Abstract:
A compact lifter is disclosed which allows for an improved operating envelope of the liftplate. The lifter utilizes a motor having 210 degrees of rotation and lifting arms of a unique geometry to rotate a liftplate from a retracted position below and in front of the lifter baseplate to a dumping position wherein the opening of a refuse cart is located substantially forward of an inner hopper or container edge. As a result, refuse is dumped further into the container or vehicle hopper, which minimizes the number of packing cycles required as multiple refuse carts are emptied. The liftplate is attached to the motor using dual lifting arms, and includes a fixed upper hook. A rotating, retractable lower hooking mechanism holds the refuse cart during dumping. The compact design improves ground clearance when the lifter is retracted, permits the dumping of large commercial containers over the lifter, and requires no modification of the hopper structure of a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle. The lifter may be mounted over a wide range of mounting heights and maintain engagement with refuse carts without altering the structural components of the lifter.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/915,849, entitled “Compact Refuse Cart Lifter With Rotating Latch” (Attorney Docket 18544US01), filed May 3, 2007, the complete subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    [Not Applicable] 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
       [0003]    [Not Applicable] 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to refuse container lifting devices, and in particular to refuse cart lifting devices. Refuse containers are often quite heavy, and therefore refuse collection vehicles are generally equipped with refuse container lifting devices to assist the vehicle operator when emptying the refuse containers. However, a refuse collection vehicle may encounter several different types of refuse containers on a given collection route, and the differences in these refuse containers often require the use of separate lifting devices. For example, large commercial refuse containers, or dumpsters, are typically emptied by tipping the container over the edge of the vehicle hopper using a variety of lifting devices, including tipper bars and cable and winch arrangements. 
         [0005]    Refuse carts are relatively light refuse receptacles constructed from various plastics and other synthetic materials. Features of refuse carts may include for example hinged covers, locking covers, wheels, and handles in various locations and configurations. Capacities generally range from, for example, 30 gallons to 95 gallons. Refuse carts typically encountered in residential areas are emptied using a refuse cart lifter capable of engaging the refuse cart, lifting it, and inverting the refuse cart to empty refuse into the vehicle hopper. 
         [0006]    Many prior refuse cart lifters presented a wide profile and thus protrude from the refuse collection vehicle so as to interfere with the emptying of commercial dumpsters when they are tipped over the edge of the vehicle hopper. Protruding cart lifters also created a hazard for the rear-loading refuse collection vehicle driver when backing up, and the side-loading refuse collection driver when navigating narrow roadways, such as alleys. Some lifter designs have addressed this problem by locating the lifter off to the side of or even completely beneath the refuse collection vehicle hopper. Others attempted to reduce the profile of the refuse cart lifter to address the lifter protrusion issue. 
         [0007]    Another problem in the refuse cart lifter industry is that cart lifters typically hang down from the refuse collection vehicle, and therefore reduce the vehicle&#39;s ground clearance, particularly on uneven ground. Due to the increased distance of a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle from the rear wheels to the most rearward hopper edge, this part of the hopper regularly makes contact with the ground on uneven terrain. Thus, some lifter designs include a retracted position where the lifter is angled underneath the refuse collection vehicle hopper, rather than hanging straight down. However, this type of design may cause interference with light bars and other structural components of the vehicle hopper. Moreover, these angled designs are not suitable for mounting to flat-walled receptacles, such as intermediate containers. Thus, a refuse cart lifter that retracts to a compact profile and keeps all components forward of the mounting surface would serve to improve the operational ground clearance when mounted on a vehicle, and eliminate costly mounting modifications on vehicles or refuse containers. 
         [0008]    Most refuse cart lifters used with rear-loading refuse collection vehicles where ground clearance is of great importance are designed with sliding lower hook mechanisms. These sliding mechanisms retract to decrease the side profile length of the refuse cart lifter in the retracted position. However, sliding mechanisms have an increased susceptibility to contaminants that increase wear and maintenance compared to rotating mechanisms. Thus, a refuse cart lifter designed with increased ground clearance with a rotating lower hook mechanism would decrease maintenance and cost. 
