Abstract:
A front loading refuse collection vehicle ( 10 ) has a cab ( 12 ) connected with a storage bin ( 14 ). The storage bin ( 14 ) includes an opening ( 18 ) that enables refuse to enter into the storage bin ( 14 ). The refuse is supplied by a front loading device ( 16 ) into the bin. Covers ( 20, 120 ) overlay the opening ( 18 ) when the vehicle ( 10 ) is in motion from collection position to collection position. Additionally, the cover ( 20, 120 ) moves from a bin covering position into a cab shielding position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/661,498, filed on Jun. 19, 2012. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to front loading refuse collection vehicles and, more particularly, to a vehicle that includes a cover that closes off the storage bin opening as well as provides a cab shield. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In front loading refuse collection vehicles, load containers varying from 1 to 10 cubic yards are lifted over the front of the cab and emptied into the front of the storage bin of the body of the vehicle. Refuse is then compacted from the front of the storage bin towards the rear. The storage bin requires a cover to close off its opening so that during movement between collection locations, the storage bin is covered and refuse does not exit the storage bin through the opening. 
         [0004]    In front loading refuse collection vehicles, the waste containers are lifted and travel over the cab of the vehicle. Thus, it is desirous to shield the cab from falling debris that may occur during the lifting of the containers over the vehicle cab. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure provides a movable cover that covers the storage bin opening in one position and also shields the cab in a second position. The cover is positioned over the storage bin opening when the vehicle is moving from collection area to collection area. The cover is moved to a cab shield position when the containers are lifted from the ground by the front loader and pass over the cab and are emptied into the storage bin. The cover eliminates weight from the front axle of the chassis. The cover moves the cab shield to the top of the body to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle. Additionally, the dual purpose cover reduces the overall cost of the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a front loading refuse collection vehicle comprises a cab connected with a storage bin. The storage bin includes an opening that enables refuse to enter into the storage bin. The refuse is supplied by a front loading device on the vehicle into the bin. A cover overlays and seals the opening when the vehicle is in motion moving from one collection point to another collection point. During refuse pick-up, the cover moves from a bin covering position into a cab shielding position. The cover may be pivoted between its bin covering position and its cab shielding position. The cover may rotate through about 210°. Alternatively, the cover can slide between its bin covering positions and its cab shield positions. The cover may be manufactured from resin reinforced material or a composite reinforced material. The cover may include a plurality of panels. 
         [0007]    According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a cover for a front loading refuse collection vehicle with an opening on a roof of a storage bin comprises a member adapted for movably coupling with the storage bin roof. The member covers the opening in the roof. A mechanism moves the member between a first position, covering the opening, and a second position, providing a cab shield. The cover may be pivoted between its first and second positions. The cover can rotate through about 210°. Alternatively, the cover can slide between its first and second positions. The cover is manufactured from a resin reinforced material or a composite reinforced material. The cover may include a plurality of panels. 
         [0008]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a refuse collection vehicle with a cover positioned over an opening in the top of the storage bin. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the refuse collection vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the cover in a cab shield position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cover positioned over the opening in the top of the storage bin. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the cover of  FIG. 3  in a cab shield position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0015]    Turning to the figures, a front loading refuse collection vehicle is illustrated and designated with the reference numeral  10 . The vehicle  10  includes a cab  12  and storage bin  14  secured to the vehicle chassis or frame. A front loading device  16  is coupled with the storage bin  14  via a hydraulic cylinder linkage. The front loading device  16  moves from a resting position in front of the cab  12 , where containers are collected by the front loading device  16 , to a retracted position, where the containers are dumped into the storage bin  14 . The storage bin  14  includes an opening  18  on its top to enable the containers to be dumped into the storage bin  14 . A cover  20  is coupled with the storage bin  14  and positioned over the opening  18 . 
         [0016]    The cover  20  is pivotally secured to the storage bin  14 . The cover  20  pivots from a position overlaying and sealing the opening  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to a cab shield position shielding the cab from falling debris as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The cover  20  generally rotates through about 210° of rotation from one position to the other. The cover  20  may be rotated by an actuator  21 , such as a rotary actuator, a link actuator or rotated by a gearing arrangement. The actuators may be hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically activated or driven. Thus, other types of actuators may be utilized to rotate the cover  20  from position to position. 
         [0017]    The cover  20  has an overall rectangular shape. Generally, it includes a downturned nose  22  and a plate section  24 . A pair of plates  26  and  28  is included to add rigidity to the cover  20 . The cover  20  may be manufactured from any material that provides the requisite strength and durability required for the cover. Thus, the cover  20  may be made from a metallic material, a cast material, a composite material including reinforcing fibers, such as glass, a resin material including fibers, such as glass, that provides the desired strength and rigidity. By providing a cover that is manufactured from a resin fiber material, the cover is lighter than those that would be constructed from a metallic material. 
         [0018]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an additional embodiment is illustrated. Here the elements that are the same as those previously discussed are designated with the same reference numerals. The differences are in the cover  120 . 
         [0019]    The vehicle  10  includes a cab  12  and a storage bin  14 . The front loader mechanism  16  is illustrated coupled to the storage bin  14  via hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. The storage bin  14  includes an opening  18  that is sealed by a cover  120 . 
         [0020]    The cover  120  has an overall rectangular configuration. The cover  120  is formed from a plurality of panels  122 . The panels  122  are connected via a framework  124 . The framework  124  provides rigidity to the cover  120 . The cover  120  includes hinges  126  that enable the panels  122  to pivot with respect to one another. Thus, as the cover  120  is moved forward (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) towards the cab, the panel  122  pivots downward to act as a cab shield as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0021]    A rail  130  is secured to the bin  14 . A roller  128  system, like those used in a garage door mechanism, is secured to the framework  124  of the cover  120 . Thus, the framework  124  includes rollers  128  secured on its sides which, in turn, are positioned in rails  130  that secured to the storage bin  14 . The cover  120  may be moved by a chain mechanism, gear mechanism, rack and pinion mechanism or the like positioned onto the framework  124  and rails  130 . Thus, the driver may control the movement of the cover  124  moving it to the front to shield the cab, moving it to the back to uncover the opening  18  and moving it to a neutral position to cover the opening as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0022]    The cover  120  may have a plurality of cab shielding positions. In a first position, the cab shield extends parallel and continuous with the rails  130 . As the cover is moved further forward, the hinge  126  activates enabling the cover  120  to pivot so that a portion of the cover  120  is angled with respect to the rails  130  as see in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, the cover may be larger than the opening so that it can be retracted further along the storage bin  14  covering more area than just the opening itself. 
         [0023]    A controller would be positioned in the cab to enable the driver to manipulate the cover from a cover position to a shield position. This may be accomplished by various types of controls moving the cover from position to position. 
         [0024]    The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.