the far side of the feces, and the container is in a position with its open end facing the feces. Then, by a pull upwardly on the handle, the feces is pushed toward and into the container; and then, merely by the owner's continuousness of the upward pull of the handle, the container swings to its carrying or at-rest condition, with its open end up, and with the feces safely carried in the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A sanitary scooper is arranged to include a handle mounted at an oblique angle relative to a support tube, with the support tube mounting a control head at its forward distal end. The control head includes a pivot head rotatably mounting first and second actuator arms, wherein the handle includes a trigger lever, and upon depressing, the trigger lever effects projection of the first and second actuator arms towards one another, with a "V" shaped support frame mounted to the actuator arms and a support bag member mounted to the support frame to enclose waste and debris therewithin.

Abstract: A device for sanitary disposal of pet droppings lying on a ground surface. The device allows sanitary packaging of the droppings in a plain sheet of paper or plastic placed over the droppings. The device has a wire catch fixed to one end of a first handle, a rod slidable through the handle, a second handle fixed to one end of the rod, and a wire loop attached to an opposite end of the rod. The loop is placed over the sheet around the droppings and the handles are pulled apart to gather and close the sheet around the droppings. The resulting package is retained by the device for transport and disposal at an appropriate site.

Abstract: An elongated wand member is provided including a first handle end and a second end from which an annular frame is supported with its medial plane inclined generally 45.degree. relative to the longitudinal extent of the wand member. The end of the wand member adjacent the frame includes a transverse guide eye and the side of the frame remote from the wand member includes a second guide eye. The longitudinal mid-portion of an elongated, flexible and elastic tension member is received through the second guide eye and extends in opposite directions therefrom about the outer periphery of the frame and thereafter through the first wand member supported guide eye.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the collection and disposal of solid pet wastes. It includes a long-handled reciprocable implement having a pair of jaws at the distal end and a pair of handles at the proximal end connected to open and close the jaws. A disposable container having a pair of clamshell-shaped halves adapted to releasably receive mating retaining portions of the jaws is adapted to be manipulated by the jaws so as to open and close while picking up pet waste deposits. When it is ready for disposal, the edges of the container are secured together and manipulation of the jaws releases the container for dropping into a waste repository.

Abstract: A scoop for the collection and disposal of animal feces includes a rectangular metal sheet formed into a "V" with a pivoting elongated handle on a top leg of the "V" and a resilient member connected to one interior surface of the top leg and contacting the interior of the lower leg for grasping the closed end of a plastic bag, the open end of which is brought out and around the "V" and secured to a rubber disc by either a clip on a cord or, if plastic grocery or merchandise bags are used, by the handles on the bags. The bags can readily be removed, tied closed, and disposed of without danger of physical contact with the contents.

Abstract: A scoop for removing animal droppings from the ground, wherein a receptacle is pivotally connected to the lower end of an elongated shaft. A closure is secured on the shaft above the receptacle. A sleeve is slidably mounted on the shaft, and a link is connected between the receptacle and the sleeve so that by pushing the sleeve downwardly on the shaft the receptacle is pivoted away from the closure to the open ground engaging position, and by pulling upwardly on the sleeve the receptacle is pivoted in a direction toward and beneath the closure to the closed position. A removable handle is connected to the upper end portion of the elongated shaft to provide a chamber containing an element for manually pushing the droppings into the open receptacle.

Abstract: A feces retriever is shown as including a set of several flexible stays arranged in a cone-shaped manner to trap a feces within a plastic bag held within the stays when pulled together by a ribbon connecting the stays at the bottom. The stays extend down from a collar slideably attached on a hollow shaft which is pulled up from a retracted position within the stays by pulling a handle on a second hollow shaft within the first shaft. The first shaft becomes locked in extended position by a holding mechanism on the top of the stay collar. The second shaft pulls the ribbon strands, which run up the inside of the shaft from a gathering ring attached to a spring lock at the bottom of the shaft, to a crossbar in the shaft and back down to fasten to the outside of the stay collar. The spring lock holds the second shaft in extended position above the first shaft which holds the bottom of the stays by means of the ribbon in a tight, closed position while the bag is tied before removal.

