WO2001094229A1

WO2001094229A1 - A bin lid lifting assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2001094229A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kevin Sydney Lansdown
Original assignee: Kevin Sydney Lansdown
Priority date: 2000-06-09
Filing date: 2001-06-04
Publication date: 2001-12-13

Abstract

A lid lifting assembly for waste containers having hinged lids, the assembly being independent of the container, and having a foot operated arm (12) which is pivotably attached to the main body of the assembly (10), the arm member having a forward portion (9) which can be depressed by the foot of a person and a rear portion attached to the lower portion of a link member (13), the link member having a upper portion which abuts against the container lid, whereby depression of the arm member causes the link member to move upwardly to lift the lid.

Description

A Bin Lid Lifting Assembly

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bin lid lifting assemble for waste containers, a complete lid lifting assembly separate from the bin, when you place a bin in the assembly and then depress the foot pedal, the lid of the bin opens. The assembly is constructed in a manner that provides advantages over other types of known bin lid lifters.

Background Art

Cytotoxic, Clinical and General waste containers used in the medical or domestic waste industry are made of plastic, the top of the bin is fitted with a pivoting bin lid, with the lid having upper handles to allow it to be lifted by a persons hands. The bins have various volumes but are typically 50, 35, litre and are typically circular in shape. The 22-litre bin is typically square shape.

It is desirable to be able to open the lid of these bins without touching it. For instance when a person is disposing of any form of waste, medical or hazardous, or toxic waste, for hygiene reasons, they do not want to touch the lid of the bin not only for hygienic reasons but for convenience as well.

It is desirable to be able to replace any number of bins at the one workstation. Bins are replaced at their workstation on a frequent basis, they are replaced for waste removal, cleaning and hygiene control. When the bin is away being serviced by the waste collection contractor, there was a need to be able to replace the bin and not the lid lifting assembly. Bin lid lifters are known in prior art. Most bin lifters have a foot- operated pedal, which in some way is permanent part of the bin or is connected to the container section, lid or hinge bracket of the bin. This arrangement is not satisfactory in regards to health and safety issues and the cost effectiveness of having a foot pedal on every bin.

It is desirable to have a device that is able to lift the lid of the bin, but is not connected to the bin. It is desirable to have the lid opening assemble separate from the bin so as you can change the bin at any time, or destroy the bin by incineration, with its contents intact. Therefore you are not destroying a foot pedal if one was attached to the bin, only the bin and its contents.

It is desirable to have a separate assembly from the bin so as to provide stability to the bin. This stable base overcomes the problem of the bin being tipped over either by accidental bumping of the bin or when the foot pedal is depressed.

It is desirable to have a lid lifting assembly and a sharps container holder all in the one assembly by having a point of generation needle stick injuries can be reduced.

The typical 50, 35, litre waste container is a round plastic container with a pivotal lid, attached to the pivotal lid of the container are handles, attached to the pivotal lid is a hinge assembly concaved in shape and attached to the container section of the bin are hinge brackets, attached to the upper portion of the container section of the bin is a pivotal metal locking handle, so you can lock the lid of the container for hygienic reasons. These bin are known of known design. The typical mode of connecting the lid opening device and a bin to form a container with a foot operated lid-opening device, Attach a bin lid hinge insert into the concaved hinge lid assembly of the bin, to form a flat surface for the push rod to engage. Place a bin on the platform of the assembly, the hinge lid assembly of the bin fits over the top vertical housing of the assembly, rotate the pivotal metal locking handle of the bin, to the rear of push rod housing to engage with the locking member and lock into place.

Object of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a lid lifting assembly, which overcomes the disadvantages of no lid lifting assembly on theses bins. By providing a lid lifting assembly that is a completely separate assembly from the bin, and providing a stable base for the bin. When a bin is placed in the assembly and you depress the foot pedal, the lid is lifted in a safe and controlled manner.

The assembly can have other features such as an extended rear portion to hold sharps containers or the like.

