AU2003257516B2

AU2003257516B2 - Container dumping apparatus for refuse collection vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2003257516B2
Application number: AU2003257516A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John W Bingman
Original assignee: Pendpac Inc
Current assignee: Pendpac Inc
Priority date: 2003-10-22
Filing date: 2003-10-22
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-10-22
Also published as: AU2003257516A1

Abstract

An improved container dumping apparatus is described for automatically lifting residential refuse containers to an 5 elevated position and dumping them into the elevated access area of a collection tank. The container dumping apparatus comprises a carriage with gripping arms is guided up the vertical portion of a guide rail or track. The guide rail includes a curved portion at a top end. The container is 10 inverted over the access area through movement along the curved track. The carriage is self-powered by a motor mounted on the carriage. The dumping apparatus uses a rack and pinion arrangement for forcibly elevating the carriage, with the rack being parallel to the guide rail and the 15 pinion mounted on the shaft of the motor on the carriage. A piston operated power assistance apparatus can be located coincident with the curved portion of the track to engage the carriage as it approaches the curved portion, to provide additional power to aid movement of the carriage 20 over the curved portion, and to control its speed.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): PENDPAC INCORPORATED Invention Title: CONTAINER DUMPING APPARATUS FOR REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: - 2 CONTAINER DUMPING APPARATUS FOR REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates generally to an improved refuse loader and more particularly to an apparatus for lifting, tilting, and emptying on-site trash containers into the access area of a compartment of a mobile collection vehicle. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mobile collection systems for the picking up rubbish, trash, refuse, or recyclable articles at numerous 15 and separated sites are well known to the art. These systems consist of a vehicle travelling a standard route and standard containers designed to be automatically picked up on-site and dumped into the vehicle by an apparatus associated with the vehicle. These standard sized 20 collection containers all have the same capacity but capacities differ from system to system, usually from approximately 50 to 300 gallons. In practice, the on-site containers are filled by the user and periodically the contents of the container are transferred to a mobile 25 collection vehicle for transportation to a dump, land fill, or recycling center. In order to provide a mechanism for efficiently emptying the on-site containers into the collection 30 vehicle, various devices can be found in the prior art. These devices generally incorporate a vertical mast or boom which supports a means for grasping the container which is resting on a level surface, elevating the grasping means and grasped container to the top of the mast, dumping the 35 container into an access opening in the top of the collection compartment, and returning the grasped container to its original position. Most of these devices also have a 222B227_1 (GHMatters) PS1119.AU 05/02/11 - 3 means for extending the vertical mast or boom a distance from the vehicle to accommodate the variable distance between the vehicle and the container. Furthermore, these devices can be generally placed into two categories; those 5 using chain drives and those using lever arms, either articulated or non-articulated. U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,434, issued on Oct. 7, 1975, to Ebeling, is an example of the chain drive device. The 10 invention employs a continuous linked chain driven by sprockets, or gears, mounted at the top and bottom of the mast, whereby the container grasping means, connected by links to the chain, and grasped container are carried to the top and then over a semicircular shaped mast head. The 15 mast is connected by horizontal supports to the frame of the collection vehicle so that the entire apparatus can be extended away from the collection vehicle a short distance in order to provide more precise positioning of the container. A disadvantage of this device is that it has a 20 large number of moving parts, so that the chains wear and frequently break from the stress of use. The second type of device is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,333, issued on Jan. 24, 1984, to Ebeling, in 25 which the chain drive mechanism is replaced with an articulated arm arrangement powered by a hydraulic cylinder and piston. A special linkage operating in conjunction with the articulated arm assembly and having four separate axes of rotation within its parts rotates an upper arm so as to 30 swing the container grasping means and grasped container up along guide tracks to the top of the mast where the container was tipped and its contents dumped into a collection vehicle. From a pivot point at the top of the mast, the articulated arm lifts the container grasping 35 means and grasped container the vertical distance of the mast. Like the chain drive device, the entire apparatus can be extended from the collection vehicle by various means 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 4 mounted to the frame of the collection vehicle, whereby the device can be positioned more precisely with relation to the container. However, this device has several disadvantages as well. First, the height of the arms as 5 they swing over the top of the collection vehicle can cause vertical clearance problems in tightly restricted areas. Second, the number of pieces comprising the linkage creates problems of manufacturability and cost. Third, the design itself tends to be heavy and cumbersome and does not lend 10 itself to downsizing for smaller, residential loads which, because of their reduced weight and bulk, can be serviced with a lighter device having commensurate less expense to manufacture. 