Increased litter storage for vacuum trash collector

• US 5,996,173 A
• Filed: 06/15/1998
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Engel, Gregory J., Lehman, Ronald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/094,760
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 15/340.1, 15/347, 15/353, 15/352
• US Class Current: 15/352
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/047 Collecting apparatus characterised by the hopper or by means for unloading the hopper
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 1/0836 Apparatus dislodging all of the dirt by suction liquids or semi-liquids E01H1/108; combined with loosening by blowing E01H1/0863; for cleaning rails E01H8/105, E01H8/125; removing snow by suction E01H5/106, E01H8/08; Suction nozzles independent suction nozzles in mechanical dislodging-cleaning devices E01H1/0827; suction and blowing nozzles E01H1/0863

Abstract

A vacuum trash collection vehicle includes a frame with facilities for debris collection mounted on the frame which include a debris canister. There is a cover for the canister and there is a vacuum fan in the cover. A debris collection hose is connected to the cover and is in communication with the vacuum fan whereby vacuum is applied to the hose. There is a boom for supporting the hose and a driver control for manipulating the hose for debris collection. The debris canister is pivotally mounted on the frame and there are side-by-side debris collection containers positioned within the canister. A deflector plate is mounted above the debris canister to direct debris passing from the hose and into the cover toward both of the side-by-side debris collection containers.

Claims

1. A vacuum trash collection vehicle including a frame, debris collection means on said frame including a debris canister, a cover for said canister, a vacuum fan on said vehicle, a debris collection hose connected to said cover and in communication with said vacuum fan whereby vacuum is applied to said hose, a boom for supporting said hose on said vehicle, a driver control on said vehicle for manipulating said hose for debris collection,

said debris canister being pivotally mounted on said frame and movable from a position in which said cover overlies said canister to a position in which said canister is accessible for debris removal, side-by-side debris collection containers positioned within said canister, and a deflector plate mounted above said debris containers to direct debris passing from said hose into said cover toward both of said side-by-side debris collection containers.

2. The vacuum trash collection vehicle of claim 1 wherein said deflector plate is generally centrally mounted above said debris canister and includes a pair of downwardly and outwardly-directed deflector members.

3. The vacuum trash collection vehicle of claim 1 including a rigid liner positioned within each debris container for maintaining an open shape thereto.

4. The vacuum trash collection vehicle of claim 1 wherein said debris canister is pivotal between a closed position, in which said cover is positioned over said debris canister, a first partially open position in which the debris containers are accessible, and a fully open position in which said debris containers may be removed by substantially horizontal movement thereof.

5. The vacuum trash collection vehicle of claim 4 including a flexible stop connected between said frame and said debris canister for limiting pivotal outward movement thereof.

6. The vacuum trash collection vehicle of claim 4 including a spring biased lock assembly for holding said debris canister in said first partially open position.

7. The vacuum trash collection vehicle of claim 6 wherein said spring biased lock assembly includes a stop on the bottom of said debris canister, a bracket on the frame, a block pivotally mounted to the bracket and a spring connected between one portion of said block and said bracket, said block rotating relative to said bracket as said debris canister moves between its normally closed, partially open, and fully open positions.