IE20050354U1 - A pedal bin - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A pedal bin is described having a lid which in use covers a mouth of a receptacle for rubbish, a pedal disposed adjacent a bottom of the bin, and a connecting means for connecting the pedal with the lid, wherein depressing a part of the pedal pivots the lid into an open position. The bin includes cushioning means for cushioning the closure of the lid. The connecting means is a connecting rod, and the cushioning means is disposed on the connecting rod for movement therewith. The bin further includes a stop which is disposed such that, on closing of the lid, the cushioning means is brought into Contact with the stop. The cushioning means comprises a helical spring which embraces the connecting rod and is fixed to the rod at a top thereof.

Description

A PEDAL BIN Technical Field The invention relates to a pedal bin of the type having a lid which in use covers a mouth of a receptacle for rubbish, a pedal disposed adjacent a bottom of the bin, and a connecting means for connecting the pedal with the lid such that depression of a part of the pedal pivots the lid into an open position.

Background Art Pedal bins of the above mentioned type are known, and are often used in hospitals to allow persons open the bin without having to touch the lid or receptacle portions of the bin. This is particularly important in hospitals where the material being placed in the bin may be biological waste or materials which have been in Contact with sick or diseased people. Generally, pedal bins of the above referenced type function by depressing the pedal at the front of the bin which by a pivoting action pushes the connecting means (generally a connecting rod) upwards to pivot the lid open at the top. Once opened, rubbish can be placed in the bin and the foot removed from the pedal which lowers the connecting rod, thereby closing the lid.

Unfortunately, as a users foot is generally removed from the pedal quite quickly, this results in the pedal being free to fall under its own weight, and the weight of the connecting rod, down onto the bin.

This generally results in a loud crashing sound which is an annoyance, particularly in a hospitals where silence on wards is often required.

Pedal bins of the above-referenced types can also cause injury if they close quickly on a users hand.

It is an object of the invention to overcome at least some of the above—referenced problems.

Statements of Invention According to the invention, there is provided a pedal bin of the type comprising a lid which in use covers a mouth of a receptacle for rubbish, a pedal disposed adjacent a bottom of the bin, and a connecting means for connecting the pedal with the lid, wherein depressing a part of the pedal pivots the lid into an open position, characterised in that the bin includes cushioning means which is actuated upon closing the lid to cushion the closure of the lid.

Typically, the connecting means is a connecting rod, and the cushioning means is generally disposed on the connecting rod for movement therewith.

Suitably, the bin further includes a stop which is disposed such that, on closing of the lid, the cushioning means is brought into contact with the stop.

In one embodiment, the cushioning means comprises a helical spring which embraces the connecting rod and is fixed to the rod, typically at a top thereof.

Preferably, the stop comprises a plate having an aperture through which the connecting rod passes.

Suitably, the pedal has a front portion which is exposed at a front of the bin, a rear portion which is connected to the connecting rod, the pedal usually being pivotable about a point intermediate the front and rear portions such that depression of the front portion results in the raising of the rear portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receptacle for rubbish comprises an open—top rigid container, which preferably includes means for suspending a plastic bag within the container in an open orientation. In one embodiment, hinges for holding the lid are provided adjacent a top of the container. Typically, a pair of spaced apart hinges are provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop plate is fixed to a rear of the container. The hole in the stop plate is dimensioned to allow the connecting rod move freely through the hole, yet prevent movement of the helical spring therethrough. Thus, in a closed resting state (as shown in Fig. 1), the helical spring abuts the stop and is slightly compressed against it by virtue of the weight of the lid. Upon opening of the lid, the connecting rod moves freely upwardly through the hole in the stop plate, moving the helical spring away from the stop.

This upward movement of the connecting rod is facilitated by the biasing provided by the slightly compressed connecting rod. Upon closure of the lid, the pedal is released and the weight of the lid and the connecting rod force the connecting rod downwardly towards the stop. Before the rod reaches its resting position, a bottom of the helical spring carried on the rod engages the stop and compresses slightly to thereby cushion the fall of the rod and lid resulting in a controlled, smooth, and quiet closure of the lid.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of using a pedal bin of the invention comprising the steps of: placing a foot on the pedal and depressing the pedal to open a lid of the bin, keeping the pedal depressed while the bin is being used, and releasing the pedal to close the lid, wherein closure of the lid is cushioned by the cushioning means .

Description of the Figures The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Fig. 1 is a rear elevation view of a pedal bin according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the pedal bin of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of the pedal bin of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is detailed view of a connecting rod and stop means forming part of the pedal bin of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention Referring to the figures, and initially to Figs 1 to 3, there is illustrated a pedal bin according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, and comprising a hollow rigid receptacle 2, a lid 3, and a foot pedal 4 which is connected to the lid 3 by means of a rigid connecting rod 5 which extends substantially vertically up a rear face 8 of the receptacle 2.

