Trash collector

Abstract

A trash collector, including a bucket 1 and a lid 4, which covers the bucket and is fastened pivotally in the area of an upper brim of the bucket, in order to pivot it upwards to open the trash collector. A pedal arrangement 3, 20 is arranged in the area of a base of the bucket, and a lever arrangement 8, 12 connects the pedal arrangement to the lid in order to pivot open the lid by a motion of the pedal arrangement. The lid is embodied in several parts and has at least two lid sections 5, which are each pivotable about as separate axis 30, 30, and a frame element 6, which is provided detachably and/or pivotally in the area of the upper brim of the bucket and to which the lid sections 5 are fastened in a pivotal fashion.

Claims

1. A trash collector comprising: a bucket (1) and a lid (4), which covers the bucket (1) and is fastened in an area of an upper brim of the bucket (1) in a pivotal fashion, in order to pivot open towards a top to open the trash collector, a pedal arrangement (3, 20) which is arranged in the area of a base of the bucket (1), a lever arrangement (8, 12) connecting the pedal arrangement (3, 20) to the lid (4) in order to pivot open the lid (4) by moving the pedal arrangement (3, 20), the lid (4) being embodied in several parts including at least two lid sections (5), each being pivotable about a separate axis (30, 30), and a frame element (6), which is fastened in the area of the upper brim of the bucket (1) in at least one of a detachable or pivotal fashion, and to which the lid sections (5) are fastened in a pivotal fashion, the lever arrangement comprises a distribution element (8) for distributing a motion of the pedal arrangement (3, 20) to the individual lid sections (5), with the distribution element (8) comprising for each of the lid sections (5) a support arm (10) extending towards a top with a bearing site (29), open towards the top, to receive a support element (28) of the lid section (5), the lid (4) comprises the frame element (6) and two of the lid sections (5) fastened thereto in a pivotal fashion, the distribution element (8) comprises a lateral brace (9) and two of the support arms (10) extending upwards therefrom, provided the bearing sites (29) open towards the top for pivoting open the lid sections (5), the distribution element (8) is arranged in a rear upper section of the trash collector and is connected via a central push rod (12) to the pedal arrangement (3, 20), and a locking device for the distribution element (8) which fixes the support arms (10) in a raised position in order to prevent closing of the trash collector.

2. The trash collector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the bearing sites (29) or the support elements (28) are provided with control areas (31), with respectively one of the support arms (10) and one of the support elements (28) moving along the control areas in reference to each other when the respective lid section (5) is pivoted.

3. The trash collector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lever arrangement (8, 12), the pedal arrangement (3, 20), or the lid (4) are provided with a damper element (24) to cushion a closing motion of the lid (4) or any pivoting shut of the lid sections (5) or both.

4. The trash collector according to claim 1, wherein the locking device comprises a handle (11) and a hook element (32) at the lateral brace (9), and the hook element (32) is suspendable on a counter support (33) at a back of the trash collector and disconnectable therefrom.

5. The trash collector according to claim 4, wherein the hook element (32) is suspended on the counter support (33) and disconnected therefrom by tipping the distribution element (8).

6. The trash collector according to claim 1, wherein spring-elastic stop elements (34) are arranged in an area of pivotal support of the lid sections (5) in order to at least pivot the opened lid sections (5), when the pedal (3) is not actuated, at least to such an extent that based on gravity the lid sections automatically pivot shut.

7. The trash collector according to claim 1, wherein the bucket (1) forms an exterior casing of the trash collector.

8. The trash collector according to claim 7, wherein the bucket (1) is provided at an upper brim thereof with a circumferential collar (7) and the frame element (8) is embodied as an annular fitting which rests on the collar (7) of the bucket (1).

9. The trash collector according to claim 8, wherein, for each of the lid sections (5) the distribution element (8) includes a support arm (10) extending towards a top with a bearing site (29), open towards the top, to receive a support element (28) of the lid section (5), the lid (4) comprises the frame element (6) and two of the lid sections (5) fastened thereto in a pivotal fashion, and the distribution element (8) comprises a lateral brace (9) and two of the support arms (10) extending upwards therefrom, provided the bearing sites (29) open towards the top for pivoting open the lid sections (5), the distribution element (8) is arranged in a rear upper section of the trash collector and is connected via a central push rod (12) to the pedal arrangement (3, 20), the push rod (12) extends in a groove (13) at a rear exterior of the bucket (1) and is guided through a penetration (14) in an area of the upper brim of the bucket (1) into an interior of the bucket (1), where the lateral brace (9) of the distribution element (8) is fastened at the push rod (12), and the frame element (6) is provided with a flare extending into the interior of the bucket (1), which at least covers the lateral brace (9) of the distribution element (8), and the frame element (6) includes openings (27) for the support arms (10) of the distribution element (8).

