Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a rocking device for waste containers, particularly residential or commercial waste containers. In particular, the invention provides a waste container locking device which keeps the container closed when a sudden jerk or jarring, such as by ground impact, is applied on the container, so that the container does not open when it is accidentally knocked over, but may be opened when tipped during dumping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/203,163, filed Aug. 10, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to locking devices for waste containers, particularly residential or commercial waste containers. In particular, the invention relates to a waste container locking device which keeps the container closed when a sudden jerk or jarring, such as ground impact, is applied on the container and allows the container to be opened during the dumping or tipping process. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    As is well known, residential or commercial waste containers, for use in residential or commercial applications, typically include a base structure covered by a lid. These containers usually contain a block-shaped container with a hinged lid attached to one side thereof. The containers may be emptied by an automated lifting device on certain waste removal vehicles, which tilts the waste containers for emptying the contents of the waste containers. The containers are generally lifted by the lifting mechanism and pivoted in some fashion so that the hinged top of the container opens and the trash contained therein is emptied into the vehicle. The container is then returned to a position on the ground, and the hinged lid closes the top of the container. 
         [0004]    The waste containers may be available for purchase by home owners from various home improvement or department stores. When the container is in an upright position, the lid is closed and prevents animals from accessing the waste within the container. However, when the container is tipped over on its side, e.g. by animals or by strong wind, the lid may open, spilling the contents of the container or allowing animals to access the interior of the container. 
         [0005]    Locks may be provided to prevent the lid from opening when the waste container is knocked over on its side or to prevent unwanted access to the container. However, these locks may prevent the automated lifting device on the trash removal vehicle from being able to empty the container, or require the operator to manually unlock the waste container before placing it on the automated lifting device. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there remains a need for a locking device that prevents the unintended opening of the waste container, such as by an accidental knockdown, but does not require manual unlocking when being tilted over, e.g., by a lifting mechanism. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a locking device for a waste container that keeps the lid of the container closed when the container is knocked over on its side, with a sudden jerking or jarring motion, such as by impact with the ground, to prevent spillage of its contents. The locking device, however, allows the lid to open when the waste container is tipped over by a dumping operation. 
         [0008]    An aspect of the present invention provides a locking device that is designed to be mounted in the lid of the waste container. The locking device contains a hook, a locking member, and an actuating mechanism. The locking member is attached to a wall of the waste container and is in a lockable relationship with the hook which is, directly or indirectly, attached to the lid of the waste container. The latching of the hook to a locking member keeps the lid in a closed position. The actuating mechanism can be placed in a raised position or a fully lowered position. In the raised position, the actuating mechanism unlatches the hook from the locking member to allow the lid to be opened. In a fully lowered position, the actuating mechanism allows the hook to latch to the locking member. In the event that the locking device falls on its side and impacts the ground, a detent mechanism prevents the actuating mechanism from being placed in a raised position, thus preventing unlatching of the hook from the locking member. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a waste container having the locking device mounted therein, preferably in the lid of the container. The lid contains a cutout thtough which the locking device is mounted. 
         [0010]    Methods for making the different aspects of the present invention are also provided 
         [0011]    Other aspects of the invention, including apparatus, devices, kits, processes, and the like which constitute part of the invention, will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The foregoing background and summary, as well as the following detailed description of the drawings, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a fragmentary cut away view of a waste container having the locking device of the present invention mounted thereon; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the locking device of the present invention having the bottom cover attached; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the locking, device of the present invention having the bottom cover removed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the locking device of the present invention with the handle lifted away from the housing; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-section of the locking device of the present invention with bar segments magnetically attached to the shaft; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section of the locking device of the present invention with a bar segment angularly deflected from the shaft when the locking device is over on its side; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows an alternate perspective view of the locking device of the present invention having the bottom cover removed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with the reference to accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0021]    For purposes of the following description, certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The characterizations of various components and orientations described herein as being “vertical”, “horizontal”, “upright”, “right”, “left”, “side”, “top”, “bottom”, or the like designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made and are relative characterizations only based upon the particular position or orientation of a given component as illustrated. These terms shall not be regarded as limiting the invention. The words “downward” and “upward” refer to position in a vertical direction relative to a geometric center of the apparatus of the present invention and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the word “a” as used in the claims means “at least one.” 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a waste container  2 , such as a trash container typically used by home owners or businesses to deposit, retain, or store trash awaiting pick-up by a trash removal vehicle. The container  2  may be tilted or otherwise pivoted from an upright storage position (as shown in  FIG. 1 .) to a tilted or dumping position to empty its contents. 
         [0023]    The container  2 . has at least one lid  4  on top of a main box  6 . Box  6  defines an interior volume for holding waste. The lid  4  is mounted on a lid hinge  8 , typically at the rear, of the container  2  so that when an upward force is applied to the lid  4 , it opens by pivoting on the lid hinge  8 . A locking device  100  is mounted in a cutout  10  in the lid  4 . In an exemplary embodiment, the mounting is such that a part of the locking device  100  protrudes above the lid  4  and thus outside of container  2 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The locking device  100  is preferably positioned towards the front of the lid  4  for reasons to be apparent below. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the locking device  100  contains an housing  200  and an optional bottom cover  202  extending below the housing  200 . The bottom cover  202  may he made of two halves that are attached together by fasteners, e.g. screws, to protect its content. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 1 . the housing  200 , a portion of which is exposed outside of the waste container  2 , may be retained in the cutout  10  of the lid  4  by a collar  204 . The collar  204  may be a ring, preferably made of an elastomer, having a channel around its outer circumference. The cutout  10  in the lid  4  fits into the channel; and the housing  200  is held in place by the friction between the inner diameter of the collar  204  and the outer surface of the housing  200 . 
         [0026]    A locking member  206 , as best shown in  FIG. 2 , may protrude through an opening at the bottom of the bottom cover  202 . The locking member  206  preferably has a flat portion that is fastened to a wall  12 , preferably the from wall, of the main box  6 , e.g. by screws or nuts/bolts, through at least one hole  208  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ). When installed on the wall  12  of the waste container  2 , the flat portion of the locking member  206  lays flat against the surface of the wall  12 . At a top end closest to the lid  4 , the locking member  206  contains a locking protrusion  302  (best shown in  FIGS. 3-4 ) that is configured to interlock with a hook  300 . Although the drawings illustrate that the hook  300  interlocks with the locking protrusion  302 , one skilled in the art would appreciate that other locking mechanisms on the locking member  206  may be used to interlock with the hook  300  to produce similar results. 
         [0027]    The hook  300  is attached, directly or indirectly, to the lid  4 , and may be placed where convenient for operation of the locking device  100 . As illustrated in the drawings, the hook  300  may be attached to the bottom cover  202  at hole  210 , e.g. by a nut/bolt placed through a hole  308  on the hook and a hole  210  on the bottom cover  202 . However, if the cover  202  is not present, the hook  300  may be attached directly to the lid  4  of the waste container  2  or to the housing  200  by means apparent to a skilled person upon reading the present disclosure. As best shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , when the waste container  2  is in its upright position and the lid  4  is closed, the hook  300 , by gravity, engages the locking protrusion  302  to lock the lid  4  in place. Alternatively, the hook may be biased, e.g. by a spring, in a direction for locking engagement with the locking protrusion  302 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the hook  300  also contains a deflecting arm  306  which is preferably bent at approximately perpendicular to the main body of the hook  300  and pointing towards the housing  200 . When hook  300  engages the locking protrusion  302 , the deflecting arm  306  locates just above a ledge  308  of a safety release  310 . in an exemplary embodiment, the hook  300  and the portion of the locking member  206  that contains the locking protrusion  302 , all may be contained within the bottom cover  202 . 
         [0028]    The safety release  310 , as best shown in  FIG. 7 , is designed to provide a mechanism to unlatch the hook  300  from the locking member  206  from within the container  2 , e.g., to be used in the event where a person is trapped inside the waste container  2 . The safety release  310  is especially important when the &amp;tent mechanism is enclosed within the bottom cover  202 , as a person trapped inside the container  2  cannot merely push the detent mechanism into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 . The safety release  310  protrudes from the bottom cover  202  and provides a grip for the trapped person to pull. When the safety release  310  is pulled, it raises the ledge  308  which, in turn, lifts the deflecting arm  306  to unlatch the hook  300  from the locking protrusion  302 . That unlatching allows the trapped person to lift the lid  4  and to free himself/herself. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3-6  shows the locking device with the bottom cover  202  removed. The housing  200  is a hollow, preferably cylindrical, object having open, opposing top and bottom ends. On top of the housing  200  sits a handle  400  that is designed to be gripped by a user and pulled upward and away from the housing  200 . The handle  400  may have various shapes, as long as a user is able to obtain a sufficient grip on it to pull the handle  400  away from the housing  200 . In an exemplary embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the handle  400 , in a fully lowered position, sits directly on top of the housing  200  and closes the top end of the housing  200 . Although the drawings depict a particular shape to the handle, one skilled in the art would understand that the handle may have different shapes and forms to perform its function as described herein. 
         [0030]    The hollow interior of the housing  200  defines a cavity  500 . As best shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , a shaft  502  is partially located inside the cavity  500  and extends beyond the housing  200  through the open bottom end of the housing  200 . Preferably, the center axis of the shaft  502  is aligned with the center axis of the housing  200 , so that the shaft  502  is centered in the cavity  500 . The shaft  502  contains a top end  512  and a bottom end  514 . The top end  512  resides in the cavity  500  and is connected to the handle  400 . In an exemplary embodiment, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 , the top end  512  may be attached to the handle  400  via a piston  402  that spans the open top end of the housing  200  to stabilize the shaft during operation. 
         [0031]    The bottom end  514  of the shaft  502  is connected to a detent mechanism containing one or more bar segments  504  disposed on the shaft, preferably equiangularly around the circumference of the shaft  502 . Preferably, two or more bar segments  504  are provided, more preferably two to eight, and most preferably four. Each of the bar segments  504  has a first end  522  connected to the shaft  502 , preferably at the bottom end  514 , by a pivot  506 . The second end  516  of the bar segment  504  is detachably connected to the shaft  502 , preferably in a location closer to the housing  200  than the location of the first end  522 . Thus, the bar segment  504  is in approximate parallel alignment with the shaft  502 . The detachable connection of the second end  516  of the bar segment  504  to the shaft  502  is preferably by magnetic attraction. A magnet  508  may be permanently placed on the second end  516  of the bar segment  504 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and a ferromagnetic material is used for the shaft  502 . Alternatively, the magnet may be placed on the shaft  302  and a ferromagnetic material placed on the second end  516  of the bar segment  504 . A person skilled in the art would understand that various was are available to magnetically attach the second end  516  of the bar segment  504  to the shaft  502 . For example, although the magnet is shown in the drawings as being located at approximately the second end  516  of the bar segment  504 , the magnet  508  may be located elsewhere along the length of the bar segment  504 , as long as the magnet  508  is capable of holding the second end  516  to the shaft  502 . Each of the bar segments  504  preferably has the same shape as the others. The bar segments  504  are placed on a portion of the shaft  502  that is completely outside of the housing  200  when the handle  400  is in its fully lowered position (as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). In an embodiment, the second end  516  of the bar segment  504 , when attached to the shaft  502 , may be spaced from the bottom opening of the housing  200  by about 2 to about 20 mm, preferably about 5 to about 15 mm. The relationship between the handle  400 , the shaft  502 , and the bar segments  504  is such that, when the handle  400  is pulled upward and away from the housing  200 , the shaft  502  moves with it and draws the bar segments  504  into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 . In certain embodiments, a stop  510  may be placed in the cavity  500  of the housing  200  to prevent the bar segments from being pulled too far into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 . 
         [0032]    However, the second ends  546  of the bar segments  504 , by design, may be disconnected from the shaft  502 , e.g. by a force greater than the magnetic force holding them to the shaft  502 , such as may occur by a jerking or jarring action (e.g., by impact with the ground) of the locking device  100 . The magnetic attraction between the shaft  502  and the bar segments  504  is sufficiently strong to maintain the bar segments  504  in engagement with the shaft  502  when the locking device  100  (and thus the waste container  2 ) is in its natural upright position or is tilted by a lifting mechanism, but is sufficiently weak to release the bar segments  504  from the shaft  502  when the locking device is subjected to a jerking or jarring motion, such as impact with the ground. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the bar segments  504  are designed so that they can only be pulled away and lay at a deflection angle  600 , with respect to the axis of the shaft, of greater than 0 to about 45°, preferably about 5 to about 15°. This deflection angle allows the bar segments  504  to reattach to the shaft  502  by magnetic attraction alone when the locking device  100  is in its upright position. To keep the deflection angle within the desired limit, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 , the shaft  502  may be fitted with a stop ramp  604  which limits the movement of the bar segments  504  when an enlarged foot  606  of the bar segment contacts the stop ramp  604  when the bar segment  504  moves away from the shaft  502 . Other methods for limiting the deflection angle may be apparent to a skilled person in the art. For example, the pivot  506  may be designed to allow only limited radial movement by the bar segments  504 . When any one of the bar segments  504  is deflected from and lays at an angle to the shaft  502 , the bar segments  504  cannot be pulled into a raised position sufficient for the deflecting rod  304  to raise the deflecting arm  306  to unlock the hook  300  from the locking member  206 , because the deflected bar segment  504  abuts against a bottom lip  602  of the housing  200 . 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , each of the bar segments  504  may contain a notch  520  on the side facing the shaft  502 . When the bar segment  504  is attached to the shaft  502 , the notch  520  defines a cavity containing a rolling member  518  therein. The rolling member  518  may be in the form of a spherical ball. Alternatively, the rolling member  518  may be in the form of a cylindrical disc. The rolling member  518  preferably has a diameter slightly smaller than the depth of notch  520 , such that the rolling member  518  can roll freely within the notch  520 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , when the locking device  100  is in its upright position, gravity pulls the rolling member  518  to the bottom of the notch  520 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , when the locking device  100  is on its side and the second end  516  of the bar segment  504  detaches and lays at a deflection angle  600  from the shaft  502 , gravity palls the rolling member  518  toward the open end of the notch  520 . When located at the opened end of the notch (rather than the bottom end), the rolling member  518  prevents the second end  516  from reattaching to the shaft  502  until the locking device  100  is uprighted. Although  FIGS. 5-6  for illustrative purposes, only show the rolling member  518  in association with one of the bar segments  504 , it should be understood that each of the bar segments  504 , in a preferred embodiment, contains a rolling member  518 . 
         [0034]    In an embodiment, the bar segments  504  may be connected to the shaft  502  via a hub  526 . The hub  526  surrounds and is slidable on the shaft  502 . Preferably, the hub  526  is retained in slidable engagement with the shaft by a retaining nut  524 . When directly connected to the hub  526 , the bar segments  504  can slide into the cavity  500  of the housing  200  without the handle  400  being pulled away from the housing  200 . That way, during dumping operation, the bar segments  504  can enter the cavity  500  by gravity (thus allowing the lid  4  to be opened) without the handle  400  being displaced from its lowered position. In certain embodiments, the hub  526  may be magnetically or frictionally retained on the shaft, such that the magnet or friction prevents the bar segments  504  from entering the cavity  500  of the housing  200  while the locking device  100  is in freefall. However, when the locking device  100  is tilted into an inverted position, gravity is able to overcome the magnetic or frictional force to pull the bar segments  504  into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 . “Inverted position,” as used herein, refers to a position where the handle  400  is lower than the bar segments  504 , but not necessarily directly below the bar segments  504 . 
