Receptacle having a securable lid

Abstract

A trash receptacle includes a receptacle body, a lid, and a first locking mechanism for securing the lid to the receptacle body. The first locking mechanism includes a locking element coupled to one of the lid or receptacle body and a locking aperture coupled to the other of the lid or receptacle body. The locking element engages the locking aperture to secure the lid to the receptacle body. The receptacle may include a second locking mechanism including a strap and a pair of connecting members coupled to the receptacle body. The ends of the strap are coupled to the connecting members such that the strap tightly engages the lid to secure the lid to the receptacle body. Each of the first and second locking mechanisms may be used alone with a receptacle, or alternatively may be used in combination to provide additional securement of the lid.

1 . A locking mechanism for a trash receptacle having a receptacle body and a lid, the locking mechanism comprising:
 an elongate strap having a first end and a second end;   a fastener on the first end of the strap for coupling the strap to the receptacle body; and   a first magnetic component coupled to the second end of the strap to secure the strap to the receptacle.   
   
   
       2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic component includes a magnet. 
   
   
       3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second magnetic component adapted to be coupled to one of the receptacle or the strap, the second magnetic component cooperating with the first magnetic component to secure the strap to the receptacle.   
   
   
       4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the second magnetic component is an iron-containing plate member. 
   
   
       5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the second magnetic component is a magnet. 
   
   
       6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener on the first end further comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener on the second end of the strap for coupling the strap to the receptacle body. 
   
   
       8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener on the second end further comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       9 . A locking mechanism in combination with a trash receptacle, comprising:
 a receptacle body having a bottom wall and at least one sidewall collectively defining a cavity having an opening for accessing the cavity and adapted to hold waste material therein;   a lid having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lid adapted to cover the opening when engaged with the receptacle body; and   a locking mechanism having an unlocked position and a locked position, the lid capable of being moved away from the receptacle body when in the unlocked position, and the lid prevented from being moved away from the receptacle body when in the locked position, the locking mechanism comprising:
 an elongate strap having a first end and a second end; 
 a fastener on each of the first and second ends of the strap for coupling the strap to the receptacle body; and 
 a first magnetic component coupled to the second end of the strap to secure the strap to the receptacle when in the unlocked position, 
 wherein the strap tightly engages the upper surface of the lid when the locking mechanism is in the locked position to at least partially secure the lid to the receptacle body. 
   
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein a releasable fastener is on each of the first and second ends of the strap to releasably couple the first and second ends to the receptacle body. 
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the releasable fastener further comprises hook and loop fasteners. 
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the first end of the strap is fixedly coupled to the receptacle body. 
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a pair of opposed connecting members coupled to the receptacle body, wherein each of the first and second ends of the strap couple to one of the connecting members.   
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting members operate as handles for the receptacle. 
   
   
       15 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the first magnetic component includes a magnet. 
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second magnetic component coupled to one of the receptacle or the strap, the second magnetic component cooperating with the first magnetic component to secure the strap to the receptacle.   
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein the second magnetic component is an iron-containing plate coupled to the receptacle body. 
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the locking mechanism prevents rotation of the lid relative to the receptacle body. 
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 9 , wherein the lid further comprises a groove formed in the upper surface, the strap received in the groove when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.