US3584749A

US3584749A - Motorized collector

Info

Publication number: US3584749A
Application number: US790132A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph B Parello
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-01-09
Filing date: 1969-01-09
Publication date: 1971-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-15

Abstract

A motorized pickup vehicle includes a removable container that is slidably received to set in place on the vehicle. The container is adapted to be pivoted to empty its contents. A power drive on the vehicle, and/or from a collection unit, is attached to the container to pivot the container up from its position on the vehicle to tip and automatically empty its contents.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Joseph B. Parello 777 Edgewood Ave., Rochester, N.Y. 14618 Jan. 9, 1969 June 15, 1971 Appl. No. Filed Patented MOTORIZED COLLECTOR 19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

us. or 214/38R, 214/851, 214/302, 214/317, 214/516, 298/1 c, 298/10, 298/21 v Int. Cl Field of Search [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,354,337 7/1944 Smith 214/317 3,214,035 10/1965 Krause et al. 214/314 X 3,262,589 7/1966 Kolling 214/302 3,384,251 5/1968 Russell 214/302 3,447,700 6/1969 Nickel 2 14/38 3,212,653 10/1965 Keen 214/317 X Primary Examiner- Robert G. Sheridan Attorney-Charles C. Krawczyk ABSTRACT: A motorized pickup vehicle includes a removable container that is slidably received to set in place on the vehicle. The container is adapted to be pivoted to empty its contents. A power drive on the vehicle, and/or from a collection unit, is attached to the container to pivot the container up from its position on the vehicle to tip and automatically empty its contents.

PATENTH] m1 5 I971 SHEET 3 OF 4 R O T N INV PATENTED JUN} 5197: 3584749 saw u. or 4 INVENTOR.

MOTORIZED COLLECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to motorized collection vehicles including a removable container that is adapted to be automatically emptied.

In the collection of items spread over considerable distances, such as refuse, leaves, crops, etc., the items are generally first collected in small pickup containers which in turn are later emptied into large collection units, such as trucks. Presently, the collection of such items requires a considerable amount of time and manual labor in transferring the collected items to the collector unit. While the items are being collected, the collection unit remains idle for considerable periods of time resulting in an unnecessary expense. For ex ample, in refuse collection, the refuse truck remains idle while workers manually haul small pickup containers to the vicinity of the trash cans or refuse containers, deposit the contents of the refuse containers therein, and then haul the pickup containers back to the refuse truck. As an alternative, the refuse containers themselves are manually hauled to the street curb for pickup by the truck. In either case, the amount of refuse that can be manually delivered is limited, thereby requiring many repeated trips. Furthermore, such containers are required to be manually emptied into the truck with perhaps a power assist to aid in lifting and emptying the container.

Another example is the collection of fruit, such as apples that are to be delivered to a cider mill. The apples are generally picked and placed into containers andmanually hauled to a truck. Alternatively the truck is driven to the various locations wherein the containers are collected. In either case, repeated trips are necessary to manually haul the apples to a position convenient for pickup by the truck.

Various schemes were developed in the prior art to aid in the collection of such items. For example, the collection containers were mounted on wheels so that they can be readily manually pushed to the items to be collected and then to the collection unit. Power units were also provided for automatically emptying the containers into the collection unit. However, the amount that such wheelable containers could hold and still be manually moved is very limited. Furthermore, such units generally required a smooth surface and therefore could not be effectively used in a large variety ofconditions.

Other schemes were developed in the prior art wherein the collected items were manually placed in a large container located in an area that was readily accessible to mobile collector units, or large trucks. The collector unit included apparatus for automatically emptying the container. This sort of system is feasible for facilities having a large amount of refuse, such as industrial refuse collection, and the like, wherein a large container can be permanently located at places accessible to the large collection units. However, in collecting items from a large number of smallcontainers in a large number of locations, such as collection of refuse from individual homes, the use of such centrally located containers does not provide any advantage. Furthermore, in many cases in which such centrally located containers could be used to an advantage, the size and weight of the usual large collection trucks prohibits their use.

