WO1997038924A1

WO1997038924A1 - Bin lid opener

Info

Publication number: WO1997038924A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000236
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce William Ford; Albert Leslie VINCENT
Original assignee: VINCENT, Therese, Dawn
Priority date: 1996-04-15
Filing date: 1997-04-15
Publication date: 1997-10-23
Also published as: AUPN928496A0

Abstract

A bin lid opener (1) for a bin (2) having a load space which extends from a base (4) to an open top (5) and between a longitudinal spaced front wall (6) and rear wall (7). Walls (6, 7) are connected by way of opposed side walls (8). A transversely extending axle (11) is disposed adjacent the rear of base wall for supporting two axially spaced apart wheels (13, 14) to facilitate movement of the bin. A lid (15) is moveable between a closed and an open configuration in respect to the open top and is hinged about a transverse axis (19) disposed adjacent the rear of top (5). Opener (1) includes a foot operable crank (21) which is rotatably mounted to bin (2) about axle (7) and is moveable between a raised and a lowered position. A lifting assembly in the form of an interconnected first arm (23) and second arm (24) extends between crank (21) and lid (15) for moving the lid toward the open configuration in response to movement of crank (21) toward the lowered position.

Description

TITLE: BIN LID OPENER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a bin lid opener.

The invention has been developed primarily for use with refuse or garbage bins

and will be described hereinafter with reference to that application. However, it will

be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use and is also

suitable for bins which are intended to contain other materials.

BACKGROUND ART

The invention primarily finds application with a mobile garbage cart, which

generally is in the form of a two wheeled mobile bin having: a load space which

extends from a base to an open top, and between a longitudinally spaced front and

rear; a transversely extending axle at or adjacent the rear for supporting at least one

wheel to facilitate movement ofthe bin; and a lid for moving between a closed and an

open configuration with respect to the open top, wherein the lid is hinged about a

transverse axis disposed at or adjacent the rear of the load space. The most commonly

available bins have a capacity of 80 litres, 120 litres, 140 litres or 240 litres. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a bin lid opener for a bin having: a

load space which extends from a base to an open top and between a longitudinally

spaced front and rear; a transversely extending axle disposed at or adjacent the rear for

supporting at least one wheel to facilitate movement of the bin; and a lid for moving

between a closed and an open configuration with respect to the open top, wherein the lid is hinged about an axis disposed at or adjacent the rear ofthe space, the opener

including:

a foot operable crank rotatably mounted to the bin and movable between a raised

and a lowered position; and

a lifting assembly extending between the crank and the lid for moving the lid

toward the open configuration in response to movement of the crank toward the

lowered position.

Preferably, the crank includes a pedal for facilitating the foot actuation. More

preferably, the crank includes both a mounting formation which rotatably engages the

axle and a connection formation disposed intermediate the mounting formation and

the pedal for connecting the lifting assembly to the crank.

Preferably also, the lifting assembly includes a first arm extending between the

crank and a free end, and a second arm extending from a first end attached to the free

end ofthe first arm to a lifting end which engages the lid. More preferably, the second

arm is supported about the axis for rotation in response to movement ofthe crank.

Preferably, the axis is transversely extending.

Preferably also, the crank includes a guide formation for restraining transverse

movement of the crank. More preferably, the axle supports a wheel about which the

guide formation partially extends.

In a preferred form, the first end ofthe second arm protrudes rearwardly ofthe

bin, and the lifting end extends under the lid, wherein the second arm, in response to

movement of the crank, rotates intermediate the first and lifting ends about the

transverse axis. Preferably, movement ofthe lid from the closed to the open configuration by

means other than the opener does not require movement ofthe crank or lifting

assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment ofthe invention will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a left hand side view of a bin lid opener according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view ofthe opener of Figure 1 disposed on a bin;

Figure 3 is a right hand side view ofthe crank;

Figure 4 is a top view ofthe crank of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view ofthe first arm;

Figure 6 is a front view of the arm of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side view ofthe second arm; and

Figure 8 is a top view of an alternative crank.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the Figures 1 to 7, there is illustrated a bin lid opener 1 for a

bin 2 having a load space which extends from a base 4 to an open top 5 and between a

longitudinally spaced front wall 6 and rear wall 7. Walls 6 and 7 are connected by

way of opposed side walls 8. A transversely extending axle 1 1 is disposed adjacent

the rear of base 4 for supporting two axially spaced apart wheels 13 and 14 to facilitate

movement ofthe bin. A lid 15 is movable between a closed and an open configuration

with respect to the open top and is hinged about a transverse axis 19 disposed adjacent

the rear of top 5. In Figure 2 lid 15 is illustrated in the closed configuration. Opener 1 includes a foot operable crank 21 which is rotatably mounted to bin 2 about axle 11

and is movable between a raised and a lowered position. A lifting assembly in the

form of an interconnected first arm 23 and second arm 24 extend between crank 21

and lid 15 for moving the lid toward the open configuration in response to movement

of crank 21 toward the lowered position.

Crank 21 includes at one end a foot engaging surface 22, and at the other end a

guide formation 23a for restraining transverse movement ofthe crank. Formation 23a

partly extends about wheel 13 and is preferably integrally formed with the crank.

Formation 23a restrains transverse movement of crank 21 through abutment with

either opposed sides of wheel 13.

Crank 21 also includes a mounting formation 24a disposed intermediate surface

22 and formation 23a. Formation 24a includes a first portion 25 which defines an

open ended slot 26 defined by opposed walls 26a and 26b, and a second portion 27 for

supporting portion 25 against the crank. In embodiments where crank 21 is

manufactured from steel or the like it is preferred that both portions 25 and 27 are

welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the crank. In other embodiments, where for

example the crank is manufactured from plastics, portions 25 and 27 are preferably

integrally formed with the crank.

Arm 23 extends between a first end 31 located adjacent crank 21 and a seco:

end 32 located adjacent arm 24. Ends 31 and 32 include respective apertures for

receiving pins 33 and 34 which also protrude through complimentary apertures in the

adjacent crank and arm. Pins 33 and 34 allow rotatable interconnection of arm 23 and

respective ones of crank 21 and arm 24. Arm 23 includes two substantially linear and parallel sections 35 and 36 which

are separated by an inclined section 37. As best shown in Figure 2, end 31 and 32 are

respectively disposed adjacent one side and the rear of bin 2. Inclined section 37

allows these ends to be so disposed without arm 23 engaging the bin. For a 120 litre

bin, sections 35, 36 and 37 are 310 mm, 175 mm and 75 mm long respectively.

Arm 24 extends between a first end 39, which is rotatably mounted to end 32 by

pin 34, to a second end 40 which extends under lid 15. Intermediate ends 39 and 40 is

an arcuate portion 41 which partly encircles and rotatably engages an axle 42 (which

extends along axis 19). As best shown in Figure 7, end 40 includes a linear portion

40a and an upstanding flange 40b which engages the underside of lid 15. As will be

appreciated by those skilled in the art, such lids commonly include a substantially

planar inner surface and a downwardly depending peripheral lip. Accordingly, end 40

will engage lid 15 in two places. Firstly, portion 40a will engage the peripheral lip,

while secondly, portion 40b will engage the underside ofthe inner surface. This

arrangement prevents point loading, and provides additional leverage for the opening

operation.

In some embodiments flange 40b is provided with an additional plate (not

shown) which includes a surface for complimentarily engaging the adjacent underside

ofthe lid to further prevent point loading.

In alternative embodiments the peripheral lip ofthe lid includes a recess through

which arm 24 extends. Accordingly, the contact between lid 15 and end 40, and the

subsequent opening forces, are applied to lid 15 by flange 40b. In use, lid 15 is gravitational ly biased into a closed configuration, as shown in

Figure 2. This is the preferred resting configuration to prevent animals, insects or

other scavengers having access to the contents ofthe bin.

To open lid 15 a user places their foot on surface 22 and applies a downward

force to rotate crank 21 about axle 11. Undue transverse progression of crank 21 by a

misapplied force is prevented by formation 23a which will engage either side of wheel

13, as required. As crank 21 is rotated it effects a downward progression of end 31 of

arm 23, which in turn draws end 32 of arm 23 and end 39 of arm 24 downwardly.

This downward movement is converted into a rotational movement by portion 41 of

arm 24 which in turn effects an upward progression of end 40. Consequently, due to

the engagement between end 40 and lid 15, a movement of the lid from the closed

configuration toward the open configuration is achieved. The user can then access bin

2 through the now unobstructed open top 5. Moreover, because the opening ofthe lid

is achieved by a foot actuation, the user will have use of both hands to manoeuvre any

material that is being placed in or removed from the bin.

Once the user removes their foot from surface 22, lid 15 will return to the closed

configuration under the influence of gravity. Simultaneously, and consequently, crank

21 will progress to the upper position ready for subsequent use.

In some embodiments, a protrusion (not shown) extends outwardly from wall 8

to artificially limit the downward movement of crank 21. In the illustrated

embodiment, however, downward movement is limited by the surface on which bin 2

rests. Where this surface is substantially horizontal and level, the maximum

downward progression of crank 21 is not sufficient to open lid 15 to a vertical configuration. Accordingly, when the user removes their foot from circle 21 the lid

will return to the closed configuration.

Opener 1 is compact, unobtrusive and allows a user to open lid 15 without using

their hands. This is advantageous for a number of reasons. First, when a user wishes

to open a bin it is generally because they are carrying material in their hands that they

wish to place in the bin. The opener allows the lid ofthe bin to be opened without the

user first freeing at least one of their hands. Second, where the bin is utilised as a

garbage bin the lid may be less than sanitary and the user may wish to minimise any

contact. The opener in accordance with the invention alleviates this by allowing a

user to gain access to the bin with foot contact only.

The bin opener made in accordance with the invention does not interfere with

conventional collection mechanisms associated with refuse trucks. That is, during an

emptying of the bin into a refuse truck the bin is inverted. In these circumstances lid

15 will fall open while opener 1 remains unmoved. That is, lid 15 moves out of

engagement with end 40. However, once the bin and lid are returned to their resting

configuration, opener 1 will again operate as described above.

Lid 15 can also be operated independently of opener 1.

The embodiment described above is easily retro-fitted to an existing bin.

However, in other embodiments the opener is mounted more permanently to the bin at

manufacture. For example, portions 25 and 41 can be closed to completely encircle

respective axles 11 and 42. In the illustrated embodiment formation 23a is arcuate. However, as illustrated

in Figure 8 an alternative formation 23a includes a plurality of sections extending

normally to adjacent sections.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular

example it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in

many other forms.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bin lid opener for a bin having: a load spaced which extends from a base

to an open top between a longitudinally spaced front end rear; a transversely extending

axle disposed at or adjacent the rear for supporting at least one wheel to facilitate

movement ofthe bin; and a lid for moving between a closed and an open

configuration with respect to the open top, wherein the lid is hinged about an axis

disposed at or adjacent the rear of the space, the opener including:

a foot operable crank rotatably mounted to the bin and movable between a

raised and a lowered position; and

a lifting assembly extending between the crank and the lid for moving the lid

toward the open configuration in response to movement ofthe crank toward the

lowered position.

2. An opener according to claim 1 wherein the crank includes a pedal for

facilitating the foot actuation.

3. An opener according to claim 2 wherein the crank includes both a mounting

formation which rotatably engages the axle and a connection formation disclosed

intermediate the mounting formation and the pedal for connecting a lifting assembly

to the crank.

4. An opener according to claim 1 wherein the lifting assembly includes a first

arm extending between the crank and the free end, and a second arm extending from a

first end attached to the free end of the first arm to a lifting end which engages the lid.

5. An opener according to claim 4 wherein the second arm is supported about

the axis for rotation in response to movement ofthe crank.

6. An opener according to claim 1 wherein the axis is transversely extending.

7. An opener according to claim 1 wherein the crank includes a guide formation

for restraining transverse movement ofthe crank.

8. An opener according to claim 7 wherein the axle supports a wheel about

which the guide formation partially extends.

9. An opener according to claim wherein the first end of the second arm

protrudes rearwardly of the bin, and the lifting end extends under the lid, wherein the

second arm in response to movement ofthe crank, rotates intermediate the first end

lifting ends about the transverse axis.

10. An opener according to claim 1 wherein movement ofthe lid from the closed

to the open configuration by means other than the opener does not require movement

ofthe crank or lifting assembly.