Refuse collection vehicle

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6250873
  • Patent Number
    6,250,873
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, February 10, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 26, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
  • Examiners
    • Keenan; James W.
    Agents
    • Parsons & Goltry
    • Parsons; Robert A.
    • Goltry; Michael W.
Abstract
A vehicle for collecting refuse comprising a chassis, a body mounted with the chassis for receiving refuse through an opening thereof, a packer assembly for moving refuse into the body through the opening, a gate assembly mounted to serve as a closure for another opening of the body and movable between normally closed and opened positions, and ejecting apparatus including extendible drive means movable between a stored and an ejecting position for additionally and alternately ejecting refuse.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




This invention relates generally to the field of refuse handling apparatus.




More particularly, this invention relates to refuse collection vehicles of a type having a hopper for receiving refuse and a storage body for receiving and storing refuse from the hopper.




In a further and more specific aspect, the present invention concerns novel features for the improved performance and operation of refuse collection vehicles.




2. Prior Art




The collection and removal of refuse, the solid wastes of a community, is a major municipal problem. For example, residential refuse is generated at an average rate of approximately two pounds per day per capita. As accumulated, loose and uncompacted, the refuse has a density generally in the range of 150-300 pounds per cubic yard. For the health and welfare of the community, regular disposal is essential.




Traditionally, residential refuse including garbage, trash and other waste materials was amassed and stored in containers having a ten to thirty gallon capacity. On a regular basis, normally once or twice weekly, the containers were placed by the householder at a designated location for handling by a scheduled collection agency. Frequently designated locations were curbside and alley line. Not uncommonly, the refuse of a single residence, depending upon the number of occupants and the frequency of service, would occupy two or more containers each weighing as much as seventy-five to one hundred pounds.




Considerable effort has been directed by many in the industry of refuse collection toward the development of equipment for the enhancement of the traditional refuse collection method. As a result, current methodology directs that refuse is placed in relatively large containers of uniform dimensions which are handled by automated equipment. The containers may, for example, be of sufficient size to service several households. The collection vehicle is equipped with a self-loading device which lifts and dumps the container. Increased load carrying capacity of the vehicle is achieved through the use of compactor-type bodies.




To further enhance the automated collection of refuse, many refuse collection trucks with storage bodies incorporate a gate assembly mounted with a rearward opening thereof to act as a closure for the rearward opening. However, the accessible rearward opening allows refuse collected within the storage body to be ejected from the rearward opening. To this end, apparatus currently exists for either tilting the storage body upwardly for allowing gravity to move the refuse from the storage body and outwardly through the rearward end for deposit, or ejecting the refuse outwardly through the rearward end. To eject the refuse outwardly through the rearward end of the storage body, innovators have adapted packing mechanisms which operate for not only transferring and packing refuse into the storage body from the hopper, but also for ejecting the refuse outwardly through the rearward end for deposit at suitable waste disposal sites. Although exemplary for intended use, these packing mechanisms are extremely bulky, mechanically inefficient and costly.




It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.




Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in refuse collection equipment.




Another object of the instant invention is to provide an improved packer and ejection assembly operative for facilitating the incremental movement of a platen into and through a hopper and a storage body for accomplishing not only the compaction of refuse into the storage body but also the ejection of the refuse through a downstream opening of the storage body.




A further object of the invention is the provision of a refuse collection vehicle of the foregoing type which is safer, easier and more economical to operate than conventional prior art refuse collection equipment.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a vehicle of a type for collecting refuse. The vehicle is generally comprised of a body and a hopper mounted with the body for receiving refuse. The vehicle further includes a storage body mounted with the body for receiving and storing refuse from the hopper. The storage body is generally comprised of an integral outwardly arcuate top panel, an integral outwardly arcuate bottom panel and integral outwardly arcuate side panels cooperating together to bound a chamber in the rear of the refuse handling vehicle and having forward edges of the panels bounding an upstream opening into the chamber in communication with the hopper for permitting refuse to admit therethrough from the hopper for receipt into the chamber, and rearward edges of the panels bounding a downstream opening into the chamber. A packer and ejection assembly is also provided for transferring refuse from the hopper to the storage chamber along with a gate assembly including a closure element mounted to serve as a closure for the downstream opening and movable from a normal closed position to an open position, and from the open position to the normal closed position.




The packer and ejection assembly of the present invention is generally comprised of a platen mounted for movement along a fixed path for urging refuse from the hopper to the storage body through the upstream opening thereof and drive means for imparting reciprocal motion to the platen alternately between retracted and extended positions in response to actuation of the drive means. The drive means includes a linkage assembly having a linkage element and a pivotally connected extendible element. The linkage element is pivotally attached to the body adjacent one end and the extendible element is pivotally attached to the platen adjacent one end. A hydraulic drive assembly is pivotally attached to the body and the linkage element for movement in reciprocal directions upon actuation of the hydraulic drive assembly such that during movement of the platen through a forward packing stroke the speed of the platen decreases and the force exerted by the platen on the refuse increases throughout the forward packing stroke and during movement of the platen through a rearward packing stroke the speed of the platen increases, the linkage assembly being movable in reciprocal directions for moving the platen in reciprocal directions.




