Patent Publication Number: US-11035125-B2

Title: Guard for container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/602,548, filed on Apr. 28, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Typical container enclosures can be damaged by the movement of containers during servicing and through impacts from various vehicles. Damage typically occurs because the containers are able to move freely throughout the enclosure and can be oriented in many different directions. 
     What is desired is a device and method for using a device that can provide a way to protect an enclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods that address the above and other issues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is directed to a guard. The guard includes a left side extension operably connected to a left segment, the left segment operably connected to a left corner, the left corner operably connected to a middle segment, the middle segment operably connected to a right corner, the right corner operably connected to a right segment, the right segment operably connected to a right extension, wherein each of the left segment, the middle segment and the right segment comprise at least one support maintaining a distance of each of the left segment, the middle segment and the right segment from a supporting surface, and wherein the left segment, the middle segment and the right segment are configured to form a first opening, the first opening so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of a first container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guard; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guard, together with a container and enclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guard; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guard, together with a container and enclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guard; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a guard, together with two containers and enclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present application will now be described in greater detail by referring to the following discussion and drawings that accompany the present application. It is noted that the drawings of the present application are provided for illustrative purposes only and, as such, the drawings are not drawn to scale. It is also noted that like and corresponding elements are referred to by like reference numerals. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as particular structures, components, materials, dimensions, processing steps and techniques, in order to provide an understanding of the various embodiments of the present application. 
     However, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments of the present application may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures or processing steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present application. 
     It will be understood that when an element as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” or “over” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly over” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “beneath” or “under” another element, it can be directly beneath or under the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly beneath” or “directly under” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     In the discussion and claims herein, the term “about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as long as the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process or structure to the illustrated embodiment. For example, for some elements the term “about” can refer to a variation of +0.1%, for other elements, the term “about” can refer to a variation of ±1% or ±10%, or any point therein. 
     As used herein, the term “substantially”, or “substantial”, is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a surface that is “substantially” flat would either be completely flat, or so nearly flat that the effect would be the same as if it were completely flat. 
     As used herein terms such as “a”, “an” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. 
     As used herein, terms defined in the singular are intended to include those terms defined in the plural and vice versa. 
     Reference herein to any numerical range expressly includes each numerical value (including fractional numbers and whole numbers) encompassed by that range. To illustrate, reference herein to a range of “at least 50” or “at least about 50” includes whole numbers of 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, etc., and fractional numbers 50.1, 50.2 50.3, 50.4, 50.5, 50.6, 50.7, 50.8, 50.9, etc. In a further illustration, reference herein to a range of “less than 50” or “less than about 50” includes whole numbers 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, etc., and fractional numbers 49.9, 49.8, 49.7, 49.6, 49.5, 49.4, 49.3, 49.2, 49.1, 49.0, etc. In yet another illustration, reference herein to a range of from “5 to 10” includes whole numbers of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and fractional numbers 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, etc. 
     As used herein the term “tubular” refers to an elongate article having an internal chamber running substantially along the length thereof. In some embodiment the internal chamber is open or substantially open, such that the tubular element is substantially hollow. In some embodiments, the internal chamber is filled, or substantially filled, such that the tubular element is substantially solid. 
     While it is expected that the tubular elements of the present disclosure can have a substantially circular cross-sectional configuration, it is contemplated that other cross-sectional configurations, such as substantially triangular, substantially rectangular, substantially pentagonal (including other geometric shapes with 6, 7 or more sides) and substantially ellipsoidal or erratic shapes, may also be used. 
     As used herein the term “container” refers to any refuse and/or recycling receptacle, such as a dumpster, can, canister and/or bin of any volume from about 50 gallons to about 40 yards, also including the non-limiting list of example volumes: 2 yards, 4 yards, 6 yards, 8 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, 20 yards, 25 yards and 30 yards. The container of this disclosure can be any suitable shape, including a substantially rectangular cross-section, and can include a flat and/or slanted covering extending over a portion of or the whole top of the container. 
