Abstract:
A coupling apparatus for attaching a recycling container to a waste container comprises a back plate having a length and a width that lies in a first plane, a crossover portion rigidly connected to the back plate and lying in a plane approximately transverse to the back plate and a coupling portion rigidly connected to the crossover portion opposite the back plate, the coupling portion having a substantially U-shaped profile and sized to receive a handle of one of the recycling container and the waste container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/268,496, filed on Nov. 11, 2008, entitled Coupling Apparatus” (Attorney Docket No. 5362-0001), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a coupling apparatus for use with portable containers. The invention is intended to promote recycling by reducing the effort and certain inconveniences required to participate in municipal recycling programs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With typical household waste collection, residents roll their wheeled waste containers out to the street curb to be emptied on specified days. Those residents choosing to recycle their recyclable items store them in separate bins positioned at the curbside next to the waste container for collection. 
         [0004]    The importance of recycling and the expense of disposing of household and business refuse has created a demand for greater participation in municipal recycling efforts. Many municipalities provide free bins to households so that recyclable items can be conveniently sorted and stored prior to collection. Some municipalities, business concerns, and schools have instituted incentive programs to encourage conservation and recycling. Despite such efforts, the overall percentage of households that consistently recycle remains low. 
         [0005]    A typical portable waste container  22  and bin  10  are shown in  FIG. 1 . Bin  10  is rectangular in shape having four planar walls and a central cavity for placing items into. The shorter ends of the bin are referred to as the grip ends  14 ,  16 . Along the top edge of the bin  10  is a reinforced edge  12  that gives rigidity to the bin  10 . The reinforced edge  12  is reinforced by a series of ribs that are underneath the edge  12  connecting it to the walls of the bin  10  (not shown). On both of the grip ends  14 ,  16  of the rectangular bin  10  is a handle  18 ,  20  that is formed into the reinforced edge  12 . The portion of the reinforced edge  12  where the handles  18 ,  20  are located is free of ribs and has planar inside portion (not shown) so that fingers can grip the handles  18 ,  20  to hold the bin  10 . 
         [0006]    The waste container  22  has a base with four planar walls, a front wall  24 , a rear wall  26 , and two side walls  28 ,  30 . The walls form and inside surface  94  and an outside surface  96  of the waste container  22 . The bottom of the rear wall  26 , at the base, has a wheel axle  34  running through it with two large wheels  32  attached at each end of the wheel axle  34 . At the top of the rear wall  26  is a handle  37 . Typically, once the waste container  22  is filled it is to taken to a collection site by tilting the waste container  22  onto the wheel axis  36  and rolling the waste container  22  to a collection site. Therefore, the waste container  22  has a rest position  38  and a transport position  40  (rolling position). 
         [0007]    Lack of participation in recycling efforts can be caused by the physical effort and inconvenience of transporting multiple containers from the home to the curbside. While a rollout waste container is relatively easy to move, the recycling bins typically lack wheels, are often heavy, and must be lifted and carried separately in a second or even third trip. For many residents, the need alone to make multiple trips from the home to the curb is enough to discourage recycling. 
         [0008]    What is needed is an apparatus that can easily attach an empty recycling bin to a waste container while the bin is empty. This way it can be filled while already attached to a waste container, eliminating the need to lift a full recycling bin and trying to hook it on a hanger, or carrying the recycling bin to the curb. In addition, what is needed is an apparatus that can easily attach a filled recycling bin to a waste container for transport. 
         [0009]    A caddy for carrying bins is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,915. The caddy provides for the stackable storage of various size bins used for holding items such as mail, recycling materials, and piece parts allowing each bin to rotate when the device is tilted during movement of the bins so as to prevent spillage of the items placed within the bins. When used for holding of recycling bins, a homeowner may move the bins from the home to the curb without lifting of the bins yet provide ease of access. The bins are maintained in substantially parallel and horizontal plane to the ground when placed in an upright and tilted position. Wheels and a handle of the device are predisposed to operate as a stand to assist in maintaining the positional rotation of each bin. 
         [0010]    The problem with U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,915 is that more than one trip is still required to take out the waste container and the bins. The cart is cumbersome, not easily stored, and can require time consuming adjustment. Further, the device of the U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,915 patent does not allow for coupling of a bin to a waste container. 
         [0011]    Prior art coupling devices for enabling the transporting of recycling bins with a waste container are deficient largely in that they are made of a wire-shaped structure or the like. Due to the wire-shaped design, most of the force of the weight of the recycling bin is concentrated on the wire hook portions. This can lead to the deformation of the wire hanger, the recycling bin, or the waste container. Also, when lifting the recycling bin up to the hooks, great attention must be paid so that both hook portions are in contact with the recycling bin or it will cause the hook(s) to deform and possibly cause the contents of the recycling bin to spill. Because all of the weight of a bin and its contents are placed on the wire hooks, the wire has to be substantially thick in diameter, this makes it harder to couple a bin to the hooks because there is not much clearance between the wall and the inside of the overhanging edge of a bin. 
