US3220584A

US3220584A - Container dumping apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3220584A
Application number: US284090A
Authority: US
Inventors: Swanson Raymond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-05-29
Filing date: 1963-05-29
Publication date: 1965-11-30
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-30

Description

Nov. 30; 1965 Filed May 29, 1963 R. SWANSON CONTAINER DUMPING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RAYMOND SWANSON ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1965 R. SWANSON I 3,220,584

CONTAINER DUMPING APPARATUS Filed May 29, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. H G 3 RAYMOND SWANSON ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,220,584 CONTAENER DUMPING APPARATUS Raymond Swanson, 5400 Marshall St., Arvada, Colo. Filed May 29, 1963, Ser. No. 284,090 Claims. (Cl. 214-313) The present invention relates to container dumping apparatus for use with refuse packer trucks.

In recent years many different refuse handling systems have been devised so waste materials can be more economically handled and carried to points of disposal. Packer trucks have come into widespread usage since materials collected from many sites can be dumped into such trucks to be compacted into a confined space for transport to a dump, land fill or other place of disposal.

Several manufacturers have heretofore designed, built and sold a considerable number of packer vehicles which are now in extensive use. Similar improvements have been made in systems for the in-plant handling of refuse materials. In general, these systems have entailed the use of standard size containers into which waste materials are deposited to await the scheduled arrival of the packer carrier truck itself.

Since it has proved to be most advantageous to provide in-plant refuse containers of a relatively large size, mechanisms have been provided on the refuse packer carrier units to facilitate the handling and dumping of such large containers. In general, the dumping mechanisms have been designed so that the in-plant container may be moved pivotally from an upright position to an inverted position over or in communication with an opening in the refuse packer.

While all present systems are considerably more efficient than the manual handling of refuse materials, a main problem has arisen from the fact that the best design, construction and configuration of the packer carrier does not lend itself to efficient combination with the most economical and best sizing and design of in-plant containers. If the containers are made to have a convenient height so that refuse materials may be hand loaded into the containers and so that a larger quantity of materials may be retained in such containers, the top lip or opening of the container is considerably higher than the lower limiting edge of the desired opening in a packer carrier unit. A simple pivoted dumping of the refuse container, accordingly, requires either the provision of an oversize opening in the packer unit into which the container is received or use of low containers of limited capacity.

Simple pivoted dumping of a reasonably sized container requires a high position of the lower opening in the packer unit. This high positioning of the lower edge of the opening makes it difficult for the drivers and packer operators to load items manually into the same refuse receiving opening. Thus, operation of present packer systems has indicated that it would be beneficial if a packer unit could be provided which had a refuse receiving opening which was of the smallest possible size to receive large or standard containers. A further desirable feature would entail the placement of such receiving opening at the lowest possible elevation so that materials could alternately be hand loaded into the opening without excessive effort on the part of personnel.

It has been an object of the present invention to provide an attachment or dumping mechanism which will make it possible to incorporate these desirable features into conventional packer type apparatus.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a container dumping mechanism for use on packer carriers which is capable of holding and dumping large size containers into a carrier opening of relatively small size "ice positioned at an elevation lower than the height of such container.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mechanism which will satisfy such objectives in an efficient and economical manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which may be applied as an attachment to existing conventional packeer apparatus to more efficiently handle larger collection containers.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the appended description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing showing the dumping attachment applied to a conventional type refuse packer carrier and further showing a collection container in full dump position,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the operative mechanisms in a first, container engaging position,

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing the mechanism of FIG. 2 in an alternate dumping position, and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation showing the features of a side lock mechanism for engaging the collection container.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a mechanism which may be attached to and used in connection with refuse packer carriers to engage and dump collection containers into an opening in the packer carrier. The mechanism specifically provides a linkage arrangement whereby a top refuse receiving and discharging opening for the container is moved through a dumping arc to bring the top opening to an inverted dump position at a level lower than its normal collecting position. The dumping arc cycle further brings the top opening to a duming position.

The detailed features of an embodiment of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of which it can be seen that the dump mechanism 11 is provided as an attachment which may be affixed to a conventional type refuse packer carrier 12 in position adjacent to the refuse receiving opening 13 of such packer carrier. The mechanism 11 is mounted on a supporting base 14 which may be welded, bolted or otherwise joined to the frame 16 of the packer carrier 12.

The base 14 provides support for a fulcrum pivot 17, the hydraulic cylinder mount 18 and a linkage anchor 19. An actuator arm 21 is mounted to rotate about the fulcrum pivot 17 from its non-extended position, as shown in FIG. 2, to a full extended position, as shown in FIG. 3. This desired movement of the actuator arm 21 is, in this embodiment of the invention, accomplished through use of a hydraulic cylinder 22 mounted on the support 18. As the piston rod 23 of the hydraulic cylinder 22 is extended, the force of such extension is transmitted by means of the clevis pin 24 to the actuator arm 21. This causes a corresponding pivoting movement of the reaction pin 26 at the end of the actuator arm 21. Since the reaction pin 26 is attached to the container support link 27, this support link itself is moved by any movement of the actuator arm 21. The movement pattern of the support link is likewise controlled, however, by a connecting link 28 which interconnects the linkage anchor 19 and a control pivot 29 on the support link in position away from the reaction pin 26.

As illustrated, the resultant movement of the support link 27 provides a characteristic unfolding rotation of such support link and, necessarily, :of any object moving with the support link. This unfolding movement of the support link 27 inverts the relative positioning of the reaction pin 26 and control pivot 29 and actually moves the pivot 29 to a position that is physically forward of its initial position. This combined inverting and translating movecontainer through a similar and highly desirable dumping are. As illustrated in the mentioned figures, this desired dumping action may be transmitted to collection containers 31 through the provision of additional mechanisms for engaging and locking such container in position between the support links 27 and their associated mechanisms of similar construction and arrangement disposed on opposite sides of a refuse packer carrier 12. Such similar and oppositely disposed mechanisms are joined together for mutually regulated movement by a cross bar 32 joined rigidly to each of the support links 27. This cross bar 32 further holds the support links 27 and all associated linkages a fixed distance apart whereby collection containers 31 may be engaged and held therebetween by a lock mechanisms 41.

The lock or engaging mechanism 41 used in connection with this present embodiment of the invention is more fully shown in FIGURE 4 of the accompany drawings. Desirably, this mechanism includes a force exerting member, such as the hydraulic cylinder 42, which will move container engaging channels 43 reciprocally against the sides 44 or cooperatively sized extensions 46 disposed on the longitudinal sides of collection containers 31. Since the hydraulic cylinder 42 and the channels 43 rotate with the support link 27, the extensions 46 and the collection containers 31 will be moved through the described inverting and forwardly translating movement pattern of the support links 27. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, this movement pattern will move the collection container 31 and its top refuse receiving opening 47 into a dumping position whereby the materials held in the container will be dumped through the rear refuse receiving opening 13 of the packer carrier 12. Beneficially, such movement pattern does not require the lower limiting edge of the refuse receiving opening 13 to be positioned as high as the normal position for the top of the collection container 31. Likewise, it should be noted that the upper limiting edge 15 of the opening 13 does not have to be displaced upwardly to admit the forwardly swinging collection container as it is moved into the full dumping position.

The derived movement pattern illustrated and described make it possible to provide a more efficient packer carrier, since the size of the opening 13 may be reduced thereby increasing the actual carrying capacity of the packer carrier 12, and, further, such opening may be advantageously positioned at a relatively low elevation so that refuse materials may be efliciently and more easily hand loaded into the carrier under circumstances where the desirable collection containers are not used or where hand loading of odd pieces is otherwise desirable.

The lock-engaging mechanism 41 is of special importance, since it provides adaptability for the overall dumping mechanism. Because of the fact that the engaging channels 43 may be moved reciprocally by the cylinder 42, it is possible to use the present mechanism for handling containers of varied size. For containers that are narrower in Width than standard, the further extension of the hydraulic cylinder 42 will bring the engaging channels 43 and containers 44 into secure relationship. Since many different trash handling systems are in widespread use and since not all containers are of the same size, the present mechanism makes it possible for an owner or operator to service a wider range of new customers with this unit.

In addition to the fact that the mechanism itself is adaptable to use for the handling of variously sized and presently existing containers, it should be noted that the dumping mechanism 11 is itself adapted for mounting on presently existing and currently manufactured types of refuse packer carriers. For this reason the unit can be provided on carriers of current manufacture, or, alternately, the dumping mechanism 11 may be provided as an integral modification unit for packer carriers now in service.

A special advantage of such dump mechanisms 11, whether used as a new installation or a modification unit,

is embodied in the fact that hydraulic controls (not shown) of conventional type may be easily mounted on the sides of the refuse carrier adjacent to the cylinder 22. With this type mounting all of the functions of the unit may be controlled from an advantageous operational and observation point. When an operator moves a refuse container 31. into position to be engaged by the engaging channels 43, he will be close to such control units and can proceed to actuate the lock and dumping mechanisms. In addition to the fact that the controls may be placed for easily available access, it should be noted that all of the operating mechanisms are outside of the packer carrier opening 13. It is unnecessary to reach into this refuse holding receptacle to locate and remove dump hooks, cables or other types of container engaging mechanisms.

