Abstract: A brake energy recovery system is used on a vehicle including an auxiliary hydraulic system. The recovery system includes a fluid accumulator and normally open and normally closed switches coupled to be closed and opened, respectively, when the brake pedal is depressed. A hydraulic charging valve is coupled to the outlet of a hydraulic pump and moveable from a neutral to a charging position when the normally open switch is closed. A motor valve is coupled to the inlet of the pump and moveable from a neutral to a driving position when the normally closed switch is in a closed position. The charging valve couples the outlet of the pump to the accumulator in the charging position and the motor valve couples the accumulator to the inlet of the pump in the driving position.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a chassis and a storage container that is detachably mounted on the chassis. The storage container has a rear wall with an opening therein and a sweep panel that is mounted in the rear wall. The sweep panel is movable between an open position which exposes the opening in the rear wall of the container and a closed position which covers the opening in the rear wall of the container. The refuse collection vehicle also includes a rear tailgate assembly that has a hopper which is adapted to receive refuse and a packer assembly which is adapted to cooperate with the sweep panel to move refuse from the hopper of the tailgate assembly into the storage. A method for loading refuse in a storage container and a storage container that is useful in practicing such method are also described.

Abstract: A stackable refuse collection container including a body having a bottom and an open top, the body constructed to be nestingly stacked with at least one similar body through the open top. A cover is formed to engage the body and close the top. An engagement mechanism is coupled to the body and the cover, the engagement mechanisms moveable between an engaged position securing the cover onto the body to allow compaction of refuse therein, and a disengaged position permitting removal of the cover from the open top. A loading door is formed in an end of the body for receiving refuse from a compactor mechanism.

Abstract: A platen packer assembly mounted in a refuse collection truck is disclosed. The refuse collection truck has a semi-cylindrical hopper, with a vertical axis and a horizontal radius, constructed to receive collected refuse and an enclosed body in communication with the hopper for receiving refuse from the hopper. The packer assembly includes a vertical mounting shaft extending within the hopper coaxial with the vertical axis of the hopper. A wedge-shaped platen has an end affixed to the shaft for rotation about the vertical axis and a refuse contacting major surface extending horizontally from the end slightly less than the radius of the hopper and slanted upwardly at an angle to the horizontal to provide an upward packing force component. The packer assembly is removably mounted through a removable portion of the floor for installation, repair, or replacement.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a chassis and a storage container that is detachably mounted on the chassis. The storage container has a rear wall with an opening therein and a sweep panel that is pivotally mounted in the rear wall. The sweep panel is movable between an open position which exposes the opening in the rear wall of the container and a closed position which covers the opening in the rear wall of the container. The refuse collection vehicle also includes a rear tailgate assembly that is pivotally mounted to the chassis. The tailgate assembly has a hopper which is adapted to receive refuse and a packer assembly which is adapted to move refuse from the hopper of the tailgate assembly to the opening in the rear wall of the storage container when the sweep panel of the storage container is in the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle for collecting and hauling material includes a truck chassis and a detachable truck body/semi trailer. The detachable truck body/semi trailer includes a body having a rear end, a front end, and a bottom surface, a frame coupled to the bottom surface, the frame extending from proximate the rear end to a position spaced a distance from the front end, and an axle mounted to the frame. A coupling assembly couples the truck body/semi trailer to the truck chassis and is movable between a truck body configuration in which the frame abuts the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is prevented and a semi trailer configuration wherein the frame is spaced apart from the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is permitted.

Abstract: A vehicle for collecting and hauling material includes a truck chassis and a detachable truck body/semi trailer. The detachable truck body/semi trailer includes a body having a rear end, a front end, and a bottom surface, a frame coupled to the bottom surface, the frame extending from proximate the rear end to a position spaced a distance from the front end, and an axle mounted to the frame. A coupling assembly couples the truck body/semi trailer to the truck chassis and is movable between a truck body configuration in which the frame abuts the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is prevented and a semi trailer configuration wherein the frame is spaced apart from the truck frame and articulation of the detachable truck body/semi trailer is permitted.

Abstract: A system for measuring the distance of a hydraulic movement including an engine supplying power, a hydraulic cylinder for supplying hydraulic movement, and a pump coupled to the hydraulic cylinder for providing hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinder. A power take off is coupled to the engine and supplies power from the engine to the pump. A measuring device measures the amount of fluid provide to the hydraulic cylinder by counting engine revolutions enabling a determination of the distance of the movement.

Abstract: A loading device including a guide frame, a drive mechanism and a lift mechanism. The guide frame includes a pair of spaced apart upright members each having a slot formed therethrough. The drive mechanism is coupled to the guide frame and has a shaft received concurrently through the slots of the guide frame, a sprocket mounted on the shaft, a belt member wrapped about the sprocket and having opposing ends anchored to the guide frame, and a motor coupled to the shaft for reciprocating the shaft vertically within the slots between an upper position and a lower position. Movement of the shaft toward the upper position produces rotation of the shaft in a first direction and a movement of the shaft toward the lower position rotates the shaft in an opposing direction. The lift mechanism is coupled to the drive mechanism and includes a pair of arms each having an end coupled to the shaft and another end coupled to a carriage.

Abstract: A method of converting a refuse collection body into a semi-trailer. A refuse collection body having a front end and a rear end, and a frame extending along a bottom of the body from adjacent the front end to adjacent the rear end is provided. A king pin is mounted to the frame proximate the front end for attachment to a fifth wheel of a tractor and an axle assembly is mounted to the frame proximate the rear end.

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, a gate assembly mounted to serve as a closure for another opening of the body and movable between normally closed and opened positions, and ejecting apparatus including extendible drive means movable between a stored and an ejecting position for additionally and alternately ejecting refuse.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle including a collection towing vehicle having a refuse loading mechanism for loading a semi-trailer coupled to a fifth wheel, the semi-trailer having a refuse collection body for receiving refuse from the refuse loading mechanism and a hoist mechanism for tilting the refuse collection body. The refuse collection system also includes a refuse transport vehicle which includes a transport towing vehicle having a fifth wheel for receiving a semi-trailer, and a dolly which may be coupled to the semi-trailer for towing additional semi-trailers. A control assembly is coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and the transport towing vehicle including the dolly, having control couplings for interconnection of control assemblies and control umbilicals for providing control to the various devices.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle having a body including an integral outwardly arcuate top panel, a bottom panel, and integral outwardly arcuate side panels. The side panels being directly joined to opposing side edges of the top panel, and cooperating together to bound a chamber for carrying refuse.

Abstract: A loader assembly carried by a semi trailer having a chassis, a body carried by the chassis, a forward end, and a rearward end, the forward end of the chassis coupled to a towing vehicle having a cab, the loader assembly including a pair of forwardly extendible, generally horizontal arms overlying the cab, each arm having a first end coupled to the semi trailer proximate the forward end, and a second end extending forwardly passed the cab. The arms are pivotable about a horizontal axis between a raised position rearward of the cab and a lowered position. A lifting assembly is coupled to the arms for engaging refuse containers forward of the cab in the lowered position and discharging refuse containers rearward of the cab and into the body in the raised position.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle including a collection towing vehicle having a refuse loading mechanism for loading a semi-trailer coupled to a fifth wheel, the semi-trailer having a refuse collection body for receiving refuse from the refuse loading mechanism and a hoist mechanism for tilting the refuse collection body. The refuse collection system also includes a refuse transport vehicle which includes a transport towing vehicle having a fifth wheel for receiving a semi-trailer, and a dolly which may be coupled to the semi-trailer for towing additional semi-trailers. A control assembly is coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and the transport towing vehicle including the dolly, having control couplings for interconnection of control assemblies and control umbilicals for providing control to the various devices.

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.

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 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 method of collecting refuse including the steps of moving a first semi-trailer having a frame carrying a refuse collection body to a transfer site and coupling it to a fifth wheel of a vehicle. Refuse is deposited into the refuse collection body by engaging a refuse container with a loading mechanism carried by one of the first semi-trailer and vehicle. The first semi-trailer is then uncoupled from the vehicle at the transfer site and a second semi-trailer is coupled to the vehicle for further refuse collection. The second semi-trailer is returned to the transfer site and uncoupled. The first and second semi-trailers are then transported to a disposal site by coupling the vehicle to the first semi-trailer and attaching the second semi-trailer to a dolly. The dolly is coupled to the first semi-trailer.

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.