GRAVITY LOCK AND BIN INCLUDING THE SAME

A lock for a bin including a body and a lid hinged to the body. The lock includes a lever mounted to the lid and a plunger movable by the lever. The plunger is configured to engage a catch mounted to the body when the lid is closed and the lever is in a first position. When the lever is moved to a second position, the plunger is moved to disengage the catch and the lid is allowed to open.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the general field of container locks, and is more particularly concerned with a gravity lock and with a bin including the same.

BACKGROUND

Collection bins used to collect garbage, compostable and recyclable materials generally include a bin body and a lid provided at their top. Many such bins are designed so that their lid automatically opens when the collection bin is tilted substantially upside down by a collecting truck so that any material contained therein can be collected efficiently.

However, such bins often contain organic material, such as food residues, that attract animals, such as raccoons. These animals often try to enter the bin and either disperse waste materials around the bin after climbing into the bin, or simply topple the bin, which leads to opening of the lid, and results in even more wastes dispersed on the ground. Collection bins can also be toppled due to the wind or though collision with vehicles, with the same result. Simply adding a lock to the bin is not desirable, as a simple lock will not open automatically when the bin is picked upside down by the collecting truck and would need to be manually opened before collecting the bin.

Thus, there is a need on the market for an improved device that avoids the aforementioned disadvantages. An object of the present invention is therefore to provides such an improved device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a broad aspect, there is provided a lockable bin, comprising: a bin body defining a cavity and a bin body opening leading thereinto, the bin body opening defining opposed opening front and rear ends, the bin body including a latch; a lid hinged to the bin body at the opening rear end and movable between open and closed positions wherein the lid respectively allows access to the cavity and extends across the opening; and a latching mechanism mounted to the lid, the latching mechanism including a plunger selectively movable between extended and retracted positions, wherein, with the lid in the closed position, in the extended position, the plunger engages the latch so that the lid is prevented from pivoting relative to the body to lock the lid in the closed position; and in the retracted position, the plunger is disengaged from the latch to allow the lid to pivot relative to the body to reach the open position. The latching mechanism further includes a lever operatively coupled to the plunger for moving the plunger between the extended and retracted positions, the lever being movable between first and second positions in which the lever is angled respectively at first and second angles relative to the lid, the second angle being larger than the first angle, the plunger moving from the extended position to the retracted position when the lever moves from the first position to the second position.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the plunger is closer to the opening rear end in the retracted position than in the extended position.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the plunger moves in a reciprocating movement between the extended and retracted positions, the latch defining an aperture for receiving the plunger therethrough when the lid is closed and the plunger is in the extended position.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the plunger is biased away from the opening rear end.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the lever pivots about a lever pivot axis, the latching mechanism further including a cam member jointly pivotable with the lever about the lever pivot axis, the cam member defining a cam surface, the cam surface being closer to the lever pivot axis at a cam first location than at a cam second location; the plunger includes an elongated pin extending from a base, the cam surface abutting against the base at the cam first location when the lever is in the first position, and the cam surface abutting against the base at the cam second location when the lever is in the second position; wherein moving the lever from the first position to the second position moves the base away from the lever pivot axis to move the plunger from the extended position to the retracted position.

The lockable bin as defined in claim 5, wherein a center of gravity of the lever is spaced apart from the lever pivot axis so that a torque is exerted about the lever pivot axis when the bin is positioned upside down.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the cam surface and the base frictionally engage each other with a force sufficient for preventing the lever from pivoting from the first position to the second position unless the bin is rotated more than 90 degrees relative to an upstanding position.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the latch is provided at the opening front end.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the latching mechanism is configured for receiving a padlock for locking the lever in the lever first position.

There may also be provided a lockable bin wherein the latching mechanism further includes a locking member jointly movable with the lever, wherein the locking member is engaged with the plunger when the lever is in the first position and the plunger is in the extended position to prevent the plunger from moving to the retracted position, and the locking member is disengaged from plunger when the lever is in the second position to allow the plunger to move to the retracted position.

