U.S. patent application number 11/340662 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for retractable trash container tether.
Invention is credited to Todd Richardson.
Application Number | 20070175900 11/340662 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38321023 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richardson; Todd |
August 2, 2007 |
Retractable trash container tether
Abstract
The present invention is a light weight trash container having a
retractable tether line and anchor. The tether has opposite first
and second ends, a first tether mounting element provided on the
first end and a second tether mounting element provided on the
second end, the first tether mounting element adapted and
configured to releaseably mount to the trash container. The
tethered trash container further including an anchor releasably
mountable to the second tether mounting element. The tether further
includes a spring loaded reel mounted in a housing for retracting
the tether by winding the tether onto the reel.
Inventors: |
Richardson; Todd;
(Burlington, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Elias C. Borges
Suite 406
555 Burnhamthorpe Road
Toronto
ON
M9C 2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
38321023 |
Appl. No.: |
11/340662 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/484 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/76 20060101
B65D088/76 |
Claims
1. A trash container comprising: a a light weight trash container;
b a retractable tether having opposite first and second ends, a
first tether mounting element provided on the first end and a
second tether mounting element provided on the second end, the
first tether mounting element adapted and configured to releaseably
mount to the trash container, and c an anchor releasably mountable
to the second tether mounting element.
2. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the retractable tether
further includes a long tether line, a spring loaded reel mounted
in a housing for substantially fully retracting the long tether
line onto the reel, the first tether mounting element being mounted
to the long tether line, the second mounting element being mounted
to the housing.
3. The trash container of claim 2 wherein the long tether line is
at least approximately 16 feet long.
4. The trash container of claim 2 wherein the spring loaded reel is
adapted and configured to exert a continuous retracting force on
the long tether line of less than 5 kilograms.
5. The trash container of claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a
ground spike.
6. The trash container of claim 5 wherein the ground spike is a
screw type ground spike.
7. A retractable tether for tethering a light weight trash
container to an anchor comprising: a a long tether line wound on a
spring loaded reel mounted in a housing, the long tether line
having a first mounting element configured to be releasably mounted
to the trash container, the spring loaded reel being dimensioned
and configured to retract substantially the whole of the long
tether line onto the reel, and b a second tether mounting element
mounted to the housing for releasably mounting to the anchor.
8. The retractable tether of claim 7 wherein the long tether line
is at least approximately 16 feet long.
9. The trash container of claim 7 wherein the spring loaded reel is
adapted and configured to exert a continuous retracting force on
the long tether line of less than 5 kilograms.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to tethers for tethering
trash containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The taking out of the trash is a weekly occurrence in most
parts of the world. Each home is usually provided with one or more
trash containers which are used to store refuse, garbage and the
like (trash) until the weekly garbage collection day. On the
morning of the collection day (or the night previous), these trash
containers are placed on the street curb in front of the house for
pick up by municipal trash collectors. On the appointed trash
collection day, the municipal trash collectors attend at the house
to pick up the trash containers and empty the containers' contents
into a garbage truck. The emptied trash containers are then left at
the curb in front of the house.
[0003] Traditionally, trash containers have been made of galvanized
steel. When fully loaded with trash, these steel containers, or
trash cans, were quite heavy and difficult to carry about.
Furthermore, steel trash cans tended to dent and rust as well as
make a great deal of noise when thrown about. As a result, steel
trash cans were eventually replaced by trash containers made of
plastic. As molding technology improved, these plastic containers
have become quite light, resulting in large trash containers which
often weigh no more than a few kilograms. While these newer light
weigh trash containers are an improvement over their steel
predecessors, they do suffer from one serious drawback. These light
weight plastic trash containers have a tendency to blow away when
they are empty. Due to their light weight, even relatively modest
winds can cause these new trash containers to blow away. A solution
to this problem which does not involve weighing down the light
weight trash cans, is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a tethered trash container including a light weight trash container
having a first mounting element. A retractable tether is releasably
mounted to the trash container, the tether having opposite first
and second ends, a first tether mounting element provided on the
first end and a second tether mounting element provided on the
second end, the first tether mounting element adapted and
configured to releaseably mount to the first mounting element. The
tethered trash container further including an anchor releasably
mountable to the second tether mounting element.
[0005] With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention
relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein
described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical
embodiment of the principles of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1. is a side view of a tethered trash can made in
accordance with the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2. is a side view of a retractable tether portion of
the present invention.
[0008] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, a tethered trash can system
made in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as
item 10 and includes a light weight trash can 12 releasably mounted
to a retractable tether 16 which is in turn releasably mounted to
anchor 14. Tether 16 includes a long tether line 18 which is
releasably mounted to trash can 12 via first tether mounting
element 22. Long tether 18 is wound onto spring loaded retracting
reel 20 which is mounted in a housing. Reel 20 is releasably
mounted to anchor 14 via second tether mounting element 24. Spring
loaded reel 20 is adapted and configured to apply a retracting
force onto tether line 18. The retracting force is selected to be
strong enough to keep tether 18 taught, but not so strong as to
interfere with the moving of trash can 12 by the user. It has been
discovered that a retracting force of between 1 to 5 Kg is
sufficient to keep the long tether from going slack while still
permitting unencumbered movement of the trash can. Tether 18 should
be sufficiently long to permit the user to move trash can 12 to the
garbage truck (not shown) without difficulty. It has been
discovered that an 16 foot length is generally required for tether
18 to permit the easy emptying of the trash can.
[0010] Referring now to FIG. 2, tether 16 includes a spring loaded
reel mechanism 20. Mechanism 20 includes housing 26, reel 28 and
spring hub mechanism 30. Tether line 18 is wound onto reel 28.
Spring hub mechanism 30 is adapted and configured to keep tether
line 18 wound onto reel 28 until line 18 is pulled off the reel by
a force of at least about 1 kg. First tether mounting element 22 is
mounted onto the end of tether 18. Mounting element 22 preferably
comprises a spring loaded clip as shown, although other quick
release clips or mounting elements may be used. Second mounting
element 24 is mounted to housing 26. Mounting element 24 is
preferably a spring loaded clip; however, other quick release clips
may be used.
[0011] Referring back to FIG. 1, the principle advantage of the
present invention is its ability to neatly keep trash can 12 from
blowing away after the can has been emptied. With a retracting
force of less than about 5 kg and a tether length of at least 16
feet, it is easy for a municipal garbage disposal worker to carry
the trash can to the garbage truck and dump out the trash in the
can. The continuous retracting force applied by reel mechanism 20
keeps tether 18 taught. A tether line which is continuously kept
taught is necessary since it prevents the tether from going slack
and posing a tripping hazard for the worker. Furthermore, after the
trash can is returned to the curb after emptying, the taught tether
prevents pedestrians and the like from tripping on the tether. In
the event a strong wind impinges on trash can 12, tether 18 will
prevent the can from blowing away. In most cases, even a relatively
weak retracting force acting on the tether will prevent the trash
can from drawing much line from reel mechanism 20 in all but the
strongest winds.
[0012] The optimal retracting force and tether length was
determined using the following methodology.
[0013] To determine the optimal tether length, an investigation was
done into how far on average does a garbage/recycling truck stop
from the center most point of where a container is set out for pick
up. A simulation was run to measure the distance in feet on average
from where the rear of a garbage truck is upon stopping, from where
a garbage/recycling container is placed, to determine the optimum
length of the tether. This was done by placing a garbage/recycling
container in the same place in three different locations in front
of a residential property on a designated garbage pick up day, to
determine the average distance, in feet, from the center most point
of the container to the center most point of the garbage truck
bumper. This was done by marking on the grass in front of the
residential property a consistent starting point for the container
and chalking under the center of the middle of the bumper after a
garbage truck had come to a complete stop to pick up the container.
All numbers rounded up. [0014] Stopping distance in feet at
location (1): 6, 8, 5, 7, 10, 11, 7, 8, 14*, 8 [0015] *Car parked
in front of curb [0016] Average stopping distance: 8.4' [0017]
Stopping distance in feet at location (2): 9, 12, 6, 6, 8, 9, 10,
5, 7, 9 [0018] Average stopping distance: 8.1' [0019] Stopping
distance in feet at location (3): 11, 8, 9, N/A, 10, 11, 7, 10, 9,
9 [0020] Average stopping distance: 9.33' [0021] Total average
stopping distance all locations: 8.61' It was discovered that 8.61'
was the average stopping distance with 14 being the highest
distance due to a car being stopped in front of the property and
impeding workers. Keeping this in mind a 16' tether must be used to
error on the conservative side to keep from prohibiting worker from
making two trips from curb. This will also eliminate worker from
pulling anchor out and risking product failure or potential worker
injury.
[0022] To determine the optimum retraction force that can be used
on the garbage/recycle container tether without impeding
unrestricted performance the following tests were conducted. A time
study was designed to measure the simulated performance of a
garbage man's duties (i.e. picking up a loaded and tethered garbage
can and dumping it) with various retraction forces. The garbage
container was set at a start location and a dump location for
dumping out the contents of the container was placed 8.61' away
from the start location (corresponding to the average distance
found from the container to the center of rear bumper). Then 25 lbs
of bagged weight was placed into the container to simulate a load
of garbage. Subject started 8.61' feet away walked to the container
and returned to the dumping point to dump. Then walked back to
place the container where he found it. Upon placing the container
back returned to the starting line to start over again while weight
was added back in. Subject was timed for five minutes and had to
complete a full cycle in order for it to count in the recording.
Test was ran with no retraction force, 5 kg retraction force, and
10 kg retraction force three times each.
[0023] Total containers emptied without any retraction force:
TABLE-US-00001 Test (1) 18 times Test (2) 17 times Test (3) 20
times
[0024] Average containers dumped without retraction force 18.33
[0025] Total Containers emptied with 5 kg retraction force:
TABLE-US-00002 Test (4) 17 times Test (5) 19 times Test (6) 18
times
[0026] Average containers dumped with 5 kg retraction force
18.00
[0027] Total containers emptied with 10 kg retraction force:
TABLE-US-00003 Test (7) 17 times Test (8) 15 times Test (9) 15
times
[0028] Average containers dumped with 10 kg retraction force
15.66
[0029] It was found that a retraction force of less than 5 kg
resulted in almost an identical performance over the time period
than the test with no added retraction force. A retraction force of
10 kg resulted in a 15% drop in performance from no added
retraction force thus making the amount of retraction force
undesirable.
[0030] A specific embodiment of the present invention has been
disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment
could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to
be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
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