Patent Publication Number: US-7721905-B2

Title: Receptacle lid with integral work surface

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/599,301, filed Aug. 5, 2004, is hereby claimed. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to portable work surfaces and to lids for refuse receptacles and the like. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Mechanics, machinists, manufacturers, hobbyists and others often keep a refuse receptacle near their workbench or other work surface while they work on mechanical parts or similar articles. For example, a mechanic working on an assembly undergoing maintenance or repair may need to dispose of dirt particles cleaned from it or small worn parts being replaced in it. Similarly, in some instances, the work may involve removing material from a workpiece using hand or power tools. Having a refuse receptacle close at hand is important because waste material can be spilled on the floor or on articles while carrying it to the receptacle. Such spills take time and effort to clean up. They can also be hazardous to the environment and damaging to flooring or other articles. 
   It is known for mechanics to use a device commonly referred to as a parts cleaner to clean dirt particles from a part or assembly. A parts cleaner has a draining surface upon which the part can be placed while a cleaning solution is pumped through a nozzle directed at the part. Dirty solution drains into a tank or receptacle. Parts cleaners are intended only for cleaning parts, as their surfaces are not conveniently configured for doing anything else to the part. Also, parts cleaners are not refuse containers and cannot accept larger pieces of waste. Therefore, any large particles or pieces removed from the part must be taken to a separate refuse receptacle for disposal. 
   Trash cans have been used as makeshift supports for various articles. For example, it is known that common plastic or galvanized steel trash cans having a capacity typically in the range of 25-50 gallons and commonly used to dispose of household and garden waste, can be used as makeshift sawhorses to facilitate cutting a piece of lumber, tree branch, etc. The wood can be laid across one or two such trash cans (without lids), and the waste tossed in the can. Although this method works in a pinch, an open trash can is far from a stable, convenient work surface. 
   It would be desirable to provide a convenient and efficient means for a person to dispose of waste while working on a part or other object. The present invention addresses these problems and deficiencies and others in the manner described below. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a lid device for a container having a rim, such as a trash can or other receptacle. The lid device comprises a lid, a frame, and a two-axis pivot coupling connecting a portion of the lid to a portion of the frame. The frame is mounted to the rim, integrally formed with the rim, or otherwise connected to the rim prior to use. The frame has a central opening for accessing the container. The lid has a substantially flat and rigid work surface and a size and shape substantially corresponding to a size and shape of the central opening so as to cover the central opening when the lid is in a closed position. A user can pivot the lid about a first axis to laterally offset the lid from the central opening by a desired amount. With the lid in such an offset position, the user can access the container to, for example, discard waste materials, without having to remove a workpiece resting on the work surface. The greater the amount by which the user offsets the lid, the greater the amount of the container opening that is accessible. A user can also pivot the lid about a second axis to swing the lid open and closed if, for example, the user desires greater access to the container and no workpiece is resting on the work surface. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lid device, showing the lid swung vertically to an open position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , showing the lid device mounted on a trash container. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lid device mounted on a trash container, showing the lid in a completely closed position. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the lid device mounted on a trash container, showing the lid pivoted laterally to a partially open position. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the pivot coupling portion of the device, showing the lid in a partially open position. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of another portion of the lid device, with the lid in a completely closed position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description, like reference numerals indicate like components to enhance the understanding of the invention through the description of the drawings. Also, although specific features, configurations, arrangements and steps are discussed below, it should be understood that such specificity is for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other features, configurations, arrangements and steps are useful without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , a device  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame  12  having a central opening, a lid  14 , and a two-axis pivot coupling  16 . Pivot coupling  16 , shown in further detail in  FIGS. 5-6 , comprises a first pivot pin  18 , a first pivot socket or sleeve  20 , a collar  22 , and a second pivot pin  24 . First pivot pin  18  is received in and pivots freely within first pivot sleeve  20 , which is connected to frame  12 . Second pivot pin  24  is received in and pivots freely within a bore in the upper end of first pivot pin  18  (see  FIG. 5 ). The ends of second pivot pin  24  are respectively received in two opposing brackets  26 , which are connected to the underside or reverse face  28  of lid  14 . 
   The top or obverse face  30  of lid  14  is substantially flat and serves as a work surface. Lid  14  is sufficiently strong and rigid to allow objects, such as mechanical parts and other workpieces, to be placed upon face  30 . In this regard, essentially the entire device  10 , or at least frame  12  and lid  14 , can be made of a strong, rigid thermoplastic material, such as high-density polyethylene. Although not shown for purposes of clarity, reverse face  28  of lid  14  can have a lattice-like, honeycomb-like, or other arrangement of reinforcing ribs to enhance strength and rigidity. Nevertheless, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in other embodiments of the invention the lid can have any other suitable structure and be made of any other suitable materials. The material can be one that is resistant to damage from oil and other common lubricants and machine fluids. Features of the illustrated embodiment of the invention also include a removable drain plug  32  in face  30 . A raised rim  34  around face  30  helps contain spills of any such fluids and prevent loose particles or small parts from falling off face  30 . 
   In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, frame  12  comprises an annular U-section channel that is mountable on the rim of an open container  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-6 . Frame  12  is retained in place by the friction-fit of the rim within the channel. The weight of frame  12  resting on the rim also helps maintain it in place. Mounted in this manner, device  10  is ready for use, as described below. In other embodiments of the invention, the frame can have any other suitable shape, such as rectangular, etc., and any other suitable structure. In such embodiments, the means for mounting device  10  on container  36  can be separate from frame  12  or in addition to frame  12 . For example, clamps or bands can be included. 
   Container  36  can be a common trash can (also known variously as a garbage can, refuse can, rubbish can, waste bin, etc.) of the plastic or galvanized steel variety having a capacity typically in the range of 25-50 gallons that is commonly used to dispose of household and garden refuse. Nevertheless, in other embodiments of the invention, container  36  can be any other suitable type of receptacle or other container, such as a metal or plastic 55 gallon drum or other standard size drum. Although many household trash cans and similar receptacles are typically sold by their manufacturers with lids (not shown), device  10  is used in place of any other lid that may be provided by the manufacturer. A user can purchase device  10  to use with a separately purchased container  36 , or alternatively, device  10  can be sold along with container  36  as a container-and-lid unit. Indeed, in still other embodiments, the device of the present invention or a portion thereof can be integrally formed with or otherwise connected to a container. 
   It should be noted that lid  14  is removable or detachable from frame  12 . To detach lid  14 , one lifts it vertically until first pivot pin  18  is disengaged from first pivot sleeve  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , retaining barbs  38  may be included that one must pinch before first pin  18  can be removed. To attach lid  14 , one lowers lid  14  toward frame  12  such that first pivot pin  18  is received in first pivot sleeve  20 . Retaining barbs  38  snap into place when first pivot pin  18  is seated in first pivot sleeve  20 . Collar  22  limits the downward travel of first pivot pin  18  within first pivot sleeve  20 . Note that a garbage can liner or bag (not shown) can easily be installed by removing the entire device  10  from container  36 , inserting the bag, and re-mounting device  10 . With the mouth of the bag overlapping the rim of container  36 , fitting frame  12  over the bag and rim as described above will securely hold the bag in place. 
   A user can open lid  14  in two different ways: Lid  14  can be pivoted laterally on a first pivot axis defined by first pivot pin  18  pivoting within first pivot sleeve  20 , and lid  14  can be swung on a second pivot axis defined by second pivot pin  24  pivoting within the bore in first pivot pin  18 . Note that the first pivot axis is parallel to the central axis of frame  12  (see  FIG. 1 ), and the second pivot axis is perpendicular to the first pivot axis.  FIGS. 1-2  show lid  14  swung open on the second pivot axis.  FIG. 4  shows lid  14  pivoted laterally to a partially open position. In such a position, a user can work on a part or other workpiece (not shown) resting on face  30  while accessing the interior of container  36 . A user can thus dispose of waste without having to remove the part from face  30  or leave the work area. Also note that lid  14  can be moved from the fully closed position (see  FIG. 3 ) to a position (not shown) in which it hangs vertically alongside container  36  by first pivoting it 180 degrees on the first axis and then swinging it 90 degrees downward. Hanging in such a position, the user has complete access to container  36 . (Alternatively, a user can detach lid  14  entirely, as described above.) For stability, if lid  14  is not first pivoted 180 degrees on the first axis, its range of motion is limited to 90 degrees (i.e., the position shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ), as collar  22  acts as a stop when contacted by the edge of lid  14  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , reverse face  28  of lid  14  also includes a primary pivot stop  40  positioned to engage a shallow retainer slot  42  in frame  12  in a detent-like manner. When pivot stop  40  is engaged in retainer slot  42  (see  FIG. 6 ), lid  14  cannot be moved laterally until the user lifts lid  14  just enough to disengage it from slot  42 . Reverse face  28  further includes secondary pivot stops  44 ,  46  and  48 , which are positioned to engage the inner surface of frame when lid  14  is moved laterally, thereby stopping lid  14  from being moved laterally to a more extreme position that might be unstable. 
   As described above, with lid  14  in the fully closed position (see  FIGS. 3 and 6 ), it can be used as a work surface for repairing, cleaning, assembling or performing other tasks upon a workpiece. Drain plug  32  can be removed to allow any waste fluids to drain into container  36 . With lid  14  in a partially open position (see  FIG. 4 ), a user can work on the workpiece while maintaining (limited) access to container  36 . With lid  14  in a fully open position (see  FIG. 2 ) or detached from frame  12 , the user has full access to container  36 . 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to this invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided that they come within the scope of any claims and their equivalents. For example, although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the container is a trash can or similar receptacle, in other embodiments it can be, for example, a storage bin for raw materials or parts used in a preparation, assembly, finishing or other process step performed on the work surface or elsewhere. With regard to the claims, no claim is intended to invoke the sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. Section 112 unless it includes the term “means for” followed by a participle.