Abstract:
A lid for large size industrial or commercial solid waste containers is mounted to the upper rear edge of the containers by double linkages, with each linkage including two substantially equal length links; and frictional engagement arrangements such as notches or grooves are provided in the lid adjacent the rear thereof for engagement with the upper rear edge of the trash containers, to hold the lid in a partially open configuration. The double linkage also permits the lid to hang down close to the rear of the container, to reduce the front to rear extent of the assembly when the lid is fully open.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to lid mounting arrangements for large industrial or commercial solid waste containers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The background of the invention involves the need for simple, sturdy, and reliable arrangements for holding the lid of large waste containers in a partially open configuration. Although there are numerous devices which prop lids open, they are all relatively complex and expensive. Further most of the arrangements which have been proposed heretofore will not survive long in the hostile environment present in the interior of large size waste containers. 
     Concerning another matter, certain jurisdictions have a requirement that a trash container and lid not occupy more than a predetermined front-to-rear extent, when the lid is fully open. The configuration of many containers and lids is such that the lid when fully opened is angled outward to the rear, so that it occupies more space than is permitted under these regulations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide sturdy, reliable and inexpensive, self propping lid for large scale solid waste container. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a simple arrangement for reducing the rearward extent of fully opened lids for large solid waste containers. 
     In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, both of these objects may be achieved by the use of two double linkages for pivotally mounting the rear edge of the lids to the upper rear edge of a trash container. 
     In addition, to facilitate the self propping feature, grooves or notches may be provided in the lids to engage the upper rear edge of the trash container, or the associated hinge rod. The lids may then be shifted to the rear, and partially opened so that the grooves or notches will engage the rear of the trash container, so that the lid is held in the partially open configuration. 
     The grooves or notches are preferably included in a raised or outwardly extending portion on an inside rear area of the lid, with grooves or notches in this raised area extending parallel to the rear edge of the lid and the upper rear edge of the container. These grooves or notches constitute frictional engagement arrangements; and such frictional engagement arrangements may be achieved using roughened surfaces on the lid, using Velcro type hook and loop material or any comparable method. 
     The lids are preferably provided with two or more grooves or notches to hold the lids at different opening angles; although assemblies with only one groove or notch are fully operable. 
     The lids are preferably mounted to the rear upper edge of the trash container by the double linkages, one on each side. Each of the two double linkages includes a first link pivotally mounted to the upper rear edge of the trash container, and a second link pivotally coupled both to the first link and also to the rear edge of the lid. The two links of each part of linkages are preferably of substantially the same effective length. Further, the linkages are mounted outside of the rear hinge area thereby entirely avoiding the interior of the container, and the contents thereof which could corrode or foul any mechanism within the container. 
     With these two double linkages we have the advantages, first of reducing the front-to-rear extent of the assembly because the lid hangs down close to the waste container; and secondly the self propping mode of operation wherein the lid structure and rear edge of the trash container inter-engage either by grooves, notches or other frictional engagement. Another advantage of the present invention is that the lid and linkage assemblies may be readily retrofitted onto existing trash containers. 
     Other objects features and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic showing of the deposit of trash into a large industrial trash container, with two positions of the lid being shown, in this prior art construction; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a lid and trash container assembly implying a double linkage illustrating the principles of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the trash container and lid of FIG. 2, with the lid relatively wide open; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but with the lid open at a smaller angle; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the trash bin and lid assembly showing the lid with a recess engaging the back end of the trash container in a notch or groove formed on the lid; 
     FIG. 6 is a showing similar to that of FIG. 5, but with the lid and rear edge of the trash container engaging in another notch in the lid construction to provide a different opening angle; and 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lid hanging down to the rear of the trash container and with the rear and interior of the lid being shown in this view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the specification describes particular embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the present invention without departing from the inventive concept. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a prior art trash container  12  and lid  14  is shown. Lid  14  is shown in the partially open state with the user  16  using one hand to raise the lid and the other hand to insert a large bag of trash  18  into the container. The lid  14 , is shown both in the partially open position using the reference numeral  14 , and with the lid  14 ′ constituting a showing of the lid in the fully open condition. 
     It may be noted that the trash container  12  has a rear wall including a lower vertical portion  20 , and an upper portion  22  which is slanted to the front, when the container is viewed from below. This forward slanting portion of the wall  22 , directs the lid  14 ′ a significant distance outwardly to the rear, when the lid  14 ′ is in the fully open position. 
     In the showing of FIG. 1, vertical lines  24  and  26  are provided to indicate a maximum allowable front-to-rear extent of the container and lid, when the lid is in the fully open condition, in accordance with regulations or standards established by certain jurisdictions. As indicated in FIG. 1, the allowable distance in some cases has been established as 1250 mm, or 125 cm, corresponding to about 49.2 inches, or about 4 feet and 1.2 inches. 
     As indicated in FIG. 1, conventional lids with conventional mounting arrangements at the upper rear edge of the solid waste container, do not meet these regulations. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the trash container  12  is provided with a lid  32  which is mounted to the upper rear edge of the trash container  12  by double linkages including a link  34  which is pivoted to the upper rear edge of the trash container, and a second linkage  36  which is pivoted at one end to the first linkage  34 , and at the other end to the pivot rod  38  which extends across the rear of the lid  32 . 
     For completeness, while discussing the mounting arrangements for the lid  32 , reference will be made to FIG.  7 . In FIG. 7, the two double linkages  34 ,  36  and  34 ′,  36 ′ are shown mounted both to the upper rear edge  40  of the trash container, and also to the pivot rod  38  which extends through the lugs  44  at the rear edge of the lid  32 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lid and solid waste container, with the double linkages, clearly are within the front-to-rear space limitations mentioned hereinabove. 
     In FIG.  2  and of the drawings, attention is now directed to the two grooves or notches  52  and  54  which are formed in a raised portion  56  on the inner surface of the lid  32 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, these figures show two stable partially open configurations of the lid  32 . 
     Initially attention will be directed to FIGS. 3 and 5 of the drawings relating to the mode of operation of the assembly when the user  16  wishes to deposit a fairly large bundle  18  of solid waste material into the trash container  12 , and wants to have the lid  32  at a fairly wide partially open stable position. As best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, which relates to FIG. 3, the user pushes the lid to the rear and up to a fairly high level, so that the groove  54  in the lid  32  engages the rear edge  40  of the trash container. Following the deposit of trash, the user  16  grips the front edge  62  of the lid  32  and pulls it forward and upward, so that it will return to the closed configuration. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings, if the user  16  only wants to deposit a small package of trash  64  into the solid waste container  12 , the lid  32  is only raised to a lower level while it is being pushed back, and the groove  52  then engages the rear edge of the trash container  40  and the lid then assumes the partially open state as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings with the lid only having a relatively small available opening for the deposit for the small package of trash  64 . 
     Accordingly, with the double linkage  34 ,  36 , as shown in FIGS. 2-7 of the drawings, the desirable features of reduced front-to-rear extent, and simple and reliable partial opening in a stable condition, are both achieved. 
     Concerning dimensions, it is desirable that the linkage  34  be substantially equal in length to the linkage  36 , and in one embodiment, the center-to-center distance of each line was 3½ inches. However, it is to be understood that somewhat longer or shorter links may be used for different size containers, with the linkages being short enough so that the lid does not touch the ground when fully open. It is also noted that the linkage  34  could be located a slight distance down the back of container  12 , and the linkage  34  might then be slightly shorter than the link  36 . The lid in one embodiment was about 49½ inches wide and 37 inches from the center of the pivot openings to the front of the lid. The capacity of the containers in one illustrative embodiment of the invention was greater than a cubic yard, and it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to much bigger containers and to those with two lids, for examples. 
     In the foregoing detailed description, one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention has been shown in the drawings and described in detail in the specification. It is to be understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. By way of example and not of limitation, instead of two grooves or notches, the assembly may include only one groove or notch, or could include more than two notches or grooves. In addition, the grooves or notches do not have to be continuous as shown in FIG. 7 but may be discrete, with one section on the left hand side of the lid as shown in FIG.  7  and the other section being the right hand side of the lid as shown in FIG.  7 . Further, instead of a plurality of grooves the raised portion  56  on the lid as shown in FIG. 7 could have frictional surfaces akin to coarse sandpaper or Velcro type hook and loop material with mating frictional material on the upper rear edge of the container. It is also noted in passing that the preferred material employed in the fabrication of the lid is polyethylene, but other known plastics may be employed. In addition, the lid may be formed of a single wall or a double wall of plastic or may be formed with a strengthening box channel configuration around its outer perimeter. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the construction precisely as shown and described hereinabove.