AU2014100750A4 - An improved lid retainer for rubbish bins - Google Patents

Abstract

There is a lid retainer for a refuse bin 6 of the type described, The lid retainer includes a latch 110 and an elongated connector member 25 adapted to releasably secure the bin lid 8 from opening when the latch is inounted on a front panel 7 of the bin. One end of the elongated connector member 25 is attached to the lid 8 and the other end is engaged with the latch 10. The latch is operable to release the elongated connector member to enable opening of the lid 8 by pressure of lifting arms of a bin emptying vehicle on the side panels 9 of the refuse bin.

Description

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: AN IMPROVED LID RETAINER FOR RUBBISH BINS The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing known to me.

This invention relates to waste bins. More particularly, although not exclusively, it discloses a lid latching device for wheelie bias or the like. As is well known wheelie bins (see figure 1) are upright mobile containers for the temporary storage of refuge. Wheels 1 fitted to the bottom of the bin 2 provide mobility and a lid 3 hinged at the rear reduces emission of odours and provides a barrier to animals. As the sides 4 are gripped by the automated lifting arms of a collection vehicle and the bin lifted from the front 5 toward an inverted or upended position the lid 3 falls open under gravity and the contents are dumped into said vehicle. Such bins are commonly used for domestic and commercial waste collection. Between collections however they may be left unattended for extended periods. During this time the freely hinged lid can be opened by scavengers or animals or even blown open by strong winds. Also, if the bin is knocked over the lid can open to allow spillage of rubbish onto the street. It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantage and accordingly a lid retainer is disclosed for a refuse bin of the type described, said lid retainer including a latch and a flexible strap adapted to releasably secure a bin lid from opening when said latch is mounted on a front panel of said bin, one end of the strap is attached to said lid and the other end of the strap is engaged with the latch wherein said latch is operable to release said strap by pressure of lifting arms of a bin emptying vehicle on the side panels of said bin. Preferably said other end of the strap is fitted with a pin which is insertable into the latch. 2 it is further preferred that said latch includes arms which in a locked position of said latch interfit to form a locking collar to retain said pin and in an unlocked position separate to release said pin. It is further preferred that said arms are movable through outward deformation of the front panel of said bin. The currently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings in which: figure 2 is a schematic view of part of the front panel and lid of a wheelie bin when fitted with a lid retainer according to the invention, figure 3 is a detailed front perspective view of the latch for the lid retainer shown in figure 2 figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of one of the arms of the latch showing the arrangement for engaging the pin, figure 5 is a rear perspective view of part of the latch and pin, and figure 6 is a front perspective view showing the latch in the unlocked position releasing the pin. Referring first to figure 2 there is a wheelie bin indicated generally as 6. It has a front panel 7, a rear hinged lid 8 and sides 9. In accordance with the invention there is a latch shown generally in sketched outline as 10 secured transversely across the front panel 7 below the free edge of the lid 8. It 3 comprises two arms 11, 12 which are secured at their outer plate ends 13, 14 to the front panel at spaced apart locations by screws 14A, adhesive or other suitable means. As best shown in figure 3 the shapes of the arms are substantially mirror images of each other. They are arcuate along their length and comprise main cantilever members 15, 16 extending out from the base plates 13, 14 with reinforcing ribs 19, 20 at right angles. The arcuate shape of the arms places the inner ends 21, 22 a distance out from the front panel 7 of the bin. The inner ends 21, 22 of the arns as also shown in figure 3 are formed into curved faces and are shaped to interfit to form mating halves of a central locking collar 23. This collar receives a bayonet shaped pin 24 attached by a tie bar 24A to the lower end of a flexible strap 25 which attaches at its other upper end to the hinged lid 8. Figure 4 shows the inner end of the left arm 11 with curved face 21, inner locking ridges 26 and tongues 27 for interfitting with tongues 27A of the other mating arm 12 as shown in the rear view of figure 5. When the ends of the arms are closed together as shown in figures 2, 3 and 5 the locking collar 23 is formed which holds the inserted bayonet shaped pin 24 by means of the lower locking ridge 26 abutting against the ledge 28 around the lower end of the pin 24. In this position the flexible strap 25 holds the lid 8 closed as shown in figure 2. By virtue of the flexible nature of the plastics used to mould conventional wheelie bins the arms 11, 12 are movable with outward elastic deflection (bowing) of the front panel 7 to a position where the inner ends 21, 22 separate to split the collar 23 to enable insertion or subsequent release of the pin 24. 4 In use of the lid retainer, after the bin is filled and the lid closed, the pin 24 is manually inserted into the locking collar by pulling the inner ends 21, 22 of the arms outward so that they separate and split the collar 13. The bevelled lower end 29 of the pin is then pushed down between the ends 21, 22 and the arms released to spring back to re-form the locking collar 23 around the pin 24. This locks the lid 8 closed to deter scavengers and animals and also prevent spillage if the bin is knocked over while awaiting the collection vehicle. During collection the vehicle lifting arms grip the sides 9 of the bin and compress them inwardly. This causes a simultaneous outward bowing of the front panel 7 and corresponding outward pivoting of the arms II, 12 as shown by arrows A in figure 6 so that the inner ends 21, 22 of the arms separate to split the locking collar 23. The pin 24 is thereby released and can be pulled out as shown by arrow B. This allows the lid 8 to automatically open under gravity as the bin is lifted and upended so that refuse empties into the collection vehicle. Alternatively as mentioned earlier the arms can be manually pulled apart to release the pin 24 to open the lid. Although not shown in the drawings a suitable locking assembly (such as a padlock) may be fitted to the latch housing to secure the pin 24 in the engaged position to prevent unauthorised access to the bin until collection. Preferably for child safety reasons the end of the strap 25 which remains attached to the lid is secured through the lid wall by a pin/circlip 30 or other arrangement which allows disconnection of the strap and opening of the lid from the inside. 5 It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides a novel and improved form of lid retainer for wheelie bins or the like. Clearly however the example described is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the latch mechanism including the arms and pin may be changed according to design preference. Further, the invention is not limited to any specific materials for constructing the latch although the use of weatherproof plastics is preferred for the strap and latch arms. The terms "upper", "lower", "inner", " outer", "front" and "back" etc. as used in this specification refer to the bin and lid retainer in one position of use as illustrated and are not to be construed as necessarily limiting. 6

Claims (2)

1. 4. The lid retainer as claimed in claim 3 wherein said arms have inner ends which in a locked position of said latch interfit to form a locking collar to retain said pin and in an unlocked position separate to release said pin.
2. 5. A refuse bin when fitted with a bin retainer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4. Dated this 2 8 ' day of June 2014 Christopher John McPherson By His Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR