Patent ID: 6019405
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: E01H

Abstract:
A refuse collection device comprising:an outer tube having an upper end and a lower end in an axial direction, the outer tube having an inner cross-sectional dimension;an inner tubular assembly having an upper end and a lower end, the inner tube being received within the inner cross-sectional dimension of the outer tube to have the upper end thereof located within the outer tube and the lower end thereof extending out of the lower end of the outer tube, the outer tube being axially movable relative to the inner tubular assembly between an axial upper position and a lower position;a collection container assembly, comprising a mount fixed to the lower end of the inner tubular assembly and defining a refuse passage, a cover substantially corresponding in shape to the refuse passage and rotatably connected to the inner tubular assembly by means of a pivot pin supported on the inner tubular assembly to be movable between a closed position where the cover substantially seals the refuse passage and an open position where the cover is angularly displaced from the closed position at a first angle to open the refuse passage, the cover being drivingly coupled to the outer tube to be driven thereby to rotate between the closed position and the open position when the outer tube is moved relative to the inner tubular assembly between the lower position and the upper position, the collection container further comprising a primary bag having an opening fixed to the mount and surrounding the refuse passage defined by the mount; andcontrol means comprising:a first grip fixed to the upper end of the outer tube and having a central bore co-axially aligned with and in communication with the inner cross-sectional dimension of the outer tube, the central bore defining a smooth inner surface,a second grip having a shaft extending therefrom to be axially fixed to the inner tubular assembly, the shaft being slidably received within the bore of the first grip to allow the first grip to be movable relative to the second grip in unison with the outer tube between the upper position and the lower position,locking means comprising a groove formed on the inner surface of the central bore of the first grip, the groove having a first step of a predetermined depth and at least a radial opening formed on a circumference of the hollow shaft to movably receive therein a spherical member, the radial opening being located on the hollow shaft to completely receive the spherical member therein by being acted upon by the smooth inner surface of the central bore of the first grip when the outer tube is in the lower position where the cover is in the closed position, a first biasing element being provided to bias the spherical member out of the radial opening and partially into and thus engaging the groove of the first grip when the outer tuber is in the upper position to securely hold the outer tube in the upper position and the cover in the open position by means of the engagement between the spherical member with the groove of the first grip, andreleasing means for breaking the engagement between the spherical member and the groove of the first grip by allowing the spherical member to be moved back into the radial opening so as to allow the outer tube to move from the upper position to the lower position and thus closing the cover.