         [0012]    A further disadvantage of wire-shaped configurations is that the recycling bin or the like are often configured with a series of laterally spaced ribs around the periphery of the bin surface and bin surface lip. The wire-shaped bracket or hook must then be adjusted to avoid being in registration with a rib; otherwise the bracket will not engage the bin properly. The edge of the recycling bin where the ribs are located are not designed to carry the load of the bin and its contents. Additionally, wire-shaped prior art devices due to their lack of rigidity can be easily bent even when not in use. For example, dropping or stepping on a wire-shaped structure could cause it to deform or possibly break making the structure unusable. Further, for the wire-shaped designs to hold a bin with any stability the hooks of the design must be spread out as far as possible (beyond the width of a bin handle). Due to the lack of rigidity of the wire-shaped devices it may not be possible to keep the bin and its contents stable. Further, the repeated bending of the wire-shaped devices can lead to fatigue and breakage of the wire-shaped devices. 
         [0013]    Other prior art devices for enabling the transport of bins have a rectangular frame that hooks onto the outside of a waste container. The rectangular frame catches on the bottom of the outer rolled edge of the recycling bin providing support. The problem with devices of this type is that the recycling bin has to be lifted up and over the frame so that the recycling bin can be placed inside or taken out of the frame. This can be difficult for many people, especially if the bin is filled with recyclable items. If a bin is improperly set on/in the frame, the frame could easily be bent or twisted from the weight of the bin and its contents. Another problem with these types of assemblies is that they are bulky due to the fact that they have to fit around the outside of a recycling bin. Due to their inherent bulk they can get in the way and are not easily stored when not in use. Further, the rectangular frame would have to be adjusted for different size bins, resulting in more effort and time being taken. 
         [0014]    A further problem with the rectangular framed and wire shaped prior art devices is that when the waste container and recycling bin is tipped so that they can be rolled to its desired location, the recycling bin&#39;s orientation is not parallel to the ground (level) allowing spilling of the items inside the recycling bin. 
         [0015]    Still, another problem with the above mentioned devices is that they do not utilize a grip that recycling bins have formed into them. These grips are reinforced so that a recycling bin can be carried by these grips without damage to the bin. The wire frame type devices contact the lip/ribs of the bin, which are not designed to carry a load and usually results in damage to the recycling bin. Further, the device that uses a rectangular frame to support a bin around the edges is again subject to the weakness of the ribs of the container because they are not designed to carry the load of a recycling bin and its contents. 
         [0016]    The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by enabling the transport of recyclable items contained in one or more separate bins together with the waste container from the home to the curbside in a single trip. 
         [0017]    In addition to the above-noted inconveniences associated with wheeled refuse containers and standard recycling bins, many towns and municipalities across the nation are now switching to, or have already switched to, a single-stream recycling system in which all paper fibers and containers are mixed together in a collection truck, instead of being sorted into separate commodities (newspaper, cardboard, plastic, glass, etc.) and separate bins by the resident and handled separately throughout the collection process. The switch to single stream recycling has been driven by an effort to improve recovery rates. In such a system, collection of recyclable items is facilitated by the use of another wheeled container or cart, identical or substantially similar to a wheeled refuse container, instead of the smaller and, heretofore standard, rectangular recycling bins. These new single stream containers are generally 64 gallons and have a similar configuration to existing wheeled refuse containers. 
         [0018]    As will be readily appreciated, the switch to a large, wheeled container for recyclable materials now requires residents in these municipalities to wheel at least two large, wheeled containers to the curb, one for standard refuse and one for single-stream recycling. Notably, none of the above-mentioned prior art devices are capable of making the task of wheeling two large containers any easier for residents participating in single-stream recycling programs. 
         [0019]    In view of these problems and concerns associated with refuse and single stream recycling participation, there is a need for a device that enables the transport of recyclable items contained in one or more separate wheeled containers, together with the waste/refuse container, from the home to the curbside in a single trip. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    It is an object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus adapted for use with a waste container, and for coupling a recycling bin or waste-size wheeled recycling container so that users need to make only a single trip from the home to the street curb when transporting their waste and recyclable items for collection. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus that easily attaches a filled bin, which can be of substantial weight, to a rollout container without having to lift the entire bin off the ground, making it manageable for senior citizens or others typically of lesser strength to participate in recycling efforts. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus attachment that is durable and hard to deform. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus that is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus that is relatively lightweight. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus that holds a bin substantially level when at rest and when the container is tilted for transport to avoid spillage of the bin&#39;s contents. 
