TREA

Collapsible Frame for Supporting a Bag

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Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20110168854
  • Publication Number
    20110168854
  • Date Filed
    January 08, 2010
    15 years ago
  • Date Published
    July 14, 2011
    13 years ago
Information
Abstract
A collapsible frame includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth bones. The first bone includes a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The second bone includes a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The third bone includes two lateral segments. The fourth bone includes two lateral segments. Each of the vertical segments of the first bone is pivotally connected to a related one of the lateral segments of the third bone and a related one of the lateral segments of the fourth bone. The horizontal segment of the first bone is pivotally connected to the horizontal segment of the second bone. Each of the vertical segments of the second bone is pivotally connected to an end of the fifth bone and an end of the sixth bone.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention


The present invention relates to a collapsible frame for supporting a bag for containing things.


2. Related Prior Art


There are various containers such as baskets, boxes, buckets, cases and tanks for containing things. Most of the containers include fixed configurations that cannot be collapsed. Therefore, it takes a large space and costs a lot of money in storing and transporting the containers.


The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.


SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a collapsible frame for supporting a bag for containing things.


To achieve the forgoing objective, the collapsible frame includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth bones. The first bone includes a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The second bone includes a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The third bone includes two lateral segments. The fourth bone includes two lateral segments. A first joint pivotally connects one of the vertical segments of the first bone to one of the lateral segments of the third bone and one of the lateral segments of the fourth bone. A second joint pivotally connects the other vertical segment of the first bone to the other lateral segment of the third bone and the other lateral segment of the fourth bone. A third joint pivotally connects the horizontal segment of the first bone to the horizontal segment of the second bone. A fourth joint pivotally connects one of the vertical segments of the second bone to an end of the fifth bone and an end of the sixth bone. A fifth joint pivotally connects the other vertical segment of the second bone to another end of the fifth bone and another end of the sixth bone.


Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of two embodiments referring to the drawings where:



FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible frame according to the first embodiment of the present invention;



FIGS. 2 through 4 are perspective views of the collapsible frame to show a process for turning the collapsible frame to a collapsed position from an extended position shown in FIG. 1;



FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnecting bones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “A” in FIG. 1;



FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnecting bones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “B” in FIG. 1;



FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnecting bones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “C” in FIG. 1;



FIG. 8 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnecting bones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “D” in FIG. 1;



FIG. 9 is a perspective view of collapsible frame according to the second embodiment of the present invention;



FIGS. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the collapsible frame to show a process for turning the collapsible frame to a collapsed position from an extended position shown in FIG. 9;



FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partial view of a device for interconnecting bones of the collapsible frame as indicated with “E” in FIG. 9; and



FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bag supported on the collapsible frame shown in FIG. 1.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a collapsible frame includes a first bone 11, a second bone 12, a third bone 13, a fourth bone 14, a fifth bone 15 and a sixth bone 16 pivotally connected to one another according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 13, the collapsible frame can support a bag 30 for containing things. The first bone 11 is a U-shaped bone including a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments.


The second bone 12 is also a U-shaped bone including a horizontal segment extending between two vertical segments. The horizontal segment of the second bone 12 is pivotally connected to the horizontal segment of the first bone 11 with a joint 113 as clearly shown in FIG. 6.


With the joint 113, the collapsible frame is collapsible about an axis Z.


The third bone 13 includes two lateral segments 131 and 132 between two horizontal segments 133 and 134. The horizontal segment 133 is formed with two bosses 135. The lateral segments 131 and 132 are in perpendicular to the horizontal segments 133 and 134. Therefore, the third bone 13 includes a substantially rectangular configuration. A bent segment 20 extends between the horizontal segment 134 and each of the lateral segments 131 and 132. The bent segments 20 are used as feet for contact with the ground or a floor.


Similarly, the fourth bone 14 includes two lateral segments 141 and 142 between two horizontal segments 143 and 144. The horizontal segment 143 is formed with two bosses 145. The lateral segments 141 and 142 are in perpendicular to the horizontal segments 143 and 144. Therefore, the fourth bone 14 includes a substantially rectangular configuration. A bent segment 20 extends between the horizontal segment 144 and each of the lateral segments 141 and 142. The bent segments 20 are used as feet for contact with the ground or the floor.


The lateral segment 131 of the third bone 13 and the lateral segment 141 of the fourth bone 14 are pivotally connected to a tip of a related one of the vertical segments of the first bone 11 with a joint 111 as clearly shown in FIG. 5. Similarly, the lateral segment 132 of the third bone 13 and the lateral segment 142 of the fourth bone 14 are pivotally connected to a tip of the other vertical segment of the first bone 11 with a joint 112. The joints 111 and 112 are identical. With the joints 111 and 112, the collapsible frame is collapsible about an axis X.


