GB2346317A

GB2346317A - Retaining a refuse container

Info

Publication number: GB2346317A
Application number: GB9902485A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Verne Tallents
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-05
Filing date: 1999-02-05
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Also published as: GB9902485D0

Abstract

A retaining apparatus 10 for a refuse container has a retaining member 40, 42, 44 movable relative to a retaining member 20, 22. The upper retaining member 40, 42, 44 is pivoted to the lower retaining member 20, 22 which is secured to a structure. The upper retaining member can then be pivoted from a raised first position in which the apparatus can receive a handle of a wheelie bin and a second position as shown in which the handle of the wheelie bin is retained. In addition, the upper retaining member may be locked to the second retaining member by a padlock through holes in parts 20, 42 such that the wheelie bin cannot be removed from the retaining apparatus 10. The apparatus enables the lid of the wheelie bin to be opened whilst the wheelie bin is secured in the apparatus. The retaining apparatus hinders access to the means by which the lower retaining member is secured to a structure, to prevent easy removal.

Description

RETAINING APPARATUS FIELD OF IHE INVENTION The invention relates to retaining apparatus and especially but not limited to retaining apparatus for securing a wheelie bin adjacent to a building.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Conventional cylindrica dustbins are being replaced by wheelie bins. Wheelie bins offer a greater volume of storage space whilst being esier to manoeuvre and empty.

However, wheelie bins maybe tnore expensive to manufacture and produce that conventionl bins. As a result of the storage and manoeuvrability capabilities, wheelie bins can also be used for storing othssr products apart from waste.

Wheelie bins may be provided for domestic and commercial waste purposes, for example by the local council. These wheelie bins, may be stolen or used for other purposes and thereby need to be replaced. The replacement of these wheelie bins puts a high economic burden on the supplier. This, expense may be passed on to the residential or commercial property owner, either directly or indirectly. The ptoperty owner may be required to purchase another wheelie bin from the supplier or the supplier may be required to replace the bin as part of a contract.

Wheelie bins may also haVe to be replaced as a result of damage. This damage may bq caused by falling over due to the weather or due to children playing with them.

Due to the unhygienic nature of wheelie bins many owners frequently clean them or employ a specialist company to clean them. However, wheelie bins are generally kept unprotected and outside which makes them susceptible to being stolen or damaged.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or obviate at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided retaining apparatus that is arranged, in use, to secure a refuse container adjacent to a structure, the retaining apparatus comprising first and second retaining members, the first retaining member is movable relative to the second retaining member between a first configuration in which the apparatus is arranged to receive a part of a refuse container and a second configuration in which a part of a refuse container is arranged to be retained by the apparatus.

Preferably the retaining apparatus is arranged to be affixed to the wall of a building.

The retaining apparatus may be made from a plastics material. Alternatively or additionally the retaining apparatus may be made from metal, preferably aluminium.

Preferably the first member is connected to the second member by pivot means.

Preferably the first retaining member is movable relative to the second retaining member between the first configuration in which the apparatus is arranged to receive a handle of a wheelie bin and the second configuration in which the handle of a wheelie bin may be arranged to be retained by the apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus has locking means to prevent relative movement of the first and second retaining members in the second configuration. The locking means may comprise a locking element which is arranged, in use, to be inserted through a part of the first and second retaining members. The locking means may be a padlock.

In the second configuration the first retaining member may provide at least one portion arranged to be engaged by the handle of a wheelie bin to prevent movement of the wheelie bin outwardly away from a structure to which the apparatus may be secured and preferably provides two such portions which may bt spaced from each other. The second retaining member may provide at least one portion arranged to be engaged by th handle of a wheelie bin to restrict movement of the wheelie bin in a vertical direction away from the apparatus and preferably the second retaining member inclues two such portions that restrict such movement in both an upwards and downwards direction. The or each recess may be generally U-shaped.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of retaining a refuse container adjacent a structure comprising moving first and second retaining members relative to'each other between a first configuration in which the'apparatus is arranged to receive a part of a refuse container and a second configuration in which a par of a refuse container is arranged to be retained by th apparatus.

Preferably the method comprises mounting the apparatus on the wall of a building.

Preferably the method comprises retaining a handle of a wheelie bin in the apparatus.

Preferably the method comprises moving first and second retaining members relative to each other between the first configuration in which a handle of a wheelie bin may be received by the apparatus and the second configuration in which the handle of a wheelie bin may be retained by the apparatus.

Preferably the method comprises pivoting the first retaining member relative to the second retaining member between the first and second configurations. Preferably the method comprises locking the first and second retaining members in the second configuration. The method may comprise locking the first and second retaining members by inserting a locking element through a part of the first and second retaining members.

