# US 7,744,044 B2 · Leaf catcher

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- Number: US 7,744,044 B2
- Document ID: US7744044B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/125,889
- Filed: 2008-05-22
- Published: 2009-11-26
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2008-05-22
- Inventors: Reno Michael Gabriel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744044B2

## CPC

- B65F 1/1415: {for flexible receptables, e.g. bags, sacks}
- A01G 20/43: for sweeping, collecting or disintegrating lawn debris
- B65B 67/12: Sack holders, i.e. stands or frames with means for supporting sacks in the open condition to facilitate filling with articles or materials {(nozzles, funnels or guides adapted to support sacks B65B39/06)}
- B65F 2240/138: Garden debris
- Y10S 248/907: Trash container support
- B65F: GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE (disinfecting refuse A61L; refuse disintegrators B02C; sorting refuse B03B; B07B; handcarts for transporting refuse receptacles B62B; sack holders B65B67/00; converting refuse into fertilisers C05F; converting refuse into solid fuels C10L; sewers, cesspools E03F; arrangements in buildings for the disposal of refuse E04F17/10; refuse-consuming furnaces F23G; {for surgical articles A61B50/36})
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A device that assists with the collection of leaves or debris by holding a garbage bag completely open so a user does not need to awkwardly bend down and hold open a bag while raking leaves into it. Thus, the user has both hands free to hold and use a rake or broom to sweep leaves or debris into the open bag. The bag is affixed to a frame with spring biased clips mounted in top and bottom structure of a bag receptive frame, the clips being received in cavities in the top and bottom structure so that the clips in a closed position thereof are flush with top and bottom structure surfaces adjacent thereto providing uniform surface for each of the top and bottom structure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A catcher device for holding an end of a flexible bag open while filling the bag with leaves and like debris, said catcher device comprising:
a frame having a base, a top, and side walls extending between said base and said top, said base having foot rest lengths extending beyond said side walls, said base further having a tapered front end surface facilitating leaf and debris entry to said bag, said frame top carrying a frame handle; and
spring biased clips carried in cavity spaces in said base and in said top at corners of said frame and normally acting in a clip closed position to engage said bag for securing an open end of said bag in bag open condition on said frame, a top portion of each of said clips in clip closed position disposing flush with frame base and top surfaces adjacent therewith thereby maintaining a uniform surface for each of said frame base and said top, said clips being moveable counter to said spring bias to a clip open position for bag placement on and release from said frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A catcher device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a semi rigid compressible foam material disposed in each cavity space of said base and said top against which an associated clip front portion in contact with said bag in clip closed position acts to compress said foam material to create a tight seal securement of said bag to said frame.