Abstract:
A refuse collection assembly for a refuse collection vehicle mounts to a intermediate container on the refuse collection vehicle. The refuse receptacle collection assembly can grasp a refuse receptacle at curbside, at street side, or forward of the intermediate container in any location over a one hundred eighty degree arc. The collection assembly grasps the receptacle and locates it above the intermediate container and tilts it sufficiently to empty the contents of the receptacle in the intermediate container. The collection assembly then returns the receptacle upright to its previous location or to any location to the right, left or forward of the refuse collection assembly. The refuse receptacle collection assembly includes a rail extending along a wall of the intermediate container, a carriage selectively movable along the rail, and a receptacle engaging assembly supported by the carriage for grasping the refuse receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of, and claims priority, from copending non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/818,445 titled VERSATILE COLLECTION APPARATUS FOR FRONT LOADING REFUSE VEHICLE which was filed Jun. 18, 2010, which claimed priority under 35 USC §119 from then copending provisional patent application entitled VERSATILE COLLECTION APPARATUS FOR FRONT LOADING REFUSE VEHICLE, Ser. No. 61/218,488, filed Jun. 19, 2009. The disclosures of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/218,488 and of non-provisional application Ser. No. 12/818,445 are hereby incorporated in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to refuse collection vehicles for hauling waste and recyclable commodities. In particular, the present invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle having a storage body, an intermediate container for being unloaded into the storage body and an automated refuse receptacle collection assembly for engaging a refuse receptacle and unloading contents of the refuse receptacle into the intermediate container. 
         [0003]    Residential refuse is typically contained in relatively small receptacles or containers such as cans or carts which are positioned along the street for pick-up by a refuse collection vehicle. Refuse collection vehicles generally include a storage body and a compactor for compacting refuse in the storage body. The refuse is either unloaded directly into the storage body or is unloaded into an intermediate container or “carry can” which, when full, is unloaded into the storage body. 
         [0004]    Intermediate containers of refuse collection vehicles are typically loaded with refuse from the receptacles either manually or mechanically. Manual loading requires that an operator physically move, lift and tip the refuse receptacle over the intermediate container to unload refuse into the intermediate container. As a result, manual loading of an intermediate container is physically demanding and time consuming. Furthermore, manual loading of the intermediate container requires an operator to continuously board and depart the cab of the refuse collection vehicle at each individual collection site. Consequently, manual loading of the intermediate container is time consuming and inefficient. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, the intermediate container may be mechanically loaded with refuse. Mechanical loading of the intermediate container is generally achieved using either a tipper or an automated collection assembly. With tippers, an operator must move the receptacle, typically a cart, into an aligned and engaged position with respect to the tipper. The tipper engages the receptacle and dumps the receptacle into the intermediate container for the operator. Although the tipper eliminates the need for the operator to lift and dump the receptacle into the intermediate container, the operator still must depart the refuse collection vehicle to move the refuse receptacle to connect it to the tipper. 
         [0006]    In contrast to tippers which only lift and tilt the receptacle into the intermediate container, conventional automated collection assemblies additionally extend away from the intermediate container to engage refuse receptacles spaced from the intermediate container. For example, Zopf U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,245 discloses a side arm assembly including an extendable arm that linearly extends from a curbside of the intermediate container. Updike, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,586 discloses a grab assembly that linearly extends forward of the intermediate container in front of the refuse collection vehicle. Because conventional collection assemblies can only extend in a single horizontal direction with respect to the intermediate container, conventional collection assemblies have an extremely limited range of motion. As a result, conventional automated collection assemblies require that the refuse collection vehicle itself be precisely positioned with respect to the refuse receptacle to align the collection assembly with the refuse receptacle for engagement. If the vehicle is not properly positioned with respect to the refuse receptacle, the vehicle must be repositioned or the operator must climb out of the vehicle to physically reposition the refuse receptacle in alignment with the collection assembly. In addition, conventional collection assemblies are incapable of collecting receptacles positioned on multiple sides of the intermediate container and are specifically configured for use only with a correspondingly configured refuse receptacle. Consequently, conventional automated collection assemblies are inflexible as to both the positioning and the particular type of receptacle being used. 
         [0007]    An improvement to the loading of the intermediate container of a collection vehicle is disclosed in Szinte, U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,428 which shows a collection arm which rotates about an arc forward of the intermediate container and also includes a sideways telescoping structure to allow greater range of reach of the collection arm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is a refuse collection vehicle for collecting refuse contained in refuse receptacles. The refuse collection vehicle includes a storage body, an intermediate container, an intermediate container dumping assembly supported proximate the storage body for lifting and emptying contents of the intermediate container into the storage body and an automated refuse receptacle collection assembly supported adjacent the intermediate container. In one embodiment, the automated refuse receptacle collection assembly includes a carriage which moves along a rail mounted to the intermediate container. A rotatable arm is carried on the carriage and may move over a range of one hundred eighty degrees. The arm includes a gripper mechanism which may capture a waste receptacle along a roadway or alley. The carriage is movable from one side of the intermediate receptacle to the other and is driven by a rotary motor with a pinion gear riding along a toothed rack. Another rotary motor moves the arm about the arc of movement. 
         [0009]    The arm is articulated such that it can raise and dump the contents of a grasped receptacle into the intermediate container, and then return the emptied receptacle to the location from which it was removed, oriented in an upright position. 
         [0010]    In a second embodiment, the receptacle collection assembly also includes a telescoping assembly which mounts to the intermediate container which is carried on lift arms of the refuse collection vehicle. The telescoping assembly allows the rail on which the arm carriage is slideable to be offset from the intermediate container in either direction. An elongate channel is mounted to the intermediate container and a slideable channel is slideable along the mounted channel by use of hydraulic cylinders. The slideable channel carries the rail on which the carriage may move. The carriage can move from end to end of the rail by operation of a pinion gear coupled to a toothed rack carried on the slideable channel. The articulated arm is moveable about a 180 degree arc forward of the rail by use of an upright hydraulic rotary actuator. A gripping mechanism is carried on the end of the articulated arm to grasp a refuse receptacle located in front of or on either side of the collection vehicle so that the refuse receptacle can be raised and tilted over the intermediate container in order to empty the contents of the refuse receptacle into the intermediate container. The telescoping assembly, the carriage and the articulated arm are all operated from the cab of the collection vehicle. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage body of the refuse collection vehicle includes a plurality of segregated refuse compartments. The intermediate container includes a plurality of bins corresponding to the plurality of refuse compartments. The automated refuse receptacle collection assembly is supported adjacent the plurality of bins of the intermediate container. The automated refuse receptacle collection assembly is configured for engaging a refuse receptacle and is selectively movable so as to dump contents of the refuse receptacle into a selected one of the plurality of bins. 
         [0012]    It is an object of the invention to provide a versatile collection apparatus for a front loading refuse vehicle which allows an operator in the cab of the vehicle to move an articulated grasping arm to grip a refuse receptacle located forward of or on the curbside or the streetside of the vehicle, including from cul-de-sac locations. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a collection assembly which may reach out from the refuse collection vehicle to grasp a refuse receptacle near the vehicle and empty the refuse receptacle into an intermediate container carried on the collection vehicle without an operator needing to depart the cab of the vehicle. 
         [0014]    These and other objects of the invention will be understood from examination of the detailed description which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a left front perspective of a refuse collection vehicle equipped with the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top diagrammatic view of the refuse container collection assembly showing three possible position of the collection assembly among a multiplicity of such positions curbside, street side, or forward of the intermediate container of the refuse container collection assembly. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front left perspective view of the collection apparatus mounted on the collector bin. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a front right perspective view of the collection arm and carriage of the collection apparatus equipped with an alternate embodiment of the refuse receptacle engagement assembly of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an isolated perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the refuse receptacle engagement assembly of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is perspective of the refuse receptacle engagement assembly of the invention in fully open, stowed configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is perspective of the refuse receptacle engagement assembly of the invention in fully closed, grasping configuration. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the refuse receptacle engagement assembly isolated from the arm and trip plate, with the gripper arms shown in fully open position for storage alongside the sidewall of the collector bin. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective of an alternative embodiment of the carriage and arm assembly of the invention isolated from the intermediate container, the alternative embodiment featuring a telescoping element to extend the reach of the refuse receptacle engaging gripper arms. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective of the preferred embodiment of the refuse receptacle collection assembly grasping a consumer refuse receptacle and tilting it over the open top of the intermediate container from a front position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a front right perspective view of the intermediate container of the preferred embodiment with the refuse receptacle collection assembly elevating a refuse receptacle and dumping its contents into the intermediate container. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective of a refuse receptacle engagement assembly having three gripper arms slightly offset to allow interleaving thereof. 
