Ground surface object collection apparatus and method

Abstract

A ground surface object collection apparatus is provided for collecting garbage and other objects from a ground surface. The ground surface object collection apparatus may include a chassis, wheel, source of locomotion, roller, source of rotation, collection basket and object removal member. A method for collecting garbage and other objects from a ground surface using the ground surface object collection apparatus is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ground surface object collection apparatus, comprising:
 a chassis that is attachable to a source of locomotion;   a collection basket mounted to a base arm of the chassis via couplings to partially enclose an interior receptacle space having a first collection basket end distal to a second collection basket end, wherein the first collection basket end comprises an object removal member and an opening to selectively provide access to the interior receptacle space;   a roller being substantially cylindrical and having extended members protruding from an exterior roller surface of the roller to puncture and carry objects in a path of rotation to be deposited inside the collection basket;   a wheel operatively attached to the chassis to at least partially configure the roller to a selectable elevation; and   wherein a work transfer device uses a source of rotation to turn the roller about the path of rotation.   
     
     
         2 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source of rotation is provided by the source of locomotion. 
     
     
         3 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the source of rotation rotates the roller via a drive shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis is attached to the source of locomotion via a push bar. 
     
     
         5 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chassis is attached to the source of locomotion via a hitch; and
 wherein the source of locomotion is a vehicle.   
     
     
         6 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extended members are spikes constructed of a durable material. 
     
     
         7 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the object removal member is forked. 
     
     
         8 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior roller surface comprises extended member receiving apertures;
 wherein the extended members comprise an installation shaft; and   wherein the installation shaft is removably secured to the roller via the extended member receiving apertures.   
     
     
         9 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the selectable elevation of the roller is selectively adjusted using hydraulics being driven by the source of locomotion. 
     
     
         10 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collection basket comprises drain apertures for liquid release. 
     
     
         11 . The object collection apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the collection basket further comprises a lid coupled to the collection basket; and
 wherein the extended members are replaceable.   
     
     
         12 . A collection apparatus for ground surface objects, comprising:
 a chassis that is attachable to a source of locomotion provided by a vehicle, the chassis comprising a base arm;   a collection basket mounted to the chassis via couplings to partially enclose an interior receptacle space having a first collection basket end distal to a second collection basket end, wherein the first collection basket end comprises an object removal member being forked and an opening to selectively provide access to the interior receptacle space;   a roller being substantially cylindrical and having an exterior roller surface onto which spikes are removably installed to protrude from the exterior roller surface to puncture and carry objects in a path of rotation to be deposited inside the collection basket;   a wheel operatively attached to the chassis to at least partially configure the roller to a selectable elevation;   wherein a work transfer device uses a source of rotation to turn the roller about the path of rotation; and   wherein the spikes comprise an installation shaft that is removably secured to the roller via an extended member receiving aperture of the exterior roller surface.   
     
     
         13 . The collection apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the source of rotation turns the roller via a loop of material. 
     
     
         14 . The collection apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the chassis is attached to the source of locomotion via a hitch. 
     
     
         15 . The collection apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the spikes are replaceable. 
     
     
         16 . The collection apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the selectable elevation of the roller is selectively adjusted using hydraulics being driven by the source of locomotion. 
     
     
         17 . The collection apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the collection basket comprises drain apertures for liquid release. 
     
     
         18 . A method of collecting objects from a ground surface using an object collection apparatus, comprising:
 (a) attaching a chassis having a base arm to a source of locomotion, wherein a collection basket is mounted to the chassis via couplings, the collection basket partially enclosing an interior receptacle space between a first collection basket end distal to a second collection basket end, and wherein the first collection basket end comprises an object removal member and an opening to selectively provide access to the interior receptacle space;   (b) configuring a roller to a selectable elevation via a wheel operatively attached to the chassis;   (c) rotating the roller in a path of rotation, the roller being substantially cylindrical and having extended members protruding from an exterior roller surface of the roller to puncture and carry the objects in the path of rotation to be deposited inside the interior receptacle space provided by the collection basket;   (d) puncturing the objects with the extended members;   (e) carrying the objects that have been punctured in the path of rotation from the ground surface to the collection basket; and   (f) extracting the objects from the extended members into the interior receptacle space via the object removal member.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 :
 wherein the exterior roller surface comprises extended member receiving apertures;   wherein the extended members comprise an installation shaft; and   wherein the installation shaft is removably secured to the roller via the extended member receiving apertures.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the selectable elevation of the roller is selectively adjusted using hydraulics driven by a vehicle as the source of locomotion.