Abstract:
A bag holding apparatus for supporting one or more bags that are used for the purpose of depositing and storing leaves or other lawn debris. The apparatus includes a base platform upon which a full bag rests; at least two wheels interconnected by an axle shaft and for supporting the base platform; an upright main frame mounted from the base platform and disposed over the wheels; and sidewall members also supported over the base platform and defining with the main frame an open compartment for receiving the bag therein. Each of the sidewall members has a lower section thereof positioned to leave a space between the sidewall member and an edge of the bag and an upper section extending inwardly of the compartment. A clip member is secured at the upper section of each sidewall member for holding an edge of the bag.

Description:
RELATED CASES 
     Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to commonly owned and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/014,880 which was filed on Dec. 19, 2007 and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates in general to a bag holder/carrier and pertains, more particularly, to a handcart that may be used to independently hold one or more paper bags that are used for gathering leaves and lawn debris. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recyclable paper bags are typically used for gathering leaves and twigs and lawn clippings. Various types of apparatuses exist for gathering leaves. A typical means is a barrel type container into which is mounted a plastic or paper bag that is then stuffed with the leaves or other debris. One problem with existing arrangements is that when the bag gets full it is difficult to remove the bag from the container as the bag has expanded considerably and is wedged inside the container making it difficult to remove the full bag. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved holder for supporting a bag and in which the bag can be readily removable from the holder once the bag is filled. 
     Another object of the present invention to provide a lawn bag cart that may be used for holding one or more leaf bags and for also readily transporting the bags once filled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing a carrier or cart that is preferably a wheeled cart having foldable sides and either a removable or a foldable bottom. The sides can be folded to a compact closure position when the cart is not in use and can be opened so that the bottom can support one or more leaf bags thereon. The sides of the carrier may also be removable. A storage pocket may also be provided on the cart for storing folded bags. 
     In accordance with the invention, the bag is preferably maintained by securing clips at the top of each side wall that hold opposed edges of the bag. Once the leaves and lawn debris are filled into the bag and compressed, the weight of the leaves and lawn debris themselves release the top edges of the bag from the securing clips enabling the bag to be readily removed from the carrier. An intermediate wall may also be provided with associated clips when two bags are to be supported on the carrier. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a bag holding apparatus for supporting one or more bags that are used for the purpose of depositing and storing leaves or other lawn debris. The apparatus comprises a base platform upon which a full bag rests; at least two wheels interconnected by an axle shaft and for supporting the base platform; an upright main frame mounted from the base platform and disposed over the wheels; sidewall members also supported over the base platform and defining with the main frame an open compartment for receiving the bag therein; wherein each of the sidewall members has a lower section thereof positioned to leave a space between the sidewall member and an edge of the bag and an upper section extending inwardly of the compartment and clip means secured at the upper section of each sidewall member for holding an edge of the bag. 
     Other features of the lawn bag apparatus include the base platform comprises a flat base and further including pivot means for pivotally supporting the flat base from the wheel axle; each sidewall member includes a bottom wire piece and the flat base has side edges that engage respective bottom wire pieces to hold the sidewall members in place; the base platform comprises a removable base grid that is supported adjacent the main frame and also from the sidewall members; a pocket is provided at the top of the main frame for retaining one or more bags therein in their folded condition; further including a compacting pole and tab means for supporting the compacting pole from the main frame; the upright main frame includes a horizontal handle bar and a pair of vertical side legs; including a stop on one of the side legs below the tab means that functions as a stop for the pole; each of the sidewall members comprises a metal sidewall grid and the upper section thereof includes a top wire piece from which the clip means is supported; the clip means comprises a pair of alligator clips supported from each respective top wire piece; each bag has a predetermined bag width and height, and the distance between the lower sections of the sidewall members is greater than the predetermined width of the bag so as to leave said space; the lower sections of the respective sidewall members leaves a space on the order of 1 inch on either side thereof; each sidewall member has a height that is greater than the predetermined bag height so as to leave a space below the bag; each sidewall member comprises a metal sidewall grid and the upper section thereof includes an inwardly tapered section; and including a vertically disposed divider wall extending from the base platform and forming separate side-by-side compartments for receiving respective bags. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bag carrier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary view at the bottom of the carrier of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to that shown in  FIG. 4  but with the bottom or base raised; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation view; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the interlocking of the side walls; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view similar to that show in  FIG. 7  with the side wall having been disengaged; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating one of the securing clips attached to the bag; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  with a bag in place and securing clips attached to the bag; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view similar to that shown in  FIG. 10  but with the bag substantially filled so that the bag is released from the securing clips; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the manner in which the bottom and the side walls may be folded; 
         FIG. 13  shows an alternate embodiment in which a separate intermediate wall may be provided for accommodating two bags; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the intermediate wall as secured in place; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view like that shown in  FIG. 14  with one bag in place; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag cart of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 17 and 18  are a fragmentary perspective views illustrating the removable attachment of the sidewall member with the main frame; 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  are fragmentary perspective views illustrating the removable attachment of the base with the sidewall members; 
         FIG. 21  is a partial perspective view at the lower part of the cart of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 21 ; and 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the grid base in the embodiment of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-12  illustrate one embodiment of the present invention in which the bag holder/carrier is used for the support of a single bag. A second embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 13-15  wherein an intermediate wall is used for separating the carrier or cart into two separate compartments for carrying two respective bags that are arranged side-by-side. 
     The first embodiment describes a lawn bag carrier that is basically comprised of a main frame  12  that includes a handle bar  12 A and side legs  1213  that are integrally formed with the handle bar  12 A. At the lower ends of the legs  1213  there is supported an axle  14  that supports at either end thereof a wheel  16 . The axle  14  and wheels  16  may be of conventional design. This arrangement enables the carrier to be easily rolled from place to place. As illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 2  adjacent to one of the legs  1213  there is provided a pole  18  that is supported at tabs  19 . The tabs  19  are fixed at spaced positions along the leg  1213 , and each one is provided with a hole for receiving the pole  18 . Also attached to the leg  128  is a stop  15 , positioned just below one of the tabs  19  and that is used as a rest for the bottom of the pole  18 . The pole  18  may be easily withdrawn from the tabs  19  and is usable to assist in stuffing leaves and lawn debris in the bag. 
     In this first embodiment the carrier also includes sidewall members  20 , each of which is in the form of interconnected metal rods forming a grid pattern and including front legs  20 A. The bottom of each leg  20 A may be pointed so that the carrier, when in its usable position, can be partially stuck into the ground for securing the position of the carrier. As illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 1  each sidewall is formed by welding together separate wires into a grid pattern. Although a grid arrangement if preferred, in accordance with the present invention other sidewall arrangements may be provided including, but not limited to, a relatively flat and light weight sheet material. 
     The sidewalls  20  are preferably releasably or removably supported and for that purpose associated with each side wall is a hook  22  that engages with a hole in a tab  24 . The tabs  24  are spatially disposed and secured to each of the respective legs  12 B of the main frame of the carrier. Refer now also to  FIGS. 6-8  which show further details of the hook  22  and the tab  24  that is engaged by the hook. The lower hook  22  may be made longer than the upper located hooks so as to easily guide the upper hook into its associated tab.  FIG. 7  shows the sidewall  20  in its engaged position while  FIG. 8  illustrates the sidewall  20  having been lifted so that the hook  22  disengages from the associated tab  24 . This engagement of the hook  22  at the tab  24  also provides a pivot so that the sidewalls can be pivoted inwardly such as is illustrated in  FIG. 12  where one of the sidewalls is shown partially folded to convert the cart for storage thereof.  FIG. 12  illustrates one of the side walls folded inwardly while the other sidewall is yet to be folded inwardly. The other side wall may also be folded inwardly in a similar manner using the hook as a pivot point. This makes for a much more compact carrier when, not only the sidewalls can be folded in, but also the bottom can be folded up, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In the drawings two hooks and tabs are used, but it should be understood that more than two may be provided. 
