Waste receptacle transport device

A vehicle mounted carrier for lifting and securing in an elevated position waste receptacles and other articles for transport. A housing including a pair of side plates, a rear plate and a bottom plate having aperatures for mounting to a conventional trailer tow hitch assembly or to a vehicle bumper. A pair of lever arms terminate at one end in a channel for receiving the article of transport and are pivotably connected to the housing at the opposite end. A latch assembly is provided for securing the article of transport in an elevated position and for selectively releasing allowing the user to controllably lower and disengage the article of transport. The latch assembly includes a latch bar operably secured to one of the lever arms and a spring secured to the latch bar and to a lever handle. A pair of lever arm stop elements are secured to the housing and limit the rotation of the lever arms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention: 
The invention relates to receptacle transport devices, and more 
particularity to transport devices for transporting waste receptacles on 
vehicles. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Many waste disposal companies are providing their customers with special 
trash receptacles and recycle bins for weekly curbside pickup. The 
receptacles provided by the waste disposal companies are typically larger 
in size and accommodate greater volume and weight than typical thirty-two 
gallon trash receptacles. Many of these receptacles are equipped with a 
horizontal lift bar for automated dumping into waste disposal vehicles. 
Typically the receptacles are equipped with wheels which allow the user to 
wheel the receptacles to the desired location. 
In many rural areas the trash source location, typically a residence, is 
located a considerable distance to the waste disposal company pick-up 
point, typically the public right-of-way. The oversized trash receptacles 
will not fit into most passenger vehicles and the increased weight 
capacity these receptacles accommodate make it difficult to lift the fully 
loaded receptacle into the bed of a pick-up truck or into the trunk of a 
passenger vehicle. 
One current method of transporting the trash receptacles is by means of a 
trailer. Transporting the trash receptacles in a trailer towed behind a 
passenger or light truck vehicle has several disadvantages. 
a) With a trailer in tow, vehicle maneuvering is restricted or requires 
special attention. 
b) Trailers may not accommodate various sizes of trash receptacles. 
c) Trash receptacles must be secured to prohibit overturning when 
transporting on steep terrain. 
d) The trailer must be left at the pick up point thereby subject to theft 
or vandalism or the trailer must be returned to the residence, and then 
towed back again to recover the emptied trash receptacle. 
e) A trailer towing hitch is required to tow. 
There is needed, therefore a means for transporting the oversized and 
over-weighted trash receptacles without the limitations described for 
trailering and in a method which does not require the user to lift the 
full loaded weight of the trash receptacle in order to transport. 
Another current method of transporting the trash receptacles is for the 
user to manually wheel the trash receptacle to the waste disposal company 
pick-up point. This method is often impractical due to the distance 
required for transport, inclement weather, slope or condition of terrain, 
and automatic gates which open only upon sensing an approaching vehicle. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
The carrier described herein serves to fulfill the need by providing a 
means of transporting the oversized trash receptacles equipped with a 
horizontal lift bar by a passenger or light truck vehicle from the point 
of trash generation (typically a residence) to the waste company pick up 
point (typically the public right of way) without having to manually lift 
the full weight of the loaded receptacle. The carrier can accommodate 
various sizes of the trash receptacles and can be mounted on a trailer 
towing assembly or bumper hitch assembly, temporarily supported by 
brackets permanently attached to the bumper of a vehicle or supported by 
straps mounted to a vehicle. 
In one form of the carrier, this need is realized by a pair of lever arms 
which terminate at one end at a channel designed to receive a horizontal 
lift bar of the receptacle. The other end of the lever arms are attached 
to a housing base. The housing base consists of a bottom and rear plate 
with end side panels on each side. The lever arms are mounted to the side 
panels and are free to pivot. The housing base can be mounted at the 
exterior of a vehicle typically at a trailer towing receiver system or 
bumper hitch system. Alternate methods of mounting the carrier on the 
exterior of a vehicle include temporarily suspending the carrier on 
brackets permanently mounted to the bumper of the vehicle or strapping the 
carrier to the vehicle. 
