GB2165814A

GB2165814A - Refuse container lifting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2165814A
Application number: GB08426606A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-10-20
Filing date: 1984-10-20
Publication date: 1986-04-23
Also published as: GB2165814B; GB8426606D0

Abstract

Lifting apparatus for use with a refuse collection vehicle comprises a plurality of different clamping means to clamp various sizes and shapes of bin, the clamping means being carried by an elongate assembly (10) having a tube-like member (11) and an inner tube or rod (12), the tube (11) and tube or rod (12) being connected to the vehicle by arms (15, 21) respectively. Movement of the assembly is effected by hydraulic rams (23), actuation of which causes a refuse bin to be lifted and then overturned into the refuse collection space in the vehicle, the overturning being effected by relative rotation between the table (11) and rod (12). There may be three separate clamping means comprising firstly members (30, 31) which engage the rim of a bin, secondly horizontally pivotal arms which grip a bin therebetween; and thirdly a pair of hosts (70, 71) which are individually operable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Refuse container lifting apparatus Description of invention The present invention relates to container lifting apparatus. The invention is primarily, but not exclusively, concerned with refuse container lifting apparatus adapted to be secured to a mobile refuse collection/compaction vehicle to lift refuse containers and empty the contents thereof into the vehicle.

It is further envisaged that the apparatus may be used for lifting and tipping refuse containers at a refuse disposal unit such as an incinerator or other refuse disposal site.

Commercially available refuse containers are manufactured in many different sizes and shapes and, it is usual for a specific lifting apparatus to cope with one specific design of refuse container which, particularly when the lifting and tipping apparatus is to be used on a refuse collection/compaction vehicle, considerably restricts the versatility of the vehicle and, if more than one lifting and tipping apparatus is present on the vehicle, such apparatus tends to restrict the access opening provided on such vehicles thus preventing the manual loading of refuse.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved lifting apparatus that overcomes or reduces the abovementioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention, we provide lifting apparatus comprising a carrier member or assembly, said carrier or assembly comprising: (a) a first pair of clamping members capable of relative movement in a direction towards and away from each other to effect clamping of a first bin on surface parts of said first bin which face upwardly and downwardly respectively when said bin is in a normal refuse containing position; (b) means to effect said movement of said clamping members; (c) a second pair of clamping members capable of relative movement towards and away from each other to effect clamping of a second refuse bin on surface parts extending generally vertically when said second bin is in a normal refuse containing position; (d) means to effect movement of said second pair of clamping members;; (e) means for moving said carrier member or assembly and said first or said second bin when clamped so as to effect emptying of the contents of said bin.

Preferably, at least one pair of said clamping members are movable to a folded, storage, position when the other of said pairs of clamping members are to be used and conveniently said second pair of clamping members are foldable to said storage position.

Preferably said second pair of clamping mem bers comprises a pair of arms, each arm of said pair comprising two or more articulated members.

Preferably said first pair of clamping members comprise elongate members adapted in shape and/ or configuration to clamp above and below an elongate part provided on a bin and conveniently said elongate part may comprise a rim element extending along at least one side of the bin, said clamping means engaging with upper and lower surfaces thereof.

Preferably, said rim element extends in a substantially horizontal direction, at least when said bin is in a normal in-use refuse containing position.

Where said first pair of clamping members are adapted to clamp on a rim part of a bin, preferably said rim is of a configuration to define an inverted channel shape and wherein the lower of said clamping members is of a shape and/or configuration to enter, during a clamping operation, into said inverted channel.

Preferably, said first pair of clamping members are adapted to clamp, lift and empty a bin affords ing a refuse storage space substantially rectangular in configuration.

Preferably, said second pair of clamping members are adapted to clamp with, lift and empty a bin of substantially cylindrical configuration, the cylindrical shape of said bins affording sufficient resistence to pressure exerted by said clamping members to prevent crushing of said bin.

Preferably, said carrier member or assembly comprises an elongate assembly mounted for movement relative to a supporting structure, which structure may comprise a vehicle. Conveniently said elongate assembly is mounted for both lateral movement relative to the supporting structure, and at least limited rotational movement about its longitudinal axis.

