Patent Publication Number: US-2019177025-A1

Title: Foldable sandbag holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of priority with U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/595,672, filed Dec. 7, 2017; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to foldable sandbag holders. More particularly, the invention is directed to a foldable bag holder for concurrently holding multiple sandbags and aiding in the activity of rapid filling multiple sandbags. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     A myriad of sandbag holder designs known to one with the ordinary level of skill collectively form a crowded art. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,469 describes a foldable sandbag holder; U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,350 describes a “portable bag filling stand”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,921 describes a “sand bag filling apparatus”; the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     While these embodiments disclosed above may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure concerns a foldable sandbag holder for concurrently holding a plurality of conventional sandbags in an upright, open, hanging position, and aiding in the activity of rapid filling the plurality of conventional sandbags. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be further appreciated with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a foldable sandbag holder being configured in a first “deployed” state, wherein arms and feet of the holder are oriented orthogonal with respect to an annular body of the holder; 
         FIG. 2  shows a planar view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state; 
         FIG. 3  shows an axial view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state; 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in a second “collapsed” state; 
         FIG. 7  shows a planar view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state; 
         FIG. 8  shows an axial view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state; 
         FIG. 9  shows a top view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     For purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions of certain preferred embodiments are hereinafter provided such that one having ordinary skill in the art may be enabled to make and use the invention. These details and descriptions are representative only of certain preferred embodiments, however, and a myriad of other embodiments which will not be expressly described will be readily understood by one having skill in the art upon a thorough review of the instant disclosure. Accordingly, any reviewer of the instant disclosure should interpret the scope of the invention by the claims, as such scope is not intended to be limited by the embodiments described and illustrated herein. 
     Now, in a preferred embodiment, a foldable sandbag holder is disclosed which supports multiple conventional sandbags for concurrent filling. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the holder supports four sandbags. However, in certain other embodiments, the holder can be similarly produced for holding two, six, eight or more bags. 
     Various benefits of the disclosed foldable sandbag holder include but are not limited to: (i) concurrently holding four or more bags; (ii) allowing concurrent filling of multiple bags (ex: 4 bags); (iii) multiple users can fill bags from all sides; (iv) the holder is foldable for convenient storage and transportation; and (v) each of the arms and feet are configured to pivot about an annular body of the holder. 
     The foldable sandbag holder generally includes an annular body comprising first and second vertical portions and first and second horizontal portions. 
     Mounted to an upper end of the annular body are first through third arms, which are generally evenly spaced one with respect to the other. In certain embodiments, first arm is mounted to the annular body at a first side thereof, second arm is mounted to the annular body at a center thereof along the upper end, and third arm is mounted to the annular body at a second side opposite the first side. Each arm comprises three pins, each pin being generally evenly spaced along the respective arm, with a first pin at a first terminal end, a second pin at a center, and a third pin disposed at a second terminal end opposite the first terminal end. Each of the first through third pins is structurally configured to resist bending with a load of at least twenty-five pounds. Each of the arms is configured to fold in a first state wherein the arms are oriented flush with the annular body and a second state wherein the arms are oriented orthogonal with respect to the annular body. 
     Each of the pins may be finished with a pointed end for piercing through a sandbag. 
     The foldable sandbag holder further includes first swivel-foot and second swivel-foot, each of the first and second swivel-feet being disposed at one of the first and second side of the annular body, respectively, and configured to fold in a first state wherein the feet are oriented flush with the annular body and a second state wherein the feet are oriented orthogonal with respect to the annular body. 
     Each of the pins, arms, annular body and other components may be constructed using conventional fasteners and other hardware as would be appreciated by one having the ordinary level of skill in the art. 
     The Individual components of the sandbag holder, such as the arms, feet, and annular body, etc., may be fabricated from plastics, composite materials such as carbon fiber or fiberglass, wood, or metal, preferably aluminum or other light-weight metals to aid in portability of the sandbag holder. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a foldable sandbag holder being configured in a first “deployed” state, wherein arms and feet of the holder are oriented orthogonal with respect to an annular body of the holder. Here, first and second vertical portions  11   a;    11   b  extend from a bottom end (BE) to upper end (UE) of the annular body  10 . First and second horizontal portions  12   a;    12   b  extend from first side S 1  to second side S 2 . First and second vertical portions  11   a;    11   b  are connected by first and second horizontal portions  12   a;    12   b  to form annular body  10 . First and second rotatable feed  13   a;    13   b  are each connected to the annular body  10  at bottom end BE. The feet can be connected to the annular body via conventional hardware fasteners, such as bolts and the like. The foldable sandbag holder is shown with three arms  14   a;    14   b;    14   c  each being independently attached to the annular body  10  at upper end UE. Here, first arm  14   a  is attached to the annular body at first side S 1 , second arm  14   b  is attached to the annular body at a center, the center taken along the length of first horizontal portion  12   a  between first and second sides S 1 ; S 2 , and third arm  14   c  is attached to the annular body at second side S 2 . Each of the arms  14   a - 14   c  comprises three of pins  15 ( a - i ). The foldable sandbag holder is shown being configured in the first “deployed” state, wherein the arms and feet are each oriented to be orthogonal with respect to the annular body. The user can rotate each of the arms and feet to achieve the desired state between “collapsed” and “deployed”. 
