Variable caliber garbage rack

Abstract

The application discloses a variable-diameter garbage rack, which comprises a base, a lifting rod and a shaping retaining piece. The bottom end of the lifting rod is hinged to the base. The shaping retaining piece is a continuous long strip-shaped member which can be bent and keep the bent shape. The middle position of the shaping retaining piece is fixedly connected to the top end of the lifting rod. The two side parts jointly enclose a bag opening support ring. The two free ends are overlapped along the circumference of the bag opening support ring. The diameter of the bag opening support ring can be adjusted by changing the bending degree of the shaping retaining piece and the overlapping length of the two free ends, so as to adapt to garbage bags with different bag opening sizes. The lifting rod can rotate relative to the base, so that the garbage rack is convenient to unfold and use and to fold and store.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of garbage bag support device technology, specifically to a variable diameter garbage rack. Background Technology

[0002] Garbage bags typically require a trash can or bag holder to keep the opening open during use. Fixed-size trash cans or rigid bag rings are usually designed for garbage bags of similar size. When the bag opening size or bag height changes, problems may arise such as difficulty in fitting the bag onto the bin, insufficient utilization of the bag's volume, or the need to replace the support device.

[0003] US Patent 6676092B2 discloses a size-adjustable garbage bag support, which includes a base, multiple pillars pivotally connected to the base and capable of telescoping, and a flexible ring connected to the top of each pillar, enabling adjustment of the support height and opening width of the garbage bag. This structure uses multiple pillars to support the flexible ring, and the adjustment of the bag opening support size is related to the relative positions of the multiple pillars. The structural arrangement is limited by the number of pillars and their installation location.

[0004] Chinese patent CN107613902B discloses an adjustable support arm, which includes multiple sections connected by ball joints and maintains the adjusted posture through a friction layer and locking mechanism at the joints. While this document provides an adjustable support structure, its application and installation differ from the enclosure support for garbage bag openings. A corresponding overall structure still needs to be designed to adapt to the bag opening size and the storage requirements of the garbage rack.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a new variable-diameter garbage rack that can adapt to different bag opening sizes while also being easy to unfold and compactly store is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a variable diameter garbage rack, which aims to solve the technical problems of inconvenient size adaptation of existing bag opening support structures and inconvenient compact storage of vertical garbage racks.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A variable-diameter garbage rack, comprising: Base; The lifting rod has its bottom end hinged to the base. The shaping retainer is a continuous long strip that can be bent and maintain its bent shape. Its middle position is fixedly connected to the top of the lifting rod, and the two sides together form a bag mouth support ring. The two free ends overlap along the circumference of the bag mouth support ring. The diameter of the bag mouth support ring is adjusted according to the degree of bending of the shaping retainer and the overlap length of the two free ends.

[0009] This invention fixes the middle position of a flexible, continuous strip-shaped component to the top of a lifting rod, so that the two sides together form a bag opening support ring with the free end overlapping circumferentially. The diameter of the bag opening support ring can be adjusted by changing the degree of bending and the overlap length, while maintaining the adjusted enclosed shape, thereby adapting to different bag opening sizes. The lifting rod is hinged to the base, allowing the lifting rod to rotate relative to the base, which facilitates the unfolding and use of the garbage rack and its folding and storage.

[0010] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the top of the lifting rod is provided with a connecting frame, the connecting frame is provided with a circumferentially enclosed channel, and the middle part of the shaping and retaining member passes through and is fixed in the channel.

[0011] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the shaping and retaining member is formed by connecting multiple ball joints end to end in sequence. Each ball joint has a ball head at one end and a ball socket at the other end. The ball heads and ball sockets of adjacent ball joints are connected and in frictional contact.

[0012] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the opening of the ball socket is provided with an annular constriction that extends continuously in the circumferential direction, and the inner diameter of the annular constriction is smaller than the maximum diameter of the ball head.

[0013] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the shaping and retaining element is a metal gooseneck tube.

[0014] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the shaping and retaining member includes a bendable and shape-adjustable metal core rod and a flexible sleeve covering its outer periphery, and the middle position of the metal core rod is fixedly connected to the top end of the lifting rod.

[0015] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable-diameter garbage rack, the two free ends are staggered at the overlap in a direction perpendicular to the plane where the bag opening support ring is located.

[0016] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the lifting rod includes an outer tube, an inner rod slidably inserted into the outer tube, and a locking member disposed on the outer tube, wherein the locking member abuts against the inner rod.