           [0027]      FIG. 12B  is a perspective of the refuse receptacle engagement assembly of  FIG. 12A  with the gripper arms fully interleaved. 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a right front perspective of a preferred embodiment of the invention mounted to a pair of side-by-side intermediate containers, the invention holding a refuse receptacle to be emptied into one of the intermediate containers. 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is a front right perspective of the embodiment of  FIG. 13  with a refuse receptacle positioned over a first of the two intermediate containers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of refuse collection vehicle  20  having a curbside  21 , a street side  22  and a front side  19 . Refuse collection vehicle  20  generally includes chassis  23 , storage body  24 , intermediate container  26 , dumping assembly  28  and automated refuse receptacle collection assembly  30 . Chassis  23  may have a variety of configurations depending upon the configurations of storage body  24 . Chassis  23  supports and transports storage body  24 , intermediate container  26  and dumping assembly  28  between material collection and disposal sites. Chassis  23  further includes cab  32 , and wheels  38 . Cab  32  is positioned forward of storage body  24  and rearward of intermediate container  26  and refuse receptacle collection assembly  30 . Storage body  24  is mounted to and supported by frame  34  and includes storage portion  46 , tailgate assembly  48  and intake compartment  50 . Storage portion  46  extends between intake compartment  50  and tailgate assembly  48 . 
         [0031]    Upon release and opening of tailgate assembly  48 , refuse stored and contained within storage body  24  may be unloaded therefrom. 
         [0032]    Intake compartment  50  of storage body  24  is preferably positioned forward of storage portion  46  and includes at least one compactor assembly (not shown) for moving refuse from intake compartment  50  into storage body  46  while compacting it. 
         [0033]    Dumping assembly  28  lifts and empties contents of intermediate container  26  into storage body  24  and generally includes a pair of lifting arms  60   a ,  60   b  which are operated by well known driving devices such as hydraulic cylinders which are controlled by control devices within cab  32  as is conventionally known in the art. Arms  60   a ,  60   b , when in lowered position as seen in  FIG. 1 , extend in front of cab  32  to engage and support intermediate container  26  forward of cab  32 . Lift arms  60   a ,  60   b  and intermediate container  26  may be lifted upward and rearward of cab  32  to empty the contents of intermediate container  26  into intake compartment  50  of storage body  24 . 
         [0034]    Intermediate container  26  is preferably supported on arms  60   a ,  60   b  of dumping assembly  28 . To unload refuse from intermediate container  26  into storage body  24 , dumping assembly  28  lifts intermediate container  26  above and rearward of cab  32  so as to invert intermediate container  26  above intake compartment  50 . 
         [0035]    Intermediate container  26  includes frame  68  which supports intermediate container  26  upon arms  60   a ,  60   b . Refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  is supported adjacent intermediate container  26  and is configured for engaging a refuse container located either curbside or street side or at any selected position forward of collection vehicle  20 . Carriage  109  of refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  is selectively movable relative to front wall  82  of intermediate container  26  to permit refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  to reach in any direction, forward of, or at either side of intermediate container  26 . Refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  enables an operator within cab  32  to operate the refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  to engage a refuse container, lift the refuse container off the ground, move the refuse container as necessary to sufficiently position the refuse container over intermediate container  26 , and to further tilt the engaged refuse container so as to unload the contents of the engaged refuse container into intermediate container  26 . As a result, receptacle collection assembly  30  enables the operator to more easily and more efficiently collect refuse contained in refuse receptacles stationed along a roadway or alley, including in cul-de-sac locations. 
         [0036]    Reference to  FIGS. 2 and 4  discloses that the automated refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  comprises a refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  carried on articulable arm assembly  121  which is supported on carriage  109  by boom support  127  which is supported by rotary actuator  119 . Rotary actuator  119  is supported on carriage  109  which is slideably supported on rail  103 . Rail  103  is mounted to front wall  82  of intermediate container  26 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  illustrates the versatility of refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  by disclosing three of a multiplicity of positions that arm assembly  121  of refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  may occupy relative to intermediate container  26 . As shown by solid lines in  FIG. 2 , arm assembly  121  of refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  may be selectively located with refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  directed curbside  21 . Gripper arms  141 ,  145  are shown in engagement position as if a consumer refuse receptacle were located between them. Alternatively, arm assembly  121   a , as shown by dashed lines, may be disposed directly forward of intermediate container  26  with carriage  109   a  generally centered along front sidewall  82  of intermediate container  26 . Refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137   a  is directed in a first of a multiplicity of positions at front side  19  of intermediate container  26 . Referring also to  FIG. 3 , it is to be understood that because arm assembly  121  is supported by boom support  127  which is fixed to rotary actuator  119 , arm assembly  121  may be located at any position forward of intermediate container  26  over a 180 degree arc, bounded by front wall  82  of intermediate container  26 . 
