U.S. patent number 3,687,313 [Application Number 05/003,839] was granted by the patent office on 1972-08-29 for plunger shield for refuse vehicle loading chamber.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Smithpac Canada Ltd.. Invention is credited to Harold Eugene Smith.
United States Patent |
3,687,313 |
Smith |
August 29, 1972 |
PLUNGER SHIELD FOR REFUSE VEHICLE LOADING CHAMBER
Abstract
A refuse-collecting apparatus or vehicle includes a supporting
frame or chassis having a refuse-receiving receptacle pivotally
mounted thereon for tilting movement between a generally horizontal
loading position and a tilted dumping position. A loading plunger
is provided within a fixed loading chamber on the chassis for the
purpose of pushing refuse from the loading chamber through a
loading aperture into the refuse-receiving receptacle when the
latter is disposed in its generally horizontal loading position. A
contractable shield is affixed to the loading plunger and extends
outwardly therefrom relative to the refuse-receiving receptacle and
is movable with the loading plunger for the purpose of preventing
refuse falling into the loading chamber outwardly of the loading
plunger. In one arrangement, such a contractable shield includes a
flexible curtain and a resiliently extensible spring means attached
to the flexible curtain and suitably anchored on the vehicle. In
another construction, the contractable shield includes a pair of
generally planar plates which are movable between an extended
position of minimum overlap and a retracted telescoped
configuration.
Inventors: |
Smith; Harold Eugene (Defiance,
OH) |
Assignee: |
Smithpac Canada Ltd. (Toronto,
Ontario, CA)
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Family
ID: |
21707835 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/003,839 |
Filed: |
January 19, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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703214 |
Jan 18, 1968 |
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591996 |
Nov 4, 9166 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/525.55 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F
3/26 (20130101); B65F 3/201 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65F
3/20 (20060101); B65F 3/26 (20060101); B65F
3/00 (20060101); B65f 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/503,83.3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Makay; Albert J.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A refuse-collecting apparatus comprising:
a supporting frame;
a refuse-receiving receptacle mounted on said supporting frame and
including a wall with a loading aperture extending
therethrough;
a loading chamber disposed on said supporting frame so as to be
adjacent said loading aperture;
a loading plunger within said loading chamber for longitudinal
movement therethrough toward and away from said loading aperture
for pushing refuse through said loading aperture into said
refuse-receiving receptacle;
a loading plunger drive mechanism operatively associated with said
loading plunger for effecting said movement of said loading plunger
toward and away from said loading aperture;
a contractable shield affixed to said loading plunger, extending
outwardly therefrom relative to said refuse-receiving receptacle
and movable with said loading plunger, said shield being flexible
along its length whereby it can be flexed progressively along its
length, said shield being positioned to prevent refuse from falling
behind said loading plunger when said loading plunger is moved
toward said loading aperture;
a guide and scraper element for said shield extending across said
loading chamber in the vicinity of the extreme displacement of said
plunger from said loading aperture; and
yieldable tensioning means coupled to said shield and arranged to
draw said shield about said guide and scraper element along a
linear path generally normal to the path of approach of said shield
to said guide and scraper element from said loading plunger whereby
said shield is guided and scraped during movement of said loading
plunger to permit extension and contraction of said shield as said
plunger is moved toward and away from said loading aperture.
2. A combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said yieldable
tensioning means comprises a rod; means securing said flexible
shield to said rod; a guide extending generally normal to the path
of longitudinal movement of said loading plunger and coupled to
said loading chamber in the vicinity of the extreme displacement of
said plunger from said loading aperture; means coupling said rod to
said guide for guided movement and biasing means yieldably urging
said rod along said guide in a direction away from said plunger.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to refuse-collecting apparatus and
more particularly to a refuse-collecting vehicle including a
refuse-receiving receptacle mounted on a supporting frame or
chassis, usefully for movement between a generally horizontal
loading position and a tilted dumping position. A refuse-collecting
vehicle to which the present invention is applicable also includes
a loading chamber mounted on the supporting frame or chassis of the
vehicle so as to be disposed adjacent a loading aperture of the
refuse-receiving receptacle for the transfer of refuse from the
loading chamber into the refuse-receiving receptacle of the vehicle
when such receptacle is disposed in its generally horizontal
loading position.
