US3572526A

US3572526A - Packing plate assembly for refuse vehicle

Info

Publication number: US3572526A
Application number: US834288A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cyril R Gollnick
Original assignee: Leach Corp
Current assignee: Leach Co Inc; Leach Corp
Priority date: 1969-06-18
Filing date: 1969-06-18
Publication date: 1971-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1988-03-30

Abstract

The refuse vehicle has a storage body with a loading hopper at the rear end thereof. A packer plate is mounted in the hopper by a first pair of pivots engaged respectively with a pair of links which are pivoted to the hopper sidewalls. The packing plate includes a second pair of pivots respectively connected to a pair of discs, the latter being rotatably mounted in the hopper sidewalls. A single pair of fluid-operated rams is connected with the discs for rotating the latter to provide the desired movement of the packer plate. A transversely extending torsion bar is connected to both discs to ensure movement in unison of the latter. The rams are connected to the discs to obtain maximum mechanical advantage when the refuse in the hopper is being compressed and to permit only one ram to occupy a dead center position at any one time.

Description

United States Patent l Mil [72] Inventor Cyril R. Gollnick Oshkosh, Wis. [21] Appl. No. 834,288 [22] Filed June 18,1969 [45] Patented Mar. 30, 1971 [73] Assignee Leach Company Oshkosh, Wis.

[54] PACKING PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR REFUSE VEHICLE v 22 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 214/83.3 [51] Int. Cl B65f3/00 [50] Field ofSearch 214/833, 503; 100/(Inquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,730,255 1/1956 Gibson et a1 214/83.3X 2,807,377 9/1957 Pellat-Finet 2l4/83.3X

3,220,577 11/1965 Laverne 3,499,558 3/1970 Rey ABSTRACT: The refuse vehicle has a storage body with a loading hopper at the rear end thereof. A packer plate is mounted in the hopper by a first pair of pivots engaged respectively with a pair of links which are pivoted to the hopper sidewalls. The packing plate includes a second pair of pivots respectively connected to a pair of disks, the latter being rotatably mounted in the hopper sidewalls. A single pair of fluid-operated rams is connected with the disks for rotating the latter to provide the desired movement of the packer plate. A transverselyextending torsion bar is connected to both disks to ensure movement in unison of the latter. The rams are connected to the disks to obtain maximum mechanical advantage when the refuse in the hopper is being compressed and to permit only one ram to occupy a dead center position at any one time.

INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Pmwmd Mammh 3@, WW

4 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK Patented March 3% 19m 3,572,526

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK ATTYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR CYRIL R. GOLLNICK w, a ATT'YW IACIQING PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR REFUSE VEHICLE SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The invention may be summarized as relating to new and improved means for providing movement to a packer plate through a loading cycle, such movement being imparted to the packer plate by a pair of rams connected to a pair of means engaged with the packer plate at respective pivots, these means permitting movement of these pivots only in separate, continuous uninterrupted paths.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved packing assembly for the loading hopper of a refuse vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of unique means for providing the desired movement of the packer plate, such means including first swinging members engaged with the packer plate at a first pair of pivots, and second members engaged with the packer plate at a second pair of pivots, the second members permitting movement of the second pivots only in separate, continuous uninterrupted paths.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved packing plate assembly wherein a pair of members, such as discs, is engaged with the packer plate at respective side pivot connections thereof, fluid-operated rams being connected to the discs so as to obtain maximum mechanical advantage when the packer plate is in the position of its cycle where maximum resistance to movement by the refuse is encountered.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packing assembly according to the foregoing object, wherein a transversely extending torque bar is connected with respective discs to ensure movement in unison of the latter.

