N/A
The present invention generally relates to a latch mechanism for a waste container having a body and a lid pivotably connected to the body and structure for deactivating the latch mechanism.
One problem with waste containers that are stored outside and that contain organic materials is the entry of pets, rodents, and vermin. In particular, raccoons have been shown to be very skillful in the art of getting to the contents of communal and commercial waste containers.
Some containers, especially those designated for the collection of organic waste, have elaborate latch mechanisms that make it difficult for animals to actuate, but allow the human user to open and close the lid with one hand for filling.
To save costs, more and more municipalities use automated trucks to collect waste. These trucks are manned by one driver, who operates the unloading of containers via joystick-controlled grab arms and cameras. This means that any latch mechanism on the container needs to be automatically unlatched during dumping because the driver does not leave the truck in normal operation.
One known solution to the problem is to add a sliding weight to the arm of the truck that actuates a latch on the container. A downside to this type of system is that it requires a specialized arm or a modification to existing dump trucks.
To overcome the need to have to modify the dump system, gravity latches have been developed that unlock the lid of a waste container when a certain tilt angle is reached. Known mechanisms include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,358 LOCKING MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER LID; U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,341 GRAVITY ACTUATED CONTAINER LOCK; U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,314 GRAVITY LOCKING MECHANISM EMPLOYING FIRST AND SECOND PENDULUMS FOR SECURING THE LID OF A REFUSE CONTAINER; and FRANZEN International offers a gravity lock for trash carts (http://www.franzenint.com/trash-bin-gravity-locks.html).
The present invention provides an improved waste container with a gravity activated latch mechanism.
The present invention provides a waste container having a container body and a lid pivotably attached to the container body. The waste container is provided with a gravity locking mechanism in the lid for locking the lid to the container body when in an upright position, and for disengaging the lock when the container is inverted (typically by automatic dumping equipment). Inverting the container causes a weight in the mechanism to rotate a lever connected to a latch to disengage the latch and allow the lid to open.
In accordance with one embodiment, a waste container with a gravity locking mechanism is provided. The waste container includes a container body having an open top portion and a catch on a front portion of the top portion. A lid is pivotably connected to the top portion of the container body. A locking mechanism is connected to the lid. The locking mechanism includes a rotatable member having an axis of rotation; a latch configured to engage the catch when the lid is pivoted to a closed position and a weight. A lever connects the rotatable member, latch and weight. The locking mechanism is configured so that placement of the container in an upside down position causes the weight to rotate the lever about the axis of rotation of the rotatable member to disengage the latch from the catch to enable opening of the lid.
The rotatable member can be positioned at a first end of the lever above the latch. The weight can be positioned at a second end of the lever. The weight can be a separate piece of material, such as steel or other similar material, and can be secured to the locking mechanism by a push-in fastener or other similar means. Alternatively, the weight does not have to be a separate piece of material. Instead, the weight can be made from the same material used for the lever and be integrally formed therewith.
The waste container can include a button in a front portion of the lid. The button can be slideably configured to disengage the latch from the catch when the container is in an upright position to enable opening of the lid. A variety of other mechanisms could also be used to allow a user to manually unlatch the lid when upright. For example: a rotatable knob or key, a secondary lever, or a rigid extension of the main lever that protrudes through the lid, or other known means could also be used.
The container body can include wheels connected to a lower portion of the container body to facilitate movement of the container. Additionally, the container body can include features to facilitate use with automatic dumping equipment. The lid can also be provided with a handle.
The lid can also be provided with a cover plate having a portion positioned between the locking mechanism and the container body. The cover plate separates the locking mechanism from the interior of the container body and prevents waste from contacting or otherwise interfering with the locking mechanism.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a waste container with a gravity activated latch in the lid is provided. The waste container comprises a container body having a bottom and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom to a top opening. The container body includes an inwardly directed protrusion proximate the top opening. A lid is pivotably connected at a first end to a first side of the top opening of the container body. A lock having a rotatable member is connected to an interior portion of the lid proximate a second end of the lid opposed from the first end. A first arm extends from the rotatable member. The first arm has a latch element for engaging the protrusion on the container body when the waste container is in an upright position and preventing the lid from opening. A second arm extends from the rotatable member toward the interior of the container.
