Pusher Moved By Ram Actuated By Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 414/517)
  • Patent number: 6092973
    Abstract: A material eject system includes an ejector mounted to a bed of a vehicle which is movable between a rear end and a forward end of the bed for ejecting material from the bed. The ejector is powered by a cylinder having different fluid volumes depending on the direction of motion of the cylinder. A control circuit operates with the ejector motor to automatically move the ejector through eject and return cycles. The ejector includes a speed control for operating the motor and the ejector at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Burnett, Peter F. Prillinger, David A. Young
  • Patent number: 6079933
    Abstract: A material eject system includes an ejector mounted to a bed of a vehicle which is movable between a rear end and a forward end of the bed for ejecting material from the bed. The ejector is powered by a cylinder having different fluid volumes depending on the direction of motion of the cylinder. A control circuit operates with the ejector motor to automatically move the ejector through eject and return cycles. The control circuit further provides a short repetitive retract and eject cycle at the end of the eject cycle to break loose any material that may be sticking the ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Moyna, Steven Burnett, Peter F. Prillinger, David A. Young
  • Patent number: 6071057
    Abstract: A refuse collection container for mounting on a vehicle. The container is particularly suitable for separating and compacting recyclable materials due to the provision of a longitudinally extending diagonal partition. The container has a pair of refuse receiving buckets adapted to be raised into alignment with apertures in the front wall of the container. Recyclable materials, sorted by type in the buckets, are then moved into the container by a compactor blade in each bucket. Discharge of the materials is facilitated by providing for swinging movement of the partition prior to the vehicle being in the dumping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventors: Philippe Duron, Alain Duron
  • Patent number: 6062804
    Abstract: A load carrying body has an ejector slidably disposed for movement between first and second end portions of the load carrying body. The load carrying body has a "v" shaped floor and the ejector has a "v" shaped bottom. The ejector has a first angled portion disposed at a preselected included first angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the load carrying body. The second end portion of the load carrying body has an angled end portion at substantially the same angle as the included first angle to facilitate complete ejection. A jack pulls the ejector between the first and second end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan D. Young, Peter F. Prillinger, Chris J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6062803
    Abstract: A replaceable load bearing slide system for carrying an ejector mechanism slidably along in spaced parallel ejector rails includes an elongated substantially rectangular slide member for slidably supporting one side of an ejector mechanism in a rail having one side attached along one side of the ejector mechanism at rail level by removable bolts or screws. The elongated member being configured to be slidably accommodated in an ejector rail of matching shape and having optional wear strips attached to the three exposed surfaces thereof designed to contact the inner surfaces of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 6059513
    Abstract: A rear ejector wagon having a removable connection to an agricultural or industrial tractor. The wagon is connected to the tractor by a low lying, stable towing tongue. The removability of the ejector wagon from a tractor provides flexibility in use of power units. Once the ejector wagon is removed from the tractor, the tractor can be used for other purposes. With the use of a low lying towing tongue, a two stage hydraulic cylinder can be used to eject the load. The cylinder is contained within a protective housing to shield the exposure of the cylinder to debris and other material loaded into the wagon. Typically, the hydraulic cylinder will have a length of 80 to 150 inches. A preferred length is 100 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Inter-American Vanguard Corporation
    Inventor: Larry G. Goby
  • Patent number: 6012892
    Abstract: A vehicle for collecting refuse comprising a chassis, a body mounted with the chassis for receiving refuse through an opening thereof, a packer assembly for moving refuse into the body through the opening and for additionally and alternately ejecting refuse, and a gate assembly mounted to serve as a closure for another opening of the body and movable between normal closed and opened positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Heil Co
    Inventor: Marcel G. Stragier
  • Patent number: 6007291
    Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in criss-cross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Amrep, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose A. Ghibaudo
  • Patent number: 5954470
    Abstract: An improved compacting system, and an automated refuse vehicle that can employ this compacting system. Alternatively, the compacting system can be used with a stationary packer. The compacting system is capable of placing the packer ram, blade or panel into a creep mode in which, even if the maximum compacting force is applied, the packing ram will generally retain its position without reversing direction for a pre-programmed interval of time. The refuse vehicle also provides a fast-return cycle for an engaged container, and a series of "lock-out" zones to minimize the possibility of damaging the vehicle during automated use. Methods for using the compacting system and for operating the refuse vehicle also form part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Galion Solid Waste Equipment Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Duell, Thomas E. Pfeifer, Larry D. Horning
  • Patent number: 5938393
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle with a collecting container which can be picked up and set down and is intended for pourable solids, in particular waste material. The container is arranged behind the driver's cab and has, at least in the area where the container end faces the driver's cab, a filling opening, open at the top, and a pressure plate extending inside. The vehicle also has a swivel arm arrangement which is pivotable across the driver's cab, picks up and empties containers and is articulated to a support frame arranged behind the driver's cab and connected securely to the vehicle chassis. The actuating means for the swivel arm arrangement and at least one thrust cylinder for displacing the pressure plate and locking means for fixing the collecting container to the support frame are arranged on the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Inventor: Edgar Georg
  • Patent number: 5885049
    Abstract: An ejection assisting device is provided in a material handling apparatus for handling refuse or recyclables relative to a collection vehicle to dislodge material not discharged by gravity in a gravity induced material unloading system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garwin B. McNeilus, Wilbur R. Harris
  • Patent number: 5868543
    Abstract: A multi-compartment collection vehicle having a packing apparatus and a multi-compartment storage body wherein the packing apparatus includes a charging hopper divided into upper and lower portions each having corresponding dual linear packers. The upper charging hopper and upper compartment of the multi-compartment storage body are connected by a ramped floor. The dividing floor of the multi-compartment storage body is ramped from a relatively lower level aligned with the upper charging portion to a higher level defining the major longitudinal portion of the dividing floor. The ramped floor arrangement increases the holding capacity of the upper portion of the charging hopper, without significantly decreasing the holding capacity of the lower storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garwin B. McNeilus, Wilbur R. Harris
  • Patent number: 5857822
    Abstract: A packing and ejecting system for a front or side loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and fully ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A packing and ejecting device may be mounted within the charging hopper without reducing the holding capacity of the charging hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5823728
    Abstract: A segmented residential front loading refuse collection vehicle for collecting recyclable waste materials includes a frame and bed pivotally mounted on the frame, the bed having a front, a rear, a top, and a bottom. A fixed wall extends vertically from the bed bottom toward the bed top and extends longitudinally from the bed rear toward the bed front. A movable wall cooperates with the fixed wall for dividing the bed into side-by-side compartments. A single compactor blade is positioned partially within each of the side-by-side compartments for compacting the compartments in tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Toccoa Metal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Veldman, Thomas A. Becvar
  • Patent number: 5816766
    Abstract: A front loading refuse collection vehicle 10 is provided having a body 12 which includes a hopper 16, a storage container 17, and a tailgate 20. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 23 are mounted to the tailgate for pivotal movement thereof. A compaction blade 24 is mounted within storage container 17 for movement by a hydraulic cylinder 25. The vehicle also has a dumping system 45 for automated actuation of the compaction blade hydraulic cylinder 25 and the tailgate hydraulic cylinders 23. The dumping system includes a central multi-processor 46 coupled to receive electronic signals from an auto-eject actuation button 47, a tailgate enable switch 48, a latch sensor 50, a tailgate open sensor 51 and a compaction blade sensor 52. The central multiprocessor is coupled to output electronic signals to a hydraulic control valve 57 for the tailgate hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic control valve 58 for the compaction blade hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Toccoa Metal Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Clark
  • Patent number: 5813818
    Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels 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 into 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garwin McNeilus, Ronald E. Christenson, Wilbur R. Harris
  • Patent number: 5785487
    Abstract: A compound packing and ejecting device for a front or slide loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and later ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A plurality of compound packing and ejecting devices may be mounted within the charging hopper. The packing and ejecting device includes packing cylinders and ejecting cylinders coupled to a packer panel, wherein the expansion of the packing cylinders, with the ejecting cylinders retracted, linearly displaces the packer panel through a first longitudinal portion of the storage body and expansion of the ejecting cylinders, together with expansion of the packing cylinders, displaces the packer panel through the remainder of the storage body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garwin B. McNeilus, Ronald E. Christenson, Wilbur R. Harris, Francis Oliver
  • Patent number: 5765985
    Abstract: A front loading refuse collection vehicle has a refuse receiving body within which a compaction panel is movable between a refuse receiving position and refuse compacting positions spaced from the receiving position. A pair of hydraulically actuated power cylinder assemblies are connected to the body adjacent the refuse receiving end and to the compaction panel, the assemblies extending in criss-cross fashion one above the other. The ends of the assemblies connected to the panel are restrained by apparatus which is normally passive and does not interfere with the connection between each hydraulic cylinder assembly and the panel, but which upon failure of the connection between a hydraulic cylinder assembly and the panel restrains movement of the cylinder assembly having the failed connection so that the end of that assembly remains closely adjacent to the panel and between the side walls of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Gary Lee Johnson, Norman John Glomski, Ernest Dwight McCullough
  • Patent number: 5584642
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle which has a refuse collection hopper mounted thereto, such that the hopper has a closed first end and an open second end and an opening located adjacent the first end for providing access to the hopper. A tailgate is connected to the hopper which, in conjunction with the hopper, defines with an inner cavity. The tailgate is movable between a closed position for covering the second end of the hopper and an open position for uncovering at least a portion of the second end of the hopper for emptying refuse therefrom. A divider panel is mounted within the hopper for generally horizontally dividing the inner cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A paddle is connected to the divider panel and is movable relative thereto to thereby change the relative volume of the upper and lower chambers. The paddle cooperates with the tailgate for selectively emptying at least one of the upper chamber and the lower chamber when the tailgate is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Automated Refuse Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell C. Huntoon
  • Patent number: 5474413
    Abstract: A vehicle for picking up and transporting refuse includes a vehicle chassis; a driver's cab connected to the chassis; a movable collecting container positioned behind the driver's cab and having a fill opening at an end thereof disposed near the driver's cab; and a support connected to the vehicle chassis behind the driver's cab and being separate from the movable collecting container. The vehicle further includes a dumping mechanism for picking up at least one refuse container in front of a front end of the vehicle and moving the refuse container over the driver's cab for emptying the refuse container in the fill opening behind the driver's cab thereby defining a pickup position, a dumping trajectory, and an emptying position of the refuse container. The dumping mechanism includes a pivot bearing for a pair of pivot arms; a pair of pivot arms having first ends and second ends and pivotally connected to the pivot bearing at the first ends thereof; and a pick up and dumping device connected to the pivot arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: Edgar Georg
  • Patent number: 5421689
    Abstract: A refuse collection compaction vehicle houses in a constant section container a moveable partition wall capable of compressing materials lengthwise in either direction. A hydraulic cylinder is attached to the floor and covered by a protective sheath attached to the partition wall and moveable with the wall. The wall comprises a frame installed on sliding skates. The frame houses a door which is hinged on top and may be tipped to let pass the compacted products of the fore compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Inventor: Claude Boivin
  • Patent number: 5395204
    Abstract: A truck trailer includes a push plate extensible and retractable relative to a front wall of the trailer structure employing hydraulic ram structure to project the plate along the trailer floor, that in turn includes a row of rollers operative through a drive chain to simultaneously rotate the rollers to direct workpieces from the rollers employing the push plate to direct workpieces along the roller structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventor: Brent D. Balik
  • Patent number: 5352084
    Abstract: There is disclosed a refuse system in which a conventional truck chassis includes a conventional garbage loading receptacle with a compaction device therein. The system provides additional compartments for reception of recyclable material. The compartments are individual modules and each include a lateral access opening and a lateral discharge opening with a device located within each for moving material located therein from one opening to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Inventor: Burt E. Hodgins
  • Patent number: 5344273
    Abstract: A refuse collecting vehicle with a two-tier collection compartment. Recyclable material is placed in the upper portion of the collection compartment and conventional rubbish is collected in the lower portion of the collection compartment. The receptacle for depositing the recyclable material preferably is located between the cab and the collection compartment. The roof closure device for a roof opening at the top of the collection compartment is operatively connected to the lifting arms of the receptacle whereby the roof is opened while the receptacle is lifted to its uppermost discharge position and closed as the receptacle is lowered to its lowermost refuse-receiving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Shu-Pak Refuse Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Denton G. Radlein
  • Patent number: 5330307
    Abstract: A container for compacting refuse is provided. The compacting container is mounted transversely to the elongated bed of a refuse collection vehicle. Refuse is deposited into the compacting container through a first refuse inlet located in a first end of the compacting container along one side of the truck and through a second refuse inlet located in the top of the compacting container via a pivotally mounted basket located on the second end of the container and which is operated by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. The compacting container is discharged through a pivotally mounted door located on the same end of the container as the basket. An automatic latch keeps the door closed during compaction of the refuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Marathon Equipment Company
    Inventors: Kent Spiers, Philip E. Carr
  • Patent number: 5316430
    Abstract: A waste hauling apparatus including a truck body divided into two separate compartments by a movable dividing wall. A bucket assembly having separate side-by-side bins is operative to transfer trash material loaded into the bucket by an operator at ground level to the isolated compartments. The bucket travels between a material receiving position and a material discharging position along a trackway having a path of movement including a vertical portion and a transverse portion. At the material discharging position the material contained in the bins is discharged into associated material receiving openings that communicate with respective compartments defined by the truck body. The bucket is reciprocally conveyed between the trash receiving and trash discharging positions by a chain drive mechanism driven by a fluid pressure operated motor and interconnected with the bucket by a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism cooperates with the chains to define the limits of movement for the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Galion Holding Company
    Inventors: Larry D. Horning, Eugene R. Grubaugh, Thomas E. Pfeifer, Carroll R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5314290
    Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle including a body; one or more movable support surfaces mounted on the internal floor of the body for movement relative thereto; drive apparatus for moving each one of the one or more movable support surfaces back and forth between a first position and a second position spaced longitudinally from the first position; a movable bulkhead mounted in the interior of the body above the one or more movable support surfaces for movement relative to the internal floor; and drive apparatus for moving the movable bulkhead back and forth between a first position and a second position spaced longitudinally from the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventors: David E. Lutz, David W. Lutz
  • Patent number: 5307952
    Abstract: A top dresser (10) is disclosed in a first preferred form including a discharge gate (56) of a pusher (44) movably mounted in a hopper (30) for forcing material forward towards a rotating, cylindrical, dispensing drum (66) as the top dresser (10) is being pulled forward. The pusher (44) is slideably mounted by slides (50) secured to ears (48) extending between the sides (36) and the bottom (34) of the hopper (30) and slideable on tubular rails (52) positioned on the outside of the hopper (30). The pusher (44) is moved by expandable and contractable actuators (58, 60) pivotally mounted by their opposite ends to the frame (12) and the pusher (44) in a non-parallel, crossing manner. The drum (66) includes corrugated sheeting (70) around its periphery for gripping the material in the hopper (30) and drawing it under a metering gate (72) and a rotating brush (74) which propels the material onto the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Turfco Manufacturing Incorporated
    Inventors: Vernon J. Worrel, Terry Bondeson
  • Patent number: 5281074
    Abstract: A truck bed having a longitudinally movable bulkhead for ejecting material carried therein. A cab cover plate is pivotally attached to a carriage coupled to the bulkhead. A mechanism for pivoting the cab cover plate to remove the material carried thereon is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Inventor: David Mashuda
  • Patent number: 5238359
    Abstract: A garbage truck includes a motor truck having a garbage container provided thereon. The garbage container confines a garbage receiving space and has a top end provided with a garbage inlet opening and a rear side provided with a garbage outlet opening A power-operated hoisting unit is provided on the motor truck adjacent to the garbage container. The hoisting unit is operated so as to move garbage into the garbage container. A power-operated top cover unit is provided on the top end of the garbage container so as to cover the garbage inlet opening. A power-operated side cover unit is provided on the rear side of the garbage container so as to cover the garbage outlet opening. A power-operated push plate unit is movably provided inside the garbage receiving space opposite to the garbage outlet opening. The push plate unit is operated so as to push garbage out of the garbage container through the garbage outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Chin-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 5203669
    Abstract: An improved garbage truck is disclosed having an inlet opening leading into a tipping section, where a press reciprocally moves in the tipping section, guided along the side walls thereof, to propel garbage through an opening into a removable container. The tipping section has at least one lateral arm or wall reinforcing the side walls of the tipping section and is arranged above the press. A sensing element is arranged in the tipping section with generates a signal when there is a jam or when there are tilted or bulky objects, the signal stops the travel of the press or reverses the direction of the press to prevent damage to the garbage truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Waste Management of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Klossek, Johannes Kirchhoff
  • Patent number: 5178062
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a compactor for compacting waste materials. The compactor includes a compression unit for receiving and compressing waste materials and a power unit detachably connected thereto. The compression unit includes a ram and a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies. The power control unit activates the piston and cylinder assemblies to move the ram between an operating position and a storage position. A support bracket slideably connects the power control unit to the compression unit permitting an individual to readily access the power control unit to service the same. The support bracket extends from the left side wall to the right side wall of the compression unit thereby permitting an individual to attach the power control unit to either the left side or right side of the compression unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Marathon Equipment Company
    Inventor: Kent Spiers
  • Patent number: 5173866
    Abstract: An automated trash management system for remotely measuring the fullness of a plurality of trash containers is disclosed. Each container is provided with a remote sensing unit for generating a signal proportional to a characteristic of the container by which the extent of fullness of the container may be determined. A transmission linkage, typically a telephone line, is provided from each remote sensing unit to a central unit, where a data base of the signals transmitted from a particular trash container may be stored and analyzed. A hauler is called from the central unit location by a user after a determination from the data base that a particular trash container is in a condition of fullness warranting emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: MGM Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney H. Neumann, Charles B. Allison
  • Patent number: 5123801
    Abstract: The refuse collecting vehicle of the invention is used for collecting and transporting separate and distinct waste materials. The vehicle includes a vehicle chassis and a storage body mounted on the chassis. The storage body is divided into a plurality of distinct storage chambers, each of the chambers running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a tailgate section which is comprised of a plurality of distinct and individually actuable hopper units, each hopper unit having a loading opening which is longitudinally aligned with the respective one of the distinct storage chambers in the storage body for transferring material thereto. Each hopper unit is also pivotally mounted at the rear of the storage body for swinging movement away from the body as material is being discharged therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Harold W. O'Daniel
  • Patent number: 5122025
    Abstract: A multiple compartment body comprises a housing having walls defining an interior storage area. An interior wall extends within the interior storage area for defining at least two compartments within the interior storage area. The interior wall is attached for movement between a position opening communication between the compartments and a position closing communication between the compartments. The interior wall is also movable within the interior storage area to selectively alter the respective sizes of the compartments. Movement of the interior wall is accomplished in response to fluid pressure from a location outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventor: Norman J. Glomski
  • Patent number: 5078567
    Abstract: A truck for separately storing and discharging recyclable materials has a container housing with at least one door in its rear wall. Partitioning members divide the interior space of the container housing into at least two pairs of transversely disposed compartments, one pair being disposed rearwardly of the other pair, and the rearward pair being spaced from said rear wall of the housing to define a fifth compartment. The partitioning members have gates therein, and a multiplicity of openings are provided in one side wall of the container housing for feeding different types of materials into the several compartments in which they may be separately stored and from which they may be separately discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Inventor: Santo J. Lombardo
  • Patent number: 5074737
    Abstract: A vehicle having a bed pivotal from a trash collection position to a trash dumping position. The bed has inner walls for forming three compartments, a central compartment for receiving paper and two side compartments for receiving, respectively, metal materials and glass materials. The central compartment has a pusher ram which forces paper materials rearwardly toward a rear access door. The blade carries two skimmer plates in respective side compartments for skimming the top piles of waste materials in the two side compartments. The bed has rear side openings covered by doors which, when opened, allow materials to exit the side compartments when the bed is tilted. The vehicle has a lifting structure provided with a pair of pivotal blades for placement in the side guides of a container to be lifted into a dumping position above the top, front opening of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventors: Louis A. Pellegrini, Tom T. Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5067868
    Abstract: An improved pivoting ejector mechanism is disclosed for use in a rear-loading refuse compacting and hauling truck which adds a significant amount of useful refuse stowage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Boda
  • Patent number: 5064332
    Abstract: There is disclosed a motor-driven garbage truck provided with a detachable garbage container equipped with releasable coupling elements, and also having permanently mounted thereon a pouring unit which includes a pouring chute, lifting and tipping apparatus for picking up a garbage can and discharging the contents thereof into the chute which leads to a receiving space, and a conveying and compacting apparatus including a compacting platen and which apparatus is driven by crossing hydraulic piston-cylinder units for transferring the garbage from the receiving space into the container through a receiving opening that is provided with a cover plate joined to the upper edge of the compacting platen and which is guided in tracks located above the driver's cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Edelhoff Polytechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gustav D. Edelhoff, Fred T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5016197
    Abstract: An automated trash management system for remotely measuring the fullness of a plurality of trash containers is disclosed. Each container is provided with a remote sensing unit for generating a signal proportional to a characteristic of the container by which the extent of fullness of the container may be determined. A transmission linkage, typically a telephone line, is provided from each remote sensing unit to a central unit, where a data base of the signals transmitted from a particular trash container may be stored and analyzed. A hauler is called from the central unit location by a user after a determination from the data base that a particular trash container is in a condition of fullness warranting emptying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: MGM Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney H. Neumann, Charles B. Allison
  • Patent number: 4979866
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a plurality of refuse collection units one of which is compactor unit mounted transversely across the vehicle. The vehicular mounted waste compactor includes a hollow body having opposed open ends each having an intake opening for receiving waste to be compacted. Divider walls within the interior the hollow body divide the interior into a receiving chamber and a compaction chamber with a passageway communicating therebetween. To reduce the length of compaction stroke and the space needed for the ram, it includes a sliding cover wall movable back and forth for selectively closing and opening the passageway. One end of the hollow body has a door against which the ram compresses the waste material. When opened, the compressed material is discharged in the direction of ram travel. To reduce the stroke needed for compaction and the space needed for hydraulic cylinders to move the ram, the cylinders are mounted diagonally to each other and to the direction of ram travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Kohlman-Hill, Inc.
    Inventor: Maxwell Croy
  • Patent number: 4954040
    Abstract: A refuse truck body for attachment to a "low entry cab chassis". This truck body includes a container having an open forward end and an open rearward end. A tailgate or cap is provided for releasably closing the open rearward end. The container further includes an ejector assembly mounted for longitudinal movement within the container. The assembly is moved between a retracted position near the front of the truck and an ejection position near the rear of the truck by a linear actuator mounted generally horizontally above the ejector assembly. The ejector assembly has triangular side panels and an upwardly forwardly inclined ejection panel which reaches partially underneath the refuse, thus allowing the load of refuse to be carried forward of the container proper, to distribute more of the load onto the front wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: The Heil Co.
    Inventors: Fred T. Smith, Fred P. Smith
  • Patent number: 4953109
    Abstract: An automated trash compaction system having an hydraulic cylinder displacing a ram to compact trash in a mobile trash container and having an electronic control unit controlling the displacement of the ram. The electronic control unit generates a ram forward signal in response to a start signal, generates a part-full signal in response to electrical current being supplied to an electric motor driving a fluid pump exceeding a part-full value, and generates a full signal in response to the current being supplied to the electric motor exceeding a full value. After a predetermined full stroke time or upon the generation of the full signal, the electronic control unit terminates the ram forward signal and generates a ram return signal returning the ram to a retracted position. The ram return signal is terminated when the current to the electric motor exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Design-Rite, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Burgis
  • Patent number: 4950122
    Abstract: A container of monococque construction having a peripheral wall comprised of concentric inner and outer walls, with the space between the walls being filled with a plastics material. At least one of the inner and outer walls is a spirally-wound tube having raised seams projecting into the space between the inner and outer walls. The container is particularly adapted to form the body of a waste compactor for use as a bulk container for both fluid and particulate materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Stig-Ragnar J. Landsdorff
  • Patent number: 4947904
    Abstract: The stacker comprises a receiving bin adapted to position bolts close to the ground in an orientation that is perpendicular to the direction of advance of the stacker. The bin has side walls that closely confine the two ends of the bolts. A reciprocating plunger at the base of the bin biases the bolts rearwardly through an aperture into a stacking bin that trails the receiving bin. The stacking bin is open at the rear and at the bottom. Its parallel side walls closely confine the ends of the bolts collecting therein. The bolts biased rearwardly by the plunger are forced into the base of the stack in the stacking bin. The combination of the resistance of the ground-engaging stack, the confinement by the side walls, and the forced introduction of bolts into the base of the stack, induces a "boiling up" action of the bolts at the front end of the stack whereby they self-align themselves into a parallel state. When the bins are moved ahead, they leave behind an elongated stack of bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Dika
  • Patent number: 4948323
    Abstract: A side-loading refuse collection wagon, affording an unusually large load capacity by virtue of optimum utilization of the width limits allowable for the vehicle, includes a chassis, a cab, a body extending along the chassis from the cab. An adequate recess is provided to accomodate a bin hoisting and tilting mechanism and is formed in the right-hand side wall of the body at a body portion from the cab having a shorter length than a major portion having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. A longitudinal guide is affixed to the flat bed of the body, and a hopper complete with refuse material compacting members, which is slidable in said portion of reduced cross-section and has a bottom provided with matching guides is coupled to the guide on the flat bed. A refuse material ejector plate is provided which is movable along the major portion of the body having a rectangular cross-section and rigid with respect to the hopper, as well as a drive mechanism for moving the hopper along the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Bergomi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giorgio Gasparini
  • Patent number: 4941796
    Abstract: A front loading refuse vehicle used with a refuse receptacle, the vehicle having a cab, and a rear body to carry refuse, and having rails located on either side of the cab, and extending upwardly and rearwardly over the cab, lifting arms adapted to engage the receptacle and lift it, carriages running on the rails and on which the lifting arms are moveably mounted, lifting arm power cylinders operable to swing the lifting arms away from and towards the rails, hoist arms pivotally mounted on the vehicle, for swinging forwardly and upwardly, hoist arm power cylinders for operating the hoist arms, hoist linkages connecting between the hoist arms and the carriages, operation of the hoist arms causing the carriages to move along the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventor: Quinto De Filippi
  • Patent number: 4892454
    Abstract: A refuse-collecting utility vehicle with a refuse-charging system located behind the driver's cabin has an adjoining refuse-compacting device and a refuse-collecting bin arranged behind the compacting device. A dual compaction system makes it possible to accomplish uniform compaction of the refuse charged within the refuse-collecting bin, so that the capacity of the refuse-collecting bin is exploited to its fullest capacity. Specifically, a counterpressure plate is arranged within the zone of action of the refuse-compacting device on the top of the refuse-collecting bin. This counterpressure plate is supported for upward and downward pivotal movement and is capable of being acted upon by a pressure force and forms a counterpressure element for the refuse charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Schorling GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Behling, Friedrichwilhelm Schmadeke
  • Patent number: 4877366
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle body of the type having a tailgate which may be raised to eject the contents, and a forward opening in the main body through which refuse may be dumped, and a ram moveable from the forward opening to the tailgate, and having a moveable bridge member extending from side to side of the main body; a compacting cylinder coupled to the bridge, and connected with the ram member for compacting refuse, and an ejection cylinder connected to the main body and to the bridge for moving the bridge rearwardly for ejecting contents from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventor: Quinto De Filippi
  • Patent number: 4844675
    Abstract: A bale accumulator and optional caboose are controlled by a microprocessor-based control circuit associated with and controlling the baler which pulls the bale accumulator. The control circuit monitors bale switches actuated by the presence of bales on four tables, two switches indicating the position of a bale push bar, and three table switches indicating when individual ones of three of the tables are latched or released for dumping bales therefrom. An operator's panel provides a visual display of the status of the bale accumulator and includes switches which may be actuated by the operator. In response to the switches on the bale accumulator the control circuit controls the push bar to move bales from a center table onto a left or right table at the sides of the center table, or inhibits movement of the push bar so that a succeeding bale ejected from the baler pushes a bale on the center table onto a trailing fourth table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Ford New Holland, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Strosser, Irwin D. McIlwain, Pierino Piccinato, Carl E. Bohman