Abstract:
Disclosed is a collapsible receptacle bag support that is adapted to support a bag in an upright and open position, while permitting the bag to be removed from the support without upward lifting thereof. The support comprises an open upper support assembly connecting to a telescoping vertical support base. The upper assembly comprises a semicircular support ring having an open forward portion to allow a bag to be removed therethrough. In one embodiment, the upper assembly comprises a horizontal member connecting to intermediate angular members, which further connect to an outer member orthogonal to the horizontal member and aligned within the same plane. The members are pivotably attached using pin lock joints or are collectively hingeable downward, which allow the members to be collapsed along the vertical support base. In another embodiment, the upper assembly comprises a first and second arcuate member forming a semicircular support having an open front.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/502,625 filed on Jun. 29, 2011, entitled “Collapseable Bag Holder.” The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to trash and receptacle bag supports. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bag support device that retains a bag in an upright and open position while deployed, and facilitates removal of a filled bag without requiring the user to lift the bag upwards from the support. The present device further relates to collapsible bag supports, wherein an embodiment of the present invention collapses into an aligned and condensed state for storage and transport between uses. 
         [0004]    Trash receptacles are well known devices that generally include a body structure having upstanding sidewalls that are lined using a receptacle liner or trash bag. The liner prevents the receptacle interior from exposure to refuse or debris that is discarded thereinto. These assemblies are universally deployed articles in households and in public areas, wherein trash is collected and periodically removed to prevent littering and waste accumulation. Temporary trash receptacles that achieve this same goal are devices that support a trash bag without the structure of the receptacle, and include merely a means of supporting the liner in a given position. These devices are particularly useful for outdoor events involving the general public and in those areas where consumable products are provided and quantities of waste are created. These devices support a trash bag about its upper periphery, positioning the bag in an open and upright configuration that permits ready insertion of discarded material, while further allowing workers to easily access the bag without requiring the bag to be lifted out of a receptacle having upstanding sidewalls that could cause snagging and potential tearing of the bag. This is particularly important when waste collection devices would otherwise quickly fill and liners would require frequent replacement. These device, however, generally include an enclosed upper support structure that requires the bag to be dropped below the upper support or lifted therefrom, creating a risk of trash spilling from the bag or the bag structure being compromised while being removed. 
         [0005]    Similar temporary bag support structures are those utilized in lawn care and home renovation use, wherein articles of debris are gathered and placed within a disposal bag for containment and removal. These bags, and in particular leaf bags and other large debris bags, are cumbersome to support in an open position while simultaneously inserting material thereinto. Temporary stands or support brackets are often utilized for supporting these bags in an open position, wherein the user is free to operate tools or collection equipment while clearing an area or filling the bag without also holding the bag in an open position. These structures, however, generally include a rigid construction that is not readily condensable into a stowed state, or further support the bag along a ground surface for raking items thereinto. The ability to condense into a stowed form reduces the volume of the device in its deployed state, which would otherwise hinder their transport and storage between uses. 
         [0006]    The present invention is therefore submitted as a new and improved means of supporting garbage bags and liners in an upright configuration, whereby the structure supports the bag while allowing removal of the bag without lifting. An upper support assembly includes an open region for removing a filled bag therethrough, eliminating the requirement to lift the bag from the support or dropping it therefrom. The support structure is further collapsible into a structure that is of condensed overall volume. This allows the assembly to be easily transported, stowed and handled by a user between its operational uses. In its deployed state, the device offers outstretched supports that support the opening of a garbage bag in an open position, facilitating the ease of items placed within the bag interior. During large events where trash bags are often removed and replaced, the ability to easily separate the bag from its support is important for user safety and for the integrity of the bag. Heavier or overfilled bags may otherwise be difficult to lift out of a standard garbage receptacle, and contact between the exterior of the bag and the receptacle introduces a tear risk. During renovation and cleaning projects, it is further submitted that a device that supports a bag in an open position facilitates the ease of placement of items thereinto and a reduced burden on the user, wherein handling of the trash bag is not required. 
         [0007]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0008]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to garbage bag support devices. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to devices and means of supporting a garbage receptacle bag in an open configuration; however the structure and means of stowing these assemblies differs from the present invention. The forgoing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0009]    Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,431 to Ilnsky discloses an apparatus for supporting trash bags from their upper periphery and preventing them from touching the ground surface. The apparatus comprises a vertical member having a carrying assembly at its upper end and a wheeled supporting base at its lower end. The carrying assembly supports the upper portion of the bag in an open position, while a plate along the supporting base prevents the bag from contacting the ground and thus preventing a filled bag from dragging or tearing upon contact with the ground and during movement of the assembly. The carrying assembly comprises an annular ring that is pivotable from the vertical member, while the vertical member is pivotable against the base. The assembly therefore provides a condensed configuration for storage and transport, and a means to support an open bag while deployed. The present invention provides a means to support an open bag along its upper periphery when deployed, while also having a condensable form for ease of storage. The elements of the present invention, however, diverge from those of the Ilnsky device in that the present invention condenses into an aligned configuration and includes a diverging structure from that of Ilnsky. 
         [0010]    Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,815 to Knutson discloses a support structure for a trash or lawn bag that includes two identical bracing supports that are adapted to support the bag and be staked into a ground surface. The supports include a lower leg and an upper leg, a right angle member attaching to the lower leg and an upper leg bag retainer. The right angle member is adapted to enter the bag opening near the ground surface as the vertical portion of the leg therebelow is staked into the ground. The upper leg bag retainer supports a portion of the bag upper perimeter in an open configuration, wherein the two bracing assemblies work in conjunction to maintain a bag opening in a horizontal position and in close proximity to the ground. The Knutson device is well suited for support a bag in an open position, however it is intended for ground-loading items and debris into the bag interior, rather than supporting the bag in an upright configuration. 
         [0011]    Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,357 to Webster discloses a two legged bag stand for supporting a bag in an upright and open configuration, wherein the bag comprises two closed U-shaped sections, each section formed of eight segments wherein the top and bottom sections include semicircular portions connected by two vertical members. Two of the sections are placed back to back with respect to one another to form an upper support rim and a lower support base. A bag is supported by the upper rim and the assembly is prevented from tipping by the outward segments of the base. The Webster device provides a means of supporting an open bag for one to readily place or discard items; however no means of collapsing the assembly is disclosed. Further the elements of the assembly diverge from that of the present invention. 
         [0012]    The present invention provides an upright support for a garbage bag, wherein the bag is supported in an open position and the structural members of the support bag in a removable fashion that does not require lifting. The support elements are further collapsible into an aligned configuration to allow improved handling, storage and transport of the device between uses. It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing garbage bag support devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of garbage bag support devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new collapsible support device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when supporting garbage bags in an upright and open configuration that facilitates ease of removal, using a collapsible and readily deployable structure. 
         [0014]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved garbage bag support device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a garbage bag support device that supports an open bag in an upright configuration to allow ready placement of discarded items, wherein the bag is supported along at least half of its peripheral edge and is readily removable without lifting. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a garbage bag support device that includes a plurality of support members that secure into a static position to form support arms for a garbage bag opening, wherein the arms are collapsible into a stowed state against the support body. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a garbage bag support device that provides height adjustment of the garbage bag opening and deployable base structure that is stowable against the height adjustable body structure. 
         [0018]    A final object of the present invention is to provide a garbage bag support device that comprises a simple, low cost device that is readily deployable and stowable between uses. 
         [0019]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention supporting a garbage bag in an open and upright position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a view of an embodiment of the present invention in a condensed, stowed position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  shows an overhead view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in an upright and working position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the garbage bag support device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for supporting an open garbage bag in an upright configuration, facilitating removal thereof without lifting the filled bag, and finally providing a structure for the device that is readily stowable. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed and operational state. In this embodiment, the device comprises an upper bag support assembly  13  attaching to a vertical support post  11  that connects to a lower support base  12 . The upper support assembly  13  comprises a first horizontal member  16  attaching at its center to the upper portion of the vertical support post  11 . The horizontal member  16  comprises an elongated section having a first and second end that terminate at a pin-locking pivot joint  17 , which pivotably connects the horizontal member  16  to a first and second intermediate members  15  that are directed angularly forward from the horizontal member. At the end of each intermediate member  15  is a further pin-locking pivot joint  17 , which further connects each intermediate member  15  to an outer member  14  that is positioned orthogonally to the horizontal member. The pin-locking pivot joints are assemblies that utilize a removable pin and pivot joint to lock the members into a static position, while further allowing the members to rotate with respect to one another when unpinned. When deployed, the upper support assembly  13  provides a continuous support arm that is adapted to support at least half of the peripheral edge of a trash bag opening, while providing an open section that allows a user to easily remove the bag and slide it out of the open section without lifting the bag or its contents. This provides a means to remove a filled bag without lifting it out of a receptacle structure or lowering it through an enclosure support hoop, the former exposing the bag to tearing of its structure and the latter creating a situation where the bag contents may spill from the opening when being lowered. The present support assembly allows the bag upper opening to remain upright and grasped by the user upon removal, alleviating both of these concerns. 
         [0028]    The shape of the upper support assembly  13  is one of a semi-circle or half hexagonal shape, wherein when locked, the members combine to form a support for the upper peripheral opening of a garbage bag. Connecting to the horizontal member  16  is the vertical support post  11 , which is an upstanding member that provides a telescopic structure through which to raise and lower the upper support assembly  13 . Connected to the base of the vertical support post  11  is a support base  12 , which comprises a deployable structure having a plurality of outstretched and locking arms. These arms provide an extended base structure that is adapted to prevent movement of the device when deployed and supporting a plurality of discarded items within a connected bag. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state. As shown in this embodiment, intermediate  15  and outer members  14  form a support that extends outward from the vertical support  11  to position a suspended bag within its interior. The bag is freely suspended within the member arms and hangs unobstructed from the support and base elements of the device, such that discarded material may significantly fill the bag interior without interference from the supporting elements of the present invention. Further visualized in  FIG. 2  is the telescoping nature of the vertical support post  11 , which includes a lower portion and an upper portion adapted to telescope into and extend from one another for height adjustment of the upper support assembly. Attaching to the base of the vertical support post  11  is a support base  12 , comprising pivotable  21  and lockable leg members  20  that extend from an upright, stowed position into a downwardly angled portion adapted to bear against a ground surface and provide extended support points that counteract tipping forces or moments on the assembly when in use. The base is adapted to support the assembly and a filled garbage bag in a static and stable position, wherein tipping or collapsing is prevented. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a working state, supporting a trash bag  22  in an open and upright position. The trash bag  22  is a flexible receptacle liner or refuse bag that is adapted to be positioned within the interior of the upper support assembly of the present invention. The peripheral edge of the bag opening is wrapped over the members  14 ,  15 ,  16  of the upper support assembly while the forward portion of the bag is drawn taughtly between the two outer members  14 . This provides an upright, open bag having an opening with defined boundaries and sufficient securement that discarded items will not dislodge the bag opening from the support members. If desired, semi-circular clips may be placed over the members, clamping the bag between the members and the clip for further securement. This may be desired in the case of a smaller depth bag or when larger items are being placed into the bag, which would place tension on the bag and thus tend to pry the peripheral opening away from the members. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a frontal view of an embodiment of the present invention in a stowed state, wherein the elements of the upper support assembly and the base support are condensed or pivoted against the upper support post  11  for reduced overall volume and improved handling. As visualized, the three leg members  20  of the support base are pivoted against the vertical support post  11 , while the post  11  is condensed to its shorted telescopic length. The locking portions of the locking pivot joints  17  are released to allow the outer  14  and intermediate  15  members to align with one another and fold towards the support post  11 , wherein the arm portions of the support assembly and the leg members of the support base are all aligned. In this state, the overall assembly is reduced to an aligned, condensed volume that facilitates ease of storage, carrying the assembly and transportation thereof. The pin-locking pivot joints between each member allow free pivoting when not locked, while an aligned aperture positioned on each member allows a concentric locking pin to be placed into the aligned apertures to lock the two members together and prevent free pivoting. 
         [0032]    Referring finally to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an overhead perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the upper support assembly  13  is one comprising a first and second arcuate members formed of a solid horizontal  16 , intermediate  15  and outer  14  section. The arcuate members for a semi-circular support for the peripheral opening of a bag, while providing an open section for ease of removal without lifting. The arcuate members are removably attached to a T-shaped junction  25 , which connects the members in a horizontal configuration to the upper portion of the vertical support member  11 . A locking telescope joint  24  provides a height adjustment means for the vertical member  11 , while a lower base support assembly  12  comprises slideably extendable leg members  20  that hingeably connect to a sliding hinge joint  21  along the vertical member  11 . At the lowermost end of the vertical support  11  is a connection for the base leg member  20  support struts  23 , which maintain the position of the legs  20  while deployed while the slideable hinge joint  21  locks the legs  20  at a given angle with respect to the vertical support  11 . In this embodiment, the upper support assembly  13  is not collapsible, or is optionally collapsible downward via loosening of the junction  25  connection thereto, while the base support  12  is collapsible into an aligned vertical position with the vertical support  11 . The arcuate members are removably attached to the junction  25  to allow the assembly to be condensed when stored and reassembled when deployed. 
         [0033]    Overall, the present invention provides a readily deployable and stowable structure for supporting waste receptacle bags in an upright and open configuration, and one that allows ready removal of filled bags without requiring any lifting or dropping procedure from the support. This is ideal for temporary support of refuse bags during events or during a project wherein the use of one&#39;s hands is otherwise desired while the bag remains open. The bag connects along the upper arm portions of the assembly, provides a means to support an open bag, while the frontal portion of the arms is open to allow a filled bag to be easily withdrawn from the support arms without lifting or straining. Lifting overly filled or heavy garbage bags can compromise the integrity of the bag if constructed of insufficient material or thickness, and further place the user at risk to bodily injury due to the lifting motion and overall size of the filled bag. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate an upper support arm assembly that does not include pivot joints between individual members, but rather a pivot joint that rotates the entire upper assembly downward toward the base support. Further, the type and style locking pivot joints utilized on the support members may take several forms, falling within the scope of a static connection that operably offers a means of pivoting or locking. The primary goal is to provide a means of supporting an open bag while offering an open forward portion to prevent unnecessary and dangerous upward lifting of heavy or filled bags. 
         [0034]    To this end, it is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0035]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.