While certain advantages of the present invention and of the described embodiment thereof have been described, it should be obvious that additional advantages are inherent in the principles of this invention. Further, it should be noted that while one embodiment of the invention has been shown and illustrated the invention is adaptable to various modifications and changes. All such modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims are considered to be a part of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dumping mechanism for refuse packer carriers adapted for mounting adjacent an opening in said carrier to facilitate the dumping of collection containers into such opening comprising a base, a container support link, a reaction pin on said support link, a control pivot on said support link, an actuator arm pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the reaction pin of said support link, a connecting link pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the control pivot of said support link, a lock mechanism for engaging said refuse containers and adapted for movement with said support link; said actuator arm, support link and connecting link being cooperatively formed with the effective length of such actuator arm between its pivot mount and reaction pin being greater than the combined lengths of said connecting and support links and with the base mounting point of said connecting link being disposed away from the base mounting point for said actuator arm a distance equal to at least one-half the effective length of said arm to provide an inverting and translating movement of said support link as said actuator arm is moved, and mechanical advantage means for moving said actuator arm to desired positions whereby collection containers engaged by said lock mechanism may be dumped into the opening of said packer carrier as the said support link is moved through the described pattern.

2. A dumping mechanism for refuse packer carriers adapted for mounting adjacent an opening in said carrier to facilitate the dumping of collection containers into such opening comprising a base, container support links on opposed sides of said vehicle, reaction pins on each of said support links, control pivots on said support links, actuator arms pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the reaction pins of said support links, connecting links pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the control pivots of said support links; said actuator arms, support links and connecting links being cooperatively positioned with the base mounting point of said connecting links being disposed away from the base mounting points for said actuator arms a distance equal to at least one-half the effective lengths of said arms and with the said control and support links being of cooperative length whereby said control pivots are at all times disposed inwardly of the arcs described by said reaction pins to provide an inverting and translating movement of said support links as said actuator arms are moved, a lock mechanism on at least one of said support links, a container engaging member on said lock mechanism, a force exerting member for moving said container engaging member into engagement with a collection container disposed between the opposed support links, and mechanical advantage means for moving said actuator arms to desired positions whereby collection containers engaged by said lock mechanism may be dumped into the opening of said packer carrier as the said support links are moved through the described pattern.

3. A dumping mechanism for refuse packer carriers adapted for mounting adjacent an opening in said carrier to facilitate the dumping of collection containers into such opening by moving said containers through a dumping arc whereby the tops of said containers are inverted as they are moved forwardly and to the lower height position of said opening comprising a base, container support links on opposed sides of said vehicle, reaction pins on each of said support links, control pivots on said support links, actuator arms pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the reaction pins of said support links, connecting links pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the control pivots of said support links; said actuator arms, support links and the connecting links being cooperatively formed With the effective length of such actuator arm between its pivot mount and reaction pin being greater than the combined lengths of said connecting said support links and with the base mounting point of said connecting link being disposed away from the base mounting point for said actuator arm a distance equal to at least one-half the effective length of said arm to provide an inverting and translating movement of said support links as said actuator arms are moved, a cross bar interconnecting the opposed support links for maintaining a fixed distance therebetween, a lock mechanism on at least one of said support links, a container engaging member on said lock mechanism, a force exerting memher for moving said container engaging member into engagement with collection containers disposed between the container engaging member and the opposite support link, and mechanical advantage means for moving said actuator arms to desired positions whereby the collection containers engaged by said lock mechanism may be dumped into the opening of said packer carrier as the said support links are moved through the described pattern.

4. A dumping mechanism for refuse packer carriers adapted for mounting adjacent an opening in said carrier to facilitate the dumping of collection containers into such opening by moving said containers through a dumping arc whereby the tops of said containers are inverted as they are moved forwardly and to the lower height position of said opening comprising a base, container support links on opposed sides of said vehicle, reaction pins on each of said support links, control pivots on said support links, actuator arms pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the reaction pins of said support links, connecting links pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the control pivots of said support links; said actuator arms, support links and the connecting links being cooperatively formed positioned with the base mounting point of said connecting links being disposed away from the base mounting points for said actuator arms a distance equal to at least one-half the effective lengths of said arms and with the said control and support links being of cooperative length whereby said control pivots are at all times disposed inwardly of the arcs described by said reaction pins to provide an inverting and translating movement of said support links as said actuator arms are moved, a cross bar interconnecting the opposed support links for maintaining a fixed distance therebetween, a lock mechanism on at least one of said support links, guide members on said lock mechanism, a container engaging member on said guide means for reciprocal movement therealong toward and away from said containers, a force exerting member for moving said container engaging member into engagement with collection containers disposed between the container engaging member andthe opposite support links, and mechanical advantage means for moving said actuator arms to desired positions whereby collection containers engaged by said lock mechanism may be dumped into the openings of packer carriers as the said support links are moved through the described pattern.

