GB2523515A

GB2523515A - Apparatus for facilitating the handling of two wheeled refuse bins

Info

Publication number: GB2523515A
Application number: GB1511192.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Jesse Albert Edward Lukes
Original assignee: LUKES ENGINEERING Co Ltd
Current assignee: LUKES ENGINEERING Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-07-11
Filing date: 2015-06-25
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2035-06-25
Also published as: GB2523515B; GB201511192D0; GB201621006D0; GB2541829B; GB2541829A; GB201412347D0

Abstract

A spindle 17 securable to the bins base 5 is rotatably engagable with a mount 16. Ideally the spindle is secured within the mount by inserting it down into an aperture of the mount and securing a collar 18 around its lower end. The spindle can be hollow with an internally tapered surface into which a spike 14 on the base 5 of the bin can screw. The mount may be substantially square and flat with a raised dome having an aperture to receive the spindle in the middle and circular indents with bolt holes to secure feet 25 at each corner. There may be a metal plate between the bin and the mount. Preferably the bin is a wheelie bin with two wheels. The spike can extend from an internal floor of the bin from which ribs 10 also project down through a wide hole in the external floor to contact the mount. Alternatively the spike on the bins base 5 can engage directly with the mount16.

Description

APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE HANDLING OF

TWO WHEELED REFUSE BINS

This invention relates to an apparatus for facilitating the handling of two wheeled refuse bins, commonly referred to as wheelie bins.

Wheelie bins are being increasingly used by local authorities for the collection of domestic waste. A typical wheelie bin has two wheels which are rotatably attached to a spindle which is mounted on the base of a plastic refuse bin which is typically rectangular in cross section. NomiaDy the bottom of the wheelie bin and the wheels rest on the ground. The wheelie bin is provided with a lid which is pivotally mounted on hinges which are mounted and above the wheels. Typically there is a handle in between the hinges.

When it is desired to move the wheelie bin, the user grips the handle and tips the wheelie bin so that it rests on its wheels. This allows it to be wheeled to a location t_.-.L-.;.-.L-. 4...:II -.._ _.-.-4;.-..4 I-... .-._t. .- 4-.-.-..

UI WI II..I I IL Will IJO Oil IHLIOU iy 0 Ci uaO LAJIIOL.LIUI I LOOI II.

The empty wheelie bin will then be returned to its storage position. For ease of use wheelie bins are normally stored with their hinges against the wall. This is so that the lid only need be lifted a small distance to enable waste to be put in the wheelie bin.

Unfortunately, parking the wheelie bin with its hinges against a wall involves rnfofinn it fhrn, nh IRfl° frnm i+c ini+iol rf, ,rnrI nnoi+inn R.ornndI, fh fi ill A,ho.Ii kin normally needs to be rotated through 180° before it can be tilted onto its wheels.

At present the rotation of wheelie bins is achieved by multiple small back and forth movements or by brute force.

At least preferred embodiment of the present invention helps to reduce this nrnhIm The present invention provides an apparatus for facilitating the handling of two wheeled refuse bins, which apparatus comprises a support mount body, a spindle which can be secured to the bottom of the two wheeled refuse bin and which can be rotatably mounted on the support mount body, and means for retaining the support mount body on the spindle; when the spindle is attached to the bottom of the two wheeled refuse bin. The arrangement being and that, in use, the two wheeled refuse bin can be rotated on the support mount body about the spindle.

In one embodiment the support mount body further comprises, a flat surface and a raised dome having a hole therethrough to accommodate the spindle.

Advantageously the support mount body is square and has four circular indents adjacent corners thereof.

Preferably each circular indent contains a central bolt hole in order for a bolt to pass through and attach a rubber foot to the underside of the support mount body, directly underneath each circular indent.

In one embodiment the support mount body comprises a bowl.

Preferably the means comprises a retaining collar which can accommodate the spindle, means for securing the spindle fast with the retaining collar and wherein the retaining collar has a portion which, in use, rotatably resides in the hole.

Advantageously the spindle is hollow and the inner surface thereof is tapered to, in use, facilitate attachment to a sprue on a two wheeled refuse bin.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a metal plate which, in use, is UI1JUCU IJOLVVOOI I 1110 FJIOaLIL. I oIuao UI' I 01 U LI 10 aupp'Ji L II IUUI IL U'JUy.

