ES2956807T3 - Security system for an underground garbage collection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an underground garbage collection apparatus (10), comprising a receiving pit (11), said receiving pit (11) comprising a side wall of the pit (12) and a pit opening (14) for receive a garbage container (16). pit (14), once the garbage container (16) has been removed from the receiving pit (11). To provide a reliable and low-cost multiple security mechanism to cover the receiving pit (11), when the garbage container (16) is removed from the receiving pit (11), the security system (30) comprises a security platform (40) and a lifting device for moving the safety platform (40) between different positions, said lifting device comprises a series of elastic cords (50), preferably two or more elastic cords (50), each elastic cord being connected (50) to the security platform (40). Furthermore, the safety system (30) comprises at least one spring-loaded locking device (60) for maintaining the safety platform (40) in a defined position, said spring-loaded locking device (60) being mounted on the safety platform (40). security (40).). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Security system for an underground garbage collection device

The present invention relates to a security system for an underground garbage collection apparatus according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Furthermore, according to the preamble of independent claim 10, the invention is directed to a Underground garbage collection of this type by yourself.

Underground garbage collection apparatuses themselves are well known in the prior art. They normally comprise a reception pit that serves as an external housing that is placed within the ground. In the assembled state, the receiving pit is located at least partially below ground level. The reception well serves, on the one hand, to prevent the entry of water from the ground. On the other hand, it also serves as protection to prevent the entry of dirt and maintain the contour of the device as a whole.

A trash receptacle is provided inside the receiving pit. In order to be able to empty the garbage container, a removal device is provided, by means of which the garbage container can be removed from the receiving pit.

While the trash receptacle is located outside the receiving pit, a safety system is activated, which may comprise a safety platform, by means of which the opening of the pit, and therefore the empty receiving pit, is They can be closed to prevent any accident, such as a person falling into the empty reception pit.

Security systems as such are also well known in the prior art. They are available in different configurations.

According to a solution known in the general prior art, a security system that can cover the shaft opening comprises one or more hinged doors. These doors are closed by a spring-loaded lock, which provides enough force to close the door. The doors are mechanically locked to support a required point load. The disadvantage of such a solution is that when the lock is broken, for example when the mobile garbage container is put back into place too forcefully and not aligned with the locking mechanism, the lock breaks and the doors only remain closed with relatively low spring load. This load is insufficient to withstand the 2500 N of point pressure, and a person walking on the safety platform could apply enough force to make the doors function as a trap, closing after the person falls into the well. Document NL1028372C2 discloses a safety floor for covering a reception pit for a waste recycling container, which is maintained in an elevated position by means of a counterweight. This solution describes a safety floor that is lifted with 250 kg of counterweight. The disadvantage of this system is that the 250 kg metal counterweight generates a significant increase in costs due to the price of the weight of the raw metal. Furthermore, the load capacity of the safety floor may be too small in the corners, which increases the risk of injury.

Different solutions known in the prior art use pneumatic spring devices to move a safety platform, which supports the garbage container, from the bottom of the reception pit to the top of the reception pit. Typically, such pneumatic spring devices are mounted below the safety platform. The disadvantage of such solutions is that the pneumatic spring devices lose their strength throughout their useful life, so that the safety platform is no longer placed in the correct position if the waste container is removed from the reception pit, which is quite dangerous.

In EP2006221A1, a security platform having a spring-loaded locking mechanism is disclosed. However, this locking mechanism is provided as a finger latch. Such mechanical locking devices have the disadvantage that, if they are not unlocked correctly, when the garbage container is placed back on the safety platform for removal to the receiving pit, the latch fingers can be damaged and deformed, for example. example. Other locking mechanisms for security platforms are disclosed in documents FR2984859 and FR2736901.

Document DE4105901A1, from which the present invention departs, discloses a safety platform that moves by means of belts. The movement of the belts is carried out by means of a motor or by means of muscular force, which is structurally complex and therefore expensive in the first case, and at least inconvenient in the second case.

Document FR2846312 discloses a security platform according to the preamble of claim 1.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost, reliable and multiple safety mechanism for covering the receiving pit of an underground garbage collection apparatus, when the garbage container is removed from the receiving pit by emptying or maintenance issues, for example.

According to the present invention, this object is solved according to a first aspect of the invention by the security system with the characteristic features according to independent claim 1 and, according to a second aspect of the present invention, by The underground garbage collection apparatus with the characteristic features according to independent claim 10.

Characteristic features and additional details of the present invention are evident from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

In these, the characteristic features and details that are described in relation to one of the aspects according to the invention apply with respect to their disclosure in their entirety also to the other aspect according to the invention, so that the statements made with With respect to the first aspect of the invention they also apply in their entirety to the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

All the different aspects of the present invention are based on the same common basic idea, comprising a safety platform, a safety floor for example, to cover the reception pit of an underground garbage collection apparatus, brought to a position elevated by means of at least one elastic body and which is locked in position.

In accordance with the present invention, a safety platform is brought to an elevated position to cover the opening of the receiving pit of the underground garbage collection apparatus, when the underground garbage container is removed from the receiving pit. The safety platform lifting procedure is carried out by means of a system of elastic strands, which raise the safety platform to a level that protects pedestrians from falling into the reception pit. Once the safety platform reaches the desired position, a spring-loaded locking mechanism locks the safety platform in position until the mobile trash receptacle is lowered back into the receiving pit.

To prevent people from falling into the receiving pit of a removed mobile underground garbage container, according to the present invention, a multiple safety system is provided to cover the receiving pit, in particular, the pit opening thereof. . It consists of an elastic spring actuated safety platform in combination with a static load resistant locking mechanism without the risk of the lock being overloaded by mispositioning the mobile waste container.

In particular, the safety system according to the present invention meets the requirements of the EN13071 standard, which requires a load capacity of 150 kg for the safety platform. According to this European standard, the equipment consists of a device with which a weight of 150 kg will be applied vertically on a surface of maximum ~300 mm" diameter. The test procedure is as follows: the weight will be applied of 150 kg over a minimum of 8 points of the safety platform. When selecting locations, the design of the safety platform will be taken into account, and the test will focus on the areas most vulnerable to movement or breakage. The minimum duration of each test will be 1 minute.

The aforementioned objectives are achieved through an interaction of different components, in particular through the interaction of a special safety platform in combination with a special lifting device for the safety platform and in combination with a special locking device for holding the platform safety in a defined position.

In the prior art, the focus was on one of the above-mentioned components alone. It was the merit of the authors of the present invention to have found a low-cost solution that, however, meets the strict requirements of the EN13071 standard, by combining different components into a single security system.

The present invention is directed to the technical field of underground garbage collection devices.

In particular, said underground garbage collection apparatus comprises a reception pit, which serves as an external housing and is placed within the ground, so that the reception pit is located at least partially below ground level. Preferably, the receiving well is square or rectangular in shape, meaning that it has a square or rectangular cross section. The receiving shaft, which may be made of concrete, metal, for example steel, plastic material or the like, preferably comprises a shaft side wall, optionally a shaft floor or a shaft bottom at the lower end of the shaft side wall. well and a well opening at the upper end of the well side wall. The aforementioned components preferably delimit a reception space, said reception space being adapted to receive, in particular, a mobile garbage container, said garbage container serving as a garbage collection container. The volume of the garbage container can vary from 1 m3 to 5 m3. However, the present invention is not limited to specific loading capacities for the garbage container. Preferably, the garbage container is adapted to temporarily store waste, valuable substances or the like. On the one hand, the reception pit serves to prevent groundwater from entering the underground garbage collection apparatus. By On the other hand, it also serves as protection to prevent the entry of dirt and maintain the contour of the layout as a whole.

The trash receptacle is movably located within the receiving pit. This means that the garbage container can be removed from the receiving pit via said pit opening. Likewise, the trash receptacle can be inserted, once it has been emptied, serviced or the like, into the receiving pit via said pit opening as well.

Preferably, the garbage container comprises a lid element that covers the garbage container from the top, the lid element having a receiving opening for garbage. When the underground garbage collection apparatus is in use as intended, the garbage collection container, which is located within the reception pit and, therefore, at least partially below ground level, serves to actually receive the trash.

In order to be able to remove such a waste container from the receiving pit, in particular for emptying it, a removal device, in particular a handling device, is provided, by means of which the waste container can be handled and removed from the receiving pit. reception. In addition, the removal device is also used to insert and lower the garbage container into the receiving pit. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the underground garbage collection apparatus comprises a device for removing the garbage container from the receiving pit and for placing the garbage container inside the receiving pit.

In the operational state of the underground garbage collection apparatus, the garbage is preferably dumped into the garbage container by means of a dumping device, which may comprise a garbage disposal housing, and which is provided or arranged above the opening. receiving the lid element of the garbage container. The pouring device, preferably comprising a garbage inlet opening, is connected to the garbage container. Therefore, according to a different preferred embodiment, the underground garbage collection apparatus comprises a dumping device that is assigned to the garbage container and that is adapted to receive garbage to be inserted into the garbage container. .