In one form this invention resides in a foot operated lid lifting device, which contains a main body, a platform for the bin to sit on, a push rod housing, attached to the push rod housing are lid stops, also attached to the pushrod housing is the handle locking member. A pivotal arm member, which in turn is connected to a axle, connected to the axle is the pivotal arm, connected to the pivotal arm is push rod, which passes through the top of the push rod housing, when a bin is placed in the assembly and locked into place by the metal locking handle, and downward pressure is applied to the foot pedal, the push rod raises the lid of the container to a suitable position. In another form, to lock the bin into place on the assembly the locking member is contained on the main body.

The assembly can lift the lid of the bin in a safe and controlled manner, the lid can only open to controlled vertical plain, and is not attached to the bin.

The bin lid hinge insert that is attached to the cylindrical bin, can be of rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like or can be moulded as part of the bin to form a flat surface for the pushrod to engage with the lid of the bin. Typically, it is a U section that attaches to the hollow concaved hinge lid member of the bin and fastened into place by 2 screws, this now changes the configuration of the hinge lid member from a concaved shape to a flat surface to form a flat surface for the push rod to engage.

The main body can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like. It can be configured in such shapes as to form a square, cross section or a circle, but typically it is square. For a typical sized bin the main body has a length of between 300mm and 320mm a width of about 300mm and 320mm, and a thickness of about 3mm and 5mm and a depth of about 65mm.

The main body has a platform for the bin to sit on and to stabilize the bin to the assembly, it can be the main body itself, but typically is 3mm thick 65mm in width and a length of between 300mm and 320mm, situated at the front and rear of the main body. The Vertical pushrod housing, can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like, it can be central to the rear of the main body, Typically it is centre to the rear of the main body and can be of any height to suit any particular bin, typically, the vertical pushrod housing has a height of between 400mm and 660mm and is 50mm by 25mm, 1.6 gauge tube, depending on the size of the bin 50,35,22 litre.

Attached to the upper section of the push rod housing are bin lid stops, The bin lid stops, can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like these stops prevent the lid of the bin from opening to far. In one form they attached to the upper sides of the push rod housing in an L shape configuration, in another form at the rear and in another from on top of the vertical housing. Typical for the 50 and 35 litre round bin they are at the upper sides of the push rod housing, shaped in configuration, protruding above the top of the vertical housing by 15mm to 20mm and are 20 mm wide, which in turn produces a total with of 65mm, 20mm for each bin stop and 25 mm for the width of the push rod housing, this total width accommodates the size of the hinge bracket on the 50, 35 litre cylindrical bin.

At the front and the rear of the main body are slots for the arm member to pass through, these slots can be centered or off centered, but typically are centered to the front and rear of the main body, the axle housing can be in the centre of the main body or at the sides of the main body, but typically are at the side of the main body, at a height of 25mm and 8mm in diameter. Typically the pivotal axis point is centre to the main body

The pivotal arm member can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like. The forward portion of the arm member, which is depressed by a person's foot typically, has a footpad. The arm member can be of any length depending on the size of main body and the bin. For a typical sized bin the arm member has a length of between 350mm and 450mm, a width of about 16mm, and a thickness of about 6mm. At the rear of the arm member is a connecting mechanism for the push rod, typically the connecting mechanism is 5.5mm hole so as to insert a 5mm diameter bolt 16mm in length, and fastened by a locking nut. At the axis point of the arm member is a connecting mechanism for the axle, typically the connecting mechanism is 8.5mm hole for the 8mm axle to pass through.

The axle can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like. It can be square or round, but typically is round 8mm in diameter and a length of between 300 mm and 320mm. The axle can be connected to the main body by means of an axle housing or typically inserted through holes at the side main body 8.5mm in diameter. The axle can be secured into place via fastening means, typically it is secured into place via axle caps.

The push rod is attached to the rear portion of the arm member, and can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like. The push rod can be of any length and size depending on the size of the bin. At one end of the pushrod is a connecting member that connects to the arm member, at the other end is the end cap that engages with the lid of the bin. Typically, the push rod is 8mm round rod. The connection member end of the push rod is flattened to form a shape 25mm long and 4 mm thick by 10mm wide, a 5.5mm hole is provided in this section so you can connect the pivotal arm member at this point using a 5mm diameter 16mm long bolt and nut. At the other end of the pushrod is the end cap. The end cap is attached to the opposite end of the pushrod to the connecting member and can be formed from rigid materials such as plastic or metal, rod tube or the like. Typically it is a round member that fits over the end of the 8mm push rod.

Breif Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the following figures in which

Figures 1 illustrate the lid lifting assembly according to the embodiment of the invention.

Figures 2 shows a cylindrical waste container as used in the assembly.

Figures 3 shows the waste container in the open postion.

Figure 4 shows a different version of a waste container and the assembly as a complete unit in the open postion.

Figure 5 shows a waste container in the assembly as a complete unit in the open postion. Figure 6 illustrates a different version of the assembly.

Figure 7 shows a different version of the assembly, the main difference being the lid stops and the bin locking members.

Figure 8 illustrates the assembly with shelf unit to hold other containers.

Figure 9 shows 2 versions of the pushrod housing and the lid stops, and a pushrod housing end cap.

Figure 10 shows versions of the pushrod, an axle and axle cap and a pivotal arm member with a footpad.

Figure 11 shows the hinge assembly of a cylindrical waste container and the bin lid insert for that hinge assembly.

Best Mode

Referring to the drawings and initially figures 1, there is illustrated a foot operated lid lifting assembly, figure 5, a waste container, the assembly contains a frame for the bin to sit in, alternatively called a main body 10, attached to the main body is a pivotal arm member 12 with a forward portion 9, a rear portion^{^} 30, and a axle 14 and a pushrod housing 7. Connected to the rear of the pivotal arm is push rod 18, which passes through the top of the push rod housing 7. Attached to the push rod housing are lid stops 11, attached to the pushrod housing is the handle-locking member 8. Referring to figure 11 a bin lid hinge insert 20 is a U section that attaches to the concaved hinge lid member 4 of the bin 1 and fastened into place by 2 screws, utilizing the existing holes 21 of the lid assembly 4. This now changes the inner configuration of the hinge lid member from a concaved shape to form a flat surface for the push rod to engage.

Referring to drawing 5 when a waste container 1 is placed in the assembly and locked into place by the metal locking handle 6, and downward pressure is applied to the foot pedal 9, the push rod 13 raises the pivotal lid 2 of the container 1 to a suitable position.

In essence, no part of the lid lifting assembly is attached to the waste container and the assembly is independent of the waste container.

In the embodiment, the main body 10 has a length of 320mm a width of 320mm, and a thickness of 3mm and a depth of 65mm. This of course can vary to suit. In the embodiment the main body is made of steel although other materials can be used.

The main body 10 has a platform 15 for the bin 1 to sit on, and to stabilize the bin to the assembly. In the embodiment they are 3mm thick 65mm in width and a length of 320mm, situated at the front and rear of the main body 10 and at a height so there is no restriction to the movement of the pivotal arm, and at a height to form a rim at the top of the main body to stabilize the bin when it is placed in the assembly. The Vertical pushrod housing 7 is central to the rear of the main body 10. This of course can vary to suit. The vertical pushrod housing 7 has a height of between 400mm and 660mm depending on the size of the container and is 50mm by 25mm, 1.6 gauge steel tube, although other materials can be used.

Attached to the upper section of the push rod housing 7 are bin lid stops 11, these stops limit the pivoting movement of the pivotal lid 2 from extending past the vertical plane of the bin 1 when the foot pad is depressed by a person foot.

The lid stops 11 are attached to the upper sides of the push rod housing 7 as shown in Figure 1 in an L shape configuration, protruding above the top of the vertical housing 7 by 20mm and are 20 mm wide, which in turn produces a total width including the pushrod housing 7 of 65mm. Different versions of the bin lid stops are shown in figure 7 and 6.

When the bin 1 is placed in the assembly the pivotal hinge lid assembly 4 of the bin 1 fits over the top of the vertical housing 7 and this stabilizes the bin to the assembly. The pivotal locking handle 6 of the bin 1 is engaged with the locking member 8 of the assembly and the bin 1 is secured to the assembly as per figure 5.

At the front and the rear of the main body are slots 25 for the arm member 12 to pass through, these slots 25 are 45mm high and 8mm wide centered to the front and rear of the main body 10. This of course can vary to suit. The axle housing are at the sides of the main body 10, at a height of 25mm and 8mm in diameter. This of course can vary to suit. These hole are to retain the axle 14 in place at the central axis point of the main body.

The pivotal arm rfiember 12 has a forward portion a footpad 9. The arm member 12 has a length of 400mm, a width of about 16mm, and a thickness of about 6mm. This of course can vary to suit. And is made of steel although other materials can be used. At the rear of the arm member 12 is a connecting mechanism for the push rod 13, the connecting mechanism is 5.5mm hole 30 to insert a 5mm diameter bolt 16mm in length not illustrated, and fastened by a locking nut. At the axis point of the arm member is a connecting mechanism for the axle 14, the connecting mechanism is 8.5mm hole 23 for the 8mm axle 14 to pass through.

The axle 14 is round rod 8mm in diameter and a length of between 300 mm and 320mm. This of course can vary to suit. The axle 14 can be connected to the main body 10 by means of an axle housing or typically inserted through holes at the side main body 8.5mm in diameter. The axle 10 is secured into place via fastening means, a cap 26. This of course can vary to suit.

Push rod 13 in the embodiment is a metal rod circular in cross section and having a diameter of 8mm and a length of 470mm. This of course can vary to suit, and is attached to the rear portion of the arm member 12, At one end of the pushrod 13 is a connecting member that connects to the arm member 12, at the other end is the end cap that engages with the lid of the bin 1. The connection member 22 end of the push rod 13 is flattened to form a shape 25mm long and 4 mm thick by 10mm wide a 5.5mm hole is provide in this section so you can connect the pivotal arm member 12 at this point using a 5mm diameter 16mm long bolt and nut. At the other end of the pushrod is the end cap 18. The end cap 18 is attached to the opposite end of the pushrod 13 to the connecting member it is a round member that fits over the end of the 8mm push rod 13. This of course can vary to suit.

It can be seen that the lid lifting assembly can be in any number of configurations to suit any size waste container.

In the embodiment the assembly is made out of metal, although other materials such as plastic or the like can be used.

Figure 2 illustrates the waste container 1, which is of known design and has a handle 3, a pivoting lid 2, a hinge bracket 5, a hinge assembly 4 and a pivotal locking handle 6, that when placed in the lid lifting assembly they combine to form a bin with a foot operated lid lifting assembly.

Figure 3 illustrates the waste container 1, with the pivoting lid in the open postion.

Figure 4 illustrates a different shape container 1 which is of known design, it is of the shape and design of the standard wheelie bin, to utilize this bin in the lid lifting assembly, the rear wheels of the bin are removed, to gain access to the rear wheels hollow axle bracket to utilize a different method for waste container 2 to be secured to the assembly, by means of different version of locking member 8, locking member 8 is attached to the bin platforms 15 of the main body 10 towards the rear, they are of a metal plate 60mm high and 40 mm width and a hole 16mm in diameter is located in this member to accommodate a locking grommet 31.

When a bin is placed on the platform of the lid lifting assembly, the locking grommet 31 is inserted through locking member 8 and into the rear wheel axle housing of the bin 2. This of course can vary to suit. Also the lid stop 34 is of a different configuration (figure 7 lid stop 11) this stop restricts the pivotal lid from opening past the vertical plane.

Figure 5 shows the waste container and the assembly combined as one unit, with the lid of the bin in the open postion.

Figure 6 shows an alternate embodiment to main body 10 and bin platform 15, attached to the bin platform are bin location lugs 27 to locate with the bottom flange of bin 1 so as to locate binl on the bin platform. Attached to the underside of the bin platform 15 are wheels or castors 24, attached to pushrod housing 7 is a different version of lid stop 11.

Figure 7 shows a alternate embodiment of locking member 8, locking member 8 is attached to the bin platforms 15 of the main body 10 towards the rear, they are of a metal plate 60mm high and 40 mm width and a hole 16mm in diameter is located in this member to accommodate a locking grommet 31. When a bin is placed on the platform of the lid lifting assembly the locking grommet 31 is inserted through locking member 8 and into the rear wheel axle housing of the bin 2. This of course can vary to suit. Also the lid stop 34 is of a different configuration, this stop restricts the pivotal lid from opening past the vertical plane.

Figure 8 illustrates the assembly with an extended main body 10 and container shelf frame 29 attached to this frame is a container platform 28.

Figure 9 illustrates different versions of the lid stops 11, 34 attached to the push rod housings 7, push rod end cap housing 17 is of known design and is attached to the top of the push rod housing, with a hole in it for the pushrod to pass through.

Figure 10 illustrates different versions of the push rods 13 and end caps 18, 32, and axle 14 and pivotal arm member 12, and axle cap 26.

Figure 11 illustrates the configuration a bin lid hinge insert 20 is a U section that attaches to the concaved hinge lid member 4, and fastened into place by 2 screws, utilizing the existing holes 21 of the lid assembly 4. This now changes the configuration of the hinge lid member from a concaved shape to form a flat surface for the push rod to engage.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention

1. A hands free lid lifting assembly for refuse containers, the assembly having a pivoting foot operated arm member, the arm member having a forward depressible portion, and a rear portion, a link member having a tower portion attached to the rear portion of the arm member and which extends through a vertical housing, attached to the vertical housing is a lid stop member and a locking handle member, the link member having a upper portion which abuts against the bin lid, whereby depression of the arm member causes the link member to move upwardly to open the bin lid when a bin is placed on the assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1, whereby the assembly is separate from the waste container.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the arm member is pivotally attached to an axle, and the axle is attached to the main body.

4. The assembly of claim 3, whereby the pivotal movement of the link member is limited by stops which are provided in the main body.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the push rod housing has a clamping means to clamp a bin to the assembly.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the main body has a clamping means to clamp a bin to the assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the push rod housing has a member to restrict the opening of the bin lid past the vertical plane.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the assembly has a clamping means to clamp a bin to the assembly.

9.

10. The assembly having vertical members attached to the main body, the vertical members having an attached platform.

11. A assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

12. A bin having a attached pivoting hinged lid, a hinge lid member attached to the pivoting lid hinge whereby the upper portion of the link member abuts against hinge lid member, whereby depression of the arm member causes the link member to move upwardly to open the bin.

13. The bin of claim 12, a hinge lid member that attaches to the hinge lid.

14. The bin of claim 13, wherein the upper portion of the link member abuts against the bin lid at a postion in front of the lid axis, and is not attached to the lid.

15. A bin having an attached lid, the lid having a vertical flange around the lid, whereby the upper portion of the link member abuts against lid flange, whereby depression of the arm member causes the link member to move upwardly to open the bin.

16. The bin of claim 15, wherein the upper portion of the link member abuts against the lid flange at a postion in front of the lid axis, and is not attached to the lid flange.

17. The bin having an attached lid and hinge assembly the hinge assembly is of a flat surface whereby the upper portion of the link member abuts against lid hinge assembly, whereby depression of the arm member causes the link member to move upwardly to open the bin.

18. The bin of claim 17, wherein the upper portion of the link member abuts against the lid assembly at a postion in front of the lid axis, and is not attached to the lid flange.