Abstract
An apparatus for maintaining a bag in an open configuration has a base with a forward end and a rearward end, a first arm pivotally mounted to the adjacent to the rearward end of the base, and a second arm pivotally mounted adjacent to the rearward end of the base in spaced relation to the first arm. The first arm is movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base. The second arm is movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to the base. The first and second arms are adapted to receive an open end of the bag thereon. The base has a top surface that is inclined upwardly from the forward end toward the rearward end.
Claims
1. An apparatus for maintaining a bag in an open configuration, the apparatus comprising: a base having a forward end and a rearward end; a first arm pivotally mounted adjacent said rearward end of said base, said first arm movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base; and a second arm pivotally mounted adjacent said rearward end of said base in spaced relation to said first arm, said second arm movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base, said first and second arms adapted to receive an open end of the bag thereon, said base having a first slot and a second slot adjacent said rearward end of said base, said first arm having an end received in said first slot when said first arm is in said second position, said second arm having an end received in said second slot when said second arm is in said second position.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, said base having a planar bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined upwardly from said forward end toward said rearward end.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, said base having a first pad extending outwardly from one side thereof and a second pad extending outwardly from an opposite side thereof.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, each of said first and second pads having a bottom surface that is coplanar with the bottom surface of said base, each of said first and second pads being adjacent said rearward end of said base.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, said first arm being pivotally connected to said base in a location that is closer to said rearward end than a location that said second arm is pivotally connected to said base.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first pair of plates affixed to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said first arm being pivotally connected between said first pair of plates; and a second pair of plates affixed to said based and extending upwardly therefrom, said second arm being pivotally connected between said second pair of plates.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, said first arm residing adjacent to a side of and rearward of said second arm when said first arm and said second arm are in the first position.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, said first arm having an end away from said base when in said second position, said second arm having an end away from said base when in said second position, said ends of said first and second arms having no structure therebetween.
9. An apparatus for maintaining a bag in an open configuration, the apparatus comprising: a base having a forward end and a rearward end; a first arm pivotally mounted adjacent said rearward end of said base, said first arm movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base; a second arm pivotally mounted adjacent said rearward end of said base in spaced relation to said first arm, said second arm movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base, said first and second arms adapted to receive an open end of the bag thereon; a first pin assembly connecting said first arm to said first pair of plates; and a second pin assembly connecting said second arm to said second pair of plates, each of said first and second pin assemblies comprising: at least one tube having an inner wall, the tube affixed to the arm and extending through at least one of the pair of plates; and a first insert element engaged within an interior of the tube, said first insert element having a surface bearing against the one of the pair of plates.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, the tube having a shoulder element formed inwardly of one end of the tube, said first insert element having a conical portion having a shoulder bearing against said shoulder element of said tube.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, each of the plates of said first and second pair of plates having a J-shaped slot having an upper end and a lower end and a bottom surface between said first and second ends, the pin assembly residing against said bottom surface when the arm is in the second position, the pin assembly residing against said lower end of said J-shaped slot when the arm is in the first position.
12. An apparatus comprising: a base having a forward end and a rearward end; a first arm pivotally mounted adjacent said rearward end of said base, said first arm movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base; a second arm pivotally mounted adjacent said rearward end of said base in spaced relation to said first arm, said second arm movable between a generally horizontal first position and a second position extending at an obtuse angle with respect to said base; and a bag having a closed end and an open end, said open end having an interior surface positioned against said first and second arms when said first and second arms are in the second position, said base having a first slot and a second slot adjacent said rearward end of said base, said first arm having an end received in said first slot when said first arm is in said second position, said second arm having an end received in said second slot when said second arm is in said second position.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, said base adapted to be positioned against an underlying surface, said interior surface of said bag being interposed between a bottom of said base and the underlying surface.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, said interior surface of said bag bearing against ends of said first and second arms when said first and second arms are in the second position.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, said bag being a trash bag, said open end of said trash bag opening so as to face toward said first and second arms and said base.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, said base having a planar bottom surface and a top surface that is inclined upwardly from said forward end toward said rearward end, said rearward end of said base positioned interior of said bag.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, said base having a first pad extending outwardly from one side thereof and a second pad extending outwardly from an opposite side thereof, a first slot being formed between said first pad and said base, a second slot being formed between said second pad and said base, said bag having an edge at said open end thereof positioned in said first and second slots.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus the present invention showing the arms as being movable between a first position and a second position.
(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the base of the apparatus of the present invention.
(3) FIG. 3 is a rearward view of the base of the apparatus of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the relationship between the arm and the pair of plates extending upwardly from the base of the apparatus of the present invention.
(5) FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the manner of connection between the arm and the pair of plates.
(6) FIG. 6 is a partially cross-sectional view showing the orientation of the slot within the base and in relation to one of the plates extending upwardly from the base of the apparatus of the present invention.
(7) FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the pin assembly is used in association with the present invention.
