Patent ID: 8534977

Claim:
A side loading mechanism for a side loaded commodity collection body to selectively engage a refuse container, the refuse container having trunnions extending from opposing ends thereof, the side loading mechanism comprising: at least one lift arm combined to the collection body and extending alongside the collection body, a container engaging member retained to the at least one lift arm, the container engaging member selectively receiving the refuse container, a track extending vertically up a side of the collection body to guide the container engaging member between a lowered position and an elevated unloading position, the container engaging member including a pair of spaced apart trunnion pocket members extending therefrom, each trunnion pocket member including an open topped trunnion pocket thereon, each trunnion pocket member aligned with one of the trunnions extending from each opposing end of the refuse container for replaceably receiving the trunnions in the trunnion pockets and for lifting the refuse container to a substantially inverted position over a top opening in the collection body, at least one pivotable lock arm, a powered driver to move the pivotable lock arm to a locking position against a top of the refuse container to prevent the refuse container from disengaging from the container engaging member when the refuse container is in an inverted unloading position, the container engaging member including at least one track roller to engage with the track, wherein the container engaging member is attached to the collection body with the at least one track roller engaged in the track, the container engaging member moving on the track as the container engaging member is lifted between the lowered position and the elevated unloading position, the at least one lock arm comprises a pair of lock arms spaced apart to align with opposing sides of the refuse container, each lock arm movable to a locking position against one of the opposing sides of the container, a stabilizer combined with the pair of lock arms and replaceably positionable against a front of the refuse container to hold the refuse container in position and to prevent the container from rotating about the trunnions thereof when the container engaging member is lifted between the lowered position and the elevated unloading position, a hydraulic cylinder combined with the stabilizer and having a rod combined with the pair of lock arms to move the pair of lock arms to a locked position with the container held firmly between the stabilizer and the pair of lock arms to secure the container as the container engaging member is moved between the lowered position and the elevated unloading position wherein the refuse container is in its substantially inverted position.