To load the trash receptacle, the horizontal bar of the trash receptacle is 
placed into the channel with the lever aims n the down position. A 
horizontal and slightly upward force applied to the trash receptacle by 
the user lifts the receptacle. This force is continued until the 
receptacle is lifted to the full up position at which point the lever arms 
are automatically latched in the up position. The latching of the lever 
arms is accomplished by a handle, spring and latch bar assembly. A handle 
and latch bar each pivot on one of the lever arms and are interconnected 
by a spring. 
To ready the carrier for automatic latching prior to loading the 
receptacle, the lever arms are lowered and a handle is manually positioned 
applying tension to a spring which applies a counter clockwise rotational 
force to the latch bar. As the lever arms are rotated up, a latch mounted 
to a housing plate restricts and guides the rotation of a latch bar. In 
the up position the latch bar is pulled by the spring tension into a 
groove in the latch, latching the lever arms in the up position. At this 
point, the trash receptacle is suspended clear of the ground and is ready 
for transport. 
To lower the receptacle and lever arms, the user manually repositions a 
handle which applies a clockwise rotational force to the latching bar. In 
the up position the weight of the trash receptacle holds the latch bar 
tight to the latch and prohibits the clockwise rotation. With the handle 
in this position, the receptacle and lever arms are held in the up 
position until the user applies a horizontal force to the receptacle 
opposite the gravitational force imparted by the trash receptacle, 
allowing the latch bar to move free of the latch and allowing for rotation 
of the latch bar. The latch bar rotates free from the latch and allows the 
user to lower the trash receptacle and lever arms in a controlled manner. 
The carrier can be mounted to a vehicle in several methods. In the 
preferred method, the housing base is attached to a standard trailer 
towing hitch bar or vehicle bumper hitch. This attachment is accomplished 
by positioning the one inch diameter hole in the bottom of the base plate 
over the hole in the hitch bar or bumper hitch and inserting the treaded 
portion of the hitch ball through both base plate and hitch bar or bumper 
hitch. The hitch ball is secured in place with the application of a 
threaded nut and lock washer, thus clamping the housing base and hitch bar 
or bumper hitch together. Rotation of the housing base is restricted by 
stops located on the bottom of the housing base and positioned on each 
side of the hitch bar. 
A feature of the carrier, when mounted as described above and with the 
lever arms latched in the up position, is that a trailer coupler can be 
attached to the hitch ball without removing the carrier. Therefore normal 
towing can occur with the carrier in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that an illustrative embodiment of the 
carrier is designated by the reference numeral 10 as a whole. The body of 
the carrier consists of a housing bottom plate 12, a housing rear plate 
14, and a right and left housing side plate 16R and 16L respectively. In 
the preferred embodiment, the housing plates are constructed of flat steel 
plate and welded together at their intersections. However the housing 
plates can consist of any rigid material of sufficient rigidity to resist 
the loads imparted and which can be joined or formed. 
Referring to FIG. 2 a right and left lever arm 18R and 18L respectively are 
positioned parallel to each other. Said lever arms are joined by a 
receiver channel 20 at one end. The width of the combination lever arms 18 
and receiver channel 20 is sufficient to provide clearance between the 
interior walls of the housing side plates 16R and 16L. Additional 
clearance is provided to accommodate a latch bar stop 32. 
The lever arms 18R and 18L are secured to the housing side plates 16R and 
16L by lever arm mounting assembly 34R and 34L respectively comprised of 
bolt, washers, and nut assembly. The bolt of mounting assembly 34 is 
inserted through a mounting hole in the housing side plates 16 and through 
the full width of the lever arms 18. Washers are located between the 
interior wall of housing side plates 16 and the lever arms 18 to produce 
the desired clearances. Lever arms 18 are free to pivot about lever arm 
mounting assembly 34R and 34L. The degree of rotation of lever arms 18 is 
restricted by a lever arm stop 28R and 28L. Lever stops 28 restrict the 
rotation of lever arms 18 to approximately twenty degrees of horizontal 
when lever arms 18 are in the down position. This angle from horizontal is 
approximate and shall be of sufficient degree to cause rotation of the 
lever arms 18 when a horizontal force is applied to receiver channel 20. 
Lever stops 28R and 28L also serve to restrict the degree of rotation of 
the lever arms 18 in the up position. Lever stops 28R and 28L restrict the 
degree of rotation of lever arms 18 to several degrees beyond vertical. 
