Access assembly

Abstract

An access assembly for a container is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the access assembly includes an access member pivotally attached to an opening in a trash receptacle wherein the access member pivots to a first open position to allow waste material to be passed into the interior of the trash receptacle. The access member has a first side, including means whereby a user may manually engage the access member. In the preferred embodiment, the user engagement means is a stainless steel handle attached by any appropriate means to the first access member side. The access member has a second side, including means for counterbalancing the combined weight of the handle and the access member. In the preferred embodiment, the counterbalancing means is a counterweight of any appropriate material. The counterweight is so sized and positioned that the access member, having been engaged by a user and disposed to an open position, will automatically return to the closed position and remain there. The configuration of the access assembly allows the user to pass waste material into the trash receptacle, while at the same time avoiding direct contact with any trash or garbage already residing in it. The configuration of the access assembly prevents the access member from remaining partially open, thus preventing unsightly garbage and repugnant odors from protruding outside of or escaping from the walls of the trash receptacle.

1 . An access assembly for a container, comprising; 
 an access member, having a first side and a second side, said access member pivotally mounted in an opening in said container, whereby said access member pivots from a first open position to a second closed position;    said first access member side including means for engagement of the access member by a user;    said second access member side including means for counterbalancing the combined weight of said access member and said user engagement means;    whereby said access member automatically returns to the closed position after being pivoted to the open position.    
   
   
       2 . An access assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said user engagement means is a handle.  
   
   
       3 . An access assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said counterbalancing means is a counterweight.  
   
   
       4 . An access assembly for a container, comprising; 
 an access member, having a first side and a second side, said access member pivotally mounted in an opening in said container, whereby said access member pivots from a first open position to a second closed position;    said first access member side including a handle for engagement of the access member by a user;    said second access member side including a counterweight for counterbalancing the combined weight of said access member and said handle;    whereby said access member automatically returns to the closed position after being pivoted to the open position.    
   
   
       5 . An access assembly for a container as in  claim 4 , wherein; 
 said handle is centered on said first access member side;    said counterweight is centered on said second access member side;    said handle and said counterweight being positioned relative to each other in such manner as to cause said access member to pivot unaided from the open position to the closed position upon disengagement from the handle by a user.    
   
   
       6 . An access assembly for a container, comprising; 
 an access member, having a first side and a second side, said access member pivotally mounted in an opening in said container, whereby said access member pivots from a first open position to a second closed position;    said first access member side including a handle for engagement of the access member by a user; said handle being centered on said first access member side;    said second access member side including a counterweight centered on said second access member side for counterbalancing the combined weight of said access member and said handle;    said handle and said counterweight being positioned relative to each other in such manner as to cause said access member to pivot unaided from the open position to the closed position upon disengagement from the handle by a user.