Patent Publication Number: US-2017369241-A1

Title: Pedal mechanism and bin comprising the same

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to a pedal mechanism and more particularly to a pedal operated bin system comprising the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:
         CN202624889   CN2550314   GB1522783   US2012152958   WO02083525   U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,693   US2005133506   WO2008130239   U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,285   U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,688   US2010147865       

     Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various types of pedal mechanisms and bins comprising the same are known in the art. Some of these are disclosed in the referenced prior art references acknowledged hereinabove. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,136,688 is directed to a trash can assembly having an   ter shell and a lid pivotally coupled to the shell for movement between an open   sition and a closed position. A foot pedal is operatively coupled to the lid such that   ssing down on the pedal caused the lid to open. A fluid damper is mounted to   rnpen the downward movement of a lid. The damper engages a support surface   eratively coupled to the lid such that the support surface moves in conjunction with   wement of the lid as the lid moves between the open position and the closed position,   d yet the fluid damper is unsecured to the support surface. 
     Another example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,285 directed to a trash can assembly   ving a lid pivotably coupled to an upper end of an outer shell, and a pivoting pedal   r that is coupled to the lid via a link rod. The closing motion of the lid is dampened by   anter-balancing the closing force of the lid, which can be accomplished by generating   counter-balance force against the pedal bar that is equal to or slightly less than the)   sing force of the lid. The counter-balance force can be made to vary during the)   sing motion of the lid. In addition, the entire link rod can be positioned inside the   erior of the outer shell, and the pivot axis of the lid about the outer shell can also be   sitioned inside the interior of the outer shell. 
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed subject matter is directed to a pedal mechanism. The pedal   chanism in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can form part of any   ntainer system comprising, for example, a pivotable lid. The pedal mechanism, in   cordance with the disclosed subject matter, facilitates opening of the lid by   nsmission of force applied on a pedal and transmitted to the lid opening mechanism   rough the pedal mechanism of the present subject matter. The pedal mechanism   ilitates pulling of the lid to its open position rather than pushing and lifting of the   me by a lifting mechanism. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed subject matter there is disclosed a   dal type bin assembly comprising a bin having a top and a bottom, a lid pivotably   ached at a top portion of a rear wall of the bin, and a pedal mechanism disposed at a   ttom portion of the bin, wherein the bin further comprises a lid manipulating member   tending between the lid and the pedal mechanism and wherein the pedal mechanism comprises a pedal provided at a front portion at the bottom portion of the bin, a force   nsmitting system and a connecting element couplable to the lid manipulating member   a rear portion of the bin bottom portion, configured for manipulating the lid between   open and a closed position upon respective operation of the pedal mechanism. 
     In accordance with an example, the pedal mechanism of the pedal type bin   mprises a base lever actuatable by the pedal, the base lever having a first member and   econd member flexibly connected through at least one hinge, wherein each one of the   int member and the second member comprises at least one laterally extending torsion   rs configured to axially support the base lever and connecting it to laterally extending   rallel supporting surfaces and wherein the torsion bars allow swinging of the base   er relative to the supporting surface and wherein the force applied at a frond edge of   front member is transmitted to the rear edge of the rear member. 
     In accordance with an example of this aspect, the bin and the pedal mechanism   a unitary and integral structure. In accordance with another example, the pedal   mechanism and the bin are articulated to each other. In accordance with yet an example,   pedal and the force transmission mechanism are integrally formed. In accordance   th another example, the pedal is detachably attachable to the pedal mechanism. 
     In accordance with an example, the pedal type bin assembly further comprises a   i liner or an inner bin. In accordance with yet an example, the liner is configured to at   ist partially line and cover an inside surface of the bin. In accordance with yet an   ample, the liner is configured to cover the bottom portion of the inside surface of the   a. The liner can be an integral part of the bin or a removable component thereof. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosed subject matter there is)   vided a pedal mechanism. The pedal mechanism in accordance with this aspect   mprises a base lever actuated by a pedal (which can form an integral part of the pedal   chanism or be detachably attachable thereto). The force transmission mechanism   mprises a base lever having a first member disposed at the front and a second lever   tuber disposed at the rear flexibly connected through at least one hinge, e.g. integral   age, and wherein each of the front member and the second member comprise at least   e laterally extending torsion bar configured to axially support the base lever allowing   nnection to lateral supporting surfaces and allowing swinging of the base lever   ative to the supporting surface, and wherein the force applied at a frond portion of the   nat member is transmitted to the rear portion of the rear member. The first member and the second member can be an integral unit interconnected by an integral hinge. In   ordance with another example, the first member and the second member can be)   arate elements configured for articulation one with the other through at least one   iging member. 
