Patent Publication Number: US-2007095989-A1

Title: Bag transporting apparatus and methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/731,336, filed Oct. 28, 2005. The entire teachings of the above application are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Plastic grocery bags are good for carrying groceries from the store to the vehicle, but they lack form and stability when put down in the back of the vehicle. Therefore, the grocery bags do a poor job of holding the groceries during the trip home from the grocery store. Typically, when a grocery shopper arrives home the groceries are scattered around the cargo area of the vehicle.  
      A need exists for a device that keeps groceries in their bags when transporting them in a vehicle. A further need exists for a system that more easily allows one to carry the grocery bags from their vehicle into the house.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing bags in a vehicle during transportation. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame; and one or more removable attachments having at least one hook. The hook attaches to an upper portion of the frame. In particular, the frame further includes a base; two legs, attached to the base, at an angle, and an upper portion connecting the two legs; wherein the frame is collapsible. The two legs are attached to the base at an acute angle (e.g., about a 45 degree angle). The height of the upper portion of the frame to which the hooks are attached is between about 8 and about 12 inches. The removable attachment further includes at least one hook (e.g., about 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hooks), a handle, and a recess for receiving the upper portion of the frame.  
      In another embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention encompasses a base; two legs, attached to the base at an acute angle; an upper bar connecting the two legs; and a plurality of hooks attached to the upper bar; wherein the frame is collapsible. For this embodiment and other embodiments, the height of the upper portion of the frame ranges between about one inch less than the height of a standard shopping bag, and two inches greater than the height of a standard shopping bag. The plurality of hooks folds inward with a hinge when the apparatus is not in use.  
      The present invention also embodies the removable attachment. The removable attachment has a hook or similar device for hanging bags to it. The attachment removably attaches to the upper portion of the apparatus described herein. The removable attachment includes a recess or attachment device that allows for removable attachment to the upper portion of said frame. The removable attachment also includes, in an embodiment, a handle, and a least one hook.  
      Similarly, the present invention, in one aspect, relates to the collapsible frame of the apparatus. The frame has a base; two legs, attached to the base, at an acute angle; and an upper bar connecting the two legs. The frame is collapsible, and the height of the upper portion of the frame ranges between about one inch less than the height of a standard shopping bag, and two inches greater than the height of a standard shopping bag. The frame can support, in one aspect, up to about 40 pounds, and is fabricated from a lightweight material (e.g., steel, plastic, aluminum, titanium, fabric, rubber, wood, or the like). The present invention also includes hinges to allow the frame to collapse, as described herein. The frame has an adjustable height, width, or both using telescopic legs, telescopic upper bar, or both.  
      The present invention pertains to methods of transporting bags in a vehicle, the methods include attaching one or more bags to one or more hooks of the apparatus of described herein, and driving the vehicle. The methods further include removing one or more removable attachments having bags hanging on the hooks of the attachment; and carrying the attachment with the bags.  
      Other methods of the present invention include carrying more than one bag simultaneously using the apparatus described herein. The methods involve carrying, with the handle, the apparatus having one or more bags attached thereto.  
      The present invention relates to kits for transporting bags in a trunk of a vehicle or carrying more than one bag simultaneously. The kit includes the frame, as described herein, or one or more pieces thereof, and one or more removable attachments having a recess for receiving the upper portion of said frame; a handle; and a least one hook.  
      The present invention offers several advantages. The present invention provides an apparatus that allows for transportation of more than one bag without spillage of the bag&#39;s contents. The present invention also allows the user to minimize the number of trips to carry the bags to their destination because the apparatus allows for a number of bags to be carried simultaneously using the removable hooks, or by carrying the entire frame with the bags hanging from the hooks. The apparatus easily collapses to reduce the storage area it takes up when not in use. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bag transporting apparatus of the present invention with a series of removable attachments with hooks.  
       FIG. 1B  is a detail view of the locking mechanism of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 1C  is bird&#39;s eye view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  in its collapsed state.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  with grocery bags on it.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bag transporting apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the bag transporting apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bag transporting apparatus of the present invention that uses a frame and sleeve configuration.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bag transporting apparatus of the present invention that includes hooks that fold inward when the apparatus is not use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows.  
      Bag transportation apparatus  20  shown in  FIG. 1  is an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of the present invention is used for storing bags in a vehicle during transportation thereby preventing the contents of the bags from spilling. The apparatus of the present invention is preferably used in the cargo area or trunk of a passenger vehicle. The apparatus includes frame  2  and removably attached handle hooks  4 . Frame  2  includes of base  6 , legs  8 A and  8 B and an upper bar  10 . Like base  6 , the base of the frame for the present invention can be any shape so long as it provides a stable way for holding up the upper bar and removable attached handle hooks. In  FIG. 1A , base  6  includes two base stabilizing bars  14 , two sets of base members, members  15 A and  15 B, connected by hinge  18 . Hinge  18  receives base member  15 A, and is connected, essentially perpendicularly to stabilizing bar  14 . Hinge  18  allows base members  15 A and  15 B to swivel or collapse inward when apparatus  20  is not in use. The collapsible aspect of apparatus  20  is described in further detail herein. Although apparatus  20  utilizes a base with cylindrical stabilizing bars and base members, the base can be made from any type of support or member, without regard to shape, so long as the support or member can hold up the upper portion of the apparatus to the desired height for the removable hooks. Examples of such types of supports include those that are rectangular bars, flat supports, fabric supports including strapping or webbing, or combinations thereof. The base or the support can further include additional bars or supports to reinforce its structure.  
      Base  6  in  FIG. 1A , including the stabilizing bars and the base members, basically forms a “U” shape base. Embodiments of the present invention include “C” shaped bases, “H” shaped bases, “Y” shaped bases, “X” shaped bases, square shaped bases or any other shaped based so long as the base provides a stable support for the apparatus. The base, as with the entire apparatus, can be a continuous piece, or formed from more than one piece with one or more points of attachment. Points of attachment include hinges, locks, and rivet and bolt combinations. However, the point of attachment can be made from any known device, or one that is later developed, and preferably allows the frame to be collapsed.  
      The frame can be any shape or material, as described herein, so long as it provides a stable way for holding up the plurality of removable attachments at a height sufficient for holding one or more bags. The frame, in an embodiment, is fabricated from a lightweight material for ease of use (e.g., to allow the user to more easily carry the device or collapse the device). Examples of lightweight material include steel, plastic, fabric (e.g., webbing, strapping), metal, (e.g., aluminum, steel, or titanium), wood, or combinations thereof. Although lightweight, the frame, in an embodiment, is durable and can hold weight that ranges between about 1 and about 40 pounds.  
      The present invention further includes a handle. The upper bar or portion of the frame can also act as a handle. Since the frame is made from a lightweight material, the frame can be carried by the user with or without shopping bags on it. In certain embodiments, the hooks are removable and can be carried separately. In other embodiments, the hooks can be permanently attached, in which case, the whole frame with the bags attached, can be carried.  
      Frame  2  of the present embodiment also includes upper bar  10 , stabilizing bar  12  and legs  8 A and  8 B. The two ends of upper bar  10  are connected by locking mechanism  16 . Upper bar  10  is used to support a plurality of removably attached handle hooks  4 . Upper bar  10  in  FIG. 1A  is a cylindrical-shaped bar that extends from hinge  18  at legs  8 A to locking mechanism  16 . The bar can also be rectangular or any shape (e.g., flat sheet, triangular, “U” shape) that complements the recess of the removably attached handle hook or suitable substitute. Instead of a bar, the upper portion of the frame can be made of any material that allows support of the handle hooks at the desired level. Examples of such material include fabric webbing or strapping, wood, plastic, metal or any combination thereof. The upper bar can be primarily comprised of more than one piece (e.g., in this case it is made up of two pieces, which is divided by locking mechanism  16 ) or can be continuous. Upper bar  10  is further stabilized by parallel bars, upper stabilizing bar  12 . Upper Stabilizing bar  12  attaches to hinge  18  and extends and then curves to attach to upper bar  10  just prior to locking mechanism  16 . One or more stabilizing bars or mechanisms can be used to further support the frame and prevent the grocery bags from swinging back and forth during transportation. The various shapes and materials recited for the upper portion also are applicable to the stabilizing mechanisms used. Both the upper portion and the stabilizing bars are attached to hinge  18 , which assists in collapsing the frame, described further later herein.  
