Patent Grant
11292665
The subject matter discussed herein relates generally to locking apparatus and methods for locking the hinged or removable lids of commercial or large size trash containers or bins/dumpsters by means of a pivoted, lockable bar extending over the lid in the closed position.
Many trash container locking systems are known in which a bar is attached to pivot arms on opposite sides of a trash container for movement between an unlocked position across the front of the container in which the lid can be freely opened and closed, and a locked position extending over the top of the closed lid so it cannot be opened. A locking mechanism is provided to lock one of the arms in place when the bar extends across the top of the lid. Such systems are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,724 of Serio, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,382 of Dawdy, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,733,053 and 8,313,126 of Hodge Products, Inc. A lid locking system sold by HPI (Hodge Products, Inc.) comprises two pivot arms pivotally mounted on base plates for securing to opposite sides of the trash container, and a separate lock plate to be mounted on one side of the container so that an opening in the pivot arm on that side is aligned with a hole in the lock plate or hasp in the locked position of the bar. Installation and proper alignment of the parts of this system may be difficult in some cases.
According to one aspect, a lid locking apparatus for a trash container comprises first and second pivot devices each having a mounting plate configured to be secured to a respective side edge of the trash container close to the front of the container and respective first and second pivot arms each having a first end pivotally mounted to the respective first and mounting plate and a second end adapted for connection to a respective end of an elongate pipe or bar which is longer than the front end of the trash container. The first pivot device is lockable and the first pivot arm has opposite side edges and an outwardly projecting locking flange on one side edge which has at least one slot or opening. The mounting plate of the first pivot device has a stop plate or padlock hasp extending outwardly from a side edge of the base plate in the same direction as the locking flange. The stop plate also has at least one slot or opening. When the mounting plates are secured by welding, bolting, or the like to opposite sides of a trash container and a bar is secured between second ends of the pivot arms, the arms are rotatable between an unlocked position in which the bar extends across the front of the container and the hinged container lid can be freely opened and closed, and a locked position in which the bar and arms are pivoted upward and rearward so that the bar extends over the top of the container lid. The stop plate on the mounting plate and locking flange on the first pivot arm are positioned and oriented such that the locking flange is adjacent to the stop plate in the locking position with at least part of the opening in the locking flange aligned with an opening in the stop plate. A padlock shackle is engaged through the aligned openings to secure the bar in the locked position, preventing unauthorized dumping of trash in the container.
In one embodiment, the openings in the locking flange and stop plate each comprise an elongated slot for ease in alignment, but in alternative embodiments one of these parts may have a single circular opening or more than one circular opening while the other has an elongated slot. In one embodiment, the locking flange is positioned such that it is in face-to-face engagement with the stop plate in the locking position. In some embodiments, an indent is provided on one edge of the stop plate to act as a welding or attachment point for the chain of a padlock, so that the padlock can be permanently attached to the lockable pivot device and ready for engagement with the aligned openings or slots in the locking flange and stop plate to lock these parts together and prevent access to the container.
According to another aspect, a method of locking a trash container lid in a closed position comprises mounting first and second pivot mounting plates on opposite side rims of a trash container adjacent to the front wall and upper end opening of the container; securing a locking bar between second ends of first and second pivot arms which have respective first ends pivotally mounted on the respective first and second pivot mounting plates; positioning the pivot arms in a first, unlocked position in which the locking bar extends across the front wall of the container; closing the lid of the container; rotating the first and second pivot arms in a first, locking direction upwards and rearwards until the locking bar extends across the closed lid of the container and a locking flange on the first pivot arm engages a stop plate on the first mounting plate which projects outwards from the first mounting plate and respective side rim of the container to prevent further movement of the pivot arms in the first, locking direction; and engaging the shackle of a padlock through aligned openings in the stop plate and locking flange and locking the shackle to the padlock body to retain the first and second pivot arms and locking bar in the locked position.
