Abstract:
The present invention relates to a residential-sized waste disposal roll-out cart that includes a latch that automatically latches a lid in the fully opened position with the lid in close proximity to the side of the bin. When the bin is tilted on to the wheels to be rolled, the lid remains in close proximity to the side of the bin, rather than hanging down towards the ground. In this way, the lid remains out of the space where a user might step. A lid reinforcement structure may be used to increase the strength and wear of the lid where it engages the latch.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 15/145,792, filed May 3, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/724,249, filed May 28, 2015, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,746 on May 3, 2016; which claimed priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional applications U.S. Ser. No. 62/005,690 filed May 30, 2014 and U.S. Ser. No. 62/020,388 filed Jul. 2, 2014; all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to roll-out carts used to dispose of waste, and more specifically to improved roll-out carts that include a mechanism to hold the lid in a fully opened position. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates generally to two-wheel roll-out carts that are used for garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection. These roll-out carts are residential-sized roll-out bins that are used to store waste for short periods of time before collection. Typically the bins hold about 50-100 gallons (220-440 liters) of waste, with the most popular current sizes being 95 gallons and 65 gallons. According to a common design, one side of the bin includes a handle structure at an upper end and a pair of wheels at a lower end. A lid is hingedly attached at this same side of the bin, commonly at the handle structure. The opposite side of the bin may be provided with a transverse bar that is used by an automated truck that collects the waste from the bin by lifting and tipping the bin. These rollout waste bins have made waste collection more efficient. 
         [0004]    The large size of the bins permits the bins to hold a large volume of waste, thereby permitting a user to transport all of their garbage to the pickup location (typically roadside) in a single trip. The wheels are necessary, or at least highly desirable, to permit a user to maneuver a filled bin. In order to move the bin, a user tips the bin on to the two wheels using the handle and then pushes or pulls the bin in a rolling fashion. 
         [0005]    In order to permit automated dumping of the bins, the hinge for the lid is offset from the large upper opening so as not to interfere with the flow of waste out of the bin when the bin is inverted for dumping. Due to the offset, the lid hangs down along the side of bin when fully opened. The free end (distal end) of the lid is near ground level when fully opened, especially so when the bin is tipped on to the wheels to be moved. 
         [0006]    This results in a surprisingly dangerous condition as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-D . Specifically, as the bin is tilted to the transport position, the lid can come into very close proximity or even into contact with the ground as shown in  FIG. 1A . In this position, it is easy for a user to inadvertently step on the lid as shown in  FIG. 1B . With the user stepping on the lid, the wheels can continue to roll away from the user for a short distance, but the upper portion of the bin is constrained by the lid, which can cause the bin to suddenly and violently tip over onto the ground as shown in  FIG. 1C . This sudden and unexpected tipping of the bin can trip and pull the user to the ground, which can injure the user either from direct contact with the bin or the ground as seen in  FIG. 1D . Cuts, contusions, broken bones, broken eye sockets, concussions, neck injuries, and strained ligaments are common injuries. 
         [0007]    Some roll-out waste carts include mechanisms for supporting the lids in a partially open position (typically about 80-120 degrees from the closed position). An example of this feature is shown, for example in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0214400. This feature of holding the lid in a partially opened position is provided so that a user does not need to open the lid every time they want to add waste to the bin, and so a that user does not need to choose between fully opening the lid, which can require significant clearance space, or supporting the lid with the user&#39;s hand while adding waste, which can be cumbersome. Unfortunately, supporting the lid in a partially opened position often exacerbates the instability problem because it moves weight up and often outside the base of support for the bin, and because the partially opened lid extending above the waste bin can catch wind. All of these factors tend to make the waste bin less stable and prone to tipping. 
