GB2503765A

GB2503765A - An elastic strap with a hook to keep a bin closed

Info

Publication number: GB2503765A
Application number: GB201305954A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Francis Goodfellow; Gaelan Goodfellow
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-03
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Also published as: GB201305954D0; GB2503765A8

Abstract

An elastic strap 1 for fastening to the lid 5 of a wheelie bin 6 has a hook 3 to secure the lid closed. the fastening can be done via an off centre anchoring pad provided with adhesive; via overmoulded or vulcanized studs engaging with wing nuts and retaining plates or washers; via an overmoulded metal or reinforced plastic U shaped bar 2 engaging with two push on lock washers 4; and/or via a metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece engaging with two push on lock washers. The claw can be a two fingered integrally moulded part of the elastic strap or metal or reinforced platic and overmoulded or installed in a premoulded cavity of the elastic strap. The stud, bar and/or bridge member ideally pass through one or two holes predrilled in the bins lid. the claw may include formations to promote bonding with the strap. There could be a luminescent release operable from within the bin for safety. A card template could be provided to assist positioning of the holes.

Description

"A refuse bin lid restraint"

Field of Invention

This invention relates to an elastic strap and in particular to an elastic strap assembly for mounting on a domestic refuse bin lid to restrain the bin lid in the closed position when unattended.

This application claims benefits of two Irish Patent applications, namely, S2012/0167 (dated 03/04 /2012) and S2012/0428 (dated 03/10/2012), which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.

Background of Invention

It is known that during windy weather refuse bins such as wheelie bins have their lid blow open and often the bin itself is blown over. Open lids lead to spillage of the rubbish or the rummage of the rubbish by animals, such as dogs, fox, and rats. Not only are the results of spilled rubbish an eyesore, it can also lead to clean-up cost incurred by local authorities, may add to pest control difficulties, and even disease risks. Fox in particular are becoming a common sight in urban districts of the United Kingdom and it is generally accepted that rubbish from bins etc is attracting them.

The present invention is directed towards securing closed, or releasing the bin lid by a simple method with minimal effort by the bin owner or the bin emptying person. The invention is also directed towards simple techniques to install lid restraint securely to the bin lid.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention, there is provided an elastic bin lid restraint construction, method of attachment to a bin lid such as a "wheelie" bin lid, and also provided is a safety feature to prevent a person becoming trapped within the bin.

The method of attachment, as described in Page 1-2 in Irish Patent application number S201 2/0167, of a refuse bin lid restraint is as: at feast one threaded stud bonded by vulcanization or secured to the moulded strap body by over-moulding same, a retaining plate is ut/f ised to spread the tension load, and at feast one plate or washer and at least one wing nut placed and screwed on to the threaded stud or studs inserted through the pre-drif led hole in the whee lie bin lid.

An advantageous improvement to the said attachment method described above was disclosed and described in Irish Patent application number S2012/0428. The said improved attachment method utilises a plain, un- threaded "U" shaped metal or plastic bar that is similarly vulcanised or over-moulded into the elastic bin lid restraint, and at least two push-on lock washers.

Advantageously, an alternative improvement to the said attachment method described above utilises a metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece containing at least one leg that is installed in a modular fashion through at least one hole in the substantially thick section of the elastic bin lid restraint and at least one hole in the bin lid and is secured in place by at least one push-on lock washer.

Advantageously, another alternative improvement to the said attachment method described above utilises glue bonding, solvent bonding, ultrasonic welding or similar bonding method to attach an elastic bin lid restraint strap to a bin lid.

The method of restraining a refuse bin lid in the closed condition was disclosed and described in Irish Patent application number S2012/0167 (page 2) as: The bin lid is secured closed when the lid retaining strap assembly according to the invention is secured to a bin lid and stretched by pulling on the moulded hand grip to create tension when claw is hooked and engaged over the bin recessed top rim preventing inadvertent opening of the lid. The retaining strap can be de-engaged from the bin recessed top rim in a similar manner by pulling on the hand grip feature to create tension to un-hook the claw and release the tension allowing the lid to be opened.

Advantageously, an improvement to the said method of restraining a bin lid in the closed condition described above, is achieved by replacing the integrally moulded strap claw by a separate claw component of substantially stronger material than the above mentioned elastic strap material such as metal or glass reinforced plastic. This claw component is installed in a modular fashion into a moulded pocket within the restraining strap spine.

The claw is retained in the moulded strap body by a serration feature that prevents easy removal. The claw piece unlike the elastic moulded strap body is of rigid material which prevents flexing when the soft elastic moulded strap is anchored by the claw to the bin in the bin lid closed position.

Also advantageously provided is an improvement to the aforementioned method of de-engaging the retaining strap from the bin recessed top rim when the bin lid is restrained in the closed condition is a remotely operable arrangement comprising of photo-luminescent grip ring and pull-cord that releases the claw from the bin recessed top rim when a tension force is applied to the grip ring and subsequently the pull-cord and claw from within the bin.

The provision of a remotely operated restraint release mechanism reduces the possibility that a child is trapped if a child is placed in the bin. The child can release the lid restraint by applying a small tension force on the photo-luminescent grip ring which in turn applies a tensile force via the pull cord to the claw that releases its grip on the bin lip as it is winched in a rotary motion.

According to the invention, there is provided a strong tamper proof means to attach an elastic bin lid restraint assembly for mounting securely on a refuse bin typically a plastic wheelie bin including: a "U" shaped metal or plastic bar; a metal or glass reinforced plastic bridge piece with at least one leg; at least one push-on lock washer; a metal or plastic claw piece; a glue or similar bonding media.

Also according to the invention, there is provided a means to, within a bin, visually locate in darkness and remotely release an elastic bin lid restraint assembly from the secured "anchored" state on a refuse bin typically a plastic wheelie bin including: a photo-luminescent grip ring; a pull-cord; Thus, in one embodiment, the elastic bin lid restraint is secured to the bin lid in a strong tamper proof manner by a "U" shaped metal or plastic bar. Once the elastic bin lid restraint is attached to the bin lid by passing the "U" shaped bar legs through pre-drilled holes in the bin lid and the two push-on lock washers installed onto the "U" bar legs and pushed axially tightly against the bin lid surface. Without the aid of a tool, it is virtually impossible to remove the elastic bin lid restraint without causing damage to the elastic bin lid restraint.

In another embodiment, the elastic bin lid restraint is secured to the bin lid in a strong tamper proof manner by a metal or glass reinforced plastic bridge piece with two substantially tapered legs protruding from the substantially flat bridge section of the bridge piece that pass through two moulded holes in the elastic bin lid restraint, and is attached in-turn to the bin lid by passing the two tapered legs through pre-drilled holes in the bin lid and secured to the with two push-on lock washers pushed on to the two tapered legs and pushed axially tightly against the bin lid surface.

In another embodiment, the elastic bin lid restraint is secured to the bin lid in a strong tamper proof manner by attaching the elastic bin lid restraint to the bin lid by bonding with a glue, solvent, ultrasonic, or other bonding process.

In this embodiment, the bin lid restraint strap spine is attached substantially off-set to the centreline and perpendicular to the substantially thicker bonding pad area rather than attachment to the side of the substantially thicker bonding pad area. By arranging any apphed tensUe Force cif-seE to the centrehne of the attachment pad and perpendicular to a bonded joint, joint peer' is avoided and the resultant joint is stronger. Also advantageously drilling holes in the bin lid and the use of hardware is avoided.

In another embodiment, a separate metal or glass reinforced plastic claw is provided that is installed into a moulded pocket in the elastic bin lid restraint spine, and provides a strong grip to the bin lip when the elastic bin lid restraint is stretched to achieve a tension load when the claw is engaged with the bin lip in the bin lid closed condition.

In a further embodiment, a photo-luminescent grip ring and pull-cord arrangement is provided and connected to the claw piece, and thus, the elastic bin lid restraint in the secured "anchored" state can be released remotely from the inside of the bin by a tension force applied to the photo-luminescent grip ring and pull-cord arrangement. The pull cord is attached to the claw piece and when a tensile force is applied to the arrangement, the claw is winched in a rotary motion and its grip on the bin body moulded top lip is released.

