Patent Document

PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/456,314, entitled “E-Z Hauler”, filed Mar. 20, 2003, and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to receptacle transport devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus attachable to and compatible with a variety of automotive vehicle designs for transporting domestic waste receptacles.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many waste disposal companies have automated their collection of waste at a given residence by mounting a mechanical device on the side of the collection truck, which engages the respective waste receptacle and hoists the container thereby dumping the contents into the bin of the truck. In order to facilitate this process, waste disposal companies provide their customers with special waste receptacles for weekly pickup. These receptacles range in a variety of shapes and sizes, but typically are oversized so that one waste receptacle can accommodate the needed volume and weight (typically up to about 75 pounds) of weekly generated waste for the respective household.  
         [0004]     Some of these waste receptacles are equipped with a horizontal lift bar that is molded into the container allowing the mechanical device to engage the waste receptacle and dump its contents. Other waste receptacles do not require this horizontal bar, as the mechanical device is adapted to grasp the outside of the waste receptacle. Most waste receptacles include integral wheels allowing the user to maneuver the receptacle from a loading location proximate the residence to a collection position proximate a road. The waste receptacles also contain a hinged lid, which can incorporate one or more handles for tilting the container onto its wheels.  
         [0005]     In many rural areas, the collection point of the waste receptacle may be a considerable distance from the residence making it impractical and difficult to manually wheel the waste receptacle to the collection point. The difficulties of manually transporting these oversized receptacles is further magnified during inclement weather such as rain, snow, high and low temperatures or when difficult terrain must be traversed between the residence and the collection point such as gravel roads, mud and elevational changes. Typically, these oversized containers do not fit into most passenger vehicles. Even if a homeowner has a vehicle equipped to deal with these oversized receptacles, their increased weight presents a great difficulty in lifting these receptacles into the back of a pick-up truck or onto a pulled trailer, not to mention the potential safety issues associated with lifting these heavy loads.  
         [0006]     A number of devices have been employed to overcome these problems. For instance, a trailer may be used to transport the receptacles behind a passenger vehicle or pick-up truck. Other devices also mount to the hitch of the vehicle or are supported by brackets that permanently attach to the bumper of the vehicle. Such devices lift the waste receptacle off of the ground during transportation by using a telescopic mount or lever arms that engage the horizontal lift bar. However, all of these devices require the use of a hitch and/or bracket, are not easily stored, and use complex and/or heavy mechanical parts. Additionally, the use of horizontal lift bar devices is limited only to those waste receptacles that actually include a horizontal lift bar. Moreover, these devices require considerable amounts of time and effort in connecting the devices to the vehicle, especially if the device needs to be removed from the vehicle between the time the waste receptacle is transported to the collection point and when it is retrieved from the collection point.  
         [0007]     It is therefore desirable to provide an efficient, cost-effective device that engages with the variety of existing waste receptacles and is compatible with virtually all types of vehicles. Such a device would not have the limitations of needing a hitch or other permanent attachment to the vehicle, needing a horizontal lift bar on the waste receptacle, requiring the user to lift the container, or present storage problems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A receptacle transport device described herein provides a means of transporting waste receptacles equipped with integral wheels from one location to a desired location with the use of a vehicle. For example, the waste receptacles may be transported from the point of waste receptacle storage (typically a residence) to the point of a disposal company&#39;s waste receptacle collection (typically the end of the driveway along a road or highway). The receptacle transport device eliminates the need for manual lifting of the waste receptacle (either full or empty), a hitch on the vehicle being used to transport the waste receptacle, a horizontal bar on the waste receptacle being transported, and excessive amounts of time and effort to attach/detach the receptacle transport device to the vehicle being used for transportation of the waste receptacle. The waste receptacle transport device can accommodate various shapes and sizes of existing waste receptacles, and it is compatible with any type of vehicle whether or not the vehicle is dirty, wet, cold, hot, or clean. Additionally, the waste receptacle transport device can be used during any inclement weather, and it can be used to transport the waste receptacle transport device across difficult terrain including sand, gravel, mud, snow, slush, steep inclines and declines, and ruts in a driveway.  
         [0009]     In view of the foregoing, certain embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that enable a waste receptacle to be transported from one location to a different location.  
         [0010]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles that are of different sizes and shapes.  
         [0011]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles that are oversized.  
         [0012]     Still further aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles with the use of various designs and models of vehicles.  
         [0013]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste by vehicles that are dirty, cold, hot, wet, or clean.  
         [0014]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles through inclement weather and/or adverse terrain.  
         [0015]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles by towing.  
         [0016]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that are flexible so that transportation of waste receptacles may be accomplished by towing waste receptacles over and/or through mud, sand, gravel, slush, ruts, or pavement.  
