Nut Gatherer and Method of Constructing Same

Abstract

A nut gatherer includes a hollow drum formed by a plurality of wires. Each of the wires has a bowed middle segment and two end portions. The end portions are preferably hooked. A pair of hubs secures the hooked ends of the wires to form the drum there between. A handle is rotatably mounted to the hubs and a handle extension is removably coupled with the handle. In use, the handle or handle extension is used to rotate the drum into contact with an object, such as a nut, where the object then forces the wires to separate and permit the object to move from outside the drum to inside said drum. Once contact between the object and the wires is terminated, the wires return to their original position thereby trapping the object within the drum.

1 . A nut gatherer for collecting debris, comprising:
 a hollow drum formed of a plurality of wires, each of said wires having a bowed middle segment and two end portions;   a pair of hubs, each of said hubs configured to receive one of said end portions of each of said wires;   a handle rotatably mounted to said pair of hubs; and   wherein when said drum rotates into contact with an object, the object forces said wires to separate and permit the object to move from outside said drum to inside said drum where it is trapped.   
     
     
         2 . The nut gatherer of  claim 1 , wherein each of said hubs comprises a hub disc coupled with a hubcap, whereby said end portions of said wires are trapped between said hub disc and said hubcap. 
     
     
         3 . The nut gatherer of  claim 2 , wherein said hubcap is substantially bell-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The nut gatherer of  claim 2 , wherein said hubcap includes a bottom plate. 
     
     
         5 . The nut gatherer of  claim 2 , further comprising a bolt for coupling said hub disc with said hubcap. 
     
     
         6 . The nut gatherer of  claim 5 , wherein said bolt includes a hollow end for receiving said handle. 
     
     
         7 . The nut gatherer of  claim 2 , wherein said hub disc defines a plurality of cavities configured to receive said wire end portions, and wherein said hub disc defines a plurality of grooves aligned with said cavities such that when one of said wire end portions is received into one of said cavities, a portion of said wire end portion is received into one of said grooves. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a nut gatherer for collecting debris, comprising:
 providing a plurality of wires;   bending said wires to form a bowed middle portion and two end portions;   providing a pair of hubs comprising a pair of hub discs and a pair of hubcaps;   coupling each of said hub discs with one of said hubcaps such that said wire end portions are trapped between said hubcaps and said hub discs, whereby a wire drum is formed between said hubcaps.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising providing a handle and rotatably mounting said handle to said hubs, wherein said wire drum rotates along a surface in response to directional force applied to said handle. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making a nut gatherer for collecting debris, comprising:
 providing a plurality of wires;   bending said wires to form a bowed middle portion and two end portions;   providing a pair of hub discs defining a plurality of grooves;   loading each of said hub discs with said plurality of wires such that a portion of each of said end portions rests within one of said grooves;   providing a pair of hubcaps; and   coupling each of said hubcaps with one of said hub discs loaded with said wires, whereby a wire drum is formed between said hubcaps.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising bending said end portions such that each of said end portion comprises a first leg and a second leg. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein each of said hub discs further comprises a plurality of cavities aligned with said grooves and wherein loading each of said hub discs further comprises inserting said second leg into one of said cavities until a portion of said first leg rests within one of said grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising providing a handle and mounting said handle to said hubcaps, wherein said wire drum rotates along a surface in response to directional force applied to said handle.