         [0026]    It another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus that has no welds, rivets, or moving parts. 
         [0027]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus that which is easily removed from and applied to the waste container without damaging the walls of the container or bin, and will not interfere with trash collection efforts. 
         [0028]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupling apparatus that can be easily removed from a container and stored when not in use. 
         [0029]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupling apparatus that can remain attached to the handle of a container being towed so as to be positioned and ready for reuse. 
         [0030]    It is another object of the invention to provide a coupling apparatus in which a bin can be attached to a waste container without lifting up the entire bin. 
         [0031]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupling apparatus which allows an empty bin to be attached to a waste container and then filled so that when the bin is full it is already attached to the waste container and can be brought to a waste collection site in one trip. 
         [0032]    It is another object of the invention to enable the transport of multiple bins together with a portable waste container from the home to the street curb in a single trip. 
         [0033]    It is another object of the invention to reduce the physical effort required to transport bins to a collection site. 
         [0034]    According to one aspect of the present invention; a coupling apparatus includes a coupler group adapted for securing the apparatus to a container. A receiver group is rigidly attached to a coupler group by an extender having a first and second end, and is adapted for securing a bin used for containing articles. The container and bin are movable together in a single trip between a storage site and a waste collection site. The term “bin” is defined broadly herein to include any container, such as but not limited to a box, frame, or bag used for storage. The term “rigid”, “rigidly”, or “rigidity” is defined herein as substantially inflexible, unyielding, having the ability to avoid twisting, bending and/or warping. 
         [0035]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the coupler group includes a back plate having a length and a width that lies in a first plane, an extender having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is rigidly connected to an end of said back plate and lies in a second plane at a first angle to said first plane of said back plate and having a width coextensive with width of the back plate. 
         [0036]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the receiver group includes a receiver back plate rigidly connected to the second end of said extender lying in a third plane at a second angle to said second plane of said extender. A receiver lip is rigidly connected to said receiver back plate lying in a plane at a v-shaped groove angle from the said third plane of said receiver back plate, wherein said receiver back plate and said receiver lip form a v-shaped groove. 
         [0037]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the first angle, the second angle, and the v-shaped groove angle are chosen so that a bin is approximately level in both a rest position and a transport position to avoid spillage of any bin contents. 
         [0038]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the first angle is about 95 degrees, the second angle is about 100 degrees, and the v-shaped groove angle is about 30 degrees. 
         [0039]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the coupling apparatus is formed of a continuous piece of metal. 
         [0040]    According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the coupling apparatus is made of rigidly connected braces. 
         [0041]    According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a coupling apparatus for coupling a wheeled container to a rolling refuse container includes a back plate having a length and a width that lies in a first plane, a crossover portion rigidly connected to the back plate and lying in a plane approximately transverse to the back plate, and a coupling portion rigidly connected to said crossover portion opposite said back plate, the coupling portion having a substantially U-shaped profile and sized to receive a handle of one of the recycling container and the waste container. The apparatus also include an angled retaining portion for retaining the handle of the trailing container in the U-shaped channel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a simplified schematic illustration of a typical container and bin. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2A  is a simplified schematic illustration of a bin, a coupling apparatus of the present invention, and a container in a rest position. 
           [0044]      FIG. 2B  is a simplified schematic illustration of the bin, coupling apparatus of  FIG. 2A  shown with the container in a transport position. 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic illustration of a perspective view of a coupling apparatus provided by the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  is a simplified schematic illustration of a side cross sectional view of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 3 , showing a first plane in which a back plate lies, a second plane in which a extender lies, a third plane in which a receiver back plate lies, and a fourth plane in which a receiver lip lies; 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  is a simplified schematic illustration of an enlarged view of the coupler group and a receiver group of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  is simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 3  in a standard mount configuration; 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 3  in a lip mount configuration; 
           [0050]      FIG. 8  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 3  in a dual mount configuration; 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a hidden mount configuration; 
           [0052]      FIG. 10  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 1  mounted on a recessed bar of a typical waste container; 
           [0053]      FIG. 11  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 1  mounted on an upper lip edge of a typical waste container; and 
           [0054]      FIG. 12  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 1  made of rigidly connected braces. 
           [0055]      FIG. 13  is a simplified schematic illustration of a waste container with an integrated coupling apparatus. 
           [0056]      FIG. 14  is a simplified schematic illustration of a bin with an integrated coupling apparatus. 
           [0057]      FIG. 15  is a simplified schematic illustration of a typical rolling refuse container and rolling single-stream recycling container. 
           [0058]      FIG. 16  is a simplified schematic illustration of a rolling refuse container and a rolling recycling container coupled together using the coupling apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 16   a  is a simplified schematic illustration of the coupling apparatus of the present invention coupling a rolling refuse container with a rolling recycling container. 