     One embodiment of a guard  1  for a container is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The guard  1  is substantially three sided, with an opening between two of the sides allowing for entry and removal of a container. The guard  1  can include a left segment  2  operably connected to a middle segment  4 , and the middle segment  4  operably connected to a right segment  6 . 
     Each of the left segment  2 , middle segment  4  and right segment  6  can be formed of the same, or different materials, including plastic, metal (including steel, aluminum, iron and mixtures thereof), rubber, carbon based materials, and mixtures thereof. Each of the left segment  2 , middle segment  4  and right segment  6  can be the same, or different diameters or circumferences, ranging from about 0.5″ diameter, to about 6″ diameter or larger, also including the non-limiting list of example diameters: 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″ 3.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″ and 5.5″. 
     Operably connected to one end of the left segment  2  is left side extension  8 . Left side extension  8  is at an angle relative to left segment  2 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. Similarly, operably connected to one end of the right segment  6  is right side extension  10 . Right side extension  10  is at an angle relative to right segment  6 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 450°. 
     The left segment  2  is operably connected to the middle segment  4  by a left corner  12 , the left corner  12  having a radius of curvature. In other embodiments left corner  12  can be angular. 
     The right segment  6  is operably connected to the middle segment  4  by a right corner  14 , the right corner  14  having a radius of curvature. In other embodiments right corner  14  can be angular. 
     In this embodiment left side extension  8 , left segment  2 , left corner  12 , middle segment  4 , right corner  14 , right segment  6  and right side extension  10  can be formed of a single length of material, or two or more pieces of material joined together. Also, left side extension  8 , left segment  2 , left corner  12 , middle segment  4 , right corner  14 , right segment  6  and right side extension  10  form an opening  11  that is so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of a container (shown in  FIG. 2  below), holding and maintaining the container within the opening formed by the guard  1 . 
     In this embodiment, left side extension  8 , left segment  2  and left corner  12  are formed of a single length of material, and joined to middle segment  4  at splice  5 . Left side extension  8 , left segment  2  and left corner  12  can be joined to middle segment  4  at splice  5  in any suitable way, such as by a bolt  7 . Further, in this embodiment, right corner  14 , right segment  6  and right side extension  10  are formed of a single length of material, and are joined to middle segment  4 . 
     Operably connected to the left segment  2 , are first support  18  and second support  20 . Operably connected to the middle segment  4  are third support  22  and fourth support  24 . Operably connected to the right segment  6  are fifth support  26  and sixth support  28 . Although each of the six supports are illustrated nearer the ends of the three segments, in other embodiments, the guard  1  can include five or fewer supports in varying locations along the segments or corners. 
     Each of the first support  18 , second support  20 , third support  22 , fourth support  24 , fifth support  26  and sixth support  28  are substantially perpendicular to each of the left segment  2 , middle segment  4  and the right segment  6 . Also, at an end of each of the supports opposing the segments, a securing plate  32  is affixed. Securing plate  32  allows for the guard to be secured to one location through any suitable mechanical and/or adhesive means, such as by bolting the securing plates to an underlying material. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , left segment  2  extends a distance past first support  18  at the same angle, then contacts left side extension  8 . Also, right segment  6  extends a distance past sixth support  28  at the same angle, then contacts right side extension  10 . 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is an optional marker  19  that, in this embodiment, is affixed to left side extension  8 . In other embodiments the marker  19  can be attached to any portion of the guard  1 , at any suitable location. Marker  19  extends a distance vertically above an upper surface of the guard  1 , and can be used to enhance the visibility of the guard for operators of motor vehicles and plows. Each of the guards in the present application can include one or more optional markers that extend from a portion of the guard a vertical height. 
     Marker  19  is operably attached to the guard  1  by an attachment tube  21 . Attachment tube  21  can be operably attached to the guard  1  in any suitable way, such as by welding. The marker  19  can be configured to fit within a portion of the attachment tube  21  to maintain marker  19 &#39;s position. 
