Corner trashcan

Abstract

A trashcan can be configured to fit into the corner of a room. The trashcan can have a foot pedal that is connected to the lid of the trashcan such that a user can open and close the lid with the foot pedal. The trashcan can be configured such that the lid pivots about an axis that is generally parallel to one of the walls when the trashcan is positioned in the corner of a room. Additionally, the trashcan can include a dampening mechanism which includes two apertures having axes that are skewed relative to one another. This allows the pedal bar and associated lifting rod mechanisms to pivot about the appropriate axes to provide smooth and low friction operation.

1 . A trash can comprising a lower portion and a wall extending upwardly from the lower portion and defining a cavity, a lid disposed at an upper end of the wall and configured to be movable between an open position in the closed position, a pedal actuator assembly configured to allow a user to open and close the lid, a damping mechanism configured to slow the movement of the lid from the open position toward the closed position, the dampening mechanism comprising a first member having first and second apertures skewed relative to each other, the pedal actuator assembly comprising a pedal bar having a first end connected to the first aperture and a link member having a first end connected to the second aperture. 
   
   
       2 . The trashcan according to  claim 1 , where in the first aperture extends along a first axis and the second aperture extends along a second axis, the first and second axes being skewed relative to each other. 
   
   
       3 . The trash can according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and second axes extend at an angle of about 45° relative to each other. 
   
   
       4 . The trash can according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall extends in a generally annular shape and has first and second sides that meet at a corner and are generally normal to each other, the wall further comprising a third side connecting distal ends of the first and second sides, the pedal actuator assembly comprising a foot pedal disposed in a central portion of the third side. 
   
   
       5 . The trash can according to  claim 4 , where in the dampening mechanism is disposed adjacent to the corner. 
   
   
       6 . The trash can according to  claim 1 , wherein the first member defining both the first and second apertures is made from a monolithic piece of material. 
   
   
       7 . The trash can according to  claim 1 , wherein the first member defines a piston rod of the dampening mechanism. 
   
   
       8 . A trash can comprising a lower portion and a wall extending upwardly from the lower portion and defining a cavity, the wall defining a generally triangular cross-section with left and right sides joined at a first corner and extending generally normal to each other and a front side connecting distal ends of the left and right sides, a lid configured to close an upper end of the cavity defined by the wall, a hinge configured to allow the lid to pivot between open and closed positions, the hinge extending along an axis generally parallel to the right side and being mounted in the vicinity of an upper portion of the right side. 
   
   
       9 . The trash can according to  claim 8 , wherein an inner surface of the lid acts as a backstop when it is in the open position to prevent trash from striking a wall of a room adjacent to the right side when a person throws trash toward the inner surface of the lid with their right hand. 
   
   
       10 . The trash can according to  claim 8 , where in the lid is configured to close substantially the entire open upper end of the cavity defined by the wall. 
   
   
       11 . The trash can according to  claim 8 , wherein the lid is made from a single piece of material. 
   
   
       12 . An air damper comprising a housing defining an inner bore, a piston configured to reciprocate within the bore, and a piston rod connected to the piston, the piston rod comprising first and second apertures extending along first and second axes, respectively, the first and second axes being skewed relative to each other. 
   
   
       13 . The air damper according to  claim 12 , where in the first aperture comprises an oblong cross-section. 
   
   
       14 . The air damper according to  claim 13 , where in the first aperture is connected to a pedal bar of a trash can. 
   
   
       15 . The air damper according to  claim 14 , where in the second aperture is connected to a lifting rod of the trash can. 
   
   
       16 . The air damper according to  claim 14 , where in the trash can is triangular. 
   
   
       17 . The air damper according to  claim 16 , were in the trashcan includes a lid connected to the trashcan with a hinge, an axis of the hinge being parallel to the second aperture.