10. The trash collector according to claim 1, wherein in an area of the upper brim of the bucket (1) detachable spring bars (35) are provided for fixing an inserted trash bag.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following an exemplary embodiment for a trash collector designed according to the invention is explained in greater detail based on the attached drawings. Shown are:

(2) FIG. 1 an overall view of a trash collector embodied according to the invention in the closed state;

(3) FIG. 2 a view like in FIG. 1, however with the lid opened for use;

(4) FIG. 3 a view like in FIGS. 1 and 2, however with a completely opened lid;

(5) FIG. 4 a view of the trash collector of FIG. 1 in perspective from the bottom;

(6) FIG. 5 an exploded illustration of the trash collector according to the previous figures;

(7) FIGS. 6A and 6B cross-sectional detail views of the bottom area of the trash collector of the previous figures;

(8) FIG. 7 an illustrated detail of an upper rear corner of the opened trash collector of the previous figures;

(9) FIG. 8 an illustrated detail of another upper rear corner of the trash collector of the previous figures;

(10) FIG. 9 a detail of FIG. 7 in a cross-section;

(11) FIG. 10 a (partial) top view of the opened trash collector of the previous figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) The trash collector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in a closed state (FIG. 1), opened state (FIG. 2), and/or completely opened state (FIG. 3) in a comprehensive view comprises a bucket 1, which simultaneously forms the exterior casing of the trash collector, a base part 2 with a pedal 3, as well as a lid 4, having two lid sections 5, which cover the bucket 1 and are fastened in a pivotal fashion to a frame element 6 formed as an annular fitting.

(13) FIG. 1 shows the trash collector in the completely closed state. The frame element 6 rests on the upper brim of the bucket 1 and the lid sections 5 are closed, so that these three components forming the lid 4 completely cover the top of the bucket 1 in its entirety.

(14) By actuating the pedal 3 the lid sections 5 are pivoted open, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each of the two lid sections 5 is fastened to the frame element 6, pivotal by a separate hinge, with the pivotal axes 30, 30 about which the two lid sections 5 are pivoted open, that are arranged parallel, however they are not identical. Each of the two lid sections 5 comprises an area, which is approximately equivalent to half the lid area so that the lid sections 5 can appropriately easily be pivoted open by activating the pedal 3; due to the short extension of the lid sections the lever action, which amplifies both the weight force as well as the air resistance of the lid sections 5, is advantageously limited.

(15) In addition to the normal opening of the trash collector by a pressed pedal, as shown in FIG. 2, the entire lid 4 can be pivoted away from the upper brim of the bucket 1. This is illustrated in FIG. 3: Here, the frame element 6, which in the closed state rests on a circumferential collar 7 at the upper brim of the bucket 1, can pivot away towards the rear at a hinge fastened at the upper rear brim of the bucket 1. Due to the fact that the two lid sections 5 are fastened to the frame element 6, they are pivoted away together with the frame element 6 so that the upper brim of the bucket 1 is completely released.

(16) This way, a distribution element 8 is also visible with a lateral brace 9 and two support arms 10 as well as a handle 11, resting on a push rod 12. This is described in greater detail in the following.

(17) As discernible from FIG. 4, the push rod 12 is arranged at the rear of the bucket 1 in a groove 13 at a rear exterior of the bucket 1 and guided, on the one side, in a guiding clip 15 at the base part 2, and on the other side, in a penetration 14 in the area of the upper brim of the bucket 1 so that upon activating the pedal 3, effectively connected to the push rod 12, it can be vertically moved. A vertical upwards motion leads to the distribution element 8, fastened on the push rod 12, moving upwards and the support arms 10 being propelled upwards in order to pivot open the lid sections 5 (FIGS. 3, 2).

(18) FIG. 5 shows in an exploded illustration the individual parts of the trash collector of FIGS. 1 to 4, which except for the push rod 12 are made from injection-molded plastic. The base part 2 comprises at the bottom a base element 16 and at the top latching elements 17 for the bucket 1. Bearing seats 19 for the pedal 3 are provided in a recess 18, which is a part of the pedal lever 20. The pedal lever 20 has an axis 21, the pedal 3, and an actuating lever 22, in which the push rod 12 is inserted. The entire pedal lever 20 comprises an injection-molded part cast in one piece. Both hemispheres 23 of the bearing complete, together with the bearing seat 19, the bearing for the pedal lever 20. A damper element 24 acts upon the pedal lever 20, as explained in greater detail in the following.