The first arm extends generally vertically downward when the lid is in a closed position over the opening and the waste container is in an upright position. The second arm extends generally horizontally when the lid is in a closed position over the opening and the waste container is in an upright position. The first arm and second arm are preferably at a right angle.
The second arm includes a first end connected to the rotatable member and a second end distal from the rotatable member. A weight is connected to the second arm proximate the second end. The weight can be steel or some other suitable material. The weight is connected to the second arm by a push-in fastener or can be molded into the second arm.
A cover plate can be connected to an interior portion of the lid. The cover plate separates the second arm from the interior of the container body when the lid is in a closed position. The cover plate includes an opening to enable the first arm to engage the protrusion of the container body. The cover plate prevents materials in the container body from interfering with rotation of the lock.
The waste container can further comprise a moveable member connected to one of the lever and the lid, and a locking member connected to the other of the lever and the lid that is engageable with the moveable member to prevent rotation of the rotatable member. The moveable member moves to a locking position when the container is not in one of an upright position and an upside position (e.g., when the container is pushed on its side).
The container body can be formed from plastic or other similar materials. Similarly, the lid can also be formed from plastic or other similar materials.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a waste container with a gravity latch that will not open if the container is moved into an improper position (e.g., on its side) is provided. The waste container comprises a container body having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upward from the bottom wall, and an open top. A lid is pivotably connected to the open top at one end. A gravity locking mechanism having a latch arm, a rotatable hinge portion, a latch connected to a first end of the latch arm and a first weight connected to the latch arm is connected to the lid. The latch is engageable with the container body when the container is in an upright position (keeping the lid locked to the container body) and disengageable with the container body when the container is in an upside down position by rotation of the latch arm due to gravity (allowing the lid to open to dispel any contents of the container body). The waste container further comprises a moveable (e.g., slideable or pivotable) member connected to one of the lid and the latch arm, and a locking member on the other of the lid and the latch arm. The moveable member is configured to move to engage the locking member when the container is not one of upright or upside down (e.g., pushed onto its side) to prevent rotation of the locking mechanism and unwanted opening of the lid. Moreover, the moveable member and locking structure can be used on containers having different gravity or other types of locking mechanisms.
The moveable member can be a second weight having a central opening allowing for slideable movement about a post. The locking structure can be a ledge positioned to engage the weight when the container is moved to an improper position (which causes the weight to slide to an engaging position). The second weight can be positioned on the latch arm (e.g., by the first weight) and the locking structure can be a ledge connected to the lid or a portion of the cover plate.
The waste container can further comprise a spring (such as a torsion spring) connected to the rotatable hinge portion, the latch arm and the latch. This enables movement of the latch with respect to the latch arm upon application of a force on the latch (e.g. by a push button) sufficient to overcome the spring force. This allows for opening of the container regardless of rotation of the latch arm of the locking mechanism (e.g., when the moveable member is engaged with the locking structure).
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a latch deactivation system is provided. The latch deactivation system prevents the lid from locking to the container body when the container is in an upright position. This may be used, for example, when the container is placed in an area that does not require it to be locked when upright (e.g., in a warehouse or other similar location). That is, an environment where wild animals are not likely to have any access to the container.
In one embodiment, a container with a latch deactivation system comprises a container body having an open top portion and a catch mechanism connected proximate the top portion. The catch mechanism has a catch portion moveable from a first position to a second position. A lid is pivotably connected to the top portion of the container body. A latch hook is connected to the lid. The latch hook is aligned to engage the catch portion of the catch mechanism when the catch portion is in the first position to lock the lid to the container body when the lid is closed. The latch hook does not engage the catch portion when the catch portion is in the second position to keep the lid unlocked when the lid is closed. That is, when the catch portion is in the first position, the lock is activated (i.e., the catch portion is aligned to engage the latch hook and lock the container), and in the second position, the lock is deactivated (i.e., the catch portion is not aligned with the latch hook and cannot engage it when the lid is closed).
