U.S. patent application number 10/172879 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-18 for pedal assembly.
Invention is credited to Lin, Tsong-You.
Application Number | 20030230576 10/172879 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29733204 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030230576 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin, Tsong-You |
December 18, 2003 |
Pedal assembly
Abstract
A storage device includes a bin, a cover mounted on the bin, a
pedal assembly mounted on the bin and a linkage connected between
the cover and the pedal assembly. The pedal assembly can be trod so
as to pivot the cover via the linkage. The pedal assembly includes
a frame mounted on the bin and a pedal pivotally mounted on the
frame. The frame includes two side plates each defining a cutout.
The pedal includes two shafts formed thereon and inserted in the
cutouts. Each of the shafts includes a head formed thereon for
avoiding axial escape thereof from one of the side plates. The
frame includes a flange formed thereon. In an aspect, a portion of
the bin is restrained between the flange and the heads. In another
aspect, a latch may be used to lock the frame to the bin and the
pedal to the frame. The latch includes two fins formed thereon.
Each of the side plates defines a slot for receiving one of the
fins or alternatively the frame includes an upper plate defining a
slot for receiving the latch. Thus, the latch is retained on the
frame in order to avoid disengagement of the frame from the bin.
The portion of the bin is restrained between the flange and the
latch. The frame includes a lower plate defining a slot through
which the latch is inserted. The latch includes a hook formed on a
lower edge thereof for hooking the lower plate.
Inventors: |
Lin, Tsong-You; (Ta Tu
Hsiang, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alan D. Kamrath
Rider, Bennett, Egan & Arundel, LLP
Suite 2000
333 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
29733204 |
Appl. No.: |
10/172879 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/263 ;
220/908 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/263 ;
220/908 |
International
Class: |
B65D 043/26 |
Claims
1. A storage device including a bin (11), a cover (12) mounted on
the bin (11), a pedal assembly mounted on the bin (11) and a
linkage (13) connected between the cover (12) and the pedal
assembly so that the pedal assembly can be trod so as to pivot the
cover (12) via the linkage (13), wherein the pedal assembly
includes a frame (20; 20') mounted on the bin (11) and a pedal (30)
pivotally mounted on the frame (20).
2. The storage device according to claim 1 wherein the frame (20;
20') includes two side plates each defining a cutout (21; 21'), and
the pedal (30) includes two shafts (33) formed thereon and inserted
in the cutouts (21; 21').
3. The storage device according to claim 2 wherein each of the
shafts (33) is formed with a head (32) for avoiding axial escaping
from one of the side plates.
4. The storage device according to claim 2 including a latch (40)
for locking the frame (20) to the bin (11) and the pedal (30) to
the frame (20).
5. The storage device according to claim 4 wherein the latch (40)
includes two fins (41) formed thereon, and each of the side plates
defines a slot (23) for receiving one of the fins (41), thus
keeping the latch (40) on the frame (20) in order to avoid
disengagement of the frame (20) from the bin (11).
6. The storage device according to claim 5 wherein the latch (40)
defines a slot (43) through which a portion of the linkage (13) is
inserted.
7. The storage device according to claim 5 wherein the frame (20)
includes a flange (22) formed thereon so that a portion of the bin
(11) is restrained between the flange (22) and the latch 40.
8. The storage device according to claim 5 wherein the frame (20)
includes a lower plate defining a slot (24) through which the latch
(40) is inserted.
9. The storage device according to claim 8 wherein the latch (40)
includes a hook (42) formed on a lower edge thereof for hooking the
lower plate.
10. The storage device according to claim 4 wherein the latch (40)
includes two fins (41) formed thereon, and the frame (20) includes
an upper plate defining a slot (23) for receiving the latch (40) so
that the fins (41) rest on the upper plate, thus retaining the
latch (40) on the frame (20) in order to avoid disengagement of the
frame (20) from the bin (11).
11. The storage device according to claim 10 wherein the latch (40)
defines a slot (43) through which a portion of the linkage (13) is
inserted.
12. The storage device according to claim 10 wherein the frame (20)
includes a flange (22) formed thereon so that a portion of the bin
(11) is restrained between the flange (22) and the latch (40).
13. The storage device according to claim 10 wherein the frame (20)
includes a lower plate defining a slot (24) through which the latch
(40) is inserted.
14. The storage device according to claim 13 wherein the latch (40)
includes a hook (42) formed on a lower edge thereof for hooking the
lower plate.
15. The storage device according to claim 3 wherein the cutout
(21') defined in each of the side plates extends vertically.
16. The storage device according to claim 15 wherein the frame (20)
includes a flange (22) formed thereon so that a portion of the bin
(11) is restrained between the flange (22) and the shafts (33).
17. The storage device according to claim 16 wherein each of the
shafts (33) includes a head (32) for avoiding axial escaping from
one of the side plates, and the portion of the bin (11) is
restrained between the flange (22) and the heads (32).
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to a pedal assembly.
[0003] 2. Related Prior Art
[0004] Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 478516 discloses a
garbage-storing device 1 including a bin 11, a cover 12 pivotally
mounted on the bin 11, a pedal assembly mounted on the bin 11 and a
linkage 13 connected between the cover 12 and the pedal assembly.
The pedal assembly includes a frame 2 and a pedal 3. The frame 2
includes two side plates and upper and lower plates. A shaft 23 is
formed on an internal face of each of the side plates. Several
wedges 24 are formed on an external face of each of the upper and
lower plates. A flange 25 is formed on and around an internal face
of the frame 2. Two wedges 26 are formed on the lower plate. Each
of the wedges 26 is formed between a pair of slits cut into the
lower plate. Thus, the wedges 26 are pivotal relative to the lower
plate. The wedges 26 are similar to but longer than the wedges 24.