     A container  34  is shown together with guard  1  in  FIG. 2 . Also as seen in  FIG. 2 , a supporting surface  36  is included, as well as an enclosure  38 . Portions of the container  34 , and portions of the enclosure  138  are shown as being transparent for illustrative purposes. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 2 , guard  1  is so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of the container  34 . In  FIG. 2  a separation distance is so dimensioned and configured so as to prevent or substantially prevent contact between the container  34  and the enclosure  38  during all movement of the container  34 , such as movement of the container  34  associated with unloading the container  34  and replacing the container  34  back into the enclosure  38  after emptying. In this disclosure enclosure  38  is shown as including three walls, but in other embodiments, enclosure  38  can be in any other suitable orientation and can include one wall, two walls, four walls or more, at varying angles to each other. 
     Another embodiment of a guard  101  for a container is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The guard  101  is substantially three sided, with an opening between two of the sides allowing for entry and removal of a container, typically a container that is relatively smaller than one for guard  1  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3 , the guard  101  can include a left segment  102  operably connected to a middle segment  104 , and the middle segment  104  operably connected to a right segment  106 . 
     This embodiment includes an optional marker  119  that, in this embodiment, is affixed to left side extension  108 . In other embodiments the marker  119  can be attached to any portion of the guard  101 , at any suitable location. Marker  119  extends a distance vertically above an upper surface of the guard  101 , and can be used to enhance the visibility of the guard for operators of motor vehicles and plows. Each of the guards in the present application can include one or more optional markers that extend from a portion of the guard a vertical height. 
     Marker  119  is operably attached to the guard  101  by an attachment tube  121 . Attachment tube  121  can be operably attached to the guard  101  in any suitable way, such as by welding. The marker  119  can be configured to fit within a portion of the attachment tube  121  to maintain marker  119 &#39;s position. 
     Each of the left segment  102 , middle segment  104  and right segment  106  can be formed of the same, or different materials, including plastic, metal (including steel, aluminum, iron and mixtures thereof), rubber, carbon based materials, and mixtures thereof. Each of the left segment  102 , middle segment  104  and right segment  106  can be the same, or different diameters or circumferences, ranging from about 0.5″ diameter, to about 6″ diameter or larger, also including the non-limiting list of example diameters: 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″ 3.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″ and 5.5″. 
     Operably connected to one end of the left segment  102  is left side extension  108 . 
     Left side extension  108  is at an angle relative to left segment  102 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. Similarly, operably connected to one end of the right segment  106  is right side extension  110 . Right side extension  110  is at an angle relative to right segment  106 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. 
     The left segment  102  is operably connected to the middle segment  104  by a left corner  112 , the left corner  112  having a radius of curvature. In other embodiments left corner  112  can be angular. 
     The right segment  106  is operably connected to the middle segment  104  by a right corner  114 , the right corner  114  having a radius of curvature. In other embodiments right corner  114  can be angular. 
     In this embodiment left side extension  108 , left segment  102 , left corner  112 , middle segment  104 , right corner  114 , right segment  106  and right extension  110  can be formed of a single length of material, or two or more pieces of material joined together. 
     Also, left side extension  108 , left segment  102 , left corner  112 , middle segment  104 , right corner  114 , right segment  106  and right extension  110  form an opening  111  that is so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of a container (shown in  FIG. 4  below), holding and maintaining the container within the opening formed by the guard  101 . 
     In this embodiment left side extension  108 , left segment  102 , left corner  112 , middle segment  104 , right corner  114 , right segment  106  and right side, extension  110  can be formed of a single length of material, or two or more pieces of material joined together. 
     Also, left side extension  108 , left segment  102 , left corner  112 , middle segment  104 , right corner  114 , right segment  106  and right side extension  110  form an opening  111  that is so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of a container (shown in  FIG. 4  below), holding and maintaining the container within the opening formed by the guard  101 . 
     In this embodiment, left side extension  108 , left segment  102  and left corner  112  are formed of a single length of material, and joined to middle segment  104  at splice  105 . Left side extension  108 , left segment  102  and left corner  112  can be joined to middle segment  104  at splice  105  in any suitable way, such as by a bolt  107 . Further, in this embodiment, right corner  114 , right segment  106  and right side extension  110  are formed of a single length of material, and are joined to middle segment  104 . 