15 All such refuse loading devices share another common problem, namely, as the container grasping apparatus traverses over the top portion of the mast, more force is required to move the container grasping apparatus. For the linear portion of the mast, the force vector necessary to 20 lift the apparatus only has a vertical component since it is overcoming gravity only. However, when the apparatus changes direction as it begins to traverse the curved portion of the mast, a horizontal component of force is required, so that the vector sum of the original vertical 25 force component and the increasing horizontal force component is now greater in magnitude than the magnitude of the original force. Thus, more power is required as the apparatus traverses the curved portion of the mast. 30 The use of chains, pulleys, and cables employed in the elevation mechanism all increase the part count and thus provide more opportunity for failure of a part. A rack and pinion gear is commonly known in the mechanical arts, as for example in the steering mechanism of cars. Such rack 35 and pinion arrangements can be used for lifting objects, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,181, issued on Sep. 24, 1996, to Bundo. In this invention, an elevator is driven by 2728227 1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 5 a plurality of pinions carried on the elevator cage which engage a plurality of vertical racks secured to the sidewalls of the elevator passage. A primary feature of this device is the presence of a crown gear driven by a 5 screw shaft connected to a motor mounted on the elevator cage, thus creating an irreversible driving device; this arrangement prevents the cage from falling in the event of a motor failure. However, this invention does not suggest or teach the use of a single rack and pinion for such 10 purposes, and emphasises the irreversible aspect to the invention as a safety device to provide passive braking. It would therefore be advantageous to have an apparatus which elevated and inverted a trash container 15 over an elevated access area of a compartment, which had one or more of the following features: " Reduced requirements for horizontal and vertical clearance so that it may be operated within narrow 20 alleyways and driveways in residential areas; e Reduced number of parts to aid in manufacturability and reduce expense; e Reduced number of moving parts to improve repairability; e Controlled traversal of the container grasping means as 25 it traverses the curved part of the apparatus to reduce centrifugal force on the container and thus reduce strain on the apparatus. 30 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a refuse collection system for lifting a container containing refuse from a surface, delivering the 35 container to an elevated collection area, and tipping the container so that the refuse falls into the collection area, the system including: 2728227 1 (GHatters) PS1119.AU 05/07/11 -6 a guide rail defining a path from the surface to the collection area; said path including a linear portion and a curved portion; 5 a carriage mounted on the guide rail for reciprocal movement thereon; a gripping means mounted on the carriage for 10 securing the container to the carriage; a pinion gear mounted on the carriage, the pinion gear having teeth; 15 a rack positioned parallel to the guide rail and of substantially the same length as the guide rail, the rack having a plurality of spaced apart engagement surfaces that are engaged by the teeth of the pinion gear which when rotated results in movement of the carriage along the guide 20 rail, and a power assisting assembly wherein the power assisting assembly provides power to move the carriage along the curved portion of the path and regulates the speed of the carriage traversing the curved portion of the path. 25 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided A refuse collection system including: a refuse collection vehicle having a collection 30 area; a frame attached to the side of the vehicle, the frame supporting an upwardly extending guide rail in a substantially vertical plane, the guide rail having a top 35 end with a curved portion positioned above an access area to the collection area; 2728227 1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 -7 a carriage means mounted on the guide rail for reciprocal movement along the guide rail's length; a gripping means secured to the carriage for 5 securely gripped a container containing refuse; a pinion gear mounted on the carriage means, the pinion gear having teeth; and 10 a rack positioned parallel to the guide rail and being substantially the same length as the guide rail, the rack having a plurality of spaced apart engagement surfaces being spaced to mesh with the teeth on the pinion gear, and 15 a power assisting assembly, whereby rotation of pinion gear effects movement of the carriage along the guide rail's length so as to transport the container to a position above the access area 20 and to tip the refuse from the container into the collection area wherein the power assisting assembly provides power to move the carriage along the curved portion of the guide rail and regulates the speed of the carriage traversing the curved portion. 25 Preferably, the method of moving the carriage along the guide rail or track consists of a rack and pinion arrangement in which the rack extends the length of the guide rail. Preferably, the pinion gear is mounted on the 30 carriage and is self-powered by a motor within the carriage. Preferably, a standard container grasping apparatus is connected to the carriage and powered by hydraulic means. 35 Accordingly, the present invention can grasp a container and elevate the container using the carriage from a rest position on a level surface, along the track to an 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 8 elevated position above an access area of the collection area and tip the container so that the contents of the container falls by gravity into the access area. Preferably, the container is transported along the guide 5 rails from a surface proximate to the ground or curb side to a collection area contained within a refuse collection vehicle. More preferably, the refuse collection system is mounted on the refuse collection vehicle. 10 Preferably, a pair of guide rails are provided on either side of the rack to hold the carriage assembly to the guide rail/track by means of wheels mounted on the carriage and journeled into channels provided by the guide rails. This arrangement also maintains the pinion gear in 15 close proximity to the rack so that the teeth of the rack and pinion mesh properly. Preferably, the pinion gear also serves as a brake to prevent the carriage from descending the guide rail when movement is arrested. 20 It is preferable the guide rail of the present invention includes a linear portion in a substantially vertical plane and a curved portion at its upper end. Preferably, the guide rail is supported by extendable, horizontal frame assembly at its upper end connected to the 25 collection tank, and not connected at its lower end connected to the vehicle frame as heretofore. The guide rail supports and guides the carriage vertically up and down a linear portion of the guide rail and arcuately over a curved top portion of the guide rail. 30 Typically, the rack is positioned parallel to the guide rail and of substantially the same length as the guide rail. Accordingly, it is preferable that the rack also comprises a linear portion in a substantially vertical 35 plane and with a curved portion at its upper end. The rack can be any member or article having a plurality of spaced apart engagement surfaces which are spaced to allow the 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 9 teeth of the pinion gear to engage the engagement surfaces. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rack comprises a flat sheet with a plurality of horizontal 5 ridges impressed into the sheet. In another embodiment of the present invention, the rack comprises a plurality of horizontally orientated bars, the bars spaced to mesh with teeth of the pinion 10 gear. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the vertical portion of the rack is a standard linear sheet of metal in which is stamped or formed a 15 series of spaced ridges forming teeth. The curved portion of the rack consists of an arrangement of horizontal bars mounted between the guide rails and having the spacing which meshes the bars to the pinion gear. These bars allow the carriage to continue movement beyond the top portion of 20 the track assembly and over the curved portion of the track assembly, by providing engagement points for the pinion gear in the carriage assembly. It is also believed that this arrangement aids manufacturability by removing the necessity of fabricating a curved rack portion from sheet 25 metal which has a different spacing of teeth in the curved portion of the rack due to the rack's curvature. An additional advantage of this bar arrangement is that debris cannot build up on the curved portion of the rack but will fall between the bars. 30 Preferably, the present invention also includes a power assist means which assists the container traversing the curved portion of the elevating device. Preferably, the speed of the container grasping apparatus can also be 35 controlled as the container traverses a curved portion of the elevating device which causes the container, along with the container grasping apparatus, to be inverted. 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 10 Preferably, the power assist means consists of a crank on one end of a rotatable tie bar for grasping trunions protruding from either side of the carriage 5 assembly as the carriage assembly approaches the top of the vertical portion of the track assembly, and a piston connected to the opposing end of the tie bar through an arrangement of an articulated, pivotable yoke and offset mounts. The crank ensures the carriage assembly is guided 10 up and over the curved top portion of the track assembly. The configuration of piston, yoke, and offset mount provides a means to, first, brake the momentum of the carriage assembly as it goes over the top of the track assembly and, second, to provide additional power to assist 15 the movement of the carriage assembly as it transitions from a linear to an arcuate path. Preferably, this configuration also does not extend beyond the confines of the track assembly and thus prevents clearance problems when the vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted travels 20 through narrow streets and alleyways. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the power assisting means comprises: e a crank with a slot for engaging a trunion on the 25 carriage when the carriage begins its traversal of the curved portion; " a tip beam having a first pivot point coincident with a center of the curved portion, the tip beam having a first end and a second end, the crank rigidly attached 30 to the first end; e a yoke assembly comprising a pair of yoke supports connected to the second end of the tip beam and extending towards the crank and a U-shaped yoke positioned for rotating movement therebetween, the yoke 35 having a bight and a pair of open third ends, the yoke supports each having a fixed end and an open end with a second pivot point; 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 11 e a piston having a fourth and fifth ends, the fourth end rigidly seated in the bight, the fifth end pivoting at a third pivot point immediately interior to the outer rim, the piston having a centerline disposed so that first, 5 second, and third pivot points are coincident with the centerline prior to engagement of the trunion with the slot, the second pivot point being moved off the centerline by the engagement of the trunion with the slot, the piston applying torque to the tip beam in the 10 same direction as movement urged by engagement of the trunion by the slot, the piston expanding so that the piston urges the carriage in its traversal of the semicircular top end and controls the speed of the carriage thereby. 15 In another embodiment of the invention, a double piston arrangement is used to achieve movement. The double piston arrangement is powered by the same hydraulic system used to power the carriage assembly, the gripping assembly, 20 and the power assistance assembly. The double piston arrangement is used in lieu of previous chain and sprocket mechanisms and/or nested channel arrangements, so as to achieve a more dependable, less breakage prone mechanism. 25 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate particular preferred embodiments of the 30 invention thereof by way of non-limiting example, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation view showing a collection vehicle upon which the invention is mounted. 35 Figure 2 is a rear elevation view of the collection vehicle and invention of Figure 1, with a cutaway portion so that the extension rail arrangement used 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 12 in the invention may be seen, where the track assembly is horizontally extended from the collection vehicle to permit the container grasping means to engage a container (container being shown in phantom outline). 5 Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the upper portion of the track assembly, on which the carriage assembly with gripping arms is depicted as it encounters the crank of the power assistance assembly while moving 10 upwards, and the same carriage assembly with gripping arms is shown in phantom at its final tipped position. Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the front of the upper portion of the track assembly with the rack 15 assembly cut away so that the yoke of the power assistance may be discerned and with the piston removed for clarification. Figure 5 is a top plan view of the track assembly 20 with the rack assembly being cut away to allow viewing of the power assistance assembly. Figure 6 is a detailed side view of the upper portion of the track assembly with one guide rail being 25 removed to allow viewing of the power assistance assembly in more detail. Figure 7 is a top view of the carriage assembly with the top panel cut away. 30 Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the carriage assembly with the gripping assembly removed so that the pinion gear may be observed more easily. 