US3490631A

US3490631A - Refuse collecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3490631A
Application number: US703214*A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold E Smith
Original assignee: R N ACCEPTANCE Ltd; THAD J EARL
Current assignee: R N ACCEPTANCE Ltd; THAD J EARL
Priority date: 1968-01-18
Filing date: 1968-01-18
Publication date: 1970-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 1987-01-20

Description

Jan. 20, 1970 H. E. SMITH REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1968 INVENTOR: JI/ARULD BSA/11TH.

ATTYS'.

0, 1970 v H. E. sMwH 3,490,631

REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /22 I E I INVENTOR:

JJ'AHULD E. SMITH.

Jan. 20, 1970 H. E; SMITH 3,

REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18. 1968 V 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lllllll dl'JH'iiilllllllllIIIIIIIHHHIIIIIII L 2 2 2 2 INVENTOR:

' HAHULD .73". SMITH.

Jan. 20, 1970 H. E. SMITH 3,490,631

REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 18. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. HAHULD E. SMITH.

United States Patent 3,490,631 REFUSE COLLECTING APPARATUS Harold E. Smith, Defiance, Ohio, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-fourth each to Harold E. Smith and Thad J. Earl, both of Defiance, Ohio, and one-half to R-N Acceptance Limited, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, a corporation of Alberta Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 591,996, Nov. 4, 1966. This application Jan. 18, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. B65f 3/00 U.S. Cl. 2l4503 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application, Ser. No. 591,996, filed Nov. 4, 1966, now abandoned, and entitled Refuse Carrier.

This invention relates to refuse collecting apparatus and more particularly to such apparatus having improved means for compacting refuse as it is loaded into the receptacle and for subsequently disposing of the refuse.

Refuse receptacles with means for compacting or compressing some of the refuse loaded therein have been proposed heretofore. However, with such receptacles the compressing device has been in the form of a plunger which pushed the refuse into the receptacle and any compressing which is accomplished is due to the plunger squeezing the newly deposited refuse against refuse already in the receptacle. Consequently, the first refuse deposited in the receptacle is compacted or compressed very little, if at all.

With the refuse receptacle according to the invention, two plungers are employed, the first of which moves the refuse from a loading chamber into the receptacle and the second of which compresses the refuse against a solid, immobile surface so that each load of refuse is compacted fully, regardless of the amount of refuse already in the receptacle. With the greater carrying capacity of the receptacle achieved with this compacting arrangement, either a much smaller receptacle can be employed or a greater carrying capacity can be achieved. For example,

with the increased carrying capacity, the receptacle can be mounted on a refuse vehicle the size of a bakery truck or the like, which decreases the cost, both initial and operating, of the refuse vehicle and also increases the mobility of the vehicle. The receptacle can also be stationary, located at an apartment house, for example, and periodically picked up by a vehicle and carried to the dump.

The compacting plungers of the refuse apparatus according to the invention also can be operated continuously during the loading operation. This enables the loading chamber to be cleared more frequently and enables a smaller chamber to be employed again to reduce the overall size of the vehicle. The vehicle also has an improved torque bar arrangement for maintaining the loading plunger perpendicular to the directionof travel during the forward and reverse strokes.

With the continual operation of the loading plunger in "ice the loading chamber, means must be provided to prevent refuse from being deposited behind the plunger during loading, when the plunger is in its forward or extended position. To achieve this, a flexible cover has been devised having one end attached to the plunger and designed so as to move forwardly behind the plunger during the forward stroke of the plunger and to retract as the plunger retracts. The cover thereby is effective in collecting refuse dumped when the plunger is extended and in directing the refuse to the front of the plunger as it is retracted. The cover also is relatively easy to maintain and is low in initial cost.

Withthe high degree of refuse compaction attained, the receptacle can be much smaller and, with the small size, can be relatively easily tilted rearwardly for dumping. For this purpose, the receptacle can be equipped with suitable hydraulic mechanism and with a door at the rear end thereof pivoted at the top to swing open when the vehicle is tilted. After the material is dumped, it has been found that there is a tendency for a door of this type to catch on the dumped refuse as it swings shut, as the container or receptacle is lowered. To overcome this, the hinged door in accordance with the invention can be equipped with means for maintaining the door open when the receptacle is lowered, after which the door can be released to enable it to shut. With this arrangement, the door will completely clear the dumped refuse. The dumping arrangement also enables the receptacle to slide forward, when in the lower position, to form a more effective seal with stationary portions of the apparatus.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the invention to provide an improved refuse collecting apparatus with means for compacting the refuse more effectively than heretofore.

Another object of the invention is to provide refuse apparatus having a compacting plunger capable of effectively compressing refuse in the refuse receptacle regardless of the amount previously loaded therein.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a refuse vehicle having a continuously operating loading plunger with an improved flexible cover associated therewith to prevent refuse from being deposited behind the plunger. 1 l

A further object of the invention is to provide a refu e vehicle with a door which will remain open after refuse is dumped, to prevent interference between the door and the dumped refuse.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation of a refuse vehicle embodying the invention, and with a receptacle thereof also shown titled in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary side view in elevation, with parts broken away and with parts in section, of the refuse vehicle of FIG. 1 and particularly showing a loading plunger and a compacting plunger;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the refuse vehicle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2 and showing more fully the compacting plunger, in elevation;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the loading plunger and showing means for maintaining the plunger perpendicular to the path of travel during its forward and reverse strokes;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of controls for operating the loading and compacting plungers;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of a loading chamber of the vehicle and showing a flexible cover movable with the loading plunger to prevent refuse from being dumped behind the plunger;

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of means for maintaining the unloading door in the open position even after the receptacle has been dumped and then lowered;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of a modified refuse vehicle embodying the invention;

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic side view in elevation of another modified refuse vehicle embodying the invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a hydraulic system employed with the refuse vehicle of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side view in elevation similar to FIG. 10 of still another modified refuse vehicle according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, garbage collecting apparatus embodying the invention is shown as a refuse vehicle 10 which includes a cab section 12, a loading chamber section 14, and a receptacle section 16. Because of the high degree of compaction possible with the apparatus embodying the invention, the overall refuse vehicle can be about the size and shape of a bakery or milk truck, for example. Basically in operation, refuse is dumped into the loading chamber section 14 from which it is pushed into the refuse receptacle section 16 where it is compacted and from which it is subsequently dumped.

The loading section 14 can be open at the top and equipped with loading doors 18 on each side, the doors being hinged to and supported by suitable frame members 20. A loading chamber 22, formed below the doors 18, can be relatively small and with low side walls to enable a garbage can or the like to be dumped thereinto when either door 18 is open. A loading plunger assembly 24 at the bottom of the loading chamber 22 operates continually to push deposited refuse into the receptacle section 16. Because of this continuous operation, the loading chamber 22 is constantly cleared and, hence, can be of small size to further the overall compact design of the vehicle.

The receptacle section 16 includes a tiltable refuse receptacle chamber 26- which receives the refuse from the loading chamber 22. When the refuse has been pushed into the receptacle, a compacting plunger assembly 28 compacts the refuse against a floor 29 or other stationary surface, independently of the amount of refuse already in the receptacle. With refuse vehicles heretofore known, the refuse was simply pushed into the receptacle until it was full and only at this time did compaction of the refuse begin. Consequently, refuse at the rear of the receptacle would never be compressed to any extent 'because of the resiliency inherent in the refuse located between the plunger and the rear of the receptacle. With the double plunger arangement of the new vehicle, however, it has been found that a five cubic yard receptacle can carry approximately seventy percent of the load carried in a sixteen cubic yard truck heretofore known.