     The pedal mechanism and/or the pedal bin can be formed from any suitable   aerial, as plastic, metal, rubber, silicone etc. 
     In accordance with yet an aspect there is provided a multi-lever rocker actuating   chanism comprising a first lever member pivotable about a first axis and a second   Ter member pivotable about a second axis, a front end of the first lever comprising an   eating pedal and a rear end of the first lever is pivotally articulated to a front end of   rear lever; a rear end of the rear lever is configured for articulating to a bottom end   the lid manipulating member having a top end thereof pivotally articulated to a pivot   the rear end of the lid, wherein downward displacement of the actuating pedal entails   oting of the first lever in a first direction and corresponding pivotal displacement of   second lever in an opposite direction, such that the rear end of the second lever   places downwards, resulting in corresponding downwards displacement of the lid   anipulating member, whereby downwards displacement of the lid manipulating   ember in turn entails downwards displacement of the rear lid portion, resulting in   votal displacement of the lid into its open position. 
     The following parameters can alter the force and displacement factors of the lid   tuating mechanism: 
     The length of the levers; 
     The positioning of the axes of the levers; 
     The pre-angular positioning of the levers; 
     According to a particular configuration of the disclosure, the first axis and the   cond axis are substantially parallel to one another; 
     In accordance with one example, the at least first lever and the at least second   ver are connected directly to each other. In accordance with another example the at   ast first lever and the at least second lever are connected through an interconnecting   k. In the case of the latter, the interconnecting link extends between the top rear of   e first lever member and bottom front of the second lever member. 
     In accordance with one example the axis extending through the first lever and   second lever are constituted by torsion bars. In accordance with another example the   are normal axis bars, with no torsioning properties. 
     Downwards displacement of the lid manipulating member is substantial axial   placement, taking place along its longitudinal axis; 
     The above is the sequence of operation of a normally closed lid, wherein   lowing the release of force from the actuating pedal, the lid will spontaneously   place into a normally closed position, under its self weight, upon seizing downward   ce on the actuating pedal 
     It is appreciated that the number of levers in the sequence of the multi-lever   angement can be any pair number. 
     Biasing of the system into dampened closing of the lid can be facilitated by   lizing a torsion mechanism articulated to one or more of the pivoting locations of the   ilti-lever train. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to   emplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described,   way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in   rich: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are a perspective front view and side view of the pedal bin in   accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter in a closed position,   spectively; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lid and a lid manipulating mechanism used in   e bin of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the bin of  FIG. 1 , devoid of the lid; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross section of the bin along line C-C in  FIG. 1A , the lid   d the lid manipulating mechanism at the closed position; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5C  illustrate the side cross sections of torsion bars in accordance   ith the disclosed subject matter; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a perspective front view and a perspective top view of the bin in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  in an open position, respectively; 
         FIG. 7  is the same as  FIG. 4 , however with the lid and the lid manipulating mechanism at the open position; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a bin in a top and a perspective side cross section, respectively, in accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter, fitted with a bin liner; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of the liner in accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a pedal mechanism in a perspective view and a top view in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a pedal type bin assembly generally designated  100 . The assembly  100  comprising a bin  110  having a top  112  and a bottom  114 , a pivotably attached lid  120  at a rear end  116  of the bin top  112  and a pedal mechanism generally designated  130  and best seen in  FIG. 3  extending at the bottom  114  of the bin  110 . The bin  110  further comprises a lid manipulating member  118  extending between the lid  120  and the pedal mechanism  130 . The bin comprises side walls  111 A and  111 B, rear wall  113 A bearing the lid  120  at its top and a front wall  113 B provided with an opening  180  for allowing access for operating the pedal mechanism  130 , e.g. by users&#39; foot. The pedal mechanism  130  comprises a pedal  132  provided at a front side  115  at the bin bottom  114 , a force transmitting system  150  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) and a connecting element  155  couplable to the lid manipulating member  118  at the rear side  117  of the bin bottom  114 , configured for manipulating the lid  120  between an open and a closed position upon respective operation of the pedal mechanism  130 . 
     In accordance with this example, the bin  110  and the pedal mechanism  130  are integrally formed together. Optionally, the bin and the pedal mechanism can be separate members. The bin  110  with the pedal mechanism  130  are injection molded from a plastic material. It will be appreciated that other materials and methods of manufacturing are envisioned. Material for the bin can be e.g. metal, foil covered plastic etc. the pedal mechanism can also be formed from other materials, e.g. metal, wood, rubber etc. The lid  120  and the lid manipulating member  118 , which are in form of a strap in the current example, are in turn formed as an integral unit in an injection   ding process. The material used or the formation of the lid manipulating member    8  is sufficiently flexible to facilitate deformation thereof upon manipulation without   tting unnecessary stress on the strap which might result in cracking or snapping of the   ne. It will be appreciated that the lid and the lid manipulating member can be)   crate and made from different materials and the lid manipulating member can have   rious shapes as desired from a single slim rod to a broader strap or a more complex   ucture configured to connect the lid to the pedal mechanism. For example, the lid   nipulating member can be a metal rod or a metal strap. 
     The lid  120  is configured for articulation to the bin  110  through a hinge element    2  which provides for the pivotal movement of the lid  120  with respect to the bin  110 .   will be appreciated that the lid can be articulated to the lid manipulation member e.g.   sough an integral hinge. The free end  119  of the lid manipulation member  118  is)   vided with a socket  124  configured for detachable attachment to the connecting   inent  155 , forming a male to female fixed connection. Other types of connections are   visioned, e.g. a snap type connection, adhesion, welding, hinged connection, etc. or   egration of the parts in one single unit. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the bin  110  is illustrated viewed from the top. The bin    0  comprises at its bottom  114  the pedal mechanism  130  which in this example forms   integral part of the bin. The pedal mechanism  130  comprises a base lever  135    tuated by a pedal  132  (which in this example forms an integral part of the pedal   echanism however it will be appreciated that this element can be detachably   achable or a separate member fixedly fitted thereto). The base lever  135  has a first,   nt member  136  and a second, rear member  138  flexibly connected through a hinge    10 , in this example an integral hinge. It will be appreciated that the first member and   e second member can be separate members interconnected through at least one hinge   le front member  136  has a fore end connecting to the pedal  132  and a rear end  137    nfigured for connecting to the second member  138 , a top surface  139  and a bottom   rface (not shown); the second member  138  has a fore end  139  configured for   nnecting to the first member  136  and a rear end fitted with a connecting element  155    hich is an outward protrusion configured to fixedly engage the socket  124  of the   anipulating strap  118 . The second member  138  further has a top surface  141  and a   ttom surface (not shown). The integral hinge  140  extends diagonally from the bottom surface of the fore end of the second member  138  and to the top of the rear edge of the   st lever member  136 . In the present example, the connection between the top rear end   the first member  136  to the hinge  140  at the bottom fore end of the second lever   amber  138  extends through another integral hinge  142 . In the illustrated example, the   st member and the second member are diagonally connected by an intermediate   erconnecting link in the form of a hinging strap  145 , connecting the members through   hinges  140  and  142 . Thickness of the hinging strap  145  is in this case smaller than   it of the lever members and larger than that of the hinges constituted by thinned out   rtions (e.g. integral hinges). However it will be appreciated that the connection can be   ide using alternative connecting members, e. g., one or more connecting strings etc.   directly to each other by various means, e.g. an integral hinge. 
     The base lever  135  is connected to the base bottom through laterally extending   sion bars  162 A,  162 B,  164 A and  164 B configured to axially support the base lever    5  allowing connection to lateral supporting surfaces  160 A and  160 B extending from   d in parallel to the side walls of the bin. This allows controlled swinging of the base   er  135  (and if present of the pedal member  132 ) relative to the supporting surfaces   ien the force applied at a frond edge of the front member  136  is transmitted to the rear   ge of the rear member  138 , as will be discussed hererinafter. The torsion bars   nnected to the supporting surfaces have thus a restrained warping at the root which   ows the base lever members  136  and  138  to swing back to their initial position when   force is released. It will be appreciated that a regular axis can be used to manipulate   levers. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the torsion bars  162  have a shape of cross (+) in their cross   ction. However, it will be appreciated that bars having another cross section are   visioned, as exemplified in  FIGS. 5A to 5C , showing a y-shaped, a straight line or an   shaped bars, respectively, as well as I, U or other shapes of bars can be used as   rsion axis bars. 
     The operation of the lid  120  and the pedal mechanism  130  will be discussed   ith reference to drawings in  FIGS. 3, 6B, and 7 . To open the lid  120  of the bin   sembly  100 , the pedal  132  is pressed down in the direction of arrow D, this exertion   force is in turn transmitted by the pedal mechanism  135  to downward pulling of the    1  manipulating strip  118  towards the bottom  114  of the bin  110  in the direction of   row d. substantially parallel to the direction D, which in turn causes the lid  120  to pivot (arrow p) in a rearward direction, thus opening the lid  120  and allowing access to   inner space S of the bin  110 . The pedal mechanism  130  allows this transmission of   ce via the base lever  135  and facilitated by the torsion bars  162 AB and  164 AB   ping the base lever attached to the bin bottom. 
     By pressing the pedal member  132 , the rear end of the front lever member  136  is   shed up in the direction of arrow B with the torsion bars  162 A and  162 B supporting   same and extending along the same axis X which are warped or twisted in the   unter clockwise direction of arrow A, i.e. towards the pressed pedal. This action, in   n, pulls the front edge of the rear lever member  138  upward (in the direction B)   ough the strip  145  which is pulled up by the rear end of the first member. Facilitated   the hinge  140 , the structure is rendered flexible and cracking of the plastic is   oided. The torsion bars  164 A and  164 B twist in the clockwise direction, i.e. opposite   ection from the bars  162 A and  162 B, causing this upward movement of the front end   the rear lever member  138  to translate into the downward movement of the rear end   the rear lever member, i.e. the connecting element  155 , tilting the second member.   tis downward movement of the connecting element pulls on the strip member  118 ,   using the lid  120  to pivot and open the bin  110 , as seen in  FIG. 6B . Releasing the   dal  132 , will reverse the action of the pedal mechanism  135  via the torsion bars, thus)   sing the lid  120  over the bin  110 . Due to the flexibility and the elasticity of the   rsion bars and the hinges connecting the base lever member, the action can be   peated numerous times, without causing any structural damage. 
     It should be appreciated that the lid  120  can be opened by directly pivoting it   irection of arrow P), however in such a case the pedal mechanism  130  will not be   tuated. 
     As described herein, in the illustrated example the pedal mechanism  130  and the   n  110  are molded as a unitary and integral structure. It will be appreciated however   at the pedal mechanism can be a separate part fixedly attached to the bin. As best seen    FIGS. 3 and 7 , the pedal mechanism, in the illustrated example, including the pedal   ember  132  are designed so as not to protrude beyond the boundaries of the bin front    3 B and rear walls  111 AB. As indicated above, the front wall is provided with an   ening  180  allowing access to the pedal  132 . It will be appreciated that in accordance   ith another example, the pedal can extend outside the bin boundaries. 
     The structural features of the bin of the illustrated example allow for ease of)   lding and safe storage as well as nesting within a like bin. Furthermore, the sidewalls   the bin are slightly tapered thus allowing the nesting within a like bin with the lid   her in an open position or removed from the bin. This nesting provides, e.g. for a   mpact transportation. It will be appreciated that the shape of the bin can vary. It can   cylindrical, oval or any polyhedral shape. 
