Gripper System
First Claim
Patent Images
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.
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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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An automated gripper system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A front loading waste collection vehicle comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for automatically emptying a waste bin with a front loading waste collection vehicle, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification