US3514007A - Garbage hideaway - Google Patents

Description

M. B. WOODS, sR 3,514,007

GARBAGE HIDEAWAY May 26, 1970 Filed March 14, 1968 .4 Shees-Sheet l INVENT OR MIL ram 5. Wooos, $12.,

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ATTORNEY M y 1970 MB. WOODS, SR

GARBAGE HIDEAWAY .4 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 14, 1968 INVENTOR M1. 701V 5. Wows, 52.

BY 25 7 M ATTORNEY May 26, 1970 M. B. WOODS, SR

GARBAGE HIDEAWAY .4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 14, 1968 INVENTOR M/LroA/fi. Wooos, 52.

ATTORNEY May 26, 1970 M. B. wooos, SR

GARBAGE HIDEAWAY .4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F'iled March 14, 1968 INVENTOR M/LTO/V WOODS, SE,

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,514,007 GARBAGE HIDEAWAY Milton Brice Woods, Sr., 2611 Chelsea St., Orlando, Fla. 32803 Filed Mar. 14, 1968, Ser. No. 713,222 Int. Cl. B65d 25/00, 43/16 US. Cl. 22-015 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention provides an effective mobile receptacle for one or more garbage or trash cans, which assures that the lids will be kept upon the cans at all times except during filling and emptying procedures, with the removal of the cans from the device being such' an uncomplicated matter that the garbage men and/or trash men can reasonably be expected to use the device in the intended manner.

This invention relates to an easily transportable, allweather garbage can transporter, and more particularly to such a device that will be sanitar and odorless, yet convenient enough that garbage and trash collectors will use it properly.

Virtually every householder is acquainted with the problems of disposing of trash and garbage, for dogs and other animals are prone to knock the cans over and scatter the contents, lids frequently getting lost or become bent so as not to fit properly, and as a result flies and other unattractive animal life are frequently present. Further, in many communities it is necessary for the householder to transport the garbage cans to a certain location, such as to a curb that may be a distance from the house, involving the cans being laboriously carried one at a time to such locations. Thereafter, the garbage men after dumping same frequently fling the cans into the yard, causing an unsightly appearance as well as remnants of trash and garbage being strewn around.

Others have become aware of this problem and a number of garbage can and trash can arrangements have been proposed, utilizing a hinged lid that can be opened by stepping on a foot pedal. However, these devices have chiefly been designed for indoor use and generally have not been rugged enough so that garbage men and trash collectors could be allowed to handle same.

Still others have utilized wheeled carts or wagons for transporting garbage cans, but these are frequently unsightly and so cumbersome to handle that usually the householder dispenses with the use of same and goes back to carrying the garbage cans by hand.

In accordance with the present invention I have provided a transporter type device I prefer to call a garbage hideaway, which is an attractively configured mobile device designed to carry one, two or more garbage cans, with the arrangement being such that the lids of the garbage cans are always closed except when items are being placed in the cans, or they are being dumped by the refuse collector.

I prefer to construct my transporter to have front, back and side members, with means such as a plurality of steel centering springs being arrayed around in the interior of same in one or more generally circular configurations such that garbage cans of a particular size can be accepted. Although the sides of the transporter housing are far enough apart that the cans could loosely fit into same, by

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the use of these centering springs, two or so can receiving locations are uniquely determined, from which the cans can be easily withdrawn, and back into which they may be easily replaced.

Although the use of the plurality of centering springs is advantageous from several standpoints, the determination of these can receiving locations becomes particularly significant when it is realized that the lids of these garbage cans can be disposed on the inside of the cover member of the housing, thus being in such a position that the garbage cans are automatically closed when the cover member of the housing is closed. Conversely, when it is desired to place some additional garbage or trash in the can or cans disposed in the housing, it is but a simple matter to step upon a foot pedal arranged to automatically cause the cover member to open, to thus uncover both cans so that the householder can deposit his trash or garbage in the appropriate can.

Other advantages of my invention involve the fact that it can easily accommodate plastic trash or garbage cans therein, which of course means that rust and noise problems can be largely eliminated. Further, my mobile housing not only makes it possible for a housewife to easily transport the garbage cans to the street as may be required, but also it forms a sturdy enough means for protecting plastic cans that they will not be torn or damaged, nor can they be overturned by dogs, or entered by rats or other animals.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a refuse can transporter that will greatly simplify the problem of storing, transporting, and dumping of such cans.

It is another object of my invention to provide a transporter having one, two or more can-receiving locations therein, from which cans or other items may be readily withdrawn or replaced.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a receptacle for garbage cans or trash cans that assures the lids being maintained on the cans at all times during stor age, yet easily removable at time of immediate use.

These and other objects, features and advantages may be more apparent from a study of the enclosed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of my transporter, with certain portions removed to reveal internal construction;

FIG. 1a is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top view generally relatable to FIG. 1, but with certain portions of the cover member removed to reveal the internal arrangements;

FIG. 3 is an end view of my transporter, with the cover member partially raised;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is the upper portion of a cross section taken along lines 55 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view illustrating a wheel detail;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of the handle detail;

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the frame of the cover member;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a typical corner detail of the cover member;

FIG. 11 is a detail of a typical corner of the transporter; and

FIG. 12 is a view of the corner with the upper channel members in place.

Referring to FIG. 1, I have there illustrated the transporter which utilizes a frame 11 such as of metal members of L-shaped, channel shaped, or Z-shaped cross section. A pair of wheels 12 may be provided adjacent one end of the device, and a handle 13 at the upper part of the opposite end so as to enable the device to be tipped somewhat, and then the garbage cans or trash cans wheeled from the house to the curb or vice versa. A foot member 14 may be provided on the underside of the transporter near the handle, which serves to support part of the device 10 when it is not being wheeled.

As may vbe noted from FIG. 1 and other figures, the transporter may be arranged to receive trash cans or garbage cans 15 and 16, which are easily accommodated within the confines of the transporter. The cans may each rest upon a circular support member such as member 17 of FIG. 1, which may for example be supported by and fastened to Z-shaped transverse frame members 18 and 19. Latter members may in turn be secured to lower longitudinal frame members 21 and 22, as best seen in FIGS. 1, la and 2. Members 21 and 22 form a mounting means for the axle of wheels 12; note FIGS. 2 and 7.

Rather than allowing the cans 15 and 16 to be disposed loosely within the transporter, I prefer to use a plurality of centering springs 23 disposed on each half of the transporter, with each group of springs extending in somewhat of a circular array to define can-receiving locations 25 and 26. Each spring extends from the upper part of the device to the lower, with the center portions of the springs being free to contact the sides of the respective can. In this manner the springs together define a firm yet effective retention means for the cans, with the springs having sutficient force to retain the cans in the desired position, yet presenting no substantial obstacle to the removal of the cans for the purpose of dumping, or to the subsequent reinsertion of same.

As will be noted from the FIG. 2 of drawing, I may prefer to use eight centering springs 23 to define each can receiving location, with four of the springs in somewhat corner positions, and thus necessarily being somewhat larger than the four intervening springs. The upper ends of the springs can be bolted to the upper frame members, and the lower ends bolted to the circular support members.

As will be apparent from FIG. 3 and other figures of drawing, I provide a hinged cover member 28 in order to assure that the cans will remain tightly closed at all times except when trash or garbage is being deposited in the cans, or else the cans are being emptied. The lids and 36 for the cans 15 and 16 are preferably secured to the underside of the cover 28, with the placement being such that when the cover member is closed, the lids automatically cover the cans. The can receiving locations 25 and 26 of course determine the location of the cans with respect to the lids. Hinges 47 may be used to secure the cover member 28 to the upper frame members.

Preferably the cover member 28 is spring biased to the open position, so that upon foot pedal 29 being oper ated, a suitable latch arrangement 30 releases cover and allows it to quickly open under the influence of a cornpression spring 32. As will be noted in FIG. 4, the spring 32 may be disposed approximately in the mid portion of the transporter, and disposed so as to push against a piston member 48 and thus cause the cover member to open upon the latch member being released. The spring 32 is preferably disposed in a spring housing 33 that serves to protect the spring as well as serving to provide an effective mounting for same. A snubber spring 49 may be employed in the upper end of the spring housing to cushion the opening of the cover member 28.

