An animal-resistant system for inhibiting access to refuse containers by animals is disclosed. The system comprises at least one latch mechanism, at least one actuation member, at least one shroud member, and a cover defining an opening which permits access to the actuation member. The actuation mem
An animal-resistant system for inhibiting access to refuse containers by animals is disclosed. The system comprises at least one latch mechanism, at least one actuation member, at least one shroud member, and a cover defining an opening which permits access to the actuation member. The actuation member communicates with the latch mechanism so as to move the latch mechanism between the latched and unlatched positions. In the latched position, the latch mechanism secures the container lid to the container base, substantially inhibiting access to the container. The access hole and actuation member are dimensioned and positioned on the container in a selected manner so as allow human hands access to the actuation member and unlatch the container while simultaneously inhibiting such access by animals. The shrouds are further configured to inhibit forcible entry into the container when the system is latched.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. An animal-resistant system for securing a lid of a container having a base, wherein the base defines an opening that receives the lid and wherein a lip is positioned on an outer surface of the base adjacent the opening so as to extend outward and then downward from the openin
What is claimed is: 1. An animal-resistant system for securing a lid of a container having a base, wherein the base defines an opening that receives the lid and wherein a lip is positioned on an outer surface of the base adjacent the opening so as to extend outward and then downward from the opening, the system comprising: at least one latch mechanism that interconnects the lid and the base of the container, wherein the at least one latch mechanism has a first orientation wherein the lid and the base are secured together and a second orientation wherein the lid can be removed from the base wherein the at least one latch mechanism is concealed from view and wherein the at least one latch member remains in the first orientation regardless of the orientation of the latch member with respect to gravity; at least one actuation member coupled to the at least one latch mechanism wherein a user can manipulate the actuation member to thereby manipulate the at least one latch from the first to the second orientation; a cover that covers the actuation member, wherein the cover defines an opening that is spaced from the actuation member a distance and direction selected to permit user manipulation of the actuation member by a human finger but to inhibit manipulation by an animal claw; and at least one shroud member mounted to the base of the container adjacent the interface between the base and the lid of the container, to thereby inhibit an animal from accessing an edge of the lid of the container, wherein the at least one shroud member is shaped so as to extend outward from the opening and then downward over the lip and then inward towards the base and then upward so as to extend between the lip and the base and wherein the shroud is coupled to the base via a plurality of fasteners that extend at least through two points in the shroud and through the lip interposed between the two points of the shroud and into the base so that the shroud has sufficient strength to inhibit a bear from deforming the base of the container adjacent the lid to thereby deform the opening to gain access to the opening to dislodge the lid. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch mechanism comprises a first and a second latch mechanism. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one actuation member comprises a first and a second actuation member respectively coupled to the first and second latch mechanisms. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one actuation member comprises a single actuation member coupled to the first and second latch mechanisms. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one latch mechanism includes a spring loaded latch that automatically latches into the first orientation when the lid is closed on the cover and wherein the at least one latch mechanism comprises a rotary actuated latch that rotational movement of the actuation member results in manipulation of the at least one latch from the first orientation to the second orientation. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is sized and the actuation member is mounted with respect to the opening in the cover so as to be recessed from the opening horizontal and vertical distances selected so as to allow manipulation of the actuation member by a human finger by insertion of the finger into the hole and then bending the finger at the digital joint to thereby contact the actuation member and rotate the actuation member upward. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the opening has a diameter of approximately 1¼ of an inch and the actuation member is positioned approximately ½ of an inch adjacent from the edge of the opening and is recessed approximately ½ of an inch from the edge opening. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the protective member comprises a metal band installed on the surface of the lid adjacent to the inner surface of the base. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one shroud member comprises a plurality of shroud members that extend about at least 3 of the 4 sides of the base and extend upward from the upper surface of the base a distance selected to inhibit an animal from inserting its claw into the interface between the base and the lid. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of shroud members extend upward from the upper surface of the base a distance of approximately ¼ to 1 inch above the interface. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shrouds extend over the upper surface of the base so as to inhibit the bear from deforming the shape of the base by exerting force on the lip of the base. 12. The system of claim 1, where in the container comprises a refuse cart. 13. An animal-resistant system for securing a lid of a container having a base wherein the base defines an opening that receives the lid and wherein a lip is positioned on an outer surface of the base adjacent the opening so as to extend outward and then downward from the opening, the system comprising: at least one latch mechanism that interconnects the lid and the base of the container, wherein the at least one latch mechanism has a first orientation wherein the lid and the base are secured together and a second orientation wherein the lid can be removed from the base wherein the at least one latch mechanism is concealed from view and wherein the at least one latch member remains in the first orientation regardless of the orientation of the latch member with respect to gravity; at least one actuation member coupled to the at least one latch mechanism wherein a user can manipulate the actuation member to thereby manipulate the at least one latch from the first to the second orientation; at least one shroud member that is mounted on the inner edge of the base of the container, adjacent to the interface between the base and the lid of the container, to thereby inhibit an animal from accessing an edge of the lid of the container adjacent to the base wherein the shroud member is shaped so as to extend outward from the opening and then downward over the lip and then inward toward the base and then upward so as to extend between the lip and the base and wherein the shroud is coupled to the base via a plurality of fasteners that extend at least through two points in the shroud and through the lip interposed between the two points of the shroud and into the base so that the shroud has sufficient strength to inhibit a bear from deforming the base of the container to thereby deform the opening to gain access to the opening to dislodge the lid; a protective member mounted on the portion of the lid of the container that is adjacent to the interface with the base, wherein the protective member is formed of a rigid material so as to inhibit the bear from deforming the portion of the lid adjacent to the interface with the base. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the protective member comprises a metal band installed on the surface of the lid adjacent to the inner surface of the base. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one shroud member comprises a plurality of shroud members that extend about at least 3 of the 4 sides of the base and extend upward from the upper surface of the base a distance selected to inhibit an animal from inserting its claw into the interface between the base and the lid. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of shroud members extend upward from the upper surface of the base a distance of approximately ¾ to 1 inch above the interface. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of shrouds extend over the upper surface of the base so as to inhibit the bear from deforming the shape of the base by exerting force on the lip of the base. 18. The system of claim 13 further comprising a cover that covers the actuation member, wherein the cover defines an opening that is spaced from the actuation member a distance and direction selected to permit user manipulation of the actuation member by a human finger but to inhibit user manipulation by an animal claw. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one latch mechanism comprises a first and a second latch mechanism. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one actuation member comprises a first and a second actuation member respectively coupled to the first and second latch mechanisms. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one actuation member comprises a single actuation member coupled to the first and second latch mechanisms. 22. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one latch mechanism includes a spring loaded latch that automatically latches into the first orientation when the lid is closed on the cover and wherein the at least one latch mechanism comprises a rotary actuated latch that rotational movement of the actuation member results in manipulation of the at least one latch from the first orientation to the second orientation. 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the opening is sized and the actuation member is mounted with respect to the opening in the cover so as to be recessed from the opening horizontal and vertical distances selected so as to allow manipulation of the actuation member by a human finger by insertion of the finger into the hole and then bending the finger at the digital joint to thereby contact the actuation member and rotate the actuation member upward. 24. The system of claim 22, wherein the opening has a diameter of approximately 1¼ of an inch and the actuation member is positioned approximately ½ of an inch adjacent from the edge of the opening and is recessed approximately ½ of an inch from the edge opening. 25. An animal-resistant container, comprising: a receptacle having a base and a lid, wherein the base defines an opening that receives the lid and wherein a lip is positioned on an outer surface of the base adjacent the opening so as to extend outward and then downward from the opening; at least one latch mechanism that interconnects the lid and the base of the container, wherein the at least one latch mechanism has a first orientation wherein the lid and the base are secured together and a second orientation wherein the lid can be removed from the base wherein the at least one latch mechanism is concealed from view and wherein the at least one latch member remains in the first orientation regardless of the orientation of the latch member with respect to gravity; at least one actuation member coupled to the at least one latch mechanism wherein a user can manipulate the actuation member to thereby manipulate the at least one latch from the first to the second orientation; a cover that covers the actuation member, wherein the cover defines an opening that is spaced from the actuation member a distance and direction selected to permit user manipulation of the actuation member by a human finger but to inhibit manipulation by an animal claw; and at least one shroud member mounted to the base of the container adjacent the interface between the base and the lid of the container, to thereby inhibit an animal from accessing an edge of the lid of the container, wherein the at least one shroud member is shaped so as to extend outward from the opening and then downward over the lip and then inward toward the base and then upward so as to extend between the lip and the base and wherein the shroud is coupled to the base via a plurality of fasteners that extend at least through two points in the shroud and through the lip interposed between the two points of the shroud so that the shroud has sufficient strength to inhibit a bear from deforming the base of the container adjacent the lid to thereby deform the opening to gain access to the opening to dislodge the lid; and a protective member mounted on the portion of the lid of the container that is adjacent to the interface with the base, wherein the protective member is formed of a rigid material so as to inhibit the bear from deforming the portion of the lid adjacent the interface of the base. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one latch mechanism comprises a first and a second latch mechanism. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one actuation member comprises a first and a second actuation member respectively coupled to the first and second latch mechanisms. 28. The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one actuation member comprises a single actuation member coupled to the first and second latch mechanisms. 29. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one latch mechanism includes a spring loaded latch that automatically latches into the first orientation when the lid is closed on the cover and wherein the at least one latch mechanism comprises a rotary actuated latch that rotational movement of the actuation member results in manipulation of the at least one latch from the first orientation to the second orientation. 30. The system of claim 25, wherein the opening is sized and the actuation member is mounted with respect to the opening in the cover so as to be recessed from the opening horizontal and vertical distances selected so as to allow manipulation of the actuation member by a human finger by insertion of the finger into the hole and then bending the finger at the digital joint to thereby contact the actuation member and rotate the actuation member upward. 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the opening has a diameter of approximately 1¼ of an inch and the actuation member is positioned approximately ½ of an inch adjacent from the edge of the opening and is recessed approximately ½ of an inch from the edge opening. 32. The system of claim 25, wherein the protective member comprises a metal band installed on the surface of the lid adjacent to the inner surface of the base. 33. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one shroud member comprises a plurality of shroud members that extend about at least 3 of the 4 sides of the base and extend upwards from the upper surface of the base a distance selected to inhibit an animal from inserting its claw into the interface between the base and the lid. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the plurality of shroud members extend upward from the upper surface of the base a distance of approximately ¾ to 1 inch above the interface. 35. The system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of shrouds extend over the upper surface of the base so as to inhibit the bear from deforming the shape of the base by exerting force on the lip of the base. 36. The system of claim 25, wherein the container comprises a refuse cart.
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