GB2290772A - Foldable sack holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable, folding sack holder for supporting a flexible bag or sack such as a polythene refuse sack in an upright and open condition comprises two suspension bars 12, 13 in substantially parallel relation, each coupled to a respective pair of legs 20, 21; 22, 23 each one of each pair of legs being pivotally coupled at an intermediate point thereof 30, 31 to a corresponding one of the other pair of legs such that the pairs of legs may be folded to a first position in which the suspension bars are held closely adjacent one another, and unfolded to a second position in which the suspension bars are held apart from one another to receive a sack. Clips for holding a sack onto the suspension bars may be provided integrally formed with the holder, or separate crocodile-type clips or circlips may be used. Means such as cords 32, 33 limit the opening of the legs, and may serve as latching means to hold the holder in one or any of a number of relative positions. The sub-frame formed by one suspension member 13 and its legs 22, 23 may be slightly smaller than the other sub-frame 12, 20, 21 so as to fit within it in a common plane when the holder is folded flat. The legs may be adjustable in length. <IMAGE>

Description

SACK HOLDER The present invention relates to apparatus for holding sacks or bags in an open condition to assist in the filling thereof, and in particular to apparatus which is readily portable and can fold for easy transportation and storage.

In carrying out a large number of tasks, it is common to fill large flexible bags or sacks which must be held in an upright and open condition while filling. For example, polythene refuse sacks are commonly used in the garden to collect lawn mowings, leaves, cuttings and other debris.

The flexibility of these polythene sacks ensures that they have no inherent strength to support themselves in an open and upright condition. This renders them inconvenient to use, in particular when the collection of the material for disposal into the sack requires two-handed operation, leaving no hand available to hold open the sack. For disabled persons, or where single-handed filling is required, the sacks can be most inconvenient.

A large number of devices have been disclosed in the prior art for holding sacks in an open condition. For example, refuse bins have been designed which comprise a circular or rectangular suspension frame held in a substantially horizontal plane, around which the neck of the bag or sack is stretched. The sack is thus suspended from the frame, and the frame typically has leg supports holding the neck of the sack sufficiently far above the ground level to allow the bag to be filled. Alternatively, the suspension frame is formed by the top rim of a hollow container, eg. a dustbin.

An inherent disadvantage with the prior art sack holders is that they are generally bulky and thus difficult to transport and to store.

A further disadvantage is that they are generally quite complex and expensive to manufacture.

A further disadvantage is that once the sack is full, it generally needs to be lifted out of the holder by raising it to a height sufficient for it to clear the top edge of the suspension frame, which is difficult when the sack is filled with heavy objects.

A further disadvantage with many sack holders is that the suspension frame is not readily adjustable to accommodate different sizes of sack.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable and foldable or collapsible sack holder which may be conveniently transported to a suitable location and quickly erected for use. Such a sack holder will find utility in numerous places, for example, in the garden for collecting debris, or for provision of temporary refuse collection points at special indoor or outdoor events.

It is a further object of the invention to enable the sack to be easily attached and removed from the holder, or preferably, for the holder to be removable from the sack without requiring the sack to be lifted or otherwise moved.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a sack holder comprising two suspension bars in substantially parallel relation, each coupled to a respective pair of legs, each one of each pair of legs being pivotally coupled at an intermediate point thereof to a corresponding one of the other pair of legs such that the pairs of legs may be folded to a first position in which the suspension bars are held closely adjacent one another, and unfolded to a second position in which the suspension bars are held apart from one another.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sack holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in an unfolded condition; Figure 2 shows a side view of the sack holder of figure 1 in folded condition; Figure 3 shows a front view of the sack holder of figure 1 in folded condition; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the sack holder of figure 1 in use with a sack installed; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a sack holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in an unfolded condition; Figure 6 shows a side view of the sack holder of figure 5 in folded condition; Figure 7 shows a front view of the sack holder of figure 5 in folded condition;; Figure 8 shows a sack holder with an alternative style of latching mechanism; and Figure 9 shows a sack holder with an alternative style of combined latching mechanism and attachment means.

