Abstract: There is disclosed a system for determining the spatial position of an object with a video optical sensor which detects predetermined features of this object and generates signals which correspond to the features, the signals being then processed in an electronic computer connected to a control handling circuit of a handling apparatus, such as a garbage collecting truck provided with a pick-up claw and a lifting and tipping mechanism for picking up the garbage can which is provided with a receiving pocket for the pick-up claw. In the system, the object, such as the garbage can, is provided with at least three retroreflective marks arranged in a predetermined pattern, angularly related to each other and illuminated by a light source, and a semiconductor area having an area sensor disposed in juxtaposition to and in spatial association with the light source so that the pick-up claw is guided into the receiving pocket of the can for lifting and tipping thereof to empty it.

Abstract: A conveying and/or handling device for containers has a plurality of coupling claws, and latching members cooperating with the latter essentially in the manner of tongs. In order to provide for simple handling of all types of containers and to load and move them about, two coupling claws are provided on a transverse bearer or beam of a lifting carriage. The transverse bearer or beam carrying the coupling claws runs in vertical guideways on the lifting carriage for vertical motion and is driven by a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit. The lifting carriage is provided with at least one fork or supporting plate to be placed under the floor of the container. The carriage runs in guideways of the vertical beams of a lifting rig and is driven by a hydraulic drive unit.

Abstract: A conveying and/or handling device for containers has a plurality of coupling claws, and latching members cooperating with the latter essentially in the manner of tongs. In order to provide for simple handling of all types of containers and to load and move them about, two coupling claws are provided on a transverse bearer or beam of a lifting carriage. The transverse bearer or beam carrying the coupling claws runs in vertical guideways on the lifting carriage for vertical motion and is driven by a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit. The lifting carriage is provided with at least one fork or supporting plate to be placed under the floor of the container. The carriage runs in guideways of the vertical beams of a lifting rig and is driven by a hydraulic drive unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a refuse container provided with a receiving pocket disposed near the upper edge of the container. The receiving pocket has an undercut portion and is formed by a section member located on and reinforcing the upper edge portions of the container and the undercut surface is complementary in shape to, and adapted to cooperate with, a holding of pick-up claw attached to the free end of a gripping arm of a tipping device of a motor-driven refuse collecting truck.

Abstract: In an apparatus for indicating the load on trucks, particularly the weight of the useful load which has been picked up by garbage collecting, which trucks have a frame which is movable relative to the axles and is supported on the axles by springs, a device is provided which detects the distance between the frame of the truck and the axle or axles. The device is arranged to produce a signal when the distance has been reduced to an extent which corresponds to the weight of the highest permissible useful load.

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.

Abstract: A container truck, preferably a garbage-collecting truck, provided with a replaceable container which is connected by a releasable coupling to a tiltable frame which is pivotally movable by at least one first hydraulic fluid-operable piston-cylinder unit relative to the main frame of the chassis of the truck about a transverse axle, which axle connects the two frames and which axle is located at the rear end portion of the two frames. The container is movable along the tiltable frame on longitudinal tracks or on a slider for an extending movement toward the rear end of the truck or for a retracting movement toward the driver's cab of the truck by a second piston-cylinder unit. The truck also includes structure for switching the second hydraulic fluid-operable piston cylinder unit to a floating condition.

Abstract: A garbage collecting truck comprises a pouring unit, which has an open-topped pouring opening disposed between the driver's cab and the collecting container of the truck and also comprises a lifting and tipping apparatus consisting of at least one lifting arm, which is pivoted to the pouring unit or to the chassis of the vehicle on a transverse axis and which at its free end carries a transverse arm, which is parallel to said transverse axis and is pivotally movable between a pick-up region disposed in front of the driver's cab and a pouring region disposed above and behind the driver's cab. The transverse arm is provided with a claw for entering a receiving pocket of a garbage can and for picking up the can. A carrier which is provided with a drive and which is displaceable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the garbage collecting truck is provided on the truck below the lifting arm thereof.

Abstract: A parallelepipedic container, preferably for receiving garbage, comprises an opening which is provided in one end wall and is preferably used in filling the container and which is adapted to be closed by a flap cover. The outer ends of parallel motion links are pivoted to the side edges of the cover and the inner ends of said links are pivoted to pins, which are connected to the side walls of the container. Actuating means are provided for pivotally moving the cover between its closed and open positions. Locking means are provided for locking the cover in its locked position.

Abstract: An article handling apparatus is disclosed which comprises two independently controllable fluid actuated drives. The first fluid actuated drive comprises a cylinder and a differential piston which defines a large chamber and a smaller chamber. Also, a control system is provided which maintains a differential pressure between the large and small chambers in each of several operating positions. The second fluid actuated drive is mounted to the movable member of the first drive, and the second drive is controlled by fluid lines leading respectively to the large and small chambers of the first drive.

Abstract: A stackable parallelepipedic container comprises an annular peripheral box-shaped profiled top edge portion (9, 10), which is provided at the top portions of the side walls of the container body and has a top portion for supporting a container cover (13). The container is stable, shockproof structure and can be handled in a simple manner and used to store solid and liquid materials. The container cover (13) consists of a flanged blank having lug-like extensions (22), which protrude from the side edges (21) of the cover and are disposed at right angles about the side edges (21) of the cover. Profiled metal strips (26) are welded to the extensions (22) and constitute an annular peripheral profiled edge portion (40) of the cover. The profiled edge portion (40) of the cover is supported by a peripheral sealing ring (12) on the top portion of the profiled top edge portion of the container body.

Abstract: Garbage-collecting truck comprising a dumping unit, including a pour-in opening and lifting and tipping mechanism for receiving a garbage can and emptying it into the pour-in opening leading into a receiving chamber. The lifting and tipping mechanism comprises a lifting arm pivoted on a transverse axis to the dumping unit or truck chassis and carries a base team at its free end parallel to the transverse axis and pivotally movable between a receiving position in front of the driver's cab and a pouring position behind it. A carrier mounted on the base beam is extensible from one end of the rail by a fluid-operable piston-cylinder unit. A swivel arm mounted on the carrier is pivotally movable through links and a fluid operable piston-cylinder unit between a position in which it extends along the carrier, and an outer position, in which it extends approximately at right angles thereto. A coupling member carried by the swivel arm at its free end is adapted to be coupled to or grip a garbage can.

Abstract: Garbage can be collected and fowarded in an economical manner by garbage trucks on which containers are detachably mounted. The containers can be lifted and removed from the garbage trucks and transferred to forwarding trucks in a simple operation. This is accomplished by the provision of a conveyor for transversely conveying the containers the conveyor having a receiving end which is dispsoed approximately on the level of the load platforms of the garbage trucks and which is provided at that end with tine-like arms, which are adapted to be moved under the containers when they have been unlocked. The arms are adapted to be lifted and lowered and to be extended from and to be retracted into the receiving end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A motor-driven garbage truck provided with a detachable garbage container equipped with releasable coupling elements, and also having permanently mounted thereon which includes a pouring chute in the forward portion, lifting and tipping apparatus for picking up a garbage can and discharging the contents thereof into the chute leading to a receiving space, and a conveying and compacting apparatus for transferring the garbage from the receiving space into the container through the receiving opening, which is provided with a closure is disclosed. The pouring unit is disposed in part above the driver's cab and in part between the cab and the container, the chute being disposed in a region extending behind and above the cab. The lifting and tipping apparatus includes at least one lifting arm, pivotally movable about a transverse pivot carried by the pouring unit or the chassis of the vehicle.