AU2003261524A1 - An opening device for a bin with a hinged lid - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): GREGORY TREVOR BRENNAN Invention Title: AN OPENING DEVICE FOR A BIN WITH A HINGED LID The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 AN OPENING DEVICE FOR A BIN WITH A HINGED LID Technical Field This invention relates to an opening device for a bin with a hinged lid.

Background to the Invention Bins often have wheels and hinged lids. An example of this type of bin are those known as "Sulo bins" and sold in relation to the trademark SULO® under authorisation of Sulo Eisenwerk Streuber Lohmann GmbH.

These Sulo bins are well known for their application in the storage and collection of domestic refuse, but are also used for many other purposes including storage of medical waste, recyclable materials and industrial waste.

These bins typically have wheels and have been known colloquially as "wheelie bins".

The hinged lid of a Sulo bin normally lies in the closed position. The lid protects the contents of the bin from the wind and rain and also serves to limit the escape of unpleasant odours from the bin. When one wishes to place something into the bin it is first necessary to manually lift the lid of the bin. This can be awkward if attempting to place an article in the bin that is heavy because it must either be temporarily'put down on the ground or must be held in one hand for a time while the other hand is opening the lid of the bin. In addition, there is a hygiene risk associated with touching bins because of the risk of contamination of the hand by harmful waste or other substances that may be present on the bin.

P50746 3 Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the present invention provides an opening device for use with a bin having a hinged lid, the opening device having a first member including a bin engagement -means arranged to removably engage the first member with the bin and allow the first member to rotate about an axis of rotation; a second member including a lid engagement means arranged to removably engage with the lid of the bin; the first member and second member are linked so that in use, rotation of the first member about the axis of rotation causes movement, of the second member to open the lid of the bin.

An important application of the invention is an embodiment adapted to be mounted on and demounted from wheeled bins, with the first member adapted to engage with the axle of a wheel of the bin and also act as a foot pedal to open the lid.

Sulo bins are adapted for automated emptying of the bin by a lifting mechanism which engages with fixtures on the bin to lift the bin up and tip the contents of the bin into a large collection vessel such as is carried on a refuse collection vehicle. The hinged lid of the bin may open under gravity during the tipping of the bin to allow the contents to leave the bin. By providing an opening device that is removably engageable with the bin the device may be removed from the bin prior to automated emptying so that the opening device does not interfere with the automated emptying mechanism.

The bin engagement means may include an open ended slot which receives an axle of a wheel of the bin. This enables the first member to be engaged to the bin in a quick and simple operation.

P50746 4 The lid engagement means may include a projection adapted to removably engage with a loop of a handle on the lid of the bin.

The lid engagement means may include a channel adapted to removably engage a flange on the lid of the bin.

The lid engagement means may include a retaining clip arranged to sit over a lug on the lid of the bin.

The first member may be linked to the second member by way of a third member that is pivotally connected to both the first and second members.

Any or all of the first, second or third members may be adjustable in length. This enables a single opening device to be adjusted for use on bins of different sizes.

The members of the opening device may be directly engaged with one another.

The opening device may be arranged to limit the degree of opening of the lid of the bin to less than degrees.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an opening device according to the present invention attached to a bin with wheels and a hinged lid; Figure 2 is a top view of the opening device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detailed view of the first arm of the opening device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detailed view of an alternative first arm of the opening device of Figure 1; P50746 5 Figure 5 is a detailed view of the third arm of the opening device of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a detailed view of the second arm of the opening device of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a detailed view of an alternative second arm of the opening device of Figure 1; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are partial views of adjustable systems suitable for use in any of the arms of Figures 1 to 7; Figure 11 is an elevation view of a blank for forming the first arm of a second embodiment of an opening device according to the invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of a first arm formed from the blank of Figure 11; Figure 13 illustrates the third arm'of the second embodiment; Figure 14 is an elevation view of the second arm of the second embodiment; and Figure 15 is a side view of the second arm of Figure 14 viewed from the position of arrow D.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an opening device 10 is shown attached to a bin .12. Bin 12 has a lid 14 which opens by rotation about hinge 16.

