VERSATILE LID SYSTEM

Cross-References To Related Applications

This is a continuation in part of Serial No. 10/159,425, filed May 29, 2002.

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention relates to lid mounting arrangements for large industrial or commercial solid waste containers.

2. General Background and State of the Art:

The background of the invention involves the need for simple, sturdy, and reliable arrangements for holding the lid of large waste containers in a partially open configuration. Although there are numerous devices which prop lids open, they are all relatively complex and expensive. Further most of the arrangements which have been proposed heretofore will not survive long in the hostile environment present in the interior of large size waste containers. Concerning another matter, certain jurisdictions have a requirement that a trash container and lid not occupy more than a predetermined front-to-rear extent, when the lid is fully open. The configuration of many containers and lids is such that the lid when fully opened is angled outward to the rear, so that it occupies more space than is permitted under these regulations.

Invention Summary

Briefly, and in general terms, the invention provides for a sturdy, reliable and inexpensive, self propping lid for large scale solid waste container, which also reduces the rearward extent of fully opened lids for large solid waste containers.

In one presently preferred aspect, the versatile lid system of the invention uses a pair of single or double linkages for pivotally mounting the rear edge of the lids to the upper rear edge of a trash container. In one presently preferred embodiment, the versatile lid system utilizes grooves or notches in the lids to

engage the upper rear edge of the trash container, or an associated hinge rod. In other embodiments, the lid of the versatile lid system includes one or more center prop lugs formed on the underside of the lid and aligned with a rear portion of the rear edge banding which forms a fulcrum support for the center prop lugs, as well as a plurality of outer prop lugs formed outside of the one or more center prop lugs on the underside of the lid and aligned with a forward portion of the rear edge banding which forms a fulcrum support for the outer lugs, whereby the one or more center prop lugs and the outer prop lugs balance the lid on the rear edge banding when the lid is in an intermediate open position. The versatile lid system may be readily retrofitted onto existing trash containers.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the operation of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing of the deposit of trash into a large industrial trash container, with two positions of the lid being shown, in this prior art construction.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a lid and trash container assembly employing a double linkage illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the trash container and lid of FIG. 2, with the lid relatively wide open.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but with the lid open at a smaller angle. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the trash bin and lid assembly showing the lid with a recess engaging the back end of the trash container in a notch or groove formed on the lid.

FIG. 6 is a showing similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the lid and rear edge of the trash container engaging in another notch in the lid construction to provide a different opening angle.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lid hanging down to the rear of the trash container and with the rear and interior of the lid being shown in this view.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of a lid and trash container assembly employing a plurality of prop lugs extending from the lid and a double linkage mounting assembly, according to the invention, with the lid shown in a fully opened position. FIG. 9 is a side view of the lid and trash container assembly of FIG. 8, with the lid shown in an intermediate opened position.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the trash bin and lid assembly of FIG. 8, with the lid shown in a further forward intermediate opened position. FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the trash bin and lid assembly of FIG. 8, with the lid shown in a closed position.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the lid of the trash bin and lid assembly of FIG. 8, with the lid hanging down to the rear of the trash container.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a third embodiment of a lid and trash container assembly employing a plurality of prop lugs extending from the lid and a single linkage mounting assembly, according to the invention, with the lid shown in a fully opened position.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the lid and trash container assembly of FIG. 13, with the lid shown in an intermediate opened position. FIG. 15 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the trash bin and lid assembly of FIG. 13, with the lid shown in a further forward intermediate opened position.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the trash bin and lid assembly of FIG. 13, with the lid shown in a closed position.

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the lid of the trash bin and lid assembly of FIG. 13, with the lid hanging down to the rear of the trash container.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, which are provided for purposes of illustration and by way of example, the present invention provides for a self-propping lid for trash containers. As is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a prior art trash container 12 includes a lid 14, shown in the partially open state, with a user 16 using one hand to raise the lid and the other hand to insert a large bag of trash 18 into the container. The lid 14 is shown both in the partially open position using the reference numeral 14, and with the lid 14' constituting a showing of the lid in the fully open condition.

It may be noted that the trash container 12 has a rear wall including a lower vertical portion 20, and an upper portion 22 which is slanted to the front, when the container is viewed from below. This forward slanting portion of the wall 22, directs the lid 14' a significant distance outwardly to the rear, when the lid 14' is in the fully open position.

In the showing of FIG. 1, vertical lines 24 and 26 are provided to indicate a maximum allowable front-to-rear extent of the container and lid, when the lid is in the fully open condition, in accordance with regulations or standards established by certain jurisdictions. As indicated in FIG. 1, the allowable distance in some cases has been established as 1250 mm, or 125 cm, corresponding to about 49.2 inches, or about 4 feet and 1.2 inches.

