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Refuse collection apparatus |
| RE33602 |
Refuse collection apparatus
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| Patent Drawings: | |
| Inventor: |
Smith |
| Date Issued: |
June 4, 1991 |
| Application: |
07/077,431 |
| Filed: |
July 24, 1987 |
| Inventors: |
Smith; Fred T. (Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA)
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| Assignee: |
Sargent Industries, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) |
| Primary Examiner: |
Werner; Frank E. |
| Assistant Examiner: |
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| Attorney Or Agent: |
Roston; Ellsworth R.Schwartz; Charles H. |
| U.S. Class: |
100/295; 414/525.4; 414/917; 60/431 |
| Field Of Search: |
414/917; 414/518; 414/501; 414/502; 414/525.1; 100/295; 60/431 |
| International Class: |
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| U.S Patent Documents: |
2690712; 2746240; 2813641; 2865286; 3092269; 3220586; 3455471; 3499558; 3556324; 3559825; 3615028; 3615029; 3667629; 3682336; 3696951; 3727779; 3767068 |
| Foreign Patent Documents: |
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| Other References: |
Garwood LP-800 Publication.. |
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| Abstract: |
The upper panel of a tailgate assembly is moved in a downward and rearward convexly curved path between an upward and forward position and a rearward and lowered position and the lower panel is rotated forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the upper panel. Linkages are included in the tailgate assembly to provide this movement. A lower surface of the fixed panel may have an upwardly curved lower surface which imparts a forward direction of movement to refuse which is packed against it. The upper panel may have a curved forward surface in close proximity to a rearward surface of the fixed panel. During movement of the upper panel, the rearward surface of the fixed panel removes refuse from the curved forward surface. The upper panel is tilted as it moves and during its upward movement the lower portion of the upper panel is tilted forwardly. This imparts a forward movement to refuse which is moved through the opening into the storage body. The hopper may include a vertically inclined forward packing surface so that refuse is packed between the curved packing surface and the vertically inclined forward packing surface of the hopper. The hopper may include a straight rearward wall portion with the packing panel having a narrowed lower edge. During its movement into the hopper, the packing panel may be moved so that its narrowed lower edge is in contiguous relation to the straight rearward wall portion of the hopper. The packing panel may include one or more upstanding ribs on its curved packing surface which provide a reduced area for application of high localized pressures to refuse contacted by a rib. |
| Claim: |
I claim:
1. In a refuse collector including a storage body.[.,.]. and a tailgate structure providing a .[.relatively short.]. loading hopper having a bottom surface continuous through an arcsymmetrical about a substantially vertical radius with the hopper positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body;
apparatus for moving refuse from said hopper into said body comprising:
an upper panel extending across the width of said hopper and movably mounted above and longitudinally of said hopper for movement as a unit in the longitudinal and vertical directions relative to said hopper;
mounting means operatively coupled to said tailgate structure and said upper panel in a particular relationship for providing a movement of the upper panel as a unit in a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path from an upward and forwardposition to a lowered and rearward position;
a lower panel having an upper edge pivotally connected to the lower edge of said upper panel;
pivotal mounting means operatively coupled to the lower panel for providing a rotary motion of the lower panel about the pivotal connection between the lower and upper panels as a fulcrum through a continuous arc symmetrical about a substantiallyvertical radius; and
means to actuate said upper and lower panels in the sequence of rotating said lower panel rearwardly, through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius, with said upper panel positioned in the upward and forwardposition, moving said upper panel as a unit in a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path to the lowered and rearward position, rotating said lower panel forwardly, through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius,with respect to said upper panel with the lower edge of said lower panel in close proximity to the bottom curved surface of said hopper .Iadd.in a scooping movement forwardly of the vertical radius .Iaddend.and with the upper panel in the lowered andrearward position, and moving said upper panel in a forwardly and upwardly curved path to move refuse through said opening into said truck body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 including
a fixed panel defining the upper extremity of said opening, the fixed panel being attached to the tailgate structure;
said fixed panel having an upwardly curved lower surface and being disposed relative to said lower panel to impart a forward direction of movement to refuse moved upwardly against said lower surface during the movement of said lower panel in aforwardly and upwardly curved path with the upper panel.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein
said mounting means for the upper panel is attached to the tailgate structure and to the upper panel in a relationship to provide tilting of the lower portion of said upper panel in a rearward direction as said panel is moved downwardly andrearwardly relative to the storage body and to provide a tilting of the lower portion of said upper panel in a forward direction as said panel is moved upwardly and forwardly,
whereby the tilting of the lower portion of said upper panel in a forward direction provides a forward movement to refuse moving through said opening during the upward movement of said panel. .[.4. In a refuse collector including
a storage body and a tailgate structure providing a loading hopper positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body, the hopper having a bottom surface continuous through an arc symmetrical about a substantially verticalaxis;
apparatus for moving refuse from said hopper into said body comprising:
an upper panel mounted in said tailgate for forward and rearward movement as a unit relative to the storage body in a curved path relative to the tailgate structure;
first means operatively coupled to the upper panel and the tailgate structure for producing a controlled movement of the upper panel as a unit forwardly and upwardly or rearwardly and downwardly in the curved path relative to the tailgatestructure;
a packing panel swingably mounted on the lower portion of said upper panel;
pivotal means operatively coupled to the packing panel and the tailgate structure for producing a swinging motion of the packing panel relative to the upper panel through the continuous arc defined by the bottom surface of the hopper;
said packing panel having a curved forward surface which contacts refuse in said hopper when said packing panel is swung forwardly with respect to said upper panel and a lower edge which moves in close proximity to the curved bottom surface ofsaid hopper when said packing panel is swung forwardly with respect to said hopper to remove refuse from the curved bottom surface of said hopper; and
means operatively coupled to said first and pivotal means for producing in sequence a rearward swinging of the packing panel, through the continuous arc symmetrical with the substantially vertical axis, with the upper panel retained stationary, adownward and rearward movement of the upper panel, a forward swinging of the packing panel, through the continuous arc symmetrical with the substantially vertical axis, with the upper panel retained stationary and an upward and forward movement of theupper panel;
whereby refuse within said hopper rolls upwardly onto the curved forward surface of said packing panel as said panel is swung forwardly through said hopper..]. .[.5. The apparatus of claim 4 including
an upstanding rib on the curved forward surface of said packing panel;
said rib providing a reduced area for application of high localized pressures to refuse contacted by said rib as the packing panel swings forwardly through said hopper; and
said first means including links pivotable relative to the hopper and operatively coupled at one end to the hopper and operatively coupled at
the other end to the upper panel..]. 6. In a refuse collector including a storage body and a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body,
apparatus comprising:
a hopper defined by the lower portion of said tailgate structure;
said hopper having a curved bottom surface and a forward packing surface extending substantially vertically from the curved bottom surface;
an upper packing panel mounted in said tailgate structure for movement between a forward raised position and a rearward lowered position;
a lower packing panel swingably mounted on a lower portion of said upper panel;
said lower packing panel having a lower edge which moves in close proximity to said bottom when said packing panel is swung forwardly;
means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and to the upper packing panel for producing a movement of the upper packing panel between the forward raised position and the rearward lowered position and a .Iadd.swinging .Iaddend.movement ofthe lower packing panel .Iadd.relative to the upper panel .Iaddend.in close proximity to the vertically inclined forward packing surface for compression of the refuse during such .Iadd.swinging .Iaddend.movement of the lower packing panel;
means operatively coupled to the lower packing panel and the tailgate structure for producing .[.a.]. .Iadd.such .Iaddend.swinging movement of the lower packing panel relative to the upper packing panel and the hopper; and
means to move said upper packing panel and said lower packing panel in the sequence of swinging said lower packing panel rearwardly while said upper packing panel is in a raised position, moving said upper packing panel to a lowered and rearwardposition, swinging said lower packing panel forwardly to pack refuse in said hopper against said forward packing surface, and moving said upper packing panel to a raised and forward position with said lower edge of said lower packing panel in contiguous
relation to said forward packing surface of said hopper. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 including
a rearward lip on said hopper, said lip defining the bottom of an opening into said hopper;
a rearward wall portion in said hopper between said lip and said curved bottom surface and extending substantially vertically from the curved bottom surface of said hopper to the rearward lip.[.;.]. and
guide means included in the .[.first mounting.]. .Iadd.moving .Iaddend.means .Iadd.for the upper panel .Iaddend.for controlling the movement of said upper packing panel between its raised and lowered positions through a path to provide for themovement of the lower packing panel .[.through a path to provide for the movement of the lower packing panel.]. in close proximity to the rearward wall portion and the forward
wall portion of the hopper. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 including
a narrowed lower edge on said lower packing panel; and
said .[.guide.]. means .Iadd.for moving the upper panel .Iaddend.being constructed and disposed to provide for the movement of said narrowed lower edge of said lower packing panel in close proximity to said rearward wall portion during .Iadd.the.Iaddend.movement of said upper panel to a lowered position,
whereby refuse overhanging said lip is subjected to breaking force by said narrowed lower edge during the downward movement of said upper packing panel, and
the .[.guide.]. means .Iadd.for moving the upper panel .Iaddend.including links connected at one end to the hopper and at an opposite end to the
upper packing panel. 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein
said forward packing surface is curved upwardly and progressively forwardly from a vertical position adjacent to the curved bottom surface to terminate at its upper extremity at the opening into said storage body and the first mounting means areconstructed to provide for an upward movement of the upper packing panel with the lower panel in close proximity to the upwardly and forwardly curved configuration of the forward packing
surface. 10. In a refuse collector including
a storage body having an opening at its rear end and further including a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening into said storage body;
apparatus including:
a hopper defined by the lower portion of said tailgate structure;
said hopper including a bottom curved surface defining a continuous arc of a circle with opposite ends of the arc at substantially the same vertical level and further including a forward packing surface extending upwardly from said bottom curvedsurface and having a vertical direction adjacent the bottom curved surface and having an upwardly and forwardly curved direction at progressive positions removed from the bottom curved surface;
packing means movably mounted in said tailgate structure including an upper packing panel and a lower packing panel pivotally mounted to the lower portion of the upper packing panel;
first means operatively coupled to the upper packing panel for moving said upper packing panel upwardly and forwardly in contiguous relationship to said forward packing surface;
a fixed panel defining the upper portion of said opening;
said fixed panel having an upwardly directed lower surface to pack refuse during the upward movement of the packing panel and to direct said packed refuse into said storage body through the opening in said storage body;
pivotal means operatively coupled to said lower packing panel to swing said lower packing panel .Iadd.relative to the upper packing panel in a scooping movement .Iaddend.through said hopper in contiguous relationship to said bottom continuousarcuate surface to pack refuse against said forward packing surface, and
means to provide substantially for the operation of said pivotal means and
then said first means. .[.11. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a loading hopper positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening in said body and having a vertically disposed forward wall adjacent to the opening in the storage body,
an upper packing panel mounted above and longitudinally of said hopper for upward and downward movement with respect to said hopper,
a lower packing panel pivotally connected near its upper end to the upper packing panel at a position near the lower end of the upper packing panel for forward and rearward rotation with respect to said hopper and for upward and downward movementwith the upper packing panel;
first mounting means including a first hydraulic means operably connected to said upper packing panel and to said storage body to provide upward and downward movement of said upper and lower panels and to provide movement of said lower packingpanel along the vertically disposed forward wall of the hopper during the upward movement of the upper and lower panels;
second mounting means including a second hydraulic means operably connected to said storage body and said lower packing panel at a position removed from the connection between the upper and lower panels to provide forward and rearward rotationsof said lower panel;
said second hydraulic means being constructed to provide a relatively quick rotation of said lower panel in a rearward direction with a relatively low rotational force exerted on said panel and a relatively slow rotation of said lower panel in aforward direction with a relatively high rotational force exerted on said panel;
means including a first feed means to feed hydraulic fluid to said second hydraulic means to rotate said lower panel in a rearward direction and to hold said panel in a rearward position;
means including a second feed means to feed hydraulic fluid to said first hydraulic means while withdrawing hydraulic fluid from said first hydraulic means and combining the withdrawn fluid with the fluid feed to provide a regenerative loop tosaid first hydraulic means to thereby cause a relatively quick downward movement of said upper panel and to hold said upper panel in a lowered position;
means including a third feed means to feed hydraulic fluid to said second hydraulic means to rotate said lower panel in a forward direction and to hold said lower panel in a forward position, and
means including a fourth feed means to feed hydraulic fluid at a relatively high pressure to said first hydraulic means to move said upper packing panel in an upward direction to move refuse through said opening into said body..]. .[.12. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein
said second hydraulic means comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a piston slidable within said cylinder and a large diameter piston rod affixed to the underside of said piston and pivotally connected at its outer end to said lower packing panel, withhydraulic fluid being fed to the underside of said piston when said lower panel is rotated rearwardly and to the upper side of said piston when said lower panel is rotated forwardly..].