Various mobile collectors have been developed in the prior art but none have been particularly suitable for collection of scattered items, such as refuse, leaves, crops. For example, the vehicles should be highly maneuverable to be able to drive to the vicinity of the pickup location. Furthermore, the pickup container should be large enough so a large number of pickups can be made between trips to the collection unit. In addition to the foregoing, the large container should be adapted to be automatically emptied with already existing power units on the collection units to minimize the expense of such mobile collectors.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved motorized collector for collecting items from a large variety of locations that is adapted to be automatically emptied into a collection unit.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improved motorized collector that is adapted to be emptied into collection units using power drives on the collection units.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a motorized collector that can be readily driven to the vicinity of item to be collected that is capable of carrying a large load.

It is another object of this invention to provide a motorized collector that is of moderate size and can be readily driven to large collection containers and is adapted to receive the containers, transport the containers and automatically empty their contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The motorized collector of the invention includes a motor vehicle having a removable container positioned therein. The container is adapted to be pivoted for emptying its contents.

A first feature of the invention provides for automatically emptying the container into an opening in a collection unit in response to the actuation of power means on the collection unit. Guide means are provided on the motor vehicle for slidably receiving and holding the container. The vehicle is driven so that an edge on the container is positioned adjacent said opening. The container includes means for receiving a power driven cable from said collection unit and is positioned beyond the container edge. In response to a force on the cable the container edge engages the opening edge and the container pivots up from the guide means and is tilted to empty the contents into the collection unit. When the force is released, the container pivots back down into position in the guide means.

A further feature of the invention includes pivotal means on the motor vehicle for pivoting the container up from its position on the motor vehicle for emptying its contents in response to power means on the motor vehicle.

A still further feature of the invention includes means for automatically sliding the container on and off the motor vehicle.

Another feature of the invention includes means for setting the container on the motor vehicle so that the bottom of the container extends below the frameof the motor vehicle wherein the container can be set at a lower level for ease of loading.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. I is a side view of a first embodiment of a motorized collector of the invention, positioned adjacent a collection unit, and also including its container illustrated in an unload position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the motorized collector of FIG. 1 with the cab removed for convenience of illustration.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the motorized collector of FIG. 1 with the cab removed for convenience of illustration.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view ofa container guide ofFIG. 1 taken along the lines 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a container guide of FIG. 2 taken along the lines 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a side view ofa second embodiment of a motorized collector of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the rear portion of the motorized collector of FIG. 6 with the rear wheel removed to i1 lustrate an adjustable pivot connection.

FIG. 8 is a modification of the rear portion of the motorized collector of FIG. 6 to provide a lower container.

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the rear portion of the m0- torized collector of FIG. 8 with the rear wheel removed to illustrate a pivot connection.

DESCRIPTION of the PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The motorized collector of the invention is a complete motor vehicle in itself, capable of being driven to the vicinity of the items to be collected. The motorized collector is presently being described as a refuse collector, however, it is to be understood that the motorized collector can be used in a variety of ways, such as, for example, the collection of leaves, farm crops, etc.

In the embodiment of FIG. I, a conventional rear engine Volkswagen automobile was modified to serve as the motor vehicle for the motorized collector. The motor vehicle includes the usual controls for driving the vehicle, however modified so that the operator sits on a seat located above the vehicle engine. A cab'or cover 11, including a windshield 13, is provided to protect the operator. The engine conventionally drives the rear wheels 12. The vehicle includes an extended frame 14 having the steerable wheels 16 mounted in front. A pair of wheels can be used in front, as illustrated, or a single wheel for better maneuverability. A removable refuse container 18 is positioned on the frame 14. The container 18 can be, for example, a 6 or 9 yard capacity refuse container.

The Volkswagen wheel supports 20 mount the front wheels 16 to the frame 14. (FIG. 3). A steering gear box 22 is coupled to the steering wheel 24. The connection between the steering wheel 24 and the gear box 22 (not shown) is modified to run under the container 18 and along the frame 14. The vehicle was so modified so that the top of the container 18 is at a height convenient for manually depositing refuse therein.

