Patent ID: 6644906
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B65F

Abstract:
A self-adapting refuse receptacle lift apparatus comprising:a support frame; a hydraulic actuator, attached to said support frame, having a rotatable output shaft, and configured for controllably positioning the rotary orientation of said output shaft; a carriage adapted for supporting a receptacle, said carriage being pivotally supported relative to said support frame; a plurality of arms for supporting said carriage relative to said support frame and relative to said rotatably support shaft; a clamp arm shaft attached to said carriage and rotatable relative to said carriage; a pair of self-adapting clamp arms, each clamp arm having a receptacle receiving end and a non-receptacle receiving end, each clamp arm being pivotally connected near the non-receptacle receiving end to said rotatable clamp arm shaft, whereby said clamp arms may be controllably rotated relative to said carriage, each of said clamp arms being configured to adapt to the size and shape of a variety of receptacles for lifting by said apparatus; a first hydraulic drive affixed to said carriage and pivotally connected to said rotatable clamp arm shaft, wherein said first hydraulic drive may controllably position the rotary orientation of the clamp arm shaft; a second hydraulic drive pivotally connected to said non-receptacle receiving end of said pair of self-adapting clamp arms, whereby said clamp arms may be controllably opened and closed; and a connecting rod connected to said non-receptacle receiving end of said pair of self-adapting clamp arms on opposing sides of said pivotal connection with said second hydraulic drive to ensure coordinated opening and closing of said self-adapting clamp arms; wherein said hydraulic actuator, said first hydraulic drive, and said second hydraulic drive are controllably operated so as to cause in sequence controlled rotation of the self-adapting clamp arms from an upright stored position to a position for the receipt of a receptacle, controlled closing of the self-adapting clamp arms for securing a receptacle, and controlled pivoting of the carriage on respective ends of said plurality of arms, from a lowered, upright position of said carriage for receiving a receptacle to a relatively raised, inverted position of said carriage for emptying the contents of a receptacle.