The lid 3 is connected to the rear face 8 of the receptacle 2 by means of a pair of spaced apart hinges 9 which are connected to a rear portion of the lid 3. The connecting rod 5 is fixed to the lid 3 at a point intermediate, and Slightly forward, of the hinges 9. In this manner, as the connecting rod is pushed upwardly, it pushes the lid open in a pivoting manner.

The foot pedal has a front portion 11 which is exposed proud of a front face 12 of the receptacle 2, and a rear portion 13 which extends proud of the rear face 8 of the receptacle 2, the rear portion 13 connecting to a bottom of the connecting rod by any suitable means. In an embodiment not shown, the foot pedal may be integrally formed with the connecting rod.

Referring specifically to Fig. 4, cushioning means are provided on the bin 1 to cushion the closure of the lid 3, the cushioning means comprising a helical spring 16 which is mounted on the rod in an embracing manner, and fixed thereto by a clamp 17 connected to a top of the spring 16, and a stop plate 18 which is mounted to the rear face 8 of the receptacle 2. The stop plate 18 comprises a mounting plate 19 which abuts the rear face 8, and a horizontal guiding plate 20 which extends outwardly from the mounting plate 19. The horizontal guiding plate 20 includes a through hole (not shown) which is dimensioned to allow free movement of the connecting rod therethrough, but to prevent passage of the helical spring 16. The stop plate 18 is positioned with respect to the helical spring 16 such that when the lid is closed, a bottom of the spring 16 engages the stop plate 18 prior to the connecting rod 5 reaching a resting position. Thus, as the spring 16 is compressed it cushions, or dampens, the fall of the connecting rod 5, which has the same effect on the fall of the lid 3.

In use, the lid on the bin is opened by depressing the front portion of the foot pedal which pivots the rear portion of the pedal, and the connecting rod, upwardly. As the rod moves upwardly it pushes an underside of the lid open in a pivoting manner. The foot is kept on the pedal while the bin is being used which keeps the lid open. Removal of the foot from the bin results in the lid falling down on the top of the receptacle. As the lid falls, the connecting rod moves downwardly through the hole in the stop plate until the bottom of the helical spring engages the stop plate which has the effect of cushioning, or dampening, the further fall of the rod. This cushions the fall of the lid and prevents it making a loud noise when it closes on the receptacle. Further, it has the effect of slowing the speed of closure of the lid which may prevent injury. Additionally, due to compression of the helical spring in the bins resting state, the connecting rod is biased upwardly which helps in opening of the lid of the bin.

Although it is not described in detail herein, the cushioning means can take other forms. For example, the helical spring could be replaced by some other form of resiliently deformable body which can be compressed upon engagement with a stop means, such as, for example, a foam sleeve which embraces the connecting rod. In a further embodiment, the connection between the lid and the connecting rod could be arranged such that downward movement of the rod opens the lid, and upward movement of the rod closes the lid. In such an embodiment, the stop plate could simply be placed on the receptacle above the helical spring, with the helical spring being fixed to the connecting rod at a bottom portion thereof. Thus, upon closure of the lid, the helical spring would move upwardly with the connecting rod and would engage the stop plate prior to reaching its resting position. In a further embodiment, the helical spring (or any other resiliently deformable means) does not have to embrace the connecting rod, rather it can be connected, for example, in parallel to the rod for movement therewith. In such a case, the stop plate may be positioned beside the connecting rod and does not therefore require a through hole for receipt of the rod.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail without departing from the spirit of the invention.

IE05035-'1

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A pedal bin of the type having a lid which in use covers a mouth of a receptacle for rubbish, a pedal disposed adjacent a bottom of the bin, and a connecting means for connecting the pedal with the lid, wherein depressing a part of the pedal pivots the lid into an open position, characterised in that the bin includes cushioning means which is actuated upon closing the lid to cushion the closure of the lid.

2. A pedal bin as claimed in Claim 1 in which the connecting means is a connecting rod, and the cushioning means is disposed on the connecting rod for movement therewith, wherein the bin further includes a stop which is disposed such that, on closing of the lid, the cushioning means is brought into Contact with the stop.

3. A pedal bin as claimed in Claim 2 in which the cushioning means comprises a helical spring which embraces the connecting rod and is fixed to the rod at a top thereof.

4. A pedal bin as claimed in Claim 3 in which the stop comprises a plate having an aperture through which the connecting rod passes.

5. A pedal bin as claimed in Claim 4 in which the pedal has a front portion which is exposed at a front of the bin, a rear portion which is connected to the connecting rod, the pedal being pivotable about a point intermediate the front and rear portions.