           [0060]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a coupling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0061]      FIG. 18  is a side plan view of the coupling apparatus of  FIG. 17  in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0062]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a coupling apparatus  42  according to the present invention is illustrated coupling a bin  10  to a container  22 . The coupling apparatus  42  is especially adapted for use on a residential, rollout waste container  22 . The coupling apparatus  42  is designed to hold a recycling bin  10  used for storing recyclable items, such that a rollout waste container  22  and a recycling bin  10  can be conveniently transported together in a single trip between a storage site in or near a home and a collection site near the street curb. It is understood that the coupling apparatus  42  may be used for carrying/holding bins  10  of different sizes and shapes including those suitable for storing yard debris, such as leaves, fallen branches, and the like. 
         [0063]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the coupling apparatus  42  allows an empty bin  10  to be attached to a waste container  22  and filled with recyclable items, so that the bin  10  does not have to be lifted when full and can be brought to its collection site without carrying it separately. The coupling apparatus  42  is designed so that the bin  10  when coupled to a waste container  22  remains substantially level, in both the rest position  38  and when being tilted back into the transport position  40 . Being level prevents the contents of the bin  10  from spilling. 
         [0064]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a coupling apparatus  42 . The portion of the coupling apparatus  42  that is encircled by the dotted lines is the coupler group  74 .  FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the coupling apparatus  42 . The coupling apparatus  42  can be one piece, or multiple pieces, but should be made sufficiently rigid so that there is little flex. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , the coupling apparatus  42 , in a preferred embodiment, is comprised of a single piece of bent metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum or steel. The coupling apparatus  42  is sized so that it will fit either on the upper lid edge  88  of the waste container  22  or the recessed bar  90  of the waste container  22 . The coupling apparatus  42  can be constructed from a variety of materials with a tensile strength and rigidity sufficient to support the load intended, which in standard applications is about 20 pounds, provided its lateral strength maintains the recycling bin&#39;s  10  level orientation, such that spilling will not occur. The material of the coupling apparatus  42  is preferably thin to allow for easy engagement of the bin  10  to the coupling apparatus  42 . The thickness of the metal can be increased for an application in which the recycling bin  10  and its contents are heavier than the standard 20 pounds. 
         [0066]    Due to the rigid design of the solid piece of metal of the preferred embodiment, the coupling apparatus  42  will not bend or deform due to the load of a full bin  10 . This is, in part, because the weight of the bin  10  and its contents is distributed across the entire width of the coupling apparatus  42 . Further, there are no rivets, welds, or moving parts in the preferred embodiment that can wear and/or break over time. The coupling apparatus  42  is small, does not require any assembly, and is easily removed and stored when not in use. 
         [0067]    The coupling apparatus  42  in its preferred embodiment has a width of about 10 cm, a length of approximately 13 cm, and a depth of about 7 cm. The width of the coupling apparatus  42  is chosen such that it will fit into a handle  18 ,  22  of a recycling bin  10 , which is usually about 4 inches or 10 cm wide. The coupling apparatus  42  has an approximately planar back plate  44  with a width and a length that lie in a first plane represented by the dashed line numbered  23  in  FIG. 4 . The back plate  44  has an outer surface  46  and an inner surface  48 . The back plate  44  is rigidly attached to a first end  51  of an extender  50  of approximately 3 cm in length and a has a width that is coextensive with the back-plate  44  that lies in a second plane indicated by the dotted line  21 . The first plane  78  of the back plate  44  and the second plane  80  of the extender  50  are at a first angle  83  to each other. 
         [0068]    Rigidly attached to a second end  53  of the extender  50 , is a receiver back plate  60 , which is about ⅓ the length of the back plate  44 , or about 4 cm. The receiver back plate  60  has a width coextensive with the back plate  44  and the extender  50 , and lies in a third plane represented by the line  25 . The second plane  80  of the extender  50  and the third plane  82  of the receiver back plate  60  are at a second angle  85  to each other. Following the receiver back plate  60  is a bend  56  that forms an angle referred to as a v-shaped groove angle  84 . In a preferred embodiment the v-shape groove angle  84  is about 30 degrees and is bent away from the first plane  78  of the back plate  44 . After the bend  56  is planar member about 3 cm in length, called a receiver lip  68 . The receiver lip  68  lies in a fourth plane represented by line  31  in  FIG. 4 . The fourth plane that the receiver lip  68  lies in is at the v-shaped groove angle  84  from the third plane  82  that the receiver back plate lies in. 
