Material or article handling – Device for emptying portable receptacle – For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-05-01
Brahan, Thomas J. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Device for emptying portable receptacle
For emptying contents thereof into portable receiving means
C414S406000, C414S810000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224317
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to refuse collection vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle having an adapter for enabling the refuse collection vehicle to engage and load refuse from rear loading containers having trunnions or front loading containers having side pockets or channels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Refuse today may be placed in any one of a variety of different containers. Businesses and apartment complexes typically employ either a “front end loader” (FEL) waste container or a “rear end loader” (REL) waste container. FEL waste containers generally include channels or pockets built into the sides of the waste container. The collection of refuse from FEL waste containers has typically required a specialized refuse collection vehicle having a pair of spaced forks supported by a pair of lifting arms. To engage and unload the FEL container, the fork must be inserted into the channels and the lift arm must be actuated to lift and invert the FEL container over an opening communicating with an interior storage compartment of the vehicle.
In contrast, to load refuse from REL containers requires a specialized collection vehicle having a lower back-end configured to engage each end of the trunnion and a cable at the rear of the vehicle configured to be connected to a top rear portion of the REL container. A motorized winch on the vehicle is then used to pull and lift the REL container off of the ground while the body of the REL container pivots about the trunnion and empties its contents into the rear of the vehicle. In lieu of the winch and cable, some refuse collection vehicles utilize a hydraulic lifting apparatus configured to engage the wall of the REL container and to lift and rotate the container about the trunnions into a dumping position. Unfortunately, refuse collection vehicles configured to unload refuse from FEL containers are not presently capable of also unloading refuse from REL containers. Likewise, refuse collection vehicles configured for unloading refuse from REL containers are not capable of also unloading refuse from REL containers. As a result, waste hauling companies are forced to maintain a large inventory of both types of waste vehicles and an equally large inventory of FEL and REL containers. Maintaining such a large inventory of vehicles and containers is expensive and inconvenient. Adding FEL pockets to a REL container requires modifying each container which is also expensive and inconvenient.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a refuse collection vehicle capable of unloading refuse from both FEL and REL containers. There is also a continuing need for an adapter to enable an existing front end loader of refuse collection vehicle to unload refuse from REL waste containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a refuse collection vehicle for loading refuse from a front loading container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls, and first and second channels along the first and second side walls and also from a rear loading container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and at least one trunnion having first and second end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The vehicle includes a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis and having an interior with a roof above the interior providing an opening into the interior, first and second lift arms pivotably coupled to one of the chassis and the storage body, a cross member extending between the first and second lift arms, first and second forks extending from the cross member and configured to be positioned within the first and second channels, at least one support arm configured to engage the rear wall of the rear loading container, at least one movable surface adapted for movement between a first trunnion encircling position and a second trunnion non-encircling position, and at least one movable container stop surface adapted for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the stop surface engages an upper edge of one of the first and second side walls of the rear loading container. In the retracted position, the at least one movable container stop permits the first and second forks to be positioned within the first and second channels.
The present invention provides a refuse collection vehicle for loading refuse from a front loading container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and first and second channels along the first and second side walls, and also from a rear loader container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls and at least one trunnion having first and second trunnion end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The collection vehicle includes a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis and having an interior with a roof above the interior providing an opening into the interior and first and second lift arms pivotably coupled to one of the chassis and the storage body. The refuse collection vehicle further includes a loader adapter coupled to the first and second lift arms. The loader adapter includes first and second forks, first and second trunnion encircling mechanisms, at least one support arm and at least one container stop. The loader adapter is configured to move between a front loader position in which the adapter is adapted to engage the front loading container and a rear loader position in which the adapter is adapted to engage the rear loading container. In the front loader position, the first and second forks are adapted to be disposed in the first and second channels. In the rear loader position, the first and second encircling members are adapted to encircle the first and second trunnion end portions. In the rear loader position, the support arm is adapted to engage the rear wall of the rear loading container and the at least one container stop is adapted to engage an upper edge of at least one of the first and second side walls of the rear loading container.
The present invention provides an adapter for use with a refuse collection vehicle to load refuse from a container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls, and at least one trunnion having first and second trunnion end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The adapter is for use with a refuse collection vehicle having a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis and including an interior with a roof above the interior providing an opening into the interior, and first and second lift arms pivotally coupled to the chassis of the body. The adapter includes a cross member configured to be coupled to the first and second lift arms between the first and second lift arms, at least one support arm supported by the cross member and configured for pivotable movement between a container-engaging position in which the at least one support arm is adapted to engage the rear wall of the container and a retracted position, at least one moveable surface supported by the cross member and adapted for movement between a trunnion encircling position and a trunnion non-encircling position, and at least one moveable container stop surface supported by the cross member and configured to engage an upper edge of one of the first and second side walls of the container.
The present invention also provides a refuse collection vehicle for loading refuse from a container having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, first and second side walls having first and second upper edges, respectively, and at least one trunnion proximate the rear wall, the at least one trunnion having first and second end portions extending beyond the first and second side walls, respectively. The vehicle includes a chassis, a storage body supported by the chassis, first and second lift arms pivotably coupled to the chassis or body, a cross member extending between t
Collins Virgil L.
Kann Dirk C.
Kann Rose E.
Williams Richard T.
Brahan Thomas J.
Foley & Lardner
Kann Rose E.
Kann Manufacturing Corporation
LandOfFree
Front end loader adapter does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Front end loader adapter, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Front end loader adapter will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2487769