GB2142896A

GB2142896A - Sack holder

Info

Publication number: GB2142896A
Application number: GB08416590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Keith Hunt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-07-08
Filing date: 1984-06-29
Publication date: 1985-01-30
Also published as: GB2142896B; GB8416590D0

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting a disposable garbage sack comprises a hoop member (10) mounting at least one and preferably three equispaced sockets (12) for releasably receiving respective leg members (20). Each of the latter may releasably mount spike (30) for insertion into the ground or a wheel. Preferably the leg members (20) are adjustable in accordance with the nature of the ground such that the hoop member (10) is positioned substantially horizontally above the ground. A garbage sack is introduced through the hoop member (10) and folded over the upper rim thereof to be retained in position. The sack then rests with its base on the ground and, when filled with refuse, the mouth of the sack can be released from the hoop member (10) and sealed, whereafter the apparatus is lifted upwardly clear of the sack and the latter is then ready for disposal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Support for waste disposal bags The invention relates to apparatus for support ing a disposable garbage sack that is particu larly, but not exclusively, suitable for use by gardeners, especially those travelling from one site to another.

It is known to provide holders for such sacks, especially plastics or reinforced paper garbage sacks, in which the holder comprises a hoop of metal supported on a base on which the garbage sack rests, the open mouth of the garbage sack being supported on said hoop by passing the sack through the hoop and folding peripheral edges of the open mouth of the sack over the sides of the hoop.

Often such holders are provided with a lid, especially where they are utilised for public waste disposal such as at road-sides and the like.

It is a custom for gardeners, especially those travelling from site to site such as landscape gardeners, to dispose of waste vegetation such as grass cuttings, prunings and similar waste in plastic sacks, a favourite type being used fertiliser bags which are made from thick plastic material and are less likely to puncture or tear when used with items such as rose cuttings. One problem is that it is necessary to hold the mouth of the sack open whilst the debris is placed inside. This is inconvenient if the debris being transferred needs two hands to empty it into the sack.

The garbage sack holders previously described are totally unsuitable for use by gardeners and in other similar circumstances as they are bulky and heavy, often being made in part from concrete and galvanised iron and so not easily transportable.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for supporting a disposable garbage sack, said apparatus comprising means for holding an open end of the sack in an open condition, at least one leg arrangement releasably connectible at an upper end region to the sack holding means and having a ground engagable arrangement at a lower end, the ground engagable arrangement being adopted so as to be capable of supporting the sack holding means substantially horizontally above the ground with the sack resting, in use, with its base on the ground.

The sack holding means preferably comprises a hoop-like member, the sack being received through the hoop and the mouth of the sack being turned outwards over the rim of said hoop.

Preferably also the hoop member has the form of a non-continuous strip, the free ends of which overlap and are movable relative to one another so that the effective circumference of the hoop member is adjustable. Securing means may be provided for connecting the free ends of the strip to one another at the overlap.

It is desirable that at least three leg arrange ments are provided, these being releasably secured to the hoop member at locations equispaced around the circumference thereof.

Preferably a socket is provided at each of these locations for receiving an elongate member of the respective leg arrangement, clamp means being provided to secure the elongate members in the respective sockets.

The or each socket may be releasably connected to said hoop member or pivotally connected thereto, so that the splay of the legs may be adjusted as desired. It is preferred, however, that the sockets shall be fixedly connected to the hoop member.

The socket may be blind or may be open and the elongate members may be slidable therethrough such that the effective length of the legs below the sockets is adjustable. The or each elongate member is preferably of tubular construction having the ground engagable arrangement telescopically received within a lower portion thereof. Thus the or each leg may be telescopically adjusted for length.

The lower portions of the elongate members, where the telescopic ground engagable inserts are mounted, may be provided with spikes for insertion into the ground.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing parts of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a front elevational view of the apparatus as in Fig. 1 (but with the leg portions omitted for clarity) showing how the apparatus is used in conjunction with a garbage sack; Figure 3 is a plan view of a modified part of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the modified part of Fig. 3.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises a hoop member 10 to which are connected, for example by welding, three tubular sockets 1 2 (only two of which are shown) at equal distances around its periphery via web portions 14, the sockets 1 2 extending at an angle to the vertical. Each socket 1 2 has an aperture therein through which a clamping screw 1 6 may extend, the screw 1 6 being engaged with threaded collar 1 8 which is welded to the socket 12.

Each socket 1 2 receives a tubular leg member 20 of square cross section provided at a lower end with an aperture through which may extend a further clamping screw 22 engagable within a threaded collar 24 welded to the leg. An insert 26 is telescopically received in each leg member 20 and is se cured at a desired position by the clamping screw 22. Each leg insert 26 has at its base a plate-like foot 28 on the underside of which is provided a spike 30, for example by welding.

It should be noted that the apparatus can be stowed for transit by removing the leg members 20 from the sockets 12, after releasing the clamping screws 16. Because of the telescopic capability of the legs comprising the members 20 and the inserts 26, the apparatus may be set up so that the hoop member 10 is substantially horizontal even though the ground upon which the apparatus is used is uneven, for example sloping.

