Grab bar for a waste container

A waste cart includes a container having a wall, with a pocket formed in an outer surface of the wall that creates a first sidewall facing a second sidewall, with an opening formed in both sidewalls. A grab bar has a free-sliding end and a retention end. The free-sliding end is inserted through the opening in the first sidewall, and the retention end is inserted through the opening in the second sidewall. The retention end includes a retainer for securing the grab bar with respect to the second sidewall. In the current embodiment, the grab bar includes a snap element near the retention end and a flange portion between the snap element and the free-sliding end. When the grab bar is installed, a portion of the second sidewall is positioned between the snap element and the flange portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to waste containers, and more particularly to waste containers including grab bars.

Wheeled waste carts and other waste containers are well known and are commonly used in residential areas. The bags of waste that a resident accumulates throughout a given week are typically stored in a waste cart. On a scheduled day, the resident will wheel the cart containing the waste bags down to the curb for pickup by a waste truck so that the contents of the waste cart can be dumped into the truck. The dumping may occur manually or using machinery on the truck that is adapted to automatically lift the waste cart, turn the cart over and dump its contents into the truck. On some trucks, the machinery includes arms that grasp and squeeze the sides of the cart. On other trucks, the machinery includes a hook or gripper that interfits with a handle or grab bar on the cart.

The grab bar is typically formed from metal, fiberglass or plastic. The bar extends through openings in the sides of a pocket formed in the sidewall of cart. To prevent the ends of the bar from sliding back through either of the openings, the bar is typically long enough so that the ends of the bar reach or nearly reach the inner surfaces of the sides of the cart. However, when the arms on the truck machinery grasp the sides of the cart, the arms may squeeze the cart so tightly that the ends of the bar are forced through the sides of the cart, thus creating undesirable punctures in the sides of the cart.

Alternatively, and especially with shorter bars, retainer pins or/or clips can be used to secure the grab bars within the cart. The pins and clips can be secured to the bar after the ends of the bar have been inserted through the openings in the cart. Because the clips and pins prevent the ends of the bar from sliding back through the openings, the bar can be shorter, and consequently the ends of the bar are less likely to puncture the sides of the cart when the cart is squeezed. However, the clips and pins create additional pieces that must be manufactured, inventoried, and installed, thus adding cost. These additional pieces may also be lost, rendering the bar useless without them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention in which a one-piece grab bar includes integral attachment structure for securing the bar within a waste container.

In the current embodiment, the grab bar includes a free-sliding end and a retention end. The free-sliding end may be inserted through the first opening in the container, and the retention end is inserted through the second opening in the container. The retention end includes integral structure for retaining the grab bar with the container.

Preferably, the retaining structure includes a snap element and a flange that both extend radially outwardly beyond the outer surface of the grab bar. The snap element is positioned near the retention end of the grab bar and is adapted to travel between an extended position and a depressed position. The flange is positioned between the snap element and the free-sliding end of the grab bar. As the bar is installed in the container, an edge of the second opening presses the snap element into the depressed position to allow the grab bar to pass through. The snap element returns to the extended position after it exits the opening, so that a portion or section of the container wall is positioned between the snap element and the flange. In this configuration, the flange prevents the grab bar from being pushed further through the opening, and the snap element prevents the grab bar from being pulled out of the opening, such that the grab bar is securely retained to the container.

Thus, the grab bar of the present invention can be securely and reliably joined with a waste cart to withstand the rough handling by the automated lifting equipment on a waste truck. The connection feature eliminates the need for the bar to be so long that the ends of the bar nearly touch the inner surfaces of the sides of the cart. Thus, the ends of the grab bar will not be forced through the sides of the cart when the cart is squeezed. Additionally, the bar can be formed in one piece, which eliminates the need for separate clips or pins or any other additional pieces. Further, the bar can be more easily and safely installed and removed from the cart, and can be interchanged with other replacement bars or replacement carts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

A wheeled waste container or cart is shown inFIG. 1and is generally designated10. The cart10includes a container12having a front wall14, with a pocket16formed in an outer surface of the wall14. As shown inFIG. 2, the pocket16includes a first sidewall18that faces a second sidewall20. The first sidewall18defines an opening22, and the second sidewall20defines an opening24. The cart10includes a grab bar26having a free-sliding end28and a retention end30. The length of the grab bar26from the free-sliding end28to the retention end30is longer than the width of the pocket16from the first sidewall18to the second sidewall20. The free-sliding end28of the grab bar26is inserted through the opening22in the first sidewall18, at least until the retention end30can be inserted through the opening24in the second sidewall20. The retention end30is adapted to join the grab bar26with the second sidewall20and can do so in any suitable manner.