The present invention also provides a two wheeled refuse bin with an apparatus in accordance with the invention attached thereto.

Preferably the two wheeled refuse bin has an internal floor and ribs depending downwardly in direct contact with the support mount body.

Arl,on+oncni,oI, fho enindlo a crroA,d nntn a ann a A,hirh racidac nr fka hnffnm of the plastic refuse bin.

The present invention also provides a method of turning around a two wheeled refuse bin in accordance with the present invention, which method comprises the step of rotating the plastic refuse bin on the support mount body.

WhiI't nnt rnrnrnmnrIrI it ig rnnniuhIn thit th qninrllp rnIIIrI h diqnpn'pd with, and the sprue project through the hole in the support mount body. In such an embodiment a locking washer could be pushed onto the sprue and be used as the retaining means.

The present invention also provides a two wheeled refuse bin comprising a refuse bin, the bottom of which has a downwardly extend sprue, a support mount body rotatably mounted on the sprue and means for retaining the support mount body on the sprue.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view, partially in cross section, of a standard two wheeled refuse bin; Figure 2 is an exploded trimetric view of one embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention with two parts shown on an enlarged scale; Figure 3 is a side view, partially in cross section and to an enlarged scale showing the lower portion of the two wheeled refuse bin shown in Figure 1 fitted with the apparatus shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and ;.._,.__._ -.._._.;.......;......._.t-. .-...._.,-.I.-.I-.&-.......;.t-..t-..-.

I 19U1 0,J Ia a LUH 01 D0L.LIVO VIOVV I.)' a ii IOLCI IOL0 VYI 111.1 I..aI I JO UOU YVILI I 1110 apparatus show in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a standard two wheeled refuse bin which is generally identified by reference numeral 1.

The two wheeled refuse bin 1 comprises two wheels 2 which are rotatably affarkad fn a c ninrila ih rh a mimi *nfarl nn flannac A cit. aLan a ann all rijafanra ahr.,a V "--"-" -.i the bottom 5 of a plastic refuse bin 6 which is of generally rectangular cross-section.

The plastic refuse bin 6 comprises an internal floor 7 and a plastic skirt 8 the bottom of which is in contact with the ground 9, so that the internal floor 7 is raised above the ground 9 by a small distance. The internal floor 7 is reinforced by ribs 10 which project rInwnAlrrIIu nd ir funirIIu rrnnrI in nrirl Iikn nr nirrIIIr ntfrn Thpqi rihq Ifl sometime project sufficiently downward to engage the ground 9, although this is not always the case. The bottom of the wheels 2 and the bottom of the plastic skirt 8 rest on the ground 9. The two wheeled refuse bin 1 is provided with a lid 11 which is pivotally mounted on hinges 12 which also form handles via which the two wheeled refuse bin 1 can be maneuvered.

In order to rotate the two wheeled refuse bin 1 the user grips the hinges 12 and pivots the plastic refuse bin 6 in the direction of the arrow 13. This lifts the bottom of the plastic skirt 8 off the ground and enables the two wheeled refuse bin 1 to be rotated.

The plastic refuse bin 6 is conventionally made by injection moulding and typically a moulding sprue 14 extends downwardly by several centimeters from a small recess near the center of the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown an apparatus 15 for facilitating the handling of the two wheeled refuse bin 1 shown in Figure 1.

The apparatus 15 comprises a support mount body 16, a spindle 17, a retaining collar 16 and a locking screw 19.

The support mount body 16 is made from aluminum and the spindle 17 and retaining coDar 16 are made out of steel and plastics niatenal respectively.

The support mount body 16 is typically square in top plan view with rounded corners and comprises a flat surface 20, a raised dome 21 in the centerof the flat surface 20, a hole 22 at the top of the raised dome 21, and four circular indents 23, one at each corner of the support mount body 16. The circular indents 23 contain a bolt hole 24 in t 4; _._.;.._. -...-.._-.

VOL.1 I UI LI lOll I OapOL.LivO L'OI I LOI.