In use, a garbage sack 32 (Fig. 2) is introduced through the hoop member 10 and the open mouth of the garbage sack is folded over the upper rim of the hoop member 10, the latter being of dimensions such that a little stretching is required in order to carry out this procedure, whereby the garbage sack is securely held by the hoop. The apparatus is arranged such that the hoop member 10 is at such a height above the ground that the garbage sack 32 rests with its base 34 on the ground The garbage sack 32 is then filled with refuse until the level of refuse is practically up to the hoop member 10, whereupon the mouth of the garbage sack is released from the hoop member and sealed. The apparatus may then be lifted upwardly to clear the garbage sack 32, which is then ready for disposal.The ease of separation of the sack from the apparatus is especially useful when full and heavy sacks are involved. The apparatus can then be resited and a fresh empty garbage sack secured thereto ready for more refuse.

Figs. 3 and 4 show an alternative construction of the hoop 10 in which the hoop is made non-continuous. Free ends 40 and 42 are such that one is provided with a slot 44 through which extends a screw 46 attached to the other free end. The first free end is clamped to the second free end by means of a wing-nut 48 engaged with the screw 46. In use, the wing-nut 48 is slackened so that the free ends may move relative to one another into a position where there is maximum overlap. The garbage sack is introduced through the hoop and the mouth of the garbage sack folded back over the rim of the hoop 10. This will be relatively easy to do since the circumference of the mouth of the garbage sack will be somewhat greater than the circumference of the hoop.When this has been completed the free ends 40 and 42 are moved so that the circumference of the hoop 10 is increased until the mouth of the garbage sack is tightly held by the rim of the hoop 10. At this point the wing-nut 48 is tightened and the apparatus is ready for use.

The apparatus may be used on sloping ground as it is possible to locate apparatus with three legs without rocking. If the legs are, as is preferred, adjustable for length, however, four or more legs may be provided whereupon if the apparatus in use is unstable, the leg members may be further adjusted for length until the apparatus stands firmly on the ground.

With the legs being releasably secured to the hoop member, the apparatus may be taken to pieces and transported easily from location to location, for example in the boot of a small car.

An alternative leg insert comprises a base support for a freely rotatable wheel whereby the apparatus can be moved over the ground.

The wheeled leg inserts or the spiked leg inserts may be selectively used by releasing one type of insert and replacing with the other, or a combination of each type may be used if desired.

The apparatus may be made of mild steel coated with a protective coating of corrosionresistant paint.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the apparatus could be made in whole or in part of plastics material, or metal covered with plastics or another metal which is resistant to corrosion, such as aluminium. The hoop member may be provided with clips or downwardly pointing spikes to aid the securement of the turned back mouth of the garbage sack 32 on the hoop member 10.

The sockets 1 2 may be pivotally mounted on the hoop member 10 so that the splay of the leg members may be adjusted. It is also possible to provide apparatus with only one leg member provided that leg member is made of stout proportions and that a long spike 30 is provided whereby the leg member may be impaled into the ground so that the leg member will stand upright alone. In this case the angle of the leg member relative to the hoop member 10 may be at right angles, so that the leg member is substantially vertical and the hoop member is horizontal. The inserts 26 need not be telescopically arranged but may be clamped in other ways to the legs.

Claims

1. Apparatus for supporting a disposable garbage sack, said apparatus comprising means for holding an open end of the sack in an open condition, at least one leg arrangement releasably connectible at an upper end region to the sack holding means and having a ground engagable arrangement at a lower end, the ground engagable arrangement being adapted so as to be capable of supporting the sack holding means substantially horizontally above the ground with the sack resting, in use, with its base on the ground.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sack holding means comprises a hoop member, whereby the sack is received through the hoop member and the mouth of the sack is turned outwards over the rim of the hoop member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hoop member is of a size having substantially the same circumference as the circumference of the mouth of the sack.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein securing means are provided for retaining the mouth of the sack on the hoop member.

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the hoop member has the form of a non-continuous strip, the free ends of which overlap and are movable relative to one another so that the effective circumference of the hoop member is adjustable.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein securing means are provided for connecting the free ends of the strip to one another at the overlap.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a socket is connected to the sack holding means and is adapted to receive an elongate member of the leg arrangement, means being provided to releasably clamp the elongate member in the socket.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the socket is fixedly connected to the sack holding means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the socket is releasably connected to the sack holding means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the socket is pivotally mounted on the sack holding means.

11. Apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the elongate member is slidably located within the socket.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ground engagable arrangement is releasably mounted on the leg arrangement.

1 3. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ground engagable arrangement is slidably mounted on the leg arrangement and means are provided for clamping the ground engagable arrangement in a desired position.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ground engagable arrangement provides a downwardly projecting spike for entering the ground.

1 5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least three of the leg arrangements are provided at locations equispaced around the circumference of the sack holding means.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein one or more of the leg arrangements provides a ground engagable arrangement having a freely rotatable wheel.

1 7. Apparatus for supporting a disposable garbage sack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.