(19) The distribution element 8, the frame element 6, and the two lid sections 5 are provided at the top of the bucket 1. In the assembled state, the distribution element 8 rests on the push rod 12 and ensures via the two support arms 10 that during the operation of the pedal 3, which results in an upwards motion of the actuator lever 22 of the pedal lever 20 and thus to an upwards motion of the push rod 12, that the lid sections 5, which rest in the frame element 6 in a pivotal fashion, are pivoted open towards the top. The downwards motion of the push rod 12 is braked by the damper element 24, which acts upon the pedal lever 20 such that the lid sections 5 close in a cushioned fashion.

(20) The functionality of the pedal lever 20 is illustrated in the cross-sections of FIGS. 6A and 6B. The pedal lever 20 with the pedal 3, actuator levers 22, and axis 21 are supported pivotally in the bearing seat 19 of the base part 2 and the hemispheres 23 of the bearing such that a downwards motion of the pedal 3 leads to an upwards motion of the actuator lever 22. The push rod 12 is inserted therein such that ultimately the push rod 12 is moved upwards when the pedal 3 is activated, i.e. moved downwards. This state is shown in FIG. 6A.

(21) When the pedal 3 is released, the weight force of the push rod 12 and the lid ensures that the actuator lever 22 is moved back downwards such that the pedal 3 moves back upwards into the default position shown in FIG. 6B. During this motion a cam 25 of the pedal lever 20 approaches the damper element 24, which rests in the base part 2, causing the downwards motion of the actuator lever 22 and the push rod to be braked. After the release of the pedal 3 the lid sections 5 therefor drop not freely but in a cushioned fashion.

(22) FIG. 7 shows a detail of the trash collector opened as in FIG. 2 in order to explain in greater detail the cooperation of the distribution element 8 with the lid sections 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution element 8 rests inside the bucket 1, however the frame element 6 has a flare 26 extending into the bucket 1, which is also discernible in FIGS. 3 and 5, and which covers the distribution element 8 towards the inside. The support arms 10 of the distribution element 8, with only one being shown here, are guided via openings 27 through the frame element 6, which also applies for the handle 11. This way, the support arms 10 can act upon the lid sections 5 when the frame element 6 is placed upon the collar 7 of the bucket 1.

(23) For this purpose the lid sections 5 each have a support element 28, which rests on a bearing site 29 of the support arm 10, open towards the top. Due to the fact that the bearing site 29 is open towards the top, the frame element 6 including the two lid sections 5, thus the entire lid 4, can be pivoted to the back (FIG. 3), with here the support element 28 lifting out of the bearing sites 29.

(24) In order to compensate the different motion paths when the lid sections 5 are pivoted open, the support arm of the distribution element 8 moving vertically in a linear fashion, while the support element 28 of the lid sections 5 moving in a circular path about the pivotal axis 30 of the lid section 5, the bearing site 29 is embodied wider than the support element 28 so that a loose bearing forms, which allows a horizontal relative motion between the support element 28 and the support arm 10.

(25) The other support arm 10 of the distribution element 8, shown in detail in FIG. 8, comprises a control area 31 which ensures that the pivotal motion of the lid section 5 is controlled such that it pivots open and shuts with a slight time lag and/or a slowed motion such that the two lid sections 5 are not pivoting open and shut at precisely the same time, but a slight off-set being given of these two motions, which optimizes the problem of air resistance both during opening as well as closing of the trash collector.

(26) FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of FIG. 7 in a cross-section, in order to explain the existing locking option. Via the handle 11 of the distribution element 8, which is guided through an opening 27 in the frame element 6 and thus is accessible in spite of the flare 26, the distribution element 8 and with it the push rod 12 inserted into the distribution system 8 can be locked in the raised state such that the support arms 10 remain raised and the lid sections 5 are locked in the opened state.

(27) For this purpose, a hook element 32 is formed at the handle 11, which can be suspended in a counter support 33 at the back of the trash collector, which is formed here at the frame element 6. FIG. 9 shows a situation in which the hook element 32 engages behind the counter support 33 and thus locks the distribution element 8 in the raised position. By a simple raising of the handle 11 this engagement can be released so that the distribution element 8 and the push rod 12 move back downwards in a cushioned fashion, causing the lid sections 5 to fold shut due to gravity.

(28) As discernible from FIG. 10, spring-elastic stop elements 34 are arranged at the frame element 6 in the area of the hinges of the lid sections 5, which ensure that when the support arms 10 are lowered, the lid sections 5 are pivoted inwardly at least to such an extent that they automatically pivot shut based on gravity. These stop elements 34 allow to pivot open the lid section 5 to such an extent that they would not automatically pivot shut simply based on gravity.

(29) As additionally discernible from FIG. 10 the example illustrated here of the trash collector according to the invention finally shows four spring arms 35, by which a trash bag (not shown) in the bucket 1 can be fastened. These spring bars 35 rest detachably in recesses 36 in the frame element 6 and accordingly they can be pivoted towards the back together with the lid 4 and/or the frame element 6.