Claims
- 1. A rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration, the rack comprising:
- a stake including a lower end, a receiving slot adjacent to an upper end thereof, and an inner surface;
- a bag support ring having a primary plane and including a rear support member and at least one front support member which lie in the primary plane, wherein the rear support member includes an integral U-shaped support anchor offset from the primary plane, the support anchor being inserted through the stake receiving slot and engaging the stake inner surface to fix the bag support ring relative to the stake; and
- a cap slidably positioned over the upper end of the stake to substantially enclose the stake receiving slot and prevent unintended disassociation of the bag support ring from the stake.
- 2. A rack as set forth in claim 1, including means pivotable with respect to the bag support ring for substantially covering an open end of the flexible collection bag when supported by the rack.
- 3. A rack as set forth in claim 2, wherein the means for substantially covering the open end of the flexible collection bag includes a lid having at least one clip-like hinge along an edge thereof, for removably attaching the lid to the rear support member, wherein the lid is configured to substantially overlie and rest upon the bag support ring in a closed configuration, and pivot away from the at least one front support member in an open configuration.
- 4. A rack as set forth in claim 3, wherein the lid includes means for deodorizing the flexible collection bag and its contents.
- 5. A rack as set forth in claim 4, wherein the deodorizing means includes a basket hinged to the lid, for holding a deodorant cake in a manner wherein the deodorant cake is exposed to the flexible collection bag and its contents.
- 6. A rack as set forth in claim 5, wherein the basket is hinged to an underside of the lid, and wherein the lid includes a screen positioned over the basket.
- 7. A rack as set forth in claim 1, wherein the stake includes a rearward base wall extending the length of the stake, which provides the inner surface, a pair of facing side walls joined to opposite longitudinal edges of the base wall and configured to create a spike at the lower end, and keyway means provided in the base wall for hanging the stake on a nail or the like.
- 8. A rack as set forth in claim 7, wherein the base and side walls form a channel extending substantially the length of the stake, and wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot having a thickness corresponding substantially to the thickness of the rear support member, wherein the slot extends across the entire width of the base wall and approximately one half the width of the side walls perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the stake.
- 9. A rack as set forth in claim 8, wherein the U-shaped support anchor of the rear support member is configured for insertion through the receiving slot to be housed within the channel, the U-shaped support anchor extending away from the primary plane of the bag support ring and being configured such that the bag support ring is fixed at an angle within the range of 50 degrees to 85 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the stake.
- 10. A rack as set forth in claim 9, wherein the bag support ring comprises a closed segment of bent wire.
- 11. A rack as set forth in claim 9, wherein the bag support ring has a generally triangular configuration, such that the rear support member forms one side of the triangle and is centrally supported by the stake, and two front support members integrally formed with the rear support member, which form the remaining sides of the triangle.
- 12. A rack as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cap includes two opposite slots extending upwardly from a lower end thereof, to accommodate sliding the cap over portions of the rear support member adjacent to the U-shaped support anchor.
- 13. A portable receptacle for collecting articles, the receptacle comprising:
- a channel-like stake having an upper end and a spiked lower end, the stake including a rearward base wall extending the length of the stake, a pair of facing sidewalls joined to opposite longitudinal edges of the base wall, and a receiving slot extending through said base wall adjacent to the upper end;
- means for supporting the periphery of a flexible bag in an open configuration, the bag supporting means including means insertable through the receiving slot for engaging the stake and thereby fixing the bag supporting means relative to the stake;
- a flexible bag having a generally unitary, enclosing side wall, a permanently closed lower end and an openable upper end, the periphery of the openable upper end being held in an open configuration by the bag supporting means; and
- means pivotable with respect to the bag supporting means, for covering the openable upper end and selectively enclosing, in connection with the bag, articles placed within the bag.
- 14. A receptacle as set forth in claim 13, wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot having a thickness corresponding substantially to the thickness of the bag supporting means, wherein the slot extends across the entire width of the base wall and approximately one half the width of the side walls perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the stake.
- 15. A receptacle as set forth in claim 14, wherein the bag supporting means comprises a bag support ring having a primary plane and including a rear support member and at least one front support member which lie in the primary plane, wherein the rear support member includes an integral U-shaped support anchor offset from the primary plane, the support anchor being inserted through the stake receiving slot and engaging an inner surface of the base wall to fix the bag support ring relative to the stake.
