Cover means for a trash bin

Abstract

 A cover means (2) for a trash bin, the cover means comprises a base member (10), which has a first end (101) and a second end (102), including a compartment (11) formed at the first end (101) thereof and an opening (14) defined between the first and second ends thereof, thereby to throw trash into the trash bin from the opening (14); a cover member (20) including a cover portion (21) and a connected element (22); at least one elastic means (30), each elastic means including an elastic element (33) having a first end (331) provided at the compartment (11) and a second end (332) coupled to the connected element (22); wherein the cover member (20) can be rotated between a first position and a second position; while in the second position of the cover member (20), the elastic element (33) is released to lift the cover member (20) upward, with the cover portion (21) being completely exposed from the base member (10) outward.

Description

Background of the Invention

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a trash bin.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0002] Referring to US patent No. 6,857,538, it discloses that a cover assembly includes a ring mounted on a garbage bin, a cover mounted on the ring and a slow pivot device for slowly pivoting the cover relative to the ring. The slow pivot device includes a slow pivot element installed between the ring and the cover. The slow pivot element includes an internal tube, an external tube enclosing the internal tube and a spring connected between the internal tube and the external tube.

[0003] Thus, rotation of the internal tube relative to the external tube exerts a torque on the spring. The spring is received in the internal tube so that an end thereof is connected with the internal tube. The internal tube is received in the internal tube so that an end thereof is connected with the internal tube. The internal tube is received in the external tube so that the other end of the spring is connected with the external tube. The internal tube includes a clip formed on an internal side thereof for clipping an end of the spring. The external tube includes a clip formed on an internal side thereof for clipping an opposite end of the spring.

[0004] However, while the cover is opened with respect to the ring, the slow pivot element is exposed outward from the cover and the ring. The exposed slow pivot element gets dirty easily by dust or trash. After long-time-use of the garbage bin, the above discussion reflects performance effect of the slow pivot element so that the garbage bin may easily be broken.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, the object is achieved by providing a trash bin. The trash bin comprises a barrel and a cover means. The cover means includes a base member, a cover member and an elastic means.

[0006] A connected element of the cover member covers the elastic means and a secure base installed to the cover member so that dust and trash would not be in contact with the elastic means and the secure base.

[0007] While the cover member is pivoted with respect to the base member, a cover portion of the cover member is completely out of the base member so that an opening of the base member is completely exposed outward without any cover.

[0008] Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions referring to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a trash bin according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that the cover member is in the first position.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the trash bin shown in Fig. 1, illustrating that the cover member is opened with respect to the base member and in the second position.

Fig. 3 is a partial, exploded perspective view of the trash bin shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is another cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating that the cover member is lifted from the base member.

Fig. 7 is another cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 6, but illustrating that the cover member is in the second position.

Fig. 8 is another cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 5, but illustrating that the cover member is in the second position.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0010] With reference to Figs. 1 through 5, they show that a trash bin consists of a barrel 1 and a cover means 2 mounted onto the barrel 1. The cover means 2 includes a base member 10 installed to the barrel 1 and a cover member 20 pivotally connected to the base member 10. The cover member 20 is able to be lifted with respect to the base member 10 and provided at the outer periphery of the base member 10 so that while dropping litter, the cover member 20 would not be a barricade. At least one elastic means 30 is provided at the cover means 2 and connects the base member 10 to the cover member 20 for lifting the cover member 20 with respect to the base member 10.

[0011] The base member 10, which has a first end 101 and a second end 102, includes a compartment 11 and at least one fixed block 12. In this case, the amount of the fixed blocks 12 is two. The compartment 11 includes a bottom wall 111 defined on the bottom thereof, two lateral walls 112 defined on two sides thereof and spaced from each other, a rear wall 113, a front wall 114 opposite to the rear wall 113 and a top wall 115 opposite to the bottom wall 111. A limited hole 1121 is formed on each lateral wall 112 and in form of a polygonal hole. A gap 116 is formed at the center of the bottom wall 11 and extends to the center of the front wall 114.

[0012] The fixed block 12 is fixed to the bottom wall 11 and surrounded between the bottom, lateral, rear and front walls 111, 112, 113 and 114 as to restrict the fixed block 12 to detach from the compartment 11 easily. A stepped hole 121 is axially formed on the fixed block 12 and corresponds to the limited hole 1121.

[0013] A tongue element 13 is provided at the second end 102 of the base member 10 and forms with a hooked hole 131. An opening 14 is formed through the base member 10 between the first and second ends 101, 102 and communicates with the gap 116. And trash can be thrown into the barrel 1 of the trash bin from the opening 14.

[0014] The cover member 20 includes a cover portion 21 having a first end 211 and a second end 212, a connected element 22 fixed to the first end 211 of the cover portion 21, a secure base 23 provided at the connected element 22 and a hook 24 provided at the second end 212 of the cover portion 21 and selectively hooking at the hooked hole 131. The cover portion 21 selectively covers onto the opening 14 for closing the trash bin.

[0015] The connected element 22 is approximately L-shaped and able to rotate with respect to the gap 116. A first section 221 of the connected element 22 is fixed to the first end 211 of the cover member 21 and approximately perpendicular to the cover portion 21. A second section 222 of the connected element 22, which is provided at the gap 116 and coupled to the first section 221 opposite to the cover member 21, is approximately parallel to the cover member 21. An outer periphery 223 and an inner periphery 224 are formed defined on the connected element 22 between the first and second sections 221, 222. The outer periphery 223 is toward the second section 222 of the connected element 22 and the inner periphery 224 is toward the first section 221 of the connected element 22.

[0016] The secure base 23 is fixed to the second section 222 of the connected element 22 and located on the inner periphery 224. The outer periphery 223 is adapted to cover the secure base 23 so that the secure base 23 would not be exposed outward. A polygonal restricted hole 231 is formed axially through the secure base 23.

[0017] The elastic means 30 includes a first tube member 31 inserted into the stepped hole 121 of the fixed block 12, a second tube member 32 and an elastic element 33. The first tube member 31 includes an engaged end 311 and an engaged hole 312 respectively formed on two ends thereof. The engaged end 311 is engaged with a limited hole 1121 of the related lateral wall 112 so that the first tube member 31 can not rotate with respect to the base member 10.

[0018] The second tube member 32 is provided between the stepped hole 121 of the fixed block 12 and the restricted hole 231 of the secure base 23 and includes a limited end 321 and an engaged hole 322 respectively formed on two ends thereof. The limited end 321 has a cross-section which is in form of a polygon and is inserted into the restricted hole 231 of the secure base 23 so that the second tube member 32 can not rotate with respect to the secure base 23.

[0019] The elastic element 33 has a first end 331 engaged with the engaged hole 312 of the first tube member 31 and a second end 332 engaged with the engaged hole 322 of the second tube member 32. While the first and second tube members 31, 32 are rotated with respect to each other, the elastic element 33 is driven to twist for providing a torque.

[0020] The cover member 20 is able to pivot between a first position and a second position. While in the first position of the cover member 20, the hook 24 hooks at the base member 10, the first end 331 of the elastic element 33 is engaged with the first tube member 31 and the second end 332 of the elastic element 33 is engaged with the second tube member 32 and twist with respect to the first end 331.

[0021] Referring to Figs. 6 through 8, user presses the second end 212 of the cover portion 21 downward to disengage the hook 24 from the hooked hole 131 (shown in Fig. 3) and then, the cover member 20 is lifted with respect to the base member 10 via the elastic means 30. In the meanwhile, the elastic element 33 is released and the second end 332 twists with respect to the first end 331 to drive the second tube member 32 to rotate with respect to the first tube member 31 and drive the secure base 23 to rotate. Further, the secure base 23 drives the cover member 20 to lift to the second position and the first section 221 of the connected element 22 presses against the top wall 115 so that the cover member 20 is supported by a cooperation of the top wall 115 and the first section 221 of the connected element 22. Hence, the cover member 20 is securely positioned in the second position without sway and would not close automatically.

[0022] Simultaneously, the outer periphery 223 of the connected element 22 is exposed outward and covers the secure base 23 and the elastic means 30 so that dust and trash would not be in contact with the base 23 and the elastic means 30 for preventing the trash bin from being broken easily.

[0023] While in the second position of the cover member 20, because the connected element 22 extends outward from the base member 10, a connection of the cover portion 21 and the base member 10 is out of the base member 10. However, the secure base 23 is located inside of the base member 10. The cover portion 21 is completely out of the base member 10 so that the opening 14 is opened without any cover.

