Abstract:
A method for collecting waste, wherein a disposer places a flexible dumpster near a waste disposal site whereby a truck-mounted forklift can be utilized to engage forks with the side portions of the flexible dumpster for loading and disposal. Accordingly, large dumpsters do not have to dropped off at the waste disposal site and large trucks no longer have to be utilized.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 11/353,409, filed Feb. 14, 2006, which claimed benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/660,789, filed Mar. 11, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a forklift attachment and method of using the same to lift a flexible dumpster, and particularly relates to a forklift lifting mechanism wherein the forks are adapted to rotatably pivot counterclockwise or clockwise to provide lateral compression forces against the flexible dumpsters for retrieval and disposal, which results in more efficient methods for disposing of waste. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Heavy steel dumpsters are the present state of the art in the waste disposal industry. A waste disposer calls the waste disposal company in advance of the waste generation event to request a large, rigid dumpster. As an initial step then the waste disposal company delivers the dumpster to the location using a large waste disposal vehicle. The vehicle has a means for unloading and loading these heavy steel dumpsters. However, these large bins and waste disposal vehicles frequently cause damage to the disposer&#39;s property during dumpster delivery and pickup, and the process of loading and unloading such large, steel bins can be quite hazardous. 
         [0004]    Another disadvantage of using a large waste disposal vehicle for dumpster drop off and retrieval is its restricted dumpster placement range. For example, a large vehicle would not be able to place a dumpster behind the disposer&#39;s home or at a site inaccessible from a nearby street without causing extensive damage to the disposer&#39;s property. Most likely, and as is common, the large waste disposal vehicle would be forced to place the dumpster near a street or roadway to avoid damage to the disposer&#39;s land. This dumpster placement is inconvenient for disposers since they have to move their waste from the disposal site to the dumpster placement area, and this further imposes a burden on vehicles using the street. The present invention overcomes these and other disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method and apparatus pertaining to a lightweight flexible dumpster and modified forklift attachment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The object of the present invention is to provide a forklift wherein its forks have a means for both vertical movement and rotatable/pivotable movement such that lateral compression forces can be applied to flexible dumpsters for retrieval and hauling. 
         [0006]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a truck-mounted forklift and flexible dumpster system in order to prevent destruction of a disposer&#39;s property during dumpster retrieval. 
         [0007]    Yet another advantage of the present system is to completely eliminate the step of requiring a dumpster to be dropped off by the waste disposal company. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, what is provided is a forklift attachment generally comprising a pair of forks each having an upper portion and a lower portion. A fork plate has upper corners and lower corners and has defined therein a pair of upper bores and a pair of lower bores radially defined proximate to the lower corners. A mounting plate is connected to the fork plate to define an attachment interior. A pair of pivot pins each has a center axis normal to the fork plate and rotatably connects tops of the upper portions to the fork plate. A pair of lower bore pins each connect bottoms of the upper portions of the forks to the fork plate and are adapted to radially travel within one of the lower bores, about the center axis. A pair of upper bore pins connect the upper portions of the forks to the fork plate, with each upper bore pin adapted to radially travel within the upper bore about the center axis. A pair of actuators, each positioned behind the fork plate within the attachment interior have one end attached near one of the upper corners and another end attached to the upper bore pin, wherein upon actuation of the actuators, the upper bore pin can travel within the upper bore thereby rotating the forks about the center axis such that the forks can apply opposing lateral compression forces to a flexible dumpster. 
         [0009]    Also, provided herein is a method for collecting waste using a modified truck-mounted forklift to allow for the utilization and hauling of a flexible dumpster, comprising the steps of, providing a flexible dumpster to a disposer, wherein the disposer places the flexible dumpster near the waste disposal site; unloading a truck-mounted forklift from a waste disposal vehicle; positioning the forklift within pickup range of the flexible dumpster; expanding pivotable forks in opposite directions of each other via at least one actuator; closing the pivotable forks via the actuator thereby engaging the forks with the side portions of the flexible dumpster, lifting the flexible dumpster utilizing the forklift&#39;s vertical movement, and loading the flexible dumpster onto the waste disposal vehicle, whereby large, rigid dumpsters do not have to be dropped off at the waste disposal site, and large trucks no longer have to be utilized. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a conventional forklift with a side view of the forklift attachment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the forklift attachment with the pivotable forks of the forklift attachment in the closed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the forklift and attachment being utilized to haul a flexible dumpster. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  with the flexible dumpster. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of the forklift attachment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a detailed front view of the forklift attachment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed side view of the forklift attachment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-section side view of the forklift attachment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart representing a method using the forklift and attachment to efficiently remove waste from a remote location. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    The invention will now be described in detail in relation to a preferred embodiment and implementation thereof which is exemplary in nature and descriptively specific as disclosed. As is customary, it will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention encompasses such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated apparatus and method, and such further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein, as would normally occur to persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates. “A” as used in the claims means one or more. 
