Abstract: Grasping devices including arms pivotally connected to a support member and moved by actuators pivotally connected between the arms and the support member are described. The arms may be either single or multiple member limbs shaped to engage a variety of geometrically shaped objects. Multiple member embodiments include an outer member pivotally connected to an inner member which is pivotally connected to the support member. Each arm may carry a suction cup. The support members of each embodiment may be connected to any lifting device, such as a compound arm attached to a refuse truck.

Abstract: A packing and ejecting system for a front or side loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and fully ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A packing and ejecting device may be mounted within the charging hopper without reducing the holding capacity of the charging hopper.

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 addressing a variety of dumping locations.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.

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 into 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 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 compound packing and ejecting device for a front or slide loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and later ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A plurality of compound packing and ejecting devices may be mounted within the charging hopper. The packing and ejecting device includes packing cylinders and ejecting cylinders coupled to a packer panel, wherein the expansion of the packing cylinders, with the ejecting cylinders retracted, linearly displaces the packer panel through a first longitudinal portion of the storage body and expansion of the ejecting cylinders, together with expansion of the packing cylinders, displaces the packer panel through the remainder of the storage body.

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: Vehicle mounted container handling devices include a rotating swivel mount, an articulated arm connected to the swivel mount, a support member rotationally connected to a free end of the articulated arm and a loading mechanism pivotally connected to the support member. The articulated arm, swivel mount and loading mechanism are operable between stowed, extended, lift and dump positions. The loading mechanism includes first and second opposed mechanized fingers pivotally connected to the support member and aligned in spaced relation to converge and diverge to grasp and release an object of interest. Each mechanized finger includes a belt that enhances the gripping ability of the loading mechanism. 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 loading mechanism to engage the container.

Abstract: A control and safety system for coordinating movement of multiple hydraulic cylinders to reciprocally rotate a truck-mounted refuse compacting arm. The system includes a logic board controller in communication with a cam and switch arrangement mechanically linked to the rotating arm. Signals from the switches indicate the position of the arm to the logic board which responds by operating directional control valves to regulate movement of the cylinders. A pressure switch is activated to rotate the arm in the opposite direction if the arm is prevented from reaching a limit switch.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, positioning, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis or sub-frame mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body or sub-frame to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.

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 tag axle latching mechanism for a tailgate-mounted tag axle system includes opposed matching engaging components attached to a tag axle system and to a truck frame for directing supporting forces associated with the tag axle system, as deployed, through the truck frame. The tag axle system is suspended from a tailgate such that the engaging components self-align as the tailgate is operated between closed, lowered and raised, open, positions. Mechanized locking devices lock the engaged components in place.

Abstract: A multi-compartment vehicle body for collecting, packing, hauling and unloading refuse material including recyclable materials is disclosed, including a truck body enclosing a material-receiving volume which includes a horizontal wall within the volume which divides the volume into separate upper and lower storage body compartments. A longitudinally-spaced loading opening at the top of the body contains separate openings being in continuous communication each with one of the separate compartments. Preferably, non-recyclable refuse is stored in the lower compartment. The truck body includes a primary compacting system associated with one of said compartments for compacting non-recyclable materials and an auxiliary compacting system linked to the primary compacting system for compacting recyclable materials.

Abstract: The disclosure describes container handlers having a swivel mount pivotally attached to a handler base that pivots between a lowered and a raised position. A handle engaging flange secured to the swivel mount engages a container of interest as the swivel mount is raised. In one embodiment, a corresponding rim gripping flange attached to the base holds the container rim between the flanges in the raised position and active suction cups carried by the swivel mount also engage and hold the container during unloading operations. In another embodiment, a second handle engaging flange is pivotally attached to the swivel mount for pivoting between a retracted and a handle engaging position. The second flange engages a second spaced parallel handle before the container is tilted for unloading. The base of each embodiment may be connected to any lifting device, such as an articulated multiple-member support arm or boom connected to a refuse truck.

Abstract: Steerable tag axle assemblies include an axle mounting lever carrying a wheel on a stub axle and either a kingpin pivot or a spherical bearing pivot for laterally turning the wheel. The lever pivots between a stowed position and a deployed position where lateral forces from the ground urge the wheel to follow the vehicle. In one embodiment, a kingpin pivot connects the stub axle to the lever and a tie rod maintains alignment of the pair of stub axles. In another embodiment, a kingpin pivot connects the lever to a pivoting shaft attached to the vehicle. The shaft turns as the lever moves between the deployed and stowed positions, and the lever pivots laterally at the kingpin pivot to turn the wheels. In another embodiment, a spherical bearing is carried by a spherical bearing mount securely attached to the vehicle. The bearing engages the lever in a bearing cavity, such that the lever pivots laterally and between the stowed and deployed positions on the bearing.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis or sub-frame mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body or sub-frame to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.

Abstract: A replaceable wear shoe is used with a refuse truck ejector mechanism supported by load bearing slide bars which slide along spaced parallel rails. The wear shoe body is C-section shape with an outer surface configured to preferentially ride the rail of the refuse truck and support the ejector mechanism. The inner surface of the wear shoe body forms a channel for receiving a recessed portion of the slide bar. The wear shoe body covers the portion of the slide bar which contacts the rail. Retaining means in the form of plates are used to secure the wear shoe body to the slide bars.

Abstract: A tag axle latching mechanism is disclosed that includes opposed matching engaging components wherein a first is attached to a tag axle system and a second is attached to a truck frame. The components cooperate to direct supporting forces associated with the tag axle system through the truck frame. The tag axle system is mounted on a tailgate such that the engaging components are aligned as the tailgate is operated between a closed and an open position. The tag axle system is connected to the tailgate such that it is covered by the tailgate but forces associated with support provided by the tag axle system are not transferred to the tailgate.

Abstract: A combination lifting hinge and latching mechanism for a tailgate used on a refuse hauler and compactor. A hydraulically operated lifting hinge is comprised of three principle components, namely, a hydraulic cylinder, a bell crank and a cam plate secured to the tailgate. A pair of lifting assemblies is disposed at an upper location each side of the cylindrical compactor body such that it is not easily damaged, and further, allows the compactor body to extend laterally and vertically to the maximum highway guidelines. The lifting mechanism first lifts the tailgate from the locking position such that locking pins clear side spur latches before rotation. Due to the unique camming feature and a kidney-shaped slot in the cam plate, an over-center locking feature is provided. The tailgate cannot be inadvertently lifted from a locked position due to upward forces, such as the truck hitting a bump, even if the actuating cylinder should relax its holding forces, such as during a hydraulic failure.