Ejection of the refuse, after collection and storing (including packing or compacting) is accomplished by extension of the extendible element of the linkage assembly during actuation of the hydraulic drive assembly. The extendible element includes, for example, a hydraulic drive assembly, a telescoping hydraulic cylinder, a double acting telescoping hydraulic cylinder, or a set of nested tubes which telescope together and are latched, and which may be unlatched to extend in length and then latched at their longer length and extended by the drive means to push the platen further along its fixed path. The linkage assembly, including the extendible element is constructed so that during movement of the platen through a forward ejection stroke the speed of the platen decreases and the force exerted by the platen on the refuse increases throughout the forward ejection stroke and during movement of the platen through a rearward ejection stroke the speed of the platen increases.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:





FIG. 1

illustrates an isometric view of a vehicle for collecting refuse, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 1A

illustrates a side elevational view of the vehicle illustrated in

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 2

is a side elevational view of the vehicle illustrated in

FIG. 1

, portions thereof broken away, with the closure element of the gate assembly shown as it would appear in an open position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 3

illustrates a side elevational view of a packer and ejection assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the assembly is illustrated in a retracted mode in broken lines and in an extended or packing mode in full lines;





FIG. 4

illustrates a rear elevational view of the packer assembly of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 5

illustrates a side elevational view of the packer and ejection assembly of

FIG. 3

, the packer and ejection assembly is illustrated in a retracted mode in broken lines and in a partially extended or ejecting mode in full lines;





FIG. 6

illustrates a side elevational view of another packer and ejection assembly carried by the hopper of the vehicle of

FIG. 1

, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;





FIG. 7

illustrates an isometric exploded view of a portion of the packer and ejection assembly of

FIG. 6

, portions thereof broken away and shown in section; and





FIG. 8

illustrates a side elevational view of the packer and ejection assembly of

FIG. 6

in an extended or ejection mode.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to

FIG. 1

illustrating a perspective view of a vehicle for collecting refuse generally designated by the reference character


50


. Vehicle


50


is of a type generally including a body or chassis


51


, which, for the purposes of the ensuing discussion, is considered to have a forward end


52


, a rearward end


53


, a left or street side


54


and a right or curb side


55


. Chassis


51


includes a frame


56


supported above ground level by front wheels


57


and rear wheels


58


. In accordance with conventional practice, front wheels


57


are steerable and provide directional control for vehicle


50


. Similarly, although not herein specifically shown, rear wheels


58


are caused to rotate in response to a conventional engine, transmission and drive train for propulsion of vehicle


50


. A cab


59


carried at forward end


52


of chassis


51


provides for an enclosed drivers compartment including the conventional controls associated with the manipulation of chassis


51


as well as conventional controls associated with the loading and compacting equipment.




The foregoing description of vehicle


50


set forth for the purposes of orientation and reference in connection with the ensuing discussion of preferred embodiments of the instant invention is intended to be generally representative of typical, commercially available vehicles of the foregoing type for collecting refuse. Accordingly, further details not specifically set forth and described will readily occur to those having regard toward the relevant art.




Consistent with the foregoing, vehicle


50


further includes a body


60


carried by frame


56


of chassis


51


rearward of cab


59


and further located upon the rearward portion of frame


56


. Body


60


is comprised of a hopper


61


and a storage body


62


. Hopper


61


, located rearwardly of cab


59


and forwardly of storage body


62


, includes means for compacting and stowing refuse within storage body


62


, specific details of which will be discussed as the detailed description ensues. In this regard, and with momentary attention directed to

FIG. 1A

illustrating a curb-side elevational view of vehicle


50


, vehicle


50


further includes a container handling apparatus, generally designated by the reference character


63


, operative for lifting a refuse container and dumping the contents thereof into hopper


61


. Container handling apparatus


63


has been set forth for the purposes of orientation and reference in connection with the ensuing discussion of preferred embodiments of the present invention and is intended to be generally representative of typical, commercially available container handling apparatus commonly found upon vehicles of a type for collecting refuse. Accordingly, further details of container-handling apparatus


63


will not be herein specifically addressed as they will readily occur to the skilled artisan.




With attention directed to FIG.


1


and

FIG. 1A

body


60


, including hopper


61


and storage body


62


, preferably constructed of steel or other suitable material having similar structural and functional characteristics, is generally comprised of an integral outwardly arcuate top panel


70


, an integral outwardly arcuate bottom panel


71


and integral outwardly arcuate side panels


72


(FIG.


2


and

FIG. 4

) and


73


cooperating together to bound an inner chamber in the rear of vehicle


50


. Storage body


60


is generally considered to have an upstream end


75


directed toward hopper


61


and a downstream end


76


directed toward rearward end


53


of chassis


51


. The indication of upstream end


75


and downstream end


76


is set forth for facilitating ease of discussion of preferred embodiments herein and is not intended to be regarded as an inherently limiting feature of ensuing preferred embodiments to be herein discussed. Panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


are substantially coextensive and each include a forward edge, side edges, and a rearward edge. Forward edges of panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


at upstream end


75


of storage body


62


cooperate together to bound an upstream opening into the inner chamber, and rearward edges of panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


at downstream end


76


of storage body


62


cooperate together to bound a downstream opening into the inner chamber.




For the purposes of orientation regarding

FIGS. 1 and 1A

, hopper


61


is generally intended to have an upstream end


82


directed toward cab


59


and a downstream end


83


directed toward upstream end


75


of storage body


62


. Hopper


61


includes a rearward edge at downstream end


83


bounding an opening. The forward edges of storage body


62


are mounted with the rearward edge of hopper


61


, such as by conventional welding techniques, in refuse communication for facilitating the transferal of refuse from hopper


61


into the inner chamber from the opening of hopper


61


through the upstream opening of storage body


62


. In this regard, the upstream end


82


and downstream end


83


of hopper


61


and the upstream end


75


and downstream end


76


of storage body


62


are intended to denote the general direction of the passage of refuse into and through body


60


of vehicle


50


. Refuse placed within hopper


61


is intended to pass from hopper


61


and into storage body


62


in a general direction from upstream end


82


of hopper


61


to downstream end


76


of storage body


62


by virtue of a packer and ejection assembly carried by hopper


61


, further details of which will be discussed as the detailed description ensues.




