Collection bin locking assembly with gravity operated release mechanism

A collection bin locking assembly for locking a trash bin lid to a trash bin body, said locking assembly being automatically unlocked when the trash bin is upended, said trash bin locking assembly comprising:

• a housing defining an at least partially open interior portion,
• said housing being affixed to an external surface of the trash bin body,
• a pendulum at least partially disposed within said at least partially open interior portion of said housing, said pendulum being pivotally disposed between a first, resting position and second, unlocked position,
• a first cord support structure connected to said pendulum, said first cord support structure comprising a groove disposed on a portion thereof and a smooth, outwardly curved surface adjacent said groove,
• said housing comprising an opening allowing said first cord support structure to be connected to said pendulum and disposed at least substantially external to said housing,
• a bearing disposed at least partially within said opening to facilitate pivotal movement of said pendulum,
• a second cord support structure attached to the trash bin lid,
• a cord at least temporarily spanning between said second cord support structure and said groove of said first cord support structure,
• wherein said pendulum is gravity operated by being pivotally disposed from said first, resting position to said second, unlocked position when the trash bin is upended,
• wherein, when said pendulum is pivoted from said first, resting position to said second, unlocked position, said cord at least partially exits said groove of said first cord support structure and at least temporarily contacts said smooth, outwardly curved surface adjacent said groove until said cord is disengaged from said first cord support structure.