US3741107A

US3741107A - Portable refuse handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3741107A
Application number: US00120296A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Merkin; R Elliott; J Gisolfi; J Boyd; S Bond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Elliott Co; GISOLFI; MERKIN; UNION ENVIRONMENTAL CORP
Priority date: 1971-03-02
Filing date: 1971-03-02
Publication date: 1973-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-26
Also published as: CA968308A; AU462577B2; AU3951672A; FR2127900A5; BR7201199D0; JPS5247272B1; DE2210465A1; GB1338880A; IL38867A0; IL38867A; AR196608A1; IT948712B; ES400308A1

Abstract

A portable refuse handling apparatus adapted for use with a refuse compaction machine of the type using a reciprocating ram to compress the refuse into packages. A dolly assembly is mounted in the compaction machine to define in combination with the machine a substantially enclosed compaction chamber. The dolly assembly comprises a base plate forming the bottom of the compaction chamber and a front panel secured to the base plate which forms at least a part of one of the side walls. A plurality of wheels are connected to the assembly and a handle frame is adapted to be removably mounted to the front panel.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Boyd et a1.

[11] 3,741,107 June 26, 1973 PORTABLE REFUSE HANDLING APPARATUS Eugene Merkin, Huntingdon Valley, 7

[73] Assignee: Union Environmental Corporation,

Philadelphia, Pa. by said Bond, Elliott, Gisolfi and Merkin [22] Filed: Mar. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 120,296

[52] US. Cl 100/215, 16/147, 100/229 R,

280/47.17, 292/120 [51] Int. Cl B30b 15/30 [58] Field of Search 100/229 R, 121 S,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,584,756 6/1971 Gladwin 217/60 3,438,321 4/1969 Gladwin 100/229 X 3,589,277 6/1971 Gray et a1. 100/215 2,757,603 8/1956 Wilson et a1 100/229 X 3,104,890 9/1963 Hill 280/47.17 X

3,463,079 8/1969 Corbett 100/229 X 282,598 8/1883 Zimmerman 292/120 3,519,300 7/1970 McKey 292/216 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 825,781 12/1959 Great Britain ..'100/l00 UX 761,100 l/1934 France 100/229 Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite AttorneyFleit, Gipple & Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A portable refuse handling apparatus adapted for use with a refuse compaction machine of the type using a reciprocating ram to compress the refuse into packages. A dolly assembly is mounted in the compaction machine to define in combination with the machine a substantially enclosed compaction chamber. The dolly assembly comprises a base plate forming the bottom of the compaction chamber and a front panel secured to the base plate which forms at least a part of one of the side walls. A plurality of wheels are connected to the assembly and a handle frame is adapted to be removably mounted to the front panel.

53 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures United States Patent 1 1] 3,741,107

B0 (1 et al. June 26 1973 I i ""I w 1 I I I I l I I l I I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I i I I I l Fig 3 Jon/m. Boyd SHEEI 2 [If 5 PATENTEU JUNZB I975 Fig. 2

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IHIHWMIHIM John A. Boyd Sag/f R B INVENTORS Ralph K. E Ilia/r John J. Gisa/fi Eugene Mark/n BY Z%m%me v ATTORNEY PATENTED JUIZB I975 Fig l3 SHEET 5 OF 5 John A. Boyd INVENTORS Scott R. Bonp Ralph K. Ell/off John J. Gisa/fi Eugene Mark/n @fimwz ATTORNEY PORTABLE REFUSE HANDLING APPARATUS Y The present invention is a portable refuse handling system which is particularly adapted for the disposal of refuse from multistory or single buildings such as apartment houses, office buildings, residential dwellings, and similar structures.

The invention generally relates to a refuse handling system which is adapted to be used with refuse compacting apparatus of the type using a reciprocating ram to compact the refuse into a specific size and area. The invention can be adapted for use with either the horizontal ram or vertical type compacting rams used in refuse compacting systems such as the one shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,424,078. The invention specifically relates. to apparatus having dolly handling features and means for compacting refuse in a compression chamber so that the compacted refuse can be easily transported to another station.

Refuse compacting equipment is increasingly being utilized to condense compressible solid and semi-solid materials to reduced volume packages. These reduced volume packages serve to facilitate and expedite the handling of refuse from its source to its final destination by reducing its bulk. Refuse compacting equipment has been used in larger commercial or multitype buildings, but it is now available for single family-type buildings and smaller commercial establishments.

