Abstract:
A bracket assembly for connecting an open-topped recyclables container having a side wall to a refuse container. The bracket assembly includes an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end and a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket. The reinforcing bar is for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to waste containers and more particularly to a bracket for connecting associated waste containers for easy transport. 
         [0002]    Residential trash is often placed in two types of containers for curbside pickup. A refuse container, i.e., “roll-out,” is generally rectangular in shape and has a hinged top. Two wheels are positioned on the bottom of the refuse container for ease of transporting to the curbside for pick-up. A generally-rectangular, open-topped recyclables container or “curbie” is intended for disposing of recyclables, such as newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and the like. 
         [0003]    It is difficult to transport both the containers simultaneously to the curb. Therefore, an individual may take each container separately, or make more than two trips if multiple containers are used. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a bracket which can be attached to a recyclables container for attaching the recyclables container to a refuse container for simultaneous transport of the recyclables container and the refuse container. 
         [0005]    Therefore there is provided a bracket assembly for connecting an open-topped recyclables container having a side wall to a refuse container. The bracket assembly includes an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end and a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket. The reinforcing bar is for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container. 
         [0006]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing bar and the bracket are configured to be spaced apart to receive the side wall of the recyclable container therebetween. 
         [0007]    In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket includes elongated, spaced-apart first and second members having a lateral member extending therebetween. 
         [0008]    In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the first member and the second member are generally rectangular. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly is configured to connect a generally rectangular container for recyclables having four side walls and a bottom wall to a refuse container. The kit includes an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end and a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket. The reinforcing bar is for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket is configured to have one member positioned parallel to a side wall of the recyclables container. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket is dimensioned to be positioned on the outside of one of the side walls of the recyclables container. The reinforcing bar is dimensioned to be positioned opposite the bracket inside the recyclables container such that the side wall is sandwiched between the bracket and the reinforcing bar. The bracket and the reinforcing bar are dimensioned to be connected to the recyclables container by a fastener that extends through the bracket, the side wall, and the reinforcing bar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention is best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a bracket constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a reinforcing bar for use with the bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the bracket of  FIG. 1  attached to a recyclables container; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a view taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the recyclables container attached to a refuse container via the bracket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the recyclables container attached to a refuse container in an alternative location; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a plurality of recyclables containers attached to a refuse container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate components of an exemplary bracket assembly  10  constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. The bracket assembly  10  comprises a generally hook-shaped bracket  12  and an optional reinforcing bar  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  12  includes a lateral leg  16 , a first leg  17 , and a second leg  18 , which collectively define a generally C-shaped hook  20 . The bracket  12  has one or more mounting holes  22  formed therethrough. In the illustrated example, the bracket  12  has an overall length “A” of about 24.8 cm (9.75 in.). The leg  16  has a length “B” of about 6.4 cm (2.5 in.), and the second leg  18  has a length “C” of about 6.4 cm (2.5 in.). The reinforcing bar  14  is generally rectangular in shape and has a plurality of mounting holes  22  formed therethrough. It has a length “D” of about 33 cm (13 in.). Both the bracket  12  and the reinforcing bar  14  have a width “E” of about 5.1 cm (2 in.) and a thickness “F” of about 0.32 cm. (0.0125 in.) Any or all of these dimensions may be altered to suit a particular application. In this example, both the bracket  12  and the reinforcing bar  14  are constructed from mild steel, but any material with adequate strength may be used. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the bracket  12  is attached to a recyclables container  24  having opposed front and rear walls  26 A and  26 B, end walls  26 C and  26 D, and a bottom panel  28 . The front, rear, and side walls  26 A,  26 B,  26 C, and  26 D collectively define the perimeter of an upper opening  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket  12  is attached to one of the walls  26  in an upright orientation so that lateral leg  16  extends away from recyclables container  24  using the illustrated bolts  32 , lock washers  35 , fender washers  34 , and nuts  36 . Other attachment means such as other fasteners or adhesives may also be used. The reinforcing bar  14  is optionally attached to the container wall  26 A. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing bar  14  is attached to the inside of the wall  26 A using bolts  32 , lock washers  34 , fender washers  35 , and nuts  36 . One of the bolts  32  passes through both the bracket  12  and the reinforcing bar  14  to secure them together. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the bracket assembly  10  enables the recyclables container  24  to hang from the refuse container  38 . The bracket  12  is engaged with refuse container  38  via a receiving means. The receiving means can be a ledge, indentation, or rung formed in the body of refuse container  38  or a bracket or rung such as metal rung  37  that is attached to refuse container  38 . The reinforcing bar  14  distributes the load exerted on the recyclables container  24  to distribute load, thereby preventing excess load from being exerted at a single point and avoiding plastic deformation and damage to the recyclable container. Alternatively, the bracket  12  can be hung over the top lip  40  of the refuse container  38 . These arrangements allow an individual to transport both the recyclables container  24  and the refuse container  38  together thereby avoiding multiple trips. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , an optional reinforcing member  42 , substantially identical to the reinforcing bar  14 , can be attached to the recyclables container  24  in conjunction with the bracket assembly  10 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the reinforcing member  42  allows another recyclables container  24 ′, having a bracket assembly  10 ′ substantially identical to bracket assembly  10  attached thereto, to be hooked to the side of the first recyclables container. The reinforcing member  42  distributes the load exerted by the attached container  24 ′, providing a rigid support structure. In the illustrated example, a plurality of recyclables containers  24  can be readily carried by a refuse container  38 , allowing an individual to transport all trash to the curb at the same time. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the bracket  12 , the attachment means, the reinforcing bar  14 , and the reinforcing member  42  are associated together in a kit for providing connecting means to a recyclables container  24 . 
         [0027]    The foregoing has described a bracket for transporting a recyclables container. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention is provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.