초록 ▼

A lock assembly for selectively locking a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pi

A lock assembly for selectively locking a refuse container so that it cannot be manually opened by an unauthorized user, but can be opened automatically by a refuse collection truck when the container is to be emptied. The lock assembly has a locking bar that is attached to a control bar which is pivotally mounted to the refuse container. In one embodiment, the control bar is selectively connected to a spring such that when the container is to be locked, the control bar and locking bar are connected to the spring by a lock and in order to open the container the bias of the spring must be overcome. The spring is set such that this bias is easily overcome by engagement of the coupler of a refuse collection truck. When the lock is removed, the locking bar is separated from the spring and the locking bar freely rotates. In another embodiment, the locking bar is connected to a spring control bar by articulated connecting members. These members can be locked together by a lock so that the locking bar can only be moved by overcoming the spring bias applied to the control bar. When the lock is removed, the locking bar is free to pivot through the articulated connecting members with respect to the control bar.

대표청구항 ▼

A lock assembly for use on a refuse container, the refuse container having a receptacle portion and a lid covering the receptacle portion, said lock assembly comprising: a control bar journaled to said refuse container such that it pivots with respect to said container; a locking bar connected to sa

A lock assembly for use on a refuse container, the refuse container having a receptacle portion and a lid covering the receptacle portion, said lock assembly comprising: a control bar journaled to said refuse container such that it pivots with respect to said container; a locking bar connected to said control bar for pivotal movement with said control bar, said locking bar being adapted to pivot between a first position wherein said locking bar engages said lid of said refuse container and a second position wherein said locking bar is clear of said lid of said refuse container whereby said lid is free to open; first and second lock members, said first lock member being mounted to said control bar for movement therewith and said second lock member being rotatably mounted about said control bar such that said control bar can rotate with respect to said second lock member, said first and second lock members being adjacent each other and adapted to be coupled to each other such that said first and second lock members move together; a biasing means biased against said second lock member such that said second lock member is biased against rotation and rotational movement of said second lock member requires enough force to overcome said biasing means; engagement means for engagement by a refuse collection truck boom, said engagement means being coupled to said control bar; a lock means for selectively locking said first and second lock members together such that when locked together said locking bar and said control bar move together as a unit and movement of either requires sufficient force to overcome said biasing means and when not locked together said locking bar can move independently of said biasing means; whereby said refuse container can be locked by said lock assembly by locking said first and second lock members together with said lock means such that movement of said locking bar to said second position to open said lid requires sufficient force to overcome said biasing means and whereby said refuse container can be opened without overcoming the force of said biasing means by unlocking said first and second lock members such that said locking bar pivots independent of said biasing means.