The fifth bone 15 is an inverted U-shaped bone including a horizontal segment 151 extending between two lateral segments. The horizontal segment 151 of the fifth bone 15 is in perpendicular to the lateral segments of the fifth bone 15.


The sixth bone 16 is also an inverted U-shaped bone including a horizontal segment 161 extending between two lateral segments. The horizontal segment 161 of the sixth bone 16 is in perpendicular to the lateral segments of the sixth bone 16.


One of the lateral segments of the fifth bone 15 and a related one of the lateral segments of the sixth bone 16 are pivotally connected to a tip of a related one of the vertical segments of the second bone 12 with a joint 121. Similarly, the other lateral segment of the fifth bone 15 and the other lateral segment of the sixth bone 16 are pivotally connected to a tip of the other vertical segment of the second bone 12 with a joint 122. The joints 121 and 122 are identical. With the joints 121 and 122, the collapsible frame is collapsible about an axis Y.


Referring to FIG. 7, a connecting device detachably connects the horizontal segment of the second bone 12 to the horizontal segment 134 of the third bone 13. Another connecting device detachably connects the horizontal segment of the second bone 12 to the horizontal segment 144 of the fourth bone 14. Each of the connecting devices includes a hook 17 extending from each end of the horizontal segment of the second bone 12. One of the hooks 17 hooks the horizontal segment 134 of the third bone 13. The other hook 17 hooks the horizontal segment 144 of the fourth bone 14.


Referring to FIG. 8, a connecting device detachably connects the horizontal segment 151 of the fifth bone 15 to the lateral segment 131 of the third bone 13. Another connecting device detachably connects the horizontal segment 151 of the fifth bone 15 to the lateral segment 141 of the fourth bone 14. Another connecting device detachably connects the horizontal segment 161 of the sixth bone 16 to the lateral segment 131 of the third bone 13. Another connecting device detachably connects the horizontal segment 161 of the sixth bone 16 to the lateral segment 141 of the fourth bone 14.


Each of the connecting devices includes a hook 17 extending from each end of each of the horizontal segments 151 and 161. A space 18 is hence defined by each of the hooks 17 and a related one of the lateral segments of a related one of the bones 15 and 16. Each of the spaces 18 receives a related one of the lateral elements 131, 132, 141 and 142. The bosses 135 and 145 prevent the hooks 17 from sliding along the horizontal segments 133 and 143. In addition, a movable restraining element 19 can be used to retain the lateral elements 131, 132, 141 and 142 within the spaces 18.


The collapsible frame can be moved between an extended position as shown in FIG. 1 and a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 2. Obviously, it takes a small space and costs a little money in storing and transporting the collapsible frame.


To collapse the collapsible frame, the restraining elements 19 are removed from the bones 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the bones 13 and 14 are pivoted towards each other about the axis X for a small angle and released from the hooks 17. Then, the bones 15 and 16 are pivoted towards each other about the axis Y and located against each other as shown in FIG. 3. Then, the second bone 12, together with the bones 15 and 16, is pivoted on the first bone 11 about the axis Z. Thus, the bones 11 and 12 are substantially in a same plane. The bones 13 and 14 are further pivoted towards each other about the axis X and finally located against each other.


To extend the collapsible frame, the bones 11 and 12 are opened so that there is an angle of 90 degrees between the horizontal segment of the first bone 11 and the horizontal segment of the second bone 12. The bones 13 and 14 are opened so that the lateral segment 131 and the lateral segment 141 form a X-shaped structure and that the lateral segment 132 and the lateral segment 142 form another X-shaped structure. The bones 15 and 16 are opened so that each of the lateral segments of the fifth bone 15 and a related one of the lateral segments of the sixth bone 16 form a V-shaped structure. Finally, the horizontal segments 151 and 161 are connected to the horizontal segments 133 and 143.


Referring to FIG. 13, the bag 30 includes four extensive portions 31 extending from an edge around an open end thereof. Each of the extensive portions 31 is wound around a related one of the horizontal segments 133, 143, 151 and 161. Thus, the bag 30 is opened and supported on the collapsible frame, and things can easily be tossed into the bag 30.