.[.13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein
said first hydraulic means comprises a hydraulic cylinder, a piston slidable within said cylinder, and a piston rod affixed to the underside of said piston and pivotally connected at its outer end to said upper packing panel, with hydraulic fluidbeing fed to the upper side of said piston in combination with fluid withdrawn from the lower side of said cyilnder to provide a regenerative feed loop to said cylinder during the downward movement of said upper packing panel..]. .[.14. The apparatusof claim 10 including a safety valve interconnecting said third feed means and said first feed means;
a sump;
said first feed means connected with said sump when said fourth feed means is operative to feed hydraulic fluid to move said upper packing panel in an upward direction; and
said safety valve set to open in response to a predetermined pressure in said third feed means to dump fluid from said third feed means to said sump through said first feed means..]. .[.15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein
said fourth feed means includes a valve set to open at a predetermined high pressure;
said valve blocking the flow of hydraulic fluid to said first hydraulic means at pressures below said predetermined high pressure and permitting the flow of hydraulic fluid to said first hydraulic means through said fourth feed means at pressuresequal to or higher than said predetermined high pressure..]. .[.16. The apparatus of claim 11 including
the hopper having a vertically disposed rear wall and the first and second mounting means and the upper and lower packing panels being constructed to provide movement of the lower packing panel along the vertically disposed rear wall of thehopper during the downward movement of the upper and lower panels;
a sump;
a valve interconnecting said first, second, third and fourth feed means in the sequence of connecting said third feed means to said sump when said first feed means is connected to a pressure source and the valve interconnecting said second andfourth feed means to form a regenerative loop to said first hydraulic means with said second hydraulic means connected to a pressure source to feed fluid to said first hydraulic means while fluid is being withdrawn from said first hydraulic means andcombined with the feed fluid in said second hydraulic means
and the valve connecting said third feed means to a pressure source when said first feed means is connected to said sump, and
the valve connecting said fourth feed means to a pressure source when said
second feed means is connected to said sump..]. .[.17. In a refuse collector,
a storage body for storing the refuse;
hopper means for holding the refuse, the hopper means having an interior rear wall and an interior front wall defining the bottom of an opening through which refuse is moved into the hopper means, the interior rear wall of the hopper meansextending downwardly in a substantially vertical direction from the position defining the bottom of the opening in the hopper means and the interior front wall of the hopper means extending upwardly in a substantially vertical direction from the positiondefining the bottom of the opening in the hopper means to provide a surface for compression of the refuse against the surface and the hopper means having an opening at the forward end for transferring refuse from the hopper means into the storage body,
packer panel means movable downwardly along the rear wall of the hopper means in contiguous relationship to the rear wall from the bottom of the opening to shear any refuse overhanging the rear wall and to move into the hopper refuse depositedinto the hopper and movable forwardly against the hopper means to compress the refuse against the forward wall of the hopper means and movable upwardly along the front wall of the hopper means in a substantially vertical direction to move the refuse intothe storage body through the opening in the hopper means,
reinforcing means disposed on the packer panel means at the end of the packer panel means for facilitating the shearing of the refuse overhanging the rear wall, and
control means operatively coupled to the packer panel means for producing the downward movement of the packer panel means along the rear wall of the hopper means with a force to facilitate the shearing of the refuse overhanging the rear wall ofthe hopper and for producing the forward movement of the packer panel means against the front wall of the hopper means with a force to compress the refuse and for producing the upward movement of the packer panel means along the front wall of the hoppermeans with a force to facilitate the movement of the refuse into the storage body through the opening in the hopper means..]. .[.18. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 17,
a tailgate defined in part by the hopper means and extending above the front walls in the hopper means, the storage body being positioned forwardly of the hopper means with the tailgate being pivotable relative to the storage body, and
means operatively coupled to the tailgate for pivoting the tailgate relative to the storage body..]. .[.19. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 17,
means disposed at the tip of the packer panel means for reinforcing the tip of the packer panel means,
the hopper having an opening at its forward end to receive refuse inserted into the hopper, and
the control means being operative to move the packer panel means past the opening in the rear wall of the hopper to provide for the shearing of the refuse by the tip of the packer panel means and the insertion of the
sheared refuse into the hopper..]. 20. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure providing a refuse hopper having .[.a relatively short length and.]. a curved bottom surface defining a continuous arc symmetrical about a substantially vertical radius and having essentially a vertical wall defining theforward end of the refuse hopper to provide for a compression of refuse against the essentially vertical wall defining the forward end of the hopper, the hopper being positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening into the storage body; and
apparatus for moving refuse from the hopper into the body, the apparatus comprising;
an upper panel movably mounted on the tailgate structure above the hopper for movement as a unit relative to the hopper;
first mounting means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and the upper panel in a particular relationship for providing an upward or downward movement of the upper panel as a unit between limit positions and for providing a movement ofthe upper panel as a unit in a vertical direction in the first portion of the upward movement;
a lower panel having an upper edge pivotally connected to the upper panel at a position near the lower edge of the upper panel;
second mounting means operatively coupled to the lower panel for providing a rotary motion of the lower panel about the pivotal connection between the upper and lower panels as a fulcrum and along the continuous arcuate bottom surface of therefuse hopper; and
means to actuate the lower and upper panels in a sequence of rotating the lower panel rearwardly, through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius, with the upper panel positioned in the upward position, moving theupper panel as a unit downwardly to the limit position, rotating the lower panel forwardly with respect to the upper panel, through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius, with the lower edge of the lower panel in closeproximity to the curved bottom surface of the hopper to provide a compression .Iadd.on slidable bearing means .Iaddend.of the refuse against the vertical wall defining the forward end of the hopper and with the upper panel in the bottom limit positionand moving the upper panel upwardly to
the limit position. 21. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 20, the first mounting means being operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and the upper panel for imparting a forward component to the upward movement of the upperpanel in the last portion of such motion.
