US20060186121A1 - Trash can assembly with motion damper for lid - Google Patents

Abstract

A trash can assembly has an outer shell, a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end of the outer shell along the front side of the outer shell, a lid pivotably coupled to the top end of the outer shell, and a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid. The link assembly includes a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed. A biasing member is provided inside the outer shell and applies an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to trash can assemblies, and in particular, to a trash can assembly that has a mechanism for slowing the closing motion of the lid.
• 2. Description of the Prior Art
• A major concern for both the home and the workplace is containing and holding wastes, refuse, and trash until permanent disposal. Trash cans act as containers for holding trash and other wastes that are produced in any typical home or office. Trash and garbage cans often employ lids and covers to contain the trash and its associated odor, to hide the trash from view, and to prevent the trash from contaminating areas beyond the lid.
• Conventional trash cans have been improved over the years to make them more user-friendly, sanitary, and hygienic. For example, many trash cans are now provided with a foot pedal positioned adjacent the base of the trash can so that a user can step on the foot pedal to open the lid of the trash can, thereby freeing up the user's hands to deposit trash, or to change the plastic liner or bag that is used to line the trash can. Other trash cans have even provided an interior metal or plastic liner that fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed. However, these conventional trash cans still suffer from a number of drawbacks.
• For example, the foot pedals on some of the conventional trash cans are noisy to use. In particular, stepping on a foot pedal of a conventional trash can often results in a loud banging noise as the lid is forced open immediately, and releasing the step on the foot pedal will also result in another loud banging noise as the lid slams shut under the force of gravity and the weight of the lid. These banging actions also result in wear and tear to the contacting parts.
• Thus, there remains a need for a trash can that overcomes the drawbacks identified above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
• It is an object of the present invention to provide a trash can assembly that reduces noise and wear when the foot pedal is actuated to open and close the lid.
• In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a trash can assembly that has an outer shell, a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end of the outer shell along the front side of the outer shell, a lid pivotably coupled to the top end of the outer shell, and a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid. The link assembly includes a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed. A biasing member is provided inside the outer shell and applies an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a trash can assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention shown with the lid opened.
• FIG. 2A is a side plan view of the link assembly of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid closed.
• FIG. 2B is a side plan view of the link assembly of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid partially opened.
• FIG. 2C is a side plan view of the link assembly of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid completely opened.
• FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the link assembly of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid closed.
• FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the link assembly of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid completely opened.
• FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the biasing member and lifting rod of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 when the lid is closed.
• FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the biasing member and lifting rod of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 when the lid is completely opened.
• FIG. 5A is a cut-away side view of the lifting rod and the lid of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 when the lid is closed.
• FIG. 5B is a cut-away side view of the lifting rod and the lid of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid partially opened.
• FIG. 5C is a cut-away side view of the lifting rod and the lid of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 when the lid is completely opened.
• FIG. 6A is an expanded view of the lifting rod and the connector housing of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 when the lid is closed.
• FIG. 6B is an expanded view of the lifting rod and the connector housing of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 with the lid partially opened.
• FIG. 6C is an expanded view of the lifting rod and the connector housing of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1 when the lid is completely opened.
• FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the connector housing of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1.
• FIGS. 8A and 8B are top plan views illustrating the adjustment of the resilient element with respect to the lifting rod of the trash can assembly ofFIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
• FIGS. 14B illustrate one embodiment of a trash can assembly20 according to the present invention. Theassembly20 has anouter shell22 and an inner liner (not shown) that is adapted to be retained inside theouter shell22. Theouter shell22 is supported on abase52. Anupper support frame32 can be secured to the opened top of theouter shell22, and can be provided in a separate material (e.g., plastic) from theouter shell22.
• Theouter shell22 can assume any configuration. As a non-limiting example,FIG. 1 illustrates theouter shell22 as having a generally planarrear wall24 with a generally semi-circularfront wall26. The inner liner can have the same, or different, shape as theouter shell22. Alid28 is pivotably connected to aledge30 of a top edge of therear wall24 via two hinged connections. Referring also toFIG. 7, each hinged connection includes a pair ofparallel extensions34 provided at the inner part of theflange36 of thelid28 at the rear of thelid28, and a pair ofparallel extensions38. Theextensions38 extend rearwardly from the rear wall35 of theupper support frame32. Theextensions34 and38 are adapted to be aligned and positioned together, with a pivoting shaft33 (seeFIGS. 5A-5C) inserted through openings (not shown) provided in theseextensions34,38 to form a hinged connection. Theouter shell22 and itslid28 can be made of a solid and stable material, such as a metal. Abracket40 is also secured at the inner part of thelange36 at the rear of thelid28, and has an opening that is adapted to receive an upperhooked end42 of a liftingrod44. Anopening66 is provided on theledge30 of theupper support frame32 through which an upper portion of the liftingrod44 extends.