The container 18 has a substantially rectangular shape with a slanted front side 26 extending out from the motorized collector. The container includes an opening 28 on top for receiving the refuse being collected. A plurality of guides 30 37 are fastened to the frame 14 that slidably receive and hold the container 18 in place. The

guides

30, 31, 34 and 35 are more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4. The guides include a slightly resilient steel vertical member that is fastened to the frame 14 by an angle iron 42. The member 40 is curved at the top to provide a converging guide for the container 18. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the container 18 sits on the frame 14 while being held in place by the guides.

The rear guides 32 and 33 include slightly resilient vertical spring steel members that are fastened directly to the frame 14. The

guides

32 and 33 are also curved on top to provide a converging guide. The front guides 36 and 37 are more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5, and include slightly resilient steel mem bers 48 that extend from the frame 14 at substantially the same angle as that formed by the container front side 26, and curves away at the top. A stiff steel brace 50 extends between the member 48 and an angle iron 52 that extends across the frame 14.

Since the container is slidably held by the guides 30-37, it is readily adaptable to be removed from the vehicle by a conventional collector unit '70 for emptying the contents therein. In FIG. 1 the collector unit 70 is illustrated as a conventional refuse collection truck, however, it is to be understood, other types of collector units can also be used. The refuse truck 70 includes a storage body 72 and a conventional power loader 74. The power loader 741 includes an opening in the rear of the truck including a substantially horizontal straight lip 76 that extends across the lower external surface ofthe truck opening. After the refuse is dumped into the power loader 74, the refuse is automatically loaded into the storage body 72. The truck 70 also includes a power winch 80 mounted on top of the body 72 and includes a cable 82 connected thereto for aiding in emptying heavy containers into the power loader. Such conventional refuse collection trucks are well known, are presently widely in use, and therefore do not require any further explanation.

The container 18 includes an elongated circular bar 86 along the top front edge that extends beyond the container sides. A pair of

braces

88 and 90 reinforce the extended portions of the bar. The length of the bar 86 is greater than the opening in the power loader 74 and keeps the container from sliding into the power loader.

A pin 92 is solidly secured to the container by the

legs

94 and 95 to provide a means for receiving a hook 98 on the end of the cable 82 for automatically emptying the container. When emptying, the motorized collector is driven to position the bar 86 adjacent the opening (as illustrated), and then the hook 98 is attached. When the winch is energized, the container slides up along the

guides

36 and 37 to engage the bar 86 to the lip 76 so that the container pivots about the bar 86 to the position illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1 and empties its contents into the power loader. Depending upon the relative heights of the container and the opening in the truck, the bar 86 can also engage the rear of the power loader 74 and then slide down to engage the lip 76. When the winch 80 is reversed, the container 18 pivots back down. The guides 30- 37 slidably receive the container 18 and guide it back in place on the frame 14. The container 18 can be automatically emptied into most of the variety of models of refuse collection trucks presently in use.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the motorized collector is built on a conventional truck chassis wherein the operator sits in the cab over the motor. Such trucks have the advantage of providing a good degree of visibility, are highly maneuverable and provide the option of front wheel or rear wheel drive, or both. A container 100 is mounted on the truck chassis and is of the type previously described, however, the motorized collector of FIG. 6 is hacked to the collection unit, rather than driven forward.

The motorized collector of FIG. 6 has the advantage of being able to empty itself as well as emptying into a collection unit in a manner as described with regards to the embodiment of FIGS. 15. The container 100 sets on the frame 101 between the rear wheels. The frame beyond the cab can be widened and the wheels spread apart, if necessary, to make room for the width of the container. The container 100 is the same as that described in FIGS. I--5 and includes a bar 106 and a pin 104 that function in the same manner as the bar 86 and the pin 92 of FIGS. l5, respectively, when unloading the container 100 into a collection unit.

The container 100 includes an additional pivot bar 108 that is fastened about midway to the slanted unload side of the container and extends horizontally across and beyond the slanted side in parallel to the bar 106. The two extended ends of the pivot bar 108 (on opposite sides of the container) are adapted to be positioned in individual pivot sockets 110, that are mounted on separate adjustable screw-type jacks 112 secured on the mounts 113 located on opposite external sides of the vehicle frame ltlil (FIG. 7). It is to be understood that other types of adjustable jacks, such as hydraulic jacks, can also be used, and also readily detachable pivots can be employed such as that explained in a later portion of the specification with regard to FIG. 9.

