GB2568734A

GB2568734A - Collapsible frame for supporting a container

Info

Publication number: GB2568734A
Application number: GB1719598.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hanmer Gary
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-24
Filing date: 2017-11-24
Publication date: 2019-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-24
Also published as: GB2568734B; GB201719598D0

Abstract

A frame for supporting a container comprising at least three legs 12 and an annular piece or hoop. A second end 20 of the legs 12 is attached to the hoop and is at least partially moveable around it. When the legs 12 are spaced around a first section 10 of the hoop, they extend to support the hoop in a substantially horizontal disposition. The second end 20 of each leg 12 may have a slot shaped to fit the quadrilateral cross-section of the first section 10 of the hoop and these cooperating shapes allow the legs to spread to a predetermined extent. The legs 12 are moveable to a second section 14 of the hoop at which they can be folded towards a plane of the hoop because the second section 14 may have a maximum diameter less than the slot width, allowing the legs to rotate. A third section 18 on the opposite side of the hoop may be recessed and configured to receive the legs when folded. Resiliently deformable feet could lock the legs in the third section 18. A method of reconfiguring the frame is included.

Description

The invention relates to a collapsible frame for supporting a container. The invention also relates to a method of reconfiguring a frame from one to the other of a standing configuration and a collapsed configuration.

Background

Flexible containers, such as bags or sacks, are used to hold many kinds of goods or waste. Since they are made of flexible material, they often fold when being filled. This means that a person often has to hold a container open while filling it, which is inconvenient and often results in the filling taking longer than if that person could simply fill the container.

For example, folding of a bag may occur when filling the bag with rubble during building works. Such rubble is heavy and the folding of the bag during filling slows the process of filling the bag considerably.

It is an object of the present invention to address the above-mentioned issues.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame for supporting a container comprising: at least three legs each having a first end for location on a horizontal surface; an annular piece, a second end of each of the legs being attached to the annular piece and moveable at least partially around the annular piece, wherein the at least three legs and the annular piece are configured so that, when spaced around the annular piece on a first section thereof, the legs extend to support the annular piece in a substantially horizontal disposition when the first ends are located on a horizontal surface, and wherein the at least three legs are moveable to a second section of the annular piece at which the legs can be folded towards a plane of the annular piece.

Such a frame enables a suitably sized bag or sack to be located through the annular piece, such that the bag or sack is supported. Material around an opening of the bag or sack, including the edge of the opening can be folded around the annular piece.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of reconfiguring a frame comprising at least three legs and an annular piece to which the legs are attached, the method comprising: moving the at least three legs relative to the annular piece to reconfigure the frame from a standing configuration in which the at least three legs are spaced around the annular piece on a first section 10 thereof and extend to support the annular piece in a substantially horizontal disposition when a first end of each leg is located on a horizontal surface, to a collapsed configuration in which the legs are located together, and folded about a second section of the annular piece towards a plane of the annular piece.

Brief Description of the Figures

For better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure lisa perspective view of a frame in a standing configuration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of parts of the frame when in the standing configuration;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of parts of the frame, including a second section;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of parts of the frame, including the second section, when the frame is in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of parts of the frame, including a third section, when the frame is in a collapsed configuration; and

Figure 6 is perspective view of parts of the frame including the legs when the legs are located one against the other.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of parts of the frame when the frame is in a collapsed configuration; and

Figure 8 is a perspective partial view of the frame when the legs are moved part way from their locations when the frame is in the standing or collapsed configurations to the other of these configurations.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts throughout.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8, in an embodiment of the invention a frame comprises a planar annular hoop and three legs 12. The annular hoop has a first section 10 comprising most of the length of the hoop and having a rectangular cross-section. Longer sides of the rectangular cross-section extend parallel to a central axis of the hoop, orthogonal to a plane of the hoop. The hoop also includes, over a portion of its length, a second section in the form of a rod section 14. A third section is also provided in its length in the form of recessed portion 18 between parts of the first section 10, the recessed portion 18 being on a diametrically opposite side of the hoop to the rod section 14.

Each leg 12 has a slot end 20 and a foot end 22. The slot end 20 has a rectangular slot 24 therethrough, which extends lengthwise with respect to the length of the leg 12 and also transversely with respect of the length. The slot 24 and the first section 10 of the hoop are respectively configured so that, when the leg 12 extends approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the hoop, the first section 10 can extend through the slot 24 and the leg 12 can be moved freely around the hoop.

In variant embodiments, a notch is provided for each leg 12 in the first section 10, into which the respective leg 12 can engage to impede movement.

