Abstract:
A collection mechanism for a side loading refuse collection vehicle that can move both horizontally and vertically to service multiple compartments designed for specific types of refuse or recyclables. A grabber assembly can move horizontally on a rail in either a lowered position or in a raised dumping position. The grabber assembly can move vertically on a mast. Preferably a sprocket wheel and a track are utilized to move the grabber assembly vertically from a street position to a dumping position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to provisional patent application 62/321,960 which was filed on Apr. 13, 2016, and is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to a zero radius automated arm for use with a refuse collection vehicle, namely a side loading commodity collection vehicle. Commodity (refuse or recycling) collection trucks come in three main types: front end loading, rear end loading, and side loading. In the case of side loading commodity collection bodies, certain collection bodies are separated into multiple compartments or hoppers into which different kinds of commodity may be loaded. 
         [0003]    Collection of refuse commodities including organic and recyclable wastes requires efficient collection from commercial, industrial and manufacturing locations. In these environments numerous bins and containers are often used to accommodate large amounts of waste and recyclable material, and difficulties arise in efficiently emptying all the individual bins and containers into the commodity collection truck. Difficulties also arise in maneuvering bins and containers from certain locations due to space limitations. 
         [0004]    The increased efforts to recycle and reuse components of the varied waste streams has created new challenges especially when dealing with dense urban environments, which include narrow streets and alleys, low overhanging utility lines, and tight access to loading docks. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a commodity collection vehicle is needed that has multiple compartments for different types of refuse and recyclables while having a compact lifting mechanism. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A collection mechanism allows horizontal movement in two planes of a grabbing mechanism which can then dump into a selected compartment of a collection vehicle after being vertically lifted and dumped. The grabbing mechanism can be moved between a forward and rearward positon so refuse bins or carts can be loaded into multiple independent compartments in a multi-compartment truck body, preferably a body having three compartments. The refuse bins can be loaded or dumped utilizing a vertical mast. 
         [0007]    A zero radius grabbing mechanism dual motor, sprocket and rail system allows the vertical movement of the grabbing mechanism and the refuse bin up-and-down the mast. This has the benefits of easy maintenance, repair and replacement of wear components of the collection mechanism. 
         [0008]    A three compartment body design can be utilized and is the first three compartment automated truck available to the refuse and recycling market. Particularly this three compartment unit could be used in the collection of food-scraps/organics along with one or two other commodities with no cross contamination between the collected commodities. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refuse collection vehicle with a collection mechanism; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 1 , except the refuse bin is in a raised position and being dumped into a first compartment of the refuse collection vehicle; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 2 , except the refuse bin is being dumped into a different compartment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view from the front of a grabbing assembly on a rail linked to a mast; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from the rear of the grabbing assembly on the rail linked to the mast; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from the front of the grabbing assembly on the rail; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from the back of the grabbing assembly on the rail. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a side loading refuse collection vehicle  20  having a collection mechanism  22  is shown. The refuse collection vehicle  20  has a cab  21  and the vehicle  20  is supported on wheels  27 . The vehicle  20  includes a commodity collection body  30  with multiple compartments  49  that is carried on a chassis  37  of the vehicle  20 . On a side of the vehicle  20 , the collection mechanism  22  can be manipulated to engage a refuse bin  23  at street level. 
         [0017]    The collection mechanism  22  comprises a grabber assembly  25 , a rail  40 , a linkage system  42 , a mast  31 , and a telescoping mechanism  35 . The grabber assembly  25  has gripper arms  46  which are capable of grasping and securing the refuse bin  23 . In operation, the grabber assembly  25  is extended away from the chassis  37  of the refuse collection vehicle  20  by utilizing the telescoping mechanism  35  and can be lowered as necessary by moving the grabber assembly up and down the mast  31  so that the grabber assembly  25  can grasp the refuse bin  23  around the upright sidewalls of the refuse bin  23 . The grabber assembly  25  is then drawn back toward the chassis  37  of the refuse collection vehicle  20 , again by utilizing the telescoping mechanism  35  in the opposite direction. 
