Receptacle assemblies with motion dampers
Patent No. US10494175 (titled "Receptacle assemblies with motion dampers") on Mar 2, 2017. The application was issued on Dec 3, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’175 is related to the field of waste management hardware, specifically the mechanical design of step-actuated trash cans. It addresses the integration of motion-dampening systems within the base of a receptacle to provide controlled lid closure while maintaining a clean aesthetic and maximizing internal storage volume.
The underlying idea behind ’175 is to relocate the dampening mechanism from the traditional rear-hinge area to the front of the base unit, specifically sandwiching it between the foot pedal and the floor-facing base. By placing the linear motion damper at the point of maximum pedal travel, the system achieves higher resolution control and reduced mechanical stress compared to rear-mounted dampers that act on short-lever linkages.
The claims of ’175 focus on a trash can architecture where the base unit includes a specific internal protrusion that extends upward into the waste chamber to house the upper end of a motion damper. This arrangement allows a vertically oriented damper to be compressed directly between the foot pedal and the base structure, effectively hiding the mechanism while ensuring it remains near the front wall of the body unit.
In practice, the invention works by utilizing the user's foot pressure to extend the damper during opening, while the weight of the lid drives the dampening resistance during closure. The protrusion-based housing ensures that the damper does not interfere with the external footprint of the can, and the use of a trim ring that pivots independently of the lid allows for easier bag replacement without exposing the underlying mechanical linkages.
This approach differs from prior solutions by eliminating the need for bulky external damper housings or complex rear-mounted brackets that often clutter the back of the unit. By integrating the damper into a front-loaded base assembly, the design maintains a substantially continuous and uninterrupted rear wall, resulting in a more durable construction and a streamlined profile that can sit flush against vertical surfaces.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical Landscape
In the mid-2010s when ’175 was filed, receptacle assemblies with foot-actuated lids were typically implemented using a single mechanical linkage connected to a rear-mounted hinge. At a time when systems commonly relied on gravity or simple spring-assisted mechanisms to return the lid to a closed position, controlling the velocity of the lid and pedal assembly was often limited by space constraints within the base or rear housing. When hardware constraints made the integration of fluid or air-based resistance mechanisms non-trivial, designers generally prioritized either the opening or closing phase of the lid cycle, often resulting in abrupt mechanical stops or inconsistent pedal feedback during high-frequency use.
Prosecution Position
The disclosed invention represents a technical advancement in kinetic control for receptacle assemblies through a dual-damping architectural shift. By integrating a primary motion damper positioned near the front of the body portion—specifically above the pedal actuator—in conjunction with a secondary motion damper located at the rear, the system achieves independent modulation of both the lid and the pedal mechanism. This structural configuration overcomes the technical constraint of uneven mechanical resistance by distributing damping forces across the entire linkage path. The resulting technical effect is a stabilized, controlled motion during both the opening and closing phases, preventing mechanical shock to the hinge and providing a consistent tactile response at the user interface.
Claims
This patent includes a total of 35 claims, with claims 1, 12, and 20 serving as the independent claims. The independent claims focus on the structural configuration and manufacturing method of a trash receptacle featuring a foot-pedal-actuated lid and a motion damper positioned near the front wall, specifically where one end of the damper is housed within a protrusion that extends into the internal chamber. The dependent claims serve to further define the spatial positioning, concealment, and mechanical engagement of the motion damper, while also specifying additional components such as secondary spring dampers, trim rings, and multi-part base assemblies.
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US10494175
- Application Number
- US15448245A
- Filing Date
- Mar 2, 2017
- Publication Date
- Dec 3, 2019
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO , Google Patents