Illuminated dog waste collection tool

1. An apparatus for collecting pet waste comprising:

a handle; and

said handle engaged about a pivot; and

said pivot supported within an electronics housing; and

said electronics housing for containing a power source and a switch; and

an illuminated bag-holding ring fixedly engaged with said electronics housing, further comprising:

an annular lens; and

an annular illuminated structure; wherein

the power source powers the illuminated structure when switched on, such that the illuminated bag-holding ring illuminates the rim of a bag held about the illuminated bag-holding ring for the collection of pet waste when the handle is pivoted about the pivot and held in proximity of the pet while the pet is eliminating waste.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a switch fixedly engaged within said electronics housing; and

said switch electronically coupled with said power source; and

said power source electronically coupled with said annular illuminated structure; and

said switch proximal to said handle when said handle is moved to an open position; wherein

the movement of said handle depresses the switch and illuminates said illuminated structure during use.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a flexible clamp engaged with said illuminated bag-holding ring proximal to said handle when pivoted to a closed position; wherein

said bag may be placed between said flexible clamp and said closed handle to grasp a full bag when carrying.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

said annular lens is fixedly engaged with an annular lens cover comprised of a castable elastomer material of a durometer Shore-00 between 0 and 70, for gripping a bag by surface friction as the bag is draped over the annular lens cover.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said illuminated structure is an annular array of light-emitting diodes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said illuminated structure is an edge-lit transparent polymer and wherein said electronic housing further comprises a light source proximal to said edge-lit transparent polymer; wherein

said light source is directed toward the edge of the illuminated structure and light is transmitted through the transparent polymer to illuminate the illuminated bag-holding ring.

7. An apparatus for collecting pet waste comprising:

a telescoping handle having a proximal end and a distal end; and

said telescoping handle, proximal end, having a handle grip containing a power source and a switch; and

said telescoping handle's distal end is engaged about a pivot; and

an illuminated bag-holding ring pivotally engaged with said pivot, further comprising:

an annular, illuminated structure electronically coupled with said switch and said power source; and

an elastomeric ringed lens cover; wherein

the switch controls the flow of electricity from the power source to the illuminated structure in the illuminated bag-holding ring which illuminates the rim of a bag held about the illuminated bag-holding ring for the collection of pet waste when held in proximity of the pet while the pet is eliminating waste.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a clip for holding said bag for transporting said bag when it is full.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said annular illuminated structure is an annular array of light-emitting diodes.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said illuminated structure is an edge-lit transparent polymer and wherein said switch and said power source are further coupled with a light source proximal to said edge-lit transparent polymer; wherein

said light source is directed toward the edge of the illuminated structure and light is transmitted through the transparent polymer to illuminate the illuminated bag-holding ring.