Even another object of the invention is the provision of a packing assembly according to the foregoing object wherein the hydraulic rams are connected with respective discs such that only one ram may occupy a'dead center position at any one time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a packing assembly of the type described and including an auxiliary packer plate which cooperates with the main packer plate to prevent material in the hopper from passing over such main packer plate.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification disclosing a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F IG. I is a side elevational view of a refuse vehicle embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation, primarily showing the loading hopper;

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the vehicle, with the charging door of the hopper being in its open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view primarily showing the means engaged with the packer plate for moving the latter through a loading cycle; and

FIGS. 5-4 are schematic views which show in sequence the several positions and movements of the packer plate during a loading cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The refuse vehicle includes a large capacity storage body mounting a loading hopper 11 at the rear end thereof, the storage body and hopper being in communication with each other. The hopper is hinged at the rear end of the loading body, as at 12, thereby to permit the hopper ill to be swung upwardly and rearwardly into an out-of-the-way position to enable the contents of the body It), after such body has been filled, to be discharged rearwardly upon the body being tilted downwardly and rearwardly by conventional mounting and operating means as shown for example in Gollnick U.S. Pat.

No. 2,649,216. Alternatively, the contents of the body may be discharged by a movable partition plate as shown in Gollnick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,586. Hydraulic means, including a pair of fluid-operated cylinders 14, are preferably provided for swinging the hopper ll relative to the body it about the pivot 12.

The hopper H has a rear, rectangular opening 15 through which refuse may be dumped into the hopper. This opening is closed at appropriate times by a door (not shown), which door when not in use is moved upwardly and forwardly into an outof-the-way position by suitable mechanism. The bottom or floor 16 of the hopper is curved on an arc and joins smoothly with the floor 17 of the storage body It).

A bladelike packer plate, generally designated 18, is of unitary construction including a plate 19 and a pair of

bars

19a, 1%. This plate has a scraping edge I and a lip edge portion 19d, the latter being provided to act in cooperation with an auxiliary packer plate as will be described herein. The packer plate includes a first pair of

pins

20, 21 pivotally engaged with ends of

respective links

23, 24. The other end of the link 23 is pivotally mounted from a plate 25, the latter being suitably secured to a sidewall of the hopper and supporting a pivot pin 26. In like manner, the other end of the link 24 is pivotally connected with a plate 28 by means of a pin 29. It will be understood the

pins

26 and 29 define fixed pivots for the

links

23 and 24.

A transversely disposed torsion bar 30' is rotatably secured to the packer plate, as by means of a pair of journal assemblies 31, 32. One end of this torsion bar is fixedly engaged with a disc 34; in like manner, the other end of the torsion bar is fixedly engaged with a disc 35. It will be understood that the engagement between respective opposite ends of the torque bar 30 and the journals 31, 32 define a pair of second pivots for the packer plate. The discs mount these pivots for movement along separate circular paths about a horizontal and transverse axis defining the centers of the discs.

As noted in FIG. 2, the disc 34 is received within a circular cavity formed in the hopper sidewall. An annular raceway 38 mounts a continuous series of antifriction balls 39, the latter engaging the periphery of the disc 34 for rotatably mounting the latter. Identical means (not shown) are provided in the other hopper sidewall for rotatably mounting the disc 35.

A fluid-operated cylinder 40 has one end thereof pivotally mounted on a pin 41, the latter being suitably supported from the hopper sidewall. The piston rod associated with this cylinder is pivotally connected with the disc 34 by a pivot pin 42. Another fluid-operated cylinder 44 has one end thereof pivotally mounted on a pin 45, the latter being suitably supported from the other sidewall of the hopper. The piston rod associated with this cylinder is pivotally connected to the disc 35 by a pin 46.

The piston rods of the

cylinders

40, 44 are connected to

respective discs

34 and 35 at different positions with respect to the torque bar 30. By reason of this construction, only one of the

cylinders

40 or 44 may occupy a dead center position at any one time. This important feature ensures smooth, continuous and uninterrupted rotation of the

discs

34 and 35 through a complete cycle. The transversely disposed torque bar 30 ensures rotation of the

discs

34 and 35 in unison and thereby tends to ensure operation of the

cylinders

40, 44 in timed relation with each other. The location of

pivot pins

42, 46 relative to the torque bar is also very important as will be explained below.

The torsion bar is engaged with the discs by suitable connections such that the longitudinal axis of the torsion bar is at all times maintained in perpendicular relation with the planes of rotation of the discs. The torsion bar 30 imparts movement to the packer plate 18 and prevents the same from being subjected to undue twisting or torsional forces which could result if the fluid-operated cylinders were to be operated slightly out of synchronization with one another. At this time it should be mentioned that suitable pressure fluid control means (not shown), well known to those skilled in the art, are provided for controlling and operating the hydraulic cylinders 43 and 44.

An auxiliary packer plate in the form of a transversely extending bent plate 43 is mounted by the

arms

23, 24 for movement therewith. This plate has a transversely extending, bowed surface portion 48a.

The sequence through which the

packer plates

18 and 48 move during each loading cycle is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5-8.

FIG. 5 shows the position of the packer plate 18 when the hopper is being loaded through the opening thereof. It is noted that the edge 19d is in close adjacent relation with the plate portion 48a. Therefore, when the packer plates are in this position, they cooperate to form a barrier preventing any v previously compacted refuse material from passing over the top of the packer plate 18. After the hopper has been loaded, the fluid-operated

cylinders

40, 44 are actuated for rotating the

discs

34, 35 in a counterclockwise direction. Initial rotation of these discs causes raising of the packer plate 18 and movement of the same rearwardly with the scraping edge 19c disposed above the refuse as shown in FIG. 6. As the

discs

34 and 35 continue to rotate, the packer plate 18 is brought downwardly with its scraping edge in close or scraping relation with the hopper floor 16-sce FIG. 7. Continued rotation of the disc advances the packer plate forwardly forwardly with the scraping edge 19c moving along the hopper floor 16 in close, uniform spaced relation with the latter (FIG. 8). During this portion of the cycle, the portion 48a of the auxiliary packer plate will engage and compress any previously compacted refuse thereby assisting the main packer plate 18 in compacting of the refuse material.

The refuse being compressed and forced from the hopper into the loading body offers the greatest resistance against the packer plate as the latter moves from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be noted that the hydraulic ram 44 is approaching a position of greatest mechanical advantage in rotating the disc 35 against the force being exerted on the packer plate. After the disc 35 has rotated slightly beyond the position shown in FIG. 8, the cylinder 44 will be approximately midway between its fully extended and fully retracted position; its connection to the disc through the pivot pin 46 may be likened to a crank arm for transmitting a force to the packer plate through the pivots defined by the torque bar 30. As the packer plate continues to move from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 5, the other cylinder 40 will occupy its position of maximum mechanical advantage; it will be in this position when the pivot pin 42 is located approximately in the position shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, when the greatest force is required from the packer plate, the

hydraulic rams

40 and 44 will pass through their positions of maximum mechanical advantage.

Each

cylinder

40, 44 is of course least effective for rotating the associated disc when the cylinder is in a so-called dead center position, i.e., fully retracted or fully extended. Since the fluid-operated rams are connected to respective discs at different locations with respect to their common axis of rotation, only one of the

cylinders

40 or 44 may occupy the dead center position at any one time.

The present invention provides relatively fast movement of the packer plate scraping edge 190 during the portion of the cycle when the packer plate is moved upwardly over and then behind the refuse admitted to the hopper (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). During this portion of the cycle, with constant power being applied to the system, the plate will be moved at a faster rate, but with proportionally less force, whereas, in the portion of the cycle wherein maximum compacting force is required, the packer plate 18 moves with increased force but at a slower rate with constant power being applied to the system, the plate will be moved at a faster rate, but with proportionally less force, whereas, in the portion of the cycle wherein maximum compacting force is required, the packer plate 18 moves with increased force but at a slower rate.

