GB2470384A

GB2470384A - Refuse receptacle retaining device

Info

Publication number: GB2470384A
Application number: GB0908738A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Lowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-05-21
Filing date: 2009-05-21
Publication date: 2010-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-21
Also published as: GB2470384B; GB0908738D0

Abstract

A retaining device for securing a container such as a refuse bin, includes a retaining member 26 and an upright structure 14. The retaining member 26 is moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the upright structure. When the retaining member is in its first position a support formation 18 and holding formation 20 are spaced from one another for receiving a part of a container, and when the retaining member is in its second position the formations are positioned closer one another to retain the bin. The device further includes a locking mechanism 34 which is at least partially housed within the upright structure and may be key operated. The locking mechanism is operable to hold the retaining member in its second position relative to the upright structure. The retaining member may move linearly between the positions and may be spring biased towards its first position. The retaining device may be fixed to a wall or a ground surface by a base plate 38. The upright structure may be height adjustable.

Description

Title: Retaining Device

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a retaining device, and to a retaining post including such a retaining device. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to a device for retaining a waste container, such as a so-called wheelie bin'.

Large waste containers are commonly provided with wheels to make them easy to manoeuvre, which is essential if they are to be used to move heavy waste. These containers are used at many residential, industrial and commercial premises, and are usually kept outdoors due to their size and the undesirable odour emitted by the waste they contain. As these waste containers are kept outside, and since they are relatively easy to move, they may attract the attention of thieves. When a waste container is stolen it is not only costly to replace, but its absence may cause a large amount of inconvenience to its former owner. Additionally, waste containers may be targeted by vandals wishing to set fire to the contents of the container. Since the containers are easy to move, the vandals may attempt to move them to a place where the fire will cause a great deal of damage.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a retaining device for retaining a container, the device including a retaining member and an upright structure, the upright structure including a support formation and the retaining member including a holding formation, the retaining member being moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the upright structure, such that when the retaining member is in its first position the support formation and holding formation are spaced one another for receiving a part of a container, and when the retaining member is in its second position the * 2 support formation and holding formation are positioned closer one another to retain the part of the container, the device further including a locking mechanism which is carried by the upright structure such that the locking mechanism is at least partially housed within the upright structure, wherein the locking mechanism is operable to hold the retaining member in its second position relative to the upright structure.

Housing the locking mechanism within the upright structure secures the mechanism against tampering, and protects it from weathering. It is also more aesthetically pleasing to house the locking mechanism out of sight, rather than to display it externally.

The retaining member may move linearly between the first and second positions. The linear movement of the retaining member between its first and second positions allows it to remain in contact with the upright member during movement, so that the interior of the retaining device is not exposed.

Preferably, the retaining member is disposed on the upright structure, and includes a closed upper portion for preventing access to the interior of the retaining device. A lower portion of the retaining member may include one or more sides, which overlap at least a portion of the upright structure. Both of these features are advantageous because they ensure that the locking mechanism is not easily accessible.

Preferably, the retaining member is spring-biased towards its first position.

This allows the retaining member to return to its first position automatically when the locking mechanism is disengaged.

The support formation may provide an upward..facing surface. Preferably, the holding formation and support formation are aligned above one another so that when the retaining member is moved to its second position the holding formation and support formation are brought closer to one another. This allows the retaining member to be held in its second position by the locking mechanism, wherein a part of the container is retained between the support formation and holding formation.

Further preferably, the locking mechanism is inaccessible when the retaining member is in its second position. This is advantageous because it prevents vandals or thieves tampering with the locking mechanism to release the container from the device.

Further preferably, the retaining member is moveable from its first to its second position by a user using only a single hand. This allows the user to manoeuvre the container with one hand and operate the retaining member with his other hand.

The upright structure may, in use, be securely attached to a permanent structure. The permanent structure may be a wall surface or a ground surface.

Attaching the retaining device to a permanent structure makes it hard for a thief or vandal to move the retaining device without first detaching it from that structure.

The locking mechanism may include a release mechanism which is key-operable. This allows a user to carry a unique key to operate the retaining device, and prevents others from operating the device.

The upright structure may include height-adjusting means. This allows the retaining device to be disposed at the correct height in relation to a wide variety of containers.

The retaining device may further include a plurality of support formations, and for each support formation, there is a corresponding further holding formation.

This is advantageous because it allows one or more containers to be retained by multiple pairs of support and holding formations.

A lower end of the upright structure may be supported by a base plate lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright structure, the base plate providing means for attachment to a surface. Providing a base plate is advantageous as it provides a means for the upright structure to be securely attached to a surface.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a retaining post embodying the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective cut-away view of a retaining device embodying the present invention, wherein the retaining member is shown in its first position, Figure 3 is a perspective cut-away view of a retaining device as shown in figure 2, where in the retaining member is shown in its second position, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining device of figure 2, wherein the retaining member is shown in its first position, Figure 5 is a top-down cross-sectional view of the retaining device of figure 2, wherein the retaining member is shown in its first position, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining device of figure 2, wherein the retaining member is shown in its second position, Figure 7 is a top-down cross-sectional view of the retaining device of figure 2, wherein the retaining member is shown in its second position, Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the retaining post, Figure 9 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of a retaining post of figure 8 in engagement with a waste container, Figure 10 is a side view of the retaining post of figure 1 in engagement with a waste container, Figures 11 and 12 are side views of the retaining post and waste container of figure 10, showing the retaining member in its first and second positions, respectively.

Referring now to the drawings, a retaining post 10 is shown, including an upright structure 14 supported at its lower end on a base plate 38 and including at its upper end a retaining device 12. Such a retaining post 10 is intended for retaining a waste container such as a wheelie bin. Preferably, the components of the retaining post 10 are constructed from steel, but alternatively they may be manufactured from a plastics material, or a combination of the two.

In this example the upright structure 14 is an elongate post of generally square cross-section. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to posts with four sides -a retaining device may be used in conjunction with a post having any number of sides, not excluding a cylindrical post. The base plate 38 is a rectangular plate which is connected at one end of its upper surface to the upright structure 14, and orientated so that its length extends from a first side 1 6 of the upright structure. Apertures may be provided adjacent the corners of the base plate 38 to allow for the insertion of bolts to secure the plate to a surface.

A support formation 18 extends outward from the upper end of the first side 16a of the upright structure 14. The support formation 18 has a flat shelf structure, which provides an upwardly-facing surface, and may be supported from below by strengthening formations 36.

The retaining device 12 includes a locking mechanism, which is carried by the upright structure 14, and a retaining member 26 disposed at the upper end of the upright structure 14. The retaining member 26 includes a lower portion 30 having four upright sides 32 in generally square cross-section, and a truncated pyramidal upper portion 28. The lower portion 30 receives the upright structure 14 at its upper end for slideable engagement. A holding formation 20 extends outwardly and downwardly from a first side 32 of the lower portion 30, forming a catch part of generally L-shaped cross-section. The holding formation 20 includes a lateral holding part 24 which extends outwardly of the first side 16a of the upright structure, and an upright holding part 22 which extends downwardly from the furthest point of the lateral holding part 24 from first side 32g. The sides of the upright holding part 22 may include inset portions 23, to allow the holding part to be gripped by a user.

The retaining member 26 is moveable up or down relative to the upright structure 14, between a first position (shown in figure 2) in which the retaining member 26 is raised relative to upright structure 14 and the support formation 18 and holding formation 20 are spaced, and a second position in which the lower portion 30 of the retaining member 26 receives the upper end of the upright structure 14 wherein the support formation and holding formation are closer to one another (as shown in figure 3).

The locking mechanism is carried by a housing 56 within the upright structure 14. The housing has a U-shaped cross-section, having two upright walls 57 which lie against two opposite sides of the upright member 14, and are secured to the upright member 14 by way of bolts 50 (e.g. tamper-proof bolts) which are inserted through the walls of the upright structure 14, and through apertures in the upright walls 57. At its upper end, a support element 72 lies across the width of the housing 56, and is supported at each end within an * 7 inset portion in the upper end of each upright wall 57. A spring 70, formed of a resilient metal, is housed within the retaining member 26. The spring 70 is abutted at its lower end by the support element 72, and biases the retaining member 26 towards its first position.

The locking mechanism also includes an elongate member, of cylindrical structure, having an upper part 68 and a lower part 54. The upper part 68 of the elongate member is connected to, and moveable relative to the upright structure with, the retaining member 26. The lower part 54 of the elongate member includes a locking formation 52, which is a recess in the wall of the lower part 54, and is engageable by a catch member 64. The catch member 64 is rotatably attached to the base of the housing 56 by a nut and bolt 76, and includes a flat elongate part which extends from the end held by the bolt 76, and a hook part 62, a mouth of the hook part 62, facing away from the elongate member. The catch member 64 is suitable to engage the locking formation 52 to hold it in a locked position, preventing the elongate member from moving upwardly or downwardly. The catch member 64 is spring-biased towards the elongate member by way of a spring 60, which is attached at one end to a hook formation disposed in an upright wall 57 of the housing 56, and at its other end to the hook part 62 of the catch member 64.

