COLLECTION CART AND METHOD OF USE

An collection and method of use for collecting material, such as for example, waste, garbage, or other material. The collection cart includes an upper feed section spaced from a lower base section. The collection cart has and open side intermediate the upper feed section and lower base section. The upper feed section has a collection bag channel or tubular section through which a collection bag or other material collecting container can be inserted, with the upper end of the bag or container removably secured to the upper feed section. The bag or container can be removed from the upper feed section and removed through the open side, and the collection cart can be moved by grasping handles or other grippable structure space from each other and extending from the open side of the collection cart.

FIELD OF THIS SPECIFICATION

The present specification is directed to a yard or waste collection cart and method of use. More particularly, this specification is directed to such a carts to which a removable trash or material collection bag or container is mounted for placing trash or other material into the collection bag or container.

BACKGROUND OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Portable garbage containers have been popular for a very long time. One common type of portable garbage container is used to collect yard waste, such as tree leaves for example.

One common type of yard waste container provides a garbage bag support securing an open garbage bag spaced above underlying wheel structure. This type of container commonly requires the user to lift a filled garbage bag from and upwardly through the upper end of the garbage bag support in order to dispose of the garbage bag. This can be very difficult for many people to do because of the size or weight of the filled garbage bag.

Also when using this type of container, users frequently accidentally dump waste around the outside of the upper garbage bag opening and onto the ground below. This requires the user to again pick up the fallen waste and dump it into the garbage bag opening.

Often, use of a waste container results in uncollected waste nearby or on the waste container's top surface. This uncollected waste, such as food waste or decomposing leaves, can attract insects, rodents, and other types of animals; and it can require substantial additional effort for the user to collect the waste, including by inserting it into the garbage or material collection bag.

Many prior art containers are large and difficult to manufacture, assemble, transport, dis-assemble, and store.

Many prior art containers provide no mechanism for supporting or, if desired, moving more than the trash bag support and mounted collection bag or other container when moving the container from place to place.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE DISCLOSED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The applicant believes he has discovered problems with prior art waste collection containers, container racks, and their use such as those identified above. He has therefore developed various solutions, including, in some embodiments, differing types of integrated solutions that can solve or reduce the scope of problems and issues such as those noted above.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a portable or other collection cart that supports the upper end of a waste or material collection bag or container and allows for removal of the bag or container without the need to lift it through such support structure.

In some embodiments, the collection cart can be relatively easily assembled and disassembled. This can, in some applications, make the portable cart easier to maintain, repair, transport, and store.

Some applications provide a cart made at least in part or dominantly of relatively light weight materials such as plastic(s), composite(s), or lightweight metal(s), such as aluminum, for example. Other embodiments may include components that are heavier, such as wood, heavier or thicker metal(s), or other weightier materials, to more securely maintain the cart in a desired position.

Some applications provide a rectangular frame supporting an upper feed section having a passage or channel for a trash bag or other container. In some embodiments, this upper feed section is wider than the central trash passage, and in some instances, an upper surface on the upper feed section can be sloped downwardly towards the central passage. The slopped upper surface can allow trash to slide downwardly into a trash bag or container within and below the passage or channel in the upper feed section.

In some embodiments, the upper feed section of the collecting cart has clamps or other structure for securing one or more removable trash bags or other containers. In some embodiments, the clamps or other securing structure surround the bag or container passage or channel in the upper feed section, providing access to the interior of a bag or container through the passage or channel when a bag or container is mounted to the upper feed section.

In certain embodiments, the upper section of the cart can have a lip or other structure for attaching the upper end of collection bag or other container about or to the lip or other structure, in order to removably secure the collection bag or container in position on the cart.

In some embodiments, the supporting frame of the container cart is supported by one or more wheels or similar structure, which can enable users to more easily move the collecting cart. In some instances, the supporting frame provides lifting handles extending outwardly from the frame, providing easy grasping of the cart and allowing users to lift one side of the cart with respect to the ground and push or pull the cart along the underlying surface, such as the ground for example.

