Bag support

Abstract

Disclosed is a bag holder for holding a mouth of a collapsible bag in an open position. The bag holder can include a ring member and a plurality of clips attached to the ring member and operable to attach to the mouth of the collapsible bag. The ring member can be expandable and include a plurality of arcuate ring member elements. The plurality of clips each have an attachment portion that is attached to the ring member and a releasable portion that is operable to move between a closed position and an open position. When the clip is in the open position, the clip is operable to accept a sheet, such as a bag material, between the releasable portion and the attachment portion. Once the sheet is located between the releasable portion and the attachment portion of the clip, moving the releasable portion to the closed position results in attachment of the sheet to the ring member. Also included is an optional stand that can support the ring member above a surface, the stand having a leg and a support rim.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/856,370 filed Nov. 3, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a support, and more specifically to a support for a collapsible bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of bags made from paper, plastics, cloth and the like is common. For example, trash, leaves, grass trimmings and the like can be placed within a collapsible bag for storage and/or disposal. However, the placement of such items into the bag can result in the mouth of the bag collapsing and thereby causing time delays, frustration, etc. In addition, the bag can be torn if the mouth of the bag is not held open properly when trash, leaves, grass trimmings, etc. are placed within. As such, a device for holding open the mouth of a collapsible bag would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a bag holder for holding a mouth of a collapsible bag in an open position. The bag holder can include a ring member and a plurality of clips attached to the ring member and operable to attach to the mouth of the collapsible bag. The ring member can be expandable and include a plurality of arcuate ring member elements. In some instances, the ring member has at least two large diameter arcuate tube elements and at least two small diameter arcuate tube elements, the small diameter tube elements being at least partially within the large diameter tube elements. The small diameter tube elements can have ends that are flared, the flared ends having a dimension such that the flared ends fit within the large tube diameter tube elements. An optional collar can be attached to ends of the large diameter tube elements, the collar partially enclosing an inner diameter of the large diameter tubing element and operable to prevent the flared end of a small diameter tubing from exiting the large diameter tubing.

The plurality of clips each have an attachment portion that is attached to the ring member and a releasable portion that is operable to move between a closed position and an open position. When the clip is in the open position, the clip is operable to accept a sheet, such as a bag material, between the releasable portion and the attachment portion. Once the sheet is located between the releasable portion and the attachment portion of the clip, moving the releasable portion to the closed position results in attachment of the sheet to the ring member. Attachment of the sheet to the ring member results in attachment of the mouth of the collapsible bag to the ring member. The clips can have a first leg with teeth that extends from the attachment portion, a second leg with teeth that extends from the first leg, the first and second legs operable to accept the sheet therebetween when the releasable portion of the clip is in the open position and grasp the sheet when the releasable portion is in the closed position. Also included is an optional stand that can support the ring member above a surface, the stand having a leg and a support rim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the ring member shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of a small diameter arcuate tube extending from a large diameter arcuate tube;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a clip in a closed position;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a clip in an open position; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stand according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a bag holder for holding a mouth of a collapsible bag in an open position. As such, the bag holder has utility as a collapsible bag accessory and/or as a yard or house maintenance accessory tool.

The bag holder disclosed herein includes a ring member and a plurality of clips attached to the ring member, the clips operable to attach to the mouth of the collapsible bag. The ring member can include a plurality of large diameter arcuate tube elements and a plurality of small diameter arcuate tube elements. The small diameter arcuate tube elements are dimensioned such that they slide within the large diameter arcuate tubing elements. In some instances, the ring member has at least two large diameter arcuate tube elements and at least two small diameter arcuate tube elements. The small diameter arcuate tube elements can have ends that are flared, the flared ends dimensioned such that they fit within an inner diameter of the large diameter arcuate tube elements. In addition, ends of the large diameter arcuate tube elements can include a collar attached thereto, the collar at least partially enclosing the inner diameter of the large diameter arcuate tube element such that the flared end of the small diameter arcuate tube element is prevented from exiting the large diameter arcuate tube element. When assembled, the small diameter arcuate tube elements with the flared ends fit at least partially within the large diameter arcuate tube elements and afford for an expandable ring member.

The clips can have an attachment portion that is attached to the ring member. In some instances, the attachment portion attaches to the large diameter arcuate tube element. Extending from the attachment portion is a first leg that can have teeth. Extending from the first leg can be a second leg having teeth, the second leg being part of a releasable portion that can snap fit onto the attachment portion and enclose a sheet between the first leg and the second leg and between the releasable portion and the ring element.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an embodiment is shown generally at reference numeral 10. The bag support 10 can include a ring member 100 and a plurality of clips 200. The ring member 100 can have a plurality of large diameter tube elements 110 and a plurality of small diameter tube elements 120. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the small diameter tube element 120 can fit and slide within the large diameter tube element 110. In some instances, there are at least two large diameter tube elements 110 and at least two small diameter tube elements 120. In other instances, there are four large diameter tube elements 110 and four small diameter tube elements 120.

With the small diameter tube elements 120 inserted at least partially into the large diameter tube elements 110 it is appreciated that the ring member 100 can be expanded or contracted by grasping the ring member 100 at two different locations and pushing or pulling in a first direction 1. The small diameter tube elements 120 are prevented from exiting the large diameter tube elements 110 such that the ring member 100 can have a maximum diameter and yet remain intact. In addition, it is appreciated that upon sliding of only two of the small diameter tube elements 120 in FIG. 1, an oval shape can be produced.

Looking now specifically at FIGS. 2 and 3, the small diameter tube elements 120 have an end 122, the end 122 having a flare 124. The flare 124 is dimensioned such that insertion of the small diameter tube 120 within the large diameter tube element 110 is still afforded. A collar 130 can be included, the collar 130 attached to an end 112 of the large diameter tube element 110. The collar 130 has a first section 132 that can be attached to the outer diameter of the large diameter tube element 110 and a second section 134 extending from the first section 132 in a generally perpendicular direction. The second section 134 partially encloses an inner diameter 111 of the large diameter tube element 110 such that the flare 124 cannot be removed from the large diameter tube element 110. In this manner, the ring member 100 can be expanded without coming apart. The collar 130 can be attached to the ring member 100 using any method of means known to those skilled in the art, illustratively including adhesives, sweating, brazing, soldering, welding, threads and the like.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a side cross-sectional view of a clip 200 is shown. The clip 200 can have an attachment portion 210 that is complementary to the outer diameter of the large diameter tube element 110. This attachment portion 210 is attached to the large diameter tube element 110. Extending from the attachment portion 210 is a first leg 220, the first leg 220 having a first end 222 and a second end 224. Between the first end 222 and the second end 224 optional teeth 223 can be included. Attached to the second end 224 using an adjoining section 226, is a second leg 230. The second leg 230 has a first end 232 attached to the adjoining section 226 and a second end 234. The second end 234 is attached to an arcuate member 242, the arcuate member 242 being generally complementary to the outer diameter of the large diameter tube element 110. A releasable portion 240 can include the arcuate member 242 and the second leg 230. In addition, the arcuate member 242 can include an aperture 243 that allows for the insertion of a stub 211 that is attached to the attachment portion 210.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the clip 200 is in a closed position. Looking specifically at FIG. 5, the clip 200 is in an open position and a sheet is inserted between the releasable portion 240 and the large diameter tube element 110. It is appreciated that the sheet can be part of a bag B. It is further appreciated that the sheet can be the edge of the bag B that forms the mouth of the bag. Upon movement of the releasable portion 240 in a direction 2, the clip 200 can be moved to the closed position with the mouth of the bag B attached or contained therein. In this manner, the mouth of the bag B can be rolled over the ring member 100 and at least partially inserted within the clip 200 and attached to the ring member 100. By doing so, the mouth of the bag B is forced to remain in an open position such that items can be placed in the bag without the mouth of the bag collapsing.

An optional stand 300 can be included, the stand 300 affording for the support of the ring member 100 above a surface. It is appreciated that support of the ring member 100 above a surface can include the support of the ring member 100 with the collapsible bag B attached thereto. The stand 300 can include a rim 310, the rim 310 having a leg 320 attached thereto. In some instances, the leg 320 can be attached to a base 330. In addition, the rim 310 can have a pair of legs 320 attached thereto. The leg 320 can have an inner tube 322 and an outer tube 324. The inner tube 322 is dimensioned such that it can slide at least partially within the outer tube 324. In some instances, the outer tube 324 can have a plurality of apertures 325 and the inner tube 322 can have a spring-loaded button 323 that is dimensioned to fit within the aperture 325. Thus if the overall distance between the rim 310 and the surface is desired to be altered, the rim 310 can be raised or lowered in a direction 3. When the spring-loaded button 323 of the inner tube 322 aligns with one of the apertures 325, the spring loaded button 323 extends at least partially through the aperture 325. In this manner, the height of the rim 310 can be adjusted and set at a predetermined distance.

In operation, the bag support 10 is taken and placed within a mouth of a bag. The ring member 100 is then expanded until it generally fits the inner surface of the bag mouth. The clips 200 can then be moved to the open position and the bag mouth rolled over the ring member 100 such that the top edge of the bag mouth is inserted within the clips 200. Once the bag mouth has been at least partially inserted within the clips 200, the clips 200 can be moved to the closed position, thereby attaching the bag mouth to the ring member 100. It is appreciated that once the bag mouth has been attached to the ring member 100 using the clips 200, the bag itself can provide for the ring member 100 to remain in the expanded position, assuming the bag has sufficient stiffness to do so. In the alternative, the ring member 100 can be locked into the expanded position using the collars 130 once the ring member 100 has been expanded to generally fit the inside of the bag mouth. The collars 130 can be screw-type collars or other types of fittings that afford for the securing of the small diameter tube element 120 at a desired location within the large diameter tubing element 110.

