WO2003051748A1

WO2003051748A1 - Apparatus for locating a refuse bin

Info

Publication number: WO2003051748A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/005682
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Wilding
Original assignee: John Wilding
Priority date: 2001-12-19
Filing date: 2002-12-13
Publication date: 2003-06-26
Also published as: GB2398730A; AU2002356296A1; GB0130395D0; GB2398730B; GB0413545D0

Abstract

Refuse bins, especially wheeled bins but without limitation to same, are prone to being blown away. Accordingly, the present invention proposes apparatus comprising a first member (5,5') adapted for securing to a wall, and a second member (9,9') co-operable with the first member. The apparatus provides aperturing (11,11') to receive in use a handle of a refuse bin to hold the bin captive with respect to the apparatus in a first position of the second member, and to allow the refuse bin to be released in a second position of the second member. The second member is selectively locatable with respect to the first member by latching means (35) and in one embodiment the second member is hingedly connected to the first member which comprises a pair of spaced apart forward facing members having forward facing aperturing carried by a common backplate (3'). The second member is L-shaped.

Description

Apparatus for locating a refuse bin

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for locating a refuse bin.

It is becoming increasingly common to utilise refuse bins that are provided with wheels to enable a user to move the bin to a roadside location where it can be picked up and emptied by a refuse collection vehicle. Usually a mechanical pick up means is provided so that the bin does not have to be man handled by the refuse collector. This reduces the man power required.

A typical bin with wheels, commonly referred to as a wheelie bin, is relatively tall and narrow and provided with a hinged lid. Such bins are particularly susceptible to being blown over or being blown away in the wind. This inevitably results in the contents being disgorged and the possibility of the bins causing damage. Traditional bins are shorter and squatter but can still be blown over in strong winds and can still cause damage.

It is an aim of the present invention to avoid such problems whilst allowing the bins to be easily emptied. Accordingly the present invention provides apparatus comprising a first member adapted for securing to a wall or other support structure and a second member co-operable with the first member, and wherein the apparatus provides aperturing to receive in use a handle or the like of a refuse bin to hold the bin captive with respect to the apparatus in a first position of the second member and to allow the refuse bin to be released in a second position of the second member, and wherein the second member is selectively locatable with respect to the first member.

In one embodiment the aperturing is provided in the first member and closed off by the second member. In another embodiment both the first member and the second member have aperturing. In one embodiment the second member is slidably moveable with respect to the first member in the manner of a drawer. The aperturing may open upwardly in one member and open forwardly in the other member. Latching means is provided to secure the second member in the closed position with respect to the first member. Advantageously an over centre clamp mechanism may be used.

In another embodiment the second member is hinged to the first member. The first member preferably depends from a backplate. Conveniently the backplate is provided with holes to facilitate fixing in the desired position. In a preferred embodiment that is particularly suited to locating a wheelie bin, a pair of spaced apart first members are provided. Advantageously a single second member serves to control opening and closing of the aperturing. Alternatively, two separate second members are provided, each hingedly connected to either a respective first member or a common first member. Preferably the aperturing comprises forward facing recesses in a pair of spaced apart first members. Preferably the recesses have a semi-circular configuration to receive a handle of the refuse bin which is circular in cross section. Latching means is provided to releasably secure the second member with respect to the first member, or at least one of the second members, when two second members are provided. The latching means may comprise a hook that is engageable with a recess in the first

member. Conveniently it is rotatable about a first axis, through say 90°, between

a latched and an unlatched position. Conveniently it is turned by a lever journalled in the second member. Advantageously said lever has a through hole by which it can be locked to a lug of the first member using a padlock.

The principal elements of the embodiment of the invention are preferably moulded from plastics.

The present invention will now be described further by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention and shown in its closed position, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of figure 1 showing part of a refuse bin hitched to the apparatus,

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 shown in a closed position,

Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 showing the latch prior to engagement,

Figure 5 is a side view of the apparatus of figure 1 in its open position and showing the latch completely released,

Figure 6 is a plan view of figure 3,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the invention and shown in its closed position,

Figure 8 is a front view of the embodiment of figure 7,

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of figure 7 sectioned on AA of Figure 11 ,

Figure 10 is a plan view of figure 8, Figure 11 is a side view of figure 8 showing both open and closed positions,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the of apparatus of figure 7 shown in its open position and showing part of a wheelie bin,

and Figure 13 is an inverted plan view of Figure 8 showing the latching mechanism and with the housing partially cut away.

Referring firstly to the drawings of Figures 1 to 6, apparatus for locating a refuse bin comprises a body 1 having a backing plate 3 and a first member 5. The first member has a reception slot 7 to receive slidably therein a second member 9. Means (not illustrated) prevents the second member from being completely withdrawn from the first member. The first member has a forward opening recess 11 in each of its opposite side walls 13,15. Likewise the second member has an upwardly opening recess 17 in each of its side walls 19,21. The second member has a front wall 23 that is curved in the edge regions for safety considerations. A latching means is shown at 25 in the form of an over centre clamp. A link part 24 is pivotally secured to the first member and to a clasp body 26 that is releasably co-operable with an abutment 27 on the second member. One edge 28 of the clasp is recessed to provide a convenient finger grip. The surface of the clasp is preferably ribbed for ease of gripping engagement when the clasp is being closed. The illustrated embodiment is intended for locating a traditional cylindrical refuse bin 20 that is provided with a pair of handles 21 disposed diametrically opposite one another. In use the apparatus is fixed to a wall by screws passing through holes in the backing plate 3. The second member is pulled outwardly to the position illustrated in figure 2 and a handle of the refuse bin positioned in the recess 17 of the second member. The refuse bin and the second member is them moved towards the first member so that the handle becomes trapped in the aperturing of the first member. The latching means is engaged to retain the second member in its closed position. When the bin has to be emptied, the latching means is released and the refuse bin and the second member drawn forwardly to allow the bin to be released.

Referring now to figures 7 to 13, a second embodiment of apparatus is illustrated which is specifically intended for locating a wheelie bin 22, part of which is shown in figure 12. The apparatus comprises an elongated backing plate 3' from which a pair of first members 5' depend. The first members each have forward opening recesses 11 '. A second member T is hingedly connected to the first members and bridges them. In the illustrated embodiment it is generally L shaped having a first element 31 hingedly connected to the first member and a second element 33 disposed substantially at 90° thereto which serves to close off the recesses 11' in the closed position of the second member. Latching means 35 comprises a pair of latch bars 37 for holding the second member in its closed position. The latch bars are mounted onto the underside of the second member and are operated by a lever 38. Turning the lever clockwise in the illustrated embodiment causes the ends of the latch bars to be withdrawn from apertures 40 in the body parts 5' allowing the second member to be hinged upwardly to allow insertion and for removal of a handle 39 of the bin 22. The latching means may take any other convenient form.

In an alternative, not illustrated, the lever is reversed and has a hole in it to cooperate with a lug of the backplate which has a complimentary hole in it. A padlock may be used to secure the lever to the lug and thereby secure the second member in its closed position. An alternative latch member operated by said lever comprises an L-shaped arm, a free end of which is engagable in a recess of the backplate to locate the second member in its closed position.

The embodiment of figures 7 to 13 is designed to suit a domestic wheelie bin. For larger bins that are provided with three webs connecting the lid to the handle, ie: an additional one in the centre compared with the illustration of figure 12, the single second member is replaced by two separate L-shaped members each hingedly connected to a respective one of the pair of first members. Each is preferably provided with its own latch.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the second member in its open position and shows how the elongate handle 39 of a wheelie bin is received in the recesses 11 ' and how the second member is easily moved into its closed position by virtue of the cut away central portion 41. In order to allow the lid of the wheelie bin to open when the refuse bin is located in the apparatus of the invention it is important that the recessing of the first member extends from the wall/support structure to which it is attached by at least 75mm. It is preferred that the second member has a rounded configuration for safety considerations. The apparatus is designed to allow the lid of the bin to hinge onto its open position when the bin is located in the hitch.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a first member (5,5') adapted for securing to a wall or other support structure, and a second member (9,9') co-operable with the first member, and wherein the apparatus provides aperturing (11,11') to receive in use a handle or the like of a refuse bin to hold the bin captive with respect to the apparatus in a first position of the second member and to allow the refuse bin to be released in a second position of the second member, and wherein the second member is selectively locatable with respect to the first member.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the aperturing is provided in the first member and closed off by the second member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which both the first member and the second member have aperturing (11,11 ').

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the second member is slidably moveable with respect to the first member in the manner of a drawer.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the aperturing opens upwardly in one member and opens forwardly in the other member.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in which latching means (25) is provided to secure the second member in the closed position with respect to the first member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the latching member comprises an over centre clamp mechanism.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the second member (7') is hinged to the first member.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim in any one of the preceding claims in which the first member depends from a backplate.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the backplate is provided with holes to facilitate fixing in the desired position.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 or 10 in which the aperturing comprises forward facing recesses (11 ') in the first member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which a pair of spaced apart first members are provided.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claims 11 or 12 in which the recesses have a semicircular configuration to receive a handle of the refuse bin which is circular in cross section.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13 in which a single second member serves to control opening and closing of the aperturing.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11, 12 or 13 in which two separate second members are provided, each hingedly connected to either a respective first member or a common first member.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 15 in which latching means (35) is provided to releasably secure the second member with respect to the first member.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which the latching means comprises a hook that is engagable with a recess in the first member.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claims 16 or 17 when appendent on any one of claims 8 to 15 in which the latch is operated by a lever (38) journalled in the second member.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18 in which said lever has a through hole by which it can be locked to a lug of the first member, to lock the second member in its closed position.

20. Apparatus constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of figures 1 to 5 or 7 to 13.