Trash Container Lid Locking Apparatus with Pre-Aligned Pivot Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trash container locking systems face difficulties in alignment and installation due to separate locking plates that require precise positioning, making it challenging to secure the lid effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lid locking apparatus with integral pivot devices featuring a locking flange and stop plate with aligned slots or openings, allowing for easier installation and secure locking by eliminating the need for separate alignment of locking components, and incorporating various lock mechanisms such as key-operated, padlock, combination, or electronic locks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate locking plates are used for securing the lid, then the locking function is achieved, but the alignment and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking flange and stop plate into a single integrated pivot device assembly. The locking flange with slot and the stop plate with opening are pre-positioned and fixed relative to each other on the same pivot arm, eliminating the need for separate alignment of multiple locking components during installation. This integration directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable locking functionality while dramatically simplifying installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking flange and stop plate are pre-aligned and pre-positioned on the pivot arm during manufacturing, with their slots and openings already configured to work together. This preliminary preparation of the locking components eliminates the complex alignment operations that would otherwise be required during field installation, directly addressing the installation difficulty issue while preserving the locking function.
2Reliability
If multiple separate locking components are used, then security is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple locking functions into a single pivot device assembly. The locking flange, stop plate, and pivot arm form one unified component that provides both the locking mechanism and the stopping function in a single integrated unit, rather than requiring separate locking plates and alignment components. This reduces device complexity while maintaining security through the coordinated action of the slot and opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot arm serves multiple functions: it provides the pivoting motion for the bar, contains the locking flange with slot for engagement, and includes the stop plate with opening for the locking mechanism. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, reducing overall device complexity while enhancing security through integrated functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A trash container lid locking apparatus, comprising a pivot device comprising a mounting plate including a front mounting section and a side mounting section configured to be secured to both a front and a side of a trash container, a pivot arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the mounting plate and a second end, the second end having an attachment portion to couple to an elongated bar which is longer than the front of the trash container, and wherein the side mounting section of the mounting plate forms a spacer section to space the pivot arm a predetermined, consistent, fixed distance from the front of the trash container.