In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 20, the hopper having a loading lip at its rear end and having a rear wall extending downwardly from the loading lip in essentially a vertical direction and the upper panel and the first mounting meansproviding a movement of the upper panel as a unit in a vertical direction in the last portion of the downward movement and the lower panel being disposed for the lower panel to scrape along the rear vertical wall during the movement of the upper panel tothe
lower limit position to shear any refuse overhanging the loading lip. 23. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure providing a .[.relatively short.]. loading hopper having an arcuate bottom surface and a forward surface with the hopper positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening into the storage body and with the arcuate bottomsurface being disposed below the opening into the storage body and with the arcuate bottom surface being continuous and being symmetrical about a substantially vertical radius at an approximately median position along the length of the hopper and withthe forward surface being disposed to compress the refuse during movement of the refuse against the forward surface, and
apparatus for moving refuse from the hopper into the storage body, the apparatus comprising:
an upper packer panel;
a lower packer panel;
first means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and to the upper packer panel for mounting the upper packer panel for rotary movement of the lower packer panel in forward and reverse directions through the continuous arc symmetricalabout the substantially vertical radius and for upward movement of the upper and lower packer panels to a first limit position with progressively increasing forward components in at least the last portion of the upward movement and for downward movementto a second limit position with progressively decreasing rearward components in at least the first portion of the downward movement,
second means operatively coupled to the upper and lower packer panels for mounting the lower packer panel for rotary movements in forward and rearward directions through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius,
third means operatively coupled to the upper and lower packer panels and to the first and second means and to the tailgate structure for producing in a sequence a rotary movement of the lower packer panel in the rearward direction through thecontinuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius, a movement of the upper and lower packer panels in the downward direction, a rotary movement of the lower packer panel in the forward direction through the continuous arc symmetricalabout the substantially vertical radius .Iadd.in a scooping movement .Iaddend.to compress the refuse against the forward surface of the hopper and a movement of the upper and lower packer panels in the upward direction, and
fourth means mounted on the tailgate structure and disposed in fixed position in the opening in the tailgate structure at the upper end of the opening and disposed relative to the lower packer panel during the upper movement of the lower packerpanel to impart a forward movement through the opening to the refuse being packed by the lower packer panel. .[.24. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 23, the packer panel having at its forward surface a concave curvature to facilitate arolling of the
refuse as the lower panel is moved upwardly..]. 25. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 23, the .[.third.]. .Iadd.fourth .Iaddend.means including a fixed panel tilted forwardly and upwardly and having a convex curvature to facilitatethe movement of the refuse forwardly into the storage body through the opening during the upward movement of the lower
panel. 26. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 25, the packer panel having at its forward surface a concave curvature to facilitate a
rolling of the refuse as the lower panel is moved upwardly. 27. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end;
a tailgate structure providing a refuse hopper having a bottom surface defining a continuous arc symmetrical about a substantially vertical radius through a position constituting approximately the center position along the length of the hopperand having essentially a first wall defining the forward end of the refuse .[.packer.]. .Iadd.collector .Iaddend.and shaped to provide for a compression of the refuse against the first wall and a second vertical wall defining the rear end of the refusepacker and a .[.lid.]. .Iadd.lip .Iaddend.defining an opening in the refuse packer at the rear wall of the refuse packer, the hopper being positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening into the storage body; and
apparatus for moving refuse from the hopper into the body, the apparatus comprising:
an upper panel movably mounted on the tailgate structure above the hopper for movement as a unit relative to the hopper;
first mounting means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and the upper panel in a particular relationship for providing an upward or downward movement of the upper panel as a unit between .[.limited.]. .Iadd.limit .Iaddend.positionsand for providing a movement of the upper panel as a unit in a vertical direction in the terminal portion of the downward movement;
a lower panel pivotally connected near its upper end to the upper panel at a position near the lower end of the upper panel for arcuate movement relative to the upper packing panel;
second mounting means operatively coupled to the lower panel for providing a rotary motion of the lower panel about the pivotal connection between the upper and lower panels as a fulcrum through the continuous arc corresponding to the arcuatebottom surface of the refuse hopper and in contiguous relationship to the arcuate bottom surface of the refuse hopper; and
means to actuate the lower and upper panels in a sequence of rotating the lower panel rearwardly, through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius, with the upper panel positioned in the upward position, moving theupper panel as a unit downwardly to the limit position, rotating the lower panel forwardly, through the continuous arc symmetrical about the substantially vertical radius, with respect to the upper panel with the lower edge of the lower panel in closeproximity to the curved bottom surface of the hopper .Iadd.in a scooping movement to provide such compression of the refuse against the first wall .Iaddend.and with the upper panel in the bottom limit position and moving the upper
panel upwardly to the limit position. 28. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 27, wherein the actuating means includes first hydraulic means operatively coupled to the .[.tailgate structure.]. .Iadd.upper panel .Iaddend.at one end andto the .[.upper.]. .Iadd.lower .Iaddend.panel at an opposite end and second hydraulic means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure at one end and at an opposite end to the lower panel at a position removed from the pivotal connection between the
upper and lower panels. 29. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 27, the forward wall of the hopper being essentially vertical and the lower panel being provided with a .[.relatively great.]. length from the pivotal connection with theupper panel to provide the lower panel with substantially a horizontal motion during the forward rotary motion of the lower panel to provide a packing of the refuse against the forward
vertical wall during such movement. 30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the first mounting means include at least a first link connected at opposite ends to the upper ends of the tailgate structure and the upper packing panel and at least asecond link connected at opposite ends to the
lower ends of the tailgate structure and the upper packing panel. 31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the second link is longer than the first link to facilitate the movement of the lower panel along the forward wall of the hopper during theupward movement of the upper panel and wherein the upper packing panel is disposed to be swingable laterally relative to the hopper. .[.32. In a refuse collector including a storage body, and a tailgate structure providing a relatively short loadinghopper having a curved bottom surface with the hopper positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body;
apparatus for moving refuse from said hopper into said body comprising:
an upper panel movably mounted above and longitudinally of said hopper;
pivotal mounting means for said upper panel providing a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path for said panel in moving from an upward and forward position to a lowered and rearward position;
a lower panel having an upper edge pivotally connected to the lower edge of said upper panel, and
means to actuate said upper and lower panels in the sequence of rotating said lower panel rearwardly with respect to said upper panel positioned in an upward and forward position, moving said upper panel in a rearwardly and downwardly convexlycurved path, rotating said lower panel forwardly with respect to said upper panel with the lower edge of said lower panel in close proximity to the bottom curved surface of said hopper, and moving said upper panel in a forwardly and upwardly curved path,to move refuse through said opening into said truck body.
a fixed panel defining the upper extremity of said opening;
said fixed panel having an upwardly curved lower surface to impart a forward direction of movement to refuse moved upwardly against said lower surface during the movement of said lower panel in a forwardly and upwardly curved path with the upperpanel;
said upper panel having a curved forward surface;
said fixed panel having a rearward surface in close proximity to said curved forward surface, and
the curvature of said forward surface and the location of said rearward surface maintaining a close proximity between said forward surface and said rearward surface as said upper panel is moved in a downwardly and rearwardly convexly curved pathand in an upwardly and forwardly curved path with respect to said hopper, whereby the rearward surface of said fixed panel removes refuse from said curved forward surface during
relative movement between said upper panel and said fixed panel..]. 33. In a refuse collector including a storage body, and a tailgate structure providing a .[.relatively short.]. loading hopper having a curved bottom surface with the hopperpositioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body;
apparatus for moving refuse from said hopper into said body comprising:
an upper panel movably mounted above and longitudinally of said hopper;
pivotal mounting means .Iadd.without any torsion members .Iaddend.for said upper panel.Iadd., said pivotal means .Iaddend.providing a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path for said panel in moving from an upward and forward position to alowered and rearward position;
a lower panel having an upper edge pivotally connected to the lower edge of said upper panel, and
means to actuate said upper and lower panels in the sequence of rotating said lower panel rearwardly with respect to said upper panel positioned in an upward and forward position, moving said upper panel in a rearwardly and downwardly convexlycurved path, rotating said lower panel forwardly with respect to said upper panel with the lower edge of said lower panel .Iadd.in a scooping movement .Iaddend.in close proximity to the bottom curved surface of said hopper, and moving said upper panel ina forwardly and upwardly curved path, to move refuse through said opening into said truck body,
said pivotal mounting means comprising a top link pivotally mounted at one end to said upper panel adjacent .[.its.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.upper edge .Iadd.of the upper panel .Iaddend.and pivotally mounted at its other end to said tailgatestructure, and
a bottom link pivotally mounted at one end to said upper panel adjacent its lower edge and pivotally mounted at its other end to said tailgate
structure. 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said bottom link is
longer than said top link. 35. The apparatus of claim 33 including
a pair of top links pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel;
a pair of stub shafts mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel, and
easch of said stub shafts pivotally supporting a top link. 36. The apparatus of claim 33 including
a pair of bottom links pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel;
a pair of stubs shafts mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel, and
each of said stub shafts pivotally supporting one side of an upper edge of
said lower panel and a bottom link. 37. The apparatus of claim 33 including
a pair of top links pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel;
a pair of upper stub shafts mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel;
each of said upper said stub shafts pivotally supporting a top link;
a pair of bottom links pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel;
a pair of lower stub shafts mounted on opposite sides of said upper panel, and
each of said lower stub shafts pivotally supporting one side of an upper edge of said lower panel and a bottom link. .[.38. In a refuse collector including
a storage body and a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body,
apparatus comprising:
a hopper defined by the lower portion of said tailgate structure;
said hopper having an arcuate curved bottom surface and a forward packing surface initially extending vertically upwardly and then curving upwardly and forwardly from the bottom surface;
an upper packing panel mounted in said tailgate for movement between a forward raised position and a rearward lowered position;
a lower packing panel swingably mounted on a lower portion of said upper panel;
said lower packing panel having a lower edge which moves in close proximity to said bottom when said packing panel is swung forwardly;
means to move said upper packing panel and said lower packing panel in the sequence of swinging said lower packing panel rearwardly while said upper packing panel is in a raised position, moving said upper packing panel to a lowered position,swinging said lower packing panel forwardly to pack refuse in said hopper against said forward packing surface, and moving said upper packing panel to a raised position with said lower edge of said lower packing panel in contiguous relation to saidforward packing surface,
said lower packing panel having a curved forward surface which surface makes an angle of at least 90.degree. with said forward packing surface when the lower edge of said lower packing panel is in contiguous relation to said forward packingsurface,
whereby refuse resting on the curved surface of said lower packing panel has less tendency to jam between said lower packing panel and said forward packing surface during upward movement of said upper packing panel to a
raised position..]. 39. In a refuse collector including
a storage body and a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body;
apparatus comprising:
a hopper defined by the lower portion of said tailgate structure .Iadd.and having side walls.Iaddend.;
said hopper having a vertically inclined forward packing surface;
an upper packing panel movably mounted in said tailgate;
means for moving said upper panel in a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path from an upward and forward position to a lowered and rearward position;
a lower packing panel movably mounted on a lower portion of said upper panel;
a fixed panel defining the upper portion of said opening;
said fixed panel having an upwardly directed lower surface;
means to move said lower packing panel .Iadd.relative to the upper panel .Iaddend.through said hopper to pack refuse against said forward packing surface .Iadd.by means of a scooping movement.Iaddend., and
means to then raise said upper packing panel to an upward position to pack refuse against said fixed panel,
.Iadd.the moving means for the upper and lower packing panels being constructed, without the inclusion of any torsion members, to provide for a displacement of the upper and lower packing panels against the side walls of the hopper withunbalanced loads of refuse on the lower packing panel, .Iaddend.
said upper packing panel having a curved forward surface;
said fixed panel having a rearward surface in close proximity to said curved forward surface, and the path of movement provided .Iadd.to .Iaddend.said upper packing panel maintaining the rearward surface of said fixed panel in close proximity tothe curved forward surface of said upper
panel during movement of said upper packing panel. .[.40. In a refuse collector,
a storage body,
hopper means for storing the refuse, the hopper means having a rear wall, a forward wall spaced from the rear wall and a bottom wall extending between the rear wall and the forward wall,
fixed panel means disposed relative to the hopper means to define an opening through which the refuse is moved into the storage body,
packing panel means disposed and movable relative to the hopper means and the fixed panel means from an initial position for providing a packing of the refuse in horizontal and vertical directions and a movement of the refuse through the openingdefined by the packer panel means and the hopper means,
a handle movable between first and second positions, and
control means operatively coupled to the packer panel means and responsive to the movement of the handle to the second position to obtain a movement of the packer panel means from the initial position relative to the hopper means and the fixedpanel means to produce a packing of the refuse in the horizontal and vertical directions and a movement of the refuse through the opening defined by the packer panel means and the hopper means, the control means being responsive to the movement of thehandle to the first position to return the packer panel means to the initial position,
the handle being movable from the second position to the first position prior to the complete movement of the packer panel means in providing the horizontal and vertical packing,
the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle from the second position to the first position to move the packer panel means in a direction for clearing an obstacle in the hopper means for the initiation of a new cycle ofmovement of the packer panel means,
the packer panel means being disposed relative to the hopper means for lateral movement relative to the hopper means to prevent the packer panel means for being jammed by unbalanced loads of refuse in the hopper means,
the refuse collector being disposed on a truck body and the truck body including an engine having a throttle to control the operation of the engine and the engine supplying power to the control means in the refuse collector in accordance with theoperation of the throttle, and
means responsive to the movement of the handle to the second position to obtain an operation of the throttle in a direction for increasing the
power from the engine..]. 41. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening,
a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening in the storage body,
hopper means for storing the refuse, the hopper means having .Iadd.side walls, .Iaddend.a rear wall, a forward wall spaced from the rear wall and a bottom wall extending between the rear wall and the forward wall,
fixed panel means disposed relative to the hopper means and the storage body to define with the forward wall of the hopper means the opening in the storage body through which the refuse is moved,
packer panel means defining the opening with the fixed panel means and disposed and movable relative to the hopper means and the fixed panel means in a cycle involving rearward, downward, forward and upward movements of the packer panel means forproviding a movement of the refuse through the opening defined by the packer panel means and the fixed panel means,
a plurality of linkage means supporting the packer panel means relative to the hopper means and the tailgate structure at a first pair of upper and forward positions in the tailgate structure and a second pair of lower and forward positions inthe tailgate structure.Iadd., without the inclusion of any torsion members, and being constructed to provide .Iaddend.for .Iadd.a .Iaddend.lateral movement .Iadd.of the packer panel means .Iaddend.relative to the hopper means and to the upper and lowerpairs of positions in the tailgate structure during the rearward, downward, forward and upward movement of the packer panel means .Iadd.by lateral bearing means .Iaddend.in the cycle to prevent.Iadd., by a movement of the packer panel means against theside walls of the hopper means, .Iaddend.the packer panel means from being jammed by unbalanced loads of refuse in the hopper means, and
means operatively coupled to the packer panel means for providing a movement of the packer panel means in the cycle involving the rearward,
downward, forward and upward movements of the packer panel means. 42. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 41,
the linkage means in the plurality including a first pair of links attached at one end to the upper positions in the tailgate structure and at the other end to the packer panel means to provide for lateral movement relative to the hopper meansand the tailgate structure further including a second pair of links attached at one end to the lower positions in the tailgate structure and at the other end to the packer panel means to provide for lateral movement relative to the hopper means and thetailgate
structure. 43. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 42,
the packer panel means including an upper panel and a lower panel and the lower panel being pivotally connected to the upper panel at a position near the lower end of the upper panel and the upper end of the lower panel and the links includingfirst links attached at one end to the tailgate structure at an upper position in the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the packer panel means at an upper position on the packer panel means and second links attached at one end to thetailgate structure at a lower position in the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the packer panel means at a lower position on the packer panel
means. 44. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 43,
the lower links being longer than the upper links and the support means being constructed and disposed to provide the packer panel means with a vertical movement at one terminal portion of the upward and downward movement of the packer panelmeans and the forward and rear walls of the .[.packer panel.]. .Iadd.hopper .Iaddend.means having a vertical disposition and the packer panel means being disposed along the forward and rear walls of the hopper means during the upward and downward
movements of the packer panel means. 45. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening in the storage body,
hopper means having a pair of spaced side walls and forward and rear portions spaced from each other, .[.the hopper means being formed from a metal having a high strength,.].
a pair of pivot pins each disposed in the hopper means adjacent an individual one of the side walls and having only a limited length and disposed for movement rearwardly and downwardly along the side walls of the hopper means and for movementforwardly and upwardly along the side walls of the hopper means,
packer panel means including upper and lower packing panels coupled to each other by the pivot pins and connected to the tailgate structure at one end and mounted at the other end on the pivot pins for pivotal movement of the lower packing panelabout a fulcrum defined by the pivot pins and for rearward and downward movement of the upper and lower packing panels with the pivot pins along the walls of the hopper means and for upward and forward movement of the upper and lower panels with thepivot pins along the walls of the hopper means and for lateral movement relative to the side walls of the hopper means during such rearward and downward movement and during such forward and upward movement, and
control means operatively coupled to the packer panel means for producing controlled movements of the packer panel means relative to the side walls of the hopper means in the rearward and downward movement of the upper and lower packing panelsand the pivot pins, in the pivotal movement forwardly of the lower packing panel, in the forward and upward movement of the upper and lower packing panels and the pivot pins and in the pivotal movement rearwardly of the lower packing panel in a cycle forproviding a movement of refuse into the hopper, a packing of refuse in the hopper and .Iadd.a .Iaddend.discharge of the packed refuse into the storage body through the opening in the storage body,
the pair of pivot pins and the packer panel means being disposed relative to the side walls of the hopper means.Iadd., without the inclusion of any torsion members, .Iaddend.to provide for a lateral movement of the packer panel means and thepivot pins .[.relative to.]. .Iadd.against .Iaddend.the side walls of the hopper means .Iadd.with unbalanced loads of refuse on the packer panel means .Iaddend.during the packing cycle to prevent the packer panel means from being jammed by unbalancedloads of refuse in the hopper means.Iadd.,
the hopper means being formed from a metal having a high strength to withstand wear by the lateral movement of the packer panel means against the side walls of the hopper means as a result of unbalanced loads of the
refuse on the packer panel means.Iaddend.. 46. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 45,
means operatively coupled to the control means for obtaining a lateral movement of the packer panel means by the control means during the rearward and downward movement of the packer panel means and the upward and forward movement of the packerpanel means to clear any refuse constituting an obstacle in the storage means to the controlled movement of the packer panel means relative to the hopper means and means responsive to the movement of the packer panel means to a position clearing theobstacle for initiating a movement of the packing panel means
to complete the packing cycle. 47. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 46,
linkage means supporting the packer panel means and the pivot pins at one end and attached to the tailgate structure at the other end at upper and lower positions on the tailgate structure for providing a movement of the packer panel means in acurved path having a vertical disposition at one terminal portion during the rearward and downward movement of the packer panel means and the upward and forward movement of the packer panel means,
the hopper means forward and rear walls with vertical dispositions corresponding to the vertical disposition in the curved path of movement of the packer panel means at the terminal portions of the rearward and downward movement and the upwardand forward movement of the packer panel
means. 48. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 47,
the linkage means including first linkage means attached at one end to the tailgate structure at the upper positions in the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the packer panel means at upper positions in the packer panel meansand including second linkage means attached at one end to the tailgate structure at the lower positions in the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the packer panel means at lower positions in the packer panel means, the lower linkagemeans being longer
than the upper linkage means. 49. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening in the tailgate structure,
hopper means having a hollow interior for storing the refuse, the interior of the hopper means being defined by forward and rear walls of vertical disposition and a bottom arcuate and continuous wall defined by a large radius for the arc andextending continuously on the arcuate basis between the forward and rear walls,
fixed panel means disposed relative to the hopper means and the storage body for defining the opening in the storage body through which the refuse is moved,
lower packing panel means movable on a cyclical basis from an initial position relative to the hopper means and the fixed panel means to pack the refuse in the hopper means, the cyclical movement of the lower packer means including a downwardmovement of the lower packer panel means close to the rear wall of the hopper means in a terminal portion of the downward movement of the packer panel means to facilitate the disposition of the refuse in the hopper means, an arcuate and continuousmovement of the packer panel means forwardly along the bottom wall of the hopper means .Iadd.in a scooping movement .Iaddend.from the rear wall to the forward wall of the hopper means to obtain a horizontal packing and a compression of the refuse in thehopper means against the vertical forward wall of the hopper means and an upward movement of the packer panel means close to the forward wall of the hopper means in a terminal portion of the upward movement of the packer panel means to obtain a verticalpacking of the refuse in the hopper means against the fixed panel means and a movement of the packed refuse into the storage body,
upper packer panel means .[.operatively.]. .Iadd.swingably .Iaddend.coupled to the lower packer panel means for providing a movement of the lower packing means with the upper packer panel means initially in the downward direction andsubsequently in the upward direction and for providing for a movement of the lower packer panel means in the arcuate and continuous movement along the bottom wall of the hopper means,
first support means operatively coupled to the upper packer panel means and the tailgate structure for providing for the movement of the upper and lower packer panel means initially in the downward direction and subsequently in the upwarddirection,
second support means operatively coupled to the upper and lower packer means for providing for the movement of the lower packer panel means in the arcuate and continuous movement along the bottom wall of the hopper means, and
control means operatively coupled to the support means to provide a movement of the upper and lower packer panel means on a cyclical basis to
provide for the specified movements of the lower packer panel means. 50. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 49,
the first support means including linkages supported on the tailgate structure and the upper packer panel .Iadd.means .Iaddend.to provide for lateral movement of the upper and lower packer panel means relative to the hopper means to prevent theupper and lower packer panel means from being
jammed by unbalanced loads of refuse in the hopper means. 51. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 49,
the support means including linkages coupled to the tailgate structure and the packer panel means for lateral movement of the linkages and the packer means relative to the hopper means during such cyclical movement of the packer panel means toprevent the packer panel means from being jammed by
unbalanced loads of refuse in the hopper means. 52. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 49,
a handle movable between first, second and third positions,
the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle to the second position to obtain the downward movement of the packer panel means and being responsive to the movement of the handle to the third position
to obtain the forward and upward movement of the packer panel means. 53. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
hopper means for storing the refuse, the hopper means having a rear wall, having a forward wall spaced from the rear wall and disposed adjacent the opening in the storage body and having a bottom wall extending between the rear wall and theforward wall,
a tailgate structure,
fixed panel means supported by the tailgate structure for disposition adjacent the opening in the storage body,
packer panel means disposed and movable relative to the hopper means and the fixed panel means and the storage body and the tailgate structure from an initial position for providing a packing of the refuse in forward and upward directions and amovement of the refuse through the opening in the storage body during a packing of the refuse in the upward and forward direction,
a handle movable between first and second positions,
control means operatively coupled to the packer panel means and responsive to the movement of the handle to the second position to obtain a movement of the packer panel means from the initial position relative to the hopper means and the fixedpanel means to produce a packing of the refuse in the forward and upward directions and a movement of the refuse through the opening in the storage means, the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle to the first position to returnthe packer panel means to the initial position, and
first and second pairs of linkage means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and to the packer panel means at spaced positions vertically and laterally on the tailgate structure.Iadd., without the inclusion of any torsion members,.Iaddend.for providing for .Iadd.a .Iaddend.controlled movement of the packer panel means in the forward and upward directions and for .Iadd.a .Iaddend.lateral movement of the packer panel means .Iadd.on slidable bearing means .Iaddend.relative to thehopper means and the storage body and the tailgate structure .Iadd.and against the hopper means .Iaddend.during such forward and upward movements of the packer panel means to prevent the packer panel means from being jammed by unbalanced loads of refusein the hopper means during such forward and
upward movements of the packer panel means. 54. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 53,
the handle being movable from the second position to the first position prior to the complete movement of the packer panel means in providing the forward and upward packing and upon the occurrence in the hopper means of an obstacle preventing thecomplete movement of the packer panel means,
the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle from the second position to the first position to move the packer panel means in a direction for clearing an obstacle in the hopper means for the initiation
of a new cycle of movement of the packer panel means. 55. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 54,
the packer panel means being disposed relative to the hopper means for lateral movement relative to the hopper means to prevent the packer panel means from being jammed by unbalanced loads of refuse in the hopper means.
6. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 53,
the handle being movable from the second position to the first position prior to the complete movement of the packer panel means in providing the forward and upward packing and upon the occurrence in the hopper means of an obstacle preventing thecomplete movement of the packer panel means,
the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle from the second position to the first position to move the packer panel means in a direction for clearing an obstacle in the hopper means for the initiation
of a new cycle of movement of the packer panel means. 57. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening in the storage body.
hopper means for storing the refuse, the hopper means having forward and rear walls of vertical disposition and a bottom curved wall of essentially a horizontal disposition,
fixed panel means disposed relative to the hopper means and the storage body for defining the opening in the storage body through which the refuse is moved,
an upper panel,
a lower panel,
first means operatively connecting the upper and lower panels to provide a movement of the upper panel with the lower panel and to provide a rotary .Iadd.scooping .Iaddend.movement of the lower panel relative to the upper panel,
first mounting means operatively connected to the upper panel and to the tailgate structure for providing an upward movement of the upper panel to a first limit position with progressively increasing forward components in at least the lastportion of the upward movement and for providing a downward movement of the upper panel to a second limit position with progressively decreasing forward components in at least the first portion of the downward movement,
second mounting means operatively connected to the lower panel and to the tailgate structure for providing rotary movements of the lower panel in the forward and reverse directions,
the lower panel means being movable on a cyclical basis from an initial position relative to the hopper means and the fixed panel means to pack the refuse in the hopper means, the cyclical movement of the lower panel including a downward movementof the lower panel close to the rear wall of the hopper means in a terminal portion of the downward movement of the upper and lower panels to facilitate the disposition of the refuse in the hopper means, a forward rotary movement of the lower panel alongthe bottom wall of the hopper means from the rear wall toward the forward wall of the hopper means to obtain a horizontal packing of the refuse in the hopper means against the vertical forward wall of the hopper means and an upward .Iadd.scooping.Iaddend.movement of the lower panel close to the forward wall of the hopper means in a terminal portion of the upward movement of the upper and lower panels to obtain a vertical packing of the refuse in the hopper means against the fixed panel means anda movement of the packed refuse into the storage body through the opening in the storage body, and
control means operable to actuate the first and second mounting means in a controlled sequence to obtain the movement of the lower panel on the
cyclical basis. 58. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 57,
the first and second mounting means being constructed to provide for lateral shifts in the disposition of the upper and lower panels relative to the tailgate structure to prevent the upper and lower panels from being
jammed by unbalanced loads of refuse in the hopper means. 59. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 58,
the first mounting means including first links attached at one end to the tailgate structure at an upper position on the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the upper panel at an upper position on the upper panel and second linksattached at one end to the tailgate structure at a lower position on the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the upper panel at a lower position on the upper panel, the second
links being longer than the first links. 60. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 59,
the first means including pivot pins extending through the upper and lower panels at a lower position on the upper panel and an upper position on the lower panel and the second mounting means being operatively coupled to the lower panel at aposition displaced from the pivot pins. .[.61. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 60,
the lower panel having a forward surface with a convexly curved configuration and the fixed panel means extending downwardly and rearwardly and having a convexly curved configuration at its forward
surface..]. 62. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim .[.61.]. .Iadd.64.Iaddend.,
the upper panel having a convexly curved forward surface being disposed relative to the rear surface of the fixed panel means to provide a wiping of refuse from the forward surface of the upper panel by the fixed panel
means during the upward movement of the upper panel. 63. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 62,
the lower panel being provided with at least one reinforcing rib at .[.its.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.forward surface and the rear wall in the hopper means defining the bottom of an opening in the hopper means for the insertion of refuse into thehopper means through the opening in the hopper means and the tip of the lower panel being provided with characteristics to shear refuse overhanging the opening in the hopper means during the downward movement of the lower panel along the rear wall
of the hopper means. 64. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 63,
the tailgate structure and the hopper means and the storage body being made from a high strength steel. .[.65. In a refuse collector including
a storage body and a tailgate structure providing a loading hopper positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into said storage body, the hopper having a curved bottom surface;
apparatus for moving refuse from said hopper into said body comprising:
an upper panel mounted in said tailgate for forward and rearward movement as a unit relative to the storage body;
first means operatively coupled to the upper panel and the tailgate structure for producing a controlled movement of the upper panel as a unit forwardly and upwardly or rearwardly and downwardly relative to the tailgate structure;
a packing panel swingably mounted on the lower portion of said upper panel;
second means operatively coupled to the packing panel and the tailgate structure for producing a swinging motion of the packing panel relative to the upper panel;
said packing panel having a curved forward surface which contacts refuse in said hopper when said packing panel is swung forwardly with respect to said upper panel and a lower edge which moves in close proximity to the curved bottom surface ofsaid hopper when said packing panel is swung forwardly with respect to said hopper to remove refuse from the curved bottom surface of said hopper;
means operatively coupled to said first and second means for producing in sequence a rearward swinging of the packing panel with the upper panel retained stationary, a downward and rearward movement of the upper panel, a forward swinging of thepacking panel with the upper panel retained stationary and an upward and forward movement of the upper panel,
whereby refuse within said hopper rolls upwardly onto the curved forward surface of said packing panel as said panel is swung forwardly through said hopper,
an upstanding rib on the curved forward surface of said packing panel;
said rib providing a reduced area for application of high localized pressures to refuse contacted by said rib as the packing panel swings forwardly through said hopper;
said first means including links pivotable relative to the hopper and operatively coupled at one end to the hopper and operatively coupled at the other end to the upper panel;
a plurality of upstanding ribs;
said ribs being positioned in spaced relationship to each other along the transverse disposition of the packing panel and positioned vertically with respect to said hopper bottom as said packing panel is swung forwardly through said hopper; and
said links on said first means including a first link attached at one end to the tailgate structure at an upper position in the tailgate structure and attached at its other end to the upper panel at an upper position in the upper panel andincluding a second link attached at one end to the tailgate structure at a lower position in the tailgate structure and attached at its other end to the upper panel at a lower position in the
upper panel..]. .[.66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein
each of said ribs has sloping side walls joined together to form a breaking surface;
the side walls of adjacent ribs defining a packing region bounded by said side walls and the forward surface of said packing panel,
whereby refuse between adjacent ribs is compacted as it moves between said ribs into contact with said forward surface; and wherein
the second link in the first means is longer than the first link in the
first means..]. 67. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure providing a refuse hopper having .[.a relatively short length and.]. a curved bottom surface and having essentially a vertical wall defining the forward end of the refuse hopper, the hopper being positioned rearwardly of andadjacent to the opening into the storage body; and
apparatus for moving refuse from the hopper into the body, the apparatus comprising:
an upper panel movably mounted on the tailgate structure above the hopper for movement as a unit relative to the hopper;
first mounting means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and the upper panel in a particular relationship for providing an upward or downward movement of the upper panel as a unit between limit positions and for providing a movement ofthe upper panel as a unit in a vertical direction in the first portion of the upward movement;
a lower panel having an upper edge pivotally connected to the upper panel at a position near the lower edge of the upper panel;
second mounting means operatively coupled to the lower panel for providing a rotary motion of the lower panel about the pivotal connection between the upper and lower panels as a fulcrum;
means to actuate the lower and upper panels in a sequence of rotating the lower panel rearwardly with the upper panel positioned in the upward position, moving the upper panel as a unit downwardly to the limit position, rotating the lower panelforwardly.Iadd., .Iaddend.with respect to the upper panel.Iadd., to the vertical wall at the forward end of the hopper .Iaddend.with the lower edge of the lower panel in close proximity to the curved bottom surface of the hopper and with the upper panel.Iadd.in a scooping movement .Iaddend.in the bottom limit position and moving the upper panel upwardly to the limit position; and
links included in the first mounting means and pivotally supporting the upper panel at upper and lower positions in the tailgate structure for guiding the upward and downward movements of the upper panel and for supporting the load on the upperpanel during the upward movement of the
upper panel. 68. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 67, the first mounting means including at least a first link pivotally supported at one end on the tailgate structure at an upper and forward position in the tailgate structure andconnected at the other end to the upper panel at an
upper position in the upper panel. 69. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 68, the first mounting means including at least a first link pivotally supported at one end on the tailgate structure at a lower and forward position in thetailgate structure and connected at the other end
to the upper panel at a lower position in the upper panel. 70. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 68, the mounting means including at least a second link pivotally supported at one end on the tailgate structure at a lower end forwardposition on the tailgate structure and connected at the other end to the upper panel at a lower position in the panel,
the actuating means including a first hydraulic cylinder mounted at one end on the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the upper panel at a position near the lower end of the upper panel and further including a second hydrauliccylinder mounted at one end on the .[.tailgate structure.]. .Iadd.upper panel .Iaddend.and attached at the other end to the lower panel at a position removed from the fulcrum defining the
pivotal movement of the lower panel. 71. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 70,
a fixed panel disposed adjacent the opening in the storage body at a position above the opening to provide a movement of the refuse into the storage body during the upward movement of the upper and lower panels,
the fixed panel being tilted upwardly and forwardly to facilitate the movement of the refuse into the storage body during the upward movement of the upper and lower panels,
the fixed panel being disposed and shaped relative to the upper panel to wipe refuse from the upper panel during the upward movement of the upper panel. .[.72. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure providing a refuse hopper having a relatively short length and a curved bottom surface and having essentially a vertical wall defining the forward end of the refuse hopper, the hopper being positioned rearwardly of andadjacent to the opening into the storage body; and