The extent of rotation is depicted in FIG. 4 with lever arms 18 indicated 
in the down position as bold line weight and in the up position indicated 
as dashed line. 
Referring to FIG. 4, the receiver channel 20, consisting of a steel channel 
is welded to lever arms 18R and 18L which consist of tube steel. Lever 
arms 18 can be constructed of alternate shapes or material sufficient to 
withstand the loads imparted. With lever arms 18 in the down position, 
receiver channel 20 is horizontally mounted. The length of channel 20 is 
approximately one and a half inches shorter than the horizontal lift bar 
of the receptacle being transported. This length allows for flexibility in 
positioning the receptacle in relation to the receiver channel 20. The 
width of receiver channel 20 is approximately thirty percent wider than 
the diameter of the horizontal lift bar of the receptacle. This additional 
width compensates for horizontal lift bars of the receptacle which might 
be bent. The depth of receiver channel 20 is sufficient to prohibit the 
horizontal lift bar of the receptacle from accidentally being jolted out 
of the receiver channel 20 during transport. 
A right and left guide plate 40R and 40L respectively is welded to channel 
20. The guide plates 40 serve two functions. First, to restrict the 
rotation of the article being transported and second, as a stiffener plate 
for channel 20. The leading edge of guide plates 40 align with the front 
edge of housing side plates 16 when lever arms 18 are in the full up 
position. 
Returning to FIG. 2, a latch bar 24 is shown. In FIG. 5, a latch bar 
mounting assembly 68 comprised of a bushing, bolt, washer, and nut 
assembly is indicated. Returning to FIG. 2, a portion of lever arm 18L 
having two holes located on opposite sides of lever arm 18L are designated 
as latch bar through-holes 54. Latch bar 24 rotates about a latch bar 
mounting hole 36. The bolt of latch bar mounting assembly 68 is inserted 
through the latch bar mounting hole 36 and through the latch bar 
through-hole 54. The bushing of latch bar mounting assembly 68 is located 
in the latch bar mounting hole 36. The bushing is slightly deeper than the 
depth of latch bar 24 to enable latch bar 24 to rotate freely independent 
of the amount of tightening force applied by the latch bar mounting 
assembly 68. 
A lever handle 22 is indicated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, a lever handle 
mounting assembly 66 comprised of a bushing, bolt, washer, and nut 
assembly is indicated. Returning to FIG. 2, the lever handle 22 is mounted 
to lever arm 18L in a similar manner as noted above for the latch bar 24. 
A portion of lever arm 18L having two holes located on opposite sides of 
lever arm 18L are designated as lever handle through-holes 52. Lever 
handle 22 rotates about a lever handle mounting hole 38. The bolt of lever 
handle mounting assembly 66 is inserted through the lever handle mounting 
hole 38 and through the lever handle through-holes 52. The bushing of 
lever handle mounting assembly 66 is located in the lever handle mounting 
hole 38. The bushing is slightly deeper than the depth of lever handle 22 
to enable lever handle 22 to rotate freely independent of the amount of 
tightening force applied by the lever handle mounting assembly 66. Washers 
or similar spacers are located between lever handle 22 and lever arm 18L 
and comprise a part of lever handle mounting assembly 66. Lever handle 22 
is mounted in a parallel plane to lever arm 18L with the exception of an 
offset at the longitudinal center of lever handle 22. The offset of lever 
handle 22 is angled away from lever arm 18L at a sufficient angle and 
length to allow the upper return of lever handle 22 to be easily grasped 
and rotated. 
Lever handle stop 64 is mounted on the same surface of lever arm 18L as 
latch bar 24 and lever handle 22. Lever handle stop 64 has a concave, 
surface which is positioned underneath the lower portion (near spring) of 
lever handle 22. The outer right and left surfaces of lever handle stop 64 
are vertical. The height of the vertical surface extends above the 
underside (side near lever arm 18L) of lever handle 22. As lever handle 22 
rotates over lever handle stop 64 the concave surface lifts the lower end 
of lever handle 22 out of plane. As lever handle 22 is rotated beyond 
lever handle stop 64, lever handle 22 returns to plane and the vertical 
surface of lever handle stop 64 restricts counter rotation. Lever handle 
stop 64 can be constructed of any rigid material. In this embodiment lever 
handle 64 is constructed of steel and is welded to lever arm 18L. 
Referring to FIG. 4, a manual lever lock hole 50R is indicated in housing 
side plate 16R. A similar hole 50L is located in plate 16L. Holes 50R and 
50L provides a secondary means for securing lever arms 18 in the up 
position. With lever arms 18 in the up position a bolt, lock pin or 
similar rigid material is inserted through hole 50 acting as a stop. 
Lever handle 22 is interconnected to latch bar 24 by a spring 26. Spring 26 
is attached to lever handle 22 and latch bar 24 by inserting ends of 
spring26 into and through lever handle spring mounting hole 62 and latch 
bar spring mounting hole 60 respectively. Latch bar spring mounting hole 
60 is offset from the rotational center of latch bar 24. This offset 
provides the desired rotation of latch 24 as lever handle 22 is rotated 
about lever handle mounting assembly 66. In this embodiment, both latch 
bar 24 and lever handle 22 are constructed of steel plate of sufficient 
thickness to perform the functions described herein without deformation. 
However any rigid material of sufficient rigidity to resist the loads 
imparted could be substituted. Spring 26 is constructed of steel wire of 
sufficient gauge to resist permanent deformation by the loads imparted on 
the spring. 
Referring to FIG. 2, a latch 30 is indicated in top view. In this 
embodiment, latch 30 consists of a flat steel plate with a latch receiving 
recess 31. Latch 30 is welded to the housing rear plate 14 with the top 
edge flush to the top edge of housing rear plate 14 and with sufficient 
side clearance from lever arm 18L to allow lever arm 18L to rotate clear. 
Latch 30 is indicated in side view in FIG. 5. The leading or front edge of 
latch 30 is curved to guide and rotate latch bar 24 into the latch 
receiving recess 31 as the lever arms 18 are rotated into the up position. 
The width of latch receiving recess 31 is slightly wider than the 
thickness of the latch bar 24. This additional width allows the user to 
apply a force opposite that imparted by the weight of receptacle or 
article being transported thereby releasing friction between latch bar 24 
and latch receiving recess 31 enabling the latch bar to rotate free of the 
latch 30. 
Referring back to FIG. 2, a latch bar stop 32 is indicated. The latch bar 
stop 32 consists of flat steel plate inserted into a groove located in 
housing side plate 16L. The depth and width of latch bar stop 32 is 
similar to the depth and width of the groove. Latch bar stop 32 protrudes 
beyond the interior wall of housing side plate 16L sufficient length to 
allow latch bar 24 to swing behind when in the latched position and 
restrict the axial twisting of latch bar 24 in the latched position. 
Clearance between the latch bar stop 32 and lever arm 18L is provided to 
allow rotation of lever arms 18. The rear edge of the latch bar stop 32 
aligns with front edge of latch receiving recess 31. Latch bar stop 32 is 
secured to housing side plate 16L by a weld placed along the intersection 
of the housing side plate l6L and the front edge of latch bar stop 32. 
This weld placement allows the latch bar 24 to fit tight against the latch 
bar stop 32 unobstructed by the weld. 
Latch bar 24 is indicated in the latched position in FIG. 6 and in the 
unlatched position in FIG. 7. Latch bar 24 secures lever arms 18 and the 
article of transport in place. The shape of latch bar 24 is designed to 
rotate about latch bar mounting assembly 68. The length of a latch bar 
hook 24a is sufficient to rest against the side of latch 30 thereby acting 
as a guide during rotation of the lever arms 18. When latch bar 24 is 
rotated into the latched position by means disclosed hereinafter the hook 
end of latch 24 designated as latch bar hook 24a is positioned under latch 
30 and prohibits premature release of the latch. The portion of latch bar 
24 which is designated as latch bar stop end 24b is configured to allow 
rotation along side and behind latch bar hook 32. 
