Abstract: A universal engaging mechanism for handling collection containers of a variety of sizes and shapes. The mechanism includes two arms rotatably mounted to a base and movable between open and closed positions, and a retainer located adjacent the base and between the arms. As the arms close about the container, the arms urge the container in a transverse direction toward the base, until the container abuts the retainer. The arms and the retainer also cooperate to inhibit longitudinal movement of the container and container sway during handling. A method for using the universal engaging mechanism of the present invention to handle containers of a variety of sizes and shapes using the universal engaging mechanism is also described.

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.

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 container handling apparatus having a mounting platform a lifting arm extending from the mounting platform and terminating in a gripper mechanism, mounted on top of a body of a refuse collection vehicle and configured to include three four-bar linkages which interact to produce a reach cycle and a hoist cycle.

Abstract: A hoist mechanism including a hoist subframe, a body subframe, a dump linkage pivotally coupling the body subframe to the hoist subframe such that the body subframe pivots about an instant center which moves continuously as the body subframe pivots and an actuator for moving the body subframe between a lowered position and a raised position. The instant center is positioned at a point below the hoist subframe with the body subframe in the lowered position, and progresses to a point above the hoist subframe as the body subframe is lifted to the raised position.

Abstract: A one way clutch is rotatable with a member (e.g. helical spring) and a sleeve while the spring is being constrained by the manual winding of a cable on the sleeve. The sleeve is constructed to wind the cable uniformly on the sleeve. During the constraint imposition, the clutch drives a shaft and a disc. One disc surface abuts bearing liners affixed to a casing. The other disc surface is separated from the spring. Calibrated numbers are printed on the casing periphery. A dial externally supported by, the casing is rotatable relative to the casing to any of the calibrated numbers to adjust the friction force between the liners and the disc when the disc is rotated. The casing is vented at its opposite ends. When the spring is being constrained or the constraint is being released, air flows through the vents and through the space between the successive turns in the spring and past the disc to cool the disc.

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.

Abstract: A pair of pivotable arms in a clamp in a personal trainer may be spring biased to a closed position as on a door frame. A lock retaining the clamp in the closed position includes a member manually actuatable to release the clamp from the door frame. A clasp on the clamp holds a first belt in a wrapped and frictional relationship. In one embodiment, the second end of the first belt is retained by a resistance unit which is disposed on a handle adapted to be manually gripped by the user. The resistance unit has bars which receive the belt in a frictional and tensioning relationship to retain the belt. Collars on the handle retain a harness shaped to envelope the user's face. The harness may be moved or rotated relative to the handle to exercise muscles in selective portions (e.g. neck or back) of the user's body. In another embodiment, a second belt engaged by the resistance unit extends beyond the resistance unit.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus having a mounting platform a lifting arm extending from the mounting platform and terminating in a gripper mechanism, mounted on top of a body of a refuse collection vehicle and configured to include three four-bar linkages which interact to produce a reach cycle and a hoist cycle.

Abstract: A truck having a truck body is adapted to tow a trailer having a body disposed on a track. The truck body is tiltable to dump a load. A tailgate in the truck body is liftable after the load dumping. At its forward end, the trailer has a horn movable into mating holes in the truck after the dumping of the load from the truck body. A sprocket chain in a closed loop on the trailer track includes rollers which rotate on the track to move the trailer body in a direction into, and out of, the truck body. Pins in pairs of dog links extend through individual rollers to have the dog links move with the sprocket chains. Dogs on the dog links engage a hook coupled to the trailer body. The links are disposed so that the dogs on one link engages the hook to move the trailer body into the truck body and the dog on the other link engages the hook to move the trailer body out of the truck body.

Abstract: A refuse container has a lid that is hinged thereto without the use of mechanical fasteners. The container has short shafts extending therefrom. The lid has arms that pivotally receive and are captured on the container shafts. The shafts are formed with sectors, and the lid arms have recesses that receive the sectors. The lid arms recesses define stepped surfaces located at predetermined locations relative to the container sectors so as to positively stop the lid at a desired open position. The lid arms may be formed with dual radius recesses connected by a flat surface. The container sectors and the recess surfaces are dimensioned to enable the lid to be freely pivoted to an intermediate open position approximately 90.degree. from a closed position and subsequently in a controlled manner to a third open position approximately 270.degree. from the first position. The mold for making the container and lid has a flat parting surface.