In the illustrated embodiment, the grab bar26includes a snap element32positioned near the retention end30and a flange34positioned between the snap element32and the free-sliding end28. Both the snap element32and the flange34extend outward beyond an outer surface40of the grab bar26(FIG. 5). The snap element32is adapted to travel between an extended position and a depressed position. As the retention end30is inserted through the opening24, the snap element32is depressed by an edge of the opening24in the second sidewall20, to allow the retention end30of the grab bar26to pass through the opening24(FIGS. 7-8). After the snap element32exits the opening24and moves beyond the second sidewall20into the container12, the snap element32is adapted to return to the extended position. Thus, the retention end30of the grab bar26is “snapped” into the container12at the opening24. In this configuration, at least a portion of the second sidewall20is positioned between the snap element32and the flange34(FIGS. 2-3). The snap element32is positioned to engage an inner surface19of the second sidewall20to prevent the grab bar26from being pulled out of the opening24. The flange34is positioned to engage an outer surface21of the second sidewall20to prevent the grab bar from being pushed further through the opening24. Thus, the grab bar26is securely retained to the container12.

When the grab bar26is secured to the container, the free-sliding end28of the grab bar26is located inside of the container12, through the opening22in the first sidewall18(FIG. 2). In the illustrated embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3, the space between the snap element32and the flange34allows the grab bar26a small amount of movement. However, the flange34prevents the free-sliding end28of the grab bar26from sliding back out through the opening22in the first sidewall18. Thus, the snap element32and the flange34basically secure the position of the grab bar26with respect to the container12to prevent the grab bar26from being dislodged or disconnected from the container12.

The grab bar26can be formed in any shape and size that is suitable to be connected to the container12and grabbed or grasped by a worker or by the machinery on a waste truck for the automatic emptying of the contents of the cart10. In the illustrated embodiment, the grab bar26is formed as a hollow tube having a generally round cross section. The grab bar26is sized so that it fits through the opening24when the snap element32is in the depressed position, but does not fit through the opening24when the snap element32is in the extended position. The grab bar26may be formed from plastic, fiberglass, rolled steel or any other suitable material. The grab bar26can optionally be formed using a relatively low-cost stamping process.

The snap element32can be formed in any shape and size suitable to engage the inner surface19of the second sidewall20of the container12when the grab bar26is joined with the container12(FIG. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the snap element32is formed generally in the shape of a right triangle, with a base of the triangle adapted to be joined with the grab bar26and the vertical side portion of the triangle adapted to engage the inner surface19of the sidewall20. In the illustrated embodiment, in the extended position, the base of the snap element32is positioned below the wall of the grab bar26, such that the snap element32is positioned partially within the grab bar26and partially outside of the grab bar26. To accommodate the snap element32in this configuration, the grab bar26includes an aperture or cut-out33where a portion of the grab bar wall has been removed. The snap element32can optionally be formed integrally with the grab bar26or can be separately formed and added to the grab bar26.

The snap element32can travel from the extended position to the depressed or lowered position in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the snap element32is joined with an arm36, which is flexibly joined with the grab bar26. The arm36is adapted to pivot to allow the snap element32to be depressed toward or into the grab bar26when pressure is applied to the snap element32, such as by the edge of the opening24in the sidewall20. The arm36is adapted to lower the snap element32with respect to the grab bar26at least until the snap element32is flush with the outer surface40of the grab bar26, although the snap element may not need to be lowered that far to pass through the opening24. Alternatively, the snap element32can be directly connected to the grab bar26and can be adapted to move with respect to the grab bar26between the extended and depressed positions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the arm36is formed as an elongated, recessed portion of the wall of the grab bar26and travels lengthwise along the grab bar26. The arm36is flexibly connected to the grab bar26by a living hinge38, which is biased to urge the arm36and the snap element32into the extended position (FIG. 5). Thus, as the edge of opening24in the sidewall20presses the snap element32into the depressed position, the living hinge38is urging the arm36and snap element32back toward the extended position. After the snap element32passes through and exits the opening24, the living hinge38immediately or nearly immediately urges the arm36and the snap element32back to the extended position. Thus, the snap element32and the arm36form a spring-type catch or latch. Optionally, the arm36and the living hinge38can be formed integrally with the grab bar26.

Optionally, the grab bar26may include a feature to prevent the snap element32from extending too far down into the grab bar26. In the illustrated embodiment, the grab bar26includes a stop31adapted to engage the snap element32to limit the downward movement of the snap element toward the depressed position (seeFIG. 6). The stop31can prevent the snap element32from getting stuck in the depressed position and can extend the life of the living hinge38.

The living hinge38is positioned along the grab bar26between the flange34and the free-sliding end28. As shown inFIG. 5, the living hinge38is positioned near or generally flush with the outer surface40of the grab bar26. The living hinge38is biased to maintain the arm36at a position in which the arm36extends on an angle into a central portion of the grab bar26. This configuration allows the arm36to maintain the snap element32in the extended position.

