Abstract:
A refuse carrying device with a variety of handling features includes a container, an attachable secondary handle, an attachable wheel assembly, and a shoulder resting recess. The durable container has an open top adapted for receiving refuse. Opposing sides of a top edge of the container include a pair of handles. The selectably attachable secondary side handle and the selectably attachable wheel assembly are positioned along an outer lower perimeter edge of the container. The shoulder recess is an indentation along the lower perimeter edge opposite the secondary handle and includes an attachable padded cushion to line the recess. A user places the shoulder rest in contact with the shoulder and grips the secondary handle to carry the container upon the shoulder region.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Aug. 11, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to refuse containers, and in particular, to a refuse container with handling features to provide for carrying and pushing and pulling modes of transportation of the refuse container and an amount of refuse. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As anyone who performs a lot of physical work will attest, nothing beats having the proper tool for a job. The proper tool can save time and money, produces a higher quality job, reduces damage to equipment, and provides for increased safety of a worker. No matter the field of work, one aspect of almost all projects is the removal of trash and other debris. Such refuse is typically placed into trash cans and carried to a central collection point such as a dumpster. This means the trash cans must be carried long distances thus subjecting the worker to muscle aches and pains in their arms and backs. These same problems exist when carrying conventional trash cans around the home as well. 
     Garbage cans and trash receptacles are known in the art and a wide variety of options are available to a consumer. The design of the garbage can ranges from simple cylindrical cans to large wheeled containers, including hingedly attached covers and weighted bases. While these designs may achieve their intended objectives, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. In particular, improvements to refuse containers have been limited to providing more convenient wheeled transportation or making the containers less likely to tip or be knocked over. There has unfortunately been little done to improve the overall carryability of the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a refuse carrying device that can be easily carried in a manner to address the above mentioned problems. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present disclosure to solve these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a refuse carrying device that allows one to move refuse containers for relatively long distances in a manner which is easy, effective, and comfortable for the carrier. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing a container having an open top and a hollow interior with a pair of primary handles affixed to an upper perimeter of the container. A handle recess is disposed in a bottom surface of the container contiguous with a lower perimeter edge of the container. A fixed handle is affixed within the handle recess to provide another gripping and handling feature. A shoulder recess is disposed in the bottom surface of the container contiguous with the lower perimeter edge opposite the handle recess for contact with a shoulder of a carrier when the container is carried. A secondary handle is selectably attachable to the container within the shoulder recess for use when the container is lifted. A wheel assembly is selectably attachable to the container within the shoulder recess for use when the container is rolled. 
     The accessory recess includes a pair of opposing detents to insertably receive opposing ends of either the secondary handle or the wheel assembly. The secondary handle includes a cylindrical body having a handle pin disposed on each opposing end with at least one (1) handle pin being retractable within the cylindrical body and an interior spring to bias the handle pin outwardly. The wheel assembly includes a cylindrical axle having at least one (1) rotatably connected wheel and an axle pin disposed on each opposing end with at least one (1) axle pin being retractable within the axle and an interior spring to bias the axle pin outwardly. A cushioned shoulder pad is removably attachable within the shoulder recess for comfortable contact with the shoulder for use when the container is carried. A lid is provided which is removably coupled to the open top of the container to cover the interior. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a refuse carrying device, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the refuse carrying device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial side perspective view of the refuse carrying device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a lid, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the lid, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial bottom perspective view of the refuse carrying device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial bottom perspective view of the refuse carrying device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a secondary handle, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a cut-away perspective view of the secondary handle, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a wheel assembly, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the wheel, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a partial bottom perspective view of the refuse carrying device, according to a preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a shoulder pad, according to the preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       10  refuse carrying device 