As indicated in FIG. 1, conventional lids with conventional mounting arrangements at the upper rear edge of the solid waste container, do not meet these regulations.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the trash container 12 is provided with a lid 32 which is mounted to the upper rear edge of the trash container 12 by double linkages including a link 34 which is pivoted to the upper rear edge of the trash container, and a second linkage 36 which is pivoted at one end to the first

linkage 34, and at the other end to the pivot rod 38 which extends across the rear of the lid 32.

For completeness, while discussing the mounting arrangements for the lid 32, reference will be made to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the two double linkages 34, 36 and 34', 36' are shown mounted both to the upper rear edge 40 of the trash container, and also to the pivot rod 38 which extends through the lugs 44 at the rear edge of the lid 32.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lid and solid waste container, with the double linkages, clearly are within the front- to-rear space limitations mentioned hereinabove.

In FIG. 2 and of the drawings, attention is now directed to the two grooves or notches 52 and 54 which are formed in a raised portion 56 on the inner surface of the lid 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, these figures show two stable partially open configurations of the lid 32.

Initially attention will be directed to FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings relating to the mode of operation of the assembly when the user 16 wishes to deposit a fairly large bundle 18 of solid waste material into the trash container 12, and wants to have the lid 32 at a fairly wide partially open stable position. As is best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, which relates to FIG. 3, the user pushes the lid to the rear and up to a fairly high level, so that the groove 54 in the lid 32 engages the rear edge 40 of the trash container. Following the deposit of trash, the user 16 grips the front edge 62 of the lid 32 and pulls it forward and upward, so that it will return to the closed configuration. Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings, if the user 16 only wants to deposit a small package of trash 64 into the solid waste container 12, the lid 32 is only raised to a lower level while it is being pushed back, and the groove 52 then engages the rear edge of the trash container 40 and the lid then assumes the partially open state as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings with the lid only having a relatively small available opening for the deposit for the small package of trash 64.

Accordingly, with the double linkage 34, 36, as shown in FIGS. 2-7 of the drawings, the desirable features of reduced front-to-rear extent, and simple and reliable partial opening in a stable condition, are both achieved.

Concerning dimensions, it is desirable that the linkage 34 be substantially equal in length to the linkage 36, and in one embodiment, the center- to-center distance of each line was 3 1/2 inches. However, it is to be understood that somewhat longer or shorter links may be used for different size containers, with the linkages being short enough so that the lid does not touch the ground when fully open. It is also noted that the linkage 34 could be located a slight distance down the back of container 12, and the linkage 34 might then be slightly shorter than the link 36. The lid in one embodiment was about 49 1/2 inches wide and 37 inches from the center of the pivot openings to the front of the lid. The capacity of the containers in one illustrative embodiment of the invention was greater than a cubic yard, and it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to much bigger containers and to those with two lids, for examples.

In the foregoing detailed description, one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention has been shown in the drawings and described in detail in the specification. It is to be understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By way of example and not of limitation, instead of two grooves or notches, the assembly may include only one groove or notch, or could include more than two notches or grooves. In addition, the grooves or notches do not have to be continuous as shown in FIG. 7 but may be discrete, with one section on the left hand side of the lid as shown in FIG. 7 and the other section being the right hand side of the lid as shown in FIG. 7. Further, instead of a plurality of grooves the raised portion 56 on the lid as shown in FIG. 7 could have frictional surfaces akin to coarse sandpaper or Velcro type hook and loop material with mating frictional material on the upper rear edge of the container. It is also noted in passing that the preferred material employed in the fabrication of the lid is polyethylene, but other known plastics may be employed. In addition, the lid may be formed of a single

wall or a double wall of plastic or may be formed with a strengthening box channel configuration around its outer perimeter.

Referring to Figs. 8-12, in a second embodiment of the versatile lid system of the invention, a trash container 70 includes a trash container rear wall 72 with a lower vertical portion 74, a slanted upper portion 76, and an upper rear edge banding 78. The trash container is provided with a lid 80, extending in a plane 82, and as is best seen in Fig. 12, having a front side edge 84, rear side edge 86, right side edge 88 and left side edge 90, and having a fully closed position, shown in Fig. 11, with the lid resting across the top of the trash container, and a fully open position, shown in Fig. 8, with the lid pivoted to hang down the rear wall of the trash container.