The motorized collector includes a power winch 116 mounted centrally beyond the vehicle cab. When the container is to be self-emptied, a hook 121 on the end of a cable is connected to a catch I22 securely fastened to the lower portion of the container side facing the cab. The cable is wound through a pulley 118 mounted near the top of the cab and is coupled to the winch 116. When the winch is energized, the container 100 pivots about the socket 110 up out of the guides I02 and 103 and tips to automatically empty its contents. When the container 100 is to empty into the truck of FIG. I, the truck cable pin 98 is connected to the pin I04 and the container pivots about the socket 110 until the bar 106 engages the truck lip 76 and then will continue to pivot about the bar 106 to empty in a manner as described with regards to FIG. 1.

The motorized collector of FIG. 6 can he slid off and on the frame 101 by use of the winch 116. When sliding the container off, a cable 125 (illustrated in phantom) is wound through the

pulleys

124 and 126 centrally located beneath the frame 101 and is then connected to catch 122. The jacks 112 on both sides of the motorized collector are lowered to provide clearance for the bar 108 over the socket 110. When the winch 116 is energized, the container 100 is slid part way off the frame 101 to engage the roadway. The hook is now disengaged from the catch 122 and the vehicle is driven away to complete the unloading. A platform 117 having a pin 115 that engages holes in opposite sides of the ends of the frame 101 can be provided to ease the unloading. The container 100 can be loaded on an empty vehicle by hooking the cable on the winch directly to the catch 122 and pulling the container along the platform 117 and on the frame. Before moving, the platform 117 is removed and the jacks 112 adjusted so that both sockets engage the ends of the bar 108.

In the event that it is desirable to lower the relative position of the container 100, on the motorized collector, the container can be positioned to extend down beyond the vehicle frame as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 illustrates the rear portion of the motorized collector of FIG. 6 modified to have a countersunk container 150. The container 150 includes two horizontal bars 152 that are securely fastened to extend along both sides of the container at a predetermined height above the bottom of the container. The container 150 sits within the frame 154 and is held in position by the bars 152 resting on the frame so that the container extends below the frame but with sufficient clearance from the roadway. A removable bar 156 extends across the frame 154 to act as a stop or guide for the container 150 to keep the container from sliding while traveling. The bar 156 is removed when the container is to be emptied to provide clearance for the pivotal movement.

The motorized collector of FIGS. 8 and 9 also includes pivotal means for self unloading. Two vertical brackets 160 are permanently fastened to the exterior sides of the frame 154 and on opposite sides to provide the pivot socket 162. The containers 150 includes two round eyelets 164 that are opposite and at the same level as the sockets 162. A pair of removable pins 166 are included in the eyelets I64 that enter into thesocket 162 and provide the pivotal connection to the socket.

The container 150 also includes a pin 170 and a catch 172 corresponding to the pin I04 and the catch 122 of FIG. 6. The container ISO is emptied into the collection unit by connecting the power cable from the collection unit to the pin 170 as previously described. The container is self emptied by the motorized collection by connecting its winch to the eye 172 as previously described.

If the container 150 is to be slid off and on, under the power of a winch, the frame 154 is built into the form ofa U" with the front end opened. A removable frame can be bolted or pinned across the front of the frame to provide the necessary rigidity while driving and can be removed when unloading. The rear wheels in such cases will not have an axle extending across the frame, but will be individually mounted to the ends of the frame. When the container 150 is to be slid off the frame 159, the pins 166 are removed from the eyes 164 to provide the necessary clearance.

In operation, the motorized collector of the invention is driven as a conventional vehicle to the vicinity of the items to be collected. In the case of home refuse collection, the motorized collector is driven in the back yard, into the garage, etc., wherever the refuse containers are located. In the case of crops, the motorized collector is driven into the field or orchards, to locations wherein the usual farm truck cannot generally be driven. Four wheel drive is generally desirable in such cases. The items to be collected are placed into the containers through the top opening. When the motorized collector is full, it is driven to the collection unit for automatically emptying its contents.

