AU730130B2

AU730130B2 - Lifting means

Info

Publication number: AU730130B2
Application number: AU14799/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Rino Boccalatte; Milan Cuckovic
Original assignee: MARGARET HELEN BOCCALATTE
Current assignee: Boccalatte Margaret Helen
Priority date: 1994-12-01
Filing date: 1997-02-19
Publication date: 2001-02-22
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-01
Also published as: AU1479997A

Description

AUSTRALJIA

Patents Act 1990

V.

V

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant Rline DOCCeL&Twfl Milan CUCKOVIC HEL-EN rN--CA--'XirE as Invention Title: LIFTING MEANS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 LIFTING MEANS The present invention relates to a lifting means suitable for lifting the lid of a wheeled container such as a wheeled garbage bin. The present specification relates to an application for a patent of addition to Australian patent application no. 39167/95.

Wheeled containers such as wheeled garbage bins are becoming increasingly common. The provision of wheels on containers provides ergonomic advantages and makes the 10 container easy to move and manoeuvre. Where wheeled S"*.oo containers are used as garbage bins for example, this ease of movement is convenient for both the user (such as a householder) and those employed to collect and empty the garbage bins. Many garbage bins are now adapted to be 15 wheeled into place at the rear of a garbage truck where a mechanical device can grasp, lift and then tip the garbage bin so that the contents of the garbage bin fall into the hopper of the garbage truck.

In general wheeled containers have a sizeable 20 lid, or pair of lids which close off the top of the container body. Generally these lids rotate about a shaft at the rear of the container body and can be swung completely open to facilitate access to the interior of the container for filling, cleaning and emptying. Often a user will not want to touch or contact the lid during opening and closing because the lid may be soiled or possibly contaminated with infectious or otherwise dangerous material. This is particularly important when the container is used for containment of biological or medical waste or chemical waste.

staffhyankafkeepspedJi/iftingmefiansbocaate 18.2.97 2 In the past a number of solutions have been proposed to the problems associated with opening and closing the lid or lids on wheeled containers and some of these solutions involve the use of a pedal-activated mechanism to raise and lower the lid. For example Australian Patent application no. 89763/91 (RM Harrison) describes a lifting mechanism for the lid of a wheeled container wherein the mechanism may comprise a foot operable pedal, pivotally attached to a cable which is in turn pivotally connected to a hinged lid. One of the problems associated with this type of mechanism is that it is necessary to modify the container by drilling holes in the container body or lid in order to attach the mechanism.

Furthermore, the cable can become tangled when the 15 container lid is rotated 2700 about the hinge to its fully open position and the pedal can be depressed so far that it interferes with moving the wheeled container when the lid is fully.

Australian Patent application number 52156/93 (M Lomax) also relates to a pedal operated lid opening mechanism for wheeled containers. One of the drawbacks of this invention is that it prevents rotation of the container lid by 2700 to the fully opened position.

Another problem is that in order to fit the mechanism, the container must be modified by drilling holes, including two holes in the base of the container which may permit leakage of the container contents.

Australian Patent application number 33820/84 (B Hodgson) discloses a simple detachable container lid opening mechanism, however it is unlikely that the bin could be transported without removal of the lid opening mechanism. The lid opening mechanism allows for raising, but not full opening of the container lid by 2700 rotation.

staff/ryanklke~spociiftingm.nsboaae 18.2.97 3 European Patent application number 456141 (AW Dorr) also describes a lid opening mechanism which hinders or prevents moving of the wheeled container without removal of the lid opening mechanism. The lid opening mechanism also requires a prop between the container lid and the ground which adds undesirable complexity to the invention.

Parent Australian patent application number 39167/95 relates to a lifting means for the lid of a wheeled container such as a garbage container, which lifting means allows rotation of the lid up to 2700 from a closed or rest position to the fully opened position.

The present invention provides improvements in detail to the invention disclosed in the parent application no. 39167/95.

The invention of the present and parent applications provides a lifting mechanism which has many advantages over the mechanisms of the prior art. For example, the invention of the present application can be fitted to an existing wheeled container without the need for dismantling or modification of the wheeled container, such as, by drilling holes in the container. The lifting mechanism of the present application also has the advantage that of not interfering with movement of the wheeled container as it is wheeling along flat or inclined surfaces or up and down stairs and the like. Furthermore the lifting mechanism of the present application does not interfere with full opening of the lid and does not interfere with grasping and lifting of the container manually or by mechanical lifting mechanisms such as those used on garbage trucks.

The invention therefore provides a lifting means for the lid of a wheeled container, which comprises: staff/ryankakeep/speci~liftingmeansboocalatte 18.2.97 4 a) an elongated foot operable pedal adapted to be pivotally connected to an exterior portion of an axle joining wheels mounted to the base of the container; and b) a rigid connector member adapted to be pivotally connected to a first end of the pedal and also to be pivotally connected to a region of a lid, the lid being pivotally attached to the container, wherein depression of or raising of the pedal raises or lowers the lid and wherein the lid may be rotated from a rest position to a variety of positions up to approximately 2700 from the rest position.

*.o Typically the connector is connected to the end of the pedal located between a wheel and the container body. The pedal may be connected to the axle of the wheeled container at a position between the wheel and the container body.

The connector and pedal may be connected to each other directly or alternatively the connector and pedal may 20 be indirectly connected through a bracket or the like. The o o. pedal and/or the bracket and/or the connector may be directly or indirectly connected to the axle of the wheeled container. Securing means such as pins, screws, clips, bolts or the like may be used in addition to secure the connection of the pedal and/or the bracket and/or the connector.

Typically the connector will be directly pivotally attached to one end of the pedal. A bracket may then be used to connect the pedal to the axle. Typically one end of the connector is located in an opening in the pedal and held in place by a nut or the like.

staff~ryanka'keepIspeci/lifting.means.boocalate 18.2.97 5 Alternatively both the connector and the pedal may be connected to the bracket. Typically the bracket and/or one end of the pedal comprise a recess which in use partly or completely encircles the circumference of the wheel axle so that when upward or downward pressure is applied to the pedal, the pedal rotates about the axle. As the pedal rotates about the axle, the connector is concomitantly caused to move vertically upwards or downwards in response to the rotation of the pedal.

The connector can be straight, cranked, curved, forked or of any convenient conformation. The connector may maintain its rigidity whilst being of adjustable length. For example the connector may comprise two or more telescopic pipes or a rod which moves slidably within a 15 pipe, so that the pipes and/or rod can be maintained at a particular length or extension using a pin or other restraining means. This allows the lifting means of the present application to be adapted to be attached to a wheeled container of any height.

The connector may be attached to a region of the lid by any convenient means such as brackets and/or securing means such as a bracket, clamp, pins, screws, bolts or the like. The connector may be attached to any convenient region of the lid including the hinge or the shaft about which the lid may be rotated. Typically the connector is attached to a bracket comprising a shaped strip of metal which can be fitted around the circumference of the shaft with one or both free ends of the strip fitting under the edge of the lid. As the connector moves vertically upwards or downwards it exerts force on the bracket and the ends of the bracket urge the lid to rotate about the shaft.

staft~ryankatkee~specijniftingmeansbooca~atte 18.2.97 6 The elongated pedal may be of any convenient shape or conformation which provides easy access for the foot of the user. For example, the elongated pedal may extend along one side of the container or one side and the front of the container body or both sides and the front of the container body. Where the pedal extends along two sides and the front of the container body, both ends of the pedal may be connected to the part of the axle on either side of the container body. Typically the ends of the pedal would be connected to the axle at positions between a wheel and the container body. Typically the elongated pedal is constructed from a single strip of metal, plastic or other convenient material.

"Where the container comprises two half lids it 15 may also comprise two pedals so that each lid may be opened independently. For example each pedal may extend along opposite sides of the container, each pedal being connected oto the axle, on opposite sides of the container body, at positions intermediate a wheel and the container body.

20 Where the container comprises two half lids, the two pedals may be connected to two independent connectors, each of which opens one half lid. Where there is one lid, two pedals may be connected to a single connector for opening the lid. Where the invention comprises one pedal extending along both sides and the front of the container, two connectors may be used, one connector connected to either end of the pedal. Alternatively, there may be a single connector, which is branched or forked at its lower end, each prong of the fork connecting to a different pedal.

Typically the present invention may be assembled manually by a person of average mechanical ability, preferably without the use of tools.

staftyankafkeep/specitingmeansbooalafe 18.2.97 7 The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments of the invention (preceded by one embodiment generally disclosed in the parent application), in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one corner of a wheeled container according to one embodiment of the parent invention, with a wheel removed for clarity to show the connection of the pedal and connector; Figure 2 is a view of one wheel and axle of the wheeled container of Figure 1 showing one embodiment of the securing means for connecting the pedal to the axle; Figure 3 is a view of a region of the lid of the wheeled container of Figure 1 showing one embodiment of a bracket to which the connector may be connected; Figure 4 is a perspective view from one corner of a bin according to the present invention showing a further embodiment of the connector; Figure 5 is a perspective view from one corner of a wheeled container to show one embodiment of the lifting means of the present invention in use with a dual lidded 20 wheeled container; Figure 6 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the connection between the connector and the pedal; Figure 7 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the connection between the connector and upper bracket; Figure 8 is a detailed view of another embodiment of the connection between the connector means and the pedal.

staff/ryankatkeepspecJi/iftingmeansbooraiate 18.2.97 8 Figure 1 shows a wheeled container suitable for use with the invention of the present application. The wheeled container 10 comprises a container body 11 for containment of material, a lid 12 for closing off the top of the container body and two wheels 13',13" located at either end of an axle 14. In this drawing, one wheel has been removed to more clearly show the connection of the pedal 16 and connector 15 to the axle of the wheeled container. The lid 12 rotates about a shaft 19. Molded supports 9' integral with the lid and molded supports integral with the container body 9" connect the lid and container body to the shaft 19. In this embodiment the invention of the present application comprises a connector 15 which is pivotally attached at its lower end 15' to an 15 elongated pedal 16, which extends along one side of the container body. The pedal 16 is connected to the axle 14 by a clip or bracket 17 comprising a recess which partly encircles the diameter of the axle 14. The upper end of the connector means 15 is pivotally connected to an upper bracket 18 which is attached to one of the molded supports 9' on the lid. Depression of the forwardmost part of the pedal 16 by the foot of a user causes the pedal 16 to rotate about the axle 14 at the bracket 17, thus causing the connector 15 to move in a generally vertically upward direction. The lid 12 is concomitantly caused to rotate about the shaft 19 towards the open position.

Figure 2 is a detailed view of one wheel 13" and axle 14 of the wheeled container of Figure 1. The elongated pedal 16 passes through the bracket 17. The bracket 17 comprises a generally circular recess which partly encircles the diameter of the axle and in use retains the axle while permitting rotation of the axle without hindrance. Preferably the bracket 17 is made of plastic or other resilient material so that during assembly, the bracket can be snap fitted onto the axle 14.

staff~ryankalkee~IspeciI~ifting.means.boocatate 18.2.97 9 A screw 20 may be used to secure the bracket 17 to prevent its removal from the axle 14.

Figure 3 shows in detail an embodiment of the upper bracket 18 which is suitable for connection to the moulded lid support During assembly the cranked end of the connector 15 is inserted into the aperture 18' in the direction of the arrow and retained therein by virtue of its cranked shape. The bracket 18 is shaped to include a claw 18" which wraps over the shaft 19. A screw 21 holds the bracket securely in place against the moulded support 19(a). In use, as the connector 15 moves vertically upward in response to depression of a pedal (not ishown) the bracket 18 is cause to rotate about the claw 18" as it braces against the shaft 19.

15 Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the lifting means of the present invention. In this embodiment the pedal 16(a) is connected to a connector 15(a) using a bracket 17(b). The connector means comprises a curved outer pipe 15(a)" and a smaller diameter inner pipe or rod .o 20 During assembly, the length of the connector means can be adjusted by slidably moving the inner pipe and then restraining relative movement of the inner and outer pipes by passing a cotter pin 30 or the like through apertures in the inner and outer pipes. The free end of the inner pipe connects to the upper bracket Figure 5 show the invention of the present application applied to a wheeled container having two half lids. Figure 5(a) shows a lifting means having two connectors 15(b), 15(c) each of which is connected to a half lid. The two connectors 15(b), 15(c) are independently operable by separate pedals 16(a)" so that the operator may choose which lid is raised by choosing to depress the appropriate pedal. Figure staffryankatkee~specIilitngmrnansbocalatte 18.2.97 10 shows a lifting means having a single pedal 16(b) which extends along the two sides and the front of the container body. The ends of the pedal are each independently connected to a connector (not shown). Depression of the pedal causes both connector means to move vertically upwards, causing the upper bracket(s) to rotate about the hinge, concomitantly causing the lids to rotate to the open position.

Figure 6 is a view of the connector 15, a pedal 16(a) and a rotatable bracket 17(b). The curved lower end of the connector passes through openings in the bracket 17(b) and the pedal 16(a) and is held in place by a pin The bracket 17(b) can rotate about the pedal 16(a). During attachment of the lifting means to the wheeled container, the bracket 17(b) is rotated away from the pedal 16(a), so that the axle 14 can be inserted in a shaped recess 16' in the pedal. Once the axle 14 is in place in the shaped S* recess 16', the bracket 17(b) can be rotated back towards 20 the recess 16', locking the axle 14 in the recess 16'. The axle 14 and pedal 16(a) are free to rotate relative to one another.

Figure 7 is a detailed view of one embodiment of the connection between the connector 15(d)' and the upper bracket 25. In this embodiment the upper bracket comprises a single strip of metal which is generally Ushaped, each arm of the U comprising an elongated slot. In use the bracket 25 wraps around the shaft 19 of a container as shown in Figure 7(a) so that the two slots are superimposed. One end of the bracket 25 is inserted under a rear edge of the lid so that when the bracket 25 rotates about the shaft 19 it urges movement of the lid. A shown in Figure 7(b) the hooked end of the connector 15(d)' can be inserted through both slots, then as shown in Figure turned 900 to secure the hook against withdrawal from staffryarkakeepispeciiftingmeansor-aate 18.2.97 11 the slots.

Figure 8 is a detailed view of a further embodiment of the lower bracket 17(c), pedal 16(b) and connector. In this embodiment the lower end of the connector 15(d) is adapted to receive a spool 38. In use, the spool 38 resides in the generally circular recess 17' in the bracket 17(c). Typically the bracket 17(c) is made of resilient material and comprises a longitudinal slit which passes through the circular recess 17'. During assembly, the bracket can be prised open and the spool 38 which has two flat, parallel faces, can slide along the slit and into the circular recess 17'. Once the spool is located in the recess 17 the spool and connecting rod can be rotated to an approximately vertical position, locking 15 the spool in place. The bracket 17(c) also comprises a track along each of its longitudinal edges. In this embodiment the pedal 16(b) is conformed such that during o assembly, the pedal may be slid along the tracks and retained therein. The bracket also comprises a large recess 17' where in use, the axle may reside.

While the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments it is to be understood that various modifications thereof will become 'apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention disclosed herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

staff~ryankatkeep/spociJlifting.means.bocatatte 182.97

Claims

1. A lifting means for the lid of a wheeled container, which comprises: a) an elongated foot operable pedal adapted to be pivotally connected to an exterior portion of an axle joining wheels mounted to the base of the container; and b) a rigid connector member adapted to be pivotally connected to a first end of the pedal and also to be pivotally connected to a region of a lid, the lid being pivotally attached to the container, wherein depression of or raising of the pedal raises or lowers the lid and wherein the lid may be rotated from a rest position to a variety of positions up to approximately 2700 from the rest position.

2. A lifting means according to claim 1 wherein the connector member is indirectly connected to the pedal through a bracket or the like.

3. A lifting means according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the pedal is indirectly connected to the axle through a bracket or the like.

4. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bracket and/or one end of the pedal comprise a recess which partly or completely encircles the circumference of the wheel axle so that when upward or downward pressure is applied to the pedal, the pedal rotates about the axle. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein application of upward or downward pressure is applied to the pedal, the pedal rotates about the axle, causing the connector to concomitantly move in a downward staft~ryanka/keep/specJi/ifting.means.boccaIat

18.2.97 13 or upwards direction respectively. 6. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connector is of adjustable length. 7. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connector is attached to a region of the lid by a bracket or clamp. 8. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the connector is attached to the shaft about which the lid may be rotated, by a bracket comprising a 10 strip of metal fitted around the circumference of the shaft. *99o 9. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the elongated pedal extends around two sides and the front of the container body, the first end and the second end of the pedal being pivotally connected to exterior portions of an axle on opposite sides of the container body. 9* A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims wherein the wheeled container comprises two lids and 20 the connector member is connected to a region of both lids. 11. A lifting means according to any of claims 1 to wherein the wheeled container comprises two lids and the lifting means comprising a further rigid connector member, each connector member being connected to a separate lid. 12. A lifting means according to claim 11 wherein each connector member is connected to an independently operable pedal. staftryankakeep/speiftingmeansbcclte 18.2.97 14 13. A lifting means according to any of the preceding claims which can be assembled and connected to a wheeled container without the use of tools. 14. A wheeled container comprising the lifting means of any of the preceding claims. A lifting means substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. 16. A wheeled container substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings of Figures 1, 4 10 and S...DATED THIS 19TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 1997 000 n G vr-T O r LA~ MIASUCOI its__ PatentAttorneys:________ B itaetAttorneys: of Austali 0 *Vso: staff/ryankakepspeciftingmeansbocaate 18.2.97