U.S. patent application number 12/499503 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-08 for trash can restrict top.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Kalman, Craig Saunders.
Application Number | 20100170904 12/499503 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37984382 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100170904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kalman; Jeffrey ; et
al. |
July 8, 2010 |
TRASH CAN RESTRICT TOP
Abstract
The subject invention relates to a trash can that comprises a
base and a liner supported by the base to receive and store trash.
A body, supported by the base, houses the liner and a top
comprising a support wall supported by the body and two doors
rotatably supported by said top support wall, wherein each door is
hinged on one side to said support wall. At least one L-shaped
bracket is positioned against one top door and connected to the
body via a pin. At least one lift rod with a first end operatively
connected to each of the L-shaped brackets. A lift bar interfaces
with a second end of each of the two lift rods. A pedal
mechanically connected to the lift bar moves the lift bar in a
downward motion to pull the lift rods down thereby rotating the
L-shaped bracket about the pin to extend each L-shaped bracket in
an upward motion to open each top door.
Inventors: |
Kalman; Jeffrey; (Cleveland
Heights, OH) ; Saunders; Craig; (Rocky River,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY SHARPE LLP
1228 Euclid Avenue, 5th Floor, The Halle Building
Cleveland
OH
44115
US
|
Family ID: |
37984382 |
Appl. No.: |
12/499503 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11255418 |
Oct 20, 2005 |
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12499503 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/495.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 1/163 20130101;
B65F 2001/1661 20130101; B65F 1/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/495.01 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/14 20060101
B65D025/14 |
Claims
1. A trash can, comprising: a base; a liner supported by the base
to receive and store trash; a body, supported by the base, that
houses the liner; a top comprising a support wall supported by the
body and two doors rotatably supported by said support wall, the
support wall extends around the perimeter of the top, wherein each
door is hinged on one side to said support wall; two L-shaped
brackets, wherein each L-shaped bracket is positioned under and
against each of the two doors and connected to the support wall via
a pin; two lift rods, each with a first end and a second end, said
first end operatively connected below each of the two L-shaped
brackets; a lift bar, located below the two lift rods, that
interfaces with said second end of each of said lift rods; and, a
pedal, located below the lift bar, the pedal is mechanically
connected to the lift bar adapted to move the lift bar in a
downward motion to pull the lift rods down thereby rotating the
L-shaped brackets about the pins to extend said L-shaped brackets
in an upward motion to open said doors.
2. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the base is a
continuously molded component employed to contain leaks from the
trash liner.
3. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the lift mechanism
is located directly above the pedal to provide a short stroke
mechanism.
4. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the trash can top
further includes: a recessed handle located on the back wall of the
trash can top.
5. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the top doors are
coupled to the trash can top via torsion springs designed to pull
the doors closed when the pedal is in a raised position.
6. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the at least two
L-shaped brackets, the at least two lift rods, the lift bar, and
the pedal are in a stacked arrangement within a plane of the trash
can.
7. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the
base further includes: four legs molded as a single unitary element
of the base and located near the corners of the base.
8. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the sides of the
base are cut out between the corners to allow the trash can to sit
on an uneven surface.
9. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the trash can top
further includes a trim strip that extends at approximately a 45
degree angle toward the inside of the trash can.
10. The trash can according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the
of the trash can base wall is flared out at approximately 30
degrees from the top of the trash can base wall.
11. The trash can according to claim 1, further including: a motion
damper that is operatively connected to the lift bar that dampens
the motion of the lift bar.
12. The trash can according to claim 9, wherein the wall includes
two slots that allow each of said L-shaped brackets to extend and
pass through the slots in an upward motion to open said doors.
13. A trash can, comprising: a base; a liner supported by the base
to receive and store trash; a body, supported by the base, that
surrounds the outside of the liner; a wall that extends around the
top of the body, the wall includes two slots; two doors rotatably
supported by the wall, wherein each door is hinged on one side to
the wall; two L-shaped brackets, wherein each L-shaped bracket is
positioned under and against each of the two doors and connected to
the support wall via a pin, each bracket is coupled to a carry pad
to allow each door to rest thereon; two lift rods, each with a
first end and a second end, said first end operatively connected
below each of the two L-shaped brackets; a lift bar, located below
the two lift rods, that interfaces with said second end of each of
said lift rods; and, a pedal, located below the lift bar, the pedal
is mechanically connected to the lift bar adapted to move the lift
bar in a downward motion to pull the lift rods down thereby
rotating the L-shaped brackets about the pins to extend said
L-shaped brackets in an upward motion through the slots of the wall
to open said doors.
14. The trash can according to claim 13, wherein the base is a
continuously molded component employed to contain leaks from the
trash liner.
15. The trash can according to claim 13, further including: a
motion damper that is operatively connected to the lift bar that
dampens the motion of the lift bar.