Referring to FIG. 2 a section of housing rear plate 12 having a one inch 
diameter hole is designated as a hitch hole 42 which is located in the 
longitudinal center of housing bottom plate 12. Hitch hole 42 is located 
sufficient distance from housing rear plate 14 to allow a trailer coupler 
to be connected to a hitch ball inserted in hitch hole 42 and allow 
unobstructed movement of the trailer coupler. 
Anti-rotation holes 44L and 44R located in housing bottom plate 12 are 
positioned equal-distance in pairs left and right of the center line of 
hitch hole 42. Machine bolts with nuts are inserted into the appropriate 
set of holes and act as stops on each side of a hitch bar to resist 
rotation of housing bottom plate 12 about hitch hole 42. A series of 
anti-rotation holes 44L and 44R are provided to accommodate several 
standard widths of hitch bars. 
A bottom mounting hole 46L and 46R are located in housing bottom plate 12 
at the intersection of housing rear plate 14. Bottom mounting hole 46L and 
46R are located equal distances from housing side plate 16L and 16R 
respectively and clear of latch 30. Length and width of bottom mounting 
hole 46L and 46R are of sufficient size to accommodate the vertical return 
of a bracket 56. 
Referring to FIG. 3, two locations of housing rear plate 14 having a rear 
mounting hole 48L and 48R are located directly in line with portions of 
housing bottom plate 12 having bottom mounting hole 46L and 46R. The width 
of mounting holes 46 and 48 are approximately twenty percent wider than 
the width of bracket 56. 
Referring to FIG. 8a and 8b bracket 56 is illustrated in front and side 
view respectively. Bracket 56 consists of flat steel plate with a 
horizontal offset and vertical return at top and bottom. The length of 
bracket 56 between horizontal offsets corresponds to the distance between 
bottom mounting hole 46 and rear mounting hole 48. Referring to FIG. 9b, a 
view of housing rear plate 14 and housing bottom plate 12 is illustrated 
in conjunction with bracket 56. The depth of the horizontal offset of 
bracket 56 is sufficient to accommodate the combined width of housing rear 
plate 14 and the mounting bolt head between the vertical segments of 
bracket 56. The length of the vertical returns of bracket 56 are slightly 
less than the vertical dimension of rear mounting hole 48. Two bracket 
mounting holes 58 are located along the center line of bracket 56. In this 
embodiment, bracket 56 is constructed of steel plate formed or welded into 
the shape illustrated. However any rigid material of sufficient rigidity 
to resist the loads imparted could be substituted. 
The carrier is designed to mount on the exterior of a passenger or light 
truck vehicle by several methods. In FIG. 9a the carrier is attached to a 
conventional trailer towing hitch bar 76 with a conventional hitch ball 74 
or bolt. The carrier can also be attached to a vehicle bumper hitch in a 
similar manner. This attachment is accomplished by positioning the hitch 
hole 42 located in housing bottom plate 12 over the hole in the hitch bar 
76 or bumper hitch and inserting the treaded portion of the hitch ball 74 
through hitch hole 42 and the hitch hole of the hitch bar 76 or bumper 
hitch. The hitch ball 74 is secured in place with the application of a 
threaded nut and lock washer, thus clamping the housing bottom plate 12 
and hitch bar or bumper hitch together. Rotation of the housing bottom 
plate 12 is restricted by anti-rotation holes 44. A series of 
anti-rotation holes 44L and 44R are located left and right of the 
centerline of hitch hole 42. Pairs of anti-rotation holes 44 are 
positioned at different dimensions from centerline of hitch hole 42 to 
accommodate several standard widths of hitch bars. Bolts are inserted into 
the pair of anti-rotation holes 44 which correspond to the width of the 
hitch bar in use. The corresponding anti-rotation holes 44 are spaced 
wider apart than the hitch bar width to allow for the insertion of bolts, 
washer and nut assembly. This bolt, washer, and nut assembly located on 
each side of the hitch bar act as stops to prohibit rotation about hitch 
hole 42. In the case of a bumper hitch, the user can drill holes in the 
horizontal portion of the bumper corresponding to anti-rotation holes 44 
and insert bolts to prohibit rotation. 
A feature of the carrier, when mounted as described above and with the 
swing arms latched in the up position, is that a trailer coupler can be 
attached to the hitch ball without removing the carrier. Therefore normal 
towing can occur with the carrier in place. 
