US20160281313A1

US20160281313A1 - Sand cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: US20160281313A1
Application number: US14/666,681
Authority: US
Inventors: Herman A. Lindau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-24
Filing date: 2015-03-24
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Also published as: WO2016153553A1

Abstract

A tool that cleans debris from sand when pulled on the sand by a user. The tool includes a sieve and a handle. The handle is so positioned on the sieve so as to allow the sieve to have a working position for cleaning the debris from the sand when the tool is pulled on the sand by the user and a non-working position for not cleaning the debris from the sand when the tool is pulled on the sand by the user.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning tool, and more particularly, a sand cleaning tool.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for ground-debris cleaning devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.
A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,000,448, Issued on Sep. 19, 1961, to Platt, et al. teaches a beach sand cleaning machine including a frame, wheels supporting the frame, a succession of rakes movably carried by the frame and operable to successively enter and continuously comb a strip of the stand along which the machine is advanced, an apparatus for mounting the rakes for movement into the sand and then upwardly to elevate debris separately from the sand, apparatus for actuating the rakes in such movement, and a hopper carried by the frame and positioned to receive the debris elevated by the rakes. The rakes are formed of flexible tines having an essentially comb arrangement and are unencumbered and spaced to pass the sand so that substantially none of the sand is elevated to the hopper. The tines have looped inner portions connected to the mounting apparatus,
A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,146,831, Issued on Sep. 1, 1964, to McConnell teaches a rake for maintenance of sand traps and putting greens of golf courses. The rake includes a head including an inflexible, reticulate, and generally oblong body portion of substantially concavo-convex shape in cross section. One edge of the concavo-convex body portion is reversely bent to provide an extension terminating in teeth adapted to penetrate and loosen the sand of a stand trap. The sand is rolled, by virtue of the reticulate construction of the body portion, to fluff and level the sand. A handle is fixed to the head. The handle is disposed at such an angle to the head that the terminal teeth of the body portion are substantially vertical to the ground. When the rake is held in position for use in a stand trap, the rake is turned over to effect engagement of the convex portion of the reticulate and oblong body portion with the green. The handle extends upwardly at approximately the same angle for the two different raking operations, thereby facilitating manipulation of the rake by the user.
A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,146, Issued on Sep. 7, 1976, to Berg teaches a beach cleaning apparatus that includes a generally U-shaped bracket that opens downwardly, a handle attached to the bracket to manually pull the bracket forwardly, an open mesh bag, a fastener mechanism for releasably securing the adjacent parts of the mouth portion of the bag to the bracket, a knife blade extending between the legs of the bracket, and a retainer bar secured to the bracket and knife blade for retaining the lower edge portion of the mouth of the bag therebetween. The mesh of the bag is of a size to permit passage of sand and small stones therethrough, but retain larger objects within the bag.
A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,690, Issued on May 9, 1989, to Montez teaches a hand tool having a tapered wedge head, an entrapment mesh supported by a carriage structure and cantilevered from the wedge head, and a handle adjustably coupled to the carriage structure. The tapered wedge head ramps materials, such as sand and soil, into the entrapment mesh. The entrapment mesh is fixed to the carriage structure so that the face and opposed sides of the carriage structure are open. The entrapment mesh is cantilevered from the wedge head to prevent contact of the mesh with the ground.
A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,122, Issued on Apr. 27, 1993, to Wong teaches a combination sand rake and shovel providing the ability to clean sandy with a tool having two configurations. When configured as a shovel, the debris may be lifted directly from the sand. When configured as a rake, the debris can be screened in a direction parallel to the grounds surface.
A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,479, Issued on Feb. 22, 2005, to Ohzeki, et al. teaches a beach cleaner for recovering waste while moving in a towed state by a traction vehicle. A grating-like portion scoops up waste present in front of the beach cleaner as the beach cleaner is moved and a reticulate portion that is formed behind the grating-like portion to hold waste. As the beach cleaner is moved, waste present in front of the beach cleaner is scooped up onto the grating-like portion and is held with the reticulate portion formed behind the grating-like portion. Sand that is scooped up together with the waste is allowed to drop through the gaps in the grating-like portion.
A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,533, Issued on Apr. 8, 2014, to Abughazaleh teaches a lawn rake or lawn rake attachment providing a capture structure that cooperates with the tines of a lawn rake to increase the collection of small leaves and debris with each stroke of the rake. More specifically, the capture structure provides a broad surface, preferably, spanning the width of the rake and positioned an effective distance trailing behind the rake tine structure. In operation of the lawn rake equipped with the capture structure, during the course of a stroke of the rake the rake tines stir up the small leaves in or on the lawn grass. The stirring-up action propels the leaves a distance up above the ground before they fall back on the rake stroke trail. The trailing rake capture structure intercepts the airborne leaves and holds them at its surface while the rake is in a forward raking motion.
AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, Article published on Mar. 23, 2011 by Malgari teaches a manual tool to clean sandy areas. The manual tool solves the problem of keeping a sandy home-front clean and safe. One sweep makes either a beach club ready to welcome customers or an isolated beach clean.
It is apparent now that numerous innovations for ground-debris cleaning devices have been provided in the prior art that adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a sand cleaning tool that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a sand cleaning tool that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a sand cleaning tool that is simple to use.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a tool that cleans debris from sand when pulled on the sand by a user. The tool includes a sieve and a handle. The handle is so positioned on the sieve so as to allow the sieve to have a working position for cleaning the debris from the sand when the tool is pulled on the sand by the user and a non-working position for not cleaning the debris from the sand when the tool is pulled on the sand by the user.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view an embodiment of a sand cleaning tool being towed behind a all-terrain vehicle and accordingly cleaning a sand surface;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view an embodiment of the sand cleaning tool being pulled by a human and accordingly cleaning a sand surface;