The catch mechanism can include a platform supporting the catch portion. The catch mechanism can be mounted to the container body for rotational movement to move the catch portion from the first position to the second position.
The platform can be oval and include a tab extension at one end. The container body can include a first stop that contacts the tab extension and limits rotational movement of the platform when the catch portion is moved to the second position. The container body can also include a second stop to prevent further rotational movement when moved back to the first position. Additionally, the second stop can include an overhang that engages the tab extension when the catch portion is in the first position. This helps prevent the catch mechanism from being pulled off the container body when one attempts to open the lid when in the locked position.
Alternatively, the catch mechanism can be mounted for linear (e.g., sliding) movement to move the catch portion from the first position to the second position. The container body can include a first groove (and a second or additional grooves) which cooperates with structure in the platform for the linear movement (e.g., a rivet like structure).
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a waste container is provided that includes a lock deactivation system. The waste container comprises a container body having a bottom and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom to a top opening. A lid is pivotably connected at a first end to a first side of the top opening of the container body. A catch mechanism is connected to the container body proximate the top opening. The catch mechanism includes a catch portion moveable from a first position to a second position. A lock including a rotatable member is connected to an interior portion of the lid. A first arm extends from the rotatable member and has a latch element for engaging the catch portion of the catch mechanism on the container body when the waste container is in an upright position and the catch portion is in the first position to lock the lid. The latch element does not engage the catch portion when the catch portion is in the second position.
The catch mechanism can be rotatably mounted to the container body. A first stop can be positioned on a first side of the catch mechanism and a second stop can be positioned on a second side of the catch mechanism. The first stop prevents further rotational movement of the platform once the catch portion is in the second position. The second stop prevents further rotational movement when moving the catch portion back to the first position. The second stop can include an overhang portion to assist in holding the latch mechanism to the container body when the catch portion is in the first position.
The catch mechanism can alternatively be slidably mounted to the container body. The container body can include a first groove and a second groove configured to cooperate with the catch mechanism for the slideable movement.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a waste container with a gravity latch and a latch deactivating system is provided. The waste container comprises a container body having a bottom wall, a side wall extending upward from the bottom wall, and an open top. A lid is pivotably connected to the open top. A gravity locking mechanism having a latch arm, a rotatable hinge portion, a latch element is connected to a first end of the latch arm and a first weight connected to the latch arm. A catch portion is on the container body. One of the catch portion and the latch element is moveable from a first engaging position to a second non-engaging position.
The waste container can include the catch portion being rotationally moveable from the first engaging position to the second non-engaging position. Alternatively, the latch element can be rotationally moveable from the first engaging position to the second non-engaging position.
Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the Figures and are described herein.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the Figures and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
As illustrated in
Referring to the cross-section of
The locking mechanism 22 can be formed primarily out of plastic or other similar or suitable material. However, the weight 5 in the locking mechanism 22 can be steel (or other suitable material) that is fastened to the lever 4 by a push-in fastener 6. Alternatively, the weight 5 could be overmolded into the plastic of the lever 4, or could be fastened to the lever 4 by different means than those shown. Alternatively, the weight can be integrally formed with the lever (e.g., the same material). In this embodiment, the lever can be formed from a material with sufficient weight to enable rotation due to gravity.
A latch hook 4b is provided at the first end of the lever 4 below the rotatable member 4a. The latch hook 4b is designed to cooperate with an inwardly projecting protrusion, such as a catch 24 formed at the top of the container body 12. When the lid 14 is down covering the opening of the container body 12 (i.e., when the waste container 10 is right-side-up) the latch hook 4b engages the catch 24 and locks the lid 14 to the container body 12. The weight 5 at the second end of the lever 4 provides a downward force on the end of the lever 4 which causes the rotatable member 4a to rotate clockwise (in cross-section) and keeps the latch hook 4b in place against the catch 24 in this upright position.
A push button 3 is slideably mounted at the front of the lid 14 to enable a user to manually disengage the latch hook 4b and open the lid 14 when the waste container 10 is in the upright position. As illustrated in
A cover plate 7 is positioned below the lever 4. A portion of the cover plate 7 separates the locking mechanism 22 from the interior of the waste container body 12. This protects the locking mechanism from contacting waste placed in the container, and prevents such waste from interfering with the mechanism during operation.
