초록 ▼

Systems and methods to facilitate the cleaning of arenas, such as stadiums having different seating levels. Pivotable bins can collect and funnel trash from different levels such as the concourse level. A series of tubes or chutes can be fixed to the arena structural undercarriage. Approximately 24&

Systems and methods to facilitate the cleaning of arenas, such as stadiums having different seating levels. Pivotable bins can collect and funnel trash from different levels such as the concourse level. A series of tubes or chutes can be fixed to the arena structural undercarriage. Approximately 24″ diameter tubes can be used to funnel trash from the bins located on perimeter arena walkways to receptacle containers, recycling containers at ground levels, and even refuse removal trucks. The chutes and tubes can be located adjacent to walkway aisles on different levels of the arena. The chutes/tubes can be vertically oriented and/or be inclined as long as refuse can move down the chutes by gravity. Grates can be also used beneath the bins. And locks can further provide safety.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A refuse system for arenas, comprising: an upper seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above an upper floor surface; a lower seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions abo

The invention claimed is: 1. A refuse system for arenas, comprising: an upper seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above an upper floor surface; a lower seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above a lower floor surface, the upper seating level being above the lower seating level; a concourse level between the upper seating level and the lower seating level, the concourse level having a concourse floor surface, and having a plurality of entranceways for allowing patrons to enter and exit onto the upper and the lower seating levels; a plurality of elongated generally upright chutes spaced apart from one another along the concourse level, each of the chutes having a single upper input end in openings in the concourse floor surface, where each upper input end of the chutes is flush to the concourse floor surface and each upper input end does not extend above the concourse floor surface, each of the chutes being located adjacent the entranceways, and each of the chutes having a lower exit end below the concourse level, the chutes allowing for refuse to pass by gravity down each respective chute; and a plurality of trash can bins located above each of the upper input ends of the chutes, the trash can bins being positioned to sit on top of the concourse floor surface of the concourse level, each of the trash can bins having an upper end with a closed top, the upper end having timer openings adjacent to the closed top for receiving refuse therein when the trash can bins are in a vertical orientation perpendicular to the concourse floor surface, the upper side openings being on opposite sides of each trash can bin, and each trash can bin having a bottom end, the bottom end having front edge and side edges and rear edge that all sit directly on the concourse floor surface about each of the openings in the concourse floor surface, each trash can bin having closed side walls completely about each trash can bin, the closed sidewalls between the bottom end and the upper openings of each trash can bin, each trash can bin sitting directly over only the openings in the concourse floor surface so that only one trash can bin is connected to one chute; a plurality of hinges attaching the bottom end of the trash can bins to the concourse floor surface of the concourse level, each of the hinges having an upper end attached directly to front edge on the bottom end of each trash can bin and each of the hinges having a lower end attached directly to the concourse floor surface, the hinges for allowing the trash can bins to pivot from a vertical upright position where the front edge and the side edges and the rear edge of each trash can bin sits directly on the concourse floor surface, and is tiltable to an inclined position where only the front edge of the bottom end of each trash can bin sits directly on the concourse floor surface and the side edges and the rear edge of each trash can bin is raised above the concourse floor surface, so that tilting the bins allows for the refuse to pass through the opening and directly into the chutes; and a plurality of locks for attaching the bottom end of the trash can bins to the concourse floor surface, each lock having an upper end attached the rear edge of each trash can bin, and each lock having a lower end attached directly to the concourse floor surface opposite to the hinge tier preventing each trash can bin from being able to pivot when the lock is in a closed position, each lock having an open position for allowing the trash can bin to move from the vertical upright position to the inclined position; wherein at least one chute is divided into two side by side chutes for separating refuse types between the side by side chute. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the chutes are positioned at a vertical orientation. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the chutes are positioned at an inclined orientation. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a dumpster positioned beneath the exit end of the chute(s). 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a trash truck positioned beneath the exit end of the chute(s). 6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one or the chutes is positioned adjacent to an entranceway to the concourse level. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of moveable grate covering the openings in the concourse floor surface located beneath the bins, the grate having openings sized large enough to allow loose trash to fall therebetween, and be adapted to support the weight of a human on the grate. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the bins each includes: a closed bottom; and a removable trash hag inside of the bin. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the bins each includes: an open bottom, wherein trash deposited into the bin directly passes into the chute underneath the bin. 10. A method of transporting refuse from different levels in a stadium to a collection location, comprising the steps of: providing an upper seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above an upper floor surface; providing a lower seating level having a plurality of seats adapted for seating patrons in seated positions above a lower floor surface, the upper seating level being above the lower seating level; providing a concourse level between the upper seating level and the lower seating level, the concourse level having a concourse floor surface, and having a plurality of entranceways for allowing patrons to enter and exit onto the upper and the lower seating levels; providing a plurality of trash bin receptacles each with a closed top, and upper deposit openings adjacent to the closed top, the receptacles being located on the concourse floor surface of the concourse level; providing a collection location for refuse at a different level beneath the concourse floor surface; providing a plurality of chutes having only one single upper opening in the concourse floor surface beneath each of the receptacles and an exit located adjacent to the collection location where each single upper opening in the chutes is flush to the concourse floor surface and each single upper opening does not extend above the concourse floor surface, the upper deposit openings adjacent to the closed top on the trash bin receptacles being on opposite sides of each trash can bin and each trash bin receptacle having a bottom end, the bottom end having front edge and side edges and rear edge that all sit directly on the concourse floor surface about each of the openings in the concourse floor surface, each trash bin receptacle having closed sick walls completely about each trash can bin, the closed sidewalk between the bottom end and the upper openings of each trash bin receptacle, each trash bin receptacle sitting directly over only the openings in the concourse floor surface; positioning each trash bin receptacle to sit only over the openings in the concourse floor surface so that only one trash can bin receptacle is used with one chute; providing a plurality of hinges for attaching the bottom end of the trash bin receptacles to the concourse floor surface of the concourse level, each of the hinges having an upper end attached directly to front edge on the bottom end of each trash bin receptacle, and each of the hinges having a lower end attached directly to the concourse floor surface the hinges for allowing the trash bin receptacle to pivot relative to the concourse floor surface so that tilting the bins allows for the refuse to pass through the opening and directly into the chutes; depositing refuse through only the deposit opening in the receptacle that passes through the chute to the collection station; pivoting the trash bin receptacles from a vertical orientation to a tilt position to allow direct access to the opening to the chutes; pushing additional refuse directly into the opening to the chute which passes to the collection station; providing a plurality of locks for attaching the bottom end of each trash bin receptacle to the concourse floor surface, each lock having an upper end attached the rear edge of each trash bin receptacle, and each lock having a lower end attached directly to the concourse floor surface opposite to the hinge; preventing each trash bin receptacle from being able to pivot when the lock is in a closed position; and unlocking each lock to an open position for allowing the trash bin receptacle to move from the vertical upright position to the inclined position; dividing at least one chute into two side by side chutes for separating refuse types between the side by side chutes. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: filling up bags inside of the trash bin receptacles; and dropping the filled bags down the chutes after the trash bin receptacles are pivoted open. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: sweeping loose trash by brooms into the chutes after the trash bin receptacles are pivoted open. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: blowing loose trash by power blowers into the chutes after the trash bin receptacles are pivoted open. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: pivotally attaching grates over the openings in the concourse floor level; and catching trash larger than spacings between the grates; and pivoting to open the grates to access the chutes.