US3823973A

US3823973A - Refuse container for rear end loader

Info

Publication number: US3823973A
Application number: US00342651A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Ramer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-06-04
Filing date: 1973-03-19
Publication date: 1974-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-16

Abstract

A refuse container of the type adapted to be lifted up by lifting tines on a rear loader. Two or more containers may be removably coupled together so as to form one large container.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Ramer [11] 3,823,973 1451 July 16,1974

[ REFUSE CONTAINER FOR REAR END LOADER [76] Inventor: Leonard Ramer, 1137 E. 24th St.,

Brooklyn, NY. 112-10 22 Filed: Mar. 19,1973 [21 App1.No.:342,65l

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 262,857, June 4,

[52] US. Cl. 294/73, 214/302, 220/1 T [51] Int. Cl B65f 3/00 Field of Search 294/69 R, 73; 214/301,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,042,238 7/1962 Bryan et al. 214/317 3,122,249 2/1964 Dempster et a1. 214/302 3,136,575 '6/1964 Kolling 294/73 1/1967 Clar 294/73 X Primary ExaminerJames B. Marbert Assistant Examiner-Johnny D. Cherry A refuse container of the type adapted to be lifted up i 1 by lifting tines on a rear loader. Two or more containers may be removably-coupled together so as to form one large container.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures REFUSE CONTAINER FOR REAR END LOADER This application is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application, Ser. No. 262,857 filed June 14, 1972.

The refuse container of the present invention is of the type adapted to be used in apartment houses, factories, office buildings, etc. which heretofore did not use refuse containers or in the alternative utilized one large refuse container. For flexibility so that it can be used in existing locations, the refuse container is preferably in the form of a small module. In order that the modules can be used with existing rear end loader type refuse vehicles, the modules are adapted to be rigidly coupled together. Thus, the present invention does not require existing storage locations to be modified nor do the existing vehicles have to be modified.

The closest prior art that is known is US. Pat. No. 3,122,249. In said patent, there is disclosed a refuse container comprised of a plurality of containers held in an assembled relationship by means of a torque bar on the lifting tines of the vehicle cooperating with brackets on one side and by means of a torque bar removably attached to the opposite side. The refuse container disclosed in said patent is cumbersome, inefficient in that it is time consuming to use the same, and is not adapted for use with all types of lifting tines on front end loaders.

Each module of the refuse container of the present invention may be mounted on wheels if desired. This facilitates the ease with which the containers may be manipulated. Also, each module may have a movable cover. A coupling meansis permanently provided on each module for cooperation with a mating coupling means on an adjacent module. As a safety feature, each coupling means must be properly orientated with respect to the mating coupling means, otherwise the refuse container cannot be properly picked up. This feature prevents the lifting of the refuse container wherein the modules are improperly coupled together. The coupling bar member on each module is a captive member, that is, it remains with the module.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel refuse container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refuse container comprised of modules which are easily transported into small areas for receiving rubbish and adapted .to be coupled together to form a large container for emptying mechanically by means of a rear end loader vehicle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refuse container comprised of modules, each having a captive coupling bar member in a manner which is simple, inexpensive and reliable.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and in- 7' strumentalitiesshown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of uncoupled refuse containers constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refuse containers in position to have the contents thereof dumped into a rear end loader.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a refuse container designated generally as 10. The refuse container 10 is comprised of modules 12 and 14. The modules 12 and 14 are substantially identical. Accordingly, only module 12 will be described in detail with corresponding primed numerals being applied to corresponding structure on the module 14.

The module 12 is comprised of a rectangular or square housing having vertical

walls including walls

16 and 18. The housing is preferably mounted on wheels 20 for ease of manipulation within the building whereby the module may be located in one position for receiving rubbish and easily moved to another location for emptying of rubbish. The housing is also preferably provided with a movable or pivotably mounted cover 22 secured thereto by a piano hinge 23. Vertical wall 19 is provided with a handle 21 thereon.

The housing of module 12 has

brackets

24 and 26 fixedly secured to a wall thereof such as wall 16. A coupling bar member 28 is positioned so that it extends vthrough the

brackets

24 and 26 and is mounted for limited horizontal reciprocable movement. The coupling bar member 28 may be hollow, but is preferably solid metal.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, one of the brackets, namely bracket 26, is provided with a bayonet slot 30. The coupling bar member 28 is provided with a latch 32 adapted to be received in the bayonet slot 30. The coupling bar member 28 is also provided with a latch 40 adapted to cooperate with a bracket 29 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. The coupling bar '28 includes a blocking flag or member 31 adapted to be moved between the dispositions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The coupling bar 28 is rotatably and reciprocably supported by the

brackets

24 and 26 and-held captive on the housing of module 12.