         [0017]     Still other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles in a time efficient manner.  
         [0018]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles without having to manually lift the waste receptacle.  
         [0019]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles in a cost-effective manner.  
         [0020]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles without having to exert much physical effort.  
         [0021]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles in rural areas where driveways are considerably long.  
         [0022]     Other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles without damaging the vehicle used for transportation.  
         [0023]     Still other aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles without the use of hitch on a vehicle.  
         [0024]     Further aspects of embodiments of the invention provide apparatus and methods that allow transportation of waste receptacles by people of various sizes, strengths, ages, and/or age. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     Further features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of certain embodiments, in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a waste receptacle;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a waste receptacle transport device of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a waste receptacle transport device of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a vehicle attachment device of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention attached to a vehicle;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention towing a waste receptacle;  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention towing a waste receptacle;  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention towing a waste receptacle;  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a towable waste receptacle of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a securement strap used in conjunction with the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 13  is a side view of a securement strap used in conjunction with the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 14 . is a side view of an embodiment of the waste receptacle transport device of the present invention; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the waste receptacle transport device of  FIG. 14  during towing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a waste receptacle  100  typical of the type provided by waste disposal companies. The waste receptacle  100  has a molded body  102  with an integral hinged lid  104 , bottom  106 , and a plurality of wheels  108 . The hinged lid  104  incorporates a handle portion  110  allowing the user to tilt the waste receptacle  100  off of its bottom  106  and onto its wheels  108  and thereby maneuver the waste receptacle  100  to a desired location.  
         [0042]     In an embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , a waste receptacle transport device  112  comprises a vehicle attachment device  114  and a waste receptacle attachment device  116 . Vehicle attachment device  114  and waste receptacle attachment device  116  are operably connected at opposing ends of an offset linkage bar  118 .  
         [0043]     Waste receptacle attachment device  116  comprises a pair of arms  120   a ,  120   b  and at least one handle attachment device  122 . Arms  120   a ,  120   b  are arranged generally perpendicular to offset linkage bar  118  to form an overall T-shape. Preferably, offset linkage bar  118  and arms  120   a ,  120   b  are an integral plastic piece, such as high-density polyethylene or other suitable polymers, formed by an appropriate molding process such as injection molding. Alternatively, the offset linkage bar  118  and arms  120   a ,  120   b  can comprise separate, connectable components fabricated from aluminum or other suitable materials. In an alternative embodiment, arms  120   a ,  120   b  can be angled with respect to offset linkage bar  118  to form an overall Y-shape.  
         [0044]     Preferably, arms  120   a ,  120   b  each contain at least one aperture  124 . Alternatively, arms  120   a ,  120   b  can share a common aperture  124 . Aperture  124  allows handle attachment device  122  to wrap about the handle portion  110  of waste receptacle  100 . The handle attachment device  122  can comprise flexible elastomeric straps  126 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , cloth-like material including hook and loop fasteners as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , a bungee cord or a metal chain. Handle attachment device  122  can provide flexibility to the waste receptacle transport device  112  during towing of the waste receptacle  100  to the desired location. Alternatively, the handle attachment device  122  can consist of a clip that operably engages with the handle portion  110 . In an alternative embodiment, the handle attachment device  122  is an integral part of arms  120   a ,  120   b  such that aperture  124  is not required.  
         [0045]     Vehicle attachment device  114  is attached to the offset linkage bar  118  at a bracket  128 . In one embodiment, the vehicle attachment device  114  and bracket  128  are fastened together with a suitable fastener such as a screw or a nut and bolt. Alternatively, the bracket  128  and vehicle attachment device  114  can comprise a single, integral part. Offset linkage bar  118  is connected to bracket  128  by way of a hinged fastener  130 . The hinged fastener  130  allows the offset linkage bar  118  and vehicle attachment device  114  to be arranged with respect to each other in various orientations. The orientation can be based on characteristics such as a tow vehicle orientation and type as well as the shape and size of waste receptacle  100 .  
         [0046]     For example, when waste receptacle transport device  112  is attached to a vehicle  132  in the form of a traditional sedan as shown in  FIG. 6 , an interface surface  134  of vehicle attachment device  114  will engage with a body surface  136  that is generally horizontal, for example the trunk or spoiler of vehicle  132 . Therefore, the interface surface  134  will lie in a generally horizontal plane, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , and thereby generally be in a parallel plane to the plane of arms  120   a ,  120   b . However, if the vehicle  132  is instead in the form of a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), truck, or van, interface surface  134  will most likely engage with the body surface  136  in a generally vertical plane, such as a hatch-back door, back-door, or tailgate as depicted in  FIG. 7 . Therefore, interface surface  134  will lie in a vertical plane as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and thereby generally be in a perpendicular arrangement with respect to the plane defined by arms  120   a ,  120   b . Still further, if the vehicle has a sloped or arcuate body surface  136 , such as those found on vehicles traditionally manufactured by Volkswagen AG of Wolfsburg, Germany, interface surface  134  will be in a position that is neither perpendicular or parallel to the plane of arms  120   a ,  120   b . While it is envisioned that the waste receptacle transport device  112  will be used most frequently with an automobile, other motorized vehicles could be employed as well including lawn tractors, four-wheelers, golf carts or even snowmobiles.  
