Patent Publication Number: US-2007114343-A1

Title: Trashcan stand

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/737,774, filed Nov. 18, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention generally relates to receptacle support structures. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a support structure for multiple trashcans.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Having to pick up strewn trash and garbage after trash receptacles have been overturned by a stray dog(s) is an annoying and somewhat odious task. The above problem is exacerbated as humans move into wooded areas and other animals (raccoons, deer, coyotes, etc.) get into the act. An efficient, easy-to-use and relatively inexpensive system to thwart these four-legged marauders would certainly be a welcomed addition to the art.  
      The related art is rife with stands for supporting trash receptacles. Pertinent samples of such related art are identified and cited in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the above cited and identified inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a device for supporting trash receptacles as will subsequently be described and claimed in instant invention.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is drawn to a support apparatus for multiple trash receptacles. The support apparatus is portable and is easy to assemble and disassemble. The primary components of the apparatus comprise a base member, a post, multiple can holders, a lid holder and a locking ring. These components are assembled to securely support at least two trash receptacles in a manner to prevent the receptacles from being overturned and also to prevent the receptacle lids from being inadvertently removed.  
      Accordingly, the invention presents first and second embodiments of a trash receptacle support apparatus. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.  
      A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the base of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the base of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the post of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the can holder of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the lid holder of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the decorative cap of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the locking ring of a trash can stand according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a second embodiment of a trash can stand according to the present invention. 
    
    
      Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  wherein the trashcan stand of the present invention is generally indicated at  10 . As illustrated, stand  10  supports multiple trashcans C in a secure manner. Stand  10  comprises a base  12 , which base defines the lower end of the stand.  
      As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , base  12  has a hollow interior and respective, upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface of base  12  is adapted to rest on a substantially level surface such as the ground or a deck. An opening  12   b  is disposed in the center of the base and extends through the base to define a cavity  12   c . Cavity  12   c  conforms to the configuration of the lower end of the post as will be described below. Concentric ridges  12   a  are disposed on the upper surface of the base  12  to provide a stabilizing surface for the receptacles. The hollow interior of the base is filled with a ballast material such as sand S to further enhance stability.  
      As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a post is defined by a tubular member  14 . Member  14  is provided with a foot portion  14   a  and an open upper end  14   b . An array of apertures  14   c  is vertically spaced along the length of tubular member  14 . When the stand is assembled, tubular member  14  extends through opening  12   b  in base  12 . Foot portion  14   a  is dimensioned to nest in the cavity  12   c.    
      A can holder ( FIG. 5 ) is fashioned with a larger ring portion  16  that is adapted to encircle a trashcan. An arm  16   b  extends perpendicularly from the outer circumference of ring  16 . A smaller ring portion  16   a  is connected to arm  16   b . The smaller ring portion is adapted to encircle post  14 . Ring  16  and ring  16   a  lie in the same horizontal plane when the stand is assembled. There must be a respective can holder for each trashcan.  
       FIG. 6  best illustrates the lid holder  18 . Lid holder  18  comprises a pair of arms  20  extending diametrically from a ring member  20   b . Each arm terminates in a free end  20   a . Ring member  20   b  is adapted to encircle post  14  whereby arms  20  will extend over the lids of the trashcans and respective free ends  20   a  will engage the lids to hold the lids in place.  
      A decorative cap  22  ( FIG. 7 ) having flange  22   a  is fashioned with an insert portion  22   b  for insertion into the open end  14   b  of post  14 . A locking ring  24  ( FIG. 8 ) is provided to prevent the can holders  16  from sliding vertically on post  14 . A flexible strap  28  is utilized to attach a locking pin  30  to locking ring  24 . Opening  26  extends through locking ring  24 . When the stand is assembled, opening  26  is positioned in alignment with one of the openings  14   c  in post  14 . This arrangement will permit locking pin  30  to be received through opening  26  and the selected opening  14   c , thereby to retain the locking ring and the can holders in place.  
       FIG. 9  is illustrative of a second embodiment of the invention wherein the can holders utilize angled arms  34  which are employed to connect ring  16  to ring  16   a . Ring  16  and  16   a  lie in different horizontal planes. This arrangement presents a sturdier assembly.  
      As contemplated, all parts are fabricated from suitable, heavy-duty plastic material. It is obvious, however that other suitable materials might be utilized if desired. It is also obvious that the stand could be configured to support more than two receptacles and that the receptacles could be of other shapes.  
      It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.