Abstract: An automotive muffler having a device for switching between loud and quieter modes includes a chamber having an inlet exhaust pipe and an outlet exhaust pipe for the passage of exhaust gases through the chamber. The first section of the chamber has a plurality of baffles with openings through the baffles for the passage of the exhaust gases. A second section of the chamber, separated from the first section of the chamber, permits a substantially unobstructed passage of exhaust gases through the second section of the chamber to the outlet exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A vehicle for lifting and transporting a container which is loaded and unloaded from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a base assembly attached to the vehicle with a substantially L-shaped boom pivotably attached to the base assembly. The substantially L-shaped boom has two segments connected to one another with a first segment of being pivotably attached to the left side or the base assembly and the second segment being pivotably attached to the right side of the base assembly. Each of the two segments has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portions being at an obtuse angle of from over 90° to approximately 140° relative to the upper portions. The pivotable attachment of the boom being attached to the lower portion of each of the segments to the base assembly, so that upon pivoting the boom, the upper portion of each of the two segments is pivoted from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position during a loading procedure.

Abstract: A vehicle for lifting and transporting a container which is loaded and unloaded from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a base assembly attached to the vehicle with a substantially L-shaped boom pivotably attached to the base assembly. The substantially L-shaped boom has two segments connected to one another with a first segment of being pivotably attached to the left side or the base assembly and the second segment being pivotably attached to the right side of the base assembly. Each of the two segments has an upper portion and a lower portion with the lower portions being at an obtuse angle of from over 90° to approximately 140° relative to the upper portions. The pivotable attachment of the boom being attached to the lower portion of each of the segments to the base assembly, so that upon pivoting the boom, the upper portion of each of the two segments is pivoted from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position during a loading procedure.

Abstract: A vehicle including a bed for lifting and transporting a fully loaded container such as a dumpster. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are attached to the bed and to a chassis of the vehicle to pivot the bed between a generally horizontal transporting position and a generally vertical lifting position. A mast is attached to a carriage which is movable along a length of the bed. A pair of hydraulic cylinders operably attached to the carriage and mast pivot the mast so as to maintain the mast in a generally vertical lifting and transporting position when the bed is pivoted between the generally horizontal transporting position and a generally vertical lifting position. A fork is attached to the mast for engaging a container. A screw gear is operably attached to the carriage to both lift a fully loaded container when the bed is in a generally vertical lifting position and to position the fully loaded container on the bed.

Abstract: The truck mounted lifting mechanism is carried on a truck frame having a pair of opposed C-shaped tracks extending rearward from the cab. A mast having a base carrying an axle engages the outside of the tracks with a pair of flanged rollers. A carriage is mounted at one end on the base axle of the mast. The other end of the carriage is provided with an axle and a pair of flanged rollers which engage the inside of the tracks. The carriage is provided with a threaded central opening and a screw gear extends through the threaded opening and along substantially the entire length of the truck frame. The screw gear is coupled by a chain drive to an hydraulic drive motor. Operation of the drive motor rotates the screw gear causing a lateral displacement of the carriage and the mast between the cab and the rear end of the truck frame. The rear end of the truck frame is provided with a pair of telescoping jacks to stabilize the truck during lifting. The mast is provided with a vertically movable and rotatable fork.