GB2177996A

GB2177996A - Sack supporting device

Info

Publication number: GB2177996A
Application number: GB08517951A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Beamish
Original assignee: V W Beamish & Son Ltd
Current assignee: V W Beamish & Son Ltd
Priority date: 1985-07-16
Filing date: 1985-07-16
Publication date: 1987-02-04
Also published as: GB8517951D0

Abstract

A device for supporting a sack suitable for garden use comprises a frame for the sack formed as a closed loop from at least two detachably connected members 1, 2 and a pair of legs 5. The loop members and legs may be of metal tube and joined by plug-and-socket joints. Spring clips 9 may snap over the frame to clamp the edge of the sack to the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sack supporting device This invention relates to a device for supporting a sack which is particularly but not exclusively suitable for use in gardens for disposal of weeds, grass cuttings and other garden refuse.

According to one aspect of the invention a device supporting a sack comprises a frame forming a closed loop receiving and supporting the mouth of an open sack, the loop being formed of at least two peripherally extending members detachably connected together at their ends, and a pair of legs detachably connected to and extending downwardly from the loop for supporting the loop above the ground.

The members forming the loop may be connected to each other, and the legs connected to the loop, by plug-and-socket joints. The loop members and legs may be of tubular metal and each plug attached to one member may enter a socket formed by the open end of the tube forming the other member.

The legs shouid be shaped so that the device is stable when standing on a reasonably level surface and the height of the legs should be such that the sack bottom is supported by the ground on which the device stands. The edge of the open sack will be folded over the loop from the inside and if desired one or more removable clips may be provided to retain the edge of the sack on the loop.

Devices for supporting sacks according to embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device for supporting sacks, Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in the assembled condition, and Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a device for supporting a sack.

The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a pair of generally U-shaped members 1 and 2 made by bending mild steel tubes of which the ends come together to form a rectangular frame. The open ends of tube 1 are provided with outwardly projecting aluminium plugs 3 to fit, tightly but removably, in the respective ends of member 2 to hold the frame together.

Member 1 also has a pair of downwardly extending aluminium plugs 4 which fit, tightiy but removably, into the open ends of downwardly extending legs 5. The lower ends of the legs are themselves attachable, by similar plug-and-socket connections, to cross-piece 6 connecting the lower ends of the legs together. The assembled device is shown in Figure 2.

Members 1 and 2 are dimensioned so that the frame can receive the mouth of a standard type of plastic sack 7 with the edge 8 of the sack folded over the frame. The frame is preferably such that the material of the mouth of the sack, when ap plied to the frame as shown in Figure 2, is fairly tight and the frame can then retain the sack in position without additional holding means. However if desired a pair of spring clips 9, formed of sheet metal strips bent through more than 180 , may be provided to snap fit over members 1 and 2 and clamp the edge of the sack to the frame. The edges of clips 9 are provided with out-turned flanges so that they are easily removed to allow removal of the sack from the frame.

The legs 5 have generally horizontal lower portions so that the assembled device can stand upright on the ground and the legs are of such length that the bottom of the sack, when the sack is mounted on the frame, rests on the ground thus relieving the weight of material contained.

When the device is assembled with the sack as described above the mouth of the sack is held open and any kind of waste, such as garden weeds and grass clippings, is easily deposited in the sack.

As the sack is supported by the ground there is little risk of the sack splitting under the weight of its contents. The sack is easily removed, by releasing clips 9 if they are used, and replaced by an empty sack.

The legs are shaped so that the frame is set at a convenient angle from the horizontal to receive material fed into the sack. Clip 9, when present, provides protection for the sack material when a container such as a box for grass clippings is emptied into the sack, by preventing the container rubbing against the sack material so that the sack might be torn.

The device is easily and rapidly assembled and dismantled and has little bulk in the dismantled state. When assembled the device is light, easily moved and occupies much less space than an ordinary wheelbarrow. Production of the device of Figures 1 and 2 does not require welding.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is generally similar to that of Figures 1 and 2. However in this case the plug-and-socket connections are of square, rather than round, cross-section and there is no need to provide a cross-piece for the legs as the square plugs 4 prevent rotation of the legs.

In both the embodiments described the devices may be made of mild steel tubing protected from corrosion by galvanising, zinc coating or other corrosion protection methods. The plugs of the plugand-socket connections may be of aluminium or aluminium ailoy.