[0024] While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cover means (2) for a trash bin, the cover means comprising:

a base member (10), which has a first end (101) and a second end (102), including a compartment (11) formed at the first end (101) thereof and an opening (14) defined between the first and second ends thereof, thereby to throw trash into the trash bin from the opening;

a cover member (20) including a cover portion (21) and a connected element (22);

at least one elastic means (30), each elastic means including an elastic element (33) having a first end (331) provided at the compartment (11) and a second end (332) coupled to the connected element (22); and

wherein the cover member (20) can be rotated between a first position and a second position; while in the first position of the cover member (20), the opening (14) of the base member (10) is closed by the cover portion (21) of the cover member (20) and the elastic element (33) is pressed to twist with respect to the cover member (20); while in the second position of the cover member (20), the elastic element (33) is released to lift the cover member (20) upward, with the cover portion (21) being completely exposed from the base member (10) outward.

2. The cover means as claimed in claim 1 wherein while in the second position of the cover member (20), the connected element (22) completely covers the at least one elastic means (30).

3. The cover means as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one fixed block (12) provided at the compartment (11) and a secure base (23) coupled to the connected element (22); wherein the elastic means (30) further includes a first tube member (31) inserted into the at least one fixed block (12) and engaged with the compartment (11) and a second tube member (32) inserted into the secure base (23) and not able to rotate with respect to the secure base (23), with the elastic element (33) having a first end (331) coupled to the first tube member (31) and a second end (332) coupled to the second tube member (32).

4. The cover means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connected element (22) has a first section (221) fixed to the cover portion (21) and a second section (222) coupled to the first section opposite to the cover portion (21); wherein the connected element further forms with an outer periphery (223) and an inner periphery (224) between the first and second sections (221, 222), with the secure base (23) fixed to the second section (222) of the connected element (22) and located on the inner periphery (224) of the connected element (22), with the outer periphery (223) of the connected element (22) adapted to cover the secure base (23).

5. The cover means as claimed in claim 4, with the first section (221) of the connected element (22) being perpendicular to the cover portion (21), with the second section (222) of the connected element (22) being parallel to the cover portion (21).

6. The cover means as claimed in claim 4, wherein the compartment (11) having a bottom wall (111) and a top wall (115), with the at least one fixed block (12) fixed to the bottom wall (111); wherein while the cover member (20) is in the second position, the first section (221) of the connected element (22) presses against the top wall (115).

7. The cover means as claimed in claim 6, wherein the compartment (11) having two lateral walls (112), a rear wall (113) and a front wall (114), with the at least one fixed block (12) surrounded between the lateral, rear and front walls (112, 113 ,114).

8. The cover means as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a limited hole (1121) formed on each lateral wall (112) of the compartment (11), a stepped hole (121) axially formed on each fixed block (12) and corresponding to the limited hole (1121); wherein the first tube member (31) includes an engaged end (311), which is defined at an end thereof, inserted into the stepped hole (121) and engaged with the limited hole (1121) of the related lateral wall (112).

9. The cover means as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first tube member (31) includes an engaged hole (312) formed at another end thereof and engaged with the first end (331) of the elastic element (33).

10. The cover means as claimed in claim 8, with the limited hole (1121) of each lateral wall (112) being in form of a polygonal hole.

11. The cover means as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a gap (116) formed at the center of the bottom wall (11) and extends to the center of the front wall (114); wherein the second section (222) of the connected element (22) is provided at the gap (116) and the connected element (22) is able to rotate with respect to the gap (116).

12. The cover means as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a restricted hole (231) formed axially through the secure base (23); wherein the second tube member (32) includes a limited end (321) and an engaged hole (322) respectively defined at two ends thereof, with the limited end (321) inserted into the restricted hole (231) of the secure base (23), with the second tube member (32) not being able to rotate with respect to the secure base (23), with the second end (332) of the elastic element (33) engaged with the engaged hole (322) of the second tube member (32).

13. The cover means as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tongue element (13) provided at the second end (102) of the base member (10) and having a hooked hole (131) thereon and a hook (24) installed to an end of the cover member (20) opposite to the connected element (22), with the hooked hole (131) and the hook (24) able to hook to each other.

14. The cover means as claimed in claim 4 wherein the outer periphery (223) is toward the second section (222) of the connected element (22) and the inner periphery (224) is toward the first section (221) of the connected element (22).

15. The cover means as claimed in claim 12, wherein the restricted hole (231) of the secure base (23) is in form of a polygonal hole and the limited end (321) of the second tube member (32) has a polygonal cross-section.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. A cover means (2) for a trash bin, the cover means comprising:

a base member (10), which has a first end (101) and a second end (102) on top of the base member (10), including a compartment (11) formed at the first end (101) thereof and an opening (14) defined between the first and second ends thereof, thereby to throw trash into the trash bin from the opening;

a cover member (20) including a cover portion (21) and a connected element (22);

at least one elastic means (30), each elastic means including an elastic element (33) having a first end (331) provided at the compartment (11) and a second end (332) coupled to the connected element (22); and

wherein the cover member (20) can be rotated between a first position and a second position; while in the first position of the cover member (20), the opening (14) of the base member (10) is closed by the cover portion (21) of the cover member (20) and the elastic element (33) is pressed to twist with respect to the cover member (20); while moving the cover member (20) from the first position to the second position, the elastic element (33) is released to lift the cover member (20) upward, wherein in the second position the cover portion (21) is completely exposed from the base member (10) outward,
wherein while in the second position of the cover member (20), the connected element (22) completely covers the at least one elastic means (30).

2. The cover means as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one fixed block (12) provided at the compartment (11) and a secure base (23) coupled to the connected element (22); wherein the elastic means (30) further includes a first tube member (31) inserted into the at least one fixed block (12) and engaged with the compartment (11) and a second tube member (32) inserted into the secure base (23) and not able to rotate with respect to the secure base (23), with the elastic element (33) having a first end (331) coupled to the first tube member (31) and a second end (332) coupled to the second tube member (32).

3. The cover means as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connected element (22) has a first section (221) fixed to the cover portion (21) and a second section (222) coupled to the first section opposite to the cover portion (21); wherein the connected element forms an outer periphery (223) and an inner periphery (224), with the secure base (23) fixed to the second section (222) of the connected element (22) and located on the inner periphery (224) of the connected element (22), with the secure base (23) not extending to and exposed outside the outer periphery (223) of the connected element (22).

4. The cover means as claimed in claim 3, with the first section (221) of the connected element (22) being perpendicular to the cover portion (21), with the second section (222) of the connected element (22) being parallel to the cover portion (21).

5. The cover means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the compartment (11) having a bottom wall (111) and a top wall (115), with the at least one fixed block (12) fixed to the bottom wall (111); wherein while the cover member (20) is in the second position, the first section (221) of the connected element (22) presses against the top wall (115).

6. The cover means as claimed in claim 5, wherein the compartment (11) having two lateral walls (112), a rear wall (113) and a front wall (114), with the at least one fixed block (12) surrounded between the lateral, rear and front walls (112, 113 ,114).

7. The cover means as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a limited hole (1121) formed on each lateral wall (112) of the compartment (11), a stepped hole (121) axially formed on each fixed block (12) and corresponding to the limited hole (1121); wherein the first tube member (31) includes an engaged end (311), which is defined at an end thereof, inserted into the stepped hole (121) and engaged with the limited hole (1121) of the related lateral wall (112).

8. The cover means as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first tube member (31) includes an engaged hole (312) formed at another end thereof and engaged with the first end (331) of the elastic element (33).

9. The cover means as claimed in claim 7, with the limited hole (1121) of each lateral wall (112) being in form of a polygonal hole.

10. The cover means as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a gap (116) formed at the center of the bottom wall (11) and extends to the center of the front wall (114); wherein the second section (222) of the connected element (22) is provided at the gap (116) and the connected element (22) is able to rotate with respect to the gap (116).

11. The cover means as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a restricted hole (231) formed axially through the secure base (23); wherein the second tube member (32) includes a limited end (321) and an engaged hole (322) respectively defined at two ends thereof, with the limited end (321) inserted into the restricted hole (231) of the secure base (23), with the second tube member (32) not being able to rotate with respect to the secure base (23), with the second end (332) of the elastic element (33) engaged with the engaged hole (322) of the second tube member (32).

12. The cover means as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a tongue element (13) provided at the second end (102) of the base member (10) and having a hooked hole (131) thereon and a hook (24) installed to an end of the cover member (20) opposite to the connected element (22), with the hooked hole (131) and the hook (24) able to hook to each other.

13. The cover means as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer periphery (223) is toward the second section (222) of the connected element (22) and the inner periphery (224) is toward the first section (221) of the connected element (22).

14. The cover means as claimed in claim 11, wherein the restricted hole (231) of the secure base (23) is in form of a polygonal hole and the limited end (321) of the second tube member (32) has a polygonal cross-section.

Drawing