35 Figure 9 shows a close-up detail view of the distal end of the frame assembly to illustrate how the pads are attached to the frame assembly to maintain alignment 2728227_1 (GHMatters) PS1119.AU 05/07/11 - 13 during movement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 5 Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 on which a collection tank 15 is mounted. Collection tank 15 has a access area 20 near the front end 25 thereof for receiving trash, garbage, recyclables, or the like, and an end gate 30 for removal of the collection tank contents. A loader 35 10 for handling a container (not shown) is attached on one side of the collection vehicle 10, handling being more specifically defined as engaging, elevating, dumping, and returning the container to a desired location. In the illustrated embodiment, the loader 35 is mounted on the 15 passenger side of the collection vehicle 10, but choice of passenger side or driver side is arbitrary. The loader 35 includes a track assembly 40, a gripping assembly 45, a carriage assembly 50, a power assistance assembly 55, and a frame assembly 60. 20 Track assembly 40 is best seen by reference to Figures 2, 6, and 8. As can be seen in the figures, track assembly 40 includes two spaced apart guide rails 65, each having a linear portion 66 from the lower end of the guide 25 rail 65 and a curved portion 70 spaced shaped as a semi circle having center of curvature 610 and terminating in the proximity of the access area 20 of vehicle collection tank 15. The curved portion 70 of each guide rail 65 is rigidly supported by a horizontal brace 67 welded to the 30 guide rail 65 and extending inwardly and by an angled brace 68 welded to guide rail 65 and extending inwardly, both of which meet at the center of curvature 600 of the curved portion 70. An inner flange 73 and an outer flange 72 are formed on edges of the guide rails 65 to form opposed, 35 outwardly facing channels 75, which in turn receive rollers 80 associated with the carriage assembly 50. Rack 85 is interposed between guide rails 65 and set a constant 2728222 1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 14 distance from the outer surface of guide rails 65 along its length. Rack 85 may be constructed in a number of different ways. In its simplest form, rack 85 may be a corrugated piece of sheet metal with the corrugations formed so as to 5 mesh with pinion gear 90 in carriage assembly 50, discussed later. It can also be more solidly constructed by welding a series of parallel bars to a planar piece of sheet steel or aluminium, spaced appropriately to form teeth of the rack 85. Teeth can also be formed by molding a gear-like surface 10 on a metal substrate or by attaching appropriately formed teeth by standard means known to the industry, such as by welding, rivets, rearwardly inserted bolts, machining, press forming, and the like. Optionally, a series of stiffening members (not shown), such as rods, channel iron, 15 box beams, and the like, can be inserted along the rear surface of rack 85 along the linear portion 66 of guide rails 65 and welded to the inner surfaces of guide rails 65 for additional structural support. Use of such stiffening members for supporting rack 85 as well as for maintaining a 20 constant separation between guide rails 65 will permit a narrower rack and pinion gear combination to be used, since the rack would not necessarily be required to abut the inner sides of guide rails 65. 25 The rack assembly takes on a different form along the curved portion 70 of guide rails 65, as best seen in Figures 5 and 6. Horizontally oriented rack bars 95 are inset the same distance as the teeth on rack 85 and spaced along the circumference of curved portion 70, to allow the 30 teeth of pinion gear 90 to mesh with rack bars 95. Use of such rack bars allows pinion gear 90, after leaving rack 85 when carriage assembly 50 traverses the curved portion 70 of guide rails 65, to properly mesh with rack 85 on the return traversal. 35 The frame assembly 60 is now described, with reference to Figures 2, 4,and 9. The frame assembly 60 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 15 serves as the sole point of support for the downwardly hanging track assembly and connects loader 35 to collection tank 15 at its topmost portion. The main frame structure is rectangular and comprised of main support member 100, inner 5 support member 105, left channel member 110, and right channel member 115. Channel members 110, 115 run transverse to the vehicle and are parallel with one another with the channels outwardly oriented with relation to the interior of the rectangle so formed by members 100, 105, 110, 115. 10 Track assembly 40 is carried by main support member 100 as by welding the guide rails 65 to the outwardly facing surface of main support member 100. Main gussets 120 are provided to connect guide rails 65 to main support member 100 by providing additional welding surface area and 15 support. Channel members 110, 115 are each supported by two frame rollers 125, each roller being supported on a bearing 126 and axially mounted on a bolt 127. The location 20 of the innermost two frame rollers 125 is shown best in Figure 2. The outermost frame rollers 125 are not shown but are positioned generally at the outermost extent of the tank body. The placement of the rollers is not critical nor is their spacing along channel members 110, 115. Transverse 25 movement of the frame assembly 60 is achieved by use of a double piston assembly 130, consisting of two opposed pistons 131, 132, the bodies of which are rigidly connected together as by welding. The piston rod of rear facing piston 131 is attached to bracket 133 on the wall of.the 30 tank body opposite loader 35, and the piston rod of forward facing piston 132 is connected to bracket 134 on right channel member 115. Transverse movement of frame assembly is achieved by simultaneous expansion and simultaneous contraction of pistons 131, 132 against one side of the 35 rectangular frame. In order to ensure that the force applied against 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 16 right support member 115 does not skew the member as against rollers 125 journeled therein, a fin 140 the same length as right channel member 115 is rigidly attached to the bottom flange comprising right channel member 115 as by 5 welding. An outer guide bar 146 and an inner guide bar 147, each also having the same length as right channel member 115, are positioned parallel to and on either side of fin 140. Outer guide bar 146 is supported along its length by a number of rail brackets 149 spaced along its length and 10 attached to the outer guide bar 146 as by welding. Inner guide bar 147 is similarly supported, either directly on a wall of the collection tank or by suitable brackets (not shown). Two pads 148 composed of a suitable resilient material, such as plastic, are interposed between the fin 15 140 and the respective guide bars 146, 147 at the distal end 142 of right channel member 115, so that the distal end 142 is kept in alignment with the proximal end 141 as force is applied to move frame assembly 60. 