Trash can assembly with motion damper for lid
A trash can assembly has an outer shell, a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end of the outer shell along the front side of the outer shell, a lid pivotably coupled to the top end of the outer shell, and a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid. The link assembly includes a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed. A biasing member is provided inside the outer shell and applies an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to trash can assemblies, and in particular, to a trash can assembly that has a mechanism for slowing the closing motion of the lid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A major concern for both the home and the workplace is containing and holding wastes, refuse, and trash until permanent disposal. Trash cans act as containers for holding trash and other wastes that are produced in any typical home or office. Trash and garbage cans often employ lids and covers to contain the trash and its associated odor, to hide the trash from view, and to prevent the trash from contaminating areas beyond the lid.
Conventional trash cans have been improved over the years to make them more user-friendly, sanitary, and hygienic. For example, many trash cans are now provided with a foot pedal positioned adjacent the base of the trash can so that a user can step on the foot pedal to open the lid of the trash can, thereby freeing up the user's hands to deposit trash, or to change the plastic liner or bag that is used to line the trash can. Other trash cans have even provided an interior metal or plastic liner that fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed. However, these conventional trash cans still suffer from a number of drawbacks.
For example, the foot pedals on some of the conventional trash cans are noisy to use. In particular, stepping on a foot pedal of a conventional trash can often results in a loud banging noise as the lid is forced open immediately, and releasing the step on the foot pedal will also result in another loud banging noise as the lid slams shut under the force of gravity and the weight of the lid. These banging actions also result in wear and tear to the contacting parts.
Thus, there remains a need for a trash can that overcomes the drawbacks identified above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIt is an object of the present invention to provide a trash can assembly that reduces noise and wear when the foot pedal is actuated to open and close the lid.
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a trash can assembly that has an outer shell, a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end of the outer shell along the front side of the outer shell, a lid pivotably coupled to the top end of the outer shell, and a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid. The link assembly includes a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed. A biasing member is provided inside the outer shell and applies an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices and mechanisms are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
The outer shell 22 can assume any configuration. As a non-limiting example,
Referring also to
The pedal bar 50 and the lifting rod 44 operate to translate an up-down pivot motion of the pedal 48 to an up-down pivot motion for the lid 28. In particular, the pedal bar 50 can be pivoted between two positions, a first rest position as shown in
Referring to
In particular,
The lifting rod 44 can be angled to allow the lifting rod 44 to experience the simultaneous transverse motions (i.e., downward and forward, or upward and rearward) described above. In particular, the lifting rod 44 can be provided with a lower section 44a that is angled with respect to an upper section 44b. The lower section 44a can be angled with respect to the pedal bar 50.
An adjustment mechanism can be provided to adjust the resiliency of the biasing member 68. Specifically, the block 64 has a recessed edge 90 (see
An optional lower housing 180 can be provided on the base 52 for housing and protecting the lower section 44b and a portion of the upper section 44a of the lifting rod 44. An opening 182 can also be provided in the top of the lower housing 180, so that the lifting rod 44 can move forwardly and rearwardly within the opening 82.
In addition, although the biasing member 68 is provided adjacent the upper end of he lifting rod 44, it is also possible to position the biasing member 68 adjacent the lower end of the lifting rod 44, such as adjacent the lower housing 80.
Thus, the present invention provides a biasing mechanism 68 that slows the downward motion of the lifting rod 44, thereby slowing the closing motion of the lid 28. The structure of the biasing member 68 is very simple, thereby reducing the cost of the rash can assembly while improving its performance and effectiveness.
The above detailed description is for the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. In certain instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, components, mechanisms and methods are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.
Claims
1. A trash can assembly, comprising:
- an outer shell having an enclosing wall, a top end, a bottom end, and a front side;
- a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end along the front side;
- a lid pivotably coupled to the top end;
- a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid, the link assembly including a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed; and
- a biasing member provided inside the outer shell and applying an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lifting rod experiences simultaneous downward and forward motions when the lid is closed.
3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the lifting rod experiences simultaneous upward and rearward motions when the lid is raised.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a resilient elongated member having opposing first and second ends, with the first end secured to the outer shell and the second end positioned adjacent the lifting rod such that the lifting rod is positioned between the outer shell and the elongated member.
5. The assembly of claim 4, further including means for adjusting the resiliency of the elongated member.
6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the second end of the elongated member applies the opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lifting rod has an upper section and a lower section that is angled with respect to the upper section.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lifting rod has an upper hooked end that is pivotably coupled to the lid, with the upper hooked end experiencing simultaneous upward and rearward motions when the lid is raised.
9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the lifting rod has an upper hooked end that is pivotably coupled to the lid, with the upper hooked end experiencing simultaneous downward and forward motions when the lid is closed.
10. The assembly of claim 1, further including a lower housing provided adjacent the bottom end of the outer shell, with a portion of the lifting rod housed inside the lower housing.
11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is positioned adjacent an upper end of the lifting rod.
12. A method of slowing the closing motion of a lid of a trash can assembly, comprising:
- a. providing a trash can assembly having: an outer shell having an enclosing wall, a top end, a bottom end, and a front side; a foot pedal pivotably coupled to the bottom end along the front side; a lid pivotably coupled to the top end; a link assembly coupling the foot pedal to the lid, the link assembly including a lifting rod that extends vertically inside the outer shell, the lifting rod moving forwardly towards the front side of the outer shell when the lid is closed; and
- b. applying an opposing force against the forward motion of the lifting rod when the lid is being closed.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 24, 2006
Inventors: Frank Yang (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA), Joseph Sandor (Santa Ana Heights, CA)
Application Number: 11/062,135
International Classification: B65D 43/26 (20060101);