Four rubber feet 25 are attached to the underside of the support mount body 15 so that they are directly underneath the four circular indents 23. Each rubber foot 25 is fixed to its respective circular indent 23 by a stainless steel bolt 26 that penetrates though the corresponding bolt hole 24 and into the rubber foot 25. The bolt 26 is then kIr1 in nIor h, a ni if 4,hirh raeirlao Anfhin fha n.hhar fnrit)S The spindle 17 comprises a hollow tube which is internally threaded from one end 27 down to two spindle holes 28 that are in opposite sides of the spindle. Additionally the inner section of the spindle 17 is slightly tapered internally to reduce in diameter from spindle end 27 to spindle end 29.

Th rnthininn rnIIr I R rnmnriqp hnllnw fi hp with mIIpr nIItPr rrIiI Ig

--

portion 30 at one end having its outer radius smaller in size compared to the remainder of the tube shaped retaining collar 18. There is a locking screw hole 31 at the opposite end of the retaining collar 18, extending from the outside of the retaining collar 18 to the inside of the retaining collar 18. In assembly the locking screw 19 will be screwed into the locking screw hole 31.

In use the spindle 17 (Figure 3) is screwed onto the plastic sprue 14 with a key 32 which slides through the two spindle holes 28. The support mount body 16 is placed onto the screwed spindle 17 so that the spindle 17 extends through the hole 22 in the raised dome 21 on the flat surface 20, and out from the underside of the support mount body 16. The support mount body 16 is pushed along the spindle 17 towards the internal floor 7 of the bottom 5 until it engages the ribs 10 which act as a bearing surface.

The retaining collar 18 is then slid along the portion oi the spindle 17 that is extending out from the underside of the support mount body 16, so that the smaller outer radius portion 30 of the retaining collar 18 rotatably resides in the hole 22 of the support mount body 16. The locking screw 19 is then screwed through the locking screw hole 31 in the retaining collar 18 and tight into the body of the spindle 17, with the use of the key 32. if desired, the locking screw 19 and the key 32 may be customized in order to inhibit casual removal by a conventional tool.

In normal use a user will have their two wheeled refuse bin 1 in close proximity to a wall, in order to save space in an outside area. The lid 11 opens from the side opposite the hinges 12 and so the plastic refuse bin 6 is orientated with its hinges 12 _._;.-.._.,L__.....II OOII laL LI 10 VV0II III JI UCI LU 90111 111111 IOUIOLC Cl IU oCalol OA_'CDD L'J LI 10 II llUO UI 1110 FJIOaLIL.

refuse bin 6.

When a user wishes to move the two wheeled refuse bin 1, for example to a location where it will be emptied by a refuse collection team, the user rotates the plastic refuse bin 6 about the axis of the sprue 14.

\AIkcn fh nlaefir naf, Ic hin hoe kn rn+o+d I,, a a. IfF,r,nf arnnl rd on +h hinges 12 are facing away from the wall, for example 180 degrees from the initial position, the plastic refuse bin 6 can then be tipped onto its wheels 2 and the user is then able to wheel the plastic refuse bin 6 away from the wall to its desired location in the conventional way.

In th nrnfrrd pmhnrlirnnnt thiith rpfnrpnrp tn Firil Irp 9 th1 QI innnrt mnl nt hnrh, ---...--.

16 is 170mm in length and width with rounded corners and is 3mm in thickness. The raised dome 21 is 10mm in height, 63mm in base diameter and the hole 22 is 16mm in diameter. The circular indents 23 are 7mm in depth below the top surface of the support mount body 16 and the circular indents 23 are 25 mm in inside circle diameter.

The spindle 17 has an outer radius of 12mm and an inner radius of 8 mm. The spindle 17 is 35mm in length.

The retaining collar 18 had a smaller outer radius portion 30 with an outer diameter of 16mm and an inner diameter of 12mm. The remaining portion of the retaining collar 18 has an outer diameter of 20mm and an inner diameter of 12 mm. It is 21mm in length.

The rubber feet 25 are all identical and are tapered so that the end in contact with the aluminum support mount body 16 is 28mm in diameter, and the end of the rubber foot 25 that is in contact with ground 9 is 25mm in diameter. The rubber feet 25 are 30 mm in height.

The locking screw 19 is 15mm in length and the key 32 is 65mm in length.

It should be noted that all of the dimensions are approximate values of the preferred embodiment.

The ribs 10 on the internal floor 7 are designed to reinforce the internal floor 7 under the weight of rubbish within the plastic refuse bin 6 and provide additional support.

