Collapsible Hamper

Abstract

A collapsible hamper is disclosed wherein a collapsible and foldable frame supports a receptacle of flexible sheet material. The frame, in one presently preferred form, includes a pair of central leg portions pivotably interconnected at medial points thereon, and removable upper and lower leg portions. The upper leg portions engage the receptacle and support a cover for the receptacle. The lower leg portions are adapted to engage a support surface to support the entire hamper in an upright position.

Description

This invention relates to a collapsible hamper, and more particularly, to a laundry hamper whose various components can be collapsed, disassembled or folded to produce a compact readily portable package.

Conventional hampers in common usage take the form of rigid containers of fixed external dimension. Thus, one frequently seen form of hamper includes a hollow body member having the shape of a rectangular prism, and a hinged cover adapted to overlie an opening in the upper portion of the body member. Such a structure is relatively bulky, and its fixed external dimension preclude ease of portability. Other readily apparent shortcomings of such a structure are the necessity for manipulating the entire hamper in order to empty it, and difficulty in cleaning due to the relative inaccessibility of the lower interior portions.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible hamper whose external dimensions and capacity, in its operative configuration, approximate those of conventional rigid hampers, but which forms a compact bundle suitable for travel upon disassembly.

Thus, it is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible, readily transportable hamper, suitable for travel.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible hamper comprising a receptacle of flexible sheet material, which can be disengaged from its supporting structure and transported to a desired place, such as a laundry room, to be emptied.

It is another object of this invention to provide a collapsible hamper whose construction is such that the portions of its structure which normally come in contact with soiled materials are readily cleaned.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The foregoing and other objects are realized, in a presently preferred form of The invention, by a hamper comprising a receptacle of flexible sheet material, supported by a collapsible frame. The frame comprises a pair of central leg portions, pivotably connected to each other at medial points thereon. Upper leg portions are removably received in the central leg portions, and support the receptacle in an operative position by engaging opposite edges thereof. Lower leg portions are removably coupled to the central leg portions, and provide a base upon which the hamper rests. A cover member for the receptacle, which may also serve as a shelf, is coupled to the frame.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a collapsible hamper in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, in cross section, taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view, in cross section, taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a detail view, showing a portion of the frame of the present hamper.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is seen in FIG. 1 a collapsible hamper designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The hamper 10 includes a receptacle 12 of flexible sheet material, supported by a frame, designated generally by the reference numeral 14. A cover 16 is provided for the receptacle 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in the illustrated form of the invention, the frame 14 comprises crossed generally U-shaped legs 18, 20, and a crossbar 22 interconnecting the legs 18, 20.

The legs 18, 20 include central leg portions 24, 26, pivotably interconnected at medial points thereon by a rivet 28 or the like. The legs 18, 20 also include generally L-shaped upper leg portions 30, 32 and lower leg portions 34, 36. The upper leg portions 30, 32, as is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, include parallel distal ends 38, 40, the purpose of which will be more fully explained later. The lower leg portions 34 and 36 include similar parallel distal ends 42, 44. A bight portion 46 interconnects the ends 42, 44 in the illustrated embodiment.

The distal ends 42, 44 of the lower leg portions 34, 36, and the bight portion 46 may be provided with resilient or scuff-resistant feet 48, 50 adapted to contact the surface upon which the hamper 10 rests.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the assembled inter-relation of the various elements of the frame 14 in their operative dispositions is seen. The crossbar 22 is secured at its respective ends to the upper leg portions 30, 32. Such securement may be accomplished by conventional means such as nuts 52, 54 or the like. In an alternative construction, not illustrated, opposite ends of the crossbar 22 are retained in juxtaposed blind openings in the upper leg portions 30, 32.

The legs 18, 20, it should be understood, may be fabricated of any suitable rigid tubular material, such as seamless or lock-seamed steel tubing.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is seen a typical joint, designated generally by the reference numeral 56, by which the various members of the frame 14 are interconnected. The upper leg portion 30 is seen to include a reduced diameter portion 58, formed by swagging or other similar process. The outer diameter of the reduced diameter portion 58 is complemental with and adapted to frictionally engage the inner wall of the central leg portion 24. The frictional engagement of the reduced diameter portion 58 and central leg portion 24 is such that the parts are maintained in assembled leg portion 24 is such that the parts are maintained in assembled relation, but may be selectively disassembled when desired.

Although the foregoing description of FIG. 6 makes reference to the upper leg portion 30 and central leg portion 24, it should be understood that similar joints may be provided between the other leg portions 32, 34 and 36, and the central leg portions 24 and 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the receptacle 12 will now be described in detail.

In the presently preferred form, the receptacle 12 is constructed of sheet plastic material, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or the like. The receptacle 12 includes a front panel 60, a rear panel 62, juxtaposed side panels 64 and 66 and a bottom panel 68. As illustrated, the front panel 60 and rear panel 62 are separate elements, and the side panels 64, 66 and bottom panel 68 are portions of a continuous strip of material coupled to the front panel 60 and rear panel 62 by welted seams 70, 72. Other equivalent constructions can of course be used if desired.

The back panel 62 may be provided with ventilation openings 74 to permit free passage of air into the receptacle 12, as is best seen in FIG. 2.