         [0038]    In the top view of  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that intermediate container  26  is joined to lift arms  60   a ,  60   b  by trunnion  75  which is fixed non rotatively to lift arms  60   a ,  60   b . Frame  68  of intermediate container  26  is immovably fixed to trunnion  75  so that rotation of trunnion  75  will cause intermediate container  26  to rotate with trunnion  75 . 
         [0039]    Referring now particularly to  FIG. 3 , the refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  may be seen attached to front sidewall  82  of intermediate container  26  which is supported on collection assembly frame  68 . In this figure, refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  is shown with refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  of refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  stowed alongside curbside sidewall  80  of intermediate container  26 , with gripper arms  141 ,  145  fully retracted. In this stowed position, carriage  109  is generally centered along rail  103 . It may be seen that a flex chain  79  is provided to moveably enclose hydraulic hoses  81  and electric cables for protection thereof. Carriage drive apparatus, namely a rotary motor  111 , is supported by carriage  109  such that selective rotation of rotary motor  111  will move carriage along rail  103 . Toothed gear rack  105  is seen to be disposed between rail  103  and front wall  82  with both rail  103  and gear rack  105  joined at opposing ends by end brackets  83 ,  84 , which are secured to intermediate container frame  68 . Rail  103  and rack  105  are each substantially parallel to front wall  82  of intermediate container  26 . 
         [0040]    Further detail of the novel refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  is illustrated by reference to  FIG. 4  along with  FIG. 3 . Intermediate container  26  is provided with refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  mounted on the front sidewall  82  of intermediate container  26 . Refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  includes a substantially horizontal rail  103  mounted to front sidewall  82  of intermediate container  26 . Atop rail  103 , along substantially the entire length thereof, is rack  105  comprising a series of teeth  107 . It is to be noted that carriage  109  is substantially narrower than the width of rail  103 , preferably less than one fourth the width of rail  103 . 
         [0041]    Rail  103  is fixed to intermediate container  26  and extends along a front side wall  82  of intermediate container  26 . Rail  103  extends from street side  22  to curbside  21  of intermediate container  26 . Rail  103  may project toward curbside  21  past curbside sidewall  80  of intermediate container  26  as seen in  FIG. 3  so that carriage  109  may selectively move further toward curbside  21 . Rail  103  is preferably located at a lower position on intermediate container  26  so that the top  35  of intermediate container  26  may be extended into intake compartment  50  when intermediate container  26  is inverted by container dumping assembly  28  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Rail  103  slidably supports carriage  109  adjacent intermediate container  26  and guides movement of carriage  109  between curbside  21  and street side  22 . 
         [0042]    It is to be understood that attachment of the refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  to front sidewall  82  of intermediate container  26  is only one of the possibilities for mounting of collector assembly  30  on intermediate container  26 . Optionally, refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  may be mounted to the rear sidewall  86  of intermediate container  26  provided that frame  68  is expanded to provide sufficient clearance between trunnion  75  and rear sidewall  86 . 
         [0043]    Because of the narrow width of carriage  109 , it is alternatively possible to adapt collection assembly  30  for mounting to curbside sidewall  80  or streetside sidewall  85 . 
         [0044]    Referring again to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , mounted upon carriage  109  is hydraulic rotary motor  111  which is oriented on an axis which is substantially perpendicular to rail  103  of refuse receptacle collection assembly  30 . Hydraulic rotary motor  111  is oriented substantially horizontally when intermediate container  26  is positioned to receive refuse from a refuse receptacle. 
         [0045]    Rotary motor  111  drives pinion gear  115  which mates with rack teeth  107  of rack  105 . By operating rotary motor  111  selectively in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, carriage  109  may be caused to move along rail  103  to any selected position along the rail  103 . 