      Locking mechanism  16 , shown in greater detail, in  FIG. 1B , allows for upper bar  10  to be separated, and then collapse. Locking mechanism  16  is made up of a finger tab, unidirectional guide  22  and bidirectional guide  24 . Tension pin  26  on upper bar  10  complement the guides and slide within them. To unlock the frame, the user simply slides upper bar  10  so that tension pin  26  can slide out bidirectional guide  24 , and reverses the steps to lock it. Other locking mechanisms known in the art or developed in the future can be used so long as the frame can be locked during use, and unlocked to be collapsed. The locking mechanism is optional, and the present invention can be collapsed and/or held in place with the use of sleeves, stops, hinges, and other devices known in the art. Examples of frames without locking mechanisms are shown in  FIGS. 3-6 .  
      Frame  2  also includes legs  8 A and  8 B. The legs begin at hinge  18  that connects to upper bar  10  and extends base members  15 A and  15 B of base  6  via a second hinge  18 , located at the bottom of the frame. Legs  8 A and  8 B form an acute angle with respect to base  6 . As with the upper bar, the legs can be of any shape or length so long as they act to support the upper portion of the frame. The legs can be continuous, or made up of one or more pieces. The legs, as shown in other embodiments, can have a hinge at the angle. Any number of legs can be used to support the upper portion of the frame. The present invention has a number of legs that range from about 1 to about 8, and preferably between about 2 and about 4. The base holds up the upper portion at preferably an acute angle. In  FIG. 1A , the angle is about a 45 degree angle. The angle of the frame of the present invention can be more or less than about 45 degrees (e.g., from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees), so long as the hooks are at a suitable height for holding one or more bags. The angle of the upper bar, in relation to the base assists with stabilizing the frame when in use. The weight of the grocery bags is more evenly distributed throughout the base by use of such an angle. Stability is also added by achieving the desired height.  
      The height of the upper portion of the frame that supports the hooks should be high enough to support a standard grocery bag so that its contents do not spill out, but not too high so that the grocery bags will swing strong enough to cause the frame to tip over during transport. Some swinging or movement of the bags can occur, even when the frame is at the desired height, but it should not be so strong as to allow for the frame to tip. In an embodiment, plastic grocery bags just touch the floor of the vehicle trunk when in use which in turn provides additional stability. In one aspect, the height of the hooks can be about one inch less and not more than two inches greater than the height of the grocery or shopping bag having handles (e.g., with items in it). The standard height for a plastic grocery bag with items in is about 10 inches. Hence, the height of the hooks ranges between about 9 and about 12 inches. Paper shopping bags with handles, often used in department stores, have a greater height, and in an embodiment, the height of the hook can be higher (e.g., between about 12 inches and about 24 inches). In an embodiment, the height or width of the frame can be adjusted (e.g., through the use of telescopic legs) to accommodate taller bags, or several additional bags.  
      Frame  2  of  FIG. 1A  is collapsible through the use of hinges, hinge  18 .  FIG. 1C  shows the frame in its collapsed state. Two hinges are found in the base, two hinges are located where legs  8 A meet base members  1   5 A, and two are found at the upper portion of the frame. The hinges work together to allow the piece of the frame to turn inward and collapse. When locking mechanism  16  disengages upper bar  10 , the user can lay the upper portion of the frame down, as shown in  FIG. 1C . The frame is now relatively flat and can be more easily stored or moved. The present invention also includes frames that collapse in different ways. As can be done with the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3,4 , and  6 , the frame can be folded backward, instead of inward, in order to be collapsed. This is accomplished through the use of properly positioned hinges that allow the upper portion to be folded backwards for storage. Another way exists to collapse the frame illustrated by the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the frame is collapsed by disengagement the sleeves, sleeve  32 , from the frame. The present invention embodies frames that collapse any number of ways, including an inward collapse, a backward collapse, and disengagement of the frame.  