         [0009]    Yet another issue involves refuse compaction cycles. Prior cart lifters continuously dump refuse into the portion of the vehicle hopper closest to the refuse cart lifter because these lifters cannot empty the refuse cart a substantial distance into the hopper when dumping. The refuse therefore quickly accumulates near the refuse cart lifter, which requires the vehicle operator to stop collecting carts and compact the refuse to prevent interference with the next lifter dumping cycle. Thus, a lifter that empties refuse carts further into the refuse collection vehicle hopper would decrease the amount of time and energy spent compacting refuse between refuse cart dumping. 
         [0010]    A final issue involves maintenance of the lifter. Elevated hydraulic loads associated with some lifters correspond to increased wear and strain on cart lifter systems. Also, some lifter motor designs are readily susceptible to damage from contaminants present in the hydraulic system and eventually require complex repairs or rebuilding that can typically only be performed at the manufacturer&#39;s facility. Finally, many lifters use bearings that require regular greasing. 
         [0011]    Thus, a need exists in the refuse collection industry for a residential refuse cart lifter that possesses a slim profile, provides improved ground clearance, decreases the amount of time and energy spent compacting refuse between the emptying of successive refuse carts, provides needed lifting capacity at lower hydraulic pressures, requires little maintenance, and is easy to repair or rebuild at the end user&#39;s facility. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention relates to a refuse cart lifter that allows for an improved operating envelope of the liftplate. The improved operating envelope results from a wide range of rotation of the liftplate in combination with a unique lifting arm design. This yields a refuse cart lifter that is capable of being retracted when not in use for increased ground clearance, while dumping refuse further into the refuse collection vehicle hopper than prior lifters. This added dumping range increases the efficiency of refuse collection because a vehicle operator does not have to operate the vehicle&#39;s packing blade as frequently, resulting in savings in time and energy. 
         [0013]    The presently preferred version of the refuse cart lifter utilizes a motor to rotate a lifting arm and liftplate 210 degrees for the purpose of dumping refuse containers into a receptacle. It is preferable to use a dual rack and single pinion hydraulically actuated unit as the motor due to its thin profile and superior lifting capacity at lower hydraulic pressures. This motor design also is preferable due to its open gear design, which makes it less susceptible to damage from contaminants in the hydraulic fluid system, and for the ease with which the lifter can be repaired or rebuilt at the end users facility. This actuator is based on the same design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,812, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0014]    The liftplate is attached to the motor using two lifting arms capable of directing the liftplate substantially forward into the vehicle hopper when used with a motor having a wide range of rotation. The liftplate has one fixed saddle, and the lifter employs a unique rotating lower hook mechanism. This new design allows the lifter to be more compact in its home (retracted) position and improves ground clearance when mounted on the rear of a rear loaded refuse collection vehicle. 
         [0015]    Other design features include the use of composite materials in all bearing areas to make the unit more maintenance free by eliminating the need for regular greasing. Also, longer lifting and latch arms may be utilized to allow for mounting the lifter on the side of a side-loading refuse collection vehicle. 
         [0016]    The present liftplate does not extend underneath the refuse collection vehicle in the retracted position, and therefore does not require modification of the hopper structural components. The slim profile of the lifter motor and the retracted position of the liftplate function to preclude interference with the dumping of large commercial containers over the lifter. Optionally, thin bumpers may be mounted to the vehicle to protect the lifter as large commercial containers are dumped into the hopper. 
         [0017]    In addition to its compact profile and improved ground clearance, the present refuse cart lifter provides a sweeping motion of the liftplate that permits engagement of the saddle with the upper lifting point of a refuse cart over a wide range of mounting heights. While some previous lifters provided for up to a plus or minus one-inch range of mounting heights, the present refuse cart lifter may include a mounting height range of up to plus or minus four-inches. Significantly, the improved mounting height range is achieved without the use of alternate arm attachment points or the substitution of arms having a different length or geometry. 
         [0018]    To empty a residential refuse cart into the hopper of the refuse collection vehicle, the lifter commences an emptying cycle. During the emptying cycle, the lifter motor rotates the liftplate from a retracted position to an intermediate position such that a fixed saddle engages the refuse cart. As the lifter continues to rotate, the cart is lifted in a sweeping arc motion towards the hopper. Meanwhile, a rotating hook mechanism gradually engages a lower lifting point on the refuse cart to prevent the loss of the cart into the hopper as the cart is emptied. At the end of the emptying cycle the lifter is in the dumping position, and the opening of the refuse cart is positioned significantly forward into the hopper such that the cycling of the packer blade is reduced. 