         [0008]    A safer alternative is needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to an improved residential-sized waste disposal roll-out cart that is safer than existing products. Specifically, one of the dangers of residential-sized waste bins of the type described herein is that the lid comes into close proximity or contact with the ground when the wheeled bin is tilted to permit rolling transportation of the bin. The lid is then subject to snagging, or commonly being stepped upon by a user, which can cause the cart to suddenly and unexpectedly tip over, which can cause significant trauma to a user, including bruises, lacerations, contusions, and fractures. The present invention overcomes this difficulty by automatically latching the lid in the fully opened position with the lid in close proximity to the side of the bin. Accordingly, when the bin is tilted on to the wheels to be rolled, the lid remains in close proximity to the side of the bin, rather than hanging down directly towards the ground. In this way, the lid remains out of the space where a user might step. Furthermore, the lid secured in the fully open position is much less likely to snag on the ground, and will not be pulled back to a dangerous position if it does snag the ground. Preferably, the weight of the lid will be sufficient to automatically activate the latch, such that the lid will be captured in the fully opened position, simply by virtue of opening the lid and allowing it to fall to its fully opened position. When it is desired to close the lid, a user can simply adjust the latch to a released position and rotate the lid back to the fully closed position. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment, the present invention is a waste disposal roll-out cart that has a container with an open top. The container has a handle at a first side of the container. A pair of wheels is mounted to the container proximate to the first side of the container. A lid is hingedly attached to the container proximate to the first side of the container. The lid is adjustable between a closed position covering the open top and a fully open position wherein a free end of the lid is rotated to be proximate to the first side of the container. A latching assembly automatically engages the lid to retain the lid in the fully open position. The latching assembly may include a base plate mounted to the container with a resilient arm extending from the base. A catch structure may be provided at a free end of the resilient arm. The catch structure includes a catch that extends below the resilient arm and a cam surface that faces generally outwardly away from the container. The resilient arm urges the catch into a catching position that interferes with an arc of rotation for the lid to retain the lid in the fully open position. The lid may include a reinforcing structure at an inner edge that contacts the catch as the lid moves into the fully open position from a closed position. The base plate may be located at handle supporting structure. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment, the present invention is a method of moving a waste disposal roll-out cart. The roll-out cart has a container with an open top, a handle on the container at a first side of the container, a pair of wheels mounted to the container proximate to the first side of the container, a lid hingedly attached to the container proximate to the first side of the container, the lid being adjustable between a closed position covering the open top and a fully open position wherein a free end of the lid is rotated to be proximate to the first side of the container; and a latching assembly that automatically engages the lid to retain the lid in the fully open position. The lid is adjusted to the fully open position such that the lid is engaged by the latching assembly. The roll-out cart is tilted toward the first side such that the roll-out cart is completely supported on the wheels with the lid remaining in the fully open position retained by the latching assembly. The tilted cart is rolled on the wheels with the lid remaining in the fully open position retained by the latching assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of a prior art roll-out cart with the lid in an open position, and the cart tilted for rolling. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  shows the prior art cart of  FIG. 1A  with a user stepping the open lid; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1C  shows the prior art cart of  FIG. 1B  with the user being pulled to the ground by the collapsing cart; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1D  shows the prior art cart of  FIG. 1C  with the user pulled all the way to the ground and against the cart. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a rollout cart according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the lid in a closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  the rollout cart of  FIG. 2 , with the lid retained in an open position by an automatic latch mechanism. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the waste bin of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the waste bin of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a resilient latch according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of a rollout cart with the resilient latch of  FIG. 6  with the lid in an open position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of a rollout cart with the resilient latch of  FIG. 6  with latch adjusted to a released position and the lid moved out of the fully open position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a lid stiffener according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a lid stiffener that includes reinforcement ribs according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a partial side view of a lid with an attached lid stiffener according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a resilient latch with a locator tab at a top portion of the latch, showing handle support structure in broken lines, with the locator tab received within the handle support structure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]      FIGS. 2-5  show a rollout cart  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The rollout cart  100  is of the type commonly used to dispose of residential waste, such as trash, recyclable waste, and yard waste. The rollout cart  100  includes a large container  112  with an open top that can be selectively covered by a lid  114 . In  FIGS. 2 and 4  the lid  114  is in a closed position completely covering the top opening of the container  112 . In  FIGS. 3 and 5  the lid  114  has been rotated to a fully opened position with the lid  114  hanging more or less straight down along the backside  116  of the container  112 . A handle  118  is mounted to the backside  116  of the container  112  by a plurality of handle supports  120  near the upper end of the container  112 . The handle  118  may be used as the male portion of a hinge joint for the lid  114 . Specifically, hinge connectors  122  may be used to hingedly attach the lid  114  to the handle  118 . Alternatively, the lid  114  may be hinged to separate structure provided at the backside  116  of the container  112 . Accordingly, to move the lid  114  from the closed position of  FIG. 2  to the fully opened position of  FIG. 3 , the user simply pulls the lid  114  generally upwardly and rearwardly, such that the free end  124  rotates around the handle  118  (in a counterclockwise direction as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The lid  114  rotates through an angle of about 270 degrees between the closed and open positions. Once the lid  114  is moved such that its center of gravity is beyond the joint formed at the handle  118 , gravity will automatically urge the lid  114  to the completely open position of  FIG. 3 , wherein the lid  114  is hanging generally directly below the handle  118 . A pair of wheels  125  is mounted at a lower portion of the container  112  at or near the backside  116  such that the wheels  125  are generally on the same side of the container  112  as the handle  118 . 
         [0028]    The structure of the rollout cart  100  described so far is a common and well-known structure used at millions of residences around the world. 
         [0029]    The rollout cart  100  shown in  FIGS. 2-5  also includes a latch  126  that is unique and greatly improves the safety and convenience of the rollout cart  100 . The latch  126  will automatically capture and retain the lid  114  in the fully opened position of  FIGS. 3 and 5  when the lid  114  is opened. The weight of the lid  114  is sufficient to move the lid past the latch  126  into the open position of  FIG. 3 . The latch  126  thereby permits a user to move the cart  100  without the lid  114  swinging to a position where it is prone to being stepped upon by the user. The latch  126  can be adjusted by a user to permit the user to rotate the lid  114  back to the closed position of  FIGS. 2 and 4 , when desired. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a resilient latch  200  that could be used as the latch  126  of  FIGS. 2-5 . The latch  200  includes a base  210  that is adapted to be mounted to a container. The base  210  is a flat plate that is suitable for attachment to the side of a container, for example by using bolts, lock washers, and nuts, or rivets, or other known attachments mechanisms through opening  211 . A resilient arm  212  extends from the base  210 . A catch  214  is mounted at the free end of the resilient arm  212  and extends below the arm  212  to capture the proximal edge of the lid between the inner side  215  of the catch  214  and the container. The outer side of the catch  214  has a cam surface  216  to flex the resilient arm  212  upward as the lid bears against cam surface  216 . A handle portion  222  may be provided above the cam surface  216  to assist a user in moving the catch  214  to a released position that permits the lid to be rotated from the fully open position back to the closed position. The embodiment of  FIG. 6  also includes tabs  226  that are used to locate the latch  200  relative to a handle support structure so that the latch  200  is properly located and aligned to interact with the container lid. Specifically, the tabs  226  will align with, or interact with, a portion of the handle support structure so that the latch is located uniformly on each container. A lip  228  extends inwardly at a top portion of the base  210 . The lip  228  may also be useful for locating and securing the latch  200  under a top lip of the container  240 . The latch  200  may be applied to new rollout carts, or may be used to retrofit existing fleets of rollout carts. The resilient arm  212  is shaped such that it will permit the catch  214  at the free end of the arm  212  to flex generally up and down.  FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of a resilient latch  500  that is similar to the latch  200  of  FIG. 6 , except that the tab  526  is located at an upper portion of the base  510 . The tab  526  can be used to locate the latch  500  at a handle support structure (shown in dashed lines) that has a downward facing opening that receives the tab  526  so that the latch  500  is located and oriented in a desired and uniform position. Alternatively, the tabs  226  or  526  can align with other features of the container, such as reinforcement structures, to properly position and align the latch  200  or  500  to interact with the lid. 