Preferably lateral movement of said elongate assembly effects relative movement between said first pair of clamping members and further lateral movement may effect lifting of a bin clamped between said first pair of clamping members. Rotary movement about its longitudinal axis of said elongate assembly effects tipping of said bin to empty the contents thereof.

Additional means may be provided to operate said clamping members.

Preferably, said elongate assembly may be carried by a pair of arms extending from the supporting structure and movement of said elongate member may be caused by hydraulic rams acting between the supporting structure and said elongate assembly. Conveniently said hydraulic ram may be connected between said supporting structure and at least one of said arms.

Preferably, said elongate assembly comprises a tube having concentrically mounted therein a further tube or rod, and wherein said tube and said further tube or rod are each constrained in their movement by respective pairs of arms, one pair of arms interconnecting the tube to the supporting structure and the other pair of arms interconnect ing the further tube or rod to the supporting structure.

Preferably, each arm of the pair of arms constraining the movement either of said tube or said further tube or rod comprise a pair of articulated members connected in a manner so that movement of said tube and said further tube or rod causes some relative rotation between said tube and said further tube or rod.

Conveniently, said relative rotation affords the movement to provide an overturning and hence emptying movement of said bins.

When said bin lifting apparatus is provided on a vehicle, it is preferably provided at the rear of a vehicle and below a lower boundary of an opening providing access to the interior of the vehicle so as not to restrict said opening, and hence permit of manual loading of refuse through said opening.

Preferably said carrier member or assembly affords abutment surfaces which provide support to the bins being lifted and emptied by said bin hoist in addition to the support provided by said clamping members.

Preferably the means for moving said carrier member or assembly to lift and empty said bins comprises the same means irrespective of which clamping members are being used to clamp a respective bin relative to the carrier member or assembly. Conveniently, additional means are provided to operate at least one of said clamping members and conveniently a hydraulic ram is provided to effect movement of said second pair of clamping members It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new or improved refuse collecting vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, we provide a refuse collection vehicle having a refuse collection space, an opening affording access to the refuse collection space wherein bin lifting apparatus is provided on said vehicle, and wherein said bin apparatus includes any of the features aforementioned.

Conveniently, said vehicle may be provided with still further bin lifting apparatus operable independently of the lifting apparatus the subject of the present invention, such further bin lifting apparatus being adapted to effect emptying of a still further design of refuse storage bin.

Where said further bin lifting apparatus is provided, said vehicle may be provided with safety interlock means to prohibit operation of at least some of the bin lifting apparatus while other bin lifting apparatus is in use to prevent or minimise danger to the operatives.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the lifting apparatus of the present invention, mounted on a vehicle; Figure 2 is a detailed side elevation of the arm linkage mechanism shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a part diagrammatic view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 with a bin in a tipping position; Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating the second pair of clamping members in a bin clamping position; Figure 5 is a further view of the lifting apparatus, together with the further bin lifting apparatus engaging with further bins; Figure 6 is a detailed side elevation of the further bin lifting apparatus shown in Figure 5.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the lifting apparatus of the present invention comprises a carrier assembly generally indicated at 10, the carrier assembly including a tube-like member 11 having a coaxial inner tube or rod 12.

The tube-like member 11 is provided with a crank arm 13 pivotally connected at 14 to a further arm 15, the other end of the further arm 15 being pivotally mounted at 16 to a supporting assembly, in this case the rear of a refuse collection and compaction vehicle 17.

The inner tube or rod 12 is rigidly connected via a clamping member 20 to a dog leg shaped arm 21 mounted for pivotal movement at 22 to the vehicle 17.

A hydraulic ram generally indicated at 23 has its cylinder 25 connected at 26 to the vehicle 17 and the piston is connected at 27 to the arm 21.

Operation of the piston and cylinder 25 will thus cause the carrier assembly 10 to move through an arcuate path, the radius of which is defined by the arm 21. Since the outer tube-like member 11 is constrained in its movement by crank arm 13 and further arm 15, movement of the carrier assembly 10 will cause rotational movement of the outer tube-like member 11.