The loading plunger assembly 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, includes a loading plunger 30 which extends across the width of the chamber 22, but is only about two-thirds as high as the chamber 22 and a discharge opening 32 communicating with the receptacle 26. The plunger 30 is operated by a power cylinder 34 from which extends a cylinder rod 36 connected to a central portion of the plunger. The cylinder 34 can extend into the cab section 12 of the vehicle between and below seats 38 therein. The stroke is of sufiicient length to enable the plunger 30 to move between a retracted position at the forward end of the loading chamber 22, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2, and an extended or forward position adjacent the discharge opening 32 of the chamber 22 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

A torque bar assembly 40, FIGS. 2 and 5, maintains the plunger 30 perpendicular to the direction in which it is moved. The assembly 40 includes a main torque bar 42 which is also perpendicular to the direction of travel of the plunger and is rotatably mounted in ears 44 which are attached to and supported by a suitable framework portion of the cab section 12 of the vehicle 10. A pair of torque arms 46 are aflixed to spaced portions of the torque bar 42 and are parallel to one another. End portions of the torque bars 46 are pivotally connected to pivotal connecting links 48 which are pivotally attached to spaced flange portions 50 of the plunger 30. With this arrangement, any tendency for the plunger 30' to cock will tend to twist the torque bar 42, which is sufficiently heavy to resist such twisting and maintain the plunger 30 perpendicular to the direction of travel.

The compacting plunger assembly 28, FIGS. 2 and 4, includes a plunger 52 slanted rearwardly so as to tend to move refuse rearwardly into the receptacle 26 during compaction. The plunger 52 is moved in a vertical path adjacent the discharge opening 32 by a suitable hydraulic cylinder 54 which is connected to the plunger 52 through a cylinder rod 56. The cylinder 54 is of sufficient length to move the plunger 52 from a retracted position near the top of the opening 32, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, to an extended position near the floor 29 of the receptacle 26, approximately as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2.

The plunger 52 is maintained perpendicular to its direction of travel by means of a torque shaft 58 extending across the plunger 52 and rotatably held by side walls 60 thereof. A pair of pinion gears 62 are aflixed to and rotate with the shaft 58 and engage gear racks 64 during the entire movement of the plunger 52 between its forward and retracted positions. Any tendency for the plunger 52 to cock will tend to twist the torque shaft 58 which is sufficiently heavy to resist such twisting. If desired, the plunger 52 can have a cover wall 66 extending upwardly therefrom and telescoping within an outer cylinder cover 68 to prevent the possibility of refuse being jammed behind the plunger 52.

In the operation of the loading plunger 30 and the compacting plunger 52, the loading plunger preferably operates continually between its forward and retracted positions to constantly clear the loading chamber 22. The compacting plunger 52 preferably moves downwardly each time the loading plunger 30 has moved to its extended position and begins to retract at the same time as or before the loading plunger retracts. With the space between the plunger 30 and the upper edge of the opening 32, the compacting plunger 52 will tend to pull into the receptacle 26 any refuse above the plunger 30.

Suitable controls for effecting operation of these plungers are diagrammatically shown in FIG. 6. The

power cylinders

34 and 54 can be supplied with hydraulic fluid from a reservoir designated Res. and a pump P through suitable four-way valves 70 and 72. These are operated by latch-trip relays 74 and 76, respectively. When both of the

plungers

30 and 52 are in their retracted positions, a limit switch 78 is contacted by the plunger 30 and is closed to energize the latch-trip relay 74 and cause hydraulic fluid to be supplied through the valve 70 to the blind end of the cylinder 34. The plunger 30 then extends forwardly, pushing refuse into the receptacle, until it reaches the end of its stroke. At this time, pressure builds up in the cylinder 34 until a pressure switch PS1 is actuated. This energizes the latchtrip relay 76 and causes fluid to be supplied to the blind end of the cylinder 54 through the valve 72. The plunger 52 moves downwardly until it either reaches the end of its stroke or compacts the refuse thereunder sufliciently to cause a second pressure switch PS2 to be energized.

This switch trips both of the

relays

74 and 76 to return the valves 70 and 72 to their original positions and causes both plungers to retract. The cylinder 54 is of smaller diameter than the cylinder 34 to cause the plunger 52 to reach its retracted position first. When the plunger 30 again reaches its retracted position, it contacts the limit switch 78 and causes the relay 74 to energize the valve 70 and cause the plunger 30 to again move toward its extended position to repeat the cycle.

