AU2001263644B2

AU2001263644B2 - A bin lid lifting assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2001263644B2
Application number: AU2001263644A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kevin Sydney Lansdown
Original assignee: Daniels Health Laboratory Products Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Daniels Health Laboratory Products Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-09
Filing date: 2001-06-04
Publication date: 2005-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-04

Description

tt% 1 A Bin Lid Lifting Assembly a Field of the Invention 0 This invention relates to a bin lid lifting assembly for waste containers, Background Art Cytotoxic, clinical and general waste containers used in the medical or domestic waste N 10 industry are made of plastic and the top of the bin is fitted with a pivoting bin lid, with the lid having upper handles to allow it to be lifted by a person's hands. The bins have various volumes but are typically 50, or 35, litre capacity and are typically circular in shape. The 22-litre capacity bin is typically square shape.

A hinge assembly comprising a concave hinge member is attached to or formed with the lid, the hinge member being connected to hinge brackets attached to or formed with container section of the bin. Attached to the upper portion of the container section of the bin is a pivotal metal locking handle which can be pivoted over the lid to lock the lid for hygienic reasons.

It is desirable to be able to open the lid of a bin of this type without touching it. For instance when a person is disposing of any form of waste, for example medical, hazardous, or toxic waste, they do not want to touch the lid of the bin not only for hygienic reasons but for convenience as well.

It is further desirable to be able to replace any number of bins at the one workstation.

Bins are replaced at their workstation on a frequent basis for the purpose of waste removal, cleaning and hygiene control. When the bin is away being serviced by the waste collection contractor, there is a need to be able to replace the bin and not the lid lifting assembly.

Bin lid lifters are known in prior art. Most bin lifters have a foot operated pedal, which in some way is a permanent part of the bin or is connected to the container section, lid or hinge bracket of the bin. This arrangement is not satisfactory in regards to health and safety issues and the cost effectiveness of having a foot pedal on every bin.

2 It is desirable to have a device that is able to lift the lid of the bin, but is not connected to

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0 the bin. It is further desirable to have the lid opening assembly separate from the bin so that the bin can be changed at any time, or the bin destroyed by incineration, with its contents intact. By having a bin separate from a foot pedal or bin lifting assembly, the bin lifting assembly or foot pedal if one was attached to the bin is not destroyed, only the bin and its contents.

It would be also desirable to have a separate assembly from the bin so as to provide a

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stable base for the bin. A stable base overcomes the problem of the bin being tipped over either by accidental bumping of the bin or when the foot pedal is depressed.

It would also be desirable to have a lid lifting assembly and a sharps container holder in the one assembly to reduce needle stick injuries.

Object of the Invention The present invention is directed to a lid lifting assembly which overcomes or alleviates the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the present invention aims to provide a lid lifting assembly that is a completely separate assembly from the bin, and which provides a stable base for the bin. The present invention further aims to provide a bin lid lifting assembly in which the lid is lifted in a safe and controlled manner.

In one form this invention resides in a hands free lid lifting assembly for refuse containers or bins of the type having a main container portion and a lid pivotally mounted to the main container portion through a hinge assembly, said lid lifting assembly including a main supporting body having a base on which said container may seat and a pivotable foot operated arm member mounted to said main supporting body, said arm member having a forward depressible portion and a rear portion, a link member having a lower portion attached to the rear portion of the arm member, a guide for guiding movement of said link member, and the link member having a upper portion adapted to abut said lid adjacent said hinge assembly, whereby depression of the arm member 3 Scauses the link member to move upwardly to open the lid when a bin is placed on the ,base.

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0 The lid suitably includes a hinge a hinge member, the hinge member being fixed for movement with the lid and the upper portion of the link member is preferably adapted to abut the hinge member. Suitably the hinge member has a flat surface against which the upper portion of the link member can abut. The hinge member is suitably hollow or IND concave and the flat surface is preferably defined by an insert within the hollow hinge Smember.

The hinge assembly has a hinge axis and suitably the upper portion of the link member is adapted to abut against the bin lid at a position in front of the lid axis.

The guide suitably comprises a hollow housing extending upwardly from the main body through which the link member passes.

Means are suitably provided for releasably securing the container to the main body. The securing means may comprise means for securing the container portion to the main body.

The securing means may comprises stop means on the housing adapted for cooperation with a handle of the container.

Preferably pivotal movement of the lid is limited by a stop. Preferably the housing has a member comprising said stop to restrict the opening of the bin lid past the vertical plane.

Preferably the base comprises a recessed platform.

The link member suitably passes through the top of the hollow housing, such that when a bin or container is placed in the assembly and locked into place and downward pressure is applied to the foot pedal, the link member raises the lid of the container to a suitable position.

The assembly can lift the lid of the bin in a safe and controlled manner and is not attached permanently to the bin.

t 4 ,The bin lid hinge insert can be of rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the 0 like or can be moulded as part of the bin to form a flat surface for the link member to engage with the lid of the bin. Typically, the insert is a U- section member that attaches to the hollow concave hinge lid member of the bin and is fastened into place by two screws which changes the configuration of the lid hinge member from a concave shape to \a flat surface for the link member to engage.

The main body can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like. It can be configured in such shapes as to form a square cross section or a circle, but typically it is square. For a typical bin the main body has a length of between 300mm and 320mm, a width of about 300mm and 320mm, a thickness of about 3mm and and a depth of about The main body platform or base for the bin or container to sit on stabilizes the bin to the assembly. The platform can be the main body itself, but typically comprises a pair of members which may be 3mm thick 65mm in width and a length of between 300mm and 320mm and situated at the front and rear of the main body.

The vertical housing, can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like and preferably it can be central to the rear of the main body. Typically it is centred to the rear of the main body and can be of any height to suit any particular bin.

Typically, the vertical housing has a height of between 400mm and 660mm and is by 25mm, 1.6 gauge tube, depending on the size of the bin (50,35,or 22 litre).

The bin lid stops which are suitably at the upper end of the housing can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like. These stops prevent the lid of the bin from opening too far. In one form they are attached to the upper sides of the housing and are in an L- shape configuration. In another form the stops are at the rear of the housing or on top of the vertical housing. Typical for the 50 and 35 litre round bin they are at the upper sides of the housing and L- shaped in configuration, protruding above the top of the vertical housing by 15mm to 20mm and are 20 mm wide, which in turn produces a total width of 65mm, 20mm for each bin stop and 25mm for the width of the housing This total width accommodates the size of the hinge bracket on the 50, litre cylindrical bin.

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At the front and the rear of the main body are preferably slots for the arm member to pass through. These slots can be centered or off-centered, but typically are centered to the front and rear of the main body. The axle housing can be in the centre of the main body or at the sides of the main body, but typically the axle housing is at the side of the main (body, at a height of 25mm and 8mm in diameter. Typically the pivotal axis point is centre to the main body

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The pivotal arm member can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like. The forward portion of the arm member, which is. depressed by a person's foot typically has a footpad. The arm member can be of any length depending on the size of main body and the bin. For a typical sized bin the arm member has a length of between 350mm and 450mm, a width of about 16mm, and a thickness of about 6mm. At the rear of the arm member is a connecting mechanism for the link member.

Typically the connecting mechanism is a 5.5mm hole so as to permit insertion of a diameter bolt 16mm in length which is fastened by a locking nut. At the axis point of the arm member is a connecting mechanism for the axle. Typically the connecting mechanism is 8.5mm hole for an 8mm axle to pass through.

The axle can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like.

It can be square or round, but typically is round 8mm in diameter and of a length of between 300 mm and 320mm. The axle can be connected to the main body by means of an axle housing but typically is inserted through holes at the side of the main body which are 8.5mm in diameter. The axle can be secured into place via fastening means.

Typically the axle is secured into place via axle caps.

The link member is attached to the rear portion of the arm member, and can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like. The link member can be of any length and size depending on the size of the bin. At one end of the link member is a connecting member that connects to the arm member. At the other end, the link member is suitably provided with an end cap that engages with the lid of the bin.