Once attached to the ring member 100, trash, grass clippings, leaves and the like can be placed within the bag B without the mouth of the bag collapsing. If use of the stand 300 is desired, the ring member 100 having the mouth of the bag attached thereto can be placed on top of the rim 310 with the rim 310 and legs 320 supporting the ring member 100 a predetermined distance above a surface. In addition, two stands 300 can be used such that the ring member 100 is placed on one of the rims 310 and then another rim 310 is brought into close proximity such that the ring member 100 with an attached bag is supported.

It is appreciated that the ring member 100 with the large diameter tube elements 110, small diameter tube elements 120 and collars 130 can be made from any material known to those skilled in the art, illustratively including metals, alloys, plastics, ceramics and combinations thereof. In addition, it is appreciated that the clips 200 and the stand 300 can also be made from any material known to those skilled in the art, illustratively including metals, alloys, plastics, ceramics and combinations thereof. In addition, although the embodiments have been described in the figures with round tubing, other shapes of tubing can be used, such as square tubing, hexagonal tubing and the like. It is also not required that the small diameter tubing elements that fit within the large diameter tubing elements be tubing at all, that is the inner element previously described as the small diameter tubing that fits within the outer element previously described as the large diameter tubing can be solid.

The foregoing drawings, discussion and description are illustrative of specific embodiments of the present invention, but they are not meant to be limitations upon the practice thereof. Numerous modifications and variations of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the teaching presented herein. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bag holder for holding a mouth of a collapsible bag in an open position, said bag holder comprising:

a ring member;

a plurality of clips attached to said ring member and operable to attach to the mouth of the collapsible bag.

2. The bag holder of claim 1, wherein said ring member is an expandable ring member having a plurality of arcuate ring member elements.

3. The bag holder of claim 2, wherein said ring member has at least two large diameter tube elements and at least two small diameter tube elements, said at least two small diameter tube elements at least partially within said at least two large diameter tube elements.

4. The bag holder of claim 3, wherein said ring member has four large diameter tube elements and four small diameter tube elements.

5. The bag holder of claim 3, wherein said small diameter tube elements have flared ends, said flared ends of said small diameter tube elements dimensioned to fit within said large tube diameter tube elements.

6. The bag holder of claim 3, further comprising a jam fitting on an end of one of said large diameter tubing elements, said jam fitting partially enclosing an inner diameter of said large diameter tubing element and operable to prevent said flared end of said small diameter tubing from exiting said large diameter tubing.

7. The bag holder of claim 3, wherein said plurality of clips have an attachment portion attached to said ring member and a releasable portion operable to move between a closed position and an open position.

8. The bag holder of claim 7, wherein said open position of said clip is operable to accept a sheet between said releasable portion and said ring member.

9. The bag holder of claim 8, wherein said plurality of clips have a first leg with teeth extending from said attachment portion and a second leg with teeth extending from said first leg, said first and second legs operable to accept the sheet when said releasable portion of said clip is in an open position and grasp the sheet when said releasable portion is on a closed position.

10. The bag holder of claim 1, further comprising a support stand operable to support said ring member above a surface, said support stand having a leg and a support rim, said leg attached to said support rim.

11. The bag holder of claim 10, wherein said leg is telescopic.

12. The bag holder of claim 10, wherein said support rim is attached to a pair of legs.

13. The bag holder of claim 10, wherein said stand has a pair of support rims, each of said support rims attached to a pair of legs.

14. An expandable bag holder for holding a mouth of a collapsible bag in an open position, said bag holder comprising:

an expandable ring member having at least two large diameter arcuate tube elements and at least two small diameter arcuate tube elements at least partially within said at least two large diameter arcuate tube elements;

said arcuate tube elements having a first end and a second end;

said first and second ends of said at least two small diameter arcuate tube elements being flared, said flared ends dimensioned to fit at least partially within said first and second end of said at least two large diameter arcuate tube elements; and

a plurality of clips, each of said plurality of clips having an attachment portion attached to said ring member and a releasable portion operable to move between a closed position and an open position.

15. The bag holder of claim 14, wherein said ring member has four large diameter tube elements and four small diameter tube elements.

16. The bag holder of claim 14, further comprising a jam fitting on an end of one of said large diameter tubing elements, said jam fitting partially enclosing an inner diameter of said large diameter tubing element and operable to prevent said flared end of said small diameter tubing from exiting said large diameter tubing.

17. The bag holder of claim 14, wherein said open position of said clip is operable to accept a sheet between said releasable portion and said ring member.

18. The bag holder of claim 17, wherein said plurality of clips have a first leg with teeth extending from said attachment portion and a second leg with teeth extending from said first leg, said first and second legs operable to accept the sheet when said releasable portion of said clip is in an open position and grasp the sheet when said releasable portion is on a closed position.

19. The bag holder of claim 14, further comprising a support stand operable to support said ring member above a surface, said support stand having a leg and a support rim, said leg attached to said support rim.