FOOT OPERATED LID OPENING DEVICE

Abstract

A foot operated lid opening device has a frame assembly that fits over a lid of a trash can, recycling or composting bin. A pair of parallel support arms grip the lid using a pair of lid hooks. The foot operated lid opening device is adjustable to fit different size trash containers by using an adjustable crossbar that connects with bolts to crossbars perpendicularly mounted to the support arms. A vinyl coated cable connects to one end of the frame assembly, passes through a hollow foot pedal and then attaches to the other end of the frame assembly. The frame assembly is removably attached to a hinge portion of the trash can with hoop and loop fastener. When a user steps on the foot pedal, the lid is rotated to an open position and returned to the closed position when foot is removed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/564,938, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, the complete disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposal of waste has been an issue for people living in a society. Of course in low population settings, people could often just dispose of litter away from the living area, but as people lived closer together and with increased population densities, the disposal of trash is a major undertaking. All municipalities take steps to organize and regulate waste disposal. Today, most people utilize trash pickup services either privately run or as part of the services provided by the government. In almost all cases, the user needs to store the trash until it is picked up, which is often weekly or bi-weekly.

To solve this problem, modern trash practice include storing the waste in receptacles and most of them utilize lids to help control odor and insect infestation. Although this is good for the user, it also makes it more difficult to operate since the lid must be lifted in order to deposit trash in it. If the user's hands are full, this is especially inconvenient requiring the user to first put the trash down, open the lid and then pick the trash back up. There is a need for a foot operated lid opening device that is able to fit on existing trash containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A foot operated lid opening device has a frame assembly that fits over a lid of a trash can, recycling or composting bin. A pair of parallel support arms grip the lid using a pair of lid hooks. The foot operated lid opening device is adjustable to fit different size trash containers by using an adjustable crossbar that connects with bolts to crossbars perpendicularly mounted to the support arms. A vinyl coated cable connects to one end of the frame assembly, passes through a hollow foot pedal and then attaches to the other end of the frame assembly. The frame assembly is removably attached to a hinge portion of the trash can with hoop and loop fastener. When a user steps on the foot pedal, the lid is rotated to an open position and returned to the closed position when foot is removed.

Other features and advantages of the instant invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a frame for a foot operated lid opening device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the frame for the foot operated lid opening device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a foot operated lid opening device shown in FIG. 1 installed on a trash container.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the foot operated lid opening device shown in FIG. 3 with the trash can lid opened.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the foot operated lid opening device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the frame shown in FIG. 6 mounted on a trash container lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the drawings in which reference numerals refer to like elements, and which are intended to show by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring to the figures, a foot operated lid opening device 200 is shown having a frame assembly 100 having two lid support arms 105 with crossbars 115 securely attached perpendicular to lid support arms 105. In the embodiment shown, crossbars 115 are welded to lid support arms 105, but they could be attached using bolts, rivets or other connecting means as well as being manufactured as an integral unit as long as they are rigidly attached.

A pair of lid hooks 120 are attached along the inner edge of lid support arm 105 and fit under a trash can lid 140 to lift it. A cable attachment plate 125 is attached to the opposite end of lid support arm 105 and provides a leveraged attachment point for a cable 150 on each side. An adjustment crossbar 110 is attached to both crossbars 115 using bolts 130 which allows a user to attach foot operated lid opening device 200 to different size trash containers. Of course other means may be used such as clips, pins or even providing multiple sized non-adjustable units.

In use, a trash can 135 with trash can lid 140 is fitted with foot operated lid opening device 200 by resting crossbar 115 and adjustable crossbar 110 on a trash can hinge 145. The width is adjusted by selecting the proper adjustment holes 175 so that lid support arms 105 snugly fit against trash can lid 140. To secure crossbar assembly (110 and 115) to trash can 135, an attachment strap 165 is used to secure it while allowing rotation. Additionally, this allows foot operated lid opening device 200 to be easily removed and reattached as desired. This allows the user to remove the unit for trash pickup so that it will not interfere with normal trash removal services.

In the embodiment shown, two attachment straps 165 are used, but it is possible to use one or more than two as desired. Attachment straps 165 are hook and loop fasteners which allow them to fit around different size trash can hinges 145.

A cable 150 has a cable stop 170 and fits within a hole in one of the cable attachment plates 125 and then passes around the front of trash can 135 and through a foot pedal 155. Foot pedal 155 is hollow and allows cable 150 to pass through it. Cable 150 then passes around the opposite side of trash can and through the hole in the other cable attachment plate 125 and through cable attachment holes 160 in lift support arm 105. A cable clamp (not shown) may be used to keep cable 150 in place or it may simply be woven through the holes to friction fit. Cable 150 may be cut to remove excess if desired.

The user presses foot pedal 155 down using their foot and this provides the necessary torque to rotate trash can lid 140 to an open position. When finished, the user removes their foot and trash can lid 140 returns to the closed position. Additionally, the user may adjust the open position by changing the length of cable 150. The more distance between the ground and foot pedal 155, the more trash can lid 140 is rotated. The user can adjust how much rotation to impart by changing the length of cable 150.

Frame assembly 100 is made of aluminum with crossbars 115 welded to lid support arms 105. Other materials may be used, such as but not limited to steel, plastic, nylon or carbon fiber or other suitable material as long as it is rigid enough to provide the necessary torque forces needed to rotate trash can lid 140.

Although the instant invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A foot operated lid opening device comprises:

a frame assembly;

said frame assembly being adapted to fit on a lid of a trash can;

a foot pedal; and

said foot pedal being connected to said frame assembly on both sides of said frame assembly wherein when said foot pedal is moved downward, a pivoting torque is applied to said frame assembly whereby said lid is rotated into an open position.

2. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 1 wherein said frame assembly further comprises:

a first lid arm support;

a first crossbar perpendicularly disposed on a portion of said first lid arm support at a point less than halfway along said first lid arm support;

a second lid arm support;

a second crossbar perpendicularly disposed on a portion of said second lid arm support at a point less than halfway along said second lid arm support; and

an adjustable crossbar removably attached to said first and second crossbar wherein a distance between said first and second lid arm supports is adjustable.

3. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 2 wherein said foot pedal is connected to said frame assembly with a cable.

4. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 3 wherein said foot pedal is hollow adapted to fit over said cable.

5. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 1 further comprising a removable fastener adapted to removably secure said frame assembly to a hinge portion of said trash can.

6. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 5 wherein said removable fastener is a hook and loop fastener.

7. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 3 wherein said cable attaches to a cable attachment plate disposed on a distal end portion of said first and second lid support arms.

8. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 7 further comprising a lid hook disposed on a proximal end portion of said first and second lid support arms wherein said lid fits within said lid hook.

9. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 2 where said adjustable crossbar is removably attached to said first and second crossbars using a bolt.

10. The foot operated lid opening device of claim 3 wherein said cable is vinyl coated.