While the garbage container is located outside the receiving pit, a safety system is activated, said safety system comprising a safety platform, by means of which the empty receiving pit, in particular the open pit opening, is or remains closed to avoid accidents, in particular to prevent any person from falling into the reception pit. Preferably, the safety platform is square or rectangular in shape, meaning that it has a square or rectangular cross section.

According to a preferred embodiment, the underground garbage collection apparatus comprises a receiving pit, said receiving pit comprising a pit side wall and a pit opening for receiving a trash container, and optionally a floor or bottom. of well. These components delimit a reception space or an incorporation chamber to receive and store the garbage container. The apparatus according to this preferred embodiment further comprises a garbage container movably arranged within the reception pit, and a safety system for closing the pit opening, once the garbage container has been removed from the pit. of reception. Furthermore, the security system is preferably adapted to support the garbage container while it is placed within the receiving pit.

According to the first aspect, the present invention is directed to the security system comprising the characteristic features of independent claim 1.

The security system is used in connection with an underground garbage collection apparatus, in particular for an underground garbage collection apparatus as described above.

As the first key component, the security system comprises a security platform. This safety platform, which will be explained in more detail later, serves as a safety floor if the trash container has been removed from the receiving pit. In this situation, the safety platform covers the manhole opening of the receiving manhole. According to a different or additional function, the safety platform is used to hold and support the garbage container, if the garbage container is placed or placed inside the receiving pit. This means that the trash container is deposited on the safety platform when stored and located within the receiving pit.

As a second key component, the safety system comprises a lifting device to move the safety platform between different positions. Preferably, by means of said lifting device, which will be described in more detail below, the security platform of the security system is movably mounted within the receiving pit between a first ground position, in which the container of trash is stored within the receiving pit, and a second safety position in which the trash container is removed from the receiving pit and in which the pit opening is closed by the safety platform. In the first floor position, the safety platform is preferably located at the lower end of the receiving well, on the ground or at the bottom of the receiving well or very close to the ground or bottom, for example. According to a different configuration, the security platform may be located at a distance from the ground or the bottom in this first ground position, allowing the arrangement of other components of the underground garbage collection apparatus below the security platform. . In the second safety position, the safety platform is preferably located at the upper end of the receiving shaft, in particular, so that it is aligned with the upper edge of the receiving shaft.

According to the present invention, the lifting device comprises a number of elastic strands. In particular, a strand is an element that extends linearly a given length. In particular, a strand is an elongated member that has an extension in a longitudinal direction that is a multiple of its extension in the width direction. The present invention is not limited to specific types of strands. For example, a rope, cord, twine, ribbon or cable may be a strand according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the strand is provided as a cable or as a ribbon.

According to the present invention, the strand is provided as an elastic strand. This means that the thread has elastic properties that will be explained in more detail later.

According to the present invention, the lifting device comprises a number of said elastic strands, which means that the lifting device comprises more than one of said elastic strands. The present invention is not limited to a specific number of elastic strands. According to a preferred embodiment, the lifting device comprises four elastic strands. However, the number of elastic strands used as a lifting device for the safety platform depends on the material of the strand and/or the width of the elastic strands and/or the load to be lifted by means of said device. of lifting.

Each of the elastic strands is connected to the security platform, by means of a first end thereof for example.

As a third key component, the security system further comprises at least one spring-loaded locking device. This spring-loaded locking device, which will be explained in more detail below, is provided in such a way that it can maintain the safety platform in a defined position, said spring-loaded locking device being mounted on the safety platform.

The security platform will be described in more detail below. The present invention is not limited to specific types of security platforms. The general function of the safety platform is to provide some type of safety floor covering the receiving pit opening, when the trash receptacle has been removed from the receiving pit.

For example, the safety platform may be provided as a single component member having the platform member alone, said platform member preferably being made of a rigid material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the security platform is provided as a multi-component structure consisting of more than one component. According to this embodiment, a safety platform is preferably provided comprising a platform frame and a platform surface, said platform surface being surrounded by said platform frame. For example, the platform surface can be inserted into and within the platform frame. According to a different embodiment, the platform surface is mounted on the platform frame.

The safety platform, in particular the platform surface and/or the platform frame, is/are preferably made of a lightweight material. Alternatively or additionally, the platform surface may be a net and/or mesh. According to a preferred embodiment, the safety platform, in particular the platform surface and/or the platform frame, is/are made of a lightweight material to reduce the number of elastic strands required. to raise the safety platform. For example, it may be made of a mesh of fabric straps/tapes and/or a plastic sheet, mesh/tape and/or a lightweight sheet material such as glass/carbon fiber and/or elastic fabrics/nets, used for trampolines, for example, and/or metal wire mesh, nets and/or any other lightweight material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the platform surface is supported by the platform frame, which is preferably a rigid frame, which also houses the spring-loaded locking device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic strands are connected to the safety platform by their edges. For example, if the safety platform is rectangular or square in shape, the elastic strands can be connected to the safety platform at the four corners of the safety platform. In this case, the lifting device preferably comprises four elastic strands.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, at least one of the elastic strands, preferably all of the elastic strands, are guided/guided through a guiding device, in particular through a guiding spool. Preferably, the guiding device is connected or arranged in the receiving well.

