Utility stands and related methods

Abstract

A utility stand comprising a substantially U-shaped item support member, a base member, and a vertical support that extends between the base member and the item support member. In particular embodiments, the item support member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which the item support member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which the item support member is in a substantially vertical orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position. In various embodiments, the base member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which the base member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which the base member is in a substantially vertical orientation when the utility stand is in an upright position.

1 . A utility stand comprising: 
 a substantially U-shaped item support member;    a base member;    a vertical support that extends between said base member and said item support member, wherein: 
 said item support member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which said item support member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which said item support member is in a substantially vertical orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position, and  
 said base member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which said base member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which said base member is in a substantially vertical orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said item support member is disposed adjacent a front portion of said vertical support when said item support member is in said first position;    said item support member is disposed adjacent a rear portion of said vertical support when said item support member is in said second position;    said base member is disposed adjacent a front portion of said vertical support when said base member is in said first position; and    said base member is disposed adjacent a front portion of said vertical support when said base member is in said second position.    
   
   
       3 . The utility stand of  claim 2 , wherein said vertical support comprises a plurality of vertical support members that are in telescoping relation to one another.  
   
   
       4 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein said item support member is attached adjacent an upper portion of the vertical support via an upper hinge that is adapted to allow said item support member to be rotated between said first and second positions of said item support member.  
   
   
       5 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein said item support member is adapted to rotate about 90 degrees between said first and second positions of said item support member.  
   
   
       6 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein said item support member is adapted to rotate about 270 degrees between said first and second positions.  
   
   
       7 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said vertical support comprises a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion that is substantially co-planar with said first elongate portion; and    said first elongate portion and said second elongate portion form an angle of between about 2 and about 10 degrees.    
   
   
       8 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said vertical support comprises a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion that is substantially co-planar with said first elongate portion; and    said first elongate portion and said second elongate portion form an angle of about 5 degrees.    
   
   
       9 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastening mechanism that is disposed adjacent said item support and adapted for attaching a bag adjacent said item support member.  
   
   
       10 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein said utility stand comprises a plurality of fastening mechanisms that are adapted for attaching a bag adjacent said item support member.  
   
   
       11 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastening mechanism that is disposed adjacent said item support and adapted for maintaining a bag in an open position adjacent said item support member.  
   
   
       12 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein said utility stand comprises a plurality of fastening mechanisms that are adapted for maintaining a bag in an open position adjacent said item support member.  
   
   
       13 . The utility stand of  claim 12 , wherein said plurality of fastening mechanisms form a U-Shaped pattern that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of said item support member.  
   
   
       14 . The utility stand of  claim 12 , wherein each of said fastening mechanisms is a support rivet that is adapted to puncture a portion of said bag and to thereafter extend through said bag.  
   
   
       15 . The utility stand of  claim 14 , wherein said bag is a yard bag.  
   
   
       16 . The utility stand of  claim 1 , wherein said utility stand is adapted fold from: (A) a first orientation in which said utility stand is non-planar and configured for hangingly supporting bags from said item support, to (B) a second orientation in which the utility stand is in a substantially planar form.  
   
   
       17 . A utility stand comprising: 
 an item support member that is adapted for maintaining a bag in an open configuration;    a base member;    a vertical support that extends between said base member and said item support member, wherein: 
 said item support member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which said item support member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which said item support member is in a substantially vertical orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position.  
   
   
   
       18 . The utility stand of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said base member is adapted to be rotated between: (A) a first position, in which said base member is in a substantially horizontal orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position, and (B) a second position, in which said base member is in a substantially vertical orientation when said utility stand is in an upright position.    
   
   
       19 . The utility stand of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 said item support member is disposed adjacent a front portion of said vertical support when said item support member is in said first position;    said item support member is disposed adjacent a rear portion of said vertical support when said item support member is in said second position;    said base member is disposed adjacent a front portion of said vertical support when said base member is in said first position; and    said base member is disposed adjacent a front portion of said vertical support when said base member is in said second position.    
   
   
       20 . The utility stand of  claim 17 , wherein said item support member is adapted for supporting the weight of an upper portion of said bag while maintaining said bag in said open configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The utility stand of  claim 17 , wherein said item support member is adapted for maintaining said bad in said open configuration by engaging and supporting at least two portions of said bag that are adjacent an open portion of said bag.