Typically the ribs 10 depend by approximately 9 mm from the internal floor 7 of the ...ttt-..... .-_a......_ I..;... tt.... .-_...-._J fl 14;.. 41-....._.._.I-. 41-..... .4t.... lfl 41-..-" -.11 IJULLUIII.JL)l 1110 IoIuao 1.1111 LL)VVCIUO 1110 91L)UIIU OIL ID LIIIUUII LIlO IIIJD U.! LIIO1OII UI 1110 weight from the plastic refuse bin 6 and rubbish therein, is transferred to the support mount body 16 when in use.

It should be understood that whilst the two wheeled refuse bin 1 may well occupy the position shown in FigureS, when the plastic refuse bin 6 is empty it will probably rest nn fha A,ho.aIa 9 and 4AFn nf fka Loaf 9'S ac 1+ Ic fillad If thic hannanc +han fha nlacfir ".-. .-, ,.- .-.... .-,...r-r-.-, .-refuse bin 6 has to be tilted to the position shown in Figure 3 before it can be easily rotated.

The turning force required to tuin the plastic refuse bin 6 simply has to overcome the force due to friction between the flat surface 20 on the support mount body 16 and fhn rihc Ifl A combination of aluminum for the support mount body 16, steel for the spindle 17 and plastics material for the retaining collar 18 has been found to give satisfactory results.

The materials, shape and size of the apparatus 15 have been used to accommodate all sizes and typical weights of two wheeled refuse bins 1 with or without rubbish inside. Typically the ideal mass range on the apparatus 15 during operation is approximately from 10kg to 100kg. This is because 10kg is generally the mass of an empty plastic refuse bin 6, and 100kg is a typical upper limit of the mass of a plastic refuse bin 6 with rubbish therein which is allowed to be collected by a refuse collection team.

The combined height of the support mount body 16 and ribs lois slightly greater than the height of the plastic skirt 8 (Figures 1 and 3). This ensures that the wheels 2 and the plastic skirt 8 do not contact the ground 9 when the two wheeled refuse bin 1 is in the position shown in Figure 3. This facilitates rotation of the two wheeled refuse bin 1. In practice the distribution of rubbish in the two wheeled refuse bin 1 might be such that the wheels 2 rest on the ground. In such a case it would be necessary to manually tilt the two wheeled refuse bin ito the position shown in Figure 3 before rotating the two wheeled refuse bin 1.

The weight of the plastic refuse bin 6 is distributed on the flat surface 20 of the support mount body 16 via the ribs 10. This is the only weight bearing contact between .IC LI IC FJIOaLIL. loluaC LI'' I LI 01 IU 111001 ILII C OFJPOi OLUO I.1. r'a LI IC UCI I UL0LC LI IC 1JIOaLIL. ICIUaC bin Sand therefore the bottom 5 and ribs 10, the ribs 10 are rotated through an area in contact with the flat surface 20 of the support mount body 16. The surface area in which the ribs 10 are rotated through is significantly less than the area of wheels 2 and plastic skirt 8 that would have been in contact with the ground 9 if the apparatus 15 has not ka.o.n omnlrmad and fha araa in A,kirh fha I car AnflI Id ka,a had +n rnfafa fka nlacfir -.--, ,,-..-. , ,".-,.-. ,,,-refuse bin 6 through in order to tum it around.

The force due to friction that the user has to overcome when rotating the plastic refuse bin 6 over a smaller area of aluminum, is significantly reduced compared to the force of rotating the plastic refuse bin 6 over a larger area of stone or tarmac. This is rI, tn i rPrII Ird rpl nf rnntrirt in whirh thn rntritinn jc rnirI thml nh nrI th I, Iminlim -..-...

flat surface 20 being smoother than the ground 9, which results in a lower coefficient of friction between the materials in contact. This therefore makes it easier for a user to turn around a plastic refuse bin 6 with the employment of the apparatus 15.

The fact that the general shape of the support mount body 16 is square and each of the four rubber feet 25 are located at each corner of the support mount body 16; maximizes the distance between the axis and a point of contact with the ground 9. This therefore desirably maximizes stability.