According to a preferred embodiment, each of the elastic strands comprises two ends. With one of its ends, which is the first end, the elastic strands are connected to the safety platform. The guiding device is preferably arranged in the reception well, in particular on the upper edge thereof, said upper edge preferably bordering the well opening. A guiding device is assigned to each of the elastic strands, respectively. The elastic strands are guided through the guiding device and redirected in the direction of the ground or the bottom of the well. With the other end, which is the second end, the elastic strands are connected to the receiving well, for example, to the ground or to the bottom of it.

According to a different embodiment, the elastic strands are connected by their second ends to the guiding device, in particular, to a guiding reel. In this case, the elastic strands are wound on the guiding device when the safety platform is raised.

Preferably, the elastic strands are moved through one or more guiding devices, for example, guide wheels, to allow the use of longer strands to increase the length of stretch to cover displacement along the height of the well, while maintains an appropriate elastic force on the safety platform. The other reason why guiding devices are applied is to reduce friction and wear of the elastic strands. Alternatively, a smooth-surfaced rod can be applied as a guiding device, which is preferably made of or covered with a smooth metal or plastic material, to guide the elastic strands as with the wheel function described above.

Elastic strands are described in more detail below. The present invention is not limited to a specific material, nor to specific configurations and geometries of the elastic strands.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic threads have the property of generating elastic recovery forces, in particular, of generating progressive recovery forces. If the elastic strands are subjected to a load, in particular if the elastic strands are stretched or elongated in their longitudinal direction, elastic recovery forces are created within the elastic strands due to their elastic properties. The elasticity of elastic strands is their property of changing their shape, for example, increasing their length, due to an applied force, and returning to their original shape once the applied force disappears. According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic threads show progressive elastic behavior. However, elastic threads having linear elastic behavior are also suitable.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic strands of the safety system are provided such that they exert a maximum elastic recovery force if the safety platform is in the first ground position. In this situation, the elastic strands have the maximum elongation. Furthermore, the elastic strands of the safety system are preferably provided such that they exert a reduced, in particular minimal, elastic recovery force if the safety platform is in the second safety position.

Preferably, the elastic strands are made of an elastic material or made at least partially of an elastic material. The present invention is not limited to specific types of material. According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic material is selected from the group consisting of rubber, rubber, latex, preferably 100% natural materials or synthetic materials.

The elastic strands may be made of rubber tapes or elastic multi-core ropes or any other elastic material. Preferably, multiple elastic strands, such as four units, are used to place two of them on each side of the safety platform for balancing. To balance the attachment of the elastic strands to the safety platform, they should be close to each corner to best resist the forces applied to the safety platform. To adjust the applied force and increase reliability, more elastic strands can be applied on both or all sides. For ease of maintenance, the bungee cords are mounted so that they are easy to replace. It is preferred to use UV and weather resistant elastic material to avoid reduced lifting force during service life. Additionally, all elastic strands could be replaced periodically to ensure proper function throughout the service life.

Alternatively, a combination of non-elastic strands and elastic strands can be used where the elastic part only covers a certain percentage of the length of the strands. In this case, the non-elastic part can also be made of a steel strand or metal chains.

The spring-loaded locking device will be explained in detail below. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one spring-loaded locking device protrudes laterally from the safety platform, in particular from the platform frame. This means that the locking device spring-loaded extends laterally from the sides of the safety platform, for example, from the platform frame. In this case, the safety platform and the locking device are preferably aligned with each other. According to different embodiments, the locking device may be mounted under the safety platform or, if applicable, on the safety platform as well.

The present invention is not limited to a specific number of locking devices. Preferably, more than one locking device is provided. According to a preferred embodiment, the security system comprises four spring-loaded locking devices, each two locking devices being provided on opposite sides of the security platform. According to a different embodiment, at least one locking device is provided on each side of the security platform. The number and arrangement of locking devices at and on the edge(s) of the safety platform generally depends on the weight to be handled.

According to a preferred embodiment, the spring-loaded locking device comprises a spring-loaded wheel. The wheel moves on the inner surface of the receiving shaft when the safety platform moves between different positions within the receiving shaft, for example between the first floor position and the second safety position. Therefore, the locking device can function as a guiding element to guide the safety platform into the receiving shaft as well.