In accordance with the preferred teachings presented herein, the outwardly arcuate configuration of each panel


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


is set forth not as a matter of design, but rather to advantageously impart unexpected rigidity and strength to each panel


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


. When coupled together to form storage body


62


, panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


function together to impart a high degree of strength and corresponding rigidity to the finally assembled storage body


62


without the need for additional reinforcement replete in prior art storage bodies currently in use by conventional refuse collection vehicles of the type herein presented. As a result, and unlike storage body


62


, because conventional storage bodies employed with refuse collection vehicles of the variety presented herein employ corrugated panels and panels having vertical and/or horizontal reinforcing elements, they are considerably heavier and bulkier than storage body


62


presented herein and exceedingly difficult and expensive to construct. Because storage body


62


is extremely strong and considerably light as compared to conventional prior art storage bodies of like variety, chamber


74


may accommodate increased payloads within the weight limits for normal highway travel in accordance with state and federal regulations. Panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


may each be further constructed of selected and desired thickness for increasing the wear of the panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


over an extended period of time as desired by the user. Furthermore, because each panel


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


is an integral piece, minimal welding is required to assemble panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


to form storage body


62


unlike conventional storage bodies. In addition, the finished shape of storage body


62


is considerably aerodynamic thus occasioning less air resistance during travel of vehicle


50


advantageously resulting in less fuel consumption of vehicle


50


during normal refuse collection activities.




Each panel


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


may be desirably constructed from suitable sheet stock and rolled or formed to the desired arcuate shape in accordance with conventional manufacturing techniques well known to those having regard toward the relevant art. Furthermore, bottom panel


71


of storage body


62


is mounted and supported by frame


56


of vehicle


50


. In accordance with conventional practice, bottom panel


71


may be fixedly engaged with frame


56


by virtue of suitable and conventional fastening mechanisms operative for fixedly and securingly engaging storage body


62


to frame


56


.




With attention directed back to

FIG. 1

, vehicle


50


further includes a gate assembly generally designated by the reference character


90


including a closure element


91


mounted with downstream end


76


of storage body


62


to serve as a closure for downstream end


76


of storage body


62


, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Motive or drive assemblies, each being generally designated by the reference character


92


, operate to mount closure element


91


to downstream end


76


of storage body and to move closure element


91


between opened and closed positions, details of which will be discussed presently. For the purposes of orientation and reference, closure element


91


is generally intended to have an upper end


91


A located adjacent top panel


70


of storage body


62


and a lower end


91


B located toward rearward end


53


of chassis


51


.




With continuing reference to

FIG. 2

, closure element


91


is comprised of a generally cup-shaped body


93


. Body


93


, preferably constructed of steel or other material having similar structural and functional characteristics, includes an upper panel


94


, a lower panel


95


, side panels


96


and


97


and an end panel


98


cooperating together to define body


93


. Like storage body


62


, panels


94


,


95


,


96


,


97


and


98


are outwardly arcuate and include edges that may be coupled together in a manner substantially similar to panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


of storage body


62


as previously discussed, further details of which will not be herein specifically described. For the purpose of orientation, body


93


is generally intended to have an inner end


100


and an outer end


101


, with panels


94


,


95


,


96


and


97


including inner edges cooperating together to define inner end


100


.




Because panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


of storage body


62


and panels


94


,


95


,


96


,


97


and


98


of closure element


91


are integral pieces, they each may be desirably constructed from a single piece of sheet material. In the interests of eliminating waste, the sheet material may otherwise be desirably sized to the dimension of not only a single selected panel, but also provided of a size sufficient to allow a user to cut the sheet material for advantageously forming two or more panels of either storage body


62


and/or closure element


91


.




Consistent with the preferred teachings of the instant invention, closure element


91


is movable between a normal closed position as shown in FIG.


1


and an open or refuse ejection position as shown in FIG.


2


. In this regard, in the normal closed position of closure element


91


, the inner edges defining inner end


100


of closure element


91


mate with and engage the rearward edges of panels


70


,


71


,


72


and


73


of storage body


62


to enclose the downstream opening. It is generally intended that during refuse collection operations, closure element


91


will be in the normal closed position for allowing refuse to be desirably transferred and stored from hopper


61


into the inner chamber of storage body


62


. After collection is complete, the refuse is then transferred to a suitable refuse disposal facility at which time closure element


91


is moved from the normal closed position to the open position for allowing the refuse contained within the inner chamber of storage body


62


to be ejected through the downstream opening thereof, further details of which will be understood as the detailed description ensues.




As previously intimated in accordance with

FIG. 2

, closure element


91


is mounted with downstream end


76


of storage body


62


by virtue of motive or drive assemblies


92


, each being operative and cooperating together to move closure element between the normal closed position and the open position. Each drive assembly


92


is the mirror image of the other. As shown in

FIG. 1

, drive assemblies


92


are mounted with storage body


62


at an elevated location proximate top panel


70


along the upper corners of storage body


62


in spaced-apart and substantially parallel relation. As it will be understood from the ensuing discussion, the preferred placement of each drive assembly


92


in the foregoing manner provides for the even distribution of the weight of closure element


91


by each drive assembly


92


for facilitating not only a secure and proper mount of closure element


91


to storage body


62


, but also the efficient movement of closure element


91


by drive assemblies


92


alternately between the normal closed and open positions. Furthermore, although two drive assemblies


92


are illustrated in combination with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be generally understood that one or more than two drive assemblies


92


may be used in combination with gate assembly


90


without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention as herein specifically described. In this regard, if a user were to choose to use one drive assembly


92


, it may be desirably mounted at a location central of top panel


70


of storage body proximate the downstream end thereof.




