The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 1991
Filed:
Oct. 13, 1989
Richard H Wolters, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A treadle top container for refuse and the like comprises a lower container member interconnected with an upper container member by an upright container member. The upright container member includes a hollow portion which communicates with a hollow portion of the lower container member and a hollow portion of the upper container member. A foot pedal is movably mounted adjacent to the lower container member while a lid is movably mounted adjacent to a rotatable portion of the upper container member. The lid is shaped to selectively close an open marginal edge of the upper container member. A flexible actuator is provided having one end operatively connected with the foot pedal and the other end operatively connected with a pivot rod located within and attached to the rotatable portion of the hollow portion of the upper container member. The flexible actuator is configured in such a manner such that shifting the foot pedal between a first and second position rotates the pivot rod, which rotates the rotatable portion of the hollow portion of the upper container member, and moves the lid between the open and closed positions. The actuator extends continuously from the foot pedal through the hollow portion of the lower container member, then through the hollow portion of the upright container member, and finally through the hollow portion of the upper container member to the pivot rod. The actuator is disposed wholly within the container to prevent damage to the actuator and to facilitate sanitation of the container.