In relation to the above-mentioned embodiment, the spring-loaded wheel is preferably provided mounted on a wheel base. Preferably, the wheel base has a shape that will keep the wheel upright, such as square, rectangular, H-profile, I-profile or any other shape that prevents the wheel from rotating about the axis of the wheel base. . The wheel base is movably mounted in a receiving recess, said receiving recess being assigned to the service platform. A spring element is mounted within the receiving recess, said spring element interacting with the wheel base. If the wheel and wheel base move within the receiving recess due to a force applied to the wheel, the spring member located within the receiving recess is compressed, thereby creating a restoring force.

According to the second aspect, the invention is directed to an underground garbage collection apparatus comprising the characteristic features of independent claim 10. This apparatus comprises a receiving pit, said receiving pit comprising a pit side wall and a pit opening to receive a garbage container. The apparatus further comprises a garbage container that is movably arranged within the receiving pit, and a safety system for closing the pit opening once the garbage container has been removed from the receiving pit. According to the present invention, the security system is provided according to the first aspect of the invention. Therefore, to describe and explain the configuration of the underground garbage collection apparatus as well as its function, full reference is also made to the entire description of the first aspect and the general description of the apparatus described above.

According to a preferred embodiment, the service platform of the security system is movably mounted within the reception pit between a first floor position, in which the garbage container is stored, preferably completely stored, inside the reception pit, and a second safety position in which the garbage container is removed from the reception pit and in which the pit opening is closed by the safety platform.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic strands of the safety system are provided such that they exert a maximum elastic recovery force if the safety platform is in the first ground position. The elastic strands can exert a lower springback force, in particular a minimum springback force, if the safety platform is in the second safety position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the well side wall comprises an interaction device. This interaction device is provided in such a way that it can interact with the spring-loaded locking device, in particular, a spring-loaded wheel thereof. Furthermore, the interaction device is provided in such a way that it can fix the safety platform in the second safety position. The present invention is not limited to specific types and configurations of said interaction devices. A number of preferred embodiments are described in more detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the interaction device comprises a receiving profile element that is mounted on the well side wall, in particular, on the inner surface of said well side wall, which is directed towards the space. reception of the reception well. This profile element may be a metal profile mounted in the receiving shaft containing a negative cavity in the position where the safety platform should maintain its position.

According to a different preferred embodiment, the interaction device is provided as a recess that is formed within the well side wall, in particular, on the inner surface of the well side wall. well. Preferably, the recess is provided as a cavity having a concave shape. Preferably, the depth of the recess is slightly deeper than the center of the wheel of the spring-loaded locking device. This will prevent the safety platform from moving downward when force or human weight is applied to any point on the surface of the safety platform. Preferably, the recess is included in the side wall of the receiving well.

According to yet another preferred embodiment, the interaction device is provided with a projection projecting from the well side wall, in particular, on the inner surface of the well side wall. Preferably, the shoulder has a positive geometry protruding from the surface of the well walls.

Next, a preferred embodiment of the underground garbage collection apparatus is described. According to this embodiment, the apparatus comprises a static reception pit made of concrete, steel or plastic containing a mobile underground garbage container. Volumes can vary from 1 m3 to 5 m3 volume or even more. The mobile garbage container is lifted from the receiving shaft, for example, by a crane that keeps the lower doors of the garbage container closed during lifting. While the garbage container is raised, a safety platform, for example a safety floor, which is positioned below the movable garbage container, moves with the movable garbage container upwards. The safety platform is connected to multiple elastic strands, which are stretched to provide an elastic tensile force in the starting position. When the mobile garbage container is lifted upward, this elastic tensile force pulls the safety platform upward. As the safety platform moves upward, its movement is guided by spring-loaded wheels of a spring-loaded locking device, which follow the contours of the sides of the receiving shaft. When the safety platform is in position, the spring-loaded wheels reach a level where the contours of the well contain a recess on the sides of the receiving well. The wheels will extend into the cavity by the push of the spring, locking the safety platform in a horizontal position. The depth of the recess, which is slightly deeper than the center of the wheel, will prevent the safety platform from moving downward when a force or human weight of less than 2500 N is applied at any point on the surface of the wheel. the security platform. Together with the strength of the elastic strands, the safety platform will remain in position. When for any reason the locking mechanism does not function properly, the load applied to the safety platform by the elastic strands will still be strong enough to lift a person and will prevent the person from falling into the receiving pit.

The safety platform is unlocked when the mobile garbage container, which has a mass of 250 kg or more, for example, is returned to its place. This weight will force the spring-loaded wheels back into the cavity, pushing the wheel base against the direction of the spring load.