       15  user 
       20  container 
       21  bottom surface 
       22  interior 
       23  collar 
       24  stiffening feature 
       25  primary handle 
       30  handle recess 
       31  fixed handle 
       35  lid 
       36  lid handle 
       37  lid collar 
       40  secondary handle 
       41  fixed pin 
       42  compressible pin 
       43  spring 
       44  wheel assembly 
       45  bearing 
       46  axle 
       50  shoulder recess 
       51  shoulder pad 
       52  attachment fastener 
       53  detent 
       54  container finger relief 
       55  shoulder pad finger relief 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 13 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 13 , depicting a refuse carrying device (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a device  10  which provides additional carrying and handling features for transporting the device  10  to a location in a comfortable and effective manner. The device  10  provides an interior portion for placement of refuse, such as garbage, yard debris, and the like. The device  10  is fabricated from a rigid and durable plastic, yet other materials can be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The device  10  is intended to be manufactured in a variety of sizes to correspond to the needs of a user  15 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an environmental view of the device  10 . The device  10  includes a cylindrical open-top container  20  having a pair of opposing primary handles  25 . The primary handles  25  provide the user  15  with a gripping surface for lifting or transporting the container  20  to a selected location. Each primary handle  25  is approximately eight (8) inches in length. A bottom surface  21  of the container  20  includes a handle recess  30  and a shoulder recess  50  which provide alternate methods of assisting the user in transporting the container  20  to the selected location. The handle recess  30  allows the device  10  to be lifted and carried by gripping a fixed handle  31  disposed within the handle recess  30 . The handle recess  30  can also be utilized in combination with the shoulder recess  50  to allow the user  15  to position the device  10  upon the user&#39;s shoulder. This method of carrying the device  10  disperses the weight and its contents upon an upper portion of the user&#39;s back and shoulders in lieu of the lower back area, such as when a trash receptacle is carried in a normal manner. This carrying technique allows the device  10  to be carried over a relatively long distance in comfort limiting the risk of injury to the lower back area. 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the device  10  and  FIG. 3  shows a perspective side view of the device  10 . The open-top cylindrical container  20  is preferably fabricated from a durable plastic material. The open-top provides access to a hollow interior  22  for placement of desired contents such as garbage, yard debris, or the like. An upper perimeter of the container  20  includes a collar  23  which is supported by a plurality of integrally molded stiffening features  24  along a bottom surface of the collar  23 . The stiffening features  24  stabilize the collar  23 . The collar  23  provides an additional gripping surface for the user  15  and also strengthens the rim of the container  20  to protect against damage. Opposing edges of the collar  23  are integrally molded into the primary handles  25 . The primary handles  25  provide the user  15  with gripping handles to lift and transport the device  10 . Each primary handles  25  is an integrally molded rod disposed between a “U”-shaped connection integrally molded into the exterior of the rim of the container  20 . It can be appreciated that other handle moldings or connections can be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a top perspective view of the lid  35  and  FIG. 5  shows a bottom perspective view of the lid  35 . The lid  35  provides a closing and covering feature for the open-topped container  20 . The lid  35  has a perimeter shape suitable to mate with the open rim of the container  20 . Here the lid  35  is shown having a cylindrical shape with a diameter which corresponds to the container  20 . The lid  35  includes a lid handle  36  on an upper intermediate surface for the user  15  grip to position the lid  35  on the container  20  or remove it from the container  20 . A bottom perimeter edge of the lid  35  includes a lid collar  37  which provides an interference fit to secure the lid  35  to an upper perimeter edge of the collar  23 . The lid  35  is fabricated from materials similar to the container  20 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a bottom perspective view of the device  10 ,  FIG. 7  shows another bottom perspective view of the device  10 ,  FIG. 8  shows a front view of a secondary handle  40 ,  FIG. 9  shows a perspective cut-away view of the secondary handle  40 ,  FIG. 10  shows a front view of a wheel assembly  44 , and  FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of the wheel assembly  44 . Upon the bottom surface  21  of the container  20  is the integrally molded handle recess  30  and cylindrical fixed handle  31 . In use, the user holds the fixed handle  31  while the device  10  is positioned upon the shoulder or during similar handling techniques. 