     To protect the pedal mechanism and to prevent soiling thereof and of the surface   derneath thereof, the pedal type bin  100  assembly further comprises a bin liner  200 ,   in  FIG. 8A . This liner  200  fits above the pedal mechanism  130 , covering it   mpletely. The outer edges of the liner are provided with hook-like extensions  220 ,   nfigured for engaging corresponding protrusions over the supporting walls  160 A and    0 B on the bin bottom  114 . As seen further in  FIG. 8B , the liner is provided with an   wardly extending concave wall portion  210  (also seen in  FIG. 9 ) which closes the   ening  180  whilst also allowing sufficient space to guide the users&#39; foot to the pedal    2 . The liner rests on the supporting walls  160 A and  160 B extending at the inner   rface of the bin bottom. The height of the supporting surfaces  160 A and  160 B is high   ough to prevent the bottom surface of the liner from unintentional contact with the   dal mechanism. It will be appreciated that the liner can constitute an inner bin, e.g. to   ver substantially the entire inner surface and the side walls of the bin. The liner and/or   e inner bin can be removable or fixedly attached to the bin. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , there is provided a pedal mechanism  300  in   accordance with an example of the disclosed subject matter. The pedal mechanism  300    similar to the one described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 6B  with the difference   siding in that this mechanism is independent of any structure. It will be appreciated   at such a mechanism can be used in conjunction with any type of structure having a   over or a portion of a cover manipulable between a closed and an open position. While   the previous example the torsion bars  162 AB and  164 AB were restrained by the   pporting surfaces extending from the side walls of the bin, as seen in the illustrated   ample, the laterally extending torsion bars configured to axially support the base lever   e connected to and restrained by two parallely extending supporting surfaces. 
     The pedal mechanism of  FIGS. 10A and 10B  will now be described, with   ements functionally corresponding to elements in the previous example upped by  300 .   he pedal mechanism  300  comprises a base lever  335  actuated by a pedal  332  (which in this example forms an integral part of the pedal mechanism however it will be   preciated that this element can be detachably attachable or a separate member fixedly   ed thereto). The base lever  335  has a first, front member  336  and a second, rear   tuber  338  flexibly connected through a hinge  340 , in this example an integral hinge.   will be appreciated that the first member and the second member can be separate   tubers interconnected through at least one hinge. The front member  336  has a fore   d connecting to the pedal  332  and a rear end  337  configured for connecting to the   ond member  338 , a top surface  339  and a bottom surface (not shown); the second   tuber  338  has a fore end configured for connecting to the first member  336  and a rear   d fitted with a connecting element  355  which is an outward protrusion configured to   engage a manipulating member. Other types of connections are envisioned, e.g. a   ap type connection, adhesion, welding, hinged connection, etc. or integration of the   rts in one single unit. It will be appreciated that the mechanism can be devoid of this   nnecting member. 
     The second member  338  further has a top surface  341  and a bottom surface (not   own). The integral hinge  340  extends diagonally from the top surface of the first   ember  336  to the bottom surface of the second member  338 . In the present example,   connection between the top rear end of the first member  336  to the hinge  340  at the   ttom fore end of the second lever member  338  extends through another integral hinge    2 . In the illustrated example, the first member and the second member are diagonally   nnected by an intermediate hinging strap  345 , connecting the members through the   ages  340  and  342 . Thickness of the hinging strap  345  is smaller than that of the lever   embers and larger than that of the hinges constituted by thinned out portions (e.g.   tegral hinges). However it will be appreciated that the connection can be made using   ernative connecting members, e. g., one or more connecting strings etc. 
     The base lever  335  is connected laterally to two supporting surfaces  360 A and    0 B extending in parallel by torsion bars  362 A,  362 B,  364 A and  364 B configured to   ially support the base lever  335 . This allows controlled swinging of the base lever  335    nd if present of the pedal member  332 ) relative to the supporting surfaces when the   rce applied at a frond edge of the front member  336  is transmitted to the rear edge of   e rear member  338 . The torsion bars connected to the supporting surfaces have thus a   strained warping at the root which allows the base lever members  336  and  338  to   ving back to their initial position when the force is released. 
     The torsion bars  362  have a shape of cross (+) in their cross section. However, it   be appreciated that bars having another cross section are envisioned, as exemplified    FIGS. 5A to 5C , showing a y-shaped, a straight line or an X-shaped bars, respectively,   well as I, U or other shapes of bars which can be used as torsion axis bars.