ADAPTABLE CART LIFTER

Abstract

A refuse collection cart lifter is provided with a lock/release mechanism that prevents relative movement between the upper and lower hooks when the lifter is in the inverted position, but permits such relative movement when released so as to permit the lifter to have a an adaptable or “breakaway” feature This allows the lifter to be mounted on vertical surfaces that may prevent the lifter from retracting to a recessed position when in the lowered or retracted position, but still permit the first actuator arms supporting the lower hook to pivot freely with respect to the lift arms should an obstacle be engaged.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a refuse collection cart lifter embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a refuse collection cart lifter according to the present invention with the lifter in its retracted position

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refuse collection cart lifter according to the present invention with the lifter in a position intermediate its refracted and inverted dumping positions.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a refuse collection cart lifter according to the present invention with the lifter in its inverted/dumping position

Claims

1. A lifter for engaging, lifting and inverting a refuse collection cart comprising: a base;an actuator secured to the base;at least one lift arm operatively connected to the actuator movable between a first retracted position and a second inverted dumping position;a first actuator arm pivotably connected to the base;a second actuator arm operatively connecting the lift arm to the first actuator arm; anda lock that engages the lift arm and the second actuator arm to prevent relative movement between the lift arm and the second actuator arm as the lift arm moves to the inverted dumping position and releases the lift arm and second actuator arm to permit relative movement between the lift arm and the second actuator arm as the lift arm moves to the retracted position.

2. The lifter of claim 1 wherein the lock is pivotably connected to the lift arm and is biased toward engagement with the first actuator arm when the first actuator arm is in the first retracted position.

3. The lifter of claim 1 wherein the second actuator arm comprises a stub that, upon rotation of the second actuator arm with respect to the lift arm, forms a notch defined by the lift arm and the stub that receives the lock.

4. The lifter of claim 2 wherein the lock comprises an elongated bar disposed generally transversely to the first actuator arm and having an end that engages a surface of the first actuator arm when in the first retracted position

5. The lifter of claim 1 further comprising a first hook associated with the lift arm and a second hook associated with the first actuator arm.