Debris Collector

Abstract

A collection device (10) comprising a receptacle (20) defining a collection chamber (21) with an entrance opening (22) and an exit opening (23). A door (24) is movable from a closed position whereat it covers the exit opening (23) and unclosed condition whereat it uncovers the exit opening (23). When the door (24) is in its closed position, constituents can be conveyed into the collection chamber (21) through the entrance opening (22. And when the door (24) is in its unclosed position, constituents (11) within the collection chamber (21) can be emptied through the exit opening (23) into a separate container, such as a trash can.

1 . A collection device ( 10 ) for collection of constituents ( 11 ) from a surface ( 12 ) and emptying them into a separate container ( 13 ); said collection device ( 10 ) comprising a receptacle ( 20 ) defining a collection chamber ( 21 ) and comprising:
 an entrance opening ( 22 ) communicating with collection chamber ( 21 ),   an exit opening ( 23 ) communicating with the collection chamber ( 21 ), and   a door ( 24 ) movable from a closed position whereat it covers the exit opening ( 23 ) and unclosed condition whereat it uncovers the exit opening ( 23 );   wherein, when the door ( 24 ) is in its closed position, constituents ( 11 ) can be conveyed into the collection chamber ( 21 ) through the entrance opening ( 22 ); and   wherein, when the door ( 24 ) is in its unclosed position, constituents ( 11 ) within the collection chamber ( 21 ) can be emptied through the exit opening ( 23 ) to the separate container ( 13 ).   
     
     
         2 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between the closed position and the unclosed position is accomplished without electricity, without hydraulics, and without special tools. 
     
     
         3 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished manually. 
     
     
         4 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished with the help of gravity. 
     
     
         5 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the entrance opening ( 22 ) is wider and/or higher than the exit opening ( 23 ). 
     
     
         6 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle ( 20 ) is formed from a wall structure ( 30 ) including chamber-defining walls ( 31 - 36 ) and wherein some of these walls are movable relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the receptacle ( 20 ) comprises pivotal fasteners ( 41 - 42 ) movably attaching walls together. 
     
     
         8 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the wall structure ( 30 ) comprises rear walls ( 31 - 32 ), a top wall ( 33 ), a bottom wall ( 34 ), and lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ). 
     
     
         9 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein collection chamber ( 21 ) is defined by the rear walls ( 31 - 32 ), the a top wall ( 33 ), a rear region of the bottom wall ( 34 ), and rear regions of the lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ). 
     
     
         10 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the entrance opening ( 22 ) is defined by a forward edge of the top wall ( 33 ), an aligned route on the bottom wall ( 34 ), and connecting paths on the lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ). 
     
     
         11 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the exit opening ( 23 ) is defined by rearmost edges of the rear walls ( 31 - 32 ), a rear edge of the top wall ( 33 ), and a rear edge of the bottom wall ( 34 ). 
     
     
         12 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the door ( 24 ) is permanently attached to, and extends perpendicularly downward from, the rear edge of the top wall ( 33 ). 
     
     
         13 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein front lateral edges of the top wall ( 33 ) are movably attached to aligned regions of the lateral walls ( 35 - 36 ) with pivoting fasteners ( 41 - 42 ). 
     
     
         14 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the pivoting fasteners ( 41 - 42 ) are hinges. 
     
     
         15 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished manually. 
     
     
         16 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the movement of the door ( 24 ) between its closed position and its unclosed position is accomplished with the help of gravity. 
     
     
         17 . A collection device ( 10 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a post ( 50 ) attached to the receptacle ( 20 ). 
     
     
         18 . A method of using the collection device ( 10 ) set forth in  claim 1 , comprising the step of:
 conveying constituents ( 11 ) on a surface ( 12 ) through the entrance opening ( 22 ) into the collection chamber ( 21 ); and   emptying constituents ( 11 ) from the collection chamber ( 21 ) through the exit opening ( 23 );   wherein said constituent-conveying step is performed when the door ( 24 ) is in its closed condition; and   wherein said constituent-emptying step is performed when the door ( 24 ) is in its unclosed condition.   
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein said constituent-conveying step is performed with a broom ( 14 ). 
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 ), wherein said constituent-emptying step comprises emptying the constituents ( 11 ) into a separate container ( 13 ).