Abstract:
Vehicle mounted container handling devices including a rotating swivel mount (220) and an articulated arm (230) connected to the swivel mount are disclosed. The swivel mount includes a housing operable to rotate about a shaft in a first plane. The articulated arm is attached at one end to the housing and disposed to pivot in a second plane which intersects the first plane. A grasping device (232) is pivotally connected to the free end of the articulated arm for pivoting in the second plane. In operation, with the grasping device opened, the articulated arm is extended to reach out toward a container of interest. The swivel mount is operated to pivot the articulated arm as required for the grasping device to engage the container. The articulated arm is operated further to lift and dump the container in the vehicle above the swivel mount. The grasping device includes arms pivotally connected to a support member and moved by actuators pivotally connected between the arms and the support member.
Abstract:
A container handling apparatus (10) for receiving, positioning, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis or sub-frame mounted containers (18), which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body or sub-frame to a supporting chassis (14) is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis (14). A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed
Abstract:
A container handling system is disclosed, including subsystems for accessing, grabbing, lifting and tipping collection containers into the charging compartment of a collection vehicle, or the like, and thereafter returning emptied containers to their pick up locations. The invention includes an automated, short radius pivot arm capable of operation in close quarters which may further be mounted to and operated by means of a hydraulic rotary actuator. Electronic control is also provided.
Abstract:
Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper (52) section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket (56) which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers (110) attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels (104) situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built in to the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles. In another aspect of the invention, the vehicles include a removable body which is separable from the hopper section.
Abstract:
A two-piece charge hopper assembly (60) for a concrete transit mixing vehicle of the rear-discharge type is disclosed in which a lower, movable portion (64) including the hopper discharge lip (66) is enabled to swing out of the way of discharging concrete while the upper body (62) of the charge hopper (60) remains in a fixed position which is accomplished by the use of a simple pivot mechanism (67-78).
Abstract:
Vehicle mounted container handling devices include a rotating swivel mount (16), an articulated arm (18) connected to the swivel mount, a support member (80) rotationally connected to a free end of the articulated arm and a loading mechanism (20). The articulated arm, swivel mount, and loading mechanism are operable between stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. The loading mechanism includes first and second opposed mechanized fingers (82, 84) pivotally connected to the support member and aligned in space relation to converge and diverge to grasp and release an object of interest. Each mechanized finger includes a belt (90, 92) that enhances the gripping ability of the loading mechanism. In operation, with the grasping device opened, the articulated arm is extended to reach out toward a container of interest. The swivel mount is operated to pivot the articulated arm as required for the loading mechanism to engage the container. The articulated arm is operated further to lift and dump the container in the vehicle above the swivel mount.