System for automatically capturing a fully loaded refuse container, and without any spillage, empty the contents of the refuse container into a refuse collection vehicle

• US 20060280582A1
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony S. Kouri
• Original Assignee: Anthony S. Kouri
• Inventors: Kouri, Anthony S.
• Application Number:
  US11/150,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20060280582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/408
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/023 Gripper arms for embracing the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/0276 capable of moving towards or away from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/043 with additional means for keeping the receptacle substantially vertical during raising
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/201 the charging pistons, plates or the like moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/625 for gripping drums or barrels

Abstract

A mechanism or apparatus mounted on a refuse collection vehicle that is capable of reaching out from that vehicle and grasping a full refuse container, lifting the container vertically off the ground and transporting said container to the side of the refuse collection vehicle, rotating and inverting the container over the center of the refuse collection vehicle'"'"'s collection hopper and empting the contents of the container into the collection hopper and returning the empty refuse container to the original location, all without spilling any of the contents of the refuse container anywhere other than in the collection hopper.

Claims

1. :

A pair of curved, hydraulically actuated grippers provide a means of capturing various sizes and weights of refuse containers, even when they are not precisely orientated for capture, and grasping these containers securely in an upright position without spilling any of the contents.

2. :

A hydraulically operated vertical elevator mechanism lifts the gripper assembly, and the captured refuse container, vertically off the ground and holds it in an elevated position without allowing the refuse container to tip ether forward or backward, therefore preventing any spillage of the containers contents.

3. :

The vertical elevator mechanism permits the positioning of the gripper assembly at an elevated height prior to capture of the refuse container, this enables the capture of containers on raised platforms and loading docks without causing the containers to tin.

4. :

A twin horizontal rail and hydraulically actuated carriage system with a wide rail spacing to transport the elevated refuse container from the capture location to the side of the refuse collection vehicle while maintaining the container'"'"'s vertical orientation and not permitting the container to tip in any direction, therefore preventing any spillage of the containers contents.

5. :

A container dumping apparatus mounted on the horizontal carriage system by means of two widely spaced pivot bearings and hydraulically actuated to rotate the vertical elevator, the container gripper assembly, and the captured refuse container in a forward direction toward the center of the refuse collection vehicle'"'"'s collection hopper without allowing any tipping of the refuse container to ether side thereby empting the contents of the refuse container into the collection vehicle'"'"'s hopper and preventing any spillage of the contents outside of said hopper.