The outer tube-like member 11 is mounted on bearings (one of which is shown at 28 in Figure 3) relative to the further tube or rod 12 permitting of such relative rotational movement.

Mounted on the carrier assembly 10, and specifically on the tube-like member 11, are a first pair of clamping members, said first pair of clamping members comprising a comb-like clamping member 30 and clamping plate 31. The comb-like clamping member 30 is shaped so as to engage in an inverted channel normally provided on a front face of rectangular like refuse bins, such a bin being shown schematically at 32.

In use of the lifting apparatus, a bin 32 which is normally provided with wheels or castors is wheeled into position so that the part of the bin which is adapted to be engaged by clamping members 30 and 31 presents its inverted channel directly above the comb-like clamping member 30.

The hydraulic ram 35 is then activated and the comb-like clamping member 30 will initially rise substantially vertically untii it engages within the aforementioned inverted channel on the bin 32, hydraulic rams 33 and 34 are then energised thus rotating clamping member 31 so that it comes into engagement with the upper surface of the part presenting the inverted channel on bin 32. The rams 34 and 35 may be automatically energised on commencement of movement if the carrier assembly 10 or at any suitable time thereafter, prior to tipping of the bin.

Continuing movement of the ram 25 causes the bin 32 to be lifted, again at least initialiy substantially vertically, preventing any refuse from being tipped out of the bin and, as movement is continued, since the outer tube-like member 11 of the carrier assembly 10 is constrained in its permitted movement by crank arm 13 and further arm 15, the outer tube-like member 11 will begin to rotate relative to the inner tube or rod 12 thus tipping the bin in an anti-clockwise direction (as seen in Figure 2) through the access opening 36 in the refuse collection and compaction vehicle 17.

The carrier assembly further comprises a deflection plate 37 also carried by the outer tube-like member 11 which prevents refuse being tipped from the bin 32 and falling outside the access opening 36.

Some refuse bins are provided with lids and the refuse collection and compaction vehicle may be provided with lid opening means which, in the vehicle 17 shown in Figure 1, comprises a pair of arcuate surfaces 37 and 38 positioned to engage abutment surfaces provided on the lid and, in combination with the movement of the carrier assembly provided by ram 25, tipping movement of the bid 32 to effect emptying thereof will cause engagement between the arcuate surfaces 37 and 38 and the abutment surfaces provided on the lid of bin 32, causing opening of the lid as the lifting and tipping movement continues.

Once the bin has reached its fully tipped position, as shown in Figure 3, and the contents thereof have been emptied into the vehicle 17, the ram 25 is "disconnected" from the pressure fluid and the carrier assembly 10 and bin 32 return to the position shown in Figure 1, the clamping of the bin being automatically released by sequential operation of hydraulic rams 33 and 34 as the bin 32 approaches its ground engaging position.

It will be appreciated that the other end of the tube-like member 11 and further tube or rod 12 are provided with supporting arms, the same as crank arm 13 and further arm 15 and arm 21 respectively, similarly a further hydraulic ram, mounted in a similar manner to ram 25, is provided to assist in movement of the carrier assembly.

The carrier assembly comprises a second pair of clamping members which can best be seen in Figure 4, one of which can be seen in a folded position in Figure 1, indicated generally at 40.

Referring now particularly to Figure 4, the clamping members comprise two pairs of arms, one pair 40 and the other pair 41, which arms are carried by the carrier assembly 10 via respective pivotal mounting means 42 and 43, by means of which pivotal mountings inner arm members 44 and 45 are pivotally connected to the carrier assembly.

The other ends of inner arms 44 and 45 being pivotally mounted at 46 and 47 respectively to intermediate arm members 48 and 49, the intermediate arm members carrying respective bin gripping "shoes" 50 and 51. The "shoes" 50 and 51 are pivotally mounted to the intermediate arm members 48 and 49 via respective pivotal mountings 52 and 53.