         [0020]    As illustrated then with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , a forklift attachment  10  is provided. This forklift attachment  10  is adapted for placement on a conventional forklift  1 . This invention contemplates both a forklift attachment  10  and a conventional or truck-mounted forklift made integral with the attachment  10 . It is also envisioned that the forklift can be mounted on a trailer for use. For purposes of this description, and not to limit the scope of the invention, the forklift attachment  10  will be referenced. 
         [0021]    The forklift of attachment  10  includes a pair of forks  15 . The forks  15  are generally L-shaped and include an upper portion  17  and a lower portion  20 . The lower portions  20  extend generally perpendicularly from the upper portions  17  and parallel to the ground, but they may also be slightly angled in either direction relative to the upper portions  17  or rotationally with respect to the ground. For example, the upper portions  17  may slope toward each other, thus forks  15  can be angled (not shown) to provide for improved pickup of a flexible dumpster and further to prevent the forks  15  from puncturing the flexible dumpster. 
         [0022]    The forks  15  are mounted to a generally rectangular, fork plate  50  having upper corners  73  and lower corners  73   a . Within the fork plate  50 , a pair of slot-like upper bores  41  and a pair of lower bores  42  are defined radially therein about a center point of rotation for the forks  15 , proximate to the lower corners  73   a . This center point of rotation is formed using a pair of pivot pins  25 . The pivot pin  25  has a center axis normal to the fork plate  50 , rotatably connecting tops  15   a  of the upper portions  17  of the forks  15  to the fork plate  50 . The pivot pin  25  is further secured using pin hex nut  76  to the back of the mounting plate  60 . As such, the forks  15  are adapted to rotate or pivot clockwise or counterclockwise on the fork plate  50 . 
         [0023]    A pair of lower bore pins  43  connect bottoms  15   b  of the upper portions  17  of the forks  15  to the fork plate  50 , for example by using a nut and screw or bolt fastened to the fork  15  through the fork plate  50 . A similar type of fastening means may also be used which connects the fork  15  all the way to the mounting plate  60 , provided there is an identically shaped lower bore defined within the mounting plate aligned with the lower bore  42  of the fork plate  50 . The lower bore pins  43  are adapted to radially travel within the lower bores  42 , about the center axis defined by the pivot pin  25  while holding the fork  15  in place. With this configuration then, the forks  15  can be kept aligned with the fork plate  50  upon rotation, with the limits of rotation or pivoting of the forks  15  fixed by the size of the lower bore  42 . 
         [0024]    A pair of upper bore pins  40  further connect the upper portions  17  of the forks  15  to the fork plate  50 . Each upper bore pin  40  is preferably longer than the lower bore pin  43 , situated against or directly to the mounting plate  60  so as to retain both the fork  15  and an actuator  35  in place, as further described. In one embodiment, each upper bore pin  40  will ride against a face plate  102  mounted on the mounting plate having a groove defined identically to each upper bore  41 . The upper bore pin  40  may also travel within an identically sized bore of the mounting plate  60  if directly attached to the mounting plate  60 . Each upper bore pin  40  is adapted to radially travel within each upper bore  41 , about the center axis of the pivot pin  25 . As shown, the upper bore  41  has a radial length smaller than the lower bore  42  since the upper bore  41  is positioned closer to the pivot pin  25  and thus the point of rotation. Some type of lubricant may be placed within each bore and/or on each pin to reduce friction and enable better wear. 
         [0025]    A mounting plate  60  generally of similar size to the fork plate  50  is connected to the fork plate  50  by being bolted thereto using one or more shoulder bolts  101  and/or by using a support plate  90  and support plate tab  91 . Specifically, a support plate tab  91  is perpendicularly formed on the mounting plate  60 . Then, for added rigidity, the support plate  90  is perpendicularly situated over the support plate tab  91  with one edge welded to the mounting plate  60  and the other edge welded to the fork plate  50 . With this configuration, an attachment interior  50   b  is defined between the mounting plate  60  and fork plate  50 . 
         [0026]    Each fork  15  is rotated by providing an actuator  35  positioned behind the fork plate  50  within the attachment interior  50   b . The term actuator here covers any type of actuation, including but not limited to, mechanical, hydraulic, air or the like. The actuators  35  may also vary slightly in location. Basically, the actuator  35  has one end positioned near one of the upper corners  73  of the fork plate  50  (and similar sized, opposing corner of the mounting plate  60 ). The other end of the actuator  35  is connected to the upper bore pin  40 , wherein upon actuation of the actuator  35 , the upper bore pin  40  is drawn upwards and forced to travel along a path defined by the upper bore  41 , thereby rotating or pivoting each fork  15 . 