Technical Support for as disclosed and described in S2012/0428 (dated 03/10/2012) It is necessary to devote time and understanding to the single subject of "push-on lock washers". A Push-on lock washer is a type of washer made of hardened spring steel that can be pushed onto a plain steel or plastic shaft and can only be moved in one direction due to its "teeth" biting into the steel or plastic shaft and preventing movement in the opposite direction. In other words, it can be pushed onto a shaft but is very difficult to pull off a shalt.

It is also necessary to devote time and understanding to the single subject of elastic material in comparison to rigid material. The nature of elastic material such as synthetic rubber is that it is soft and flexible. The nature of metal such and cast aluminium is that it is rigid and relatively strong in comparison to synthetic rubber such as Ethylene Propyene Diene Monomer (EPDM).

Similarly, glass reinforced plastic is rigid and exhibits high strength and wear resistance in comparison to soft, easily damaged EFDM synthetic rubber.

It is also necessary to devote time and understanding to the single subject of bonding dissimilar materials such as the elastomer Ethylene Propyene Diene Monomer (EFDM) synthetic rubber to the thermopastic High-density PolyeLhylene (HDPE) resin which is the most common resin used in the manufacture of bins such as wheehe bins. Adhesives that wUl bond readHy to EPDM provide a poor bond 1:0 ow surface energy HDFE especiaiy if a tensile load is appfled in a "peel' fashion rather than a shear or perpendicular fashion to the bonded joint. The current invention provide a method to attach the eiastic bn id restraint which is made of EPDM to the HDFE bin lid directly by arranging the tensile force substantiafly off-set to the centrehne of the attachment pad and perpendicuiar to a bonded joint that wifl avoid "joint peei" arid result in a stronger joint to contend with an apphed tensfle force.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood by the following description of the embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a 3D perspective view of the bin lid restraint assembly components and attachment method according to the Irish Patent application number S2012/0167, secured to the bin lid with threaded studs and threaded wing nuts.

Fig. 2 is a 3D perspective view of the bin lid restraint assembly components and attachment method according to the Irish Patent application number S2012/0167, secured to the bin lid in the closed "anchored" condition.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section view of the retaining strap assembly, as disclosed and described in S2012/0167 (dated 03/04 /2012), according to the invention secured to the bin lid in the stretched position with the claw" engaged in the bin recessed top rim.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section view of the threaded stud, S201 2/0167 (dated 03/04 /2012), retaining plate or washer and wing nut retaining details securing the retaining strap to the bin lid.

Fig. 3a is a 3D perspective view of the improved bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention with the U" shaped metal or plastic bar, and metal or reinforced plastic claw inserted freely or over-moulded into the elastic strap.

Fig. 3b is a cross-section view of the improved retaining strap assembly according to the invention secured to the bin lid with the "U" shaped metal or plastic bar and push-on lock washers pressed on to the legs of the "U" shaped metal or plastic bar and the strap claw in the released condition.

Fig. 3c is a cross-section view of the improved retaining strap assembly according to the invention secured to the bin lid and held in the closed condition by the metal or reinforced plastic claw gripping the bin lip.

Fig. 4a is a 3D perspective exploded view of an alternative improved bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention with a separate metal or plastic bridge piece and a separate metal or plastic claw.

Fig. 4b is a 3D perspective assembled view of the alternative improved bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention with a separate metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece and a separate metal or plastic claw.

Fig. 4c is a cross-sectional view of the alternative improved bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention installed onto a bin lid in the open condition and secured with lock washers pushed onto the legs of the plastic bridge piece and pressed fully against the under surface of the bin lid.

Fig. 4d is a cross-sectional view of the alternative improved bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention installed onto a bin lid and secured with lock washers pushed onto the legs of the plastic bridge piece, and the bin lid held in the closed condition by the metal or reinforced plastic claw gripping the recessed bin lip.

Figs. 5a and 5b are open and closed cross-sectional views of a further alternative improved elastic bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention with the strap spine attached substantially off-set to the centre of the attachment area secured to a bin lid by an adhesive interface.

Fig. 5c shows the known problem of poor joint integrity when one element of a bonded joint is lifted by its edge and "joint peel" takes place.

Fig 5d shows how the invention overcomes the problem of "joint peel" by attaching the elastic bin lid restraint strap spine substantially off-set to the centreline of the attachment pad and perpendicular to the bonded joint.