Because each drive assembly


92


is the mirror image of the other, only one will be herein presented for ease and efficiency of discussion. Regarding a preferred embodiment thereof, drive assembly


92


is comprised of a linkage element


110


mounted for pivotal movement generally at downstream end


76


of storage body


62


. Linkage element


110


is generally intended to include a proximal end


111


mounted for pivotal movement to an upstanding support flange


112


fixed to and extending upwardly from storage body


62


adjacent downstream end


76


. Linkage element


110


extends rearwardly from proximal end


111


and is generally intended to terminate with a distal end


113


at a point outboard of the downstream opening of storage body


62


, inboard of inner end


100


of closure element


91


, somewhat subjacent proximal end


111


and subjacent and diametrically opposed to a stop


114


fixed to and extending laterally outwardly from upper end


91


A of closure element


91


. As herein specifically discussed, stop


114


is generally intended to be included within the nature and scope of drive assembly


92


. Closure element


91


is mounted with and carried by linkage element


110


for pivotal movement at a point intermediate proximal end


111


and distal end


113


.




A conventional hydraulic cylinder assembly


140


including a cylinder


141


having an inner end


142


mounted with storage body


62


inboard of or otherwise forwardly and spaced from the downstream opening and linkage element


110


. In a further and more specific aspect, inner end


142


of cylinder


141


is mounted for pivotal movement to an upstanding flange


143


fixed to and extending upwardly from storage body


62


at a point forwardly of and spaced from flange


112


. Hydraulic cylinder assembly


140


further includes an operating rod


144


mounted partially within cylinder


141


for reciprocal movement therein and terminating with an outer end


145


mounted with linkage element


110


for pivotal movement. Outer end


145


of operating rod


144


is interconnected for pivotal movement to a pair of support members by virtue of a pivot pin


152


extending through apertures in the support members and an aperture carried by outer end


145


of operating rod


144


.




Having described the various structural details of drive assembly


92


, prior discussions intimate that inner end


100


of closure element


91


operates to mate with the rearward edges of storage body


62


to enclose downstream opening


81


of storage body


61


in the normal closed position of closure element


91


as generally illustrated in FIG.


1


. With closure element


91


supported by linkage element


110


of drive assembly


92


proximate upper end


91


A thereof at pivot pin


130


, an engagement means is provided to maintain closure element


91


in the normal closed position. To this end, and to desirably maintain closure element


91


in the normal closed position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, provided is an engagement assembly


160


carried by closure element


91


proximate inner end


100


operative to detachably and securingly engage a complemental engagement assembly


161


carried by storage body


62


proximate downstream opening


81


. Engagement assembly


160


is generally comprised of a pair of hook elements


162


(only one shown) carried by and extending outwardly from either lateral side of closure element


91


from each respective side panel


96


(hook element


162


not shown with respect to side panel


96


) and


97


and terminating with a hooked distal end


163


at a point outboard of inner end


100


, hooked distal end


163


further being directed downwardly toward frame


56


of chassis


51


in the closed position of closure element


91


. Complemental engagement assembly


161


is generally comprised of a pair of corresponding pins carried by and extending outwardly from either lateral side of storage body


62


proximate downstream opening


81


thereof from each respective side panel


72


and


73


somewhat inboard of downstream opening


81


. Consistent with the foregoing discussion, each hooked distal end


163


of each hook element


162


is operative for normally, hookingly and securingly receiving or otherwise engaging a respective pin in the normal closed position of closure element


91


in order to secure inner end


100


of closure element to the rearward edges of storage body


62


to enclose downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


.




As linkage element


110


moves along ascending pivotal traverse as operating rod


144


is retracted into cylinder


141


from the normal closed position of closure element


91


, linkage element


110


will pivot relative closure element about pivot pin


130


and distal end


113


of linkage element


110


will approach and subsequently engage stop


114


as illustrated in FIG.


2


. Upon engagement of distal end


113


with stop


14


, pivotal movement of closure element


91


about pivot pin


130


will cease to result in the vertical transverse of closure element


91


with linkage element


110


. From this orientation of closure element


91


relative linkage element


110


, the continued retraction of operating rod


144


into cylinder


141


will cause closure element


91


to pivot outwardly to disengage inner end


100


of closure element


91


from downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


and subsequently orient closure element


91


in the open position in the retracted orientation of operating rod


144


of hydraulic cylinder assembly


140


to correspondingly open and allow refuse ejection through downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


.




From the foregoing discussion, it will be generally understood that engagement assembly


160


is engagable to and detachable from complemental engagement assembly


161


in response solely to the actuation of drive assembly


92


. Engagement assembly


160


and complemental engagement assembly


161


contain no moving parts or parts requiring actuation to facilitate engagement and disengagement. In this regard, because engagement assembly


160


and complemental engagement assembly


161


are engagable to and detachable from one another solely in response to actuation of drive assembly


92


in the exemplary manner previously described, engagement assembly


160


and complemental engagement assembly constitute a passive engagement mechanism requiring no additional actuator mechanisms or manual latches.




Those having regard toward the relevant art will appreciate that gate assembly


90


sets forth an exemplary mechanism for facilitating the closing and opening of downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


in a vehicle


50


generally of the type operative for collecting refuse. Although not herein specifically set forth, conventional controls for operating hydraulic drive assembly


140


for each drive assembly


92


may be suitably located within cab


59


for allowing the operator to actuate gate assembly


90


alternately between the normal closed and opened positions of closure element


91


as desired. Also, although hydraulic drive assembly


140


has been disclosed as a preferred means of imparting alternating pivotal movement to linkage element


110


in the manner previously described, other suitable means for actuating linkage element


110


along alternating pivotal traverse may be employed consistent with the teachings herein without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention as herein specifically described. Furthermore, in the event one or more of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies


140


were to fail with closure element


91


in the open position, closure element


91


would merely fall from the open position to the closed position as herein described without incident.




Referring specifically to

FIG. 3

, illustrated is a vertical curb side sectional view of hopper


61


and a portion of bottom panel


71


of storage body


62


further including a curb side elevational view of a packer and ejection assembly


170


in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Hopper


61


includes a floor or bottom panel


174


which is an extension of bottom panel


71


of storage body


62


, floor


174


having a substantially arcuate shape like bottom panel


71


and extending forwardly from storage body


62


terminating with endwall


173


. Packer and ejection assembly


170


includes a linkage assembly generally designated


180


including a linkage element


181


and an extendible element


182


. Linkage element


181


has a proximal end


183


pivotally attached to hopper


61


at a location proximate upstream end


82


and in an elevated position relative to floor


174


. Linkage element


181


extends outwardly from proximal end


183


to a distal end


184


, which is pivotally attached to an inner end


185


of extendible element


182


. Extendible element


182


extends rearwardly from distal end


184


of linkage element


181


and terminates with an outer end


186


pivotally attached to a platen


187


. Platen


187


is mounted with hopper


61


and storage body


62


along a fixed path to serve as a means for facilitating the passage of platen


187


from hopper


61


into and through storage body


62


and the consequent transfer of refuse from hopper


61


into storage body


62


through the upstream opening of storage body


62


in response to the operation of linkage assembly


180


, further details of which will be discussed as the detailed description ensues.




To further describe linkage element


181


in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, attention is directed to

FIG. 4

illustrating a rear elevational view of linkage assembly


180


. Linkage element


181


includes a pair of elongate arms


200


and


201


each having an inner end


202


and


203


pivotally affixed to a respective sidewall


171


and


172


of hopper


61


at an elevated location relative to floor


174


and proximate upstream end


82


of hopper


61


. Inner ends


202


and


203


generally define proximal end


183


of linkage element


181


as previously discussed. Arms


200


and


201


extend inwardly into hopper


61


from inner ends


202


and


203


in converging relation and terminate with outer ends


206


and


207


generally defining distal end


184


of linkage element


181


. Inner end


185


of extendible element


182


is mounted intermediate outer ends


206


and


207


for pivotal movement by a dowel


208


carried by outer ends


206


and


207


. A substantially rigid transverse support element


209


interconnects arms


200


and


201


at a location generally intermediate inner ends


202


and


203


and outer ends


206


and


207


for imparting added strength to linkage element


181


, although this is not an essential feature.




With continuing reference to

FIG. 3

, linkage assembly


180


articulates and is movable alternately between a retracted position (illustrated in broken lines) and an extended position (illustrated in full lines) operative for moving platen


187


alternately between a refuse receiving position located adjacent upstream end


82


of hopper


61


and a packing position located adjacent the upstream opening of storage body


62


for facilitating the transfer of refuse contained within hopper


61


rearwardly of platen


187


into storage body


62


. In the retracted position of linkage assembly


180


, linkage element


181


resides in a substantially upright or vertical orientation substantially parallel with endwall


173


of hopper


61


with extendible element


182


also residing in a substantially vertical orientation. From the retracted position, linkage assembly


180


may be moved along a forward stroke to the extended position, with linkage element


181


eventually resting in a substantially horizontal orientation. As linkage element


181


pivots from the substantially vertical orientation to the substantially horizontal orientation, extendible element


182


correspondingly pivots at inner end


185


to urge outer end


186


from the location adjacent upstream end


82


of hopper


61


along a substantially horizontal path prescribed by the fixed path of platen


187


to adjacent the upstream opening of storage body


62


, with extendible element


182


eventually resting in a substantially horizontal orientation. From the retracted to the extended positions of linkage assembly


180


as herein described, platen


187


, attached to outer end


186


of extendible element


182


, correspondingly moves from the refuse receiving position adjacent upstream end


82


of hopper


61


to the packing position adjacent the upstream opening of storage body


62


. The movement of platen


187


by linkage assembly


180


operates to bear platen


187


against refuse carried within hopper


61


rearward of platen


187


to facilitate the transfer of refuse from hopper


61


to the inner chamber of storage body


62


.




From the extended position of linkage assembly


180


, the foregoing operation for moving linkage assembly along the rearward stroke may be reversed for moving linkage assembly


180


along a return or forward stroke for correspondingly moving platen


187


from the packing position back to the refuse receiving position coincident with the retracted position of linkage assembly


180


. In this manner of operation, linkage assembly


180


may be moved alternately along the rearward stroke and the forward stroke for allowing the repeated transferal of refuse from hopper


61


to storage body


62


during normal refuse collection operations.




A conventional hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


is provided to facilitate the desired actuation or movement of linkage assembly


180


alternately between the retracted and extended positions. Hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


includes a cylinder


211


having a lower end


212


pivotally attached to hopper


61


at a location somewhat rearwardly and subjacent to proximal end


183


of linkage element


181


, forwardly of outer end


186


of extendible element


182


in the retracted orientation thereof and somewhat elevated from floor


174


. Hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


further includes an operating rod


216


mounted partially within cylinder


211


for reciprocal movement therein and terminating with an upper end


217


pivotally attached to linkage element


181


at a location intermediate proximal end


183


and distal end


184


thereof. Upper end


217


of operating rod


216


is preferably attached to linkage element


181


at a location closer to distal end


184


rather than proximal end


183


, although this is not an essential feature of the present invention. In this regard, upper end


217


of operating rod


216


may be mounted at any suitable location intermediate proximal end


183


and distal end


184


, or perhaps mounted at distal end


184


if desired, without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention as herein specifically described.




In operation, hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


may be actuated between an extended orientation and a retracted orientation for moving linkage assembly


180


between the retracted and extended positions, respectively, along the forward and rearward stokes. In this regard, the extended orientation of hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


corresponds to the retracted position of linkage assembly


180


as indicated by the dotted outline of hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


and linkage assembly


180


in

FIG. 3

, and the retracted orientation of hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


corresponds to the extended position of linkage assembly


180


. Therefore, from the extended orientation of hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


with operating rod


216


extended from cylinder


211


, operating rod


216


will retract into cylinder


211


pulling linkage element


181


rearwardly along descending pivotal traverse. As operating rod


216


retracts into cylinder


211


, upper end


217


will pivot relative linkage element


181


and upper end


217


will move along descending pivotal traverse coincident with distal end


183


of linkage element


181


.