apparatus for moving refuse from the hopper into the body, the apparatus comprising;
an upper panel movably mounted on the tailgate structure above the hopper for movement as a unit relative to the hopper;
first mounting means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and the upper panel in a particular relationship for providing an upward or downward movement of the upper panel as a unit between limit positions and for providing a movement ofthe upper panel as a unit in a vertical direction in the first portion of the upward movement;
a lower panel having an upper edge pivotally connected to the upper panel at a position near the lower edge of the upper panel;
second mounting means operatively coupled to the lower panel for providing a rotary motion of the lower panel about the pivotal connection between the upper and lower panels as a fulcrum;
means to actuate the lower and upper panels in a sequence of rotating the lower panel rearwardly with the upper panel positioned in the upward position, moving the upper panel as a unit downwardly to the limit position, rotating the lower panelforwardly with respect to the upper panel with the lower edge of the lower panel in close proximity to the curved bottom surface of the hopper and with the upper panel in the bottom limit position and moving the upper panel upwardly to the limitposition;
the lower panel having a relatively great length from the pivotal connection between the upper and lower panels as a fulcrum to produce essentially a horizontal motion of the lower panel in the arc defined by the rotary motion of the lower panelto provide a pressing of the refuse by the lower panel against the forward wall of the hopper during the rotary motion of the lower panel in the forward direction, and
a fixed panel disposed in the tailgate structure adjacent the opening in the storage body and shpaed at its lower end to facilitate the movement of refuse through the opening in the storage body during the upward movement of the upper and lowerpanels..]. .[.73. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end;
a tailgate structure providing a refuse hopper having a curved bottom surface and having essentially a first wall defining the forward end of the refuse packer and a second vertical wall defining the rear end of the refuse packer and a liddefining an opening in the refuse packer at the rear wall of the refuse packer, the hopper being positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening into the storage body; and
apparatus for moving refuse from the hopper into the body, the apparatus comprising:
an upper panel movably mounted on the tailgate structure above the hopper for movement as a unit relative to the hopper;
first mounting means operatively coupled to the tailgate structure and the upper panel in a particular relationship for providing an upward and downward movement of the upper panel as a unit between limit positions and for providing a movement ofthe upper panel as a unit in a vertical direction in the terminal portion of the downward movement;
a lower panel pivotally connected near its upper end to the upper panel at a position near the lower end of the upper panel;
second mounting means operatively coupled to the lower panel for providing a rotary motion of the lower panel about the pivotal connection between the upper and lower panels as a fulcrum;
means to actuate the lower and upper panels in a sequence of rotating the lower panel rearwardly with the upper panel positioned in the upward position, moving the upper panel as a unit downwardly to the limit position, rotating the lower panelforwardly with respect to the upper panel with the lower edge of the lower panel in close proximity to the curved bottom surface of the hopper and with the upper panel in the bottom limit position and moving the upper panel upwardly to the limitposition; and
the first mounting means including at least a first link pivotally attached at one end to the tailgate structure at an upper position on the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the upper panel at an upper position on the panel andfurther including at least a second link pivotally attached at one end to the tailgate structure at a lower position on the tailgate structure and attached at the other end to the upper panel at a lower position on the upper panel..]. .[.74. In arefuse collector as set forth in claim 73, the second link being longer than the first link and the outer edge of the lower panel being hardened and being disposed in contiguous relationship to the rear wall of the hopper during the downward movement ofthe upper panel and in contiguous relationship to the bottom wall of the hopper during the forward rotary movement of the
lower panel..]. 75. In a refuse collector,
a storage body having an opening at its rear end,
a tailgate structure positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to the opening in the tailgate structure,
hopper means for storing the refuse, the hopper means having forward and rear walls of vertical disposition and a bottom curved wall of essentially a horizontal disposition,
fixed panel means disposed relative to the hopper means and the storage body for defining the opening in the storage body through which the refuse is moved,
packer panel means movable on a cyclical basis from an initial position relative to the hopper means and the fixed panel means to pack the refuse in the hopper means, the cyclical movement of the packer means including a downward movement of thepacker panel means close to the rear wall of the hopper means in a terminal portion of the downward movement of the packer panel means to facilitate the disposition of the refuse in the hopper means, a forward movement of the packer panel means along thebottom wall of the hopper means from the rear wall .[.toward.]. to the forward wall of the hopper means .Iadd.in a scooping movement .Iaddend.to obtain a horizontal packing of the refuse in the hopper means against the vertical forward wall of thehopper means and an upward movement of the packer panel means close to the forward wall of the hopper means in a terminal portion of the upward movement of the packer panel means to obtain .Iadd.by such scooping movement .Iaddend.a vertical packing ofthe refuse in the hopper means against the fixed panel means and a movement of the packed refuse into the storage body through the opening in the storage body,
support means operatively coupled to the packing panel means and the tailgate structure for providing the movement of the packer panel means on the cyclical basis;
control means operatively coupled to the support means to provide the movement of the packer panel means on the cyclical basis; and
the support means including first links connected at upper position to the packer panel means and connected at the other end to the tailgate structure at an upper position on the tailgate structure and including second links connected to one endto the packer panel means at a lower position on the packer panel means and connected at the other end to the tailgate structure at a lower position on the tailgate structure, the
lower links being longer than the upper links. 76. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 75,
a truck body,
an engine in the truck body, the engine having a throttle to control the operation of the engine,
the engine being operatively coupled to the control means to supply power to the control means in the refuse collector in accordance with the operation of the throttle, and
means .[.responsive to the movement of the handle to the second position to obtain.]. .Iadd.for obtaining .Iaddend.an operation of the throttle in a
direction for increasing the power from the engine. 77. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 75,
a handle movable between first, second and third positions,
the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle to the second position to obtain the downward movement of the packer panel means to the second position and being responsive to the movement of the handle to the third position toobtain the forward and upward movement of the packer panel means, the control means being responsive to the downward movement of the packer panel means to move the handle to the third position and being responsive to the forward and upward movements ofthe
packer panel means to return the handle to the first position. 78. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 20,
a fixed panel disposed adjacent the opening in the storage body at a position above the opening to facilitate the movement of the refuse into the storage body during the upward movement of the upper and lower panels. .[.79. In a refusecollector as set forth in claim 40,
the control means being responsive to the movement of the handle from the second position to the first position prior to the complete movement of the packer panel means in providing the horizontal and vertical packing for providing a completionof the cycle of movement of the packer panel means in directions to produce a packing of the refuse in the forward and
upward directions..]. .Iadd.80. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 41,
the packer panel means including upper and lower panels,
the means providing the movement of the packer panel means including:
a first pair of pivot pins having only a limited length,
first cylinder means having upper and lower ends and disposed at their upper ends on the pivot pins in the first pair for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means on a fulcrum defined by such pivot pins,
a pair of stub shafts having only a limited length,
the bottom ends of the first cylinder means, particular ones of the linkage means in the plurality, the upper panel and the lower panel being mounted on the pair of stub shafts for pivotal movement on a fulcrum defined by such stub shafts,
second cylinder means having upper and lower ends,
a second pair of pivot pins having only a limited length, the upper ends of the second cylinder means being disposed on the pivot pins in the second pair for pivotal movement of the second cylinder means relative to the hopper means on a fulcrumdefined by such pivot pins, and
a third pair of pivot pins having only a limited length,
the lower ends of the second cylinder means and the lower panel being mounted on the pivot pins in the third pair for pivotal movement of the second cylinder means relative to the hopper means on a fulcrum defined by such pivot pins,
the position of mounting of the lower panel on the pivot pins in the third pair being different from the position of mounting of the lower panel on the stub shafts in the pair,
the first pair of pivot pins, the pair of stub shafts, the second pair of pivot pins and the third pair of pivot pins being constructed to provide for a lateral movement of the packer panel means against the side walls of the hopper means withunbalanced loads of refuse on the packer panel
means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.81. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 80,
the particular linkage means in the plurality having a different length than the other linkage means in the plurality and having a non-parallel relationship to the other linkage means in the plurality,
a second pair of stub shafts having only a limited length,
the other linkage means in the plurality and the upper panel being mounted on the stub shafts in the second pair for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means on a fulcrum defined by the stub shafts in the second pair,
the stub shafts in the second pair being constructed to provide for the pivotal movement of the packer panel means against the side walls of the hopper means with unbalanced loads of refuse on the packer panels means,
the vertical distance between the stub shafts in the first pair and the stub shafts in the second pair comprising substantially the full height of the upper panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.82. In a combination as set forth in claim 80,
the particular linkage means in the plurality being disposed on the pivot pins in the third pair for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means on a fulcrum defined by such pivot pins, and
a fourth pair of pivot pins having only a limited length, the other linkage means in the plurality being disposed on the pivot pins in the fourth pair for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means on a fulcrum defined by such pivot pins,
the fourth pair of pivot pins being constructed to provide for a lateral movement of the packer panel means against the side walls of the hopper means with unbalanced loads of the refuse on the packer panel means,
the upper and lower panels having substantially planar sides, the sides of the upper and lower panels being disposed in adjacent relationship to the side walls of the hopper means to provide for a rubbing between the sides of the upper and lowerpanels and the side walls of the hopper means during the lateral movement of the panels with unbalanced loads of refuse on the packer panel means for providing a floating action of the panels in removing unbalances in the loads of refuse on the packingpanel means.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.83. In a combination as set forth in claim 82,