In another broad aspect, there is provided a gravity lock for a bin including a bin body defining a cavity and a bin body opening leading thereinto, the bin body opening defining opposed opening front and rear ends, the bin also including a lid hinged to the bin body at the opening rear end, the gravity lock comprising: a latch mountable to the bin body; and a latching mechanism mountable to the lid, the latching mechanism including a plunger selectively movable between extended and retracted positions; wherein, with the lid closed and the latch and latching mechanism operatively mounted to the bin in the extended position, the plunger engages the latch so that the lid is prevented from pivoting relative to the body; and in the retracted position, the plunger is disengaged from the latch to allow the lid to pivot relative to the body; The latching mechanism further includes a lever operatively coupled to the plunger for moving the plunger between the extended and retracted positions, the lever being movable between first and second positions in which, with the latching mechanism operatively mounted to the lid, the lever is angled respectively at first and second angles relative to the lid, the second angle being larger than the first angle, the plunger moving from the extended position to the retracted position when the lever moves from the first to the second position.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the lever pivots about a lever pivot axis, the latching mechanism further including a cam member jointly pivotable with the lever about the lever pivot axis, the cam member defining a cam surface, the cam surface being closer to the lever pivot axis at a cam first location than at a cam second location; the plunger includes an elongated pin extending from a base, the cam surface abutting against the base at the cam first location when the lever is in the first position, and the cam surface abutting against the base at the cam second location when the lever is in the second position; wherein moving the lever from the first position to the second position moves the base away from the lever pivot axis to move the plunger from the extended position to the retracted position.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the cam surface and the base frictionally engage each other with a force sufficient for preventing the lever to pivot from the first position to the second position unless the bin is rotated more than 90 degrees relative to an upstanding position.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the lever is selectively detachable from the cam member, the lever and cam member being attachable to each other with different angular relationships relative to each other.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the latch includes a base mountable to the bin and a latch plate pivotable relative to the base.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the latching mechanism includes a housing mountable to the lid.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the lever defines a compartment spaced apart from the lever pivot axis.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the latching mechanism further includes a locking member jointly movable with the lever, wherein the locking member is engaged with the plunger when the lever is in the first position and the plunger is in the extended position to prevent the plunger from moving to the retracted position, and the locking member is disengaged from plunger when the lever is in the second position to allow the plunger to move to the retracted position.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein the plunger moves in a reciprocating movement between the extended and retracted positions, the latch defining an aperture for receiving the plunger therethrough when the lid is closed and the plunger is in the extended position.

There may also be provided a gravity lock wherein a manually removable plug is mounted inside the aperture and obstructs the aperture partially.

An advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the container lid is unlikely to accidentally open when the collection bin is tilted on a side by a gust of wind, an animal, or by being bumped into by a vehicle while remaining relatively easy to use in refuse collection by simply tilting the proposed bin or a bin incorporating the proposed gravity lock over a truck. In some embodiments, the proposed gravity lock does not interfere with the materials contained in the bin when the latter is discharged. Also, in some embodiments, all the components of the proposed gravity lock are provided outside of the bin, which leaves the interior of the bin free to receive various materials without interference.

In some embodiments, the proposed gravity lock may be configured for compatibility with a relatively wide variety the differently shaped brands and makes of waste collection bins commonly sold on the market so as to be retrofitted thereto.

The present application hereby incorporates by reference the priority document, patent application GB2207072.6 filed May 13, 2022

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terms “substantially” and “about” are used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualified terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value or ideal shape that do not cause significant changes to the invention. Also, directional terminology, such as “top”, is used with reference to a typical use of the proposed bin on a level ground surface with its opening facing up, such as when used to contain materials prior to collection. This terminology is used for convenience and should not be used to unduly restrict the scope of the present invention.