         [0018]    As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the telescoping mechanism  35  is shown in a non-extended position in  FIG. 4  and an extended position in  FIG. 4 . The telescoping mechanism  35  comprises a fixed portion  39  with a belt  41  and a telescoping portion  43 . If the refuse bin  23  is too far from the chassis  37  of the vehicle  20  such that the grabber assembly cannot reach the refuse bin  23 , the belt  41  is activated by a motor and the telescoping portion  43  is extended outward away from the chassis  37 . As the telescoping portion  43  is attached to the mast  31 , the entire mast  31  along with the grabbing assembly  25  are extended outward as well. The process can be reversed once the refuse bin  23  has been secured. 
         [0019]    As best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the grabber assembly  25  is selectively slidable on the rail  40  from a first position further away from the mast  31  to a second position nearest the mast  31 . Additionally, the grabber assembly  25  can achieve a range of positions between the first position and the second position. The movement of the grabber assembly  25  between the first position and the second position is preferably accomplished by use of hydraulic cylinders  50  and  52  that contain rods  51  and  53  respectively. Hydraulic cylinder  50  is mounted to a first end  54  of the rail  40  while hydraulic cylinder  52  is mounted to the grabbing assembly  25 . 
         [0020]    The linkage system  42  includes a carriage  60  having a frame  61  comprising horizontal members  62  and vertical members  64 . The frame  61  is mounted to the rail  40 . Additionally, the carriage  60  includes cam follower rollers  66  attached to the frame  61 . The linkage system includes a sprocket wheel  33  and a motor  68  that can rotate the sprocket wheel  33  both clockwise and counterclockwise. 
         [0021]    The mast  31  comprises a first frame member  70  and a second frame member  72  that span vertically from the rail  40  to a top  80  of the vehicle  20 . Each frame member  70  and  72  include a channel  76  in which the cam follower rollers  66  are held. The frame members  70  and  72  are mounted to the telescoping portion  43  of the telescoping mechanism  35 . At least one of the frame members  70  and  72  has a track  57 . 
         [0022]    Now referring additionally to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  the refuse bin  23  is shown in different positions.  FIG. 1  shows the refuse bin  23  in an initial position at ground level in which the bin  23  is secured by the grabber assembly  25 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the motor  68  can be activated which rotates the sprocket wheel  33  in a first direction which causes the sprocket wheel  33  to climb the track  57  incrementally. As the sprocket wheel  33  is indirectly attached to the rail  40 , and the rail  40  attaches to the grabber assembly  25  and the carriage  60 , the rail  40 , the grabber assembly  25  and the carriage  60  all move upward in a vertical movement. These components move upward and are guided by the channels  76  in the “candy cane” shaped first frame member and the second frame member  72 . The cam follower rollers  66  follow the channels  76  until they reach an end  81 . As the components go over the “U-shaped” portion  83 , the refuse bin  23  is inverted and the contents are dumped into a first compartment  90  of the vehicle  20 . Stops  82  halt the movement of the carriage  60 , while wear pads  91  increase the longevity of the carriage  60  and reduce forces on other components of the system. 
         [0023]    As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the refuse bin  23  is being dumped in a second compartment  92  of the vehicle  20 . Although the vertical movement up the mast  31  occurs in the same manner, the grabber assembly  25  is in the second position due to the actuation of the rods  51  and  53  associated with the hydraulic cylinders  50  and  52  as described previously above. The reverse procedure takes place to put the refuse bin  23  back at the curb. 
         [0024]    The overall collection mechanism  22  allows horizontal movement in two planes that are substantially perpendicular to one another, while also allowing vertical movement. The compact design and zero radius aspect allow the collection mechanism to work in tight spaces. The telescoping mechanism  35  is housed under the compartments of the vehicle  20  and can maintain the mast  31  in a position close to the vehicle when the telescoping portion is in the non-extended position. 
         [0025]    Having thus described the invention in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various revisions can be made to the preferred embodiments described herein with out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications that are evident to those skilled in the art will be included with in the scope of the following claims.