         [0047]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2, 4  and  5 , the bracket  128  preferably contains two side plates  138   a ,  138   b . Side plates  138   a ,  138   b  contain a plurality of pin receiving apertures  140  to receive pin  142 . Similarly, offset linkage bar  118  contains a pin-receiving aperture that is positioned between side plates  138   a ,  138   b . Therefore, when the offset linkage bar  118  is positioned with respect to the vehicle attachment device  114 , pin  142  is inserted into the respective pin-receiving aperture  140  of side-plate  138   a . Pin  142  is advanced into the pin-receiving aperture of offset linkage bar  118  and through pin-receiving aperture  140  of side-plate  138   b  thereby locking the offset linkage bar  118  into the desired orientation with respect to vehicle attachment device  114 . Alternatively, the pin  142  can be replaced with a variety of locking means, such as a spring lever integral with the offset linkage bar  118 . The spring lever may be such that the ends of the lever protrude out through apertures  140  to hold the offset linkage bar  118  in the preferred orientation with respect to the vehicle attachment device  114 . In such an example, the user would push the protruding ends toward each other (into the offset linkage bar  118  body) in order to change the orientation of the offset linkage bar  118  with respect to the vehicle attachment device  114 . In still another alternative embodiment, the offset linkage bar  118  may be positioned between two pins rather than the pin penetrating through the body of the offset linkage bar  118 .  
         [0048]     Preferably, vehicle attachment device  114  consists of a suction cup  144 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 . Alternatively, vehicle attachment device  114  can comprise a magnet. Interface surface  134  of suction cup  144  forms an airtight seal with respect to the body surface  136  of the vehicle  132 , and may be used without damaging the paint of the vehicle  132 . Additionally, suction cup  144  can be used when the vehicle  132  is dirty, wet, cold, hot, or clean. Suction cup  144  preferably contains a fixed handle  146  and a moveable handle  148 , which has an open position, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and a closed position as illustrated  FIGS. 2 and 5 . Suction cup  144  transitions from the open position (unengaged with respect to the body surface  136 ) to the closed position (engaged with respect to the body surface  136 ) by squeezing the handles such that the moveable handle  148  is positioned adjacent to fixed handle  146 . As suction cup  144  is moved from the unengaged position to the engaged position, the suction cup  144  sealing engages the respective body surface  136  of the vehicle  132 . The body surface  136  of the vehicle  132  preferably contains at least a four-inch generally flat or smooth engagement surface.  
         [0049]     When moveable handle  148  is in the closed (or engaged) position, moveable handle  148  may be held in the closed position by way of a lock  150 . Lock  150  is preferably attached to bracket  128  and slides from a locked position to an unlocked position, and vice versa. Lock  150  may alternatively snap from a locked position to an unlocked position, and vice versa. In the locked position, lock  150  prevents moveable handle  148  from moving from the engaged position to the unengaged position. When lock  150  is in the unlocked position, moveable handle  148  is free to move between the engaged and unengaged positions.  
         [0050]     In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the vehicle attachment device  114  and the waste receptacle attachment device  116  are connected by a plurality of offset linkage bars  152   a ,  152   b . Further, side-plates  138   a ,  138   b  of bracket  128  contain dual pin receiving apertures  140  to receive pin  142 . Therefore, offset linkage bars  152   a ,  152   b  and vehicle attachment device  114  can be arranged in two different orientations. For example, one orientation may be such that the interface surface  134  is in a vertical position and thereby generally in a perpendicular plane with respect to the plane of arms  120   a ,  120   b . Another orientation is such that the interface surface  134  is in a horizontal position and thereby generally in a parallel plane with respect to the plane of arms  120   a ,  120   b.    
         [0051]     In another alternative embodiment, the vehicle attachment device  114  and the waste receptacle attachment device  116  can be connected by at least one straight linkage bar. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the straight linkage bar may consist of a pair of straight linkage bars  154   a ,  154   b . Further, bracket  128  does not lock straight linkage bars  154   a ,  154   b  into a desired angular position with respect to vehicle attachment device  114 . Instead, straight linkage bars  154   a ,  154   b  are free to pivot on the axis of hinged fastener  130  in various orientations during the transportation of waste receptacle  100 . Alternatively, the vehicle attachment device  114  and the waste receptacle attachment device  116  can be operably connected by offset linkage bar  118  or a plurality of offset linkage bars that are similarly free to pivot on the axis of hinged fastener  130  in various orientations during the transportation of waste receptacle  100 .  
