Trash Can Automatic Lid Stabilizer

Abstract

A trash can automatic lid stabilizer includes a base that is securable to the perimeter sidewall of a trash can. An arm is pivotally connected to an upper end of the base. A first magnetic coupler is disposed on an upper end of the arm. A second magnetic coupler can be connected to the lid of the trash can, such that the first magnetic coupler is configured to removably secure to the second magnetic coupler. The arm is configured to rotate away from the trash can when the trash can is rotated to an upended position and the lid moves to an open position, and further configured to rotate toward the trash can and overtop the lid after the lid returns to a closed position when the trash can is rotated to an upright position. The arm retains the lid in a closed position when the trash can is upright.

Claims

1. A trash can automatic lid stabilizer, comprising: a base having a mounting fastener configured to secure the base to a sidewall of a trash can; an arm pivotally connected to an upper end of the base; a first magnetic coupler disposed on an upper end of the arm; and a second magnetic coupler configured to secure to an upper surface of a lid of the trash can, wherein the first magnetic coupler is configured to removably secure to the second magnetic coupler.

2. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, further comprising an angled stop configured to limit the rotational movement of the arm away from the trash can.

3. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the angled stop is configured to restrict the movement of the arm to thirty degrees with respect to vertical.

4. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the base mounting fastener comprises a clamp configured to removably secure to an exterior siderail of the trash can.

5. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the base mounting fastener comprises an adhesive material.

6. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the base mounting fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

7. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the arm further comprises a handle affixed thereto.

8. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the second magnetic coupler includes a mounting device configured to secure to an upper surface of a lid of a trash can.

9. The trash can automatic lid stabilizer of claim 8, wherein the second magnetic coupler mounting device comprises an aperture in the second magnetic fastener that receives a threaded fastener therethrough.

10. A trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system, comprising: a trash can having a bottom, a perimeter sidewall, an open upper end, and a lid pivotally attached to the perimeter sidewall; an automatic lid stabilizer comprising a base secured to the perimeter sidewall of the trash can; an arm pivotally connected to an upper end of the base; a first magnetic coupler disposed on an upper end of the arm; a second magnetic coupler disposed on the lid of the trash can, wherein the first magnetic coupler is configured to removably secure to the second magnetic coupler; wherein the arm is configured to rotate away from the trash can when the trash can is rotated to an upended position and the lid moves to an open position, and further configured to rotate toward the trash can and overtop the lid after the lid returns to a closed position when the trash can is rotated to an upright position.

11. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 10, wherein the automatic lid stabilizer further comprises an angled stop configured to limit the rotational movement of the arm away from the trash can.

12. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the angled stop is configured to restrict the movement of the arm to thirty degrees with respect to vertical.

13. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the base mounting fastener of the automatic lid stabilizer comprises a clamp removably secured to an exterior siderail of the trash can.

14. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the base mounting fastener of the automatic lid stabilizer comprises an adhesive material.

15. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the base mounting fastener of the automatic lid stabilizer comprises a threaded fastener disposed on the base and an aperture on the perimeter sidewall of the trash can.

16. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the arm further comprises a handle affixed thereto.

17. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 11, wherein the second magnetic coupler includes a mounting device that secures the magnetic coupler to the lid of the trash can.

18. The trash can and automatic lid stabilizer system of claim 17, wherein the second magnetic coupler mounting device comprises an aperture in the second magnetic fastener, an aperture in the lid of the trash can, and a threaded fastener extending therethrough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer secured to a trash can and with the arm in a raised position away from the lid.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer secured to a trash can with the arm in a lowered position overtop the lid.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer secured to a trash can and with the arm in a raised position away from the lid.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for conveniently maintaining the lid in a closed position when the trash can is upright, while automatically disengaging to allow the lid to open when the trash can is emptied, and automatically re-engaging to secure the lid in place when the trash can is returned to an upright position. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer. The device generally includes a base 11 having a mounting fastener configured to secure the base to a sidewall of a trash can. In the shown embodiment, the mounting fastener includes a pair of threaded fasteners 18, which may be inserted through apertures in the lower end 16 of the base, and into corresponding apertures in the trash can. In other embodiments, other mounting mechanisms may be utilized. For example, a strong adhesive or the like may be utilized to secure the base 11 to the trash can sidewall. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5, the base 11 may include a clamp that allows the base 11 to removably secure to a siderail, bumper, or like protrusion on the trash can sidewall.

[0019] An arm 12 is pivotally connected to an upper end of the base 11, such that the arm can rotate about the pivot point. In the shown embodiments, the arm 12 is connected to the base 11 via a hinge pin, which may be adjustable. In other embodiments, other pivoting connections may be utilized. A first magnetic coupler 13 is disposed on an upper end of the arm 12, which removably engages a second magnetic coupler, as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The magnetic coupler 13 may be attached to the arm 12 via a fastener, or may be integrally formed with the arm 12.

