Lawn Stickerweed Bur Collection Apparatus

Abstract

The improved bur collection apparatus includes a primary roller member that may be pushed using an attached handle or pulled using an attached tow bar. The roller member includes an outer surface to which stickerweed burs removably attach during the bur collection process. A brushing member in contact with the outer surface imparts friction upon the outer covering to remove attached burs as the roller rotates. The ejected burs are captured in a detachable bur container for ease of disposal without direct contact with the burs. The outer surface of the roller member and the brushing member are replaceable when worn. The brushing member may be driven directly from the roller motion, or may be driven from a powered motive means. The container may be removably attached to the device frame, or may be towed closely therebehind. The apparatus may be manually operated or may be self-propelled.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for collecting stickerweed burs from a surface, the apparatus comprising:
 a roller member having an outer surface covering to which a plurality of burs may releasably attach;   a brushing member in contact with the roller member outer surface covering, the brushing member adapted to rotate to create friction with the roller member outer surface covering to cause detachment of the burs attached thereto; and   a container member for containing the detached burs.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a friction adjustment mechanism for adjusting the friction of the brushing member in relation to the roller member.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a frame assembly for pushing or pulling the apparatus across a surface.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 an operating handle member for pushing the apparatus by an operator.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a drive belt or drive chain through which the brushing member rotation is effected by the roller member rotation.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface covering is closed-cell foam. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surface covering is open-cell foam. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the roller member outer surface may be resurfaced with an outer covering material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container member structure is perforated or mesh material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container member is removable for emptying. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a drive mechanism adapted to rotate the brushing member at a higher rotational rate than the roller member.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the brushing member is nylon bristled. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 an attachment for a tow bar.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the brushing member rotates counter to the roller member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the brushing member rotates in the same direction as the roller member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a self-powered motive means for powering the brushing member.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the self-powered motive means is chosen from the group consisting of an electric motor, a combustion engine, and a PTO. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the apparatus further comprising:
 a self-powered motive means for powering the brushing member and the roller member.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the self-powered motive means is chosen from the group consisting of an electric motor, a combustion engine, and a PTO.