         [0069]    The first angle  83 , the second angle  85 , and the v-shaped groove angle  84  along with the lengths of the back plate  44 , extender  50 , receiver back plate  60  and receiver lip  68  of the coupling apparatus  42  are important and selected to ensure easy attachment of a bin  10  to a waste container  22  and to maintain the bin  10  substantially level when the waste container  22  is in the rest position  38  and transport position  40 . The bin  10  being level avoids spillage of the contents of the bin  10 . The angles  83 ,  84 ,  85  may vary depending on the application and types of containers  22  and bins  10  being used. In the preferred embodiment the first angle  83  is about 95 degrees, the second angle  85  is about 100 degrees and the v-shaped groove angle  84  is about 30 degrees. 
         [0070]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged illustration of a coupler group  74  that is encircled by the dashed line in  FIG. 3 . The extender  50  is such that an inside of the back plate  44  is a continuous surface which leads into the extender  50  to create an inside surface  52  of a extender  50 , an inside surface  66  of a receiver back plate  60 , and then an outside surface  70  of a receiver lip  68 . The outside surface  64  of the back plate  44  forms a continuous surface, that when followed, forms an outer surface of the extender  50 , an outside surface  64  of the receiver back plate  60  between the extender  50  and the bend  56 , and then through the bend  56  to form an inside surface  72  of the receiver lip  68 . The outside surface  64  of the receiver back plate  60  and the inside surface  72  of the receiver lip  68 , along with the bend  56 , form a v-shaped groove  58 . The outside surface  64  of the receiver back plate  60  and the inside surface  62  of the receiver lip  68  form an angle called the v-shaped groove angle  84 . The receiver back plate  60 , the bend  56 , and the receiver lip  68  that form the v-shaped groove  58  can be referred to as a receiver group  76  and is encircled by a dotted line in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , this illustration shows the coupling apparatus  42  in a standard mount configuration shown generally by reference number  102 . Here, the coupling apparatus  42  is placed over a recessed bar  90  of the waste container  22 . The inside of the extender  50  rests on the recessed bar  90 .  FIG. 9  shows an enlarged illustration of the coupling apparatus  42  resting on the recessed bar  90 . 
         [0072]    One advantage provided by the coupling apparatus  42  is that, in this configuration  102 , a full or empty recycling bin  10  can easily be placed onto the coupling apparatus  42  without having to lift the recycling bin  10  completely off the ground. (see  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ) The recycling bin  10  can be attached to the waste container  22  by merely lifting only a grip end  14 ,  16  (handle end) of the recycling bin  10  and placing it in the v-shaped groove  58  so that a handle  18 ,  20  of the grip end  14  rests on the inner portion of the receiver lip  68  and the outside portion of the receiver back plate  60 , which form the v-shaped groove  58 . The receiver lip  68  has a length such that the recycling bin  10  will not slip off because the receiving lip  40  extends beyond the plane of the recycling bin  10  (as would fingers of a hand). The recycling bin  10 , especially when full, will create a torque on the coupling apparatus  42  making it want to rotate about the recessed bar  90 . The coupling apparatus  42  is prevented from over-rotating due to the back plate  44 . When the coupling apparatus  42  rotates, the outside surface  46  of the back plate  44  contacts a surface behind  92  the recessed bar  90 , stopping the rotation and stabilizing the position of the recycling bin  10  relative to the waste container  22 . 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the coupling apparatus  42  is in a lid mount configuration shown generally by the reference number  104 .  FIG. 10  shows a zoomed illustration of the coupling apparatus  42  resting on the upper lid edge  88 . In a lid mount configuration  104 , the inside of the extender  50  rests on the upper lid edge  88 . The back plate  44  of the coupling apparatus  42  is on an inside surface  94  of the waste container  22 . The inside surface  66  of the receiver back plate  60  rests against the outside surface  96  of the waste container  22 . The grip end  14  or  16  of the bin  10  is placed in the v-shaped groove  58  so that the handle  18  or  20  of the grip end  14  or  16  rests on the inner surface  62  of the receiver lip  68  and the outside surface  64  of the receiver back plate  60 , which form the v-shaped groove  58  at the v-shaped groove angle  84  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0074]    The length of the receiver lip  68  is such that the recycling bin  10  will not slip off because the receiver lip  68  extends beyond the plane of the recycling bin  10  (as would fingers of a hand). The planar receiver lip  68  lies flat against the inside of the handle  18  or  20  (not shown). The recycling bin  10 , especially when full, will create a torque on the coupling apparatus  42  making it want to rotate about the upper lid edge  88 . The coupling apparatus  42  is prevented from over-rotating due to the length of the receiver back plate  60 . When the coupling apparatus  42  rotates, the inside surface  66  of the receiver back plate  60  contacts the outside surface  96  of the waste container  22  preventing it from over rotating so that the coupling apparatus  42  will support the bin  10 . The length of the receiver back plate  60  is selected to limit rotation to an angle such that the recycling bin  10  will be substantially level when the waste container  54  is both at the rest position  38  and when rotated to the transport position  40 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 8  illustrates a dual mount configuration, which combines the configurations of  FIGS. 6 and 7  and is shown generally by reference number  106 . In the dual mount configuration  106 , one coupling apparatus  42  is placed on the upper lid edge  88 , and one on the recessed bar  90  of the waste container  22 , so that two bins  10  can be easily coupled to and moved along with the waste container  22 . 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , it is an illustration of a hidden mount configuration, shown generally by the reference number  108 . In this configuration  108 , the coupling apparatus  42  is placed on the upper lid edge  88  with the back plate  44  on the outside surface  96  of the waste container  22 . This allows the bin  10  to be coupled to the waste container  22 , so that the bin  10  is inside the waste container  22  and out of site. The hidden mount configuration  108  allows someone to store both the waste container  22  and bin  10  in a smaller space. 