20 The carriage assembly 50 is best described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The gripping assembly 45 is mounted to the carriage assembly 50 for movement along the length of the track assembly 40 by means of a roller connection to each of the guide rails 40, as best seen in 25 Figures 7 and 8. Carriage assembly 50 is formed of a structure having a front panel 160 with sufficient width to span the track assembly 40 and two side panels 165, each side panel 165 having an inwardly directed shaft 81 at its uppermost end and an inwardly directed shaft 81 at its 30 lowermost end. An inwardly directed roller 80 is journaled on each of the several shafts 81. The outermost side of each guide rail 65 has an inturned outer flange 72 and an inturned inner flange 73 which form a channel 75 to guide the rollers 80 of the carriage assembly 50 as it traverses 35 the track assembly 40. A horizontally oriented pinion gear 90 is contained in the carriage assembly 50 so that the pinion gear 90 meshes with rack 85. Each end of the axis of 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 17 pinion gear 90 is connected to the rotating shaft 175 of a hydraulic motor 170. Although a single motor of electrical or hydraulic configuration may be used, the described embodiment has been found to have superior balance and 5 power characteristics and is considered to be the best mode for powering carriage assembly 50. Each hydraulic motor has a supply fitting 171 and a return fitting 172 for supplying hydraulic fluid to the motor for powering it; the method of controlling the motors is well known to the art and not 10 described here. A pair of trunions 180 horizontally extend from approximately the middle of carriage side panels 165, the trunions 180 for detachable engagement with a pair of cranks as described later. A pair of outwardly directed rings 185 are provided to serve as a horizontal axis about 15 which the gripping assembly rotates upwardly. A pair of support tabs 190 are also provided to serve as supports for the gripping assembly 45. A pair of upper mounting lugs 195 are provided as points of attachment the vertical control piston 200 (Figure 2) associated with the gripping assembly 20 45. The upper mounting lugs 195 have opposed holes suitable for insertion of a retaining pin (not shown) which captures an end of the vertical control piston 200. Another embodiment of the drive mechanism of the 25 carriage assembly 50 is the use of a gear box employing a worm gear driving a crown gear arrangement interposed between the shaft 175 of the motor 170 and the axis of the pinion gear 90 (not shown in figures). Such an arrangement would provide an additional safety feature for the carriage 30 assembly 50, such that, in the event of a motor failure, gravity would not cause the carriage assembly to forcefully and rapidly fall to the bottom portion of the track assembly 40. The presence of a worm gear and crown gear arrangement would prevent gravitational force exerted on 35 the carriage assembly from being transmitted back through the pinion gear to the motor, since the worm and crown gear arrangement is not reversible. However, this embodiment is 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 18 not preferred for the application on trash collection vehicles; the presence of such a gear box would force a hydraulic motor run at high speeds in order to overcome the gear ration presented by the gear box and provide an 5 acceptable speed of operation for the carriage assembly. Such an embodiment might be more acceptable for larger elevating applications in which the weight being moved would preclude rapid movement. 10 The gripping assembly 45 enables a container resting on a level surface to be securely grasped and held by the loader 35 for lifting, tilting, and emptying the container's contents into the access area 20 of collection tank 15. Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 5, the gripping 15 assembly 45 is mounted on the carriage assembly 50 by means of two posts 205 having holes in their upper ends sufficient to accommodate rings 185 therein for upward tilting of the gripping assembly. This upward tilting is accomplished by vertical control piston 200 which is 20 attached on its one end by lower mounting lugs 210 associated with the gripping assembly 45 and to upper mounting lugs 195 associated with the carriage assembly 50. Gripping assembly 45 includes a pair of oppositely disposed gripping arms 215 and 216, each having an inner surface 25 which engages the exterior surface of a generally cylindrical container. Clearly, the configuration and shape of the gripping arms will vary depending upon the shape and size of the container used; in this embodiment, the arcuate shape of the gripping arms is suitable for cylindrical 30 containers. The inner ends of each gripping arm 215, 216 terminate with a arm mounting bracket 220 having a vertical hole for pivotal attachment to the gripping assembly. Hydraulic actuators 225, 225 are attached between the gripping arms 215, 216 and the gripping assembly body so 35 that the gripping arms may open and close with sufficient clearance to encircle and capture a container. 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 19 This general description of the gripping assembly is only indicative of many such devices well known to the art. One such gripping assembly is described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,434; another is described in 5 the aforesaid U.S. Patent RE 34,292 (a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,026, by Bingman et al.). The gripping assembly is not essential to the inventive concept and is included only for completeness. 