Abstract:
This invention provides a cantilever bag holder that provides an alternative to conventional garbage cans for holding a garbage collection bag, or similar, for use in locations where conventional garbage cans are impractical or undesirable. This invention provides a rigid structure that is secured around a support, such as a tree, post, nail or hook. One aspect of the invention includes a convenient notch for holding a garbage bag (or similar) in a convenient position for use. This invention has practical use in applications such as camping, picnics, yard work and construction.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to commonly owned application Ser. No. 60/607,525 filed Sep. 7, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates to the field of supporting and holding bags. In particular this invention relates to a method to support a bag from many different structures in a way that makes it easily accessible, yet keeps it upright and prevents spilling. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The use of garbage cans can be cumbersome and impractical in many circumstances. Examples of these circumstances include camping, picnicking, backyard barbeques and confined locations (i.e. remodeling a bathroom with a narrow doorway prevents the use of a large trash can). Other circumstances, such as raking leaves or grass, where one garbage can is insufficient to contain all refuse, makes the use of bags alone (that is, without any garbage can for support) much more attractive. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of the present invention includes a fixture that supports a bag in a usable position from any of many different structures. The fixture has different methods of attachment to a structure. One method is as a cantilever that is angled outward from a structure. A cord is wrapped around the support and fixed back to the fixture. Spikes (points) on the bottom of the fixture then prevent it from slipping down. The weight of the bag provides a downward force on the top end of the fixture that causes a moment and force on the bottom of the fixture that prevents it from slipping on the support. This provides a stable support for the bag. 
   A second method for support uses two holes on the top of the fixture. The cord is threaded up through one hole on the top of the fixture, then back through the other top hole on the opposing side and fixed to the fixture. The loop in the cord, between the two top holes, is then hung over any protrusion, such as a nail or hook in a wall or small branch of a tree. 
   In each of the above scenarios the bag is then knotted (e.g. an over hand knot tied by grasping a “bite” from the perimeter of the open end of the bag) or gathered and then is slipped into the notch in the top of the fixture. 
   This summary is not a replacement for the claims, but is rather meant to assist in understanding the claims. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent through the following description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     To illustrate the manner in which the advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention will be given with reference to the attached drawings. These drawings only illustrate selected aspects of the invention and thus do not fully determine the invention&#39;s scope. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a form perspective view of a fixture according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention&#39;s fixture in a cantilever usage. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention&#39;s fixture in a hanging usage. 
       FIG. 4  shows several alternate embodiments of the spikes on the bottom end of the fixture and multiple bag notches at the top of the fixture. 
       FIG. 5  shows two embodiments with a bag in use 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In describing the invention, the meaning of several important terms is clarified, so the claims must be read with careful attention to these clarifications. Specific examples are given to illustrate aspects of the invention, but those of skill in the relevant art(s) will understand that other examples may also fall within the meaning of the terms used, and hence within the scope of one or more claims. Important terms may be defined, either explicitly or implicitly, here in the Detailed Description and/or elsewhere in the application file. 
   In particular, an “embodiment” of the invention may be a device (e.g., fixture alone, fixture with cord), system (e.g., fixture, cord, bag, and support such as tree or hook), an article of manufacture (e.g., fixture), or a method (e.g., using fixture in cantilever position, using fixture in hanging position). 
     FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of a fixture  100  according to the present invention. The fixture shown has two prongs  102  which form a notch  104 . Each prong has a hanging hole  106 . The prongs extend from a body  108  of the fixture  100 . The body has a fixed cord attachment hole  110 , and two tying holes  112 . Two spikes  114  extend from the body generally opposite the notch  104 . The spikes define a separating gap  116 . 
   The fixture  100  may be constructed of metal, plastic, wood, or from any other suitable material or multiple materials. Such materials are considered “rigid” even if they bend or break under pressure, provided they have enough strength to operate reliably most of the time under the expected conditions. 
   The shape of a fixture according to the invention may depart in various ways from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . For instance, it may have a single spike, multiple spikes (similar to  114  in  FIG. 1 ) or many spikes such as a serrated edge. The spike area may also be coated with a substance such as rubber, plastic or similar to increase friction with the support. The notch ( 104  in  FIG. 1 ) may be of different shape such as longer, shorter or equal to that shown. The notch may also be wider, equal or narrower to that shown and the angle may be larger smaller or equal to that shown. There may also be multiple notches of the variations mentioned. 
   In one embodiment, the fixture is approximately 1½ inches wide (from the edge near hole  110  to the edge near holes  112 ), approximately 5½ inches long (from spike  114  tip to prong  102  tip), and approximately ⅛ inch thick. However, it will be appreciated that inventive fixtures of various sizes may be used, both smaller ones and larger ones. Likewise, although  FIG. 1  necessarily shows relative proportions for the various features of the illustrated fixture, it will be understood that these proportions may vary in other embodiments. To give just a few examples of possible variations, the holes  110  and/or  112  may be closer to one end or the other than shown; the holes may be larger of smaller or equal to that shown; the spike gap  116  may be as deep or deeper or less deep than the bag notch  104 . 
   As to terminology, it will be noted that the fixture alone, as opposed to the fixture with a cord, is referred to in the discussion of  FIG. 1  as the “fixture”. Unless clearly indicated otherwise by context or for operability, when the claims refer to a “fixture” a cord is not necessarily present. However, it should be understood that when operation of the fixture is being discussed, a “cord” (cord, rope, string, thread, wire, line, chain, strap, band or the like) will be present, as shown for example by the cord  200  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , even if the discussion only directly mentions the fixture. 
   In operation, hanging holes  106  can be used for attachment of a cord so that the fixture may be hung from a hook, nail, or the like by a cord, string or the like ( FIG. 3 ). The notch  104  is where a knotted bag is hooked or wedged so that it will hang. The fixed cord attachment hole  110  is for a fixed end of the cord, e.g., an end  202  ( FIG. 2 ) that is knotted to prevent that end from passing through the hole  110 . The cord is knotted or tied through or around this hole so that it remains attached. The tying holes  112  are for tying the cord after it passes around a support structure  204 . The spikes  114  are to grip or dig into the support structure to prevent the bag holder from sliding downwards. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the support structure  204  can be nearly anything that the cord can encircle. Some examples include wood 4×4s or trees, but many other support structures can also be used. Indeed, with suitably blunt spikes, the support structure could be a person or a pack animal. 
   The cord  200  is a flexible item of sufficient strength that can be secured to the fixed cord attachment hole and the tying holes ( 206 ), and that can encircle the support structure ( FIG. 2 ) or hang from a protrusion  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     FIG. 4  shows several alternate embodiments of the areas  114  and  116  ( FIG. 1). 400  shows multiple spikes, three in this instance, but more than 3 constitute a similar alternate embodiment.  404  shows a serrated edge and  406  shows a single spike.  408  and  410  show multiple bag notches, two and three in these instances, but more than 3 constitute a similar embodiment. 
     FIG. 5  shows two uses of the invention where the bag  500  has an obstructive feature ( 502 ), such as a knot (or material that is sufficiently hard so as not to deform in use) in notch  104 . The two sketches (top and bottom) are for clarification of a use of the fixture focusing on bag  500 , obstructive feature  502  and notch  104  while showing other parts of the fixture (incomplete) for reference. 
   Although particular embodiments of the present invention are expressly illustrated and described individually herein, it will be appreciated that discussion of one type of embodiment also generally extends to other embodiment types. For instance, the description of the methods illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  also helps describe the fixtures shown in the figures, and systems containing fixtures, and vice versa. All claims as filed are part of the specification and thus help describe the invention, and repeated claim language may be inserted outside the claims as needed. 
   As used herein, terms such as “a” and “the” and designations such as “hanging”, and “spike”, are inclusive of one or more of the indicated item or step. In particular, in the claims a reference to an item generally means at least one such item is present and a reference to a step means at least one instance of the step is performed. 
   The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Headings are for convenience only. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope to the full extent permitted by law.