Complementary trash can unit

Abstract

A complementary trash can unit comprises a movable base member. A platform is rotatably mounted on the base member for free rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base member. A plurality of trash cans of the same configuration each complementing the others rest on the platform. Holding devices at the bottom of each can and formed in the platform releasably hold the cans on the platform. Wheels on the bottom of each can permit movement of each can on the ground after removal from the platform. A common cover covers the cans in position on the platform.

Description

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a complementary trash can unit.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a trash can unit of simple structure for permitting separate storage of recycleable materils and garbage with facility, convenience, comfort and rapidity.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view of an embodiment of the complementary trash can unit of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of the trash can unit of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of the trash can unit of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The complementary trash can unit of the invention comprises a movable base member 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2). A platform 2 is rotatably mounted on the base member 1 by ball bearings 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for free rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base member 1.

Each of a plurality of trash cans 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the same configuration complements the others and rests on the platform 2. Each of the cans 4, 5, 6 and 7 has a handle, of which only the handles 8 and 10 of the cans 4 and 7 are shown in FIG. 1 and only the handles 8, 9 and 10 of the cans 4, 6 and 7 are shown in FIG. 2, to facilitate handling thereof.

A holding device at the bottom of each can 4, 5, 6 and 7 and formed in the platform 2 releasably holds the cans on the platform, and is hereinafter described with reference to the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

Each of the trash cans 4, 5, 6 and 7 has wheels on its bottom for permitting movement of each can on the ground 11 (FIG. 2) after removal from the platform 2. The wheels are hereinafter described with reference to the illustrated embodiment of the invention.

A common cover 12 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) covers the cans 4, 5, 6 and 7 in position on the platform 2. The cover 12 has a plurality of windows 13, 14, 15 and 16 (FIG. 3) formed therein, each corresponding to a different one of the cans 4, 5, 6 and 7. Each of a plurality of window fillers 17, 18, 19 and 20 (FIG. 3) is movably mounted in a corresponding one of the windows 13, 14, 15 and 16 to permit free access to the corresponding can.

Each of the cans is marked, painted, or otherwise labelled or identified, for specific contents, either on the can itself or on the window filler of the cover corresponding to the can, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, the window fillers 17, 18, 19 and 20 are marked ORGANIC, GLASS, CANS and TRASH, respectively.

The trash cans of the invention may be of any suitable number and any suitable complementary configuration. Thus, each can may have a rectangular, square, triangular, or other cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, each of the four cans has a cross-section of a 90.degree. sector of a circle, as shown in FIG. 1. The four cans 4, 5, 6 and 7 together form a hollow cylinder. Thus, the platform 2 is of circular or disc-like configuration.

The holding devices comprise a peg extending from each can at the bottom in the area of the apex thereof and a plurality of holes formed through the platform 2, each corresponding in position to and adapted to accommodate the peg of the corresponding one of the cans. Only the peg 21 of the can 4 is shown (FIG. 1), in the area of the apex 22 of said can. The four holes 23, 24, 25 and 26 through the platform 2 are shown in FIG. 1.

Two wheels are pivotally mounted at the bottom of each can 4, 5, 6 and 7 in the area of the periphery thereof and in spaced relation with each other. Thus, both wheels 27 and 28 of the can 4 and both wheels 29 and 30 of the can 7 are shown in FIG. 1. One wheel 27 of the can 4 and one wheel 31 of the can 6 are shown in FIG. 2.

Each can may be easily tilted and lifted off the platform 2 so that its wheels immediately contact the ground 11 and facilitate its handling by bearing its weight.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, I do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A complementary trash can unit, comprising

a movable base member;

a platform rotatably mounted on the base member for free rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base member;

a plurality of trash cans of the same configuration each complementing the others and resting on the platform;

holding means at the bottom of each of the trash cans and formed in the platform for releasably holding the cans on the platform;

wheels on the bottom of each of the trash cans for permitting movement of each can on the ground after removal from the platform; and

a common cover covering the cans in position on the platform.

2. A complementary trash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the platform is rotatably mounted on the base member by ball bearing means.

3. A complementary trash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover has a plurality of windows formed therein each corresponding to a different one of the cans and a plurality of window fillers each movably mounted in a corresponding one of the windows to permit free access to the corresponding can.

4. A complementary trash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the cans has a handle to facilitate handling thereof.

5. A complementary trash unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are four cans, each having a cross-section of a 90.degree. sector of a circle and together forming a hollow cylinder, the holding means comprises a peg extending from each can at the bottom in the area of the apex thereof and a plurality of holes formed through the platform each corresponding in position to and adapted to accommodate the peg of the corresponding one of the cans, and two wheels are pivotally mounted at the bottom of each can in the area of the periphery thereof and in spaced relation with each other.