16. The trash can according to claim 13, wherein the base, body and
liner create a generally rectangular opening, the two doors each
cover approximately half the opening.
17. The trash can according to claim 13, wherein the top doors are
coupled to the trash can top via torsion springs designed to pull
the doors closed when the pedal is in a raised position.
18. The trash can according to claim 13, wherein the at least two
L-shaped brackets, the at least two lift rods, the lift bar, and
the pedal are in a stacked vertical arrangement within a plane of
the trash can.
19. The trash can according to claim 13, wherein the bottom of the
base further includes: four legs molded as a single unitary element
of the base and located near the corners of the base.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] This is a continuation of application of U.S. Ser. No.
11/255,418, filed Oct. 20, 2005, entitled "TRASH CAN RESTRICT TOP",
by Jeffrey Kalman, et al., the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Trash containers are conventionally manufactured utilizing
various materials such as plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and
the like. The size of such containers can vary based on the
location and use of the container. For example, a trash container
located in a public park may be large and made of heavy material
such as stone or cement with a large opening for trash.
Alternatively, a trash container in an office may be made of a
lightweight material such as plastic and be relatively small in
size.
[0003] Due to the nature of the disparate environments in which a
trash container is located, features of the trash containers can
differ. In one environment, such as a restaurant, a swing top may
be preferred whereas in a restroom a lift top lid is appropriate.
In addition, the trash container can be stationary (e.g., on legs,
flat bottom, etc.) or mobile, such as on wheels, to conveniently
locate the trash container as desired.
[0004] Conventional trash containers suffer from several drawbacks
such as inefficient mechanisms, short product life, and the like.
Such difficulties can be caused by inadequate and/or poor design.
What are needed are systems and methods that address shortcomings
associated with conventional trash containers and associated trash
container features.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one aspect, the subject invention relates to a
trash can that comprises a base and a liner supported by the base
to receive and store trash. A body, supported by the base, houses
the liner and a top comprising a support wall supported by the body
and two doors rotatably supported by said top support wall, wherein
each door is hinged on one side to said support wall. At least one
L-shaped bracket is positioned against one top door and connected
to the body via a pin. At least one lift rod with a first end
operatively connected to each of the L-shaped brackets. A lift bar
interfaces with a second end of each of the two lift rods. A pedal
mechanically connected to the lift bar moves the lift bar in a
downward motion to pull the lift rods down thereby rotating the
L-shaped bracket about the pin to extend each L-shaped bracket in
an upward motion to open each top door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention may take form in various components and
arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements
of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the
preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the
invention.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of the
trash can that employs a pedal and lift mechanism to open a trash
can top, in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the pedal and lift mechanism,
in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows the lift bars and the L-shaped brackets, in
accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view from the top-rear of the
trash can with the liner removed.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the lift bar, damper mechanism
and bracket, in accordance with an aspect of the subject
invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective cut-away view of the trash can that
illustrates the trim strip and a portion of the working mechanism,
in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a trash can 10. The
front of the trash can 10 is cut away in FIG. 1 to display the
mechanism for opening the trash can 10. The trash can 10 comprises
a base 12, a body 14 and a top 16 which are permanently fixed
together. The base 12 is employed to support the structure of the
trash can 10 and to insure that such support is level. The base 12
is comprised of two side walls oriented substantially in parallel
to one another, a rear wall and a front. The base 12 is a molded
plastic structure. In order to provide greater support, the side
walls of the base can be angled (e.g., 5-30 degrees) outward from
the top of the side wall such that the base 12 is flared in
relation to the body 14 of the trash can 10. Each side of the
bottom of the base 12 has a middle portion cut-out to provide
access to the bottom of the base for cleaning and maintenance and
to allow the trash can to sit on uneven surfaces. The base 12 also
includes a rear wall (not shown) and a recessed front wall 18
designed to accommodate a pedal 20. Although the walls of the base
12 have been described separately, it is to be appreciated that the
base 12 is a unitary element comprised of a single molded
component. The front of the base 12 is flush with the floor to
eliminate tipping when the pedal 20 is depressed. In addition, ribs
(not shown) provide additional support to the base 12.
[0014] The body 14 is comprised of four vertical walls that extend
upwardly from the walls of the base 12. The bottom of the body 14
is adjacent to the top of the base providing a smooth continuous
appearance. The body 14 is a single unitary element that encloses a
trash liner 22 and a motion damper 24 which is coupled to the base
12. The trash liner 22 can contain a trash bag or other receptacle
that receives and stores trash disposed in the trash can 10. The
trash liner 22 is preferably a molded plastic structure. In a
preferred embodiment, the trash can body 14 is manufactured of
stainless steel. The top and bottom edges of the body 14 are
scrolled to create a curved or rolled edge. The bottom edge of the
body 14 sits in a recess in the top of the base 12 such that the
adjacent exterior surfaces of the body 14 and the base 12 appear
seamless. The top edge of the body 14 supports the top 16 of the
trash can 10.