Because refuse will be dumped frequently into the chamber 22 when the piston is beyond its retracted position, means must be provided to prevent refuse from dropping behind the plunger 30 and eventually causing jamming. For this purpose, and in accordance with the invention, a flexible cover 80 (FIGS. 2 and 7) can be employed. A lower front edge of the cover 80 is suitably attached to an upper edge portion of the plunger 30 with this being achieved by a rod 82 in this instance sewn into the edge of the cover 80 and received in end ears 84 affixed to the upper edge of the plunger. The upper, rear edge of the cover 80 is resiliently supported to enable the cover to move with the plunger 30 and yet retract when the plunger retracts. For this purpose, an upper rod 86 can be sewn into the upper edge of the cover 80 and extend beyond the edges thereof into tracks 88 formed by a suitable framework of the vehicle. Suitable wheels 90 can be carried by the ends of the rod 86 to enable the upper edge of the cover to be guided with less fiiction. Long springs 92 are connected to end portions of the rod 86 and are suitably connected to the vehicle at their opposite ends. The springs 92 are placed in tension when the plunger 30 moves toward its extended position and thus cause the cover 80 to retract when the plunger 30 retracts. The cover can be guided around a guide rod 93 which also helps clear refuse off the cover when it retracts.

The cover 80 is positioned approximately as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 when the plunger 30 is extended so that refuse dumped on the cover 80 will tend to move toward the receptacle 26, particularly as the plunger 30 retracts and the cover 80 moves toward a vertical position. Suitable stops 94 can limit the extent of downward movement of the wheels 90 and the rod 86 to prevent the cover 80 from moving downwardly too far in the event that very heavy refuse is dumped thereon when the plunger is extended.

The cover 80 is relatively maintenance free and is of low cost initial construction. Replacement can be accomplished easily and relatively inexpensively, when necessary.

When the receptacle 26 is to be emptied, it can be tilted rearwardly by a suitable fluid-operated ram 96 (FIG. 1). When the receptacle 26 is tilted, the loading chamber doors and associated structure, remain with the chassis of the vehicle. When the receptacle 26 is in its lower position, a slight gap 98 may exist between the receptacle and the loading chamber 22. In order to dispose of liquids from the refuse which may drain from the gap 98 (FIG. 2), a trough 100 extends transversely under the vehicle and directs the liquid into a receptacle 102 located at one side of the vehicle. This receptacle can be emptied from time to time, as when the refuse is dumped.

An unloading door 104 is located at the rear end of the receptacle (see particularly FIGS. 1 and 8). The door 104 is suitably hinged by ears 108 to the upper rear corners of the receptacle 26 and can pivot outwardly as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, when the receptacle is tilted. The door also has a slanted lower portion 110 which causes refuse to move upwardly toward the top of the vehicle as it is compacted and pushed rearwardly in the receptacle 26. This enables the compacted refuse to fill the receptacle quite uniformly.

When the refuse has been dumped into a pile, as indicated in FIG. 1, the door 104 frequently will catch on the pile and spread an upper portion thereof as the door swings shut when the receptacle lowers. It has been found, however, that if the door is maintained in the open position while the receptacle is lowered and, if necessary, while the vehicle is driven away from the pile, the door can then be shut without any interference with the dumped refuse.

In order to maintain the door 104 in the open position when the receptacle 26 is lowered from the dumping position to the operating position, a ratchet 114 is affixed to the door, preferably at an upper edge portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 8. A pawl 116 contacts the ratchet 114 and is pivotally supported on an axle 118. The pawl is urged toward the ratchet 114 by a spring 120. As the receptacle tilts and the door swings open, the teeth of the ratchet 114 can move past the pawl 116 without resistance. When the door is in its fully open position and then tends to close as the receptacle is lowered, the door 104 is prevented from shutting by cooperation of the pawl and the teeth.

When the receptacle is lowered, the door can then be swung shut by releasing the pawl 116. For this purpose, the axle 118 has an arm 122 at one side of the receptacle connected to a suitable release cord 124 which can be grasped by the operator to move the axle 118 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 8 and release the pawl 116 from the ratchet 114. Of course, the same result can be obtained by mounting the ratchet 114 on the receptacle and the pawl 116 on the door 104. In addition, the ratchet 114 can be mounted to pivot and be released, rather than the pawl 116.

A modified refuse vehicle 126 is shown in FIG. 9, this vehicle being similar to the vehicle 10 but with certain modifications. A flexible cover 128 in this instance is suitably affixed to the upper edge of the plunger 30 but has an intermediate portion extending over a roller 130 in an elongate, vertical housing 132 forwardly of the loading chamber 22. The roller 130 is rotatably carried by a pair of end plates 134 which are supported by springs 136 and adjustable hangers 138. The cover 128 extends over the roller and is suitably aflixed to a lower forward edge 140 of the elongate housing 132. With this arrange ment, the overall height of the space required for the cover can be reduced with the springs 136 merely stretching when the plunger 30 moves toward its extended position, and vice versa.

When the second plunger 52 moves downwardly, it will sometimes compress larger pieces of refuse which are partially supported on the floor of the chamber 22. This will cause the receptacle 26 to tend to rise as force is exerted by the plunger 52 through the refuse and onto the stationary portion of the vehicle. To overcome this, a pair of hold-down hooks 142 are located on each side of the vehicle. The hooks are supported on a shaft 144 extending across the vehicle and operated by a suitable crank or handle 146. The hooks 142 normally engage latch pins 148 and are released by the crank only when the receptacle 26 is to be dumped.

Heretofore, it has been difficult to obtain an effective seal between the receptacle 26 and the edges of the walls forming the chamber 22 because of the pivotal motion of the receptacle 26, which results in a relative sliding movement at the seal. However, the vehicle 126 has a unique dumping arrangement which enables the receptacle 26 to move in a generally horizontal path toward and away rorn the stationary walls of the chamber 22. For this purpose, the receptacle 26 has hinge ears 150 with elongate slots 152 which receive hinge pins 154 suitably supported by the vehicle frame. A hoist cylinder 156 has a piston rod 158 connected between the vehicle frame and the receptacle in a manner such that the piston rod has not quite reached the end of its stroke when the receptacle 26 first reaches a horizontal position after dumping. With this arrangement, when the receptacle 26 is to be dumped, fluid is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 156 to force the piston rod 158 outwardly, at which time the entire receptacle 26 slides rearwardly until the hinge pins 154 reach the forward ends of the elongate slots 152. Further movement of the piston rod 158 causes the receptacle 26 to begin its usual pivotal dumping movement until reaching a position approximately as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. When the receptacle 26 is to be lowered, the piston rod 158 retracts into the cylinder 156. When the receptacle reaches its horizontal position and cannot pivot further, subsequent retraction of the piston 158 causes the receptacle to move forwardly, toward the left, until the hinge pins 154 again reach the rear ends of the elongate slots 152.

The slots 152 are located at a slight angle, as shown, so that most of the receptacle will not be in contact with the frame until the forward, horizontal movement is substantially complete. This reduces friction between the receptacle and the frame during the generally horizontal movement of the receptacle. With this arrangement, rubber strips 160 which are located at the sides and bottom of the chamber 22 engage and seal completely with the front wall of .the receptacle 26 when the receptacle is in its operating position.

The refuse vehicle also can be in the form of a trailer, as indicated at 162 in FIG. 10, rather than a complete truck having its own power drive. The vehicle or trailer 162 can be towed to a desired location where it is left to receive refuse for a suitable period, such as a week, at which time it can be towed to a refuse dump and emptied. The trailer 162 can be used advantageously in applications such as hospitals, apartment house projects, and military barracks, by way of example. A principal advantage is that one towing vehicle can be employed with a relatively large number of the trailers which are substantially less expensive than a complete motorized vehicle.