         [0077]    Further, in this configuration  108 , the grip end  14  or  16  of the bin  10  is placed in the v-shaped groove  58  so that the grip end  14  or  16  rests on the inner surface  72  of the receiver lip  68  and the outside surface  64  of the receiver back plate  60 , which form the v-shaped groove  58  at a v-shaped groove angle  84  (see  FIG. 3 ). The length of the receiver lip  68  is such that the recycling bin  10  will not slip off because the receiver lip  68  extends beyond the plane of the recycling bin  10  (as would fingers of a hand). The recycling bin  10 , especially when full, will create a torque on the coupling apparatus  42  making it want to rotate about the upper lid edge  88 . The coupling apparatus  42  is prevented from over-rotating due to the length of the receiver back plate  60 . When the coupling apparatus  42  rotates, the inside surface  66  of the receiver back plate  60  contacts the inside surface  94  of the waste container  22  preventing it from over rotating so that the coupling apparatus  42  will support the recycling bin  10 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. A coupling apparatus  118  is made of rigidly connected braces referenced by numbers  110 - 116 . The back plate  120  can be constructed with a framed brace  110  or multiple braces rigidly connected (not shown). The extender  122  can be made of a framed brace  112  or multiple rigidly connected braces (not shown). The receiver back plate  124  can be made of a framed brace  114  or multiple rigidly connected braces (not shown). The receiver lip  126  can be made of a framed brace  116  or multiple rigidly connected braces (not shown). The elements ( 120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 ) of the invention can be constructed in many different configurations or materials but the elements must be rigidly connected to prevent bending, twisting, and/or warping of the coupling apparatus  118 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 13  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. A coupling apparatus  130  is affixed to a part of the container  200 . The coupling apparatus  130  can be located on one or more sides of the container  200  as part of the upper lid edge  140  or the surface  192  behind the recessed bar  142 . The back plate of the coupling portion  144  (shown by dotted lines) can be bolted to a wall of the container  200 , it can be glued, or it can be made integral to the container. 
         [0080]    WNW The container  200  can have the integrated or affixed coupling apparatus  130  at the front top edge  146  or either side top edge  148 ,  150  as long as the coupling apparatus is rigidly attached to or part of the container  200 . The container  200  in the integrated configuration has a receiver group  152  rigidly attached to it. 
         [0081]    The receiver group  152  includes an extender  134  that is rigidly attached to a receiver back plate  136  that over hangs the outside surface  162  of the waste container  200 . Rigidly attached to the bottom of the receiver back plate  136  is a receiver lip  138 . The receiver back plate  136  and the receiver lip  138  forms a v-shaped groove  158  with a v-shaped groove angle of about 30 degrees. 
         [0082]    In this configuration the supporting of a recycling bin  10  operates as the embodiments detailed herein above except that when a recycling bin  10  is place in the v-shaped groove  158  the extender  134 , receiver back plate  136 , and receiver lip  138  are prevented from over rotating due to the integration or attachment of the “back plate” to a side of the container that holds the receiver group  152  rigidly in place. 
         [0083]      FIG. 14  illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention. A coupling apparatus  330  is affixed to a part of the bin  300 . The coupling apparatus  330  can be located on one or more of the handles  314 ,  316  of the bin as part of the reinforced edge  312 . The receiver lip  338  of the receiver portion  344  (shown by dotted lines) can be bolted to a handle  314 ,  316 , it can be glued, or it can be made integral to the bin  300 . 
         [0084]    The bin  300  can have the integrated or affixed coupling apparatus  330  at either handle  314 ,  316  as long as the coupling apparatus is rigidly attached to or part of the bin  300 . The bin  300  in the integrated configuration has a coupling group  352  and receiving group  344  rigidly attached to it. 
         [0085]    The receiver group  352  includes an extender  334  that is rigidly attached to a receiver back plate  336  that is rigidly attached to an extender  334 . Rigidly attached to the bottom of the receiver back plate  336  is a receiver lip  338 . The receiver back plate  336  and the receiver lip  338  forms a v-shaped groove  358  with a v-shaped groove angle of about 30 degrees. 
