Abstract:
In a first embodiment, a generally cylindrical trash receptacle includes radially spaced-apart handles and connector members at the upper outer surface of the wall of the receptacle. The trash receptacle may be selectively secured to one or more like trash receptacles to create a stable array of trash receptacles which will not easily be blown over. In a second embodiment, the trash receptacles are square or rectangular in shape and also have handles and connector members secured to the walls thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a trash receptacle and more particularly to trash receptacles which may be connected together to prevent them from tipping over in windy conditions. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Trash receptacles such as residential garbage cans, whether they are generally cylindrical, square or rectangular in shape tend to blow over in windy conditions when they are left at curb side for collection. When the garbage cans are blown over in windy conditions, the garbage or trash therein may spill therefrom and create an unsightly mess. Further, upon tipping over in windy conditions, the garbage cans may roll down the street. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0006]    A trash receptacle such as a garbage can is disclosed which enables it to be connected to other like garbage cans to create a stable array of garbage cans which will not be blown over or away in windy conditions. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment of the invention, the garbage can is generally cylindrical with a slightly tapered body portion to enable the garbage can to be nested within other garbage cans for shipment or storage. The garbage can of this embodiment includes a body portion having a closed bottom and an upstanding wall portion with inner and outer surfaces, and an open upper end. A first handle is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion and which has a generally vertically disposed pocket formed therein. A second handle, identical to the first handle, Is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the second handle being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the first handle. A third handle, identical to the first and second handles, is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the third handle being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the second handle. 
         [0008]    A first connector member is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the first connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the third handle. A second connector member is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the second connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the first connector member. A third connector member is secured to the outer surface of the wall portion with the centerline of the third connector member being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of the second connector member. 
         [0009]    Each of the connector members has a downwardly extending connector portion which may be inserted downwardly into the pocket of a handle. Two or more of the garbage cans may be connected together by inserting the connector portion of one of the connector members of one garbage can into one of the pockets of a handle of another garbage can to form a stable array of garbage cans which will not tip over in windy conditions. 
         [0010]    In a second embodiment of the invention, the garbage can is square or rectangular and which has first, second, third and fourth wall portions. In the second embodiment, a handle, such as described in the first embodiment, is secured to the outer surface of the first wall portion. A connector member, such as described in the first embodiment, is secured to the outer surface of the second wall portion. A handle is secured to the outer surface of the third wall portion and a connector member is secured to the outer surface of the fourth wall portion. 
         [0011]    Any number of the garbage cans of the second embodiment may be connected together in the same manner as in the first embodiment to form a stable array of garbage cans which will not tip over in windy conditions. 
         [0012]    It is therefore a principle object of the invention to provide a trash receptacle such as a garbage can which may be connected to another garbage can or cans to form a stable array of garbage cans which will not be blown over in windy conditions. 
         [0013]    A further object of the invention is to provide a garbage can of the type described which has a generally cylindrical configuration, a square configuration or a rectangular configuration. 
         [0014]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the trash receptacle of this invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of three of the trash receptacles of  FIG. 1  connected together; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a top view of three of the trash receptacles of  FIG. 1  connected together; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the trash receptacle of this invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of four of the trash receptacles of  FIG. 5  connected together; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a top view of four of the trash receptacles of  FIG. 5  connected together. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0025]    In the first embodiment of the invention, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 , the numeral  10  refers to a trash receptacle such as a garbage can which includes a closed bottom  12 , an upstanding generally cylindrical wall portion  14  and an open upper end  16  which will normally be closed by a removable lid or cover which is not shown. Preferably, wall portion  14  is tapered somewhat so that the garbage can  10  may be nested within other garbage cans  10  for shipment and storage. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the garbage can  10  will be formed of a plastic material so that the handles and connector members thereof may be integrally molded with the garbage can  10 . A first handle  18  is secured to the outer surface of wall portion  14  below the upper end thereof. Handle  18  includes a vertically disposed pocket  20  which extends therethrough between the upper and lower ends thereof. A second handle  18 ′, which is identical to handle  18 , is secured to the outer surface of wall portion  14  below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced  60  degrees from the centerline of handle  18 . Handle  18 ′ includes a pocket  20 ′. A third handle  18 ″, which is identical to handles  18  and  18 ′, is secured to the outer surface of wall portion  14  below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the centerline of handle  18 ′. Handle  18 ″ includes a pocket  20 ″. 
         [0027]    The numeral  22  refers to a first connector member which is secured to the outer surface of wall portion  14  with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced  60  degrees from handle  18 ″. Connector member  22  includes a downwardly projecting connector portion  24  which is spaced outwardly of the outer surface of wall portion  14 . A second connector member  22 ′, which is identical to connector member  22 , is secured to the outer surface of wall portion  14  below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the vertical centerline of connector member  22 . Connector member  22 ′ includes a connector portion  24 ′. A third connector member  22 ″, which is identical to connector members  22  and  22 ′, is secured to the outer surface of wall portion  14  below the upper end thereof with the vertical centerline thereof being radially spaced 60 degrees from the vertical centerline of connector member  22 ′. Connector member  22 ″ includes a connector portion  24 ″. Each of the connector portions  24 ,  24 ′ and  26 ″ is adapted to be selectively vertically received by one of the pockets  20 ,  20 ′ and  20 ″. The garbage cans  10  may be secured together as seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4  to create a stable array of garbage cans which will not be blown over in windy conditions. Two of the garbage cans  10  may be secured together but it is preferred that three or more of the garbage cans  10  be secured together. 
         [0028]    A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 5-8  and is designated with the reference numeral  26 . The garbage can  26  may be square or rectangular. Garbage can  26  includes a closed bottom  28 , upstanding wall portions  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  and an open upper end  38  which will normally be closed by a removable lid or cover which is not shown. Preferably, wall portions  30 ,  32 ,  34  and  36  are tapered somewhat in conventional fashion so that the garbage can  26  may be nested within other garbage cans  26  for shipment and storage. Preferably, the garbage can  26  will be formed of a plastic material so that the handles and connector members thereof may be integrally molded with the garbage can  26 . 
         [0029]    A first handle  40  is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion  30  below the upper end thereof. Handle  40  includes a vertically disposed pocket  42  which extends therethrough between the upper and lower ends thereof. A first connector member  44  is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion  32  below the upper end thereof. Connector member  44  includes a downwardly projecting connector portion  46  which is spaced outwardly of the outer surface of wall portion  32 . 
         [0030]    A second handle  40 ′ is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion  34  below the upper end thereof. Handle  40 ′ includes a pocket  42 ′ which is identical to pocket  42  in handle  40 . A second connector member  44 ′ is centrally secured to the outer surface of wall portion  36  below the upper end thereof. Connector member  44 ′ includes a connector portion  46 ′ which is identical to connector portion  46  of connector member  44 . Each of the connector portions  46  and  46 ′ are adapted to be vertically received by one of the pockets  42  and  42 ′. 
         [0031]    Two of the garbage cans  26  may be connected together by inserting the connector portion  46  or  46 ′ of connector members  44  or  44 ′ downwardly through one of the pockets  42  or  42 ′ which will create a stable array of garbage cans. Any number of the garbage cans  26  may be connected together to form even more stable arrays of garbage cans. For example,  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate four garbage cans  26  connected together. 
         [0032]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.