The pedal 3 includes two lugs 31 each defining an aperture 32 in
which one of the shafts 23 is inserted. The frame 2 is inserted
through an opening 14 defined in the bin 11. A rim around the
opening 14 is restrained between the wedges 24 and the flange 25.
The wedges 26 are pivoted upward by the rim to a position beside
the lugs 31 (FIG. 3), thus avoiding disengagement of the pedal 3
from the frame 2. Ideally, the wedges 26 are longer than the wedges
24 by a distance equal to the thickness of the bin 11 that is about
2 mm. However, it is hard to precisely achieve such a distance. If
made too long, the wedges 26 interfere with the flange 25. If made
too short, the wedges 26 cannot be pivoted upward in order to
restrain the lugs 31.
[0005] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at
least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
storage device including a pedal assembly that can be easily
fabricated.
[0007] According to the present invention, a storage device
includes a bin, a cover mounted on the bin, a pedal assembly
mounted on the bin and a linkage connected between the cover and
the pedal assembly. The pedal assembly can be trod so as to pivot
the cover via the linkage. The pedal assembly includes a frame
mounted on the bin and a pedal pivotally mounted on the frame.
[0008] The frame includes two side plates each defining a cutout.
The pedal includes two shafts formed thereon and inserted in the
cutouts. Each of the shafts includes a head formed thereon for
avoiding axial escape thereof from one of the side plates.
[0009] The frame includes a flange formed thereon.
[0010] In an aspect, a portion of the bin is restrained between the
flange and the heads.
[0011] In another aspect, a latch may be used to lock the frame to
the bin and the pedal to the frame. The latch includes two fins
formed thereon. Each of the side plates defines a slot for
receiving one of the fins or alternatively the frame includes an
upper plate defining a slot for receiving the latch. Thus, the
latch is retained on the frame in order to avoid disengagement of
the frame from the bin. The portion of the bin is restrained
between the flange and the latch.
[0012] The frame includes a lower plate defining a slot through
which the latch is inserted. The latch includes a hook formed on a
lower edge thereof for hooking the lower plate.
[0013] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention will be described through detailed
illustration of embodiments referring to the attached drawings
wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garbage bin with which a
pedal assembly is used according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of the pedal assembly
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the pedal assembly
according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the pedal assembly according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 5-5 in
FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an enlarged exploded view of the pedal assembly
according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the pedal assembly
according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a garbage-storing device 10 including a bin 11
and a cover 12 pivotally mounted on the bin 11. Referring to FIGS.
2.about.5, the cover 12 is linked to a pedal assembly according to
the present invention via a linkage 13.
[0023] The pedal assembly includes a frame 20, a pedal 30 and a
latch 40.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the bin 11 defines an opening 14
through which a portion of the linkage 13 is inserted for contact
with the pedal assembly.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the frame 20 includes upper and lower
plates and two side plates. Each of the side plates defines a
cutout 21 extending horizontally. A slot 23 is cut into the upper
plate and the side plates. A slot 24 is defined in the lower
plate.
[0026] A flange 22 is formed on and around the frame 20.
[0027] The pedal 30 is formed with two ears 31. A shaft 33 is
formed on each of the ears 31, and includes an enlarged head
32.
[0028] The latch 40 includes two edges from each of which a fin 41
extends and a lower edge from which a hook 42 extends. A slot 43 is
defined vertically in the latch 40.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 3.about.5, the frame 20 is inserted
through the opening 14 defined in the bin 11. The flange 22 is
located in the exterior to the bin 11. The pedal 30 is inserted
through the frame 20. The shafts 33 are forced into the cutouts 21.
Thus, the pedal 30 is pivotally mounted on the frame 20. The latch
40 is inserted through the slot 23 cut into the upper plate and the
side plates of the frame 20 until the fins 41 are supported by
means of the side plates of the frame 20. The lower edge of the
latch 40, on which the hook 42 is formed, is inserted through the
slot 24 defined in the lower plate of the frame 20. The hook 42
retains the engagement of the frame 20 with the latch 40. Thus, an
edge around the opening 14 defined in the bin 11 is restrained
between the flange 22 and the latch 40, thus retaining the pedal
assembly on the bin 11. Furthermore, the pedal 30 is retained on
the frame 20.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a portion of the linkage 13 is
inserted through the slot 43 defined in the latch 40 for contact
with the pedal 30. Thus, the pedal 30 can be trod in order to
operate the cover 20 via the linkage 13. However, the linkage 30
and its connection with the cover 12 are conventional and will not
be described in detail.
[0031] FIGS. 6 and 7 shows a pedal according to a second embodiment
of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the
first embodiment except for excluding the latch 40 and using a
frame 20' instead of the frame 20. The frame 20' is identical to
the frame 20 except for three features. Firstly, the upper plate of
the frame 20' does not define a slot for receiving a latch.
Secondly, the frame 20' does not include a lower plate. Thirdly,
each of the side plates of the frame 20' defines a cutout 21'
extending vertically.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 7, the rim around the opening 14 is kept
between the flange 22 and the heads 32 of the shafts 33. Thus, the
frame 20 and the pedal 30 are retained on the bin 11 unless the
shafts 33 are removed from the cutouts 21. Therefore, there is no
need for a latch.
[0033] The present invention has been described through detailed
illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art
can derive many variations from the preferred embodiment without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the
preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present
invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the
attached claims.
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