WO1996017746A1

WO1996017746A1 - Waste receptacle assemblies for automobiles

Info

Publication number: WO1996017746A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/013849
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald D. Bartholomew
Original assignee: Proprietary Technology, Inc.
Priority date: 1994-12-06
Filing date: 1994-12-06
Publication date: 1996-06-13
Also published as: AU1829995A

Abstract

The present invention relates to waste receptacle assemblies, and more particularly relates to waste receptacle assemblies (10) having means (14) for attaching the waste receptacle (12) against the side of a vehicle seat. Under the first embodiment the means for attachment include a selectively adjustable clamp assembly (18) including a top piece secured tightly against the outer surface of the vehicle seat. Under an alternative embodiment, the means for attaching the waste receptacle (12) include a male locking member (124) which is attached directly to the outer surface (128) of the seat and a backing plate (114) which is attached along the inner surface of the seat. Under yet another alternative embodiment, the means for attaching the waste receptacle includes a substantially U-shaped steel spring (214) including a first plate which engages a backing plate (218) and a second leg which hosts a male locking element (222).

Description

WASTE RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLIES FOR AUTOMOBILES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to waste receptacles, and more particularly to waste receptacles assemblies for use in association with an automotive vehicle seats.

Original ly, waste receptacles used inside an automobile were either extremely simplistic such as a bag or other container suspended from a door window handle or the belt line flange or have included weighted flaps which extend from the base oi the receptacle for the placement across the transmission hump of the front seat floor. Still other waste receptacles have included means for attaching the receptacle to the dash board, vehicle door pil lars, kick pads and transmission consoles, among others. However, most if not all of the above mentioned waste receptacles suffer from the disadvantage of being disposed in positions which make the vehicle passenger compartment appear cluttered. Worse yet, by positioning the waste receptacle in one of the aforementioned locations, the waste receptacle may interfere with the driver or passenger's operation of vehicle systems.

In an attempt to overcome such disadvantages there has been a recent trend to provide waste receptacles which can be disposed at a location against the front seat of an automobile and maintained in a fixed position against the lower portion of the front seat. For example, United States Patent No. 3,598,232 which issued August 10, 1971 to Trammel discloses a litter disposal unit which is attachable to the front side of an automotive vehicle seat. However, as with most attachable disposal units, the apparatu^s- disclosed in Trammell appears to be unduly complicated to assembly and apply to the e t panel .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore relates to a waste receptacle assembly which i^*. ea .\' to attach and detach from a panel such as the forward panel of an automoti . e vehicle seat. Under a first embodiment, the waste receptacle assembl . of the present invention i ncludes means for attaching the receptacle contiguously against the seat panel bv providing clamping means. The clamping means comprise a top piece and bottom piece which can be tightened together to retain a flat spring against the inner surface ot the seat panel . At the same time the rear surface of the top piece is positioned against the outer surtace of the seat panel to therebv retain the clamp assembly over the marginal edge ot the seat panel Also provided are means tor mounting the receptacle against the seat member The mounting means are generally in the form ot a T-shaped male locking element which extends from the inner surface of the top piece and a female locking element disposed along a wall of the receptacle which includes a slot for receiving the male locking element

Under a second waste receptacle assembly embodiment the male locking element is attached directlv to the outer surtace ot the seat panel through the use ot a \arιet\ lasteneis and adhesives to piov ide means toi mounting the leceptac le theieupon λgain the waste receptacle includes an integral temale locking element engagable by the male locking element to selectively retain the receptacle against the seat panel

Under a third waste receptacle embodiment according to the teachings ot the present invention the clamping means which is attached over the marginal edge ot a vehicle seat panel comprises a substantially a U-shaped flat spring which is manipulated open b\ a tool while inserting the spring over the seat panel's edge and closed upon ι el e ot the tool to loc k the clasping means to the seat Theteattet the ste leceptac le is attat hed in the above described manner tor use in the passenger compartment ot the automobile It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that while the various embodiments ot the present invention are described as being particularly useful when attached to an automobile seat panel the waste receptacle assemblies are also useful in asso iation with various other open edged substrates

Λccυrdιnglv, it is an object of the present invention to provide a selectiveK attachable and deta hable waste receptacle assembk which is particulaiK usetul in an automobile passenget compartment It is another object ot the present invention to provide a waste receptacle assembk which is easv to attach to a panel over the marginal edge ot a seat frame I t is another object ot the present invention to provide a waste receptacle assembly which is inexpensive to manutacture

