Collapsible handheld holder for bags

Abstract

A trash bag holder comprising a collapsible frame having a plurality of elongated support members flexibly connected end-to-end. A trash bag is secured to the frame by the use of a plurality of clips mounted on the frame. The frame engages the trash bag in a manner which holds the mouth of the trash bag open when the frame is in a ready-to-use configuration. The frame is maintained in the ready-to-use configuration by a brace pivotally mounted to one of the support members and releasably engaged to a second support member. To collapse the frame, the brace is disengaged from the second support member thereby allowing the support members to be collapsed into a convenient and compact size for transport or storage. A handle is attached to one of the support members to allow a person to maneuver the trash bag holder into any desirable position. The support members are optionally adjustable in length to allow for the use of trash bags of varying sizes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A trash bag holder comprising: 
 a collapsible frame, the frame defining an opening for filling a trash bag when in the ready-to-use position;    a holding means for allowing a person to support the frame; and    a plurality of securing means for temporarily attaching the trash bag to the frame whereby the trash bag can be filled through the opening defined by the frame.    
     
     
         2 . The trash bag holder of  claim 1  wherein the collapsible frame is comprised of a plurality of elongated support members flexibly joined end-to-end thereby defining the opening for filling the trash bag.  
     
     
         3 . The trash bag holder of  claim 2  wherein the support members are joined using a connecting means for flexibly joining the support members.  
     
     
         4 . The trash bag holder of  claim 3  wherein the connecting means is a plurality of hinges.  
     
     
         5 . The trash bag holder of  claim 3  wherein one or more of the support members further comprise an adjustment means for varying the length of the support member.  
     
     
         6 . The trash bag holder of  claim 5  wherein at least two of the support members comprise an adjustment means.  
     
     
         7 . The trash bag holder of  claim 5  wherein all four of the support members comprise an adjustment means.  
     
     
         8 . The trash bag holder of  claim 1  wherein the frame is maintained in the ready-to-use configuration by a brace.  
     
     
         9 . The trash bag holder of  claim 8  wherein the brace is pivotally mounted to one of the support members and is held in a bracing position by a locking means for securing the brace.  
     
     
         10 . The trash bag holder of  claim 9  wherein the locking means comprises a hook and a retractable pin.  
     
     
         11 . The trash bag holder of  claim 1  wherein the securing means is one or more clips.  
     
     
         12 . A trash bag holder comprising: 
 a frame comprising four support members flexibly connected end-to-end by four hinges, said frame capable of being in a first position and a second position, the first position being rectangular thereby forming an enclosed opening and the second position being a collapsed configuration;    a handle extending outwardly from one of the support members and two clips extending from each of the three other support members whereby a mouth of a trash bag can be attached to the frame whereby the trash bag can be filled through the enclosed opening when the frame is in the first position; and    a brace having a first end and a second end, said brace pivotally mounted at the first end to one of the support members, said brace having a fastener adapted to the second end, said fastener adapted to lock onto a docking pin extending from the second support member.    
     
     
         13 . The trash bag holder of  claim 12  wherein one or more of the support members each comprise an adjusting means for varying the length of the respective support member.  
     
     
         14 . The trash bag holder of  claim 13  wherein at least two of the support members each comprise an adjusting means for varying the length of the respective support member.  
     
     
         15 . The trash bag holder of  claim 13  wherein all of the support members each comprise an adjusting means for varying the length of the respective support member.  
     
     
         16 . A trash bag holder comprising: 
 a frame, said frame comprising two arms, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the arms being pivotally mounted together near the proximal ends of each of the arms, the distal ends of each of the arms extending outwardly to define an opening between the arms;    a resilient means disposed between the two arms, said resilient means providing an outward force on the arms whereby a trash bag is held in place and open; and    a handle attached to one of the arms whereby a person can support the trash bag holder in a useful orientation when collecting trash.    
     
     
         17 . The trash bag holder of  claim 16  wherein each of the arms further comprises an adjusting means for varying the length of the respective arm.  
     
     
         18 . The trash bag holder of  claim 17  further comprising a plurality of clips to secure the trash bag to the arms.  
     
     
         19 . A collapsible trash bag holder comprising a plurality of support members held in a ready-to-use configuration by a brace, said holder further comprising: 
 means for flexibly joining the support members;    means for securing the brace in a bracing position;    means for holding the frame; and    means for securing the trash bag to the frame such that the trash bag is maintained in an open position when the support members are in the ready-to-use configuration.    
     
     
         20 . The collapsible trash bag holder of  claim 19  further comprising a means for varying the length of one or more of the support members.  
     
     
         21 . A method of installing a trash bag on a trash bag holder, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a trash bag holder, the trash bag holder having a collapsible frame;    collapsing the frame of the trash bag holder;    installing the trash bag onto the collapsed frame of the trash bag holder; and    opening the frame of the trash bag holder to a ready-to-use position such that the trash bag can be filled by passing material through the frame of the trash bag holder.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of engaging a brace to maintain the frame of the trash bag holder in the ready-to-use position.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the brace is pivotally mounted to a support member of the frame.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of utilizing legs extending from the trash bag holder to support the trash bag holder in a stationary position.