     Operably connected to the left segment  102  is first support  120 . Operably connected to the middle segment  104  are second support  122  and third support  124 . Operably connected to the right segment  106  is fourth support  126 . Although each of the four supports are illustrated nearer the ends of the three segments, in other embodiments, the guard  101  can include three or fewer supports in varying locations along the segments or corners. 
     Each of the first support  120 , second support  122 , third support  124  and fourth support  126  are substantially perpendicular to each of the left segment  102 , middle segment  104  and the right segment  106 . Also, at an end of each of the supports opposing the segments, a securing plate  132  is affixed. Securing plate  132  allows for the guard to be secured to one location through any suitable mechanical and/or adhesive means, such as by bolting the securing plates to an underlying material. 
     A container  134  is shown together with guard  101  in  FIG. 4 . Also as seen in  FIG. 4 , a supporting surface  136  is included, as well as an enclosure  138 . Portions of the container  134 , and portions of the enclosure  138  are shown as being transparent for illustrative purposes. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 4 , guard  101  is so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of the container  134 . In  FIG. 4  a separation distance is so dimensioned and configured to so as to prevent or substantially-prevent contact between the container  134  and the enclosure  138  during all movement of the container  134 , such as movement of the container  134  associated with unloading the container  134  and replacing the container  134  back into the enclosure  138  after emptying. 
     Another embodiment of a guard  201  for a container is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The guard  201  is substantially five sided, with two openings between three of the sides allowing for entry and removal of two containers. In  FIG. 5 , the guard  201  can include a left segment  202  operably connected to a middle segment  204 , and the middle segment  204  operably connected to a right segment  206 . The guard  201  can further include an expansion middle segment  236  operably connected to the middle segment  204  and an expansion right segment  238  operably connected to the expansion middle segment  236 . 
     This embodiment includes an optional marker  219  that, in this embodiment, is affixed to left side extension  208 . In other embodiments the marker  219  can be attached to any portion of the guard  201 , at any suitable location. Marker  219  extends a distance vertically above an upper surface of the guard  201 , and can be used to enhance the visibility of the guard for operators of motor vehicles and plows. Each of the guards in the present application can include one or more optional markers that extend from a portion of the guard a vertical height. 
     Marker  219  is operably attached to the guard  201  by an attachment tube  221 . 
     Attachment tube  221  can be operably attached to the guard  201  in any suitable way, such as by welding. The marker  219  can be configured to fit within a portion of the attachment tube  221  to maintain marker  219 &#39;s position. 
     Each of the left segment  202 , middle segment  204 , right segment  206 , expansion middle segment  236  and expansion right segment  238  can be formed of the same, or different materials, including plastic, metal (including steel, aluminum, iron and mixtures thereof), rubber, carbon based materials, and mixtures thereof. Each of the left segment  202 , middle segment  204 , right segment  206 , expansion middle segment  236  and expansion right segment  238  can be the same, or different diameters or circumferences, ranging from about 0.5″ diameter, to about 6″ diameter or larger, also including the non-limiting list of example diameters: 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″ 3.5″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″ and 5.5″. 
     Operably connected to one end of the left segment  202  is left side extension  208 . Left side extension  208  is at an angle relative to left segment  202 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. Similarly, operably connected to one end of the right segment  206  is right side extension  210 . Right side extension  210  is at an angle relative to right segment  206 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. Similarly, operably connected to one end of the expansion right segment  238  is expansion right side extension  239 . Expansion right side extension  239  is at an angle relative to expansion right segment  238 , the angle being in the range of about 30° to about 60°, or about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. 
     The left segment  202  is operably connected to the middle segment  204  by a left corner  212 , the left corner  212  having a radius of curvature. In other embodiments left corner  212  can be angular. 
     The right segment  206  and the expansion middle segment  236  are operably connected to the middle segment  204  by a T-connector  234 . In this embodiment T-connector  234  is shown as being angular, but in embodiments, portions of T-connector  234  can have a radius of curvature. 