The foot end 22 of each leg has a rubber end piece 23 attached thereto to prevent slip on an underlying surface.

The frame has a standing configuration and a storage configuration, and the user can change the frame from one of these configurations to the other. In the standing configuration, which is illustrated in Figure 1, the legs 12 are spaced around the hoop at approximately equal angular intervals. The slot 24 and the first section 10 are also respectively shaped so that the legs 12 can be spread outwardly, to a maximum extent indicated at a in Figure 2. When so spread, interior surfaces of the slot 24 press against the hoop, such that relative movement of the hoop and the leg 12 is prevented. When spread outwardly, the foot end 22 of each leg 12 does not lie directly beneath the annular hoop or the area within the annular hoop. In this configuration, the legs 12 support the annular hoop. Lengths between the first slot end and the foot end of the legs 12 are equal so that, when the frame is in the standing configuration on a horizonal surface, the annular hoop is horizontal. The slot 24 extends transversely, as mentioned above, so that the legs 12 naturally spread outwardly when the frame is configured to the standing configuration.

At the rod section 14, indicated in Figure 3, material of the hoop has a maximum diameter that is less than a width of the slots 24. The legs 12 can thus be rotated around the rod section 14. The rod section 14 has a length of the width of at least the slot ends collectively when the legs 12 are pressed together.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 7, in the collapsed configuration the legs 12 are located together with the rod section 14 extending through the slots 24. The legs 12 are located across the hoop, and a part of each leg 12 is located in the recessed portion 18, as indicated in Figures 4 and 7.

Preferably, the legs 12 are configured to have a degree of resilient flexibility, such that they have to be compressed together for location in the recessed portion 18. The legs 12 resile when released by the user to press against parts of the first section 10 at sides of the recessed portion 18, such that the legs 12 are secured in place. The rubber end pieces 23 of the feet ends 22 of the legs 12 preferably have a width wider than the width of the legs 12, such that the legs 12 have to be flexed in order for the legs 12 to fit into the recessed portion 18.

For use, the frame is in the standing configuration. To reconfigure the frame to the collapsed configuration, the user lifts the annular hoop such that the legs 12 can move freely and locates the legs 12 together with the slots 24 in the rod section 14, as illustrated in Figure 8. The user also rotates the legs 12 about the rod section 14, presses the legs 12 together, and locates the legs 12 in the recessed portion 18 such that the legs 12 lock against parts of the first section 10. The frame is then in the collapsed configuration, in which it may be conveniently stored.

To return the frame to the standing configuration, the user presses the legs 12 together so as to dislodge the legs from the recessed portion 18. The user then rotates the legs 12 about the rod section 14, so that the legs extend parallel to the central axis of the hoop or are slightly spread due to an angle of the slot 24 relative to the length of the leg. The user then moves the legs 12 along the first section 10 of the hoop such that the legs 12 are approximately equally spaced. The user then arranges the legs 12 so that they are spread outwardly.

The frame is made from steel, although the frame may be made from other materials such as plastic, metal, carbon fibre, and wood. The legs 12 are made formed in a mould. They may, for example, be 6mm thick. The first section 10 and the recessed portion of the annular hoop may also be made in a mould. The first section 10 may then be located through the slots 24 and the rod section 14 welded to the first section 10 to close the hoop.

The frame may be used to support a bag or a sack while it is being filled. In this case, the bag or sack is located with the bag or sack extending through the hoop and material around an opening of the bag or sack being folded back over the hoop. A bottom of the bag or sack preferably rests against the ground. After the bag or sack is filled, the frame can be lifted up away from the bag or sack - the bag or sack need not be removed from the frame. For example, a sack supported by the frame can be used to receive rubble. The frame may be sufficiently heavy for use on scaffolding to prevent it being blown away.

The frame can be used for many purposes. The frame is not limited to being of any particular size.

The frame can be used when camping for supporting cooking apparatus. A smaller version of the frame can be used to clip pens on. The frame can also be used, with a bag, as a temporary bin for general trash. The frame can also be conveniently used to hang tools on.

The frame can be used to retain a bucket. Where the bucket is of inverted frustoconical shape and the bucket and the frame are of suitable relative sizes, the bucket can partially be located though the hoop without a base of the bucket touching the ground. This results in the bucket being higher than when rested on the ground, reduced need for bending by a user. The frame may be used to retain other kinds of object, such as a paint can. The frame may be used with objects that have a circular circumferential lip, where the annular hoop is sized to locate under the lip.

The frame may also be used with an intermediary support piece in the form of a container or tray, configured to fit over the annular piece and provide a support surface or webbing on which objects can be located.