Upper edge portions of the side panels 64 and 66 are doubled over to form a hem 76 including elongated parallel pockets 78, 80, adapted to receive the distal ends 38, 40 of the upper leg portions 30, 32. In the presently preferred construction a generally U-shaped bight member 82, seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is sewn or otherwise retained in the portion of the hem 76 corresponding to the front panel 60. Ends of the bight member 82 extend into the portions of the hem 76 associated with the side panels 64, 66. The ends of the bight member 82 may be coupled to the distal ends 38, 40 when the hamper 10 is in its operative condition. Joints such as the above-described joint 56 may be used to accomplish such coupling.

It should be apparent that the parallel distal ends 38, 40 of the upper leg portions 30, 32 when in place in the pockets 78, 80 and coupled to the ends of the bight member 82, aid in maintaining the shape of the receptacle 12 in a neat, eye-pleasing geometric form approximating a rectangular prism. To further insure proper shaping of the receptacle 12, a rigid batten 84, whose plan shape corresponds generally to the dimensions of the bottom panel 68, may be provided. As illustrated, the batten 84 comprises a rigid core 86 of heavy cardboard, chipboard, wood or the like, the outer surface of which is covered with a skin 88 of plastic film of the sort used in the receptacle 12. Thus, the batten 84, like the receptacle 12, may be readily cleaned when necessary, and is not subject to soling by contact with soiled materials in the hamper 10.

The previously mentioned cover 16 is pivotably coupled by hinges 90 or The like, seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, to the cross bar 22. The cover 16 may be constructed in the same manner as the batten 84, and include a core 102 and skin 104. When in its operative position, the cover 16 rests on the distal ends 38, 40 of the upper leg portions 30, 32 and the bight member 82, and overlies the top opening of the receptacle 12. The plan shape of the cover 16, in a preferred form, corresponds to that of the distal ends 38, 40 and bight member 82.

If desired, a second cross bar 92 may be provided interconnecting leg portions 34, 36. The second cross bar 92, seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, includes a portion 94 adapted to contact the surface on which the assembled hamper 10 rests, thereby enhancing the stability of the hamper.

It should now be apparent that the entire hamper 10 can be disassembled to form a small, readily portable bundle. For example, one operative form of the invention, when disassembled, forms a package measuring 10 inches by 16 inches, and approximately 2-1/2 inches in height. Such a package is of course readily packed into luggage for travel purposes.

It should also be apparent that the flexible receptacle 12, the weight of which is itself minimal, may be removed with its contents from the frame 14 for transportation to a desired unloading point, such as a laundry room. The utility of the present hamper 10 is thus greatly increased over conventional rigid hampers of fixed shape and dimension.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

Claims

I claim:

1. A collapsible hamper comprising a receptacle of flexible sheet material, a collapsible frame for supporting said receptacle, and a cover for said receptacle coupled to said frame, said frame comprising a pair of central leg portions pivotably connected at medial points thereon, generally L-shaped upper leg portions removably coupled to said central leg portions and adapted to engage said receptacle at opposite edges thereof to support said receptacle in an operative position, and lower leg portions removably coupled to said central leg portions, said lower leg portions including floor-engaging members adapted to support said hamper in an upright position.

2. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 1 wherein said central leg portions and said upper and lower leg portions are tubular members, said upper and lower leg portions including reduced diameter end portions thereon adapted to be recessed in end portions of said central leg portions.

3. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 2 wherein said receptacle includes a hem at an upper edge portion thereof, and a bight member in said hem adapted to be coupled to said upper leg portions when said receptacle is in an operative position.

4. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 3 and a crossbar coupled to and extending between said upper leg portions when said frame is in an operative position, said cover being pivotably coupled to said crossbar and adapted to overlie an open upper portion of said receptacle when said receptacle is in its operative position.

5. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receptacle includes a hem at an upper edge thereof, said upper leg portions having parallel distal ends adapted to be received in said hem.

6. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 5 wherein said central leg portions and said upper and lower leg portions are tubular members, said upper and lower leg portions including reduced diameter end portions thereon adapted to be received in end portions of said central leg portions.

7. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 6, and a crossbar coupled to and extending between said upper leg portions when said frame is in an operative position, said cover being pivotably coupled to said crossbar and adapted to overlie an open upper portion of said receptacle when said receptacle is in its operative position.

8. A hamper comprising a frame and a receptacle of flexible sheet material supported by said frame, said receptacle comprising front and rear panels, and juxtaposed generally parallel side panels, upper edges of said front, rear and side panels defining an opening for said receptacle, a hem adjacent an upper edge portion of said receptacle, said hem being adapted to receive portions of said frame so that said receptacle is supported in an operative position by said frame, said hem being disposed above at least said side panels and said front panel, a generally U-shaped bight member disposed in said hem and having opposite ends thereof in the portions of said hem above said side panels and adapted to engage the portions of said frame received in said hem, said receptacle including a bottom panel intersecting said front, rear and side panels, and a rigid bottom insert coextensive with said bottom panel and supported thereon when said receptacle is in an operative position.

9. A collapsible hamper comprising a receptacle of flexible sheet material, and a collapsible frame for supporting said receptacle, said frame comprising a pair of U-shaped leg members pivotably interconnected at medial points thereof, said leg members including distal upper portions for engagement with said receptacle at opposite edges thereof to support said receptacle in an operative position, said leg members including lower portions adapted to support said hamper in an upright position, and a generally U-shaped bight member coupled to said receptacle adjacent an upper portion thereof for engagement with said distal upper portions of said leg members.

10. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 9 and a generally U-shaped bight member interconnecting the lower portions of said leg members.

11. A collapsible hamper in accordance with claim 10, and a crossbar member interconnecting lower portions of said leg members, said crossbar member including a portion adapted to contact a surface supporting said hamper when said hamper is operatively disposed.