Unless automatic removal or power transporting equipment are utilized with the various commercial embodiments of refuse compaction machines now on the market, it is necessary to physically pull and lift the compressed refuse package from the compaction machine and then physically carry the refuse package to its next station.

In the present invention, a wheeled portable dolly apparatus is provided to remove the compacted refuse package from the packaging machine without using a power pack or automatic removal means. With the present invention, the compacted refuse package is easily removed from the compression chamber region of the compacting machine without having to bodily pull loose, lift and carry the package to its transfer station. In using the present invention, a savings in physical effort is effected in that the dolly transport provides a mechanical improvement for the refuse removal and transporting operations.

The simple construction of the invention allows its economical production, thus providing a low-cost, efficient refuse handling apparatus available to the general public. The simple and rugged construction of the apparatus requires little maintenance and can be easily repaired by relatively unskilled personnel. In addition, the unique design of the apparatus enables it to be stored and used in a small area, allowing for the greatest economy of floor and storage space.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be-apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the inventionas shown in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS F IG. 1 is a front elevation view of the apparatus partially in section disclosing compaction means in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along lines 2-2'.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the dolly assembly handle.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along lines 4'4'.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the latch apparatus of the dolly assembly handle shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the dolly assembly body.

FIG.'7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along lines 7'-7.

F IG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the loading door when removed from the apparatus housing.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a lower panel of the apparatus housing.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 taken alonglines l0'-10'.

FIG. 1 l is an enlarged front elevation view of the horizontally disposed hinge.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a latch assembly used with the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the compaction machine during refuse compaction operation.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the compaction machine after the refuse has been compacted and the loading door unlocked.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the compaction machine disclosing the loading door extended to release the dolly assembly.

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the compaction machine showing the dolly assembly disengaged from the machine housing for transportation of the refuse package deposited on its base plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The' invention as shown in the figures comprises a housing 20 having compacting means 2i mounted therein which is adapted to compact refuse placed within the housing. The compacting means 21 as shown in FIG. 2-includes a cylinder 22 having a piston movably mounted therein which is not shown. The piston carries an elongated piston rod 23 which has a suitable compressing ram or plate 24 secured thereto.

Due to the formation of the housing 20, the walls form an internal compacting chamber 25. The plate 24 is preferably of the same cross-sectional configuration as the chamber 25 and is mounted to the piston rod 23 by suitable securing means such as bolt 26. It should be noted that the cylinder 22 is held in position and the piston rod 23 is guided by a mounting and guide block assembly 27 which is suitably secured to the housing 20 or to bracket or mounting means extending inwardly from the housing walls. The compacting means 21 is preferably driven by hydraulic fluid pumped from a pump means not shown. One such compacting means including the drive mechanism is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,078. The compacting means 21 can use a single acting hydraulic circuit or double acting hy-' draulic circuit or any such hydraulic or pneumatic circuit which will allow the apparatus to operate efficiently. The housing 20 has a loading door 28 which is double hinged at 30 and 32 so that the door can be opened vertically from the housing for refuse feeding purposes and swung horizontally from the housing for refuse transportation purposes. The door 28 as shown in F IG. 8 comprises a front plate 27, a plurality of sidewalls 35 secured to the front plate, a hinge support plate 31 secured or integrally mounted to the front plate 27 and stops 33. A handle 34 comprising a web secured to a pair of notched lock members is rotatably mounted to the door 28 at pivot point 36. The door is held in locked position during refuse compaction by these notched extending lock members 38 which are adapted to fit in respective aligned slots 29 in the housing as shown in FIGS. 13-15. When locked the housing defining the slots 29 extends into the notch 40 of the members 38 holding the door 28 in a set locked position. In order to open door 28 the handle 34 is rotated upwardly and pulled outwardly disengaging the lock member notches 40 from the housing slots 29 allowing the door to swing downward on horizontally disposed hinge 30. Horizontal hinge 30 as shown in FIG. 2 preferably has one section secured to hinge support 31 of the door 28 and another section secured to horizontal arm 54.

The horizontally disposed hinge 30 is preferably secured to the upper side of the horizontal arm 54 to permit the loading door 28 to travel approximately 60 for refuse loading.

The horizontal arm or cross bar 54 is located near the upper horizontal edge of the front panel 74 of the dolly assembly body when the body is mounted in the housing. The arm 54 is a structural member spanning the width of the compacting machine and is affixed to the compacting machine by means of a vertically disposed hinge 32 at one extremity and a latch means 42 at the other extremity. In the latched position, the horizontal arm provides distributed load restraints to the upper boundary or edge of the dolly body front panel 74 against the lateral forces induced by the compression loading. For refuse removal, the latch means 42 is released and the horizontal arm 54 is rotated 90 or more about its hinge line, so that the dolly assembly carrying the refuse can be withdrawn for disposal.

While a horizontal arm 54 is utilized in the preferred embodiment, it is not mandatory in the apparatus as the front panel upper edge restraint can be provided by other means as for example but not to be considered as excluding other possibilities, a structural edge member integral with the front panel edge.

As shown in FIG. 12, the latch means 42 comprises a tubular lock holder 44 secured to housing 20. Apertures 46 are provided in the tubular holder in an aligned position so that a pivot head 58 can be mounted therein by a rivet 48. The rivet 48 preferably has an aperture 50 therethrough which receives a pin 52 or other suitable holding means to keep it in position so that the pivot head 58 will be kept in the tubular lock holder 44. Mounted to the pivot head 58 are the handle 60 and lockjaw 62. The pivot head 58 has a plurality of apertures defined therein to receive the handle 60 and the lockjaw 62 which is mounted in the pivot head 58 by a rivet lock pin 64 and rivet 48. The rivet lock pin 64 is secured in position in a manner similar to rivet 48. The handle 60 operates the locking means mechanism 56 in the tubular holder 44 to position th locking jaw 62 which extends through the tubular holder 44 and housing 20 to engage the hinge pin 63 of horizontal arm 54in the locking position or to disengage the horizontal hinge pin 63 in the unlocked position. When the loading door 28 has been fully opened, the dolly refuse handling apparatus can be assembled to allow for the removal of the compacted refuse package.

The dolly assembly as shown in FIGS. 37 comprises a wheeled dolly body 72 with removable. handle means 91. The dolly body can be integrally constructed but preferably comprises a base plate 76 including a flange 78 and a front panel 74 secured to the base plate.

The base plate 76 is located at the bottom of the compression chamber when the dolly body is placed in housing 20 and when the compression stroke placement of the compacting machine is vertical. The base plate may serve as, but is not restricted to, the structural component and lower boundary of the compression chamber in the lower plane. When the base plate serves as the bottom structural element, it has a greater thickness than when the base plate is backed up by an additional plate which is rigidly secured to the compacting machine to form a portion of the housing 20.

In the preferred embodiment the base plate rests on brackets 77 of the housing back and side panels 79 which provide structural support for the base plate. The base plate 76 also serves as the lower boundary and support for the dolly assembly 70 when compacted refuse is to be removed from the compactor. The optional flange '78 is preferably provided on the back of the base plate 76 so that the compacted refuse is maintained on the base plate by this flange to help overcome frictional resistance of the sidewalls of the compression chamber of the housing which otherwise can induce an overturning movement tending to topple the compacting package off the base plate and onto the base of the housing. The rear panel of the compression chamber may be offset in the flanged region as is shown in FIGS. 9-10 to allow flange 78 to fit flush to the rear panel. The base plate 76 has dowels 86 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 protruding from its bottom surface which serve to index and guide the dolly assembly 70 into its proper location in the compression chamber for the compacting mode of operation. These dowels also serve as structural shear elements to resist the lateral force components induced by the vertical compression where there is a normal tendency for the compacted material to expand laterally. The dowels 86 can be positioned in matching apertures, slots, or notches 88 located in the brackets of the panels or in a base forming the structural elements of the bottom of the compression chamber.

Secured to the base plate 76 isa T support which serves to support the load of the refuse and provides reinforcement for the base plate when the refuse is compacted in the bottom and is under great force due to the compaction means 21. The T" support 80 can extend through a slot in the housing base as shown in FIG. 1 to provide this additional support for the dolly base plate or be positioned directly on a support surface.

The dolly base plate 76 has a front panel 74 secured thereto by fasteners, or welding. As previously mentioned, the base plate and front panel can be integrally constructed if desired. The height of the front panel is such that it fits in the housing to provide a substantially closed side of the compression chamber. The front panel thickness is predicated on its ability to contain the lateral loading induced by the vertical compaction of the refuse. Front panel load restraints are provided at its bottom edge by its connection to the base plate 76 and the load transfer associated at the dowels and at its upper extremity by the vertically hinged horizontal bar 54. The front panel base plate configuration is designated to provide adequate strength in the dolly handling mode.