- 16. A receptacle as set forth in claim 15, wherein the U-shaped support anchor of the rear support member is configured for insertion through the receiving slot to be housed within the channel-like stake, the U-shaped support anchor extending away from the primary plane of the bag support ring and being configured such that the bag support ring is fixed at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the stake.
- 17. A receptacle as set forth in claim 16, wherein the bag support ring comprises a closed segment of bent wire having a generally triangular configuration, such that the rear support member forms one side of the triangle and is centrally supported by the stake, and two front support members, integrally formed with the rear support member, form the remaining sides of the triangle.
- 18. A receptacle as set forth in claim 15, including a cap positioned over the upper end of the stake to substantially enclose the stake receiving slot and prevent disassociation of the bag support ring from the stake, the cap including two opposite slots extending upwardly from a lower end thereof, to accommodate sliding the cap over portions of the rear support member.
- 19. A receptacle as set forth in claim 13, wherein the means for covering the openable upper end of the bag includes a lid having at least one clip-like hinge along an edge thereof, for removably attaching the lid to the bag supporting means, wherein the lid is configured to substantially overlie and rest upon the bag supporting means in a closed configuration, and pivot away from the bag supporting means in an open configuration.
- 20. A receptacle as set forth in claim 19, wherein the lid includes means for deodorizing the flexible bag and its contents, wherein the deodorizing means includes a basket hinged to the lid for holding a deodorant cake.
- 21. A rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration, the rack comprising:
- a channel-like stake having an upper end and a spiked lower end, the stake including a rearward base wall extending the length of the stake, a pair of facing side walls joined to opposite longitudinal edges of the base wall, and a receiving slot adjacent to the upper end, wherein the receiving slot extends across the entire width of the base wall and approximately one half the width of the side walls perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the stake, and keyway means provided in the base wall below the receiving slot, for hanging the stake on a nail or the like;
- means for supporting the periphery of a flexible bag in an open configuration, the bag supporting means including means insertable through the receiving slot for engaging the stake and thereby fixing the bag supporting means relative to the stake, the bag supporting means comprising a bag support ring having a primary plane and including a rear support member and a pair of integrally formed front support members which, collectively, have a triangular configuration and lie in the primary plane, wherein the rear support member includes an integral U-shaped support anchor offset from the primary plane, the support anchor being inserted through the stake receiving slot and engaging an inner surface of the base wall to fix the bag support ring relative to the stake at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the stake, wherein the bag support ring comprises a closed segment of bent wire;
- a cap slidably positioned over the upper end of the stake to substantially enclose the stake receiving slot and prevent unintended disassociation of the bag support ring from the stake, the cap including two opposite slots extending upwardly from a lower end thereof, to accommodate sliding the cap over portions of the rear support member;
- means pivotable with respect to the bag supporting means, for covering the bag supporting means and a bag supported thereon, the covering means including a lid having at least one clip-like hinge along an edge thereof, for removably attaching the lid to the rear support member, wherein the lid is configured to substantially overlie and rest upon the bag support ring in a closed configuration, and pivot away from the front support members in an open configuration; and
- means for deodorizing a flexible collection bag supported by the rack, the deodorizing means including a basket hinged to an underside of the lid, for holding a deodorant cake.
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/379,287, filed July 13, 1989 and entitled RACK OR HOLDER FOR FLEXIBLE GARBAGE BAGS.
This invention relates generally to portable receptacles for collecting articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration.
The development of high-strength flexible collection bags has led to increasing use of such bags by consumers for a number of purposes, including the collection of trash, the collection and storage of recyclable aluminum cans, for the storage of other household items, the lining of various containers, etc. Using the well-known plastic garbage bag as an example, most flexible collection bags have a generally unitary, enclosing side wall, a permanently closed lower end and an openable upper end.
Many specialty devices have been developed in order to support lawn bags, garbage bags and similar types of collection bags, in a generally vertical open configuration to facilitate loading thereof. One exemplary refuse bag support is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,740, the contents of which are incorporated herein. There, an articulated bag support frame is shown which can be adjusted to accommodate bags of different sizes, and to support such bags over varying terrain and in different vertical and horizontal orientations. As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,740, there have been a number of such support frame devices developed, all having as a basic purpose that of holding the openable upper end of the flexible bag in an open configuration and supporting the bag in a desired orientation.