Referring to figures 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a sack holder 10 comprising a pair of suspension bars 12,13 to which a sack may be attached, or from which a sack may be hung. Suspension bar 12 is rigidly affixed at each end to a respective leg 20,21. Suspension bar 13 is similarly rigidly affixed at each end to a respective leg 22,23. The legs 20,21 attached to the first suspension bar 12 form an outer pair of legs, and the legs 22,23 attached to the second suspension bar 13 form an inner pair of legs. The inner pair of legs are pivotally coupled to the outer pair of legs at pivots 30,31 situated at appropriate positions along the length of the legs. Thus, when the sack holder 10 is in the folded condition as shown in figures 2 and 3, the inner legs 22,23 and second suspension bar 13 lie entirely within the periphery of the outer legs 20,21 and first suspension bar 12.

It will be understood that this configuration has the advantage that the sack holder can be folded to a completely flat condition as best shown in figure 2. However, it is also possible to have equally sized legs such that the sack holder folds to an almost flat condition.

To prevent the sack holder opening beyond a certain condition, and thus collapsing, a latching mechanism may be provided which couples together the legs 20 and 22, and the legs 21 and 23. In its simplest form, this latching mechanism comprises a single rope or cord 32, each end of which is attached to an upper end of the legs 20 and 22. A similar cord 33 may be provided which is attached to legs 21 and 23.

Alternatively, the leg pivots 30,31 may be adapted to provide a frictional resistance to relative movement of the corresponding legs 20,22 and the corresponding legs 21,23 which is sufficient to maintain the holder in the desired unfolded condition.

With reference to figure 4, when in the unfolded condition, the sack holder enables a sack 40 to be inserted between the suspension bars 12,13 and its lip is folded back over the suspension bars and over the top ends of the legs 20 to 23. The bag 40 is then preferably clipped to the suspension bars 12,13 using suitable attachment means. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment means are crocodile-type clips 41 used as shown. Alternatively, snap fastenings, circlips or other fastening means well known in the art may be used. The attachment means may be formed integrally with, or affixed to, the suspension bars.

The length of the cords 32,33 is preferably arranged such that the mouth of the sack is opened to its fullest extent, and such that the height of the suspension bars above the ground (partly determined by the extent to which the holder is unfolded) allows the sack bottom to rest on the ground.

It will be understood that the latching mechanism may be omitted completely, and the sack holder will then be maintained in the unfolded and upstanding condition by the tension applied across the sack mouth.

However, this arrangement is less convenient to use.

In a further embodiment, the latching mechanism can be made adjustable, such that the sack holder may be unfolded to varying extents allowing for different sizes of sack. Exemplary mechanisms for this are shown in the arrangements of figures 5 to 9.

With reference to figures 5, 6 and 7, there is shown a sack holder 110 having integrally formed suspension bars 112,113 and respective legs 120,121 and 122,123. The leg and suspension bar constructions form a pair of inverted U-shaped frame members preferably manufactured from suitable lightweight, rigid material such as aluminium tubing.

The latching mechanism may be adjustable, as shown, by the provision of a latching bar 132. The latching bar 132 is attached, at one end thereof, to leg 120 by means of a pivot 134. Pivot 134 allows the opposite end of latching bar 132 to swing out from leg 120 and meet leg 122. Preferably, the latching bar is formed from metal or plastics material, and includes a plurality of downwardly facing notches 135 which are adapted to engage a spigot 128 on leg 122 in known manner.

When not in use, the latching bar 132 is folded down parallel and adjacent to leg 120.

A further advantageous feature may be provided in the form of spacers 140,141 encircling the pivots 130,131. These spacers 140,141 enable the legs 120,122 and the legs 121,123 to be maintained a predetermined distance apart even when the holder is folded. This distance is preferably sufficiently large to allow a finger and/or a thumb to pass through gaps 143,144, thereby preventing any injury to the user should the frame be inadvertently collapsed. The suspension bars 112,113 are preferably also spaced accordingly, thereby providing gap 145.