• Referring also toFIGS. 2A-3B, afoot pedal48 is secured to (or made in one piece with) apedal bar50 that is pivotably coupled to the base52 (e.g., using a fulcrum rod, as is well known in the art) at a pivotingaxis54 that is located at about the center of thepedal bar50. Thepedal bar50 can be made of a material (e.g., metal) that carries some weight, or can be made from a lightweight material (e.g., plastic). The front of thepedal bar50 is connected to thefoot pedal48, and the length of thepedal bar50 extends along thebase52, with the rear of thepedal bar50 pivotably coupled to the liftingrod44 that extends upwardly along the rear of theouter shell22 to connect thelid28. Thehooked end42 is provided at the top end of the liftingrod44 for coupling to thebracket40.
• Thepedal bar50 and the liftingrod44 operate to translate an up-down pivot motion of the pedal48 to an up-down pivot motion for thelid28. In particular, thepedal bar50 can be pivoted between two positions, a first rest position as shown inFIGS. 2A and 3A where thefoot pedal48 is at a vertically higher position than the rear of thepedal bar50, and a second open position (where thelid28 is completely opened) as shown inFIGS. 2C and 3B where thefoot pedal48 is pressed to a vertically lower position than the rear of thepedal bar50. In the second opened position, thefoot pedal48 is pressed to cause thepedal bar50 pivot, causing the rear of thepedal bar50 to be raised upwardly, thereby pushing the liftingrod44 upwardly and rearwardly to cause thehooked end42 to push thebracket40 upwardly and rearwardly, which causes thelid28 to open.FIGS. 5A-5C and6A-6C illustrate this simultaneous upward and rearward motion of the liftingrod44 in its sequential manner, fromFIGS. 5A and 6A toFIGS. 5B and 6B, and then toFIGS. 5C and 6C, with the liftingrod44 shown inFIG. 5C (in the opened position) as occupying a higher and rearward position with respect to theopening66 as compared toFIG. 5A (in the closed or rest position). When thefoot pedal48 is maintained in this second opened position, thehooked end42 will continue to maintain thelid28 in the opened position. When the force on thefoot pedal48 is removed, the combined forces from the weight of the lid28 (if applicable), the weight of the pedal bar50 (if applicable), and gravity, will push the liftingrod44 simultaneously downward and forward (fromFIGS. 5C and 6C toFIGS. 5B and 6B, and then toFIGS. 5A and 6A), causing thepedal bar50 to pivot to the first rest position. Unfortunately, these combined forces can be large enough to cause thelid28 to slam shut very quickly. As a result, the present invention provides a mechanism for slowing this closing motion of thelid28, which focuses on slowing the downward and forward movement of the liftingrod44.
• Referring toFIGS. 1 and 8B, aconnector housing60 is secured to theupper support frame32 adjacent theledge30 and the top of theouter shell22. Theconnector housing60 has atop plate62, and is secured to ablock64 provided on theupper support frame32 via screws. Specifically, an elongated biasing member68 (e.g., a spring) has afirst end70 that is attached to theblock64 via a first plurality of connection screws72 that extend through the biasingmember68 and openings82 in theblock64, and into corresponding aligned screw holes74 in theconnector housing60. A second connection screw76 extends through abracket78 in theupper support frame32 and into a corresponding alignedscrew hole80 in theconnector housing60. The liftingrod44 is positioned between the rear of a secondfree end86 of the biasingmember68 and therear wall24 of theouter shell22. The biasingmember68 operates to slow the closing motion of thelid28 by applying an opposing bias or force against the motion of the liftingrod44 during the closing motion of thelid28.
• In particular,FIGS. 2C, 3B,4B,5C and6C illustrate the relationship between the liftingrod44 and the biasingmember68 when thelid28 is completely opened. In this opened position, the liftingrod44 is positioned in the rear of the opening66 (seeFIGS. 2C and 6C), and is disengaged from the biasing member68 (seeFIGS. 3B and 4B). As the force on thefoot pedal48 is released, the combined forces from the weight of the lid28 (if applicable), the weight of the pedal bar50 (if applicable), and gravity, will push the liftingrod44 downwardly and forward, forcing the liftingrod44 to move simultaneously downwardly and forward towards the front of the opening66 (seeFIGS. 2B, 5B and6B). As the liftingrod44 moves towards the front of theopening66, the liftingrod44 will engage the biasingmember68, which in turn exerts an opposite force or bias against the forward movement of the liftingrod44. This opposite force or bias will slow down the forward movement of the liftingrod44, which simultaneously slows the downward movement of the liftingrod44. This allows thelid28 to be closed slowly, without an undesirable slamming action.
• FIGS. 2A, 3A,4A,5A and6A illustrate the relationship between the liftingrod44 and the biasingmember68 when thelid28 is completely closed. When thelid28 is completely closed, the liftingrod44 engages the secondfree end86 of the biasingmember68. To re-open thelid28, the user presses on thefoot pedal48, causing the liftingrod44 to move simultaneously upwardly and rearwardly within the opening66 (seeFIGS. 2B and 6B). Since the liftingrod44 is moving rearwardly within theopening66, the bias or force exerted by the biasingmember68 against the liftingrod44 will slowly ease (i.e., less resistance will be imparted by the biasingmember68 as thelid28 opens), until thelid28 reaches the completely opened position shown inFIGS. 2C, 3B,4B,5C and6C.
• The liftingrod44 can be angled to allow the liftingrod44 to experience the simultaneous transverse motions (i.e., downward and forward, or upward and rearward) described above. In particular, the liftingrod44 can be provided with alower section44a that is angled with respect to anupper section44b. Thelower section44a can be angled with respect to thepedal bar50.
• An adjustment mechanism can be provided to adjust the resiliency of the biasingmember68. Specifically, theblock64 has a recessed edge90 (seeFIGS. 4A and 8A), and anadjustment screw92 extends through the biasingmember68 and anopening94 in theblock64, such that agap96 is always defined between the recessededge90 and the biasingmember68. Thescrew92 can be adjusted to change the size of thegap96 to adjust the resiliency of the biasingmember68. For example, a tighter resiliency is provided if thegap96 is decreased, while lesser resiliency is provided if thegap96 is increased. Thus, this adjustment allows the user to be able to adjust the degree to which the closing motion of thelid28 is slowed.
• An optionallower housing180 can be provided on thebase52 for housing and protecting thelower section44b and a portion of theupper section44a of the liftingrod44. Anopening182 can also be provided in the top of thelower housing180, so that the liftingrod44 can move forwardly and rearwardly within the opening82.
• In addition, although the biasingmember68 is provided adjacent the upper end of he liftingrod44, it is also possible to position the biasingmember68 adjacent the lower end of the liftingrod44, such as adjacent thelower housing80.
• Thus, the present invention provides abiasing mechanism68 that slows the downward motion of the liftingrod44, thereby slowing the closing motion of thelid28. The structure of the biasingmember68 is very simple, thereby reducing the cost of the rash can assembly while improving its performance and effectiveness.
• The above detailed description is for the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, components, mechanisms and methods are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.