         [0027]    More specifically and in one embodiment for the actuation means, the actuator  35  comprises a cylinder housing  71  having a housing top  71   a  and housing bottom  71   b , wherein the housing top  71   a  is mounted on the shoulder bolt  101  behind and near the upper corner  73  of the fork plate  50 . A hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder  35   a  is then situated within the cylinder housing  71 . A shaft  70  movable by or within cylinder  35   a  has a shaft eye  82  formed on its lower end distal from the cylinder  35   a . The shaft eye  82  allows the shaft  70  and thus the cylinder  35   a  to be connected to the upper bore pin  40 . A longitudinal sleeve  92  may assist in retaining shaft eye  82  in place on upper bore pin  40 . Thus, upon actuation of actuator  35 , the upper bore pin  40  travels within the upper bore  41 , thereby rotating the forks  15  about the center axis/pivot pin  25  such that the forks  15  can apply opposing lateral compression forces to, for example, a flexible dumpster  2 . 
         [0028]    Now referring to the method disclosed by the present invention and with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  9  specifically, with the discovery of the forklift attachment  10  described above, a method of utilizing a forklift.  1  in an improved system of flexible dumpster  2  retrieval is further defined. This method of collecting waste first involves the distribution  91  or sale of lightweight flexible dumpsters  2  to the disposer in a retail-type setting. It is envisioned that hardware and construction supply stores in particular will sell these flexible dumpsters  2 . The dumpsters will preferably be packaged in a flat vacuum sealed package. The flexible dumpsters, also known in the art as “bulk bags,” are similar to the kind sold by the Alabama Bag Company. These products can hold a great deal of waste material because of their tightly woven fabric and strong tear-resistance. The flexible dumpsters can be disposable or alternatively be recyclable. 
         [0029]    The flexible dumpster  2  has many advantages over the prior art conventional steel dumpster. For one, the flexible dumpster  2  does not require delivery to the disposer&#39;s site. As discussed above, the disposer will simply purchase as many flexible dumpsters as needed for the disposal. If the number of bags needed for a project is over-estimated, the surplus dumpsters can be returned to the retail store. Further, contractors or other waste disposers can easily place a flexible dumpster in their vehicle or toolbox for use when necessary. Secondly, the flexible dumpster can be placed at any location suitable for pickup with the truck-mounted forklift  1  with the forklift attachment  10 . Thus, the disposer could for example place the dumpster  2  outside of a window of a room where construction is being performed. Thus, the disposer, instead of having to take the waste material out near the street where a conventional dumpster would be located, can instead throw the waste material out the window into the flexible dumpster  2 . Thirdly, the flexible dumpster  2  is very light-weight and this greatly reduces the damage done to the disposer&#39;s property caused by the weight of the conventional dumpsters. The traditional step of delivering and dropping off large, bulky dumpsters is eliminated  90 . This will increase business efficiency while decreasing expenses for waste hauling companies since the flexible dumpsters need only be picked up for disposal with no steel dumpster delivery step being required  90 . 
         [0030]    During waste loading as the flexible dumpster  2  is utilized  92 , the disposer would work the sides of the flexible dumpster  2  upward relative to the amount of waste material placed therein. The flexible dumpster  2  would generally be filled to full capacity. 
         [0031]    After the flexible dumpster  2  is filled with waste material, the disposer would then contact a waste disposal company for pickup  93 . The waste disposal company would then dispatch a waste removal vehicle  94  loaded with a truck-mounted forklift and forklift attachment  95  to retrieve the flexible dumpster or dumpsters. When the driver of the waste removal vehicle arrives at the disposal site, the driver would climb into the truck-mounted forklift and lower it from the truck. The driver would then drive the forklift  1  to the placement site of the filled flexible dumpster  2  as the use of the large hauling truck is bypassed  98 . 
         [0032]    During the vehicle and attachment utilization step  96 , after arrival at the placement site, the driver causes the forks  15  to move in a direction opposite each other into their open position. Then the driver assures that the truck-mounted forklift  1  is in proper position to lift the flexible dumpster. Next, the driver causes the pivotable forks  15  to return to a partially closed position, thereby rotationally engaging  97  the flexible dumpster  2  with the forks  15 . The flexible dumpster is then carried back to the waste disposal vehicle and loaded via the truck-mounted forklift. The driver then reattaches the truck-mounted forklift to the truck and either picks up additional dumpsters or drives to the waste landfill for disposal. At the landfill, the flexible dumpster is unloaded either utilizing the truck-mounted forklift  10  or alternatively the truck bed will dump the flexible dumpsters into the landfill. 
         [0033]    The entire flexible dumpster can then be disposed of at the landfill  99 . Alternatively, the flexible dumpsters can also be recyclable. In this situation, the contents of each dumpster would be individually dumped into the landfill. 
         [0034]    This invention can be utilized on a conventional forklift as well as a truck-mounted forklift. Further, as explained above, the forklift attachment can be integral to a conventional or truck-mounted forklift and not manufactured as an attachment. Nothing in this description is meant to limit the forklift attachment&#39;s use to only a truck-mounted forklift. For example, the forklift attachment  10  would be useful in the industrial setting where a company would have a conventional forklift  1  on site. The forklift attachment  10  would perform in the same manner as explained above with reference to the truck-mounted forklift. However, in an industrial setting or other setting where a conventional forklift  1  is on site, the waste disposal vehicle would not be required to transport the forklift to the pick up site. In this industrial setting the forklift attachment  10  could be used to move products in addition to waste.