first linkage means in the plurality being supported on one of the side walls in the hopper means and second linkage means in the plurality being supported on the other one of the side walls in the hopper means,
the upper and lower panels being disposed in the hopper means and being supported on the linkage means in the plurality to provide for an independent adjustment in the positioning of the first linkage means on the one side wall of the hoppermeans relative to the adjustment in the positioning of the second linkage means on the other side wall of the hopper means when the upper and lower panels are subjected to an unbalanced load. .Iaddend. .Iadd.84. In a combination as recited in claim82,
a second pair of stub shafts having only a limited length,
the other linkage means in the plurality and the upper panel being mounted on the stub shafts in the second pair for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means on a fulcrum defined by the stub shafts in the second pair,
the upper and lower panels being disposed in the hopper means and being supported on the linkage means in the plurality without the inclusion of any torsion members between the opposite sides of the upper and lower panels,
each of the pivot pins in the first, second, third, and fourth pairs being disposed on the opposite side wall of the hopper means from the other pivot pin in each of the first, second, third and fourth pairs,
each of the stub shafts in the first and second pairs being disposed on the opposite side wall of the hopper means from the other stub shaft in each of the first and second pairs,
the upper and lower panels having substantially planar sides disposed in adjacent relationship to the side walls of the hopper means for rubbing against the side walls of the hopper means during lateral movement of the upper and lower panels withunbalanced loads of refuse on the panels to provide a floating action of the panels in removing unbalances in the loads of refuse on the panels,
the second pair of stub shafts being constructed to provide for a movement of the side walls of the upper and lower panels adjacent the side walls of the hopper means with unbalanced loads of refuse on the lower panels.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.85. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 45,
the control means including a pair of packing cylinders each having opposite ends and each supported at one end for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means and each mounted at the other end on an individual one of the pivot pins in the pairand each including a rod expansible and contractible within the associated packing cylinder to obtain controlled movements of the upper packing panel rearwardly and downwardly or upwardly and forwardly,
a second pair of pivot pins each having only a limited length,
the control means further including a pair of sweep cylinders each having opposite ends and each supported at one end for pivotal movement relative to the hopper means and each mounted at the opposite end on an individual one of the pins in thesecond pair and each including a rod expansible and contractible within the associated sweep cylinder to obtain a rotation of the lower panel relative to the upper panel forwardly or rearwardly in the hopper means,
the packer panel means including a first pair of links each having opposite ends and each mounted at one end to the tailgate structure and each mounted at the other end on an associated one of the pivot pins in the first pair, the upper and lowerpanels also being mounted on the pivot pins in the first pair,
a pair of stub shafts each having only a limited length, and
the packer panel means including a second pair of links each having opposite ends and each attached at one end to the tailgate structure and each mounted at the other end on an associated one of the stub shafts in the pair,
the first and second pairs of pivot pins and the pair of stub shafts being constructed to provide for a lateral movement of the upper and lower panels against the side walls of the hopper means with unbalanced loads of
refuse on the lower panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.86. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 85,
the first pair of links being disposed in a non-parallel relationship to the second pair of links,
a third pair of pivot pins each having only a limited length and each supported by the tailgate structure,
each of the links in the first pair being mounted at one end on an associated one of the pivot pins in the third pair,
a fourth pair of pivot pins each having only a limited length and each supported by the tailgate structure,
each of the links in the second pair being mounted at one end on an associated one of the pivot pins in the fourth pair,
the third and fourth pair of pivot pins being constructed to provide for a lateral movement of the upper and lower panels against the side walls of the hopper means with unbalanced loads of refuse on the lower panel.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.87. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 86,
the upper packing panel having top and bottom ends and being disposed substantially vertically in the hopper means,
the upper packing panel being mounted on the first pair of pivot pins at the bottom end of the upper packing panel and being mounted on the stub
shafts at the top end of the upper packing panel. .Iaddend. .Iadd.88. In a refuse collector as set forth in claim 86,
the upper packing panel having top and bottom ends and being disposed substantially vertically in the hopper means,
the upper packing panel being mounted on the first pair of pivot pins at the bottom end of the upper packing panel and being mounted on the stub shafts at the top end of the upper packing panel,
the links in the first pair being provided with a different length than the links in the second pair,
each of the pivot pins in the first, second, third and fourth pairs being disposed on the opposite side of the hopper means from the other one of the pivot pins in the first, second, third and fourth pairs,
each of the stub shafts in the pair being disposed on the opposite side of the hopper means from the other one of the stub shafts in the pair.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.89. In a combination as set forth in claim 86,
the upper and lower panels having substantially planar sides and the side walls of the hopper means being constructed to provide a durable bearing surface against which the sides of the upper and lower panels may rub during lateral movement ofthe panels to provide a floating action in the movement of the panels for relieving any unbalanced loading of refuse in the hopper means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.90. In a combination as set forth in claim 88,
the upper panel, the lower panel, the links in the first pair and the packing cylinders being mounted on the pivot pins in the first pair, and the upper panel and the links in the second pair being mounted on the stub shafts, to provide for adifferent pivotal disposition of the individual ones of the links in the first and second pairs on one side of the hopper means relative to the pivotal disposition of the other ones of the links in the first and second pairs on the other side of thehopper means with unbalanced loads of refuse on the upper and lower panel. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. . In a combination as set forth in claim 46,
the packer means including first and second pairs of links pivotally connected to the tailgate structure, individual ones of the links in the first and second pairs being disposed adjacent one side wall of the hopper means and the other ones ofthe links in the first and second pairs being disposed adjacent the other side wall of the hopper means,
the control means including packing cylinders pivotally disposed relative to the tailgate structure and further including sweep cylinders pivotally disposed relative to the tailgate structure,
the upper and lower panels and the packing cylinders being pivotally coupled to the links in the first pair on a fulcrum defined by the pivot pins in the pair, and
the sweep cylinders being pivotally coupled to the lower panel,
the upper and lower panels being coupled to the links in the first pair, and the upper panel being coupled to the links in the second pair, to provide for an individual positioning of the links in the first and second pairs adjacent the one sidewall of the hopper means relative to the positioning of the links in the first and second pairs adjacent the other side wall of the hopper means with unbalances in the load of the refuse in the hopper means on the upper and lower panels,
the upper and lower panels having substantially planar sides and the side walls of the hopper means being substantially planar and being constructed to provide a durable bearing surface against which the sides of the upper and lower panels mayrub during lateral movement of the panels to provide a floating action of the panels for relieving any unbalances in the load of the refuse in the hopper means on the upper and lower panels. .Iaddend. |
| Description: |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In collecting refuse, the refuse is generally picked up at individual locations, such as homes, and loaded into a storage body mounted on a truck. When the storage body becomes full, the truck must make a trip to a dumping point to unload therefuse. Depending upon the location of the dumping point, the time required for dumping can be quite substantial. This time is lost time since the refuse collection apparatus performs merely as a truck during its trip to and from the dumping site.
To reduce lost time spent in transporting refuse to the dumping site, modern refuse collection equipment functions by packing the refuse under high pressures within a storage body. The capacity of the refuse collection apparatus is, thereby,increased, and it is able to function by collecting refuse for a longer period of time before having to make a trip to the dump.
In refuse collection equipment presently in use, the storge body is mounted on a truck frame and mounted behind the storage body is a tailgate structure. The tailgate includes a loading hopper and packing means for removing the refuse from thehopper and packing it under high pressure within the storage body. It is common practice to mount a movable ejection panel within the storage body. During the packing operation, refuse is packed against the ejection panel which moves forwardly withinthe storage body as the packing operation progresses. When the storage body is completely full, the ejection panel has moved all the way forward to a position adjacent the front of the storage body. During the dumping operation, the tailgate structureis pivoted upwardly with respect to the storage body and the refuse is ejected by moving the ejection panel rearwardly to push the refuse out of the storage body.
Present refuse collection apparatus is rather large and unwieldy as a result of several factors. First, the tailgate structure which contains the packing mechanism is relatively long, and extends outward a considerable distance from the back ofthe storage body. The length of the tailgate structure is dictated, to a large extent, by the shape of the loading hopper defined in the lower portion of the tailgate. Present loading hoppers have a generally uniformly curved bottom which slopesgradually downward from a loading lip at the rear of the hopper to a low point and then gradually upward to an inclined passage which leads into the storge body. A panel is rotated through the hopper with the lower edge of the panel following along thecurvature of the hopper bottom. Due to the curved configuration of the hopper bottom to accommodate rotation of the panel, the hopper is relatively long and shallow. Thus, the tailgate structure must also be relatively long which produces a tailgatewhose center of mass is positioned a considerable distance rearward of the tailgate supporting structure.
A further factor contributing to a large end unwieldly refuse collection equipment is the movement of the packing means within the tailgate structure. Many refuse collectors which use pivotally interconnected upper and lower panels for packing(see U.S. Pat. No. 3,143,230), employ an upper panel which is reciprocated in a straight-line movement between an upper and forward position and a lower and rearward position. To provide a high horizontal force component to the upper panel, thestraight-line path must have a slope which provides substantial horizontal movement to the panel. This, in turn, requires that the tailgate structure be relatively long.
In present refuse collection equipment, the storage body is made from relatively heavy structural members to accommodate the high internal pressures imposed on the body. The high weight of the structural members further contributes to making therefuse collection equipment unwieldly. Added weight in the refuse storage body requires additional weight in the structural members for the truck frame which also increases the weight of the vehicle. As the length and weight of the vehicle areincreased, it becomes increasingly more difficult to maneuver in congested areas in picking up refuse.