[0015] The trash can top 16 is comprised of a support wall 26 that
is coplanar to the trash can body 14, two doors 28, 30 and
connecting pieces. The trash can top 16 support wall 26 is
typically made of the same or similar material as the trash can
base 12 but can be made of various materials as desired. The top of
the support wall 26 includes an inner rim 32 angled approximately
45 degrees toward the center of the trash can 10. A door stop (not
shown) is molded into front and back of the support wall 26 at the
centerline of the top 16 to provide a resting point for the doors
28, 30 when closed. In addition, each side of the top of the
support wall 26 contains a recess to accommodate a hinge for a
trash can top door 28, 30. As shown, hinge 34 is employed to allow
trash can top door 28 to open.
[0016] The trash can top doors 28, 30 are coupled to the support
wall 26 utilizing a shaft (not shown) mounted along the length of
each of the sides of the support wall 26. Each trash can top door
extends from the side of the support wall 26 to the centerline of
trash can 10 such that the trash can top doors 28, 30 are equal in
size. The doors 28, 30 are preferably stainless steel and flat
(e.g., without a curve in the shape of the door). Plastic or other
material may be used for the doors 28, 30. The centerline edge of
each trash can top door 28, 30 is protected with a molded
cover.
[0017] As described in greater detail below, the mechanism to lift
the doors 28, employs fewer components and thus, is simpler and
less costly than conventional designs. For example, the mechanism
is distinguished from conventional designs that employ an
inefficient mechanical implementation wherein a bar extends the
length of the trash can (e.g., from front to back) to connect a
pedal to a vertical link. Such designs often include a plurality of
components including a cushioning element to compensate for such a
cumbersome mechanism. It is to be appreciated that the subject
invention does not contemplate such a cushioning element to reduce
the impact of a pedal bar against the base of a trash can.
[0018] The pedal 20 is coupled to a motion damper 24 to open the
trash can top doors 28, 30 by elevating the centerline edge of each
door 28, 30 about the hinge. Extension springs (not shown) can
couple the pedal 20 to the base 12 to guide the pedal 20 vertically
to return the pedal to the "up" position after the pedal 18 has
been depressed. The pedal can have raised features, surface
treatment or the like to provide a non-slip surface. Walls 36a, 36b
and 36c are molded into the base 12 to prevent the pedal mechanism
from being encumbered.
[0019] The motion damper 24 is located directly above the pedal 20
to provide an efficient short stroke implementation. Such a
vertically stacked design of the pedal 20 and motion damper 24
minimizes the amount of force to open the doors 28, 30 of the trash
can 10. In addition, such an efficient implementation utilizes less
material and thus requires less maintenance than conventional
designs. The motion damper 24 is located entirely at the front
plane of the trash can 10 to provide easy access for maintenance
and/or replacement of components.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pedal 20 is in an "up"
position (not shown) when the trash can top 16 is closed and in a
"down" position (shown) when the trash can top 16 is open.
Referring to FIG. 2, the pedal 20 is rotatably fixed to the base 12
at its forward edge and fixed at its rearward end by tabs 90, 92
extending into apertures 94, 96 in the base 12. Two rear tabs 50,
52 at the rear of the pedal 20 engage apertures 54, 56 in a lift
bar 60. The lift bar 60 comprises an upper segment 60a, a right
vertical segment 60b and a left vertical segment 60c. The vertical
segments 60b, 60c extend downwardly from the ends of the upper
segment 60a. The apertures 54, 56 are in the vertical segments 60b,
60c. The lift bar 60 moves up and down as a unit with the rear of
the pedal 20. The lift bar 60 is a unitary metal component.
[0021] The lift bar upper segment 60a has a channel shape with a
horizontal base 98 and two vertical side walls 100, 102. Two pairs
of aligned round holes 104, 106, 108, 110 are provided at each end
of the upper segment 60a. The holes 104, 106, 108, 110 are in the
vertical side walls 100, 102.
[0022] Two lift rods 34, 36 typically constructed of metal or
similar material are coupled to lift bar 60. Turning to FIG. 3, the
lift rods 34, 36 are identical to one another. Each lift rod 34, 36
has a bottom horizontal portion 34a, 36a, a vertical portion 34b,
36b and a top horizontal portion 34c, 36c. The bottom horizontal
portions 34a, 36a are received in the pairs of round holes 104,
106, 108, 110 in the lift bar upper segment 60a. The lift rod top
horizontal portions are received in round holes 112, 114 in the
L-shaped brackets 38, 40. Each of the L-shaped brackets 38, 40 is
attached to the front of the trash can top support wall 26 via a
pin 42, 44 fastened through holes 116, 118 in each L-shaped bracket
34, 36. The L-shaped brackets 38, 40 carry pads 46, 48 which are in
contact with each of the trash can top doors 28, 30.