FIG. 3 is a an enlarged view of the area enclosed in the dotted curve indicated by arrow 3 in FIG. 2 showing the sand cleaning tool in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on line 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the sand cleaning tool ready to be tipped over for engaging in a sand cleaning procedure;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the sand cleaning tool after being tipped over and accordingly engaging in a sand cleaning procedure;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the sand cleaning tool being shaken after a sand cleaning procedure to separate debris from any sand left in the sand cleaning tool and return the sand to the cleaned area;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating debris captured by the sand cleaning tool being emptied in to a trash container; and

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the sand cleaning tool being returned to a position convenient for towing and transporting without cleaning any sand surface.

A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

Introduction

20 tool of embodiments of present invention for cleaning debris 22 from sand 24 when pulled on sand 24 by user 26
22 debris
24 sand
26 user

Configuration of Tool 20

28 sieve
30 handle
32 axle
34 pair of ends of axle 32
36 pair of wheels
38 pair of balloon tires of pair of wheels 36, respectively, for facilitating emptying out debris 22 from sieve 28 by bouncing pair of balloon tires 38 of pair of wheels 36, respectively, against debris receptacle
39 comb for combing sand as debris 22 is being removed from sand 24

Specific Configuration of Sieve 28

40 frame of sieve 28
42 mesh of sieve 28
44 pair of U-shaped end rods of frame 40 of sieve 28
46 U-shaped intermediate rod of frame 40 of sieve 28
48 pair of straight side rods of frame 40 of sieve 28
50 pair of straight transverse rods of frame 40 of sieve 28
52 open mouth of sieve 28 for scooping up sand 24 with debris 22 therein when tool 20 is in working position thereof and pulled on sand 24 by user 26
54 pair of side portions of mesh 42 of sieve 28
56 main portion of mesh 42 of sieve 28

Specific Configuration of Handle 30

58 proximal end of handle 30
60 distal end of handle 30

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Introduction

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tool of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 20 for cleaning debris 22 from sand 24 when pulled on the sand 24 by a user 26.

The Configuration of the Tool 20

The configuration of the tool 20 can best be seen in FIGS. 3-7, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.
The tool 20 comprises a sieve 28 and a handle 30. The handle 30 is so positioned on the sieve 28 so as to allow the sieve 28 to have a working position for cleaning the debris 22 from the sand 24 when the tool 20 is pulled on the sand 24 by the user 26 and a non-working position for not cleaning the debris 22 from the sand 24 when the tool 20 is pulled on the sand 24 by the user 26.
The tool 20 further comprises an axle 32.
The axle 32 is fixedly attached to the sieve 28, and has a pair of ends 34.
The tool 20 further comprises a pair of wheels 36.
The pair of wheels 36 are rotatably disposed on the pair of ends 34 of the axle 32, respectively.
The pair of wheels 36 include a pair of balloon tires 38, respectively. The pair of balloon tires 38 of the pair of wheels 36, respectively, are for facilitating emptying out the debris 22 from the sieve 28 by bouncing the pair of balloon tires 38 of the pair of wheels 36, respectively, against a debris receptacle.
The tool 20 further comprises a comb 39.
The comb 39 depends pivotally from the sieve 28, and is for combing the sand 24 as the debris 22 is being removed from the sand 24.