         [0035]    The detent mechanism may be connected to a deflecting rod  304  which extends at an angle, preferably approximately perpendicular, to the shaft  502  and/or one of the bar segments  504 . As best shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the deflecting rod  304  may extend from one of the pivots  506  towards deflecting arm  306  on the hook  300 . The deflecting rod  304  is positioned such that when the bar segments  504  are pulled into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 , the deflecting rod  304  lifts the deflecting arm  306  of the hook  300  to unlatch the hook  300  from the locking protrusion  302 . Thus, in a fully lowered position, the deflecting rod  304  is located just beneath the deflecting arm  306  of the hook  300 . In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 4 , lifting of the deflecting arm  306  unlatches the hook  300  by a pivoting movement around the hole  308  on the hook  300  Although the deflecting rod  304  is shown in the drawings as being connected to one of the pivots  506 , it may be connected elsewhere (e.g. directly or indirectly to the shaft) as long as it can be raised and lowered with the bar segments  504 . 
         [0036]    In use, to open the waste container  2 , the user pulls upwardly on the handle  400  to a raised position, which causes the bar segments  504  to be pulled into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 . That action also pulls the deflecting rod  304  upwardly toward deflecting arm  306  of the hook  300 . When the deflecting rod  304  comes into contact with the. deflecting arm  306 , it also lifts the deflecting arm  306  upwardly to release the hook  300  from the locking protrusion  302 , thus, unlocking the lid  4  and allowing the user to lift the lid  4  to open the waste container  2 . 
         [0037]    When the user closes the lid  4 , gravity pulls the handle  400 , shaft  502 , and bar segments  504  downwardly, back to the filly lowered position, releasing the deflecting rod  304  from under the deflecting arm  306 . Gravity or a spring then pulls the deflecting arm  306  downwardly to latch the hook  300  with the locking protrusion  302 , thereby locking the closed lid  4 . 
         [0038]    In the event that the waste container  2  is knocked over, e.g. by strong wind or animals, the jerking or jarring action, such as by around impact, on the waste container  2  knocks at least one of the bar segments  504  (preferably the lowest locating bar segment  504  when the waste container  2  is on its side) from its magnetic attachment to the shaft  502 . That action, when the waste container  2  is laid over on its side, causes angular deflection of at least one of the bar segments  504  from the shaft  502  and prevents the bar segments  504  from being accidentally pulled into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 , thereby preventing release of the hook  300  from the locking protrusion  302 . Accordingly, due to the angular deflection of at least one of the bar segments  504  from the shaft  502 , the lid  4  cannot be opened when the waste container  2  is on its side. Also, when the waste container  2  is on its side, the rolling member(s)  518  associated with the angularly deflected bar segment(s)  504  roll to the open end(s) of the notch(es)  520  to prevent the angularly deflected bar segment(s)  504  from reattaching to the shaft  502 . When the user rights the waste container  2 , the rolling member(s)  518  roll to the bottom end of the notch(es)  520  to allow the magnetic attraction between the angularly deflected bar segment(s)  504  and the shaft  502  to reattach the angularly deflected bar segment(s)  504  to the shaft  502 . The interaction of the shaft  502  and the bar segments  504  thus provides a mechanical sensor that can detect whether the container  2  has been unintendedly tipped over or whether it is being tipped over, such as for dumping. Because there are a plurality of bar segments  504  equiangularly disposed about shaft  502 , the shaft  502  and bar segments  504  provide a mechanical sensor that detects unintended tipping of waste container  2  regardless of the direction or distance of tipping. 
         [0039]    On the other hand, when the waste container  2  is laid on its side, e.g., by a user or an automated lifting device on a waste removal vehicle, the bar segment  504  remains magnetically attached to the shaft  502 . That way, the lid can be opened by pulling on the handle  400  in a direction away from the housing  200 ; or when the waste container is inverted, gravity allows the lid  4  to open by pulling the bar segments  504  into the cavity  500  of the housing  200 . 
         [0040]    Due to the presence of the plurality of bar segments  504  located around the circumference of the shaft  502 , the locking device  100  is able to keep the lid  4  of waste container  2  closed, when the waste container  2  falls over and impacts the ground in any direction. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, the locking device  100  is also able to keep the lid  4  dosed regardless of bow far the waste container  2  falls over, as long as the impact provides sufficient jerking or jarring to dislodge at least one of the bar segments  504  from the shaft  502 . On the other hand, if no impact occurs, the lid  4  can be opened when it is tipped over, such as by a lifting device on a waste removal vehicle. 
         [0042]    Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.