[0017] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the base includes a base plate and a water-retaining rim extending upward along the periphery of the base plate, and casters are installed under the base plate.

[0018] Preferably, in the above-mentioned variable diameter garbage rack, the base is provided with two opposing hinge ears, the bottom end of the lifting rod is provided with a bushing located between the two hinge ears, and the hinge shaft passes through the two hinge ears and the bushing.

[0019] This invention allows for the adjustment of bag opening size and support height in conjunction, making it easy for the same garbage rack to accommodate garbage bags of different sizes; the connecting frame surrounds and fixes the middle part of the shaping and retaining component from the circumference, and the free ends of the overlap are staggered to reduce local interference; the base serves both to support and catch leakage, and the hinged structure between the lifting rod and the base helps to reduce the space occupied during storage. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention in its unfolded state for home use.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention in its vehicle-mounted storage state.

[0023] in: 1-Base; 2-Lifting rod; 3-Shaping retaining component; 21-Connecting frame; 31-Ball hinge joint. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] For ease of explanation, the following will only take the ball-head-ball-socket friction connection structure of the retaining part 3 as an example to explain the construction, assembly and use of the variable diameter garbage rack. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The examples shown correspond to this one, depicting both the unfolded and stowed states. Other fixed structures, as alternative forms, will be described later without further illustration or separate implementation.

[0026] See Figure 1 The variable diameter garbage rack includes a base 1, a lifting rod 2, and a shaping and retaining component 3.

[0027] The bottom end of the lifting rod 2 is hinged to the base 1.

[0028] The shaping and retaining component 3 is a continuous long strip that can be bent and maintain its bent shape. Its middle position is fixedly connected to the top of the lifting rod 2, and the two sides together form a bag mouth support ring. The two free ends overlap along the circumference of the bag mouth support ring. The diameter of the bag mouth support ring is adjusted according to the degree of bending of the shaping and retaining component 3 and the overlap length of the two free ends.

[0029] The term "continuous elongated member" as used in this specification refers to a member that extends from one free end through a fixed intermediate position to another free end and is continuously connected as a whole, and is not limited to a solid rod formed in one piece. In this example, multiple ball joints 31 are connected to form this continuous elongated member. The intermediate position refers to the middle part between the two free ends, and the fixed position is not required to be exactly at the bisection point of the total length.

[0030] by Figure 1 The unfolded state shown is the orientation reference. The direction of the lifting rod 2 from the base 1 towards the bag opening support ring is upward, and the opposite direction is downward. The top and bottom ends of the lifting rod 2 refer to the end connected to the shaping and retaining member 3 and the end connected to the base 1, respectively; their names do not change with the storage posture. The inner side of the bag opening support ring faces the opening it forms, and the outer side faces away from the opening; the circumferential direction extends along the boundary of the opening. The circumferential direction of the ball-and-socket opening is the direction around the axis of the opening, and the axial direction of the tube or rod is the direction along its length axis. The plane containing the bag opening support ring is based on the plane formed by the main ring segments outside the overlapping transition area.

[0031] The base 1 includes a base plate and a water-retaining rim extending upwards along the perimeter of the base plate. Casters are installed under the base plate. The base plate and the water-retaining rim together form a disc-shaped receiving space. After the garbage bag is installed, it is located above this receiving space, allowing leaked liquid to fall into the receiving space. The height of the water-retaining rim can be set according to the required liquid carrying capacity. The casters are spaced apart along the perimeter of the base plate for easy movement of the garbage rack.

[0032] The base 1 has two opposing hinge ears, each with a coaxial shaft hole. The bottom end of the lifting rod 2 has a bushing located between the two hinge ears. The hinge shaft passes sequentially through the shaft hole of one hinge ear, the inner hole of the bushing, and the shaft hole of the other hinge ear, allowing the lifting rod 2 to rotate relative to the base 1 around the hinge shaft. A clearance space is provided between the outer circumference of the bushing and the base 1 to prevent interference when the lifting rod 2 falls over.

[0033] The hinge can be a hinge shaft with a threaded end and a locking nut that mates with it. The locking nut is adjusted to press or release the hinge lug against the end face of the bushing. When pressed, it restricts the rotation of the lifting rod 2 relative to the base 1; when released, it allows the lifting rod 2 to rotate, facilitating the maintenance of the extended posture and storage. This locking nut serves a different function from the locking element used to lock the telescopic length described below.

[0034] The lifting rod 2 includes an outer tube, an inner rod slidably inserted into the outer tube, and a locking member disposed on the outer tube. A bushing is connected to the bottom end of the outer tube, and a shaping retainer 3 is connected to the top end of the inner rod. The inner rod extends or retracts along the axial direction of the outer tube to adjust the height of the shaping retainer 3 relative to the base 1. In the locked state, the locking member abuts against the inner rod to restrict its sliding; after unlocking, the extension length of the inner rod can be adjusted.

[0035] The locking element can be a locking sleeve located at the upper end of the outer tube. The locking sleeve generates a radial clamping effect by tightening, and its clamping part abuts against the outer surface of the inner rod. This allows the support height to be adjusted according to the height of the garbage bag, so that the bottom of the bag is close to or against the bottom plate, reducing the suspension load on the bag opening support ring after the garbage bag is loaded.

[0036] The top of the lifting rod 2 is provided with a connecting frame 21, which is fixedly connected to the top of the inner rod. The connecting frame 21 has a circumferentially closed channel, and the middle part of the shaping and retaining member 3 passes through the channel and is fixedly connected to the connecting frame 21 forming the channel. The connecting frame 21 surrounds the middle part of the shaping and retaining member 3 from the outer circumference. The chain links at the fixed point do not move or rotate relative to the connecting frame 21, but the chain links on both sides of the fixed point can still be adjusted.

[0037] The connecting frame 21 can be composed of two frame parts that can be interlocked and connected by fasteners. When the two frame parts are closed, they form a circumferentially closed channel and clamp the middle part of the shaping and retaining member 3. The contour of the channel is adapted to the shape of the clamped part to transfer the load on the bag opening support ring to the lifting rod 2.

[0038] In this example, the shaping and retaining member 3 is formed by connecting multiple ball joints 31 end to end. Each ball joint 31 has a ball head at one end and a ball socket at the other end. The ball head of one ball joint 31 is embedded in the ball socket of the adjacent ball joint 31, so that the adjacent ball joints 31 form a ball joint connection that can rotate relative to each other in multiple directions.

[0039] The ball socket opening has a continuously extending annular constriction along the circumference, which closes throughout the entire circumference. Its inner diameter is smaller than the maximum diameter of the ball head. During assembly, the ball socket opening elastically expands, allowing the ball head to enter the socket through the annular constriction; after assembly, the annular constriction prevents the ball head from leaving the socket. The ball head is connected to the ball hinge joint 31 via its neck, and space is maintained between the ball socket opening and the neck to allow relative rotation.

[0040] The outer surface of the ball head and the inner surface of the ball socket are in frictional contact, and contact pressure can be formed through an interference fit. Adjacent ball hinge joints 31 rotate relative to each other under the action of an applied bending moment, and after the adjustment stops, their rotation is restricted by the frictional resistance of the contact surface. The ball hinge joints 31 can be made of engineering plastics with elasticity and wear resistance. The size fit between the ball head and the ball socket is determined according to the required holding torque, so that it maintains the adjusted shape under the predetermined bag opening support load.

[0041] The shaping and retaining member 3 is bounded by the middle part fixed within the connecting frame 21, with the two sides extending from both sides of the connecting frame 21 and extending towards each other along the circumference of the bag opening support ring, together forming the bag opening support ring. The two free ends are not fixedly connected to each other, and the overlap length can change with the degree of bending of the ring segment.

[0042] The two free ends are staggered at the overlap point along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the bag opening support ring, leaving a gap to prevent them from colliding. The links before entering the overlap area form a smooth height transition, and the end portion within the overlap area extends circumferentially along the bag opening support ring, preventing the ends from curving upwards. Here, the overlap is a circumferential overlap between the two ends; the outer surfaces of the two ends are not required to contact each other.

[0043] By changing the curvature of the two sides, the bag opening support ring can be expanded outward or contracted inward. When the total length of the two sides remains constant and the main ring segments are approximately circular, increasing the overlap length can reduce the diameter of the bag opening support ring, while decreasing the overlap length can increase its diameter. The adjustment range is limited by the length of the shaping retainer 3, the allowable rotation angle of the chain link, and the required overlap length. After adjustment, the two free ends still maintain a circumferential overlap.

