Abstract:
A device for quickly and easily filling bags with sand, dirt, or other particulate material that is operable by a single individual. The device is adapted to decrease the amount of energy exerted by individuals in filling such bags. The device may also be constructed in a collapsible manner for ease of transportation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of devices for filing bags with particulate matter. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sandbag filling apparatus that is manually operable without the need for motors or electricity. 
         [0004]    2. Background of Related Art 
         [0005]    Sandbags are typically used to control flooding and/or to shore up saturated earth and to diverge water. Plastic or burlap bags are filled with sand and stacked to form a water barrier that prevents flooding or movement of the saturated earth. In emergency situations, filling sandbags is particularly a problem because it generally requires extensive manpower and time. Currently, workers or volunteers typically fill sandbags manually using shovels either by dumping the sand directly from the shovel into the sandbags. Such a method of filling sandbags is very inefficient because it requires one person to keep the bag open for the other person to fill. Further, spillage frequently occurs due to the sand falling off the shovel and onto the ground. These inefficiencies combine to make using shovels to manually fill sandbags with sand an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Also, the continuous lifting of shovels full of saturated earth quickly drains the worker&#39;s energy. 
         [0006]    In addition, often the area at flood risk is located in a remote area making the power driven solution a difficult one to initiate. Delivering bulky and heavy motorized equipment to flooded or saturated areas is a daunting task. Further, providing electricity or fuel in a flood damaged area provides its own problems. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, in light of the current state of the related teachings, there is a need for device that fills bags with particulate in a non-motorized, yet energy conserving, fashion. There remains a need for a device that is of simple and inexpensive construction and which provides quick and reliable loading and filling of bags. Preferably, such a device can be operated by a single user so as to provide more filled containers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Accordingly, it is a general aspect of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of existing devices. 
         [0009]    It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cost-efficient bag-filling device in both operation and manufacture. 
         [0010]    It is aspect of the invention to provide a bag-filling device that is durable and portable. 
         [0011]    It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a stem engaging device that provides for aeration of the toes. 
         [0012]    In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique device for filling bags with particulate matter is disclosed wherein it can be operated in remote locations without the need for electricity or motorized engine. The device also reduces the amount of energy exerted by an individual in carrying out the task of filling the bags. In one preferred embodiment, the device may be collapsed or disassemble into a compact shape for transportation. 
         [0013]    Such stated aspects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other aspect, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of exemplary illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Throughout the disclosure, the word “exemplary” is used exclusively to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
           [0015]    Referring to the drawings in which like reference character(s) present corresponding part(s) throughout: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of a bag-filling device in an upright position from the front end thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary perspective partial illustration of the bag-filling device from the front end thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary perspective partial illustration of the bag-filling device from the back-end thereof; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of the bag-filling device in a tipped or dispensing position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the bag-filling device in a tipped or dispensing position with a bag positioned thereon; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the bag-filling device in an upright position with the bag positioned thereon; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a partial side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device showing the disassembly of the scoop member; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a partial side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device further illustrating the disassembly of the scoop member; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device illustrating the disassembly of the first and second arms for transport; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the bag-filling device assembled for transport. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and or utilized. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1 through 9  are exemplary illustrations of a bag-filling device  100  having a scoop member  101  with a body  112  defining a forward opening  110  and a distal rearward opening  111 , wherein particulate matter travels from the forward opening  110 , through body  112  and out of the rearward opening  111 . In a preferred embodiment, body  112  is curved such that forward opening  110  may be inserted into particulate matter (such as sand) and is maintained within body  112  until device  100  is tilted and particulate matter is gravitationally expelled through rearward opening  111 . Forward opening  110  may be defined by a substantially planar bottom edge  112  and a top edge  104  interconnected by a first side edge  106  and a second side edge  108 . 
         [0028]    A first frame member  114   a  and a second frame member  114   b  retain scoop member  101  thereon such that when device  100  is in an upright position, bottom edge  102  travels in a substantially parallel manner with a floor or ground. First frame  114   a  and second frame  114   b  members run along the length of scoop member  101  on respective sides of first side edge  106  and second side edge  108 . At a predetermined point proximal to rearward opening  111 , a rigid member  124  interconnects first frame  114   a  and second frame  114   b  members. 
         [0029]    In order to ease the movement of the device, a first wheel  122   a  and a second wheel  122   b  are attached to opposing ends of the elongated rigid member  124 . To further ease the movement of the device, a first caster  120   a  and a second caster  120   b  may be located on first frame  114   a  and second frame  114   b,  respectively. Although casters  120   a  and  120   b  are illustrated, it is to be understood that wheels that do not pivot may be substituted therefor. 
         [0030]    A first arm  128   a  and a second arm  128   b  extend from members  114   a  and  114   b,  respectively. A first handle  130   a  and a second handle  130   b  may be attached to a distal point on said respective arms  128   a  and  128   b  to allow for easier grip by a user. Handles  130   a  and  130   b  are substantially semi arced. Arms  128   a  and  128   b  are preferably curved inwardly such that handles  130   a  and  130   b  extend back over rigid member  124 . In this form, the fulcrum is located at rigid member  124  and the position of handles  130   a  and  130   b  allows a user to tip the device backwards with the exertion of less force. Although in other preferred embodiments the arms  128   a  and  128   b  may be located rearward of the rigid member  124 . A first foot rest  126   a  and  126   b  are provided proximal to rigid member  124 , such that a user places the bottom of one foot on either footrest  126   a  or  126   b  and pulls handles  130   a  and  130   b  backwards and towards the ground. 
         [0031]    Now referring specifically to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , a first protrusion  132   a  and a second protrusion  132   b  extend from arms  130   a  and  130   b,  respectively. Protrusions  132   a  and  132   b  allow the device to rest on the ground when it is tipped over in a particulate dispensing position. An elongated bar  136  may extend between footrests  126   a  and  126   b  to provide for greater rigidity. It is to be understood that although two arms ( 128   a  and  128   b ) are illustrated herein, that the invention may be modified to work with only one arm without departing from the essence of the invention. When two arms  128   a  and  128   b  are used, however, a substantially “U” shaped bracing member  134  may be attached therebetween at a point distal to said handles  130   a  and  130   b.    
         [0032]    To allow for efficient dispensing of particulate matter into a bag  140 , which may be plastic or fabric material, a retainer  116  is provided at the rearward opening  111 . Retainer  116  may be made of two rods that are built into arc shapes and crisscross one another at an apex thereof. The rigid retainer  116  maintains bag  140  in an open position such that particulate matter can easily be poured therein when the device  100  is in a tipped over position. After the bag  140  is filled with particulate matter, device  100  can be lifted back into its upright position while the filled bag  140  is left on the ground. The user can then quickly apply an empty bag  140  over retainer  116 , which is maintained in place until another particulate load is picked up by the scoop member  101  and the device  100  tilted again to dispense the particulate matter into bag  140 . Although it is preferred that two crisscrossing rod members be used to define rigid retainer  116 , it is to be understood that one arced rod may also serve the same function in an alternate preferred embodiment. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7 through 9 , in one preferred embodiment, scoop member  101  is removably, yet securely, attached to frame members  114   a  and  114   b  via a first locking member  118   a  and a second locking member  118   b.  First and second locking members  118   a  and  118   b  may be, for purposes of illustration but not limitation, a threaded engaging member such as a bolt and butterfly nut. Further, a leading member  142  extends between frame members  114   a  and  114   b  at a front end thereof and interconnects the same. A lip  144  extends rearwardly from leading member  142  and is adapted to securely, yet removably, engage top edge  104  of scoop member  101 . When locking members  118   a  and  118   b  are disengaged, top edge  104  slides out from its secure engagement with lip  144 . 
         [0034]    Arms  128   a  and  128   b  may also be adapted to disengage from frame members  114   a  and  114   b.  Arms  128   a  and  128   b  can be adapted to have a first frontal region  148   a  and a second frontal region  148   b  located at an end distal to said handles  130   a  and  130   b.  A first component  146   a  and a second component  146   b  extend backwards from frame members  114   a  and  114   b,  respectively, at a point distal to said leading member  142 . First frontal region  148   a  and second frontal region  148   b  are adapted to attach to first  146   a  and second  146   b  components, respectively, via first engaging member  138   a  and second engaging member  138   b.  Engaging members  138   a  and  138   b  may be threaded members with a mating bolt. 
         [0035]    Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. 
         [0036]    It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object. 
         [0037]    In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) is not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead is used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group. 
         [0038]    In addition, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of,” “act of,” “operation of,” or “operational act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.