Automated cover

• US 9,802,757 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2017
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Heil Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Curotto-Can Inc. (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Curotto, John Domenic
• Primary Examiner(s): Dager, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US15/458,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20170183153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 231 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1623 with means for assisting the opening or closing thereof, e.g. springs spring-actuated swinging wings E05F1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1638 Electromechanically operated lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/184 Weighing means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/12 Conjoint motion of lids, flaps, and shutters on vehicle and on receptacle; Operation of closures on vehicle conjointly with tipping of receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/005 Control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/23 Devices for tilting and emptying of containers
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/53 for swinging wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/706 Shafts
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/445 Switches
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/604 for large containers

Abstract

The disclosure describes a novel collection bin for a waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes an automated cover system.

Claims

1. A collection bin with an automated cover system comprising:

a vessel attached to a frame,

wherein the frame is configured to attach to a portion of a fork assembly of a waste collection vehicle;

a flexible fabric cover;

wherein the cover comprises a surface that at least partially covers an opening of the collection bin;

a flap, the flap attached to the cover;

a pivot system, the pivot system comprising;

a rotatable bar,

an anchor portion attached to the rotatable bar and at least one of the vessel and the frame,

a moveable portion attached to the rotatable bar, wherein the moveable portion attaches to at least one of the cover and the flap, and

wherein when the surface of the cover and the moveable portion rotate with respect to the rotatable bar, the surface of the cover and the moveable portion remain in a fixed relative position to each other; and

an actuator system mounted to at least one of the vessel and the frame, the actuator system is moveably coupled to the rotatable bar.

2. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 1, wherein the moveable portion does not rotate around the rotatable bar and moves with rotation of the rotatable bar.

3. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 1, wherein the moveable portion rotates around the rotatable bar.

4. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 3, wherein the pivot system further comprises a drive system that causes the moveable portion to rotate around the rotatable bar.

5. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 4, wherein the drive system includes a cam attached to the rotatable bar in a fixed position for engaging the moveable portion upon rotation of the rotatable bar.

6. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 1, wherein the pivot system further comprises a drive system.

7. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 1, further comprises at least one of a whisker switch and a proximity switch in communication with the actuator system that when activated sends an actuation command to the actuator system for moving the cover.

8. A collection bin with an automated cover system comprising:

a vessel attached to a frame;

a flexible fabric cover;

wherein the cover comprises a surface that at least partially covers an opening of the collection bin;

a flap, the flap attached to the cover;

a pivot system, the pivot system comprising;

a rotatable bar,

an anchor portion attached to the rotatable bar and at least one of the vessel and the frame,

a moveable portion attached to the rotatable bar, wherein the moveable portion attaches to at least one of the cover and the flap, and

wherein when the surface of the cover and the moveable portion rotate with respect to the rotatable bar, the surface of the cover and the moveable portion remain in a fixed relative position to each other; and

an actuator system mounted to at least one of the vessel and the frame, the actuator system is moveably coupled to the rotatable bar.

9. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 8, wherein the moveable portion does not rotate around the rotatable bar and moves with rotation of the rotatable bar.

10. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 8, wherein the moveable portion rotates around the rotatable bar.

11. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 10, wherein the pivot system further comprises a drive system that causes the moveable portion to rotate around the rotatable bar.

12. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 11, wherein the drive system includes a cam attached to the rotatable bar in a fixed position for engaging the moveable portion upon rotation of the rotatable bar.

13. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 8, wherein the pivot system further comprises a drive system.

14. The collection bin with an automated cover system of claim 8, further comprises at least one of a whisker switch and a proximity switch in communication with the actuator system that when activated sends an actuation command to the actuator system for moving the cover.

15. A collection bin with an automated cover system comprising:

a vessel attached to a frame;

a flexible fabric cover;

wherein the cover comprises a surface that at least partially covers an opening of the collection bin;

a flap, the flap attached to the cover;

a pivot system, the pivot system comprising;

a rotatable bar,

an anchor portion attached to the rotatable bar and at least one of the vessel and the frame, wherein the rotatable bar rotates within the anchor portion,

a moveable portion attached to the rotatable bar, wherein the moveable portion attaches to at least one of the cover and the flap, and

wherein the surface of the cover and the moveable portion rotate as the rotatable bar is rotated,

wherein the surface of the cover and the moveable portion remain in a fixed relative position to each other; and

an actuator system coupled to at least one of the vessel and the frame, the actuator system is moveably coupled to the rotatable bar.