Automatic refuse container gripping and lifting device

Abstract: An automatic container handling device connected to an appropriate truck comprising a first telescopic arm (18) connected to the chassis of the truck and able to rotate, both on a horizontal and on a vertical plane, a second telescopic arm (36) centrally connected to the free end (26) of the said first arm and able to make a complete rotation on its vertical axis and comprising a third and a fourth arm (43,44), also able to make a complete rotation, supporting means for gripping containers of all shapes and sizes from any position whatsoever, even at a considerable distance from the truck and on a differrent level, placing them automatically in the right position for being lifted and emptied into the body of the truck.

Description: This invention refers to automatic devices for loading refuse bins. The invention refers in particular to devices connected to the motor-vehicles used for the collection of urban waste which are able to grip, lift and empty the containers into the body of the motor-vehicles. Traditionally, containers are gripped by arms anchored to the rear of the truck after the containers has been manually positioned in correspondence with the lifting device. Other container loading systems foresee the possibility of gripping the container by means of an arm situated on the side of the truck, in such a way as to reach the containers, ever if not situated near the truck itself; however this case also requires that the container be manually positioned to permit it to be perfectly gripped by the arm. The fact should be emphasized however that the systems briefly described above require preliminary, manual positioning of the containers, not only to ensure gripping but also to permit them to be positioned in such a way as to allow emptying into the body of the truck. In patent document US-A-4 175 903, Carson describes a pick-up apparatus, according to the preamble of claim 1, including a boom, a pick-up arm mounted on the boom for articulation in a generally horizontal plane, and a pair of clamping arms mounted on the end of the pick-up arm. This Carson device does not allow the gripping of the container if such container is not correctly positioned because the device does not permit the 360 degree rotation about a vertical axis. The object of this invention is to create a device which permits gripping, positioning, lifting and emptying of the container inside the truck, operating exclusively from the cabin, without the need for the manual handling of container, the whole operation being carried out by one person, with considerable savings on costs. This end can be achieved with the use of an automatic container loading device comprising: a first multi-extraction telescopic arm connected to the chassis of the truck and able to rotate both in a horizontal and in vertical plane; a second arm, also telescopic, centrally connected to the free end of the first arm and able to rotate about an axis positioned vertically when said first arm is horizontal, whereby this second arm is telescopic on either side of the central portion; a third and fourth arms connected at the end to the free ends of the said second arm; means for gripping the side parts of refuse containers; oleodynamically controlled means for rotating the first arm; means for rotating the second arm; means for telescopically extending said first and second arms; characterised in that said second arm is able to make a 360 degree rotation about its rotation axis, in that said third and fourth arms are able to make a 360 degree rotation in a plane perpendicular to said second arm, in that said gripping means are connected to the free ends of the third and fourth arms and in that the automatic device further comprises means for rotating the third and fourth arms. The automatic container loading device thus constructed permits gripping containers of all shapes and sizes from any position whatsoever, even at a considerable distance from the truck and on different levels, placing them automatically in the right position for being lifted end emptied into the body of the truck. A description is given below of a practical example of the invention in object, which is however purely indicative end not binding, with reference to the enclosed drawings in which: figure 1 is the sketch of the device, object of the invention, with lateral application to the truck, illustrated in two different operating positions; figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the device, each illustrating certain details. With reference to the enclosed figures, 2 indicates the complete device, applied to a truck fitted out for the collection of refuse and indicated with 4 (see fig. 1). As shown in figures 2 and 3, the device consists of a first arm 6 balanced on the upper end of a strong tubular support 8 which is turn as a revolving connection, by means of a bracket 10 and a support, welded to the chassis of the truck. The tubular support 8 is also connected to the supporting structure by means of an oleodynamic cylinder 12 which gives a 30 degrees rotation movement to the said tubular support and, consequently, also to the arm 6. A second oleodynamic cylinder 14 connects the lower part of the arm to the internal part of the tubular support, permitting the arm 6 to be lifted and to make a rotary movement of 90 degrees around its fulcrum 16. The arm 6 is of the telescopic type with extractable elements 18, 20 and 22 with movement guaranteed by a cylinder indicated with 24 in table 3, positioned inside the arm itself. The free end of the internal element of the arm 6 is provided with a support 26 which houses a hydraulic motor 28 and a 5-way rotating joint 30 while a fifth wheel 32, moved by the said motor 28 is fixed to the lower part of the support and, by means of the joint 30 connects the first arm to a second telescopic arm 34. The second arm 34 is composed of a central part 36 and of at least two side elements 38, 40 with extraction controlled by a cylinder 42. The said second arm can also consist of a cylinder centrally balanced on the end of the first arm, of the bilateral, double extraction type. This cylinder is able to rotate 360 degrees on its own axis, just as the extractable elements are able to make an identical rotation. A third and a fourth arm, indicated with 43 and 44 respectively, are connected to the ends of the two side elements 38 and 40 of the second arm; connection is made through a pin protruding from motor-reducers 48a and 48b housed inside the lateral elements. These motor-reducers permit complete rotation of the arms in question. Each of the free ends of the arms 43 and 44 are connected to a spiral-like elements 50a and 50b, each of which is given a rotation movement by means of a hydraulic motor 52 through a belt or chain 54 and a gear wheel or pulley 56 mounted on a pin 58. Two levers 60, also connected to the pins 58, serve to open the container lid with a complete rotation movement given by a motor (not illustrated). The spiral-like elements can be replaced by two anchor gripping systems with gravity operation. Having brought the truck near to the container to be emptied, whatever the position of the latter, working on appropriate controls in the driving cabin, the operator will calculate the extraction of the elements of the first arm until the second arm is situated exactly above the container; extraction of the said first arm is automatically stopped by means of appropriate sensors or photoelectric cells. The second arm, placed in an open position, due to the action of the cylinder which controls extraction of the two mobile elements of which it consists, and lowered, by the vertical rotation of the first arm, until it is in proximity with the container, is locked, always by means of the cylinder, foreseen with double action, in such a way that the spiral-likes elements mounted on the side arms connected to the second arm, grip the pins which protrude from the sides of the container. Working the hydraulic motor for rotating the spiral-like elements, the latter will rotate until the container is perfectly blocked, at the same time keeping it perfectly aligned with the second arm. At this point it will be possible to rotate the second arm by means of the rotating joint and the fifth wheel in such a way as to place the container in the position required, in other words, with the lid opening as shown in figure 1. At this point, having brought the extractable elements of the first arm into position, the latter will make a 90 degree upwards rotation and the side arms of the second arm will rotate in order to discharge the contents of the container into the hopper of the truck body.