10 The structure of the power assistance assembly can best be understood with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6. A crank 300 having a slot 305 for engagement with trunion 180 is connected to the curved end 310 of tip beam 315 which pivots about axis of rotation 610 common with the 15 center of curvature of curved portion 70 of guide rail 65. The lower portion of crank 300 is notched to rest on the main support member 100 when at rest, and the curved end of tip beam 315 is similarly structured to rest on main support member 100. Tip beam 315 is positioned on the outer 20 side of angled brace 68, horizontal brace 67, and guide rail 65, and is configured for rotation by mounting on a cam follower 320 which serves as a bearing. An identical arrangement of crank 310 and tip beam 315 assembly is configured for the other guide rail 65 and joined at the 25 upper end of cranks 310 by a tie bar 325 passing over both guide rails 65. The non-curved ends of tip beams 315 are joined together by a tie plate 330, which passes interior to the curved portions 70 of guide rails 65 and below angled brace 68. Tie bar 325 and tie plate 330 maintain the 30 pair of tip beams 315 and pair of cranks 310 in parallel alignment. Attached to tie plate 330 are two yoke supports 335 extending parallel to tip beams 315. Spacer blocks 336 parallel to tie plate 330 and spaced therefrom maintain alignment and provide structural support for yoke supports 35 335. Yoke 340 is pivotably interposed between the free ends of yoke supports 335 and rotates about axis of rotation 620. The bight of yoke 340 receives one end of power piston 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 20 345, the opposite end of which is pivotably disposed about a horizontal shaft 346 interposed between two vertical plates 347 which in turn are supported by two horizontal box beam piston supports 348 extending between the interior 5 surfaces of the curved portion of guide rails 65. The power assistance assembly 55 is configured so that, when the tip beam 315 and crank 310 is resting on main support member 100, as depicted in Figure 6, the axes of rotation for the tip beam 315, yoke 340, and power piston 630 are all 10 aligned along centerline 640. Power piston 340 cannot be extended because of the alignment of axes. All activities of the improved refuse collection system, to include (1) lateral extension of loader 35 from 15 the vehicle 10, (2) reciprocal movement of the carriage assembly 50 on the track assembly 40, (3) grasping and releasing activity of the gripping assembly 45, and (4) assistance to movement of carriage assembly 50 over the curved portion 70 of the guide rails 65, are all 20 accomplished by means of the same hydraulic control system. Such control systems are operable from the cab of vehicle 10 using standard ring and lever means. Design of an appropriate hydraulic system is considered to be well known to the industry and not presented here. 25 The operation of the apparatus will now be described. When vehicle 10 has been positioned adjacent to a container, the loader 35 is extended laterally to engage container with the container gripping arms 215, 216. As 30 stated previously, this gripping operation may be effected with any suitable mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the track assembly 40 is extended laterally by expansion of double piston assembly 130 which urges the frame assembly 60 supporting track assembly 40 to move outwardly along 35 rollers 125 and engagement with the container is effected. Subsequent retraction of the track assembly toward the vehicle is effected in order to bring the container into a 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/02/11 - 21 correct final position adjacent to vehicle 10. Elevation of the gripping assembly 45 along with the container is initiated by applying power to each of 5 hydraulic motors 170 which cause pinion gear 90 to rotate and advance the carriage assembly 50, and consequently gripping assembly 45 with its held container, upwards along the rack 85. As the carriage assembly 50 approaches the uppermost end of the linear portion 66 of track assembly 10 40, the trunions 180 are brought into contact with slots 305 in cranks 300. The power assistance assembly is at the rest, or ready, position as depicted in Figure 6 with pressure applied to power piston 345. 15 Trunion 180 enters slot 305 and exerts upward pressure on crank 300. This upward pressure urges tip beam 315 into clockwise motion, as seen from Figure 6. This motion causes a hydraulic valve (not shown) to shift, diverting hydraulic fluid from motors 170 to the power 20 piston 345. Simultaneously the motion brings yoke supports 335 down, which also moves yoke axis 620 downward and out of alignment with the other two axes 610, 630, thus allowing power piston 345 to expand to produce a clockwise torque about axis 610 to assist movement of the carriage 25 assembly 50 over the curved portion 70 of guide rails 65. With the assistance of power piston 345, the carriage assembly 50 is advanced over the curved portion 70 of guide rails 65, thus upending the container held by 30 gripping assembly 45 so that the contents of the container are emptied into the access area 20 of the collection tank 15. The final orientation of carriage assembly 50 is shown in phantom lines on Figure 3. Carriage assembly 50 is brought back down the track assembly 40 by reversing the 35 process while it is in the final position, that is, forcibly collapsing power piston 345 so that tip beam 315 is moved in a counterclockwise direction to exert a reverse 2728227 _1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 22 force against the trunions 180 of carriage assembly 50. It is to be understood that the invention can still function without the use of the power assist 5 assembly. In another embodiment of the invention, no power assist assembly is used to assist tipping. In this embodiment, the carriage assembly 50 traverses the curved portion 70 of the guide rails 65 in the same manner as described for the flat sheet portion 66 of the guide rails 10 65. In this manner the contents of a container within the gripping assembly 45 of the carriage 70 is inverted when following the track of the guide rails 65 substantially to the end of the curve portion 70. 15 It is noted that the present invention provides a trash elevation apparatus which has a reduced part count so as to aid in manufacturability, maintenance, and expense. The preferred embodiment of the improved trash handling apparatus thus described is believed to be more compact and 20 lightweight than similar devices described heretofore, and improves manufacturability of the apparatus because of its reduced parts count and simplicity of construction. It is also noted that, when the present invention 25 is included on a trash collection vehicle, the invention can be mounted in a location other than the under carriage. This improves ground clearance for the vehicle. The described arrangement has been advanced by 30 explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed. 35 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It 2728227_1 (GHMatters) PS1119.AU 05/07/11 - 23 is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope. 5 It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country. 10 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 15 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 20 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11