The method may comprise moving one of the retaining members upwardly and at least partially towards the structure when moving from the second to the first configuration without that movement to the first configuration being prevented by abutment of the moving member with the structure.

The method may comprise at least partially concealing the securement of the apparatus to the structure when the members are in the second configuration and when the retaining part of the refuse container is retained.

The method may comprise retaining the refuse container with the apparatus, without the apparatus providing any support for tte refuse container.

The method may comprise retaining the refuse container at a portion of the container that is near the structure whereby access thrpugh the top of the container may be gained when the container is so retained.

The method may comprise retaining a top portion of the container.

The refuse container mat have wheels and preferably is a wheelie bin. The wheelie bin may be a wheelie bin for commercial waste. Prefetably the wheelie bin is a wheelie bin for domestic waste. The apparatus may comprise a clamping apparatus and this method may comprise a method of clamping a refuse container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention wil now be described by way of example only, with reference o the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a side perspective view of the lower retaining member.

Figure 2 is a side perSpective view of the upper retaining member. i Figure 3 is a cross section of the upper retaining member.

Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the retaining apparatus.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a wheelie bin secured to a wall using the retaining apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The retaining apparatus 10 has a lower retaining member 12 and an upper retaining member 14. As shown in Figure 1, the lower member 12 has a back plate 24 and two projecting side plates 20,22. The back plate and two side plates 20,22 are made from a single sheet of material.

The material is preferably weatherproof and may be a plastics material or a metal, for example aluminium.

The back plate 24 of the lower member 12 has two apertures 34,36 which are used for securing the apparatus 10 to a wall. Two screws can be inserted through the apertures 34,36 in order for the apparatus to be secured to a wall.

Each side plate 20,22 has an upper and a lower projecting portion 16,18 which define horizontal U-shaped recesses 26,28 therebetween. These U-shaped recesses 26, 28 are arranged to enable the handle of a wheelie bin to be inserted and removed. The apparatus 20 is, therefore, fixed to the wall in order for the U-shaped recesses 26, 28 to be at the same height as the handle of the wheelie bin. This enables the wheelie bin to be easily and quickly wheeled into position and secured in the apparatus 10. In addition, the weight of the wheelie bin is still supported through the base of the wheelie bin and no unnecessary forces are transferred through the apparatus 10.

Each side plate 20,22 of the lower member 12 has an aperture 30,32 which is arranged to enable pivoting means to connect the lower member 12 to the upper member 14. In addition, at least one of he side plates 20,22 has a second aperture 21. This aperture 21 is arranged to have a locking element inserted therethrough, for example a padlock.

As shown in Figure 2, the upper member 14 has two side plates 40,42 joined by a connecting member 44. The connecting member 44 has an, L-shaped cross section, as shown in Figure 3. At each end of the connecting member 44 there are end plates 50 which enable the connecting member 44 to be easily attached to. the side plates 40,42. The side plates 40,42 may be attched to the end plates 50 of the connecting member by two rivets 51.

Each side plate 40,42 qf the upper member 14 has a downwardly open U-shaped recess 46,48. These U-shaped recesses 46,48 are arranged to engage the handle of a wheelie bin when the apparatus 10 is in a closed configuration, as shown in Figure 4. These U-shaped recesses 46,48 may project downwardly to locate adjacent to the projecting portion 18 of the lower member 12 (not shown in Figure 4). Each side plate 40,42 has an aperture 62, 64 in order for the upper member 14 to be pivotally connected to the lower member'12. These apertures 62,64 therefore correspond to the apertures 30,32 defined in the side plates 20,22 of the, lower member 12. Similarly at least one of the side plates 40,42, of the upper member 14 has a second aperture 60 in order for a locking element to be inserted therethrough. When the apparatus 10 is in a closed configuration shown in Figure 4, this second aperture corresponds to. the aperture 21 defined in the lower member and thereby enables a rigid locking element to insert through the side plates of the upper and lower members. This locking element prevents relative pivotal movement of the upper and lower members 12,14.

The wheelie bin is secured in the apparatus 10 by firstly arranging the apparatus 10 to be in an open configuration. In this configuration the upper member is in an upwardly pivoted position in order for the wheelie bin handle to be slidably inserted into the horizontal Ushaped recesses 26,28 defined in the lower member 12. The shape of the rear edges 76 of the side plates 40, 42 of the upper member 14 must allow the pivoting movement by preventing the side plates abutting the wall when the apparatus 10 is affixed to the wall, as shown in Figure 4.

With the wheelie bin handle located in the horizontal U-shaped recesses 26,28 the upper member is pivoted downwards in order for the handle to locate in the vertical U-shaped recesses 46, 48 defined in the side plates 40,42 of the upper member 14. This thereby prevents the wheelie bin handle from being removed from the apparatus 10 without first upwardly pivoting the upper member 14. In this closed configuration a locking element can be inserted through the side plates of the clamping apparatus to lock the clamping apparatus in the closed configuration, for example a padlock. The upper and lower members may clamp this handle in position.

As shown in Figure 5, the apparatus 10 secures the wheelie bin handle 74 at two locations either side of an attachment 72 for the wheelie bin handle. The wheelie bin 70 also has attachments 72 at both ends of the handle 74.

This, therefore, prevents the wheelie bin being released from the apparatus 10 by sliding the handle 74 through the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 enables the lid of the wheelie bin to be opened whilst the wheelie bin is secured in the apparatus 10. In addition, whilst the wheelie bin is secured in the apparatus 10, access to the means for fixing the lower member 12 to the wall is hindered to prevent easy removal of the apparatus from the wall.

The reader's attention s directed to all papers and documents which are filed con urrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disqlosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be ombined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similor purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A retaining apparatus that is arranged, in use, to secure a refuse container adjacent to a structure, the retaining apparatus comprising first and second retaining members, the first retaining member being movable relative to a second retaining member between a first configuration in which the apparatus is arranged to receive a part of a refuse container and a second configuration in which a part of a refuse container is arranged to be retained by the apparatus.
2. A retaining apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retaining apparatus is arranged to be affixed the wall of a building.
3. A retaining apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first member is connected to the second member by pivot means.
4. A retaining apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first retaining member is movable relative to the second retaining member between the first configuration in which the apparatus is arranged to receive a handle of a wheelie bin and the second configuration in which the handle of a wheelie bin is arranged to be retained by the apparatus.
5. A retaining apparatus accprding to any preceding claim in which the apparatus ha$ locking means to prevent relative movement of the first and second retaining members in the second configuration.
6. A retaining apparatus according to claim 5 in which the locking means comprises a locking element which is arranged, in use, to be inserted through a part of the first and second retaining members.
7. A retaining apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which the locking means is a padlock.
8. A retaining apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim in which in the second configuration the first retaining member provides at least one portion arranged to be engaged by the handle of a wheelie bin to prevent movement of the wheelie bin outwardly away from a structure to which the apparatus is secured.
9. A retaining apparatus according to claim 8 in which the first retaining member provides two such portions.
10. A retaining apparatus according to claim 9 in which the two portions are spaced from each other.
11. A retaining apparatus according to any preceding claims in which the second obtaining member provides at least one portion arranged to be engaged by the handle of a wheelie bin to restrict movement of a wheelie bin in a vertical direction away from the apparatus.
12. A retaining apparatus according to claim 11 in which the second retaining member includes two such portions that restrict such movement in both an upwards and downwards direction.
13. A retaining apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
14. A method of retaining a refuse container adjacent a structure comprising moving first and second retaining members of an apparatus relative to each other between a first configuration in which the apparatus is arranged to receive a part of a refuse container and a second configuration in which a part of a refuse container is arranged to be retained by the apparatus.
15. A method according to claim 14 comprising mounting the apparatus on a wall of a building.
16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15 comprising retaining a handle of wheeliq bin in the apparatus.
17. A method according to any of claims 14 to 16 comprising moving the first and second retaining members relative to each other between the first configuration in which a handle of a wheelie bin is received by the apparatus and the second configuration in which the handle of a wheelie bin is retained by the apparatus.
18. A method according to any of claims 14 to 17 comprising pivoting the first retaining member relative to the second retaining member tetween the first and second configurations.
19. A method according to any of claims 14 to 18 comprising locking the first and second retaining members in the second configuration.
20. A method according to claim 19 comprising locking the first and second retaining members by inserting a locking element through a part of the first and second retaining members.
21. A method according to any of claims 14 to 20 comprising moving one of the retaining members upwardly and at least partly towards the structure when moving from the second to the first configuration without that movement to the first configuration being prevented by abutment of the moving member with the structure.
22. A method according to any of claims 14 to 21 comprising at least partially concealing the securement of the apparatus to the structure when the members are in the second configuration and when the retaining part of the refuse container is retained.
24. A method according to any of claims 14 to comprising retaining the refuse container with the apparatus without the apparatus providing any support for the refuse container.
24. A method according to any of claims 14 to 23 comprising retaining the refuse container at a portion of the container that is near the structure whereby access through the top of the container may be gained when the container is so retained.
25. A method according to any of claims 14 to 24 comprising retaining a top portion of the container.
26. A method according to apy of claims 14 to 25 in which the refuse container is a wheelie bin.
27. A method of retaining a refuse container adjacent a structure substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, any of Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.