The Specific Configuration of the Sieve 28

The sieve 28 is generally semi-cylindrically shaped, has a pair of lateral bounds, and includes a frame 40 and a mesh 42.
The frame 40 of the sieve 28 includes a pair of U-shaped end rods 44.
The pair of U-shaped end rods 44 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28 are aligned with each other, are parallel to each other, have lowermost points fixedly attached to the axle 32, and contribute to the pair of lateral bounds of the sieve 28. The frame 40 of the sieve 28 further includes a U-shaped intermediate rod 46.
The U-shaped intermediate rod 46 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28 is aligned with, is parallel to, and is disposed midway between, the pair of U-shaped end rods 44 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28, and has a lowermost point fixedly attached to the axle 32.
The frame 40 of the sieve 28 further includes a pair of straight side rods 48.
The pair of straight side rods 48 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28 are aligned with each other, are parallel to each other, and are fixedly attached to, and close off, the pair of U-shaped end rods 44 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28, respectively.
The frame 40 of the sieve 28 further includes a pair of straight transverse rods 50.
The pair of straight transverse rods 50 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28 are aligned with each other, are parallel to each other, and are fixedly attached to the pair of straight side rods 48 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28, respectively, so as to define therewith an open mouth 52. The open mouth 52 of the sieve 28 is for scooping up the sand 24 with the debris 22 therein when the tool 20 is in the working position thereof and pulled on the sand 24 by the user 26.
The mesh 42 of the sieve 28 includes a pair of side portions 54.
The pair of side portions 54 of the mesh 42 of the sieve 28 cover the pair of U-shaped end rods 44 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28, respectively.
The mesh 42 of the sieve 28 further includes a main portion 56.
The main portion 56 of the mesh 42 of the sieve 28 extends from one straight transverse rod 50 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28 to the other straight transverse rod 50 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28, and together with the pair of side portions 54 of the mesh 42 of the sieve 28, cover the sieve 28 entirely, except for the open mouth 52 of the sieve 28.

The Specific Configuration of the Handle 30

The handle 30 is straight, slender, elongated, telescopic for length adjustment, and has a proximal end 58 and a distal end 60.
The distal end 60 of the handle 30 is disposed on one straight transverse rod 50 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28, and the handle 30 extends fixedly outwardly therefrom so as to offset the handle 30 relative to the axle 32 so as to allow transition between the working position of the sieve 28 and the non-working position of the sieve 28 by merely pivoting the handle 30.
The distal end 60 of the handle 30 is disposed at the U-shaped intermediate rod 46 of the frame 40 of the sieve 28.
The proximal end 58 of the handle 30 is T-shaped for facilitating gripping the handle 30 by the user 26 when the user 26 pulls the tool 20.

Method of Using the Tool 20

The method of using the tool 20 can best be seen in FIGS. 8-12, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

STEP 1: As shown in FIG. 8, pivot the tool 20, by way of the handle 30, so that the open mouth 52 of the sieve 28 faces toward a direction of travel;
STEP 2: As shown in FIG. 9, pull the tool 20 in the direction of travel, with the open mouth 52 of the sieve 28 engaging into the sand 24 and capturing the debris 22;
STEP 3: As shown in FIG. 10, shake the tool 20 up-and-down so that any sand 24 left in the sieve 28 will fall out leaving only the debris 22 in the sieve 28;
STEP 4: As shown in FIG. 11, dump the debris 22 out of the sieve 28 into a debris receptacle, by bouncing the pair of balloon tires 38 of the pair of wheels 36, respectively, against the debris receptacle; and
STEP 5: As shown in FIG. 12, pivot the tool 20, by way of the handle 30, so that the open mouth 52 of the sieve 28 faces upwardly and ready for non-cleaning travel.

Impressions

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a sand cleaning tool, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A tool for cleaning debris from sand when pulled on the sand by a user, comprising:

a) a sieve; and

b) a handle;

wherein said handle is so positioned on said sieve so as to allow said sieve to have a working position for cleaning the debris from the sand when said tool is pulled on the sand by the user and a non-working position for not cleaning the debris from the sand when said tool is pulled on the sand by the user.

2. The tool of claim 1, further comprising an axle.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein said axle is fixedly attached to said sieve.

4. The tool of claim 2, wherein said axle has a pair of ends.

5. The tool of claim 4, further comprising a pair of wheels.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein said pair of wheels are rotatably disposed on said pair of ends of said axle, respectively.

7. The tool of claim 5, wherein said pair of wheels include a pair of balloon tires, respectively; and

wherein said pair of balloon tires of said pair of wheels, respectively, are for facilitating emptying out the debris from said sieve by bouncing said pair of balloon tires of said pair of wheels, respectively, against a debris receptacle.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein said sieve is generally semi-cylindrically shaped.

9. The tool of claim 2, wherein said sieve has a pair of lateral bounds.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein said sieve includes a frame.

