Abstract: A robust grabber arm for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has an inner arm member and an outer arm member which are designed to have parallel beams coupled to one another so that a wide operating profile is created. Further, care is taken in configuring compounds so that each of the hinge points and coupling points are accessible for service and maintenance purposes. To provide additional consistency, common bearings and hinge pins are used throughout, so that maintenance and possible replacement can be easily achieved.

Abstract: To provide additional flexibility for a refuse collection vehicle, a removable fender panels are used on an outside portion of the main collection body. The removable fender panels are formed to have a sloped section that will cause rain, snow and other materials to naturally drain from the panel, thus helping to maintain the appearance of the vehicle. Since the fender panels are removable, they can be easily replaced when excessive signs of wear begin to appear. Further, this provides further flexibility during the manufacturing process since the panels can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminum and many non-metallic materials.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a collection mechanism having a collection hopper which accommodates the collection of refuse by dumping into the collection hopper. A bolt-on load edge bracket is configured to be attached to a portion of the collection mechanism adjacent the collection hopper, is capable of defining an adjustable rear load edge based upon where the attachment is made. By using a separate bolt-on load edge bracket, the rear of the collection vehicle can be tailored to accommodate various load edge heights, and to allow several alternative tipper mechanisms to be the easily attached thereto.

Abstract: An onboard washing system provides the ability to wash specific areas at the rear of a concrete truck, without requiring an operator to climb a ladder or climb on the truck. Certain specified areas which are traditionally difficult to wash, including the inside of the charge hopper, the interior portions of the discharge chute, and rear portions of the mixing drum structure, can now be washed in an automated and efficient manner. The truck-mounted washing system has components which are specifically positioned to cause washing fluid (water) to be sprayed or directed toward predetermined areas in an efficient and effective manner. The system also includes hand-held washing wands or washing mechanisms, which allow an operator to easily reach additional zones or additional areas at the rear of the truck, which are lower. Most significantly, the truck-mounted wash systems and the hand-held nozzle systems (wand) are all operable while an operator remains on the ground.

Abstract: A delivery chute for use on a concrete mixer truck has automated systems to allow for repositioning and reconfiguration without requiring an operator to manipulate components. The chute is configured to have multiple segments that can be folded/nested with one another for transport and can be positioned in an extended configuration thereby forming a continuous delivery surface for purposes of delivering concrete to a desired location. Powered mechanisms are used to reposition these segments, thus eliminating the need for operators to handle chute segments at all. A control system is provided to coordinate operation of components so proper sequences are followed during folding, unfolding, raising, lowering and swinging operations. An operator can control each of these operations using a remote control, having single buttons to carry out specific operations.

Abstract: A collection body is designed and coordinated so that equipment and frequently serviced components can be easily accessed by any operator while also staying away from lanes of traffic. The collection body is further designed so the main hopper is substantially rectangular, so that sidewalls are continuous and support operation of ejection pushers and related component. This configuration is also coordinated with the collection hopper and other collection mechanisms, so that overall coordination of all components is efficient and effective.

Abstract: A fully automated container handling system for a refuse vehicle is provided that utilizes a vehicle-includes an extending, pivoting arm with a base equipped with a converging grabber to seize and empty the container. The base that grabs the container includes a sonar transducer that functions with a hydraulic system that operates the arm and grabber using a programmable mounted video camera which feeds video to a cab-mounted monitor to inform a driver of the location of a container of interest enabling accurate alignment of the vehicle. The system is operated by a single button in the cab and logic controller (PLC) computer program to run the hydraulic controls.

Abstract: An onboard washing system provides the ability to wash specific areas at the rear of a concrete truck, without requiring an operator to climb a ladder or climb on the truck. Certain specified areas which are traditionally difficult to wash, including the inside of the charge hopper, the interior portions of the discharge chute, and rear portions of the mixing drum structure, can now be washed in an automated and efficient manner. The truck-mounted washing system has components which are specifically positioned to cause washing fluid (water) to be sprayed or directed toward predetermined areas in an efficient and effective manner. The system also includes hand-held washing wands or washing mechanisms, which allow an operator to easily reach additional zones or additional areas at the rear of the truck, which are lower. Most significantly, the truck-mounted wash systems and the hand-held nozzle systems (wand) are all operable while an operator remains on the ground.

Abstract: To provide a lighter weight and more robust component for use on a concrete mixer truck, a collector is formed of a non-metallic material which has more desirable characteristics. The collector is further strengthened by providing internal reinforcing structures and reinforced mounting structures so the collector can be effectively coupled to the concrete mixer truck. Additionally, the non-metallic material has desirable characteristics, such as low surface friction levels, high strength to weight ratios, and desirable puncture resistance. All of these characteristics combine to provide a lighter weight, more effective collector.

Abstract: A delivery chute for use on a concrete mixer truck has automated systems to allow for repositioning and reconfiguration without requiring an operator to manipulate components. The chute is configured to have multiple segments that can be folded/nested with one another for transport and can be positioned in an extended configuration thereby forming a continuous delivery surface for purposes of delivering concrete to a desired location. Powered mechanisms are used to reposition these segments, thus eliminating the need for operators to handle chute segments at all. A control system is provided to coordinate operation of components so proper sequences are followed during folding, unfolding, raising, lowering and swinging operations. An operator can control each of these operations using a remote control, having single buttons to carry out specific operations.

Abstract: A fender assembly having a non-metallic fender panel configured in a curved manner generally prevents material from accumulating on surfaces thereof, reduces weight of the vehicle, and provides a necessary level of protection from flying rocks and other debris that the wheels of a truck may generate. A non-metallic material is used to form the fender panel, which has a desired level of strength, durability, pliability and coefficient of friction. By carefully selecting this material, the fabrication and installation of the fender assembly is further simplified, thus providing additional efficiency. When applied to a cement mixer truck, the curved fender assembly is particularly beneficial as it provides the necessary level of protection, while also discouraging a build-up of concrete on any surface since the non-metallic material will not generally allow concrete to adhere to the surface.

Abstract: A fully automated container handling system for a refuse vehicle is provided that utilizes a vehicle-mounted video camera which feeds video to a cab-mounted monitor to inform a driver of the location of a container of interest enabling accurate alignment of the vehicle. The system is operated by a single button in the cab and includes an extending, pivoting arm with a base equipped with a converging grabber to seize and empty the container. The base that grabs the container includes a sonar transducer that functions with a hydraulic system that operates the arm and grabber using a programmable logic controller (PLC) computer program to run the hydraulic controls.

Abstract: A simplified lift and lowering system is provided that includes a base carriage arrangement that operates along a stationary belt attached to a pivoting arm. The arm has a lower end that is capable of linear lateral extensions and the upper end that returns to the same position when the arm is retracted. The arm has a curved upper portion and is mounted to discharge or dump containers into the charging hopper section of a side-loading refuse vehicle. The stationary belt is carried in a recessed central area of the arm and is anchored at the upper end of the curved section of the arm and attached to a spring-loaded belt tensioner at the lower end of the arms.

Abstract: A vehicle mountable, self-contained independent transit concrete mixer operating system is provided in two pre-assembled modular parts for mounting on a truck chassis. The system needs only power take-off, electrical and control system connections to be operable.

Abstract: A shaping tool die for shaping components from sheet material includes two matching shaping tool die halves, each shaping tool die half having a plurality of spaced plate die shapes, each die shape having a rotatable curved surface mated with a curved recess in the free end of a base mounting plate such that each plate die shape is separately adjustable relative to a mated mounting plate. A position fixing plate is associated with each plate die shape and base mounting plate combination to adjustably fix the position of the plate die shape relative to the base mounting plate in a desired position. A base member is provided for receiving the base mounting plates for each tool die half, and at least one clamp plate member threaded through corresponding base mounting plates of each die half and removably fixed to a corresponding base member is provided to fix the base mounting plates in place.

Abstract: A dual spiral mixing fin assembly adapted to mix and guide material contained in a rotatable mixing drum of a type used in a transit concrete vehicle mixing system, the assembly includes dual spiral mixing fins extending transversely along a drum mixing space attachable to the inner surface of a mixing drum. The fins are provided with a plurality of spaced large openings for allowing mixed concrete and charged ingredient materials to migrate along a drum mixing space through the openings in both a forward and rearward direction. The fins also have a plurality of spaced small openings that accommodate the passage of cleanout materials along a drum mixing space. A plurality of strut members are attached to forward portions of the mixing fins and adapted to be fixed to the front interior surface of a mixing drum.

Abstract: An arrangement for pivotally coupling an auxiliary axle frame to a vehicle chassis includes a pair of support brackets, each fastened to one of two opposite longitudinal rails of the chassis. Each bracket is coupled to its associated rail with a set of threaded fasteners extended through aligned openings in the bracket and rail. Each fastener is tightened to a predetermined level of tensile force, after which its movable components are welded together to positively and permanently set the fastener. Each bracket extends behind the chassis to support a rotational coupling device including a pin rotatable about a transverse axis. Opposite arms of the tag axle frame support clevis type coupling features at their forward ends. Each clevis type feature is integrally coupled to one of the pins. An actuator used to pivot the tag axle frame can be coupled to the chassis and frame through similar rotational coupling devices and clevis type features.