         [0019]    An unloading cycle reverses the emptying cycle and the cart is brought back down to street level in a sweeping arc motion. As the cart descends, the rotating hook mechanism gradually disengages the lower lifting point on the refuse cart, followed by the disengagement of the saddle from the upper lifting point on the refuse cart after the refuse cart reaches the ground. The lifter can then be rotated further until the liftplate returns to the retracted position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a partially cut away perspective view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in an intermediate position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in an intermediate position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a front view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in an intermediate position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter pivot lock system in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter pivot lock system in accordance with the present invention shown in an intermediate position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter pivot lock system in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an exemplary refuse cart adjacent to a refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  is a side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown engaging the upper lifting point of an adjacent refuse cart; 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position engaging the upper and lower lifting points of a refuse cart; 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an exemplary refuse cart adjacent to a refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown engaging the upper lifting point of an adjacent refuse cart; 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position engaging the upper and lower lifting points of a refuse cart; 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a front view of the rear of a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle showing two lifters in accordance with the present invention mounted to the rear of the refuse collection vehicle; 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position and mounted on a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle; 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a dumping position and mounted on a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle; 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position and mounted on a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle. Also shown is a commercial container attached to the latch ears of the rear-loading refuse collection vehicle in the down position; 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  is a partially cut away side view of an exemplary refuse cart lifter in accordance with the present invention shown in a retracted position and mounted on a rear-loading refuse collection vehicle. Also shown is a commercial container attached to the latch ears of the rear-loading refuse collection vehicle being rotated to the dump position by a roll bar; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0044]      FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  shown in a retracted position. The motor  52  is affixed to the front side of the baseplate  51 , and shrouded by cover  71 . The motor depicted is a dual rack, single pinion hydraulic actuator capable of 210 degrees of rotation. The rear side  51   a  of baseplate  51  can be attached to a refuse collection vehicle or a large refuse collection container. Left and right lifting arms  53  and  54 , respectively, are attached at a first end to the rotatable shaft (not shown) of motor  52 . The second end of left and right lifting arms  53  and  54  are attached to the liftplate  55 . In this view, the inner surface of saddle  56  is clearly visible. 
         [0045]    The left pivotplate  57  is pivotally mounted over the pinion hub of the left lifting arm  53 . The right pivotplate  58  is pivotally mounted over the pinion hub of the right lifting arm  54 . The left and right pivotplates  57  and  58  are able to pivot independently of the lifting arms  53  and  54 . The left and right locks  68  and  69 , respectively, are pivotally attached at a first end to the inner surface of the pivotplates  57  and  58 . Cam followers connected to the second end of left and right locks  68  and  69  ride inside a slot of the left and right driveplates  70  and  70   a , respectively. 