The trailer 162 includes a supporting frame or chassis 164 having a tongue 166 carrying a trailer hitch 168. The frame is supported on two pair of rear wheels 170 and is equipped with a retractable front support 172 of a conventional type. The trailer further employs the refuse receptacle 26 similarly to the receptacle 26 of FIG. 9 or of FIG. 1, byway of example, and employs the secondary plunger 52 and the loading chamber 22, as well as the loading plunger 30 to achieve a high degree of compaction and a large capacity for the receptacle 26. A housing 174 carries the flexible cover 128, the housing 174 slanting forwardly, in this instance, to provide a larger area for dumping receptacles into the loading chamber 22 since there is no vehicle cab which would otherwise interfere with the housing in this position.

The trailer 162 also carries its own power drive for operating the cylinders of the primary plunger 30 and the secondary plunger 52. The drive is also used in operating a dump cylinder 176 for the receptacle 26 and a door cylinder 178 for the dumping door 104. The power drive includes a reservoir tank 180 and a pump driven by a motor 182 which has an electrical plug 184 connected to a suitable power source at the site at which the trailer 162 is to be located.

When the trailer 162 is to be towed to the garbage dump to be emptied, the power system includes

hoses

186 and 188 having quick disconnect couplings for connecting the power system to a pump of the towing vehicle, which pump is connected to and powered by the power take-off shaft of the towing vehicle engine. When the trailer 162 reaches the dump, the door cylinder 178 and the tilting cylinder 176 can be operated to effect dumping by means of this pump.

The power system for the trailer 162 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 11. Hydraulic fluid from the reservoir 180 can be supplied by a pump P driven by the motor 182 to a four-way valve 190 which controls the dumping cylinder 176. The fluid also can be supplied to a four-way valve 192 which controls the door cylinder 178. A hand-operated valve 193 controls flow of fluid to a pressure-responsive valve 194 which supplies fluid to the cylinder 34 for the first plunger 30 and the cylinder 54 for the second plunger 52. In the position shown, fluid is supplied to the blind end of the cylinder 34 to extend the plunger 30 until the end of the stroke is reached and the pressure in the line reaches a predetermined value, e.g., 1450 p.s.i. A pressure-sensitive valve 196 is then actuated to supply fluid to the blind end of the cylinder 54 to extend the plunger 52 until the fluid in the left-hand line reaches a predetermined higher pressure, e.g. 1600 p.s.i., at which time the valve 194 shifts and supplies fluid to the right-hand line. Fluid is then supplied to the rod ends of both cylinders to retract the plungers with fluid from the cylinder 54 then by-passing the valve 196 through a check valve 198. When the pressure in the right-hand line reaches 1300 p.s.i., for example, after the plungers are retracted, the valve 194 switches to automatically cycle the plungers once again, the cycle continuing as long as the motor 182 runs. Fluid is returned to the reservoir 180 through a main check valve 200. A relief valve 202 is located in the line to recirculate fluid back to the reservoir 180 when supply pressure reaches a predetermined amount.

The

lines

186 and 188 are shown schematically on each side of the pump P to provide the connection to lines of the pump of the towing vehicle when the receptacle is to be dumped.

A modified refuse vehicle 204 is shown in FIG. 12. This vehicle is designed in two sections including a loading chamber section 206 and a receptacle section 208. The loading chamber section 206 is stationary, being mounted on a suitable platform 210 and otherwise can be substantially similar to the corresponding components of the vehicle of FIG. 10. The sections are connected together by suitable hooks 212 and pins 214 to prevent separation of the sections particularly when the loading plunger 30 is moved toward the receptacle section to compact refuse therein.

The receptacle section 208 includes a receptacle 216 mounted on a frame 218 having a single pair of wheels 220, one pair being suflicient because substantially less weight is carried than in the case of the trailer 162 of FIG. 10. In this instance, the receptacle 216 is pivoted to the frame 218 near the front of the receptacle by suitable pivot ears 222 and a separate housing 224 is provided for the plunger 52 and the cylinder 54, the housing being pivotally connected to the receptacle 216 by upper hinges 226. The housing 224 is held against the receptacle 216 by suitable hooks 228 and pins 230. For dumping purposes, when the section 208 is separated from the section 206 and taken to a dump, the hooks 228 are released from the pins 230 to enable the housing 224 to pivot outwardly from thereceptacle 216 when a dumping or tilting cylinder 232 is actuated. The housing 224 can then be swung out by a door cylinder 234. In this instance, the dumping cylinder 232 is located at the rear of the receptacle 216 and mounted between the receptacle and a tongue 236 having a suitable hitch 238. When the receptacle section 208 is pulled away from the section 206, a lightweight cover door 240 can be swung down to cover the receiving opening for the receptacle to prevent refuse from spilling when the section 208 is towed to the dump.

