Having Receiving Means Mounted On Wheeled Vehicle Patents (Class 414/406)
  • Patent number: 6655894
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle is provided with a dual chute system for receiving sorted refuse from curbside containers that have one or two compartments. A powered lifting system elevates the curbside container, dumping sorted refuse into the dual chute system. A divided diverter plate with two panel portions present within the vehicle chute allows an operator to direct refuse into selected, segregated storage compartments within the refuse vehicle. In this manner, presorted refuse from the curbside container may be collected without any intermingling of such presorted refuse. The diverter plate has one driven portion and one free swinging portion. These portions may be joined by a temporary link to allow the free swinging panel portion to be positioned by the driven panel portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Claude Boivin
  • Patent number: 6632064
    Abstract: The invention is directed to methods, apparatus and systems for retrofitting existing containers for use with vehicles having lifting forks for elevating and maneuvering such containers, and retrofitting the vehicle forks, as well as constructing new equipment to include the invention. An apparatus according to the invention includes a liner formed from a vibration absorbing material for insertion into a pocket associated with a container. Alternatively to or in conjunction with the liner, either a glove formed from a vibration absorbing material can be inserted over a lifting fork on a fork bearing, lifting apparatus, or a rail formed from a vibration absorbing material can be fitted to at least a portion of a lifting fork on the fork bearing, lifting apparatus. The invention is also directed to methods relating to the use and incorporation of the apparatus, and systems incorporating more than one component thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: American Container and Recycling, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steve Walker, John d'Arc Lorenz
  • Patent number: 6595569
    Abstract: A gate assembly for closing an open end of a storage compartment that is defined by a pair of side walls includes an upper member that is mounted on the side walls of the storage compartment so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The gate assembly also includes a lower member having a top side and a bottom side. The top side is pivotally attached to the upper member along a generally horizontal axis. The gate assembly also includes a cam that is attached to one of the side walls of the storage compartment and a follower that is adapted to interact with the cam. The cam and follower are mounted and arranged with respect to a side wall of the storage compartment and the lower member so that as the upper member is moved from the open position to the closed position, interaction between the cam and follower will cause the lower member to pivot about the generally horizontal axis so that its bottom side moves toward the open end of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventor: Bobby McKinney
  • Publication number: 20030053895
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a container handling device on a refuse gathering vehicle accomplishes the mounting in a manner which enables translation of the device between deployed and stowed positions so that the container handling device is protected and out of the way when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy L. Schrafel
  • Patent number: 6499931
    Abstract: The vehicle for collecting, sorting and reducing the volume of recyclable wastes and regular household and commercial garbage includes a large container with plural compartments mounted to the exterior of the vehicle includes a lifting mechanism for lifting the container to the top of the vehicle so that its contents can be dropped through chutes into plural bins. The lifting mechanism assures that the integrity of the sort of recyclables into each compartment of the container is maintained as the waste drops from the compartments through the chutes into individual bins. Between the chutes and the bins are crushers and shredders for reducing of volume of wastes deposited in the bins. Other wastes are placed in balers for baling. The bales of wastes are stored in a rack under the vehicle's housing. Crushing, shredding and baling not only reduces volume but allows the vehicle to collect wastes from more homes than without these on-board capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Billy J. Garrett, Jr., William L. Aldridge
  • Patent number: 6435802
    Abstract: A manual side loading refuse vehicle has a plurality of refuse storage compartments and an equal number of hopper compartments divided by means of a slide separator attached to a pack blade which moves together with said pack blade to compact the refuse. The wall dividing the refuse storage compartments is vertically and rearwardly tapered. A rear hinged door is provided for each refuse storage compartment. The door is unlatched and opened by means of a directional movement of a hydraulic cylinder and closes and latches by means of movement of the hydraulic cylinder in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Wittke Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Donald Schreiber, Harvey James Aasman, Simon Huang
