PEDAL MECHANISM AND BIN COMPRISING THE SAME

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20170369241
  • Publication Number
    20170369241
  • Date Filed
    January 10, 2016
    9 years ago
  • Date Published
    December 28, 2017
    7 years ago
Abstract
Provided is a pedal mechanism, a multilever rocker and an associated pedal type bin assembly. The bin includes a top and a bottom, a lid pivotably attached at a top portion of a rear wall of the bin, and a pedal mechanism disposed at a bottom portion of the bin. The bin further includes a lid manipulating member extending between the lid and the pedal mechanism. The pedal mechanism includes a pedal provided at a front portion at the bottom portion of the bin, a force transmitting system and a connecting element couplable to the lid manipulating member at a rear portion of the bin bottom portion. The pedal mechanism forms part of the bin's base portion at the bottom thereof with the bin and the pedal mechanism.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to a pedal mechanism and more particularly to a pedal operated bin system comprising the same.


BACKGROUND ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

    • CN202624889
    • CN2550314
    • GB1522783
    • US2012152958
    • WO02083525
    • U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,693
    • US2005133506
    • WO2008130239
    • U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,285
    • U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,688
    • US2010147865


Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.


BACKGROUND

Various types of pedal mechanisms and bins comprising the same are known in the art. Some of these are disclosed in the referenced prior art references acknowledged hereinabove. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,688 is directed to a trash can assembly having an text missing or illegible when filed ter shell and a lid pivotally coupled to the shell for movement between an open text missing or illegible when filed sition and a closed position. A foot pedal is operatively coupled to the lid such that text missing or illegible when filed ssing down on the pedal caused the lid to open. A fluid damper is mounted to text missing or illegible when filed rnpen the downward movement of a lid. The damper engages a support surface text missing or illegible when filed eratively coupled to the lid such that the support surface moves in conjunction with text missing or illegible when filed wement of the lid as the lid moves between the open position and the closed position, text missing or illegible when filed d yet the fluid damper is unsecured to the support surface.


Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,285 directed to a trash can assembly text missing or illegible when filed ving a lid pivotably coupled to an upper end of an outer shell, and a pivoting pedal text missing or illegible when filed r that is coupled to the lid via a link rod. The closing motion of the lid is dampened by text missing or illegible when filed anter-balancing the closing force of the lid, which can be accomplished by generating text missing or illegible when filed counter-balance force against the pedal bar that is equal to or slightly less than the) text missing or illegible when filed sing force of the lid. The counter-balance force can be made to vary during the) text missing or illegible when filed sing motion of the lid. In addition, the entire link rod can be positioned inside the text missing or illegible when filed erior of the outer shell, and the pivot axis of the lid about the outer shell can also be text missing or illegible when filed sitioned inside the interior of the outer shell.


GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The disclosed subject matter is directed to a pedal mechanism. The pedal text missing or illegible when filed chanism in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can form part of any text missing or illegible when filed ntainer system comprising, for example, a pivotable lid. The pedal mechanism, in text missing or illegible when filed cordance with the disclosed subject matter, facilitates opening of the lid by text missing or illegible when filed nsmission of force applied on a pedal and transmitted to the lid opening mechanism text missing or illegible when filed rough the pedal mechanism of the present subject matter. The pedal mechanism text missing or illegible when filed ilitates pulling of the lid to its open position rather than pushing and lifting of the text missing or illegible when filed me by a lifting mechanism.


In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed subject matter there is disclosed a text missing or illegible when filed dal type bin assembly comprising a bin having a top and a bottom, a lid pivotably text missing or illegible when filed ached at a top portion of a rear wall of the bin, and a pedal mechanism disposed at a text missing or illegible when filed ttom portion of the bin, wherein the bin further comprises a lid manipulating member text missing or illegible when filed tending between the lid and the pedal mechanism and wherein the pedal mechanism comprises a pedal provided at a front portion at the bottom portion of the bin, a force text missing or illegible when filed nsmitting system and a connecting element couplable to the lid manipulating member text missing or illegible when filed a rear portion of the bin bottom portion, configured for manipulating the lid between text missing or illegible when filed open and a closed position upon respective operation of the pedal mechanism.


