# US 10,308,428 B2 · Waste receptacles and lift rod assemblies therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,428 B2 - Document ID: US10308428B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/253,361 - Filed: 2016-08-31 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-02 - Assignees: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC - Applicants: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC - Inventors: Gary DeCarr; Jacob Connelly - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308428B2 ## CPC - B65F 1/163: {Pedal-operated lids} - B65F 2001/1661: {relating to noise reduction, e.g. during opening or closing} - B65F: GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE (disinfecting refuse A61L; refuse disintegrators B02C; sorting refuse B03B; B07B; handcarts for transporting refuse receptacles B62B; sack holders B65B67/00; converting refuse into fertilisers C05F; converting refuse into solid fuels C10L; sewers, cesspools E03F; arrangements in buildings for the disposal of refuse E04F17/10; refuse-consuming furnaces F23G; {for surgical articles A61B50/36}) ## Abstract Lift rod assemblies for waste receptacles having pedal-operated lids are provided. Such lift rod assemblies can include a first end configured to couple to the pedal and a distal second end configured to couple to the lid, and a spring configured to dampen a force in excess of a predetermined force threshold applied to the pedal by the user and transferred to the elongated lift rod assembly. Waste receptacles including such lift rod assemblies are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A waste receptacle, comprising: an enclosure comprising an enclosed base portion and at least one sidewall extending from the base portion, the at least one sidewall defining an open top portion to receive waste material therethrough; a lid hingedly coupled to the enclosure; a pedal pivotably coupled to the base portion, the pedal being pivotable from a first position to a second position upon application of a minimum required force to the pedal by a user; and an elongated lift rod assembly comprising: a first end coupled to the pedal and a distal second end coupled to the lid such that when the pedal is in the first position, the lid is disposed in a closed position abutting the open top portion of the base portion, and, when the pedal is in the second position, the lid is disposed at a predetermined maximum pedal-adjusted angle; an elongated lift rod at least partially comprising a tubular chamber; a compression spring configured to dampen a force in excess of a predetermined force threshold applied to the pedal by the user and transferred to the elongated lift rod assembly, the compression spring being disposed within the tubular chamber and comprising a first end and a distal second end; and a stub lift rod comprising a first end abutting the second end of the compression spring within the tubular chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The waste receptacle of claim 1, wherein the predetermined maximum pedal-adjusted angle is from about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees, measured relative the closed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The waste receptacle of claim 1, wherein the tubular chamber is substantially coextensive with the elongated lift rod. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The waste receptacle of claim 1, wherein the tubular chamber is disposed at a distance from the first end of the elongated lift rod assembly. ### Claim 5 An elongated lift rod assembly for a waste receptacle having a pedal-operated lid, the elongated lift rod assembly comprising: a first end configured to couple to the pedal and a distal second end configured to couple to the lid; a compression spring configured to dampen a force in excess of a predetermined force threshold applied to the pedal by the user and transferred to the elongated lift rod assembly; and a pair of lift rods coupled via a connection comprising the compression spring, wherein a first of the pair of lift rods comprises an elongated lift rod at least partially comprising a tubular chamber, wherein the compression spring is disposed within the tubular chamber and comprises a first end and a distal second end, wherein a second of the pair of lift rods comprises a stub lift rod comprising a first end and a distal second end, the first end of the stub lift rod abutting the second end of the compression spring within the tubular chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The elongated lift rod assembly of claim 5, wherein: the tubular chamber has an inner diameter defining a passageway, at least a portion of the first end of the stub lift rod comprises an outer surface having an outer diameter, and the outer diameter of the at least a portion of the stub lift rod is less than the inner diameter of the tubular chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The elongated lift rod assembly of claim 6, wherein: the compression spring has an inner diameter defining a passageway, and the outer diameter of the at least a portion of the first end of the stub lift rod is greater than the inner diameter of the compression spring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The elongated lift rod assembly of claim 5, wherein the tubular chamber is substantially coextensive with the elongated lift rod. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The elongated lift rod assembly of claim 5, wherein the tubular chamber is disposed at a distance from the first end of the elongated lift rod assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The elongated lift rod assembly of claim 5, wherein the elongated lift rod assembly is adapted to be integrated into existing waste receptacles having the pedal-operated lid.