Trash collection vehicle side-loading apparatus

• US 4,597,710 A
• Filed: 11/28/1984
• Issued: 07/01/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Athey Products Corporation
• Original Assignee: Athey Products Corporation
• Inventors: Kovats, Lawrence H. G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Werner, Frank E.
• Application Number:
  US06/675,958
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 414/408, 414/409, 414/422, 414/403, 414/404, 414/673, 414/406, 414/641, 414/642, 414/648, 414/649, 187/64, 187/32, 187/34
• US Class Current: 414/409
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/023 Gripper arms for embracing the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/0259 Means for automatically varying the speed of operation
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/0276 capable of moving towards or away from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/08 Platform elevators or hoists with guides or runways for raising or tipping receptacles pivotable guides or runways B65F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/23 Devices for tilting and emptying of containers

Abstract

Improvements are described for the type of trash collection apparatus mounted on a side-loading trash collection vehicle of the type in which a container carriage moves up and down on vertical guide rails. The improvements comprise providing pairs of guide rails on each side of the carriage with one set of guide rails being entirely vertical and the other set of guide rails having upper end portions which are curved towards the receptacle into which the container is dumped. An improved apparatus for slowing the speed of and stopping the carriage at the end of its upper travel to ensure proper orientation of the carriage wheels during return of the carriage to the ground position is also described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for grasping, lifting and tipping a trash loaded container into a receptacle on a side-loading trash collection vehicle and thereafter lowering and releasing the container, comprising:

(a) a frame mounted below said receptacle;

(b) means for moving the frame laterally with respect to said receptacle;

(c) a pair of opposed upwardly extending laterally spaced guide rails supported on each side of and movable with said frame and having;

(i) the tracks of one pair opposing the tracks of other pair;

(ii) the lower ends of both pairs supported on said frame;

(iii) a first member of each pair providing a continuous flat surfaced vertical track throughout its length; and

(iv) a second member of each pair providing a continuous flat surfaced track the major portion of which is vertical and laterally opposite the track of the first member of the same pair and having an upper end minor portion providing a curved track as a continuation of said second member vertical track and as a continuation of said curved track a horizontal track, said curved and horizontal tracks being directed toward an opening in the top of said receptacle and located at a level below the upper end of said first member of the same pair;

(d) a traveling carriage having a pair of outwardly extending pivotal container gripping arms disposed horizontally when resting at the bottom of said side rails, a first set of upper rollers mounted for traveling and during traveling to be always confined on the tracks of the said second members of said pairs of guide rails and a second set of lower rollers mounted for traveling and during traveling to be always confined on the tracks of the said first members of said pairs of guide rails;

(e) a pair of hydraulic cylinder actuated means mounted on said carriage for moving said gripping arms in and out to grip and release said container at a position spaced outwardly from said rails;

(f) operator-controllable fluid actuated piston/cylinder means operatively associated with and adapted for lifting and lowering said carriage along said guide rails whereby when said carriage is raised by said lifting means to the extent of the stroke of said piston/cylinder means, said carriage and gripping arms are pivoted and the container carried thereby is upended while remaining in the grasp of said arms as said upper set of rollers are guided onto said curved and horizontal tracks of said guide rail second members followed by said lower set of rollers being guided to the top of said guide rail first members to reside above said upper rollers; and

(g) carriage reversing means comprising;

(i) contact means adapted for being operatively engaged by upward movement of said carriage and while engaged moving with each said lower roller traveling on each said first rail member during a terminal portion of the upward travel thereof; and

(ii) spring means operatively associated with said contact means and compressed in coordination with upward travel of said contact means whereby when said piston/cylinder means starts said carriage on a return travel release of the compression of said spring means acts to force said upper rollers to travel on respective said horizontal and curved tracks and force the lower roller to return downwardly ahead of and to lead said upper rollers traveling on said second member tracks during the initial stage of said return travel; and

(h) adjustable means for controlling the fluid supply to said piston/cylinder means in coordination with lifting, tilting and lowering of said carriage enabling the speed of said carriage to be reduced as it approaches, tilts, and leaves the upper limits of its travel.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said contact means is operatively engaged by being engaged with each said lower roller during upward travel thereof.

3. Apparauts as claimed in claim 1 wherein said carriage is fabricated with a U-shaped opening formed within a pair of top and bottom walls, said piston/cylinder means includes a cylinder mounted to extend through said opening during lowering of said carriage and said pair of gripping arm hydraulic cylinder actuated means are mounted on opposite sides of said opening and between said top and bottom walls of said carriage.