In accordance with an example, the pedal mechanism of the pedal type bin text missing or illegible when filed mprises a base lever actuatable by the pedal, the base lever having a first member and text missing or illegible when filed econd member flexibly connected through at least one hinge, wherein each one of the text missing or illegible when filed int member and the second member comprises at least one laterally extending torsion text missing or illegible when filed rs configured to axially support the base lever and connecting it to laterally extending text missing or illegible when filed rallel supporting surfaces and wherein the torsion bars allow swinging of the base text missing or illegible when filed er relative to the supporting surface and wherein the force applied at a frond edge of text missing or illegible when filed front member is transmitted to the rear edge of the rear member.


In accordance with an example of this aspect, the bin and the pedal mechanism text missing or illegible when filed a unitary and integral structure. In accordance with another example, the pedal text missing or illegible when filed mechanism and the bin are articulated to each other. In accordance with yet an example, text missing or illegible when filed pedal and the force transmission mechanism are integrally formed. In accordance text missing or illegible when filed th another example, the pedal is detachably attachable to the pedal mechanism.


In accordance with an example, the pedal type bin assembly further comprises a text missing or illegible when filed i liner or an inner bin. In accordance with yet an example, the liner is configured to at text missing or illegible when filed ist partially line and cover an inside surface of the bin. In accordance with yet an text missing or illegible when filed ample, the liner is configured to cover the bottom portion of the inside surface of the text missing or illegible when filed a. The liner can be an integral part of the bin or a removable component thereof.


In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter there is) text missing or illegible when filed vided a pedal mechanism. The pedal mechanism in accordance with this aspect text missing or illegible when filed mprises a base lever actuated by a pedal (which can form an integral part of the pedal text missing or illegible when filed chanism or be detachably attachable thereto). The force transmission mechanism text missing or illegible when filed mprises a base lever having a first member disposed at the front and a second lever text missing or illegible when filed tuber disposed at the rear flexibly connected through at least one hinge, e.g. integral text missing or illegible when filed age, and wherein each of the front member and the second member comprise at least text missing or illegible when filed e laterally extending torsion bar configured to axially support the base lever allowing text missing or illegible when filed nnection to lateral supporting surfaces and allowing swinging of the base lever text missing or illegible when filed ative to the supporting surface, and wherein the force applied at a frond portion of the text missing or illegible when filed nat member is transmitted to the rear portion of the rear member. The first member and the second member can be an integral unit interconnected by an integral hinge. In text missing or illegible when filed ordance with another example, the first member and the second member can be) text missing or illegible when filed arate elements configured for articulation one with the other through at least one text missing or illegible when filed iging member.


The pedal mechanism and/or the pedal bin can be formed from any suitable text missing or illegible when filed aerial, as plastic, metal, rubber, silicone etc.


In accordance with yet an aspect there is provided a multi-lever rocker actuating text missing or illegible when filed chanism comprising a first lever member pivotable about a first axis and a second text missing or illegible when filed Ter member pivotable about a second axis, a front end of the first lever comprising an text missing or illegible when filed eating pedal and a rear end of the first lever is pivotally articulated to a front end of text missing or illegible when filed rear lever; a rear end of the rear lever is configured for articulating to a bottom end text missing or illegible when filed the lid manipulating member having a top end thereof pivotally articulated to a pivot text missing or illegible when filed the rear end of the lid, wherein downward displacement of the actuating pedal entails text missing or illegible when filed oting of the first lever in a first direction and corresponding pivotal displacement of text missing or illegible when filed second lever in an opposite direction, such that the rear end of the second lever text missing or illegible when filed places downwards, resulting in corresponding downwards displacement of the lid text missing or illegible when filed anipulating member, whereby downwards displacement of the lid manipulating text missing or illegible when filed ember in turn entails downwards displacement of the rear lid portion, resulting in text missing or illegible when filed votal displacement of the lid into its open position.


The following parameters can alter the force and displacement factors of the lid text missing or illegible when filed tuating mechanism:


The length of the levers;


The positioning of the axes of the levers;


The pre-angular positioning of the levers;


According to a particular configuration of the disclosure, the first axis and the text missing or illegible when filed cond axis are substantially parallel to one another;


In accordance with one example, the at least first lever and the at least second text missing or illegible when filed ver are connected directly to each other. In accordance with another example the at text missing or illegible when filed ast first lever and the at least second lever are connected through an interconnecting text missing or illegible when filed k. In the case of the latter, the interconnecting link extends between the top rear of text missing or illegible when filed e first lever member and bottom front of the second lever member.


In accordance with one example the axis extending through the first lever and text missing or illegible when filed second lever are constituted by torsion bars. In accordance with another example the text missing or illegible when filed are normal axis bars, with no torsioning properties.


Downwards displacement of the lid manipulating member is substantial axial text missing or illegible when filed placement, taking place along its longitudinal axis;


The above is the sequence of operation of a normally closed lid, wherein text missing or illegible when filed lowing the release of force from the actuating pedal, the lid will spontaneously text missing or illegible when filed place into a normally closed position, under its self weight, upon seizing downward text missing or illegible when filed ce on the actuating pedal


It is appreciated that the number of levers in the sequence of the multi-lever text missing or illegible when filed angement can be any pair number.


Biasing of the system into dampened closing of the lid can be facilitated by text missing or illegible when filed lizing a torsion mechanism articulated to one or more of the pivoting locations of the text missing or illegible when filed ilti-lever train.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to text missing or illegible when filed emplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, text missing or illegible when filed way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in text missing or illegible when filed rich:



FIGS. 1A and 1B are a perspective front view and side view of the pedal bin in text missing or illegible when filed accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter in a closed position, text missing or illegible when filed spectively;



FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid and a lid manipulating mechanism used in text missing or illegible when filed e bin of FIG. 1B;



FIG. 3 is a top view of the bin of FIG. 1, devoid of the lid;



FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the bin along line C-C in FIG. 1A, the lid text missing or illegible when filed d the lid manipulating mechanism at the closed position;



FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the side cross sections of torsion bars in accordance text missing or illegible when filed ith the disclosed subject matter;



FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective front view and a perspective top view of the bin in FIGS. 1A and 1B in an open position, respectively;



FIG. 7 is the same as FIG. 4, however with the lid and the lid manipulating mechanism at the open position;



FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a bin in a top and a perspective side cross section, respectively, in accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter, fitted with a bin liner;



FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the liner in accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter;



FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a pedal mechanism in a perspective view and a top view in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS


FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a pedal type bin assembly generally designated 100. The assembly 100 comprising a bin 110 having a top 112 and a bottom 114, a pivotably attached lid 120 at a rear end 116 of the bin top 112 and a pedal mechanism generally designated 130 and best seen in FIG. 3 extending at the bottom 114 of the bin 110. The bin 110 further comprises a lid manipulating member 118 extending between the lid 120 and the pedal mechanism 130. The bin comprises side walls 111A and 111B, rear wall 113A bearing the lid 120 at its top and a front wall 113B provided with an opening 180 for allowing access for operating the pedal mechanism 130, e.g. by users' foot. The pedal mechanism 130 comprises a pedal 132 provided at a front side 115 at the bin bottom 114, a force transmitting system 150 (seen in FIG. 3) and a connecting element 155 couplable to the lid manipulating member 118 at the rear side 117 of the bin bottom 114, configured for manipulating the lid 120 between an open and a closed position upon respective operation of the pedal mechanism 130.


