Abstract: A composite, heavy duty rotary concrete mixing drum (16) for coupling to a vehicle having a drivetrain (18) for rotating the drum (16) comprises a wall and a drive ring. The wall defines a first end of the drum and a second end of the drum. The drive ring (39) is coupled to the first end of the drum and includes a hub (108, 252) and a plurality of extensions (110, 254). The hub is operatively coupled to the drivetrain. The plurality of extensions (110, 254) extend outwardly from the hub (108, 252) into the wall of the drum. At least one of the extensions includes an aperture (121, 126) extending therethrough. Rotation of the hub by the second drivetrain causes rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A concrete batch mixing system and method are disclosed that enable the batch master to measure and control both the water and cementitious ingredient feeds in relation to each other so as to be able to blend the two ingredients in a known, selected, adjustable and repeatable manner, and to agglomerate these ingredients in a counter-rotating twin screw mixing apparatus for use in the preparation of batches of mixed concrete in a concrete batching process.

Abstract: A vessel-mounted concrete mixing system is disclosed that includes a barge having a deck elevated above the water line, at least one rotary mixing drum mounted on the deck to receive, mix and discharge concrete batch ingredients and a conveyor system for conveying mixed concrete batch material discharged from one or more rotary mixing drums, the conveyor system conveying the discharge mixed concrete to a portion of the barge accessible by an off-loading device not mounted on the barge.

Abstract: A two-piece charge hopper assembly for a concrete transit mixing vehicle of the rear-discharge type is disclosed in which a lower, movable portion including the hopper discharge lip is enabled to swing out of the way of discharging concrete while the upper body of the charge hopper remains in a fixed position which is accomplished by the use of a simple pivot mechanism.

Abstract: A two-section folding ladder assembly is disclosed secured to a pair of spaced platforms including an upper platform and a lower platform fixed to a truck. The ladder is arranged for manual deployment between a folded stowed position and an extended position facilitating access to the upper platform. The upper ladder section has an upper end pivotally secured to the upper platform and a lower end pivotally secured to the lower ladder section. The lower ladder section has an upper end pivotally attached to both the outer end of the lower platform and the lower end of the upper ladder section in a manner such that the lower ladder section is free to pivot between a folded position next to the upper ladder section and an extended position in which the upper ladder section and the lower ladder section combine to form a straight continuously aligned ladder structure.

Abstract: A two-piece charge hopper assembly for a concrete transit mixing vehicle of the rear-discharge type is disclosed in which a lower, movable portion including the hopper discharge lip is enabled to swing out of the way of discharging concrete while the upper body of the charge hopper remains in a fixed position which is accomplished by the use of a simple pivot mechanism.

Abstract: A versatile system for seizing, tilting and dumping refuse containers is disclosed that includes a maneuverable, multi-position container grasping device attached to a refuse collection vehicle for handling curbside containers during collection efforts and emptying the containers at a plurality of positions relative to the vehicle charging hopper. A container grabbing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container handling system is disclosed, including subsystems for accessing, grabbing, lifting and tipping collection containers into the charging compartment of a collection vehicle, or the like, and thereafter returning emptied containers to their pick up locations. The invention includes an automated, short radius pivot arm capable of operation in close quarters which may further be mounted to and operated by means of a hydraulic rotary actuator. Electronic control is also provided.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built in to the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.

Abstract: Vehicle mounted container handling devices including a rotating swivel mount and an articulated arm connected to the swivel mount are disclosed. The swivel mount includes a housing operable to rotate about a shaft in a first plane. The articulated arm is attached at one end to the housing and disposed to pivot in a second plane which intersects the first plane. A grasping device is pivotally connected to the free end of the articulated arm for pivoting in the second plane. In operation, with the grasping device opened, the articulated arm is extended to reach out toward a container of interest. The swivel mount is operated to pivot the articulated arm as required for the grasping device to engage the container. The articulated arm is operated further to lift and dump the container in the vehicle above the swivel mount. The grasping device includes arms pivotally connected to a support member and moved by actuators pivotally connected between the arms and the support member.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built in to the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.

Abstract: A rotatable drum mixer of the type suitable for mounting in a mobile system for mixing and dispensing concrete is disclosed that includes a single full-length main helical mixing fin upstanding from the interior of the mixer, an auxiliary agitating fin in a forward portion of the drum and a pair of outlet flights near a discharge section of the drum mixer.

Abstract: A selectively deployable auxiliary wheel system for a refuse collecting vehicle includes a pair of spaced tag axle assemblies. The system can be used with any type of refuse vehicle and is designed to mount either to the truck or the tailgate. Each assembly includes a suspension system including an axle mounting lever carried by a transverse tag pivot shaft and carrying a stub axle and a wheel on the stub axle. A fluid operated tag axle deployment system is used for applying forces to control the deployment of the tag axle between a ground engaging vehicle supporting position and a stowed position. In one embodiment, the system uses a pair of fixed pneumatic springs and a pair of torque arm levers to pivot the axle mounting lever such that the displacement of one of the levers relative to stationary mounting supports raises or lowers the axle mounting lever.

Abstract: A replaceable load bearing slide system for carrying an ejector mechanism slidably along in spaced parallel ejector rails includes an elongated substantially rectangular slide member for slidably supporting one side of an ejector mechanism in a rail having one side attached along one side of the ejector mechanism at rail level by removable bolts or screws. The elongated member being configured to be slidably accommodated in an ejector rail of matching shape and having optional wear strips attached to the three exposed surfaces thereof designed to contact the inner surfaces of the rail.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus including a container lifting and emptying apparatus connected to a collection receptacle which is dumped into a refuse hauling vehicle. The container lifting and emptying apparatus includes a container manipulator attached to a support arm which is connected to an extensible boom which is, in turn, connected to the collection receptacle. The container manipulator engages a container of interest and the support arm pivots the engaged container between a lowered position and a raised position for dumping. The collection receptacle typically includes multiple compartments wherein the support arm includes a pendulum pivot or is pivotally attached to the collection receptacle such that the engaged container may be tilted over any one of a plurality of the storage compartments. Another version of the collection apparatus includes a collection receptacle having three or four compartments wherein one compartment is adjacent and between the manipulator and a far storage compartment.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus and method including a container lifting and emptying apparatus connected to a collection receptacle which is dumped into a refuse hauling vehicle. The container lifting and emptying apparatus includes a container manipulator attached to a support arm which is connected to an extensible boom which is, in turn, connected to the collection receptacle. The container manipulator engages a container of interest and the support arm pivots the engaged container between a lowered position and a raised position for dumping. The collection receptacle typically includes multiple compartments wherein the support arm includes a pendulum pivot or is pivotally attached to the collection receptacle such that the engaged container may be tilted over any one of a plurality of the storage compartments.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Abstract: A side loading refuse vehicle has a forward receiving hopper and a storage compartment wherein the floor of the receiving hopper is dropped to a relatively lower level than the floor of the storage compartment. The storage compartment and the receiving hopper floors are connected by a ramped floor. The material receiving opening in the receiving hopper is at a correspondingly lower level to make manual loading easier. The side loading refuse vehicle also includes a chassis having a ramped portion and a dropped chassis for supporting the ramped floor and receiving hopper. A mechanized lifting and emptying apparatus is situated on one side of the receiving hopper such that a container of interest may be engaged on that side and emptied through the material receiving opening into the receiving hopper. The mechanized lifting and emptying apparatus includes a telescoping boom holding a supporting arm and a container grabber for engaging a container of interest.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.