Garbage bag support and storage device

Abstract

A mobile support storage device for filled, plastic garbage bags made of four tubular, elongated rigid support members which are fastened together in vertical array by a set of nuts and bolts at various points on the tubular members. Casters are mounted on the lower ends of the garbage bag device for ease of mobility, one of the casters being equipped with brake means. On the upper section of the garbage bag device is a circular tubular member which is fastened to a second, similar, horizontally disposed, circular tubular member by means of a hinge, the two similar circular members forming means for closing off and holding the upper ends of the garbage bags. Associated with these two circular or ring tubular members is a trunk type latch for keeping the upper circular tubular members locked together when desired. Several sets of vertical bolts are fastened through the lower tubular member which project into holes drilled in the lower part of the first upper tubular member as piercing means for fastening the top of a garbage bag between the two upper ring members. On the lower section of the garbage bag device is a pair of concentric, circular tubular members forming a support base or platform upon which the garbage bags are placed for storage and support.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support and storage stands for disposable trash and garbage bags such as those commonly used as household disposable bags. These bags are commonly made of a plastic material which must be fastened at the top while waiting for disposal to prevent the garbage from falling out of the plastic bag.

Briefly what is provided in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a portable structure made of elongated tubular support members fastened together by standard nuts and bolts. The lower portion of the garbage bag stand is comprised of for example two concentric tubular members which provide support for the garbage bags when mounted on the garbage bag stand. As a means of maintaining the garbage bags in closed position while awaiting disposal, two similar, hinged circular tubular members are provided at the uppermost portion of the garbage bag stand. Sets of screws, for example, projecting up through the lowermost circular tubular member working in conjunction with holes in the upper circular tubular member act to grasp and lock the top of the garbage bag in position. A hinge and a trunk type latch is provided so that the upper circular member can be raised and lowered as desired and locked in its closed position.

A basic object of the instant invention is to provide a portable means to support several garbage bags at one time on a movable structure which can be stored for example in a garage and then easily rolled out into the area where the garbage is picked up when desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a light weight, inexpensive garbage bag support and storage stand which is capable of holding several garbage bags at one time in a closed position convenient for disposal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the garbage bag support and storage device of the present invention, partially cut away with some of the inner elements shown in phantom lines; while

FIG. 2 is a top, plan view, partially cut away and with some of the inner elements shown in phantom lines, of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the garbage bag stand having four garbage bags mounted thereto with the top in its open position; while

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 3, but with the top in its closed, locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the garbage bag support and storage device 1 of the present invention is comprised of four elongated, identical, generally "C"-shaped tubular support members 15, 16, 32 and 33 fastened together in vertical array by sets of bolts and nuts 18 and 21. The set of nuts and bolts 18 and 21 act to hold the "C"-shaped members 15, 16, 32 and 33 in a rigid position with respect to each other in a generally vertical array to serve as the basic vertical support element of the stand 1. Internal spacers 19 and 20 are provided to position and keep members 15, 16, 32 and 33 in a fixed position relative to each other.

Rotatable casters 24, 26, 27 and 31 are provided at the lower ends of the vertical support members 15, 16, 32 and 33 to enable the garbage bag stand 1 to be pushed from place to place at the users convenience. For example, when the garbage bag stand 1 is loaded with garbage bags, the user need only push the garbage bag stand 1 from place to place or from the house to the street where the garbage is to be picked up. Caster 26 is provided with a brake 25 which renders the garbage stand 1 immovable upon its application.

Concentric tubular, horizontally disposed, support rings 22 and 23 are bolted to "C"-shaped members 16, 32, 15 and 33 by bolts and nuts 27, 28, 29 and 30 on the lower portion or leg of their "C"-shape. The tubular rings act as further support for the "C"-shaped members as well as forming a support platform upon which the garbage or trash bags are placed.

On the upper portion or leg of the "C"-shape, a first, movable circular member 10 fastened to a second, substantially identical, horizontally disposed ring 11 by means of hinge member 17, the two upper, ring members 10, 11 forming means for closing off and holding the upper ends of the garbage bags. The inner support ring 22 lies directly in line under said upper members 10, 11 and is substantially identical thereto. Nuts and bolts secure the lower ring tubular member 11 to "C"-shaped members 15, 16, 32 and 33. Hinge 17 is attached to ring tubular members 10 and 11 to allow them to move relative to each other, while trunk type latch 12 serves to hold the ring tubular members 10 and 11 in a fixed, locked position.

A set of nuts and bolts 14 are projected into the holes directly above them in ring tubular member 10. Several sets (four illustrated) of these bolts 14 are positioned around the ring tubular member 11, each providing a means of grasping the garbage bags in a closed position while they await disposal. It is noted that the center one of each three bolt-set also is used to bolt the bottom upper ring 11 to the vertical support, "C"-shaped members. It is further noted that the upper face of each nut associated with each bolt 14 being screwed down thereon against the upper surface of ring 11 serves as a shock absorbing surface or "cutting board" as the bolts 14 pierce the garbage bag and the top upper ring 10 forces the top of the garbage bag down against the nuts.

Plastic insert 13 is provided for each of the "C"-shaped members 15, 16, 32 and 33. The purpose for the plastic member 13 is to prevent a person from snagging his clothes on the rough edges of the "C"-shaped members.

As a typical operation in using the garbage bag stand 1, a user would roll the garbage bag tree 1 into his garage or kitchen where the garbage bags 2 are to be loaded on. The user then releases trunk latch 12 so as to be able to open ring tubular member 10 relative to ring tubular member 11 by means of hinge 17. The bag or bags 2 are then placed in position as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings whereby the upper ends of the bags are clasped over the set of screws 14. Ring tubular member 10 is then firmly secured downwardly, causing the screws 14 to pierce the top of the garbage bag, to a position whereby trunk latch 12 retains ring tubular member 10 in locked position relative to ring tubular member 11. Trash bags 2 are then secured firmly in place relative to the garbage bag stand 1, and the garbage bag stand 1 is ready to be portably pushed to a place where the garbage will be stored or picked up.

As with most mechanical devices, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is capable of almost unlimited variation. For example, rather than four vertical support members, two, three or more could be used, or even one if it had a multiplicity of horizontal extensions. Additionally, rather than the bolts 14, screws could be used or other fastening means could be used such as wire clamps, alligator clamps, slip lock rings, slip loop chain, hooks or ties, etc., and at least some of these elements could be used with only one upper ring rather than the hingedly attached two rings. Moreover, rather than a circular array for the horizontally disposed members, another shape could be used as triangular, square, rectangular, or other polygonal or curved configuration. The material for making the tubes is also a matter of choice, typical examples being plastic or chrome plated metal. The preferred embodiment illustrated was designed to accommodate four full garbage bags sized around two feet, six inches by three feet, one inch which fits twenty to thirty gallon cans, although these particulars are merely a matter of design choice.

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because many modification may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed as invention is:

1. A portable garbage bag support and storage device comprised of:

a multiplicity of at least generally similar elongated members fastened together in vertical array;

a caster fixedly mounted on the lower end of each of said elongated members;

a first, horizontally disposed, upper member fastened to the upper ends of said elongated members opposite from said casters;

a second, upper member substantially identical and hingedly mounted to said first, upper member;

at least one lower, horizontally disposed support member means fixedly attached to the lower section of said elongated members for supporting the bottom of the bags supported by the garbage bag device; each said elongated members being generally "C"-shaped, having a central portion and upper and lower portions or legs, with the central portions of the elongated members being secured together and the upper and lower portions radiating outwardly; said first and second upper members being supported on the upper portions or legs of said "C"-shaped members, and said lower member means being supported on the lower portions or legs of said "C"-shaped members; said first and second upper members and said lower member means being tubular and forming circular rings, with the rings having centers which lie along a line substantially coinciding with the central portions of the "C"-shaped members; said lower member means including two concentric, spaced rings, the inner one of which lies directly under and in line with said first upper member and is substantially identical thereto; and

grasping means mounted between said upper members for grasping the upper portions of bags supported by the garbage bag device.

2. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said grasping means comprises

several sets of projection means mounted on one of said upper members for projecting into cavities formed in the other of said upper members for grasping the upper portions of bags supported by the garbage bag device between said upper members.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein there is further included:

latch means mounted on one of said upper members for securing said other upper member with respect to the first of said upper members.

4. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of said elongated members form a vertical, elongated cavity between themselves, further comprising:

spacer means for spacing and positioning said elongated members located within the cavity formed between said elongated members.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein there is further included:

braking means affixed to at least one of said casters for making the device relatively immobile.

6. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein:

said projecting means is a set of bolts.

7. The device as defined in claim 6 wherein:

the bolts also serve to fasten said first, upper member to the upper ends of said elongated members and said bolts include nuts screwed thereon against the upper surface of said first, upper member.

8. A portable garbage bag support and storage device comprised of:

a multiplicity of at least generally similar elongated tubular members fastened together in vertical array and forming a vertical, elongated cavity between themselves, each said elongated members being generally "C"-shaped, having a central portion and upper and lower portions or legs, with the central portions of the elongated members being secured together and the upper and lower portions radiating outwardly;

spacer means for spacing and positioning said elongated members located within the cavity formed between said elongated tubular members;

a caster fixedly mounted on the lower end of each of said elongated members;

braking means affixed to at least one of said casters for making the device relatively immobile;

a first, horizontally disposed, upper member fastened to the upper ends of said elongated members opposite from said casters;

a second, upper member, substantially identical to the first, hingedly mounted to said first, upper member;

several sets of projection means mounted on one of said upper members for projecting into cavities formed in the other of said upper members for grasping the upper portions of bags supported by the garbage bag device between said upper members; said projecting means comprising a set of bolts; said bolts also serving to fasten said first, upper member to the upper ends of said elongated members; said bolts including nuts screwed thereon against the upper surface of said first, upper member;

latch means mounted on one of said upper members for securing said upper members together; and

lower, horizontally disposed member means fixedly attached to the lower section of said elongated tubular members for supporting the bottom of the bags supported by the garbage bag device; said first and second upper members being supported on the upper portions or legs of said "C"-shaped, elongated members and said lower member means being supported on the lower portions or legs of said "C"-shaped elongated members; said first and second upper members and said lower member means also being tubular and forming circular rings, with the rings having centers which lie along a line substantially coinciding with the central portions of the "C"-shaped members; said lower member means including two concentric, spaced rings, the inner one of which lies directly under and in line with said first upper member and is substantially identical thereto.

9. A portable garbage bag support and storage device comprised of:

a multiplicity of at least generally similar elongated members fastened together in vertical array; each said elongated members being generally "C"-shaped, having a central portion and upper and lower portions or legs, with the central portions of the elongated members being secured together and the upper and lower portions radiating outwardly;

a first, upper member fastened to the upper ends of said elongated members;

a second, upper member substantially identical and hingedly mounted to said first, upper member;

at least one lower, horizontally disposed support member means fixedly attached to the lower section of said elongated members for supporting the bottom of the bags supported by the garbage bag device; said first and second upper members being supported on the upper portions or legs of said "C"-shaped members, and said lower member means being supported on the lower portions or legs of said "C"-shaped members; said first and second upper members and said lower member means forming circular members, with the circular members having centers which lie along a line substantially coinciding with the central portions of the "C"-shaped members; and

grasping means mounted between said upper members for grasping the upper portions or the tops of bags supported by the garbage bag device; whereby garbage bags can be supported by said support members means arrayed about the central portions of the "C"-shaped members and have their tops securely fastened closed between said first and second upper members for secure storage thereof.

10. The device as defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second upper members and said lower member means are tubular and form rings and wherein said lower means include a multiple number of concentric, spaced rings.

11. The device as defined in claim 10 wherein said lower member means include two concentric, spaced rings, the inner one of which lies directly under and in line with said first upper member and is substantially identical thereto.