According to an additional aspect, a trash container lid locking apparatus comprises first and second pivot devices; the first pivot device comprising a first mounting plate configured to be secured to a first side edge of a trash container close to the front of the container and having a front face configured to face outwards from the side edge when installed, and a first pivot arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the first mounting plate and a second end, the second end having an attachment portion for attachment to a first end of an elongated bar which is longer than the front of the trash container; the second pivot device comprising a second mounting plate configured to be secured to a second side edge of the trash container and a second pivot arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the second mounting plate and a second end, the second end of the second pivot arm having an attachment portion for attachment to a second end of the elongated bar; the first pivot arm having opposite side edges and an element operable with a rotating lock mechanism; and a stop plate extending outwards from the first mounting plate, the stop plate having a rotating lock mechanism; whereby the first and second pivot arms are rotatable between an unlocked position in which the bar extends across the front of the container and the hinged container lid can be freely opened and closed, and a locking position in which the bar and arms are pivoted upward and rearward so that the bar extends over the top of the container lid; and wherein the element operable with a rotating lock mechanism is configured to be positioned adjacent the rotating lock mechanism so that the rotating lock mechanism can be locked to the element when the first pivot arm is in the locking position.
One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the element operable with a rotating lock mechanism includes an elongated slot and the rotating lock mechanism is a key-operated cam lock mechanism including a cam that is operable with respect to the elongated slot so that the rotating lock mechanism can be locked to the element; the element includes a housing that that receives and protects the cam to prevent tampering with the cam; the rotating lock mechanism includes a key-operated cam lock mechanism and a combination lock; the rotating lock mechanism is combination lock; the combination lock includes a combination-controlled cam lock mechanism; and/or the rotating lock mechanism includes a cam lock mechanism and a padlock securable to the cam lock mechanism to prevent rotation of the cam lock mechanism.
According to a further aspect, a method of locking a trash container lid in a closed position comprises mounting first and second pivot mounting plates on opposite side rims of a trash container adjacent the front wall and upper end opening of the container; securing a locking bar between second ends of first and second pivot arms, the first and second pivot arms having respective first ends pivotally mounted on the respective first and second pivot mounting plates; positioning the pivot arms in a first, unlocked position in which the locking bar extends across the front wall of the container; closing the lid of the container; rotating the first and second pivot arms in a first, locking direction upwards and rearwards into a locking position; locking the first and second pivot arms and locking bar in the locked position in which the locking bar extends across the closed lid of the container by causing a rotating lock mechanism of the stop plate on the first mounting plate which projects outwards from the first mounting plate and respective side rim of the container to operably engage an element of the first pivot arm, wherein operable engagement between the rotating lock mechanism and the element of the first pivot arm retains the first and second pivot arms and locking bar in the locked position.
According to a still further aspect, a trash container lid locking apparatus comprises first and second pivot devices; the first pivot device comprising a first mounting plate configured to be secured to a first side edge of a trash container close to the front of the container and having a front face configured to face outwards from the side edge when installed, and a first pivot arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the first mounting plate and a second end, the second end having an attachment portion for attachment to a first end of an elongated bar which is longer than the front of the trash container; the second pivot device comprising a second mounting plate configured to be secured to a second side edge of the trash container and a second pivot arm having a first end pivotally mounted on the second mounting plate and a second end, the second end of the second pivot arm having an attachment portion for attachment to a second end of the elongated bar; the first pivot arm having opposite side edges and an element operable with an electronic lock mechanism; and a stop plate extending outwards from the first mounting plate, the stop plate having an electronic lock mechanism; whereby the first and second pivot arms are rotatable between an unlocked position in which the bar extends across the front of the container and the hinged container lid can be freely opened and closed, and a locking position in which the bar and arms are pivoted upward and rearward so that the bar extends over the top of the container lid; and wherein the element operable with an electronic lock mechanism is configured to be positioned adjacent the electronic lock mechanism so that the electronic lock mechanism can be locked to the element when the first pivot arm is in the locking position, the electronic lock mechanism controlled by one or more modules on a wireless mobile electronic computing device to control the locking and unlocking of the electronic lock mechanism. In one or more embodiments, other devices such as, but not limited to, key frequency operated button (“FOB”)/FOB pad, RFID, infrared device/chip/sensor, may be used or associated with the electronic lock mechanism to lock/unlock the electronic locking mechanism. In further embodiments, the wireless mobile electronic computing device (or other wireless device) communicates with the electronic lock mechanism via Bluetooth® (a registered mark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. of Kirkland, Wash.) wireless connection or other wireless connection.
