Coupling apparatus

Abstract

A coupling apparatus for selectively securing a recycling container to a refuse container is provided. The coupling apparatus includes a back plate having first end and a second end and a crossover portion extending the said back plate at the first end. The coupling apparatus also includes a coupling portion extending from the crossover portion, the coupling portion having a generally U-shaped profile, and a retaining member extending from said back plate at the second end and positioned generally beneath the crossover portion. The coupling apparatus further includes an elastomeric member configured for selective attachment to the crossover portion. The coupling portion is configured to receive a handle of a trailing container and the back plate is configured to engage a lower bar of a lead container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling apparatus for selectively securing a recycling container to a refuse container, comprising:
 a back plate having first end and a second end;   a crossover portion extending from said back plate at said first end;   a coupling portion extending from said crossover portion, said coupling portion having a generally U-shaped profile;   a retaining member extending from said back plate at said second end and positioned generally beneath said crossover portion; and   an elastomeric member configured for selective attachment to said crossover portion.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said attachment means is a through-hole formed in said crossover portion.   
     
     
         3 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said through-hole is approximately 5/16 inches in diameter; and   wherein said through-hole is offset to one side of said coupling apparatus.   
     
     
         4 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said back plate and said retaining member define an angle of approximately 90 degrees therebetween.   
     
     
         5 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said back plate and said crossover portion define an angle of approximately 75 degrees therebetween.   
     
     
         6 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said coupling portion includes an angled retaining leg extending from a terminal end of said coupling portion and extending at least partially over said coupling portion towards said crossover portion such that said angled retaining leg at least partially closes said coupling portion.   
     
     
         7 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said back plate has a back plate length; and   said coupling portion has a coupling portion height, said coupling portion height being measured in a direction generally perpendicular to said crossover portion, said coupling portion height being less than said back plate length.   
     
     
         8 . A coupling apparatus, comprising:
 a back plate;   a substantially planar crossover portion extending from said back plate, said back plate and said crossover portion defining an angle of approximately 75 degrees therebetween; and   a coupling portion extending from said crossover portion, said coupling portion having a generally U-shaped profile.   
     
     
         9 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a through-hole formed in said crossover portion.   
     
     
         10 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said through-hole is offset to one said of said coupling apparatus.   
     
     
         11 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a retaining member extending from a distal end of said back plate and oriented substantially beneath said crossover portion.   
     
     
         12 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said coupling portion includes an angled retaining leg extending from a terminal end of said coupling portion and extending at least partially over said coupling portion towards said crossover portion such that said angled retaining leg at least partially closes said coupling portion.   
     
     
         13 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said coupling portion includes a first leg extending generally perpendicular from said crossover portion, an arcuate intermediate leg, and an angled retaining leg.   
     
     
         14 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said arcuate intermediate leg has a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches.   
     
     
         15 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a distance between a distal end of said angled retaining leg and said first leg is approximately 0.75 inches.   
     
     
         16 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 said through-hole is approximately 5/16 inches in diameter.   
     
     
         17 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 said coupling apparatus if formed form a single piece of metal.   
     
     
         18 . The coupling apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an elastomeric member attached to said coupling apparatus via said through-hole.   
     
     
         19 . A method of coupling a first container to a second container, said method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a coupling apparatus having a back plate, a crossover portion extending from said back plate and a coupling portion extending from said crossover portion to a handle of said first container;   extending an elastomeric member from said crossover portion of said coupling device to a front edge of said first container, said elastomeric member causing said coupling device to rotate about said handle; and   tipping said first container toward said second container such that said back plate of said coupling apparatus is received by said second container behind a lower bar of said second container.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 said step of extending an elastomeric member from said crossover portion includes inserting a hook of said elastomeric member into a through-hole in said crossover portion.