(8) FIG. 8 is an illustration of the use of the present invention when raking leaves.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(9) Referring to FIG. 1, there shown the apparatus 10 for holding a bag open while in a horizontal orientation. The apparatus 10 includes a base 12, a first arm 14 and a second arm 16. The base 12 has a forward end 18 and a rearward end 20. The first arm 14 is pivotally mounted to the base 12 adjacent to the rear end 20 of the base 12. As can be seen, the first arm 14 is movable between a generally horizontal orientation 22 and a second position 24 which extends at a slightly obtuse angle with respect to the base 12. The second arms 16 is also pivotally mounted to the base 12 adjacent to the rearward end 20 of the base 12. The second arm 16 is movable between a generally horizontal first position 26 and a second position 28 which extends outwardly of the base 12 at a slightly obtuse angle.
(10) In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the base 12 has a generally planar bottom surface 28 suitable for being positioned on an underlying surface, such as the earth. The base 12 also includes a top surface 30 that is inclined upwardly from the forward end 18 toward the rearward end 20. As such, the top surface 30 forms a ramp for the raking of leaves into a trash bag supported on the arms 14 and 16. The very narrow thickness at the forward end 18 serves to urge the leaves upwardly by a raking action and ultimately, the leaves will fall into the trash bag once it passes the elevated rearward end 20 of the base 12. A first pad 32 extends outwardly of a side 34 of the base 12. Another pad (not shown) will extend outwardly of the opposite side 36 of the base 12. The pads, such as pad 32, allow the user to place his or her feet on the pads while raking leaves into a bag supported by the arms 14 and 16. The pad 32 is planar with the bottom surface 28 of the base 12. The pad 32 is located generally adjacent to the rearward end 20 of the base 12. By placing a person's weight upon the pads, the bottom surface 28 is urged outwardly toward the earth such that the forward end 18 resides tightly against the earth. As such, the angled ends of the rake are prevented from getting hung up on the forward end 18 of the base 12.
(11) In FIG. 1, it can be seen that when the arms 14 and 16 are folded into the first position (indicated by reference numerals 22 and 26), the arms 14 and 16 will be in a horizontal orientation and reside upon the top surface 30 of the base 12. Arm 14 is pivotally connected to the base 12 in a location rearward of the pivotal connection of the second arm 16 with respect to the base 12. As such, when in the first position, the first arm 14 will reside rearwardly and in generally parallel relationship to the second arm 16. As such, a very neat folded configuration is accomplished when the arms 14 and 16 are moved to the first position.
(12) The first arm 14 is pivotally connected to a pivotal connection 38. As such, the arm 14 can be pivoted upwardly to the position shown by reference numeral 24. Small protrusions 40 extend outwardly of the arm 14 so as to engage with the trash bag placed thereover. Similar protrusions 42 extend outwardly of the second arm 16 so as to likewise engage with a bag placed thereagainst. The second arm 16 is connected to the base 12 at pivotal connection 44.
(13) FIG. 1 illustrates that the first arm 14 and the second arm 16 can be movable upwardly as indicated by arrow 46. This upward movement is accomplished so as to ultimately allow the arms 14 and 16 to be move downwardly into respective slots formed in the base 12. Once the lower end of each of the arms 14 and 16 is placed into these slots, the arms 14 and 16 are maintained rigidly in the second position. This procedure will be described hereinafter.
(14) FIG. 2 specifically illustrates the top surface 30 of the base 12. The pad 32 is illustrated as extending outwardly from side 34 of the base 12. Another pad 48 is illustrated as extending outwardly of the side 36 of the base 30. The first arm 14 is illustrated as pivotally connected at pivotal connection 38 to the base 12. Similarly, the second arm 16 is illustrated as maintained at the pivotal connection 44.
(15) Importantly, in FIG. 2, there is a small slot 50 formed between the pad 32 and the side 34 of base 12. Another small slot 52 is formed between the pad 48 and the side 36 of the base 12. Slots 50 and 52 serve to receive an edge of a bag that is placed therein.
(16) FIG. 3 particularly illustrates the nature of the pivotal connections 44 and 38. It can be seen that there is a slot 54 that is formed in the base 12 at the pivotal connection 38. Another slot 56 is formed in the base 12 adjacent to the pivotal connection 44. Slots 54 and 56 serve to receive the ends of the respective first arm 14 and second arm 16 therein when the arms 14 and 16 are in the second position. The pad 32 extends outwardly of a side of the base 12. The pad 48 also extends outwardly of the opposite side of the base 12. It can be seen that the bottom surfaces of each of the pads 32 and 48 is coplanar with the bottom surface 28 of the base 12. FIG. 3 further shows that the pads 32 and 48 can be connected by a hinge, such as a living hinge, to the respective sides of the base 12. As such, these pads 32 and 48 can be neatly folded into a compact configuration with the base 12.
(17) In FIG. 3, it can be seen that there is a J-shaped slot 60 formed at the pivotal connection 38. Another J-shaped slot 62 is formed at the pivotal connection 44. J-shaped slots 60 and 62 allow the respective arms 14 and 16 to move between the first position and the second position. A more detailed illustration of this configuration is shown in FIG. 6.
