REFUSE-COLLECTION TRUCK

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle has a collecting container for refuse (3), placed on the chassis (1) behind the driver's cab (2). When the container (3) is revolvable in an already known way round a vertical axis (7) in relation to the chassis (1), it is possible to empty the container through a flap (6) at the front end, where the driver's cab (2) would otherwise be in the way. By this design the following is achieved: the rear wall of the collecting container for refuse can fit absolutely tightly to the bottom and side walls of the container, although it is possible to lift refuse in e.g. waste bins or waste containers placed at the rear end of the refuse collection vehicle by means of a conventional lifting mechanism to an opening, for example in the top side of the container, and later, after the refuse has been compressed against the front end of the collecting container, and the container has been rotated round the vertical axis in relation to the chassis, to discharge the refuse through a flap, which can be opened, but is otherwise tight-fitting, at the front end of the container in the direction of travel.

Description: Refuse-collection truck The present invention concerns a refuse collection vehicle with a collecting container for refuse placed on the chassis behind the driver's cab, the container having a loading opening, for example in the hindmost end in the direction of travel, and where a backwards and forwards movable, essentially vertical compression plate can be placed between the vertical side walls of the collecting container. Refuse collection vehicles usually have a loading hopper facing backwards at the rear end of the container, and a mechanism for the purpose of moving refuse from the hopper into the container. Inside this container an essentially vertical compression plate serves to press the refuse together and press it against the front end of the container, thereby compressing the refuse. In some cases the above-mentioned compression plate is also used when the container is to be emptied; the compression plate is then used for pushing the refuse back towards the rear end of the container after the latter has been opened at the rear end. Alternatively, the collecting container for refuse may be mounted in such a way that it can be tipped round a transverse axis, so that the refuse slides towards and out through the rear end of the container after the latter has been opened. A common feature of known refuse collection vehicles with loading hoppers is that the refuse is loaded through a back section hinged on the collecting container. This back section, which makes the refuse collection vehicle more expensive and complicated, contains a mechanism which presses the refuse into the collecting container towards its front end. When the container is being SUBSTITUTESHEET emptied, the entire hinged back section is lifted, whereby the container is opened to the refuse. The refuse is discharged by means of the compression plate and/or by the container being tipped round a transverse axis. It is characteristic of such refuse collection vehicles that they are not tight at the rear end, where the collection workers are placed while the refuse is being loaded. As the refuse may develop unpleasant or even hazardous gases, especially when it contains organic material as in the case of household refuse, this is not expedient for reasons concerning the working environment. Refuse collection vehicles of the so-called "front-loader type" have a loading opening in the roof of the collecting container near the driver's cab, and waste bins and waste containers are lifted to the loading opening from a position in front of the vehicle. The refuse that has been loaded is compressed against the rear wall of the collecting container, and the rear wall can be opened so that the refuse can be discharged by the container being tipped round a transverse axis and/or by means of a compression plate. Such refuse collection vehicles are, however, inexpedient, especially for traffic reasons, because the unit which is to move waste bins or waste containers from a position in front of the driver's cab up over the latter to the loading opening necessarily increases the width of the vehicle or presupposes a specially built (narrow) driver's cab. The purpose of the present invention is to specify a refuse collection vehicle which combines the advantages of the two main types of refuse collection vehicles, but does not show the above-mentioned disadvantages. This is achieved according to the invention by making the container revolvable round a vertical axis in relation to the chassis in an already known way. By this design the following is achieved: The back wall of the collecting container can fit absolutely tightly to the bottom and side walls of the container, although it is possible to lift refuse in e.g. waste bins or waste containers, placed at the rear end of the refuse collection vehicle, by means of a conventional lifting mechanism up to an opening, for example in the top side of the container, and then, after the refuse has been compressed against the front end of the collecting container, and the container has been rotated round the vertical axis in relation to the chassis, to discharge the refuse through a flap, which can be opened, but is otherwise tight-fitting, at the front end of the container. In the following the invention will be explained more explicitly in connection with the drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a refuse collection vehicle according to the invention, seen from the side and partly cut through. Fig. 2 shows the same seen from behind during emptying, and Fig. 3 shows the same seen from above. The refuse collection vehicle shown in the drawing comprises a chassis 1 with a driver's cab 2 and a collecting container for refuse 3, which is placed behind the driver's cab. At its rear end in the direction of travel the container 3 has a loading opening 4, and between the vertical side walls of the container an essentially vertical compression plate 5 is placed. By means of this plate 5, which can be moved backwards and forwards, refuse loaded through the opening 4 can be compressed against the front end of the container, which is closed by means of a tightly fitting flap 6 , which is top-hinged in the shown version. The container 3 is rotable round a vertical axis 7 in relation to the chassis, and it can be rotated from the driving position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig.s 2 and 3, where the flap 6 can be opened without hitting the driver's cab 2. The contents of the container 3 can then be discharged by means of the compression plate 5.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m Refuse collection vehicle with a collecting container for refuse (3) placed on the chassis (1) behind the driver's cab (2), the collecting container having a loading opening (4), for example at the hindmost end in the direction of travel, and where a backwards and forwards movable, essentially vertical compression plate (5) can be placed between the vertical side walls of the collecting container, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the container (3) is revolvable in an already known way round a vertical axis (7) in relation to the chassis (1) .

Inventors: SCHMIDT MICHAEL FALCK, SCHMIDT, MICHAEL, FALCK
Applicants: FALCK SCHMIDT AS, E. FALCK SCHMIDT A/S
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B65F3
IPC codes: B65F3