According to an additional aspect, a method of locking a trash container lid in a closed position comprises mounting first and second pivot mounting plates on opposite side rims of a trash container adjacent the front wall and upper end opening of the container; securing a locking bar between second ends of first and second pivot arms, the first and second pivot arms having respective first ends pivotally mounted on the respective first and second pivot mounting plates; positioning the pivot arms in a first, unlocked position in which the locking bar extends across the front wall of the container; closing the lid of the container; rotating the first and second pivot arms in a first, locking direction upwards and rearwards into a locking position in which the locking bar extends across the closed lid of the container; locking the first and second pivot arms and locking bar in the locked position in which the locking bar extends across the closed lid of the container by causing an electronic lock mechanism of the stop plate on the first mounting plate which projects outwards from the first mounting plate and respective side rim of the container to operably engage an element of the first pivot arm, wherein operable engagement between the electronic lock mechanism and the element of the first pivot arm to retain the first and second pivot arms and locking bar in the locked position is controlled by one or more modules on a wireless mobile electronic computing device to control the locking and unlocking of the electronic lock mechanism.
A still further aspect of the invention involves a lid locking apparatus having one or more of the different types of lock mechanisms shown and/or described herein including, but not limited to a key-operated lock mechanism, a padlock lock mechanism, a combination lock mechanism, and electronic locking mechanism (e.g., actuated by RFID/sensor, wireless mobile electronic computing device via Bluetooth® wireless connection or other wireless connection, FOB).
Another aspect of the invention involves a trash container lid locking apparatus, comprising a pivot device comprising a mounting plate configured to be secured to a side edge of a trash container close to a front of the container, a pivot arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the mounting plate and a second end, the second end having an attachment portion to couple to an elongated bar which is longer than the front of the trash container, the pivot arm including a hole therein, and a housing including a rotating lock mechanism having a movable element that is operable by the rotating lock mechanism; whereby the pivot arm is rotatable between an unlocked position in which the bar extends across the front of the container and the hinged container lid can be freely opened and closed, and a locked position in which the bar and pivot arm are pivoted upward and rearward so that the bar extends over the top of the container lid; and wherein the movable element operable with the rotating lock mechanism is configured to be positioned through the hole in the pivot arm to lock the pivot arm in the locked position and removed from the hole in the pivot arm to unlock the pivot arm so that the pivot arm can be moved to the unlocked position.
One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the hole in the pivot arm is an elongated slot that the movable element of the rotating lock mechanism is positioned through to lock the pivot arm in the locked position; the housing receives and protects the movable element to prevent tampering with the movable element; the rotating lock mechanism is a key-operated cam lock mechanism; the rotating lock mechanism is combination lock; the combination lock includes a combination-controlled cam lock mechanism; and/or the pivot device includes a bracket coupled to the mounting plate, the bracket includes a hole therein, and the movable element operable with the rotating lock mechanism is configured to be positioned through the hole in the pivot arm and the hole in the bracket to lock the pivot arm in the locked position and removed from the hole in the pivot arm and the hole in the bracket to unlock the pivot arm so that the pivot arm can be moved to the unlocked position.
A further aspect of the invention involves a method of locking a trash container lid in a closed position with the trash container lid locking apparatus of the aspect of the invention described immediately above. The method comprises mounting the pivot mounting plate on the side edge of the trash container adjacent to the front and an upper end opening of the trash container; coupling the locking bar to the second end of the pivot arm; positioning the pivot arm in the unlocked position in which the locking bar extends across the front of the container; closing the lid of the container; rotating the pivot arm in a direction upwards and rearwards into the locked position; locking the pivot arm and the locking bar in the locked position in which the locking bar extends across the closed lid of the container by causing the movable element operable with the rotating lock mechanism to be positioned through the hole in the pivot arm to lock the pivot arm in the locking position.
An additional aspect of the invention involves a trash container lid locking apparatus, comprising a pivot device comprising a mounting plate including a front mounting section and a side mounting section configured to be secured to both a front and a side of a trash container; a pivot arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the mounting plate and a second end, the second end having an attachment portion to couple to an elongated bar which is longer than the front of the trash container; a lock mechanism; whereby the pivot arm is rotatable between an unlocked position in which the lock mechanism is unlocked, the bar extends across the front of the container, and a hinged container lid can be freely opened and closed, and a locked position in which the lock mechanism locks the bar in position over the top of the container lid, and wherein the side mounting section of the mounting plate forms a spacer section to space the pivot arm relative to the front mounting section in order to space the pivot arm a predetermined, consistent, fixed distance from the front of the trash container to ensure consistent mounting of the trash container lid locking apparatus to the trash container.