It should be noted that the motorized vehicle of the invention has the advantage of being able to travel at rather high speeds over long distances. Furthermore, the motorized collectors carry large loads, substantially much more than can be hauled manually thereby requiring very few trips to the collector units. In refuse collection, such motorized collectors can be driven in the street as well as driveways, alleys, etc. A number of such motorized collectors can work along with a single collector truck or a group of trucks. In such cases, the very expensive refuse truck can be loaded in a short time by the motorized collectors. Once loaded, the truck can proceed to the dump while the refuse collection is still being carried out with the substantially less expensive motorized collectors. There is no need for having the truck wait while the collectors manually haul the refuse to the truck, as is generally presently being done. Instead, the truck can now be most efficiently used for the very purpose it was made i.e. for automatic loading, hauling and dumping. The truck waiting time is now minimized by allowing the motorized collector to haul large loads, which are dumped into the truck in a minimum of time and allows the collection to continue while the truck is hauling the refuse to the dump.

Iclaim:

1. Collection equipment comprising:

a collection unit including an opening for receiving collected items, having a generally horizontal edge, and having power means including a cable for engaging a container for emptying the container into the collection unit;

a collector including a frame;

a pair ofspaced wheels mounted at a first end of said frame;

at least one wheel mounted at a second end of said frame;

steering means coupled to the wheels at the first or second ends ofsaid frame for steering the collector;

motor means mounted on said frame;

control means coupling said motor means to at least the wheels at one of said first and second ends of said frame for moving said collector under power from said motor means;

guide means mounted on said frame for slidably receiving and holding a container, and

a container positioned in said guide means formed with an opening on top and an edge extending along one end of said container and including receiving means located beyond said container edge for engaging said cable, so that when said container is positioned with its edge adjacent said collection unit opening and said cable is engaged and said power means is actuated, said container moves to engage the container edge to said horizontal edge and pivots from said frame to a position for emptying contents received therein into said opening, and in response to the opposite actuation of said power means said container pivots down to slide back to its position in said guide means.

2. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said container has a substantially rectangular shape with the side including the edge for engaging the horizontal edge slanting to form an acute angle with the frame and extending away from said collector, and

said guide means includes a plurality of resilient generally vertical steel members extending up from the frame for holding the bottom portion of the sides of the container.

3. The collection equipment as defined in claim 2 wherein said steel members include curved top portions that cur e out from said frame to provide a converging guide for receiving and holding said container.

4. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein said collection unit is a refuse truck, said opening is in the rear side of the refuse truck, and said horizontal edge is the lower edge of said opening.

5. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein:

a pair of wheels are mounted at said second end of said frame, and

said control means is coupled to drive at least one of the pairs of wheels at the first and second ends.

6. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 including:

pivotal means pivotally coupling said container adjacent said one end to said frame including an opening so that said container can be generally vertically moved to disconnect the pivotal coupling, and

power means on said collector for connection to said container for pivoting said container about said pivotal meansv 7. The collection equipment as defined in claim I wherein:

said guide means along said one end of said container are adjustable to provide clearance for sliding said container on said frame, and

power means on said collector for connection to said container sliding said container on and off said frame 8. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein said container fits between the frame and means are secured on the side of the container for holding the container on said frame to extend the bottom of the container below the top of the frame.

9. Refuse collection equipment comprising, in combination:

a refuse truck having a storage body;

means defining an opening formed in the rear side of the storage body for receiving the refuse;

support means positioned adjacent to the lower edge of said opening defining pivot sockets;

power means mounted on said truck including a cable for engaging and emptying containers into said opening;

a motorized refuse vehicle including a frame having guide means for slidably receiving and holding a refuse container;

a refuse container, mounted on said frame and positioned in said guide means, formed with an opening on top and with pivot members formed to mate with said support means, and including means for engaging said cable, wherein said container cooperates with said refuse truck so that when said pivot members are positioned adjacent said truck opening and said cable is engaged, said container is responsive to the actuation of said power means to move and engage said pivot members to said support means and pivot up from said guide means to tilt the container for emptying the contents therein into the opening, and in response to the opposite actuation of said power means pivots back down into its position on said frame and in said guide means.