         [0052]     In another alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the vehicle attachment device  114  and the waste receptacle attachment device  116  are connected by at least one flexible linkage member  156 . Flexible linkage member  156  provides for variable height adjustments based on the size and shape of the waster receptacle  100  as well as the vehicle  132 . Flexible linkage member  156  can comprise any suitable flexible material, for example hollow or solid metallic members, suitable polymers, and polymeric or rubber encapsulated metallic rods.  
         [0053]     In operation, waste receptacle  100  is generally positioned at the rear of vehicle  132 . When waste receptacle  100  is positioned on its bottom  106 , the preferred orientation for engaging the waste receptacle transport device  112  to the body surface  136  of vehicle  132  can be determined such that the waste receptacle  100  is lifted off of bottom  106  and onto wheels  108 . The preferred body surface  136  will be such that the waste receptacle transport device  112  does not bear the weight of waste receptacle  100  and its contents, but instead wheels  108  of waste receptacle  100  bear the weight such that the waste receptacle transport device  112  merely tows the waste receptacle  100  as opposed to carrying the waste receptacle  100 .  
         [0054]     After determining the body surface  136  for engaging the waste receptacle transport device  112  to vehicle  132 , the preferred angular orientation of suction cup  144  and offset linkage bar  118  can be determined. Interface surface  134  of suction cup  144  is positioned on the body surface  136  of the vehicle  132  and moveable handle  148  is moved from the unengaged position to the engaged position. Lock  150  is moved from the unlocked position to the locked position to retain moveable handle  148 . Waste receptacle  100  is then tilted off of its bottom  106  and onto its wheels  108  and elastomeric straps  126  are secured around handle portion  110  of waste receptacle  100 . The ends of elastomeric straps  126  are secured to arms  120   a ,  120   b  by way of apertures  41 .  
         [0055]     Once the waste receptacle  100  is attached to the waste receptacle transport device  112 , the waste receptacle  100  is then towed behind vehicle  132  to the desired location. For safety reasons, vehicle  132  is preferably driven so as to not exceed 10 miles per hour. Once at the desired location, the moveable handle  148  is moved from the engaged position to the unengaged position such that suction cup  144  disengages from the body surface  136  of the vehicle  132  such that the waste receptacle transport device  112  is no longer connected to vehicle  132 . At this point, the waste receptacle  100  can be unsecured from the handle attachment device  122  by removing the elastomeric straps  126  or alternatively, the waste receptacle transport device  112  may be left attached to the waste receptacle  100 . If the elastomeric straps  126  are removed from the handle  20 , the waste receptacle transport device  112  can be stored.  
         [0056]     It is important to notice that there are numerous different ways of utilizing the waste receptacle transport device  112 . For example, the offset linkage bar  118  can be formed integrally with the handle portion  110  of the hinged lid  104  to form a tow-ready waste receptacle  158  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The tow-ready waste receptacle  158  would only require attachment of the vehicle attachment device  114  to the vehicle  132  prior to use. In a similar embodiment, waste receptacle transport device  112  could be manufactured such that the arms  120   a ,  120   b  on waste receptacle attachment device  116  include a throughbore for permanently attaching the waste receptacle transport device  112  to the handle portion  110  of the waste receptacle  100  to form another version of a tow-ready waste receptacle.  
         [0057]     In some instances, the waste receptacle transport device  112  can be used in conjunction with a securement strap  160  as depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . Securement strap  160  comprises a length adjustable strap  162  with a first clip  164  and a second clip  166 . First clip  164  can engage the vehicle attachment device  114  for example the moveable handle  148 , fixed handle  146  or lock  150  while the second clip  166  engages a suitable location on the vehicle  132 . Securement strap  160  assists in maintaining the position of suction cup  144  in abnormal towing conditions such as heavy loading of waste receptacle  100  or when the body surface  136  is moist or slick.  
         [0058]     In another alternative embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a side-mount waste receptacle transport device  168  can be constructed and used when the vehicle  132  does not have a suitable rear surface. Side-mount waste receptacle transport device  168  comprises a rigid linkage bar  170 . Rigid linkage bar  170  includes suction cup  144  on one end, a plurality of apertures  172  and flexible, elastomeric straps  126 . Rigid linkage bar  170  must have enough strength and rigidity to continually position the waste receptacle  100  away from vehicle  132  during towing.  
         [0059]     Although a variety of embodiments of a waste receptacle transport device have been shown and described with respect to specific details of certain embodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details limit the scope of the invention, taking into consideration reasonable equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: 7