Abstract: Wire links (41) respectively pivoted at the junctions between the two back members (12) and the two upper brace members (14) of a collapsable lie-back push chair are formed, at their lower ends, with hooks 42 which are permanently connected to the seat back and releasably engagable with the two back members (12) and with the two upper brace members (14). To move the seat back between upright and lie-back positions it is merely necessary to release the hooks 42 from the supporting member and to swing the links 41 until the hooks 42 are engaged in the other of the support members.

Abstract: A thermal fuse device for deflating a pneumatic tire in the event of high temperature has an outlet for the molten eutectic plug which is separated from the air outlet so that venting air will not tend to re-solidfy the eutectic. The eutectic plug abuts a step or shoulder to prevent "creep".

Abstract: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carriage assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

Abstract: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carrier assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

Abstract: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carriage assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

Abstract: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carriage assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically leveling the forks of vertically moveable hoist arms. In a typical embodiment, the arms are used on refuse collection vehicles for lifting and dumping detachable containers into the body of the vehicle. The arms are pivotally mounted at one end on the vehicle and the opposite ends of the arms has fork devices for engaging brackets on opposite end walls of the detachable containers. Swinging movement of the arms and of the forks is accomplished by means of hydraulic cylinders or rams. A hydraulic pump supplies fluid under pressure to the arm cylinders for raising the arms. A portion of the fluid is conducted to the fork cylinder by means of a gear or vane type flow divider, so that the rate of extension of the piston in each fork cylinder is at a predetermined ration of the displacement of the arm piston.