Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Accessories – Debris receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-05-22
Till, Terrence R. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Accessories
Debris receptacle
C015S257700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233781
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a refuse accumulator and container and more particularly relates to a refuse accumulator and container which permits control of the bail of the container when the contents of the container are dumped.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Containers for accumulating refuse or other materials commonly include a bail, or handle member pivotally connected to the sides of the container at diametrically opposed points enabling lifting and transporting of the container by gripping the bail. The bail is used to hold the container in an upright position with the container opening at the top to prevent discharge of the contents of the container. The bail is manually held to one side and away from the opening by the user when the container is tipped from its upright position to discharge the container contents.
These types of containers can also include a handle on the container itself to assist the user in pivoting the container to eject the contents thereof. Such a container is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 123,569 to Lothrop. Lothrop discloses a container having bail c pivotally connected to container A at diametrically opposed points A. Handle B is fastened to the sides of container A. Handle B also serves as a rest to prevent bail c from contacting the side of the container in order to insulate the bail from the hot surface of the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,205,064 to Varian depicts container 10 with bail 18 and handle 19. The patent describes the use of this type of container at column 2, lines 95-102:
“When it is desired to empty the receptacle, the same is carried by the bail 18 until the regular garbage receptacle is reached, whereupon the handle 19 is grasped, so as to swing the receptacle to a horizontal position, by reason of its pivotal connection with the bail 18, the front wall 11, resting upon the mouth of the larger receptacle.”
However none of the prior art containers comprising a bail and handle member for use in the manner described provide a simple means for retaining the bail adjacent the container when the container is rotated to dump the contents. Often the force of gravity on the bail will cause the bail to rotate into a position in front of the opening thereby partially blocking the refuse exiting through the opening from the container. This interferes with efficient dumping of the contents of the container and as well can result in dirt and other foreign materials adhering to the bail which can then be transferred to the hands of the user when the bail is used to carry the container.
As a result there is a need for a container having a bail pivotally connected to the container and a handle at the side of the container with an attachment member adjacent the handle which permits releasable attachment of the bail to the attachment member when the bail is adjacent the side of the container. This feature would prevent the bail from rotating to a position in front of the opening thereby preventing the bail from interfering with the dumping of refuse in the container and preventing the bail from being dirtied by the contents of that container.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A refuse container according to the invention includes a housing having an opening for receiving refuse, a bail pivotally attached to the housing for pivotal movement between a first position in front of the opening and a second position adjacent the housing, a handle attached to the housing positioned adjacent to the bail when the bail is in the second position and an attachment member for releasably attaching the bail to the attachment member when the bail is in the second position. The attachment member is positioned on the housing adjacent the handle to permit attachment of the bail to the attachment member when the bail is in the second position.
In another aspect of the invention, the attachment member can include a clip dimensioned to securely and releasably hold the bail within the clip. The clip may be a finger element which is dimensioned with respect to the housing to retain the bail between the element and the housing by means of friction between the element, the housing and the bail. The clip may alternatively comprise a finger element dimensioned and shaped with respect to the housing to retain the bail between the element and the housing by means of a snap fit of the bail with respect to the element and housing.
In another aspect of the invention the container may further include a bail rest adjacent to the attachment member positioned to contact the bail when the bail is near the second position without the bail being releasably secured by the attachment member. The bail rest may be positioned with respect to the handle to enable the thumb of a user to restrain the bail against the rest while simultaneously gripping the handle.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 13296 (1911-10-01), Lewis
patent: 587607 (1897-08-01), Ray
patent: 881758 (1908-03-01), Wynkoop
patent: 2699050 (1955-01-01), MacKay
patent: 2978731 (1961-04-01), Belluomini
patent: 5325565 (1994-07-01), Suzuki
patent: 5457844 (1995-10-01), Hanna et al.
Shlesinger & Arkwright & Garvey LLP
Southern Gold Resources Ltd.
Till Terrence R.
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