Still other object, advantages and benetits ot the piesent invention will become appaient trom a review υt the tollowmg spec itication taken in asso iation witn apj)endecl < laims BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a blown apart perspective illustrating a first waste receptacle assembly according to the teachings of the present invention, Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the clamp assembly of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a side elevation view illustrating the clamp assembly attached to a seat panel over seat's marginal edge,

Figure 4 is a partial ly broken awa\ front view il lustrating the w aste receptacle c oming to rest upon the horizontally extending portion ot the lamp assembly , Figure 5 is a blown apart perspective view i l l ustrating a first alternative waste receptacle assembly embodiment according to the teachings ot the present invention,

Figure 6 is a side view illustrating the male locking element of Figure 5 attached to a vehicle seat panel,

Figure 7 is a side elevation view illustrating an alternative means tor attaching a male locking member to the seat panel,

Figure 8 is a blown apart perspective view ot an alternative waste receptacle assembly embodiment according to the teachings ot the present invention,

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the waste receptacle assembly of Figure 8 being altered by a tool which assists in mounting the clamp assembly over the marginal edge ot the seat frame- Figure 10 is a partially broken away perspective view illustrating a waste ιec eptac le useful in association with the present invention having a hd w hic h is integral lv attac heel over the top edge of the receptacle,

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view ot an alternative lid assembly useful in assoc lation ith a waste receptacle according to the teachings ot the present invention having a w eb hich snaps ovei the top edge of the receptacle,

Figure 1 2 is a perspective view of an alternative lid assembly useful in association w ith a waste receptacle according to the teachings ot the piesent invention w hich is pre tit ov ei the outer surface ot the rec eptacle along the top edge and Figure 1 3 is a perspectiv e view ot another l id assembk wnic n i mtegial lv attac heel to the leceptacle along one top edge v ia a living hinge DETAI LED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to Figure 1 a blown apart perspective view of a fi rst waste receptacle assembly according to the teachings of the present invention is provided. The receptacle assembly 10, as illustrated in Figure 1 includes, in an addition to the receptacle 12, means 1 4 for attaching the receptacle 1 2 adjacent the vehicle seat panel 1 6. Again whi le it i s primari ly intended that the waste receptacle assemblies of the present i nvention be adaptable for attachment to a vertically disposed panel of an automotive vehicle seat, those ski l led i n the art should recognize that the invention lends itself to attachment over a variety of substrates.

Under the embodi ment i l lustrated i n Figure 1 , the means 14 for attaching waste receptacle 1 2 to the panel 16 generally comprise a clamp assembly 1 8 i ncluding a top piece 20 and bottom piece 22 which can be tightly joined to retain a portion of a substantial k L-shaped spri ng 24 as wi l l be described i n greater detai l below. With regard to the top piece 20 of the clamp assembly 18, the top piece 20 w hich is generally formed from a plastic material includes a base portion 26 and upwardly extending back portion 28, disposed along the rear of base portion 26. Preferably, the base portion 26 includes lower longitudinally extending sides 32 and 32A havi ng a plural ity of apertures 50 therethrough for receiving fasteners 52, and an elevated or humped central portion 34, extending therebetween along the length of the base oortion. Below the humped central portion 36 i <ικ>ove 38 toi rec eiving hi non zontal k disposed leg of spring 24.

The upwardly extending back portion 28 of the top piece 20 may extend at d\^~\ angle c onsistent with the angle at which the panel 16 is disposed. The back portion 28 i ncludes both a front surface 40 and a rear surface 44, as shown more clearly i n Figure 3, which abuts the outer surface 46 of panel 16. Extending transversely from the front surface 40 is a T-shaped male locki ng element 42 which i ncl udes a stem 72 and an anc hor plate 74 extending perpendi ularly from the stem .

Tne bottom piece 22 general ly includes a f lat top surfac e 54 hav ing a pl uial itv ot apertures 56 extending therethrough which are intended to be in axial al ignment with the apertures 50 provided along the sides of the base portion upon attachment. Preferably, the bottom piece 22 is sufficiently thick along the portions i ncl uding tne apertures 56 such that substantially the entire length of fasteners 52 are embedded therei n. The spring 24, which preferably is L-shaped and made from a high tensi le strength steel incl udes a horizontal ly disposed leg 58 and a substantial ly vertical ly disposed leg 60. Preferably the horizontally disposed leg 58 incl udes serations 62 along the side edges 64 and 64A, respectively, which nest into the walls 66 and 66A of the groove 38 upon construction of the clamp assembly. Optional ly, but preferably, a hole 68 is provided along the leading end of leg 58 through which a tool (not shown) can be i nserted to pull the spring 24 forwardly. The vertically disposed leg 60 of spri ng 24 is general ly provided with accommodati ng portions 70 and 70A extending outwardly from the side edges 64 and 64A to provide additional support upon engagement of the spri ng 24 against the inner surface of the panel 16 as wi l l now be described.