When the catch member 64 engages the locking formation 52, the retaining member 26, which is connected to the elongate member of the locking mechanism, is prevented from moving upwardly or downwardly. The catch member 64 is positioned such that when it engages the locking formation 52 of the elongate member, the retaining member 26 is held in its second position.

The locking mechanism is further provided with a release mechanism, to release the catch member 64 from the locking formation 52, and allow the elongate member (and retaining member 26) to move up or down. In this embodiment the locking mechanism includes a key-operable release * 8 mechanism disposed within an outer wall of the upright structure so that a key cylinder 34 is accessible to a user. The key cylinder 34 is positioned adjacent the catch member 64, so that the rotation of the (correct) key within the key cylinder 34 actuates the release of the catch member 64. The release mechanism further includes a cam 58, which is fixed to the key cylinder 34 by a nut 76, and rotates with the body of the key cylinder 34 when a key corresponding to the structure of the key cylinder 34 is turned. Figure 7 shows the retaining device with the retaining member 26 in its second position, in which the catch member 64 is engaged with the locking formation 52. To disengage the catch member 64 from the locking formation 52, the key must be turned in a clockwise direction in the key cylinder 34, which causes the cam 58 to rotate clockwise. The edge of the cam 58 contacts, and on further rotation pushes against, an edge of the catch member 64, so that the catch member 64 rotates away from the locking formation 52. On sufficient rotation of the cam 58, the catch member 64 disengages the locking formation 52, as shown in figure 5.

At its lower end, the lower part 54 of the elongate member passes through an aperture in the base of the housing 56. The lower part 54 includes an abutment element 74, which has a width larger than the diameter of the aperture in the base of the housing 56, such that the elongate member is prevented from moving upwardly, through the aperture, past the point at which the abutment element 74 contacts the base of the housing 56. This prevents the retaining member 26, to which the elongate member is attached, from disengaging from the sides of the upright structure 14. In this example, the abutment element 74 consists of a bolt which extends through the width of the lower part 54, and is secured by a nut.

The first side 32a of the lower portion 32 of the retaining member 26 aligns with the first side 16a of the upright structure 14, so that the holding formation lies directly above support formation 18. When the retaining member 26 is in its first position, the holding formation 20 is spaced from the support formation 18 sufficiently to allow a part of a waste container to be received between the support formation 18 and the holding formation 20. The part of the waste container received may be a handle, a bracket, or any suitable, usually, generally-horizontal element. When the retaining member 26 is in its second position, the holding formation 20 lies adjacent the support formation 18, with the lower end of the upright holding part 22 disposed adjacent, and co-operating with, the support formation 18.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the retaining post 10 may include height-adjusting means, so that a taller or shorter structure may be provided. This allows containers of different dimensions to be retained using the retaining post 10, so that the retaining post 10 may be used with a wide range of waste containers. The height-adjusting means may include the facility for the upright structure to be extended telescopically.

In a further alternative embodiment of the invention, the retaining device 12 may include more than one support formation 18 and/or holding formation 20.

An example of such an embodiment is shown in figure 8. This embodiment of the retaining post 110 includes two (but may include any number of) support formations 118a, 118k and its holding formation 120 includes two holding formations 124a, 124b, which are spaced along its length, and align with the corresponding support formations. When the retaining member is in its second position, each holding formation 124a, 124b cooperates with its corresponding support formation 118a, 118b. In this embodiment, it is possible for either one or two waste containers to be retained.

In a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality of support formations 18, and corresponding holding formations 20, may be provided, such that each support formation 18 is disposed on a further side of the upright structure 14.

Each holding formation 20 is disposed on a corresponding further side of the lower portion 30 of the retaining member 26, so that the support formations 18 and corresponding holding formations 20 align. In this embodiment, a plurality of waste containers may be retained, each being held against a different side of the upright structure 14. For instance, three waste containers may be connected to different sides of a four-sided retaining post 10, with the fourth being kept unobstructed to allow a user to access the retaining post 10 to activate the release mechanism.

Variations in the design of waste containers mean that different parts of the container may be suitable for retention of different models. For some models, such as plastic 1100 litre wheeled disposal bins, it may be necessary to bolt a bracket to the exterior of one wall of the container, so that an elongate horizontal element is provided. On the common 240 litre standard "wheelie bin" model, a horizontal bar is provided at the hinge which pivotably connects the lid to the body of the container, and this horizontal bar is suitable for retention by the retaining post.