FIGS.1to12illustrates various aspects of an embodiment, according to the present invention, of combination100latch104and automatic latching mechanism102for a lockable bin500, such as a waste, recycling or organic collection bin. The automatic latching mechanism102is usable for user selectively locking the container lid506of the lockable bin500in a closed position, and automatically unlocking the opening movement of the container lid506in an open position when the collection bin500is tilted substantially upside down, for example, by a waste, recycling or organic collecting truck.

In the following detailed description of the invention, similar features in the figures have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure.

The lockable bin500generally includes a bin body502defining a cavity505and a bin body opening504leading into the cavity505along an upper portion thereof, and a container lid506pivotably hingedly mounted at an opening rear end508of the bin body opening504, thus allowing the container lid506to close the bin body opening504.

Furthermore, the lockable bin500defines a container opening front end510and a container lid front edge512both located respectively opposite the container opening rear end508relative to the bin body opening504. The lockable bin500further defines an imaginary longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly centrally between the container opening rear and front ends508and510.

The combination100of the present invention includes a latching mechanism102mounted to the container lid506and adjacently the container lid front edge512, and a catch104mounted to the bin body502and adjacently the opening front end510. The catch104is located substantially proximally in front of the latching mechanism102when the container lid506is in its closed position over the bin body opening504.

Referring toFIG.3, the latching mechanism102includes a support casing106. The support casing106includes spaced apart and oppositely facing support casing front and rear walls108and110, and spaced part and oppositely facing casing lateral side walls112extending between the support casing front and rear walls108and110.

Furthermore, the support casing front wall108defines a casing front aperture114. Still furthermore, the support casing106defines an imaginary casing longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly through the support casing front and rear walls108and110.

The latching mechanism102further includes a pivot shaft116. The pivot shaft116has a generally elongated configuration extending laterally, and generally defines a pair of longitudinally opposed pivot shaft end portions118, and a pivot shaft intermediate portion extending therebetween. Furthermore, the pivot shaft116has its opposed pivot shaft end portions118rotably mounted throughout, respectively, the opposed support casing lateral side walls112so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis119

The latching mechanism102further includes at least one, for example between one and four, but typically two, identically shaped cam members120. Each cam member120is coaxially mounted in a laterally spaced apart relationship relative to one another along the pivot shaft116, and defines a radially protruding rounded cam surface121extending radially parallelly in register relative to one another and parallelly along relative to the casing longitudinal axis. The cam surface121is closer to the lever pivot axis119at a cam first location123than at a cam second location125, so that rotating the pivot shaft116can move a plunger122relative to the pivot shaft116. In alternative embodiments, the cam members120may be shaped differently from each other is required by the shape of a plunger122described below.

The latching mechanism102further includes a plunger122selectively movable between extended and retracted positions, seen for example respectively inFIGS.4and5. For example, the plunger122is closer to the opening rear end508in the retracted position than in the extended position, so as to be disengaged from the catch104. Typically, the plunger122moves in a reciprocating movement between the extended and retracted positions. In the extended position, with the container lid506in the closed position, the plunger122engages the latch104so that the container lid506is prevented from pivoting relative to the container body502to lock the container lid506in the closed position. In the retracted position, the plunger122is disengaged from the latch104to allow the container lid506to pivot relative to the container body502to reach the open position. The plunger122has a generally elongated T-shaped configuration including an elongated plunger pin124extending longitudinally parallelly relative to the casing longitudinal axis, and a plunger base126.

The plunger pin124typically has a substantially elongated and rectilinear configuration, and the plunger base126is located at a rearward end of the plunger pin124and includes a cam engaging portion128at least slightly protruding laterally on each side of the plunger pin124.

The plunger pin124extends longitudinally between the pair of cam members120and a forward end portion thereof that is at least partially engaged through the casing front aperture114such that each cam engaging portions128of the plunger base126abuts along a rearward peripheral portion of a respective cam member120. More specifically, the cam surface121abuts against the plunger base126at the cam first location123when the pivot shaft116is in a first position, and the cam surface121abuts against the plunger base126at the cam second location125when the pivot shaft116is in a second position. The pivot shaft116moves between the first and second positions by rotating about the pivot axis119.

