Abstract: In a reciprocating floor conveyor, elongated inflatable seal members (44, 44') are positioned to seal the gaps (60) between adjacent floor members (16, 16'). A base portion (52, 52') of each seal member (44, 44') is received within a base channel (46, 46') which is formed in a side portion (18) of a floor member (16). Side portion (18) includes a second channel (50, 50') in which a sealing portion (54, 54') of the sealing member (44, 44') is situated. The second side (20, 20') of each floor member (16, 16') includes a third channel (58, 58') which extends longitudinally of the floor member (16, 16') and confronts the sealing portion (54, 54') of the adjacent floor member (16, 16'). When the inflatable portion (54, 54') of the seal member (44, 44') is inflated, it extends into and contacts the inner surface of the third channel (58, 58'). When the sealing portion (54, 54') is deflated, it folds onto itself (FIGS. 11 and 13) and moves away from sealing engagement with the inner surface of channel (58, 58').

Abstract: A bulk material such as garbage is introduced into a hopper inlet (14) of a compactor (12). A piston (18) in the compactor moves the bulk material out from the compactor (12) inot a vault (26). In the vault (26) the material is compacted against a barrier wall (66) until an initial body of compacted material is formed between the intlet and the barrier wall (64). Then, the barrier wall (64) is retracted up into a position substantially within the plane of the top wall (32). Then, the compactor (12) is operated to compact additional bulk material (24) into the vault (26), and at the same time move the material (24) lengthwise through the vault (26). When the vault (26) is sufficiently full of compacted material (24), the vault (26) is expanded for the purpose of enlargening the cross sectional dimension of its inner space. A cargo receiving compartment (30) of a road vehicle (10) is positioned in registry with the outlet of the vault (26).

Abstract: Disclosed is a reciprocating floor conveyor having a separable floor unit and power drive unit (24). The floor unit includes a bottom frame (38, 40, 42, 44) and at least three sets of elongated reciprocatable floor members (26, 28, 30) which are supported on the bottom frame for independent longitudinal reciprocation in a single plane between start and advanced positions. A separate transverse drive beam (32, 34, 36) for each set of floor members (26, 28, 30) is connected to the underside of its respective set of floor members (26, 28, 30). The power drive unit includes a separate drive leg (54, 56, 58) for each set of floor members (26, 28, 30). Each drive leg is detachably connectable to a separate transverse drive beam (32, 34, 36) to reciprocatably drive it and its set of floor members (26, 28, 30). Each drive leg (54, 56, 58) is mounted to swing forwardly and rearwardly about a pivot point (60, 62, 64).

Abstract: A bulk material such as garbage is introduced into a hopper inlet (14) of a compactor (12). A piston (18) in the compactor moves the bulk material out from the compactor (12) into a vault (26). In the vault (26) the material is compacted against a barrier wall (66) until an initial body of compacted material is formed between the inlet and the barrier wall (64). Then, the barrier wall (64) is retracted up into a position substantially within the plane of the top wall (32). Then, the compactor (12) is operated to compact additional bulk material (24) into the vault (26), and at the same time move the material (24) lengthwise through the vault (26). When the vault (26) is sufficiently full of compacted material (24), the vault (26) is expanded for the purpose of enlargening the cross sectional dimension of its inner space. A cargo receiving compartment (30) of a road vehicle (10) is positioned in registry with the outlet of the vault (26).

Abstract: An elongated seal strip (38) is provided between adjacent floor slat members (10, 10', 10") in a reciprocating floor conveyor. The seal strip (38) includes an inboard base (40) which is received in a sidewall groove (30) and an outboard portion (42) which extends laterally outwardly from the groove (30). The outboard portion (42) is composed of a first layer (46) joined to a second layer (48), such as by co-extrusion. The first layer (46) is a relatively hard material with good wear characteristics and a low coefficient of friction. The second layer (48) is a softer but more resilient material. The combined thickness of the two layers (46, 48) is greater than the gap width between adjacent floor slat members (10). As a result, the resilient (48) must be compressed in order to install the outboard portion (42) of the seal strip (38) into the gap between adjacent floor slat members (10).

Abstract: A plurality of piston heads (14, 16, 18) are spaced apart along the length of a single piston rod (12). A travelling cylinder body (20, 22, 24) is associated with each piston head (14, 16, 18). The traveling cylinder bodies (20, 22, 24) and the piston heads (14, 16, 18) define a first fluid chamber (92, 100, 88) on a common first side of the piston heads (14, 16, 18) and a set of second fluid chambers (96, 104, 90) on a common opposite side of the piston heads (14, 16, 18). A separate fluid supply and return tube (94, 102, 82) is provided for each first fluid chamber (92, 100, 88). The tubes (94, 102, 82) extend through the hollow interior (42) of the piston rod (12). A space exists in the hollow interior (42) between and around the tubes (94, 102, 82). This space serves as a supply and return passageway for all three second fluid chamber (96, 104, 90). Passageways (98, 106, 80) extend from interior space (42) to each of the second fluid chambers (96, 104, 90).

Abstract: A plurality of piston heads (P1, P2, P3) are spaced apart along the length of a single piston rod (R). A separate traveling cylinder body (CB1, CB2, CB3) is associated with each piston head (P1, P2, P3). The traveling cylinders bodies (CB1, CB2, CB3) and the piston heads (P1, P2, P3) define first fluid chambers (1A, 2A, 3A) on a common side of the piston heads (P1, P3, P3) and a set of second fluid chambers (1B, 2B, 3B) on a common opposite side of the piston heads (P1, P2, P3). A separate fluid supply and return passageway is provided within the piston rod (R) for each of the working chambers (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B). Center members (C1, C2, C3) are secured within the hollow interior of the piston rod (R) and serve to divide the hollow interior into four axial sections (122, 124, 126, 128). The piston rod (R) includes first and second end members (RE1, RE2).

Abstract: A conveyor made up of a plurality of groups of floor members (10). Each group includes two movable floor members (1, 2) and a fixed floor member (F). The movable floor member (1 and 2) are moved in unison, from a start position to an advanced position. This moves a load (L) on the floor because the area of the moving floor members (1 and 2) is twice the area of the fixed floor members (F). When the movable floor members (1 and 2) reach their advanced positions, they are stopped. Then, the first floor members (1) are returned to their start positions while the second movable floor members (2) are held stationary. The load (L) does not move rearwardly because it is held by the stationary floor members (2) and the fixed floor members (F). Next, the second movable floor members (2) are returned to their start positions while the first movable floor members are held stationary. Again, there is no movement of the load (L) because it is held by the stationary floor members (1) and the fixed floor members (F).

Abstract: A reciprocating floor conveyor comprises a plurality of adjacent elongated floor members (10). Each floor member has first and second sides (14, 16), each of which may include a longitudinal dovetail groove (24, 56). A first resiliently bendable elongated elastomeric seal (26) is provided for each floor member (10). The first seal (26) has an inboard base portion (28, 50) captured within the first side's dovetail groove (24) and an outboard portion which includes a branch strip (52) extending from the inboard portion (28, 50). The branch strip has a free edge (44, 54) positioned to contact a confronting surface (16) of an adjacent floor member (10) and has a stiff resiliency urging its free edge (44, 54) toward the confronting surface (16). A second bendable elongated elastomeric seal (58) may be provided. The second seal (58) has a retaining base portion (60) formed at a first edge thereof and extends generally upwardly therefrom to a second outer edge (68).

Abstract: A bulk material such as garbage is introduced into a hopper inlet (14) of a comparator (12). A piston (18) in the comparator moves the bulk material out from the comparator (12) into the vault (26). In the vault (26) the material is compacted against a barrier wall (66) until an initial body of compacted material is formed between the inlet and the barrier wall (64). Then, the barrier wall (64) is retracted up into a position substantially within the plane of the top wall (32). Then, the comparator (12) is operated to compact additional bulk material (24) into the vault (26), and at the same time move the material (24) lengthwise through the vault (26). When the vault (26) is sufficiently full of compacted material (24), the vault (26) is expanded for the purpose of enlargening the cross sectional dimension of its inner space. A cargo receiving compartment (30) of a road vehicle (10) is positioned in registry with the outlet of the vault (26).