(18) FIG. 4 is an illustration of the pivotal connection 44 for the second arm 16. Pivotal connection 44 includes a first plate 64 and a second plate 66 that extends upwardly from the top surface 30 of the base 12. The second arm 16 has a U-shaped configuration and is positioned between the plates 64 and 66. The pivotal connection 38 for the first arm 14 will have a similar configuration to that shown for the second arm 16 in FIG. 4.
(19) FIG. 5 specifically illustrates how the second arm 16 is connected to the respective plates 64 and 66. The arm 16 has a first tubular member 68 extending outwardly from side 70. Another tubular member will extend outwardly from the side 72 of arm 16. The slots on each of the plates 64 and 66 are respectively placed over the tubular members 68. An insert element 74 is then inserted into the interior of the tubular member 68 such that a head 76 of insert element 74 will bear against the outer surface of the plate 66. Another insert element 78 can be utilized with the other tubular members 68. As such, the pivotal connection between the arm 16 and the pair of plate 64 and 66 is shown.
(20) FIG. 6 illustrates how the second arm 16 is received within the J-shaped slot 60. FIG. 6 further shows how the slot 54 extends at an angle into the base 12. In FIG. 12, the second arm 16 is illustrated in its first position generally oriented horizontally. In this position, the tubular member 68 will reside in a lower end 80 of the J-shaped slot 60. The J-shaped slot 60 further includes a bottom surface 82 and an upper end 84. So as to cause the necessary movement of the arm 16 from the first position to the second position, a downward force is first applied to the arm 16 so as to cause the tubular member 68 to move toward the bottom surface 82. Ultimately, the arm 16 will be pulled upwardly along the J-shaped slot until the tubular member 68 will reside in the position adjacent to the upper end 84. This lifting action will cause the end 88 of the arm 16 to properly be pivoted upwardly and free of the top surface 30 of the base 12. The arm 16 can then be lowered such that the tubular member 68 moves downwardly along the J-shaped slot 60 so that the lower end 88 will bottom out in the slot 54. In this position, the tubular member 68 will reside against the bottom surface 82 of the J-shaped slot. The slot 54 in the base 12 assures that the arm 16 is rigidly oriented at an obtuse angle in the second position. A similar arrangement occurs with respect to the first arm 14.
(21) FIG. 7 particularly illustrates the specific configuration of the pin assembly used for causing the pivotal connection between the arm 16 and the base. In particular, the pin assembly shown in FIG. 7 includes the tubular member 68 which is affixed to the side 72 of the arm 16. The tubular member 68 includes a shoulder element 90 formed on the interior of the tubular element 68. The plate 64 has the J-shaped slot 60 therein. The J-shaped slot 60 will be positioned over the tubular element 68. The J-shaped slot is illustrated as having the upper end 84, the bottom surface 82 and the lower end 80. The insert element 78 has a shaft 92 with a conical-shaped member 94 at the end of the shaft 92. A head 96 is formed at the opposite end of the shaft 92. The conical member 94 is inserted into the interior of the tubular element 68 such that the conical member 94 will pass the shoulder element 90 such that a shoulder 98 of the conical member 94 will bear against the shoulder element 90 (as illustrated in broken-line fashion). The head 96 will then bear against the plate 64. The insert element 78 can be formed of an elastomeric material that can suitably deform such that the conical member 94 will properly reside in the position shown in broken line fashion in FIG. 7.
(22) FIG. 8 shows an illustration showing how the apparatus 10 of the present invention is used in association with a bag 100 for the raking of leaves 102. In particular, a person 104 has a rake 106. The rake 106 is used so as to urge the leaves 102 upon the base 12 and along the top surface 30 of the base 12. A foot 108 of the person 104 is placed upon the pad 48. Another foot of the person 104 will be placed upon the pad 32 at the opposite side of the base 12. As such, the base 12 is rigidly secured against an underlying surface, such as the earth. This will cause the forward edge 18 of the base 12 to be tightly urged against the earth so that the pointed ends 110 of the rake 106 will not hang up on this edge 18.
(23) The arms 14 and 16 are illustrated in the second position extending upwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the base 12. The trash bag 100 has an open end 114 which is extended around the top end 116 of the arm 14 and also over the top end of the arm 16. The open end 114 of the bag 100 will drape along the sides of each of the arm 16 and ultimately be inserted into the slots 50 and 52 of the base 12. As such, a bottom portion of the open end 114 will reside within the slots 50 and 52 so as to extend over the bottom surface 28 of the base 12 and be secured by the weight of the person 104.
(24) The person 104 can continue to rake leaves into the open end 114 of the trash bag 100 until a desired filling of the trash bag is accomplished. The weight of the person 104 can then be removed from the pads 32 and 48 so that the open end 114 can be separated from the arms 14 and 16. The bag can then be lifted, closed and transported elsewhere. The arms 14 and 16 can then be folded downwardly to the first position and the pads 32 and 40 can be folded so that the apparatus 100 can be compactly stored.
(25) It is important to note that there is no structure extending between the upper ends of the arms 14 and 16. Experiments with the present invention and proven that it is unnecessary to include such a structure in the present invention. The pressure caused by the outwardly extending arms 14 and 16 upon the open end 114 of the bag 100 is sufficient to keep the bag 100 in its open configuration.
(26) The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
