Bag holder and transport cart
A bag holder is capable of holding a bag in an upright position with the use of expanding arms and a unique two stage hinge and clamp mechanism, which allows the expanding arm apparatus to enter and clamp a refuse bag quickly and efficiently. The operation utilizes a hook mechanism and a clamp, which allows the operator to use one hand to manipulate the expanding arm apparatus and the other hand to position the refuse bag. In addition, the bag holder functions as transport cart for refuse bags. Also, the unique cart structure, allows storing of two garden tools and multiple refuse bags. The bag holder is able to fold onto itself and be stored on a hook, by the unique handle. The bag expander and clamp mechanism is detachable which can be adapted to existing dolly's or hand truck.
1. A bag holder assembly comprising:
a clamp plate;
a hinge arm pivotally connected to the clamp plate;
an expanding arm apparatus connected to the hinge arm and moveable between an expanded position and a contracted position, the expanding arm apparatus comprising:
a first spring arm connected to a first end of the hinge arm;
a second spring arm connected to a second end of the hinge arm;
a latch connected to an end of said first spring arm opposite said hinge arm and configured to connect directly to a clasp located on an end of the second spring arm opposite said hinge arm;
a strap having a first strap end connection to the first spring arm end and a second strap end connection to the second spring arm end, wherein the first and second strap end connections are separate from the latch and clasp; and
wherein the expanding arm apparatus is configured to move between a contracted position and expanded position, wherein the latch is connected to the clasp when in contracted position, and wherein the latch is disengaged from the clasp and the first and second spring arms are expanded away from one another when in expanded position; and wherein the first and second spring arms are configured to apply a biasing force to bias the expanding arm apparatus toward the expanded position.
2. The bag holder assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pre-clamp connected to the clamp plate, wherein the pre-clamp is pivotable with respect to the clamp plate and biased toward the clamp plate.
3. The bag holder assembly of claim 2 , wherein the pre-clamp is configured to pivot in response to rotation of the hinge arm about the clamp plate.
4. The bag holder assembly of claim 1 wherein the strap is formed of a flexible material.
5. The bag holder assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mounting assembly configured to mount the clamp plate to a frame.
6. The bag holder assembly of claim 5 , wherein the mounting assembly includes a clamp arm configured to provide adjustable clamping pressure to a portion of the frame.
7. The bag holder assembly of claim 1 , wherein the hinge arm is configured to pivot up to 270 degrees of rotation.
8. A bag holder cart assembly comprising:
a cart comprising a frame;
a clamp plate connected to a portion of the frame;
a hinge arm pivotally connected to the clamp plate;
an expanding arm apparatus connected to the hinge arm and moveable between an expanded position and a contracted position, the expanding arm apparatus comprising:
a first spring arm connected to a first end of the hinge arm;
a second spring arm connected to a second end of the hinge arm;
a latch connected to an end of said first spring arm opposite said hinge arm and configured to attach directly to a clasp located on an end of the second spring arm opposite said hinge arm;
a strap having a first strap end connection to the first spring arm end and a second strap end connection to the second spring arm end, wherein the first and second strap end connections are separate from the latch and clasp; and
wherein the expanding arm apparatus is configured to move between a contracted position and expanded position, wherein the latch is connected to the clasp when in contracted position, and wherein the latch is disengaged from the clasp and the first and second spring arms are expanded away from one another when in the expanded position.
9. The bag holder cart assembly of claim 8 , wherein the first and second spring arms are configured to apply a biasing force to bias the expanding arm apparatus toward the expanded position.
10. The bag holder cart assembly of claim 8 further comprising a pair of wheels connected to the frame of the cart.
11. The bag holder cart assembly of claim 8 wherein the frame further comprises a base plate connected to a bottom portion of the frame, wherein the base plate is configured to support a bag thereon.
12. The bag holder cart assembly of claim 11 , wherein the base plate is rotatable between a down position and an up position.
13. The bag holder cart assembly of claim 11 further comprising a first side plate positioned on a first side of the base plate and a second side plate positioned on a second side of the base plate.
14. The bag holder cart assembly of claim 8 , wherein the latch comprises a striker handle and the clasp comprises a hook handle configured to attach to the striker handle.
15. The bag holder assembly of claim 8 wherein the strap is formed of a flexible material.
16. The bag holder assembly of claim 8 further comprising a basket connected to a portion of the frame.
17. The bag holder assembly of claim 8 , wherein the clamp plate is adjustably connected to the frame by one or more clamp arms.
18. The bag holder assembly of claim 17 , wherein a clamping pressure of the clamp arms is adjustable to allow for adjustment or removal of the clamp plate from the frame.
19. The bag holder assembly of claim 8 , wherein the strap is configured to fold inward toward the interior of the expanding arm apparatus when the expanding arm apparatus is in the contracted position.
20. The bag holder assembly of claim 8 further comprising a pre-clamp pivotably connected to the clamp plate and biased toward the clamp plate.