  • Patent number: 6413030
    Abstract: A stop bar for use in a refuse collection vehicle with a rear hopper having an opening defined by sidewalls, an upper edge, and a loading sill. The stop bar includes an elongated bar with support arms secured to each of its ends. The support arms are pivotally mounted to the sidewalls of the hopper and two stops are provided for limiting the pivoting movement of the stop bar between a first, non-engaged position and a second, fully engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Leach Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Jones, James C. White, John A. Zaborsky
  • Patent number: 6413031
    Abstract: An automatic refuse container latch that is adapted to receive one of the opposed, outwardly-extending portions of a trunnion for a refuse container in order to secure the refuse container to a refuse collection vehicle. The latch comprises a forward stop that is adapted to be secured to the refuse collection vehicle and which forms a part of a channel for slidingly receiving one of the outwardly extending portions of the trunnion. An elongated locking arm is provided that has first and second ends with a pivot connection intermediate the first and second ends. The pivot connection is slidingly secured to an elongated track. A piston actuator is provided comprising a cylinder and a rod, with the rod being movable between a retracted and an extended position. A locking ear is provided for capturing the second end of the locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Leach Company
    Inventors: Bruce D. Yakley, James C. White, Mark C. Wittak, Andrew P. Desotell
  • Patent number: 6332745
    Abstract: An automated refuse vehicle that provides a fast-return cycle for an engaged container, and a series of “lock-out” zones to minimize the possibility of damaging the vehicle during automated use. Methods for using an automated compacting system and for operating the refuse vehicle also form part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Galion Solid Waste Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Charles A. Duell, Thomas E. Pfeifer, Larry D. Horning
  • Patent number: 6309164
    Abstract: The invention provides a refuse and recyclable materials collection system which includes a self-dumping bin, a hauling unit with a tailgate and an opening top, side or both, a compacting ram that empties the hopper into the body, compacts and ejects the collected materials. The collection vehicle is placed into a loading position, which can be on either side of the vehicle. For collection of two different types of recyclable materials the collection vehicle can be equipped with two receiving doors, hoppers, rams, compacting chambers and tailgates. The self-dumping bin receives power by connecting hydraulic lines from the collection vehicle. The self-dumping bin is then raised to the dumping position by a lifting mechanism. The receiving door opens to form a chute for receiving the materials from the self-dumping bin. A baffle on each of the receiving doors forms a trap to prevent spillage. The bin has a tapered “lip” that funnels the material into the hopper of the hauling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Hol-Mac Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie Val Holder, Stephen Bryan Adkins, Robert William Fallon
  • Patent number: 6276888
    Abstract: The system defines an assembly formed by a truck with a compacting box of wastes and handling crane (3) of a receptor container, and containing the wastes assigned to be compacted, the compacting is carried out by a displaceable wall in the inside of compacting box, the crane (3) including a hooking device (12) of the container in order to place this one facing the upper loading door (7) of the compacting box (2), as well as a mechanism (16) to produce the opening of the corresponding unloading gates foreseen to such effect in the container (4) itself, when the hooking device (12) reaches the stop (13) in its displacement over the crane boom, the unloading gates (17) ot the container (4) being closed automatically when the hooking device (12) is in any other position over the crane boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: Antonio Ramis Rubio
  • Patent number: 6224317
    Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle is disclosed for loading refuse from a front loading container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and first and second channels along the first and second side walls, and also from a rear loader container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and at least one trunnion having first and second trunnion end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The collection vehicles includes a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis and having an interior with a roof above the interior providing an opening into the interior and first and second lift arms pivotably coupled to the chassis. The refuse collection vehicle further includes a loader adapter coupled to the first and second lift arms. The loader adapter includes first and second forks, first and second trunnion encircling mechanisms, at least one support arm and at least one container stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Dirk C. Kann, Virgil L. Collins, Richard T. Williams
  • Patent number: 6183185
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Heil Co.
    Inventors: Jerald G. Zanzig, Marcel G. Stragier, John W. Pickrell
  • Patent number: 6152672
    Abstract: A waste container system comprising: at least one enclosed treatment carts including a plurality of wheels disposed therefrom for rolling the treatment cart, wherein the treatment carts have at least one sealed door to allows waste to be placed inside the treatment carts wherein at least one of the treatment carts is capable of being treated by a treatment process without having to first empty the contents of the treatment cart prior to the treatment process; and a transport container capable of being transported by a tractor trailer with an open top side and at least one opening in a side wall covered by a door wherein the transport container is capable of receiving one or more treatment carts through the opening.In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a treatment cart is capable of being treated by a autoclave process, or a microwave process or a chemical sterilization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Inventor: William B. Alson
  • Patent number: 6123497
    Abstract: An automated refuse vehicle that provides a fast-return cycle for an engaged container, and a series of "lock-out" zones to minimize the possibility of damaging the vehicle during automated use. Methods for using an automated compacting system and for operating the refuse vehicle also form part of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Galion Solid Waste Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Duell, Thomas E. Pfeifer, Larry D. Horning
  • Patent number: 6109171
    Abstract: The invention is an air permeable screen that extends upward from a leeward wall of a cotton module maker. The screen is used to prevent cotton being dumped into said module maker from being blown away by wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Leo J. Ruzicka
    Inventor: James H. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6089813
    Abstract: A collection vehicle including a material handling system, storage body, compaction system, storage system, and dump system all of which have contact surface areas, wherein the surface areas are self-lubricating. The surface areas may be found in the vehicle's fluid biased cylinder bushings, tailgate hinges, storage body pivot joints, articulated joints, rotation joints, and slides. The self-lubricating, low friction, surface areas reduce wear and repair associated with conventional collection vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Garwin B. McNeilus, William P. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 6077020
    Abstract: A garbage or recyclable material handling system uses material containers each pivotally mounted to respective supports at desired locations for movement between a lower material receiving position and a partially inverted material discharge position. At least one materials collection vehicle is provided to communicate with respective containers when in the discharge position to receive the materials discharged therefrom. This vehicle has an actuator assembly mounted thereto including an arm extendible outwardly of the vehicle and having an actuator secured to a distal end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Haul-All Equipment Ltd.
    Inventors: Dennis Neufeldt, Simon Hann, Lloyd Darren
  • Patent number: 6071057
    Abstract: A refuse collection container for mounting on a vehicle. The container is particularly suitable for separating and compacting recyclable materials due to the provision of a longitudinally extending diagonal partition. The container has a pair of refuse receiving buckets adapted to be raised into alignment with apertures in the front wall of the container. Recyclable materials, sorted by type in the buckets, are then moved into the container by a compactor blade in each bucket. Discharge of the materials is facilitated by providing for swinging movement of the partition prior to the vehicle being in the dumping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventors: Philippe Duron, Alain Duron
  • Patent number: 6027299
    Abstract: An adapter for use with a front end loading waste vehicle allows conventional rear end loading waste containers to be picked-up and emptied. The adapter allows a single waste vehicle to empty both front end loading and rear end loading waste containers one after the other in a common area during a single pick-up route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Richard T. Williams
  • Patent number: 5938394
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5934867
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5931628
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5829944
    Abstract: A refuse receptacle collection assembly includes a receptacle engaging assembly and a pivot assembly. The receptacle engaging assembly is configured for engaging a refuse receptacle to move the refuse receptacle. The pivot assembly pivots the receptacle engaging assembly between a first position in which the engaging assembly faces streetside for engaging receptacles located streetside and a second position in which the engaging assembly faces curbside for engaging receptacles located curbside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Kann Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Zoltan Szinte
  • Patent number: 5807056
    Abstract: A device to convert a waste collection vehicle from a commercial waste collection vehicle to a residential waste collection vehicle is easily attached to a commercial waste collection vehicle, and has an upper clamp, which cooperates with a hydraulically powered lower clamp, to lift and dump a residential container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Qwik-Tip, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren W. Osborn, Ernest Szabo
  • Patent number: 5797715
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5762462
    Abstract: A lifter picks up different style residential refuse collection carts, without requiring operator adjustments. An upper movable clamp bar with adjustable closure timing cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a cart type having a single upper lifting lip and otherwise smooth sides. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lift carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces such as lift bars. The hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of the smooth sided style cart, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging carts of the other type. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, made possible by alternate downward extension and subsequent retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending portion of the face plate prevent cart scarring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Bayne Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy O. Bayne
  • Patent number: 5759008
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Heil
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Marcel G. Stragier, Fred T. Smith, Kevin L. McAllister
  • Patent number: 5735663
    Abstract: A waste collection system comprises a waste receptacle (1) and a collection vehicle (2) suitable for the mechanical emptying thereof. The waste receptacle (1) is suspended from a supporting frame (3) by way of a swivel bearing (22) so as to swivel around a horizontal axis (5), and the collection vehicle (2) includes a catch basin (13) into which the waste receptacle is emptied when it is swiveled out of its upright position, when the collection vehicle drives past said receptacle and guides the catch basin under the waste receptacle. The swivel bearing (22) is allowed to freely swing the waste receptacle through its upright position, and the collection vehicle features a tipping mechanism for the waste receptacle (1), which includes a grip element (10) that takes hold of a projection or the rim (11) of the inclined waste receptacle (1) and turns it upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Kurt Zachhuber
  • Patent number: 5725348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dumpster and a lifting arm for lifting the dumpster and dumping the contents of the dumpster into a storage box. The dumpster includes an open top and is for storing garbage or some other material and is supported on the ground. The articulated lifting arm is usually mounted beneath a vehicle or other transportation apparatus having an open topped storage box. The articulated lifting arm is arranged for lifting the dumpster from the supporting surface to a position above the storage box for dumping any material stored in the dumpster into the storage box. The articulated lifting arm comprises hydraulic devices, a base member, and arm member, first positioning means, an attachment member, lifting devices, and dumping.backslash.positioning devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: William K. Drake
  • Patent number: 5720588
    Abstract: A refuse container latch for use with large refuse containers or dumpsters having outwardly extending protrusions. Preferably, the latch comprises a pivotally mounted latch plate, a substantially vertical support plate, and a power supply, the power supply preferably comprising a hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement. The hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement is attached to the latch plate, and rotates the latch plate from an open position to a closed position where the latch plate is substantially vertical and substantially parallel to the support plate. In the closed position, the protrusions are confined to a channel defined by the latch plate and the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Calvin J. Graves
  • Patent number: 5681140
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Christenson
  • Patent number: 5639201
    Abstract: A materials disposal system comprising a relatively large, open-top container adapted to be removably coupled to the forks or blades of a front-end loading vehicle. Thus, the vehicle can be used either with or without the container releasably attached thereto. A work bucket is to be picked up at a number of spaced locations along a street. Each work bucket is to be shifted relative to a holder arm having a flexible strap which is to be shiftably mounted on the container. The strap is moved from a position adjacent to and free of the work bucket to a position partially embracing and engaging the work bucket. The holder arm coupled to the strap is then swung up into a dumping position from which it dumps materials from the work bucket into the open top of the container. The arm returns to its initial position to return the work bucket to the ground. Then, the vehicle advances to the next work bucket where it picks up the next work bucket. This continues until all of the work buckets have been emptied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: John D. Curotto
  • Patent number: 5613823
    Abstract: A lifter picks up different style residential refuse collection carts, without requiring operator adjustments. An upper movable clamp bar with adjustable closure timing cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a cart type having a single upper lifting lip and otherwise smooth sides. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lift carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces such as lift bars. The hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of the smooth sided style cart, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging carts of the other type. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, made possible by alternate downward extension and subsequent retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending portion of the face plate prevent cart scarring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Bayne Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy O. Bayne
  • Patent number: 5577877
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: The Heil Company
    Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Marcel G. Stragier, Fred T. Smith, Kevin L. McAllister
  • Patent number: 5562386
    Abstract: There is disclosed a refuse bin grabbing apparatus for grabbing a bin for movement to an elevated unloading position for emptying into a refuse truck including a power-driven linkage 5 for moving a bin-grasping clamp 2,3 towards inter-engagement with a refuse bin, the grasping clamp including articulated clamping arms 3 for embracing a refuse bin, the arms being fitted with a flexible belt 6 located between the clamping arms and a bin to be clamped so that the belt is tensioned in the bin engaging position; the articulated clamping arms are retractable to an out-of-the-way position (FIG. 1) to ensure that the clamping arms 3 do not protrude from the outer confines of the vehicle in the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: MacDonald Johnston Engineering Co. Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: David J. Browning
  • Patent number: 5551824
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: The Hell Company
    Inventors: Jerald G. Zanzig, Marcel G. Stragier, John W. Pickrell
  • Patent number: 5551336
    Abstract: A combined compactor and material mover is provided. The compactor and material mover apparatus includes a housing defining a compression zone, a mechanism for dumping waste material into the compression zone, and a mechanism for compacting the waste material in the compression zone and moving the compacted waste material into a refuse storage unit. The apparatus further includes a mechanism, in the form of a cam and cam follower, for operatively connecting the dumping and compacting mechanisms to coordinate operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Griffin, Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis B. Griffin, Mark I. Stein, Don F. Greis
  • Patent number: 5547097
    Abstract: A waste container assembly (10) comprising a housing (11) adapted for engagement with a tipping apparatus capable of raising the housing to an elevated tipped position, and one or more mobile containers (12) located within the housing, the housing and mobile container(s) co-operating to hold the mobile container(s) captive within the housing, the mobile containers are emptied into a refine collecting vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignees: David J. Dawe, Philip A. Munnelly
    Inventor: John C. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5484245
    Abstract: An intermediate container which may be attached to a lift assembly of a refuse collection vehicle, and having a side arm assembly attached thereto for emptying refuse containers. The side arm assembly includes an extendable arm coupled to the intermediate container, terminating in a tilt assembly and a grabber assembly. The grabber assembly engages a refuse container, which is drawn to the intermediate container where the tilt assembly empties the refuse container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Heil
    Inventor: William D. Zopf
  • Patent number: 5458452
    Abstract: A truck, trailer or other vehicle and a method of collecting recyclable materials are disclosed in which such materials are kept segregated in a container, box or otherwise near a home or an apartment, then the materials not originally placed in a container are so placed and then the container is lifted and moved to a position at which it is inverted and emptied of its materials, while still segregated, into respective compartments on the vehicle. The vehicle has a bed, a pair of outer side walls, and inner walls for defining a plurality of compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle. Each compartment is adapted for receiving a specific recyclable material. Each compartment has a ram for forcing the materials out of the compartment through an access opening. The container is provided with front access openings to permit recyclable materials to be put into respective compartments of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Louis A. Pellegrini
  • Patent number: 5443347
    Abstract: A bag opener for tearing a hole in a bag of plastic or other perforable material where a pair of fingers next to each other are moved together in one direction to puncture the bag and then in transverse directions respectively away from each other to provide a tearing action on the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: J. Keith Weinlader
  • Patent number: 5425613
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention uses fluid motor driven rotating hooks mounted within the rear opening of a refuse collection vehicle. These hooks grasp and lift dumpsters by their trunnion bars and pull them into the vehicle. Following the initial hook motion, a lever pivots upwardly to invert tile receptacle and empty its contents. In another feature, there is provided an accessory for attachment to the rotating hooks for grasping and dumping smaller containers. This device uses a cam-actuated mechanism that operates during initial rotation of tile hooks. The cam actuates linkage which grasps the lower handle of the container and the complete rotation of the hooks inverts the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Inventor: Warren Osborn
  • Patent number: 5413448
    Abstract: This is a waste collection system from individual homes by use of a divided garbage can, cantilvered from a mobile supporter which is rolled to curbside and secured to in-ground anchors. A divided collecting device (hereafter called "CD") is suspended on the side of a garbage truck. The moving truck passes the CD beneath the can. Both the can and CD have guides to align themselves with one another. The CD has a mechanism that when touched by the can, causes its top to slide open. The CD engages targets that project downward from beneath the can. It pushes the targets and thereby slides the can's bottom open. It simultaneously compresses a spring beneath the can. Garbage falls from both compartments of the can onto the divided CD. The truck continues to move, the targets disengage, the compressed spring is released and closes the bottom of the can. The top of the CD closes and a sweeper inside the CD stradling the divider rams the garbage backward onto a closed pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Inventor: Donald A. Peshkin
  • Patent number: 5398983
    Abstract: Gripping apparatus for gripping articles or objects such as refuse bins including a support frame carrying a first pivotally mounted arcuate support arm carrying a flexible element and a second pivotally mounted arcuate support arm carrying a flexible element, the elements being secured to the frame. The arms may be actuated to move towards each other so that the flexible elements partially wrap around the article or object to grip same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Inventor: Anthony P. Ahrens
  • Patent number: 5393180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a container loading and emptying device for a refuse vehicle with an endless carrier consisting of two chains (10,11), which runs in a substantially vertical plane along a substantially rectangular path, one or more pick up members (13), which are fitted to a shaft (12) connected to the endless carrier (10,11) and which are rotatable around this shaft (12) and tilting means consisting of rolls (15,16,17,18) mounted to the pick up member (13) and guides (27a,27b,28,27a',27b',28',30,31) for the said rolls mounted on the frame (3), with which at the upper angular points and a successive part of the upper part of the path the pick up member (13) rotates over an angle of 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: V.D.A. Konstrukties B.V.
    Inventor: Gerardus F. A. Van Den Aarsen
  • Patent number: 5391039
    Abstract: The bin grabbing nipper (22) of a refuse loader arm is held at a constant angle to limb (15) by a parallelogram linkage having pivots (26, 17, 19, 25). Thus, pivoting of limb (15) leads directly to inversion of the raised bin and no separate operation of a special bin tilting ram is required to bring a bin to dumping position. The nipper consists of two opposed, jointed fingers which are separately pivoted to a wrist member (21). All finger joints and wrist joints of the nipper are pivoted by separate hydraulic cylinders supplied by a common source. By sensing back-pressure in each cylinder they can be made to exert equal force. Pivoting at limb joints (17) and (19) is by opposed hydraulic cylinders acting on a rack meshing with a gear wheel. Both these joints may be controlled by a single joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Matrik Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Holtom
  • Patent number: 5375960
    Abstract: A garbage collection and transport system includes a garbage vehicle (1) with a partition (2) which separates the interior of the vehicle (1) into different stowage compartments (3, 4) for the separate collection of garbage of different types (A, B). The vehicle (1) has charging openings (6, 7) which are decoupled from the arrangement of the partition (2) between the individual stowage compartments (3, 4). To this end, the charging openings (6, 7) on the vehicle are arranged with individual filling openings (15, 16) in such a way that they lie fully in the region of a given stowage compartment and the filling opening that is not allocated to this stowage compartment is connected to the stowage compartment allocated to this fraction of the garbage via intermediate transport channels or supply devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: VC-Recycling-Patentwerwertung GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Schiller
  • Patent number: 5368436
    Abstract: A method for transforming a refuse vehicle into a combination refuse disposal and recycling vehicle, the refuse disposal vehicle having a cab portion and a rearwardly disposed container on a chassis, the rearwardly disposed container having a single compartment extending substantially the length thereof for holding and compacting refuse material, comprising the step of: movably attaching a bin to at least one side of the rearwardly disposed container, the bin being located beneath the rearwardly disposed container and for holding recyclable material. The combination vehicle that is transformed by the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Inventor: Gene Freiburger
  • Patent number: 5344273
    Abstract: A refuse collecting vehicle with a two-tier collection compartment. Recyclable material is placed in the upper portion of the collection compartment and conventional rubbish is collected in the lower portion of the collection compartment. The receptacle for depositing the recyclable material preferably is located between the cab and the collection compartment. The roof closure device for a roof opening at the top of the collection compartment is operatively connected to the lifting arms of the receptacle whereby the roof is opened while the receptacle is lifted to its uppermost discharge position and closed as the receptacle is lowered to its lowermost refuse-receiving position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Shu-Pak Refuse Equipment Inc.
    Inventor: Denton G. Radlein