Fig. 6a is a 3D perspective assembled view of the improved bin lid restraint assembly according to the invention attached to a bin lid in a similar manner to that described in figs 3a and 4b incorporating a photo-luminescent grip ring and pull cord.

Figs. 6b, 6c, and 6d are cross-section views of the bin lid restraint assembly in the closed, releasing, and open conditions respectively according to the invention secured to the bin lid by the method for example as shown in figs 3b and 4b, incorporating a photo-luminescent grip ring and pull-cord release arrangement that can be operated remotely from within the bin to release the bin lid restraint from the secured "anchored" position as shown in Fig. 6b.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1 and Fig.2, there is shown the method of retaining strap assembly indicated generally by the reference 1, for mounting to a bin lid 6. The bin lid restraint assembly 1 comprises a moulded elastic body 2, a threaded stud 3 which is bonded or over-moulded to become integral to the bin lid restraint body 2, a retainer plate or washer 4, and a "wing" nut 5.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Fig. 3a, 3b, and 3c, there is illustrated a method of retaining a bin lid restraint to a bin lid according to the invention indicated generally by reference to 1.

Referring in particular to Fig. 3a, the bin lid restraint assembly is shown with over-moulded "U" bar 2 and a separate metal or reinforce plastic clip 3 installed into a pre-moulded cavity in elastic strap la. Referring in particular to Fig. Sb and Sc the "U" bar is installed through two pre-drilled hole in the bin lid 5. The bin lid restraint assembly 1 is clamped in tension to the bin lid 5 by the push-on lock washers 4. Advantageously, according to the invention and referring in-particular to figs 3.b and 3.c, the bin lid restraint assembly is secured in a tamperproof manner to the bin lid 5 by the two push-on lock washers 4 pushed onto the legs of the "U" bar 2 and held tightly against the underside of bin lid 5. Without the use of a tool, the lock washers 4 are difficult to pull off the legs of "U" bar 2. A further improvement can be achieved by introducing a provision of a separate metal or reinforced plastic claw S shown in figs Sa, 3b, and 3c.

The separate metal or reinforced plastic claw 3 shown in figs 3a, Sb, and 3c installed into a pre-moulded cavity of strap la shown in Fig 3a is more reluctant to distort under tensile loading and therefore provides a positive and secure grip on the anchoring lip of bin 6 as shown in fig.3c. The claw 3 is shaped with a serration to lock into the pre-moulded cavity and is difficult to remove.

Referring to Fig.4a there is shown a metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece 8 that is an alternative to the over-moulded "U" bar and fits as shown in fig.4b into a pre-moulded cavity in an alternative strap 7. The metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece 8 is installed through pre-moulded holes in the pre-moulded cavity in the strap 7 and in-turn through pre-drilled holes in bin lid 5 as shown in figs 4c and 4d.

The bin lid restraint assembly shown in fig 4a to fig 4d is clamped in tension to the bin lid 5 by the push-on lock washers 4. Advantageously, according to the invention and referring in-particular to fig 4c and fig 4d, the bin lid restraint assembly is secured in a tamperproof manner to the bin lid 5 by the two push-on lock washers 4 pushed onto the legs of the metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece 8 and held tightly against the underside of bin lid 5. The lock washers 4 are difficult to pull off the legs of the metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece 8 without the use of a tool.

Referring to Fig.5a there is shown an alternative bin lid restraint strap 9 in a released condition with the strap spine attached substantially off-set to central and perpendicular to the bonding pad and bond interface 10 securing the bin lid restraint strap 9 to bin lid 5. By arranging any appied tensHe force substantiafly off-set to the centre line of the attachment pad area and perpendicuar to a bonded joint, rather than the spine being attached to Ihe attachment pad edge, peer is avoided and the resultant joint is stronger. n fig. Sb the bin id restraint is shown in a secured condition with caw 3 anchored to bin lip 6. Fig.5c shows the known problem of "peel" when a tensile force is applied to the adhesive interface 10 resuffing in poor bonded joint integrity due to a bin lid restraint strap spine being attached to the edge of attachment area. Fig.5d shows the improved bonded joint integrity when a tensile force is applied to the bin lid restraint due to the spine being attached substantially off-set to central and perpendicular to the bonding attachment area.

