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A latch is usable for latching and automatically unlatching a lid operative to close a bin of a waste container. The latch includes a release weight that is moveable responsive to gravity from a first position to a second position to cause the latch to disengage from a release mechanism when the lat

A latch is usable for latching and automatically unlatching a lid operative to close a bin of a waste container. The latch includes a release weight that is moveable responsive to gravity from a first position to a second position to cause the latch to disengage from a release mechanism when the latch is rotated to one or more angular positions in a dump angular orientation. The latch and release mechanism are held in latched engagement when release slide bolts and latch slide bolts are engaged in extended positions. Movement of the release weight causes the latch slide bolts to move to retracted positions to enable disengagement of the release slide bolts and latch slide bolts. A release knob is operative responsive to manual movement in two different directions to enable the latch and release slide bolts to disengage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus comprising: a latch configured for attachment to a material holding receptacle, wherein the receptacle includesa bin and a relatively moveable lid, wherein the lid is moveable between an open lid position and a closed lid position in which an interior cavity of the bin is respectively a

1. Apparatus comprising: a latch configured for attachment to a material holding receptacle, wherein the receptacle includesa bin and a relatively moveable lid, wherein the lid is moveable between an open lid position and a closed lid position in which an interior cavity of the bin is respectively accessible and inaccessible from outside the receptacle, wherein the latch is configured to be in fixed operatively attached engagement with one of the lid and the bin,wherein the latch includes: a housing, wherein the housing bounds a closed weight cavity within the housing,at least one latch slide bolt, wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is moveably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing, wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is moveable between extended and retracted positions,wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is configured to engage at least one aperture in the extended position, wherein the at least one aperture is in operatively attached engagement with the other of the bin or the lid,a release weight, wherein the release weight is moveably mounted within the weight cavity of the housing, wherein the release weight is in operative connection with the at least one latch slide bolt,wherein the release weight is configured such that in a dump angular orientation of the latch, corresponding to the opening of the bin being directed downwardly, the release weight is moved within the cavity relative to the housing to cause the at least one latch slide bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position the at least one latch slide bolt is disengaged from the at least one aperture and the lid is enabled to move from the closed lid position to the open lid position,wherein in angular orientations other than the dump angular orientation, the release weight is operative not to cause the at least one latch slide bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position whereby the at least one latch slide bolt remains in engagement with the at least one aperture,at least one manually moveable member, wherein the at least one manually movable member is manually movable from outside the receptacle and in the closed lid position,wherein the at least one manually moveable member is moveable relative to the latch in at least two different directions, wherein the directions include a linear direction, a rotational direction, or both,wherein the at least one manually moveable member is in operative connection with the at least one aperture,wherein movement of the at least one manually moveable member in the at least two different directions is operative to cause the at least one aperture to move relative to the at least one latch slide bolt in the extended position, such that the at least one latch slide bolt in the extended position is no longer in engagement with the at least one aperture,wherein the at least one latch slide bolt and the at least one aperture are disengageable responsive to movement of the at least one manually movable member, whereby the lid is enabled to be moved from the closed lid position to the open lid position in other than the dump angular orientation of the latch. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further including a release, wherein the release includes a release base,a release knob, wherein the at least one manually movable member includes the release knob, and wherein the release knob is rotatable about an axis, andat least one release slide bolt, wherein the at least one release slide bolt includes the at least one aperture,wherein axial movement of the release knob relative to the release base from a first knob axial position to a second knob axial position, and then with the release knob in the second axial position, rotational movement from a first angular position to a second angular position relative to the release base, is operative to cause movement of the at least one release slide bolt to cause the at least one aperture to move to no longer be engaged with the at least one latch slide bolt in the extended position. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein the latch further includesa push member, wherein the push member extends within the cavity and is movably connected with the latch housing, wherein the push member is configured to move within the cavity in the latch housing from a first push position to a second push position responsive to movement of the release weight in at least a portion of the cavity from the first weight position to the second weight position, wherein the release weight is in the first weight position in angular orientations of the latch other than the dump orientation, and is in the second weight position in the dump orientation,at least one drive member, wherein the at least one drive member is in movably supported connection with the housing and is configured to rotate from a first angular drive position to a second angular drive position responsive to push member movement from the first push position to the second push position,wherein the at least one drive member includes a drive projection, wherein the drive projection is configured to operatively engage the at least one latch slide bolt and cause the at least one latch slide bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position responsive to the movement of the at least one drive member from the first angular drive position to the second angular drive position, wherein in the retracted position the at least one latch slide bolt is disengaged from the at least one aperture. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3wherein the push member and the release weight are spaced apart when the release weight is in the first weight position. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is movable along a first linear direction between the extended position and the retracted position,wherein both the release weight and the push member are movable between the respective first weight position and the first push position, to the respective second weight position and the second push position along a second linear direction, wherein the first linear direction is generally perpendicular to the second linear direction. 6. The apparatus according to claim 4wherein the latch includes two generally opposed latch slide bolts and at least one spring, wherein the at least one spring is operative to bias the latch slide bolts in opposed directions toward the extended position of each of the latch slide bolts. 7. The apparatus according to claim 3wherein the latch includes two drive members and two latch slide bolts,wherein each drive member is configured to pivot with respect to a respective pivot axis,wherein each respective drive member is configured to operatively engage and cause a respective one of the latch slide bolts to move from the extended position to the retracted position. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7wherein the latch further includes at least one spring, wherein the at least one spring is in operative connection with at least one of the latch slide bolts,wherein each respective drive member is operative to cause at least one latch slide bolt to move to the retracted position against the biasing force of the at least one spring. 9. The apparatus according to claim 3wherein the push member includes a channel bounded by two push arms, wherein one push arm of the pair extends on each opposed side of the channel,wherein when the push member is in the second push position, the pivot axis of each drive member extends in the channel of the push member intermediate of the two push arms. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9wherein each drive member includes a driven edge surface that is substantially flat,wherein portions of each of the two push arms, each include an arm engaging surface that is substantially flat,wherein push member movement from the first push position to the second push position is operative to cause each of the push arms to operatively engage a respective drive member and move in operative engagement to the respective driven edge surfaces,wherein the substantially flat driven edge surfaces of the drive members and the substantially flat arm engaging surfaces of the push arms extend substantially parallel in the second position of the push member. 11. The apparatus according to claim 6wherein the release includes two generally opposed release slide bolts,wherein the release includes at least one further spring, wherein the at least one further spring is in operative connection with at least one of the release slide bolts, wherein the at least one further spring is operative to bias at least one of the release slide bolts toward engagement with a respective latch slide bolt,wherein when the latch and release are moved from a position in which they are disengaged to an engaged and latched position, each latch slide bolt and each release slide bolt are enabled to move against the biasing force of the at least one spring and the at least one further spring respectively, whereby each latch slide bolt is enabled to move into latched engagement with a respective release slide bolt. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11wherein the release knob is in operative connection with a cam surfacewherein when the release knob is in the second knob axial position and is rotated in a first angular direction, the cam surface is operative to cause the release slide bolts to move to disengage from each of the latch slide bolts in the extended position. 13. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein the release knob is in operative connection with a cam surfacewherein the release knob is in the second knob axial position and is rotated in a first angular direction, the cam surface is operative to cause the at least one release side bolt to move to be disengaged from the at least one latch slide bolt in the extended position. 14. The apparatus according to claim 13wherein the release knob is in operative fixed engaged connection with one of a release projection or a release aperture, and the release base is in operative fixed engaged connection with the other of the release projection or release aperture,wherein when the release knob is in the first knob axial position relative to the release base, the release projection and release aperture are in engagement and the release knob is not enabled to rotate in a manner that enables the at least one release slide bolt to move to disengage from the at least one latch slide bolt in the extended position. 15. The apparatus according to claim 12wherein the release weight is movable within the weight cavity,wherein the latch housing includes an opening adjacent at least one side of the weight cavity, wherein the latch housing is configured to be mounted to a wall surface of the container, such that the wall surface operatively closes the opening and bounds the closed weight cavity. 16. Apparatus comprising: a latch configured for attachment to a material holding receptacle, wherein the receptacle includesa bin and a relatively moveable lid, wherein the lid is moveable between an open lid position and a closed lid position in which an interior cavity of the bin is respectively accessible and inaccessible from outside the receptacle, wherein the latch is configured to be in fixed attached engagement with one of the lid and the bin,a release, wherein the release is configured to be in fixed attached engagement with the other of the lid and the bin, wherein the release includes at least one release bolt,wherein the latch includes: a housing, wherein the housing bounds a closed cavity,at least one latch bolt, wherein the at least one latch bolt is moveably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing, wherein the at least one latch bolt is moveable relative to the housing between extended and retracted positions,wherein in the extended position the at least one latch bolt is configured to engage the at least one release bolt, wherein the at least one release bolt is in operatively attached engagement with the other of the bin or the lid,a release weight, wherein the release weight is movable within the cavity of the housing, wherein the release weight is in operative connection with the at least one latch bolt,wherein the release weight is configured such that in a dump angular orientation of the latch, corresponding to the opening of the bin being directed downwardly, the release weight is moved within the cavity relative to the housing to cause the at least one latch bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position the at least one latch bolt is disengaged from the at least one release bolt and the lid is enabled to move from the closed lid position to the open lid position,wherein in angular orientations other than the dump angular orientation, the release weight is operative not to cause the at least one latch bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position,wherein the release includes a manually movable member, wherein movement of the manually movable member is operative to cause movement of the at least one release bolt so that the at least one release bolt is disengaged from the at least one latch bolt in the extended position and the lid is enabled to move from the closed lid position to the open lid position. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16wherein the manually movable member comprises a knob,wherein the knob is movable relative to the latch in both a linear direction and a rotational direction,wherein manual movement of the knob in a sequence including movement in the linear direction and in a rotational direction is operative to cause the at least one release bolt to move to disengage the at least one latch bolt in the extended position. 18. Apparatus comprising: a latch configured for attachment to a material holding receptacle, wherein the receptacle includesa bin and a relatively moveable lid, wherein the lid is moveable between an open lid position and a closed lid position in which an interior cavity of the bin is respectively accessible and inaccessible from outside the receptacle, wherein the latch is configured to be in fixed operatively attached engagement with one of the lid and the bin,wherein the latch includes: a housing, wherein the housing bounds a closed weight cavity within the housing,at least one latch slide bolt, wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is moveably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing, wherein the at least one latch bolt is moveable between extended and retracted positions,wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is configured to engage at least one aperture in the extended position, wherein the at least one aperture is in operatively attached engagement with the other of the bin or the lid, and wherein in the extended position the at least one latch slide bolt is operative to hold the lid in the closed lid position,a release weight, wherein the release weight is moveably mounted within the weight cavity of the housing, wherein the release weight is movable within the housing between a first weight position and a second weight position, wherein the release weight is in the first weight position in angular orientations of the latch other than a dump orientation corresponding to the opening of the bin being directed downwardly, and the release weight is in the second weight position when the latch is in the dump orientation,a push member, wherein the push member extends within the cavity and is movably operatively connected with the latch housing, wherein the push member is configured to move within the cavity in the latch housing from a first push position to a second push position responsive to movement of the release weight in the cavity from the first weight position to the second weight position,at least one drive member, wherein the at least one drive member is in movably operatively supported connection with the housing and is configured to rotate from a first angular drive position to a second angular drive position responsive to push member movement from the first push position to the second push position,wherein the at least one drive member includes a drive projection, wherein the drive projection is configured to operatively engage the at least one latch slide bolt and cause the at least one slide bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position responsive to the movement of the at least one drive member from the first angular drive position to the second angular drive position, wherein in the retracted position the at least one latch slide bolt is disengaged from the at least one aperture, whereby the lid is enabled to move from the closed lid position to the open lid position when the latch is in the dump orientation. 19. Apparatus comprising: a latch configured for attachment to a material holding receptacle, wherein the receptacle includesa bin and a relatively moveable lid, wherein the lid is moveable between an open lid position and a closed lid position in which an interior cavity of the bin is respectively accessible and inaccessible from outside the receptacle, wherein the latch is configured to be in fixed operatively attached engagement with one of the lid and the bin,wherein the latch includes: a housing, wherein the housing bounds a closed weight cavity within the housing,two generally opposed latch slide bolts, wherein the latch slide bolts are movably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing, wherein each latch slide bolt is moveable between extended and retracted positions,at least one spring, wherein the at least one spring is operative to bias each of the latch slide bolts in opposed directions toward the extended position of each of the latch slide bolts,wherein each latch slide bolt is configured to engage a respective aperture in the extended position, wherein each aperture is in operatively attached engagement with the other of the bin or the lid,a release weight, wherein the release weight is moveably mounted within the weight cavity of the housing, wherein the release weight is in operative connection with the at least one latch slide bolt,wherein the release weight is configured such that in a dump angular orientation of the latch, corresponding to the opening of the bin being directed downwardly, the release weight is moved within the cavity relative to the housing to cause each latch slide bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position each respective latch slide bolt is disengaged from the respective aperture and the lid is enabled to move from the closed lid position to the open lid position,wherein in angular orientations other than the dump angular orientation, the release weight is operative not to cause each latch slide bolt to move from the respective extended position to the respective retracted position, whereby each latch slide bolt remains in engagement with the respective aperture. 20. Apparatus comprising: a latch configured for attachment to a material holding receptacle, wherein the receptacle includes a bin and a relatively movable lid, wherein the lid is movable between an open lid position and a closed lid position in which in interior cavity of the bin is respectively accessible and inaccessible from outside the receptacle, wherein the latch is configured to be in fixed operatively attached engagement with one of the lid and the bin,wherein the latch includes a housing, wherein the housing bounds a closed weight cavity within the housing,two generally opposed latch slide bolts, wherein each latch slide bolt is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing, wherein each latch slide bolt is movable between first and second positions,wherein each latch slide bolt includes one of a projection and an aperture configured to engage the other of the respective projection and the aperture, wherein the other of the projection and the aperture is in operatively attached engagement with the other of the bin or the lid,at least one spring, wherein the at least one spring is in operative connection with the latch slide bolts, and the at least one spring is operative to bias the latch slide bolts so that the projections and apertures are in engagement,a release weight, wherein the release weight is movably mounted within the closed weight cavity within the housing, wherein the release weight is in operative connection with the last least one latch slide bolt, wherein the release weight is configured such that in a dump angular orientation of the latch corresponding to the opening of the bin being directed downwardly, the release weight is moved relative to the housing by gravity within the weight cavity to cause each of the two latch slide bolts to move against the bias of the at least one spring from the first position wherein each respective projection is in engagement with a respective aperture, to the second position wherein each respective projection is disengaged from each respective aperture, and the lid is enabled to move from the closed lid position to the open lid position,wherein in angular orientations of the latch other than the dump angular orientation, the release weight is operative not to cause each latch slide bolt to move from the first position to the second position whereby each respective projection remains in engagement with each respective aperture to hold the lid in the closed lid position. 21. The apparatus according to claim 18wherein the at least one latch slide bolt is movable along a first linear direction between the extended position and the retracted position,wherein both the release weight and the push member are movable between the respective first weight position and the first push position, to the respective second weight position and the second push position along a second linear direction, wherein the first linear direction is generally perpendicular to the second linear direction. 22. The apparatus according to claim 18wherein the push member includes a channel bounded by two push arms, wherein one push arm of the pair extends on each opposed side of the channel,wherein when the push member is in the second push position, the pivot axis of each drive member extends in the channel of the push member intermediate of the two push arms. 23. The apparatus according to claim 22wherein each drive member includes a driven edge surface that is substantially flat,wherein portions of each of the two push arms, each include an arm engaging surface that is substantially flat,wherein push member movement from the first push position to the second push position is operative to cause each of the push arms to operatively engage a respective drive member and move in operative engagement to the respective driven edge surfaces,wherein the substantially flat driven edge surfaces of the drive members and the substantially flat arm engaging surfaces of the push arms extend substantially parallel in the second position of the push member. 24. The apparatus according to claim 23wherein operative engagement of the push arms and drive members prevent movement of the push member in a second direction beyond the second push position. 25. The apparatus according to claim 19wherein the release includes two release slide bolts,wherein the release includes a release receptacle in operative connection with the release base,wherein the release receptacle includes outer side walls that bound a release cavity,wherein the two release slide bolts extend in the release cavity, wherein when the latch is in latched engagement with the release, portions of the latch extend in the release cavity such that the respective latch side bolts and release slide bolts are in engagement in the release cavity. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25wherein the release receptacle includes opposed walls, wherein each of the two opposed walls include a respective guide flange, wherein the guide flanges are configured to guide portions of the latch that include the latch slide bolts into the release cavity of the release receptacle. 27. The apparatus according to claim 20wherein the release weight is movable within the closed weight cavity,wherein the latch housing includes an opening adjacent at least one side of the weight cavity, wherein the latch housing is configured to be mounted to a wall surface of the container, such that the wall surface operatively closes the opening and bounds the closed weight cavity. 28. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the latch further includesa push member, wherein the push member extends within the cavity and is movably connected with the latch housing, wherein the push member is configured to move in operatively supported connection with the latch housing within the cavity from a first push position to a second push position responsive to movement of the release weight in at least a portion of the latch housing from the first weight position to the second weight position, wherein the release weight is in the first weight position in angular orientations of the latch other than the dump orientation, and is in the second weight position in the dump orientation,at least one drive member, wherein the at least one drive member is in movably supported connection with the housing and is configured to rotate from a first angular drive position to a second angular drive position responsive to push member movement from the first push position to the second push position,wherein the at least one drive member includes a drive projection, wherein the drive projection is configured to operatively engage the at least one latch slide bolt and cause the at least one latch slide bolt to move from the extended position to the retracted position responsive to the movement of the at least one drive member from the first angular drive position to the second angular drive position, wherein in the retracted position the at least one latch slide bolt is disengaged from the at least one aperture.