         [0031]    The latch  200  may be a unitary injection molded article formed from nylon, polyethylene plastic, or other suitable material. The important qualities are that the arm  212  has sufficient resilience and durability to permit repeated flexing as the lid moves in and out of the fully open position, that the base  210  be sufficiently strong to permanently secure the latch  200  to a container, that the catch  214  have sufficient strength to retain the lid in the fully open position, and that the cam surface  216  be smooth and durable enough to permit the lid to slide across it without catching or undue wear. Other plastics, metals, and composite materials may be use used. Alternatively, the latch  200  could be integrally formed with the container, for example during a molding process for the container itself. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows the latch  200  of  FIG. 6  mounted to a rear side  244  of a container  240 . The container  240  may be an existing rollout cart. As is typical, the container  240  may include a lip  242  that overhangs the side  244  to increase the stiffness of the container  240 . 
         [0033]    The latch  200  is mounted to the container  240  by a threaded fastener  246  provided through the base  210 . The base  210  could also be attached to the container  240  using rivets. The lip  228  of the latch  200  fits under and engages the lip  242  of the container  240  to provide additional support and to properly locate the latch  200 . The latch  200  may also be located against the handle support  254  using the tabs  226  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 7 , the lid  250  is in the fully open position and is retained there by the catch  214 . The handle  252  acts as hinge for the lid  250 . In  FIG. 8 , the lid  250  is rotated towards the closed position. To move the lid  250  past the catch  214  to the position of  FIG. 8 , a user would pull on the handle portion  222  of the latch  200 , which causes the resilient arm  212  to flex and move the catch  214  out of the arc of rotation of the inner portion of the lid  250 . The user may be able to use the handle  252  as a support for the user&#39;s hand to pull against when moving the latch to the position of  FIG. 8 . It may be desirable to slightly angle the face of the catch  214  downwardly and toward the container  240  so that a strong pull on the lid  250  will free it from the catch  214  without damaging the latch  200  or the lid  250 . 
         [0035]    Gravity will urge the lid  250  from the position of  FIG. 8  towards the fully opened position of  FIG. 7 . The inner edge of the lid  250  will engage and push against the cam surface  216  of the latch  200 . The cam surface  216  is shaped concavely and facing generally downwardly and away from the back side of the container  240 . As the inner corner of the lid  250  pushes against the cam surface  216  it will flex the resilient arm  212  causing the catch  214  to move upwardly until the lid  250  is clear of the catch  214 . Once the lid  250  is clear of the catch  214 , the resilient arm  212  will snap the catch back to the position of  FIG. 7  to retain the lid  250  in the fully open position. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show lid stiffeners  300  and  400  that may be used to reinforce the portion of the lid  250  that engages the catch  214 . In many instances a lid stiffener will not be needed as the lid will have sufficient strength and integrity without the stiffener. The stiffeners  300 ,  400  may be molded from resilient material such that they can be snapped into place on the lid  250  without use of any special tools or separate fasteners. Stiffener  400  includes ribs  420  that provide additional stiffness. The appropriate stiffener  300  or  400 , or no stiffener, may be selected depending upon the needs. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  shows a lid  250  with a stiffener  300  in place on the lid  250 . The stiffener  300  has an interference fit with an inner wall of the lid  250  to retain the stiffener  300  in place. The stiffener  300  stiffens the lid  250  and provides a wear surface that engages the cam surface  216  and catch  214  of the resilient  212 . 
         [0038]    Those with skill in the art will readily recognize that numerous structures may be substituted for the exact embodiment shown while still remaining within the spirit of the invention. For example, and without limitation, the latching assembly could be a magnetic catch and strike, a cam latch, a double roller catch latch, a compression latch, or a spring device. Furthermore, the latching assembly could be located near the bottom portion the container and include a release mechanism activated by the user&#39;s foot.