Claims (12)

1. A trash can assembly, comprising:

an outer shell having an enclosing wall, a top end, a bottom end, and a front side;

a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end along the front side;

a lid pivotably coupled to the top end;

a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid, the link assembly including a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed; and

a biasing member provided inside the outer shell and applying an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.

2. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the lifting rod experiences simultaneous downward and forward motions when the lid is closed.

3. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the lifting rod experiences simultaneous upward and rearward motions when the lid is raised.

4. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the biasing member is a resilient elongated member having opposing first and second ends, with the first end secured to the outer shell and the second end positioned adjacent the lifting rod such that the lifting rod is positioned between the outer shell and the elongated member.

5. The assembly ofclaim 4, further including means for adjusting the resiliency of the elongated member.

6. The assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the second end of the elongated member applies the opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod.

7. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the lifting rod has an upper section and a lower section that is angled with respect to the upper section.

8. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the lifting rod has an upper hooked end that is pivotably coupled to the lid, with the upper hooked end experiencing simultaneous upward and rearward motions when the lid is raised.

9. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the lifting rod has an upper hooked end that is pivotably coupled to the lid, with the upper hooked end experiencing simultaneous downward and forward motions when the lid is closed.

10. The assembly ofclaim 1, further including a lower housing provided adjacent the bottom end of the outer shell, with a portion of the lifting rod housed inside the lower housing.

11. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the biasing member is positioned adjacent an upper end of the lifting rod.

12. A method of slowing the closing motion of a lid of a trash can assembly, comprising:

a. providing a trash can assembly having:

an outer shell having an enclosing wall, a top end, a bottom end, and a front side;

a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end along the front side;

a lid pivotably coupled to the top end;

a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid, the link assembly including a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed; and

b. applying an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.

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