The latching mechanism102further includes a biasing element130. The biasing element130is suitably mounted between the plunger122and the support casing106so as to biasingly urge each cam engaging portion128longitudinally forwardly against a respective cam member120, such that the plunger122is biased away from the opening rear end508.

The latching mechanism102further includes a lever132. A center of gravity of the lever132is spaced apart from the pivot axis119, so that a torque is exerted about the pivot axis119by the lever132when the bin is positioned upside down. The lever132is operatively coupled to the plunger122for moving the plunger122between the extended and retracted positions. In a specific example of embodiment, the lever132includes a pair of substantially elongated and parallelly extending lever arms134defining a pair of lever arm proximal ends136at one end thereof, and are transversally joined by a handle member138at a distally opposed distal end thereof. Furthermore, each lever arm proximal end136is connected to a respective pivot shaft distal end portion118such that the cam members120are jointly pivotable with the lever132about the lever pivot axis119.

The catch104defines a catch aperture148located substantially proximally forwardly in register with the casing front aperture114when the container lid506is in a closed position on the bin body opening504. Furthermore, the catch aperture148is suitably sized and configured for slidably receiving and engaging therein the plunger pin124.

The lever132is pivotably movable about the pivot axis119between a lever first position and a lever second position in which the lever132is angled respectively at first and second angles relative to the container lid506, the second angle being larger than the first angle. The plunger122moves from the extended position to the retracted position when the lever132moves from the first position to the second position.

In the lever first position, as illustrated inFIGS.1,4,9and11, the lever132is typically oriented generally parallelly relative to the casing longitudinal axis, and rearwardly relative to the pivot shaft116. At least a forward end portion of the plunger pin124protrudes forwardly away from the casing front wall108. In the lever second position, as illustrated inFIGS.2,5,10and12, the lever132is typically oriented generally perpendicularly relative to the casing longitudinal axis, and substantially perpendicularly upwardly relative thereof. Typically, the plunger pin124is then retracted inside the casing106.

Thus, when the lockable bin500is in an upright position, the container lid506in a closed position and covering the bin body opening504, and the lever132in the lever first position, the forward end portion of the plunger122is engaged in the catch aperture148, thus locking the container lid506in the closed position relative to the bin body opening504. Furthermore, when a user desires to add waste, recycling or organic material into the bin body502, he or she moves the lever132by hand to the lever second position, then lifts the container lid506to access the interior of the bin body502, followed with re-closing the container lid506and, finally, lowering down the lever132to the lever second position, so as to lock the container lid506in the closed position.

Furthermore, when the lockable bin500is in the upright position, with the lever132in lever first position as described further above, animals such as raccoons, skunks, bears, and the likes, are prevented from opening the container lid506for accessing the content of the bin body502. Yet furthermore, when the lockable bin500is in the upright position, with the lever132in the lever first position as described further above, then is accidentally toppled on a side by a wind gust, a moving vehicle, or an animal desiring to access its content, the lever132remains substantially in the lever first position such that the container lid506also remains in the closed position relative to the bin body opening504.

Still furthermore, when the lockable bin500is in the upright position, with the lever132in the lever first position, as described further above, and is then titled to a substantially upside down position over a waste, recycling or organic collecting truck, for emptying the lockable bin’s500content in the truck cargo bay, the momentum of the typically energetic tilting movement urges the lever132to pivotably move by gravity in a pendulum movement towards the lever second position. Consequently, the plunger pin124retracts out of the catch aperture148and, thus, frees the pivotal movement of the container lid506to a substantially wide open position relative to the bin body opening504, hence allowing the content of the collection bin500to fall by gravity into the cargo bay of the collecting truck.

