WASTE CONTAINER BRACKET

Abstract

A bracket assembly for connecting an open-topped recyclables container having a side wall to a refuse container. The bracket assembly includes an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end and a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket. The reinforcing bar is for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to waste containers and more particularly to a bracket for connecting associated waste containers for easy transport.

Residential trash is often placed in two types of containers for curbside pickup. A refuse container, i.e., “roll-out,” is generally rectangular in shape and has a hinged top. Two wheels are positioned on the bottom of the refuse container for ease of transporting to the curbside for pick-up. A generally-rectangular, open-topped recyclables container or “curbie” is intended for disposing of recyclables, such as newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles, glass bottles, and the like.

It is difficult to transport both the containers simultaneously to the curb. Therefore, an individual may take each container separately, or make more than two trips if multiple containers are used.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a bracket which can be attached to a recyclables container for attaching the recyclables container to a refuse container for simultaneous transport of the recyclables container and the refuse container.

Therefore there is provided a bracket assembly for connecting an open-topped recyclables container having a side wall to a refuse container. The bracket assembly includes an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end and a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket. The reinforcing bar is for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing bar and the bracket are configured to be spaced apart to receive the side wall of the recyclable container therebetween.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket includes elongated, spaced-apart first and second members having a lateral member extending therebetween.

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, the first member and the second member are generally rectangular.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for a bracket assembly. The bracket assembly is configured to connect a generally rectangular container for recyclables having four side walls and a bottom wall to a refuse container. The kit includes an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end and a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket. The reinforcing bar is for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket is configured to have one member positioned parallel to a side wall of the recyclables container.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the bracket is dimensioned to be positioned on the outside of one of the side walls of the recyclables container. The reinforcing bar is dimensioned to be positioned opposite the bracket inside the recyclables container such that the side wall is sandwiched between the bracket and the reinforcing bar. The bracket and the reinforcing bar are dimensioned to be connected to the recyclables container by a fastener that extends through the bracket, the side wall, and the reinforcing bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bracket constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a reinforcing bar for use with the bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 1 attached to a recyclables container;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the recyclables container attached to a refuse container via the bracket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the recyclables container attached to a refuse container in an alternative location; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a plurality of recyclables containers attached to a refuse container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate components of an exemplary bracket assembly 10 constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention. The bracket assembly 10 comprises a generally hook-shaped bracket 12 and an optional reinforcing bar 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 12 includes a lateral leg 16, a first leg 17, and a second leg 18, which collectively define a generally C-shaped hook 20. The bracket 12 has one or more mounting holes 22 formed therethrough. In the illustrated example, the bracket 12 has an overall length “A” of about 24.8 cm (9.75 in.). The leg 16 has a length “B” of about 6.4 cm (2.5 in.), and the second leg 18 has a length “C” of about 6.4 cm (2.5 in.). The reinforcing bar 14 is generally rectangular in shape and has a plurality of mounting holes 22 formed therethrough. It has a length “D” of about 33 cm (13 in.). Both the bracket 12 and the reinforcing bar 14 have a width “E” of about 5.1 cm (2 in.) and a thickness “F” of about 0.32 cm. (0.0125 in.) Any or all of these dimensions may be altered to suit a particular application. In this example, both the bracket 12 and the reinforcing bar 14 are constructed from mild steel, but any material with adequate strength may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the bracket 12 is attached to a recyclables container 24 having opposed front and rear walls 26A and 26B, end walls 26C and 26D, and a bottom panel 28. The front, rear, and side walls 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D collectively define the perimeter of an upper opening 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 12 is attached to one of the walls 26 in an upright orientation so that lateral leg 16 extends away from recyclables container 24 using the illustrated bolts 32, lock washers 35, fender washers 34, and nuts 36. Other attachment means such as other fasteners or adhesives may also be used. The reinforcing bar 14 is optionally attached to the container wall 26A. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing bar 14 is attached to the inside of the wall 26A using bolts 32, lock washers 34, fender washers 35, and nuts 36. One of the bolts 32 passes through both the bracket 12 and the reinforcing bar 14 to secure them together.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the bracket assembly 10 enables the recyclables container 24 to hang from the refuse container 38. The bracket 12 is engaged with refuse container 38 via a receiving means. The receiving means can be a ledge, indentation, or rung formed in the body of refuse container 38 or a bracket or rung such as metal rung 37 that is attached to refuse container 38. The reinforcing bar 14 distributes the load exerted on the recyclables container 24 to distribute load, thereby preventing excess load from being exerted at a single point and avoiding plastic deformation and damage to the recyclable container. Alternatively, the bracket 12 can be hung over the top lip 40 of the refuse container 38. These arrangements allow an individual to transport both the recyclables container 24 and the refuse container 38 together thereby avoiding multiple trips.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an optional reinforcing member 42, substantially identical to the reinforcing bar 14, can be attached to the recyclables container 24 in conjunction with the bracket assembly 10. Referring to FIG. 9, the reinforcing member 42 allows another recyclables container 24′, having a bracket assembly 10′ substantially identical to bracket assembly 10 attached thereto, to be hooked to the side of the first recyclables container. The reinforcing member 42 distributes the load exerted by the attached container 24′, providing a rigid support structure. In the illustrated example, a plurality of recyclables containers 24 can be readily carried by a refuse container 38, allowing an individual to transport all trash to the curb at the same time.

In one embodiment, the bracket 12, the attachment means, the reinforcing bar 14, and the reinforcing member 42 are associated together in a kit for providing connecting means to a recyclables container 24.

The foregoing has described a bracket for transporting a recyclables container. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention is provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A bracket assembly for connecting an open-topped recyclables container having a side wall to a refuse container, the bracket assembly comprising:

an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end; and

a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container.

2. A bracket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing bar and the bracket are configured to be spaced apart to receive the side wall of the recyclable container therebetween.

3. A bracket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bracket includes elongated, spaced-apart first and second members having a lateral member extending therebetween.

4. A bracket assembly according to claim 3, wherein the first member and the second member are generally rectangular.

5. A kit of parts for a bracket assembly, the bracket assembly being configured to connect a generally rectangular container for recyclables having four side walls and a bottom wall to a refuse container, the kit comprising:

an elongated bracket having a generally c-shaped hook at one end; and

a reinforcing bar dimensioned to be connected generally transverse to the bracket for providing reinforcement to the side wall of the recyclables container.

6. A kit according to claim 5, wherein the bracket includes elongated, spaced-apart first and second members having a lateral member extending therebetween.

7. A kit according to claim 5, wherein the bracket is configured to have the first member positioned parallel to a side wall of the recyclables container.

8. A kit according to claim 6, wherein the first member and the second member are generally rectangular.

9. A kit according to claim 5, wherein the bracket is dimensioned to be positioned on the outside of one of the side walls of the recyclables container and the reinforcing bar is dimensioned to be positioned opposite the bracket inside the recyclables container such that the side wall is sandwiched between the bracket and the reinforcing bar; and

wherein the bracket and the reinforcing bar are dimensioned to be connected to the recyclables container by a fastener that extends through the bracket, the side wall, and the reinforcing bar.