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 to 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: In a transfer set, a retention hook rigidly secured for rotation with the tailgate of the truck body for rotation therewith. Entry of the trailer body into the truck body automatically triggers pneumatic elements to lower the truck tailgate causing the retention hook attached thereto to capture a trailer body retention pin secured to the outside of the trailer body. A solenoid operated directional control valve prevents the inadvertent release of the trailer body when the truck body is lifted away from the truck frame to empty contents therefrom. A single pneumatic actuator releases the truck tailgate and, when the trailer body is retained in the truck body, also the trailer tailgate.

Abstract: A refuse container has a lid that is hinged thereto without the use of mechanical fasteners. The container has short shafts extending therefrom. The lid has arms that pivotally receive and are captured on the container shafts. The shafts are formed with sectors, and the lid arms have recesses that receive the sectors. The lid arms recesses define stepped surfaces located at predetermined locations relative to the container sectors so as to positively stop the lid at a desired open position. The lid arms may be formed with dual radius recesses connected by a flat surface. The container sectors and the recess surfaces are dimensioned to enable the lid to be freely pivoted to an intermediate open position approximately 90.degree. from a closed position and subsequently in a controlled manner to a third open position approximately 270.degree. from the first position. The mold for making the container and lid has a flat parting surface.

Abstract: A fluid pressure system comprises first and second members each movable in response to fluid pressure to individually exert a force. A linkage arrangement couples the first member with the second member for moving the second member in response to movement of the first member, and vice versa. Fluid pressure is conveyed to the first and second members at a pressure that varies according to the work load encountered by the first and second members in response to a control mechanism. The contro mechanism includes a first sensor that senses the variable fluid pressure and a first valve associated with the first sensor. The first valve is operative, when the sensed fluid pressure is less than a predetermined threshold value, for opening the conveyance of fluid pressure to the first member while closing the conveyance of fluid pressure to the second member so that, as the first and second members move together, only the first member exerts a force.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention transfers refuse from a container into an opening at the rear end of a hopper in refuse equipment. The apparatus includes first arms pivotable to swing the lower end of the container upwardly. A member cooperates with the first arms to fixedly retain a pin on the container when the first arms have pivoted through a first particular angle. Second arms are then pivoted through a second particular angle to raise the bottom of the container above the lid of the container, while the pin on the container is held at a fixed vertical position, for providing for the transfer of the refuse from the container into the hopper. During such movement, members are moved to effectively raise the lip of the hopper upwardly and to dispose a surface for guiding the transfer of the refuse from the container into the hopper. Members are also provided for gripping the bottom of the container during the pivotal movement of the container upwardly by the second arms.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading materials from a hopper into a storage container includes a holding chamber formed in part by a movable first panel which forms the floor of the holding chamber. Communication between the holding chamber and the hopper is opened by withdrawing the first panel, thereby allowing materials in the holding chamber to empty into the hopper. As the first panel is subsequently moved to again close communication between the holding chamber and the hopper, materials in the hopper are expelled by a wall which advances in the hopper as the first panel moves. Preferably, the first panel is repeatedly oscillated or cycled opened and closed within a predetermined time period to efficiently move large volumes of materials from the holding chamber, into the hopper, and out into the associated storage container.

Abstract: A trailer has a trailer body, pairs of rear wheels at opposite sides of the trailer and hydraulics for tilting the forward end of the trailer body upwardly to dump the load in such body. The trailer dumps the load in a retracted position of the wheels. To increase the load which such body can carry while travelling, the rear wheels of the trailer are movable to extended positions. To provide for the extension and retraction of the rear wheels and facilitate the dumping of the load, a member is attached at a first end to leaf springs between the wheels and at a second end to the trailer. At an intermediate position, the member is attached to a rod extensible and retractible relative to a hydraulic cylinder to extend or retract the first end of the member and the wheels about the attachment at the second end as a fulcrum. The cylinder is attached to the trailer forwardly of the attachment of the member to the trailer at the second end.