     The right expansion segment  238  is operably connected to the expansion middle segment  236  by an expansion corner  240 , the expansion corner having a radius of curvature. In other embodiments, expansion corner  240  can be angular. 
     In this embodiment left side extension  208 , left segment  202 , left corner  212 , middle segment  204 , T-connector  234 , right segment  206 , right side extension  210 , expansion middle segment  236 , expansion corner  240 , expansion right segment  238  and expansion right side extension  239  can be formed of a single length of material, or two or more pieces of material joined together. 
     In this embodiment, left side extension  208 , left segment  202  and left corner  212  are formed of a single length of material, and joined to middle segment  204  at splice  205 . Left side extension  208 , left segment  202  and left corner  212  can be joined to middle segment  204  at splice  205  in any suitable way, such as by a bolt  207 . Further, in this embodiment, T-connector  234 , right segment  206  and right side extension  210  are formed of a single length of material, and are joined to middle segment  204 . 
     Also, left side extension  208 , left segment  202 , left corner  212 , middle segment  204 , T-connector  234 , right segment  206 , right side extension  210 , expansion middle segment  236 , expansion corner  240 , expansion right segment  238  and expansion right side extension  239  form two openings  211  and  213  that are so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of two containers (shown in  FIG. 6  below), holding and maintaining the containers within the opening formed by the guard  201 . 
     Operably connected to the left segment  202 , are first support  218  and second support  220 . Operably connected to the middle segment  204  are third support  222  and fourth support  224 . Operably connected to the right segment  206  are fifth support  226  and sixth support  228 . Operably connected to the expansion middle segment  236  are seventh support  242  and eighth support  244 . Operably connected to the expansion right segment  238  are ninth support  246  and tenth support  248 . Although each of the ten supports are illustrated nearer the ends of the five segments, in other embodiments, the guard  201  can include nine or fewer supports in varying locations along the segments, connectors or corners. 
     Each of the first support  218 , second support  220 , third support  222 , fourth support  224 , fifth support  226 , sixth support  228 , seventh support  242 , eighth support  244 , ninth support  246  and tenth support  248  are substantially perpendicular to each of the left segment  202 , middle segment  204 , the right segment  206 , the expansion middle section  236  and the expansion right segment  238 . Also, at an end of each of the supports opposing the segments, a securing plate  232  is affixed. Securing plate  232  allows for the guard to be secured to one location through any suitable mechanical and/or adhesive means, such as by bolting the securing plates to an underlying material. 
     Container  234  is shown together with guard  201  in  FIG. 6 . Also as seen in  FIG. 6 , a supporting surface  236  is included, as well as an enclosure  238 . Portions of the container  234 , and portions of the enclosure  238  are shown as being transparent for illustrative purposes. 
     Although guard  201  is shown as including a container  234 , guard  201  can be expanded to include three, four or more containers, as desired. As an example of a guard that can accept three containers, the guard  201  can have the expansion corner  240  removed and replaced with a T-connector, similar to T-connector  234 . A further expansion middle segment (similar to expansion middle segment  236 ), a further expansion corner (similar to expansion corner  240 ), a further expansion right segment (similar to expansion right segment  238 ) and a further expansion right side extension (expansion right side extension  239 ) can be added to guard  201 . Each of these additional expansion elements can include one or more supports (similar to supports  242 ,  244 ,  246  and  248 ) with associated securing plates (such as securing plate  232 ). 
     This description of adding elements to guard  201  to accept three containers can be repeated multiple times to expand the guard to accept as many containers as desired. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 6 , guard  201  is so dimensioned and configured as to accept insertion of container  234 . In  FIG. 6 , a separation distance is so dimensioned and configured to so as to prevent or substantially prevent contact between containers and the enclosure  238  during all movement of the container  234 , such as movement of the container  234  associated with unloading the container  234  and replacing the container  234  back into the enclosure  238  after emptying. 
     The described embodiments and examples of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to represent every embodiment or example of the present disclosure. While the fundamental novel features of the disclosure as applied to various specific embodiments thereof have been shown, described and pointed out, it will also be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the disclosure may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Further, various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims both literally and in equivalents recognized in law.