The apparatus 15 utilizes the structure of the bottomS of the plastic refuse binS in order to minimize the area the plastic refuse bin 6 has to rotate over in order to turn it around. The sprue 14 is a byproduct from the plastic moulding process of the plastic refuse bin 6 and the sprue 14 provides a useful mount in which the spindle 17 can be screwed on to.

The bottom 5 of a plastic refuse bin 6 is very similar across the range of different plastic refuse bins 6 and so the design of this embodiment allows it to function with a number of different types and sizes of plastic refuse bins 6.

In the preferred embodiment it is noted that the key 32 is the only tool required to fit the apparatus 15 to the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6.

A further embodiment as seen in Figure 4, shows an upside-down shallow bowl 233 replacing the support mount body 16 of the previous embodiment. The bowl 233 is provided with a hole 234 in the center of its body suitable for the spindle 217 to pass through upon assembly. The bowl is also provided with a flat bowl surface 235, which is II.. SL-.4. ..-.A..._J L.. ..-4...4._.A._.._. fl/ ....L-. ._....,....-.-L.. t..._._._. il-.-.

a oi 101 any iia aul Ia,_,0 aul I JUI Iu0u iy a i jui Iu0u ouyo LUL) VVI IIUI I CALCI IUD IJOLVVOOI I 1110 flat bowl surface 235 and a circumferential side 237 of the bowl 233. A ridge 238 extends from the circumference of the side 237 of the bowl 233.

This embodiment operates in the same way as previously described. In assembly the spindle 217 is screwed onto the sprue 14 on the bottomS of the plastic rfna hin t Th hrnA,I 9'fl a fhradrl nnfn fh anindI 917 fhrnnnh fh hnI 9'A on that the flat bowl surface 235 abuts the ribs 10 on the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6. An alternative retaining collar 239 is then threaded onto the spindle 217 so that it abuts the bowl 233. The locking screw 219 is then screwed through the locking screw hole 231 with key 232 and into the spindle 217, this fixes the alternative retaining collar 9Q in nIr A;hirh in ti rn hnlrk th hnwl 9fl nntn th hnttnrn nf th nIqtir rcfi iqp bin 6.

In use the user tips (if necessary) the two wheeled refuse bin 1 so that all points of the ridge 238 are in contact with the ground 9 and the wheels 2 and plastic skirt 8 are lifted clear off of the ground 9. In the same way as previously described, the user can rotate the two wheeled bin 1 about the axis of the sprue 14. In doing this the weight of the two wheeled refuse bin 1 and contents within, is transferred through the ribs 10 and onto the flat bowl surface 235 and the bowl 233. The points of contact between the two wheeled refuse bin 1 and the bowl 233, i.e. the ribs 10 and flat bowl surface 235, allow a rotation through a smaller surface area and a lower opposing frictional force, as previously described.

A further addition to this embodiment as seen in Figure 5, shows a metal plate 340 square in shape with rounded edges and a hole 341 through the metal plate 340 at its center. The metal plate 340 is used in the situation where the bottomS of the two wheeled bin 1 does not provide depending ribs 10, or that ribs 10 are of such a shape and or length which prevents easy rotation of the two wheeled bin 1 upon the bowl zoo.

In use the metal plate 340 is threaded onto the spindle 217, after said spindle 217 has been screwed onto the sprue 14. The metal plate 340 abuts the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6 and is fixed thereto via rectangular pads of hook and loop fasteners 342, secured to each cornerof the metal plate 340 and at corresponding ;._.....-.....-. 4'-..-. t-.._.,,._..- .-.c,t-..... .-I-..-.,;.-. .-._.t. ..-. t-.;.-. i2 14;._. *1.....4 41..... .......I. .......a VUOILIUIIO UI' 1110 UULLUIII,J UI LIlO FJIOOLIL IOIUOO UI'' U. IL 10 FJIOIOIIOU LIIOL LIlO II'JUI OIIU loop fasteners 342 are VelcroTM. The pads of hook and loops fasteners 342 are adhered to the plastic refuse bin 6 and the metal plate 340 in the conventional way, such as a backing adhesive. The bowl 233 is then placed onto the spindle 217 and fixed in place as previously described, with the flat bowl surface 235 abutting the metal nIof Afl Thic nrn,irhoc a rr.nfarf araa fhaf fka f*nn *,haaIad hin I a rn*a+arl fhrni nh subjecting the rotation to a lower resisting force due to friction compared to if the apparatus 15 was not employed.

In the case where the sprue 14 has not formed properly in manufacture, it is suggested that it is reshaped by the user, with a knife so that the sprue 14 is an nnrnnritp i7P fnr th qninrllp 17 917 tn h rrpn,pd nntn it If thp nrI p 14 i nnt ..,-.. . sufficiently long or is absent entirely then it is suggested that a hole is drilled into the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6 where is should be. A bolt (not shown) can then be placed into the hole so that the threaded end extends outward from the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6 and can act as a sprue. The size of the threaded portion of the bolt allows the spindle 17; 217 to be screwed onto said bolt and the rest of the apparatus can be assembled as previously described herein.

In this alternate embodiment and with reference to Figures 4 and 5, the bowl 233 has a diameter across the ridge 238 of 180mm, a bowl height of 28mm and the ridge 238 has a thickness of 7mm. The diameter of the hole 234 is 13mm. The alternate retaining collar 239 has a length of 11mm, an outer diameter of 21mm and an intemal diameter of 13mm. The bolt (not shown) has a length of 30 mm. The metal plate 340 is 198 mm in length and width with rounded corners and has a thickness of 3mm. The hole 341 in the metal plate 340 is 13mm in diameter. The pads of hook and loop fasteners are approximately 45mm in length and 20mm in width.

It is noted that the bowl 233 is made from a strong plastics material and the metal plate 340 is made from aluminum.

Vanous modifications to the embodiment described are envisaged, for example the support mount body 16, bowl 233, spindle 17, 217, retaining collar 18, alternative retaining collar 239, metal plate 340 and rubber feet 25 could be manufactured out of other materials such as plastics material or stainless steel, aluminum or a combination thereof The dimensions and shape of the flat surface 20 and flat bowl surface 235 L'UUIU 1.10 L.II L.UI0I, LI 101 19U101 1.11 011)1 ULI CI al UI OILO. 1110 I ILla IU.UUIU III IOL.L IJC ally different shape, or even omitted from the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6, or the flat surface 20 and flat bowl surface 235 could comprise a ribbed structure of such.

The sprue 14 could be any shape or size, alternately it could be omitted and the attachment between the support mount body 16 or bowl 233 and the bottom 5 of the nlacfir rafI 00 hin R AflI Id ha h1, nfhar moona a n fha CI Innnrt mnl Iflf hnr1, I R nr hnA.,I 233 could be screwed or bolted directly to the bottom 5. A washer may or may not be fitted in assembly and operation of the apparatus 1. The raised dome 21 could be larger in area it covers on the flat surface 20, alternatively it could be omitted from the design, leaving just a hole 22 in the center of the flat surface 20.

Th QI Innnrf mnl mt hnrl,, IR nr IflflAJI 9flS mm un hn md frnrn mnr thn nnp component, alternatively it could be made from a single piece of material. Feet could be constructed from the same piece of material as the support mount body 16 or bowl 233, and bent into arrangement. Additionally rubber or plastics material could be fixed to the bottom of the feet 25, support mount body 16, or bowl 33 or along any edges or surface.

The arrangement of rubber feet 25 could be different so that they are not necessarily in all corners of the flat surface 20 or support mount body 16, also there could be any number of feet, including no feet being present. Alternatively wheels or caster wheels could be in place of the feet 25.

Spacing pads or additional hook and loop fastener material could be used to extend the spacing between the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6 and the metal plate 340, if for example ribs were arranged so as to hinder the rotation of the two wheeled refuse bin 1. The pads of hook and loop fasteners 342 could be any shape or size and fixed by any mean to the plastic refuse bin 6 and the metal plate 340, e.g. by glue, pins, staples, screws. The metal plate 340 could also be fixed directly to the bottom 5 of the plastic refuse bin 6 by any other means, such as adhesives, pins, staples, screws, welus.

If desired, the retaining collar 18 and alternative retaining collar 239 could be replaced by, for example a circlip and/or the spindle 17, 217 could simply pivot directly in a hole in the support mount body 16 or bowl 233. The retaining collar 18 could be provided without a smaller outer radius portion 30. Alternatively any other means may 1..... -.;._._. ._._.II-..-10 -.-d._.41._. 17 1.10 UOU LU IA. LI 10 I OLCII III L.UIIOI IL) Oil OILOI I IOLIVO IOLOII 11119 LAJIIOI L.UO LU 1110 °F'1 IUIC I 217, such as adhesives, welds, pins, friction, or screwed on.