         [0086]    In this configuration the supporting of a recycling bin  10  operates as the embodiments detailed herein above except that when a recycling bin  10  is place in the v-shaped groove  358  the extender  334 , receiver back plate  336 , and receiver lip  338  are prevented from over rotating due to the integration or attachment of the “receiver lip” to the handle  314 ,  316  of a bin  300  that holds the receiver group  344  rigidly in place. 
         [0087]    The present invention has many advantages over prior art devices. One advantage of the present invention is that the coupling apparatus  42 , in a preferred embodiment, can be made of a single piece of metal providing rigidity and strength not found in prior art devices made of wire or the like. The coupling apparatus  42  is versatile and can be used in many different configurations including one that takes advantage of a recessed bar  90  that can be found on most waste containers  22 . 
         [0088]    Another advantage of the present invention over prior art devices is that the coupling apparatus  42  allows a full bin  10  to be attached to a waste container  22  without having to lift the entire bin  10  off the ground; only the grip end  14  or  16  of a bin  10  needs to be lifted to engage the coupling apparatus  42 . The receiver group  76  of the coupling apparatus  42  engages a handle  18  or  20  of a bin  10  without overstressing or breaking the bin  10 . A further advantage of the present invention is that the due to the weight of the bin  10  being spread across the entire width of the coupling apparatus  42 , it will not bend or deform easily. Even further, the coupling apparatus  42  does not need to be adjusted, as prior art devices do, to avoid contact with unwanted parts of a bin  10 . 
         [0089]    Still another advantage of the present invention over a prior art device that has a frame that completely surrounds a bin  10 , is that with the present invention, the bin  10  does not need to be lifted up and over the frame to be attached to a waste container  22 . Also, when not in use the coupling apparatus  42  is smaller, can be made of a single piece, can be stored easier than the bulky prior art devices, does not require any adjustment, and is not prone to damage like the prior art devices. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coupling apparatus  42  has no rivets, welds, or moving parts that can easily wear and break. 
         [0090]    A further advantage of the present invention over prior art devices is that the coupling apparatus engages a grip end of a bin  10  which is designed to support the load of the bin  10  and its contents preventing breakage of bin. The coupling apparatus  42  of the present invention couples the bin  10  to a waste container  22  so that when the waste container  22  is at rest or is tipped to be rolled to a desired location the bin  10  is approximately level which minimizes spillage of its contents while in transit. 
         [0091]    As alluded to above, yet another embodiment of the present invention allows for the coupling of two or more large, waste-size containers together, such as a wheeled waste container  422  and a wheeled recycling container  420 , such as those now being employed in many towns and municipalities throughout the country that have switched to a single-stream recycling system. As shown in  FIG. 15  these new recycling containers are generally 64 gallons and are substantially the same size and configuration as a standard waste or refuse container. As shown therein, rolling recycling container  420  and rolling waste container  422  each have handles  426 ,  428  for allowing a resident to tilt and roll the containers to the curb. Each of these containers may also have a recessed bar  90 , as discussed above. It should be appreciated that these wheeled containers, both for refuse and recycling, may come in sizes other than 64 gallons. In view of the switch to single-stream recycling, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is capable of coupling two large, wheeled waste-size containers together, i.e., it can couple a large wheeled recycling container with a standard wheeled refuse container such that a resident need only take one trip to the curb to properly place recyclable items and refuse for pickup. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 16   a , an alternative coupling apparatus  424  according to the present invention is illustrated coupling rolling recycling bin  420  to rolling waste or refuse container  422 . As with the bin coupling apparatus  42  described above, coupling apparatus  424  is especially adapted for use on a residential, rollout waste container  422 . The coupling apparatus  424  is designed to hold or join a rollout recycling container  420 , used for storing recyclable items, with a standard rollout refuse container  422 , such that a rollout waste container  422  and a rollout recycling container  420  can be conveniently transported together in a single trip between a storage site in or near a home or business and a collection site near the street curb. It will be readily appreciated that the coupling apparatus  424  may be used for carrying/holding containers recycling containers  420  of different size and shapes, i.e., it is not necessary that the recycling container  420  be the same size or the exact same configuration as the waste container  422 . 
         [0093]    Turning now to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the alternative coupling apparatus  424  of the present invention is shown. As shown therein, the coupling apparatus  424  is comprised of a single piece of bent metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum or steel. The coupling apparatus  424  may also be made of plastic or other suitable materials known in the art. The coupling apparatus  424  includes a back plate  430 , a crossover portion  432  extending substantially transverse to said back plate  430 , and a coupling portion  434 . The coupling portion  434  is integrally formed with the crossover portion  432  and includes a first leg  436  oriented at a downward angle of approximately ninety degrees and generally parallel to the back plate, a second leg  438  transversely extending from the first leg  436  away from the back plate  430  and oriented generally parallel to the crossover portion  432 , a third leg  440  extending from the second leg  438  at an upward angle of approximately ninety degrees and generally parallel to the back plate  430  and the first leg  436 , and an angled retaining leg  442  extending from the third leg  440  at an upward angle of approximately forty-five degrees towards the back plate  430 . 