Initially the clamp assembly 18 is attached over the marginal edge 76 of seat panel 1 6 prior to attaching the receptacle 12 by inserting the vertical ly disposed leg 60 under the seat and position i ng it parallel to the panel 's inner surface 48. Thereafter, with the horizontal ly disposed leg 58 extending outwardly from the seat panel , the top piece 20 and bottom piece 22 are brought together such that the horizontally disposed leg is seated withi n groove 38. The fasteners 52 are tightened sufficiently to retain the spring 24 i n position but not so tight as to preclude movement of the spring 24 relative to the top and bottom pieces. After hand tightening the fasteners 52 the top and bottom pieces 20 and 22, respectively, are sl id rearwardly along leg 58 of the spring and si multaneously leg 58 is pul led forwardly thus drawing the back surface 44 of the top piece 20 into ntact with the outer surface 46 of the panel and the inner surface 78 of the spri ng^'s vertical leg 60 i nto contact with the inner surface 48 of the seat panel . The fasteners 52 are then more thoroughly tightened to retain the clamp assembly 1 8 over the panel 1 6.

To further tighten the clamp assembly, leg 58 of spri ng 24 may be pul led forwardly by a tool (not shown) which is inserted into the hole 68. As the leg 58 is pul led even more forwardly the serations 62 provided along the side edges 64 and 64A bite i nto the wal ls 66 and 66A of groove 38. As previously noted it i s preferable that the top pi ec e 20 is made from a plastic which is sufficiently soft to al low the serations 62 to bite i nto the wal ls 66 and 66A. Optionally or additional ly, the wal ls 66 and 66A could be provided with teeth (not shown) which lock against the serations thus allowing the spri ng to only be moved forwardly after the clamp assembly is tightened.

With the clamp assembly 18 mounted to the panel 1 6 the receptacle 1 2 can thereafter be attached as il lustrated in Figures 1 , 3, and 4. Referring specifical ly to Figure 1 the receptacle 12 is provided with a temale locking element 80 which mates with the male locking element 42 The female locking element 80 includes a pair of incurved flanges 82 and 82A which extend from a wall 86 of the receptacle The flanges face each other to provide a slot 84 for receiving the anchor plate 74 of the male locking element 42

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 an alternative female locking element 80A is illustrated Instead ot extending from the wall 86 as illustrated in Figure 1 the temale locking element 80A is recessed within the wall as further illustrated in Figure 8 The male locking element 42 extends into the slot 84A until the top edge 88 of the anchoring plate 74 comes into contact with the top wall 90 ot the slot 84A as illustrated in Figure 4 The base 92 of the receptacle 12 can either come to rest on the base portion 26 ot top piece 20 as illustrated in Figures 1 - 4 or can extend bevond the bottom piece 22 and come to rest on the vehicle floor (not shown)

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, an alternative waste receptacle assembly 18A embodiment is illustrated According to this embodiment 110, the clamping assembly includes a backing plate 114 is provided which is attached to the inner surtace 118 ot the seat panel 116 by one or more fasteners 120 which extend through bores 122 provided thereon and through the seat panel 116 The fasteners 120 are then connected through the bores 126 provided on the male locking element 124 to retain the locking element 124 against the outer surface 128 of the seat panel As a mattei ot design c lion e the male locking element 124 can be toimed such that the anc hoπng plate 1 ,0 i disposed substantially parallel to the outer surtace 128 ot the seat panel 116 or can be suspended from the outer surtace 126 of the seat panel 116 at an oblique angle similar to that shown under the embodiment illustrated with reference to Figure 3 As with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 - 4 the receptacle 112 again includes either outwardlv extending incurved flanges 132 and 132 A which provide a slot 134 lot ic eiv mg tne male locking element 124 oi includes a recessed slot similai to that shown in Figure 8

Referring to Figure 7 an alternative method tor mounting the male locking element 124Λ against the seat 116 panel is illustrated According to this embodiment a base piece 136 is attached to the outei surtace 128 ot the seat panel 116 bv mechanical fasteners such as studs, bv sewing or through the use ot adhesives which are known in the art On the outer surface 138 ot the base piece is a pad ha ing hook and loop type fasteners 140 disposed thereon. The male locking element 124A also includes mating hook and loop type fasteners 140A disposed on the inner surface 142 of the intermediate portion 144 which is integrally attached to the anchor plate 130A such that upon joining the male locking element 124A to the base piece 136 the male locking element 124A is positioned for receiving the receptacle in one of the above described manners.

Referring to Figure 8 a blown apart perspective view of an alternative waste leceptac le assembly embodiment 210 according the teachings of the present invention is provided. The waste receptacle assembly 210 and, more precisely, the clamping assembly 18B includes a substantially U-shaped flat steel spring 214 having a first leg 216 which engages the backing plate 218 and a second leg 220 which hosts the male locking element 222. The backing plate 218 includes incurved flanges 224 and 224A extending from the real wall 226 which provide a slot 230 for receiving the spring 214 Pieterab , the fust leg 216 of spring 214 includes an aperture 232 through which a locating pin 234 positioned above the slot 230 extends as illustrated in Figure 9. The front side ot the bac king plate 218 also includes a pair of incurved flanges 236 and 236A which provide a slot 238 for receiving a sponge-like pad 240 which assists in limiting wear and tear on the inner surface of the seat panel.

As illustrated more clearly in Figure 9, the second leg 220 of the spring 214 is seated within a slot 246 formed by a pair ot incurved tlanges 242 and 242 extending learwardlv from a wall 244 integrally attached or molded to the ba k wall 248 of the male locking element 222. The slot 246 includes a stop pin 250 which limits tne insertion of the second leg 220 of spring 214. Disposed slightly below the slot 246 is a locating pin 252 which extends through an aperture 254 provided on the second leg 220 of the spring to assist in retaining the spring within the slot.

To apply the waste receptacle clamp assembly illustrated 214 in Figures 8 and 9 ovei the maiginal edge ot a seat panel as illustrated in Figure 3, the spring 214 is opened bv using a spec lal tool 256. The tool 256 includes a handle 258 hic n is giasped bv the' individual applying the waste receptacle assembly to the seat panel and a nooke end 260 whic h is tits over the spring 214. Bv pulling on the handle 258 the hooked end 260 rides across the spring 214 thereby causing it to open up sufficiently for attachment ov er the marginal edge of the seat panel. Once the clamp assembly is positioned over the seat panel the tool 256 is lemoved thus causing the spring 214 to return to its original position to pinch against the inner and outer surface ot the panel Thereafter, the receptacle 212 as previously described can be inserted over the male locking element 222, to retain the receptacle proximate to the seat panel.

Referring to Figure 10 a partial perspective view of a waste receptacle assembly according to the teachings of the present invention provided The waste receptacle 12 is provided with an integrallv attached lid 264 having a raised boundary 266 about the peπpheiv 268 to assist in precluding items from sliding oft the face 270 the lid Λc cording to this lid embodiment a recess 272 is provided on the face 270 tor receiving a beverage container (not shown) if desired Typically anything to be inserted into the waste receptacle 12 can be done so by inserting it through the aperture 274 provided on a side wall 276 Under Figure 11 the lid is 264A provided with a dual purpose aperture 272A tor receiving both items inserted into the receptacle 12 and retaining beverage containers (not shown) Preferably this lid assembly includes a web 276 extending downwardly about the periphery 278 ot the receptacle which tits over the top edge 280 ot the receptacle thereby retaining the lid in a snap tit relationship Alternatively, the lid of Figure 12 can be modified to include a single downwardly extending skirt 276A about the periphery 268 of the lid 264B which snaps over the exterior surtace 282 of the receptacle along the top edge 280 ot the receptacle to thereby tetain the lid in a press fit relationship. Reterπng to Figure 13 yet another lid embodiment is illustrated in accordance witn the teachings of the present invention The lid 264C ot Figure 13 is onnected along one edge 284 to the corresponding top edge 280 ot the receptacle via a living hinge 286 The downwardly extending skirt as described with reference to Figure 12 is disposed about the periphery 268 of the lid 264A tits over the other top edges 280 is of the lec eptac le 12 to thereby retain the lid in a press tit relationship. Thus, debris can be inserted into the receptacle 12 bv merely rotating the lid about living hinge 286, inserting the debris and thereafter pressing the lid tightly closed over the edges ot the receptacle Λgain the lid 264C can be provided with one or moie lecesses 272 tor retaining a beverage container When it is desired to empty the receptacle 12, as shown in Figures 10-1 , the receptacle can be removed from the mount otherwise referred to herein as the anchoi plate and opening the lid thereby allowing tor removal ot the debris contained therein While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments oi the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A waste receptacle assembly for attachment to a panel having inner and outer surfaces, comprising: a waste receptacle having a bottom and at least one side wall, said at least one side wall inc luding an engagable member, and c lamping means tor retaining said waste receptacle proximatelv against said panel, said c lamping means including.

(a) a top piece having a base portion and an upwardly extending back portion disposed adjacent the outer surtace ot said panel and incl uding means for engaging the engagable member or said waste receptacle,

(b) a bottom piece,

(c i fastening means foi securing said top and bottom pieces togethei , and td) a spring member having a first leg adj ustably maintained between the base portion ot said top piece and the bottom piece and a second upwardly extending leg disposed adjacent the inner surtace of said panel, whereby, tightening the fastening means to thereby maintain the spri ng member and top piece upon tightly against the panel the waste receptacle can be attached to the c lamping means bv bringing the engagable member ot the waste rec eptac le into the engagable c ontact with the means tor engagi ng the engagable membei ot said top piec e

2 The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 1 further comprising means disposed on the first leg ot said spring member tor loc kablv engaging the base portion

3 The waste receptac le assembk ot Clai m 2 wherei n said means tor lockablv engaging the base portion includes a plurality ot serations which nest against the base portion ot said top piece

4 The waste receptacle assembly ot Clai m 2 wherei n said spri ng member i s L-shaped

5. The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 1 wherein said engagable member includes a T-shaped male locking element having an anchor plate and said means for engaging the engagable member include a slot of receiving the anchor plate.

6. The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 1 wherein said engagable member includes a slot and said means for engaging the engagable member includes a T-shaped male locking element having an anchor plate which is inserted into the slot.

7. A waste receptacle assembly for attachment to a panel having inner and outer surfaces, comprising: a waste receptacle having a bottom and at least one side wall, said at least one side wall including an engagable member; clamping means for retaining said waste receptacle proximately against said panel, said clamping means including a backing plate attached adjacent the inner surface of said panel and a male locking element extending from the outer surface of said panel including means for engaging the engagable member; whereby the receptacle is attached to the clamping means bv bringing the engagable member of the waste receptacle into engagable contact with the means for enjoining the engagable member.

8. The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 1 wherein said engagable member includes a T-shaped male locking element having an anchor plate and said means for engaging the engagable member include a slot of receiving the anchor plate.

9. The waste receptacle assembk of Claim l wherein s id engagable member includes a slot and said means for engaging the engagable member includes a T-shaped male locking element having an anchor plate which is inserted into the slot.

10. A waste receptacle assembly tor attachment to a panel having inner and outer surfaces, comprising: a waste receptacle having a bottom and at least one side wall including a slot, and a selectively removable clamping means tor retaining said waste receptacle pioximatelv against said panel, said clamping means including a substantially U-shaped steel spring having a backing plate attached along a first end which is disposed against the inner surtace ot the panel and a male locking element attached along a second end, said male locking member including an anchor plate which seats within the slot of the receptacle to retain the receptacle proximate to the panel.

11 The waste receptacle assembly ot Claim 10 wherein said backing plate inc ludes a slot tor receiving the first leg ot said spring

12 The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 11 wherein said backing plate includes a locating pin which extends through an aperture contained on the first end ot the spring to cooperate with the slot in attaching the backing plate to the spring

13 The waste receptacle assembly ot Claim 12 wherein a pad extends trom tne backing plate, said pad being disposed between the backing plate and the innei surtace ot said panel to limit wear and tear on the panel

14 The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 11 wherein said male locking element includes a slot for receiving the second end ot said spring.

15 The waste receptacle assembly ot Claim 15 vheiein a stop pin extends from the second end ot the spring into the slot tor limiting the insertion ot the second end ot the spring within the slot

16 The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 14 wherein said male locking element includes a locating pin which extends through an aperture contained on the sec or .d end ot the spring to cooperate with the slot in attaching the male locking element to the spring 1 7. The waste receptacle assembly of Claim 10 further comprising a prying tool for separating the first and second ends of the U-shaped spring such that the clamping means can be positioned over the panel to utilize the waste receptacle assembly or removed from the panel to detach the waste receptacle assembly from the panel.