     In this first embodiment the bag carrier also includes a bottom or base wall  30  that can pivot from the axle  14 . For this purpose there are provided pivot plates  32 . These pivot plates  32  also lower the bottom plate  30  relative to the axle  14 . Refer to  FIGS. 4 and 5  that show these plates  32  pivoted about the axle  14  for moving the base  30 .  FIG. 5  illustrates by the arrow  31  the pivotal raising of the base plate  30  such as to the position illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Because each of these plates  32  has a certain length, the sidewalls  20  could be pivoted first with the base pivoted afterwards, or, alternatively, if the plates are shorter then the sidewalls can pivot on top of the base as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the base  30  preferably has an edge wall  34  that includes a releasable retaining clip  36  that is releasably engageable with the wire  37 . The wire  37  forms a part of the wire grid arrangement of each of the sidewalls  20 . The base  30  can be easily disengaged from the wire  37  by lifting the base. A pair of clips  36  may be provided on each side of the base  30  that, when engaged, provide rigidity of the sidewalls and bottom. 
     The sidewalls  20  are constructed of a series of wire members that are, as illustrated in the drawings, interconnected in a grid pattern. Where each wire passes a transverse wire it may be tack welded or secured in another manner so that the entire sidewall is in one piece. The sidewalls  20  also include a top wire  40  that extends between upright legs and that holds alligator securing clips  42 . The clips  42  are of conventional design and are pivotal about the wire  40 . Refer also to the enlarged fragmentary view of  FIG. 9  that shows one of the clips  42 .  FIG. 9  also shows the clip  42  engaging an upper edge of the bag  50 . Refer also to  FIG. 10  that shows the bag  50  in place and secured at four locations, two on either side, to the upper edge of the respective wires  40 . 
     Preferably, the upper end of the sidewalls is tapered inwardly at opposed sides as illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 10  at  45 . In this way, there is a space provided below that taper point where the bag is enabled to expand. The space is shown on either side of the bag. This space provides room for the bag to expand as it is filled. The view of  FIG. 10  may be considered as where the bag is either empty or only partially filled so that the sides of the bag are not bulging out to any great extent.  FIG. 10  also shows a space X at the bottom of the bag. This is also preferred so as to leave some space for the bag to expand. On the other hand in the perspective view of  FIG. 11  this shows the bag  50  having been almost completely filled with leaves and/or debris and thus expanded in a radial direction bottom to top. As the leaves enter the bag and are tamped down, such as with the use of the stick  18 , the bag  50  tends to lower in position and when the bag is sufficiently full the top edges of the bag disengage automatically from the clips  42  enabling the bag to be easily withdrawn from the bag carrier. 
     The carrier or cart of the present invention also includes what may be considered a rear wall  60  that, in the embodiment that is disclosed, is comprised of a series of wires that may be permanently attached to the handle legs  12 B. The rear wall  60  may be constructed in a grid pattern with the wires intersecting by being attached to each other as well as to the legs  12 B. The rear wall  60  is also preferably provided with a wire pocket  62 . This pocket  62  is shown in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 13  and is in the form of a wire box that is relatively thin in construction. The pocket  62  is for retaining bags in their folded condition. This is quite convenient for the storage of multiple bags directly in the carrier and ready for use once they are opened and placed in the clips. 
     As indicated previously, an alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 13-15 . This includes a removable intermediate wall  70 .  FIG. 13  illustrates the wall  70  as being a metal grid consisting of a series of transverse wires that may be welded together in the grid pattern illustrated. Note that the wall  70  also is provided with a pair of clips  72  similar to the previously mentioned clips  42 . The intermediate wall  70  may be secured to both the rear wall and the base by means of clips  36 .  FIG. 15  illustrates the bag  58  in place in one of the compartments defined between the sidewall and the intermediate wall  70 .  FIG. 15  also shows the securing clips  42  and  72  that may be attached to the top edge of the respective bags. 
     The preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 16-23 , and describes a lawn bag carrier that is basically comprised of a main frame  112  that includes a handle bar  112 A and side legs  11213  that are integrally formed with the handle bar  112 A. A cover  112 C may be provided over the handle bar  112 A to provide a better grip on the cart. At the lower ends of the legs  1128  there is supported an axle  114  that supports at either end thereof a wheel  116 . The axle  114  and wheels  116  may be of conventional design. This arrangement enables the carrier to be easily rolled from place to place. One of the legs  11213  may be provided with a pole support means as illustrated previously in the first embodiment that was described herein. 