         [0094]    In the preferred embodiment, the back plate  430  is approximately 3½″ inches tall and the crossover portion  432  is 2″. A back plate  430  having these specifications enables sufficient contact and support against the first/leading container, and the crossover portion  432  having this dimension facilitates and enables connection to the trailing container, as described in detail below. With respect to the coupling portion  434 , the first leg  436  spans approximately 1¼″ down, the second leg  438  1¼″ away from the back plate  430 , the third leg  440  1¼″ up, and the angled retaining leg  442  ¾″ at a forty-five degree angle inwards, towards the back plate  430 . The total length of all of the components of the coupling apparatus  424  is 10″ and the width is 4″, although other lengths and configurations of components are possible. It will be readily appreciated, however, that the coupling apparatus  424  may have components of slightly different specifications, and that the back plate  430 , crossover portion  432  and first leg  436 , second leg  438 , third leg  440  and angled retaining leg  442  of the coupling portion  434  may be oriented at slightly different angles to one another than those disclosed above. 
         [0095]    Alternatively, the coupling apparatus  424  is placed first on the metal rod/bar  90  of the leading container such that the rod  90  is received in channel  444 , in the same manner as described above and shown in  FIG. 10 , and then the trailing container  420  is lowered so as to fit the handle  426  of the trailing container  420  within channel  446  of the coupling portion  434  of the coupling apparatus. In most applications, as the handle  426  of the trailing container  420  is received in channel  446 , the ¾″ angled retaining leg  442  will snap over the handle  426 , thereby locking the coupling apparatus  424  in place. Importantly, the angled retaining leg  442  permits the coupling apparatus to remain in place on the recycling container  420  (or trailing container) for the next usage when coupling container to container. 
         [0096]    Alternatively, the coupling apparatus  424  can first be mounted on the recycling container (or trailing container) handle  426  (square or round configuration) and the container  420  may then be lowered or tipped so that the back plate  430  is positioned over/inside the recessed metal rod/bar  90  located in the middle of the trash container (or leading container)  422 , in the same manner described above in connection with coupling apparatus  42 . As will be readily appreciated, recessed bar  90  of the leading container  422  is received in channel  444  of the coupling apparatus  424 . 
         [0097]    Importantly, the coupling apparatus  424  of the present invention is sized and configured to accommodate either the larger rollout recycling containers  420  such as those used in most single stream recycling systems, as well as the older style rectangular recycling bins  10 . Indeed, the coupling apparatus  424  of the present invention still permits the coupling of a recycling bin  10  with a rolling refuse container  22 ,  420  in the same manner as discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1-14 . This allows for a “one size fits all” coupling apparatus that permits the coupling of a recycling bin, be it a bin or a rolling container, to a standard rolling refuse container, provided at least one of the two containers is equipped with a metal rod  90  or the like in the center required to retain the back plate  430 . 
         [0098]    In addition to the coupling of a rolling recycling container to a rolling refuse container, multiple coupling apparatuses  424  may be employed to bring a combination of rolling containers and bins to the curb in a single trip. For instance, a rollout recycling container  420  and a rollout refuse container  422  may be coupled together using a coupling apparatus  424  in the manner heretofore described. In addition, another coupling apparatus  424  may be used on the lip of the recycling container  424  or on the bar  90  of the recycling container  424  to couple another rolling container or a recycling bin  10  in a manner similar to that shown in  FIGS. 6-9 . Accordingly, the coupling apparatus  424  of the present invention facilitates recycling and refuse collection by allowing a resident to couple an array of recycling and refuse bins and containers together so that they can be transported to the curbside in a single trip. 
         [0099]    An additional advantage provided by the present invention is that, when coupled, the weight of the combined load (refuse and recycling) is distributed over two sets of wheels, i.e., fours wheels, thereby acting much the same as a wagon or flatbed. As such, the pulling force required to transport the two rolling containers together is considerably less than that required if the load were placed over a single set of wheels, i.e., two wheels. As will be readily appreciated, an operator will not need twice the pull force when the containers are coupled (assuming equal weight). Indeed, in certain instances less pulling force may needed to pull both containers than when compared to pulling the heaviest container separately. This is because the second (trailing) container lays forward and rests/is rigidly connected to the leading container which essentially distributes the total weight evenly (or near evenly) to all four wheels as if the load were carried on a wagon. 
         [0100]    While the invention had been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.