Referring to FIGS. 9 through 12, there is shown a collapsible frame according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except a few things. Firstly, each of the bones 15 and 16 extends in an arch instead of along an inverted U-shaped path. Secondly, there is a seventh bone 133 instead of the horizontal segment 133 of the third bone 13. Thirdly, there is an eighth bone 143 instead of the horizontal segment 143 of the fourth bone 14. Each of the bones 133 and 143 extends in an arch. Each end of the seventh bone 133 is pivotally connected to an end of the eighth bone 143 with a joint 21. The bones 133 and 143 form a circular structure as the collapsible frame is in the extended position. The circular structure is detachably connected to each of the bones 15 and 16 with a clip 19. Each of the clips 19 includes a lower arched portion for hooking a related one of the bones 15 and 16 and two upper arched portions 191 each for hooking a related one of the bones 133 and 143. Each of the lower and upper arched portions looks like a “C” from an end. The seventh bone 133 is pivotally connected to each of the lateral segments 131 and 132 of the third bone 13 with a joint. The eighth bone 143 is pivotally connected to each of the lateral segments 141 and 142 of the fourth bone 14 with another joint. An end of each of the bones 133 and 143 is pivotally connected to a middle point 151 of the fifth bone 15. Another end of each of the bones 133 and 143 is pivotally connected to a middle point 161 of the sixth bone 16. The collapsible frame can be moved between an extended position as shown in FIG. 3 and a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 4.


The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims
  • 1. A collapsible frame comprising: a first bone (11) including two vertical segments and a horizontal segment extending between the vertical segments;a second bone (12) including two vertical segments and a horizontal segment extending between the vertical segments thereof;a third bone (13) including two lateral segments (131, 132);a fourth bone (14) including two lateral segments (141, 142);a fifth bone (15);a sixth bone (16);a first joint (111) for pivotally connecting one of the vertical segments of the first bone (11) to one of the lateral segments (131) of the third bone (13) and one of the lateral segments (141) of the fourth bone (14);a second joint (112) for pivotally connecting the other vertical segment of the first bone (11) to the other lateral segment (132) of the third bone (13) and the other lateral segment (142) of the fourth bone (14);a third joint (113) for pivotally connecting the horizontal segment of the first bone (11) to the horizontal segment of the second bone (12);a fourth joint (121) for pivotally connecting one of the vertical segments of the second bone (12) to an end of the fifth bone (15) and an end of the sixth bone (16);a fifth joint (122) for pivotally connecting the other vertical segment of the second bone (12) to another end of the fifth bone (15) and another end of the sixth bone (16).
  • 2. The collapsible frame according to claim 1, including a connecting device for detachably connecting the horizontal segment (151; 162) of each of the fifth and sixth bones (15, 16) to a related one of the lateral segments (131, 132; 141, 142) of a related one of the third and fourth bones (13, 14).
  • 3. The collapsible frame according to claim 2, wherein the connecting device includes a hook (17) and a recess (18) for receiving the hook (17).
  • 4. The collapsible frame according to claim 3, wherein the connecting device includes a movable restraining element (19) for retaining the hook (17) in the recess (18).
  • 5. The collapsible frame according to claim 1, wherein the third bone (13) includes a lower horizontal segments (134) extending between the lateral segments (131, 132) thereof, wherein the fourth bone (14) includes a lower horizontal segment (144) extending between the lateral segments (141, 142) thereof.
  • 6. The collapsible frame according to claim 5, wherein the third bone (13) includes an upper horizontal segment (133) extending between the lateral segments (131, 132) thereof, wherein the fourth bone (14) includes an upper horizontal segment (143) extending between the lateral segments (141, 142) thereof, wherein each of the third and fourth bones (13, 14) includes a rectangular configuration.
  • 7. The collapsible frame according to claim 6, wherein each of the fifth and sixth bones (15, 16) includes a rectangular configuration.
  • 8. The collapsible frame according to claim 5, including a seventh bone (133) pivotally connected to the lateral segments (131, 132) of the third bone (13) and an eighth bone (143) pivotally connected to the lateral segments (141, 142) of the fourth bone (14), wherein the seventh bone (133) is pivotally connected to the eighth bone (143).
  • 9. The collapsible frame according to claim 8, wherein each of the seventh and eighth bones (133, 143) includes an arched configuration.
  • 10. The collapsible frame according to claim 9, wherein the seventh and eighth bones (133, 143) for a circular structure as the collapsible frame is in an extended position.
  • 11. The collapsible frame according to claim 9, wherein each of the fifth and sixth bones (15, 16) includes an arched configuration.
  • 12. The collapsible frame according to claim 5, wherein each of the third and fourth bones (13, 14) includes a bent segment (20) extending between the lower horizontal segment (134, 144) thereof and each of the lateral segments (131, 132; 141, 142) thereof.