U.S. patent application number 11/354641 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for trash can shoe.
Invention is credited to Michael R. Wheeler.
Application Number | 20070187417 11/354641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38367305 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070187417 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wheeler; Michael R. |
August 16, 2007 |
Trash can shoe
Abstract
A trash can shoe comprising a substantially nonlinear body
having an upper and lower surface with a thickness therebetween, a
proximal and distal end; and a means for reuseably and removably
attaching the body to a trash can.
Inventors: |
Wheeler; Michael R.;
(Stonybrook, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LILLIE LAW, LLC
269 SOUTHPORT ST
RONKONKOMA
NY
11779
US
|
Family ID: |
38367305 |
Appl. No.: |
11/354641 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/630 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/630 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/24 20060101
B65D025/24 |
Claims
1. A trash can shoe comprising: a substantially nonlinear body
having an upper and lower surface with a thickness therebetween, a
proximal and distal end; and a means for reuseably and removably
attaching said body to a trash can.
2. A trash can shoe as in claim 1, wherein said body is made from a
material having characteristics selected from the group consisting
of lightweight, oxidation resistant, and oxidation proof.
3. A trash can shoe as in claim 1, wherein said body is made from a
material having a non-low hardness factor.
4. A trash can shoe as in claim 1, wherein said body is made from a
material having a non-high brittleness factor.
5. A trash can shoe as in claim 1, wherein said body is made from
polyvinyl chloride.
6. A trash can shoe as in claim 1, wherein said means is selected
from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, an adhesive, a
rivet, and interlocking features.
7. A trash can shoe as in claim 1, wherein said upper surface is
configured and dimensioned to mate with a trash can.
8. A trash can shoe system comprising: a plurality of substantially
nonlinear bodies, each body having an upper and lower surface with
a thickness therebetween, a proximal and distal end; a means for
reuseably and removably attaching said body to a trash can; wherein
said plurality is attached substantially equidistant about the
bottommost portion of a trash can.
9. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said body is made
from a material having characteristics selected from the group
consisting of lightweight, oxidation resistant, and oxidation
proof.
10. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said body is
made from a material having a non-low hardness factor.
11. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said body is
made from a material having a non-high brittleness factor.
12. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said body is
made from polyvinyl chloride.
13. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said means is
selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, an
adhesive, a rivet, and interlocking features.
14. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said upper
surface is configured and dimensioned to mate with a trash can.
15. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said plurality
is externally attached about the bottommost portion of a trash
can.
16. A trash can shoe system as in claim 8, wherein said plurality
is internally attached about the bottommost portion of a trash
can.
17. A trash can shoe comprising: a substantially nonlinear body
having an upper and lower surface with a thickness therebetween, a
center with an outer periphery; and a means for reuseably and
removably attaching said body to a trash can.
18. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said body is made from
a material having characteristics selected from the group
consisting of lightweight, oxidation resistant, and oxidation
proof.
19. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said body is made from
a material having a non-low hardness factor.
20. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said body is made from
a material having a non-high brittleness factor.
21. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said body is made from
polyvinyl chloride.
22. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said means is selected
from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, an adhesive, a
rivet, and interlocking features.
23. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said upper surface is
configured and dimensioned to mate with a trash can.
24. A trash can shoe as in claim 17, wherein said body is made from
a material comprising metal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a trash can shoe, particularly, a
device providing means for extending the life expectancy of a trash
can.
[0002] Garbage, refuse, trash can, pail, and or receptacle
(hereafter trash can(s)) have been around for quite sometime,
wherein a more contemporary use thereof has evolved into containers
having various characteristics. The user of such a device often
encounters issues depending on the characteristics of the user,
such as age, strength, health, and other factors, in maneuvering
such device, particularly when having contents therein. For
example, wheels have been included in such device so as to assist
the user in transporting the container, particularly when such
container has heavy contents, typically, when loaded to the brim
thereof as commented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,702 to Young. Moreover,
there is a pattern of wear which appears statistically common
amongst receptacles. For example, generally receptacles have either
one or two handles equidistant form one another. In wheel less
models, the bottom thereof become worn, in single handle models,
opposite from the handle, in multihandled, directly below the
handles, wherein wheels have been included to not only assist the
user in transport, but to reduce wear, however, there are still
limitations and wear still does occur.