         [0046]    Carriage  109  includes actuator support  117  mounted thereto and actuator support  117  supports rotary actuator  119  which is preferably hydraulically driven and which effects angular rotation of arm assembly  121  about a range of approximately 180 degrees from a position directed curbside  21  to an opposing position directed street side  22 . The rotation of rotary actuator  119  is continuous and rotary actuator  119  may be stopped by an operator stationed in the cab  32  at any location within the 180 degree arc. 
         [0047]    Rotatably supported on rotary actuator  119  is arm assembly  121  which includes refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 . Arm assembly  121  comprises a boom support  127  which selectively rotates about the substantially vertical axis  120  of actuator  119  when driven by rotary actuator  119 . Boom support  127  supports elongate boom  123  which inclines divergingly from the axis  120  of rotary actuator  119 . 
         [0048]    Pivotally attached to boom  123  at its distal end  129  is elongate arm  131  which interconnects refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  to boom  123 . A tie rod  135  interconnects boom  123  to trip plate  132 . It can be seen that arm  131  is pivotable about first axle  133  which fixes arm  131  to distal end  129  of boom  123 . Referring particularly to  FIG. 4 , elevation cylinder  161  can be seen to link first pin  125  to second pin  124  on arm  131 . Elevation cylinder  161  is selectively extended or retracted to raise and lower arm assembly  121 . 
         [0049]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  comprises engagement assembly frame  149  and gripper arms  141 ,  143 , and  145 . Refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  may alternatively comprise only opposing gripper arms  141 ,  145  which would be disposed in opposing alignment with each other instead of being offset as when third gripper arm  143  is utilized. (See  FIGS. 6 ,  7 ). 
         [0050]    Tie rod  135  joins boom  123  to refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  at trip plate  132  thereof. Selective orientation of gripper arms  141 ,  143  and  145  about a generally horizontal position is effected by one or more linear drive mechanisms, preferably hydraulic cylinders which are not visible in  FIG. 4 . Tie rod  135  effects rotation of refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  as desired as it causes refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  to rotate about second axle  134 . 
         [0051]    Carriage  109  supports rotary motor  111  upon shelf bracket  138  which also provides a shelf guide  147  which supports cable track  79  seen in  FIG. 3 . Detector mount  151  is supported on carriage  109  and supports detector  153  at the free end thereof. Detector  153  detects approach of carriage  109  to the opposing ends  155 ,  156  of rail  103 . Detector  153  may be optical, magnetic, mechanical, or of other configuration. Rack  105  is mounted to front sidewall  82  of intermediate container  26  by box tube  157  such that rack  105  is spaced away from front sidewall  82 . End brackets  83 ,  84  support rail  103  forward of rack  105  and are supported on opposing sides of container frame  68 . 
         [0052]    Bumper element  159  is mounted to carriage  109  to absorb abutment impacts of boom support  127  upon carriage  109  when arm assembly  121  is moved by rotary actuator  119  to orientation at street side  22 . 
         [0053]    Refuse receptacle collector assembly  30  comprises actuator support  117  on which rotary actuator  119  is supported in a substantially vertical orientation so that arm assembly  121  will travel in a substantially horizontal plane. Boom support  127  is fixed to actuator frame  117  and it supports boom  123 . A first hydraulic cylinder  161  is interposed between first pin  125  of boom support  127  and second pin  124  of intermediate arm  131  such that intermediate arm  131  may be raised and lowered. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a first embodiment of refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  is illustrated, showing that it includes an engagement assembly frame  136  securely fixed to trip plate  132  by frame beam  163 . Engagement assembly frame  136  includes linkage cover  166  which overlies a drive cylinder  169  and linkage  170  (see  FIG. 8 ) which are coupled to cause gripper arm  145  to approach gripper arms  141 ,  143  as they approach gripper arm  145 . When not in use, gripper arms  141 ,  143 ,  145  can be caused to open to fully separated position when they are rotated divergingly around spindles  165 ,  167 . Gripper arms  141 ,  143  are offset from and interleave with opposing gripper arm  145  when gripper arms  141 ,  143 ,  145  are moved to the closed position. 