When the wheel is pushed into its receiving recess, the wheel can move out of the well recess, and the safety platform can move downward again, following the movement of the mobile garbage container. The elastic strands are stretched by placing a load on the strands to lift the safety platform upward on the next removal cycle of the mobile trash receptacle.

The present invention, as carried out in accordance with both aspects of the invention, has a number of advantages, which are:

• Multiple security system with fewer mechanical locking parts that can malfunction.

• Reduced sensitivity to misplacement of the mobile trash receptacle that would otherwise cause breakage or malfunction of the safety system.

• Reduced material usage compared to existing solution. This is an important aspect for costs but also for transport weight, as the total underground waste system is very heavy compared to its transport footprint. Lower weight could mean more units on a truck, which would reduce high transportation costs.

• Fewer materials that are sensitive to corrosion in humid, cold, hot and even salty weather conditions.

• Sound reduction compared to metal doors and hatches and moving metal closing mechanisms.

• Reduced risk of injury when fabrics/nets are used to create the platform surface.

• The safety platform can be made from recycled materials. Parts can be easily replaced and repaired on site and parts can be renewed and reused to apply circular economy principles.

• The safety platform can be mounted on existing underground garbage collection devices, allowing existing devices to be upgraded with a safer solution.

To better understand the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by means of an example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figures 1 to 4 represent different handling operation steps with respect to a first embodiment of an underground garbage collection apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 5 represents a second embodiment of an underground garbage collection apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 6 represents an embodiment of a spring-loaded locking device according to the present invention;

Figures 7 to 9 represent different operational stages of the locking device as shown in Figure 6 interacting with an interaction device according to a first embodiment; and

Figures 10a to 10c represent different operational stages of the locking device as shown in Figure 6 interacting with an interaction device according to a second embodiment.

Figures 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an underground garbage collection apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a receiving pit 11, which is placed on the ground 100, so that the receiving pit 11 is located below from the ground level 101. The receiving shaft 11, which is made of concrete, comprises a shaft side wall 12, a shaft floor 13 and a shaft opening 14. The above-mentioned components border a receiving space 15. The Reception well 11 has a square or rectangular shape.

The receiving well 11 is provided to receive a garbage container 16, said garbage container 16 having two garbage container doors 17 at its bottom. On the upper side, the garbage container 16 comprises a lid element 18, said lid element 18 having a pouring device 19 for inserting waste or valuable substances. Furthermore, the garbage container 16 comprises a removal device 20, said extraction device 20 being provided for lifting the garbage container 16 out of the receiving pit 11 and for returning the garbage container 16 to the receiving pit 11. , once trash container 17 has been emptied. In the present embodiment, the removal device 20 is some type of hitch device that interacts with a corresponding crane device.

The underground garbage collection apparatus 10 further comprises a security system 30, said security system 30 comprising a number of key components. A first key component is a safety platform 40, which is movably mounted within the receiving pit 11 between a first ground position, as shown in Figure 1, and a second safety position, shown in the Figure 4. Preferably, the safety platform 40 has a square or rectangular shape. The safety platform 40 comprises a platform frame 41 and a platform surface 42 that is mounted on the platform frame 41. The platform surface 42 is made of a lightweight material and has a net or mesh structure.

A second key component is a lifting device for lifting the safety platform 40, said lifting device comprising a number of elastic strands 50. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, four of said elastic strands 50 are provided. , each elastic strand 50 being mounted on the square-shaped safety platform 40 in a corner thereof. At a first end 51, each elastic strand 50 is connected to the safety platform 40. The elastic strands 50 are guided through guide spools 53 respectively, each guide spool 53 being mounted in the receiving well 11 and in the upper edge of it. By means of said guide reels 53, the elastic strands 50 are directed back to the well floor 13, where the elastic strands 50 are connected to the well floor 13 by means of their second ends 52 respectively.

When the garbage container 16 is removed from the receiving pit 11, the safety platform 40, on which the garbage container 16 is placed, is lifted upward due to the recovery forces of the elastic strands 50. When the garbage container 16 is trash bin 16 is lifted out of the receiving pit 11, as shown in Figure 3, the manhole opening 14 is closed by the safety platform 40. A person 102, as shown in Figure 4, can now cross the manhole opening 14 which is closed by the safety platform 40 without running the risk of falling into the reception pit 11.

A third key component is a spring-loaded locking device 60 which will be explained in more detail with respect to Figure 6 below. As shown in the figures, four such spring-loaded locking devices 60 are provided, each two of which are arranged on opposite sides of the platform frame 41.

Figure 5 represents a different embodiment of the underground garbage collection apparatus 10 which, however, is similar to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4. Therefore, the same components are designated with the same numbers reference. In this regard and at this point, full reference is made to the description of Figures 1 to 4. Hereinafter, only the differences between both embodiments are described. While the elastic strands 50 according to Figures 1 to 4 are connected by their second ends 52 to the well floor 13, the elastic strands 50 according to Figure 5 are connected by their second ends to the guide reel 53, serving said member guiding spools 53 for winding the elastic strands 50.

Figure 6 depicts a spring-loaded locking device 60, which is mounted on the platform frame 41, said platform frame 41 surrounding the surface of the platform 42 of the safety platform 40.

The spring-loaded locking device 60 comprises a spring-loaded wheel 61, which is mounted on a wheel base 62. The wheel base 62 is slidably mounted within a receiving recess 63, further housing said receiving recess. 63 a spring member 64. If the wheel base 62 is pushed into the receiving recess 63, the spring member 64 is compressed, thereby creating a restoring force.

Figures 7 to 9 represent a first embodiment of how the spring-loaded locking device 60 of Figure 6 is used. As can be seen, the spring-loaded locking device 60 interacts with an interaction device 70. As 7 to 9, the interaction device 70 is provided as a recess 71, said recess 71 being provided as a cavity formed in the inner surface 12a of the well side wall 12, said inner surface 12a being directed to the space reception 15. The locking device 60 is activated if the spring-loaded wheel 61, which moves along the inner surface 12a of the well side wall 12, stops at the recess 71.

Figures 10a to 10c show a different functional embodiment of the spring-loaded locking device 60 according to Figure 6. As is evident from Figures 10a to 10c, the interaction device 70 is configured in a different manner compared to with the interaction device shown in Figures 7 to 9.

According to Figures 10a to 10c, the interaction device 70 comprises a projection 72, which protrudes from the inner surface 12a of the well side wall 12 into the receiving space 15. The locking device 60 is activated when the Spring-loaded wheel 61, which moves along the inner surface 12a of the well side wall 12, stops at the shoulder 72.

Hereinafter, the function of the security system 30 according to the present invention will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 10c.

This underground garbage collection apparatus 10 consists of a static receiving pit 11 made of concrete, steel or plastic (see, for example, Figures 3 and 4) containing a mobile underground garbage container 16 (see, for example, the figure 3). Volumes can vary from 1 m3 to 5 m3 volume or even more. The mobile garbage container 16 is lifted out of the reception pit 11, preferably by means of a crane, which keeps the lower doors 17 closed (see Figure 3) during lifting. While the garbage container 16 is raised, a safety platform 40, which is located below the mobile garbage container 16 (see, for example, Figures 1 to 3) moves with the mobile garbage container 16 upwards. The safety platform 40 is connected to multiple elastic strands 50 (see, for example, Figures 1 to 5), which stretch to provide an elastic tensile force in the initial position (Figure 1). When the movable garbage container 16 is lifted upward (Figure 2), this elastic tensile force will pull the safety platform 40 upward. As the safety platform 40 moves upward, its movement is guided by spring load wheels 61 of spring-loaded locking devices 60 (see Figures 6 to 9, for example), which follow the contours of the sides 12 of the receiving pit 11. When the safety platform 40 is in position, the spring-loaded wheels 61 reach a level where the contours of the pit contain a recess 71 on the sides 12 of the pit 11. The wheels 61 will extend into the recess 71 by pushing the spring member 64, locking the safety platform 40 in a horizontal position (see Figure 8). The depth of the recess 71, which is slightly deeper than the center of the wheel 61, will prevent the safety platform 40 from moving downward when a force or human weight is applied to any point on the surface of the platform. security 40 (see figure 4). Together with the force of the elastic strands 50, the safety platform 40 will be held in position. When for any reason the locking device 60 does not function properly, the load applied to the safety platform 40 by the elastic strands 50 will still be strong enough to lift a person and will prevent the person from falling into the reception pit 11.

The safety platform 40 is unlocked when the mobile garbage container 16 with a mass of more than 250 kg is replaced. This weight will force the spring-loaded wheels 61 to move back into the recess 71, pushing the wheel base 62 against the direction of the spring load of the spring member 64. The wheel base 62 preferably has a shape that will maintain the wheel 61 in a vertical position, such as square, rectangular (see Figure 6), H-profile, I-profile or any other shape that prevents the wheel 61 from rotating around the axis of the wheel base 62.