Abstract: A animal waste collection device consists of a scoop for picking up refuse, a handle to which the scoop is affixed for manipulation of the device and a removably attached refuse container carried by the handle. The refuse container can be attached and removed without touching the scoop of the device. The handle comprises at least two segments which are connected at their corresponding ends for full extension during manipulation of the device and which can be folded or disconnected in order to shorten the handle for storing the device. The lower end of the handle section to which the scoop portion is attached is adapted to removably attach a refuse bag for receiving the collected refuse.

Abstract: A wheeled apparatus with a telescopic handle for collecting and disposing of animal waste and debirs which may be operated by one hand by simply pushing the apparatus over the animal waste or debris. The apparatus rakes the animal waste and debris into a pile and then a striker slings it into a throw-away container such as a card-board milk carton for disposal.

Abstract: A waste collection device for animal waste having an elongate tubular handle and a head defining a frame at the lower end. The frame is fabricated from a resilient material such as spring wire and removably supports a plastic bag which bag is disposed of when the collection procedure is completed. A retention slot is provided in a portion of the handle so that a cuff on the bag may be engaged with a portion of the frame and a portion of the bag pinched and frictionally engaged in the slot to temporarily secure the bag in place.

Abstract: An improved, hand-held device for the picking up of animal waste in a clean, hygienic manner using a scooping device (#26) and a fold-lock-top sandwich bag as the receptacle for the waste material is the embodiment of this invention. The large pocket (#14) of the fold-lock-top sandwich bag fits through a central opening in the scoop device while the small pocket (#22) of the same bag completely covers the scooping-type tapered blade (#28) so as to prevent any soiling of the scoop device (#26) by the waste material. This scoop device (#26) is attached to a locking telescopic handle with an adjustable belt clip (#8) so as to allow freedom of the hands while in transport. By using a fast forward motion, with the wrist, the animal waste is lifted slightly by the tapered blade (#28) and deposited in the large pocket (#14) of the very common, inexpensive fold-lock-top sandwich bag used as its receptacle.

Abstract: A log handling tool for manipulating logs in fireplaces and wood stoves is formed from an elongated metal rod. A handle is formed by an arcuate loop bend at an end of the rod. An opposite end of the rod includes two bend portions forming first and second legs. The first leg extends transversely to the rod and the second leg forms an acute angle with the first leg. The second leg terminates in a pointed tip directed upwardly toward the rod. In use, the pointed tip is engaged with an end face of a log, with the rod extending parallel along the outer surface of the log.

Abstract: A refuse collecting tool for the sanitary collection of animal excrement or other refuse which is preferably not handled directly. The device includes a tubular handle having a gripping portion attached to its upper end and a scoop, elliptical in cross-section, attached to its lower end. The scoop is divided into opposing jaws which are hinged together along their top edges and constantly urged to a closed condition by coil springs attached to their end walls. A rod extending through the tubular handle is provided on its top end with a lever which extends radially through slots in the tubular handle that are located beneath the gripping portion, and on its other end with a flat rectangular plate sized to fit within the center region of the closed scoop. Upward pressure on the lever forces the opposing jaws of the scoop open as the rectangular plate is forced upwardly into the decreasing diameter of the top of the scoop.

Abstract: A fireplace tool comprising an elongated rod member having a handle grip on one end and a pointed poker formed on the other end and including a plurality of four-sided chisel members extending through the elongated rod at a portion near the poker end. Each chisel member includes a plurality of teeth formed along each edge defined by the four sides thereof. The teeth are formed by cut-outs in each edge. The chisel members are spaced approximately one-half inch apart and are aligned along the line axis of the elongated rod member. Further, the chisel members protrude either in equal amounts through the elongated rod member, or, in progressively increasing amounts commencing from the poker end.

Abstract: Device to be used, as the preferred embodiment, for dog feces retrieval and bagging. The simplicity of construction and operation allows use by persons of all ages without undue effort or bending. The retrieval and bagging and tying and containing of waste material in one operation has not heretofor been realised. The device consists of a hollow tube with eight flexible fingers on one end, a removable sleeve over the tube, and a lanyard and cap at the other end, and a plastic bag with rubber band. When the plastic bag is placed over the exposed fingers, the bag end folded back and fixed with a rubber band over the sleeve, the sleeve is then moved forward over the exposed and bagged fingers. Retracting the sleeve thus exposing the bagged fingers, the device is placed over the waste material to be retrieved. By moving the sleeve forward the fingers are caused to draw in the waste material, into the bag, and into the tube, the rubber band slipping over the fingers and tying the bag.