In some embodiments, the collecting cart provides a frame that has an open side, such as, for example, between cart handles, for easy removal of the trash bag without lifting it through the trash bag passage in the upper section of the cart

In some embodiments, the collecting cart can provide a frame that includes additional components, such as, for example, mounting hooks or arms for trash pick-up pails or a lower support surface for supporting the lower portion of a bag or other container mounted within the passage or channel in the upper feed section.

Other aspects of this disclosure include novel methods of use of a collection cart. One method referenced above allows removal of a garbage bag without having to lift it out of the upper end of the garbage support structure. In some embodiments, the one or more downwardly sloped upper surfaces surrounding the garbage bag opening catch downwardly falling garbage outside of the perimeter of the garbage bag opening and causes (by gravity feed) or aids user or other movement of such garbage into the garbage bag opening.

There are many other novel features and aspects of this disclosure. They will become apparent as this specification proceeds. In this the regard, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims as issued and not by whether the subject matter provides or addresses an issue or feature identified in the Background or Brief Summary sections of this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The prior Brief Summary and the following description provide examples, and are not limiting of the scope of this specification. In addition, there are novel aspects of this disclosure that do not necessarily address issued noted in the Background above.

One skilled in the art would recognize that changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments can omit, substitute, add, or mix and match various procedures or components as desired. For instance, the methods disclosed can be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps can be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features disclosed with respect to certain embodiments can be combined in or with other embodiments as well as features of other embodiments.

Referring now toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a modular, collapsible, portable collecting cart, generally110, has a rectangular upper feed section112spaced from a rectangular lower base section114. The upper feed section112, has an upper surface116with a central tubular passage118that provides a garbage bag mounting passage between the upper surface114and a lower surface (not shown inFIG. 1) on the underside of the upper feed section112.

Four collection bag clamps (not shown inFIG. 1) can be mounted, with fasteners, on the upper surface116of the upper feed section112. Each clamp is spaced laterally from the central tubular passage118toward an adjacent corner, e.g.,120, of the upper feed section112. Alternatively, collection bag clamps can be mounted laterally spaced from the central tubular passage118toward or at the middle section, e.g.,119, of each adjacent more steeply sloped portion121, of each of the four sides, e.g.,123, of the upper feed section112. In each case, the four clamps are thus located at 45° from each other about the axial center of the central tubular passage118.

The upper feed section112is secured to the upper ends of four elongated support poles122,124,126,128respectively, extending from the interior side (not shown inFIG. 1) of the upper feed section's112four corners respectively. In typical use, the poles122,124,126,128extend vertically downwardly from the upper feed section112, and the lower ends of the poles122,124,126, and128are secured to the transversely extending lower base section114adjacent its four corners respectively, e.g.,130,136, and134, for poles122,128and126, respectively. A somewhat U-shaped stabilizer bracket140is connected to the midpoint of the four poles122,124,126,128perpendicularly to the poles122,124,126,128. Opposed ends120,121of the bracket130extend laterally outwardly from the front side146of the cart110. The opposed ends142,144, each include a cart-lifting handles, e.g.,148.

Two rotatable support wheels150,152(150not shownFIG. 1) are removably mounted to the lower surface of the lower base section114of the cart110below the lower ends of the two right side support poles122,124at the back side154of the cart110. Lower support ends156,158of the front-side poles126and124extend downwardly from the lower base section114.

The upper open end of a material collecting bag (not shown inFIG. 1), such as a trash bag, can be secured to the cart110, with the bag's top end open about and abutting the central tubular passage118, by the four clamps on the upper feed section112, with the body of the bag passing though the central tubular passage118toward and, if desired, abutting and supported by, central portion160of the lower base section114. In order to maximize collection of material per collecting bag and stabilize the bag as well, the collecting bag has a length larger than the distance between the upper surface. When full of collection material, the collecting bag can be released from the clamps, closed at the bag's top end, and then simply allowed to fall through, or otherwise be removed through, the unblocked front side146of the cart110.