     In embodiment described in  FIGS. 16-23  the carrier also includes sidewall members  120 , each of which is in the form of interconnected metal rods forming a grid pattern and including front legs  120 A. The bottom of each leg  120 A may be pointed so that the carrier, when in its usable position, can be partially stuck into the ground for securing the position of the carrier. As illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 16  each sidewall  20  is formed by welding together separate wires into a grid pattern. Although a grid arrangement is preferred, in accordance with the present invention other sidewall arrangements may be provided including, but not limited to, a relatively flat and light weight sheet material. 
     The sidewalls  120  are preferably releasably or removably supported and for that purpose associated with each sidewall is a hook  122  that engages with a hole in the plate  124 . The plates  124  are spatially disposed and secured to each of the respective legs  112 B of the main frame of the carrier. Refer now also to  FIGS. 17 and 18  which show further details of the hook  122  and the plate  124  that is engaged by the hook. The lower hook  122  may be made longer than the upper located hooks so as to easily guide the upper hook into its associated tab.  FIG. 17  shows the sidewall  120  in its engaged position with the plate  124 , while  FIG. 18  illustrates the sidewall  120  ready to be disengaged from the associated plate  124 . This engagement of the hook  122  at the plate  124  also provides a pivot so that the sidewalls can be pivoted inwardly such as was illustrated in  FIG. 12  where one of the sidewalls is shown partially folded to convert the cart for storage thereof. In the drawings two hooks and tabs are used, but it should be understood that more than two may be provided.  FIGS. 17 and 18  also show one means for securing the sidewalls in place in the form of a cotter pin  123 . However, other means may also be provided to secure the sidewalls in place. In any case the sidewalls preferably pivot relative to the main frame, as described before. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 16-23  the bag cart also includes a bottom or base wall  130  that is constructed and arranged so as to be removably secured with the axle  114 . For this purpose there are provided loops  132  as part of the base  130 . In this particular embodiment the base is in the form of a grid structure made of crossed wires that may be attached together by spot welding where the wires cross each other. Refer to  FIGS. 19 and 20  that show these loops  132  mounted about the axle  114 . See also  FIG. 23  which shows the base alone, and in which this particular embodiment uses three loops  132 . Once the base is removed then the sidewalls can be pivoted in the same manner as previously described in connection with the first embodiment that was described herein. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 19-23 , the base  130  is shown in the form of a grid pattern having the aforementioned loops  132 . The base  130  also includes side hooks  135  at the ends of a series of cross wires  136 . Each sidewall also includes a bottom wire  133  that has attached thereto a washer tab  137  having a hole for receiving the hook  135 . A cotter pin  139  is shown for attaching the hooks in place in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . Other ones of the end hooks  135  simply rest on the bottom wire  133 . 
     As indicated previously, once the bag is filled with leaves or other debris, the top edge of the bag disengages automatically from the securing clips. In that position the bag can then be easily removed from the carrier. One of the advantages of the bag carrier of the present invention is that, because it is a wheeled device, the structure with a full bag can be wheeled to the curb where the bags can be picked up and/or disposed of. 
     Another feature of the cart of the present invention is that the taper at the sidewalls enables a simple way to provide a space preferably on both sides of the cart. This space enables some room so that the bag can expand as it is filled. In the past that expansion, when a simple barrel arrangement was used, caused the bag to be wedges in the container making it difficult to remove. On the other hand, with the structure of the present invention because a space is provided alongside the bag then there is some additional room to allow for the expansion of the bag as it is being filled with leaves or the like. Also, there is preferably provided a space below the bag as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . This space is also important in allowing some lowering of the bag as it becomes filled so that it automatically disengages from the clips. The side space is illustrated as being provided by making each sidewall member taper at the top, such as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and at  160  in  FIG. 16 . In an alternate embodiment the sidewall member may taper at only one side thereof with the other side remaining upright and straight. The space on each side may be on the order of one inch and is in a range of ½ to 2 inch. The space at the bottom of the bag may also be on the order of one inch and is in a range of ½ to 2 inch. 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by appended claims.