Claims: Automatic device for loading refuse collection containers connected to an appropriate truck comprising: a first multi-extraction telescopic arm (6) connected to the chassis of the truck (4) and able to rotate, both in a horizontal and in a vertical plane; a second arm (34), centrally connected to the free end of the first arm (6) and able to rotate about an axis positioned vertically when said first arm is horizontal, whereby this second arm is telescopic on either side of the central portion; a third (43) and fourth (44) arms connected at an end to the free ends of the said second arm, means (50a, 50b) for gripping the side parts of refuse containers; oleodynamically controlled means (12, 14) for rotating the first arm; means (26, 28, 30, 32) for rotating the second arm; means (24, 42) for telescopically extending said first and second arms; characterised in that said second arm is able to make a 360 degree rotation about its rotation axis, in that said third and fourth arms are able to make a 360 degree rotation in a plane perpendicular to said second arm, in that said gripping means (50a, 50b) are connected to the free ends of the third and fourth arms, and in that the automatic device further comprises means (48a, 48b) for rotating the third and fourth arms. Device according to claim 1, in which the first arm (6) is balanced on the upper end of a tubular support (8) which, in turn, has a revolving connection, by means of a bracket (10), to a support welded to the chassis of the truck. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the tubular support (8) is connected to said welded support by means of an oleodynamic cylinder (12) which is able to give a 30 degree horizontal rotation to the said tubular support (8) and to the said first arm (6). Device according to claim 1, in which a second oleodynamic cylinder (14) connects the lower part of the first arm (6) to the internal part of the tubular support (8), permitting a 90 degree vertical rotation of the said first arm. Device according to claim 1, in which the extraction of the elements composing the first telescopic arm is obtained by means of an oleodynamic cylinder (24) housed inside the said arm. Device according to claim 1, in which a rotating joint (30) and a first wheel (32) connect the first arm to the second arm, allowing the latter a rotation of 360 degrees. Device according to claim 1, in which a hydraulic motor (28) mounted on the free end of the internal element of the first arm gives a rotating movement to the first wheel (32). Device according to claim 1, in which the extraction of the mobile elements composing the second arm is obtained by means of an oleodynamic cylinder (42). Device according to claim 1, in which two motor reducers (48a, 48b) housed inside the said mobile elements of the second arm permit rotation of the third and fourth arms. Device according to claim 1, in which the means for gripping the sides of the containers are composed of spiral-shaped grippers (50a, 50b). Device according to claims 1 or 10, in which the said spiral-shaped grippers are given a rotation movement by hydraulic motors (52, 54, 56, 58) housed inside the third and fourth arms.

Inventors: ARMANDO LODOVICO, ARMANDO MASSIMO, ARMANDO VALERIO, ARMANDO, LODOVICO, ARMANDO, MASSIMO, ARMANDO, VALERIO
Applicants: M V L RESEARCH LIMITED, M.V.L. RESEARCH LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65F3
IPC codes: B65F3