FIG. 9b indicates an alternate method of mounting. Brackets 56 are mounted 
to a vehicle bumper 80 with treaded bolts and secured with washers, lock 
washers and nuts. Bracket 56 is mounted in pairs with the longitudinal 
centerline of the bracket pair corresponding to the centerline of bottom 
mounting holes 46L and 46R and rear mounting holes 48L and 48R. The upper 
vertical return of bracket 56 is inserted into rear mounting hole 48 and 
the lower vertical return of bracket 56 is inserted into the bottom 
mounting hole 46. Housing rear plate 14 is now suspended from brackets 56. 
Housing rear plate 14 is held in place vertically by gravity and 
horizontally by the two mounting holes 46, 48 and bracket 56 combination. 
This method of attachment allows the quick installation and removal of the 
carrier and would typically be used on vehicles which are not equipped 
with trailer towing devices. 
FIG. 9c indicates another alternate method of attachment which comprises of 
a pair of straps 70 inserted through the left and right pairs of bottom 
mounting hole 46 and rear mounting hole 48. Each end of the straps 70 are 
secured to the vehicle at the edge of the bumper, trunk opening or other 
edge by means a strap hook 72 attached to the ends of the straps 70. The 
straps 70 are then tighten which secure the carrier tight against the 
bumper of the vehicle 80. 
OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
With the carrier mounted by one of the methods described herein and with 
the lever arms 18 in the down position, the user manually rotates lever 
handle 22 clockwise. As the lever handle is rotated, tension in spring 26 
which is connected to both lever handle 22 and latch bar 24 is increased 
and translates a counter-clockwise rotational force to latch bar 24. 
Rotation towards the latched position (counter-clockwise) of latch bar 24 
is restricted by the end of latch bar hook 24a resting on the side of 
latch 30. 
In the static position lever handle 22 rest in the concave surface of lever 
handle stop 64 and is in a parallel plane with lever arm 18L. As lever 
handle 22 is rotated the lever handle passes over the ever increasing 
thickness of the concave surface. This action lifts the portion of lever 
handle 22 directly over lever handle stop 64 out of plane. Rotation is 
continued until lever handles 22 passes completely over lever handle stop 
64 and therein released back to parallel plane. In this position the 
vertical edge of lever handle stop 64 now prohibits the lever handle from 
being pulled back by spring 26 to the static position. 
The carrier is now ready to be loaded. In the case of transporting wheeled 
trash receptacles having a horizontal lift bar the user aligns the 
horizontal receptacle lift bar with the receiver channel 20. Alignment of 
lift bar and receiver channel 20 can be accomplished by tilting the trash 
receptacle on the wheels thereby lowering the lift bar to the desired 
height. The user places the horizontal lift bar of the receptacle inside 
receiver channel 20 and applies a horizontal and slightly upward force to 
the trash receptacle. This force causes the lever arms 18 to rotate about 
lever arm mounting assembly 34 in the upward direction and lifting the 
trash receptacle clear of the ground. 
As lever arms 18 are rotated, the end of latch bar hook 24a slides against 
the side of latch 30 prohibiting counter-clockwise rotation of latch bar 
24. Rotation of lever arms 18 are continued and latch bar 24 is brought in 
contact with the leading or front edge of latch 30. The curved shape of 
this leading edge rotates the latch bar 24 clockwise increasing tension on 
spring 26. This additional rotation of latch bar 24 produced by latch 30 
allows the portion of latch bar 24 designated as latch bar stop end 24b to 
rotate under and to the rear of latch bar stop 32. At this point the end 
of latch bar hook 24a is clear of latch 30 and rotation of latch bar 24 is 
restricted by contact with the leading edge of latch 30 as described 
above. Rotation of lever arms 18 continues until latch bar 24 aligns with 
the latch receiving recess 31 in latch 30. Upon this alignment, tension in 
spring 26 rotates latch bar 24 into latch receiving recess 31. 
Now in the latched position, latch bar 24 is held in place by a combination 
of factors. The remaining counter-clockwise rotational force imparted by 
spring 26 pulls latch bar 24 into the latch receiving recess 31 of latch 
30. The center of mass of the trash receptacle is offset from the center 
of rotation of lever arms 18. This offset imparts a force to lever arms 18 
thereby pulling latch bar 24 tight against latch bar stop 32 and the 
interior wall of the latch receiving recess 31. Latch bar stop 32 acts to 
distribute the load imparted on latch bar 24 equally about latch bar 24's 
center of rotation. The latch bar hook 24a extends under latch 30 and 
prohibits the axial twisting out of plane of latch bar 24. The axial 
twisting if not addressed causes rotational creep resulting in premature 
release of the latch. In the latched position, the trash receptacle is 
suspended clear of the ground and secured in place ready for transport. 
With lever arms 18 in the up position a bolt, lock pin or similar rigid 
material can be inserted through hole 50 as a secondary means to secure 
lever arms 18 in the up position. One end of the bolt or lock pin remain 
in hole 50 and the other end extends across the width of lever arm 18. 
With the bolt or pin in place, lever arms 18 are unable to rotate should 
the latch assembly open prematurely. The use of hole 50 as described is a 
precautionary measure and would not be required under normal operations. 
With the trash receptacle in the suspended and latched position, the 
transport vehicle is unrestricted in movement and can deliver the trash 
receptacle to the point of discharge. To lower the receptacle and lever 
arms 18 the user must first reposition lever handle 22. The users applies 
a force to the top of lever handle 22 which lifts the opposite end of the 
lever handle 22 sufficient to clear the vertical edge of lever handle 
holder 64. The user then rotates lever handle 22 in the opposite direction 
as previous detailed above (counter-clockwise). This rotation applies 
tension to spring 26 which translates a clockwise rotational force to 
latch bar 24. Lever handle 22 rotates to the opposite side of lever handle 
holder 64 beyond the opposite vertical edge and is held in place as 
previously described. At this point latch bar 24 remains in the latched 
position due to the frictional force between latch bar 24 and the latch 
receiving recess 31 and, latch bar stop 32. This frictional force is 
supplied by the center of mass of the receptacle being offset from the 
rotation center of lever arms 18, causing latch bar 24 to be held tight to 
latch receiving recess 31 and latch bar stop 32. 
The latch receiving recess 31 is slightly wider than the thickness of latch 
bar 24. The user positioned behind the trash receptacle now applies a 
force to the receptacle opposite in direction to the gravitational force 
produced by the trash receptacle. This allows latch bar 24 to move within 
latch receiving recess 31 a sufficient distance to release the frictional 
force on latch bar 24. The release of friction allows the rotational force 
imparted by spring 26 to rotate latch bar 24 clockwise. The clockwise 
rotation moves latch bar 24 clear of latch 30 and latch bar stop 32 which 
allows the user to lower the receptacle and lever arms 18 in a controlled 
manner. Once on the ground, the user wheels the trash receptacle clear of 
receiver channel 20. 
Lever arms 18 can now be rotated into the up position and secured by latch 
bar 24 as previously described. The carrier can be left attached to the 
hitch bar, or the hitch bar and carrier removed or in the case of the 
bracket mounted carrier, the carrier can be removed from the brackets and 
stored in the vehicle until further use. 
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
With the trash receptacle in the suspended and latched position, the 
transport vehicle is unrestricted in movement. The transport vehicle may 
backup, move forward, and make sharp turns without any special 
consideration. Other devices for transport such as trailers restrict 
vehicle movement or require special attention when maneuvering. The trash 
receptacle is suspended in receiver channel 20 which has a depth 
sufficient to prohibit the receptacle from being jolted out of the channel 
on rough roads. The trash receptacle is held in place by guide plates 40 
and the front edge of housing side plates 16 prohibiting tipping or 
overturning of the receptacle when transporting on steep terrain. This is 
a clear advantage over transporting a trash receptacle in a trailer or the 
bed of a pickup truck where the receptacle easily tips over during 
transport. The mechanical advantage of lever arms 18 reduce the amount of 
effort required of the user to position the trash receptacle for 
transport. This is a clear advantage over other methods of transport where 
the full weight of the receptacle must be lifted such as in the bed of a 
pickup truck. Many of the larger trash receptacles allow a load up to 250 
pounds. Clearly a user would not want to lift this full weight.