Patent Abstract:
A roll-out waste bin includes a retention bar that is held in place on the bin by a pair of retention bar housings. A rib in one of the retention bar housings engages one end of the retention bar and a protrusion on the other end of the retention bar and exterior to both of the retention bars housings positions the retention bar.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This application relates to roll-out waste bins, and more particularly to a feature on the exterior of such a roll-out waste bin that permits the bin to be lifted by an automated lifter mounted on a waste disposal truck for emptying into the waste collection hopper of the truck, and then to be lowered back to the ground. Such bins generally include a large receptacle mounted on wheels with a hinged lid for closing the receptacle except during loading or emptying. The front of the bin includes a retention bar which, in conjunction with a downward lip along the front top rim of the waste bin, is gripped by the automated lifter in order to lift and dump the contents of the waste bin. In typical prior art waste bins a retention bar receiving area is provided on the exterior of the waste bin which holds the retention bar. In its most basic form, this receiving area is formed of two parallel, vertical walls, external to the interior volume of the waste bin, set apart at a distance that is less than the length of the retention bar. See  FIG. 1 . Each of these vertical walls has an aperture through which the retention bar is placed, with enough clearance to allow the retention bar to spin freely. See  FIG. 1A . 
         [0002]    Another embodiment of this receiving area has front closeout walls that connect the vertical walls to the waste bin receptacle, thereby creating two retention bar housings, each housing having one vertical wall, one front closeout wall and two external walls of the waste bin receptacle. See  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A. 
         [0003]    A pair of ribs, one residing inside each of the retention bar housings extend from one of the external walls of the retention bar housings. These ribs trap the retention bar after it has been slid into position through the retention bar housing apertures, preventing the retention bar from moving side-to-side enough to be removed. The ribs are positioned in the retention bar housings to normally interfere with the retention bar and thereby prevent the retention bar from being pulled free of free of the bin. In order to insert the retention bar, these ribs have a suitable degree of flexibility, and are typically bent by the retention bar sufficiently to allow the retention bar to slide past the ribs and enter the retention bar housings, whereupon the ribs spring back into their normal positions, locking the retention bar into the retention bar housings. 
         [0004]    This arrangement requires considerable maneuvering to insert the retention bar into both apertures, past the ribs and into the retention bar housings. 
         [0005]    This application also discloses a method of installing a retention bar onto a waste bin. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a roll-out waste bin that is provided with a retention bar that is simple to install, and that remains securely positioned in its required position. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the invention to provide a roll-out waste bin that is provided with a retention bar that can be inserted and retained on the bin, thereby utilizing simplified retention devices. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the invention to provide a roll-out waste bin that is provided with a retention bar that can be inserted and retained on the bin utilizing a rib on one side of the retention bar and other retention means on the other side of the retention bar. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide a method of installing a retention bar onto a waste bin. 
         [0010]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a roll-out waste bin of the type characterized by having a receptacle mounted on wheels, a hinged lid enclosing an open top of the receptacle, a handle, a downward lip along a front top rim of the receptacle and a vertically spaced retention bar for being grasped by an external lifter for elevating and emptying the contents from the receptacle. The waste bin also includes first and second laterally spaced-part vertical walls extending outwardly and forwardly from a forward side of the receptacle and positioned to form respective first and second retention bar housings. 
         [0011]    A first aperture is formed in the first vertical wall and a second aperture is formed in the second vertical wall for receiving the retention bar. The first and second apertures have diameters sufficiently large to permit free rotation of the retention bar in the first and second apertures. A rib is positioned in the first retention bar housing and adapted to abut a first end of the retention bar extending into the first retention bar housing to prevent movement of the retention bar into the first retention bar housing beyond a predetermined point. 
         [0012]    A lock cooperates with the exterior of the retention bar between the first and second retention bar housings, and is adapted to engage the second retention bar housing to restrain side-to-side movement of the retention bar out of the first and second apertures. 
         [0013]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the rib engages an end face of the retention bar. 
         [0014]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the retention bar is cylindrical and the first and second apertures are circular. 
         [0015]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the first and second retention bar housings each comprise one vertical wall, one front closeout wall and two external walls of the waste bin receptacle. 
         [0016]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the lock comprises a protrusion on an axially-extending surface of the retention bar exterior to both of the first and second vertical walls in order to prevent passage of the retention bar further through the second aperture into the second retention bar housing. 
         [0017]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the protrusion comprises a rivet positioned in a hole in the retention bar. 
         [0018]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the two external walls of the first and second retention bar housings define a recess having a depth equal to the depth of the vertical walls. 
         [0019]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the retention bar is longer than the distance between the first and second vertical walls and shorter than the distance between opposed external walls of the waste bin receptacle. 
         [0020]    In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of installing a retention bar onto a roll-out waste bin is provided. The waste bin is of the type characterized by having a receptacle mounted on wheels, a hinged lid enclosing an open top of the receptacle, a handle, a downward lip along a front top rim of the receptacle wherein the retention bar is vertically spaced from the lip for being grasped by an external lifter for elevating and emptying the contents from the receptacle. The method includes the steps of providing first and second laterally spaced-part vertical walls extending outwardly and forwardly from a forward side of the receptacle, and positioned to form respective first and second retention bar housings. A first aperture is formed in the first vertical wall and a second aperture is formed in the second vertical wall, each aperture adapted for receiving one end portion of the retention bar. The first and second apertures have diameters sufficiently large to permit free rotation of the retention bar in the first and second apertures. A rib is positioned in the first retention bar housing and is adapted to abut a first end of the retention bar extending into the first retention bar housing to prevent movement of the retention bar into the first retention bar housing beyond a predetermined point. A lock cooperates with the exterior of the retention bar between the first and second retention bar housings, and is adapted to engage the second retention bar housing to restrain side-to-side movement of the retention bar out of the first and second apertures. A retention bar is provided that is longer than the distance between the first and second vertical walls and shorter than the distance between opposed external walls of the waste bin receptacle. The retention bar is inserted into and through the second aperture into the second retention bar housing to a point where the retention bar can be moved into alignment with the first and second apertures. The retention bar is moved out of the second retention bar housing a sufficient distance to cause the retention bar to enter the first aperture and pass into the first retention bar housing and abut the rib with an opposing end portion of the retention bar remaining in the second retention bar housing. A protrusion is applied to the surface of the retention bar at a position where the retention bar is locked against being removed from either the first or second retention bar housing. 
         [0021]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the step of applying a protrusion to the surface of the retention bar comprises the step of applying a rivet through a wall of the retention bar. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0022]    The present invention is best understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a roll-out waste bin according to one prior art design with which the retention bar of the present invention may be utilized; 
           [0024]      FIG. 1A  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the retention bar area of the waste bin shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a waste bin of a type with which the retention bar of the present invention may be utilized; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the retention bar mechanism shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the waste bin having a retention bar mechanism according to the prior art design of  FIGS. 2 and 2A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3A  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the retention bar mechanism shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a waste bin having a retention bar mechanism according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4A  is a fragmentary enlarged view of the novel retention bar mechanism shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 5-9  are enlarged fragmentary sequential views of a retention bar according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention being inserted into the retention bar housings of a waste bin; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a further enlarged fragmentary view of the position of the retention bar shown in  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a still further fragmentary view showing a side elevation of the top plan view shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    Referring now to the drawings, a roll-out waste bin  10  that includes a prior art retention bar receiving area according to one prior art design is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , and includes a waste receptacle  12  mounted on wheels  14 , one shown, and covered by a hinged lid  16 , with handles  18 . 
         [0035]    A downwardly-facing lip  19  extends along the front top rim of the waste receptacle  12  and is gripped by the automated lifter in order to lift and dump the contents of the waste bin  10 . A retention bar receiving area  20  is formed of two parallel, vertical walls  22 ,  24  that are external to the interior volume receptacle  12  and spaced apart at a distance that is less than the length of the retention bar, not shown. The vertical walls  22 ,  24  have respective apertures  26 ,  28  through which the retention bar is placed, with enough clearance to allow the retention bar to spin freely. 
         [0036]    Another waste bin that includes a prior art retention bar receiving area according to another design is shown at reference numeral  30  in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A,  3  and  3 A. The waste bin  30  includes a waste receptacle  32  mounted on wheels  34 , one shown, and covered by a hinged lid  36 , with handles  38  and a downwardly-facing lip  40 , as described above. A retention bar receiving area  50  includes front closeout walls  52 ,  54  that connect vertical walls  56 ,  58  to the waste bin receptacle  32 , thereby creating two retention bar housings  60 ,  62 , see  FIG. 3A , each housing  60 ,  62  having one vertical wall  56 ,  58 , respectively, one front closeout wall  52 ,  54  respectively, and two external walls  64 ,  66  and  68 ,  70 , respectively, of the waste bin receptacle  32 . Vertical walls  56 ,  58  include respective opposed retention bar apertures  61 ,  63 . 