Abstract: Plug-together joints are formed between floor members (10, 10') and drive beams (18, 18'). These connections may comprise a pin or insert (72) secured to the drive beam (18) and a box or socket (52, 54) secured to the floor member (10). Or, it may comprise a box or socket (176, 178) secured to the drive beam (18') and an insert or pin (188) secured to the floor member (10'). The plug-together connection is used in a reciprocating floor conveyor of a type having slide bearings (122) for the floor members (10, 19') which allow the floor members (10, 10') to be snapped into place from above. The floor may also include hold down members (90) which are secured to the guide beams (14) for the floor members (10, 10') and which are also constructed to allow the floor members (10, 10') to be snapped into place from above. The hold down members (90) include hold down wings (100, 102) which, when the floor member is in place, locate lower edges (104, 106) above inner edge portions (84, 82) of the floor member (10, 10').

Abstract: Plug-together joints are formed between floor members (10, 10') and drive beams (18, 18'). These connections may comprise a pin or insert (72) secured to the drive beam (18) and a box or socket (52, 54) secured to the floor member (10). Or, it may comprise a box or socket (176, 178) secured to the drive beam (18') and an insert or pin (188) secured to the floor member (10'). Alternatively the connection may comprise an abutment block (198) secured to the floor member (10") which longitudinally engages between vertical push/pull members (210, 212), or a vertical projection (226) secured to the drive beam (18") which engages between a pair of abutment blocks (198) secured to the floor member (10"). The plug-together connection is used in a reciprocating floor conveyor of a type having slide bearings (122) for the floor members (10, 10') which allow the floor members (10, 10') to be snapped into place from above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reciprocating floor conveyor having floor members (10, 10') formed with a side lip (24, 26) overhanging either or both side edges. The slip (24) on one floor member (10) is contiguous with a closely-confronted side (16) or lip (26) of an adjacent floor member (10') when the floor members (10, 10') are installed. The lips (24, 26) form a narrow, material-excluding gap (28) between the floor members (10, 10'). An elongated seal strip (38) having a base portion (40) received in and retained by a longitudinal seal-retaining groove (30) formed in a side (14) of a floor member (10) is provided between each pair of adjacent floor members (10, 10'). A longitudinally straight, vertically convex side surface (36) may be provided vertically above the retaining groove (30) to bias the seal strip (38) into contact with a side surface (48) of an adjacent floor member (10' ).

Abstract: A floor member (10, 10', 124) of channel form is pushed downwardly to install it onto bearings (32, 32', 32") which have been previously installed onto guide tubes (14) which extend in the same direction as the floor members (10, 10', 124). The bearings (32, 32', 32") have sidewall portions (60, 62, 108, 110) which slope downwardly and outwardly to a lower edge (64, 66, 138, 140). These sidewalls (60, 62, 108, 110) are connected at their upper portions to the bearings (32, 32', 32") in such a way that they will flex inwardly, into spaces provided for them, in response to the downward "snap on" movement of the floor members (10, 10', 124). Brace wings (48, 50, 130, 132) may be provided to function together with the lower edges (64, 66, 138, 140) to hold the floor members (10, 10', 124) onto the bearings (32, 32', 32"). Bearings (32, 32', 32") themselves snap onto the guide beams (14).

Abstract: Reciprocating floor conveyor floor members (28) are moved by hydraulic cylinders (1, 2, 3) which are slightly tilted so as to exert a vertical component of force onto the ends of longitudinal drive beams (128, 130, 132) to which the cylinders (1, 2, 3) are connected. These beams (128, 130, 132) are made from tubular stock. Each is guided by a pair of longitudinally spaced apart bearings. Each bearing is a part of a bearing assembly (128, 130) which depends from an upper central portion of a transverse truss (80, 82). Each longitudinal drive member (128, 130, 132) is welded to a transverse drive beam (10, 12, 14) by fillet welds on each side of the longitudinal drive tube (128, 130, 132). Each such drive tube (128, 130, 132) is stiffened in the region of the weld by a short tubular insert which is rammed into the drive tube. The floor members (28) of the conveyor run on plastic slide bearings (26) which are snap fitted onto longitudinal guide beams (22).

Abstract: Piston rods (60, 62) of three linear hydraulic motors (36, 38, 40) are connected at their outer ends (64, 68) to two spaced apart transverse frame members (10, 12). A cylinder housing (72) is driven back and forth along each pair of piston rods (60, 62). Three transverse drive beams (48, 50, 52) are provided. Each drive beam (48, 50, 52) is directly connected to an associated one of the cylinder housings (72). Three sets of floor slat members (1, 2, 3) are provided. Each set (1, 2, 3) is connected to an associated one of the transverse drive beams (48, 50, 52). The linear hydraulic motors (36, 38, 40) are operated for moving the floor slat members (1, 2, 3) in one direction, for advancing a load, and for retracting them in the opposite direction. Each cylinder housing (72) has four fluid chambers (82, 84, 86, 88). The first and third chambers (82, 86) are interconnected and the second and fourth chambers (84, 88) are interconnected.

Abstract: A single elongated piston rod (12) is secured by a ball and socket joint (62, 66, 68) at one end to a frame member (82). At its opposite end it is restrained against up and down and sideways movement but is not connected. A plurality of piston heads (22, 24, 26) are spaced apart along the length of the piston rod (12). A traveling cylinder (28, 30, 32) is associated with each piston head (22, 24, 26), a transverse drive beam (16, 18, 20) is connected to each traveling cylinder (28, 30, 32). Each transverse drive beam (16, 18, 20) is connected to a separate group ("1", .cent.2", "3") of the floor members (14) which make the reciprocating floor conveyor.

Abstract: Piston rod portions (83, 85, 87) of three linear hydraulic motors (10, 12, 14) are connected at their opposite ends to two spaced apart transverse frame members (88, 90). A cylinder (120) is driven back and forth along each piston rod (83, 85, 87). Three transverse drive beams (16, 18, 20) are provided. Each drive beam (16, 18, 20) is directly connected to an associated one of the cylinders (120). Three sets of floor slat members (1, 2, 3) are provided. Each set (1, 2, 3) is connected to an associated one of the transverse drive beams (16, 18, 20). The linear hydraulic motors (10, 12, 14) are operated for moving the floor slat members in one direction, for advancing a load, and for retracting them in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A floor member (10, 10', 124) of channel form is pushed downwardly to install it onto bearings (32, 32', 32") which have been previously installed onto guide tubes (14) which extend in the same direction as the floor members (10, 10', 124). The bearings (32, 32', 32") have sidewall portions (60, 62, 108, 110) which slope downwardly and outwardly to a lower edge (64, 66, 138, 140). These sidewalls (60, 62, 108, 110) are connected at their upper portions to the bearings (32, 32', 32") in such a way that they will flex inwardly, into spaces provided for them, in response to the downward "snap on" movement of the floor members (10, 10', 124). Brace wings (48, 50, 130, 132) may be provided to function together with the lower edges (64, 66, 138, 140) to hold the floor members (10, 10', 124) onto the bearings (32, 32', 32"). Bearings (32, 32', 32") themselves snap onto the guide beams (14).

Abstract: A plurality of floor members (40, 58, 106) are supported on guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) are spaced apart such that the floor members (40, 58, 106) have spaces between their side portions. The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) have oppositely directed flanges (26, 78, 80, 112, 114) secured to their tops. Bearing members (30, 116) slip over these flanges and rest on top of the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). Bottom members (20, 64, 98) extend laterally between the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102), to form channels in the regions between the floor members (40, 58, 106). In one embodiment, refrigerated air is directed through these channels. In a second embodiment, the channel is used to collect small particles of ice and ice water. In a third embodiment, garbage is allowed to enter into the channel space. The sidewalls (108, 110) of the floor members (106) engage this garbage and move it when the floor members (106) are moving and hold it when the floor members (106) are stationary.