10. Refuse collection equipment as defined in claim 9 wherein:

said container has a generally rectangular shape with the side including said edge extending out from said vehicle at an angle other than normal to said frame, and

said guide means includes a plurality of'generally vertical steel members extending up from said frame for engaging and holding the lower portions of the sides of said container.

ll. Refuse collection equipment as defined in ciaim 1i) wherein said steel members include curved top portions that curve out from said frame to provide a converging guide for receiving and holding said container.

12. Collection equipment comprising, in combination:

a collection unit including power actuated means for emptying containers therein;

a motor vehicle including means for steering the vehicle, power means for moving said vehicle and an extended generally horizontal frame having guides for slidably receiving and holding a container;

a container formed with a top opening, positioned in said guides;

pivot means on said container for engaging the collection unit to form a pivot connection;

means on said container for engaging said collection unit power actuated means for first moving said container in response to the actuation of said power actuated means from said guides until said pivot means engages the collection unit to form a pivot connection and then pivots about said pivot means to empty the container, and in response to the actuation of said power actuated means pivots the container back down wherein the container engages said guides to slide away from the collection unit and into said guides.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12 including means for positioning said container so that said container extends between the frame, and the bottom of the container is below the top of the frame.

14. The combination as defined in claim l2 including:

pivotal coupling means formed with an open pivotal coupling between said container and said frame so that a generally vertical movement of said container disconnects said pivotal coupling, and

second power actuated means for coupling said container to said vehicle power means for pivoting said container about said pivotal coupling means for emptying contents received by said container.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein:

said container is horizontally movable for sliding on and off said frame;

said pivotal coupling means is readily disconnectable to provide clearance for sliding said container on and off said frame, and

said second power actuated means includes a cable for connection to said container for sliding said container horizontally along said frame.

16. Collection equipment comprising:

a motor vehicle including means for steering the vehicle, power means for moving said vehicle, and a frame having guides for receiving and holding a container;

a container formed with an opening, positioned in said guides;

a collection unit formed with an opening having pivot means adjacent the opening for mating with said container to form a pivot connection, and including power actuated means;

pivot means on said container for engaging said collection unit pivot means to make the pivot connection, and

means on said container for engaging said power actuated means for moving said container from said guides in response to the actuation of said power actuated means so that said container pivot means makes the pivot connection with said collection unit pivot means and pivots to empty the container, and in response to the actuation of said power actuated means pivots the container back down wherein the container slides into said guides.

17. Collection equipment comprising:

a container formed with an opening;

a collection unit formed with an opening;

means on said collection unit for engaging said container to form a pivot connection; I

power actuated means for engaging and moving said con tainer;

a motor vehicle including means for steering the vehicle,

and power means for moving the vehicle, and

guide means mounted on said vehicle for receiving and holding said container so that when said container in said guide means is positioned adjacent said collection unit opening and said power actuated means engages the container and is actuated, the container slides from said guide means to mate with said collection unit to form the pivot connection and pivots to a position for emptying any contents therein into the opening, and in response to the actuation of said power actuated means said container pivots down and slides back into said guide means.

18. A motorized collector for transporting a container to be emptied into a collection unit comprising:

a self-propelled steerable motor vehicle including a frame;

guide means for receiving and holding a container on said frame so that the container is generally horizontally movable to slide off and on the frame;

a container, formed with an opening, positioned in said guide means;

first pivot means, on said container, for engaging a collec tion unit to form a pivot connection to pivot said container up from said guides to empty the container into the collection unit;

second pivot means, on said vehicle, providing a pivotal coupling with said container that is disconnected by a generally vertical movement of the container, said second pivot means also being readily disconnectable to provide clearance for moving said container on and off said frame, and

power means on said vehicle for pivoting said container about said pivotal coupling, and for horizontally moving said container on and off said frame.

