Patent Application
20090230258
The present invention relates to outdoor recreation and, more particularly, to camping
When going camping outdoors, there is often quite a distance from a campsite to the nearest garbage can. Because of this distance, campers will generally store up their trash in a plastic trash bag and once or twice a day take it to a more suitable disposal unit when they walk out before the day's activities. This situation maintains a closed trash bag that is inconvenient to open and close constantly every time it is needed for use to make a deposit to. My trash bag holder not only holds the bag open for convenience in depositing trash and provides an easy way to mount it on a nearby tree trunk, but also has a closable lid which keeps out pests such as yellow-jackets, wasps, and other irritating insects.
There are a number of various other trash bag holders available.
Prior art trash bag holders may hold the bag open constantly for convenience, but in a wildlife, camping environment, the refuse remains exposed to the air which attracts irritating, flying insects such as yellow-jackets, wasps, and bees. Since prior art applications do not contain a lid, the exposure of the trash becomes a strong attractant to flying, stinging insects and other wildlife.
It would be advantageous to provide a method to hold open a trash bag for easy deposits of trash items when camping
It would also be advantageous to provide a method to secure a trash bag holder to a tree since trees are abundant in a camping setting.
It would further be advantageous to provide a method to cover the exposed trash with a lid to keep from attracting stinging and biting insects and other wildlife.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device to hold open a trash bag for easy deposit of garbage in a camping or outdoor picnicking environment while securing said device to a tree or pole/post while also providing a closable lid to cover the opening and keep out insects. A geometrically shaped frame or bracket is secured to a backing frame in which said frame may be mounted to a tree by a strap or mounted by brackets onto a pole or post. The trash bag support frame/bracket is encircled by two tension closed arms which hold the trash bag firmly in place so it does not slip out when loaded with trash. The preferred embodiment of the tensioning device element would be what is commonly called a spring, and provides tension to the pressure arms to hold them closed against the trash bag support frame. Alternative embodiments of the tensioning device might include, but is not limited to, a rubber, elastic, or bungee type strap, a hook, latch, or catch, or any other type device which would maintain the pressure arms closed tightly enough to secure the trash bag against the trash bag support frame. A lid connected by a pivoting swing connector device(s), commonly called a hinge(s), is positioned in a manner so it may be lifted up to open position to deposit trash and closed to seal off bag opening from intruding insects and minimize odors from wild animals.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.
The present invention provides a trash-bag holder. Within this context the present invention relates to plastic garbage or trash bags; but, the invention is also useful for other types of flexible bags.
Within the preferred embodiment, the invention uses a central body 7 which is adapted to be strapped to a tree trunk. The central body 7 is connected to a trash bag support frame 3 in the form of a rigid ring. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses metal; those of ordinary skill in the art readily recognize other materials which will serve in this capacity, such as but not limited to, high strength plastic, fiberglass, or composite material.
When the trash bag support frame 3 is attached to the central body 7, it creates a framework through which the plastic garbage/trash bag 9 is inserted. With the trash bag 9 is folded over the trash bag support frame 3, two opposing pressure arms 4 close together to encircle and hold the trash bag 9 between the trash bag support frame 3 and the pressure arms 4. Spring action tension is created to firmly secure the pressure arms 4 closed so as to prevent slippage during the loading of the bag with refuse. The tension of the pressure arms 4 is maintained by a tensioning device 5 such as but is not limited to, a spring connector. Once so installed, the mouth of the plastic bag is kept open; and when the central body 7 is strapped to a tree, the bag's mouth is properly positioned to serve as a portable garbage receptacle. To keep from attracting outdoor pests such as flying insects, a hinged lid cover 2 seals the opening to the mouth of the trash receptacle. The cover 2 is lifted up to deposit trash and closed once a deposit is made.
When the bag is full, it is easily removed from the trash bag support frame 3.
The invention, together with various embodiments thereof, will be more fully explained by the accompanying drawings and the following explanation.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,386, issued Nov. 18, 2003, for REFUSE BAG HOLDER, by Rheinhardt, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,732, issued Oct. 23, 2007, for NON LIFT BAG HOLDER FRAME, by Lopa, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,717, issued Aug. 12, 2003, for BAG HOLDER, by Stanfield, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,241, issued Dec. 3, 2002, for CABINET MOUNTED TRASH BAG HOLDER, by Kyte, et al., included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. D458,131, issued Jun. 4, 2002, for CLOSED RING TRASH BAG HOLDER, by Weber, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,802, issued Mar. 13, 2001, for COLLAPSIBLE TRASH BAG HOLDER, by Scheibe, Sr., included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,022, issued Jul. 11, 2000, for SHOULDER-MOUNTED TRASH BAG HOLDER, by Dalton, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,820, issued Dec. 21, 1999, for PLASTIC BAG HOLDER, by Baldonado, et al., included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,595, issued Dec. 1, 1998, for MOBILE TRASH/GARBAGE BAG HOLDER WITH OPEN BOTTOM, by Williams, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,838, issued Oct. 27, 1998, for TRASH BAG STAND, by Forbes, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,495, issued Apr. 7, 1998, for TRASH BAG HOLDING DEVICE, by Kubota, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,494, issued Apr. 7, 1998, for BAG HOLDER, by Kurk, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,400, issued Feb. 17, 1998, for TRASH BAG HOLDER WITH HANDLE, by Dwy, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,431, issued Oct. 10, 1995, for APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING A TRASH BAG, by Ilnisky, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,219, issued Aug. 18, 1992, for BAG HOLDER, by Navarro, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,751, issued Jun. 4, 1991, for GARBAGE BAG AND UTILITY HOLDER, by Larkin, included by reference herein.