In the case where the bottom 5 of the two wheeled refuse bin 1 does not have a conveniently positioned sprue, or the sprue has become detached, the upper end of the spindle 17 could be provided with a flange which could be secured fast to the bottom 5 nf +k +Atn A,hcoId rf. Ic kin I h1, fr,r vamnI odho i',c nr mrha niro I focfnro CI rh as screws or rivets.

Lubricant for example, grease, petroleum jelly (such as VaselineTM) or a penetrating oil and water displacing spray (such as WD-4OTM) could be applied to the apparatus 15 upon assembly and in use. -12-

1. Two wheeled refuse bin 2. Wheels 3. Spindle 4. Flange 5. Bottom 6. Plastic refuse bin 7. Internal floor 0. rIdSLIU Situ 9. Ground 10. Ribs 11. Lid 12. Hinges A.-.-......

I J. nil uvv 14. Sprue 15. Apparatus 16. Support mount body 17. Spindle IR Pcdoininn r-nllor 19. Locking screw 20.Flatsurface 21. Raised dome 22. Hole 9 flirnuiIr inrlnnt 24. Bolt hole 25.Rubberfeet 26. Bolt 27. Spindle end 28. Spindle holes 29. Spindle end 30. Smaller outer radius portion 31. Locking screw hole 32. Key 233. Bowl 234. Hole 235. Fiat bowl surface 236. Rounded edge 237. Side 238. Ridge 239. Alternative retaining collar 340. Metal plate 341. Hole 342. Hook and loop fasteners -14-

Claims

Claims: 1. An apparatus for facilitating the handling of a two wheeled refuse bin, which comprises: a support mount body (16); a spindle (17,217) which can be secured to the bottom (5) of the two wheeled refuse bin (1) and which can be rotatably mounted on said support mount body (16), and means (18, 239) for retaining said support mount body (16) on said spindle (17, 217), when said spindle (17, 217) is attached to the bottom (5) of the two wheeled refuse bin (1), the arrangement being and that, in use, said two wheeled refuse bin (1) can be rotated on said support mount body (16) about said spindle (17, 217).
2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the support mount body (16) comprises, a flat surface (20) and a raised dome (21) having a hole (22) therethrough to accommodate said spindle (17, 217).
3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or2, wherein the support mount body (16) is square and has four circular indents (23) adjacent corners thereof.
4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein each circular indent (23) contains a central bolt hole (24) in order for a bolt (26) to pass through and attach a rubber foot (25) to the underside of the support mount body (16), directly underneath each circular indent (23).
5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the support mount body comprises a bowl (233).
6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said means (18, 239) comprises a retaining collar (18, 239) which can accommodate said spindle (17, 217), means (19) for securing said spindle (17, 217) fast with said retaining collar (18, 239) and wherein said retaining collar (18, 239) has a portion (30) which, in use, rotataiy resiaes in saia noie (22).
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said spindle (17, 217) is hollow and the inner surface thereof is tapered to, in use, facilitate attachment to a sprue (14) on a two wheeled refuse bin (1).
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, further comprising a metal plate (340) which, in use, is disposed between the plastic refuse bin (6) and the support mount body 06).
9. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
10. A two wheeled refuse bin having an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim attached thereto.
ii. A two wheeled refuse bin as claimed in Claim 10, having an internal floor (7) and ribs (10) depending downwardly and in direct contact with the support mount body (16).
12. A two wheeled refuse bin as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the spindle (17, 217) is screwed onto the sprue (14) which resides on the bottom (5) of the plastic L-.;.-. I&\ IcIuao UI' I L'J).
13. A method of turning around a two wheeled refuse bin (1) as claimed in Claim 10, 11 or 12, which method comprises the step of rotating said plastic refuse bin (6) on said support mount body (16).
14. A two wheeled refuse bin comprising a refuse bin (6) the bottom (5) of which has a dr,,A,nA,arrlI, avtand ann a (1 A\ a a' innnrt mn, In+ kr,rl, (1 R\ rnfa+akI, mn' .nfarl nn said sprue (14) and means for retaining said support mount body (16) on said sprue (14).