AUTOMATED SELF POWERED WASTE CONTAINER
First Claim
1. A self propelled automated refuse container comprising in combination:
- a) refuse container having a hinged lid;
b) at least one driving wheel for transporting said container;
c) at least one steering wheel for steering the direction of travel of said container;
d) a tracking unit for controlling the direction of travel of said container;
e) a microprocessor for controlling operation of said container; and
f) a source of power for operating said driving wheel, said steering wheel, said tracking unit and said microprocessor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated self propelled refuse container travels from a parking or storage location to a refuse discharge location and return in response to a control unit cooperating with a tracking unit to control the direction of travel. Power is provided by an electric motor associated with each of two driving wheels rotating at the same rate and a third steering wheel provides stability and control over the direction of travel. The two driving wheels may rotate at a constant rate for straight line travel or charge direction, respectively, and a castering wheel provides stability and accommodates the direction of travel. Alternatively, a single wheel can provide both motive power and steering capability under control of a control unit responsive to the tracking unit and a pair of free wheeling wheels provide stability.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A self propelled automated refuse container comprising in combination:
-
a) refuse container having a hinged lid; b) at least one driving wheel for transporting said container; c) at least one steering wheel for steering the direction of travel of said container; d) a tracking unit for controlling the direction of travel of said container; e) a microprocessor for controlling operation of said container; and f) a source of power for operating said driving wheel, said steering wheel, said tracking unit and said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for transporting a refuse container from a storage location to a location for discharge of the contents of the refuse container and return, said method comprising the steps of:
-
a) energizing at least a driving wheel to cause travel of the container; b) controlling the direction of travel of the container with at least a steering wheel; c) directing travel of the container along a predetermined track to and from the discharge location; and d) terminating travel of the container upon return to the storage location. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A self propelled automated refuse container comprising in combination:
-
a) a refuse container including a hingedly attached lid for receiving and discharging refuse; b) a pair of wheels mounted at the rear of said refuse container, each of said wheels including an independently activated electric motor for driving the respective wheel; c) a castering wheel mounted at the front of the refuse container to accommodate forward and backward travel and change of direction of said refuse container; d) a tracking unit for controlling the direction of travel of said refuse container from a storage location to a refuse discharge location and return; and e) a microprocessor for controlling the travel of said refuse container. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A self propelled automated refuse container comprising in combination:
-
a) a refuse container, including a hingedly attached lid for receiving and discharging refuse; b) a pair of wheels mounted at the rear of said refuse container for rolling said refuse container; c) a steering and driving wheel mounted at the front of the container including a first electric motor for driving said steering wheel to provide locomotion for said refuse container and a second electric motor for turning said steering wheel to control the direction of travel of said refuse container; d) a tracking unit for controlling the direction of travel of said refuse container from a storage location to a refuse discharge location and return; and e) a microprocessor for controlling the travel of said refuse container. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
Specification