Gathering device for soft objects

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for retrieving soft objects with minimal stress to the back and adverse damage to the objects. The apparatus comprises a storage section, a gathering section, a rim and an elongated handle. The storage section is shaped like an open basket on its side and having a top and a bottom. The gathering section extends from the bottom of the storage section, comprises two barrier regions separated by a retaining region, and has a leading edge. The rim is attached at least to the leading edge. The handle projects upward from the top of the storage section at such an angle to permit a raking-like motion when collecting objects. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed. The invention offers several benefits over what has been known to the art. One advantage is that many soft objects can be gathered quickly with minimal stress to the back of the person doing the task. Another benefit is that soft objects can be gathered quickly with minimal damage to the objects. This is particularly useful when the objects are fruit such as, for example, apples, oranges or peaches.

1 . An apparatus for retrieving soft objects, comprising, 
 a storage section shaped like an open basket having a top and a bottom;    a gathering section extending from the bottom of the storage section comprising two barrier regions separated by a retaining region and having a leading edge;    a rim attached at least to the leading edge of the gathering section; and    an elongated handle projecting upward from the top of the storage section and having an angle to the gathering section to permit a raking-like motion to collect objects.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, 
 the open basket of the storage section comprises multiple tines and the open basket configuration has a left side, a right side, a depth and an axis of curvature; and    the gathering section comprises an aggregate of tines that form rippled surface having a leading edge, a length at least half the depth of the storage section, and at least two convex regions and one concave region, each with an axis of curvatures substantially parallel to the axis of curvature of the storage section.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tines comprise base tines occupying similar planes in a similar arrangement, each having a lower portion forming the gathering section and an upper portion forming part of the storage section, and side tines substantially parallel to the base tines but in a plane somewhat perpendicular to the planes of the base tines, thereby forming the sides of the storage section.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tines are separated by a space that is less than the diameter of the smallest object desired to be gathered and enough to permit some unwanted material not to be retained.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tines and rim comprise metal.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tines and rim comprise plastic.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rim encompassing the outer edge of the storage section and the gathering section to stabilize the position of the tines and protect objects as they are gathered.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rim has a thickness that is sufficiently small to permit gathering of desired objects when apparatus is pulled in a raking motion.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rim has a rounded cylindrical-like exposed surface that minimizes adverse damage to desired objects as they are gathered.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the storage section, gathering section and rim are unified.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the angle is between 120 degrees and 0 degrees.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the angle is between 110 degrees and 45 degrees.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the angle is between 100 degrees and 70 degrees.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for retrieving soft objects, comprising, 
 a storage section for holding objects comprising multiple tines arranged to form an open basket configuration having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a depth and an axis of curvature;    a gathering section extending from the bottom of the storage section comprising an aggregate of tines that form rippled surface having a leading edge, a length at least half the depth of the storage section, and at least two convex regions and one concave region, each with an axis of curvatures substantially parallel to the axis of curvature of the storage section;    a rim encompassing the outer edge of the storage section and the gathering section to stabilize the position of the tines and protect objects as they are gathered; and    an elongated handle projecting upward from the top of the storage section and having an angle to the gathering section to permit a raking-like motion to collect objects.    
   
   
       15 . Method of gathering objects, comprising, 
 providing an apparatus comprising an open storage section, a gathering section with two barrier regions separated by a retaining region and a leading edge, a rim attached at least to the edge, and a handle attached to the storage section;    rotating the handle to position the apparatus so that the rim is touching a surface on which lays the objects desired to be gathered; and    pulling the handle with sufficient speed to permit the gathering section to slide over a surface containing objects to be gathered and the inertia of the objects to cause them to at least enter the gathering section.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of rotating the handle sufficiently to turn the gather into a carrier transporting the apparatus with objects to another location and rotating the handle sufficiently to deposit the objects at that location.