Abstract: A compaction mechanism for mounting to a storage body for refuse or recyclables includes a tailgate apparatus mountable to a rearward opening of the storage body. The tailgate apparatus includes a receiving hopper and a movable panel which in a compaction position provides a rear closure for the storage body. The moveable panel is pivotally mounted to a pair of side panels which are pivotable upon the rear end of the sides of the tailgate. The movable panel may be swept rearwardly while the side panels are pivotable to a high position and then after the side panels are lowered, the moveable panel is pivoted forwardly to sweep through the hopper and compact the swept articles into the opening of the storage body. The entire tailgate may be opened by operation of a cylinder and link mechanism mounted between the top of the storage body and the rear face of the tailgate.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a body having a front end and a rear end, front wheels carried by a front axle mounted to the body proximate the front end of the vehicle, rear wheels carried by a rear axle mounted to the body proximate the rear end of the vehicle, a cargo body mounted to the body for carrying a load, a framework having an inner end pivotally mounted to the rear end of the vehicle and having an outer end, wheels mounted for rotation to a trailing axle, the trailing axle mounted to the outer end of the framework for transverse pivotal movement relative the cargo body, the trailing axle movable between an extended orientation wherein the trailing axle is located generally outboard of the outer end of the framework and a retracted orientation wherein the trailing axle is located generally inboard of the outer end of the framework, and a pair of lifting arms for moving the framework relative the cargo body of the vehicle from an operative position wherein the trailing axle is positionable in the extended ori

Abstract: A bag actuated tilting device where the area of cross section of the bag is sized such that available pressure multiplied by the bag cross sectional area multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of the bag base to the center of the cross section equals the load that is being lifted multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to the line of action of the load. The bag is designed so that the cross sectional area of the bag increases from the top of the bag, mounted to the load, to its base, whereby as the bag collapses, the top of the bag moves downwardly toward its base, folding inwardly onto itself without buckling. In addition, the present invention provides for securely mounting the bag at both ends to the thrust plates nearest to the hinge that causes the bag to effectively become a fixed end-fixed end column resulting in reduced potential for buckling.

Abstract: A bag actuated tilting device where the area of cross section of the bag is sized such that available pressure multiplied by the bag cross sectional area multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of the bag base to the center of the cross section equals the load that is being lifted multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to the line of action of the load. The bag is designed so that the cross sectional area of the bag increases from the top of the bag, mounted to the load, to its base, whereby as the bag collapses, the top of the bag moves downwardly toward its base, folding inwardly onto itself without buckling. In addition, the present invention provides for securely mounting the bag at both ends to the thrust plates nearest to the hinge that causes the bag to effectively become a fixed end-fixed end column resulting in reduced potential for buckling.

Abstract: A compaction mechanism for mounting to a storage body for refuse or recyclables includes a tailgate apparatus mountable to a rearward opening of the storage body. The tailgate apparatus includes a receiving hopper and a movable panel which in a compaction position provides a rear closure for the storage body. The moveable panel is pivotally mounted to a pair of side panels which are pivotable upon the rear end of the sides of the tailgate. The movable panel may be swept rearwardly while the side panels are pivotable to a high position and then after the side panels are lowered, the moveable panel is pivoted forwardly to sweep through the hopper and compact the swept articles into the opening of the storage body. The entire tailgate may be opened by operation of a cylinder and link mechanism mounted between the top of the storage body and the rear face of the tailgate.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a body having a front end and a rear end, front wheels carried by a front axle mounted to the body proximate the front end of the vehicle, rear wheels carried by a rear axle mounted to the body proximate the rear end of the vehicle, a cargo body mounted to the body for carrying a load, a framework having an inner end pivotally mounted to the rear end of the vehicle and having an outer end, wheels mounted for rotation to a trailing axle, the trailing axle mounted to the outer end of the framework for transverse pivotal movement relative the cargo body, the trailing axle movable between an extended orientation wherein the trailing axle is located generally outboard of the outer end of the framework and a retracted orientation wherein the trailing axle is located generally inboard of the outer end of the framework, and a pair of lifting arms for moving the framework relative the cargo body of the vehicle from an operative position wherein the trailing axle is positionable in the extended ori

Abstract: A compaction mechanism for mounting to a storage body for refuse or recyclables includes a tailgate apparatus mountable to a rearward opening of the storage body. The tailgate apparatus includes a receiving hopper and a movable panel which in a compaction position provides a rear closure for the storage body. The moveable panel is pivotally mounted to a pair of side panels which are pivotable upon the rear end of the sides of the tailgate. The movable panel may be swept rearwardly while the side panels are pivotable to a high position and then after the side panels are lowered, the moveable panel is pivoted forwardly to sweep through the hopper and compact the swept articles into the opening of the storage body. The entire tailgate may be opened by operation of a cylinder and link mechanism mounted between the top of the storage body and the rear face of the tailgate.

Abstract: A compact, trailing, auxiliary axle system is attached to a truck for carrying additional weight and distributing the weight of the truck over a greater number of axles and a greater maximum total distance of distribution of those axles. The apparatus is attached high, and may be secured to the body of a truck, such as a refuse truck, reducing the total length of extension from the rear of the truck, yet pivoting from a comparatively high position for easy stowage above the bubble or bulkhead protruding from the tailgate of a truck. Hydraulic actuation relies on pulling, during deployment, providing improved resistance to buckling, protection from road damage, with short coupling for improved strength of booms, hydraulics, and cross members. Conduits may carry control and power through the frame of the assembly, and conventional suspension components may be used.

Abstract: First hydraulic drives (e.g. cylinders, pistons) and lift arms attached to dump truck side panels, preferably reinforced, move a trailing tag axle, and wheels supported by the tag axle, between operative and storage positions without bending the truck frame. A linkage assembly and second hydraulic drives (e.g. cylinders, pistons) coupled to the lift arms and the first hydraulic drives move the tag axle and the wheels between raised and lowered positions. In the operative positions of the lift arms and the tag axle, the wheels contact the ground and, because of the first hydraulic drive construction, move smoothly over road bumps and into road dips. In their storage position, the lift arms are disposed above and to the rear of the dump truck with the trailing tag axle and the wheels above the body but lowered to minimize their height above the truck.

Abstract: A hinge for enabling the bed of a pick up truck to pivot is comprised of a lower hinge member having a first pin receiving portion and an inwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a truck frame. An upper hinge member has a second pin receiving portion, an inwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a truck bed, and an outwardly extending portion adapted for connection to a bumper. A pin is sized to fit within the first and second pin receiving portions for pivotally connecting the upper and lower hinge members. A portion of the upper hinge member forms a pseudo-frame to which the truck's bumper can be connected. A method of installing a hinge between a truck frame and a truck bed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A deck support may be created to hang from a top plate of a wall in residential or other construction. An upright or leg may provide support of the weight of the deck supported on a foot extending laterally from the leg. The foot may be provided with a climber attachment that secures the foot extending horizontally from the leg, and yet is readily adjustable without alignment, line-of-sight adjustment, removal or repositioning of pins, and the like. The apparatus may operate to support a user installing soffits, fascia, trusses and other assemblies near the upper portions of walls at any stage of construction. Adjustment may be done safely by a single user employing a single hand. Alignment and engagement are simple and automatic by the climber securing the foot to the leg. A hanger bracket may extend adjustably across the top plate of a wall to support the leg extending vertically therebelow.

Abstract: A pair of elongate, segmented gripping members are carried by the lifting member of a refuse collection vehicle. Each of the gripping members includes an inner arm movably carried by the lifting member and an outer arm movably extending from the inner arm. The gripping members are movable between a retracted position in which the inner arms extend in generally opposite directions, fore and aft along the side of the vehicle, and an extended position in which the inner arms extend in generally the same direction laterally outward from the vehicle. Each outer arm is inwardly movable relative the respective inner arm to draw a container into the embrace of the gripping members. A pair of elongate flexible members engage the container to supplement the grip of the gripping members.

Abstract: A bag actuated tilting device where the area of cross section of the bag is sized such that available pressure multiplied by the bag cross sectional area multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to a line drawn from the center of the bag base to the center of the cross section equals the load that is being lifted multiplied by the distance from the pivot perpendicular to the line of action of the load. The bag is designed so that the cross sectional area of the bag increases from the top of the bag, mounted to the load, to its base, whereby as the bag collapses, the top of the bag moves downwardly toward its base, folding inwardly onto itself without buckling. In addition, the present invention provides for securely mounting the bag at both ends to the thrust plates nearest to the hinge that causes the bag to effectively become a fixed end-fixed end column resulting in reduced potential for buckling.

Abstract: An automated device for lifting and loading materials employs a pick-up arm for engaging material at ground level and an associated, inverted U-shaped lift arm. The pick-up arm can be swung relative to the lift arm about a vertical axis to bring the pick-up arm into a close-in position in front of a cab and into an outreaching position. The pick-up arm is automatically moved into the outreaching position as the lift arm moves toward a ground-level load position and is automatically moved into the close-in position as the lift arm moves toward the off-load level above ground to facilitate off-loading operations above ground. When moved closer toward the off-load position, the pick-up arm is automatically vertically tipped to facilitate off-loading operations. During off-loading operations, the vertical height of the container and lift arm assembly is minimized through the use of a dump link and associated four-bar linkage.

Abstract: A pair of elongate, segmented gripping members are carried by the lifting member of a refuse collection vehicle. Each of the gripping members includes an inner arm movably carried by the lifting member and an outer arm movably extending from the inner arm. The gripping members are movable between a retracted position in which the inner arms extend in generally opposite directions, fore and aft along the side of the vehicle, and an extended position in which the inner arms extend in generally the same direction laterally outward from the vehicle. Each outer arm is inwardly movable relative the respective inner arm to draw a container into the embrace of the gripping members. A pair of elongate flexible members engage the container to supplement the grip of the gripping members.

Abstract: The lock mechanism for a fifth wheel hitch of the present invention includes a housing mounted on a pedestal, the housing having a hitch plate mounted on the upper end thereof. The hitch plate slot, for receiving a trailer pin, is mounted over a channel extending forwardly in the housing, such that the trailer pin will extend downwardly into the channel and slide along the channel bottom and between the channel side walls. A hook member is pivotally mounted on the housing and selectively projects through an opening in one side wall of the channel such that a hook arm retains the trailer pin in position in the channel. A handle mounted on the hook member to manually move the hook member between the engaged and disengaged positions. A lock plate is pivotally mounted to the housing and includes a throat with a first catch for retaining the handle in the disengaged position, and a second catch for retaining the handle in the engaged position.

Abstract: First hydraulic drives (e.g. cylinders, pistons) and lift arms attached to dump truck side panels, preferably reinforced, move a trailing tag axle, and wheels supported by the tag axle, between operative and storage positions without bending the truck frame. A linkage assembly and second hydraulic drives (e.g. cylinders, pistons) coupled to the lift arms and the first hydraulic drives move the tag axle and the wheels between raised and lowered positions. In the operative positions of the lift arms and the tag axle, the wheels contact the ground and, because of the first hydraulic drive construction, move smoothly over road bumps and into road dips. In their storage position, the lift arms are disposed above and to the rear of the dump truck with the trailing tag axle and the wheels above the body but lowered to minimize their height above the truck.

Abstract: A receptacle comprising a body including an opening having a door hingedly mounted therein for movement between a normal and substantially vertical orientation and a substantially horizontal orientation, a drive assembly having a hub for taking up and letting out the cord for moving the door between the substantially vertical orientation and the substantially horizontal orientation, and an actuator device for actuating the drive assembly, the hub being spaced apart from said hinge proximate an optimum position for minimizing the amount of force necessary for the drive assembly to move the door.

Abstract: A pair of elongate, segmented gripping members are carried by the lifting member of a refuse collection vehicle. Each of the gripping members includes an inner arm movably carried by the lifting member and an outer arm movably extending from the inner arm. The gripping members are movable between a retracted position in which the inner arms extend in generally opposite directions, fore and aft along the side of the vehicle, and an extended position in which the inner arms extend in generally the same direction laterally outward from the vehicle. Each outer arm is inwardly movable relative the respective inner arm to draw a container into the embrace of the gripping members. A pair of elongate flexible members engage the container to supplement the grip of the gripping members.

Abstract: A device for lifting and loading materials employs a pick-up arm for engaging material at ground level and an associated lift arm assembly. The pick-up arm can be swung relative to the lift arm about an axis that is generally perpendicular to the ground to bring the pick-up arm into a close-in position in front of a cab and into an outreaching position. The pick-up arm is automatically moved into the outreaching position as the lift arm moves toward a ground level load position and is automatically moved into the close-in position as the lift arm moves toward the off-load level above ground to facilitate off-loading operations above ground. The pick-up arm is also automatically maintained in a desired vertical relationship, parallel to the ground, as the lift arm moves between the load level and a predetermined level above ground level. When moved closer toward the off-load position, the pick-up arm is automatically vertically tipped to facilitate off-loading operations.