Lawn debris bag

Abstract

A lawn debris bag device is provided and includes a bag member used to hold lawn debris, a support pole for use in holding the first end of the bag member in an open and upright position, and a method for engaging and thus securing the ends of the support pole into the ground. The support pole includes a plurality of sheath members and a method for connecting the sheath members together. The support pole can be positioned into a first condition where the sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve and a second condition where the sheath members are arranged such that their axes are parallel with each other for easy storage.

1 . A device comprising: 
 a support pole having first and second ends and comprising: (a) at least first, second, and third sheath members; and, (b) connecting means for selectively connecting the first, second, and third sheath members together;    wherein the support pole is selectively positionable into (1) a first condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve; and, (2) a second condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged such that their axes are parallel with each other;    a bag member having a first open end and a second closed end, the first end having a sleeve for receiving the support pole, the support pole for use in holding the first end of the bag member in an open and upright position; and,    ground engaging means for engaging the first and second ends of the support pole into the ground.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the ground engaging means comprises: 
 a first peg member having a first end adapted to be inserted into the ground and a second end with an opening that receives the first end of the support pole; and,    a second peg member having a first end adapted to be inserted into the ground and a second end with an opening that receives the second end of the support pole.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a first stop member adapted to contact the first end of the support pole and positioned within the first peg member; and,    a second stop member adapted to contact the second end of the support pole and positioned within the second peg member.    
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the first and second peg members each comprise: 
 a leg portion adapted to be forced into the ground;    a bracket portion that extends from the leg portion and defines a force receiving section; and,    a leg opening that extends through the leg portion and the bracket portion, the leg opening adapted to receive either end of the support pole.    
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the ground engaging means comprises: 
 a peg member used to pilot holes in the ground into which the first and second ends of the support pole are received.    
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first, second and third sheath members are flexible and return to a generally linear orientation after having been flexed.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein: 
 each of the first, second and third sheath members comprises a first female end and a second male end, wherein the first female end of one sheath member is adapted to receive the second male end of another sheath member; and,    wherein the connecting means comprises a notch-in-groove connection.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the connecting means further comprises: 
 a spring member positioned within the first female end of each of the first, second and third sheath members, wherein the spring member of one sheath member is adapted to receive and bias the second male end of another sheath member; and,    at least a first notch extending from the second male end and at least a first groove formed on the first female end, wherein the first groove in one sheath member is adapted to receive the first notch from another sheath member.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the connecting means comprises: 
 an elastic cord that is received within the at least first, second, and third sheath members;    at least first and second collar members that receive the elastic cord; and,    wherein the first collar member is selectively locateable between the first and second sheath members to connect the first and second sheath members together, and wherein the second collar member is selectively locateable between the second and third sheath members to connect the second and third sheath members together.    
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bag member has a top portion formed of a first material and a bottom portion formed of a second material that is substantially different from the first material.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bag member further comprises: 
 a closeable section that is selectively positionable over the first open end of the bag member; and,    securing means for securing the closeable section over the first open end of the bag member.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the bag member further comprises: 
 opening means for selectively opening the second-closed end of the bag member.    
   
   
       13 . A method of using a lawn debris bag comprising the steps of: 
 providing a support pole having first and second ends and comprising at least first, second, and third sheath members;    providing a bag member having a first open end and a second closed end, the first end having a sleeve;    positioning the support pole into a first condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve;    inserting the support pole into the sleeve in the bag member to hold the first end of the bag member in an open and upright position;    engaging the first and second ends of the support pole into the ground;    removing the support pole from the ground and from the sleeve in the bag member; and,    positioning the support pole into a second condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged such that their axes are parallel with each other.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of engaging the first and second ends of the support pole into the ground, comprise the steps of: 
 providing first and second peg members each having first and second ends;    inserting the first end of the first peg member into the ground;    inserting the first end of the support pole into an opening in the second end of the first peg member;    inserting the first end of the second peg member into the ground; and,    inserting the second end of the support pole into an opening in the second end of the second peg member.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of engaging the first and second ends of the support pole into the ground, comprise the steps of: 
 providing a stake;    piloting holes in the ground with the stake on opposite sides of the open end of the bag member; and,    inserting the first and second ends of the support pole into the ground.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein before the step of removing the support pole from the ground and from the sleeve in the bag member, the method comprises the steps of: 
 filing the bag member with debris;    positioning a closeable section over the first opening in the bag member; and,    securing the closeable section over the first opening in the bag member.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein after the step of removing the support pole from the ground and from the sleeve in the bag member, the method comprises the step of: 
 opening the second closed end of the bag member; and,    emptying the debris from the bag member using the opening at the second closed end of the bag member.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of positioning the support pole into a first condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve, comprises the steps of: 
 providing each of the first, second and third sheath members with a first female end and a second male end; and,    inserting the male end of one sheath member within the female end of another sheath member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of positioning the support pole into a first condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve, further comprises the steps of: 
 providing a spring member and at least one groove within the first female end of each of the first, second and third sheath members;    providing at least a first notch extending from the second male end of each of the first, second and third sheath members; and,    wherein the step of inserting the male end of one sheath member within the female end of another sheath member, comprises the steps of: 
 (a) inserting the first notch of the one sheath member within the first groove of the another sheath member;  
 (b) compressing the spring within the another sheath member; and  
 (c) rotating the one sheath member with respect to the second sheath member.  
   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of positioning the support pole into a first condition where the first, second and third sheath members are arranged to define a continuous line or curve, comprises the steps of: 
 providing an elastic cord that is received by the first, second and third sheath members;    providing at least first and second collar members that receive the elastic cord;    connecting the first and second sheath members together using the first collar member; and,    connecting the second and third sheath members together using the second collar member.