Bag Holder

Abstract

A bag holder consisting of a stand, cabinet, or frame, having a bag-supporting top portion consisting of a pair of horizontal parallel side arms connected by a rear transverse arm. An upwardly facing channel is secured on each side arm. A rear transverse rod is resiliently connected to the rear transverse arm and a rectangular frame is pivoted to the rear transverse rod, the sides of the frame being receivable in the channels. A bag can be fastened within the rectangular frame by wrapping the side portions of its top around the respective frame sides and locking them in the channels, the locking action being aided by the resilient connection of the rear transverse rod to the rear transverse arm. A cover is hinged to the rear transverse arm and can overlie the top of the bag.

Description

This invention relates to container supports, and more particularly to a bag holder.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved bag holder for supporting a bag of flexible material adapted to receive waste, or the like, the bag holder being relatively simple in construction, being relatively compact in size, and being provided with efficient and easily accessible clamping means for releasably securing a bag therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved support for a waste bag, or the like, said support involving relatively inexpensive components, being durable in construction, being neat in appearance, and being so arranged that a bag can easily be installed therein and can be easily removed therefrom, as desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved support for a bag, said support being easy to keep clean, being adapted to be easily installed in any desired location, being arranged so that it supports a bag in a position making it easy to fill the bag with material, and being so arranged that the bag, when filled, can be readily removed and can be readily replaced by an empty bag.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled cabinet provided with bag-holding means constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 1, shown with its top cover open and with one of its bag-holding frame elements in an elevated position with the associated bag removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5, with the bag-clamping frame in an elevated position;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the channel members employed with the bag-supporting structure of FIGS. 1 to 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of the cabinet structure provided with improved bag-holding means according to the present invention, in the form of a trash container;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken through the top portion of the trash container of FIG. 9 with the top cover of the container in closed position;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further modification of a bag holder according to the present invention, in the form of an attachment which may be secured to a wall;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the bag-holding assembly of FIG. 11, shown attached to a wall;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of still another modification of a bag holder according to the present invention, in the form of a stand;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the bag-holding stand of FIG. 13, illustrating how part of the common structure of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be employed in conjunction with the assembly of FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the T-shaped frame connector employed to fasten the bag-clamping frame to the stationary frame portion of the bag holder of FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, and illustrating how the head portion thereof is telescopically received in the segments of the rear arm of the frame; and

FIG. 16 is an enlarged transverse vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 16-16 of FIG. 13.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8, 18 generally designates a wheeled cabinet provided with two bag-holding structures constructed in accordance with the present invention. The cabinet 18 comprises a horizontal bottom wall 19 provided at one end with a pair of depending corner legs 20,20 and provided adjacent its other end with supporting wheels 21,21. The cabinet includes the transverse end walls 22,22, and an intermediate transverse partition wall 23, the transverse walls being connected to the vertical rear wall 24.

The cabinet is provided with a hinged top cover 25, hinged to the top edge of rear wall 24 at 26, said cover having a depending peripheral flange 27. The cabinet is thus divided into two identical compartments, and each compartment is provided with a vertically hinged door 28, the doors being respectively hinged at 29 to the front edges of the sidewalls 22. Each door is provided at its top margin with an upwardly and inwardly inclined flange 30.

Rear wall 24 is provided at its top edge with the inwardly extending horizontal flange 31 and the sidewalls 22,22 are similarly provided with inwardly extending horizontal flanges 32. The central partition wall 23 likewise is provided with a laterally projecting horizontal flange 34 and has secured thereto a channel-shaped member 35 which provides an oppositely extending laterally projecting flange, as shown in FIG. 4.

Secured on the respective transversely extending flanges associated with each enclosure are respective upwardly facing channel-shaped bar members 36, the outer flanges of the bar members being notched away at their intermediate portions, as shown at 37 in FIG. 8.

Resiliently secured to the rear transverse flange at the tope end of each of the enclosures is a tubular rod 38. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, the tubular rod 38 is provided with depending studs 39 located adjacent the respective ends of the rod 38, the studs being slidably engaged through the subjacent portion of the flange 31, and each rod being provided at its bottom end with a retaining nut 39'. A coiled spring 40 is engaged on the lower portion of each stud 39, bearing between the associated nut 39' and the flange 31, thus biasing the tubular rod 38 downwardly toward the dotted-view position thereof shown in FIG. 7. The rods 38 have reduced end portions 41 which are rotatably received in the respective opposing end segments 42,42 of rectangular tubular frames 43 which are dimensioned so that their side arms are receivable in the associated pair of channel members 36,36 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, each frame 43 has inwardly directed opposing rear arm segments 42,42 which receive the ends 41 of the resiliently secured rear hollow rod 38 and the side arms of the frame 43 are nestingly receivable in the upwardly facing channel-shaped members 36 of the associated bag enclosure when the frame 43 is moved to a horizontal position, such as that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, a bag, shown in dotted view at 44 in FIG. 6, may be inserted in a frame 43 with the side portions of its top margin engaged around the side arms of the associated frame 43, with the frame elevated, as shown in FIG. 7, after which the frame may be released, allowing the side arms of the frame to clampingly secure the side portions of the top margin of the bag in the subjacent associated channels 36. FIG. 4 illustrates how the side marginal portions of the bag 44 are wrapped around the side arms of the frame 43 and are clampingly held in the channels 36 not only by the weight of the bag 44, but also by the expansive force of the associated biasing springs 40.