Abstract: A collector for dog droppings includes a stick provided with a support bell at its ground-side end. The stick includes at its lower end an extension which projects through the support bell and is rotatable relative thereto. Connected to the extension is a receiving insert which includes two semicircular plates with one plate movable relative to the other stationary plate so that the insert can be opened and closed for collecting and retaining the waste in the collector and for subsequent disposal thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up animal waste includes a wheeled cart having a handle and a removable container mounted behind a ramp. A rotatable lever arm lifts articles positioned in front of the cart up the ramp and into the container. The lever arm rotates at a very slow speed (e.g., 10-15 rpm). and is reversible by means of a switch mounted on the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing animal feces is provided that will conveniently collect and enclose feces into a receptacle wherein an improved scraping device is provided which opens outward of the receptacle in response to squeezing a trigger handle and which automatically in a scraping motion moves and encloses feces in the receptacle. In a modified form cleaning fluid is provided for flushing the apparatus.

Abstract: A disposable waste scooper is provided for scooping up the feces of dogs into a container and closing the container, the container being of low cost so it can be economically disposed of and the container being remotely closeable so it can be cleanly disposed of. The scooper includes a U-shaped wire frame which holds the opening of a flexible bag. The legs of the u-shaped frame can slide up along a cardboard closing device. After the bottom of the frame is dragged along the ground to scoop up the waste into the bag, the cardboard closing device is pushed down to slide down against the cover to close the bag. One side of the bag opening is fixed to the bottom of the cardboard closing device so the opening of the bag is pressed closed. The entire apparatus is then thrown away.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mobile device for receiving and transporting debris. The device comprises a wheel mounted collector compartment having a lipped open mouth at the leading edge to receive debris, and a hinged door at the rear to discharge debris. A latch is mounted on the door to hold the door in a closed position and to release the door to allow the door to swing to an open position. The latch is controlled by a lever and cable arrangement mounted on a handle extending upward from the compartment.

Abstract: A waste collection device for animal waste having an elongate tubular handle with a flexible frame at the lower end. The frame supports a removable plastic bag which bag is disposed of when the collection procedure is completed. A clip permits various sized plastic bags to be retained on the frame. In one embodiment the frame may be used as a short hand-held scoop-like device independent of the tubular handle.

Abstract: A device for sanitary removal of fecal matter from surfaces. The device includes a cup-holding frame and an elongated handle. A disposable cup is held to the frame from its rear, sides and lip such that a portion of the cup may contact fecal matter without simultaneously soiling the device.

Abstract: A sanitary disposable means of removal of animal feces is provided. The device comprises an elongated handle member having a hand gripping end and a scooping end. The scooping end includes a frame member for receiving and supporting a disposable container. A flap member is secured to the front portion of the rectangular support member and is operatively associated therewith for pivotal movement with a similar shaped flap of the disposable container into an open and a closed position. Finally, a handle is secured to the elongated handle member and connected by a rod to the flap member, whereby movement of the handle moves the flap member into either an open or a closed position.

Abstract: In a dustpan pivotally attached to an end of a handle, and latched to extend laterally thereof and unlatched to cause discharge therefrom as the dustpan assumes a vertically extending position, the improvement consisting of moving the latching pin, rather than the pin-engaging hooks of the pan. Thus, this pin movement is advantageously used not only during unlatching of the pan, but also during the latching in place thereof, which greatly simplifies the construction and operational mode of the dustpan.

Abstract: A long-handled self-dumping dust pan is adapted to be used by a person standing in an upright position. Long-handled dust pans of varying shapes and sizes are known. Those which are automatic dumping however, are complex, heavy and expensive to produce. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a simple, easy to produce, long-handled dust pan. It is equipped with a lever positioned close to the operator's hand which disengages a detent from a recess in the pan, thereby allowing the refuse to fall into a suitable container.