A handheld pickup device

Abstract

A handheld pickup device 99 for pills has an elongated air conduit 2, from a first inlet 1 to a vacuum production section 3 which comprises a user control interface 32. The inlet 1 has a displaceable

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a handheld pickup device, in particular a device for picking items up from the ground; more particularly but not exclusively a device for picking up small items such as tablets and pills, for users of limitations to mobility. Background In many societies across the world there is an increasing number of infirm or ageing people. This provides many requirements on resources, for example resources needed to maintain the independence of such persons. For example even where such a person is living independently there can be certain tasks that such a person may find difficult, although entirely necessary, such as picking up items that have dropped on the floor. An elderly or infirm person may find it difficult to reach down an pick up a dropped item. And this is liable to be compounded if the item is small. For example in a common situation where such a person is living independently, they may be required to take multiple pills or tablets, and it can be problematic if they drop any of these, as toe pill or tablet is liable to be expensive, vital, or both, and also very difficult to grasp with less mobile bodies and fingers. Prior Art CN 207 682 373 (WEI et al) discloses a vacuum pickup, characterized by: the picker comprises a handheld pipe, a connector and an adsorption pipe, wherein the connector is provided with a central through hole; the connection relation is that one end of the hand-held tube is internally provided with an air suction hole and an air exhaust hole which are parallel to each other, and the bottom ends of the air suction hole and the air exhaust hole are closed; the other end of the handheld pipe is provided with a central through hole, and the joint extends into the central through hole and is fixedly connected with the handheld pipe. US 2018 0 015 612 (PRICE) discloses a device comprising a handle; a motor that can generate vacuum pressure and is housed within the handle, a tube attached to the handle and through which the vacuum pressure can pass, wherein the tube includes a closure flap, a capture compartment and a filter guard in the half of the tube distal from the handle; and a mechanical snare comprising two or more movable appendages attached to the side of the tube near the end of the tube distal to the handle, wherein during operation the appendages are movable and able to hold and release an object, wherein the device is handheld. US 8 403 388 (WENDT et al) discloses a device to be used in conjunction with a pick and place machine to pick up and place very small components of a given width and length, comprising: a. a hybrid nozzle including the use of both vacuum and mechanical gripping components; such that when a vacuum is applied to the second end of the tube through the pick and place machine, the vacuum pulls the small component into a notch in the first end of the tube sealing the inside of the tube from an atmosphere so that the atmospheric pressure then forces the notched end of the hybrid nozzle to close on the sides of the captured component so that the component is held by both vacuum and mechanical mechanisms. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a handheld pickup device suitable for pills or the like comprising an elongated air conduit, from a first inlet to a vacuum production section, wherein the vacuum production section comprises a user control interface and the inlet comprises a displaceable seal. In this way the device of the present invention provides a means of easily and effectively picking up small items such as pills or tablets or the like, without bending and scrabbling. In some embodiments of the device the displaceable seal is over a collector, such that the device may be used to collect an item and the displaceable seal will displace to allow collection, and thereafter displace back to cover the collector and / or prevent exit of the item from the collector. In some such embodiments of the device the collector comprises a concave part, whereby the item is pulled progressively inwards. In some embodiments of the device the collector comprises a funnel mouth for example, wherein the funnel may provide a wider mouth so as to allow for a greater collection or picking up area, and the collector may provide a narrower space for collection, so as to aid a user in accessing the item from the collector after collection. In some embodiments of the device the collector comprises a perforated mesh over the inlet, so as to allow passage of air but not items. Such mesh may be envisaged to comprise a filter, and such filter may be envisaged to be cleanable, replaceable, or displaceable for cleaning or maintenance. In some embodiments of the device the displaceable seal comprises a circular disc, which may be hinged, for example comprising a rubber or silicone inelastic material, that is hinged or tethered along a perimetric segment of the disc so as to allow for displacement of a part of the seal, and returning to close the collector mouth. In some embodiments of the device the displaceable seal is located on or in a displaceable cover, such that the seal may be either displaced within the cover to access the item, or the cover displaced from the device to facilitate such access. In some embodiments of the device the cover comprises threaded engagement, for example, wherein the cover may be unscrewed to access the collected item. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a distal handgrip, which may be padded and it may be envisaged that the handgrip comprises a control interface located at the handgrip, which control may comprise a simple activation switch or progressive rocker. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an elongate air conduit which comprises a plurality of coaxially telescopic parts, which may include a locking means located at or near the handgrip. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, retracted and closed; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, telescopically extended and with the cover displaced; Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows diagrammatic side views of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a handheld pickup device 99 generally comprising an elongated air conduit 2, from a first inlet 1 to a vacuum production section 3, wherein the vacuum production section comprises a user control interface 32 and the inlet comprises a displaceable seal 12. With particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises an elongated air conduit, which is internal to a rigid bipartite pole member formed of two cylindrical parts 21,22, sharing a sprung pin 23 and hole 24 length adjustment means to secure an adjusted length. The bipartite pole member is formed in stainless steel. At a first end is a handle formed in two moulded parts 33 of rigid coloured plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or similar. The handle internally includes a rechargeable battery 36, a vacuum motor 35 and a fan 34, wherein the battery is charged using a universal serial bus (USB-c) charging socket 37 for ease of use. The embodiment further comprises a plastic collection funnel 13 that push-fits into the end of the telescopic pole, which provides a circular open end face 14 and a funnelled internal form, such that in use the end face is placed on or near a surface and any object is sucked into the funnel, towards the handle, and wherein internal the funnelled inner space there is internally a fine grille (not shown) which prevents objects such as pills traveling up the air conduit. Where the end face is circular the pictured embodiment further comprises a circular tray cover 11 which comprises has an annular top lip and a depending tray edge 14 that comprises an internal screw thread. This screw thread threads onto an external screw thread 16 on the funnel, and the circular end 12 provides a displaceable seal, which seal is a rubber nonreturn valve that prevents the pills from falling out the funnel after being sucked up. In this way the circular rubber or silicone seal is hinged to the annular lip around the cover, so as to allow for partial displacement. The pole member comprises a first inner stainless steel pole part with a rubber gasket and plastic lock which fixes in place once a second part is extended. The handle comprises a top part which attaches to a base casing part and houses the 5 fan, switch, motor, and batteries, and a base casing part which features a grille to act as an outlet for the fan as well as a rocker switch to turn the vacuum on or off. The vacuum is provided by a centrifugal fan attached to a motor shaft to efficiently create the low-pressure needed to create a vacuum, sucking the pills up. 10 The motor is a high torque DC motor which spins the fan at high speeds, and is powered bv a lithium battery pack. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated 15 that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A handheld pickup device suitable for pills or the like comprising an elongated air conduit, from a first inlet to a vacuum production section, wherein the vacuum production section comprises a user control interface and the inlet comprises a displaceable seal.

2. A handheld pickup device according to claim 1 wherein the displaceable seal is over a collector.

3. A handheld pickup device according to claim 2 wherein the collector comprises a concave part.

4. A handheld pickup device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the collector comprises a funnel mouth.

5. A handheld pickup device according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the collector comprises a perforated mesh over the inlet.

6. A handheld pickup device according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the displaceable seal comprises a circular disc.

7. A handheld pickup device according to any of preceding claims 2 to 6 wherein the seal is hinged.

8. A handheld pickup device according to claim wherein the displaceable seal is located on or in a displaceable cover.

9. A handheld pickup device according to claim 8 wherein the cover comprises threaded engagement.

10. A handheld pickup device according to any preceding claim comprising a distal handgrip.

11. A handheld pickup device according to any preceding claim comprising a control interface located at the handgrip.

12. A handheld pickup device according to any preceding claim comprising an elongate air conduit which comprises a plurality of coaxially telescopic parts.A