When the door 28 of the compartment associated with each bag 44 is in closed position, its upwardly and inwardly inclined top flange 30 engages over the front arm 45 of the associated frame 43 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3, so that it likewise may exert retaining force on the front marginal portion of the rim of the bag if said front marginal portion is wrapped over the arm 45. When the top cover 25 is closed, as shown in FIG. 3, the depending peripheral flange 27 thereof acts to retain the top flanges 30 of the doors 28 in their clamping positions.

It will, therefore, be apparent that when it is desired to remove a bag 44, it is merely necessary to open the cover 25, swing out the associated front door 28, and then elevate the supporting frame 43, allowing the marginal portions of the top rim of the bag to disengage. The bag will then drop by gravity into the compartment from which it can be readily removed through its open front portion. A new bag may be installed by following a reverse procedure.

The wheeled cabinet 18 may be provided with front and rear handles 46, which may comprise the generally U-shaped end portions of a single continuous tubular bar 47 extending through the rear portion of the cabinet, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the U-shaped handle portions 46 formed at its opposite ends, and being suitably secured to the end walls 22 in a manner to make them substantially rigid therewith.

The front portion of the depending peripheral flange 27 of the top cover is provided with a suitable knob 49, and the inner marginal portions of the doors 28,28 are, likewise, provided with suitable knobs 50,50.

The intermediate notches 37 in the outer flanges of the channel members 36 provide clearance to facilitate wrapping the upper side marginal portions of the bag 44 around the side arms of the frame member 43, and also to facilitate lifting the filled container and the frame member 43 when it is desired to disengage the bag from the frame member 43 for removal of the filled bag, as above-described.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, 60 generally designates a single-bag housing, or cabinet intended to be used, for example, as a trash receptacle. The cabinet 60 is provided with a bottom wall, not shown, sidewalls 61 and 62, a rear wall 63, and a hinged top cover 64 of the type having two downwardly divergent main walls 65 and 66 and generally triangular sidewalls 67,67. The front main wall 66 is provided with a hinged flap 68 which is spring-biased to a normal position, as shown in FIG. 10, wherein it closes off a large aperture 69 provided in the wall 66 to permit the insertion of trash, or other discarded articles, the flap 68 being yieldable to allow said articles to be inserted through the aperture 69.

The sidewalls 61 and 62 are provided with the inturned horizontal top flanges 70,70 on which are secured channel members 36 previously described. The top flanges 70 merge with an inwardly projecting top flange portion 71 extending inwardly from the top edge of rear wall 63. The flange 71 is centrally apertured and the stem of a generally T-shaped bolt member 73 is slidably engaged thereto, the bolt member being provided at its bottom end with a retaining nut 74'. A coiled spring 75', similar to the spring 40, previously described, surrounds the stem and bears between the flange 71 and the nut 74', biasing the head of the bolt member downwardly. The two opposite ends of the head portion of the bolt 73 are rotatably received in the opposing inwardly directed arms 74,74 of the rear portion of a rectangular frame member 75 generally similar to the frame 43, previously described. The side arms 76,76 of frame 75 are receivable in the channels 36,36 for clamping the top side portions of a bag 44 to the channels in the same manner as previously described in the connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 8.

The cabinet 60 is provided with the vertically hinged front door 77 provided at its top end with the upwardly and inwardly inclined flange 78, similar to the flange 30, previously described, and performing the same function, namely, acting to lockingly engage the front arm 79 of frame 75 and acting to clamp the top front marginal portion of the bag 44 thereto after said top front portion has been wrapped around the arm 79, as illustrated in dotted view in FIG. 10. The rim of the top cover 64 engages the flange 78 in the manner shown in FIG. 10 to retain the door 77 closed and the frame 75 in its horizontal clamping position.

When it is desired to remove the bag from the housing 60, the cover 64 is swung open to the position of FIG. 9, the frame 75 is elevated against the spring pressure of the coiled spring 75', and the top marginal portions of the bag are allowed to unwrap from the frame 75, allowing the bag to drop by gravity into the lower portion of the cabinet 60. As shown in FIG. 9, the door 77 is swung to the open position when it is desired to remove the bag, and the bag can thus be easily withdrawn from the housing under these conditions. A new bag can be inserted following a reverse procedure.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention wherein an attachment is provided which may be secured to any suitable stationary vertical object, such as a vertical wall 80 to thereby provide a means for holding a bag 44 in a convenient position to receive material. The attachment is designated generally at 81 and comprises a U-shaped fixed bottom support 82 which may be secured to the wall 80 by suitable fasteners 83, as shown in FIG. 11. The U-shaped bracket member 82 is formed of hollow tubing. The top ends of the side arms 84,84 of the bracket 82 are adapted to receive reduced depending lower end portions 85,85 of respective L-shaped tubular arms 86,86. The arms 86,86 have their horizontal top portions rigidly secured to the side arms 87,87 of a flat U-shaped frame member 88. Hinged to the rear edge of the bight portion of the U-shaped frame member 88 is a cover 89 having a peripheral flange 90. A T-shaped bolt member 73, similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, is resiliently connected to the bight portion of U-shaped member 88, and a frame 75, similar to that previously described, is pivoted to the head portion of the bolt 73, a biasing spring 75' surrounding the depending stem of the bolt and acting in the same manner as the previously described coiled spring 75' employed in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

As will be readily apparent, the upper portion of the attachment 81 is readily detachable from the supporting bracket 82 and may be employed in any desired location where a required supporting bracket 82 is provided. The bag 44 is detachably secured to the device by the clamping action of the side arms 76,76 in cooperation with the side channels 36,36 which are secured on the side arms 87,87 of the U-shaped member 88. Thus, the channels 36,36 are rigidly secured, as by welding, or the like, on the side arms 87,87 in positions to receive the side arms 76,76 of the rectangular pivoted frame 75, and the side arms 76,76 may be employed to clamp the top marginal portion of a bag to the channels in the same manner as previously described in connection with the modification illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the modification illustrated in FIGS. 13, 14 and 16, the removable upper portion of the attachment 81 is shown as being employed in conjunction with a supporting stand 92 comprising a single piece of tubular material, such as metal tubing, bent to form a generally U-shaped base 93 whose side arms merge with parallel upwardly and rearwardly inclined struts 94,94 which terminate at their top ends in the upwardly directed short vertical sleeve portions 95,95 which are similar to the top ends of the vertical arms 84,84 of bracket 82 previously described in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12. Thus, the sleeves 95,95 slidably receive the reduced depending bottom end portions 85,85 of the L-shaped arms 86 in the same manner as previously described in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12. The struts 94,94 are of sufficient height to provide space to support a relatively large bag 44, with the bag received between the inclined struts 94,94 as shown in dotted view in FIG. 13. The upper side marginal portions of the bag are clampingly engaged between the side arms 76,76 of frame 75 and the channels 36 in the same manner as previously described in connection with FIGS. 11 and 12, and as illustrated in FIG. 16. Thus, the upper portion of the attachment 81 of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be employed either with a wall-mounted bracket 82, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, or with a portable supporting stand 92, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

While certain specific embodiments of an improved bag holder have been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a bag holder, supporting means comprising a pair of parallel forwardly extending side arms, means rigidly connecting the rear ends of said side arms, respective upwardly facing channel members secured on said side arms, a rigid frame member having respective side bars nestingly receivable in said channel members, whereby the upper side portions of a bag may be wrapped around said side bars and clamped between the next side bars and the channel members, and means resiliently and pivotally connecting the rear portion of said frame member to the means rigidly connecting the rear ends of said side arms, whereby the frame member is resiliently yieldable upwardly when the upper side portions of a bag are

2. The bag holder of claim 1, and wherein said frame member is substantially rectangular in shape and has a front bar extending

3. The bag holder of claim 2, and wherein the rear portion of the frame member comprises a bar element resiliently secured to the means rigidly connecting the rear ends of said side arms, the side bars having opposing inwardly directed rear ends rotatably engaged with the opposite ends of

4. The bag holder of claim 3, and wherein the opposite ends of said bar element are rotatably received in said opposing inwardly directed rear

5. The bag holder of claim 4, and wherein said bar element has at least one depending stud extending through the means rigidly connecting the rear ends of the side arms, said stud being provided with spring means urging

6. The bag holder of claim 5, and wherein said spring means comprises a coiled spring surrounding the stud, said stud having abutment means on its lower end, said spring bearing between said abutment means and the means

7. The bag holder of claim 2, and a cover hingedly connected to the means rigidly connecting the rear ends of the side arms and having a depending peripheral flange, the cover being engageable over the frame member and

8. The bag holder of claim 2, and a cabinet comprising a compartment provided with a vertically hinged front door, said means rigidly connecting the rear ends of the side arms being secured horizontally to

9. The bag holder of claim 8, and means on the front door lockingly

10. The bag holder of claim 9, and wherein said means lockingly engageable with the front bar comprises an upwardly and inwardly inclined flange on the top margin of said front door, said flange being engageable over said

11. The bag holder of claim 10, and a cover hingedly connected to the upper rear margin of said compartment and having a depending peripheral flange, said peripheral flange being engageable over the upwardly and inwardly

12. The bag holder of claim 1, and wherein said side bars have respective depending vertical supporting studs, and support means having vertical upwardly projecting sleeve means located to supportingly receive said

13. The bag holder of claim 12, and wherein said support means comprises a

14. The bag holder of claim 12, and wherein said support means comprises a movable stand having a horizontal framelike base and parallel upwardly and rearwardly inclined side struts spaced to receive a bag therebetween, said upwardly projecting sleeve means comprising the top ends of said struts.