Referring to Fig.6a there is shown an assembled view of a bin lid restraint as described in Figs 3 to Figs 5 inclusive, incorporating a safety release arrangement shown in figs. 6b, 6c, and 6d, comprising a remotely operable photo-luminescent grip ring 11 and pull-cord 12 that releases the claw 3a in a rotary motion from the bin lip 6 when a tension force is applied to the grip ring 11 and subsequently the pull-cord 12 and claw 3 from within the bin.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A strap assembly for mounting securely on a refuse bin or similar devices comprising: an elastic strap; an over-moulded "U-shaped metal or reinforced plastic bar; an over-moulded metal or reinforced plastic claw; two push-on lock washers; a threaded stud.
2. A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the over-moulded "U" bar and a separate metal or reinforced plastic clip are installed into a pre-moulded cavity in elastic strap.
3. A strap assembly as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, wherein the said "U" bar is installed through two pre-drilled holes in the bin lid.
4. A strap assembly as claimed in Claims 1, 2, and 3, wherein the strap assembly is clamped in tension to the bin lid by two push-on lock washers onto "U" bar legs.
5. A strap assembly as claimed in Claims 1, 2,3, and 4, wherein the strap assembly is secured in a tamperproof manner to the bin lid by the two push-on lock washers pushed onto the legs of the "U" bar and held tightly against the underside of bin lid.
6. A strap assembly as claimed in Claims 1, wherein the separate metal or plastic claw is installed into pre-moulded cavity of strap.
7. A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 1 and 6, wherein the claw is shaped with a serration to lock into the pre-moulded cavity.
8. A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the threaded stud is bonded or over-moulded to become integral to the bin lid restraint body.
9. A strap assembly for mounting securely on a refuse bin or similar devices comprising: an elastic strap; a metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece; a metal or reinforced plastic claw; a threaded stud; two push-on lock washers.
10. A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the said metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece is installed through pre-moulded holes in the pre-moulded cavity in the strap and in-turn through pre-drilled holes in bin lid.
11.A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 9 and 10, wherein the said strap assembly is clamped in tension to the bin lid by the push-on lock washers.
12.A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 9,10 and 11, wherein the strap assembly is secured in a tamperproof manner to the bin lid by the two push-on lock washers pushed onto the legs of the metal or reinforced plastic bridge piece and held tightly against the underside of bin lid.
13.A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 9, 10, 11 and 12, wherein the metal or reinforced plastic claw is installed through in the pre-moulded cavity in the strap.
14. A strap assembly for mounting securely on a refuse bin or similar devices comprising: a moulded elastic strap with a substantially thicker anchoring pad with the strap spine moulded in a substantially off-centre position to overcome the known problem of "peel" and affixed to same anchoring pad an adhesive interface allowing the strap to be bonded securely to the bin lid top surface and avoiding the necessity to drill a hole or holes in the bin lid; a metal or reinforced plastic claw.
15. A strap assembly as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the metal or reinforced plastic claw is either a pre-moulded one or the one as claimed in Claim 13.
16.An elastic strap assembly as claimed in Claims ito 15 wherein, a child safety feature is provided by incorporating a remotely releasable arrangement of a photo-luminescent or non-photo-luminescent grip ring and pull-cord that releases the metal or reinforced plastic claw in a rotary motion from the bin main body top lip when a tension force is applied to the grip ring and subsequently the pull-cord and claw from within the bin.
17. An elastic strap assembly for mounting securely on a refuse bin or similar device comprising a moulded spine section having a substantially wider and thicker section at one end to attach at least one metal threaded stud to by vulcanisation or over-moulding and a further moulded section in the shape of a grip handle and a further moulded section shaped as a two finger "claw" substantially at an angle to the integral moulded spine section; at least one retaining plate or washer and at least one wing nut placed and screwed on to the threaded stud or studs and a retaining plate is utilised to spread the tension load and can also be utilised to act as a drilling template to position the holes required in the lid to anchor two threaded studs.
18.An elastic strap assembly as claimed in Claim 17, wherein a card packaging is utilized to determine the hole drilling position of the stud retaining plate prior to attachment of the elastic strap assembly to the bin lid.