It is possible for two or three of the sections 208 to be towed to the dump together to reduce the number of trips required. When at the dump, the towing vehicle can be put in reverse to cause the several towed vehicles to jack-knife whereby dumping can be achieved. The

cylinders

232 and 234 can be connected through quick-disconnect couplings to a pump operated by the power takeoff shaft of the towingvehicle, somewhat similar to the arrangement employed with the trailer of FIG. 10.

Various modifications of the above described embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in. the art, and it is to be understood that such modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A refuse vehicle comprising a receptacle having walls and a discharge end, means for tilting said receptacle to dump refuse therefrom through the end, a door on said end forming at least a portion of the wall for said end, hinge means pivotally connecting said door to said receptacle at said end, one of the walls of said receptacle having a loading aperture, a loading chamber adjacent said loading aperture of said receptacle for receiving refuse, a plunger, a face on said plunger mounted to be maintained in planes generally paralleling the wall of said receptacle having the loading aperture, means for moving said plunger across said loading chamber toward and away from the aperture of said receptacle to move refuse from said chamber into said receptacle, said plunger face having a width generally corresponding to the width of the aperture and a height approaching but less than the height of said aperture whereby a margin of said aperture adjacent and spaced from the upper edge of said plunger face cooperates therewith to retain therebetween articles of refuse with portions thereof protruding therefrom into said chamber, a compacting plunger mounted for movement normal to the movement of said first mentioned plunger at a position adjacent and in non-interfen ing relationship to said first mentioned plunger when at its limit of travel toward the interior of said receptacle, a stationary work surface opposite said compacting plunger, a face on said compacting plunger essentially parallel to said work surface and oriented with respect to said work surface with a slight divergence toward said recepiacle interior, means for moving said compacting plunger face across a substantial portion of the aperture and said first mentioned plunger face and toward and away from said work surface, whereby the edge of said compacting plunger face adjacent said first mentioned plunger face cooperates with the upper edge of said first mentioned plunger face to impose shearing force on any refuse having portions protruding into said chamber from between the margin of the receptacle aperture spaced from the upper edge of said first mentioned plunger face and said upper edge of said first mentioned plunger face and wehreby said face of said compacting plunger imposes a preponderant component of its force as it is moved toward said work surface as compression on the refuse between said face and said work surface, and automatic control means for said means for moving said first mentioned plunger and for moving said compacting plunger for advancing said first mentioned plunger toward said chamber while said compacting plunger is retracted and for initiating extension of said compacting plunger toward said work surface in response to the completion of the extension of said first mentioned plunger toward said chamber.

2. A refuse vehicle according to claim 1 characterized by a ratchet attached to one of said door and said receptacle, a pawl attached to the other of said door and said receptacle and engageable with said ratchet to enable said door to swing to an opening position but to prevent said door from closing, and means attached to one of said ratchet and said pawl to enable said pawl to be released from said ratchet and enable said door to close.

