Abstract: A gravity-actuated latch mechanism is provided. The gravity-actuated latch mechanism may include a strike attached to a lid of a container and a latch body attached to a wall of the container. The latch body includes a housing and a catch accessible from outside of the housing, wherein the catch engages and disengages with the strike. The latch body includes a lever having a lever arm moveable between an engaged and disengaged position. The engaged position is engaged with the catch and the disengaged position is disengaged with the catch. The latch body also includes a latch actuation member such as a ball housed in an elongated passage within the housing. The lever arm of the lever extends into the elongate passage, allowing the latch actuation member to apply force to the lever arm to move the lever from the engaged to the disengaged position in response to tipping the container for dumping.

Abstract: A gravity-actuated latch mechanism is provided. The gravity-actuated latch mechanism may include a strike attached to a lid of a container and a latch body attached to an inside wall of the container. The latch body includes a housing and a catch accessible from outside of the housing, wherein the catch engages and disengages with the strike. The latch body includes a lever having a lever arm moveable between an engaged and disengaged position. The engaged position is engaged with the catch and the disengaged position is disengaged with the catch. The latch body also includes a latch actuation ball housed in an elongated passage within the housing. The lever arm of the lever extends into the elongate passage, allowing the latch actuation ball to apply force to the lever arm to move the lever from the engaged to the disengaged position in response to tipping the container for dumping.

Abstract: A gravity-actuated latch mechanism is provided. The gravity-actuated latch mechanism may include a strike attached to a lid of a container and a latch body attached to an inside wall of the container. The latch body includes a housing and a catch accessible from outside of the housing, wherein the catch engages and disengages with the strike. The latch body includes a lever having a lever arm moveable between an engaged and disengaged position. The engaged position is engaged with the catch and the disengaged position is disengaged with the catch. The latch body also includes a latch actuation ball housed in an elongated passage within the housing. The lever arm of the lever extends into the elongate passage, allowing the latch actuation ball to apply force to the lever arm to move the lever from the engaged to the disengaged position in response to tipping the container for dumping.

Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may be installed on a container so that the catch member engages with a latch receptacle coupled to a hinged lid of the container. When the container experiences the acceleration event, the sear element disengages from the catch element and the hinged lid falls open thereby causing the catch member to pivot to the release position. The latch system automatically re-engages when the container is returned to its upright position.

Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may further include a security mechanism that is configured to prevent the swing lever and sear element from moving in response to an acceleration event under the condition the latch system is not oriented in an upright and vertical orientation. When the latch system is returned to its upright position, the security mechanism may be configured to not interfere with the normal operation of the latch system.

Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may be installed on a container so that the catch member engages with a latch receptacle coupled to a hinged lid of the container. When the container experiences the acceleration event, the sear element disengages from the catch element and the hinged lid falls open thereby causing the catch member to pivot to the release position. The latch system automatically re-engages when the container is returned to its upright position.

Abstract: A latch system includes a catch member and a sear element engaged with the catch member when the catch member is in a latch position. A swing lever is in geared engagement with the sear element. When the latch system is subjected to an acceleration event, the swing lever pivots in one direction so that the sear element pivots in the opposite direction to move the sear element out of engagement with the catch member. The latch system may further include a security mechanism that is configured to prevent the swing lever and sear element from moving in response to an acceleration event under the condition the latch system is not oriented in an upright and vertical orientation. When the latch system is returned to its upright position, the security mechanism may be configured to not interfere with the normal operation of the latch system.

Abstract: An animal-resistant container includes a body and a lid. The body has an interior volume in which refuse may be placed. At least one latch mechanism is secured in the body and at least one latch receptacle is secured in the lid. The latch mechanism is engaged with the latch receptacle to secure the lid to the body and prevent access to the interior volume. The latch mechanism can be actuated by a gripping arm of a refuse pickup vehicle to release the latch mechanism from the latch receptacle so that contents of the container can be emptied during automated collection. A tilt sensor detects tilting movement of the container, and the latch mechanism is prevented from actuation following detection of the tilting movement so that an animal intruder cannot tip over the container and gain entry into the container.

Abstract: An animal-resistant container includes a body and a lid. The body has an interior volume in which refuse may be placed. At least one latch mechanism is secured in the body and at least one latch receptacle is secured in the lid. The latch mechanism is engaged with the latch receptacle to secure the lid to the body and prevent access to the interior volume. The latch mechanism can be actuated by a gripping arm of a refuse pickup vehicle to release the latch mechanism from the latch receptacle so that contents of the container can be emptied during automated collection. A tilt sensor detects tilting movement of the container, and the latch mechanism is prevented from actuation following detection of the tilting movement so that an animal intruder cannot tip over the container and gain entry into the container.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for cleaning a surface (22) includes a clean fluid tank (26) containing a cleaning fluid (46) and configured for delivery of the fluid (46) to the surface (22). The clean fluid tank (26) has a first outer surface (76). A waste fluid tank (30) is coupled with the clean fluid tank (26) and has a second outer surface (78). The second surface (78) abuts the first surface (76) to form a conduit (84) between the first and second surfaces (76, 78), the conduit (84) being in fluid communication with the waste fluid tank (30). Vacuum motors (94) and (108), in communication with the conduit (84), operate to vacuum waste fluid (164) and air (116) into the waste fluid tank (30). The air (116) is expelled from the waste fluid tank (30) via the conduit (84).

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for cleaning a surface (22) includes a clean fluid tank (26) containing a cleaning fluid (46) and configured for delivery of the fluid (46) to the surface (22). The clean fluid tank (26) has a first outer surface (76). A waste fluid tank (30) is coupled with the clean fluid tank (26) and has a second outer surface (78). The second surface (78) abuts the first surface (76) to form a conduit (84) between the first and second surfaces (76, 78), the conduit (84) being in fluid communication with the waste fluid tank (30). Vacuum motors (94) and (108), in communication with the conduit (84), operate to vacuum waste fluid (164) and air (116) into the waste fluid tank (30). The air (116) is expelled from the waste fluid tank (30) via the conduit (84).