The second pair of clamping arms 40, 41 have an in-use position in which they can have a bin receiving position and a bin clamping position, the bin clamping position being shown in Figure 4, and a folded position and the arm 40 can be seen in a folded position in dotted outline in Figure 5.

A hydraulic ram is connected at 55 and 56 to the inner arm members 44 and 45 to cause movement of the arms 40 and 41 between their bin-receiving position and their bin clamping position.

In use of the second pair of clamping members, each of the arms 40 and 41 is removed from its folded and stored position, as shown in Figure 1, to a bin receiving position in which they extend outwardly from the carrier assembly 10. A bin, such as the bin shown schematically at 57, such a bin being known as a Paladin bin, is wheeled into position between the arms 40 and 41, the hydraulic ram 58 is then energised and the clamping shoes 50 and 51 come into contact with and clamp the bin 57.

The carrier assembly is provided with a further pair of support surfaces to contact the bin 57, an upper support member 59 and a lower support member 60 shown best in Figure 2. The support members 59 and 60 both have in-use positions, such as the positions shown in Figure 2, and a folded position, the folded positions of lower support member being shown in Figure 1.

When the bin 57 is clamped by the arms 40 and 41, the carrier assembly is energised by connecting hydraulic ram 25 to a source of pressure fluid and the lifting and tipping procedure is precisely the same as aforedescribed.

The lifting apparatus of the present invention conveniently comprises a single carrier assembly provided with two pairs of clamping means whereby bins of completely different shapes may be effectively clamped and emptied by the apparatus.

It is further envisaged that the refuse collection and compaction vehicle may be provided with further bin lifting means for emptying bins smaller in size than the bins lifted and emptied by the lifting apparatus aforedescribed, such further bins being of a size whereby manual lifting of the bins may be unduly onerous. Two such bins are shown in Figure 5 at 64 and 65.

Referring to Figure 1, examples of such further lifting apparatus are shown schematically at 70 and 71, such lifting apparatus being known as "Flipper" hoists and the construction and operation of such a hoist will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The Flipper hoist shown in Figures 5 and 6 comprises a bin engagement part 73 carried by a front carrier member 74. The bin engagement part 73 is adapted to engage within an inverted channel provided in a rim section or extension part of a refuse collection bin.

The Flipper hoist is operated by a hydraulic ram 75, best shown in Figure 5, the piston of which is connected via connecting limb 76, shaft 77, to arcuate limb 78 which in turn constrained in its movement by connection to a member 79 to the projection 80 of carrier part 74, and the other end of arcuate limb 78 is controlled by radius arm 81.

Energisation of the ram 75 will cause anti-clock wise (Figure 6) rotation of shaft 77 causing rotation of radius arm 81 and sliding movement of carrier part 74, together with bin engagement part 73 in an upwards direction relative to mounting member 82.

Such sliding movement will be limited and will cause the bin engaging part 73 to lift the bin and bring an upper surface part of the bin into engagement with clamp bar 85, thus the bin is effectively clamped to the hoist and further energisation of ram 75 will cause rotation of the carrier member 74, mounting member 82 about axis 83, the positions shown generally in dotted outline at 84.

When the Flipper hoists are in the positions shown at 70 and 71, it is not possible to remove the second pair of clamping arms from their folded position, in which position they may be locked by locking means, however if the Flipper hoists 70 and 71 are operated to a bin emptying position or at least until they are in a substantially horizontal position, then the second pair of clamping arms 40 and 41 may be unfolded to their in-use position.

Whereas the present invention has been described exciusively with reference to a vehicle, in particular a refuse collection and compaction vehilce, it will be appreciated that it may be incorporated at any site where it is required to lift and empty bins which may contain refuse or any other matter.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed results, or the class or group of substances or compositions, is appropriate, may, separately or any combination of such features, be utilized for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. Lifting apparatus comprising a carrier member or assembly, said carrier or assembly comprising: (a) a first pair of clamping members capable of relative movement in a direction towards and away from each other to effect clamping of a first bin on surface parts of said first bin which face upwardly and downwardly respectively when said bin is in a normal refuse containing position; (b) means to effect said movement of said first pair of clamping members; (c) a second pair of clamping members capable of relative movement towards and away from each other to effect clamping of a second refuse bin on surface parts extending generally vertically when said second bin is in a normal refuse containing position; (d) means to effect movement of said second pair of clamping members;; (e) means for moving said carrier member or assembly and said first or said second bin when clamped so as to effect emptying of the contents of said bin.

2. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein at least one pair of said clamping members are movable to a folded, storage, position when the other of said pairs of clamping members are to be used.

3. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said second pair of clamping members are foldable to said storage position.

4. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said second pair of clamping members comprises a pair of arms, each arm of said pair comprising two or more articulated members.

5. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said first pair of clamping members comprise elongate members adapted in shape and/or configuration to clamp above and below an elongate part provided on a bin.

6. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein said first pair of clamping members are adapted in shape and/or configuration to engage with upper and lower surfaces of a rim element extending along at least one side of said bin.

7. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein said rim element extends in a substantially horizontal direction, at least when said bin is in a normal in-use refuse containing position.

8. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein said first pair of clamping members are adapted to clamp on a rim part of a bin, and wherein said rim is of a configuration to define an inverted channel shape and wherein the lower of said clamping members is of a shape and/or configuration to enter, during a clamping operation, into said inverted channel.

9. Lifting apparatus according to any one of Claims 5 to 8 wherein said first pair of clamping members are adapted in shape and/or configuration to clamp, lift and empty a bin affording a refuse storage space substantially rectangular in configuration.

10. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said second pair of clamping members are adapted in shape and/or configuration to clamp with, lift and empty a bin of substantially cylindrical configuration.

11. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said carrier member or assembly comprises an elongate assembly mounted for movement relative to a supporting structure.

12. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein said supporting structure comprises a vehicle.

13. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 wherein said elongate assembly is mounted for both lateral movement relative to the supporting structure, and at least limited rotational movement about its longitudinal axis.

14. Lifting apparatus according to any one of Claims 11 to 13 wherein lateral movement of said elongate assembly effects relative movement between said first pair of clamping members and further lateral movement effects lifting of an article clamped between said first pair of clamping members.

15. Lifting apparatus according to Claims 11 to 14 wherein said elongate assembly is carried by a pair of arms extending from the supporting structure and wherein hydraulic rams are provided to cause movement of said elongate member, said hydraulic rams acting between the supporting structure and said elongate assembly.

16. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein said hydraulic rams are connected between said supporting structure and at least one of said arms.

17. Lifting apparatus according to any one of Claims 11 to 14 wherein said elongate assembly comprises a tube having concentrically mounted therein a further tube or rod, and wherein said tube and said further tube or rod are each constrained in their movement by respective pairs of arms, one pair of arms interconnecting the tube to the supporting structure and the other pair of arms interconnecting the further tube or rod to the supporting structure.

18. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 17 wherein each arm of said pairs of arms comprise a pair of articulated members connected in a manner so that movement of said tube and said further tube or rod causes limited relative rotation between said tube and said further tube or rod.

19. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 18 wherein said relative rotation affords the movement to provide an overturning and hence emptying movement of bins carried by said elongate assembly.

20. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said lifting apparatus is provided on a vehicle and is situated at the rear of a vehicle adajcent a lower boundary of an opening providing access to the interior of the vehicle.

21. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said carrier member or assembly affords abutment surfaces to provide support to bins being lifted and emptied by said lifting apparatus.

22. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for moving said carrier member or assembly to lift and empty said bins comprises the same means irrespective of which clamping members are being used to clamp a respective bin relative to the carrier member or assembly.

23. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a hydraulic ram is provided to effect movement of said second pair of clamping members.

24. Lifting apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said lifting means is provided on a vehicle and wherein said vehicle is provided with further bin lifting apparatus operable independently of said lifting apparatus.

25. Lifting apparatus according to Claim 24 wherein said vehicle is provided with interlock means to prohibit operation of said lifting means while said further bin lifting apparatus is in use.

26. Lifting apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

27. Bin lifting apparatus including any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.