Opening device 10 includes a first member in the form of first arm 18 (including bin engagement means in the form of open ended slot 20) which receives axle 22 of wheel 24. In use, first arm 18 may rotate about axle 22.

Opening device 10 further includes a second member in the form of second arm 30 which includes lid engagement means to removably engage with lid 14 of bin 12. The lid P50746 6 engagement means includes projection 40 (see Fig which passes through a loop of bin lid handle 34.

First arm 18 is linked to second arm 30 by a third member in the-form of third arm 26. First arm 18 is pivotally connected to third arm 26 at pivot point 28.

Third arm 26 is pivotally connected to second arm 30 at pivot point 32.

Depression of first arm 18 in the direction of arrow A causes rotation of first arm 18 about axle 22. This in turn causes movement of third arm 26 in the direction of arrow B. This in turn causes rotation of second arm about hinge 16 thus opening lid 14 in the direction indicated by arrow C.

Referring to Figure 3, first arm 18 is shown in detail. Stepped portion 36 allows first arm 18 to engage with axle 22 of wheel 20 which is recessed into the wall of bin 12. Foot pedal portion 38 receives a foot of a user to depress pedal 38 to operate opening device 10 by pressing the foot down.

Referring to Figure 4, alternative first arm 118 is shown. This alternative arm does not have a stepped portion and is for use with bins where the wheel is not recessed into the bin.

Referring to Figure 5, third arm 26 is shown. Third arm 26 is shown to be straight in this embodiment.

However, it can be bent or otherwise profiled to allow fitting to a particular shape of bin 12 as desired.

Referring to Figure 6, second arm 30 is shown in detail and includes a lid engagement means including projection 40 which is configured to engage lid 14 by being inserted into the loop of handle 34 and to remain engaged with handle 34 during operation of the opening device. The lid engagement means further includes a P50746 7 retaining clip 42 which sits over a lug on lid 14 to maintain pivot point 32 in a suitable position for operation of the opening device. Second arm 30 further includes a handle 44 with which opening device 10 may be grasped to improve ease of engaging or disengaging opening device 10 with bin 12.

Referring to Figure 7, an alternative embodiment of a second arm 130 is shown. This embodiment differs from that shown in Figure 6 in that the lid engaging means includes channel 140 for engaging a flap found on lids of certain types of bins to engage the lid.

The first, second and third arms are preferably made from steel to provide a rugged device, but suitable alternative materials may be used. For instance, third arm 26 may be formed from sturdy cable or rope or the like.

Any or all of the first, second or third arms may be adjustable in length. This allows one opening device to be adjusted for use with a range of sizes of bin 12.

Referring to Figures 8, 9 and 10 three possibilities for providing this adjustment are illustrated. Each variant operates by providing an arm in two parts 46, 48 and allowing these parts to be fixed in various positions in relation to one another.

In Figure 8, part 46 slides within part 48. Hook includes a threaded portion that extends through nut 52 welded to part 48 and through a hole drilled in part 48 in line with the thread of nut 52 to allow hook 50 to bite into part 46 and retain it in position relative to part 48.

In Figure 9, part 46 is a sliding fit within part 48.

Part 46 carries a spring loaded detent 54 which may be adjusted by pressing the detent inside part 48 and moving P50746 8 parts 46 and 48 relative to one another until detent 54 engages with the desired hole 56.

In Figure 10, parts 46 and 48 are provided with rows of corresponding holes. These holes are aligned to give the desired overall arm length and parts 46 and 48 are secured together with two wing nut and bolt combinations 58.

Pivot points 28 and 32 include corresponding holes in each arm through which a nut and bolt or rivet is fixed to allow the arms to rotate about the pivot point.

In order to attach opening device 10 to bin 12 the slot 20 of the first arm 18 is introduced into the space between wheel 24 and bin 12 and is engaged to bin 12 by receiving axle 22 in slot 20. The second arm is engaged with the lid by handle engagement projection 40 engaging with handle 34 and by retaining clip 42 engaging over a lug on lid 14. Removal is simply a reversal of the fitting procedure. When used on a domestic bin that is emptied by an automated mechanical means it is intended that the opening device be removed prior to emptying of the bin.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, a first arm 218 of a second embodiment of an opening device according to the invention is shown. Like parts to the first embodiment are indicated with like reference numerals in the range 200-299. The significant difference to the first arm of the first described embodiment is the provision of holes 228A and 228B. The third arm 226 (see figure 13) includes a crooked portion 228C which can be introduced into either of holes 228A or 228B to directly engage the first and third arms to assemble the opening device. Similarly, hooked portion 232B directly engages with hooked portion 232A provided on second arm 230 (see figure 14). This P50746 9 direct engagement of the arms provides a rugged mechanism and reduces the number of components required to assemble the opening device. Pin 233 is inserted into hooked portion 232B after assembly and prevents ends 232A and 232B from becoming disengaged from one another.

A degree of adjustment of the opening device is provided by selecting either of holes 228A or 228B to engage with the third arm. This assists in fitting a single opening device to bins of different dimensions, or to suit different users.

The opening device limits the degree of opening of the lid of the bin. The degree of opening may be limited so that the lid of the bin does not open by more than about 60 degrees. This means that the lid will always be biased to the closed by action of gravity.

The opener described and illustrated above has been shown fitted to one side of the bin. The device is suitable to be reversed as necessary to fit the opener-to the other side of the bin as required.

The opener described above removably engages with the axle of a wheel. It may alternatively engage a part of the wheel itself such as where a narrowed portion of the wheel surrounds the axle and the slot comes to rest against the narrowed portion of the wheel. Alternatively, a lug or similar may be provided upon the bin to which the first member may removably engage. The important factor is that the bin provides a structure which can resist the forces applied by operation of the opener and the first member of the opener rotates about an axis of rotation.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

P50746 10 Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

P50746

Claims (13)

1. An opening device for use with a bin having a hinged lid, the opening device having: a first member including a bin engagement means arranged to removably engage the first member with the bin and allow the first member to rotate about an axis of rotation; a second member including a lid engagement means arranged to removably engage with the lid of the bin; the first member and second member are linked so that in use, rotation of the first member about the axis of rotation causes movement of the second member to open the lid of the bin.

2. An opening device according to claim 1-wherein the bin engagement means includes an open ended slot which, in use, engages over an axle of a wheel of the bin.

3. An opening device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lid engagement means includes a projection adapted to removably engage with a handle on the lid of the bin.

4. An opening device according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lid engagement-means includes a channel adapted to removably engage a-flange on the lid of the bin.

An opening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lid engagement means includes a retaining clip arranged to sit over a lug on the lid of the bin.

6. An opening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member is linked to the second member by way of a third member that is P50746 12 pivotally connected to both the first and second members; the members pivotally moving relative to one another about axes parallel to the hinging axis of the lid and the axis of rotation of the first member relative to the bin.

7. An opening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member is adjustable in length.

8. An opening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second member is adjustable in length.

9. An opening device according to any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the third member is adjustable in length.

An opening device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first member is adapted to be foot operated to depress the first member to open the lid.

11. An opening device according to any preceding claim wherein the members of the opening device are directly engaged with one another.

12. An opening device according to any preceding claim that is arranged to limit the degree of opening of the lid of the bin to. less than 90 degrees.

13. In combination, a bin with a hinged lid with an opening device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims removably mounted on or mountable on the bin for opening the bin. Dated this 3rd day of November 2003 GREG BRENNAN By his Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK P50746