In accordance with this example, the bin 110 and the pedal mechanism 130 are integrally formed together. Optionally, the bin and the pedal mechanism can be separate members. The bin 110 with the pedal mechanism 130 are injection molded from a plastic material. It will be appreciated that other materials and methods of manufacturing are envisioned. Material for the bin can be e.g. metal, foil covered plastic etc. the pedal mechanism can also be formed from other materials, e.g. metal, wood, rubber etc. The lid 120 and the lid manipulating member 118, which are in form of a strap in the current example, are in turn formed as an integral unit in an injection text missing or illegible when filed ding process. The material used or the formation of the lid manipulating member text missing or illegible when filed8 is sufficiently flexible to facilitate deformation thereof upon manipulation without text missing or illegible when filed tting unnecessary stress on the strap which might result in cracking or snapping of the text missing or illegible when filed ne. It will be appreciated that the lid and the lid manipulating member can be) text missing or illegible when filed crate and made from different materials and the lid manipulating member can have text missing or illegible when filed rious shapes as desired from a single slim rod to a broader strap or a more complex text missing or illegible when filed ucture configured to connect the lid to the pedal mechanism. For example, the lid text missing or illegible when filed nipulating member can be a metal rod or a metal strap.


The lid 120 is configured for articulation to the bin 110 through a hinge element text missing or illegible when filed2 which provides for the pivotal movement of the lid 120 with respect to the bin 110. text missing or illegible when filed will be appreciated that the lid can be articulated to the lid manipulation member e.g. text missing or illegible when filed sough an integral hinge. The free end 119 of the lid manipulation member 118 is) text missing or illegible when filed vided with a socket 124 configured for detachable attachment to the connecting text missing or illegible when filed inent 155, forming a male to female fixed connection. Other types of connections are text missing or illegible when filed visioned, e.g. a snap type connection, adhesion, welding, hinged connection, etc. or text missing or illegible when filed egration of the parts in one single unit.


Referring now to FIG. 3, the bin 110 is illustrated viewed from the top. The bin text missing or illegible when filed0 comprises at its bottom 114 the pedal mechanism 130 which in this example forms text missing or illegible when filed integral part of the bin. The pedal mechanism 130 comprises a base lever 135text missing or illegible when filed tuated by a pedal 132 (which in this example forms an integral part of the pedal text missing or illegible when filed echanism however it will be appreciated that this element can be detachably text missing or illegible when filed achable or a separate member fixedly fitted thereto). The base lever 135 has a first, text missing or illegible when filed nt member 136 and a second, rear member 138 flexibly connected through a hinge text missing or illegible when filed10, in this example an integral hinge. It will be appreciated that the first member and text missing or illegible when filed e second member can be separate members interconnected through at least one hinge text missing or illegible when filed le front member 136 has a fore end connecting to the pedal 132 and a rear end 137text missing or illegible when filed nfigured for connecting to the second member 138, a top surface 139 and a bottom text missing or illegible when filed rface (not shown); the second member 138 has a fore end 139 configured for text missing or illegible when filed nnecting to the first member 136 and a rear end fitted with a connecting element 155text missing or illegible when filed hich is an outward protrusion configured to fixedly engage the socket 124 of the text missing or illegible when filed anipulating strap 118. The second member 138 further has a top surface 141 and a text missing or illegible when filed ttom surface (not shown). The integral hinge 140 extends diagonally from the bottom surface of the fore end of the second member 138 and to the top of the rear edge of the text missing or illegible when filed st lever member 136. In the present example, the connection between the top rear end text missing or illegible when filed the first member 136 to the hinge 140 at the bottom fore end of the second lever text missing or illegible when filed amber 138 extends through another integral hinge 142. In the illustrated example, the text missing or illegible when filed st member and the second member are diagonally connected by an intermediate text missing or illegible when filed erconnecting link in the form of a hinging strap 145, connecting the members through text missing or illegible when filed hinges 140 and 142. Thickness of the hinging strap 145 is in this case smaller than text missing or illegible when filed it of the lever members and larger than that of the hinges constituted by thinned out text missing or illegible when filed rtions (e.g. integral hinges). However it will be appreciated that the connection can be text missing or illegible when filed ide using alternative connecting members, e. g., one or more connecting strings etc. text missing or illegible when filed directly to each other by various means, e.g. an integral hinge.