1. A device for supporting a sack comprising a frame forming a closed loop for receiving and supporting the mouth of an open sack, the loop being formed of at least two peripherally extending members detachably connected together at their ends, and a pair of legs detachably connected to and extending downwardly from the loop for supporting the loop above the ground.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the members forming the loop are attached to each other by plug-and-socket joints.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the legs are attached to the loop by plug-and

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sack supporting device This invention relates to a device for supporting a sack which is particularly but not exclusively suitable for use in gardens for disposal of weeds, grass cuttings and other garden refuse. According to one aspect of the invention a device supporting a sack comprises a frame forming a closed loop receiving and supporting the mouth of an open sack, the loop being formed of at least two peripherally extending members detachably connected together at their ends, and a pair of legs detachably connected to and extending downwardly from the loop for supporting the loop above the ground. The members forming the loop may be connected to each other, and the legs connected to the loop, by plug-and-socket joints. The loop members and legs may be of tubular metal and each plug attached to one member may enter a socket formed by the open end of the tube forming the other member. The legs shouid be shaped so that the device is stable when standing on a reasonably level surface and the height of the legs should be such that the sack bottom is supported by the ground on which the device stands. The edge of the open sack will be folded over the loop from the inside and if desired one or more removable clips may be provided to retain the edge of the sack on the loop. Devices for supporting sacks according to embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device for supporting sacks, Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in the assembled condition, and Figure 3 shows another embodiment of a device for supporting a sack. The device shown in Figure 1 comprises a pair of generally U-shaped members 1 and 2 made by bending mild steel tubes of which the ends come together to form a rectangular frame. The open ends of tube 1 are provided with outwardly projecting aluminium plugs 3 to fit, tightly but removably, in the respective ends of member 2 to hold the frame together. Member 1 also has a pair of downwardly extending aluminium plugs 4 which fit, tightiy but removably, into the open ends of downwardly extending legs 5. The lower ends of the legs are themselves attachable, by similar plug-and-socket connections, to cross-piece 6 connecting the lower ends of the legs together. The assembled device is shown in Figure 2. Members 1 and 2 are dimensioned so that the frame can receive the mouth of a standard type of plastic sack 7 with the edge 8 of the sack folded over the frame. The frame is preferably such that the material of the mouth of the sack, when ap plied to the frame as shown in Figure 2, is fairly tight and the frame can then retain the sack in position without additional holding means. However if desired a pair of spring clips 9, formed of sheet metal strips bent through more than 180 , may be provided to snap fit over members 1 and 2 and clamp the edge of the sack to the frame. The edges of clips 9 are provided with out-turned flanges so that they are easily removed to allow removal of the sack from the frame. The legs 5 have generally horizontal lower portions so that the assembled device can stand upright on the ground and the legs are of such length that the bottom of the sack, when the sack is mounted on the frame, rests on the ground thus relieving the weight of material contained. When the device is assembled with the sack as described above the mouth of the sack is held open and any kind of waste, such as garden weeds and grass clippings, is easily deposited in the sack. As the sack is supported by the ground there is little risk of the sack splitting under the weight of its contents. The sack is easily removed, by releasing clips 9 if they are used, and replaced by an empty sack. The legs are shaped so that the frame is set at a convenient angle from the horizontal to receive material fed into the sack. Clip 9, when present, provides protection for the sack material when a container such as a box for grass clippings is emptied into the sack, by preventing the container rubbing against the sack material so that the sack might be torn. The device is easily and rapidly assembled and dismantled and has little bulk in the dismantled state. When assembled the device is light, easily moved and occupies much less space than an ordinary wheelbarrow. Production of the device of Figures 1 and 2 does not require welding. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 is generally similar to that of Figures 1 and 2. However in this case the plug-and-socket connections are of square, rather than round, cross-section and there is no need to provide a cross-piece for the legs as the square plugs 4 prevent rotation of the legs. In both the embodiments described the devices may be made of mild steel tubing protected from corrosion by galvanising, zinc coating or other corrosion protection methods. The plugs of the plugand-socket connections may be of aluminium or aluminium ailoy. CLAIMS

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the legs are attached to the loop by plug-and socket joints.

4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, in which the loop members and legs are of metal tube and each plug is attached to a member and may enter a socket formed by the open end of the tube of another member.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a pair of spring clips dimensioned to snap fit over the frame to clamp the edge of a sack to the frame.

6. A device for supporting a sack, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.