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US 2021/0267109 A1Published application
Methods and apparatus for yard and garden debris collection
OwnerDaniel O'Keefeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for improved yard and garden maintenance are disclosed. The yard and garden maintenance include manual and powered leaf and debris cleaning systems some incorporating specialized fork and teeth designs. In some examples, the powered leaf and debris cleaning systems may include processors, navigation and communications capability.
Claims20
An apparatus to clean a surface with debris comprising:
- a frame comprising a front face, and an uplifted panel, wherein the uplifted panel entraps the debris scooped up by the apparatus;
- at least a first wheel attached to the frame;
- wherein the apparatus moves upon the first wheel with at least a portion of a weight of the frame, the uplifted panel and the debris supported by the first wheel;
- at least a first fork comprising teeth, wherein the first fork is attached to the uplifted panel;
- a first adjustment fixture attached to the frame and to the uplifted panel;
- wherein the first adjustment fixture holds the first fork at an angle relative to the surface;
- and
- wherein the angle relative to the surface defines a condition which uplifts the teeth attached to the first fork from a yard surface as the apparatus moves across the yard surface.
5 more elements
A method of cleaning a debris from a surface, the method comprising:
- placing an apparatus to clean the surface of the debris upon a yard surface, wherein the apparatus to clean the surface of the debris comprises:
- a frame comprising a front face, and an uplifted panel, wherein the uplifted panel entraps debris scooped up by the apparatus, at least a first wheel attached to the frame;
- wherein the apparatus moves upon the first wheel with at least a portion of a weight of both the frame and the debris supported by the first wheel, at least a first fork comprising teeth, wherein the first fork is attached to a first adjustment fixture, wherein the first adjustment fixture holds the first fork at an angle relative to the yard surface, and wherein the angle relative to the yard surface uplifts the teeth attached to the first fork from the yard surface as the apparatus moves across the yard surface;
- adjusting the first adjustment fixture to place the first fork at a different degree of uplift from the yard surface in response to one or more of a length of grass blades, a roughness of the surface, and a nature of the debris upon the yard surface;
- and
- moving the apparatus across the yard surface, wherein the debris is caught into the uplifted panel of the apparatus and moved by the apparatus.
3 more elements
A method of cleaning a debris from a surface, the method comprising:
- placing an apparatus to clean the surface of the debris upon a yard surface, wherein the apparatus to clean the surface of the debris comprises:
- a drive frame, and an uplifted panel, wherein the uplifted panel entraps debris scooped up by the apparatus, at least a first wheel attached to the drive frame;
- wherein the apparatus moves upon the first wheel with at least a portion of a weight of the drive frame and the debris supported by the first wheel, at least a first fork comprising teeth, wherein the first fork is attached to a first adjustment fixture, wherein the first adjustment fixture holds the first fork at an angle relative to the surface, wherein the angle relative to the yard surface uplifts the teeth attached to the first fork from the yard surface as the apparatus moves across the yard surface, a second adjustment fixture to adjust a spacing between the drive frame and the first wheel, a motor to provide power to the first wheel, a computer processor, a touch screen interface, and a communication system;
- adjusting the first adjustment fixture to place the first fork at a different degree of uplift from the yard surface in response to one or more of a length of grass blades, a roughness of the surface, and a nature of the debris upon the yard surface;
- adjusting the second adjustment fixture to change the spacing between the first wheel and the drive frame of the apparatus;
- communicating parameters to the communication system from an external communication device;
- inputting the parameters from the communication system into the computer processor, wherein the parameters are used by the computer processor to determine a path of movement of the apparatus;
- and
- moving the apparatus across the yard surface, wherein the debris is caught into the uplifted panel of the apparatus and moved by the apparatus.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.