In a refuse-collecting vehicle of the aforementioned type, the
refuse-receiving receptacle is usefully pivotally mounted on the
chassis of the vehicle for tilting movement between a generally
horizontal loading position and a tilted dumping position for
dumping refuse through a door or tailgate suitably mounted on the
rearward end of the refuse-receiving receptacle. In such a vehicle,
the aforementioned loading chamber is disposed on the supporting
frame or chassis forwardly of the forward end of the
refuse-receiving receptacle. Since the carrying capacity of such a
vehicle is determined by the capacity of the refuse-receiving
receptacle, it is required to make such a receptacle as large as
possible and consequently to utilize a loading chamber having a
minimum length in order to obtain the largest possible carrying
capacity for a chassis of a given size.
To prevent refuse falling into the loading chamber of such a
vehicle or apparatus forwardly of the loading plunger therein, i.e.
outwardly of the loading plunger relative to the refuse-receiving
receptacle, it is desirable to provide a cover or shield secured to
the loading plunger and extending outwardly therefrom for conjoint
movement therewith. Since such a shield moves conjointly with the
loading plunger, space must be provided either above the chassis of
the vehicle or longitudinally outwardly thereof, for example,
forwardly thereof, to accommodate such a shield when it is disposed
in its outermost position.
This space requirement for accommodating such a shield is
particularly troublesome in the case of a refuse-collecting vehicle
of the aforementioned type in which the loading chamber is disposed
immediately behind the driver's cab. When, in such a vehicle, the
loading plunger is operated by means of a hydraulic cylinder, such
a cylinder can often be accommodated beneath or between the seats
within the cab structure but, since the afore-mentioned shield will
generally be disposed above such a cylinder, it will frequently be
difficult to adapt the cab structure so that it will also
accommodate the shield when the latter is disposed in its outermost
or forwardmost position.
It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to
provide a refuse-collecting apparatus or vehicle of the
aforementioned type and in which a shield or cover is provided for
preventing refuse dropping into the loading chamber forwardly of
the loading plunger during operation of that loading plunger within
the loading chamber and which shield or cover can be accommodated
without requiring the use of a larger chassis or of a smaller
length refuse-receiving receptacle.
It is another object of this invention to provide a
refuse-collecting vehicle of the aforementioned type in which a
shield or cover can be provided for preventing refuse dropping into
the loading chamber of such a vehicle forwardly of the loading
plunger disposed therein without requiring extensive modification
of the driver's cab of the vehicle for the purpose of accommodating
such a shield or cover when the latter is disposed in its
forwardmost position corresponding to the fully retracted position
of the loading plunger.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a
refuse-collecting apparatus of the aforementioned type in which the
construction of the shield or cover provided therein for the
purpose specified has a simple and reliable construction.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent as the
description herein proceeds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its broadest scope, the present invention provides a
refuse-collecting apparatus comprising a supporting frame; a
refuse-receiving receptacle mounted on said supporting frame and
including a wall with a loading aperture extending therethrough; a
loading chamber disposed on said supporting frame so as to be
adjacent said loading aperture; a loading plunger within said
loading chamber for longitudinal movement therethrough toward and
away from said loading aperture for pushing refuse through said
loading aperture into said refuse-receiving receptacle; a loading
plunger drive mechanism operatively associated with said loading
plunger for effecting said movement of said loading plunger toward
and away from said loading aperture; and a contractable shield
affixed to said loading plunger, extending outwardly therefrom
relative to said refuse-receiving receptacle and movable with said
loading plunger, said shield being positioned to prevent refuse
from falling behind said loading plunger when said loading plunger
is moved toward said loading aperture.
In one type of refuse-collecting vehicle or apparatus in accordance
with this invention, the aforementioned contractable shield
comprises a flexible cover or curtain affixed to the loading
plunger and a resiliently extensible means affixed to such a
flexible cover remotely from the loading plunger and adapted
transversely to retract the flexible cover on longitudinal movement
of the loading plunger away from the loading aperture of the
refuse-receiving receptacle. With such use of a flexible cover and
a resiliently extensible means, the cover can, for example, be
accommodated in a generally vertical housing located immediately
behind the cab structure of the vehicle. The required height for
such a housing can be reduced by anchoring an outer or forward edge
of such a flexible cover on the vehicle and disposing the
aforementioned resiliently extensible means so that it engages the
flexible cover intermediate its forward and rearward edges to
retract said cover vertically into the vertical housing on
retraction of the loading plunger away from the loading aperture
and to enable the flexible cover to straighten or unfold on
movement of the loading plunger toward the loading aperture.
In another type of refuse-collecting vehicle or apparatus in
accordance with this invention, the aforementioned contractable
shield includes a first generally planar member affixed to the
loading plunger in proximity to an upper edge thereof and extending
outwardly therefrom relative to said refuse-receiving receptacle
for conjoint generally horizontal movement therewith toward and
away from the loading aperture of the refuse-receiving receptacle
and a second generally planar member guidedly disposed within the
loading chamber of the vehicle for longitudinal movement therein in
a generally horizontal plane toward and away from said loading
aperture and adapted to be engaged by the first generally planar
member for conjoint movement therewith toward the loading chamber
in minimum overlapping relationship therewith and for telescoping
movement of said first generally planar member relative thereto
away from said loading aperture until said first and second
generally planar members are disposed in a maximum overlapping
disposition for subsequent conjoint movement of said first and
second generally planar members away from said loading
aperture.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become
apparent as the description herein proceeds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described merely by way of illustration
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a refuse-collecting vehicle embodying
the present invention with certain parts shown in phantom outline
and illustrating the manner in which a refuse-receiving receptacle
of such a vehicle can be pivotally tilted between a generally
horizontal loading position and a tilted dumping position
thereof;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged and fragmentary side elevation of the
refuse-collecting vehicle of FIG. 1 with certain parts shown in
section to reveal the structure of one embodiment of a contractable
shield including a flexible cover or curtain provided in the
vehicle for the purpose of preventing refuse from falling into a
loading chamber forwardly of a loading plunger provided in that
chamber for transferring refuse into the refuse-receiving
receptacle thereof;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged and fragmentary perspective view of the
loading chamber of the refuse-collecting vehicle of FIGS. 1 and 2
showing in greater detail the construction and mounting of the
contractable shield including the flexible curtain provided therein
in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of an alternative embodiment
of a refuse-collecting vehicle embodying the present invention with
certain parts shown in section and others in phantom outline for
the purpose of revealing the internal structure of the vehicle;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view partly in section of yet
another construction for a contractable shield for use in a loading
chamber of a refuse-collecting vehicle embodying the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the
loading chamber of FIG. 5 showing the loading plunger disposed in
its forwardmost or fully retracted position therein;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to that of
FIG. 6 but showing the loading plunger disposed in a partially
extended position thereof during rearward movement of that loading
plunger;
FIG 8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to those of
FIGS. 6 and 7 but showing the loading plunger thereof disposed in
its fully extended or rearwardmost position; and
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to those
of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 but showing the loading plunger disposed in a
partially retracted position thereof during forward movement or
retraction of that loading plunger.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown therein one embodiment of
a refuse-collecting apparatus in the form of a refuse-collecting
vehicle 10 in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle 10
includes a chassis or supporting frame generally indicated at 11, a
cab section generally indicated at 12, wheels 13, a loading chamber
section generally indicated at 14 and a receptacle section
generally indicated at 16.
Because of the high degree of compaction possible with the
apparatus embodying the invention, the overall refuse vehicle can
be about the size and shape of a bakery or milk truck, for example.
Basically, in operation, refuse is dumped into the loading chamber
section 14 from which it is pushed into the refuse receptacle
section 16 wherein it is compacted and from which it is
subsequently dumped.
The loading section 14 can be open at the top and equipped with
loading doors 18 on each side, the doors 18 being hinged to and
supported by suitable frame members 20. Latch mechanisms 21 are
provided for securing these doors 18 in their closed positions. A
loading chamber 22, formed below the doors 18, can be relatively
small and with low side walls to enable a garbage can 23 (FIG. 2)
or the like to be dumped thereinto when either door 18 is open. A
loading plunger assembly generally indicated at 24 in the loading
chamber 22 is operated continually for reciprocating movement in
the chamber 22 as indicated by the double-headed arrow A to push
deposited refuse or garbage into the receptacle section 16. Because
of this continuous operation, the loading chamber 22 is constantly
cleared and can consequently be of small size to further the
overall compact design of the vehicle.