With reference to figure 8, there is shown a further embodiment of an adjustable latching mechanism. Sack holder 210 includes a flexible strap 232, such as canvas or plastics material, which is rivetted to the inside surface of leg 220. The strap 232 may be fastened to the corresponding leg 222 by a snap-fit "popper" type arrangement. A plurality of poppers 235 are provided at suitable spacings along the strap 232, and these mate with a corresponding snap rivet 228 in leg 222. An advantage with this arrangement is that the flexible nature of the strap enables the holder 220 to be folded without disconnection of the latching strap, whilst still providing a plurality of opening positions to accommodate different sizes of sack.

With reference to figure 9, there is shown a further embodiment in which the latching mechanism also includes the attachment means for retaining the sack over the suspension bars. Holder 310 includes a latching bar 332 to which are attached a plurality of spring clips adapted to fit over corresponding suspension bars 312,313. Preferably, the latching bar 332 is clipped over the suspension bars once the mouth of the sack (not shown) has been spread over the suspension bars. The latching bar thereby serves the dual function of latching the holder open, and retaining the sack in place. The latching bar may be coupled, by a hinge, to the leg 323, connected by a flexible cord, or unconnected, as shown.

Crocodile-type clips may be attached to the latching bar 332 for retaining a sack in place.

Further height adjustment of the sack holder might be provided by the use of telescopically extending legs (not shown). It will be understood that the suspension bars 112,113 do not actually need to support any significant weight, as the bottom of the sack preferably rests on the ground. Thus telescopic legs with a suitable friction fit tubes will suffice.

Alternatively, suitable telescopic leg locking means may be provided using techniques well known in the art.

A s;gn;f;cant advantage of the previously described embodiments is that once a sack is filled, it is not necessary to lift the heavy sack out of a receptacle, or out of its suspension frame. The sack 40 may simply be unclipped, and the holder slid away or lifted off the sack.

Various additions may be made to the embodiments herein described. Wheeled or castored legs may be provided. A hinged lid may be provided attached to appropriate ends of a suspension bar. A loose fitting lid may be provided. A loading hopper or the like may be provided, adapted to locate over the suspension bars. Additional structural rigidity may be obtained by the provision of cross-bars coupling the lower ends of legs 120,121, and legs 122,123.

Claims (12)

1. A sack holder comprising two suspension bars in substantially parallel relation, each coupled to a respective pair of legs, each one of each pair of legs being pivotally coupled at an intermediate point thereof to a corresponding one of the other pair of legs such that the pairs of legs may be folded to a first position in which the suspension bars are held closely adjacent one another, and unfolded to a second position in which the suspension bars are held apart from one another.

2. A sack holder according to claim 1 wherein the suspension bars couple upper ends of the respective legs, and the lower ends of the legs define the corners of a quadrilateral when the sack holder is in the unfolded condition.

3. A sack holder according to claim 2 wherein each suspension bar and its respective pair of legs define a sub-frame, one of said sub-frames being slightly smaller than the other to allow the smaller sub-frame to lie within the larger sub-frame in substantially co-planar relation when the holder is in the folded condition.

4. A sack holder according to claim 3 wherein the distance between the inner sub-frame and the outer sub-frame is maintained greater than a finger thickness.

5. A sack holder according to any preceding claim further including a latch member disengageably coupling the suspension bars and/or their respective legs to hold the suspension bars at a predetermined distance from one another.

6. A sack holder according to claim 5 wherein the latch member is adapted to hold the suspension bars in one of a plurality of different predetermined distances from one another.

7. A sack holder according to claim 6 wherein the latch member includes a flexible strap coupled to one leg, with a plurality of popper fastenings spaced therealong, each popper fastening adapted to detachably couple to a stud rivet mounted on a corresponding, other leg.

8. A sack holder according to any preceding claim wherein each suspension bar includes attachment means for releasably engaging the mouth of a sack thereto.

9. A sack holder according to claim 8 wherein the attachment means comprise a plurality of crocodile-type clips.

10. A sack holder according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the latch member further comprises an integral attachment means for releasably engaging the mouth of a sack to the suspension bar.

11. A sack holder according to any preceding claim wherein each of the legs is longitudinally extendable.

12. A sack holder substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.