The module 14 includes a bracket 36 to receive coupling bar member 28 for interconnecting the modules 12 and 14. As shown more clearly in FIG. 1, the bracket 36 is provided with an elongated bayonet slot 38. Member 28 is provided with a latch 40 adapted to be received in slot 38 when the modules 12 and 14 are locked together. The end 42 of bar member 28 may be rounded to facilitate movement into the tubular open ing in bracket 36.

The module 12 has a pair of bars 44 which are adapted to be received in a pair of brackets 46 (only one is shown) on module 14 to further aid in aligning the modules. One bar 44 is on wall 16 with the other bar being secured to the opposite wall. The ends 48 of the bars 44 may be rounded to facilitate movement thereof into the tubular opening in bracket 46.

Module 12 has one" half of a stationary trunion pivot bar 50 secured thereto. Trunion pivot bar 50 has an enlarged flange 52 at the outer end thereof. Pivot bar 50 has a reduced diameterpin 54 which telescopes into a socket 56 on pivot bar 50. The pin 54 may be rounded to facilitate movement thereof into pocket 56 as the modules 12 and 14 are connected together.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 the

handles

21 and 21 are adapted to have cables 58 secured thereto by books 60 for hoisting the refuse container 10. The cables are slotted at 66 to provide bearing surfaces for the outer I ends of the trunion pivot bar 50 and 50'; The end of the trunion, pivot bar 50 cannot enter slot'66 if the coupling bar member 28 is not properly latched. That is, when latch 40 is not positioned within slot 38, the blocking member 31 will prevent the end of trunion pivot bar 50 from entering slot 66.

The provision of the four locking means, namely, coupling bar 28 which cooperates with bracket 36, bars 44 which cooperate with brackets 46 and pivot bar 50 which cooperates with pivot bar 50', insures that modules l2 and 14 will be securely locked together. The bar 44 and bracket 46 (not shown) on the wall opposite wall 16 minimize any twisting effect between modules l2 and 14 as they are lifted to dump their contents.

This additional locking means also serves to minimize the forces acting upon the interconnecting means on

walls

16 and 16 as the container 10 is lifted into dumping position.

The'modules 12 and 14in FIG. 1 may be of a size such as 36 inches square so as to be combinable into a refuse container 10 which is 36 inches X 72 inches and capable of being handled by the rear end loader vehicle 62. While the modules preferably are squares 36 inches on a side, the size of the modules may be varied as desired. Since the only portion of the refuse container which cooperates with the lifting cables58 is the handles 21 on opposite sideffaces of the refuse container 10, no special structure need be provided on the con- .tainers for cooperation with any other portion of the lifting cables. In this manner, the modules may, be

grouped together and coupled in any-desired manner.

' If desired, the coupling bar and its supporting brackets may be mounted on a recessed portion of the wall of the module wherebythe wall will be flush without any projecting elements. The handles 21 provided for cooperation with the lifting cables 58 are a permanent part of the modules as well as the coupling bar 28 and bracket 36 which are a captive portion of each module.

I. These features aid in reliability since there are no components which are necessary for lifting the refuse container and .yet are 'capable of being lost or stolen.

' A suitable cable hoisting mechanism will be provided on truck'62.- The container l'is wheeled into position and the hooks 60 of cables 58 secured to handles 21. Thecables are hoisted, and, if the modules 12 and 14 are properly locked together, the outer ends of the pivot bar's 50 and 50 will be received in slots 66 in brackets 64. The

lids

22 and 22 will fall open by gravity and the contents of container dumped into the I refuse collectiont'ruck .62.

" The present invention may be embodied in other spetial attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference 4 ally perpendicular to said first wall, said brackets supporting said bar for reciprocation in a horizontal direction, a stationary pivot bar secured to said second wall, and'means onthe coupling bar for blocking said pivot bar when said coupling bar is in inoperative position.

2. A refuse container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling bar includes a latch thereon, one of said brackets including a bayonet slot for receiving the latch, said coupling bar being supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis by said brackets.

3. A refuse container in accordance with claim 2 including' a pivotable cover for said opening, and said housing being mounted on wheels.

4. A refuse container in accordance with claim 1 including a second housing juxtaposed to said firstmentioned housing, a bracket on said second housing, said coupling bar being-received in'said last mentioned bracket adjacent the interface between said housings, and a wall of said second housing remote from said interfacehaving thereon a horizontally disposed stationary pivot bar,the horizontally disposed pivot bars on erative position when received in said last mentioned rectangular housings each having an access'opening at the top thereof through which refuse may be introduced into the housings, each housing having a planar side wall juxtaposed to a planar side wall of the adjacent housing at an interface, a side wall of each housing remote from and parallel to the interface having thereon a handle to receive a hoisting cable, each housing having a second wall which is perpendicular to the interface, a coupling bar supported on the second wall of one of said housings, a mating bracket supported on the other housing, said coupling bar being at the same elevation as said bracket on its respective housing, means for removably interconnecting the end of the coupling bar into the bracket, a stationary pivot bar on each housing second wall, means for preventing the cific forms without departing from the spirit or essenthe foregoing" specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A refuse container comprising a rectangular housing having an access opening through which refuse may be introduced into the housing, a horizontally disposed handle means fixedly secured to a first side wall of the housing for receiving a lifting cable, a side wall on saidcoupling bar from being removed from its housing, said coupling bar being supported on its housing for limited reciprocal movement wherein an end portion of said bar. may obstruct free access to one of said stationary pivot bars.

7. A refuse v container in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for interconnecting said coupling bar to said bracket is integral with said coupling bar and includes a tubular said interface.

8. A refuse container in accordance with claim 7 portion which extends across wherein the housings are square and said coupling bar and bracket are coaxial.

when said housings are interconnected.

Claims

1. A refuse container comprising a rectangular housing having an access opening through which refuse may be introduced into the housing, a horizontally disposed handle means fixedly secured to a first side wall of the housing for receiving a lifting cable, a side wall on said housing opposite said first side wall being substantially planar and lacking any structure to facilitate lifting the housing, a coupling bar supported by brackets on a second wall of said housing movable between an operative and inoperative position, said second wall being generally perpendicular to said first wall, said brackets supporting said bar for reciprocation in a horizontal direction, a stationary pivot bar secured to said second wall, and means on the coupling bar for blocking said pivot bar when said coupling bar is in inoperative position.

3. A refuse container in accordance with claim 2 including a pivotable cover for said opening, and said housing being mounted on wheels.

4. A refuse container in accordance with claim 1 including a second housing juxtaposed to said first-mentioned housing, a bracket on said second housing, said coupling bar being received in said last mentioned bracket adjacent the interface between said housings, and a wall of said second housing remote from said interface having theReon a horizontally disposed stationary pivot bar, the horizontally disposed pivot bars on said first and second housings being at the same elevation and including means for coupling said pivot bars together.

5. A refuse container in accordance with claim 1 including a second housing adjacent said first-mentioned housing, a bracket on said second housing being coupled to said coupling bar, said coupling bar being in operative position when received in said last mentioned bracket wherein said blocking means does not block said pivot bar.

6. A refuse container comprising first and second rectangular housings each having an access opening at the top thereof through which refuse may be introduced into the housings, each housing having a planar side wall juxtaposed to a planar side wall of the adjacent housing at an interface, a side wall of each housing remote from and parallel to the interface having thereon a handle to receive a hoisting cable, each housing having a second wall which is perpendicular to the interface, a coupling bar supported on the second wall of one of said housings, a mating bracket supported on the other housing, said coupling bar being at the same elevation as said bracket on its respective housing, means for removably interconnecting the end of the coupling bar into the bracket, a stationary pivot bar on each housing second wall, means for preventing the coupling bar from being removed from its housing, said coupling bar being supported on its housing for limited reciprocal movement wherein an end portion of said bar may obstruct free access to one of said stationary pivot bars.

7. A refuse container in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for interconnecting said coupling bar to said bracket is integral with said coupling bar and includes a tubular portion which extends across said interface.

8. A refuse container in accordance with claim 7 wherein the housings are square and said coupling bar and bracket are coaxial.

9. A refuse container in accordance with claim 6 wherein said one housing includes two bars on opposite facing walls, the other housing includes brackets on opposite facing walls for telescopically receiving said bars when said housings are interconnected.