The receptacle section 16 includes a tiltable refuse-receiving
receptacle 26 which receives the refuse from the loading chamber
22. When the refuse has been pushed into the receptacle 26, a
refuse-compacting plunger assembly 28 usefully compacts such refuse
against a floor 29 or other stationary surface, independently of
the amount of refuse already in the receptacle 26. With the double
plunger arrangement illustrated, a five cubic yard receptacle can
carry approximately seventy percent of the load carried in a
sixteen cubic yard truck heretofore known.
The loading plunger assembly 24, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
includes a loading plunger 30 which extends across the width of the
loading chamber 22 but is only about two-thirds as high as the
loading chamber 22 and about two thirds as high as a discharge
opening or loading aperture 32 communicating with the interior of
the refuse-receiving receptacle 26. The loading plunger 30 is
operated by a hydraulic cylinder 34 from which extends a cylinder
rod 36 connected to a central portion of the loading plunger 30.
The cylinder 34 can extend into the cab section 12 of the vehicle
between or below seats 38 therein. The stroke of the cylinder 34 is
of sufficient length to enable the loading plunger 30 to move
between a retracted position in which it is disposed at the forward
end of the loading chamber 22, as shown in full lines in FIG. 2,
and an extended or rearwardmost position in which it is disposed
adjacent the discharge opening or loading aperture 32 as shown in
dotted lines in FIG. 2.
A torque bar assembly omitted from FIG. 1 and generally indicated
at 40 in FIG. 2 is provided for maintaining the loading plunger 30
generally perpendicular to the direction in which that plunger is
moved. The torque bar assembly 40 includes a main transverse torque
bar which is also disposed generally perpendicularly to the
direction of travel of the loading plunger 30. The torque bar is
rotatably mounted in ears 44 which are attached to and supported by
a suitable framework portion of the cab section 12 of the vehicle
10. A pair of transversely spaced apart torque arms 46 are affixed
to the aforementioned torque bar and extend forwardly therefrom
generally parallel to each other. At their forward ends, the torque
arms 46 are pivotally connected as at 47 to pivotal connecting
links 48 which are in turn pivotally attached to transversely
spaced apart flange portions 50 of the loading plunger 30. With
this arrangement, any tendency for the loading plunger 30 to cock
or twist will tend to twist the aforementioned torque bar which is
sufficiently heavy to resist such twisting and so maintains the
loading plunger 30 at all times generally perpendicular to its
direction of travel.
As already indicated, the particular vehicle 10 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2 is also provided within the refuse-receiving
receptacle 26 with a refuse-compacting plunger assembly 28 which
includes a refuse-compacting plunger 52 having a refuse-compacting
undersurface 53 which slopes upwardly and rearwardly at a small
angle so as to tend to move refuse rearwardly into the
refuse-receiving receptacle 26 during compaction of such refuse.
The compacting plunger 52 is mounted on the lower end of a cylinder
rod 56 of a hydraulic cylinder 54 for generally vertical
reciprocating movement as indicated by the double-headed arrow B
across the loading aperture 32 for the purpose of compacting refuse
introduced into the receptacle 26 by the loading plunger 30. In
addition to serving to compact refuse disposed within the
receptacle 26 below the compacting plunger 52 against the floor 29
of the refuse-receiving receptacle 26, the compacting plunger 52
also provides a useful function of shearing any article of refuse
which may, from time to time, extend from within the receptacle 26
into the loading chamber 22 above the loading plunger 30 after such
refuse has been pushed toward and partially through the loading
aperture 32. For this reason, the vertical extent of the loading
aperture 32 is usefully greater than the height of the end face of
the loading plunger 30 as already explained herein.
The refuse-compacting plunger 52 is maintained generally
perpendicular to its direction of travel by means of a torque shaft
extending across the plunger 52 and rotatably held by side walls
thereof. A pair of pinion gears 62 are affixed to and rotate with
this shaft and engage gear racks 64 during the entire movement of
the refuse-compacting plunger 52 between its extended and retracted
positions. Any tendency for the refuse-compacting plunger 52 to
cock will tend to twist the aforementioned torque shaft which is
sufficiently heavy to resist such twisting. If desired, the
refuse-compacting plunger 52 can have a cover wall 66 extending
upwardly therefrom and telescoping within a fixed cover 68 to
prevent the possibility of refuse being jammed upwardly of the
plunger 52.
The refuse-receiving receptacle 26 has an open rear discharge end
for dumping refuse from the receptacle 26. A door or tailgate 104
is pivotally mounted at its top edge by ears 108 from movement
between the open and closed positions shown in FIG. 1. Latch means
(not shown) are usefully provided for holding the door 104 in its
closed position while ratchet means generally indicated at 114 are
usefully provided for holding the door 104 in its open position
but, since the structure and mounting of the door 104 and the
aforementioned latch means and ratchet means 114 form no part of
the present invention, these members will not be described herein
in greater detail. The door 104 also has a slanted lower portion
110 which causes refuse to move upwardly toward the top of the
vehicle as it is compacted and pushed rearwardly in the receptacle
26. This enables the compacted refuse to fill the receptacle 26
quite uniformly.
The refuse-receiving receptacle 26 is mounted on the chassis or
supporting frame 11 of the vehicle 10 for pivotal tilting movement
about a pivot generally indicated at 97 between the generally
horizontal loading position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 in which
position the aforementioned loading aperture 32 is aligned with the
loading chamber 22 and a tilted dumping position as shown in broken
lines in FIG 1.
In order to prevent the leakage of liquid waste through the gap
between the loading chamber 22 and the refuse-receiving receptacle
26, a resiliently compressible seal or gasket (not shown) may
suitably be provided on the rear edge surfaces of the loading
chamber 22. The particular vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the
accompanying drawings also includes a tilting drive mechanism
comprising a double-acting hydraulically operated dumping cylinder
96 pivotally mounted at its lower end in a bracket 95 suitably
secured to the chassis 11. A cylinder rod 99 extends generally
rearwardly and upwardly from the cylinder 96 and is pivotally
connected at 101 to the refuse-receiving receptacle 26 forwardly of
the aforementioned pivot 97.
It will be understood that, in order to be operative to move the
refuse-receiving receptacle 26 between its loading and dumping
positions, the cylinder rod 99 must be operative to apply an
upwardly and rearwardly directed force to the receptacle 26 when
the latter is in its generally horizontal loading position. From
FIG. 1, it will be seen that for this purpose, the cylinder 96
extends rearwardly and upwardly when the receptacle 26 is disposed
in its loading position.
It will further be understood that the hydraulic cylinder 96 will
be provided with appropriate hoses (not shown) connected to a
suitable source of pressurized hydraulic fluid and that appropriate
valves or other controls will be provided for controlling the
supply of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 96 and for controlling
the discharge of such hydraulic fluid therefrom. Similarly,
appropriate valves and controls will be provided for controlling
the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from the cylinders 34 and 54 for
operating the loading plunger 30 and the refuse-compacting plunger
52 respectively.
In such operation of the vehicle 10, the loading plunger 30
preferably operates continually between its forward and rearward
positions to constantly clear the loading chamber 22. The
refuse-compacting plunger 52 preferably moves downwardly each time
the loading plunger 30 has moved to its extended or rearward
position.
Since refuse will frequently be dumped into the loading chamber 22
when the loading plunger 30 is disposed rearwardly of its fully
retracted position, means are provided in accordance with the
invention to prevent refuse from dropping into the loading chamber
22 forwardly of the loading plunger 30 and possibly causing jamming
of that plunger. If such means is in the form of a rigid plate
secured to the upper edge of the loading plunger 30 and extending
forwardly therefrom for conjoint movement therewith toward and away
from the loading aperture 32, difficulties arise in accommodating
such a plate in the cab section 12 of the vehicle 10 without
requiring an unduly large increase in the length of the vehicle. As
hereinbefore indicated, the present invention resides in the
provisions of a contractable shield for preventing refuse from
falling behind, i.e. forwardly, of such a loading plunger. In the
particular vehicle 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, such a
contractable shield includes a flexible cover or curtain 80
attached along a lower rear edge thereof to an upper edge portion
of the loading plunger 30 by a rod 82 sewn into the rear edge of
the flexible curtain 80 and received in ears 84 affixed to the
upper edge of the loading plunger 30. It should perhaps be
indicated at this juncture that references herein to "front" and
"rear" edges of the curtain 80 are intended to denote the forward
and rearward edges of that curtain relative to the normal forward
direction of movement of the vehicle 10. The contractable shield
provided in the vehicle 10 also comprises a resiliently extensible
means generally indicated at 81 and attached to the forward end of
the flexible curtain 80 to enable the latter to move with the
loading plunger 30 and yet to retract transversely when the loading
plunger 30 moves away from the loading aperture 32.
In the particular construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the
resiliently extensible means 81 includes an upper rod 86 sewn into
the upper edge of the flexible curtain 80 and extending beyond the
side edges thereof into tracks 88 provided in a suitable framework
assembly mounted on the chassis 11 of the vehicle 10. Wheels or
rollers 90 carried by the ends of the rod 86 enable the upper
forward edge of the flexible curtain 80 to be guided with less
friction. Long helical tension springs 92 are connected to the ends
of the upper rod 86 and are suitably anchored at their opposite
ends. The springs 92 are extended when the loading plunger 30 moves
toward the loading aperture 32 and cause the flexible curtain 80 to
retract transversely when the loading plunger 30 moves away from
the loading aperture 32. A guide rod 93 is useful in clearing
refuse off the top surface of the flexible curtain 80 when the
latter is retracted.
The flexible curtain 80 is positioned approximately as shown in
broken lines in FIG. 2 when the loading plunger 30 is extended
toward the loading aperture 32 so that refuse dumped on the curtain
80 will tend to move or slide toward the refuse-receiving
receptacle 26 particularly during retraction of the loading plunger
30. Suitable stops (not shown) can be provided to limit the extent
of downward movement of the wheels 90 and the upper rod 86 to
prevent the flexible curtain 80 from moving downwardly too far in
the event that very heavy refuse is dumped thereon when the loading
plunger 30 is extended toward the loading aperture 32.
The flexible curtain 80 is advantageous in that it requires little
maintenance and has a low initial cost. Replacement can be
accomplished easily and relatively inexpensively, when necessary.
It should be noted that the aforementioned contractable shield
comprises the combination of the flexible curtain 80 per se and the
resiliently extensible means 81.
A modified refuse-collecting vehicle 126 embodying the present
invention is shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings, this
vehicle 126 being generally similar to the vehicle 10 already
described herein. The same legends are used for identifying the
same components on the two vehicles. Briefly, it can be noted that
the vehicle 126 includes a refuse-receiving receptacle 26 pivotally
mounted as generally indicated at 150 on a chassis or supporting
frame 11 of the vehicle 126 for movement between a generally
horizontal loading position and a tilted dumping position in much
the same manner as hereinbefore described for the vehicle 10 of
FIGS. 1 and 2. A door or tailgate 104 is pivotally mounted at 108
on the rear end of the refuse-receiving receptacle 26 and latch
means generally indicated at 129 are provided for holding the
tailgate 104 in its closed position.
The vehicle 126 also comprises a vertically reciprocable
refuse-compacting plunger assembly generally indicated at 28 within
the refuse-receiving receptacle 26 at the forward end thereof for
movement across a loading aperture provided in the forward end wall
thereof for alignment with a loading chamber 22 when the
refuse-receiving receptacle 26 is disposed in its generally
horizontal loading position. Manually releasable latch means 142
are provided for holding the refuse-receiving receptacle 26 in its
generally horizontal loading position as actually shown in FIG.
4.
A loading plunger 30 is provided within the loading chamber 22 for
horizontal longitudinal reciprocation therein for pushing refuse
through the loading aperture into the refuse-receiving receptacle
26. A torque bar system generally indicated at 141 is provided to
prevent twisting of the loading plunger 30.
As was the case for the vehicle 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3, a contractable
shield is provided in the vehicle 126 for preventing refuse from
falling into the loading chamber 22 thereof forwardly of the
loading plunger 30. This contractable shield includes a flexible
cover or curtain 128 which is affixed along its rearward lower edge
in any suitable manner to the upper edge of the loading plunger 30.
From the loading plunger 30, the flexible curtain 128 extends over
a transversely disposed roller 130 and is suitably affixed at its
lower forward edge to a frame member 140. The roller 130 is
rotatably carried by a pair of end plates 134 which are supported
by helical tension springs 136 and adjustable hangers 138 in a
vertical housing 132. With this arrangement, the overall height of
the space required for housing the flexible cover 128 can be
considerably reduced.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 9 of the accompanying drawings, the
structure and operation of another embodiment illustrated therein
for a contractable shield for use in a refuse-collecting apparatus
or vehicle in accordance with the present invention will now be
described. It will be appreciated that the arrangement now to be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9 can be utilized in the
vehicles shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and in modified vehicles and other
refuse-collecting apparatus.
From FIG. 5, it will be seen that a loading plunger 230 illustrated
therein is disposed in a loading chamber generally indicated at 222
for longitudinal reciprocating movement as indicated by the arrows
A and A' (FIGS. 6 to 9) under the control of a hydraulic cylinder
234 having a cylinder rod 236 which extends longitudinally
rearwardly therefrom and is secured in any appropriate manner to
the loading plunger 230.
Referring more particularly to FIG 5, it will be seen that the
loading plunger 230 has a forwardly extending and generally
horizontal planar member 238 integrally formed therewith along its
upper edge for conjoint movement therewith. In general proximity to
its forward (i.e. left-hand) edge, the planar member 238 is
provided with transversely spaced apart and upstanding abutment
members or stops 240, one of which is visible in FIG. 5.
A second generally horizontal planar member 242 has transversely
extending edge flanges 244 which are freely supported in
longitudinally extending guideways 246 provided on inner surfaces
of side walls 248 of the loading chamber 222. Stops 250 are
provided at the rearward ends of the guideways 246 to restrict
rearward movement of the planar member 242 rearwardly beyond the
position actually shown in FIG. 8.
Along each of its forward and rearward edges, the second generally
horizontal planar member 242 is integrally formed with downwardly
extending flanges 258 and 260 respectively which flanges function
as abutment members by engagement with the aforementioned stops 240
in a manner yet to be described in greater detail with reference to
FIGS. 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
In the particular construction illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, a fixed
sloping shield 262 is secured within the loading chamber 222 at the
forward end thereof above the second planar member 242. If desired,
wiping seals may be provided between the planar members 238 and 242
and between the sloping shield 262 and the second planar member
242. During its longitudinal movement in the loading chamber 222,
the loading plunger 230 is guided by a longitudinally extending and
upstanding generally rectangular section guide bar 252 fixed to a
floor 254 of the loading chamber 222 and slidingly received within
a corresponding recess 256 provided, for this purpose, in the
loading plunger 230. Additional guidance for the loading plunger
230 is provided by guideways 266 mounted on inner surfaces of the
side walls 248 of the loading chamber 222 and received within
corresponding recesses 270 formed in the loading plunger 230.
The manner of operation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5 will
now be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 from which certain
structural components have been omitted for the sake of clarity.
Assuming that the loading plunger 230 is disposed in its fully
retracted or forwardmost position as actually shown in FIG. 6, flow
of hydraulic fluid to the forward end of the cylinder 234 will
cause rearward extension of the loading plunger 230. Such rearward
movement of the loading plunger 230 will continue essentially
independently of the upper planar member 242 until the loading
plunger 230 reaches the position actually shown in FIG. 7. During
this initial movement of the loading plunger 230 between the
positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upstanding abutment members
or stops 240 move rearwardly between the downwardly projecting
flanges 258 and 260 of the second planar member 242.
On the continued flow of hydraulic fluid to the forward end of the
cylinder 234, rearward extension of the loading plunger 230 from
the position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8 occurs with
abutment of the upstanding stops 240 against the rearward flange
260 of the second planar member 242 causing the latter to be moved
in the guideways 246 rearwardly conjointly with the loading plunger
230.
When the loading plunger 230 reaches its rearwardmost or fully
extended position as shown in FIG 8, control means (not shown) are
operative to cause the flow of hydraulic fluid to the rearward end
of the cylinder 234 to cause forward retraction of the loading
plunger 230. Such forward retraction of the loading plunger 230
proceeds essentially independently of the second planar member 242
with the upstanding stops 240 moving forwardly between the flanges
260 and 258 of the second planar member 242 until the stops 240
abut the forward flange 258 as actually illustrated in FIG. 9.
Further flow of hydraulic fluid to the rearward end of the cylinder
234 causes conjoint forward retraction of the loading plunger 230
and the second planar member 242 from the position shown in FIG. 9
to that shown in FIG. 6, at which stage the operating cycle already
described herein is repeated.
Although the loading plunger construction shown in FIG. 5 has been
described with reference to the use of two generally horizontal and
longitudinally reciprocating planar members, namely planar members
238 and 242, it will be appreciated that, if required, a larger
number of such planar members may be used in a structure in
accordance with the present invention.
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