[0044] When installing the garbage bag, the bag body is placed inside the bag opening support ring, and the edge of the bag opening is folded outward and rests on the shaping and retaining component 3. The friction between the folded part of the bag opening and the outer surface of the shaping and retaining component 3 prevents the bag opening from slipping. If necessary, a detachable clamp can be used to hold the folded part of the bag opening. When the length of the lifting rod 2 is adjusted so that the bottom of the bag is supported by the base plate, the bag opening support ring mainly serves to open the bag opening.

[0045] See Figure 1 When deployed, the lifting rod 2 rotates to an upright position and remains in that position. The inner rod extends from the outer tube to an appropriate height and is then locked by the locking mechanism. The shaping and retaining parts 3 form a bag opening support ring that fits the opening of the garbage bag. The base 1 is located below the garbage bag, serving both as a support for the device and as a catch for leaked liquids.

[0046] See Figure 2When stored, the inner rod retracts into the outer tube, and the shaping retainer 3 bends into a compact shape through relative rotation between the ball joints 31. The lifting rod 2 falls down around the hinge axis into the receiving space of the base 1. The connecting frame 21 rotates into the range of the base 1 along with the top of the lifting rod 2. The shaping retainer 3 is distributed around the fallen lifting rod 2 and avoids each other with the connecting frame 21 and the hinge ears.

[0047] Figure 2 This indicates a stored state suitable for easy carrying or placement inside a vehicle, but does not mean the garbage bag is already open in this state. When used inside a vehicle, the garbage rack should be placed on a stable support and anti-slip measures appropriate for the usage conditions should be taken.

[0048] In addition to the ball-head-ball-nest structure described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the shaping and retaining component 3 can also adopt the following alternative forms. These forms all follow the overall relationship of a continuous long strip component, fixed in the middle to the top of the lifting rod 2, with the two sides forming a bag opening support ring and the two free ends overlapping circumferentially.

[0049] Alternatively, the shaping retainer 3 can be made of metal gooseneck tubing. The metal gooseneck tubing has a tube body capable of bending under external force and maintaining its adjusted shape after the force is removed. The middle section is clamped and fixed by the connecting bracket 21, and the two side sections are bent and enclosed. When selecting this type of tubing, its holding torque should match the bag opening support load, and the outer surface can be covered with a flexible sheath to reduce wear on the bag opening.

[0050] Alternatively, the shaping retainer 3 includes a bendable metal core rod and a flexible sleeve covering its outer periphery. The metal core rod extends along the length of the flexible sleeve and can be made of aluminum capable of plastic bending deformation. The middle position of the metal core rod is fixedly connected to the top of the lifting rod 2 via a connecting frame 21. The flexible sleeve bends with the metal core rod and separates the metal core rod from the bag opening. The bent shape is mainly maintained by the metal core rod.

[0051] Alternatively, the shaping retainer 3 can be a shaping tube with embedded metal wire. The shaping tube includes a flexible tube body and a malleable, bendable metal wire extending along the length of the tube body and embedded in the tube wall. The metal wire retains its deformation after the tube body bends, thereby maintaining the tube body's corresponding shape. The difference between this and the aforementioned sleeve with built-in metal core rod is that the metal wire is embedded in the tube wall rather than serving as a core rod located within the tube cavity; the middle part of the tube body is clamped within the connecting frame 21, and the clamping area simultaneously constrains the tube wall and the metal wire within it.

[0052] Alternatively, the shaping retainer 3 employs a cable-driven, clamped segmental chain. This segmental chain is formed by sequentially connecting multiple segments with cable holes. Adjacent segments have end faces that can swing relative to each other and abut against each other. A flexible cable continuously passes through each segment; one end of the cable is anchored to one end segment, and the other end is connected to a tensioner on the other end segment. The tensioner tightens the cable, causing the end faces of adjacent segments to press together and generating frictional resistance that restricts relative swinging; the bending shape can be readjusted after the tension is released. The connecting frame 21 fixes its intermediate segment and preserves space for the cable to pass through. The end tensioners do not connect the two free ends, which can still overlap circumferentially.

[0053] Alternatively, the shaping retainer 3 is a corrugated shaping tube with shape retention capability. The tube wall has multiple continuous annular corrugated units along its length. The annular wall section of each corrugated unit can partially flip under external force and maintain its flipped state after the force is removed. The corrugated units on one side of the tube relatively contract, while those on the other side relatively expand, causing the tube to form and maintain a bent shape. The enclosing diameter is changed by adjusting the state of the multiple corrugated units, with the middle portion fixed by the connecting bracket 21. Ordinary corrugated hoses that can only bend elastically and return to their original shape upon removal of external force are not used as the shaping retainer 3 here.

