Roll out cart with bite guard

A roll-out cart includes a container body having a side wall extending upward to a mouth of the container body. A lid is pivotably connected to a rear portion of the container body. The lid is pivotable between an open position and a closed position covering the mouth of the container body. A latch selectively secures a front portion of the lid to a front portion of the container body. The latch includes an outer latch assembly having a first actuator. A guard defines a recess on the front portion of the container body. The first actuator of the latch is within the recess.

BACKGROUND

Trash and recycling containers, such as roll-out carts, generally include a container body and a lid pivotably connected to the container body. Some carts include a latch selectively retaining the lid in the closed position. One type of latch includes a pair of opposed actuators on the exterior of the container body. To release the latch, a user squeezes the two actuators toward one another.

SUMMARY

A roll-out cart includes a container body having a side wall extending upward to a mouth of the container body. A lid is pivotably connected to a rear portion of the container body. The lid is pivotable between an open position and a closed position covering the mouth of the container body. A latch selectively secures a front portion of the lid to a front portion of the container body. The latch includes an outer latch assembly having a first actuator. A guard defines a recess on the front portion of the container body. The first actuator of the latch is within the recess. The guard prevents actuation of the latch by animals, such as bears, biting the first actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A roll-out cart10designed to be resistant to bears and other large animals is shown inFIG. 1. The roll-out cart10includes a container body12and lid14. The lid14is pivotably connected at a rearward portion of the roll-out cart10. The lid14is selectively connected to the container body12at a forward portion of the roll-out cart10by a latch19including an outer latch assembly18. The latch19is secured to the container body12and selectively captures a latch member secured to the front portion of the lid14in a known manner. The latch19may be a gravity-activated latch19, such that it becomes unlatched automatically when the roll-out cart10is inverted, such as when it is being dumped by a lift arm on a collection truck. Latches19of this type are known. To prevent actuation of the latch19by animals, particularly bears, or inadvertent actuation, a guard20is provided around the outer latch assembly18.

The front of the container body12has a horizontal grab bar16which provides a lower grab point. The front of the container body12also includes an upper grab point17, which is a molded undercut or hook, molded integrally with the container body12. Both the grab bar16and the upper grab point17are used by automated equipment for lifting and dumping the roll-out cart10into a collection vehicle.

The container body12a side wall extending upward from a base wall to a mouth of the container body12to define an internal volume, which in the example shown is approximately 95 gallons. A lip21projects outward and then downward from the entire periphery of the uppermost edge of the side wall. The outer latch assembly18is positioned just below the lip21. Wheels23are mounted to a lower rear portion of the container body12.

FIG. 2is an enlarged view of the area of latch19ofFIG. 1, with the lid14partially opened. As can be seen, the latch19includes an internal latch body32containing the mechanisms for selectively securing the hasp30to the latch body. A pair of latch actuators24are positioned on opposite sides of the latch body22. A hasp30secured to the lid14is selectively secured to the internal latch assembly32, which may include a gravity release mechanism, such that the latch is released when the roll-out cart10is inverted, such as when it is being emptied by automated handling equipment.

When a user grasps both latch actuators24in one hand and squeezes them toward one another, then the internal latch assembly32releases the hasp30, thereby releasing the lid14from the container body12. The guard20prevents a bear or other animal from biting the outer latch assembly18and squeezing the latch actuators24toward one another. The guard20includes a rear plate portion26and a pair of opposite fins28protruding outward (forward) therefrom. The guard20defines a recess between the fins28in which the outer latch assembly18, particularly the latch actuators24, are received. The outer latch assembly18is positioned between the fins28such that the fins28are aligned with and spaced outward of the latch actuators24. There is sufficient space between the fins28and the latch actuators24to permit a user's fingers to be inserted therebetween and squeeze the actuators24. There is not sufficient space for an animal's upper or lower jaw to fit between either of the fins28and one of the actuators24.

FIG. 3is a front view of the roll-out cart10.FIG. 4is a side view of the roll-out cart10. The lid14pivots on an axis36positioned rearward of the container body12side wall. The axis36extends through a rear handle.

FIG. 5is a partially exploded view of the latch area of the roll-out cart10. As shown, the guard20is placed against the container body12, with the rear plate portion26abutting the container body12and the fins28protruding forwardly of the rear plate portion26. The outer latch assembly18is installed over the rear plate portion26and secured to the container body12(and the internal latch assembly32,FIG. 2) to retain the rear plate portion26.

FIGS. 6-10shows an alternate roll-out cart110, including the container body12and lid14as before. A latch119selectively connects the front portion of the container body12to the front portion of the lid14. The latch119includes an outer latch assembly118.

FIG. 7is an enlarged view of the outer latch assembly118. The outer latch assembly118includes a latch body122having a pair of opposed actuators124. In this embodiment, the outer latch assembly118includes an integrally-formed guard120, including integrally-formed fins128protruding forwardly on either side of the outer latch assembly118. The fins128are formed integrally with the outer latch assembly118. Again, the fins128are spaced outwardly of the latch actuators124sufficiently to permit access by a user's fingers, but not the jaws of an animal. The latch actuators124and the latch body122are positioned in this recess defined by the fins128of the guard120. The outer latch assembly118again connects to the internal latch assembly32(FIG. 2) as before.

FIG. 8is a front view of the roll-out cart110.FIG. 9is a side view of the roll-out cart110.

FIG. 10is a partially exploded view of the roll-out cart110. As shown, the latch member118is a single piece with fins128formed integrally with the housing of the latch member118, which can be mounted to the container body12.

FIG. 11is a front view of the roll-out cart110.FIG. 12is a section view taken along line12-12ofFIG. 11. Referring toFIG. 12, the outer latch assembly118connects to the internal latch assembly32which selectively connects to the hasp30which is secured to the lid14.

FIG. 13is an enlarged view of the latch area ofFIG. 12. Again, the outer latch assembly118connects to the internal latch assembly32to release the hasp30when the actuators124are actuated. The upper grab point117is below and recessed relative to the guard120and outer latch assembly118.

A roll-out cart210according to another embodiment is shown inFIG. 14. The roll-out cart210includes a container body212and lid214. The lid214is pivotably connected at a rearward portion of the roll-out cart210. The lid214is selectively connected to the container body212at a forward portion of the roll-out cart210by a latch219including an outer latch assembly218. The latch219is secured to the container body212and selectively captures a latch member secured to the front portion of the lid214as before. To prevent actuation of the latch219by animals, particularly bears, or inadvertent actuation, a guard220is provided around the outer latch assembly218. The container body212has a smaller volume compared to the container body of the previous embodiments, for example, the container body212shown has an internal volume of approximately 65 gallons.

The front of the container body212has a horizontal grab bar216which provides a lower grab point. The front of the container body212also includes an upper grab point217, which is a molded undercut or hook, molded integrally with the container body212. Both the grab bar216and the upper grab point217are used by automated equipment for lifting and dumping the roll-out cart210into a collection vehicle.

The container body212includes a side wall extending upward from a base wall to a mouth of the container body212. A lip221projects outward and then downward from the entire periphery of the uppermost edge of the side wall. The outer latch assembly218is positioned just below the lip221. Wheels223are mounted to a lower rear portion of the container body212.

FIG. 15is an enlarged view of the area of latch219ofFIG. 14. A pair of latch actuators224are positioned on opposite sides of the latch body222. When a user grasps both latch actuators224in one hand and squeezes them toward one another, then the internal latch assembly32(FIG. 13) releases the hasp (not shown, as before), thereby releasing the lid214from the container body212. The guard220prevents a bear or other animal from biting the outer latch assembly218and squeezing the latch actuators224toward one another. The guard220includes a rear plate portion226and a pair of opposite fins228protruding outward (forward) therefrom. The guard220defines a recess between the fins228in which the outer latch assembly218, particularly the latch actuators224, are received. The outer latch assembly218is positioned between the fins228such that the fins228are aligned with and spaced outward of the latch actuators224. There is sufficient space between the fins228and the latch actuators224to permit a user's fingers to be inserted therebetween and squeeze the actuators224. There is not sufficient space for an animal's upper or lower jaw to fit between either of the fins228and one of the actuators224.

FIG. 16is a front view of the roll-out cart210.FIG. 17is a side view of the roll-out cart210. The lid214pivots on an axis236positioned rearward of the container body212side wall. The axis236extends through a rear handle.

FIG. 18is a partially exploded view of the latch area of the roll-out cart210. As shown, the guard220is placed against the container body212, with the rear plate portion226abutting the container body212and the fins228protruding forwardly of the rear plate portion226. The outer latch assembly218is installed over the rear plate portion226and secured to the container body212(and the internal latch assembly) to retain the rear plate portion226.

FIGS. 19-24show an alternate roll-out cart310, including a container body312and lid314. The container body312ofFIG. 19is the same as the container body212ofFIG. 14. A latch319selectively connects the front portion of the container body12to the front portion of the lid14. The latch319includes an outer latch assembly318.

FIG. 20is an enlarged view of the outer latch assembly318. The outer latch assembly318includes a latch body322having a pair of opposed actuators324. In this embodiment, the outer latch assembly318includes an integrally-formed guard320, including integrally-formed fins328protruding forwardly on either side of the outer latch assembly318. The fins328are formed integrally with the latch body322of the outer latch assembly318. Again, the fins328are spaced outwardly of the latch actuators324sufficiently to permit access by a user's fingers, but not the jaws of an animal. The latch actuators324and the latch body322are positioned in this recess defined by the fins328of the guard320. The outer latch assembly318again connects to the internal latch assembly as before.

FIG. 21is a partially exploded view of the roll-out cart310. As shown, the fins328are formed integrally with the latch body322of the outer latch assembly318, which can be mounted to the container body312.

FIG. 22is a front view of the roll-out cart310.FIG. 23is a section view taken along line23-23ofFIG. 22. Referring toFIG. 23, the outer latch assembly connects to the internal latch assembly332which selectively connects to the hasp330which is secured to the lid314.

FIG. 24is an enlarged view of the latch area ofFIG. 23. Again, the outer latch assembly328connects to the internal latch assembly332to release the hasp330when the actuators are actuated. The upper grab point317is below and recessed relative to the guard320and outer latch assembly318. The outer latch assembly318is positioned just below the lip321.

A roll-out cart410according to another embodiment is shown inFIG. 25. The roll-out cart410includes a container body412and lid414. The lid414is pivotably connected at a rearward portion of the roll-out cart410. The lid414is selectively connected to the container body412at a forward portion of the roll-out cart410by a latch419including an outer latch assembly418. The latch419is secured to the container body412and selectively captures a latch member secured to the front portion of the lid414as before. To prevent actuation of the latch419by animals, particularly bears, or inadvertent actuation, a guard420is provided around the outer latch assembly418. The container body412has a yet smaller volume compared to the container body of the previous embodiments, for example, approximately 35 gallons.

The front of the container body412has a horizontal grab bar416which provides a lower grab point. The front of the container body412also includes an upper grab point417, which in this embodiment is the front of the lip421, molded integrally with the container body412. Both the grab bar416and the upper grab point417are used by automated equipment for lifting and dumping the roll-out cart410into a collection vehicle.

The container body412includes a side wall extending upward from a base wall to a mouth of the container body412. The lip421projects outward and then downward from the entire periphery of the uppermost edge of the side wall. The outer latch assembly418is positioned just below the lip421. Wheels423are mounted to a lower rear portion of the container body412.

FIG. 26is an enlarged view of the area of latch419ofFIG. 25. A pair of latch actuators424are positioned on opposite sides of the latch body422. When a user grasps both latch actuators424in one hand and squeezes them toward one another, then the internal latch assembly32(FIG. 13) releases the hasp (not shown, as before), thereby releasing the lid414from the container body412. The guard420prevents a bear or other animal from biting the outer latch assembly418and squeezing the latch actuators424toward one another. The guard420includes a rear plate portion426and a pair of opposite fins428protruding outward (forward) therefrom. The guard420defines a recess between the fins428in which the outer latch assembly418, particularly the latch actuators424, are received. The outer latch assembly418is positioned between the fins428such that the fins428are aligned with and spaced outward of the latch actuators424. There is sufficient space between the fins428and the latch actuators424to permit a user's fingers to be inserted therebetween and squeeze the actuators424. There is not sufficient space for an animal's upper or lower jaw to fit between either of the fins428and one of the actuators424.

FIG. 27is a front view of the roll-out cart410.FIG. 28is a side view of the roll-out cart410. The lid414pivots on an axis436positioned rearward of the container body412side wall. The axis436extends through a rear handle. As shown, the upper grab point417, i.e. the front of the lip421, projects outward further than the guard420. This leaves room for the hook or arm to be inserted under the lip421in front of the guard420and outer latch assembly418.

FIG. 29is a partially exploded view of the latch area of the roll-out cart410. As shown, the guard420is placed against the container body412, with the rear plate portion426abutting the container body412and the fins428protruding forwardly of the rear plate portion426. The outer latch assembly418is installed over the rear plate portion426and secured to the container body412(and the internal latch assembly) to retain the rear plate portion426. Again, the upper grab point417, the front of the lip421, projects forward of the guard420and outer latch assembly418when assembled.

FIGS. 30-35show an alternate roll-out cart510, including a container body512and lid514. The container body512ofFIG. 30is the same as the container body412ofFIG. 25(e.g. 35 gallons). A latch519selectively connects the front portion of the container body512to the front portion of the lid514. The latch519includes an outer latch assembly518. Again, the upper grab point517, the front of the lip521, projects forward of the guard520and outer latch assembly518. The front of the container body512has a horizontal grab bar516which provides a lower grab point.

FIG. 31is an enlarged view of the outer latch assembly518. The outer latch assembly518includes a latch body522having a pair of opposed actuators524. In this embodiment, the outer latch assembly518includes an integrally-formed guard520, including integrally-formed fins528protruding forwardly on either side of the outer latch assembly518. The fins528are formed integrally with the latch body522of the outer latch assembly518. Again, the fins528are spaced outwardly of the latch actuators524sufficiently to permit access by a user's fingers, but not the jaws of an animal. The latch actuators524and the latch body522are positioned in this recess defined by the fins528of the guard520. The outer latch assembly518again connects to the internal latch assembly as before.

FIG. 32is a partially exploded view of the roll-out cart510. As shown, the fins528are formed integrally with the latch body522of the outer latch assembly518, which can be mounted to the container body512.

FIG. 33is a front view of the roll-out cart510.FIG. 34is a section view of the roll-out cart510taken along line34-34ofFIG. 33. Referring toFIG. 34, the outer latch assembly518connects to the internal latch assembly532which selectively connects to the hasp530which is secured to the lid514.

FIG. 35is an enlarged view of the latch area ofFIG. 34. Again, the outer latch assembly528connects to the internal latch assembly532through the wall of the container body512to release the hasp530when the actuators524are actuated. The upper grab point517, the front of the lip521, projects forward of the guard520and outer latch assembly518. The outer latch assembly518and guard520may have a reduced profile to permit the equipment to access the upper grab point517. The front of the lip521of the container body512is larger than that on the larger container bodies (the 95 gallon and 65 gallon embodiments) to provide access to the upper grab point517in front of the outer lock assembly518and guard520.

The section view of the roll-out cart410ofFIG. 25would be identical to that of the container510ofFIG. 35, other than having a separately formed guard420. The container body412is identical to the container body512, so the upper grab point417is the same as the upper grab point517inFIG. 35. The outer latch assembly418and guard420, also have the reduced profile shown in the outer latch assembly518and guard520ofFIG. 35.

In all of these embodiments, the container body and lid are preferably formed of a suitable plastic, while the outer latch assembly is a multi-component assembly mostly formed of metal components and the guard and fins are also formed of metal. Alternatively, the guard and fins could also be formed of a suitably hard plastic.

The lock guard protects the lock mechanism from inadvertent actuation or actuation by animals and could be used for any type of actuators. The guard limits and/or diverts compression, actuation, rotation or release away from the actuators of the latch, in whatever form they take. In the embodiments shown, the actuators are actuated by compression, but this invention is also applicable to actuators that operate via rotation, pivoting, or other motions or forces. The benefit of the guard can be achieved with several profiles, as long as the profile permits manual or automated access to the locking mechanism.

As another alternative, the guard could comprise a recess in the front wall of the container body, which may be defined between protrusions formed by the front wall of the container body. The outer latch assembly would be received in the recess and/or between the protrusions. Alternatively, the recess/protrusions in the front wall of the container body can be used in combination with a separately-formed, metal or plastic guard to define the recess for receiving the outer latch assembly.