Patent ID: 7588217
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A sandbag filling assistance tool, the tool comprising in combination: a chute having an inlet spaced from an outlet and with a centerline of the chute extending through both the inlet and the outlet; said inlet having an area perpendicular to said centerline which is greater than an area of said outlet perpendicular to said centerline; a plurality of legs coupled to said chute and adapted to locate said chute above ground; a fastener coupled to said chute, said fastener adapted to hold a sandbag with an opening into the sandbag oriented adjacent said outlet of said chute; wherein said fastener includes a clip with at least two jaws capable of relative motion therebetween, said at least two jaws having a gap therebetween sized sufficiently large to receive a portion of a sandbag therein, and with said jaws adapted to grasp the sandbag when the sandbag is placed between said jaws; wherein said fastener is located on a portion of said chute between said inlet and said outlet and above a highest portion of said outlet; wherein said at least two jaws include a top jaw and a bottom jaw, each said jaw coupled together at a junction at upper ends of said top jaw and said bottom jaw, said junction including a resilient force applying structure adapted to draw said top jaw and said bottom jaw toward each other; wherein a button is provided upon said clip, said button adapted to move said jaws away from each other and open said gap between said jaws when said button is pushed; and wherein a U-bolt is fixed to said chute on a portion of said chute between said inlet and said outlet and on an exterior surface of said chute and above a highest portion of said outlet, said U-bolt adapted to have said clip coupled thereto.