         [0046]    The left idler  59  is pivotally attached at a first end to the outer surface of the left pivotplate  57 . The right idler  60  is pivotally attached at a first end to the outer surface of the right pivotplate  58 . The left and right pull arms  61  and  61   a , respectively, are pivotally attached at a first end to the liftplate  55 . The second end of left and right pull arms  61  and  61   a  are pivotally attached to the second end of left and right idlers  59  and  60 , respectively. The left and right push arms  62  (not shown) and  62   a , respectively, are pivotally attached at a first end to the left and right idlers  59  and  60 . The second end of the left and right push arms  62  (not shown) and  62   a  are pivotally attached to shaft  65 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  depicts a preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  shown in an intermediate position. In this figure, the motor  52  has rotated the dual lifting arms  53  and  54 , swinging the liftplate  55  to a position rotated approximately 150 degrees from the retracted position. Note that the left and right pull arms  61  and  61   a  have also swung upwards with the liftplate  55 , and rotated the left and right idlers  59  and  60  upwards. Attached to left and right idlers  59  and  60  are the left and right push arms  62  and  62   a , which have been driven forward and upward, thus forcing left and right hook arms  63  and  64 , respectively, to rotate to their outward most position. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  depicts a preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  shown in a dumping position, which is the extreme opposite of the retracted position depicted in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3 , the motor  52  has further rotated left and right lifting arms  53  and  54  past a vertical position. The resulting angle of the lifting arms  53  and  54  away from the rear side  51   a  of baseplate  51 , combined with the design of left and right lifting arms  53  and  54 , serves to swing liftplate  55  to a position above and substantially behind baseplate  51 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 4 through 6  depict a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  shown in the retracted, intermediate and dumping positions, respectively.  FIG. 4  shows that the entire liftplate  55  and the rear edge  66   a  of the hook  66  are located below and in front of rear side  51   a  of baseplate  51  when the lifter is in the retracted position. This compact profile facilitates the emptying of large commercial refuse containers over the refuse cart lifter, thereby enhancing the versatility of the refuse collection vehicle (further discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 22 and 23 ). 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  in an intermediate position. As in  FIG. 2 , motor  52  has rotated the left and right lifting arms  53  and  54 , swinging the liftplate  55  to a position rotated approximately 150 degrees from the retracted position. At this point, left and right hook arms  63  (not shown) and  64  and hook  66  have reached their fully extended positions. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view of the preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  in the dumping position. Here it can be observed that the relative connection points and geometries of left and right lifting arms  53  (not shown) and  54  and left and right pivotplates  57  and  58  have caused the left and right hook arms  63  (not shown) and  64  and hook  66  to maintain their position relative to the liftplate  55  and saddle  56  from the intermediate position shown in  FIG. 5  to the dumping position. As discussed in reference to  FIG. 3 , the unique geometry of left and right lifting arms  53  (not shown) and  54  coupled with 210 degrees rotation from the retracted position serve to position the entire liftplate  55  above and substantially behind baseplate  51 . This facilitates the dumping of refuse further into the receiving refuse container than otherwise possible with conventional lifters. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  in the retracted position. This view shows the horizontal relation of left and right lift arms  53  and  54 ; left and right pivotplates  57  and  58 ; left and right idlers  59  and  60 ; left and right pull arms  61  and  61   a ; left and right push arms  62  and  62   a ; and left and right hook arms  63  and  64 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 8  depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  in an intermediate position. This view shows hook  66  and left and right rollers  67  and  67   a , respectively, positioned below the liftplate  55  and saddle  56  when fully extended. 
         [0054]      FIG. 9  depicts a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50  in the dumping position. This view shows the hook  66  fully extended out from the liftplate  55 , and the liftplate  55  positioned above baseplate  51 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 10 through 12  show a partially cut away side view of the present refuse cart lifter  50  pivot lock system.  FIG. 10  shows that in a retracted position, the right pivotplate  58  pivotally mounted on right lifting arm  54  at point  72 . These are at one end prevented from rotation by contact with the baseplate  51  at point  73 . A second end of right pivotplate  58  is pivotally attached to right lock  69  at point  74 . The right lock  69  is held in place at a second end by a slot in the right driveplate  70   a  at point  75  and prevented from rotating by contact with right lifting arm  54  at point  76 . At this point the rotation of right lifting arm  54  is independent of right pivotplate  58 . Of course, the same is true for the corresponding left side (not shown) of refuse cart lifter  50 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows that in an intermediate position, the right pivotplate  58  is pivotally mounted on the right lifting arm  54  at point  72 . These are at one end prevented from rotation by contact with the baseplate  51  at point  73 . At a second end the right pivotplate  58  is pivotally attached to right lock  69  at point  74 . The right lock  69  is held in place at a second end by a slot in right driveplate  70   a  at point  75 . As right lifting arm  54  rotates to this position, right lock  69  is free to rotate down into groove  77  on right lifting arm  54 . Also at this point right lifting arm  54  makes contact with right lock  69  at point  78  and begins to rotate right pivotplate  58  upward. Again, the same is true for the corresponding left side  9  not shown) of refuse cart lifter  50 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows that in the dumping position, right pivotplate  58  is pivotally mounted on right lifting arm  54  at point  72  and also pivotally attached to right lock  69  at point  74 . The right lock is held in place at a second end by a slot in right driveplate  70   a  at point  75 . The right pivotplate  58  is prevented from rotating in one direction by contact between right lock  69  and right lifting arm  54  at point  78 , and in the other direction by contact between right lock  69  and right lifting arm  54  at point  79 . At this point right pivotplate  58  is interlocked with right lifting arm  54 . Again, the same is true for the corresponding left side  9  not shown) of refuse cart lifter  50 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 13 through 15  show a side view of the emptying of a refuse cart  104  using a preferred embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50 . Initially, an operator would position a refuse cart  104  adjacent to an embodiment of the present refuse cart lifter  50 , as depicted in  FIG. 13 . Refuse cart  104  has an upper lifting point  106  and lower lifting point  108 . 
