Claims
- 1. A method of loading and compacting trash in a trash container of a trash-collecting vehicle, the container being of the type having a generally rectangular fill opening with upper and lower edges and opposite side edges and a loading bin at the rear of the container and extending to the lower edge of the fill opening, said method comprising the steps offorming an articulated plate having parallel first and second edges and substantially the same shape and dimensions as the fill opening, the plate being composed of upper and lower panels connected by a hinge extending parallel to the first and second edges; connecting the first edge of the plate by a swivel bearing to the container at the side edges of the opening to allow movement of the plate parallel to the opening as well as swinging movement of the plate about a swivel axis toward and away from the opening; connecting a first force element between the container and the plate for swinging the plate about the swivel axis; connecting a second force element between the container and the plate for moving the plate parallel to said opening; connecting a third force element between the plate panels to pivot the lower panel about said hinge, and controlling said force elements to move the plate from a fully open position wherein the plate extends rearwardly from the upper edge of the fill opening so as to expose the opening and the bin, through a partially closed position wherein the second edge of the plate lies adjacent to the lower edge of the fill opening and the first and second panels define an acute angle, to a fully closed position wherein all three force elements combine to drive the first and second panels into alignment with the opening so that the panels exert a strong net compacting force directed perpendicular to said opening while at the same time substantially closing the opening.
- 2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said force elements comprise pistons.
- 3. A loading and compacting device for the trash container of a trash-collecting vehicle, said container having a generally rectangular rear fill opening with upper and lower edges and opposite side edges and a loading bin at the rear of said container and extending to the lower edge of the fill opening, said device comprisingan articulated plate having parallel first and second edges and substantially the same shape and dimensions as the fill opening, said plate being composed of upper and lower panels connected by a hinge extending parallel to the first and second edges; a pair of swivel bearings connecting the first edge of the plate to the container at the side edges of the opening, said swivel bearings allowing movement of the plate parallel to said opening as well as swinging movement of the plate about a swivel axis toward and away from said opening; a first force element connected between the container and the plate for swinging the plate about said swivel axis; a second force element connected between the container and the plate for moving the plate parallel to said opening; a third force element connected between the plate panels for pivoting the lower panel about said hinge, and control means for controlling said force elements to move said plate from a fully open position wherein said plate extends rearwardly from said upper edge of the fill opening so as to expose said opening and said bin, through a partially closed position wherein the second edge of the plate lies adjacent to the lower edge of the fill opening and the first and second panels define an acute angle, to a fully closed position wherein all three force elements combine to drive the first and second panels into alignment with said opening so that the panels exert a strong net compacting force directed perpendicular to said opening while at the same time substantially closing the opening.
- 4. The loading and compacting device defined in claim 3 wherein the pair of swivel bearings includesa pair of runners mounted adjacent to and extending parallel to the side edges of the fill opening, and a pair of bearing elements mounted to the first edge of the panel and being slidably engaged to the pair of runners.
- 5. The loading and compacting device defined in claim 4 wherein the device includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart second force elements connected between the container and the pair of bearing elements for moving the pair of bearing elements along the pair of runners so as to move the plate parallel to the fill opening.
- 6. The loading and compacting device defined in claim 4 wherein the device includes a pair of laterally-spaced-apart first force elements connected between the container and the plate for swinging the plate about the swivel axis.
- 7. The loading and compacting device defined in claim 4 wherein the device includes a pair of laterally spaced-apart third force elements connected between the plate panels for pivoting the lower panel about said hinge.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
199 05 986 |
Feb 1999 |
DE |
|
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/501,047, filed on Feb. 9, 2000, now abandoned.
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Continuations (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/501047 |
Feb 2000 |
US |
Child |
10/151662 |
|
US |