Garbage container with automatic door operator

• US 6,859,005 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lynette S. Boliver
• Original Assignee: Lynette S. Boliver
• Inventors: Boliver, Lynette S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, TYRONE W
• Application Number:
  US10/462,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 318/16, 318/480, 318280-286, 318/445, 318/460, 318/466, 318/468, 220/260, 220/263, 220/200, 220/211, 220/262
• US Class Current: 318/480
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1607 with filling openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1638 Electromechanically operated lids

Abstract

A garbage container includes a base section for collecting garbage and a lid section attachable to the base section. The lid section includes an access door pivotally operable therewith. The garbage container further includes a sensor connected to the top surface of the lid section and for determining when an object has reached a predetermined distance therefrom. The garbage container further includes a housing and a motor disposed therein and connected to the sensor. A plurality of arm members each have a first end portion passing through a corresponding one of a plurality of slots and are operable by the motor. The plurality of arm members each further has a second opposed end portion connected to the access door respectively. The plurality of arm members are preferably selectively pivotable about the first end portions and in a generally arcuate path to thereby move the access door between open and closed positions based upon signals transmitted by the sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving garbage and comprising:

a base section defining an opening for collecting garbage;

a lid section attachable to said base section, said lid section including an access door pivotally operable therewith, said lid section having a top surface;

means for selectively moving said access door between open and closed positions and comprising

a sensor connected to the top surface of said lid section and for determining when an object has reached a predetermined distance therefrom,

a housing and a motor disposed therein and connected to said sensor, said housing having a plurality of slots formed therein and spaced apart from each other, and

a plurality of arm members each having a first end portion passing through a corresponding one of said plurality of slots and being operable by said motor, said plurality of arm members each having a second opposed end portion connected to said access door respectively, said plurality of arm members being selectively pivotable about their first end portions respectively and in a generally arcuate path so that when the second end portions thereof move toward a rear portion of said lid section said access door is moved to an open position and when the second end portions move toward a front portion of said lid section said access door is moved to a closed position; and

a power cord connected to said sensor and said motor and for supplying power thereto.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid section further comprises a conduit for guiding said power cord from a rear portion of said lid section to a front portion thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said motor includes a rod passing therethrough and operably controlled thereby, said rod having a longitudinal axis and opposed end portions extending outwardly from said motor, said first end portions of said plurality of arm members being connected to said end portions of said rod respectively.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of arm members have a substantially L-shape.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing has a lower portion and said plurality of slot portions are formed thereat.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said access door has a top portion and said respective second end portions of said plurality of arm members are attached adjacent thereto.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said access door is pivotable about its top portion.

8. A garbage container comprising:

a base section including a plurality of sidewalls integral with each other and defining an opening therein for collecting garbage;

a lid section removably attachable onto said base section, said lid section including an access door pivotally operable therewith, said lid section having a top surface;

means for selectively moving said access door between open and closed positions and comprising

a sensor connected to the top surface of said lid section and for determining when an object has reached a predetermined distance therefrom,

a housing and a motor disposed within said housing and connected to said sensor and disposed therebelow, said housing having a plurality of slots formed therein and spaced apart from each other, and

a plurality of arm members each having a first end portion passing through a corresponding one of said plurality of slots and being operable by said motor, said plurality of arm members each having a second opposed end portion connected to said access door respectively, said plurality of arm members being selectively pivotable about said first end portions and in a substantially arcuate path when said sensor sends signals to said motor so that when the second end portions thereof move toward a rear portion of said lid section said access door is moved to an open position and when the second end portions move toward a front portion of said lid section said access door is moved to a closed position; and

a power cord connected to said sensor and said motor and for supplying power thereto.

9. The garbage container of claim 8, wherein said lid section further comprises a conduit for guiding said power cord from a rear portion of said lid section to a front portion thereof.

10. The garbage container of claim 8, wherein said motor includes a rod passing therethrough and operably controlled thereby, said rod having a longitudinal axis and opposed end portions extending outwardly from said motor, said first end portions of each said plurality of arm members being connected to one said end portions of said rod respectively.

11. The garbage container of claim 8, wherein said plurality of arm members are formed to be substantially L-shaped.

12. The garbage container of claim 8, wherein said housing has a lower portion and said plurality of slot portions are formed thereat.

13. The garbage container of claim 8, wherein said access door has a top portion and each said second end portion of said plurality of arm members is attached adjacent thereto.

14. The garbage container of claim 13, wherein said access door is pivotable about its top portion.

15. A garbage container for promoting sanitary conditions and comprising:

a base section including a plurality of sidewalls integral with each other and defining an opening therein for collecting garbage;

a lid section removably attachable to said base section, said lid section including an access door pivotally operable therewith, said lid section having a top surface;

means for selectively moving said access door between open and closed positions and comprising

a sensor connected to the top surface of said lid section and for determining when an object has reached a predetermined distance therefrom, housing and a motor disposed within said housing and connected to said sensor and disposed therebelow and rearward of said access door, said housing having a plurality of slots formed therein and spaced apart from each other, and

a plurality of arm members each having a first end portion passing through a corresponding one of said plurality of slots and being operable by said motor, said plurality of arm members each having a second opposed end portion connected to said access door respectively, said plurality of arm members being selectively pivotable about said first end portions respectively and in a substantially arcuate path when said sensor sends signals to said motor so that when the second end portions thereof move toward a rear portion of said lid section said access door is moved to an open position and when the second end portions move toward a front portion of said lid section said access door is moved to a closed position; and

a power cord connected to said sensor and said motor and for supplying power thereto, said lid section further includes a conduit for guiding said power cord from a rear portion of said lid section to a front portion thereof.

16. The garbage container of claim 15, wherein said motor includes a rod passing therethrough and operably controlled thereby, said rod having a longitudinal axis and opposed end portions extending outwardly from said motor, said first end portions of said plurality of arm members being connected to said end portions of said rod respectively.

17. The garbage container of claim 15, wherein said plurality of arm members have a substantially L-shape.

18. The garbage container of claim 15, wherein said housing has a lower portion and said plurality of slot portions are formed therein.

19. The garbage container of claim 15, wherein said access door has a top portion and said second end portions of said plurality of arm members are attached adjacent thereto.

20. The garbage container of claim 19, wherein said access door is pivotable about its top portion.