The upper feed surface116of the upper feed section112has an upper and lower slanted section162,164, respectively. Each of the four upper slanted feed surfaces, e.g.,165, in the upper slanted section162, is slanted inwardly downwardly, at a relatively high angle (e.g., at 10 to 80 degrees, and specifically for example, 60 degrees) to the plane of the upper circular edge161of the central tubular passage118, from the four upper side edges, e.g.,163, of the upper feed section162toward the central tubular passage118. Each of the four lower slanted feed surfaces, e.g.,167, in the lower slanted section164, is slanted inwardly downwardly, at a relatively lower angle (e.g., at 3 to 50 degrees, and specifically for example, 5 degrees) to the plane of the upper edge161of the central tubular passage118, and extends from the lower laterally extending edge of the adjacent upper slanted feed surface162toward the upper edge161of the central tubular passage118.

The upper and lower slanted sections162,164cooperatively provide a catch-and-gravity-feed surface for waste or other material intended to be dumped into the associated collection bag referenced above. The slanted sections162,164allow the caught material to slide down them into or adjacent the bag, so that the user can easily brush and remaining material on them into the bag.

Yet other and/or additional bag collection securing structure can be implemented on or in conjunction the upper feed section112. For example, the upper feed section116may be sized so that the upper end of a mating garbage bag (not shown inFIG. 1) can removably securely surround the outer periphery125of the upper feed section112. In this fashion, the upper section of the mating, flexible garbage bag can conform to the upper surface116of the upper feed section112and thus facilitate gravity feeding of waste, garbage, etc., from are area above the upper surface116through and into the central portion of the garbage bag penetrating and below the central tubular section118of the upper feed section112.

Similarly, the upper feed section112may have differing configurations of its external side periphery, such as a circular, tubular, of oblong, or partially-circular, -tubular, or -oblong, rather than rectangular, outer side periphery127shown inFIG. 1. In some embodiments, such an upper feed section112peripheral side structure may be easier to secure certain waste collection bags or containers in position with respect to the upper feed section112, with body of the bag or container penetrating and retained under the upper tubular passage118.

With reference now toFIG. 2, the upper ends212,214of the right side supporting poles128,122, respectively, penetrate the upper feed section112through33the underside216of the upper feed section112. The lower ends218,220of the right side support poles128,122, respectively, penetrate mating pole mounting passages (not shown inFIG. 2) in the lower base section114. Front side support pole122extends from its associated pole mounting passage (surrounding lower end220) in the lower section114downwardly toward the ground (not shown) so that the opposed wheel158(not shown inFIG. 2) and lower end156of the front side support pole122cooperatively support the lower base section114horizontally spaced from and above the ground. Rear side pole128penetrates the lower base section114so that the lower end218of the rear side pole128is flush with the underside222of the lower base section114. All front and rear side poles, e.g.,122,128, respectively, are removably secured in position in the lower base section114by removable carriage bolts, e.g.,230and228, respectively.

The somewhat U-shaped support bracket140is connected to the supporting poles, e.g.,128,122, by removable fasteners, e.g.,224,226,227. This mid-supporting-pole connection provides additional rigidity to the cart110.

In some embodiments (not shown), the removal of the pin and fasteners, e.g.,224,224, allows the U-shaped support bracket140to be removed from the poles, e.g.,128,122, respectively, which in turn allows the remaining cart frame to be folded and collapsed into a smaller unit. In theFIG. 2embodiment, however, the cart110can be disassembled into its constituent parts (e.g.,112,114,122,124,126,128,140,150,152) by removal of associated removable fastening pins (e.g.,224,226,228,230), and other removable fasteners. Further, the stabilizing bracket140can also be broken down, as described below.

With reference now toFIG. 3, each of the two wheel casters, e.g.,152, have two opposed wheel supports312,314securing a wheel318between them. The wheel supports extend upwardly from the wheel318to abut the lower base section114.

With reference now toFIG. 4, adjacent each of the four corners, e.g.,120, of the upper feed section112, a removable carriage bolt, e.g.,412, penetrates a mating carriage bolt passage (not shown inFIG. 4) passing from the upper feed surface116through the underside (not shown inFIG. 4) of the upper feed section112. Each such carriage bolt, e.g.,412, threads into a mating threaded passage (not shown inFIG. 4) in the associated upper end of the support pole (not shown inFIG. 4) abutting the carriage bolt passage penetrated by the carriage bolt, e.g.,412.

FIGS. 4 through 6set forth exemplary dimensions. These dimensions may vary from up to plus or minus 70%, and the locations of, spacing between, the opposed left and right arms512,514may be varied with respect to their mounting or fastening to the upper feed section in order to provide the desired spacing between the opposed handles513,515of the cart.

Referring toFIG. 5, the stabilizing bracket140has a parallel, opposed left and right arms512,514, respectively, and an interconnecting rail516with (i) a left end518connected by a removable fastener520to the mounting end522of left arm512, and a (ii) a right end524connected by a removable fastener526to the mounting end528of the right arm514. The removable fasteners allow the stabilizing bracket to be disassembled into its constituent parts (512,514,516, and associated fasteners).

With reference toFIG. 6, the lower base section114also has four support pole mounting passages, e.g.,611, adjacent each corner, e.g.,614, of the lower base section114. Carriage bolts, e.g.,612, adjacent each corner, e.g.,614, penetrate a mating lower base carriage bolt passage (not shown inFIG. 6) to penetrate a mating threaded passage in a pole (not shown inFIG. 6). The lower base section114further provides two groups of four fastener passages, e.g.,616,618,620,622, for mounting the caster wheels (not shown inFIG. 6) to the underside (not shown inFIG. 6) of the base section114.

Other types of wheels may be substituted in place of caster wheels or added to the collection cart having any caster wheels. Other such wheels may be inflatable wheels, non-inflatable wheels, or others.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6can be made of plastic, composite, metal, or any other suitable material, along with fasteners and caster wheels. Similar structures can be easily made of wood. The composition material of components may be mixed and matched to provide differing objectives for the resulting cart, such as durability, resilience, weight, and portability.

For example, with reference now toFIG. 1, the lower base section114can have an upper base surface199that is sufficiently stiff and strong to support either (i) the lower end of a trash or other container that may rest upon the upper base surface199or (ii) other structure, such as a sand bag or metal weight or plate, in order to secure the cart110in position, such as for example, during windy conditions. Further, a metal or other type of plate or structure (not shown) may be secured to the upper surface624of the lower base section114, such as by removable or fixed fasteners, adhesive, or mere resting of the plate on the lower base section114, in order to provide sufficient stiffness and strength to the lower base section in conjunction with the metal plate.

If made of plastic, most of the components (e.g., other than the caster wheels and, optionally, the fasteners and clamps) can be injected molded for example. A dominantly plastic cart110can be lightweight, weighing from 15 to 75 pounds. As noted above, additional weight can be added, such as when the cart is assembled locally, by procuring and securing (such as by fasteners or adhesive) metal or other plates or structures to portions of the cart.

With reference toFIG. 7, an alternative collection cart710is dominantly made of wood and metal as shown. Other material, such as plastic or composite material for example, may be substituted as desired.

This type of cart710may or may not include wheels (not shown inFIG. 7) mounted to the bottom side711of a rectangular base section713of the cart710. The collection cart710has a rectangular upper feed section712with a planar upper surface714extending radially outwardly from a central collection bag passage716. Four heavy duty bag retainer clamps, e.g.,718, are mounted on the upper surface714and are adjustable to (i) clamp the open end720of a large garbage bag722in position about the central circular bag passage716or (ii) release the bag's722open end720if desired. The bag bottom724is supported in the central upper surface725of the base section713.

With reference toFIGS. 7, 8, and 9, this collection cart710has a somewhat H-shaped stabilizing bracket726with opposed, parallel left and right arms728,730extending (i) outwardly from the open front side731central cart frame732, (ii) along the left and right sides734,736, respectively, of the cart710, and (iii) outwardly from the back side738of the cart720. This four outwardly extending arms, e.g.,740, provide structure on which work pails (e.g.,742), tools, and other accessories (the latter two not shown) may be mounted. The two opposed arms728,730extending laterally outwardly from the open front side731may also provide handles or other gripable structure728,730so that the collection cart710may be moved by manipulation of, and pushing or pulling on, the handles or gripable structure728,730.

With reference toFIG. 10, the width1019W of the upper surface714from the central bag passage716to the edge1010of the upper feed section712, is 5½ inches. This distance may be any desired distance. The applicant believes this distance may suitable range from 2 to 8 inches, or if desired, even from 2 to 12 inches.

The width of the bag passage716is wider than the width of a pail (such as pail742inFIG. 7). The user may thus more easily dump the pail contents (not shown) into the bag722without concern that, if dropped or otherwise, the pail742will not pass through the bag passage716.

With reference now toFIGS. 1 and 7, the front sides146and731of the two depicted embodiments in these Figures provide and collection bag passage through which a collection bag, e.g.,722inFIG. 7, may be removed after the upper section of the bag722is released from being mounted or secured to the associated upper feed sections,112,712, respectively.

It is to be understood that embodiments of the collection cart may or may not be easily disassembled. In this regard, fastening may be accomplished without use of removable fasteners, such as with adhesive(s) or nails when appropriate for the component material involved.

The method of use of these carts can be as follows:A. if not assembled, assemble the collection cart and locate it as desired by use of the opposed handles or other gripable structure at or somewhat adjacent the collection cart's laterally opposed left and right sides forming the open front side of the collection cart;B. mount a collection bag to the collection cart by either:inserting the lower- and mid-sections of the collection bag from the top of central tubular passage through the lower end of the tubular passage; ordoing the revers and inserting the upper-end of the collection bag from the bottom of the central tubular passage through upper end of the tubular passage;C. removably secure the upper end of the collection bag to the upper feed section;D. dump waste, garbage, or other material as desired into the collection bag;E. fill the collection bag as desired;F. before, during, or after steps D and E, move the collection cart as desired such as grasping the opposed handles or other grippable opposed ends of the generally U-shaped stabilizer brackets in the collection cart;G. disconnect the upper end of the collection bag from the upper feed section;H. if, desired, close the upper end of the collection bag such as, in certain embodiments, by pulling on one or more ties in the upper end of the collection bag and tying off the one or more ties to accomplish the desired closure;I. if desired, push the closed upper end of the collection bag through the central tubular section in the upper feed section;I. remove the collection bag from the cart through the open front side of the collection cart; andJ. if desired, disassemble the collection cart as desired, and if desired, store the collection cart in dis-assembled or collapsed format.

The collection cart may be used in other ways as well. For example, it can be used to move materials other than collection bags, pails, or container, such as anything that can be mounted to the upper side of the base section. Straps or ropes may my mounted to surround the, or portions of the, lower structure of the collection cart adjacent the areas in which such other materials may be mounted on the base section, in order to retain such other material(s) on the base section when the collection cart is moved such as by, for example, lifting its handles or grippable structure to lift the open front side of the collection cart and move it.

The collection cart may be structured differently in yet other aspects. For example, the collection cart can include solid back and side panels along with opposed side panels to which, or adjacent to which, if desired a panel door may be attached, providing access, when opened, to a front opening in the front side. Such panels can prevent wind, rain, or animals from gaining undesired access to the interior of the collection cart.

Yet additional structures may be added to the collection cart. For example, further hooks, straps, and other structures can be added in order to removably mount tools as desired to the cart. Such hooks straps or other structures could be mounted, for example, to the interior or exterior of the U- of H-shaped stabilizer bracket.

The foregoing detailed description has described some specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. On reading this specification, those of skill in the art will recognize that many of the components discussed as separate units may be combined into one unit and an individual unit may be split into several different units.

While the steps illustrated and/or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least one of” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C)

Finally, any ranges stated above include all sub-ranges within the range.