19. A motorized collector for transporting a container to be emptied into a collection unit comprising:

a frame;

a pair of wheels mounted adjacent a first end of said frame;

at least one wheel mounted adjacent a second end of said frame;

steering means coupled to the wheels at one of the first and second ends ofsaid frame;

motor means mounted on said frame control means coupling said motor means to at least the wheels at one said first and second ends of said frame for moving said collector under power ofsaid motor means;

a container positioned on the portion of the frame between the wheels, said container having a generally rectangular shape and with a side of the container facing one of the first and second frame ends being slanted to form an acute angle with the frame and extends away from the collector;

guides means mounted on said frame along sides of said container, other than the slanted side, providing a converging guide for receiving and holding the container;

pivot means on said container for engaging a collection unit to form a pivotal connection so that said container can be pivoted to empty the container into the collection unit, and

guide means mounted on said frame and along the slanted side of said container providing a guide for sliding the container up from said frame and over the wheels adjacent said slanted side for engaging said pivot means to said collection unit and a guide for sliding the container over the wheels back on said frame.

Claims

1. Collection equipment comprising: a collection unit including an opening for receiving collected items, having a generally horizontal edge, and having power means including a cable for engaging a container for emptying the container into the collection unit; a collector including a frame; a pair of spaced wheels mounted at a first end of said frame; at least one wheel mounted at a second end of said frame; steering means coupled to the wheels at the first or second ends of said frame for steering the collector; motor means mounted on said frame; control means coupling said motor means to at least the wheels at one of said first and second ends of said frame for moving said collector under power from said motor means; guide means mounted on said frame for slidably receiving and holding a container, and a container positioned in said guide means formed with an opening on top and an edge extending along one end of said container and including receiving means located beyond said container edge for engaging said cable, so that when said container is positioned with its edge adjacent said collection unit opening and said cable is engaged and said power means is actuated, said container moves to engage the container edge to said horizontal edge and pivots from said frame to a position for emptying contents received therein into said opening, and in response to the opposite actuation of said power means said container pivots down to slide back to its position in said guide means.

2. The coLlection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein: said container has a substantially rectangular shape with the side including the edge for engaging the horizontal edge slanting to form an acute angle with the frame and extending away from said collector, and said guide means includes a plurality of resilient generally vertical steel members extending up from the frame for holding the bottom portion of the sides of the container.

3. The collection equipment as defined in claim 2 wherein said steel members include curved top portions that curve out from said frame to provide a converging guide for receiving and holding said container.

5. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein: a pair of wheels are mounted at said second end of said frame, and said control means is coupled to drive at least one of the pairs of wheels at the first and second ends.

6. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 including: pivotal means pivotally coupling said container adjacent said one end to said frame including an opening so that said container can be generally vertically moved to disconnect the pivotal coupling, and power means on said collector for connection to said container for pivoting said container about said pivotal means.

7. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein: said guide means along said one end of said container are adjustable to provide clearance for sliding said container on said frame, and power means on said collector for connection to said container sliding said container on and off said frame.

8. The collection equipment as defined in claim 1 wherein said container fits between the frame and means are secured on the side of the container for holding the container on said frame to extend the bottom of the container below the top of the frame.

9. Refuse collection equipment comprising, in combination: a refuse truck having a storage body; means defining an opening formed in the rear side of the storage body for receiving the refuse; support means positioned adjacent to the lower edge of said opening defining pivot sockets; power means mounted on said truck including a cable for engaging and emptying containers into said opening; a motorized refuse vehicle including a frame having guide means for slidably receiving and holding a refuse container; a refuse container, mounted on said frame and positioned in said guide means, formed with an opening on top and with pivot members formed to mate with said support means, and including means for engaging said cable, wherein said container cooperates with said refuse truck so that when said pivot members are positioned adjacent said truck opening and said cable is engaged, said container is responsive to the actuation of said power means to move and engage said pivot members to said support means and pivot up from said guide means to tilt the container for emptying the contents therein into the opening, and in response to the opposite actuation of said power means pivots back down into its position on said frame and in said guide means.

10. Refuse collection equipment as defined in claim 9 wherein: said container has a generally rectangular shape with the side including said edge extending out from said vehicle at an angle other than normal to said frame, and said guide means includes a plurality of generally vertical steel members extending up from said frame for engaging and holding the lower portions of the sides of said container.

11. Refuse collection equipment as defined in claim 10 wherein said steel members include curved top portions that curve out from said frame to provide a converging guide for receiving and holding said container.