Claims

1. A refuse collection system for lifting a container containing refuse from a surface, delivering the 5 container to an elevated collection area, and tipping the container so that the refuse falls into the collection area, the system including: a guide rail defining a path from the surface to the 10 collection area; said path including a linear portion and a curved portion; a carriage mounted on the guide rail for reciprocal movement thereon; 15 a gripping means mounted on the carriage for securing the container to the carriage; a pinion gear mounted on the carriage, the pinion gear 20 having teeth; a rack positioned parallel to the guide rail and of substantially the same length as the guide rail, the rack having a plurality of spaced apart engagement 25 surfaces that are engaged by the teeth of the pinion gear which when rotated results in movement of the carriage along the guide rail, and a power assisting assembly wherein the power assisting assembly provides power to move the carriage along the curved portion of 30 the path and regulates the speed of the carriage traversing the curved portion of the path.

2. The refuse collection system according to claim 1, in 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 25 which the rack includes a flat sheet with horizontal ridges impressed therein, the horizontal ridges being spaced so as to provide the engagement surfaces for engagement with the teeth of the pinion gear. 5

3. The refuse collection system according to claim 1, in which the rack includes a plurality of spaced apart horizontal bars, the bars providing the engagement surfaces for engagement with the teeth of the pinion 10 gear.

4. The refuse collection system according to any one the preceding claims, in which the linear portion of the path is partially formed by the rack and guide rails, 15 in which the rack and guide rails include a linear portion substantially extending from a lower end proximate with the surface to an upper end proximate with the elevated collection area, wherein the linear portion is used to raise the container from a position 20 proximate to the surface to a position proximate to the elevated collection area.

5. The refuse collection system according to any one the preceding claims, in which the path is partially 25 formed by the rack and guide rails in which the rack and guide rails include a curved portion proximately located at the collection area, wherein the curved portion causes the carriage traversing the curved portion to invert, thus allowing the contents of the 30 container to fall into the collection area.

6. The refuse collection system according to claim 5, in which the guide rail includes the linear portion and 27282271_ (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 26 the curved portion, the linear portion substantially extending from a lower end proximate with the surface to an intermediate position, and the curved portion extending from the intermediate position to an upper 5 end proximate to the elevated collection area and thereafter curving in a direction towards an interior of the elevated collection area.

7. The refuse collection system according to claim 5 or 10 6, in which the rack includes a plurality of horizontal bars along the curved portion of the guide rail, the bars spaced to mesh with teeth of the pinion gear as the pinion gear traverses the curved portion. 15

8. The refuse collection system according to any one of claims 5, 6 or 7, in which the rack includes: a flat sheet having spaced horizontal ridges impressed therein along the linear portion of the guide rail and 20 spaced to mesh with teeth on the pinion gear; and a plurality of horizontal bars along the curved portion of the guide rail, the bars spaced to mesh with teeth of the pinion gear as the pinion gear 25 traverses the curved portion of the guide rail.

9. The refuse collection system according to any one claims 5 to 8 including a crank for engaging a trunion on the carriage when the carriage begins to traverse 30 the curved portion so that the carriage assembly is guided up and over the curved portion by the crank.

10. The refuse collection system according to any 2728222_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 27 preceding claim in which the power assisting assembly includes a piston operated power assistance apparatus located coincident with the curved portion of the track in which the power assistance apparatus engages 5 the carriage as the carriage approaches the curved portion.

11. The refuse collection system according to claim 10 in which the power assisting assembly includes: 10 a crank connected to one end of a rotatable tie bar, trunions protruding from a least one side of the carriage, wherein the crank engages the trunions as the carriage approaches the curved portion of the 15 guide rail so as to guide the carriage over the curved portion.

12. The refuse collection system according to claim 11 in which the power assisting assembly further includes a 20 piston connected to an opposing end of the tie bar and an arrangement of an articulated, pivotable yoke and offset mounts for providing braking of the momentum of the carriage assembly traversing the curved portion and for providing additional power to assist movement 25 of the carriage assembly along the curved portion of the guide rail.

13. The refuse collection system according to any preceding claim in which the power assisting means 30 comprises: a crank with a slot for engaging a trunion on the carriage when the carriage begins traverse of the 272B227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 28 curved portion; a tip beam having a first pivot point, said first pivot point being located coincident with a centre of 5 the curved portion, the tip beam having a first end and a second end, the crank rigidly attached to the first end of the tip beam; a yoke assembly including a pair of yoke supports 10 connected to the second end of the tip beam and extending towards the crank and a U-shaped yoke positioned for rotating movement therebetween, the yoke having a bight and a pair of open ends, the yoke supports each having a fixed end and an open end, said 15 yoke having a second pivot point located about the open ends where connected to the tie bar; and a piston having a first and second end, the first end of the piston being rigidly seated in the bight of the 20 yoke, the second end of the piston being pivoted at a third pivot point located immediately interior to the outer rim, the piston having a centreline disposed so that first, second, and third pivot points are co linear with the centreline of the piston prior to 25 engagement of the trunion with the slot, wherein the second pivot point is moved off the centreline by the engagement of the trunion with the slot to allow the piston to apply torque to the tip beam in the same direction as the direction of movement urged by 30 engagement of the trunion by the slot, resulting in the piston expanding so that the piston urges the carriage to traverse the semicircular top end of the guide rail so as to control the speed of the carriage 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 29 as the carriage traverses the curved portion of the guide rail.

14. The refuse collection system according to any one of 5 the preceding claims further including an engagement means for engaging the carriage to the guide rail so as to maintain the carriage in close proximity with the rack. 10

15. The refuse collection system according to claim 14 in which the engagement means also ensures the carriage follows the path defined by the guide.

16. The refuse collection system according to any one of 15 the preceding claims, in which the guide rail is supported by a frame attached to the collection area.

17. The refuse collection system according to claim 16, in which the frame is adapted to reciprocate transversely 20 from the receiving tank to adjust the position of the gripping means, the frame being operated by a pair of pistons rigidly joined with respective first and second piston rods extending in opposite directions, wherein the first piston rod is connected to the 25 frame, and the second piston rod is connected to the collection area.

18. The refuse collection system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pinion gear is 30 connected to a motor mounted on the carriage, wherein operation of the motor causes the pinion to rotate to effect reciprocal movement of the carriage along the guide rail. 2728227_1 (GHMatters) PS1119.AU 05/07/11 - 30

19. The refuse collection system according to any one of the preceding claims mounted on a refuse collection vehicle. 5

20. The refuse collection system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the collection area is contained within a refuse collection vehicle. 10

21. A refuse collection system including: a refuse collection vehicle having a collection area; a frame attached to the side of the vehicle, the frame 15 supporting an upwardly extending guide rail in a substantially vertical plane, the guide rail having a top end with a curved portion positioned above an access area to the collection area; 20 a carriage means mounted on the guide rail for reciprocal movement along the guide rail's length; a gripping means secured to the carriage for securely gripped a container containing refuse; 25 a pinion gear mounted on the carriage means, the pinion gear having teeth; and a rack positioned parallel to the guide rail and being 30 substantially the same length as the guide rail, the rack having a plurality of spaced apart engagement surfaces being spaced to mesh with the teeth on the pinion gear, and 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11 - 31 a power assisting assembly, whereby rotation of pinion gear effects movement of 5 the carriage along the guide rail's length so as to transport the container to a position above the access area and to tip the refuse from the container into the collection area wherein the power assisting assembly provides power to move the carriage along the curved 10 portion of the guide rail and regulates the speed of the carriage traversing the curved portion.

22. The refuse collection system according to claim 21, in which the rack comprises a flat sheet with a plurality 15 of horizontal ridges impressed into the sheet, the horizontal ridges being spaced so as to provide engagement surfaces for engagement with the teeth.

23. The refuse collection system according to claim 21, in 20 which the rack comprises a plurality of horizontally orientated bars, the horizontal bars being spaced so as to provide engagement surfaces for engagement with the teeth. 25

24. The refuse collection system according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which the rack comprises a plurality of horizontal bars along the curved portion of the guide rail, the horizontal bars being spaced so as to provide engagement surfaces for engagement with 30 the teeth of the pinion gear as the carriage traverses the curved portion.

25. The refuse collection system according to any one of 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU D5/07/11 - 32 the preceding claims in which the container is transported along the guide rails from a surface proximate to the ground or curb side to a collection area contained within a refuse collection vehicle. 5

26. The refuse collection system substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 2728227_1 (GHMatters) P51119.AU 05/07/11