Waste container with security frame

Abstract

A secured trash container system includes a container with side walls and an open top end, the side walls including engagement locations, and a protective frame. The frame includes: a base; a plurality of uprights mounted with the base and extending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights being separated from each other to define an open front side; and a roof supported by the uprights. The base, uprights and roof define a storage cavity wherein the container resides. The roof covers the open top end of the container. The container is configured to pass through the open front side of the frame. In this configuration, the presence of the roof over the open top end of the container can prevent unwanted access to the container, but can permit the container to be emptied in a conventional manner by passing the container through the open front side of the frame.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A secured trash container system, comprising: 
 a container with side walls and an open top end, the side walls including engagement locations; and    a protective frame, the frame including: 
 a base;  
 a plurality of uprights mounted with the base and extending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights being separated from each other to define an open front side; and  
 a roof supported by the uprights;  
 the base, uprights and roof defining a storage cavity;  
   wherein the container resides in the storage cavity and the roof covers the open top end of the container, and wherein the container is configured to pass through the open front side of the frame.    
     
     
         2 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises four uprights and is open to the rear.  
     
     
         3 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the roof includes a sloped front panel.  
     
     
         4 . The system defined in  claim 3 , wherein the front panel includes a door.  
     
     
         5 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the roof is adapted to receive an external trash chute.  
     
     
         6 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a front wall having a door.  
     
     
         7 . The system defined in  claim 6 , wherein the front wall door includes a lock.  
     
     
         8 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container has a volume of between about four and ten cubic yards.  
     
     
         9 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the engagement locations on the container side walls are configured to receive a prong inserted longitudinally.  
     
     
         10 . The system defined in  claim 9 , wherein the engagement locations comprise channels mounted on the container side walls.  
     
     
         11 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes side rails mounted to the base, and the container rests on the side rails when the container is positioned in the storage cavity.  
     
     
         12 . The system defined in  claim 11 , wherein the side rails include stops at their rearward ends to prevent rearward movement of the container.  
     
     
         13 . The system defined in  claim 11 , wherein the side rails are inwardly offset from the frame uprights.  
     
     
         14 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a floor and feet mounted underneath the floor.  
     
     
         15 . The system defined in  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a front wall, and wherein the roof and an upper edge of the container form a gap that is between about 1 and 3 inches in height.  
     
     
         16 . A method of emptying trash from a trash containment system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a trash containment system, the system including: 
 a container with side walls and an open top end, the side walls including engagement locations; and  
 a protective frame, the frame including: 
 a base;  
 a plurality of uprights mounted with the base and extending upwardly therefrom, two of the uprights being separated from each other to define an open front side; and  
 a roof supported by the uprights;  
 the base, uprights and roof defining a storage cavity;  
 
 wherein the container resides in the storage cavity and the roof covers the open top end of the container;  
   (b) engaging the container with a trash collection vehicle;    (c) translating the engaged container forwardly through the open front side of the frame with the vehicle; and    (d) lifting and inverting the container over the vehicle to empty trash contained in the container into the vehicle.    
     
     
         17 . The method defined in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 (e) translating the container rearwardly through the open front side of the frame after completing step (d).    
     
     
         18 . The method defined in  claim 16 , wherein the container includes engagement locations on the container side walls that are configured to receive a prong inserted longitudinally.  
     
     
         19 . The method defined in  claim 18 , wherein the engagement locations comprise channels mounted on the container side walls.  
     
     
         20 . The method defined in  claim 16 , wherein one of the container front wall, side walls and rear wall includes doors that can be opened to receive trash within the container.