U.S. patent application number 10/537096 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-16 for rotatable base assembly for waste containers.
Invention is credited to Kevin Sydney Lansdown.
Application Number | 20060054770 10/537096 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29408848 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060054770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lansdown; Kevin Sydney |
March 16, 2006 |
Rotatable base assembly for waste containers
Abstract
A rotatable base assembly (10) for a waste container (36) having
a platform (11) and a base (12), the platform (11) being supported
on the base (12) for rotation about a substantially vertical axis
and ribs or ridges (14) upstanding from the platform (11) to
constrain the waste container (36) on the platform (11) such that
the waste container (36) may be rotated between a position in which
it may be moved onto or from the platform (11) or a position
facilitating deposit of waste into the container (36).
Inventors: |
Lansdown; Kevin Sydney;
(Queensland, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hoffman Wasson & Gitler
Suite 522 Crystal Center 2
2461 South Clark Street
Arlington
VA
22202
US
|
Family ID: |
29408848 |
Appl. No.: |
10/537096 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
December 5, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU03/01622 |
371 Date: |
June 2, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/349.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16M 2200/08 20130101;
B65F 1/141 20130101; F16M 11/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/349.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/00 20060101
A47B091/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 5, 2002 |
AU |
2002953126 |
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A rotatable base assembly for a single waste container of the
type having a pair of opposite wheels by which said container may
be wheeled when tipped, said base assembly having a platform and a
base, said platform being supported on said base for rotation about
a substantially vertical axis, said platform having an upper
surface and a front and a rear, an entry/exit at the front of said
platform through which a said waste container may be moved wholly
onto said platform or moved from said platform, and means for
constraining said waste container on said platform, said
constraining means including means on said platform for receiving
said wheels of said waste container for locating said container on
said platform whereby a waste container supported on said platform
may be rotated with said platform about said vertical axis.
23. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein said
platform upper surface comprises a substantially planar surface
upon which the bottom of a waste container may seat and wherein
said constraining means includes one or more ribs or ridges
extending upwardly relative to said planar face.
24. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said
ribs or ridges are provided on opposite sides of the platform.
25. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein said
wheel receiving means comprise recesses defined by said ribs or
ridges.
26. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 24 wherein said
ribs or ridges converge towards each other from the front to the
rear of the platform.
27. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 23 wherein said
constraining means include a rib or ridge located at the rear of
said platform to act as a stop to said waste container.
28. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein said
ribs or ridges define a platform area substantially complementary
to the cross section of the container and wheels.
29. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 1 and including
pivot means between the platform and base and defining said
vertical axis.
30. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 29 wherein said
pivot means comprise axle means located in aligned apertures
arranged centrally in the platform and base.
31. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 30 wherein said
axle means comprises a pin which positively connects said platform
to said base.
32. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 22 and including
bearing means between said platform and base to support the
platform on the base.
33. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said
bearing means are radially spaced from the centre of the platform
and base.
34. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said
bearing means are supported on one of the platform and base and
cooperate with an annular track on the other of the platform or
base.
35. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said
bearing means comprise a plurality of bearings, said bearings
comprising rollers mounted for rotation about axes extending
radially from the centre of the platform and base.
36. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said
bearing means comprise ball bearings.
37. A rotatable base assembly for a waste container of the type
having a waste chamber, wheels at the bottom of and on one side of
said chamber and a lid hinged to said chamber for movement about a
hinge axis on said one side of said chamber and above said wheels,
said base assembly comprising a platform and a base for said
platform, said platform being supported for rotational movement
about a substantially vertical axis to said base, pivot means
interconnecting said platform and said base and defining said
vertical axis of rotation of said platform, said platform having an
entry/exit and being rotatable between a first position in which
said waste container may be moved wholly onto said platform through
said entry/exit to a position over said pivot means or moved from
said platform through said entry/exit and a second position in
which said container and platform are rotated about said vertical
axis such that said container is constrained from movement to or
from said platform and said platform including means for locating
said waste container on said platform, said locating means
including means for receiving said wheels of said container.
38. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 37 wherein said
second position is approximately 180.degree. from the first
position.
39. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 37 wherein said
container is located by ribs or ridges on said platform.
40. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 39 wherein said
entry/exit is bounded at least on opposite sides by said ribs or
ridges.
41. A rotatable base assembly as claimed in claim 40 wherein said
ribs or ridges define recesses on opposite sides of said platform
for receiving said wheels of said container.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a rotatable base assembly and in
particular to a rotatable base assembly for supporting waste
containers. The present invention also relates to a waste container
incorporating or associated with a rotatable base assembly.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Containers for containing refuse or waste are in many
different configurations. In one configuration, the containers are
mobile containers provided on one side of their base with a pair of
wheels and gripping handles above the wheels which enables a
container to be gripped, tipped towards the wheels so as to be
supported thereby and wheeled to a desired location where the
container is usually stored or to a location where the container
can be left to be engaged by a refuse or waste collection vehicle
for elevation and tipping so that the contents of the container are
discharged into a collection hopper. Containers of this type are
also provided with a hinged lid with the hinge axis being located
substantially parallel to the axis of the wheels and adjacent the
gripping handles and with handles for the lid being provided on the
side of the lid opposite the container gripping handles. Refuse or
waste containers of this type are commonly known as "wheelie"
bins.
[0003] Such bins provide a convenient means by which household
refuse or the like can be deposited and then collected and removed
from premises however they are relatively bulky and therefore they
occupy a substantially space. In many occasions particularly where
these bins are used in association with multi-unit dwellings or in
other situations where only a limited space exists, access to the
bins is often difficult. For example, where the bins are wheeled
into a confined space such as against a wall where they are
normally left, it is difficult for person wishing to deposit waste
into the bins to reach the lid handles and lift the lid as the lid
handles are on the far side of the bin. If the bin is to be
positioned so that the lid is easily accessible, that is so that
the lid handles are on the near side, it is often difficult to move
and manipulate the bin into a convenient position whilst ensuring
that refuse or waste does not spill from the bin or the bin does
not tip over. This thus creates a hygiene and safety problem.
Manipulation of the bin is particularly difficult where the texture
of the surface on which the bin is located is loose such as a
gravel or earth surface as the wheels tend to dig into the
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention aims to provide in one aspect a
rotatable base assembly for refuse or waste containers, which
overcomes or alleviates one or more of the above disadvantages. The
present invention in a further aspect aims to provide in
combination a refuse or waste container and rotatable base
assembly.
[0005] The present invention thus provides in a first aspect a
rotatable base assembly for a single waste container of the type
having a pair of opposite wheels by which said container may be
wheeled when tipped, said base assembly having a platform and a
base, said platform being supported on said base for rotation about
a substantially vertical axis, said platform having an upper
surface and a front and a rear, an entry/exit at the front of said
platform through which a said waste container may be moved wholly
onto said platform or moved from said platform, and means for
constraining said waste container on said platform, said
constraining means including means on said platform for receiving
said wheels of said waste container for locating said container on
said platform whereby a waste container supported on said platform
may be rotated with said platform about said vertical axis.
[0006] Most preferably, the waste containers also have a chamber
and manipulating handles located at an upper end of the chamber
above the wheels. A lid is hinged to the chamber adjacent the
manipulating handles for movement about an axis extending
substantially parallel to the wheel axis and the lid is provided
with handles remote from the hinge axis of the lid.
[0007] The upper surface of the platform comprises an upper
substantially planar surface to receive and support the base of a
waste container. The constraining means may comprise one or more
ribs or ridges extending upwardly relative to the planar
surface.
[0008] In one configuration, ribs or ridges may be provided on
opposite sides of the platform. The locating means for the wheels
may comprise recesses defined by the ribs or ridges into which the
wheels may be moved to locate the waste container on the platform.
The rib or ridges may converge towards each other from the front to
the rear of the platform. The constraining means may also include a
rib or ridge located at the rear of the platform which acts as a
stop to the waste container. The front of the platform however most
preferably is free of a rib or ridge to enable the waste container
to be readily moved onto the platform. The ribs or ridges may
define a platform area substantially complementary to the cross
section of the container at and including the wheels.
[0009] Pivot means between the platform and base suitably define
the vertical axis about which the platform may rotate relative to
the base. The pivot means may comprise axle means adapted to be
located in aligned apertures arranged centrally in the platform and
base. The axle means in one form may comprise a pin. The pin may
inserted through the apertures in the platform and base and
positively engage with the base. The pin may have a head end and a
shank which is inserted through the apertures in the platform and
base. Preferably, the pin snap engages with the base to positively
secure the platform to the base. For this purpose, the pin shank
may have a leading barbed end for snap engagement with the
base.
[0010] Preferably, bearing means are provided between the platform
and base to support the platform on the base. The bearing means are
preferably located at a radial spacing from the centre of the
platform and base. Preferably the bearing means are supported on
one of the platform and base and cooperate with an annular track on
the other of the platform or base. Most preferably, the bearing
means are supported on the platform and cooperate with an annular
track provided on the base.
[0011] The bearing means most suitably comprise a plurality of
bearings. The bearings may in one form comprise rollers mounted for
rotation about axes extending radially from the centre of the
platform or base. The rollers may have axles which engage with axle
holders on the underside of the platform.
[0012] In another arrangement, the bearings may comprise ball
bearings. The ball bearings may be supported in complementary part
spherical recesses in the platform or base for cooperation with a
track in the base or platform respectively.
[0013] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a
rotatable base assembly for a waste container of the type having a
waste chamber, wheels at the bottom of and on one side of said
chamber and a lid hinged to said chamber for movement about a hinge
axis on said one side of said chamber and above said wheels, said
base assembly comprising a platform and a base for said platform,
said platform being supported for rotational movement about a
substantially vertical axis to said base, pivot means
interconnecting said platform and said base and defining said
vertical axis of rotation of said platform, said platform having an
entry/exit and being rotatable between a first position in which
said waste container may be moved wholly onto said platform through
said entry/exit to a position over said pivot means or moved from
said platform through said entry/exit and a second position in
which said container and platform are rotated about said vertical
axis such that said container is constrained from movement to or
from said platform and said platform including means for locating
said waste container on said platform, said locating means
including means for receiving said wheels of said container.
[0014] Most preferably, the second position is approximately
180.degree. from the first position however the second position may
be at any angular position relative to the first position. The
second position may also be in either rotational direction from the
first position.
[0015] The waste container may be constrained from movement to or
from the platform by ribs or ridges on the platform. The platform
however may be alternatively formed to constrain movement of the
waste container from the platform. The entry/exit region may be
bounded at least on opposite sides by the ribs or ridges.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order that the invention may be more readily understood
and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the
accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of
the invention and wherein:--
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable base assembly
for refuse or waste containers;
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable base
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the rotatable base assembly of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 3;
[0021] FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of the platform and base of the
base assembly;
[0022] FIGS. 7 to 10 illustrate the manner in which the rotatable
base assembly may be used in combination with a waste
container;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative form of
rotatable base assembly according to the invention carrying a waste
container;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the relationship between the
waste container and rotatable base assembly of FIG. 11; and
[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring to the drawings and firstly to FIGS. 1 to 6, there
is illustrated a rotatable base assembly 10 for refuse or waste
containers according to an embodiment of the present invention, the
rotatable base assembly 10 having a platform 11 on which a refuse
container may seat and a base 12 upon which the platform 11 is
supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.
[0027] The platform 11 is of broad T-shaped configuration in plan
view which matches generally the shape of the base of a standard
waste container and the supporting wheels thereof. The platform 11
includes a substantially planar upper surface 13 and upstanding
ribs or ridges 14 extending along both sides 15 of the platform 11
and rear 16 of the platform 11. The front 17 of the platform 11
however is free or ribs or ridges 14 and this is open to enable a
waste or refuse container to be placed onto or removed from the
platform 11 as described further below. The ribs or ridges 14
extending along the opposite sides of the platform 11 define
opposite locating recesses 18 in which the wheels of a waste
container may locate.
[0028] The surface 13 of the platform 11 is supported on its
underside by a series of stiffening ribs or flanges 19 including
pairs of diagonally extending parallel ribs or flanges 20 between
which respective supporting wheels 21 may be located, the axes 22
of the wheels 21 lying along lines extending radially from the
centre of the platform 11. The wheels 21 are provided with axles
23, the ends of which extend from opposite ends of the wheels 21.
Pairs of forked ribs 24 extend between the pairs of diagonal ribs
20 at the same radial spacing from the centre of the platform 11
into which opposite ends of the axles 23 may snap engage such that
the wheels 21 are secured releasably to the underside of the
platform 11.
[0029] The platform 11 is further provided at its centre with a
circular opening 25 to receive an axle pin 26, the shank of which
has at its leading end an enlarged barb 27 which is spit radially
and which is adapted to secure the platform 11 to the base 12.
[0030] The base 12 is of a circular configuration in plan view and
includes on its upper side an outer annular substantially planar
track 28 supported by integrally formed radially extending ribs 29
to a central hub 30. An intermediate annular member 31 is provided
between the track 28 and hub 30. A series of stiffening ribs or
flanges 32 are provided on the underside of the track 28, member 31
and hub 30 to provide sufficient stiffness to the base 12 to resist
loadings applied by a waste container supported on the platform 11
and through the wheels 21 on the base 12.
[0031] The hub 30 is centrally apertured at 33 to receive the
barbed end 27 of the axle pin 26 which may snap-lock into the
aperture 33 to positively retain the platform 11 to the base 12 but
permit rotational movement of the platform 11 relative to the base
12 about a substantially vertical axis defined by the axle pin
26.
[0032] When the platform 11 is secured to the base 12, the wheels
21 are aligned with and supported on the track 28 to provide
support to the platform 11 from the underside with the wheels 21
running along the track 28 with rotation of the platform 11
relative to the base 12 in opposite directions.
[0033] To prevent or reduce the risks of dirt and dust reaching the
axle pin 26 and thereby restricting rotation of the platform 11
relative to the base 12, the platform 11 may be provided with a
downwardly extending annular rib 34 coaxial with the opening 25 and
the platform 11 is provided with a pair of spaced apart upwardly
extending annular ribs 35 coaxial with the opening 33 (see FIG. 4).
When the platform 11 is supported to the base 12, the rib 34
extends downwardly to be located between the respective upwardly
extending ribs 35 to present a series of cooperating barriers to
minimise the risks of dust, dirt or other materials fouling the
axle pin 26.
[0034] The rotatable base assembly 10 is particularly suited to use
with a waste container 36 (see FIGS. 7 to 10) of the type known as
a wheelie bin which is formed of plastics and which has a generally
rectangular elongated chamber 37 provided with a pair of wheels 38
mounted on a horizontal axle 39 extending along one side of the
bottom of the chamber 37 and manipulating handles 40 at the upper
end of the chamber 37 above the wheels 38. The container 36
additionally includes a lid 41 which is hingedly connected to top
of the chamber 37 at or adjacent the handles 40 for movement about
an axis extending substantially parallel to wheel axle 39. The lid
41 additionally include a pair of integrally formed handles 42
which facilitate lifting of the lid 41 and deposit of waste into
the chamber 37, the handles 42 being located on the side of the lid
41 opposite its hinge axis.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the assembled rotatable base
assembly 10 is positioned in a substantially horizontal attitude on
the ground where the waste container 36 is usually located. Where
the waste container 36 is to be placed onto the platform 11 of the
base assembly 10, the platform 11 is rotated such that the open
front 17 thereof is directed outwardly. The waste container 36 is
then wheeled into a position in alignment with the base assembly 10
and tipped rearwardly about its wheel axle 39 such that its leading
end is raised and can be moved through the open front 17 onto the
platform 11 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Further forward force applied
to the container 36 in the direction B will cause the bottom 43 of
the container 36 to seat substantially flat on the platform 11
which then slides forwardly to the position of FIG. 8 in which the
container 36 is fully supported on the platform 11 with the wheels
38 locating within the recesses 18 which prevents further forward
movement of the container 36. The container 36 may be guided onto
the platform 11 by contacting the ribs or ridges 14 and the leading
end of the container 36 may contact the ridge 16 at the front of
the platform 11 which acts as a stop.
[0036] The container 36 and platform 11 may then be rotated
relative to the base 12 (in this case clockwise) from the position
of FIG. 8, through the position of FIG. 9 to the position of FIG.
10 where the container 36 and platform 11 are in a position
approximately 180.degree. from the position of FIG. 8. In the FIG.
10 position, the handles 42 of the lid 41 are located on the near
side adjacent to the user and are thus readily accessible enabling
them to be grasped to lift the lid 41 for deposit of waste 44 into
the chamber 37 as shown.
[0037] When the container 36 is full and heavy and/or it is time to
place the container 36 out for emptying, the container 36 and
platform 11 are rotated back to the position of FIG. 8 where the
gripping handles 40 are adjacent the user. The gripping handles 40
may then be grasped by the user, the container 36 slid rearwardly
in the direction C in FIG. 8 and pivoted downwardly to the position
of FIG. 7 such that the container 36 is supported on its wheels 38.
The container 36 may then be wheeled to a position for
collection.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is illustrated a
further form of rotatable base assembly 45 according to the present
invention, in FIG. 11 showing in combination with a waste container
36. The base assembly 45 includes a base 46 similar to the base 12
and a platform 47 supported on the base 46 for rotation about a
substantially vertical axis in a similar manner to the support of
the platform 11 on the base 12.
[0039] The platform 47 in this case has a planar container
supporting surface 48 bounded on opposite sides by upstanding side
ribs or ridges 49 which converge towards each other from the front
50 of the platform 47 to the rear 51 thereof. In addition, the ribs
or ridges 49 are indented adjacent the front 50 of the platform 47
which increase the width of the platform 47 adjacent the front 50
thereof and defines opposite wheel recesses 52 in which the wheels
38 of the container 36 may locate. As is apparent in FIG. 12, the
supporting surface 48 of the platform 47 defined between the ribs
49 is substantially complementary to the cross sectional shape of
the lower portion of the waste container 36 which may be supported
on the platform 47 such that it can be located neatly and securely
on the platform 47.
[0040] The rotatable base assembly 45 is used in a similar manner
to that described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 with in this
case, the waste container 36 when located on the platform 46 being
neatly and closely received between the complementary shaped side
ribs or ridges 49. Further, the converging nature of the side ribs
or ridges 49 and/or the recesses 52 for the container wheels 38
permits the container 36 to be loaded onto the open front 50 of the
platform 47 only and not be pushed off the rear of the platform
47.
[0041] The rotatable base assembly may be formed of plastics
suitably injection moulded plastic typically recycled plastics but
may be formed of metals or other materials. The base assembly being
relatively thin may be easily stacked flat for shipping and
handling thereby saving costs. Typically, the base assembly has a
height of approximately 70 mm to enable easy transfer of the waste
container to and from the platform however this dimension may
vary.
[0042] The rotatable base assemblies allows the consumer to rotate
a waste container supported thereon with little effort using just
one hand and consumers are not required to touch the bin in any
area that might be unhygienic. No change is required in the design
of conventional "wheelie" bins which are commonly in use as waste
containers.
[0043] Whilst the base assemblies 10 and 45 are most suited for use
with containers 36 of a size which will neatly locate on the
platforms 11 and 47, they may be used with smaller size containers
which will simply sit on top of the platforms 11 and 47.
[0044] In the embodiment described, the bases 12 and 46 are of a
generally circular configuration however they may be of square
configuration in plan view or of any other shape. In one particular
form, the base 12 of the assembly 10 of FIGS. 1 to 6 may be
substantially identically to the platform 11 such that only a
single mould is required for both components.
[0045] The pin 26 for retaining the platform to the base most
preferably is formed of plastics but may be formed of metal. In
some cases also, a bearing or bush may be provided between the pin
26 and platform and/or base.
[0046] The platform in the described embodiment is supported by
rollers to the base which effectively act as bearings transferring
load from the platform to the base. The rollers may be in other
forms that than illustrated such as in the form of spherical
rollers located within part spherical recesses on the under side of
the platform. In another arrangement, the rollers or other bearings
may be supported in a fixed position on the base and cooperate with
an annular track provided on the underside of the platform.
[0047] Whilst the rotatable base assembly is described to be a
separate unit upon which a waste container can be seated, the base
assembly may be manufactured as part of the waste container as
shown in FIG. 13. Thus the bottom 43 of the waste container 36 in
such an embodiment may comprises the platform of the base assembly
being supported for rotation by a pivot pin 52 about an axis
extending longitudinally to the container chamber 37 to the base
53, the axis being substantially vertical when the container is in
a normal position to accept waste. Thus in the position of FIG. 13,
the waste container 36 may be rotated about a vertical axis but
when tipped as in FIG. 7, the base 53 will be lifted from the
ground with the chamber 37 allowing the container 36 to be
wheeled.
[0048] Alternatively, the base may be a separate component with
which the bottom 43 of the chamber 37 may engage for rotational
movement. In this case, when the container 36 is tipped, the
chamber 37 will disengage from the base 53 which remains on the
ground.
[0049] The terms "comprising" or "comprises" or derivates thereof
as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to
specify the presence of the stated features, integers and
components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of
one or more other feature/s, integer/s, component/s or group
thereof.
[0050] Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative
embodiment of the invention, all such modifications and variations
thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are
deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *