US 6,802,481 B2Granted

Spinning multiple container containment rack

AssigneeKenneth T Newburn

InventorsKenneth Tyrone Newburn, Daniel Norman Hart

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Abstract

The inventors present an improved rotatable multi-receptacle support device. These type devices are commonly used to house up to four circular receptacles that can be rotated about a center post affixed to the ground for the convenience of the user. The improvements made to this device by the inventors comprise improved receptacle containment by forming the receptacle housing into a basket-shaped cavity with a top ring and a plurality of adjustable chain segments hanging below. This basket shaped cavity of adjustable depth can accommodate a broader range of receptacle shapes and sizes and provides better lateral support in instances where rapid removal and replacement of receptacles is required as in home refuse collection. An additional improvement is provided by means of a second structural support overlay, in addition to the primary support armatures, which connects the outer rim of each top ring to the center post. This overlay greatly improves the dispersion of structural support across the device, which is especially useful when receptacles of variable weight are placed on each of the receptacle support means. A third improvement is added which allows the user to insert a removable pin through a series of apertures bored into the rotation means on top of the center post and prevent rotation of the receptacle support system when the user so desires.

A rotating multi-receptacle support device comprising a vertical support post, a means for anchoring the support post to the ground, a collar placed on top of the end of the support post, a means for rotating the collar about the top end of the support post, and a means extending from the collar for supporting a plurality of receptacles off the ground wherein the supporting means is comprised of a plurality of arms radially extending outward from the collar and a plurality of circular supporting means affixed to one end of each arm for supporting a receptacle off of the ground, wherein the improvement comprises:

a) a receptacle supporting means comprised of a circular retaining ring and a plurality of chain segments of adjustable lengths with one end of the chain segments attached to the retaining ring and the other end of the chain segments attached to a common ring such that the plurality of chains hang below the retaining ring to form a basket-shaped cavity that provides improved bottom and lateral support to a more broad range of receptacle sizes and dimensions that may be placed therein,
b) a second structural framework assembly comprising a plurality of rods of same number as the receptacle support means, with each rod attached on one end to the collar and another end attached to the center of a ring bracing member, wherein the ring bracing member further comprises a bar that is attached on either end to the retaining rings such that the second structural framework becomes integral to the receptacle supporting means to provide improved dispersion of lateral forces across the device when heavy receptacles are placed on thereon subjecting the device to an unbalanced loading, and
c) a locking means comprised of a removable pin inserted into a series of aligned apertures bored into the collar and support post such that the pin, when inserted through the apertures, prevents rotation of receptacle support means and the second structural framework assembly about the support post.

Abstract

Claims1