It is important to note that the spring urged mechanical pressure of the plunger base126on the periphery of the cam members120effects at least a slight mechanical friction pressure therebetween and, thus, effects a resistance to the rotational movement by gravity of the lever132about the axis of the pivot shaft116. In some embodiments, the cam surface121and the base126frictionally engage each other with a force sufficient for preventing the lever132to pivot from the lever first position to the lever second position unless the bin500is rotated more than 90 degrees relative to an upstanding position. In some embodiments, this friction is large enough that to provoke a pendulum movement by gravity of the lever132from the lever first position to the lever second position requires a substantially energetic forward tilting of the lockable bin500to a substantially upside down position. Thus, a simple tilting on a side, including the front side, of the lockable bin500, is typically unlikely to fully overcome the mechanical friction described above in order to provoke a sufficient pendulum movement of the lever132towards the lever second position. The number of cam members120parallelly mounted on the pivot shaft116and the spring constant of the biasing element130may be used to modulate a desired level of rotational resistance thereof.

Referring toFIGS.3,4and6, in some embodiments of the invention, the catch104includes a base member140. The base member140includes a base member lower portion142. The base member lower portion142has a generally elongated plate-like configuration extending substantially laterally and vertically relative to the container longitudinal axis.

Furthermore, the base member140defines a base member first planar surface144facing substantially forwardly, and a base member second planar surface146facing substantially oppositely rearwardly respectively, relative to the container longitudinal axis, and a base member upper portion147.

The base member upper portion147extends at least partially rearwardly relative to the base member lower portion142, and defines a substantially planar base member underside surface150facing substantially downwardly, so as to form a right angle in cross-section relative to the adjacent base member second planar surface146.

Referring toFIGS.3and7, the catch104further includes a catch plate152. The catch plate152has a generally elongated plate-like configuration extending parallelly relative to the bin body502, and includes a catch plate lower portion154pivotably mounted to the base member upper portion147along a catch assembly pivot axis extending laterally parallelly relative to the bin body502. The catch aperture148extends through the plate-like configuration of the catch plate152.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the catch plate152is pivotable relative to the base member140between a catch plate first position, wherein the catch plate152is oriented substantially upwardly, and a catch plate second position, wherein the catch plate152is oriented towards at least one of a substantially forward orientation, and a substantially rearward orientation respectively, relative to the container longitudinal axis. Thus, the catch104may have its base member140mounted in one of a first mounting location, as illustrated inFIGS.1,2,4and5, and a second mounting location, as illustrated inFIGS.9to12inclusively.

Referring now more particularly toFIGS.4and5, in the first mounting location, the base member140has its base member second planar surface146and planar base member underside surface150connected on an upper forward angular edge portion516of the bin body502, wherein the catch plate152may extend substantially upwardly therefrom when in the catch plate first position.

Referring now more particularly toFIGS.11and12, in the second mounting location, the base member140has its base member first planar surface144coplanarly connected along a vertically extending inner surface portion of the interior of the bin body502, and substantially adjacently the bin body opening504thereof, wherein the catch plate152may extend substantially upwardly therefrom when in the catch plate first position, and through a user defined catch aperture148extending in register through the container lid506.

Thus, advantageously, the automatic combination100of the present invention may be mounted on a significantly larger variety of differently shaped container lids506and upper front edge portions of bin body opening504, compared to known gravity latching mechanism’s for lockable bins500of the prior art.

In some embodiments, with the catch104mounted in the first mounting location (e.g. centrally along the exterior of the upper forward edge of the bin body opening504, as illustrated inFIGS.1,2,4and5), the limited forward and rearward pivotal movement of the catch plate152imposed by the base member140and the top horizontal surface of the container opening front end510, as best illustrated inFIG.5, help prevent the pivotable catch plate152to be damaged or broken away when the lockable bin500is energetically tilted upside down over the collecting truck.

Furthermore advantageously, with the catch104mounted in the second mounting location (e.g. centrally along the interior of the upper forward edge of the bin body opening504, as illustrated inFIGS.9to12), the catch plate152may further pivot rearwardly and downwardly inside the bin body502, to facilitate further the addition of waste, recycling or organic material into the collection bin500.