When in the storage configuration, the frame can be hung up on a hook by the annular piece 10.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that various modifications are possible to the embodiments.

The frame can be made of sizes and the length of the legs 12 relative to the diameter of the hoop can be changed.

In variant embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the first section 10 may be varied in places since the hoop need only have the rectangular cross-section where the legs 12 are to be positioned when the frame is in a standing configuration.

It is not essential that the legs are moveable all the way round the annular piece, only that the legs can be moved together. In variant embodiments, there may be a greater number of legs.

The shape of the slots and the cross-sectional shape of the first section 10 does not have to be rectangular. The shapes should be such that the legs 12 extend to support the annular hoop, and such that angular movement of the legs 12 is limited to the predetermined angle, oc above. In some embodiments, no angular movement may be permitted. Preferably, the shapes are configured so that some angular movement is permitted, enabling the legs to be outwardly spread.

In variant embodiments, the annular hoop need not be circular. Other planar shapes would be satisfactory.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature or step described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A frame for supporting a container comprising:

at least three legs each having a first end for location on a horizontal surface; an annular piece, a second end of each of the legs being attached to the annular piece and moveable at least partially around the annular piece, wherein the at least three legs and the annular piece are configured so that, when spaced around the annular piece on a first section 10 thereof, the legs extend to support the annular piece in a substantially horizontal disposition when the first ends are located on a horizontal surface, and wherein the at least three legs are moveable to a second section of the annular piece at which the legs can be folded towards a plane of the annular piece.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the second end of each of the legs has an aperture therethrough having a shape that cooperates with a cross-sectional shape of the first section of the annular piece, such that each leg is moveable around the first section and extends to support the annular piece.

3. The frame of claim 2, wherein the aperture comprises a slot, and the crosssectional shape at places on the first section at which the at least three legs are spaced is a quadilateral.

4. The frame of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shapes of the first section and the aperture of each leg allow each leg to be outwardly spread to a predetermined maximum extent, such that, when so spread, movement of the second end of the leg around the first section is impeded or prevented.

5. The frame of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the second section has a maximum diameter less than a width of each slot, such that rotational movement of the legs about the second section is allowed.

6. The frame of claim 5, wherein a third section of the annular piece is located between parts of the first section, is recessed with respect to the parts of the first section and configured to receive portions of the legs when the legs are rotated about the second section and a portion of each leg is located in the third section.

7. The frame of claim 6, wherein the third section is sized and the legs configured so that the legs can be compressed together to locate in the third section, and to resile to lock against sides of the parts of the first section.

8. The frame of claim 7, wherein the legs each include a foot at the first end thereof formed of a resiliently deformable material, wherein the feet deform when the legs are pressed together and resile to cause the legs to lock in the third section.

9. Apparatus comprising:

the frame of any one of the preceding claims; and a bag, wherein the bag is located through the annular piece and material of an opening of the bag is folded over the annular piece.

10. A method of reconfiguring a frame comprising at least three legs and an annular piece to which the legs are attached, the method comprising:

moving the at least three legs relative to the annular piece to reconfigure the frame from a standing configuration in which the at least three legs are spaced around the annular piece on a first section thereof and extend to support the annular piece in a substantially horizontal disposition when a first end of each leg is located on a horizontal surface, to a collapsed configuration in which the legs are located together, and folded about a second section of the annular piece towards a plane of the annular piece.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second end of each of the legs has an aperture therethrough having a shape that cooperates with a cross-sectional shape of the first section of the annular piece, wherein the moving the at least three legs comprise moving the second ends of the legs along the first section to the second section of the annular piece.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the aperture comprises a slot, and the crosssectional shape of the first section is a rectangle.

13. The method of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein in the standing configuration each leg is outwardly spread to a predetermined maximum extent permitted by the shapes of the aperture and the first section, at which movement of the second end of the leg around the first section is impeded or prevented.

14. The method of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the second section has a maximum diameter less than a width of each slot, wherein the moving of the at least three legs includes folding of the legs about the second section

15. The method of claim 14, wherein a third section of the annular piece is located between parts of the first section, and is recessed with respect to the first section, wherein the moving further comprises folding the legs such that portions of the legs are located in the third section.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising compressing the legs together to locate in the third section, wherein the legs resile to lock against sides of the parts of the first section when in the third section.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the legs each include a foot at the first end thereof formed of a resiliently deformable material, wherein the feet deform when the legs are pressed together and resile to cause the legs to lock in the third section.

18. The method of any one of claims 10 to 17, further comprising lifting the annular piece above a bag initially extending through the annular piece and having material including edges of the opening folded over the annular piece.

Amendments to the claims have been made as follows: