GB2161061A - Improvements in or relating to rubbish bins - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus is described whose operation involves vertical translatory movements of a slide H which, moving along the axis of pivotal movement of the bin casing A acts from below against a cover B, causing it to rotate about a horizontal axis. The vertical movements of the slide are defined by the movements of a cam, provided on the bottom of a cylindrical seat, which rotates with the bin casing about the vertical pivot axis thereof. The combination of the two movements is produced in such a way that, when the casing is withdrawn from the item of furniture, following opening of the door to which it is fixed, the cover remains inside and, being displaced by the slider, rises. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to rubbish bins The apparatus of this invention is intended for that type of rubbish bin which is normally hinged to the inside of an item of furniture and fastened to the door so that it can automatically come out and go back in again when the item of furniture is opened and closed. By virtue of obvious functional requirements, it is desirable for the outward movement of the bin also to be accompanied by a lifting movement of the cover. To produce the combination of such movements, there are already some design configurations in relation to which the apparatus of this invention differs substantially both in regard to the kinematic mechanism adopted and also because it can be fitted to the bin, by a simple manual operation, during installation.The latter particularity permits the bins to be pressed or moulded as common containers which can be easily stacked during storage and transportation.

According to the invention, apparatus for automatically raising the cover of a rubbish bin comprising a casing and a cover, the bin being housed inside an item of furniture and the casing being connected to the door of the item of furniture to follow the movements thereof when the door rotates about a vertical pivot axis, comprises a member arranged to be fixed to the casing and provided with a cam located to lie coaxially on said axis and having an active profile arranged to cause a driven member or slide to undergo translatory movements in a vertical direction for opening and closing the cover when the cover is pivoted about a horizontal axis fixed with respect to said item of furniture, the horizontal axis and slide being fixed against rotary movement about said vertical axis when the apparatus is in use and the door is being rotated about said vertical axis.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, forms of apparatus in accordance therewith will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show a front view and a plan view of a complete rubbish bin mounted inside an item of furniture, the bin comprising a casing and a cover; Figures 3 and 4 show a view from above (without cover) and a view in vertical section of mechanism in the rubbish bin of Figures 3 and 4; Figures 5, 6 and 7 show views of the bracket for supporting the pivot pin for the bin casing of Figures 1 and 2; Figures 8, 9 and 10 show views of an element which operates as a pivot pin for the bin casing of Figures 1 and 2;; Figures 11, 1 2 and 1 3 show views of a cover lifting slide guided by the pivot pin of Figures 8 to 10; Figures 14, 1 5 and 1 6 show a plan, a side elevation and a cross-section of an element fitted to the upper edge of the bin casing of Figures 1 and 2 an provided with two cylindrical seats, each with a face cam; to be used individually according to whether the door of the item of furniture opens towards the right or to the left; Figures 1 7 and 18, and Figures 1 9 and 20 show a view from above and a vertical section respectively of two alternative forms of the mechanism shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted therein that a rubbish bin which is rectangular in plan comprises a casing A which is closed by a cover or lid B. Brackets C and D, the latter being engaged by a pin projecting from the bottom of the casing A, are fixed to the side of an item of furniture and in a position of vertical alignment to form a pivot axis for the rubbish bin casing, the lower edge of which is connected to a bracket E fitted to the inside face of a casing door.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 14, it will be seen firstly that the upper edge Al of the casing A is shaped to be fixed to an attachment member F which is provided with two shaped or moulded projections F1 to be inserted into a turned-over portion of the edge Al of the casing, where they are held by teeth F2 which, projecting downwardly, are engaged in suitable holes in the casing. The member F which is used to simplify pressing or moulding of the casing A and also to enable the casings to be stacked during storage and transportation is provided, as can also be seen from Figures 14 to 16, with two alternative cylindrical seats F3 which are to be used in relation to the direction of opening of the door which moves the bin casing A relatively to the cover B.Provided on the bottom of each cylindrical seat F3 is an active profile of a face cam, the driven or follower member of which is formed by a slide H (see Figures 3 and 4) which is provided at its lower part with a cylindrical portion shaped to receive the contour of the cam. The vertical translatory movements of the slide H are guided by a member G which, being supported by the bracket C in which it is fixed, functions as an upper hinge member in the vertical pivot support for the bin casing A by passing through the member G which prevents rotational movement thereof about its axis, the slide H can act against the cover B, causing the cover to rotate about projections C1 which project at the sides of the bracket C and which are shaped to facilitate engagement of the cover therewith by pressing drilled or apertured projections disposed beneath the cover onto the projections C1. This permits as a result of the form of the member F, two alternative forms of mounting, having regard to the fact that the door could be opened towards the right or towards the left.

It should be noted that the ease of manually removing the cover B and, by disengaging the member G and slide H, the equal ease of removing the casing A, makes it possible periodically to carry out effective cleaning operations which become necessary even if, for the purposes of collecting rubbish, it is intended that use be made of a removable bag which is fitted into the casing.

While still retaining the broad characteristics of the invention and the mechanism used, the pivot axis of the cover B could be formed, as shown in Figures 1 7 and 18, by two projections L1 on a member L acting as an upper hinge member in the vertical support pivot of the casing A and also as a guide for the vertical translatory movements of the slide H. A hooked projection on the member L, which clips into a slot in a subjacent support bracket I holds assembly in the condition illustrated, by preventing the cover B, during the upward movement of the slide H, from entraining upwardly the member L to which it is pivoted. The upper hinge member for pivotally mounting the casing and the two projections for pivotally mounting the cover could also be arranged to form a one-piece component with the bracket for fixing the arrangement to the item of furniture as shown in Figures 19 and 20 where the vertical portion of a member M projects upwardly since, in this specific case, the step of fixing the arrangement to the side of the item of furniture represents the concluding phase in the assembly operation.

It should be added that the rectangular base configuration of the bin casing illustrated is only selected as a preferred example and does not exclude the application of this invention also to bins of different shapes.

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for automatically raising the cover of a rubbish bin comprising a casing and a cover, the bin being housed inside an item of furniture and the casing being connected to the door of the item of furniture to follow the movements thereof when the door rotates about a vertical pivot axis, comprises a member arranged to be fixed to the casing and provided with a cam located to iie coaxially on said axis and having an active profile arranged to cause a driven member or slide to undergo translatory movements in a vertical direction for opening and closing the cover when the cover is pivoted about a horizontal axis fixed with respect to said item of furniture, the horizontal axis and slide being fixed against rotary movement about said vertical axis when the apparatus is in use and the door is being rotated about said vertical axis.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, arranged for the casing to be readily stacked or transported as a separate unit by providing the said member arranged to be fixed to the casing when required, by two horizontal projections and two vertical projections.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the said member arranged to be fixed to the casing is provided with two alternative cams each to be used individually according to whether the apparatus is to be used with a door that opens to the left or opens to the right.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said vertical pivot axis is defined at the lower end by a pin projecting from the bottom of the casing for engaging a bracket, when fitted to the item of furniture, and at the upper end by a hinge member mounted on a further bracket which is arranged to be fixed to the item of furniture with the hinge member serving as a pivot for the member arranged to be fixed to the casing.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, in which the driven member or slide is guided on the said vertical axis by a vertical passage in the hinge member between the cam and the cover when fitted.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a bracket for fixing to the item of furniture is formed with two projections on a horizontal axis and shaped to facilitate the coupling of the cover to the bracket when the cover is provided underneath with drilled or apertured projections permitting it to be pivotally mounted by a press fit on projections formed on the bracket.

7. Apparatus according to Claims 4 and 6, in which the said further bracket on which the hinge member is mounted serves also as the bracket to which the cover is to be pivoted.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, in which the said bracket on which the hinge member is mounted and serving to receive the cover is arranged to be fixed by a simple clipping-engagement arrangement to a subjacent bracket on the item of furniture.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7, in which the said bracket on which the hinge member is mounted and serving to receive the cover is formed with an apertured or drilled portion that projects upwardly to facilitate fixing to the item of furniture.

10. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 1 6 of the accompanying drawings.

11. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 7 and 1 8 of the accompanying drawings.

1 2. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 9 and 20 of the accompanying drawings.