         [0037]    As best shown in  FIG. 3A , a pair of ribs  72 ,  74 , one residing inside each of the retention bar housings  60 ,  62 , respectively, are formed integral to the receptacle  32  and extend from the respective external walls  64 ,  68  of the retention bar housings  60 ,  62 . These ribs  72 ,  74  trap the retention bar  80  after it has been slid into position through the retention bar housing apertures, preventing the retention bar from moving side-to-side enough to be removed. The ribs  72 ,  74  are positioned in the retention bar housings  60 ,  62  to normally interfere with the retention bar  80  and thereby prevent the retention bar  80  from being pulled free of free of the bin  30 . In order to insert the retention bar  80 , these ribs  72 ,  74  have a degree of flexibility, and are typically deflected by the retention bar  80  during insertion sufficiently to allow the retention bar  80  to slide past the ribs  72 ,  74  and enter the retention bar housings  60 ,  62 , whereupon the ribs  72 ,  74  move back into their normal positions that interfere with removal of the retention bar  80 , locking the retention bar  80  into the retention bar housings  60 ,  62 . 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4-9 , top plan views of a roll-out bin  100  is shown. The bin  100  includes features and elements that are the same as the features and elements of bin  30  and as to those features and elements, the same reference numerals are used. As is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-9 , the principal difference in the bin  30  and bin  100  is that the rib  72  of the retention bar housing  60  has been omitted in accordance with the novel features described and claimed in this application. 
         [0039]    Applicant also notes that the invention of this application is not dependent on the presence of all of the features of the bin  30 . The invention is equally usable with reference to bin  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A, and any other roll-out waste bin having opposed walls into which a retention bar is inserted and retained. 
         [0040]    With these explanations in mind,  FIGS. 4-9  illustrate sequentially the insertion of a retention bar  102  in accordance with the method of the invention of this application. As shown in  FIG. 5 , one end of the retention bar  102  is inserted into the aperture  61  in retention bar housing  60  at an angle necessitated to achieve clearance of the opposing retention bar housing  62  and the vertical wall  58 . In accordance with the particular embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-9 , a hole  104  is formed in the retention bar  102  proximate one end. The end of the retention bar  102  with this hole  104  is inserted first. The hole  104  is positioned on the retention bar  102  in a location whereby it resides outside the vertical wall  56  of the retention housing  62  when insertion of the retention bar  102  is complete. See  FIGS. 9-11 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , when the retention bar  102  is fully extended into the retention bar housing  60 , its length is sufficiently short to enable it to clear the vertical wall  58 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In the position shown in  FIG. 8 , the retention bar  102  is slid through the aperture  63  in the vertical wall  58  and into the retention bar housing  62  until it is stopped from further insertion by the rib  74 . In this position, shown in  FIG. 9 , the hole  104  resides outside the retention bar housing  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a drive rivet  106  is then inserted into the hole  104 . The head of the rivet  106  extends sufficiently above the axially-extending surface of the retention bar  102  to interfere with and prevent the retention bar  102  from sliding further back into the retention bar housing  60 . This feature in combination with the engagement of the other end of the retention bar  102  with the rib  74  locks the retention bar  102  into the area between the two retention housings  60 ,  62 , while still permitting it to rotate as needed. 
         [0042]    Alternative devices may be employed to replace the rivet  106 , and may include an end cap, not shown, on the retention bar  102  having an axially-extending protrusion of such proportion that the protrusion can deform under pressure to allow the placement of the retention bar  102  through the aperture  61  and return to its original shape when said pressure is relieved, with its original shape creating interference with the exterior wall  56  of the retention bar housing  60  that opposes the rib  74 . 
         [0043]    Another alternative embodiment may be an end cap of the retention bar  102  having multiple protrusions, not shown, of such proportions that the protrusions deform under pressure to allow the placement of the retention bar  102  through the aperture  61 , returning to their original shape when the pressure is relieved, with their original shape creating interference with the exterior wall  56  of the retention bar housing  60  that opposes the rib  74 . 
         [0044]    Other possible embodiments, not shown, can include but are not limited to snap-fit type mechanisms, either integral to the retention bar  102  or as part of a secondary component added to the retention bar  102 , such as spring-released buttons or hooks. 
         [0045]    A lift mechanism for a roll-out waste bin according to the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1