Patent ID: 6736585
Filing Date: 2004-05-18
Classification: B60P,B62D,B65F

Abstract:
A transport vehicle equipped to load, transport, and unload a plurality of different types and sizes of refuse containers, each container having underside spaced-apart parallel rail members and perpendicularly arranged channel members, the vehicle comprising:a main vehicle chassis which is supported upon associated axles and wheels, the vehicle including a power transport means for transporting the chassis to a desired location; a tilt frame pivotally mounted on the main vehicle chassis; pivot means operatively connected between the main vehicle chassis and the tilt frame for pivoting the tilt frame and its associated container about a pivot point located on the main vehicle chassis; at least one latch assembly pivotally mounted on a selected one of the tilt frame and the vehicle chassis for releasably engaging a selected container, the latch assembly being pivotable between a container engaging position and a disengaged position; a fluid powered cylinder system located on the vehicle in fluid communication with the latch assembly for pivoting the latch assembly between the engaged and disengaged positions; and wherein at least a first and second latch bar are included in each latch assembly as simultaneously actuable mating pairs, the latch bars being mounted at a selected location on the selected tilt frame and vehicle chassis along a longitudinal axis thereof, the latch bars being pivotable generally perpendicular to the tilt frame and vehicle longitudinal axis simultaneously upon actuation of the fluid powered cylinder system, the latch bars being spaced apart a preselected distance relative to the longitudinal axis of the tilt frame and vehicle chassis, the distance being greater than the width of a container channel member, the latch bars being orientated such that if the first latch bar is obstructed by a channel member during movement of the latch bar between the container disengaging position and the container engaged position, the second latch bar is unobstructed and can engage the container and prevent further movement of the container.