5. A dumping mechanism for refuse packer carriers adapted for mounting adjacent an opening in said carrier to facilitate the dumping of collection containers into such opening by moving said containers through a dumping arc whereby the tops of said containers are inverted as they are moved forwardly and to the lower height position of said opening comprising a base, container support links on opposed sides of said vehicle, reaction pins on each of said support links, control pivots on said support links, actuator arms pivotally mounted on said base and connected to the reaction pins of said support links, pivotally movable connecting links on said base and connected to the control pivots of said support links; said actuator arms, support links and the connecting links being cooperatively formed with the effective length of such actuator arm between its pivot mount and reaction pin being greater than the combined lengths of said connecting and support links and with the base mounting point of said connecting link being disposed away from the base mounting point for said actuator arm a distance equal to at least one-half the effective length of said arm to provide an inverting and translating movement of said support links about said control pivot and connecting links as said actuator arms are moved, a cross bar interconnecting the opposed support links for maintaining a fixed distance therebetween, a lock mechanism on at least one of said support links, guide members on said lock mechanism, a container engaging member on said guide means for reciprocal movement therealong, a hydraulic cylinder for moving said container engaging member into engagement with collection containers disposed between the container engaging member and the opposite support link, and mechanical advantage means for moving said actuator arms to desired positions whereby collection containers engaged by said lock mechanism may be dumped into the openings of packer carriers as the said support links are moved through the described pattern.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,828,534 4/1958 Pitts et al 214-308 X 3,034,672 5/1962 Barrett 214-302 3,063,586 11/ 1962 Appleman 214302 3,112,835 12/1963 Gierhart 214-313 3,122,250 2/1964 French et al 214302 FOREIGN PATENTS 558,499 1/1944 Great Britain.

922,556 4/ 1963 Great Britain. 1,246,842 10/ 1960 France.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

GERALD M. FORLENZA, Examiner.

Claims

1. A DUMPING MECHANISM FOR REFUSE PACKER CARRIERS ADAPTED FOR MOUNTING ADJACENT AN OPENING IN SAID CARRIER TO FACILITATE THE DUMPING OF COLLECTION CONTAINERS INTO SUCH OPENING COMPRISING A BASE, A CONTAINER SUPPORT LINK, A REACTION PIN ON SAID SUPPORT LINK, A CONTROL PIVOT ON SAID SUPPORT LINK, AN ACTUATOR ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND CONNECTED TO THE REACTION PIN OF SAID SUPPORT LINK, A CONNECTING LINK PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND CONNECTING TO THE CONTROL PIVOT OF SAID SUPPORT LINK, A LOCK MECHANISM FOR ENGAGING SAID REFUSE CONTAINERS AND ADAPTED FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID SUPPORT LINK; SAID ACTUATOR ARM, SUPPORT LINK AND CONNECTING LINK BEING COOPERATIVELY FORMED WITH THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF SUCH ACTUATOR ARM BETWEEN ITS PIVOT MOUNT AND REACTION PIN BEING GREATER THAN THE COMBINED LENGTHS OF SAID CONNECTING AND SUPPORT LINKS AND WITH THE BASE MOUNTING POINT OF SAID CONNECTING LINK BEING DISPOSED AWAY FROM THE BASE MOUNTING POINT FOR SAID ACTUATOR ARM A DISTANCE EQUAL TO AT LEAST ONE-HALF THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF SAID ARM TO PROVIDE AN INVERTING AND TRANSLATING MOVEMENT OF SAID SUPPORT LING AS SAID ACTUATOR ARM IS MOVED, AND MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ACTUATOR ARM TO DESIRED POSITIONS WHEREBY COLLECTION CONTAINERS ENGAGED BY SAID LOCK MECHANISM MAY BE DUMPED INTO THE OPENING OF SAID PACKER CARRIER AS THE SAID SUPPORT LINK IS MOVED THROUGH THE DESCRIBED PATTERN.