         [0055]    The fully separated position of gripper arms  141 ,  145  as shown in  FIG. 6  is utilized when refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  is stowed alongside intermediate container  26  while the fully closed position of gripper arms  141 ,  145  is shown in  FIG. 7 . When only two gripper arms  141 ,  145  are used, they oppose each other. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  discloses the refuse receptacle engagement assembly with the gripper arms  141 ,  145  fully retracted or open. This figure shows the linkage cover  166  removed such that gripper drive cylinder  169  may be seen extending between frame  163  and first link plate  171  which is coupled to first gripper arm  145  which rotates about first spindle  165 . A link arm  173  connects first link plate  171  with base  175  of second opposing gripper arm  141  which rotates about second spindle  167 . When space to stow gripper arms  141 ,  145  in the fully retracted position is available alongside intermediate container  26 , it is preferable for the vehicle operator to have the gripper arms  141 ,  145  ready to enclose about a consumer refuse receptacle  81  without having to first separate the arms from a fully closed position. 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  depicts an alternative embodiment refuse receptacle collection assembly  230 . Elements of the alternative embodiment which are identical in the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1-8  are numbered identically for both embodiments. Refuse receptacle collection assembly  230  includes rail  103  mounted along the front wall  82  of the intermediate container  26  by telescoping assembly  201 . Telescoping assembly  201  includes an elongate mounting channel  203  which is mounted to the front wall  82  of intermediate container  26  by welding or by mounting bolts. Elongate sliding member  205  is telescopingly slidable within mounting channel  203 . Elongate sliding member  205  is slidable over a limited range in either a curbside  21  or street side  22  direction to extend the reach of refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 . Movement of second elongate channel  205  with respect to mounting channel  203  is selectively accomplished by use of a hydraulic cylinders mounted within telescoping assembly  201 . Hydraulic cylinder  207  will cause sliding member  205  to extend toward curbside  21 . By selective operation of the hydraulic cylinders in telescoping assembly  121 , sliding channel member  205  will move either toward curbside  21  or toward street side  22 , thereby increasing the reach of refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 . For illustration of an example of such a telescoping assembly, reference is made to FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,428. 
         [0058]    Rail  103  is secured to sliding channel member  205  such that rail  103  extends either toward curbside  21  or street side  22  as it moves with second elongate channel member  205 . 
         [0059]    Arm assembly  121  is supported moveably along rail  103  and its position along rail  103  is controlled by interaction of pinion gear  115  upon linear toothed rack  105 . Refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  is therefore provided an enlarged range of motion by movement of sliding elongate channel member  205  along mounting channel  203 . 
         [0060]    Preferably all movements are controlled by hydraulic drive fluid supplied by the vehicle  20  on which alternative refuse receptacle collection assembly  230  is supported. Operation of the drive components of automated refuse receptacle collection assembly  230  is accomplished by controls within the cab  32 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 10  discloses the preferred embodiment of the intermediate container  26  shown with the refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  of refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  grasping a consumer refuse receptacle  5  and tilting it over the open top  76  of the intermediate container  26  while the elongate arm  131  of arm assembly  121  is oriented substantially parallel to the streetside sidewall  85  at front side  19  of the intermediate container  26 . The carriage  109  is located partway along rail  103 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 11  illustrates the refuse collection assembly including intermediate container  26  with refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  with carriage  109  positioned along rail  103  adjacent curbside  21  of the intermediate container  26 . The arm assembly  121  has been positioned by rotary actuator  119  toward curbside  21  and arm  131  has been raised to cause refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  to elevate refuse receptacle  5  from its rest position while tie rod  135  causes refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  to tilt refuse receptacle  5  such that its contents will fall into intermediate container  26 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 12A  shows the alternative refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  provided with three gripper arms  141 ,  143 ,  145 , with gripper arms  141 ,  143  opposing in offset fashion gripper arm  145  so that gripper arm  145  interleaves with gripper arms  141 ,  143  when not in use. This embodiment of refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  may be used when space constraints prevent storage of gripper arms  141 ,  143 ,  145  in fully separated position such as is illustrated in  FIG. 6  where only opposing gripper arms  141  and  145  are shown in the preferred embodiment of refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 .  FIG. 12B  illustrates the interleaving of gripper arms  141 ,  143  with gripper arm  145  when gripper arms  141 ,  143 ,  145  have been rotated about spindles  165 ,  167  respectively, to a fully closed position. Use of a pair of opposing gripper arms  141 ,  145  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  is usually preferred because the operator of the device need not first spread the arms before grasping a refuse receptacle with them. 
