US3450297A - Refuse bins - Google Patents

Description

E. J. CLERK REFUSE BINS June 17, 1969 Sheet Filed Aug. 15, 1966 FIG] June 17, 1969 Filed Aug. 15, 1966 Sheet 3 of 2 E. J. CLERK 3,450,297

REFUSE BINS United States Patent US. Cl. 220-36 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pedal mechanism for a refuse bin having a pull rod detachably connected at one end to a pedal which is pivotally mounted on the refuse bin, and at the other end to a closure lid for the refuse bin, so that the closure lid can be raised to and from the closure position by the pivotable movement of the pedal.

The present invention relates to portable containers for refuse such as dustbins and the smaller forms of container for indoor use, the containers being referred to generally in the present specification, as refuse bins.

The larger forms of refuse containers such as dustbins have a closure lid which can be lifted and replaced by hand. However, the smaller forms of refuse bins for indoor use have a closure lid which is movable from the closed position to the open position by actuation of a pedal by the foot of the user, the closure lid returning automatically to the closed position when the pedal is released. Refuse bins of this particular kind as now constructed have the pedal mechanism permanently attached thereto. Thus it is general practice for such bins to incorporate an inner container for the refuse, the inner container being removably disposed within an outer casing to which the closure lid and pedal mechanism are permanently attached. With this construction the inner container for the refuse can be removed for emptying without the necessity of transporting the bin as a whole.

The present invention has for an object to provide a pedal mechanism for use in conjunction with a refuse bin for effecting mechanically the operation of the closure lid, the pedal mechanism being readily separable from the refuse bin so that the refuse bin can be transported without the pedal mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refuse bin in combination with pedal mechanism for effecting the mechanical operation of the closure lid.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a refuse bin in combination with pedal mechanism for effecting the mechanical operation of the closure lid, the closure lid being readily separable from the pedal mechanism and also from the refuse bin.

According to the invention a pedal mechanism for a refuse bin having a closure lid for the open end of the bin, the pedal mechanism being operable to move said lid from the closed to the open position and comprising a pedal and linkage for operatively coupling the pedal to the closure lid and releasable connecting means for connecting the linkage to the closure lid so as to be readily detachable to permit separation of the container and pedal mechanism. Advantageously releasable means are also provided for connecting the pedal mechanism to the container to restrain displacement of the pedal mechanism relative to the container particularly during operation of the pedal to move the closure lid to the open position.

The movement of the closure lid between the open and closed positions can be caused by effecting pivotal movement of the lid, the closure lid being pivotally mounted for example so that the same is raised upon actuation of the pedal mechanism. The pivotal mounting of the closure lid on the refuse bin can be such that it is possible to remove the closure lid completely from the refuse bin simply by lifting the same therefrom, the closure lid being also readily detachable from the pedal mechanism. The pivotal mounting for the lid can be provided in a simple manner by forming the closure lid and the open end of the refuse bin With interengaging parts which cooperate to provide a fulcrum about which the closure lid can pivot.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the pedal mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention in combination with a refuse bin, the closure lid being shown in the raised or open position.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary section on the line II-II in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary section on the line III-III in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG- URE 3 but showing an alternative attachment of the pedal to the refuse bin and a modified form of coupling rod connecting the pedal to the closure lid,

FIGURE 5 is a view as seen in the direction of the arrows VV in FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an alternative arrangement of connecting the push rod of the pedal mechanism to the closure lid,

FIGURES 7 and 8 each show a closure lid in section, both figures showing closure lid constructions alternative to that shown in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view in section showing a modification to the construction of the container.

Referring to the drawings, particularly FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the pedal mechanism indicated generally by reference numeral 1 is shown in combination with a refuse bin indicated generally by reference numeral 2. The refuse bin 2 consists of a container 3 of frustoconical form, the end of larger diameter providing the upper or open end, the smaller diameter end providing the base. The base has a surrounding flange 4 which provides clearance be tween the base and the floor, the open end having a beaded rim 5, an annular groove 6 being formed in the external periphery of the container disposed a short distance below the beaded rim.

The container has a dished closure lid 7 which is circular in plan form the peripheral edge 8 of the lid being formed to provide a surrounding channel 9 which is inverted so that it receives the beaded rim 5 of the container when the closure lid is in the lowered or closed position. The closure lid is raised from the lowered position to the open position by pivoting the same about the beaded rim by the pedal mechanism which is adapted to be located adjacent the container and connected thereto in a manner which permits readily the separation of the container and pedal mechanism, the said mechanism incorporating a pedal which can be depressed by foot, the pedal being connected by a linkage to the closure lid in such manner that as the pedal is depressed the closure lid swings upwardly, the closure lid swinging downwardly to the closed position as the pressure on the pedal is released.

The pedal mechanism 1 consists of a pedal 10 and a pull rod 11 which is pivotally connected by one end, referred to as the lower end to the pedal adjacent one end thereof. The pedal is of U section and the pull rod is pivotally connected thereto by forming the lower end of the pull rod with a portion 12 extending at right angles to the rod the portion 12 passing through aligned holes in the oppositely disposed sides 13 of the pedal. At its opposite end the pedal 10 is formed to provide a channel 14 which extends across the width of the pedal, the open side of the channel being upwards, the underside of the channel forming a rib 15 which projects below the undersurface of the pedal. The pedal mechanism is assembled in position by inserting the flange 4 around the base of the container 3 in the channel 14 of the pedal, the rib 15 resting on the floor, the upper end of the pull rod being attached to 2. lug 16 which extends radially outwards from the closure lid and is secured thereto. For this purpose the lug 16 has a slot 17 which extends inwardly from one edge thereof, the slot terminating at its inner end in a circular aperture 18 to receive a ball 19 fixed to the upper end of the pull rod. The pull rod 11 is connected to the lug 16 by passing the rod 11 through the slot 17 and into the circular aperture, the ball forming an abutment which bears on the lug. The effective length of the pull rod 11 is such that when the pedal mechanism is installed the pedal extends upwardly at an angle to the floor, the closure lid being in the closed position. As the pedal 10 is depressed the pull rod 11 moves downwardly, the movement resulting in an upward swinging movement of the lid such movement being transmitted to the lid through the lug 16. The rib 15 on the pedal provides a fulcrum for the pedal, the portion of the beaded rim of the container in the region of the lug 16 providing a fulcrum for the swinging movement of the lid, the peripheral portion of the closure lid in the region of the lug entering the annular groove 6 in the container. When the pressure on the pedal is released the closure lid can return to the closed position by gravity. During operation of the pedal dislodging of the pedal relative to the container and consequently displacement of the rib forming the fulcrum also relative to the container is restricted by the engagement of the flange 4- around the container base in the channel 14 of the pedal.

To prevent the closure lid from becoming accidentally detached from the container as the said lid is raised, stop means are provided on the inner surface of the lid, the stop means cooperating with the beaded rim of the container to prevent the closure lid from falling away. The stop means consist simply of a bracket 20 on the underside of the closure lid, the bracket extending radially beneath the lug 16 to which the pull rod 11 is attached, the outer end of the bracket extending partially across the open side of the inverted channel 9 of the closure lid 7. The projecting outer radial end of the bracket engages the adjacent part of the beaded rim 5 of the container 3 should the closure lid tend to fall away.

FIGURES 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings show an alternative arrangement for the attachment of the pedal 10 to the container and also an alternative arrangement for the pull rod. The pedal 10 is reversed, so that the open side of the channel 14 faces downwardly, the flange 4 around the container base having a slot 21 to receive the channel 14, the lower edge of the slot 21 providing a fulcrum about which the pedal can pivot. This particular arrangement has the advantage that as the pedal 10 is supported out of contact with the ground or floor, the refuse bin can stand on an uneven surface without the pedal becoming accidentally detached from the flange 4. It will be appreciated that the slot 21 and/or the channel end of the pedal 10 are dimensioned so that the pedal can readily be attached or separated from the container. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 5, the lower end of the pull rod 11 is formed so that the said lower end is substantially immediately beneath the lug 16 and not offset to one side thereof as in FIGURE 1. With this arrangement the length of the pedal is such that sufficient clearance is provided between the side of the container 3 and the pull rod 11 to permit the users foot to engage the pedal, the pedal being operable by either foot.

FIGURE 6 shows an alternative arrangement for coupling the pull rod 11 to the lug 16 on the closure lid 7.

In this arrangement the upper end of the pull rod 11 is formed as an eye 22, the radially outer end of the lug being formed as a book 23 in which the eye is engageable. This construction has the advantage of reducing or eliminating the possibility of the closure lid overbalancing so as to become detached from the container, the engagement between the hook and eye preventing the lug from riding freely down the pull rod should the pedal be moved too rapidly downwards for example if the same is stamped on.

In the alternative construction of closure lid shown in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, the stop means cooperating with the beaded rim 5 of the container to restrain the closure lid from falling away is provided by forming the inner peripheral edge of the channel 9 as a lip 24 which extends for a predetermined circumferential portion of the said edge and in the region of the lug 16. In the further alternative construction shown in FIGURE 8 of the drawings the channel 9 is dispensed with the stop means being provided by a U section member 25 which is disposed in the interior of the lid so as to be positioned beneath the lug 16.

In the modified construction shown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings the portion of the container between the beaded rim 5 and the annular groove 6 is curved outwardly so providing an annular recess 26 the length of the bracket 20 being such that when the lid 7 is in the closed position an end portion of the bracket extends into the annular recess beneath and radially outwards of the beaded rim 5. The increased length of bracket 20 permitted by this construction still further reduces the possibility of the closure lid falling away should the lid be caused to open rapidly by vigorous operation of the pedal mechanism.

The container and closure lid can be made of the same or different materials. For example both can be made from plastics or metal or one can be of plastics the other being metal. Further, both the lug and the bracket of the closure lid can be formed integral with the lid or one or both may be made separately and subsequently attached thereto.

The pedal mechanism of the present invention can be used in conjunction with the larger refuse bin such as dustbins as well as with the smaller forms of refuse bins for indoor use. It also provides the advantage that it is unnecessary to provide both an outer casing to receive an inner container for the refuse. The pedal mechanism and if desired also the closure lid, can readily be removed thus permitting the refuse bin to be carried away for emptying. The closure lid may also be left in position only the pedal mechanism being removed. Further, should either the pedal mechanism, closure lid or container be damaged so as to be unfit for further use the same can be replaced separately. The container can also be of any desired shape other than of circular plan form.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for storing refuse comprising a bin and a closure lid freely mounted over the open end of said bin, a pedal pivotally mounted to the lower end of said bin, and a pull rod connected at one end to said pedal and at the other end to said closure lid and responsive to pivotal movement of said pedal to move the closure lid to and from a closure position, said lid and said bin open end comprising respective peripheral portions which are mutually cooperatively engaged so as to constitute a pivot means for said lid, the configuration of said portions being such that they are freely mutually disengageable pursuant to translational movement of said lid in a particular direction relative to said bin while said lid is in a particular pivotal position thereof, said portions not being thusly disengageable from each other while said'lid is in any other pivotal position thereof, said pedal being freely detachable from said bin pursuant to translational movement thereof in a particular direction relative to said bin.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pull rod is quick detachably connected to said pedal and to said closure lid in that said rod is freely disengageable from said lid and from said pedal through relative displacement of the rod relative to the lid and pedal in respective particular directions.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said closure lid is adapted for pivotal movement with respect to said bin upon operation of the pedal mechanism to move said lid to and from the closure position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said closure lid has a channel formed therein to receive at least a circumferential portion of the peripheral rim of the open end of said bin to provide a fulcrum about which the closure lid can pivot.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said channel extends completely around said closure lid.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said channel extends for only a portion of the circumferential length of the closure lid.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising stop means for limiting the movement of said closure lid to restrain same from falling away from said bin when actuated by said pedal mechanism.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said stop means comprises a bracket secured to the interior of said closure lid so as to extend towards the peripheral edge thereof, an outer end portion of said bracket cooperating with the rim of said bin.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said bin has an annular recess and said bracket is of such length that when said closure lid is in the closed position, an outer end portion of said bracket extends into said annular recess so as to be beneath and outward of the peripheral rim of the open end of said bin.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bin has a peripheral groove adapted to receive an edge of the closure lid when said lid is in the open position.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lug projecting outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of said closure lid, the outer end of said lug having an aperture to receive the corresponding end of said pull rod.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the outer end of said lug is of hook formation to engage an eye at the appropriate end of said pull rod.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bin has a circumferential flange extending around its lower end, said pedal having a transverse channel formed at one end thereof, the open side of said transverse channel receiving said flange.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the refuse bin is provided with a slot to receive a transverse channel formed on an end of said pedal, the pedal being arranged with the open side of said channel facing downwardly so that the lower edge of said slot provides a fulcrum for said pedal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,251,984 1/1918 Losoncy 248l47 1,828,741 10/1931 Le Sauvage 22036 2,419,163 4/1947 Pope 220-36 JAMES B. MARBERT, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 248-147

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