It will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the frame members adjacent the center portion of the transporter may be spaced somewhat apart so as to define a space, and it is in that space that the spring 32 may be disposed, as Well as the latching arrangement 30 associated with foot pedal 29. As will be noted from FIG. 4, the foot pedal 29 is biased by a coil spring 34 into the position in which the rod 37 causes contact to be maintained with latch 31. However, upon the foot pedal 29 being depressed, the latch member is caused to be released, allowing the cover member to be biased to the open position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 4 under the influence of spring 32.

As will be noted from FIG. 1, the lids 35 and 36 corresponding to the cans 15 and 16 are preferably secured to the underside of the cover member, or more particularly to the cross members 40 of the frame 50 of the cover member, with the position of the lids being such as to correspond closely to the position of the cans when the cover member is in closed position. This is significant once it is realized that many times a person does not take the time to cover the cans tightly, whereas in accordance with this invention, proper closure of the cans is effected automatically as the cover member is closed. If desired, a plurality of small springs 38 may be utilized for suspending the lids in the proper position from members 40, and a gasket or seal 39 may be disposed around the inner periphery of each lid so that a desirably tight, odor-proof and insect-proof sealing may be effected.

Although I am not to be restricted to same, for lightness as well as strength reason I prefer to construct the sides of the transporter utilizing corrugated fiberglass panels, such as front panel 41, rear panel 42, and end panels 43 and 44. As will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 4, these panels may be easily received between the various portions of the channel members constituting the frame 11 of my device. Note in this regard in FIGS. 8 and 11 that corner'members 45 are configured to receive panels. Thereafter, upper channel members 46 may be placed along the tops of the panels, as will be noted from FIGS. 2 and 12. As a result of this construction, my device lends itself to economical shipping in that the frame members may be transported in disassembled condition, with the householder being expected to bolt same together, thereafter slide the precut panels into place, and then fasten members 46 into position.

Referring to FIG. 9', it will be noted that I may construct the frame 50' of the cover member 28 of square wall tubing, with corner members 51 employed to complete the construction. A flat sheet 52 of fiberglass or the like may constitute the upper surface of the cover member 28.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a can of disinfectant 53 and a brush 54 may be secured to panel 44.

As may now be seen, I have provided a very effective, attractive and economical garbage can transporter that enables a person with both hands full to open the lids of the cans easily. As will be obvious, one of the cans in the transporter may be for trash, and the other for garbage.

The bottom portion of the transporter may be left uncovered by a panel, thus preventing a buildup of trash inside, in the event some trash misses the cans. I am not to be limited to fiberglass panels for the sides and top of the device, for obviously plywood or thin metal sheets may be used if preferable.

I claim:

1. A transporter for a plurality of garbage cans, trash cans or the like comprising a housing having a plurality of sides and a hinged cover, means defining a plurality of can-receiving locations in said transporter for receiving the same number of cans, each of said locations being defined by a plurality of centering springs arrayed in a substantially circular configuration, with mid portions of said springs being free to contact the sides of the respective can and determine its position in the transporter, and with the upper portions of the springs being spaced from the cans so as to provide ready access to the handles provided on the cans, flanged lids being provided for the cans, said lids being attached to the interior portion of said hinged cover, with the position of the lids on said cover being such that the cans are automatically opened upon said cover being raised, with the flanged portions References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 485,011 10/ 1892 Kneeland 22015 645,626 3/1900 Mills 22012 1,174,136 3/1916 Filger 22016 X 1,408,757 3/1922 Metzger 220-15 X 1,625,006 4/ 1927 Wattawa. 1,662,399 3/1928 Rood et a1.

Sommers 220--1 Schott 220-36 Glowka.

Hollerith 22035 Joyce 28 0-4726 X Searles 21754 X Smith 21754 Hales 217-54 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner J. R. GARRETT, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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