11. The tool of claim 10, wherein said sieve includes a mesh.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein said frame of said sieve includes a pair of U-shaped end rods.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve are aligned with each other.

14. The tool of claim 12, wherein said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve are parallel to each other.

15. The tool of claim 12, wherein said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve have lowermost points fixedly attached to said axle.

16. The tool of claim 12, wherein said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve contribute to said pair of lateral bounds of said sieve.

17. The tool of claim 12, wherein said frame of said sieve includes a U-shaped intermediate rod.

18. The tool of claim 17, wherein said U-shaped intermediate rod of said frame of said sieve is aligned with said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve.

19. The tool of claim 17, wherein said U-shaped intermediate rod of said frame of said sieve is parallel to said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve.

20. The tool of claim 17, wherein said U-shaped intermediate rod of said frame of said sieve is disposed midway between said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve.

21. The tool of claim 17, wherein said U-shaped intermediate rod of said frame of said sieve has a lowermost point fixedly attached to said axle.

22. The tool of claim 12, wherein said frame of said sieve includes a pair of straight side rods.

23. The tool of claim 22, wherein said pair of straight side rods of said frame of said sieve are aligned with each other.

24. The tool of claim 22, wherein said pair of straight side rods of said frame of said sieve are parallel to each other.

25. The tool of claim 22, wherein said pair of straight side rods of said frame of said sieve are fixedly attached to said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve, respectively.

26. The tool of claim 22, wherein said pair of straight side rods of said frame of said sieve close off said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve, respectively.

27. The tool of claim 22, wherein said frame of said sieve includes a pair of straight transverse rods.

28. The tool of claim 27, wherein said pair of straight transverse rods of said frame of said sieve are aligned with each other.

29. The tool of claim 27, wherein said pair of straight transverse rods of said frame of said sieve are parallel to each other.

30. The tool of claim 27, wherein said pair of straight transverse rods of said frame of said sieve are fixedly attached to said pair of straight side rods of said frame of said sieve, respectively, so as to define therewith an open mouth; and

wherein said open mouth of said sieve is for scooping up the sand with the debris therein when said tool is in said working position thereof and pulled on the sand by the user.

31. The tool of claim 30, wherein said mesh of said sieve includes a pair of side portions.

32. The tool of claim 31, wherein said pair of side portions of said mesh of said sieve cover said pair of U-shaped end rods of said frame of said sieve, respectively.

33. The tool of claim 31, wherein said mesh of said sieve includes a main portion.

34. The tool of claim 33, wherein said main portion of said mesh of said sieve extends from one straight transverse rod of said frame of said sieve to the other straight transverse rod of said frame of said sieve.

35. The tool of claim 33, wherein said main portion of said mesh of said sieve and said pair of side portions of said mesh of said sieve cover said sieve entirely, except for said open mouth of said sieve.

36. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a comb; and

wherein said comb is for combing the sand as the debris is being removed from the sand.

37. The tool of claim 36, wherein said comb depends pivotally from said sieve.

38. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle is straight.

39. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle is slender.

40. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle is elongated.

41. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle is telescopic for length adjustment.

42. The tool of claim 1, wherein said handle has a proximal end.

43. The tool of claim 17, wherein said handle has a distal end.

44. The tool of claim 27, wherein said distal end of said handle is disposed on one straight transverse rod of said frame of said sieve.

45. The tool of claim 44, wherein said handle extends fixedly outwardly from said one straight transverse rod of said frame of said sieve so as to offset said handle relative to said axle so as to allow transition between said working position of said sieve and said non-working position of said sieve by merely pivoting said handle.

46. The tool of claim 43, wherein said distal end of said handle is disposed at said U-shaped intermediate rod of said frame of said sieve.

47. The tool of claim 42, wherein said proximal end of said handle is T-shaped for facilitating gripping said handle by the user when the user pulls said tool.

48. A method of using a tool for cleaning debris from sand when pulled on the sand by a user, comprising the steps of:

a) pivoting the tool, by way of a handle of the tool, so that an open mouth of a sieve of the tool faces toward a direction of travel;

b) pulling the tool in the direction of travel, with the open mouth of the sieve engaging into the sand and capturing the debris;

c) shaking the tool up-and-down so that any sand left in the sieve will fall out leaving only the debris in the sieve;

d) dumping the debris out of the sieve into a debris receptacle, by bouncing a pair of balloon tires of a pair of wheels of the tool, respectively, against the debris receptacle; and

e) pivoting the tool, by way of the handle, so that the open mouth of the sieve faces upwardly and ready for non-cleaning travel.