US3384385A - Trash can - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1968 J. COHEN ET AL 3,384,385

TRASH CAN Filed May 31, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P axmjur Q g INVENTORS'.

Joel Cohen BY Hiker? (o/zen Blair Buckles Xvfesari HTTORNFYS'.

May 21,1968 J.QHEN ETAL 3,384,385

TRASH CAN Filed May 31, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS Joel Cohen BY Hiker? Cohen H I TORNE YS'.

Blair, Buckies' & es'an United States Patent 3,384,385 TRASH CAN Joel Cohen and Albert Cohen, both of 254-19 61st Ave.,

Little Neck, N.Y. 11362 Filed May 31, 1966, Ser. No. 554,008 9 Claims. (Cl. 280-791) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein is a trash can having an articulated lid assembly, and a wheel assembly for mobility. The wheel assembly consists of various groupings of wheels or wheels and legs affixed to the bottom end of the trash can. Caster wheels which are pivotable within the periphery of the bottom end are used so that the cans may be stacked for storage shipment or display. The lid assembly includes a lid supported by a pair of articulated linkage arms connected slidably or pivotably to reinforcing bars on the trash can sidewall. Additional reinforcing bars may be used for added strength. The upper ends of a pair of reinforcing bars are bent and joined together to produce a U-shaped pushbar.

This invention relates to an improved construction for trash cans or like containers. More particularly, it relates to a mobile trash can having an improved wheel assembly, and an attached lid, and which is reinforced against damage due to rough handling.

The trash can constructions now commonly in use have given rise to a number of problems. The conventional trash can lacks mobility with the result that it must be carried from place to place, often when heavy with trash. Attempts to solve the problem of lack of mobility as by the addition of axle supported wheels, have resulted in trash cans which cannot be nested and which are, therefore, diflicult to stack, ship, store or display. In addition, the added wheels, because they protrude beyond the periphery of the trash can, have proved to be obstructive to the passage of the can through tight quarters and trash can mobility has thus been limited.

The separate lids used on conventional trash cans are readily removed, and, as removed, are susceptible to loss or damage. Further, the thin sidewall construction of the conventional trash can makes it subject to heavy denting or puncture when the contents are dumped or when the can is otherwise roughly handled.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trash can having articulated lid connecting supports.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the above character having increased resistance to damage from rough handling.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the above character having increased mobilit'y.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the above character having a wheel assembly which is non-obstructive and which permits nesting of the cans.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trash can of the above character which is simple in construction and reliable and practical in operation.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of'the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the invention illustrating the lid construction in its covered (dashed lines) and uncovered positions;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the trash can of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of a mobile trash can in accordance with our invention illustrating the wheel assembly thereof;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial side elevation view of another embodiment of the invention showing an alternate lid construction in its covered and uncovered (dashed line) positions;

FIGURE 5 is a partial top plan view of the trash can of FIGURE 4 with portions of the lid broken away;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a trash can in accordance with our invention;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of the trash can of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan view of our trash can illustrating an alternate embodiment of the wheel assem- :1;

FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of our trash can illustrating another embodiment of the wheel assembly.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Generally speaking and with reference to FIGURE 1, our trash can comprises a body 10 of generally cylindrical shap formed of galvanized steel, aluminum or other metallic or plastic materials. The body has an open top end 11 and a closed recessed bottom 12, and the sidewall 14 may be fluted in a known manner to provide strength. A pair of reinforcing ribs 16 are preferably fixed to opposite sides of the can for increased strength, and for attachment of the articulated lid assembly 18. The lid assembly 18 provides easy access to the interior of the can while preventing loss and damage to the lid due to removal. Where desired, additional reiforcing ribs can be provided around the periphery of the can for added strength, as shown in FIGURE 6. A wheel assembly including wheels 20 (preferably of the caster type) is secured adjacent the bottom end 12 of the trash can to provide mobility. The wheel assembly is positioned wholly within the periphery of the bottom end 12 of the can to prevent obstruction, and to enable the cans to be nested.

FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the articulated lid assembly 18 of our invention. A trash can lid 22 is connected to the body 10 of the trash can by a pair of linkage arms 24 each connected at one end to the lid rim by a pivotable joint 26. The arms 24 are spaced so as to straddle the sidewall 14 of the trash can. The opposite end of each linkage arm 24 is connected by a pivotable joint 28 to a slide connector 30. A pair of reinforcing bars 16 are secured to the sidewall 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the trash can. The reinforcing bars 16 are secured at either end as by bolting, welding, riveting, etc., and may be formed of tubular or rod stock or fiat strip as desired. Each slide connector 30, which may be of tubular (as shown) or a split tubular shape, is loosely positioned on one reinforcing bar 16. To maintain the lid 22 clear of the ground in the open position as shown in FIGURE 1, a limit pin 31 protrudes from each reinforcing bar 16 at the lower limit of slider movement. Thus, the lid 22 remains attached to the trash can while the combination of the sliding motion of slide connector 30 and the pivotable action of joints 26 and 2S enables it to swing between covered (dashed lines) and uncovered positions.

An alternate embodiment of our articulated lid assembly is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. A lid 22 is attached to two linkage arms 24 by means of pivotable joints 26 spaced along the lid rim to enable the linkage arms 24 to straddle the trash can sidewall 14. The linkage arms 24 are formed in two sections 24a, 24b joined at their ends by a pivotable joint 32 to produce an L-shaped linkage when the lid is in a covered position (FIGURE 4). The other end of each linkage arm 24b is connected by a pivotable joint 28 to a reinforcing bar 16 attached to the trash can sidewall 14. The L-shaped articulated linkage permits lid 22 to swiing between covered and uncovered (dashed lines) positions while remaining attached to the trash can.

Where increased strength is desired, a plurality of reinforcing bars 16 are spaced about the periphery of the trash can as shown in FIGURE 6. The plurality of reinforcing bars 16 absorb the shock of rough handling and minimize the danger of denting or punchure damage. The upper ends of one pair of reinforcing bars 16 can be joined and shaped to form a U-shaped pushbar 34 (FIG- URE 6) by which the trash can may be moved. While shown in combination with the articulated lid assembly of FIGURE 1, it should be understood that a plurality of reinforcing bars can also be used in conjunction with the articulated lid assembly of FIGURES 4 and 5.

A wheel assembly is added to the bottom end 12 of the trash can to provide mobility. Referring to FIGURES l and 3, a pair of wheels are mounted to a cross plate 36 fastened within the recessed bottom 12. In addition to supporting the wheels 20, the cross plate 36 serves to reinforce the bottom end 12 of the trash can. The wheels 20 are preferably of the caster type as their swiveling action provides greater freedom of movement for the trash can. Where caster wheels 20 are used, they are mounted to cross plate 36 so as to be Wholly positionable within the periphery of bottom end 12 over at least a portion of their swiveling path. Since the wheels 20 do not protrude beyond the periphery, the trash cans are readily nested with one another facilitating stacking, shipment, storage and display. Further, the enclosed wheels 20 are non-obstructive thus enhancing trash can mobility.

A pair of support legs 38 are mounted as by bolting, welding, etc. to the trash can opposite the wheels 20 and within the recessed bottom end 12. The length of legs 38 are such that the trash can bottom end 12 is supported in a substantially horizontal plane by the Wheels and the legs as shown in FIGURE 1. The trash can is readily moved by tilting slightly on the wheels 20 to lift the legs 38 clear of the ground.

An alternate embodiment of the wheel assembly of our invention is illustrated in FIGURE 8, Two pairs of wheels 20 are each mounted to one of a pair of substantially parallel cross plates 36 fastened within recessed bottom end 12. All wheels 20 are positioned within the trash can periphery to provide the advantages set forth above. The trash can is readily moved either on all four wheels or by tilting slightly on one set of wheels.

Another embodiment of the wheel assembly of our invention is shown in FIGURE 9. Two pairs of support legs 38 are fastened within the recessed bottom end 12 to support the trash can at rest. One pair of wheels 20 are :afiixed to a cross plate 36 fastened within the periphery of the recessed bottom end 12 adjacent one pair of legs 38. The Wheels of this embodiment, as are the wheels of the embodiments heretofore discussed, are positioned entirely within the trash can periphery to facilitate nesting. In this embodiment, the can is readily moved by tilting slightly on the wheels 20 to lift all legs 38 clear of the ground.

Thus, we have provided an improved trash can construction which is mobile yet which is readily stacked, shipped, stored or displayed because of the nn0bstr'uctive nature of its wheel assembly. In addition, our articreinforced against denting or puncture damage due to rough handling.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a trash can having a sidewall, an open top end and a closed recessed bottom end:

(A) an articulated lid assembly comprising,

(1) a trash can lid,

(2) a pair of linkage arms (a) each pivotably connected at one end to a point on the periphery of said lid, said points being spaced to permit said linkage arms to straddle said sidewall,

(3) a pair of reinforcing bars (a) attached to said sidewall substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said trash can,

(b) each in position to connect with one of said linkage arms, and

(4) means pivotably connecting the other end of each linkage arm to one of said reinforcing bars whereby said lid may be swung between an open position adjacent said sidewall and a closed po sition adjacent said top end;

(B) a wheel assembly comprising,

(1) at least one cross plate (a) fastened to said trash can within said recessed bottom end,

(2) at least one pair of wheels,

(a) each said Wheel being fastened to said cross plate and (b) each positioned within the periphery of said recessed bottom end, and

(3) support leg means,

(a) fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end in position to support said trash can.

2. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said linkage arms are connected to said reinforcing bars by a pair of slide connectors, each loosely positioned on one of said reinforcing bars and each having a pivotable joint interconnecting said slide connector with said other end of one of said linkage arms.

3. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein each linkage arm is formed into pivotably connected parts and including a pair of pivotable joints, each interconnecting one reinforcing bar with said other end of one of said linkage arms.

4. A trash can as defined in claim 1 including a plurality of reinforcing bars in addition to said pair of reinforcing bars connected to said linkage arms, said plurality of reinforcing bars being spaced along and attached to said sidewall and each substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said trash can.

5. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel assembly comprises:

(A) a single cross plate (1) fastened to said trash can within said recessed bottom end,

(B) a single pair of Wheels,

(1) each fastened to said cross plate and (2) each positioned within the periphery of said recessed bottom end, and

(C) a pair of support legs '(1) fastened Within the periphery of said recessed bottom end substantially opposite said wheels;

whereby said trash can is supported at rest by said pair of Wheels and support legs, and is movable by tilting slightly upon said pair of wheels.

6. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheel assembly comprises:

(A) a first pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end,

(B) a second pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end substantially opposite one of said first pair of support legs,

(C) a cross plate (1) fastened to said trash can within said recessed bottom end (2) adjacent to one of said pairs of support legs at the side remote from the other pair of support legs, and

(D) a pair of wheels,

(1) each fastened to said cross plate adjacent one of said one pair of support legs and (2) each positioned within the periphery of said recessed bottom end;

whereby said trash can is supported at rest by said first and second pairs of support legs, and is movable by tilting slightly upon said pair of Wheels.

7. A trash can as defined in claim 1 wherein said wheels are of the caster type and are fastened to said cross plate so as to be wholly positionable within the periphery of said recessed bottom end over at least a portion of their swiveling path.

'8. A trash can as defined in claim 1 including limit means on each of said reinforcing bars for limiting the movement of said slide connectors to maintain said lid clear of the ground in the open position.

9. In a trash can having a sidewall, an open top end and a closed recessed bottom end, a wheel assembly comprising:

(A) a first pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end,

(B) a second pair of support legs,

(1) each fastened within the periphery of said recessed bottom end substantially opposite one of said first pair of support legs,

(C) a cross plate (1) fastened to said trash can within said recessed bottom end (2) adjacent to one of said pairs of support legs at the side remote from the other pair of support legs, and

(D) a pair of caster wheels,

(1) each fastened to said cross plate adjacent one of said one pair of support legs, and

(2) each positionable within the periphery of said recessed bottom end over at least a portion of their swiveling path;

whereby said trash can is supported at rest by said first and second pairs of support legs, and is movable by tilting slightly upon said pair of caster wheels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,106,877 8/1914 Kaiser 280-792 1,314,065 8/1919 Jackson 22038 X 1,328,672 1/1920 Hirsohn 220-38 1,619,506 3/ 1927 Ge-meinder 220-38 2,893,749 7/1959 Simensen 280--79.2 X 2,960,347 11/1960 Centa 28079.2 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 898,733 5/1945 France. 312,409 11/ 1933 Italy.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner.

C. C. PARSONS, I. A. SIEGEL, Assistant Examiners.

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