Yard waste collection device

Abstract

A yard waste collection device having an integral body, handle, and hardware for securing a leaf bag. The integral body has a substantially planar base, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a posterior opening. Leaves and grass clippings can be raked or swept into the integral body and through the posterior opening. A lawn or leaf bag, held in place by the hardware, collects the leaves.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A yard waste collection device comprising,
 an integral body having a continuous inner surface, a continuous outer surface and comprised of
 a substantially planar base surface with an anterior free-edge, 
 a first side wall surface contiguous with the substantially planar base surface and extending vertically from the substantially planar base surface wherein a first end of the anterior free-edge terminates at the first side wall, 
 a second side wall surface contiguous with the substantially planar base surface and extending vertically from the substantially planar base surface wherein a second end of the anterior free-edge terminates at the second side wall, and 
 a posterior opening, disposed opposite the anterior free-edge, with a rim disposed on the side of the opening away from the anterior free-edge; 
   a handle and shank; and   hardware with which to mount a bag to the rim of the opening;   wherein the anterior free-edge is at least 18″ in length, and the first and second side wall are at least 12″ in height.   
     
     
         2 . The yard waste collection device in  claim 1 , wherein the anterior free-edge is at least 24″ in length. 
     
     
         3 . The yard waste collection device in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second side wall are at least 16″ in height. 
     
     
         4 . The yard waste collection device in  claim 1 , wherein the posterior opening is defined by at least one plane shape. 
     
     
         5 . The yard waste collection device in  claim 4 , wherein the posterior opening is defined by two plane shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The yard waste collection device in  claim 5 , wherein the two plane shapes defining the posterior opening are connected by an interior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The yard waste collection device in  claim 6 , wherein the two plane shapes defining the posterior opening are rectangular and the interior surface is a rectangular cubic. 
     
     
         8 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 5 , wherein the two plane shapes defining the posterior opening are circles and the interior surface is a cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 8 , wherein the rim is cylindrical. 
     
     
         10 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the integral body is further comprised of a top wall having an anterior edge, and wherein the first side wall is contiguous with the top wall; and wherein the second side wall is contiguous with the top wall. 
     
     
         11 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 10 , wherein the integral body is further comprised of an angled anchor affixed to the top wall. 
     
     
         12 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 11 , wherein the angled anchor provides a hand-grasp for lifting the integral body. 
     
     
         13 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 10 , wherein the handle and shank attach to the angled anchor that is affixed to the top surface of the integral body, forming an acute angle between the shank and the top wall in the direction of the posterior opening. 
     
     
         14 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and shank attach to the integral body in near proximity to the posterior opening. 
     
     
         15 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 1 , wherein the integral body is molded from at least one of poly(methyl-methacrylate) (“PMMA”), polycarbonate (“PC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polypropylene (“PP”), high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), and low-density polyethylene (“LDPE”). 
     
     
         16 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 16 , wherein, in order to create a lightweight integral body, the at least one of PMMA, PC, ABS, PP, HDPE, and LDPE is augmented with at least one of glass beads, flue ash, or re-grind material. 
     
     
         17 . The yard waste collection device of  claim 16 , wherein, in order to create a lightweight integral body, a gaseous substance is introduced into the least one of PMMA, PC, ABS, PP, HDPE, and LDPE in order to foam the integral body, creating small air pockets within the material, wherein all of the exposed surfaces of the integral body are smooth.