Land vehicles – Wheeled – Tiltable vehicles – stabilized by attendant or article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-19
2001-12-11
Dickson, Paul N. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Tiltable vehicles, stabilized by attendant or article
C280S079500, C301S124100, C301S111040, C220S908000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328320
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a waste container with an external axle assembly. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a waste container with an external axle assembly with opposing end caps for retaining wheels on an axle. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a wheel assembly, especially for a waste container. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a method for making an axle assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Curbside waste containers with wheels supported by an axle assembly are well known and commonly used in municipal waste collection systems. The wheeled waste containers increase the ease of moving the waste container, which often contains a relatively heavy load, to a curbside where a waste collection vehicle can transfer the contents of the waste container into the waste collection vehicle. Conventional waste containers typically use an external axle assembly incorporating a solid steel axle on which opposing wheels are rotatably mounted. The axles are coated with a rust resistant coating but nonetheless tend to corrode which results in expansion of the axle. The corrosion increases the friction between the axle and the wheels and in some cases freezes the wheels on the axles and can even split the wheels. Further, the solid axles are typically machined to provide mounting grooves and other structural elements for securing the wheel to the axle. The machining of the solid axle and the rust-resistant coating adds to the overall cost of the waste container and increases the manufacturing time of the waste container. Since waste containers are typically high volume items, any small reduction in the manufacturing time and relative cost is a great advantage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a waste container for the storage and collection of residential or commercial waste comprising a receptacle having a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in an upper edge to define a waste compartment with an open top. At least one cover is pivotally mounted to an upper portion of the receptacle and is moveable between an open position, in which the cover is remote of the open top to permit access to the waste receptacle, and a closed position, in which the cover at least partially overlies the open top. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a handle extends from the upper portion of the receptacle. A wheel assembly is mounted to a lower portion of the receptacle and includes an elongated axle, wheels rotatably mounted on the axle, and wheel retainers mounted to end portions of the elongated body outwardly of the wheels to retain the wheels on the axle.
According to the invention, the axle comprises an elongated body formed of a molded synthetic resin; and a reinforcing rod encapsulated within the elongated body to form an internal support therefor and strengthen the elongated body sufficiently to avoid undesirable deformation or failure of the axle under expected loads in the receptacle. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated body has a groove integrally formed at end portions thereof and the wheel retainers have a lug extending radially inwardly into the groove in the axle to retain the wheels on the axle. In a preferred embodiment, the end portions of the elongated body include a tapered end.
In one embodiment, the grooves extend circumferentially around the end portions of the elongated body and the elongated body is cylindrical in shape. The reinforcing rod preferably extends substantially along the length of the elongated body. In one embodiment, the reinforcing rod is made of metal. In another embodiment, the reinforcing rod is made of fiberglass.
The reinforcing rod preferably extends throughout the central portion of the axle and to the end portions to prevent deformation of the axle between the wheels. However, the central portion of the axle can have molded ribs or other reinforcements formed of the synthetic resin the enhance the strength of the axle and the reinforcing rod need not extend throughout the entire length of the axle. The reinforcing rod can extend to the end of the axle ends of the axle outboard of the wheels but need not do so. The end portions of the axle outboard of the wheels can be formed entirely of the synthetic resin.
The synthetic resin can be a filled or unfilled moldable thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, Nylon, polyester, acrylonitrile polymers, copolymers, homopolymers and blends thereof. The synthetic resin is corrosion resistant.
The wheel retainers can be a variety of shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel retainers comprise a generally circular spring having a first end attached to the lug to bias the lug into the axle groove. Further, the lug includes a keeper extending radially inwardly toward the axle, and the generally circular spring biases the lug or keeper into the axle groove. Desirably, a cover is mounted to the wheel in overlying relationship with the hub opening to cover the wheel retainer.
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Kaminski Gary L.
Moore Sally L.
Walski Robert A.
Cascade Engineering, Inc.
Dickson Paul N.
Fischmann Bryan
McGarry Bair LLP
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