Patent ID: 7273340
Filing Date: 2007-09-25
Classification: B65F

Abstract:
1. A lifting device for lifting and inverting a refuse collection container having a body with spaced-apart upper and lower engagement surfaces, the lifting device comprising: a base; a face plate pivotally mounted with respect to the base for movement between a first, lower position and a second, raised and inverted position; a rotary actuator having a rotatable output shaft mounted to the base and operatively attached to the face plate for moving the face plate between the lower and the raised and inverted positions; a lift member fixedly mounted to the face plate for engaging the upper engagement surface of a refuse collection container; and a latch assembly mounted to the face plate for capturing the lower engagement surface on the refuse collection container, the latch assembly further comprising a track carried by the face plate; a slide movably mounted in the track; a hook pivotally carried by the slide for movement between a position for capturing the lower engagement surface and a retracted position, the hook being biased toward the capturing position; and at least one actuator arm having first and second ends, the first end being pivotally carried by the base and the second end being operatively connected to the slide, and a support arm carried on the base inboard of an end of the rotatable output shaft, the first end of the actuator arm being pivotally mounted to the support arm; whereby when the face plate is moved from the raised and inverted position to the lower position, the actuator arm moves the slide along the track to cause the hook to engage a portion of the face plate to move the hook to the retracted position.