The flange34can be formed in any suitable size and shape to engage the outer surface21of the second sidewall20of the container12when the grab bar26is joined with the container12. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange34is formed as two separate flange portions42and44, which are formed as protrusions that extend radially outward and generally perpendicular with respect to the outer surface40of the grab bar26(FIGS. 7-8). In the illustrated embodiment, the flange portions42and44are fixed and cannot be depressed like the snap element32, such that the flange portions42,44are not adapted to be inserted through the opening24. Optionally, the flange portions42and44can be formed integrally with the grab bar26. As best shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the flange portions42and44are formed from sections of the wall of the grab bar26that have been bent or turned outward. The grab bar26includes openings or cut-outs46where the material of the grab bar wall was removed to form the flange portions42and44. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange portions42and44are positioned on opposite sides of the arm36, such that the flange portions42and44are radially offset from the snap element32.

The container12can be formed in any suitable size and shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the cart10is described in connection with a cart adapted to receive and store waste, yard waste, recyclable materials and/or other waste products. However, the container or cart of the present invention can be adapted for the receipt and storage of any other type of goods or products, including any goods that are typically stored in a container that is later emptied by being lifted and turned over. In the illustrated embodiment, the container12is generally square-shaped and has rounded edges. The container forms a hollow chamber48and includes an open upper end50, through which the waste products can be placed into the container12(FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket16is formed in a front wall14of the container12. However, the pocket16could alternatively be formed in any other wall of the container12that would be accessible by either a worker or the waste truck. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket16begins at the bottom end52of the cart10, extends vertically along the front wall14, and ends before it reaches the upper end50of the container12. Alternatively, the pocket16could be formed to extend horizontally or diagonally across the wall14of the container12, to vary the placement and orientation of the grab bar26on the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket16forms a recessed base wall54that joins the first and second sidewalls18and20. The pocket16is sufficiently deep to provide each of the first and second sidewalls18and20with a width that can accommodate the respective openings22and24. The first and second sidewalls18and20are also wide enough to allow the openings22and24to be spaced from the base wall54, to provide clearance between the grab bar26and the base wall54when the grab bar26is joined with the container12(FIGS. 2 and 3). This clearance allows either a worker or a machine on the waste truck to reach between the grab bar26and the base wall54to grab or grasp the grab bar26to lift the cart10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the openings22and24in the first and second sidewalls are positioned generally directly across from each other, such that the grab bar26is generally horizontal when it is joined with the container12. The horizontal configuration may make it easier for the worker or machinery to grab the bar26. However, as noted above, the grab bar26can be joined to the container12in a variety of other orientations.

Optionally, the waste cart10includes a handle56and at least one wheel58for transporting the waste cart10, such as from a house or garage to the curb, so that the waste contained in the cart10can be picked up (FIGS. 1 and 2). For example, a user can use the handle56to tilt the cart10onto the wheels58and to push or pull the cart10. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle56is joined with the container12by multiple connectors60that extend from a rear portion of the upper end54. The handle56and/or connectors60may be formed integrally with the container12.

Optionally, the waste cart10includes a lid62that is adapted to cover the open end50of the container12. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid62is flexibly joined with the container12at a rear portion of the upper end50. The lid62includes connectors64that extend from the lid62and flexibly engage the handle56and/or the handle connectors60. In the illustrated embodiment, the size and shape of the lid62corresponds to the size and shape of the open end50of the container12, such that the lid62fully covers the open end50to close the container12. The lid62and the container12may be formed from any suitable material, including plastic, metal or any other suitable material.

To allow the machinery on the waste truck to more easily empty the contents of the cart10, it may be beneficial to position the pocket16and the grab bar26on an opposite side of the container12from where the lid62is secured to the container12. In this configuration, grab bar fingers on the waste truck machinery are able to catch behind the grab bar26with the cart up-ended. Both gravity and the force of the contents of the cart10press against the lid62to allow the lid62to easily open to allow the contents of the cart10to pour or fall out of the cart10into the waste truck.

The grab bar26is removable from the container12. However, the grab bar26must be removed manually or with a tool, such that the grab bar26will not likely be inadvertently removed from the container12during normal use. Specifically, a person would have to reach into the chamber48of the container12and manually depress the snap element32to allow the grab bar to be pulled back through the opening24in the sidewall20. Alternatively, a person could depress the arm36with a suitable tool adapted to disengage or depress the snap element32. Optionally, to deter theft, a specific tool may be required to depress the snap element.

Because the grab bar26is formed separately from the container12and can be removed from the container12, various grab bars can be used interchangeably on various containers. Thus, if the container12or lid62of the cart10were to break or become cracked, the grab bar26could be removed from the container12and used with another container to form another cart. Similarly, if the grab bar26were to become damaged, the damaged grab bar26could be removed and replaced with a replacement grab bar.