6 Typically, the link member is 8mm round rod. The connection member end of the link member is suitably flattened to form a shape 25mm long and 4 mm thick by 10mm wide O and a 5.5mm hole is provided in this section for connection of the link member using a diameter 16mm long bolt and nut. At the other end of the link member is the end cap. The end cap can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod, tube or the like. Typically it is a round member that fits over the end of the link member.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the following figures in which Figure 1 illustrate the lid lifting assembly according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a cylindrical waste container for use in the assembly; Figure 3 shows a waste container similar to that of Figure 2 with the lid in the open position; Figure 4 shows versions of the pushrod, an axle and axle cap and a pivotal arm member with a footpad for use in the lid lifting assembly; Figure 5 illustrates the hinge insert for hinge member of the lid of the bin; Figure 6 illustrates the manner in which the insert is located in the hinge member of the lid; Figure 7 shows a waste container in the assembly as a complete unit with the lid in the open position;.

Figure 8 shows two versions of the pushrod housing and the lid stops, and a pushrod housing end cap.

tn 7 o Figure 9 shows a different version of a waste container and the assembly as a complete unit with the lid of the container in the open position;

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Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of lid lifting assembly; Figure 11 shows a different version of the lid lifting assembly having alternative bin Slocking members; and.

¢€3 Figure 12 illustrates the lid lifting assembly with shelf unit to hold other containers.

Best Mode Referring to the drawings and initially to Figure. 1, there is illustrated a foot operated lid lifting assemblyl0 for use with a waste container or bin 11 of the type illustrated in Figs.

2 and 3, the assembly 10 including a main body 12 upon which a container 11 may seat, the main body 12 having a rectangular side skirt 13 and forward and rear transversely extending flat platform members 14 and 15 upon which a container 11 may seat, the platform members 14 and 15 being positioned below the upper edge of the skirt 13.

Mounted to the main body 12 is a centrally located pivotal arm member 16 having a forward portion 17 which serves as a foot pedal and a rear portion 18 (see Figure A transverse axle 19 extends through a hole 20 in the arm 16 and holes in the skirt 13 on the opposite sides of the main body 12 to be secured in position by end caps 21. A hollow upright pushrod housing 22 is fixed to the rear of the main body 12 in alignment with the pivotal arm 16. Connected by a pivot connection to the rear of the pivotal arm 16 is push rod 23 which extends along and passes through the top of the push rod housing 22 preferably through an aperture in a cap 22' at the upper end of the housing 22. Attached to the push rod housing 22 are lid stops 24 and further attached to the pushrod housing 22 on the rear thereof is a handle-locking member 25. The upper end of the push rod 23 is provided with an end cap 26. The end cap 26 in an alternative embodiment may comprise a planar stop 27.

The waste container 11, which is of known design, includes a main container body 28, a pivoting lid 29 mounted through a hinge 30 comprising a hinge member 31 on or tn 8 0 comprising an extension of the lid 29 and a hinge bracket 32 on the container body 28 which are connected by a hinge pin or pins 33. The lid 29 also includes a handle 34 and

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0 the container 28 also includes a pivotal locking handle 35. The lid 29 as shown in Fig. 3 can pivot to an open position to allow the placement of wastes into the container body 28.

A bin lid hinge insert shown in Fig. 5 is of a U section configuration and includes a bottom flange 37 and side flanges 38 having holes 38' therein. The insert 36 is attachable ¢€3 Sto the hinge member 31 and fastened into place by two screws 39 shown in Fig. 6, utilizing the existing holes 39' of the hinge 30 which normally receive the hinge pin or pins 33 and holes 38'. This now changes the inner configuration of the hinge member 31 from a concave shape to form a flat surface defined by the flange 37 for the push rod 23 to engage.

Referring now to Figure 7, a waste container 11 is placed in the assembly 10 by locating it on the platform members 14 and locking it into place by the metal locking handle which is pivoted over the housing 22 to locate under the locking member 25. In this position, the push rod 23 is located beneath the hinge member 31 with the end cap 26 (or 27) located adjacent to the insert flange 37. Thus when downward pressure is applied to the foot pedal 17, the arm 26 is pivoted downwardly about the axle 19 which elevates the push rod 23. This causes the end cap 26 to abut the flange 37 and cause the pivotal lid 29 of the container 11 to be pivoted to a suitable open position.