With reference to Figs. 10-12, the lid is mounted to the upper rear edge 92 of the trash container by a pair of double linkages 94 and 94' on opposing sides of the trash container. Each double linkage includes a first link 96 which is pivotally connected to the upper rear edge of the trash container, typically by a mounting bracket 97, and a second link 98 which is pivotally connected at one end to the first link and at the other end to a pivot rod 100 which extends across the rear of the lid through mounting lugs 102 at the rear edge of the lid. As is illustrated in Fig. 11, when the lid is in a closed position, the first and second links of the double linkages overlap.

In an intermediate open position, illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the lid rests upon one or more center prop flanges or lugs, such as three center prop lugs 104a,b,c, best seen in Fig. 12, which are formed on the underside 105 of the lid and aligned with a rear portion 106 of the rear edge banding, shown in Fig. 10, which forms a fulcrum support for the one or more center prop lugs, and a plurality of outer prop flanges or lugs, such as two outer prop lugs 108a,b, best seen in Fig. 12. The outer prop lugs are formed outside of the one or more center prop lugs on the underside of the lid and are aligned with a forward portion 110 of the rear edge banding, shown in Fig. 10, which forms a fulcrum support for the two outer lugs. The one or more center prop lugs and the outer prop lugs balance the lid on the rear

edge banding when the lid is in an intermediate open position as shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

As is illustrated in Figs. 10-12, the one or more center prop lugs have a substantially flat shoulder 112 extending approximately parallel to the plane of the lid, so as to be angled upwardly from the upper rear edge of the trash container when the lid is in the intermediate open position, and so as to rest on the rear portion of the rear edge banding. The outer prop lugs have a substantially flat shoulder 114 extending at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the lid, so as to be angled approximately downwardly from the upper rear edge of the trash container when the lid is in the intermediate open position, and so as to rest on the forward portion of the rear edge banding. The intersection of the one or more center prop lugs and the outer prop lugs forms a balance point for the lid in the intermediate open position. A downward pull on the front of the lid brings the lid forward, and releases the lid from balancing in an intermediate position, bringing the one or more center prop lugs and outer prop lugs fully forward of the rear edge banding, allowing the lid to close.

In a third embodiment, as is illustrated in Figs. 13-17, a trash container 120 includes a trash container rear wall 122, having a lower vertical portion 124, a slanted upper portion 126, and an upper rear edge banding 128. Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a variation of the trash container not having a slanted upper portion. The trash container is provided with a lid 130, extending in a plane 132, and as is best seen in Fig. 17, having a front side edge 134, rear side edge 136, right side edge 138 and left side edge 140, and having a fully closed position, illustrated in Fig. 16, with the lid resting across the top of the trash container, and a fully open position, shown in Fig. 13, with the lid pivoted to hang down the rear wall of the trash container.

The lid is mounted to the upper rear edge 142 of the trash container by a pair of single linkages 144 and 144' on opposing sides of the trash container. Each of the single linkages includes a link 146 which is pivoted at one end 148 to the upper rear edge of the trash container, typically by a mounting bracket 149, and is pivoted

at the other end 150 to a pivot rod 152 which extends across the rear of the lid through mounting lugs 153 at the rear edge of the lid.

In an intermediate open position, illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, the lid rests upon one or more center prop flanges or lugs, such as three center prop lugs 154a,b,c, best seen in Fig. 17, which are formed on the underside 155 of the lid and aligned with a rear portion 156 of the rear edge banding, shown in Fig. 15, which forms a fulcrum support for the one or more center prop lugs, and a plurality of outer prop flanges or lugs, such as two outer prop lugs 158a,b, best seen in Fig. 17. The outer prop lugs are formed outside of the one or more center prop lugs on the underside of the lid and are aligned with a forward portion 160 of the rear edge banding, shown in Fig. 15, which forms a fulcrum support for the two outer lugs. The one or more center prop lugs and the outer prop lugs balance the lid on the rear edge banding when the lid is in an intermediate open position as shown in Figs. 14- 15. As is illustrated in Figs. 15-17, the one or more center prop lugs have a substantially flat shoulder 162 extending approximately parallel to the plane of the lid, so as to be angled upwardly from the upper rear edge of the trash container when the lid is in the intermediate open position, and so as to rest on the rear portion of the rear edge banding. The outer prop lugs have a substantially flat shoulder 164 extending at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the lid, so as to be angled approximately downwardly from the upper rear edge of the trash container when the lid is in the intermediate open position, and so as to rest on the forward portion of the rear edge banding. The intersection of the one or more center prop lugs and the outer prop lugs form a balance point for the lid in the intermediate open position. A downward pull on the front of the lid releases the lid from balancing in the intermediate position, bringing the one or more center prop lugs and outer prop lugs forward of the rear edge banding, allowing the lid to close.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made

without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.