The locking mechanism 22 is configured to automatically (i.e., via gravity) unhook the latch hook 4b when the container 10 is turned upside down (e.g., by a waste disposal vehicle or other similar apparatus). As illustrated in
As illustrated in
One potential shortcoming of the waste container 10 shown in
The lid 1 includes a gravity actuated locking or latching mechanism 22′ having a latch arm 30 and a separate latch hook 32 (that is, unlike the container of
Additionally, the latch hook 32 in the embodiment of
A first, primary weight 5′ is connected to the latch arm 30 at an end of the latch arm 4 distal from the end proximate the hook 32. The first primary weight 5′ functions in the same manner as the weight 5 shown with respect to the embodiment in
In addition to the first primary weight, the latching mechanism 22′ of the embodiment of
A cover plate 7′ separates the mechanism 22′ from the interior of the container body 12. The cover plate 7′ includes a ledge 44 positioned above the first and second weights 5′ and 38 (i.e., in the direction of rotation of the weights) as shown, for example, in
As illustrated in
When the container is moved sideways or backward the secondary weight 38 extends beyond the edge of the U-shaped pocket 48 and the back edge of the primary weight 5′—as is the case of
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
While the secondary weight is shown as a ring with a central opening, other shapes or configurations can be used. Moreover, the secondary weight could be replaced with a pivoting member or mechanism, or some other similar moveable member or mechanism. Additionally, the moveable and locking structures could be reversed so that the secondary weight, or other pivotable or moveable member or mechanism, can be connected to the lid and can engage a ledge or other type of locking member on the latch arm.
In certain instances it is desirable to deactivate the latch mechanism so that it does not lock each time the lid is closed when the container is in an upright position. For example, if the container is kept in an indoor facility (e.g., a warehouse), there may be no (or little) concern that a raccoon or other animal may attempt to open it.
In such instances, the latch can be deactivated by moving either the catch on the container or the latch hook on the lid so that they do not engage each other when the lid is closed.
The catch mechanism 48 includes a generally oval platform 52 with a tab 54 extending outward from one end of the platform 52. A catch portion 56 is provided extending upward from the platform 52. The catch portion 56 is positioned proximate one side of the oval platform 52. As shown in
In order to deactivate the latch mechanism, the catch mechanism 48 is rotated 180° as illustrated in
The first stop 58 is provided with an overhang portion 62. The overhang portion 62 (in addition to the mounting structure) assists in keeping the catch mechanism 48 secured to the container body 50 when the catch portion 56 engages the latch hook 4b. That is, the overhang 62 absorbs some of the forces applied to the catch portion 56 when an attempt is made to lift the lid while the latch hook 4b is contacting the catch portion 56. The second stop does not necessarily include an overhang because the catch portion 56 is not engaging the latch hook 4b. However, one could be provided if desired (e.g., to more securely maintain the catch mechanism in the second—unlocked position).
As shown in
In the embodiment of
Another embodiment of a moveable catch mechanism 72 is shown in
While various structures can be used to inhibit or prevent any movement of the slidable catch mechanism 72 once it is set, there is a possibility that the mechanism 72 can move from one position to the other when the lid is closed. For example, if the container is tipped or knocked over on its side, the catch mechanism 72 could slide from an activated position to a deactivated position (or visa versa). In contrast, the catch mechanism 48 of the embodiment of
The key to the lock deactivation system is taking the catch portion 56 and the latch hook 4b out of alignment so they cannot engage each other when the lid is closed.
As shown, the catch mechanism can be labeled (i.e., include some form of indicia) to indicate whether it is in a locked position or unlocked position.
Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.
The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 14/184,006 filed Feb. 19, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/768,049 filed Feb. 22, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Franzen International Security Prods. Inc.; “Trash Bin Gravity Lock,” retrieved from <http://www.franzenint.com/trash-bin-gravity-locks.html>. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150053684 A1 | Feb 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61768049 | Feb 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14184006 | Feb 2014 | US |
Child | 14530077 | US |