When the wheel 61 is pushed into its receiving recess 63, the wheel 61 can move out of the well recess and the safety platform 40 can move downward again (see Figure 9), following the movement of the garbage container. movable 16. The elastic strands 50 are stretched by placing a load on the strands 50 to lift the safety platform 40 upward in the next removal cycle of the movable garbage container 16 (see Figure 1). Instead of a recess 71 (see Figures 7 to 9), the interaction device 70 can be provided as a projection 72 projecting from the well side wall 12, in particular on the inner surface 12a of the well side wall 12 (see Figures 10a to 10c). The shoulder 72 has a positive geometry extending from the inner surface 12a of the well side walls 12.

List of reference numbers

10 Underground garbage collection device

11 Reception pit

12 Well side wall

12a Inner surface of well side wall

13 Well floor

14 Well opening

15 Reception space

16 Garbage container

17 Garbage container door

18 Cover element

19 Pouring device

20 Withdrawal device

30 Security system

40 Security platform

41 Platform frame

42 Platform surface

50 elastic strand

51 First extreme

52 Second end

53 Guide reel

60 Spring activated locking device

61 Spring Activated Wheel

62 Wheelbase

63 Reception downgrade

64 Spring element

70 Interaction device

71 Recess in side wall of well

72 Protrusion on the side wall of the well

100 Floor

101 Ground level

102 Person

Claims (15)

1. A security system (30) for an underground garbage collection apparatus (10), said security system (30) comprising a security platform (40) and a lifting device for moving the security platform (40) between different positions, wherein the lifting device comprises a number of elastic strands (50), preferably two or more elastic strands (50), each elastic strand (50) being connected to the safety platform (40), characterized by that the security system (30) further comprises at least one spring-loaded locking device (60) for maintaining the security platform (40) in a defined position, said spring-loaded locking device (60) being mounted on the security platform (40). 2. The security system according to claim 1, characterized in that the security platform (40) comprises a platform frame (41) and a platform surface (42), said platform surface (42) being surrounded by said platform frame (41) or said platform surface being mounted on the platform frame, said platform surface (42) being preferably made of a lightweight material and/or being a net and/or being a mesh. 3. The security system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic strands (50) are connected to the security platform (40) by the edges thereof. 4. The security system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the elastic strands (50) is guided through a guiding device, in particular through a guiding reel ( 53), or because at least one of the elastic strands (50) is further connected to a guiding device, in particular to a guiding reel (53). 5. The security system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastic strands (50) have the property of generating elastic recovery forces, in particular of generating progressive recovery forces. 6. The security system according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastic strands (50) are made of an elastic material or are made at least partially of an elastic material, and that the elastic material is preferably selected from the group consisting of rubber, rubber, latex. 7. The security system according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one spring-loaded locking device (60) protrudes laterally from the security platform (40), in particular from the platform frame (41). 8. The security system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the spring-loaded locking device (60) comprises a spring-loaded wheel (61). 9. The security system according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring-loaded wheel (61) is mounted on a wheel base (62), said wheel base (62) being movably mounted in a recess receiving recess (63), said receiving recess (63) being assigned to the service platform (40), and wherein a spring member (64) is mounted within the receiving recess (63), said spring member interacting (64) with the wheel base (62). 10. An underground garbage collection apparatus (10), comprising a receiving pit (11), said receiving pit (11) comprising a pit side wall (12) and a pit opening (14) for receiving a garbage container (16), said apparatus (10) further comprising a garbage container (16) that is movably arranged within the reception pit (11), and a security system (40) for closing the pit opening (14), once the garbage container (16) has been removed from the reception pit (11), characterized in that the security system (30) is provided according to any of claims 1 to 9. 11. The underground garbage collection apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the security platform (40) of the security system (30) is movably mounted within the reception pit (11) between a first position floor, in which the garbage container (16) is stored within the reception pit (11), and a second safety position in which the garbage container (16) is removed from the reception pit (11) and in which the well opening (14) is closed by the safety platform (40). 12. The underground garbage collection apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the elastic strands (50) of the security system (30) are provided so that they exert a maximum elastic recovery force, if the security platform (40) is in the first ground position. 13. The underground garbage collection apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the shaft side wall (12) comprises an interaction device (70) for interacting with the spring-loaded locking device ( 60), in particular a spring-loaded wheel (61) thereof, said interaction device (70) preferably being able to fix the safety platform (40) in the second safety position. 14. The underground garbage collection apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the interaction device (70) comprises a receiving profile element that is mounted on the shaft side wall (12), or a recess ( 71) which is formed within the well side wall (12), or a shoulder (72) that protrudes from the well side wall (12). 15. The underground garbage collection apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that it further comprises a dumping device (19) that is assigned to the garbage container (16) and that is adapted to receive garbage that is to be inserted into the garbage container (16), and/or a device (20) to remove the garbage container (16) from the reception well (11) and to place the garbage container (12) inside the well reception (11).