In essence, no part of the lid lifting assembly 10 is permanently attached to the waste container 11 and the assembly 10 is independent of the waste container 11.

In the embodiment, the main body 12 has a length of 320mm a width of 320mm, and a thickness of 3mm and a depth of 65mm. This of course can vary to suit. In the embodiment the main body is made of steel although other materials can be used.

The platform members 14 and 15 on which the container 11 seats stabilize the container 11 to the assembly 10. In the embodiment the members are 3mm thick 65mm in width and a length of 320mm. They are situated at the front and rear of the main body 12 and at a height so there is no restriction to the movement of the pivotal arm 16, and at a tn 9 height to form a rim at the top of the main body 12 to stabilize the container 11 when it is placed in the assembly body 12.

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The vertical pushrod housing 22 is central to the rear of the main body 12 however this of course can vary to suit. The vertical pushrod housing 22 has a height of between 400mm and 660mm depending on the size of the container 11 and is 50mm by 25mm, 1.6 gauge steel tube, although other materials can be used.

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The bin lid stops 24 at the upper section of the push rod housing 22 limit the pivoting O 10 movement of the pivotal lid 29 from extending past the vertical plane of the bin 11 when the foot pad 17 is depressed by a person's foot. The lid stops 24 are attached to the upper sides of the push rod housing 22 as shown in Figure 1 and are of an L shape configuration, protruding above the top of the vertical housing 22 by 20mm and are mm wide, which in turn produces a total width including the pushrod housing 22 of 65mm. Different versions of the bin lid stops are shown in Figure 8.

When the bin 11 is placed in the assembly 10 the pivotal hinge lid assembly 30 of the bin 11 fits over the top of the vertical housing 22 and this stabilizes the bin 11 to the assembly 10. The pivotal locking handle 35 of the bin 11 is engaged with the locking member 25 of the assembly 10 and the bin 11 is secured to the assembly as per Figure 7.

At the front and the rear of the main body 12 are slots 40 formed in the skirt 13 for the arm member 16 to pass through. The slots 40 are 45mm high and 8mm wide centered to the front and rear of the main body 12. This of course can vary to suit. The axle holes 41 are at the sides of the main body 12, at a height of 25mm and 8mm in diameter. This of course can vary to suit. These holes 41 are to retain the axle 19 in place at the central axis point of the main body.

The arm 16 has a length of 400mm, a width of about 16mm, and a thickness of about 6mm. This of course can vary to suit. The arm 16 is made of steel although other materials can be used. At the rear of the arm 16 is a connecting mechanism for the push rod 23, the connecting mechanism comprising a 5.5mm hole 18 to receive a diameter bolt 16mm in length (not illustrated) which is fastened by a locking nut. At the o axis point of the arm 16 is a connecting mechanism for the axle 19, the connecting mechanism being a 8.5mm hole 20 for the 8mm axle 19 to pass through.

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The axle 19 is round rod 8mm in diameter and a length of between 300 mm and 320mm.

This of course can vary to suit. The axle 19 can be connected to the main body 12 by means of an axle housing or typically inserted through the holes 41 at the side of the Smain body 12 which is 8.5mm in diameter. The axle 19 is secured into place via ¢€3 IDfastening means, such as a cap 21. This of course can vary to suit.

Push rod 23 in the embodiment is a metal rod circular in cross section and having a diameter of 8mm and a length of 470mm and is attached to the rear portion of the arm 16. At one end of the pushrod 23 is a connecting member 42 that connects to the arm 16 and at the other end is the end cap 26 (or 27) that engages with the lid 29 of the container 11. The connection member end 42 of the push rod 23 is flattened to form a shape long and 4 mm thick by 10mm wide and a 5.5mm hole is provide in this section for connection to the pivotal arm 16 at this point using a 5mm diameter 16mm long bolt and nut (see Figure At the other end of the pushrod 23 is the end cap 26 which is a round member that fits over the end of the 8mm push rod 23. This of course can vary to suit.

It can be seen that the lid lifting assembly 10 can be in any number of configurations to suit any size waste container.

In the embodiment the assembly is made out of metal, although other materials such as plastic or the like can be used.

Figure 9 illustrates a further embodiment of bin lid lifting assembly 45 for use with a different shape container or bin 46 which is of known design being of the shape and design of the standard wheelie bin. Like components of the assembly 45 have been given the same numerals as the assembly of Figure 1. To utilize this bin 46 in the lid lifting assembly 45, the rear wheels of the bin 46 are removed to provide access to the rear wheels hollow axle bracket to utilize a different means for securing the bin 46 to the assembly 45. For this purpose, locking members 47 are attached to the bin platforms 14 of the main body 12 towards the rear thereof. Each member 47 comprises a metal plate S11 preferably 60mm high and 40 mm width and a hole 16mm in diameter is located in this member 47 to accommodate a locking grommet 48.

When a bin 46 is placed on the platform of the lid lifting assembly 45, the locking grommet 48 is inserted through locking member 47 and into the rear wheel axle housing of the bin 46. This of course can vary to suit. In addition the lid stop 49 which restricts O the pivotal lid 49' from opening past the vertical plane is of a different configuration.

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Figure 10 shows an alternate embodiment of bin lid lifting assembly 50 in which the main body 51 comprises a main hollow member 52 and transverse bin platform members 53. Attached to the bin platform members 53 are bin location lugs 54 to locate with the bottom flange of bin 46 so as to locate bin 46 on the bin platform members 53. Attached to the underside of the bin platform members 53 are wheels or castors 55. An upright pushrod housing 56 is at the rear of the member 52 and guides push rod 57 which is actuated by pedal 58 pivotable about pivot 58' in the same manner as described above.

The upper end of the push rod housing 56 has an alternative version of lid stop 59. The housing 56 also carried stop member 60 equivalent to member 25 for engagement by the bin handle.

Figure 11 shows an alternate embodiment of locking member 61 for a bin 46, the locking member 61 being attached to the bin platforms 15 of the main body 10 towards the rear.

The locking members 61 in this embodiment are of a metal plate 60mm high and 40 mm width and a hole 16mm in diameter is located in the members to accommodate a locking grommet 62. When a bin is placed on the platform of the lid lifting assembly the locking grommets 62 are inserted through locking member 61 and into the rear wheel axle housing of the bin. This of course can vary to suit. Also the lid stop 24 is of a different configuration, the stop 24 restricting the pivotal lid from opening past the vertical plane.

Figure 12 illustrates the bin lid lifting assembly 63 with an extended main body 64 and container shelf frame 65 which supports a container platform 66.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A hands free lid lifting assembly for refuse containers of the type having a main container portion and a lid pivotally mounted to the main container portion through a hinge assembly, said lid lifting assembly including a main supporting body having a ND base upon which said container may seat and a pivotable foot operated arm member mounted to said main supporting body, said arm member having a forward depressible O portion and a rear portion, a link member having a lower portion attached to the rear portion of the arm member, a guide for guiding movement of said link member, and the link member having a upper portion adapted to abut said lid whereby depression of the arm member causes the link member to move upwardly to open the lid when a container is placed on the base.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein lid includes a hinge member of said hinge assembly, said hinge member being fixed for movement with said lid and wherein said upper portion of said link member is adapted to abut said hinge member.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein said hinge member has a flat surface against which said upper portion of said link member can abut.

4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said hinge member is hollow and wherein said flat surface is defined by an insert within said hollow hinge member.

The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hinge assembly has a hinge axis and wherein said upper portion of said link member is adapted to abut against the bin lid at a position in front of the lid axis.

6. The assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said guide comprises a hollow housing extending upwardly from said main body through which said link member passes. t 13

7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6 and including means for releasably securing said container to said main body. C.) O

8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said securing means comprises means for securing said container portion to said main body. S9. The assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said securing means comprises stop ¢€3 means on said housing adapted for cooperation with a handle of a said container.

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10. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said arm member is pivotally attached to an axle, and wherein the axle is attached to the main body.

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein pivotal movement of the lid is limited by a stop.

12. The assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the housing has a member comprising said stop to restrict pivotal movement of the lid past a vertical plane.

13. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said base comprises a recessed platform.

14. A lid lifting assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figs. 1 to 8, 9, 10,11 or 12 of the accompanying drawings.