       FIG. 2  shows a planar view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state. The planar view is similar when appreciated from each of the left and right sides of the foldable sandbag holder. Each of the first and second vertical portions  11   a;    11   b,  first and second horizontal portions  12   a;    12   b,  of the annular body, the first through third arms  14 ( a - c ), and first and second feet  13   a;    13   b  are shown. Bolt  16  is shown extending through first horizontal portion of the annular body and connecting with second arm  14   b  for providing a rotatable attachment thereof. While a bolt is shown and described, one with skill in the art will appreciate a myriad of possible implementations for achieving the result of providing a rotatable arm about the annular body. 
       FIG. 3  shows an axial view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state. The axial view is similar when appreciated from each of the front and rear sides of the foldable sandbag holder. Arms  14  and feet  13  are shown connected to annular body  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a top view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state. Here, first arm  14   a,  second arm  14   b,  and third arm  14   c  are shown oriented orthogonal with respect to annular frame  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the first deployed state. Feet  13   a;    13   b  are shown connected to annular body  10 . Second arm  14   b  is visible from the bottom view. 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in a second “collapsed” state. Here, each of first arm  14   a,  second arm  14   b,  third arm  14   c,  first foot  13   a,  and second foot  13   b  are rotatably configured to rest within a common plane of the annular body  10  and said to be in the collapsed state. 
       FIG. 7  shows a planar view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state. The first through third arms  14   a;    14   b;    14   c,  and first and second feet  13   a;    13   b,  are each shown being aligned within a common plane with the annular body  10 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an axial view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state. To achieve the collapsed state, arms  14  and feet  13  are oriented within a common plane (or parallel) with respect to the annular body  10 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a top view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state. As shown, each of the first arm  14   a,  second arm  14   b,  and third arm  14   c  are configured to be oriented within a common plane of the annular body  10 . 
     Finally,  FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of the foldable sandbag holder configured in the second collapsed state. First rotatable foot  13   a  and second rotatable foot  13   b  are each configured within a common plane with the annular body  10  to achieve the second collapsed state. 
     Thus, in certain embodiments a foldable sandbag holder is disclosed which comprises: an annular body, first and second rotatable feet, and first through third rotatable arms. The annular body may further comprise first and second vertical portions each configured to extend vertically from a bottom end to an upper end of the annular body, and first and second horizontal portions each configured to extend horizontally from a first side to a second side of the annular body. Each of the first and second rotatable feet can be independently coupled to the annular body at the bottom end thereof and is rotatable about the annular body. Each of the first through third rotatable arms may extend from a first terminal end to a second terminal end and includes a center thereof. The center of each rotatable arm may be further coupled to the annular body at the upper end. Each rotatable arm may further comprise first through third pins, each of the pins extending vertically from the respective arm. Each of the first and second rotatable feet and the first through third rotatable arms may be independently configurable in a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state each of the annular body, arms and feet are disposed within a common plane; and wherein in the second state each of the arms and feet is oriented orthogonal with respect to the annular body. 
     In some embodiments, on each respective arm, the first through third pins are evenly spaced with a first of the pins disposed at the first terminal end, a second of the pins disposed at the center, and a third of the pins disposed at the second terminal end. 
     In some embodiments, the first rotatable foot is coupled to the annular body at the first side; and wherein the second rotatable foot is coupled to the annular body at the second side. 
     In some embodiments, each of the first through third rotatable arms is coupled to the annular body via hardware extending therebetween. 
     In some embodiments, each of the first and second rotatable feet is coupled to the annular body via hardware extending therebetween. 
     In another embodiment, a foldable sandbag holder is disclosed which comprises at least an annular body and at least three arms attached to the annular body, each of the arms being independently rotatable about the annular body, wherein the arms are configurable in each of a first state and a second state, wherein in the first state each of the annular body and arms are disposed within a common plane; and wherein in the second state each of the arms is oriented orthogonal with respect to the annular body. Each of the pins may be configured to extend vertically from one of the arms. Each arm may comprise three pins. The three pins may comprise a first pin disposed at a first terminal end of the respective arm, a second pin disposed at a center of the respective arm, and a third pin disposed at a second terminal end of the respective arm; wherein the second terminal end is opposite the first terminal end. The foldable sandbag holder may further comprise two or more rotatable feet, each of the rotatable feet configured to rotate about a bottom end of the annular body. 
     In various embodiments, the foldable sandbag holder is adapted to hold at least four sandbags in an open hanging position for rapid filling. 
     While certain features and embodiments are described herein with the intent to enable one with skill in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognized that a certain variations, combinations, substitutions, and other alternatives may be similarly practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the one with skill in the art will be capable of varying the herein-described embodiments to accomplish other embodiments which are substantially similar, which accomplish substantially the same results, and which are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as-claimed. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
         annular body ( 10 ) 
         vertical portions ( 11   a;    11   b ) 
         horizontal portions ( 12   a;    12   b ) 
         first foot ( 13   a ) 
         second foot ( 13   b ) 
         first arm ( 14   a ) 
         second arm ( 14   b ) 
         third arm ( 14   c ) 
         pins ( 15   a  thru  15   i ) 
         bolt ( 16 ) 
         upper end (UE) 
         bottom end (BE) 
         first side (S 1 ) 
         second side (S 2 ) 
         foldable sandbag holder ( 100 )