The base lever 135 is connected to the base bottom through laterally extending text missing or illegible when filed sion bars 162A, 162B, 164A and 164B configured to axially support the base lever text missing or illegible when filed5 allowing connection to lateral supporting surfaces 160A and 160B extending from text missing or illegible when filed d in parallel to the side walls of the bin. This allows controlled swinging of the base text missing or illegible when filed er 135 (and if present of the pedal member 132) relative to the supporting surfaces text missing or illegible when filed ien the force applied at a frond edge of the front member 136 is transmitted to the rear text missing or illegible when filed ge of the rear member 138, as will be discussed hererinafter. The torsion bars text missing or illegible when filed nnected to the supporting surfaces have thus a restrained warping at the root which text missing or illegible when filed ows the base lever members 136 and 138 to swing back to their initial position when text missing or illegible when filed force is released. It will be appreciated that a regular axis can be used to manipulate text missing or illegible when filed levers.


As seen in FIG. 4, the torsion bars 162 have a shape of cross (+) in their cross text missing or illegible when filed ction. However, it will be appreciated that bars having another cross section are text missing or illegible when filed visioned, as exemplified in FIGS. 5A to 5C, showing a y-shaped, a straight line or an text missing or illegible when filed shaped bars, respectively, as well as I, U or other shapes of bars can be used as text missing or illegible when filed rsion axis bars.


The operation of the lid 120 and the pedal mechanism 130 will be discussed text missing or illegible when filed ith reference to drawings in FIGS. 3, 6B, and 7. To open the lid 120 of the bin text missing or illegible when filed sembly 100, the pedal 132 is pressed down in the direction of arrow D, this exertion text missing or illegible when filed force is in turn transmitted by the pedal mechanism 135 to downward pulling of the text missing or illegible when filed1 manipulating strip 118 towards the bottom 114 of the bin 110 in the direction of text missing or illegible when filed row d. substantially parallel to the direction D, which in turn causes the lid 120 to pivot (arrow p) in a rearward direction, thus opening the lid 120 and allowing access to text missing or illegible when filed inner space S of the bin 110. The pedal mechanism 130 allows this transmission of text missing or illegible when filed ce via the base lever 135 and facilitated by the torsion bars 162AB and 164AB text missing or illegible when filed ping the base lever attached to the bin bottom.


By pressing the pedal member 132, the rear end of the front lever member 136 is text missing or illegible when filed shed up in the direction of arrow B with the torsion bars 162A and 162B supporting text missing or illegible when filed same and extending along the same axis X which are warped or twisted in the text missing or illegible when filed unter clockwise direction of arrow A, i.e. towards the pressed pedal. This action, in text missing or illegible when filed n, pulls the front edge of the rear lever member 138 upward (in the direction B) text missing or illegible when filed ough the strip 145 which is pulled up by the rear end of the first member. Facilitated text missing or illegible when filed the hinge 140, the structure is rendered flexible and cracking of the plastic is text missing or illegible when filed oided. The torsion bars 164A and 164B twist in the clockwise direction, i.e. opposite text missing or illegible when filed ection from the bars 162A and 162B, causing this upward movement of the front end text missing or illegible when filed the rear lever member 138 to translate into the downward movement of the rear end text missing or illegible when filed the rear lever member, i.e. the connecting element 155, tilting the second member. text missing or illegible when filed tis downward movement of the connecting element pulls on the strip member 118, text missing or illegible when filed using the lid 120 to pivot and open the bin 110, as seen in FIG. 6B. Releasing the text missing or illegible when filed dal 132, will reverse the action of the pedal mechanism 135 via the torsion bars, thus) text missing or illegible when filed sing the lid 120 over the bin 110. Due to the flexibility and the elasticity of the text missing or illegible when filed rsion bars and the hinges connecting the base lever member, the action can be text missing or illegible when filed peated numerous times, without causing any structural damage.


It should be appreciated that the lid 120 can be opened by directly pivoting it text missing or illegible when filed irection of arrow P), however in such a case the pedal mechanism 130 will not be text missing or illegible when filed tuated.