The foregoing physical characteristics of linkage assembly


180


and the actuation thereof by hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


between the retracted and extended orientations impart not only the desired movement of platen


187


between the retracted and extended positions as set forth for clearing hopper


61


of refuse and compacting it firmly into storage body


62


, but also occasion unique operative functional characteristics throughout the stroke path along the forward stroke and the rearward stroke. In this regard, linkage assembly


180


desirably varies the packing force against platen


187


throughout the stroke path for increasing the packing force as platen


187


moves along the rearward stroke to the packing position of platen


187


and decreasing the packing force as platen


187


retracts along the forward stroke to the refuse receiving position of platen


187


.




In particular, as hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


retracts from the extended orientation with linkage assembly


180


in the retracted position, the speed of platen


187


at the beginning of the rearward stroke will be relatively fast and the maximum packing force available by platen


187


against refuse will be relatively small. However, as hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


retracts and platen


187


moves rearward, platen


187


will move progressively slower increasing and maximizing the available packing force available by platen


187


against refuse as platen


187


progressively traverses along the rearward stroke. After considerable experimentation with the physical orientation of linkage assembly


180


and hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


, a plot of the maximum or available packing force as a function of the extending position of platen


187


evinces a substantially hyperbolic curve which grows asymptotically to approach infinity as linkage assembly


180


approaches the extended position. Because the envelope of the maximum force required to accumulate refuse rearward of platen


187


and then to compress it into the accumulation of previously compacted refuse carried within the inner chamber of storage body


62


plotted as a function of the movement of platen


187


along the rearward or compacting stroke is a similarly shaped curve, the physical configuration of linkage assembly


180


and hydraulic drive assembly


210


impart a distribution of maximum packing force which exceeds the force required to compact or otherwise accumulate refuse within the inner chamber of storage body


62


. Accordingly, rather than provide maximum packing force at every location of platen


187


along the rearward stroke, less hydraulic fluid may be delivered to cylinder


211


to achieve a given length of travel of platen


187


along the rearward stroke to achieve the maximum packing force by platen


187


against the refuse. As a consequence, the movement of platen


187


along the rearward stroke and the forward stroke is highly efficient and comparatively fast as compared to conventional packing assemblies currently in use. Due to the maximization of the packing force of platen


187


by linkage assembly


180


, more refuse may be packed into storage body


62


for allowing the collection of greater loads of refuse.




With continuing reference to

FIG. 3

illustrating platen


187


in vertical cross section, platen


187


is generally comprised of framework


220


including an upstanding panel


221


having a rearward surface


222


directed toward downstream opening


81


and a lower edge having a substantially arcuate shape operative to conform to the substantially arcuate shape of bottom panel


71


of storage body


62


and the arcuate shape of floor


174


of hopper


61


. Platen


187


is preferably constructed of steel or other suitable material having similar structural and functional characteristics and further includes a pair of upstanding sidewalls (only sidewall


224


is visible in

FIG. 3

) mounted at either lateral side of panel


221


and a transverse support member


226


mounted with panel


221


interconnecting the pair of sidewalls. Support member


226


is tubular with a generally square cross section and operates to reinforce and add structural integrity to platen


187


, although other suitable reinforcement mechanisms may be used for adding structural integrity to platen


187


if desired. Platen


187


further includes a shield


227


hingedly mounted to an upper edge


228


of panel


221


and operative to deflect refuse and inhibit refuse from falling in front of platen


187


onto linkage assembly


180


in the retracted position of platen


187


during normal refuse collection operations. The various structural features of platen


187


have been set forth for the purposes of orientation and reference and are not intended to be limiting in light of the nature and scope of the present invention as herein specifically described. In this regard, other suitable platen configurations may be used consistent with the foregoing and ensuing teachings if desired.




Turning now to the refuse ejection feature of packing and ejection apparatus


170


, generally, once storage body


62


is filled with refuse it is time to transport the refuse to an appropriate dumping area and eject the refuse from storage body


62


. To perform the refuse ejection feature, extendible element


182


of linkage assembly


180


is activated as described below. In the specific embodiment illustrated in

FIGS. 3-5

, extendible element


182


is a commercially available double acting, telescoping hydraulic apparatus with a main cylinder


301


and an additional telescoping cylinder


303


nested within cylinder


301


, as illustrated best in

FIG. 5. A

rod


304


is nested within the smaller cylinder


303


and defines outer end


186


of extendible member


182


. In this embodiment, extendible member


182


is simply a hydraulic cylinder that is extended normally by applying hydraulic fluid thereto, under the influence of which nested cylinder


303


and rod


304


are forced horizontally outwardly from cylinder


301


to extend or telescope extendible element


182


horizontally. In the preferred embodiment, extendible member


182


is constructed to extend sufficiently to move platen


187


along a stroke path generally to the rearward end of storage body


62


.




For the purposes of orientation and reference, extendible member


182


is preferably constructed to have an extended length operative for accommodating the length of the stroke path without emerging outwardly from downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


upon movement of linkage assembly


180


into the extended orientation. In a further and more specific aspect, the preferred length of extendible member


182


is such that in the retracted orientation of linkage assembly


180


and extendible member


182


, the forward end of platen


187


will desirably reside just rearwardly of lower end


212


of cylinder


211


as illustrated by the dotted outline of FIG.


5


. Also, in the extended orientation of linkage assembly


180


and extendible element


182


, the rearward end of platen


187


will reside proximate the rearward edge of bottom panel


71


of storage body


62


adjacent downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


without emerging outwardly from downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


. Here it will be understood by those skilled in the art that extendible element


182


may be constructed with a length which will be sufficient to eject refuse through downstream opening


81


in a single cycle with linkage assembly


180


in the extended position, if desired. Further, in the actual ejection process, either extendible element


182


can be used alone (if sufficiently strong) or the refuse can be ejected in steps by extending extendible element


182


a short distance while linkage assembly


180


is retracted and then cycling hydraulic cylinder assembly


210


through a complete cycle, after which extendible element


182


is again extended a short distance. In this fashion the refuse is gradually stepped downstream toward opening


81


.




Thus, linkage assembly


180


serves to receive and pack refuse into storage body


62


until such time as ejection is desirable (e.g. a fully loaded storage body


62


). At that time closure element


91


is moved to the open position and extendible element


182


is actuated or extended horizontally, in conjunction with actuation of hydraulic drive assembly


210


of linkage assembly


180


, to move platen


187


the length of storage body


62


and eject refuse from storage body


62


out through downstream opening


81


. Extendible element


182


is then actuated to move or retract nested cylinder


303


and rod


304


from the extended position back to a stored position.




Turning now to

FIGS. 6-8

, another embodiment of packing and ejection apparatus, designated


170


′, is illustrated. In this embodiment components similar to the embodiment described in conjunction with

FIGS. 3-5

are designated with similar numbers for convenience in understanding and new components are designated with a primed number to more readily indicate the different components. Referring specifically to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, an extendible element


182


′ is illustrated as a component of the linkage assembly


180


′. In this embodiment, extendible element


182


′ is a telescoping set of nested cylinders or tubes


310


′,


311


′, and


312


′, with a rearward end of outer cylinder


310


′ pivotally attached to platen


187


and defining outer end


186


′. In this preferred embodiment, cylinders


310


′,


311


′, and


312


are constructed with a generally square cross-section for convenience in aligning openings therein but it will be understood that a large variety of cross-sections (e.g. triangular, semi-circular, oval, etc.) could be used, all of which come within the definition of ‘cylinder’ or ‘cylindrical’, and they will still fulfill the functions of the present invention. Cylinder


311


′ is nested within outer cylinder


310


′ and cylinder


312


′, which is basically a solid rod-like element, is nested within cylinder


311


′ with an outwardly extending end thereof being pivotally attached to linkage element


181


and defining inner end


185


′.




Cylinders


311


′ and


312


′ each have longitudinally spaced apart, horizontal openings


313


′ and


314


′, respectively, extending therethrough. A remotely actuatable stop element


315


′ is mounted on outer cylinder


310


′ adjacent the open end (opposite outer end


186


′). Stop element


315


′ includes an outer housing and an inner bolt (not visible) which is movable upon actuation of stop element


315


′ between a position within the housing and an extended position outside the housing. Stop element


315


′ is mounted for horizontal movement of the inner bolt so that it will move into an aligned opening


313


′ and stop relative movement of cylinder


311


′ within outer cylinder


310


′. Similarly, a remotely actuatable stop element


316


′ is mounted on cylinder


311


′ adjacent the open end (opposite the nested end). Stop element


316


′ includes an outer housing and an inner bolt (not visible) which is movable upon actuation of stop element


316


′ between a position within the housing and an extended position outside the housing. Stop element


316


′ is mounted for horizontal movement of the inner bolt so that it will move into an aligned opening


314


′ and stop relative movement of cylinder


312


′ within cylinder


311


′. Stop elements


315


′ and


316


′ may be, for example, hydraulic cylinders, pressurized air cylinder, or electrically operated elements (solenoids), etc.




During refuse collection and storage (packing) operations, cylinders


310


′,


311


′ and


312


′ are nested and the inner bolts of stop elements


315


′ and


316


′ are engaged in an appropriate opening


313


′ and


314


′, respectively, generally as illustrated in either

FIG. 6

or


7


. Hydraulic drive assembly


210


is actuated to produce movement of platen


187


in reciprocal directions, i.e. the retracted orientation and the extended orientation. Movement of linkage assembly


180


to the retracted orientation will define a fully retracted orientation of platen


187


within hopper


61


. In this fully retracted orientation of platen


187


, refuse may properly be collected and placed within hopper


61


rearwardly of platen


187


adjacent rearward surface


222


of panel


221


. Once collected, a user may then actuate linkage assembly


180


into the extended orientation for transferring and packing refuse from hopper


61


and into storage body


62


and then back to the retracted orientation for allowing refuse to be deposited into hopper


61


prior to initiating a succeeding forward stroke. During the packing operations extendible element


182


′ is maintained at a fixed length, generally complete or nearly complete nested orientation.




Thus, linkage assembly


180


serves to receive and pack refuse into storage body


62


until such time as ejection is desirable (e.g. a fully loaded storage body


62


). At that time closure element


91


is moved to the open position and extendible element


182


′ is actuated by operating stop element


315


′ and then stop element


316


′ to extend extendible element


182


′ horizontally (generally illustrated in FIG.


8


), in conjunction with actuation of hydraulic drive assembly


210


of linkage assembly


180


, to move platen


187


the length of storage body


62


and eject refuse from storage body


62


out through downstream opening


81


. Extendible element


182


is then actuated to move or retract nested cylinders


310


′,


311


′ and


312


′ from the extended position back to a nested or stored position.




In a step-by-step description of the extension operation of extendible member


182


′, hydraulic drive assembly


210


is actuated to move linkage assembly


180


into the extended position. The inner bolt of stop element


315


′ is then withdrawn from aligned opening


313


′ and hydraulic drive assembly


210


is actuated to move linkage assembly


180


into the retracted position. The inner bolt of stop element


315


′ is then extended to engage a second aligned opening


313


′ rearward of the initial aligned opening


313


′. The extension and retraction steps of linkage assembly


180


are repeated with the inner bolt of stop element


315


′ being moved to successively farther rearwardly positioned openings


313


′. When cylinder


311


′ is completely telescoped from outer cylinder


310


′, the procedure is repeated by engaging and disengaging the inner bolt of stop element


316


′. In this fashion, extendible element


182


′ is completely extended, generally as illustrated in

FIG. 8

, to eject refuse from storage body


62


. To move extendible element


182


′ back to a nested orientation, the above steps are simply reversed. Here it should be understood that stop


316


′ could be activated first and then stop


315


′, if desired. Also, while a three cylinder extendible element


182


′ is illustrated and described, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that more or fewer cylinders can be incorporated.




In this manner, hydraulic drive assembly


210


and linkage assembly


180


′ may be employed for moving platen


187


incrementally along forward stroke movement of linkage assembly


180


′ from proximate upstream end


82


of hopper


61


to proximate downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


for facilitating the ejection of refuse outwardly through downstream opening


81


for allowing the efficient deposit of the refuse contained within storage body


62


at a suitable refuse disposal facility. The number of forward strokes and corresponding rearward strokes of linkage assembly


180


required to move platen


187


alternately between the upstream end of hopper


61


to downstream opening


81


of storage body


62


may vary depending upon the length of extendible member


182


′ and the number and spacing of openings


313


′ and


314


′, as well as the length of the storage body


62


.




The present invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.



Claims
  • 1. For use with a vehicle of a type having a body mounted with a chassis, the body having an opening for receiving refuse therethrough, a packer and ejection assembly for moving and storing refuse in the body through the opening and ultimately ejecting the refuse from the body, the packer and ejection assembly comprising:a platen mounted with the body to urge refuse into the body through the opening and ultimately eject the refuse from the body; a linkage assembly including a linkage element having a first end and a second end and an extendible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the linkage element being pivotally attached to the body, the second end of the linkage element being pivotally coupled to the first end of the extendable element, and the second end of the extendible element being pivotally attached to the platen; and a hydraulic drive assembly pivotally attached to the body and to the linkage element intermediate the first end and the second end thereof for movement in reciprocal directions upon actuation of the hydraulic drive assembly such that during movement of the platen through a rearward stroke the speed of the platen decreases and the force exerted by the platen on the refuse increases throughout the rearward stroke and during movement of the platen through a forward stroke the speed of the platen increases, the linkage assembly being movable in reciprocal directions for moving the platen in reciprocal directions.
  • 2. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly comprises:a cylinder having an end mounted with the body; and an operating rod mounted partially within the cylinder for movement in reciprocal directions, the linkage assembly movable in reciprocal directions upon actuation of the operating rod in reciprocal directions.
  • 3. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 2, wherein the end of the operating rod is mounted with the linkage element intermediate the first end thereof and the point of pivotal attachment of the linkage element with the extendible element.
  • 4. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage element includes a pair of elongate arms each having an end pivotally mounted with the body for pivotal movement and cooperating together to define the first end of the linkage element, the pair of elongate arms extending in converging relation to pivotally mount with the extendible element.
  • 5. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 1, wherein the extendible element of the linkage assembly is actuatable to provide extension and retraction of the extendible element of the linkage assembly and produce movement of the platen through rearward ejection strokes and forward ejection strokes for ejecting refuse from the body.
  • 6. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 5, wherein the extendible element of the linkage assembly is constructed and attached so that during movement of the platen through the rearward ejection strokes the speed of the platen decreases and the force exerted by the platen on the refuse increases throughout the rearward ejection strokes and during movement of the platen through the forward ejection strokes the speed of the platen increases.
  • 7. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 5, wherein the extendible element of the linkage assembly includes a telescoping element.
  • 8. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 5, wherein the extendible element includes a hydraulic drive assembly.
  • 9. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly includes a telescoping hydraulic cylinder.
  • 10. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 8, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly includes a double acting telescoping hydraulic cylinder.
  • 11. A vehicle for collecting refuse, comprising:a chassis; a body mounted with the chassis for receiving refuse through an opening thereof; a packer and ejection assembly comprising: a platen mounted with the body to urge refuse into the body through the opening; a linkage assembly including a linkage element having a first end and a second end and an extendible element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the linkage element being pivotally attached to the body, the second end of the linkage element being pivotally coupled to the first end of the extendable element, and the second end of the extendible element being pivotally attached to the platen; a hydraulic drive assembly pivotally attached to the body and to the linkage element spaced from the first end thereof for movement in reciprocal directions upon actuation of the hydraulic drive assembly such that during movement of the platen through a rearward stroke the speed of the platen decreases and the force exerted by the platen on the refuse increases throughout the rearward stroke and during movement of the platen through a forward stroke the speed of the platen increases, the linkage assembly being movable in reciprocal directions for moving the platen in reciprocal directions; and the hydraulic drive assembly cooperating with the linkage assembly so that activation of the hydraulic drive assembly produces reciprocal packing movements and the extendible element being constructed to provide ejection of refuse from the body upon extension thereof.
  • 12. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 11, wherein the extendible element includes means for extending the extendible element between an extended and a stored position.
  • 13. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 12, wherein the extendible element includes a telescoping element.
  • 14. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 12, wherein the extendible element includes a hydraulic drive assembly.
  • 15. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 14, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly includes a telescoping hydraulic cylinder.
  • 16. The packer and ejection assembly of claim 14, wherein the hydraulic drive assembly includes a double acting telescoping hydraulic cylinder.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application of the same title, bearing Ser. No. 08/951,998, filed Oct. 16, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,892 and assigned to the same assignee.

US Referenced Citations (13)
Number Name Date Kind
2803357 Ronfeldt Aug 1957
2832488 Kamin Apr 1958
2934226 Dempster et al. Apr 1960
3231107 Clar Jan 1966
3231111 Clar Jan 1966
3653271 Worthington Apr 1972
4057010 Smith Nov 1977
4221527 Morrison Sep 1980
4371306 Smith Feb 1983
4544320 Haines Oct 1985
5064332 Edelhoff et al. Nov 1991
5352084 Hodgins Oct 1994
5857822 Christenson Jan 1999
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/951998 Oct 1997 US
Child 09/247489 US