As stated, modern refuse collection equipment functions by packing refuse under high pressures within a storage body mounted on the frame of a truck. In present equipment, little or no packing is accomplished within the loading hopper. Therefuse is merely swept from the hopper by rotation of a panel and packing does not occur until the refuse is moved into the storage body. To accomplish more uniform packing, it would be desirable if some of the packing could take place within theloading hopper.
During the packing operation, the refuse is moved into a storage body and compacted against an ejection panel. As the refuse is compacted, it may be moved in an upward direction against the top of the refuse storage body and impose largestresses on the top of the body. To accommodate these stresses, the top of the refuse body will have to be heavily reinforced and, therefore, heavy.
As the packing continues, the ejection panel moves forwardly within the storage body. The movement of the ejection panel is generally controlled by a telescopic hydraulic cylinder in which the effective hydraulic area within the cylinder varieswith its degree of extension. As the ejection panel moves forwardly, the refuse within the body also moves as new refuse is packed into the body. The friction between the refuse within the body and the side walls of the body varies depending on theamount of refuse in the body. Due to the various factors which affect movement of the ejection panel and refuse within the body, it is difficult to obtain uniform compaction of the refuse throughout the storage body. Refuse in one region of the storagebody may be very densely compacted while refuse in another region may be less densely compacted. It would be desirable to obtain compaction throughout the body at relatively high and uniform compaction pressures at or near the maximum pressuresgenerated by the packing means since this would permit packing more refuse into a storage body of a given volume.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accord with the present invention, I have provided a refuse collector which is capable of using a relatively short and deep loading hopper that is positioned rearwardly of and adjacent to an opening into a storage body. In utilizing such ahopper, an upper panel having a lower panel pivotally connected therewith is moved in a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path between an upward and forward position and a downward and rearward position. The path of movement provided the upperpanel has a slope which changes from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal as the panel moves from a rearward lowered position to a forward raised position. This provides a high horizontal force component to the panel during the packingcycle without the use of a long tailgate structure.
The upper extremity of the opening into the storage body may be provided by a fixed panel having an upwardly curved lower surface. During upward movement of the packing panels, refuse is packed against the upwardly curved lower surface of thefixed panel. This provides a forward direction of movement to the refuse which assists its movement into the storage body and against the ejection panel. Further, by providing a forward direction of movement to the refuse, the refuse has less tendencyto exert high pressures on the top of the refuse body.
In an embodiment of my invention which utilizes an upper and a lower packing panel which are pivotally interrelated for movement within a tailgate structure, the upper panel preferably has a curved forward surface in close proximity to a rearwardsurface of a fixed panel defining the upper extremity of the opening into the storage body. During relative movement between the upper panel and the fixed panel, the rearward surface of the fixed panel removes refuse from the curved forward surface ofthe upper panel.
In providing a rearwardly and downwardly convexly curved path for an upper panel, the panel is preferably tilted as it undergoes movement from a forward raised position to a rearward lowered position and vice versa. As the panel moves downwardlyand rearwardly, the lower portion of the panel is tilted rearwardly while the upper portion of the panel is tilted forwardly. The lower panel is pivotally connected to the upper panel at a point adjacent its lower edge. Thus, as the lower portion ofthe panel is tilted rearwardly, the pivotal points for the lower panel are moved rearwardly to properly position the lower panel for movement with respect to the hopper. As the upper panel moves forwardly and upwardly, the tilting of the lower portionof the upper panel in a forward direction provides a forward movement to the refuse. This assists in moving the refuse through an opening into the storage body and in compacting the refuse against an ejection panel.
In accord with another aspect of my invention, a refuse collection apparatus is provided in which a packing panel having a curved furward packing surface is moved through a hopper. As the packing panel moves through the hopper, the refuse has agreater tendency to roll upwardly onto the surface of the panel due to its curved configuration. The refuse is, thus, more readily removed from the hopper by the panel.
The packing panel may have one or more upstanding ribs positioned on its curved forward surface. The ribs provide a reduced area for application of high localized pressures to refuse contacted by the rib or ribs as the panel moves through thehopper. If more than one rib is employed, the ribs are positioned in spaced relationship and preferably are positioned vertically with respect to the hopper bottom as the packing panel moves through the hopper. Each of the ribs has sloping side wallswhich are joined together to form a breaking surface. The sloping side walls of adjacent ribs define a packing region which is bounded by the adjacent side walls and the forward curved surface of the packing panel. Refuse which moves between adjacentribs into contact with the forward curved surface of the panel is thereby compacted through compression between the side walls of the adjacent ribs.
Preferably, the loading hopper has a vertically inclined forward packing surface. Thus, as the packing panel moves through the hopper, refuse is compacted between the curved packing surface of the panel and the upwardly inclined forward packingsurface of the hopper. If the packing panel is rotated to provide movement through the hopper and then lifted to remove refuse from the hopper, the curved packing surface of the panel preferably makes an angle of at least about 90.degree. with theforward packing surface. This reduces the tendency for refuse to jam between the surface of the packing panel and the forward packing surface of the hopper during upward movement of the packing panel.
In another aspect of my invention, the loading hopper is provided with a straight rearward wall portion positioned between a loading lip and the hopper bottom. A packing panel is then provided which has a narrowed lower edge. The narrowed loweredge of the panel is then moved in contiguous relation to the straight rearward wall portion of the hopper as the panel moves into the hopper. Refuse which overhangs the loading lip of the hopper is, thereby, subjected to breaking forces by the narrowedlower edge of the packing panel during its movement into the hopper.
In view of the various aspects of my invention, I am able to provide a refuse collection apparatus having a relatively short and deep hopper which is quite different than hoppers employed in previous refuse collection equipment. Further, I amnow able to provide a refuse collection apparatus in which the refuse is broken up and packed to a considerable degree within the loading hopper itself.
As a corollary to my overall invention, I have provided a unique packing panel for use in a refuse collection apparatus in which the panel has a curved surface that is adapted to contact refuse contained in a hopper during movement of the panelthrough the hopper. The curvature of the panel surface, as it moves through the hopper assists in removing refuse from the hopper which rolls upwardly onto the panel along the curved surface. Also, the packing panel of my invention may provide one ormore upstanding ribs on the curved surface of the panel to provide a reduced area for applicaton of high localized pressure to refuse which is contacted by the rib. When a plurality of ribs is employed which are positioned in spaced relation to eachother, the side walls of adjacent ribs define a packing region which is bounded by the side walls and the curved surface of the packing panel. The packing panel may also have a narrowed edge which is adapted to provide high breaking pressures to refusecontacted by the edge.
A further corollary to my overall invention involves a unique refuse hopper which is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the overall apparatus of my invention. The hopper has a lip over which refuse is dumped, a curved bottomportion and a straight wall portion between the lip and the curved bottom portion. Also provided in the hopper is an upwardly inclined structurally reinforced packing surface which is positioned opposite the straight wall portion. Side wallsinterconnect the bottom with the packing surface and the straight wall portion.
As described, refuse compactors presently in use include a storage body having a movable ejection panel within the body and packing means for compacting refuse within the body against the ejection panel. As refuse is compacted against theejection panel, there is an incremental movement of the panel in a direction away from the packing means as the body is progressively filled with refuse. In accord with a further aspect of my invention, I have provided a unique means for hydraulicallyinterrelating the movement of the ejection panel and the packing means to provide better compaction of the refuse. A first hydraulic means which controls the movement of the ejection panel is hydraulically interrelated with a second hydraulic meanswhich controls the movement of the packing means. A sump means is provided for receiving hydraulic fluid from both of the first and second hydraulic means and a control means regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid from the first and second hydraulicmeans to the sump means.
The control means is set to operate at a predetermined pressure of hydraulic fluid in the second hydraulic means which controls movement of the packing means to momentarily dump hydraulic fluid from both the first and second hydraulic means tothe sump means. Dumping of fluid ceases when the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the second hydraulic means is reduced to a fixed level below the predetermined pressure. The predetermined pressure within the second hydraulic means which actuates thecontrol means is generally set at or near the maximum operating pressure of the packing means. As a result, the refuse is packed at or near the maximum packing pressures obtainable throughout the entire loading operation. The incremental movement ofthe ejection panel away from the packing means during the packing operation is controlled entirely by the predetermined high pressure level within the hydraulic means which controls the movement of the packing means. Thus, the movement of the ejectionpanel is independent of such variables as the friction of refuse against the walls of the storage container or the effective hydraulic pressure surface within the telescopic cylinder which will vary with its degree of extension.
A further aspect of my invention concerns a hydraulic circuit for operation of an upper packing panel that is movably mounted within a tailgate structure for up-and-down movement with respect to a loading hopper and a lower packing panel mountedfor forward and rearward rotation with respect to the hopper. A first hydraulic means is operably connected to the upper packer panel to provide up-and-down movement of the panel while a second hydraulic means is operably connected to the lower packerpanel to provide forward and rearward rotation of the lower panel. The second hydraulic means provides a relatively quick rotation of the lower panel in a rearward directiion with relatively low rotational force exerted on the panel and a relativelyslow rotation of the lower panel in a forward direction with relatively high rotational force exerted on the panel.
A first feed means is provided to feed hydraulic fluid to the second hydraulic means to rotate the lower panel in a rearward direction and to hold the panel in a rearward position. A second feed means is provided to feed hydraulic fluid to thefirst hydraulic means while withdrawing hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic means and combining the withdrawn fluid with the feed fluid to establish a regenerative loop to the first hydraulic means. The use of a regenerative loop providesrelatively quick downward movement of the upper panel after which the upper panel is held in a lowered position. A third feed means is provided to feed hydraulic fluid to the second hydraulic means to rotate the lower panel in a forward direction and tohold the lower panel in a forward position. Lastly, a fourth feed means is provided to feed hydraulic fluid at a relatively high pressure to the first hydraulic means to move the upper packing panel in an upward direction to move refuse from the hopperand through an opening into a storage body.
A further aspect of the invention includes the provision of a unique storage body for containing refuse under pressure. The body includes a reinforced bottom, a pair of parallel reinforced side walls, and a top. The top has a uniformly curvedconfiguration and curves upwardly from its juncture with the side walls. The high point in the curvature of the top lies midway between the side walls and the high point has a preselected chordal heig | | | |