[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the carry pads 46, 48 can be made of
any resilient, shock dampening material such as Delrin, for
example. In this manner, when the pedal 20 is pushed down, the lift
rods 34, 36 are pulled down and each L-shaped bracket 38, 40 is
rotated about the pin 42, 44. In turn, the L-shaped brackets 38, 40
are extended upwardly and the pads 46, 48 push against and open the
trash can top doors 28, 30. It is to be appreciated that the
L-shaped brackets 38, 40 are adjacent but not attached to the trash
can top doors 28, 30.
[0024] Torsion springs 50, 52 are coupled to the trash can top
doors 28, 30 to provide resistance for smooth opening of the doors
28, 30. In order to mitigate spring fatigue, the torsion springs
50, 52 can be anchored at one end of each door 28, 30 and extend
almost substantially the length of each door 28, 30 where the
springs 50, 52 are mounted to the door via brackets 54, 56. In one
embodiment, the springs 50, 52 have a small bend at either end to
provide a locking point to keep them firmly in place e.g., such
that the springs 50, 52 do not slide through the brackets 54, 56.
The torsion springs 50, 52 aid in closing the trash can top doors
28, 30 when the pedal 20 is in an "up" position.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the trash can 10 with the trash
can top doors 28, 30 in the open position and the trash liner 22
removed. The L-shaped brackets 38, 40 are extended through bracket
slots 74, 76 located in the front of the trash can top 16. The
front of the trash can top 16 extends out from the trash liner
aperture to provide additional support to the structure of the
trash can 10. As shown, each L-shaped bracket 38, 40 through its
pad 46, 48 is adjacent to but not fixed to trash can top doors 28,
30. It is to be appreciated that the L-shaped brackets 38, 40 are
not attached to the trash can top doors 28, 30.
[0026] The rear of the trash can top 16 features a recessed handle
78 that can be employed to move the trash can 10. The recessed
handle 78 is molded into the unitary support wall 26 of the trash
can top 16. In this manner, the recessed handle 78 can be
manufactured with little additional expense. In addition, the
molded recessed handle is easy to clean and maintain.
[0027] Trash can legs 68, 70 are located below the base 12 and
provide support for the trash can 10. In addition, two other legs
(not shown) are located in similar lateral locations at the rear of
the trash can base 12. The location of each leg in the base 12 is
distinguished by a dimple. The trash can legs provide additional
support for the trash can 10 to prevent the trash can from tipping
in the event there is an uneven weight distribution and/or the
trash can 10 is placed on an uneven surface. The trash can legs
coupled with the recessed wall of the trash can base provide a
stable support for the trash can on substantially any uneven
surface.
[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 provide a detailed view of the lift mechanism
which includes the lift bar 60. A motion damper 24 is comprised of
a fixed portion 25 and a motion damper arm 62. The fixed portion 25
is fixed to the base 12 by a mounting bracket 66. The fixed portion
includes a toothed gear on a shaft which is damped by means of
vanes in a fluid filled housing or the like. The motion damper arm
62 is coupled at its bottom end 62a, to the lift bar 60 utilizing a
screw or other fastener engaging one or both holes 116, 118. The
motion damper arm 62 has teeth along one side and engages the
motion damper fixed portion as in a rack and pinion. The damper arm
62 may move vertically with the lift bar 60. However, its motion is
damped or slowed by engagement with the damped toothed gear on the
damper fixed portion 25. In this manner, the motion damper arm 62
is restricted to a damped linear (e.g., non-rotatable) motion. The
motion damper 24 slows the movement of the lift bar 60 in an upward
direction, resulting in a slower closing of the trash can top doors
28, 30. This prevents loud closing of the trash can top doors 28,
30. Motion dampers are commercially available parts.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows a perspective cut-away view of the trash can
10. The trash can door 30 is open and the L-shaped bracket 40 is
extended upward through bracket slot 76. The trim strip 80 of the
trash can top is illustrated and hidden from view when the trash
can top doors 28, 30 are closed. Such a feature provides advantages
over conventional trim strips located on the outside of the trash
can including less maintenance to maintain a clean appearance and
greater aesthetic appeal.
[0030] The top of the base is contoured to support the trash liner
22 (shown in FIG. 1) from the bottom. In this manner, an upper
surface (e.g., lip) is not required to locate and/or support the
trash liner 22 within the body 14 of the trash can 10. In addition
to supporting the trash liner 22, the top of the base 12 is a
continuous closed element thereby containing leaks or spills from
the trash liner.
[0031] The invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. It will be appreciated that modifications or
alterations could be made without deviating from the present
invention. Such modification and alterations will occur to others
upon the reading and understanding of the specifications. It is
intended that all such modifications and alterations be included
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *