Abstract: A method of transmitting data across a J1939 network comprises communicating at least one sensor, if not a plurality of sensors or operator interface devices, related to a utility service body data mounted on a chassis across the J1939 network on unassigned PGN/SPN combinations for various uses. Furthermore, at least one controller can evaluate other J1939 data, such as transmission gear and/or engine RPM before permitting operation of at least one function of the utility service body or upfit body with at least some embodiments.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, a body, a first electric power take-off system, and a second electric power take-off system. The energy storage device is supported by the chassis and is configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover. Activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle. The body is supported by the chassis. The first electric power take-off system is coupled to at least one of the body and the chassis, and includes a first motor that is configured to drive a first hydraulic pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power. The second electric power take-off system is coupled to at least one of the body and the chassis, and includes a second motor that is configured to drive a second hydraulic pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, a body, an electric power take-off system, and a disconnect. The energy storage device is supported by the chassis and is configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover. Activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle. The body is supported by the chassis and defines a receptacle for storing refuse. The electric power take-off system is positioned on the refuse vehicle, and includes a motor that is configured to drive a hydraulic pump to convert electrical power received from the energy storage device into hydraulic power. The disconnect is positioned between the energy storage device and the electric power take-off system and is configured to selectively decouple the electric power take-off system from the energy storage device.

Abstract: A system for mitigating thermal runaway in a battery-powered electric vehicle (EV). The system includes a gas sensor configured to measure a level of at least one type of gas in a vicinity of a battery of the EV, a thermal event detector configured to determine, based on the measured level of the at least one type of gas, that the battery is experiencing out-gassing, and a communications interface configured to transmit an alert to a fleet management system regarding the out-gassing of the battery. The fleet management system alters an assignment of the EV in response to the out-gassing of the battery.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, an energy storage device, a body, and an electric power take-off system. The energy storage device (e.g., a battery) is supported by the chassis and is configured to provide electrical power to a prime mover. Activation of the prime mover selectively drives the refuse vehicle. The body is configured for storing refuse, and is supported by the chassis. The electric power take-off system is positioned on the body and includes an inverter, an electric motor, and a hydraulic pump that is drive by the electric motor. The inverter receives electrical power from the energy storage device and supplies electrical power to the electric motor. The electric motor drives the hydraulic pump to convert the electrical power into hydraulic power.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a primary ejector, and an auxiliary ejector. The chassis includes a frame and a cab disposed at one end of the frame. The body includes a hopper portion and a storage portion. The width of the storage portion is greater than the width of the hopper portion. The auxiliary ejector has a width equal to the difference between the width of the storage portion and the width of the hopper portion. The primary ejector is selectively repositionable within the hopper portion and the storage portion of the body to at least one of compact refuse therein or eject refuse therefrom. The auxiliary ejector is selectively repositionable within the storage portion of the body to at least one of compact refuse therein and eject refuse therefrom in tandem with the primary ejector.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for mobile storage unit. The mobile storage unit includes a plurality of walls forming an interior region to store a plurality of items. The mobile storage unit also includes a base supporting the plurality of walls. The mobile storage unit includes a locking device coupled to the base, the locking being configured to engage a receiving locking device, the receiving locking device being coupled to a payload platform of a delivery vehicle.

Abstract: A method for preparing material comprising the steps of providing a transport vehicle including a horizontal ejector and a basin that defines an opening, wherein the horizontal ejector is coupled to the material within the basin; loading a first material into the basin proximate the horizontal ejector; loading a second material into the basin proximate the opening; actuating the horizontal ejector for movement from a retracted position toward a deployed position; and horizontally ejecting the second material through the opening and then subsequently horizontally ejecting the first material through the opening. A system is also disclosed.

Abstract: At the battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery is inserted and removed along a vertical axis, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. A vehicle is received over the sliding door system, such that at least one wheel of the vehicle rests on the conveyor system. The door slides in a first direction while allowing the conveyor system to slide in a direction opposite the first direction. The conveyor system also supports the at least one wheel of the vehicle while the door and conveyor slide in opposite directions. The sliding of the door and the sliding of the conveyor system occur at least partially simultaneously.

Abstract: An extension plate assembly for dumping debris into a dump box from a storage tank mounted on a trunk. The storage tank is fitted with a pusher plate that both compacts and pushes debris out of the back of the storage tank. The extension plate apparatus includes extension arms that are rotatably attached on one end to the pusher plate and rotatably attached on the other end to an extension plate. When the pusher plate is in its rearward most position, the extension arms extend beyond the edge of the storage tank. The extension plate assembly allows debris to be pushed out of the storage tank and distributed more evenly into a dump box.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refuse collection system for use in association with a transport vehicle. The system comprises a container having multiple internal compartments and a refuse-receiving trough divided into a plurality of trough-shaped receptacles, each communicating with an internal compartment. The system further comprises an actuation system which engages a packer to displace refuse from the trough to the container.

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 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 preferably 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. The partition is extensible so that when positioned diagonally with respect to side walls of the container, the partition extends to the discharge end of the container.

Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in crisscross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to refuse collecting and disposal vehicles. In one aspect, it relates to a refuse body adapted to be mounted on a conventional refuse vehicle chassis for loading, compacting and ejecting refuse without tilting of the body.

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.

Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in criss-cross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.

Abstract: An ejection assisting device is provided in a material handling apparatus for handling refuse or recyclables relative to a collection vehicle to dislodge material not discharged by gravity in a gravity induced material unloading system.

Abstract: A multi-compartment collection vehicle having a packing apparatus and a multi-compartment storage body wherein the packing apparatus includes a charging hopper divided into upper and lower portions each having corresponding dual linear packers. The upper charging hopper and upper compartment of the multi-compartment storage body are connected by a ramped floor. The dividing floor of the multi-compartment storage body is ramped from a relatively lower level aligned with the upper charging portion to a higher level defining the major longitudinal portion of the dividing floor. The ramped floor arrangement increases the holding capacity of the upper portion of the charging hopper, without significantly decreasing the holding capacity of the lower storage compartment.

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 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: An apparatus for collecting and transporting recyclable waste material which includes a body for receiving material mountable to a vehicle. The body has separate upper and lower material-receiving compartments. Two longitudinally-spaced loaded openings are at the top of the body. One opening is in continuous communication with only the lower compartment, and the second opening, positioned rearward of the first opening, is in continuous communication with only the upper compartment. Separate doors close the rear of each compartment; the second door, when closed, overlies and is spaced from the first door. A bucket, associated with the front of the body, can be raised, lowered and tipped, and has separate bins for receiving material. The bins are aligned with the loaded openings when the bucket is in the tipped, discharge position so that each bin can dump material into a corresponding compartment.

Abstract: A waste hauling apparatus including a truck body divided into two separate compartments by a movable dividing wall. A bucket assembly having separate side-by-side bins is operative to transfer trash material loaded into the bucket by an operator at ground level to the isolated compartments. The bucket travels between a material receiving position and a material discharging position along a trackway having a path of movement including a vertical portion and a transverse portion. At the material discharging position the material contained in the bins is discharged into associated material receiving openings that communicate with respective compartments defined by the truck body. The bucket is reciprocally conveyed between the trash receiving and trash discharging positions by a chain drive mechanism driven by a fluid pressure operated motor and interconnected with the bucket by a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism cooperates with the chains to define the limits of movement for the bucket.

Abstract: A cart for transporting and moving die sets having an air powered/hydraulic fluid drive system to move the cart and die sets thereon. A hydraulic pump is driven by an air pressure powered motor and different hydraulic motors move the cart and move the die sets on the cart. A laterally movable die set transfer device is connected to one die set in one adjacent stamping press and to a second die set positioned on the cart to move the first die set from the one press and to move the second die set off the cart and into a second press.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting and transporting recyclable waste material which includes a body for receiving material mountable to a vehicle. The body has separate upper and lower material-receiving compartments. Two longitudinally-spaced loaded openings are at the top of the body. One opening is in continuous communication with only the lower compartment, and the second opening, positioned rearward of the first opening, is in continuous communication with only the upper compartment. Separate doors close the rear of each compartment; the second door, when closed, overlies and is spaced from the first door. A bucket, associated with the front of the body, can be raised, lowered and tipped, and has separate bins for receiving material. The bins are aligned with the loaded openings when the bucket is in the tipped, discharge position so that each bin can dump material into a corresponding compartment.

Abstract: A loading and unloading system for pallets for containers or vehicles uses moving wire cables for loading. The system will guide and locate palletized goods on the moving wire cables. Downwardly extending members, such as wheels, on the pallets will be raised out of contact with the floor of the container or vehicle during conveying of the pallets.

Abstract: The refuse collecting vehicle of the invention is used for collecting and transporting separate and distinct waste materials. The vehicle includes a vehicle chassis and a storage body mounted on the chassis. The storage body is divided into a plurality of distinct storage chambers, each of the chambers running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a tailgate section which is comprised of a plurality of distinct and individually actuable hopper units, each hopper unit having a loading opening which is longitudinally aligned with the respective one of the distinct storage chambers in the storage body for transferring material thereto. Each hopper unit is also pivotally mounted at the rear of the storage body for swinging movement away from the body as material is being discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A vehicle having a bed pivotal from a trash collection position to a trash dumping position. The bed has inner walls for forming three compartments, a central compartment for receiving paper and two side compartments for receiving, respectively, metal materials and glass materials. The central compartment has a pusher ram which forces paper materials rearwardly toward a rear access door. The blade carries two skimmer plates in respective side compartments for skimming the top piles of waste materials in the two side compartments. The bed has rear side openings covered by doors which, when opened, allow materials to exit the side compartments when the bed is tilted. The vehicle has a lifting structure provided with a pair of pivotal blades for placement in the side guides of a container to be lifted into a dumping position above the top, front opening of the bed.

Abstract: An improved waste collection system having an on-site container which is internally compartmented to receive and separately store the various waste components such as aluminum, glass, paper and land-fill trash. The route collection vehicle is divided into chambers and has a compaction system for compacting the contents of at least some of the collection vehicle chamber. The vehicle has a loading apparatus which lifts the container to an inverted dumping position in which position the container is positioned with respect to the chambers to cause the waste to be inherently separated or classified within the collection vehicle chambers. The loading apparatus may be side or front loading.

Abstract: A cargo carrying vehicle including apparatus for unloading cargo from the vehicle by the general method of (1) shuttling a flat plate that covers a portion of the floor back and forth longitudinally and (2) preventing the cargo being unloaded from following the floor on its retract (forward) stroke by use of a movable bulkhead.

Abstract: A container of monococque construction having a peripheral wall comprised of concentric inner and outer walls, with the space between the walls being filled with a plastics material. At least one of the inner and outer walls is a spirally-wound tube having raised seams projecting into the space between the inner and outer walls. The container is particularly adapted to form the body of a waste compactor for use as a bulk container for both fluid and particulate materials.

Abstract: A side-loading refuse collection wagon, affording an unusually large load capacity by virtue of optimum utilization of the width limits allowable for the vehicle, includes a chassis, a cab, a body extending along the chassis from the cab. An adequate recess is provided to accomodate a bin hoisting and tilting mechanism and is formed in the right-hand side wall of the body at a body portion from the cab having a shorter length than a major portion having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. A longitudinal guide is affixed to the flat bed of the body, and a hopper complete with refuse material compacting members, which is slidable in said portion of reduced cross-section and has a bottom provided with matching guides is coupled to the guide on the flat bed. A refuse material ejector plate is provided which is movable along the major portion of the body having a rectangular cross-section and rigid with respect to the hopper, as well as a drive mechanism for moving the hopper along the body.

Abstract: A refuse-collecting utility vehicle with a refuse-charging system located behind the driver's cabin has an adjoining refuse-compacting device and a refuse-collecting bin arranged behind the compacting device. A dual compaction system makes it possible to accomplish uniform compaction of the refuse charged within the refuse-collecting bin, so that the capacity of the refuse-collecting bin is exploited to its fullest capacity. Specifically, a counterpressure plate is arranged within the zone of action of the refuse-compacting device on the top of the refuse-collecting bin. This counterpressure plate is supported for upward and downward pivotal movement and is capable of being acted upon by a pressure force and forms a counterpressure element for the refuse charged.

Abstract: A cargo handling system has a main drive panel and fore and aft end panels for driving cargo in one direction or the other in the cargo compartment of a vehicle such as an aircraft. The main drive panel is driven in either direction on a plurality of toothed belts which are anchored to the system floor panels, the teeth of such belts engaging the teeth of trolley wheels which are rotatably driven by the motor. The main panel is thus driven in trolly-like fashion along the drive belts in loading cargo. Each end panel is attached to a separate endless chain drive. The chain drives are selectively attached to the main drive panel and one or the other of the end panels drawn along with the main drive panel in the unloading of cargo.

Abstract: A cargo handling system for use in combination with an airplane cargo compartment having a floor structure and a door opening moves cargo placed in the loading area inside the compartment at the door opening to the further recesses of the compartment and returns the cargo to the loading area for unloading. The system generally comprises fore and aft end panels, each attached to its own looped cable and movable from a position adjacent its respective end of the compartment to a position adjacent its respective side of the door opening; a movable main panel attached to a power cable; a drive means, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is attached to the power cable and drives the main panel in the door area between the door positions of the end panels; and indexing plungers which selectively couple the main panel with a cable of an end panel such that, when coupled, the end panel is driven simultaneously with and in the same direction as the main panel.

Abstract: A compacting device located forwardly of a body, especially a close body of a high capacity semitrailer which received by gravity, through an opening formed in a forward upper part of the body, mainly household or industrial waste products as well as any other products of low density. The device compresses two parts moveable one with respect to each other which includes a compacting shield capable of moving above the bottom of the body and an apron capable of moving above the shield, with controls to control the motions of the shield and the apron, and two other moveable supporting parts including supporting a carriage and a slider supporting the controls, in the first phase move, and the motion of the shield and the apron, in a second time phase move, for total ejection of the waste products after transportation to a dump site.

Abstract: A container with reinforced side walls includes an internal partitive wall forming two longitudinal compartments each associated with a transfer member including a ram to compact refuse and other waste materials into the container compartment. Push-out assemblies are supported at the rear of each compartment to eject compacted material therein. A hinged door on the partitive wall is latched by a load-bearing assembly to a side wall while forming an entry port below the door. A container end door is closed against the upper portion of the container. An opening in the lower part of the door communicates with two entry portal openings for delivery of material into the compartments. Separate security chutes communicate with separate charging boxes formed in the compactor.

Abstract: An improved die engaging means for a side loading die change truck includes a plurality of pusher-puller blocks pivoted along the length of the powered pusher bars and selectively engageable with the edge of a die to allow it to be easily moved in stages onto or off of a press bed. Each block may be rotated down to a stored position beneath the surface of the bar and beneath the surface of the die. An adaptor may be attached to each block to allow it to be used to pull a die, if desired.

Abstract: A container with reinforced side walls includes an internal partitive wall forming two longitudinal compartments each associated with a transfer member including a ram to compact refuse and other waste materials into the container compartment. Push-out assemblies are supported at the rear of each compartment to eject compacted material therein. A hinged door on the partitive wall is latched by a load-bearing assembly to a side wall while forming an entry port below the door. A container end door is closed against the upper portion of the container. An opening in the lower part of the door communicates with two entry portal openings for delivery of material into the compartments. Separate security chutes communicate with separate charging boxes formed in the compactor.

Abstract: The open topped telescoping bunker body is filled from above and material in the body can be discharged when the tail gate at the rear is opened. A double acting push plate is used to push material through the open tail gate and material falling into the body ahead of the push plate during discharge can be ejected through the open front end of the body ahead of the plow blade. The plow blade levels the material to form a roadway as the skid mounted bunker is pulled forward. The blade can be raised to allow passage of men or material under the body. The push blade moves with and with respect to the moving part of the telescoping body.

Abstract: A vehicle body including an outer shell including side walls, end walls and a floor. The floor has a discharge recess located at one end thereof inside the shell. A plurality of vertically positioned and spaced apart bulkhead members are mounted inside the shell to provide a plurality of separate, material containing, storage compartments therein. A bulkhead drive including a plurality of power screws is provided for successively driving the bulkhead members along the floor of the shell and over at least a portion of the discharge recess. The power screws each have an unthreaded portion and a threaded portion with the threaded portion normally in threaded engagement with the bulkhead members. The unthreaded portions of the power screws are located the discharge recess so that as each bulkhead member moves over the discharge recess it will become disengaged from the threaded portions of the power screws so that the lead bulkhead members can become nested over the discharge recess.