In some embodiments of the invention, the latching mechanism102further includes a compressible resilient material covering at least one surface in a pair of mutually contacting surfaces between the plunger base126and the cam members120. Thus, the mechanical friction there between at least slightly raises the rotational resistance of the pivot shaft116relative to the gravity induced pendulum movement exerted on the lever132. For example (not shown in the figures), each contacting surfaces of the plunger base126with the cam members120may be covered with a suitable layer of synthetic rubber, foam, or other similar resilient materials.

Thus, advantageously, if the lockable bin500accidentally falls sidewardly and rolls two or three times on the sides down a sloping street, the lever132may be substantially prevented from pivoting towards the lever second position and let the container lid506free to open since the lockable bin500is not sufficiently tilted upside down.

In some embodiments of the invention, the biasing element130is a coil spring operatively mounted between the support casing rear wall110and a rearward surface portion of the plunger base126. Other known types and configurations for the biasing element130are also possible for equivalently biasingly urging the plunger base126longitudinally forwardly against the pair of cam members120.

Referring toFIG.6, in some embodiments of the invention, the lever132is user removably and selectably angularly connectable relative to the pivot shaft116, for example through compatibly shaped polygonal protrusions160and bores162arrangements between the lever arm proximal ends136and the pivot shaft end portions118respectively. Other known equivalent arrangements between the lever arm proximal ends136and the pivot shaft distal end portions118for user removably and selectably angularly connecting the lever132to the pivot shaft116are also possible. Thus, in such embodiments, the lever132is selectively movable relative to the cam member120so that an angle between the cam member120and the lever132is adjustable.

Indeed, as exemplified inFIGS.1,2,4, and5, selected models of container lids506defines a prominent bulge520protruding upwardly along a substantially rear half portion of the top surface thereof. Thus, by selectively adjusting the angle of the lever132relative to the pivot shaft116, when the lever132is in the lever first position, the user is able to render unhindered the full pivoting movement of the lever132relative to the support casing106mounted on the container lid506.

Thus, advantageously along with the catch104being relatively easily mounted outside or inside the edge of the bin body opening504, the user selectable angle at which the lever132can be removably connected to the pivot shaft end portions118allows the automatic latching mechanism102of the present invention to be readily mountable on a relatively more wide variety of models of commercially available lockable bin500compared to known gravity operated automatic latching mechanism102of the prior art.

Referring for example toFIG.3, in some embodiments of the invention, the handle member138defines a compartment164closable with a cap166for user selectably inserting therein weight material (not shown in the figures) so as to add weight at the distal end of the lever132. Thus, the added weight in the handle member138raises the pivoting pendulum power urged by the lever132on the pivoting action of the cam members120on the plunger122when the lockable bin500is tilted upside down over a waste collecting vehicle.

A raised pivoting pendulum power of the lever132may be advantageously used when heavy waste or recyclable material is often poured into the lockable bin500, such as rocks, construction bricks, broken pieces of concrete, and the likes, already abut strongly against the inner surface of the container lid506before the lockable bin500is sufficiently tilted upside down to initiate the pivoting movement of the lever132. Thus, a jammed rearward sliding movement of the plunger122out of the catch aperture148due to the strong mechanical pressure there between may be avoided with the added weight in the handle member138.

Referring toFIG.7, in some embodiments of the invention, a manually removable plug170is mounted inside the catch aperture148and obstructs the latter partially. For example, the catch plate152includes a tearable portion, forming the removable plug170, along at least the upper portion of the catch aperture148, so as to user selectably expand the catch aperture148.

As exemplified inFIG.7, the profile of the tearable portion may be defined in the catch plate152by a series of suitably sized and shaped perforations allowing a user to tear away the tearable portion170, for example, with a pair of pliers or another equivalent hand tool.

The user may selectively remove the tearable portion170when, for example, he or she installed the catch104just slightly too low relative to the plunger122, to a point where there is a risk of a too great friction force there between when the lever132is in the hand lever first position and hinders the pivotal movement of the latter towards the hand lever second position.

Thus, advantageously along with the alternate mounting positions of the catch104, and the user selectable angle of the lever132, the automatic combination100of the present invention may be relatively easily adjustably mounted on a commercially available container bin500.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in the figures, the pivotable junction between the base member140and the pivotable catch plate152of the catch104is suitably shape configured such that the pivotable movement of the catch plate152relative to the base member140is limited between the catch plate first position, wherein the catch plate152is oriented substantially upwardly, and the catch plate second position, wherein the catch plate152is oriented substantially rearwardly relative to the container longitudinal axis.

Referring for example collectively toFIGS.3,4,5and8, in some embodiments of the invention, the automatic latching mechanism102is configured for receiving a padlock530for locking the lever132in the lever first position. For example, the latching mechanism102further comprises a locking aperture arrangement180usable with the padlock530. The aperture arrangement180includes one or more lever arm padlock engaging apertures182(as best illustrated inFIG.6) defined laterally through at least one of the lever arms134, and one or more support casing padlock engaging apertures184extending laterally through a thumb like protrusion186along the outer surface of the support casing106. Furthermore, at least one of the lever arm padlock engaging apertures182and at least one of the support casing padlock engaging apertures184are in register relative to one another when the lever132is in the lever first, or locked, position, for allowing a user to selectively engage there through a padlock530for user selectively locking the container lid506with the bin body502. Other known configurations and arrangements for locking the lever132in the lever first position relative to the support casing106are also possible.

Referring more for example collectively toFIGS.4and5, in some embodiments of the invention, the automatic latching mechanism102further comprises an automatic lock mechanism. The automatic lock mechanism includes a locking member189jointly movable with the lever132and defining a locking protrusion190extending radially distally away from the pivot shaft116, and a compatibly shaped and sized locking notch192extending radially inwardly along a longitudinal side surface portion of the plunger pin124. The locking notch192is suitably located along the plunger pin124so as to be in register with the locking protrusion190as the pivot shaft116when the lever132pivots between the hand lever second position to the hand lever first position, as illustrated inFIGS.5and4, respectively. Thus, when the lever132is in the first position, the locking protrusion190is engaged in the locking notch192such that the plunger122is locked relative to the support casing106.

Thus, the locking member189is engaged with the plunger122when the lever132is in the lever first position and the plunger122is in the extended position to prevent the plunger122from moving to the retracted position, and the locking member189is disengaged from the plunger122when the lever132is in the second position to allow the plunger122to move to the retracted position. Hence, the automatic lock mechanism, in cooperation with the use of a padlock530engaged in the locking aperture arrangement180as illustrated inFIG.8, prevents an intended person with an elongated stem-like tool to push longitudinally inwardly on the forward tip end of the plunger122relative to the support casing106, so as to bypass the presence of a padlock530engaged in the locking aperture arrangement180. Thus, the intended person is prevented from gaining unauthorized access to the content of the lockable bin500.

Referring more particularly toFIGS.2and10, in some embodiments of the invention, the automatic latching mechanism102further comprises alignment indicia to facilitate the installation of the support casing106centrally forwardly along the top surface of the container lid506with suitable bolt and nuts combinations.

For example, the alignment indicia is represented by an alignment protrusion194extending longitudinally forwardly along a centered front end top surface portion of the support casing106. As exemplified in the figures, the alignment protrusion194thus extends on top of a forwardly extending tubular portion of the support casing106in which is slidably engaged the plunger122.

The various elements included in the combination100of the present invention may be made of any suitably rigid material such as, but not limited to, a rigid polymeric material, or plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, or a combination thereof.

Depending on the size of the lockable bin500, such as a relatively large and robust industrial lockable bin, the combination100of the present invention may be suitably sized and shaped, as well as having more than one unit mounted in a spaced apart relationship along the front edge of a container lid506thereof.

It is also contemplated that the base member140of the catch104, and the support casing106of the latching mechanism102, may be integrally formed in the bin body502and container lid506respectively, of the lockable bin500.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.