I claim:

1. In a material handling vehicle of the type having a storage body and a hopper behind the body in communication with the latter, a packing assembly for forcing material from the hopper into the storage body comprising, in combination: a packer plate in the hopper extending transversely thereof and having a hopper scraping edge; said packer plate having a first pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed remotely with respect to said scraping edge; a pair of first means engaged with the hopper and with said first pivots, respectively, thereby mounting the latter for swinging movement, said packer plate having a pair of coaxial second pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed intermediate the first pivots and said scraping edge; a pair of second means supported so as to permit at least portions thereof to move in relation to said hopper said second means including respective second pivots for permitting movement of said second pivots in separate predetermined paths; actuator means supported by the hopper and operatively engaged with a portion of said second means which is spaced apart from said second pivots, whereby, upon movement of said second means; said packer plate is moved rearwardly with said scraping edge disposed substantially above the hopper floor and then moved forwardly with the scraping edge disposed adjacent such floor for transferring material in the hopper into the storage body.

2. The packing assembly according to claim I wherein said predetermined paths are generally circular paths lying in a vertical plane.

3. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprise a pair of links, each pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the hopper and at the other end thereof to one of the first pivots.

4. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a pair of elements having an annular margin with said second pivots and said spaced apart portions of said second means both lying in said margin.

5. The packing assembly according to claim I wherein said actuator means comprises a pair of fluid-operated rams each pivotally connected at one end thereof to the hopper and at the other end thereof to one of said second means.

6. The packing assembly according to claim 5 wherein said spaced apart portions of said second means receiving said ram ends are located such that at least one of said rams is disposed in a position of maximum mechanical advantage with respect to the packer plate when said forward movement is being imparted to the latter.

7. The packing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the locations of said spaced apart portions are different with respect to each other such that only one of the rams may occupy a dead center position at any one time and such that said second ram reaches its position of maximum mechanical advantage just after said one ram passes from its position of maximum mechanical advantage.

8. The packing assembly according to claim 1 further defined by, a transversely extending torsion member having respective opposite end portions thereof defining said second pivots, thereby to ensure movement in unison of said second means. i

9. The packing assembly according to claim 8 wherein said torsion member is fixedly secured to each of said second means.

10. The packing assembly according to claim 5 further defined by, a transversely extending torsion member having respective opposite ends thereof defining said second pivots, thereby to ensure movement of said second means in unison with each other.

11. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said second means is rotatably mounted by being engaged at its periphery by antifriction bearing means.

12. The packing assembly according to claim I wherein an auxiliary packer plate is carried by said first means for movement with and relative to said first mentioned packer plate, said packer plates having respective transverse edge portions in adjacent relation during said forward movement of said first mentioned packer plate thereby to prevent material in the hopper from passing over the top of such packer plate.

113. The packing assembly according to claim 12 wherein said auxiliary packer plate has a transversely extending face portion arranged to engage the material in the hopper thereby to assist the first mentioned packer plate in packing such material.

14. In a material handling vehicle of the type having a storage body and a hopper behind the body in communication with the latter, a packing assembly for forcing material from the hopper into the storage body comprising, in combination, a packer plate in the hopper extending transversely thereof and having a hopper scraping edge, said packer plate having a first pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed remotely with respect to said scraping edge, a pair of first means engaged with the hopper and with said first pivots, respectively, thereby mounting the latter for oscillating movement, said packer plate having a second pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed intermediate the first pivots and said scraping edge, a pair of second means carried by said hopper and with respective second pivots thereon for mounting the latter for movement in separate circular paths about a horizontal transverse axis, and actuator means supported at one end thereof by the hopper and operatively engaged at the other end thereof with a portion of said second means which is spaced apart from said second pivots whereby said packer plate is moved rearwardly with said scraping edge disposed substantially above the hopper floor and then moved forwardly with the scraping edge disposed adjacent such floor fortransferring material in the hopper into the storage body.

15. The packing assembly according to claim 14 wherein said actuators comprise fluid cylinder and ram assemblies.

116. The packing assembly accordingto claim 15 wherein said rams are connected to respective second means at locations such that when said forward movement is being imparted to the packer plate at least one of said rams is approximately midway between its fully extended and fully retracted positions.

17. The packing assembly according to claim 16 wherein said one ram is mounted such that it is extended as said forward movement is being imparted to the packer plate. 18. The packing assembly according to claim 16 wherein the other of said rams is approximately midway between its fully extended and fully retracted positions just after said one ram was in the same condition and when said forward movement is being imparted to said packer plate.

19. The packing assembly according to claim 18 wherein said rams are connected to respective second means at different locations with respect to said axis such that only one of said rams occupies a dead center position at any one time.

20. A packing assembly according to claim 18 wherein said second means comprises a pair of elements having an annular margin with said second pivots and said spaced apart portions of said second means both lying within said margin.

21. The packing assembly according to claim 14 wherein an auxiliary packer plate is carried by said first means for movement with and relative to said first mentioned packer plate, said packer plates having respective transverse edge portions in adjacent relation during said forward movement of said first mentioned packer plate thereby to prevent material in the hopper from passing over the top of such packer plate.

22. The packing assembly according to claim 21 wherein said auxiliary packer plate has a transversely extending face portion arranged to engage the material in the hopper thereby to assist the first mentioned packer plate in packing such material.

Claims

2. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined paths are generally circular paths lying in a vertical plane.

5. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a pair of fluid-operated rams each pivotally connected at one end thereof to the hopper and at the other end thereof to one of said second means.

8. The packing assembly according to claim 1 further defined by, a transversely extending torsion member having respective opposite end portions thereof defining said second pivots, thereby to ensure movement in unison of said second means.

12. The packing assembly according to claim 1 wherein an auxiliary packer plate is carried by said first means for movement with and relative to said first mentioned packer plate, said packer plates having respective transverse edge portions in adjacent relation during said forward movement of said first mentioned packer plate thereby to prevent material in the hopper from passing over the top of such packer plate.

13. The packing assembly according to claim 12 wherein said auxiliary packer plate has a transversely extending face portion arranged to engage the material in the hopper thereby to assist the first mentioned packer plate in packing such material.

14. In a material handling vehicle of the type having a storage body and a hopper behind the body in communication with the latter, a packing assembly for forcing material from the hopper into the storage body comprising, in combination, a packer plate in the hopper extending transversely thereof and having a hopper scraping edge, said packer plate having a first pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed remotely with respect to said scraping edge, a pair of first means engaged with the hopper and with said first pivots, respectively, thereby mounting the latter for oscillating movement, said packer plate having a second pair of coaxial pivots at respective sides thereof and disposed intermediate the first pivots and said scraping edge, a pair of second means carried by said hopper and with respective second pivots thereon for mounting the latter for movement in separate circular paths about a horizontal transverse axis, and actuator means supported at one end thereof by the hopper and operatively engaged at the other end thereof with a portion of said second means which is spaced apart from said second pivots whereby said packer plate is moved rearwardly with said scraping edge disposed substantially above the hopper floor and then moved forwardly with the scraping edge disposed adjacent such floor for transferring material in the hopper into the storage body.

16. The packing assembly according to claim 15 wherein said rams are connected to respective second means at locations such that when said forward movement is being imparted to the packer plate at least one of said rams is approximately midway between its fully extended and fully retracted positions.

17. The packing assembly according to claim 16 wherein said one ram is mounted such that it is extended as said forward movement is being imparted to the packer plate.

18. The packing assembly according to claim 16 wherein the other of saiD rams is approximately midway between its fully extended and fully retracted positions just after said one ram was in the same condition and when said forward movement is being imparted to said packer plate.