[0003] A second benefit of having wheels on the bottom of the can
is that when transporting the loaded can from the side of one's
abode to a staged area awaiting pickup, typically the curb, the can
may be tipped wherein only the wheels are in contact with the
ground. However, the wheels only protect the bottom of the can in a
very limited orientation, as described herein above. That is, the
garbage collectors (i.e., garbage men and women), who typically
handle hundreds of cans a day, typically drag two cans at a time,
one by each hand, from the curb to the vehicle, not using the
tilting feature of the wheels, thereby causing premature wear of
the bottom of the can. Secondly, once the collector is positioned
with the loaded can at the mouth of the vehicle, each can is
typically lifted by the handle, typically located on the same side
as the wheels thereby causing the opposite corners/edges of the
bottom of the can to come in contact with the ground, wherefrom the
can is emptied by inversion.
[0004] Thirdly, once each can is emptied, it is typically dropped
to the ground, often on edge without wheels, and thereafter
launched in a sliding manner on the bottom back to the curb. Thus,
the function of the wheeled feature is essentially used only by the
owner of the can when transporting to and from the curb.
[0005] However, the commonality of the problem is not so limited.
For example, landscaping pails, typically, the 60 gallon variety
and green, although there is a plethora of colours used, are used
by landscapers for grass clippings, leaves etc. Due in part, to the
large capacity (volume wise) and handling of the container is
commonly dragged or pushed to and from various points of use. More
particularly, when a landscaper is operating a walk behind mower,
such as, inter alia, a Bobcat, having anywhere from about a 30'' to
48'' width cut, and the grass clippings are emptied into the pail,
and the operator needs to move to another location, for example
from the front lawn to the back, the pail is positioned between the
front wheels of the mower and pushed to the new location, which is
not as wearing on the bottom portion of the pail if all along a
grassy surface. However, once the operator completes mowing the
lawn, the pail is then again placed between the wheels of the mower
and commonly pushed from the grassy location across non-grassy
locations such as the patio, driveway, street, and if the
landscaper has multiple houses to cut in a development, it is
further not uncommon for the operator to venture up and down the
street to the location of the truck to dump the contents of the
pail. Moreover, this landscaping pail is often dropped from the
back of the vehicle upon completion of the dumping process, onto
the edge of the bottom.
[0006] In light thereof, an advantage of this invention is to
provide a device which may be secured to a trash receptacle thereby
further extending the useful life expectancy of the trash
receptacle.
[0007] It is a further advantage of the invention to provide a
device which is of relatively noncomplex construction, inexpensive
to manufacture, and easy to use, and replace.
[0008] Hence, it would be beneficial therefore to provide a device
wherein the trash can shoe may be manufactured essentially
unitarily, wherein the end user may install, remove, and replace
efficiently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A trash can shoe comprising a substantially nonlinear body
having an upper and lower surface with a thickness therebetween, a
proximal and distal end; and a means for reuseably and removably
attaching said body to a trash can.
[0010] A trash can shoe system comprising a plurality of
substantially nonlinear bodies, each body having an upper and lower
surface with a thickness therebetween, a proximal and distal end; a
means for reuseably and removably attaching said body to a trash
can; wherein said plurality is attached equidistant about the
bottommost portion of a trash can, either internally, or preferably
externally.
[0011] A trash can shoe comprising a substantially nonlinear body
having an upper and lower surface with a thickness therebetween, a
center with an outer periphery; and a means for reuseably and
removably attaching said body to a trash can.
[0012] Other advantages and novel features of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The following drawings, in which like reference characters
indicate like parts, are provided for illustration of the invention
and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner
whatsoever.
[0014] FIG. 1A is bottom view of common rectangular wheeled
unihandled trash can;
[0015] FIG. 1B is a bottom view of a cylindrical non-wheeled
unihandled trash can;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention as mounted on a common rectangular wheeled
unihandled trash can;
[0018] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention as mounted on a cylindrical non-wheeled
multi-handled trash can; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention, for use with a cylindrical non-wheeled
unihandled trash can as illustrated in FIG. 1B hereinabove.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are
presented to illustrate the present invention and are not to be
construed to limit the claims in any manner whatsoever.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A through 4, wherein
like reference numerals identify similar structural elements of the
device set forth herein. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two common
trash cans, the former a rectangular wheeled unihandled can, and
the later a common cylindrical landscapers pail (e.g., nonwheeled
unihandled) as set forth above, wherein the typical pail is about
27 inches in height, about 23 inches in outside diameter around the
base. Moreover, wherein both figures, reference A indicates the
common points of wear due to contact with ground (wherein the later
has a common footing B, about 4 inches in the 60 gallon version,
about the outer periphery on the bottommost portion of the
pail).
[0022] In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, a trash can
shoe 1 comprises a substantially nonlinear body 2 having an upper
and lower surface 4,6 respectively, with a thickness 8
therebetween, and a width 10. The shoe 1 further includes a
proximal and distal end 12,14 respectively; and a means 16 for
reuseably and removably attaching said body 2 to a trash can.
[0023] The body 2 is preferably made from a material having, inter
alia, the following characteristics, lightweight, oxidation
resistant, oxidation proof, as the lifting of a can with contents
therein would not need unnecessary weight, and since the use of the
trash receptacle is typically outdoors, the material should be at
least rust resistant, preferably rust proof. Moreover, the body 2
is preferably made from a material having a non-low hardness factor
(wherein brittleness is the opposite of toughness and is a function
of temperature and speed of impact), that is, the material should
be durable. The body 2 should be from a material having a non-high
brittleness factor, such as polyvinyl chloride, such that the
material should not develop fissures under typical climate
oscillations. For example, whether the material is used in Death
Valley, Calif., or whether in Fairbanks, Ak., the material should
be durable enough to withstand such climate oscillations. In this
regard, the thickness 8 of the material will be dependent on the
material used, and the climate it is exposed to, however, if
polyvinyl chloride is utilized, the thickness 8 should be about
0.25 inches+/-0.1875 inches.
[0024] A trash can shoe affixation means 16 may be one or more of
the following either alone or in combination, namely, a threaded
fastener, an adhesive, a rivet, and interlocking features. FIG. 2
illustrates a preferred embodiment of the affixation means 16
wherein a hole 16a near each end 12,14 wherein a self tapping screw
16b is inserted from the lower surface 4 towards the upper surface
6 and into the trash can. It is preferred that screw 16b is
recessed and/or counter sunk such that the head of the screw 16b
when completely installed is below the lower surface 4. This system
of using a threaded fastener 16b provides for the quickest
installation, and/or replacement of a body 2. Moreover, other types
of fixation devices are envisioned to be utilized. Furthermore, in
one embodiment, the trash can shoe 1 is configured and dimensioned
wherein the upper surface 4 is configured and dimensioned to mate
with a trash can. For example, the substantially nonlinear body 2
is substantially ski shaped as illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein it 2
is elongated and having at least one end 14 curved upwardly, this
curved feature provides protection on a plurality of sides, namely,
the bottommost portion of the container, as well as when the
container is orientated and/or tilted about its axis thereby
causing contact between a second portion of the container other
than the bottommost portion thereof, such as the wall of the
container (not shown).
[0025] In an alternative embodiment, also not shown, the shoe 1 may
be mounted internally to the can, for example, to plug a hole from
the inside rather than from the outside as in the former scenario,
although this internal mounting would not necessarily be limited to
a reactive act of plugging a wear hole, but may be proactively
installed prior to the development of a wear hole so as maintain
the integrity of the can, thereby preventing leakage of prospective
contents, whether liquid or solid.
[0026] In still another alternative embodiment, also not shown, the
shoe 1 may comprise a plurality of bodies 2a,2b wherein the first
and second bodies 2a,2b may be assembled so as to substantially
sandwich the container. For example, the first and second
embodiments set forth herein above, may be taken together, that is,
one body 2a is installed internally, and the second body 2b is
installed externally. In such embodiment, lower surface 6 of the
first body 2a would be contoured to mate with the inside of the
container, whereas the upper surface 4 of the second body 2b would
be contoured to mate with the outer surface of the container.
[0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another preferred embodiment, a
trash can shoe system 101 comprising: a plurality of substantially
nonlinear bodies 102, each body 102 having an upper and lower
surface 104, 106 with a thickness 108 therebetween, a proximal and
distal end 112, 114; a means 116 for reuseably and removably
attaching said body 102 to a trash can; wherein said plurality 102
is attached substantially equidistant about the bottommost portion
of a trash can, either internally, or preferably, externally to the
trash can. More particularly, FIG. 3A illustrates a plurality of
bodies 102 attached to the bottommost portion of the pail at the
common wear points for a unihandled wheeled trash receptacle.
Whereas FIG. 3B illustrates a plurality bodies 102 attached at the
common wear points for a multihandled wheel-less cylindrical
pail.
[0028] Wherein said body 102 is made from a material having
characteristics selected from the group consisting of lightweight,
oxidation resistant, and oxidation proof, and wherein each body 102
is made from a material having a non-low hardness factor. Each body
102 is made from a material having a non-high brittleness factor,
such as from polyvinyl chloride or other durable material, such
that the material shant develop fissures while exposed to typical
climate oscillations. The thickness 108 of the material should be
about 0.25 inches+/-about 0.1875 inches.
[0029] The affixation means 116 is selected from the group
consisting of a threaded fastener, an adhesive, a rivet, and
interlocking features taken alone or in combination, but may also
include other common types of fixation devices. The upper surface
106 is configured and dimensioned to mate with a trash can.
[0030] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a still further embodiment, a
trash can shoe 201 comprising: a substantially nonlinear body 202
having an upper and lower surface 204, 206 with a thickness 208
therebetween, a center 209 with an outer periphery 211 having a
height 213 and overall width 215. The shoe 201 further a portion
optionally removed in the center 209.
[0031] The shoe 201 further having an affixation means 216 for
reuseably and removably attaching said body 202 to a trash can;
wherein said body 202 is made from a material having
characteristics selected from the group consisting of lightweight,
oxidation resistant, and oxidation proof. The body 202 is made from
a material having a non-low hardness factor. The body 202 is made
from a material having a non-high brittleness factor such as
polyvinyl chloride, or a metal. The affixation means 216 is
selected from the group consisting of a threaded fastener, an
adhesive, a rivet, and interlocking features, wherein FIGS. 4A and
4B illustrate an interlocking feature.
[0032] In this embodiment, the upper surface 204 and the outer
periphery 211 are configured and dimensioned to mate with a trash
can. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the means 216 is
interlocking, for example, the shoe 201 maybe is placed onto the
bottommost portion of a trash can by inverting the can and placing
the shoe 201 on top of the can and pressing fitting the two
together, e.g., snap fit; or the shoe 201 may be positioned and
then placing the upright can on top of the shoe 201 and press
fitting the two together. Although not required, an optional center
hole 209 may be included and is most useful when it is desired to
remove the shoe 201 from a particular can. For example, when the
can is inverted, the pressure may be applied by the operator
directly against the bottom of the can through the optional center
hole 209 while the shoe 201 is stabilized and or vice versa.
Additionally, on older cans, it may be necessary to supplement this
snap fit technology by incorporating a threaded fastener so as to
stabilize the interconnectivity between the shoe 201 and the older
can.
[0033] Moreover, all of the above referenced patents; patent
applications and publications are hereby incorporated by reference.
Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to
those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above detailed
description. All such obvious modifications are within the
full-intended spirit and scope of the claims of the present
application.
* * * * *