초록 ▼

A chute apparatus for collecting leaves and debris includes: (a) an upper chute portion having an open front portion, the chute portion including a back portion with a front end that is wider than its rear end, and two smaller, matching chute sides attached to either side of the back chute portion;

A chute apparatus for collecting leaves and debris includes: (a) an upper chute portion having an open front portion, the chute portion including a back portion with a front end that is wider than its rear end, and two smaller, matching chute sides attached to either side of the back chute portion; and (b) an open-ended lower channel portion connected to the chute portion, the channel portion having four sides: an upper section, a channel back section opposite to the channel upper section, and two narrower channel side sections, which are opposite to one another and which connect the channel upper section to the channel back section. The chute apparatus may also include clips on the sides, or an external ridge, for removably attaching the edges of a trash bag. In one embodiment, which does not include a channel portion, the chute sides are hinged for achieving a folded, storage position and various open positions with different degrees of angle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A chute apparatus for collecting leaves or debris, the apparatus comprising: (a) an upper chute portion having an open front portion, the chute portion comprising a back portion, the back chute portion having a front end that is wider than its rear end, and two matching chute sides attached to

1. A chute apparatus for collecting leaves or debris, the apparatus comprising: (a) an upper chute portion having an open front portion, the chute portion comprising a back portion, the back chute portion having a front end that is wider than its rear end, and two matching chute sides attached to either side of the back chute portion, the front end of the back chute portion being wider than each of the chute sides; (b) an open-ended lower channel portion connected to the chute portion, the channel portion comprising four sides: an upper section, a channel back section opposite to the channel upper section, and two narrower channel side sections, which are opposite to one another and which connect the channel upper section to the channel back section; and (c) clips, which are attached to the outside surface of the two side sections of the channel portion, for removable attachment of a trash bag to a bottom portion of the chute apparatus; wherein the narrower end of the back chute portion is connected to the channel back section; and the two chute sides are connected at their lower ends to upper ends of the two opposite channel sides. 2. A chute apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper edge of each chute side forms a flange. 3. A chute apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the chute sides and chute back portion are at an angle of between about 80 and 110 degrees. 4. A chute apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the back chute portion is bent inward at its midsection. 5. A chute apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a trash can, which closely fits over a majority of the outside of the channel portion. 6. A chute apparatus for collecting leaves and debris, the apparatus comprising open front and rear ends; a back chute portion, with a front end that is wider than its rear end; and two matching chute sides attached to either side of the back chute portion, the front end of the back chute portion being wider than each of the chute sides; and wherein an upper edge of each chute side forms a flange; the apparatus further comprising a partial front portion adjacent to the chute sides, the front portion having a rear edge that is continuous with the rear edges of the two adjacent chute sides and the back chute portion. 7. A chute apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the back chute portion is bent inward at its midsection. 8. A chute apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the front edge of the back chute portion is sloped downward. 9. A chute apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a small ridge encircling the chute apparatus, the ridge passing just below a front edge of the partial front portion. 10. A chute apparatus for collecting leaves and debris, the apparatus comprising open front and rear ends; a back chute portion, with a front end that is wider than its rear end; and two matching chute sides attached to either side of the back chute portion, the front end of the back chute portion being wider than each of the chute sides; and further comprising a removable key and corresponding aperture in each chute side for holding the chute sides in an open position during use; and wherein an upper edge of each chute side forms a flange. 11. A chute apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the key is "F" shaped, a lower prong of the "F" key closely fitting through the aperture into an interior of the chute portion, a spine of the "F" key supporting a chute side, and an outer prong of the "F" key supporting the back chute portion.