         [0064]    A second alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Reference is made to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,428 issued Nov. 10, 1998 to Szinte for description of the multiple bin intermediate container disclosed in  FIGS. 13-14 . The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,428 is incorporated herein. 
         [0065]      FIG. 13  discloses second alternative embodiment intermediate container  126  carried on the lift arms  60   a ,  60   b  (see  FIG. 1 ) of a front loading refuse collection vehicle  20 , the intermediate container  126  supporting a loading and dumping apparatus  30  for grasping a refuse receptacle and lifting and tilting the refuse receptacle to partially invert the refuse receptacle over the open top of one of multiple compartments of the intermediate container. The loading and dumping apparatus  30  is identical to automated refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  of  FIGS. 1-10  and the parts thereof are referenced with identical numbers.  FIG. 13  depicts the invention having grasped a refuse receptacle  5  by refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  and lifted it from its rest position in preparation for further elevation by movement of arm  131  upward and its tilting and the dumping of its contents into first bin  66   a . Carriage  109  carried on rail  103  may be selectively moved toward street side  22  and arm assembly  121  relocated by rotary actuator  119  when it is desired to empty the contents of refuse receptacle  5  into second bin  66   a  over front wall  82  as seen in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0066]    In operation, refuse collection vehicle  20  enables an operator to quickly and efficiently collect refuse contained in receptacles without extensive manual or physical labor. In particular, by selective control of refuse receptacle collection assembly  30 , an operator may collect a refuse receptacle from a multitude of locations with respect to the refuse collection vehicle. For example, by selective movement of carriage  109 , the operator may collect refuse receptacles located forward of or at curbside or at street side of intermediate container  26 . By selective movement of rotary actuator  119 , the operator may direct the refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  in various directions to collect refuse receptacles located anywhere within the 180 degree range of arm assembly  121 . By selectively moving both carriage  109  and arm assembly  121 , the operator can collect refuse receptacles at any location within the reach of the arm assembly  121  over the range of 180 degrees forward of front wall  82  of container  26  from curbside  21  to street side  22 . Furthermore, by selective movement of arm  131 , the operator may collect refuse receptacles supported and stored at different horizontal levels by raising and lowering the refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 . 
         [0067]    Once a refuse receptacle has been engaged by refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 , unloading the receptacle into intermediate container  26  is easily completed by selective actuation of carriage  109  and rotary actuator  119 . If intermediate container  26  is divided into a plurality of bins  66  as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , for segregating refuse types, the operator may selectively dump contents of the refuse receptacle  5  into a selected one of the plurality of bins  66  by selective movement of carriage  109  and rotary actuator  119 . As a result, engaging a refuse receptacle  5  and unloading the refuse receptacle  5  into a selected bin  66   a ,  66   b  may be easily performed without the necessity of the operator leaving the cab of the refuse collection vehicle  20 . 
         [0068]    Once the contents of the refuse receptacle have been unloaded into intermediate container  26 , the operator may selectively reposition the empty refuse receptacle at the previous position or at a new position by selective movement of carriage  109  and rotary actuator  119 . After the refuse receptacle has been lowered and released by selective actuation of arm assembly  121  and refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137 , arm assembly  121  and refuse receptacle engagement assembly  137  may be compactly stored adjacent intermediate container  26  to avoid obstruction of the operator&#39;s view while unloading intermediate container  26  into refuse collection vehicle and while driving refuse collection vehicle  20 . In particular, gripper arms  141  and  145  may be easily fully retracted for compact storage. 
         [0069]    As can be appreciated, refuse collection assembly  30  may be used with a variety of refuse collection vehicles. For example, refuse collection assembly  30  may alternatively be used with a refuse collection vehicle  20  having a single or multiple storage compartments. Refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  may alternatively be mounted to an intermediate container located adjacent a side of the refuse collection vehicle or at a rear of the refuse collection vehicle. 
         [0070]    Furthermore, as can be appreciated, refuse collection assembly  30  may have a variety of alternative configurations. For example, refuse receptacle collection assembly  30  may also be oppositely configured for extending around and parallel to street side  22  of intermediate container  26 . The arm actuator mechanism  121  may include any one of a variety of well-known equivalent mechanical and structural configurations to provide the same function with the same particular range of motion. 
         [0071]    The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible in light of the above disclosure or such may be acquired through practice of the invention. The embodiments illustrated were chosen in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.