Patent Application
20140217247
1. Field of the Invention
A bag support assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The bag support assemblies of the type to which the subject invention pertains include a frame for supporting at least one bag presenting an opening vertically above a surface. One such assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,884 to Lawson et al., wherein a pair of spaced connector bars each have a first side and a second side and are attached to and supported by the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,283 to Redmon et al. further discloses a hoop to support the bag about the opening thereof. In addition, the frame disclosed in the Redmon et al. patent includes spaced front and rear connector bars having upturned lips for supporting the removable bags.
Because assemblies such as these usually support the bags between spaced and generally parallel connector bars, it is necessary to lift the bag up and over the connector bars when attaching the bag to the assembly or removing the bag from the assembly. Such assemblies can make it difficult and awkward to maneuver heavy bags. Additionally, many of the prior art assemblies include components that are not easily disassembled and reassembled for ease of storage or shipment.
The invention provides for such an assembly with at least one hook extending from the first side of the connector bar for receiving and positioning the hoop to rest upon the connector bar and to extend from the second side of the connector bar in a cantilevered fashion while retained by the hook.
The invention in its broadest aspect provides an assembly that eliminates the need for lifting the bags up and over the frame when placing bags on the frame or when removing bags. Additionally, the invention is easily disassembled and reassembled.
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a bag support assembly constructed in accordance with the subject invention is shown in the Figures.
The bag support assembly comprises a frame 20, generally shown, in
The frame 20 includes a plurality of tubes 38 for extending in parallel and spaced relationship perpendicularly between the beams 22 to be retained in the female receptacles 36 for spacing the beams 22 in parallel and spaced relationship relative to one another. As shown in
The frame 20 additionally includes two pairs of vertical rails 50 for disposition in parallel and spaced relationship and each having an upper end 52 and a lower end 54 for support by disposition in the cavity 48 of the beams 22. A lock collar 56, generally indicated, is attached to the lower end 54 of each pair of the vertical rails 50 for disposition in the cavity 48 in each of the beams 22 respectively to support the vertical rails 50 in the beams 22. The lock collars 56 each include a flange 58 extending radially from the vertical rails 50 for overlying the top 28 of the adjacent one of the beams 22 with the vertical rails 50 extending through and beyond the lock collars 56 and into the cavity 48 therein. A tab 60 (
A plurality of bags 62, preferably of fabric, each being generally quadrangular in shape (e.g., rectangular in cross section) present a quadrangular opening 64 for being supported on the frame 20. The bags 62 may be rigid or flexible and comprise metals, organic polymeric material, and any other materials such as, but not limited to Nylon, Polyester, or paperboard. The bags 62 may be used for containing laundry, toys, recycling items, without limitation. A plurality of hoops 66 each defining a quadrangle for supporting one of the bags 62 above the surface 46 are disposed about the opening 64 thereof, each hoop 66 having a circular cross section to present a round surface.
A connector bar 68 for attachment to the frame 20 extends between the pairs of the vertical rails 50 and parallel to the tubes 38. The connector bar 68 has a first side 70 and a second side 72 and is generally U-shaped to present substantially parallel legs 74 for support by the frame 20.
As best shown in
The frame 20 also includes a bracket 78 attached to the upper end 52 of each pair of the vertical rails 50. The brackets 78 extend transversely in a cantilevered fashion across the upper end 52 of each pair of the vertical rails 50 and outwardly from one of the vertical rails 50 of each pair and define a socket 80 for receiving and supporting the legs 74 of the connector bar 68. The brackets 78 each define a channel 82 extending from the socket 80 and disposed over the other of each pair of the vertical rails 50 for nesting the legs 74 of the connector bar 68.
As best shown in
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting.