A disadvantage of many of the prior devices is that they are either too costly or they are lacking in durability and strength, because of their basic design. Some prior devices have so many different parts that they must be assembled at a factory, thereby driving up the final cost to the consumer, or they are manufactured in such a way that they are too heavy to be easily carried by the consumer from one location to another. Other devices are restrictive in the manner in which they may be used, thus decreasing the overall utility of the article.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a novel rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration which is durable, lightweight and economical to manufacture. Such a novel rack should be easily assembled and disassembled by a consumer, and capable of being stored in a flat configuration for shipping and handling. Additionally, a rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration is needed which may be used in a number of different ways. Preferably, such a rack should be capable of use on a horizontal surface in order to permit leaves or other refuse to be swept and/or raked into the bag. Additionally, such a rack should be self-supporting and, in the alternative, capable of being hung or supported upon a vertical wall if desired. Moreover, a novel collection bag supporting rack is needed which provides means for deodorizing the contents of the bag. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.
The present invention resides in an improved rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration, which is of simplified construction, lightweight and economical. The supporting rack comprises, generally, a stake having a lower end and a receiving slot adjacent to an upper end thereof, and means insertable through the receiving slot for supporting the periphery of the flexible bag in an open configuration. A cap is slidably positioned over the upper end of the stake to substantially enclose the stake receiving slot and prevent unintended disassociation of the bag supporting means from the stake, and means are provided for covering an upper end of the flexible bag when supported by the rack.
In a preferred form of the invention, the stake includes a base wall extending the length of the stake, and a pair of facing side walls joined to opposite longitudinal edges of the base wall. The lower end of the stake is spiked in order to facilitate driving the stake into the ground, and overall the stake has a channel-like configuration. The receiving slot extends across the entire width of the base wall and approximately one half the width of the side walls perpendicularly of the longitudinal axis of the stake. Keyway means are provided in the base wall for hanging the stake on a nail or the like.
The bag supporting means includes means insertable through the receiving slot for engaging the stake and thereby fixing the bag supporting means relative to the stake. More particularly, the bag support means comprises a bag supporting ring formed of a closed segment of wire which is bent into a generally triangular configuration. This triangular bag support ring includes a rear support member and two front support members which all lie in a primary support ring plane. The rear support member includes an integral U-shaped support anchor which is offset from the primary plane. The support anchor is inserted through the stake receiving slot and engages an inner surface of the base wall. The U-shaped support anchor extends away from the primary plane of the bag support ring and is configured such that when the bag support ring is assembled to the stake, the U-shaped support anchor positions the two front support members at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the stake.
The cap which is slidably positioned over the upper end of the stake includes two opposite slots extending upwardly from a lower end thereof. These slots accommodate sliding the cap over portions of the rear support member adjacent to the U-shaped support anchor.
A flexible bag having a generally unitary, enclosing side wall, a permanently closed lower end and an openable upper end, is supported by the rack. The periphery of the openable upper end of the flexible bag is held in an open configuration by draping it over the bag support ring. Means pivotable with respect to the bag support ring are provided for covering the openable upper end of the flexible bag and selectively enclosing, in connection with the bag, articles placed within the bag.
The means for covering the open end of the flexible collection bag comprises a lid having at least one clip-like hinge for removably attaching the lid to the rear support member. The lid is configured to substantially overlie and rest upon the bag support ring in a closed configuration. The hinge, which may be clipped over a portion of the bag as it is draped over the bag support ring, pivots away from the front support members to an open configuration providing access to the bag or its contents.
Means are provided for deodorizing the flexible collection bag and its contents. The deodorizing means includes a basket hinged to the undersurface of the lid for holding a deodorant cake. The deodorant cake is held within the basket so as to be exposed to the collection bag and its contents. The basket is hinged to the underside of the lid to facilitate replacement of the deodorant cake, and a screen is provided in the lid immediately over the basket. This permits the deodorant cake to be easily inspected when the lid is closed.
The rack for supporting a flexible collection bag in an open configuration may be easily assembled and disassembled, and in the assembled state may be used in a number of ways. First, the keyway means permits the stake to be hung adjacent to a wall on a nail or the like. The spiked lower end of the stake permits the rack to be driven into the ground and become self-supporting. The angular relationship between the bag support ring and the stake further permits the rack to be laid on a horizontal surface and still maintain the bag in its open configuration, for raking leaves or other refuse into the bag.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
| Entry |
| Photocopy of packaging for a product Called the Super Sweep, Manufacturer/Distributor: Idea Development, Inc., P.O. Box 89524, Sioux Fall, S.D. 57105; 124 Main St., Box 248, Worthing, S.D. 57077. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
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379287 |
Jul 1989 |
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Patent Grant
5004195