     The shoulder recess  50  provides a position for accessories, such as a secondary handle  40  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) and a wheel assembly  44 . The shoulder recess  50  includes opposing detents  53  which provide a securing position to fix the secondary handle  40  or the wheel assembly  44 . The secondary handle  40  provides a supporting handling feature while the device  10  is being transported. The secondary handle  40  is removably attachable to the shoulder recess  50 . The secondary handle  40  has a cylindrical body which provides another gripping surface for the user  15  to hold when handling the device  10 . A fixed pin  41  and a compressible pin  42  slightly extend from opposing ends of the secondary handle  40  to provide a feature to engage the detents  53 . The detents  53  are molded into opposing interior surfaces of the shoulder recess  50  and disposed along a common axis. To position the secondary handle  40  into the shoulder recess  50  the fixed pin  41  is placed within a detent  53  and the compressible pin  42  is compressed against an internal spring  43  to allow the compressible pin  42  to be positioned within the opposing detent  53 . Once the compressible pin  42  is within its respective detent  53 , the spring  43  pushes against the compressible pin  42  forcing it to extend outwardly and enter the detent  53  to secure the secondary handle  40  within the shoulder recess  50 . 
     The wheel assembly  44  is depicted as a double-wheeled embodiment for illustration purposes and it can be appreciated that other embodiments, such as a single-wheeled embodiment can also be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The wheel assembly  44  allows the container  20  to be rolled to a selected location on the ground surface. The wheel assembly  44  is utilized with a primary handle  25  which it used to direct the device  10  when being pushed or pulled. The wheel assembly  44  includes at least one wheel having an intermediately positioned bearing  45  to allow the wheels to rotate upon an axle  46 . Each opposing end of the axle  46  has a fixed pin  41  and a compressible pin  42  which provide an engagable attachment to the detents  53  in a fashion similar to the secondary handle  30 . The axle  46  also includes a spring  43  within its interior to bias the compressible pin  42  outward. 
       FIG. 12  shows a bottom perspective view of the device  10  and  FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a shoulder pad  51 . Opposing the handle recess  30  is the shoulder recess  50  which is a concave indentation having a diameter of approximately nine (9) inches. When not being utilized with the secondary handle  40  or the wheel assembly  44 , The shoulder recess  50  can be utilized to receive an upper shoulder of the user  15  to provide for a steadying support surface while being carried. The shoulder recess  50  extends from the bottom surface  21  upwardly onto the interior  22  of the container  20 . The shoulder recess  50  also includes a plurality of container finger reliefs  54  which provide a finger receiving position for the user&#39;s hand to hold or support the container  20  during lifting or lowering of the device  10 . 
     A shoulder pad  51  can be attached within the shoulder recess  50  to provide increased comfort to the user&#39;s shoulder while carrying the device  10 . The shoulder pad  51  has a concave shape substantially identical to the shape of the shoulder recess  50 . The shoulder pad  51  is attached to the shoulder recess  50  by a fastener  52  which can include, but not limited to: adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, or similar removable fasteners. The fastener  52  is depicted as attached to a rear surface of the shoulder pad  51  to engage an exterior surface of the shoulder recess  50 . The shoulder pad  51  also includes a plurality of shoulder pad finger reliefs  55  to match the container finger reliefs  54  and provide the user with finger recesses to handle the container  20  while the shoulder pad  51  is attached. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, certain embodiments can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it is installed and utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps as described. It can be appreciated that the steps described can be performed in alternative order and as such should not be viewed as a limiting factor. Acquiring the device  10  and filling the interior  22  with desired contents. Transporting the device  10  to the selected location by gripping the primary handles  25  or collar  23 . Positioning the lid  35  onto the container  20  with the lid collar  37  engaging the collar  23  and utilizing the device  10 . 
     An alternate method of installing and utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps. Acquiring the device  10  and positioning the shoulder pad  51  within the shoulder recess  50  with the attachment fasteners  52 . Filling the interior  22  with contents. Positioning the lid  35  onto the container  20  with the lid collar  37  engaging the collar  23 . Lifting the device  10  by the primary handles  25  upwardly and positioning the shoulder recess  50  on the shoulder of the user  15 . Grasping the fixed handle  31  and transporting the device  10  to the selected location and replacing the device  10  on the ground surface. 
     An alternate method of installing and utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing a series of steps. Acquiring the device  10  and installing the wheel assembly  44  within the shoulder recess  50  by insertingly engaging the pins  41 ,  42  within respective opposing detents  53 . Filling the interior  22  with contents. Positioning the lid  35  onto the container  20  with the lid collar  37  engaging the collar  23 . Directing the device  10  with the primary handles  25  while the wheel assembly  44  rolls across the ground surface and transporting the device  10  to the selected location. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.