Referring now to figures 10, 11 and 12, to retain a waste container 200 using a retaining post 10 as hereinbefore described, the locking mechanism must first be in its unlocked state, and the retaining member 26 in its first position. The waste container 200 is moved into a position in which an elongate horizontal element 202 of the waste container is positioned above the support formation 18, and below the holding formation 20 of the retaining member 26 (as shown in figure 11). The retaining member 26 is then pushed downward by the user, overcoming the resistance of the spring 70, until the retaining member 26 is in its second position, wherein the spacing between the holding formation 20 and the support formation 18 is small enough to retain the horizontal element 202 therebetween (as shown in figure 12). When the retaining member 26 is in its second position, there may be contact between the holding formation 20 and support formation 18, but if not, the separation between the holding formation and support formation 18 is significantly less than the width of the horizontal element 202, so that the horizontal element 202 is secured relative to the retaining post 10. When the retaining member 26 is moved to its second position, the locking formation 52 of the elongate member aligns with the catch member 64, causing the elongate member to lock in position. This prevents the retaining member 26 being moved back to its first position, and therefore the horizontal element 202 is retained.

To remove the waste container 200 from the retaining post, the catch element 64 must be disengaged from the locking formation 52. This is achieved by a user operating the release mechanism of the locking mechanism, which in this embodiment involves the use of a key. When the locking formation is disengaged, the biasing spring 70 acting on the retaining member 26 causes it to move upward, returning it to its first position. This causes the holding formation 20 to move upward, away from the support formation 18, allowing the horizontal element 202 to be withdrawn from the retaining device 12, and the waste container 200 to be moved away from the retaining post 10.

The waste container 100 shown in figure 9 includes an elongate horizontal element 102 at the pivotable joint between its lid and its body. This horizontal element 102 is suitable for retention, but it may be preferable to retain the bar at more than one position along its length, to provide additional resilience and balance. Figure 9 illustrates this, wherein the waste container 100 is retained by a retaining post according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, having two support formations, each cooperating with a separate holding formation. * 12

As alternatives to the embodiments described, other configurations of the retaining device 12 and retaining post 10 are possible. Alternative locking mechanisms may be included in a retaining device 12, which may provide greater security than that provided by the locking mechanism described here.

The locking mechanism may include alternative forms of release mechanism, such as those used in other forms of key-operated locks, or a combination lock.

In the embodiments described, a retaining device 12 has been described in relation to a retaining post 10, but it is possible that a retaining device 12 may be incorporated into other upright structures. Such structures may include a wall, fence or railing.

An advantage of the embodiments described is that whilst a container is retained by a retaining device, normal access to the container is not impeded.

Therefore, the container may be left in engagement with the retaining device during normal use.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1. A retaining device for retaining a container, the device including a retaining member and an upright structure, the upright structure including a support formation and the retaining member including a holding formation, the retaining member being moveable between a first position and a second position relative to the upright structure, such that when the retaining member is in its first position the support formation and holding formation are spaced one another for receiving a part of a container, and when the retaining member is in its second position the support formation and holding formation are positioned closer one another to retain the part of the container, the device further including a locking mechanism which is carried by the upright structure such that the locking mechanism is at least partially housed within the upright structure, wherein the locking mechanism is operable to hold the retaining member in its second position relative to the upright structure.
2. A retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining member moves linearly between the first and second positions.
3. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member is disposed on the upright structure, and includes a closed upper portion for preventing access to the interior of the retaining device.
4. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower portion of the retaining member includes one or more sides, which overlap at least a portion of the upright structure.
5. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member is spring-biased towards its first position.
6. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support formation provides an upward-facing surface.
7. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding formation and support formation are aligned above one another so that when the retaining member is moved to its second position the holding formation and support formation are brought closer to one another.
8. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism is inaccessible when the retaining member is in its second position.
9. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member is moveable from its first to its second position by a user using only a single hand.
10. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upright structure is, in use, securely attached to a permanent structure.
11. A retaining device according to claim 10, wherein the permanent structure is a wall surface.
12. A retaining device according to claim 10, wherein the permanent structure is a ground surface.
13. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism includes a release mechanism which is key-operable.
14. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upright structure includes height-adjusting means.
15. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a plurality of support formations, and for each support formation, there is a corresponding further holding formation.
16. A retaining device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower end of the upright structure is supported by a base plate lying in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upright structure, the base plate providing means for attachment to a surface.
17. A retaining device substantially as described herein and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.