As described herein, in the illustrated example the pedal mechanism 130 and the text missing or illegible when filed n 110 are molded as a unitary and integral structure. It will be appreciated however text missing or illegible when filed at the pedal mechanism can be a separate part fixedly attached to the bin. As best seen text missing or illegible when filedFIGS. 3 and 7, the pedal mechanism, in the illustrated example, including the pedal text missing or illegible when filed ember 132 are designed so as not to protrude beyond the boundaries of the bin front text missing or illegible when filed3B and rear walls 111AB. As indicated above, the front wall is provided with an text missing or illegible when filed ening 180 allowing access to the pedal 132. It will be appreciated that in accordance text missing or illegible when filed ith another example, the pedal can extend outside the bin boundaries.


The structural features of the bin of the illustrated example allow for ease of) text missing or illegible when filed lding and safe storage as well as nesting within a like bin. Furthermore, the sidewalls text missing or illegible when filed the bin are slightly tapered thus allowing the nesting within a like bin with the lid text missing or illegible when filed her in an open position or removed from the bin. This nesting provides, e.g. for a text missing or illegible when filed mpact transportation. It will be appreciated that the shape of the bin can vary. It can text missing or illegible when filed cylindrical, oval or any polyhedral shape.


To protect the pedal mechanism and to prevent soiling thereof and of the surface text missing or illegible when filed derneath thereof, the pedal type bin 100 assembly further comprises a bin liner 200, text missing or illegible when filed in FIG. 8A. This liner 200 fits above the pedal mechanism 130, covering it text missing or illegible when filed mpletely. The outer edges of the liner are provided with hook-like extensions 220, text missing or illegible when filed nfigured for engaging corresponding protrusions over the supporting walls 160A and text missing or illegible when filed0B on the bin bottom 114. As seen further in FIG. 8B, the liner is provided with an text missing or illegible when filed wardly extending concave wall portion 210 (also seen in FIG. 9) which closes the text missing or illegible when filed ening 180 whilst also allowing sufficient space to guide the users' foot to the pedal text missing or illegible when filed2. The liner rests on the supporting walls 160A and 160B extending at the inner text missing or illegible when filed rface of the bin bottom. The height of the supporting surfaces 160A and 160B is high text missing or illegible when filed ough to prevent the bottom surface of the liner from unintentional contact with the text missing or illegible when filed dal mechanism. It will be appreciated that the liner can constitute an inner bin, e.g. to text missing or illegible when filed ver substantially the entire inner surface and the side walls of the bin. The liner and/or text missing or illegible when filed e inner bin can be removable or fixedly attached to the bin.


Turning now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, there is provided a pedal mechanism 300 in text missing or illegible when filed accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter. The pedal mechanism 300text missing or illegible when filed similar to the one described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 6B with the difference text missing or illegible when filed siding in that this mechanism is independent of any structure. It will be appreciated text missing or illegible when filed at such a mechanism can be used in conjunction with any type of structure having a text missing or illegible when filed over or a portion of a cover manipulable between a closed and an open position. While text missing or illegible when filed the previous example the torsion bars 162AB and 164AB were restrained by the text missing or illegible when filed pporting surfaces extending from the side walls of the bin, as seen in the illustrated text missing or illegible when filed ample, the laterally extending torsion bars configured to axially support the base lever text missing or illegible when filed e connected to and restrained by two parallely extending supporting surfaces.


The pedal mechanism of FIGS. 10A and 10B will now be described, with text missing or illegible when filed ements functionally corresponding to elements in the previous example upped by 300. text missing or illegible when filed he pedal mechanism 300 comprises a base lever 335 actuated by a pedal 332 (which in this example forms an integral part of the pedal mechanism however it will be text missing or illegible when filed preciated that this element can be detachably attachable or a separate member fixedly text missing or illegible when filed ed thereto). The base lever 335 has a first, front member 336 and a second, rear text missing or illegible when filed tuber 338 flexibly connected through a hinge 340, in this example an integral hinge. text missing or illegible when filed will be appreciated that the first member and the second member can be separate text missing or illegible when filed tubers interconnected through at least one hinge. The front member 336 has a fore text missing or illegible when filed d connecting to the pedal 332 and a rear end 337 configured for connecting to the text missing or illegible when filed ond member 338, a top surface 339 and a bottom surface (not shown); the second text missing or illegible when filed tuber 338 has a fore end configured for connecting to the first member 336 and a rear text missing or illegible when filed d fitted with a connecting element 355 which is an outward protrusion configured to text missing or illegible when filed engage a manipulating member. Other types of connections are envisioned, e.g. a text missing or illegible when filed ap type connection, adhesion, welding, hinged connection, etc. or integration of the text missing or illegible when filed rts in one single unit. It will be appreciated that the mechanism can be devoid of this text missing or illegible when filed nnecting member.


The second member 338 further has a top surface 341 and a bottom surface (not text missing or illegible when filed own). The integral hinge 340 extends diagonally from the top surface of the first text missing or illegible when filed ember 336 to the bottom surface of the second member 338. In the present example, text missing or illegible when filed connection between the top rear end of the first member 336 to the hinge 340 at the text missing or illegible when filed ttom fore end of the second lever member 338 extends through another integral hinge text missing or illegible when filed2. In the illustrated example, the first member and the second member are diagonally text missing or illegible when filed nnected by an intermediate hinging strap 345, connecting the members through the text missing or illegible when filed ages 340 and 342. Thickness of the hinging strap 345 is smaller than that of the lever text missing or illegible when filed embers and larger than that of the hinges constituted by thinned out portions (e.g. text missing or illegible when filed tegral hinges). However it will be appreciated that the connection can be made using text missing or illegible when filed ernative connecting members, e. g., one or more connecting strings etc.


The base lever 335 is connected laterally to two supporting surfaces 360A and text missing or illegible when filed0B extending in parallel by torsion bars 362A, 362B, 364A and 364B configured to text missing or illegible when filed ially support the base lever 335. This allows controlled swinging of the base lever 335text missing or illegible when filed nd if present of the pedal member 332) relative to the supporting surfaces when the text missing or illegible when filed rce applied at a frond edge of the front member 336 is transmitted to the rear edge of text missing or illegible when filed e rear member 338. The torsion bars connected to the supporting surfaces have thus a text missing or illegible when filed strained warping at the root which allows the base lever members 336 and 338 to text missing or illegible when filed ving back to their initial position when the force is released.


The torsion bars 362 have a shape of cross (+) in their cross section. However, it text missing or illegible when filed be appreciated that bars having another cross section are envisioned, as exemplified text missing or illegible when filedFIGS. 5A to 5C, showing a y-shaped, a straight line or an X-shaped bars, respectively, text missing or illegible when filed well as I, U or other shapes of bars which can be used as torsion axis bars.