3. Refuse collecting apparatus comprising a receptacle having walls, one of the walls of said receptacle having a loading aperture, a loading plunger for moving refuse into said receptacle, a face on said loading plunger for pushing the refuse, means for moving said loading plunger toward and away from said receptacle and to a position with said face adjacent said loading aperture and generally parallel to the plane of the wall having said aperture, said plunger face having a width generally corresponding to the width of the aperture and a height approaching but less than the height of said aperture whereby a margin of said aperture adjacent and spaced from the upper edge of said plunger cooperates therewith to retain therebetween articles of refuse with portions thereof protruding therefrom into said chamber, a compacting plunger mounted for movement normal to the movement of said loading plunger at a position adjacent and in non-interfering relationship to said loading plunger when at its limit of travel toward the interior of said receptacle, a stationary work surface opposite said compacting plunger, a face on said compacting plunger essentially parallel to said work surface and oriented with respect to said work surface with a slight divergence toward said receptacle interior, means for moving said compacting plunger face toward and away from said work surface and across a substantial portion of the aperture and said loading plunger face whereby the edge of said compacting plunger face adjacent said loading plunger face cooperates with the upper edge of said loading plunger face to impose shearing force on any refuse having portions protruding into said chamber from between the margin of the receptacle aperture spaced from the upper edge of said loading plunger face and said upper edge of said loading plunger face and whereby said face of said compacting plunger imposes a preponderant component of its force as it is moved toward said work surface as compression on the refuse between said face and said work surface, and automatic control means for said means for moving said loading plunger and for moving said compacting plunger for advancing said loading plunger toward said chamber while said compacting plunger is retracted and for initiating extension of said compacting plunger toward said work surface in response to the completion of the extension of said loading plunger toward said chamber.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3- including means for moving said loading plunger continuously between an extended position toward said receptacle and a retracted position away from said receptacle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 including a flexible cover affixed to said loading plunger adjacent the upper edge of its face and moveable therewith, one edge of said flexible cover being held stationary, said cover being positioned to prevent refuse from falling behind said loading plunger when said loading plunger is moved toward said receptacle, and resilient means engageable with an intermediate portion of said cover to enable said intermediate portion to tend to straighten as the plunger moves toward the receptacle and to tend to double back as the plunger moves away from the receptacle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3' including means for maintaining said loading plunger perpendicular to the direction of movement, said maintaining means comprising a torque bar, means for pivotally supportings said torque bar generally perpendicular to the direction of movement of said loading plunger, a pair of torque arms afiixed to spaced portions of said torque bar and extending parallely therefrom, and means pivotally connecting said torque arms and spaced portions of said loading plunger whereby any tendency of said loading plunger to cock will cause said torque bar to tend to twist.

7. A combination according to claim 3 including a trailer frame adapted to be towed behind a towing vehicle wherein said refuse receptacle is mounted on said frame for tilting movement relative to said frame, wheels supporting said frame, a trailer hitch at an end portion of said frame, and wherein said compacting means is supported by said frame for compacting refuse in said receptacle.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by a fluid-operated tilting cylinder and piston rod connected between said frame and said receptacle, and lines having quick-disconnect fittings connected with said cylinder for supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from said cylinder.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by said receptacle having a door pivotally connected thereto, fluidoperated means for opening and closing said door, and lines having quick-disconnect fittings communicating with said fluid-operated means for supplying fluid to and exhausting fluid from said fluid-operated means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by means forming a loading chamber mounted on said frame between said receptacle and said trailer bitch, and means for moving refuse from said chamber into said receptacle.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said moving means is fluid-operated, and a pump mounted on said frame between said loading chamber and said trailer hitch for supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid-operated moving means. 7

12. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 characterized by a rear, dumping door forming an end of said receptacle and pivotally mounted at an upper portion thereof to said receptacle, and means for opening and closing said door.

13. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized by a separate housing carrying said compacting means, said separate housing being mounted for pivotal movement to open said receptacle to enable the contents thereof to be emptied.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 characterized by a fluid-operated cylinder and piston rod connected between the end of said receptacle opposite said separate housing and said frame to enable said receptacle to be tilted for emptying.

15. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized further by means of forming a stationary loading chamber positioned to cooperate with said receptacle, means for moving refuse in said loading chamber toward said receptacle, and means connecting said loading chamber means and said receptacle to hold said chamber means and receptacle together and to enable them to be completely separated when desired.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,110 11/1954 Feidert. 2,767,867 10/1956 Wood 214-83.3 3,207,336 9/1965 Boeck et al 21482 3,230,868 1/1966 Smith 21483.3 XR 3,250,414 5/1966 Pioch 214302 3,254,782 6/1966 Mold 21483.3 XR 3,370,525 2/1968 Bowles 214-833 ALBERT J. MAKAY, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.