Tarp Bag Anchor System

Abstract

A cylindrical tarpaulin bag that provides a means to maintain its opening while placing contents in its interior cavity. The bag comprises an open first end and a closed second end. The opening includes a plurality of grommets for securing the rim of the opening to a ground structure using stakes, preventing movement as items are placed inside the bag. Handles are provided along the exterior of the bag, and the opening may be closed using an interlaced draw string around the rim. The device provides a means to anchor the bag opening to a base structure while contents are loaded therethrough, which is particularly useful when sweeping or raking leaves, refuse or other items into the bag along the ground.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/428,044 filed on Dec. 29, 2010, entitled “Tarp Bag Anchor System.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containment bags with improved means for loading debris and other refuse. More specifically, the present invention relates to leaf collection bags with means to maintain the position of the bag orifice when placing leaves and debris inside the bag cavity.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Leaf collecting and disposal is a seasonal task that requires a homeowner or contractor to mulch or collect and remove large quantities of fallen leaves. This is particularly true in wooded areas with high quantities of deciduous trees, such as areas in the northeastern United States. Seasonal weather change causes trees to drop their leaves for the winter, creating a bed of leaves on the ground. The leaves attract bugs and other pests if not attended to, as well as deprive the underlying grass of much needed sunlight during winter months.

Common methods of leaf removal include collecting fallen leaves in large trash bags by first raking them together, and then stuffing them into the bags. This method can quickly become difficult and tedious using traditional trash bags, which are generally comprised of a thin plastic material. The bag is easily torn by branches within the leaves, by the tools for collecting the leaves and by the shear bulk quantity of leaves placed into the bag. Compounding the problem is the issue of simultaneously loading the bags using a rake and holding the bag open. This task can be especially difficult when the bag is empty or nearly full, as the bag shifts when empty and its contents leak out when full. The opening of the bag does not remain stationary as leaves are pushed toward the bag, requiring the practitioner to bend over or otherwise support the opening of the bag as contents are loaded therein. This task can at times require two individuals, one to hold the bag open and the other to force the leaves into the opening.

An improved method and means of collecting leaves is required, one that is capable of maintaining the position of its opening while contents are loaded therein. The bag itself must be made of sufficient material strength that its contents do not easily cause a puncture or tear. Once the bag is full, a means for securely closing and handling the bag is also necessary. The present invention discloses such a device, providing a user with a unique collection bag that improves current collection devices and methods used to load and remove debris, refuse and fallen leaves from an area.

Devices have been disclosed in the art describing various modifications and alternatives to the leaf collection bag, as well as means for maintaining its opening. These patents describe bags with free-standing openings and reinforced material. Those with free-standing openings include metal inserts, drawstrings or other semi rigid devices that are placed within a hem along the rim of a bag to maintain its opening. While these devices are useful for keeping the opening ajar, they fail to stabilize the base of the opening, which is vital when raking leaves into the bag along the ground.

Still other devices in the art describe those which employ a drawstring closure and a collapsible structure. These devices are useful for storing empty bags and for closing bag contents; however they lack any improvement that would aid in the collection of leaves.

The most relevant devices with respect to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 3,135,984 to Henke and Published U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0110289 to Fishman. The Henke patent describes an improved leaf collection device comprising a container opening that is openly supported and staked into the ground surface. This provides a stable opening for the placement of leaves with a rake or broom. The Fishman application likewise describes a leaf bag device that utilizes stakes to control the opening of the bag. Both of these devices utilize similar means for stabilizing the bag opening, but fail to combine several useful elements that are necessary to effectively collect, handle and transport a large quantity of leaves.

The present invention is a leaf collection device that is both durable in construction and provides an improved means for loading contents into its opening. The bag is comprised of a tarpaulin material that is both strong and waterproof. This material is a woven laminate material that has a high tensile strength and is puncture resistant. Along the opening of the bag is a plurality of grommets and an interlaced drawstring for closure means. The grommets allow a stake to be driven therethrough and into the ground, securing the base of the bag against the ground while leaves are being loaded. Handles along the exterior of the bag allow a user the ability to easily carry the bag after it has been loaded, reducing strain the user while organizing the bags after leaf collection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of leaf collection bags now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new leaf collection bag wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when loading leaves and other debris into a bag for disposal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bag with a plurality of anchoring grommets along its opening to secure the opening to the ground surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bag comprised of a high strength tarpaulin material that is resistant to puncture or tearing when loaded with debris.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bag with a drawstring for closure means and exterior handles for improved handling of a fully loaded bag.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention in its working position.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the present invention in an upright, loaded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in its working position, wherein the bag opening 11 is secured to a ground surface using a plurality of stakes 15 that are placed through grommets along the rim 16 of the bag. In this configuration, the base of the opening 11 remains stationary as leaves and debris are pushed into the bag and through the opening 11. The friction of overpassing debris and contact with a rake or tool is reacted by the stakes 15, eliminating any motion that could close the bag opening 11. Exterior handles 13 are provided along the outer surface of the bag to improve handling while the bag is in its working position and after it has been loaded with contents.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a side view of the present invention in a loaded configuration. A quantity of leaves is placed through the bag opening 11 and the bag has been lifted into an upright configuration prior to closing the opening 11. The opening 11 is shut using a drawstring 12 that is interlaced along the rim of the opening 11. Grommets 14 along the rim provide attachment points for the ground stakes while the bag is being loaded. Handles 13 along the exterior of the bag provide improved handling of a loaded bag.

In use an individual places the bag on a ground surface and pushes a plurality of stakes through the grommets and into the ground. The base of the bag opening is secured while contents are loaded. The bag material is sufficient to allow the bag to remain open along its upper rim. The user may alternatively hold the upper portion of the opening while pushing contents therethrough, or he or she may hold one of the drawstring loops to keep the opening ajar. Contents may then be forced into the bag, and further compressed against the closed end. The stakes provide resistance to the compression, while the bag material is of sufficient strength to likewise resist tearing or puncture.

The plurality of stakes and associated grommets provide an anchoring system for the rim of the bag opening, improving the current methods of loading contents into a leaf bag. The stakes may be any suitable ground stake, including an elongated bar with a perpendicular bend at one end. The bend provides pull-through resistance while the shaft of the stake bears into the grommet. The drawstring along the opening provides the user a convenient way of closing the bag has been filled.

The material of the bag may be any suitable tarpaulin material commonly available or desirable to one skilled in the art. Its structure and laminate properties must be sufficient to withstand appropriate loading forces, and also be resistance to puncture from pointed objects and tools. The lamina may comprise of any appropriate water resistant plastic or a coated canvas. The draw string may similarly be chosen from a number of materials, including an elastic material or woven string.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A leaf collection bag, comprising:

a cylindrical bag with an open end and a closed end;

a plurality of grommets aligned along said open end;

a draw string interlaced around the perimeter of said open end;

a plurality of handles along said bag exterior and on said closed end;

a plurality of associated ground stakes for securing said open end to a ground surface through said grommets;

said bag comprised of a tarpaulin material having rigidity sufficient to hold said open end of said cylindrical bag open when it is secured to the ground.

2) A device as in claim 1, wherein said tarpaulin material is a waterproof, plastic tarpaulin.

3) A device as in claim 1, wherein said tarpaulin material is a coated cloth tarpaulin.

4) (canceled)

5) A device as in claim 1, wherein said ground stakes are L-shaped.

6) A device as in claim 1, wherein said ground stakes are T-shaped.