[0054] The aforementioned alternatives only replace the bending and shaping structure of the shaping and retaining component 3 itself, without changing its installation relationship of central fixation, side enclosure, and free end overlap. The specific selection should meet the shape retention requirements under the predetermined bag opening support load. After adjustment, the cable-driven segmental chain also needs to be tensioned. All other structures and operations are based on compatibility with the selected structure.

[0055] The working principle of this example is explained below in conjunction with the ball-head-ball-nest structure described above.

[0056] When unfolded, the lifting rod 2 is rotated around the hinge axis to the working position and the hinge is locked. Then, the extension length of the inner rod relative to the outer tube is adjusted, and the support height is locked by the locking device. A bending force is applied to the shaping retaining members 3 on both sides of the connecting frame 21, so that the ball heads of the adjacent ball hinge sections 31 rotate in the ball sockets. The curvature of the two sides is adjusted section by section, and the two free ends are overlapped circumferentially.

[0057] When the diameter of the bag opening support ring needs to be increased, expand the two sides outward and reduce the overlap length; when the diameter needs to be decreased, fold the two sides inward and increase the overlap length. During adjustment, maintain the staggered relationship and clearance between the free ends, allowing the ends to extend circumferentially. After stopping the application of force, the frictional resistance between the ball head and the socket maintains the relative posture of each link, ensuring the bag opening support ring retains its adjusted shape.

[0058] Place the garbage bag body inside the bag opening support ring, fold the bag opening outwards and place it on the shaping and holding part 3, further adjust the lifting rod 2 according to the length of the bag body, so that the bottom of the bag is supported by the base 1 or close to the bottom plate, and confirm that the bag opening is kept open.

[0059] To switch from the unfolded state to the retracted state, first remove the garbage bag, release the length lock of the lifting rod 2, and retract the inner rod into the outer tube; then bend the shaping retainer 3 to form a compact shape, release the lock at the hinge, and let the lifting rod 2 fall back into the base 1 around the hinge axis, and tidy up the chain segments on both sides to avoid the hinge area. Reverse the operation to restore the unfolded state.

[0060] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A variable-diameter garbage rack, characterized in that, include: Base (1); The lifting rod (2) is hinged to the base (1) at its bottom end; The shaping retainer (3) is a continuous long strip that can be bent and maintain a bent shape. Its middle position is fixedly connected to the top of the lifting rod (2). The two sides together form a bag mouth support ring. The two free ends overlap along the circumference of the bag mouth support ring. The diameter of the bag mouth support ring is adjusted according to the degree of bending of the shaping retainer (3) and the overlap length of the two free ends.

2. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the lifting rod (2) is provided with a connecting frame (21), the connecting frame (21) is provided with a circumferentially closed channel, and the middle part of the shaping and holding member (3) passes through and is fixed in the channel.

3. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaping retainer (3) is formed by connecting multiple ball joints (31) end to end in sequence. Each ball joint (31) has a ball head at one end and a ball socket at the other end. The ball head and ball socket of adjacent ball joints (31) are connected and in frictional contact.

4. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 3, characterized in that, The opening of the ball socket is provided with an annular constriction that extends continuously in the circumferential direction, and the inner diameter of the annular constriction is smaller than the maximum diameter of the ball head.

5. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaping retainer (3) is a metal gooseneck tube.

6. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaping and retaining member (3) includes a bendable and shapeable metal core rod and a flexible sleeve covering its outer periphery. The middle position of the metal core rod is fixedly connected to the top end of the lifting rod (2).

7. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two free ends are staggered at the overlap in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the bag opening support ring.

8. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting rod (2) includes an outer tube, an inner rod slidably inserted into the outer tube, and a locking member disposed on the outer tube, wherein the locking member abuts against the inner rod.

9. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) includes a base plate and a water-retaining rim extending upward along the periphery of the base plate, and casters are installed below the base plate.

10. The variable-diameter garbage rack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with two opposing hinge ears, and the bottom end of the lifting rod (2) is provided with a bushing located between the two hinge ears. The hinge shaft passes through the two hinge ears and the bushing.

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