One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the lock mechanism is a member from the group consisting of a key-operated lock mechanism, a padlock lock mechanism, a combination lock mechanism, an electronic locking mechanism actuated by RFID and a sensor, an electronic locking mechanism actuated by a wireless mobile electronic computing device, and an electronic locking mechanism actuated by a FOB; the mounting plate side mounting section includes a bottom edge side, and the pivot arm extending at an angle relative to the bottom edge of the side mounting section when the pivot arm is locked; a stop plate extending at an angle relative to the bottom edge of the side mounting section, the pivot arm includes a locking plate, and whereby when the pivot arm is rotatable to the locked position, the lock mechanism locks the locking plate to the stop plate at the angle; the angle is 135 degrees; and/or the angle is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
Another aspect of the invention involves a method of locking a trash container lid in a closed position with the trash container lid locking apparatus of the aspect of the invention described most immediately above comprising positioning the trash container lid locking apparatus at the front of the trash container so that side mounting section is against the side of the trash container and the front mounting section is against the front of the trash container so that the spacer section spaces the pivot arm a predetermined, consistent, fixed distance from the front of the trash container; coupling the elongated bar to the second end of the pivot arm; positioning the pivot arm in the unlocked position in which the elongated bar extends across the front of the container; closing the lid of the container; rotating the pivot arm in a direction upwards and rearwards into the locked position; locking the pivot arm and the elongated bar in the locked position in which the locking bar extends across the closed lid of the container with the lock mechanism.
One or more implementations of the method described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the lock mechanism is a member from the group consisting of a key-operated lock mechanism, a padlock lock mechanism, a combination lock mechanism, an electronic locking mechanism actuated by RFID and a sensor, an electronic locking mechanism actuated by a wireless mobile electronic computing device, and an electronic locking mechanism actuated by a FOB; the mounting plate side mounting section includes a bottom edge side, and the pivot arm extending at an angle relative to the bottom edge of the side mounting section when the pivot arm is locked; a stop plate extending at an angle relative to the bottom edge of the side mounting section, the pivot arm includes a locking plate, and whereby when the pivot arm is rotatable to the locked position, the lock mechanism locks the locking plate to the stop plate at the angle; the angle is 135 degrees; and/or the angle is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
The subject matter described herein is taught by way of example implementations. Various details have been omitted for the sake of clarity and to avoid obscuring the subject matter. The examples shown below are directed to devices, apparatus and methods for locking the lid of a commercial trash container (e.g., cubic yard sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) in the closed position. Other features and advantages of the subject matter should be apparent from the following description.
After reading this description it will become apparent to one skilled in the art how to implement the invention in various alternative embodiments and alternative applications. However, all the various embodiments of the present invention will not be described herein. It is understood that the embodiments presented here are presented by way of an example only, and not limitation.
The first, locking pivot device 35 comprises an elongated plate or pivot arm 38, a pivot mount or mounting plate 40 pivotally connected to one end of pivot arm 38, a locking plate or flange 42 located on one side edge 41 of arm 38 and extending outward from a top surface of the arm 38, and a stop plate or lock hasp 44 extending outward from a top surface of pivot mount 40. Plate or pivot arm 38 is pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot pin 19 extending from pivot mount 40, in a similar manner to prior art device 12 described above. In some embodiments, locking flange 42 is oriented substantially perpendicular to pivot arm 38 and parallel to the longitudinal axis of arm 38, and stop plate or padlock hasp 44 is oriented perpendicular to mounting plate 40, as best seen in
Locking flange 42 and stop plate 44 may be formed integrally with the respective pivot arm or plate 38 and mounting plate 40 and may be bent or formed to extend perpendicular to the respective pivot plate 38 and mounting plate 40, or may be formed as separate parts and secured to plates 38, 40 by welding or the like. In some embodiments, pivot mount or plate 40 has spaced side edges 57 and first and second end edges 58, 59, respectively, and the stop plate 44 is located at one of the side edges 57. Stop plate 44 is longer than pivot mount or plate 40 and extends outwards from side edge 57 beyond the first end edge 58 of plate or mount 40. In some embodiments, stop plate 44 has a length between opposite end edges which is around twice the distance between the first and second end edges 58, 59 of the mounting plate or pivot mount 40. Slot 47 is located in the part of stop plate 44 which protrudes from first end edge 58 of the pivot mount or plate 40.
As seen in
In order to install the lid locking apparatus on a trash container, the pivot mounts or mounting plates 40, 20 of the respective pivot devices 35, 36 are first secured by welding or other fastening means (e.g., bolts to bolt to plastic trash container) at identical positions on the upper rim 62 on opposite sides of trash container 34 in an orientation in which the upper and lower edges (or longer edges) 58, 59 are parallel to the side edge of the dumpster lid in the closed position. As shown in
In order to lock the lid 32 of the trash container in the closed position, the bar 50 is rotated upwards and rearwards over the top of the container, simultaneously pivoting the pivot arms of pivot devices 35 and 36 about their pivot axis so that the locking flange 42 of locking pivot arm 38 is rotated towards stop plate 44.
The lid lock apparatus in the above embodiments is much easier to install and operate than the prior art apparatus of
In one or more alternative embodiments, a lid locking apparatus may include one or more of the different types of lock mechanisms shown and/or described herein including, but not limited to a key-operated lock mechanism, a padlock lock mechanism, a combination lock mechanism, and electronic locking mechanism (e.g., actuated by RFID/sensor, wireless mobile electronic computing device via Bluetooth® (a registered mark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. of Kirkland, Wash.) or other wireless connection, FOB).
The plate 305 has a generally rectangular shape with top/bottom flanges 325, 330 and holes 335 in corners 340.
The bracket 310 has a generally rectangular shape with a raised base section 345 with a hole in the form of an elongated slot 350, and mounting flanges 355, 360. The mounting flanges 355, 360 include holes 365 in corners 370. The raised base section 345 includes coupling section 375 with a hole 380.
The pivot arm 315 has an elongated flat configuration with an upper hole 385 at a second end that receives the bar 50 and a lower hole 390 at a first end. The pivot arm 315 includes a hole in the form of an elongated slot 395.
The box 320 has a substantially rectangular box configuration with housing 400 having a hole 405 for receiving the key-operated cam lock mechanism 146g and a mounting flange 410 with holes 415 near opposite ends 420.
A round 425 along with a fastener 430 are used to pivotally attached the pivot arm 315 to the bracket 310 via the lower hole 390 of the pivot arm 315 and the hole 380 of the coupling section 375 of the bracket 310.
Respective fasteners 435 extend through the holes 415 of the mounting flange 410 of the box, the holes 365 of the bracket 310, and the holes 335 of the plate 305 to mount the lid locking apparatus 300 to a side 440 of the trash container 34.
The key-operated cam lock mechanism 146g is operably received within the hole 405 of the box 320 for controlling rotation of cam 152g.
In the position shown in
In the position shown in
In one or more embodiments, the rotating lock mechanism 146g is a key-operated cam lock mechanism, a combination lock, and/or a combination-controlled cam lock mechanism.
With reference to
With reference to
Another aspect of the involves the key-operated lock mechanism 146, 146b, 146c, 146g being provided with any lock keyway (e.g., any Master Lock® keyway). Cylinders of the key-operated lock mechanism 146, 146b, 146c, 146g are pinned to match the keyway the customer is already using and the cylinders installed in/provided for the key-operated lock mechanism 146, 146b, 146c, 146g. This allows the customers to keep their existing keys, which will work on the key-operated lock mechanism 146, 146b, 146c, 146g, without having to replace them.
In one or more alternative embodiments, a lid locking apparatus may include one or more of the different types of lock mechanisms shown and/or described herein including, but not limited to a key-operated lock mechanism, a padlock lock mechanism, a combination lock mechanism, and electronic locking mechanism (e.g., actuated by RFID/sensor, wireless mobile electronic computing device via Bluetooth® (a registered mark of Bluetooth Sig, Inc. of Kirkland, Wash.) or other wireless connection, FOB).
The system 550 preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor 560. Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purpose microprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-end processor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor 560.
The processor 560 is preferably connected to a communication bus 555. The communication bus 555 may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the system 550. The communication bus 555 further may provide a set of signals used for communication with the processor 560, including a data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communication bus 555 may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like.
System 550 preferably includes a main memory 565 and may also include a secondary memory 570. The main memory 565 provides storage of instructions and data for programs executing on the processor 560. The main memory 565 is typically semiconductor-based memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory (“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamic random access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”).
The secondary memory 570 may optionally include an internal memory 575 and/or a removable medium 580, for example a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable medium 580 is read from and/or written to in a well-known manner. Removable storage medium 580 may be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, SD card, etc.
The removable storage medium 580 is a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software) and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removable storage medium 580 is read into the system 550 for execution by the processor 560.
In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 570 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into the system 550. Such means may include, for example, an external storage medium 595 and an interface 570. Examples of external storage medium 595 may include an external hard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and external magneto-optical drive.
Other examples of secondary memory 570 may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage media 580 and communication interface 590, which allow software and data to be transferred from an external medium 595 to the system 550.
System 550 may also include an input/output (“I/O”) interface 585. The I/O interface 585 facilitates input from and output to external devices. For example the I/O interface 585 may receive input from a keyboard or mouse and may provide output to a display 587. The I/O interface 585 is capable of facilitating input from and output to various alternative types of human interface and machine interface devices alike.
System 550 may also include a communication interface 590. The communication interface 590 allows software and data to be transferred between system 550 and external devices (e.g. printers), networks, or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to system 550 from a network server via communication interface 590. Examples of communication interface 590 include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), a wireless data card, a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, and an IEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few.
Communication interface 590 preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such as Ethernet IEEE 802 standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network (“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internet protocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may also implement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well.
Software and data transferred via communication interface 590 are generally in the form of electrical communication signals 605. These signals 605 are preferably provided to communication interface 590 via a communication channel 600. In one embodiment, the communication channel 600 may be a wired or wireless network, or any variety of other communication links. Communication channel 600 carries signals 605 and can be implemented using a variety of wired or wireless communication means including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phone link, wireless data communication link, radio frequency (“RF”) link, or infrared link, just to name a few.
Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) is stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received via communication interface 590 and stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described.
In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any non-transitory computer readable storage media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the system 550. Examples of these media include main memory 565, secondary memory 570 (including internal memory 575, removable medium 580, and external storage medium 595), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface 590 (including a network information server or other network device). These non-transitory computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the system 550.
In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into the system 550 by way of removable medium 580, I/O interface 585, or communication interface 590. In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the system 550 in the form of electrical communication signals 605. The software, when executed by the processor 560, preferably causes the processor 560 to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein.
The system 550 also includes optional wireless communication components that facilitate wireless communication over a voice and over a data network. The wireless communication components comprise an antenna system 610, a radio system 615 and a baseband system 620. In the system 550, radio frequency (“RF”) signals are transmitted and received over the air by the antenna system 610 under the management of the radio system 615.
In one embodiment, the antenna system 610 may comprise one or more antennae and one or more multiplexors (not shown) that perform a switching function to provide the antenna system 610 with transmit and receive signal paths. In the receive path, received RF signals can be coupled from a multiplexor to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and sends the amplified signal to the radio system 615.
In alternative embodiments, the radio system 615 may comprise one or more radios that are configured to communicate over various frequencies. In one embodiment, the radio system 615 may combine a demodulator (not shown) and modulator (not shown) in one integrated circuit (“IC”). The demodulator and modulator can also be separate components. In the incoming path, the demodulator strips away the RF carrier signal leaving a baseband receive audio signal, which is sent from the radio system 615 to the baseband system 620.
If the received signal contains audio information, then baseband system 620 decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. Then the signal is amplified and sent to a speaker. The baseband system 620 also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted to digital signals and encoded by the baseband system 620. The baseband system 620 also codes the digital signals for transmission and generates a baseband transmit audio signal that is routed to the modulator portion of the radio system 615. The modulator mixes the baseband transmit audio signal with an RF carrier signal generating an RF transmit signal that is routed to the antenna system and may pass through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmit signal and routes it to the antenna system 610 where the signal is switched to the antenna port for transmission.
The baseband system 620 is also communicatively coupled with the processor 560. The central processing unit 560 has access to data storage areas 565 and 570. The central processing unit 560 is preferably configured to execute instructions (i.e., computer programs or software) that can be stored in the memory 565 or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received from the baseband processor 610 and stored in the data storage area 565 or in secondary memory 570, or executed upon receipt. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. For example, data storage areas 565 may include various software modules (not shown) that are executable by processor 560.
Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.
Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and method steps described in connection with the above described figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without departing from the invention.
Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium including a network storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can also reside in an ASIC.
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
In one or more alternative embodiments, one or more of the lid locking apparatus embodiments shown and/or described herein may include a longitudinally elongated side/spacer section/tab similar to the longitudinally elongated side/spacer section/tab 762, 762i of the lid locking apparatus 700, 800 of
The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/550,067, filed Aug. 23, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/059,968, filed Aug. 9, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/678,949, filed Aug. 16, 2017. All of the above-referenced applications are incorporated by reference herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200115156 A1 | Apr 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16550067 | Aug 2019 | US |
| Child | 16713665 | US | |
| Parent | 16059968 | Aug 2018 | US |
| Child | 16550067 | US | |
| Parent | 15678949 | Aug 2017 | US |
| Child | 16059968 | US |
