Patent Publication Number: US-7588217-B1

Title: Sandbag filling tool

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The following invention relates to tools for assisting in the filling of sandbags, such as sandbags utilized for flood mitigation and erosion control. More particularly, this invention relates to sandbag fillers which act to simplify the rapid introduction of sand from a pile on the ground into a sandbag, and especially with as few as a single person. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   When sandbags are to be filled various challenges are faced. First, time is typically of the essence and the quicker the sandbags can be filled the more effectively they can be utilized. Also, commonly the number of individuals available to assist in filing the sandbags is limited, and in some circumstances a shortage of shovels may exist. 
   Furthermore, the traditional method of loading a shovel with sand and then placing the blade of the shovel into the opening of the bag and then tilting the shovel to slide the sand into the bag is both time intensive and requires two users to have any significant process efficiency. If the individuals attempt to speed up the process, the individual holding the bag is susceptible to injury from the blade of the shovel. 
   In at least one prior art device taught by Donald J. Rooker (shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,748, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) a sandbag filling device is disclosed which addresses many of these challenges. A chute is provided which tapers as a funnel from a larger inlet to a smaller outlet. An additional sandbag is filled with sand and deployed from the funnel as ballast. Legs are provided to support the funnel above ground. 
   One drawback of the sandbag filling device taught by Donald J. Rooker is that it still requires two individuals for effective operation. One individual throws sand into the funnel, such as with a shovel. A second individual holds the sandbag adjacent the spout and is responsible for redeploying fresh sandbags as sandbags are filled. While this Donald J. Rooker device can rapidly and effectively fill sandbags when two individuals are available, a need exists for a similarly effective device which can still be rapidly and successfully utilized when a single individual is filling sandbags alone, or when one of the two individuals is often detained with other activities such as loading sandbags into vehicles or deploying sandbags in a water intrusion preclusion location. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   With this invention a sandbag filler is disclosed which includes a chute having an inlet in the form of a mouth and an outlet in the form of a spout at opposite ends of the chute. A centerline extends from the mouth to the spout and a cross-sectional area of the chute perpendicular to the centerline is greater at the mouth than it is at the spout. Thus, a relatively large target is presented for the shoveling of sand, while a spout of sufficient smallness is presented for directing the sand into a sandbag. 
   A fastener is coupled to the chute which can grasp a portion of the sandbag when the sandbag is placed adjacent the spout. This fastener is most preferably generally in the form of a clip and preferably located on an upper surface of the chute between the mouth and the spout. In this configuration, the sandbag to be filled is automatically held adjacent the spout and ready to be filled without requiring the presence of an individual to hold the sandbag in place. The filler of this invention can thus be used by a single individual. If a second individual is available, this second individual can be busy moving filled sandbags or attaching and detaching sandbags from the fastener to make the sandbag filling and handling process as efficient as possible. 
   Preferably, the chute is supported upon a base which allows the connection of legs extending down from the base and supporting the entire chute above ground. The base and legs are also preferably configured so that a tilt angle is provided for a floor of the chute defining a lowermost portion of the chute as it extends between the mouth and the spout. This tilt angle is preferably sufficient that sand can flow under gravity forces alone from the mouth to the spout and prevent the chute from becoming clogged with trapped sand. Alternatively, the floor can be tilted a lesser amount and still provide some benefit in encouraging sand to travel from the mouth to the spout. 
   Because the chute and associated structures are beneficially made from lightweight materials to facilitate easy transfer from various locations, it is desirable to increase a weight of the chute so that flying sand or wind does not tend to knock over the chute and so that the chute can be generally stable even with as few as three legs. Ballast is thus provided by placing sand within a sandbag and deploying the sandbag from an eye bolt or other coupling suspended from the chute, such as through the base. Legs are preferably removably attachable to the base so that the entire structure can collapse somewhat. Multiple chutes can nest within each other partially so that storage of a large number of similar sandbag filling tools can occur in a small space. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a device for enhancing the efficiency with which sand is loaded into a sandbag. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which can be effectively utilized with as few as a single individual. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which holds the sandbag in an open position automatically. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which is lightweight for transport but accommodates ballast to make it difficult to topple from lateral loads caused by flying sand, wind or the like. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which is collapsible to take up a minimum amount of space when being stored. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which can be nested with other sandbag fillers when not in use to minimize storage space required. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which can maximize a rapidity with which sandbags can be filled and minimize an amount of physical exertion required to fill the sandbags. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a sandbag filler which is complemental to commonly available tools such as shovels and is simple to use without requiring any instruction or training in the use thereof. 
   Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the sandbag filling tool of this invention in use filling a sandbag with sand. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the sandbag filling tool of this invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the sandbag filling tool alone. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the sandbag filling tool of this invention and with a sandbag being filled shown in phantom and with a sandbag utilized as ballast shown in phantom adjacent the sandbag filling tool of this invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a detail of a fastener of this invention which is capable of temporarily holding a sandbag to be filled adjacent a spout of the sandbag filling tool. 
       FIG. 6  is a detail similar to that shown in  FIG. 5  and illustrating how the fastener can be removably attached to the chute of the sandbag filling tool. 
       FIG. 7  is a detail of a base which interconnects a chute of the sandbag filling tool with legs of the sandbag filling tool and illustrating how the legs can be removably attached to the chute. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral  10  is directed to a filler, providing the preferred embodiment for this invention. The filler  10  assists a user U in delivering sand S from a sandpile into a bag B for rapid and effective loading of sandbags. The filler  10  facilitates easy and rapid loading of the bag B with sand S and allows a single user U to utilize the filler  10  without assistance or to make more efficient the loading and placement of sandbags when multiple individuals are available. 
   In essence, and with particular reference to  FIG. 1 , basic details of the filler  10  are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The filler  10  includes a chute  20  which generally acts as a funnel with a mouth  22  acting as an inlet on one side of the chute  20  and a spout  24  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) acting as an outlet for the sand S and smaller than the mouth  22 . A base  30  is preferably secured to a floor  26  ( FIG. 4 ) of the chute  20 . A plurality of legs  40 ,  50  attach to the chute  20 , preferably through the base  30 . These legs  40 ,  50  are removably attachable to facilitate collapsing of the filler  10  when not in use. 
   A ballast bag  60  is provided, preferably suspended from the base  30  and filled with sand S, to decrease any tendency for the filler  10  to topple over when experiencing lateral loads, such as wind loads or loads associated with a shovel H banging the filler  10  or loads associated with the tossing of sand S by the user U against the filler  10 . A clip  70  is coupled to the chute  20  and can hold a portion of the bag B adjacent the spout  24  of the chute  20 . The clip  70  thus holds the bag B adjacent the chute  20 , with the bag B open, while the user U loads sand S through the chute  20  and into the bag B. 
   More specifically, and with particular reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , details of the chute  20  are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The chute  20  is preferably a monolithic structure with a hollow interior and an open inlet defined by a mouth  22  and an open outlet defined by a spout  24 . A centerline generally passes through both the mouth  22  and spout  24 . The chute  20  is configured so that the mouth  22  has a greater diameter than the spout  24 . In particular, the mouth  22  is significantly larger than a typical blade of a shovel H. Thus, a large target is provided for the user U when throwing sand S into the mouth  22  of the chute  20 . The spout  24 , in contrast, is sufficiently small so that an entrance of a bag B can be easily placed over the spout  24  or other outlet. The spout  24  also is preferably formed to be shorter above said centerline and larger below said centerline and along said floor  26 . Such a form assists the sand S in making its way fully into the sand bag B. This plane of truncation of the spout  24  is preferably vertical. 
   As shown in the figures, the chute  20  preferably exhibits a somewhat irregular shape as the circumference and cross-sectional area of the chute  20  decreases along the centerline moving from the mouth  22  to the spout  24 . Most preferably, the mouth  22  defines a largest cross-sectional area portion of the chute  20  with the spout  24  defining a smallest cross-sectional area portion of the chute  20 . 
   A floor  26  preferably is substantially planar and also extends from the mouth  22  to the spout  24 . This floor  26  generally defines a lowest portion of the chute  20  below the centerline and between the mouth  22  and the spout  24 . This floor  26  preferably has a tilt angle which is approximately 30° from horizontal. Such a tilt angle makes it difficult for sand S to rest upon the floor  26 . Rather, sand S is encouraged by gravity to fall down the floor  26  and pass from the mouth  22  toward the spout  24 . Depending on the sand S character and other forces, the sand S preferably slides along the floor  26  under gravity loads alone. 
   A funnel wall  25  defines the structure of the chute  20  as it encloses the pathway from the mouth  22  to the spout  24 . This funnel wall  25  is preferably of substantially constant thickness. The funnel wall  25  also beneficially also has a bright color for ease in identifying the filler  10 . The funnel wall  25  has a tapering form which is preferably irregular as shown in the drawings figures. However, this tapering cross-sectional area preferably is continuous from the mouth  22  to the spout  24  (albeit at different rates of area decrease) so that the chute  20  can nest with other chutes  20  having a similar form. A compact set of fillers  10  can thus be stored in a small volume storage area when the legs  40 ,  50  have been removed. 
   The funnel wall  25  is preferably formed from an injection moldable plastic having the contour shown. As an alternative, the chute  20  could be formed from fiberglass or from other composite materials, such as carbon fiber material. The chute  20  could also conceivably be formed of aluminum or other metals. While the chute  20  is shown with a particular configuration, the chute  20  could have a variety of different shapes and sizes and still provide the general function of providing a pathway for sand S from a large target area in the form of the mouth  22  to a smaller spout  24  small enough to fit inside the opening of the bag B for delivery of sand S into the bag B. 
   A base  30  is preferably provided coupled to a lower side of the floor  26  of the chute  20 . This base  30  provides a structure from which the legs  40 ,  50  can be suspended, as well as a location where the ballast bag  60  can be coupled to decrease any tendency for the filler  10  to be toppled. This base  30  is preferably a rigid unitary mass of material, such as injection molded material, and is best shown in  FIG. 7 . The base  30  includes a top wall  32  coupled to the floor  26  of the chute  20 , such as through use of an adhesive or through appropriate fasteners. It is also conceivable that the base  30  could be formed with the chute  20  during an injection molding process or through whatever manufacturing process is utilized to form the chute  20 . 
   A bottom wall  34  is provided opposite the top wall  32 . The bottom wall  34  preferably includes threaded posts  36  extending therefrom as well as an eye bolt  38 . The eye bolt  38  provides a coupling to which a rope  62  can be attached. An opposite end of the rope  62  can close an opening in a ballast bag  60  so that the ballast bag  60  is suspended directly below the base  30  and thus directly below the chute  20  of the filler  10  (and down to the ground most preferably). The ballast bag  60  is preferably identical to the bags B which are to be filled by the filler  10 . The ballast bag  60  is preferably filled with sand, but could alternatively be filled with rocks or other weights. 
   With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1-4  and also  FIG. 7 , particular details of the legs  40 ,  50  are described. Legs  40 ,  50  provide a preferred form of means to suspend the chute  20  of the filler  10  above ground to present the most convenient target for sand S from a shovel H handled by a user U. Most preferably, three legs  40 ,  50  are provided including a front leg  40  and a pair of rear legs  50 . As sand throwing loads are directed rearwardly, the two rear legs  50  are presented to absorb any such loads. While the legs  40 ,  50  could be of different lengths, most preferably each of the legs  40 ,  50  is provided with a similar length to facilitate interchangeability. 
   The front leg  40  includes a top coupling  42  which is complemental with threaded posts  36  on a forward most portion of the base  30 . Thus, the top coupling  42  of the front leg  40  can be threaded onto the threaded post  36  of the base  30  on a forward portion of the base  30 . The front leg  40  further includes a shaft  44  extending down from the top coupling  42  and terminating at a foot  46  opposite the top coupling  42 . The foot  46  preferably includes a high friction cap which helps to keep the chute  20  from sliding when placed upon a slick surface. Such feet  46  also tend to protect any fragile or valuable surfaces upon which the filler  10  is being utilized. 
   The rear legs  50  are similar to the front leg  40  in that they include top couplings  52  removably attachable to the threaded posts  36  oriented more rearwardly on the base  30 . The rear legs  50  also include shafts  54  extending down to feet  56  in a fashion similar to the front leg  40 . 
   The threaded posts  36  of the base  30  generally define an orientation for the legs  40 ,  50 . In particular, the plurality of threaded posts  36  preferably include three such threaded posts  36  with one of the threaded posts  36  extending forwardly and downwardly at approximately a 60° angle to horizontal ( FIG. 4 ). The rear legs  50  have their orientation established by the two threaded posts  36  of the base  30  oriented more rearwardly on the base  30 . Most preferably, these rear legs  50  angle rearwardly at an angle of approximately 60° away from horizontal and away from each other with approximately 60° between each of the two rear legs  50 . 
   The shafts  44 ,  54  of the legs  40 ,  50  are preferably linear and formed of hollow tubing to minimize weight and maximize strength. Most preferably, these shafts  44  are formed of a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”). The legs  40 ,  50  can optionally be made to telescope and exhibit adjustable length. However, most preferably the legs  40 ,  50  benefit from being of a single non-adjustable length, with the mouth  22  of the chute  20  sufficiently large to accommodate users U having different heights, even when the legs  40 ,  50  maintain a constant length. 
   The legs  40 ,  50  are preferably configured to be readily removably attached from the threaded posts  36  on the base  30 . Thus, when the chute  20  is to be stored in a small area, the legs  40 ,  50  can be removed. Once removed, the chute  20  and associated base  30  can be nested within another chute  20  and base  30  assembly to some degree, to facilitate low volume in shipping of one or more fillers  10  and decreasing an amount of storage space required when the fillers  10  are being stored. 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , details of the ballast bag  60  are described. The ballast bag  60  is preferably similar to the bag B in which sand S is being provided for filling. However, this ballast bag  60  is not utilized in the flood control efforts, but rather is tied to the chute  20 , such as through the eye bolt  38  or other coupling in the base  30 , with a length of rope  62  or other line. This rope  62  can also close off the ballast bag  60  so that sand S does not escape from the ballast bag  60 . The eye bolt  38  provides a preferred form of line accepting coupler. While the ballast bag  60  could be a dedicated structure that can be reused for ballast, most preferably after utilization of the filler  10 , the ballast bag  60  is removed and utilized along with the other sandbags. When the filler  10  is to be reused, the first bag B filled is used as the new ballast bag  60 . 
   With particular reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , details of a clip  70  providing a preferred form of fastener for holding the bag B adjacent the spout  24  of the chute  20 , are described according to a preferred embodiment. The filler  10  includes a fastener for holding the bag B with an opening of the bag B overlapping the spout  24  of the chute  20 . This fastener is preferably provided in the preferred form of the clip  70 . This clip  70  is of a type which can readily and securely grip planar sheet material, such as that forming a sandbag B, and have sufficient holding force that the bag B does not fall off of the clip  70  or other fastener before the bag B has been completely filled. 
   Most preferably, this clip  70  is mounted to the chute  20  in a location directly above a centerline of the chute  20  and approximately midway between the mouth  22  and the spout  24 . For instance, the chute  20  can be fitted with a U-bolt  72  and a carabener  74  can then be removably secured to the U-bolt  72 . The clip  70  is attached to the carabener  74 . Alternatively, the clip  70  could be coupled directly to the U-bolt  72  or otherwise directly attached to the chute  20 . 
   The clip  70  itself most preferably includes a top jaw  76  substantially parallel with a bottom jaw  78 . The junction  75  also joins the jaws  76 ,  78  together and preferably provides some form of resilient force applying structure, tending to draw the jaws  76 ,  78  toward each other. A junction  75  defines a transition from a portion of the clip  70  configured to be coupled to the carabener  74  and the location where the jaws  76 ,  78  extend from the clip  70 . 
   A button  77  is preferably provided upon the clip  70  which urges the jaws  76 ,  78  away from each other, and facilitating release of the bag B, such as when the bag B has been satisfactorily filled, by pushing the button  77 . A gap  79  is provided between the jaws  76 ,  78  which has essentially zero size when the jaws  76 ,  78  are allowed to close against each other. However, the gap  79  appears and grows when the jaws  76 ,  78  are pushed away from each other. This gap  79  defines an area where a portion of the bag B adjacent an opening thereof can be placed so that the entire bag B is secured in a manner suspended from the clip  70  or other fastener and from the chute  20 , while overlying the spout  24  ( FIG. 4 ). 
   While the fastener in this example is preferably in the form of a clip  70 , various other fasteners could be utilized for the securing of the bags B to the chute  20  in a position overlying the spout  24 . For instance, the fastener could be in the form of adhesive tape, a pin structure, such as a safety pin or other needle pin threaded through the fabric of the bag B, a button cooperating with a buttonhole in the sandbags, complemental snaps included on the fastener  70  and on the bag B, complemental velcro formed on the bag B and as at least a portion of the fastener, and a variety of other fasteners. 
   In use and operation, and with particular reference to  FIG. 1 , details of the manner in which the filler  10  is utilized are described. Initially, the filler  10  is set up for utilization. The legs  40 ,  50  are threaded onto the threaded posts  36  of the base  30  so that the chute  20  is deployed. The base  30  is constructed so that the chute  20  automatically has the desired angle for the floor  26  once the legs  40 ,  50  have been attached to the threaded posts  36  of the base  30 . A ballast bag  60  is then selected and loaded with sand. A rope  36  is utilized to close off the ballast bag  60  and tie it to the eye bolt  38  of the base  30 . The chute  20  is thus now exceptionally stable, even though it only has three legs. 
   The user U then takes a bag B and places an opening of the bag B over the spout  24  of the chute  20 . A portion of the bag B adjacent the opening thereof is inserted between the jaws  76 ,  78  of the clip  70  or otherwise coupled to the fastener, so that the bag B is held over the spout  24  and ready to receive sand S. A user U then delivers sand S to the bag B through the filler  10 . In particular, the user U would typically utilize a shovel H, loading a blade of the shovel H with sand S. This sand S is then deposited into the mouth  22  of the chute  20 . The sand S migrates down the chute  20  and over the floor  26  along the centerline, until the sand S reaches the spout  24 . The sand S then falls out of the chute  20  and into the bag B. 
   When the bag B is sufficiently full, the bag B can be easily removed from the fastener by merely tugging on the bag B or pushing the button  77  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to cause the jaws  76 ,  78  to release the bag B. Once the bag B has been filled, the bag B is removed from the fastener, such as the clip  70 , and taken off of the spout  24 . The sandbag B is now ready for use. An empty sandbag B is then placed over the spout  24 , coupled to the clip  70  or other fastener, and the process is repeated for a new sandbag B. 
   This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.