Gripper System

• US 20100183410A1
• Filed: 01/15/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Heil Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Curotto-Can Inc. (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Curotto, John Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,753,062 B2
• 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 2003/0279 the discharging means mounted at the front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/041 Pivoted arms or pivoted carriers

Abstract

The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a front loading waste collection vehicle. A gripper system is added to the fork tube of a front loading waste collection vehicle. The gripper system allows a front loader to lift and dump waste bins into the truck'"'"'s hopper for the collection of trash, recyclables and/or other materials.

Claims

1. An automated gripper system comprising:

a mounting plate adapted to attach to a fork tube of a fork assembly of a front loading waste collection vehicle;

a frame adapted to attach to the mounting plate; and

at least two opposite movable arms attached to the frame, each of the at least two opposite movable arms comprising belting attached to a side opposite the fork tube to securely hold the waste bin.

2. The gripper system of claim 1, further comprising a bumper attached to a side of the frame opposite the fork tube.

3. The gripper system of claim 1, wherein the gripper system is connected to the power system of the waste collection vehicle.

4. The gripper system of claim 1, wherein in the gripper system is connected to a hydraulic system of the waste collection vehicle.

5. The gripper system of claim 1, wherein in the gripper system is connected to a pneumatic system of the waste collection vehicle.

6. The gripper system of claim 1, further comprising a power system independent of the waste collection vehicle.

7. The gripper system of claim 1, wherein the belting is made of rubber.

8. The gripper system of claim 1, wherein the at least two opposite movable arms are attached to each other by a link bar assembly.

9. The gripper system of claim 1, wherein the gripper system is a self contained system.

10. A front loading waste collection vehicle comprising:

a hopper attached to a vehicle;

a fork assembly attached to the vehicle opposite the hopper; and

an automated gripper system attached to the fork assembly, the gripper system comprising,

a mounting plate adapted to attach to a fork tube of the fork assembly;

a frame adapted to attach to the mounting plate; and

at least two opposite movable arms attached to the frame, each of the at least two opposite movable arms comprising belting attached to a side opposite the fork tube to securely hold the waste bin.

11. The front loading waste collection vehicle of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one bumper attached to the fork assembly, the at least one bumper adapted to contact a commercial waste container when loaded on the fork assembly,

wherein the gripper system is positioned behind the at least one bumper on the fork assembly.

12. The front loading waste collection vehicle of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one bumper attached to the fork assembly, the at least one bumper adapted to contact a commercial waste container when loaded on the fork assembly,

wherein the gripper system is positioned to contact the commercial waste container when loaded on the fork assembly.

13. A method for automatically emptying a waste bin with a front loading waste collection vehicle, comprising:

positioning a waste bin at least partially between two forks of a fork assembly on the front loading waste collection vehicle;

activating a gripper system, the step of activating the gripper system causing at least two opposite arms of the gripper system to move towards each other until each of the at least two opposite arms contacts the waste bin;

lifting the fork assembly, the gripper system, and the waste bin held by the gripper system;

emptying material contained in the waste bin into a hopper of the front loading waste collection material vehicle;

lowering the fork assembly, the gripper system, and the waste bin held by the gripper system; and

retracting the at least two opposite arms of the gripper system to release the waste bin.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the gripper system securely holds the waste bin when activated.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the gripper system securely holds a waste bin weighing about 2000 pounds or less.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprises:

loading a commercial waste container on the fork assembly

preventing the gripper system from contacting the commercial waste container on the fork assembly.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of positioning the waste bin at least partially between two forks of a fork assembly on the front loading waste collection vehicle comprises:

positioning an edge of the waste bin at a distance of at most about 24 inches from a frame of the gripper system.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of positioning the waste bin at least partially between two forks of a fork assembly on the front loading waste collection vehicle comprises:

positioning an edge of the waste bin at a distance of at most about 24 inches from a bumper on the gripper system.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the gripper system securely holds a waste bin by exerting a force of about 2000 psi or less by the at least two opposite arms on the waste bin.