The front panel 74 can be additionally dimensioned to provide an overlap with the leading edge of the compacting machine sidewalls of the housing to eliminate or minimize oozing of the liquid materials in the refuse.

Elastomeric or equivalent sealing strips may be utilized for higher sealing efficiency.

Dolly wheels 82 are rotatably mounted to the panel 74 by suitable means such as wheel brackets 84. Preferably two dolly wheels 82 and their respective brackets 84 are attached to the lower outboard face of the front panel 74 to provide rolling action for the dolly assembly 70 when the dolly is tilted out of the compacting machine to transfer the compacted refuse package from the compaction machine to its desired location. A female socket 90 is provided in each dolly wheel bracket 84, or in separate brackets, to position and hold the handle means 91 at its lower extremity. Means is provided relative to the floor or bottom of the compacting machine to unload the wheels during the compaction mode. If desired the wheels can be mounted to the base plate 76 to provide rolling action for the dolly assembly.

The removable dolly handle means 91 has a frame 92 which is preferably U-shapedand can be fabricated of pipe, tubing, or other suitable structural shapes to enable the dolly to be tilted, manipulated, pushed or pulled, in and out of the compaction machine. The handle frame 92 is removed from the dolly for the compaction mode and may be clipped to the machine or to a wall of the room in which the compaction machine is located for storage purposes. The handle frame 92 has horizontal braces at two locations. The lower bracket or brace 94 serves as a structural support and as a foot pivot to aid in tilting the dolly. The upper bracket or brace96 serves as a structural brace for the handle. It is preferably flanged or formed in a substantially L- shape to fit over and engage the top edge of the front panel 74 as the handle frame 92 is mounted to the front panel. A latch mechanism 98 is attached to the upper bracket 96 which mates with a latch component 104 secured to the front panel 74. The latch means permits pulling and manipulation of the handle while preventing inadvertent disengagement until the latch is released. The latching means comprises a bracket 99 secured to the upper bracket and a latch 100 pivotally mounted at 102 to the bracket 99. The latch 100 is adapted to be pivotally swung to engage or disengage the latch component 104 on the front panel.

The operation of the compaction mechanism is sequentially shown in FIGS. 13-16.

In FIG. 13, the compaction mechanism is in operation having been activated by one of the control buttons 110. During activation the compaction means compresses the refuse into a refuse package on the dolly body. While the compaction is taking place the loading door 28 is locked in a closed position by latch means 42 and lock members 38.

In FIG. 14, the refuse has been compacted into a package and the disposal process is begun. The handle 34 has been pivoted causing the notch extensions 40 to disengage from the slots 29 in housing so that the door swings vertically downward approximately 60. The latch means 42 has been operated to release the horizontal arm 54 so that the loading door can swing on a horizontal plane freeing the front panel of the dolly body.

FIG. 15 discloses the dolly front panel after the loading door has been swung away before the handle frame is mounted into the wheel brackets.

In FIG. 16, the handle frame 92 has been inserted into the wheel bracket sockets 90 and locked in position by the upper bracket latch mechanism. The handle frame is pulled causing the dolly' assembly to pivot and disengage dowels 86 from .the housing 20 so that the dolly carrying the refuse package can be pulled or pushed to the desired discharge station and the refuse package disposed of.

The empty dolly assembly 70 is returned to the housing and mounted therein as previously mentioned. The handle is unlocked and removed from the dolly body. The loading door 28 is then horizontally closed and locked to the compaction machine by latch means 42. When refuse is placed through the loading door into the mechanism, the door is vertically closed and locked to the compaction machine by lock members 38. The mechanism is then activated and the operation cycle repeats.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited to such an embodiment since it may be-otherwise embodied in the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A portable refuse handling apparatus adapted for use with a refuse compaction machine of the type using a reciprocating ram in a compaction chamber to compress the refuse, comprising a dolly assembly adapted to be mounted in said refuse compaction machine, said dolly assembly comprising a body housing, at least one wheel mounted to said body housing, and handle means removably connected to said body housing, said handle means comprising a handle frame, a lower bracket secured to said handle frame and an upper bracket secured to said handle frame, said upper bracket being substantially L-shaped, and lock means secured to said upper bracket, said body housing and said dolly assembly when mounted in said compaction machine serving to define at least one side of said compaction chamber.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock means comprises a lock bracket secured to said upper bracket and a latch pivotally mounted to said lock bracket.

3. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber, compaction means mounted in said housing, said compaction means being adapted to reciprocate in said compaction chamber to compact refuse placed therein, a door pivotally mounted to said housing, releasable lock means being adapted to hold said door to said housing, portable transportation apparatus removably mounted in said housing, said portable transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, said base plate being adapted to hold refuse while his being compacted, a front panel secured to said base plate, at least a portion of the top of said front panel extending vertically above at least a portion of the bottom of said door, and removable handle means adapted to be mounted to said front panel.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said portable transportation apparatus has at least one wheel mounted thereto and said base plate has support means secured thereto, said support means comprising at least one dowel and a brace.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said door has latch means, said latch means being substantially U-shaped with the web serving as the handle and the legs pivotally mounted to the door, said legs also being adapted to serve as latches to lock the door to the housing.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said base plate is flanged, said flange serving to maintain the compressed refuse on the base plate.

7. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber, compaction means mounted in said housing, said compaction means being adapted to reciprocate in said compaction chamber to compact refuse placed therein, a door pivotally mounted to said housing, releasable lock means connected to said housing, said releasable lock means being adapted to hold said door to said housing, portable transportation apparatus removably mounted in said housing, said portable transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, said base plate being adapted to hold refuse while it is being compacted, a front panel secured to said base plate and removable handle means adapted to be mounted to said front panel, said removable handle means comprising a handle frame, a lower brace secured to said handle frame, and an upper brace secured to said handle frame, said upper brace being substantially L-shaped and adapted to fit over the upper edge of said front panel when said handle means is mounted to said front panel, and locking means secured to said upper brace.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said locking means comprises a bracket secured to said upper brace and a latch pivotally mounted to said bracket.

9. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber, compaction means mounted to said housing, said compaction means being adapted to reciprocate therein; a door mounted to said housing by hinge means, said hinge means allowing said door to move in a vertical plane and a horizontal plane, locking means secured to said housing, said locking means adapted to prevent said door from moving in a horizontal plane; latch means mounted to said door, said latch means being adapted to prevent said door from moving in a vertical plane; dolly transportation apparatus removably mounted inside said housing, said dolly transportation apparatus serving to define at least the base of said compaction chamber and comprising a base plate, a front panel secured to said base plate, the top of said front panel extending vertically above the bottom of said door when said dolly transportation apparatus is mounted inside said housing, at least one wheel connected to said base plate and handle means adapted to be removably connected to said front panel.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said handle means comprises a substantially U-shaped frame, a lower brace secured to the legs of said U- shaped frame, an L-shaped upper brace connecting the legs of said U-shaped frame at a position closer to the web of said U-shaped frame than said lower brace, lock means secured to said upper brace, said lock means comprising a bracket secured to said upper brace and a latch pivotally mounted to said bracket.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said latch means comprises a handle, a plurality of notched extensions secured tosaid handle, said notched extensions being pivotally mounted to said door and adapted to extend into slots defined by said housing to selectively allow the latching of said door by positioning a housing slot defining edge in at least one notch of each said extension.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said hinge means includes a first hinge element allowing said door to move in a vertical plane and a second hinge element allowing said door to move in a horizontal plane.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said housing includes an arm mounted on said first hinge element, the bottom of said arm extending vertically below the'top of said front panel when said dolly transportation apparatus-is mounted inside said housing.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said locking means acts on said arm for preventing said door from moving in a horizontal plane.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said locking means and said second hinge element are attached to outside of said housing.

16. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber; compaction means mounted to said housing, said compaction means being adapted to reciprocate therein; a door mounted to said housing by hinge means, said hinge means allowing said door to move in a vertical plane and a horizontal plane; locking means secured to said housing, said locking means adapted to prevent said door from moving in a horizontal plane, said locking means comprising a tubular housing secured to said housing, a pivot head piece mounted to said tubuler housing, a locking jaw mounted to said pivot head piece, handle means .mounted to said pivot head piece, said handle means being adapted to move said locking jaw to engage said hinge means; latch means mounted to said door, said latch means being adapted to prevent said door from moving in a vertical plane; dolly transportation apparatus mounted inside said housing, said dolly transportation apparatus serving to define at least the base of said compaction chamber and comprising a base plate, a front panel secured to said base plate, at least one wheel connected to said base plate and handle means adapted to be removably connected to said front panel.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said hinge means includes pin means which are engaged by said locking jaw.

18. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compression chamber, compaction means mounted in said housing and adapted to reciprocate into said compression chamber to compact refuse placed therein, a door pivotally mounted on said housing, lock means connected to said housing and adapted to position said door against said housing, a dolly apparatus mounted within said housing, said dolly apparatus comprising a base plate having a flange, a front panel secured to said base plate, at least a portion of the top of said front panel vertically extending above at least a portion of the bottom of said door, wheel brackets mounted with respect to said front panel, at least one wheel rotatably mounted in each said wheel bracket and handle means adapted to be removably connected to said front panel,

said base plate serving to define the base of said compaction chamber and said front panel serving to define at least a section of a side wall of said compaction chamber when said dolly apparatus is mounted in said housing.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said wheel brackets are mounted to said base plate.

20. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining at least one vertical side of a compressionchamber; compaction means mounted in said housing and adapted to move into said compression chamber to compact refuse placed therein; a dolly apparatus adapted to be mounted within said housing, said dolly apparatus comprising a base plate and at least one vertically extending panel, said at least one vertically extending panel together with said housing defining the vertical walls of said compression chamber, said base plate serving to define the base of said compression chamber; means on said dolly assembly for moving said dolly assembly into and away from said housing; at least one door attached to said housing above said at least one panel, said at least one door adapted to pivotally and horizontally move between an open and closed position and also pivotally and vertically move between an open and closed position, said door means so positioned on said housing that the bottom of said door means is vertically lower than the top of said at least onepanel of said dolly apparatus when said dolly apparatus is moved into said housing. v

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said door means includes a horizontally positioned arm pivotally attached on one end of said housing by means of a first hinge means and releasably attached on its other end to said housing by means of a locking means.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, further including latch means attached to said at least one door, said latch means being substantially U-shaped with the web serving as the handle and the legs pivotally mounted to the door, said legs serving as latches to lock the door to the housing.

23. A refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining at least a portion ofa compaction chamber; compaction means mounted in said housing, said compaction means adapted to reciprocate in said compaction chamber to compact refuse place therein; a portable transportation apparatus removably mounted in said housing, said portable transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, said base plate being adapted to hold refuse while it is being compacted, and a front panel secured to said baseplate, said front panel serving to define at least one portion of said compaction chamber when said portable transportation apparatus is mounted in said housing; and an arm mounted on said housing, at least aportion of said arm extending across said front panel when said portable transportation is mounted'in said housing, said arm serving to hold said portable transportation apparatus in said housing during compaction, said arm being adapted to release said portable transportation apparatus from-said housing before and after compaction.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said housing defines at least three vertical sides of said compaction chamber; wherein said front panel defines the fourth vertical wall of said compaction chamber; and wherein said arm is mounted on said housing substantially parallel to said fourth wall of the compaction chamber.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 further including a door pivotally mounted to said housing above said fourth vertical wall, said door adapted to receive refuse placed in said compaction chamber; and locking means attached to said housing adapted to hold said door to said housing during compaction.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said door and said arm are integral.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said arm is pivotally attached on one end to said housing and releasably attached to said housing on its other end.

28. Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said arm is adapted to pivotally move in a horizontal direction from a closed position in which it holds said portable transportation apparatus in said housing to an open position in which said portable transportation apparatus can be moved out of said housing.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said door is pivotally mounted on said arm for vertical rotation with respect to said arm.

30. Apparatus according to claim 23 further including a refuse door for receiving refuse placed in said compaction chamber.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said door is integral with said arm, and further wherein said arm is pivotally attached on one end to said housing and releasably attached to said housing on its other end.

32. Apparatus according toclaim 31 wherein said arm is adapted to pivotally move in a horizontal direction from a closed position in which it holds said portable transportation apparatus in said housing to an open position wherein said portable transportation apparatus can be moved out of said housing.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said door is pivotally mounted on said arm for vertical rotation with respect to said arm.

34. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said arm extends entirely across said front panel.

35. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber; compaction means mounted to said housing, said compaction means adapted to reciprocate therein; dolly transportation apparatus removably mounted inside said housing, said dolly transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, at least one wheel fixedly mounted with respect to said base plate, and a front panel secured to said base plate, said front panel serving to define at least a portion of one vertical side of said compaction chamber; and a locking arm attached to said housing such that it extends across said front panel when said dolly transportation apparatus is mounted'inside said housing, said locking arm adapted to hold said dolly transportation apparatus inside said housing during, compaction and to allow said dolly transportation and apparatus to be removed from said housingbefore and after compaction.

36. Apparatus accordingto claim 35 wherein said housing defines at least three veritcal sides of the compaction chamber, and said-front panel defines a fourth sideof said compaction chamber.

37. Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said locking arm is pivotally attached on one end to said housing and releasably attached on its other end to said housing.

38. Apparatus according to claim further including a door pivotally attached to said housing and adapted to open to receive refuse placed in said compaction chamber and to close during compaction.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said door is pivotally mounted on said arm.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39 wherein said arm is pivotally attached on one end to said housing and releasably attached on its other end to said housing.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40 wherein the top of said front panel vertically extends above the bottom of said arm when said dolly transportation apparatus is mounted in said housing.

42. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said portable transportation apparatus includes at least two wheels each mounted with respect to said base plate adjacent the junction between said base plate and said front panel, and a support means mounted on the opposite end of said base plate intermediate said two wheels.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said support means is located equidistant from said wheels.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said support means includes a generally planar element for contacting the surface on which dolly transportation apparatus rests.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44 wherein said support means is a T-shaped element.

46. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein each vertical wall of said housing defining the compaction chamber is provided with a horizontally extending flange positioned immediately below said base plate when said dolly'transportation apparatus is mounted in said housing so that said base plate can rest on said horizontally extending flanges during compaction.

47. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein a flange is mounted on the leading edge of said base plate, said flange serving to hold compacted refuse thereon when said dolly transportation apparatus is moved.

l 2 48. A portable refuse handling apparatus adapted for use with a refuse compaction machine of the type using a reciprocating ram in a compaction chamber to compact the refuse, said portable refuse handling apparatus adapted to be mounted in said refuse compaction machine, said apparatus comprising: a base plate, a front panel mounted to said base plate; two wheels, each wheel mounted on said apparatus adjacent the junction between said base plate and said front panel; and a supporting means on the opposite end of said base plate, said supporting means located intermediate said wheels.

49. Apparatus according to claim 48 wherein each wheel is mounted adjacent an end of the line defining the junction between the base plate and the front panel.

50. Apparatus according to claim 49 wherein said supporting means includes a planar element adapted to contact the surface on which said apparatus rests.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50 wherein said supporting means is equidistant from said wheels.

52. Apparatus according to claim 51 wherein said supporting means is a T-shaped element.

53. A refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber, compaction means mounted in said housing, said compaction means adapted to reciprocate in said compaction chamber to compact refuse placed therein, a door pivotally mounted to said housing, releasable lock means connected to said housing, said releasable lock means adapted to hold said door to said housing, portable transportation apparatus releasably mounted in said housing, said portable transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, said base plate adapted to hold refuse while it is being compacted, and a front panel secured to said base plate, said apparatus further characterized in that said door includes engaging means for associating with and holding said portable transportation apparatus in said housing when said door is held to said housing.

l i i

Claims

3. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber, compaction means mounted in said housing, said compaction means being adapted to reciprocate in said compaction chamber to compact refuse placed therein, a door pivotally mounted to said housing, releasable lock means being adapted to hold said door to said housing, portable transportation apparatus removably mounted in said housing, said portable transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, said base plate being adapted to hold refuse while it is being compacted, a front panel secured to said base plate, at least a portion of the top of said front panel extending vertically above at least a portion of the bottom of said door, and removable handle means adapted to be mounted to said front panel.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said handle means comprises a substantially U-shaped frame, a lower brace secured to the legs of said U-shaped frame, an L-shaped upper brace connecting the legs of said U-shaped frame at a position closer to the web of said U-shaped frame than said lower brace, lock means secured to said upper brace, said lock means comprising a bracket secured to said upper brace and a latch pivotally mounted to said bracket.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said latch means comprises a handle, a plurality of notched extensions secured to said handle, said notched extensions being pivotally mounted to said door and adapted to extend into slots defined by said housing to selectively allow the latching of said door by positioning a housing slot defining edge in at least one notch of each said extension.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said housing includes an arm mounted on said first hinge element, the bottom of said arm extending vertically below the top of said front panel when said dolly transportation apparatus is mounted inside said housing.

16. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber; compaction means mounted to said housing, said compaction means being adapted to reciprocate therein; a door mounted to said housing by hinge means, said hinge means allowing said door to move in a vertical plane and a horizontal plane; locking means secured to said housing, said locking means adapted to prevent said door from moving in a horizontal plane, said locking means comprising a tubular housing secured to said housing, a pivot head piece mounted to said tubuler housing, a locking jaw mounted to said pivot head piece, handle means mounted to said pivot head piece, said handle means being adapted to move said locking jaw to engage said hinge means; latch means mounted to said door, said latch means being adapted to prevent said door from moving in a vertical plane; dolly transportation apparatus mounted inside said housing, said dolly transportation apparatus serving to define at least the base of said compaction chamber and comprising a base plate, a front panel secured to said base plate, at least one wheel connected to said base plate and handle means adapted to be removably connected to said front panel.

18. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compression chamber, compaction means mounted in said housing and adapted to reciprocate into said compression chamber to compact refuse placed therein, a door pivotally mounted on said housing, lock means connected to said housing and adapted to position said door against said housing, a dolly apparatus mounted within said housIng, said dolly apparatus comprising a base plate having a flange, a front panel secured to said base plate, at least a portion of the top of said front panel vertically extending above at least a portion of the bottom of said door, wheel brackets mounted with respect to said front panel, at least one wheel rotatably mounted in each said wheel bracket and handle means adapted to be removably connected to said front panel, said base plate serving to define the base of said compaction chamber and said front panel serving to define at least a section of a side wall of said compaction chamber when said dolly apparatus is mounted in said housing.

20. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining at least one vertical side of a compression chamber; compaction means mounted in said housing and adapted to move into said compression chamber to compact refuse placed therein; a dolly apparatus adapted to be mounted within said housing, said dolly apparatus comprising a base plate and at least one vertically extending panel, said at least one vertically extending panel together with said housing defining the vertical walls of said compression chamber, said base plate serving to define the base of said compression chamber; means on said dolly assembly for moving said dolly assembly into and away from said housing; at least one door attached to said housing above said at least one panel, said at least one door adapted to pivotally and horizontally move between an open and closed position and also pivotally and vertically move between an open and closed position, said door means so positioned on said housing that the bottom of said door means is vertically lower than the top of said at least one panel of said dolly apparatus when said dolly apparatus is moved into said housing.

23. A refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising: a housing, said housing defining at least a portion of a compaction chamber; compaction means mounted in said housing, said compaction means adapted to reciprocate in said compaction chamber to compact refuse place therein; a portable transportation apparatus removably mounted in said housing, said portable transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, said base plate being adapted to hold refuse while it is being compacted, and a front panel secured to said baseplate, said front panel serving to define at least one portion of said compaction chamber when said portable transportation apparatus is mounted in said housing; and an arm mounted on said housing, at least a portion of said arm extending across said front panel when said portable transportation is mounted in said housing, said arm serving to hold said portable transportation apparatus in said housing during compaction, said arm being adapted to release said portable transportation apparatus from said housing before and after compaction.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said arm is adapted to pivotally move in a horizontal direction from a closed position in which it holds said portable transportation apparatus in said housing to an open position wherein said portable transportation apparatus can be moved out of said housing.

35. Refuse compaction and transportation apparatus comprising a housing, said housing defining a compaction chamber; compaction means mounted to said housing, said compaction means adapted to reciprocate therein; dolly transportation apparatus removably mounted inside said housing, said dolly transportation apparatus comprising a base plate, at least one wheel fixedly mounted with respect to said base plate, and a front panel secured to said base plate, said front panel serving to define at least a portion of one vertical side of said compaction chamber; and a locking arm attached to said housing such that it extends across said front panel when said dolly transportation apparatus is mounted inside said housing, said locking arm adapted to hold said dolly transportation apparatus inside said housing during compaction and to allow said dolly transportation and apparatus to be removed from said housing before and after compaction.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said housing defines at least three veritcal sides of the compaction chamber, and said front panel defines a fourth side of said compaction chamber.

38. Apparatus according to claim 35 further including a door pivotally attached to said housing and adapted to open to receive refuse placed in said compaction chamber and to close during compaction.

46. Apparatus according to claim 42 wherein each vertical wall of said housing defining the compaction chamber is provided with a horizontally extending flange positioned immediately below said base plate when said dolly transportation apparatus is mounted in said housing so that said base plate can rest on said horizontally extending flanges during compaction.

48. A portable refuse handling apparatus adapted for use with a refuse compaction machine of the type using a reciprocating ram in a compaction chamber to compact the refuse, said portable refuse handling apparatus adapted to be mounted in said refuse compaction machine, said apparatus comprising: a base plate, a front panel mounted to said base plate; two wheels, each wheel mounted on said apparatus adjacent the junction between said base plate and said front panel; and a supporting means on the opposite end of said base plate, said supporting means located intermediate said wheels.