12. CollectiOn equipment comprising, in combination: a collection unit including power actuated means for emptying containers therein; a motor vehicle including means for steering the vehicle, power means for moving said vehicle and an extended generally horizontal frame having guides for slidably receiving and holding a container; a container formed with a top opening, positioned in said guides; pivot means on said container for engaging the collection unit to form a pivot connection; means on said container for engaging said collection unit power actuated means for first moving said container in response to the actuation of said power actuated means from said guides until said pivot means engages the collection unit to form a pivot connection and then pivots about said pivot means to empty the container, and in response to the actuation of said power actuated means pivots the container back down wherein the container engages said guides to slide away from the collection unit and into said guides.

14. The combination as defined in claim 12 including: pivotal coupling means formed with an open pivotal coupling between said container and said frame so that a generally vertical movement of said container disconnects said pivotal coupling, and second power actuated means for coupling said container to said vehicle power means for pivoting said container about said pivotal coupling means for emptying contents received by said container.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein: said container is horizontally movable for sliding on and off said frame; said pivotal coupling means is readily disconnectable to provide clearance for sliding said container on and off said frame, and said second power actuated means includes a cable for connection to said container for sliding said container horizontally along said frame.

16. Collection equipment comprising: a motor vehicle including means for steering the vehicle, power means for moving said vehicle, and a frame having guides for receiving and holding a container; a container formed with an opening, positioned in said guides; a collection unit formed with an opening having pivot means adjacent the opening for mating with said container to form a pivot connection, and including power actuated means; pivot means on said container for engaging said collection unit pivot means to make the pivot connection, and means on said container for engaging said power actuated means for moving said container from said guides in response to the actuation of said power actuated means so that said container pivot means makes the pivot connection with said collection unit pivot means and pivots to empty the container, and in response to the actuation of said power actuated means pivots the container back down wherein the container slides into said guides.

17. Collection equipment comprising: a container formed with an opening; a collection unit formed with an opening; means on said collection unit for engaging said container to form a pivot connection; power actuated means for engaging and moving said container; a motor vehicle including means for steering the vehicle, and power means for moving the vehicle, and guide means mounted on said vehicle for receiving and holding said container so that when said container in said guide means is positioned adjacent said collection unit opening and said power actuated means engages the container and is actuated, the container slides from said guide means to mate with said collection unit to form the pivot connection and pivots to a position for emptying any contents therein into the opening, and in response to the actuation of said power actuated means said container pivots down and slides Back into said guide means.

18. A motorized collector for transporting a container to be emptied into a collection unit comprising: a self-propelled steerable motor vehicle including a frame; guide means for receiving and holding a container on said frame so that the container is generally horizontally movable to slide off and on the frame; a container, formed with an opening, positioned in said guide means; first pivot means, on said container, for engaging a collection unit to form a pivot connection to pivot said container up from said guides to empty the container into the collection unit; second pivot means, on said vehicle, providing a pivotal coupling with said container that is disconnected by a generally vertical movement of the container, said second pivot means also being readily disconnectable to provide clearance for moving said container on and off said frame, and power means on said vehicle for pivoting said container about said pivotal coupling, and for horizontally moving said container on and off said frame.

19. A motorized collector for transporting a container to be emptied into a collection unit comprising: a frame; a pair of wheels mounted adjacent a first end of said frame; at least one wheel mounted adjacent a second end of said frame; steering means coupled to the wheels at one of the first and second ends of said frame; motor means mounted on said frame control means coupling said motor means to at least the wheels at one said first and second ends of said frame for moving said collector under power of said motor means; a container positioned on the portion of the frame between the wheels, said container having a generally rectangular shape and with a side of the container facing one of the first and second frame ends being slanted to form an acute angle with the frame and extends away from the collector; guides means mounted on said frame along sides of said container, other than the slanted side, providing a converging guide for receiving and holding the container; pivot means on said container for engaging a collection unit to form a pivotal connection so that said container can be pivoted to empty the container into the collection unit, and guide means mounted on said frame and along the slanted side of said container providing a guide for sliding the container up from said frame and over the wheels adjacent said slanted side for engaging said pivot means to said collection unit and a guide for sliding the container over the wheels back on said frame.