      In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A , a plurality of handle hooks  4  is used. Handle hooks  4  are evenly spaced on upper bar  10 , but can be place on the bar as desired by the user. Handle hook  4  has two hooks, a recess for receiving the upper bar of the frame, and a handle that all continuously flow into one another. The dual hook/handle design is formed such that it rests onto the upper portion of the frame and is stabilized by stabilization bar  12 . In addition to hooks, the present invention also encompasses removable attachments with other devices that act like hooks and secure a bag during transport. Such devices include e.g., corded loops, hook and loop material, zip ties, clips with hooks, fasteners, magnets, snaps, or the like can be used. Each removable attachment can have a range of hooks, e.g., about 1 hook to about 4 hooks. As such, when the attachments are place on the upper portion of the frame, the grocery bags can be attached and stored on them during transport.  FIG. 2  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 1A  in use with grocery bags resting on the handle hooks. When the user brings the grocery bags into the house, the user can remove the hooks, with the grocery bags on them, and carry the hooks and groceries alike inside. The removable attachments are advantageous because the user does not have to take the bags off the hooks in order to carry them inside, and can carry more bags with greater ease.  
      In another embodiment, as further described and shown herein, a plurality of nonremovable hooks or similar devices can also be used. The attachments can be made from a lightweight material including metal, steel, plastic, rubber, fabric, and material now known or later developed. The handle portion of the removable attachment can be ergonomically designed and can include soft rubber or padded handles, with indentations to receive a user&#39;s fingers.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , bag transporting apparatus  40  has a “U” shaped support that comprises upper bar  10   a  and legs  8   c . In this embodiment, the upper bar and legs are continuous, without a hinge to connect them as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . Apparatus  40  has a “C” shape base  6   a , and stabilizing bar  14   a . Base  6   a  is pivotally attached to legs  8 C with hinge  27 A. This pivotal attachment allows for the frame to collapse backward when not in use. Apparatus  40  includes additional features such as stand  9  and wedge stops  28 . Stabilizing bar  14 A is pivotally attached to stand  9 , and when stand  9  engages wedge stop  28 , upper bar  10   a  is held upright and ready for use. Any type of stand and/or stand/stop combination can be used so long as the upper bar is held in the desired position to transport grocery bags in a vehicle. Examples of such stops or mechanisms that engage a stand include those used for a beach chair, lounge chair or easel. Stops or mechanisms that engage stands that are now known or later developed can be used with the present invention. Another example of a mechanism that acts as a stand is a wedge. The stop engages the stand to hold the frame upright. The stop can be made part of the stand itself or part of the frame.  
      Bag transporting apparatus  50  in  FIG. 4  is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , except that upper bar  10   a  and base  6   b  are not continuous. The upper bar is two separate pieces attached with connector  36 , and base  6   b  is also two pieces attached with connector  38 . This embodiment illustrates that frame can be made from more than one piece and connected with various means or mechanisms. Examples of such connecting means include screws, magnets, bolts, locks, snaps and tension fits. Connecting means now know or later developed can be used with the present invention. This embodiment also includes a pull to allow the user to pull up the stand which in turn engages the legs of the upper bar.  
       FIG. 5  shows bag transporting apparatus  60  which is made up of four frame pieces and 4 sleeves (sleeve  32 ). For example, upper bar  10   a  continuously flows at essentially a 90 degree angle into leg  8 A, which flows into a 45 degree angle into base  6   c . The pieces of the frame are held together with sleeves and are supported by a stabilizing bar that mirrors this continuous flow. In this embodiment, the upper portion includes upper bar  10   a  and sleeve  32 , on which the removable attachments or removable hooks are placed. To collapse this embodiment, the frame is simply pulled out from the sleeves.  
      Bag transporting apparatus  70  shown in  FIG. 6  is made from rectangular bars, and has a base  6   d , stabilized by bar  14   d . The base members of base  15 A 1  meet legs  8   d  at essentially a 45 degree angle and are connected with a hinge (not shown). Stand  9   a  holds up legs  8   d  when the frame is in use. Upper bar  10   b  has a series of nonremovable hooks  4   a . The hooks, in an embodiment, can be angled in relation to the floor of the vehicle to keep the bags from slipping off except when they are appropriately lifted off the hooks. The series of hooks can be folded inward so that they are facing away from the user when the apparatus is not in use. This can be accomplished by placing another hinge or other appropriate folding mechanism at the base of the hook series. Apparatus  70  is collapsed by folding stand  9   a  and, optionally, folding hooks  4   a  back.  
      This embodiment also includes a handle, as further described herein, to allow the user to carry the entire frame, with or without the grocery bags attached thereto. A handle can be placed on any of the embodiments of the present invention. This is useful to reduce the number of trips required between the car and the kitchen in order to bring in the groceries or other retail purchases. The current handle is also manufactured of metal, but could be made of any other strong material, which would hold the weight of the groceries on the hooks. Furthermore, a series of straps could be added to the apparatus, which would allow the user to carry the apparatus over the shoulder, in tump line style or using a backpack style. In the event that the number of bags is too heavy for the user, the user can reduce the number bags per trip. Overall, the number of trips is reduced when the user carries multiple bags with the apparatus at one time.  
      The point of attachment of the frame, such as the hinges described herein, used in the present invention includes any connecting mechanism known or developed in the future. The hinge shown in  FIG. 3  is made using rivets and bolts, but could be substituted by other mechanisms such as screws, nails, fastex clips, or hook and loop. In addition, the apparatus, in another embodiment, could be put together in a fixed position via welds or other means to maintain the parts in a nonmoving manner.  
      The bags that the apparatus carries include plastic grocery bags or plastic, paper or fabric bags. The bags preferably have handles or straps for attaching to the apparatus. Alternatively other bags with similar characteristics could be used.  
      It is envisioned that the apparatus have a region that could be branded with the name of the automaker, grocery store, car dealer, sports team, etc. on the side of the rack.  
      The present invention further includes methods for using the apparatus described herein. The methods include setting up the apparatus either by engaging the locking mechanism or the stand, and attaching the removable hooks. The method of using the apparatus includes placing one or more bags on hooks or similar devices and driving to the desired destination. With the embodiment utilizing the removable attachments, the method additionally includes removing the attachments having bags already hanging on the hooks and carrying one or more bags on one or more removable attachments to their final destination. Alternatively, the user can carry the entire apparatus with the bags handing from the hooks using the handle or the upper bar of the apparatus. If the bags, as a whole are too heavy for the user, the user can remove some of the bags and carry the remaining bags to their final destination. The user can then repeat this step for the remaining bags.  
      Exemplification  
      The apparatus shown in  FIG. 1A -C was fabricated from raw cold rolled steel purchased (Patriot Steel, Portsmouth, N.H.)  
      Parts Used to Construct the Apparatus:  
     
         
          ⅜″ diameter cold rolled steel rod  
          ¼″ diameter cold rolled steel rod  
          ⅜″ internal diameter cold rolled steel tube  
       
    
      The rod was bent to the desired shape using a rod bender with a range of radius dies (Eastwood Co, Product #28100 Jumbo Rod Bender Pottstown, Pa.).  
      To create the two base hinges two pieces of ⅜″ internal diameter tube was cut. One ¼″ for the end stop and a 2″ piece that would create the hinge and rotate around the ⅜″ diameter rod. For this hinge the ¼″ rod works as the interior stop. Two ⅜″ diameter rods were then welded on to create the base support and welded to a duplicate hinge on the opposite side.  
      The top hinge was similarly designed but used three pieces of ⅜″ internal diameter tube, two ¼″ long pieces and one 2″ long piece. The ¼″ pieces work as the interior and exterior stops. One ⅜″ diameter rod and one ¼″ dia rod were then welded on to create the cross members. The cross members from both sides terminate in the center of the apparatus and are fastened together using a ⅜″ internal dia tub with sliding lock mechanism to stop the unit from folding in on itself.  
      The relevant teachings of all the references, patents and/or patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
      While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.