[0020] The device further includes an angled stop 14 that is configured to limit the rotation movement of the arm 12 as it rotates away from the trash can lid when the trash can is upended and dumped. In the shown embodiment, the angled stop 14 extends upwardly from the base 11, such that a lower end 17 of the arm 12 contacts the angled stop 14 and is prevent from over rotating. In the shown embodiment, the angled stop 14 prevents the arm 12 from rotating more than thirty degrees with respect to the vertically oriented base 11. This positioning ensures that the arm 12 will always rotate back overtop the closed lid when the trash can is returned to an upright position after being dumped. The hinge pin can be adjusted to control the rate of movement of the arm 12, ensuring that the lid will close before the arm 12 rotates back overtop the lid. In other embodiments, the pivoting connection between the arm 12 and base 11 can include a spring hinge which biases the arm 12 to the lowered or closed position overtop the lid 31. Such a spring hinge would be similarly adjustable to control the relative rate of rotation of the arm 12, ensuring it will always lower after the lid 31 closes.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a front perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer secured to a trash can and with the arm in a raised position away from the lid. A second magnetic coupler 23 is configured to secure to an upper surface of a lid 31 of a trash can, such that the first magnetic coupler 13 is configured to removably secure to the second magnetic coupler 23 via magnetic attraction between the two. In the shown embodiment, the second magnetic coupler 23 includes a mounting device 24 configured to secure to an upper surface of a lid of a trash can. The mounting device 24 includes an aperture in the second magnetic fastener 23, an aperture in the lid 31 of the trash can, and a threaded fastener extending therethrough, such that a screw or the like can secure the second magnetic fastener 23 to an existing trash can lid 31. In other embodiments, the second magnetic fastener 23 may be integrally formed within the lid 31 during manufacture of the lid 31.

[0022] The arm 12 is shown in a raised position rotated away from the lid 31 of the trash can, which occurs automatically when the trash can is turned upside down and emptied of its contents. In the shown embodiment, the hinge pin 15 includes an adjustable fastener 19, which can tighten or loosen the pivoting connection between the base 11 and arm 12. As the fastener 19 is tightened, more friction is applied, so the arm 12 will rotate back toward the lid 31 more slowly. As the fastener 19 is loosened, less friction is applied, so the arm 12 will rotate back toward the lid 31 more quickly when the trash can is returned to the upright position. The fastener 19 can thus be adjusted to ensure that the lid 31 returns to the closed position more quickly than the arm 12 rotates back to the closed position when the trash can is turned back to its upright orientation, ensuring that the arm 12 will always rotate overtop the lid 31.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a front perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer secured to a trash can with the arm in a lowered position overtop the lid. The illustrated trash can 30 includes at minimum a base 33, perimeter sidewalls 32, and a pivotally affixed lid 31, which selectively covers the open upper end of the trash can 30. While the present invention can be utilized with trash cans that are dumped via a lifting arm into a trash vehicle, there is no limit to the type of trash can to which the present invention may apply, as long as it includes a lid 31 that can be held down in a closed position. When the lid 31 is closed, the arm 12 is rotated overtop the lid 31, such that the two magnetic couplers engage and retain the arm 12 and the lid 31 in the closed position. This prevents gusts of wind or other forces from opening the lid 31 when undesired. The magnetic strength of the couplers are selected so that the weight of the lid 31 is enough to uncouple the magnetic couplers when the trash can 30 is turned upside down for dumping, yet so they are strong enough to retain the lid 31 in the closed position when the trash can 30 is upright. Additionally, the magnetic couplers are able to maintain the lid 31 in the closed position even if the trash can 30 accidentally falls over due to wind or other circumstances. This prevents trash from spilling out if the trash can 30 is full, and further prevents the trash can 30 and lid 31 from catching the wind and being blown down the street.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a side perspective view of an embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer secured to a trash can and with the arm in a raised position away from the lid. In the shown embodiment, the arm 11 further includes a handle 20 affixed thereto. This allows the arm 11 to be moved by an operator to an open or closed position as needed, so that the lid 12 can be opened without upending the trash can 30. The illustrated trash can 30 has recently been returned to the upright position, so that the lid 31 closes automatically. Due to the angled stop 14 preventing over rotation of the arm 12 away from the lid 31, the arm 12 will always rotate back overtop the lid 31, no matter the original orientation of the trash can 30. Once rotated back overtop the lid 31, the magnetic coupler 13 of the arm 12 automatically couples to the magnetic coupler 23 of the lid 31, preventing wind or other forces from opening the lid 31 before the trash can is needed to be dumped again. The handle 20 allows the user to easily rotate the arm 11 away from the lid 31 when placing garbage, recycling, or the like into the trash can 30. The arm 11 can then be rotated back to the closed position overtop the closed lid 31, allowing the lid 31 to be opened manually as needed to fill the trash can 30 prior to it being overturned and emptied.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the trash can automatic lid stabilizer. In some embodiments, the base mounting fastener comprises a clamp configured to removably secure to an exterior siderail of the trash can. The clamp can include a threaded fastener 52 and a threaded retainer 51, such that the base 11 and retainer 51 engage opposing sides of the siderail that extends around the exterior of the trash can sidewalls. The lower end 16 of the base 11 can also include a protruding profile to fit more closely to the surfaces of the sidewall for a more secure attachment. This configuration allows users to easily and removably secure the trash can automatic lid stabilizer to an existing trash can without drilling holes or otherwise damaging the structure of the trash can.

[0026] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0027] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.