         [0059]    Once refuse cart  104  is positioned adjacent to refuse cart lifter  50 , refuse cart lifter  50  would be operated to rotate left and right lifting arms  53  (not shown) and  54  to swing the liftplate  55  up such that the saddle  56  engages refuse cart upper lifting point  106  as seen in  FIG. 14 . The continued operation of refuse cart lifter  50  then causes the liftplate  55  to swing over and substantially behind baseplate  51 , thereby dumping refuse from the refuse cart far behind baseplate  51  as shown in  FIG. 15 . In addition, while the liftplate  55  is swinging from the intermediate position depicted in  FIG. 14  to the emptying position shown here in  FIG. 15 , the relative geometries of left and right pivotplates  57  (not shown) and  58  and left and right hook arms  63  (not shown) and  64  cause hook  66  to pivot out and engage lower lifting point  108  of refuse cart  104 . This prevents refuse cart  104  from falling into the refuse collection area when saddle  56  is inverted as seen in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0060]      FIGS. 16 through 18  depict the same sequence of events as  FIGS. 13 through 15 , but from a perspective view. A preferred embodiment of refuse cart lifter  50  is shown in a retracted position adjacent to refuse cart  104  in  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 17  depicts the refuse cart lifter  50  engaging upper lifting point  106  of refuse cart  104  after left and right lifting arms  53  (not shown) and  54  have swung liftplate  55  up and away from baseplate  51 . Finally,  FIG. 18  shows the refuse cart lifter  50  liftplate  55  swung to the dumping position with both saddle  56  and hook  66  engaging refuse cart  104  at lifting points  106  and  108 , respectively. 
         [0061]      FIG. 19  depicts dual lifters  50  mounted to a refuse collection vehicle  100  just behind refuse hopper  101 . As discussed previously, when refuse cart lifters  50  are operated to empty a refuse cart  104 , lifting arms  54  will cause liftplate  55  to swing over and substantially inward of baseplate  51 . This causes the opening  104   a  of refuse cart  104  to be located substantially forward of inner hopper edge  102  (not shown) when refuse cart lifter  50  is in the dumping position. This is best illustrated by examining  FIGS. 20 and 21 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 20  depicts a preferred embodiment of refuse cart lifter  50  shown in an intermediate position and attached to a partially cutaway view of refuse collection vehicle  100 . Refuse cart lifter  50  is operated from the retracted position lifting refuse cart  104  by engaging upper lifting point  106  on uneven terrain.  FIG. 21  depicts refuse cart lifter  50  in the dumping position, also offering a cutaway view of the refuse collection vehicle hopper  101  showing the opening  104   a  of refuse cart  104  located substantially forward of inner hopper edge  102 . This results in the aforementioned reduction of compaction cycles since refuse is emptied further into the hopper as compared to conventional lifters. 
         [0063]      FIG. 22  depicts a preferred embodiment of refuse cart lifter  50  shown in a retracted position and attached to a partially cutaway view of refuse collection vehicle  100 . This figure emphasizes the compact profile of the lifter, which facilitates the dumping of large commercial container  109  using roll bar  103  to dump container  109  over retracted refuse cart lifter  50  as seen in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0064]    The words used above are words of description rather than of limitation. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. It should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged either in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained therein. 
         [0065]    For example, a refuse cart lifter in accordance with this invention could utilize single arms or multiple arms. Furthermore, the lifter could be mounted to a variety of structures, including freestanding refuse containers, intermediate containers, rear-loading refuse collection vehicles, or side-loading refuse collection vehicles. Thus, it should be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention.