Container with hands-free latch and linkage activation for access
AssigneeHaul-All Equipment Ltd.
InventorsPeter Spahmann, C. Kelly Philipp, John Jansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention pertains to a foot operated latch and linkage means permitting hands-free access to a waste or recycling container. The latch includes a kick plate which is interlocked with a foot pedal whereby displacement of the kick plate permits release of the foot pedal to move from a latched position to an unlatched position, which pedal movement engages a linkage which opens a user access door in the container.
Claims14
A foot-operated latch means for hands-free access to a container comprising an interlocking latch having a kick plate with a step lock, and a foot pedal with a locking pin, each of the kick plate and foot pedal having a first latched position and a second unlatched position whereby, in the latched position, the locking pin is constrained by the step lock to prevent movement of the foot pedal from the latched position until the kick plate is first moved from the latched position to the unlatched position;
- the latch means further comprising linkage operatively connected between the foot pedal and a hinged access door, whereby movement of the foot pedal from the first latched position to the second unlatched position causes the linkage to crank, via an actuating bracket, the hinged access door to an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.