Claims
  • 1. A pedal type bin assembly comprising a bin having a top and a bottom, a lid pivotably attached at a top portion of a rear wall of the bin, and a pedal mechanism disposed at a bottom portion of the bin, wherein the bin further comprises a lid manipulating member extending between the lid and the pedal mechanism and wherein the pedal mechanism comprises a pedal provided at a front portion at the bottom portion of the bin, a force transmitting system and a connecting element couplable to the lid manipulating member at a rear portion of the bin bottom portion, configured for manipulating the lid between an open and a closed position upon respective operation of the pedal mechanism, opening the lid by pulling on the lid manipulating member, wherein the pedal mechanism forms part of the bins base portion at the bottom thereof with the bin and the pedal mechanism, being a unitary structure.
  • 2. The pedal type bin according to claim 1, further comprising a bin liner or an inner bin configured to at least partially line and cover an inside surface of the bin.
  • 3. The pedal type bin according to claim 2, wherein the liner is configured to cover at least the bottom portion of the inside surface of the bin and wherein the liner can be an integral part of the bin or a removable component thereof.
  • 4. The pedal type bin according to claim 1, wherein the pedal mechanism comprises a base lever actuatable by the pedal, the base lever having a first member and a second member flexibly connected through at least one hinge, wherein each of the front member and the second member comprise at least one laterally extending torsion bars configured to axially support the base lever and connecting it to laterally extending parallel supporting surfaces and wherein the torsion bars allow swinging of the base lever relative to the supporting surface and wherein the force applied at a frond edge of the front member is transmitted to the rear edge of the rear member.
  • 5. The pedal type bin according to claim 1, wherein the bin and the pedal mechanism are a unitary and integral structure.
  • 6. The pedal type bin according to claim 1, wherein the pedal mechanism and the bin are articulated to each other.
  • 7. The pedal type bin in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pedal and the force transmission mechanism are integrally formed.
  • 8. The pedal type bin according to claim , wherein the pedal is detachably attachable to the pedal mechanism.
  • 9. The pedal type bin according to claim 4, wherein the first member and the second member can be an integral unit interconnected by an integral hinge.
  • 10. The pedal type bin according to claim 4, wherein the first member and the second member can be separate elements configured for articulation one with the other through at least one hinging member.
  • 11. The pedal type bin according to claim 1, wherein at least the pedal mechanism and/or the pedal bin can be formed from plastic.
  • 12. The pedal type bin according to claim 1, further comprising a multi-lever rocker actuating mechanism comprising a first lever member pivotable about a first axis and a second lever member pivotable about a second axis, a front end of the first lever comprising an actuating pedal and a rear end of the first lever is pivotally articulated to a front end of the rear lever; a rear end of the rear lever is configured for articulating to a bottom end of a lid manipulating member having a top end thereof pivotally articulated to a pivot at the rear end of the lid, wherein downward displacement of the actuating pedal entails pivoting of the first lever in a first direction and corresponding pivotal displacement of the second lever in an opposite direction, such that the rear end of the second lever displaces downwards, resulting in corresponding downwards displacement of the lid manipulating member, whereby downwards displacement of the lid manipulating member in turn entails downwards displacement of the rear lid portion, resulting in pivotal displacement of the lid into its open position.
  • 13. The pedal type bin according to claim 12, wherein the following parameters alter the force and displacement factors of the lid actuating mechanism which comprises the pedal mechanism disposed at a bottom portion of the bin and a lid manipulating member the length of the levers, or/and the positioning of the axes of the levers, and/or pre-angular positioning of the levers.
  • 14. The pedal type bin according to claim 12, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel to one another.
  • 15. The pedal type bin according to claim 12, wherein the at least first lever and the at least second lever are connected directly to each other.
  • 16. The pedal type bin according to claim 12, wherein the at least first lever and the at least second lever are connected through an interconnecting link and wherein the interconnecting link extends between the top rear of the first lever member and bottom front of the second lever member.
  • 17. The pedal type bin according to claim 12, wherein an axis extending through the first lever and the second lever are constituted by torsion bars.
  • 18. A multi-lever rocker actuating mechanism comprising a first lever member pivotable about a first axis and a second lever member pivotable about a second axis, a front end of the first lever comprising an actuating pedal and a rear end of the first lever is pivotally articulated to a front end of the rear lever; a rear end of the rear lever is configured for articulating to a bottom end of lid manipulating member having a top end thereof pivotally articulated to a pivot at the rear end of the lid, wherein downward displacement of the actuating pedal entails pivoting of the first lever in a first direction and corresponding pivotal displacement of the second lever in an opposite direction, such that the rear end of the second lever displaces downwards, resulting in corresponding downwards displacement of the lid manipulating member, whereby downwards displacement of the lid manipulating member in turn entails downwards displacement of the rear lid portion, resulting in pivotal displacement of the lid into its open position.
  • 19. A pedal mechanism, comprising: a base lever actuatable by the pedal, the base lever having a first member and a second member flexibly connected through at least one hinge, each of the front member and the second member comprise at least one laterally extending torsion bars configured to axially support the base lever and connecting it to laterally extending parallel supporting surfaces,wherein the torsion bars allow swinging of the base lever relative to the supporting surface and wherein the force applied at a frond edge of the front member is transmitted to the rear edge of the rear member.
PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/IL2016/050027 1/10/2016 WO 00
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62102008 Jan 2015 US