U.S. patent number 3,796,331 [Application Number 05/241,533] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-12 for apparatus for mechanically gathering or collecting various commodities, refuse or the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Gulf Oil Corporation. Invention is credited to Glenn L. Dutton.
United States Patent |
3,796,331 |
Dutton |
March 12, 1974 |
APPARATUS FOR MECHANICALLY GATHERING OR COLLECTING VARIOUS
COMMODITIES, REFUSE OR THE LIKE
Abstract
An apparatus for mechanically gathering or collecting various
commodities, refuse or the like comprising a scissor-type boom
operably secured to a mobile carrier therefor. The boom comprises a
plurality of elements rotatable along a vertical axis and operably
interconnected such that the rotation of the first results in a
corresponding rotation of the remaining elements. Generally, the
boom will comprise an elevation control member and carry a means
suitable for gathering or collecting the commodities, refuse or the
like which is sought to be retrieved. Essentially any vehicle may
be used as the mobile carrier. A modified, low packer plate body
truck is, however, preferred.
Inventors: |
Dutton; Glenn L. (Vidor,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Gulf Oil Corporation
(Pittsburgh, PA)
|
Family
ID: |
22911081 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/241,533 |
Filed: |
April 6, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/728; 212/230;
414/501; 414/550; 414/555; 414/739; 414/744.7; 414/734;
414/744.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66C
13/18 (20130101); B66C 2700/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B66C
13/18 (20060101); B66c 023/84 (); B60p
001/50 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/518,77,141,132,125,138,147G,148,151
;212/66,42,54,55,59,47,46,12 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Makay; Albert J.
Claims
Having thus described and illustrated the invention, what is
claimed is:
1. An apparatus for gathering or collecting various commodities,
refuse and the like comprising: a scissor-type boom having at least
two elements rotatable about a vertical axis; an elevation control
member secured to the free end of said scissor-type boom; a
telescopic extension member slidably secured within said elevation
member said elevation control member being pivotal about a
horizontal axis; means for retrieving one or more commodities,
refuse or the like, said means for retrieving being operably
secured to the free end of said telescopic extension member; and a
mobile carrier having said scissor-type boom rotatably secured
thereto.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scissor-type boom
comprises a first rotatable element and a second rotatable element,
said first and second rotatable elements being operably
interconnected such that rotation of said first element results in
a corresponding rotation of said second
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scissor-type boom is
rotatably mounted on a support platform, which platform is secured
to said mobile
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said mobile carrier is a low
packer plate body truck modified so as to carry said support
platform between the
5. The apparatus of claim 3 including means to slide the rotatable
mounted
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mobile carrier is a
tractor and said support platform is secured to the frame of a
trailer disposed behind and secured to said tractor.
Description
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for collecting
various commodities, refuse or the like. More particularly, this
invention relates to an improved, mobile apparatus for mechanically
collecting various commodities, refuse or the like.
Heretofore, several apparatus have been proposed for mechanically
gathering various commodities and/or refuse and then transferring
the same to a suitable carriage or storage bin. For example,
several fruit and vegetable harvesters have been proposed which
will permit such crops to be removed, mechanically, from the ground
or plants, either separately or in groups, and transferred to a
suitable carrier therefor such as a tractor drawn trailer.
Generally, however, the basket or other means used to retrieve the
fruit or vegetables has been somewhat difficult to position and its
operation awkward and/or slow. Similarly, several apparatus have
been proposed for mechanically transferring refuse and the like to
the bed of a truck. Again, however, the mechanisms employed have
been somewhat difficult to align with the refuse or the receptacle
containing the same and their operation awkward and/or slow.
Moreover, most, if not all, of the prior art apparatus have not
been capable of retrieving refuse when cars are parked along the
street so as to obstruct the path between the collection vehicle
and the refuse and many have employed a plurality of conveyors
which are both costly and time consuming.
As is well known, the costs of labor in the areas of both produce
handling and refuse collection continues to increase, especially in
the more populous areas. Moreover, hiring and retaining dependable
labor has become increasingly difficult. The need for mechanically
operated or automated equipment to perform these tasks is,
therefore, readily apparent. Notwithstanding this apparent need,
however, it is essential that such equipment be available at as low
a cost as possible and that the same exhibit a minimum possible
cycle time between pick-up and deposit in a suitable carrier or
storage bin.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an
improved apparatus for collecting or gathering various commodities,
refuse or the like. It is another object of this invention to
provide such an apparatus having a means for gathering or
collecting such materials which may be readily positioned. It is
still another object of this invention to provide such an apparatus
having a reduced cycle time. It is yet another object of this
invention to provide such an apparatus employing a single conveyor
during the entire loading cycle. It is a still further object of
this invention to provide such an apparatus which is capable of
retrieving refuse and the like even when cars might be parked along
the curb. These and other objects and advantages will be apparent
from the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the appended
drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing and other
objects are accomplished with an apparatus comprising a
scissor-type boom or conveyor operably mounted on a mobile carrier.
The scissor-type boom is fashioned such that the rotatable elements
thereof will rotate about a vertical axis and will carry a means
suitable for picking-up any of the various commodities, for which
the present invention is useful, refuse or the like and depositing
the same in a carrier or storage bin therefor. The carrier or
storage bin may be an integral part of the mobile carrier or the
same may be towed thereby or by another vehicle or the same may be
fixedly or movably disposed at a remote location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away and with certain
detail omitted for purposes of clarity, of an apparatus within the
scope of the present invention showing the scissor-type boom in its
return or neutral position;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with
portions broken away and certain detail omitted for purpose of
clarity, showing the scissor-type boom in an extended position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a suitable means for picking-up and
depositing the various commodities and/or refuse which may be
gathered with the apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view cut along line 4--4 showing the rotation
actuating means;
FIG. 5 is a plan view, with certain detail omitted for purposes of
clarity, of the scissor-type boom drive mechanism;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation, with certain detail omitted for
purposes of clarity, of the scissor-type boom drive mechanism,
taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing various positions of the
scissor-type boom, from the top, when a three to one gear ratio is
employed in the drive mechanism;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation, with portions cut away and certain
detail omitted for purposes of clarity, of still another apparatus
within the scope of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a side elevation, with portions cut away and certain
detail omitted for purposes of clarity, of the boom slide mounting
employed in the apparatus of FIG. 8; and
FIG. 10 is a front elevation, with portions cut away and certain
detail omitted for purposes of clarity, of the boom slide mounting
employed in the apparatus of FIG. 8.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
While the present invention is intended to have relatively broad
application, it is believed that the same will be most readily
understood by reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in
the appended drawings. Referring then to FIGS. 1-4, inclusive,
there is shown a particularly preferred embodiment of the present
invention. As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus of
the present invention comprises a scissor-type boom 2 operably
secured to a mobile carrier 4.
The scissor-type boom, as illustrated, comprises: a first rotatable
element 6, hereinafter referred to as the primary boom; a second
rotatable element 8, hereinafter referred to as a secondary boom;
an extension member 10; and an elevation control member 12. The
primary boom 6 is secured to and free to rotate about a vertical
axis with drive shaft 14 while the secondary boom 8 is secured to
and free to rotate about a vertical axis with follower shaft 16. As
will be pointed out more fully, infra, the primary and secondary
booms 6 and 8 are operably interconnected such that the rotation of
secondary boom 8 is coordinated with the rotation of primary boom 6
with the rotation of both being controlled by the rotation of drive
shaft 14. The extension member 10, in the embodiment illustrated,
is telescopically disposed within elevation control member 12 which
member is, in turn, pivotally mounted along a horizontal axis to
the free end 18 of secondary boom 8 with suitable means 20
therefor.
As can be seen in the Figures, the scissor-type boom carries a
means 22 for gathering or collecting the various commodities,
refuse or the like. In the embodiment illustrated, a cylindrical
cage or basket is employed as the gathering or collecting means 22.
The basket is pivotally or floatably secured to the free end of
extension member 10 with suitable means 24 therefor through a
bi-directional motor 26 and comprises opposed, semi-cylindrical jaw
members 28 and 30, each of which is pivotally or rotatably secured
to a longitudinal support member 32-32. As will be readily
apparent, the floatable mounting enables the basket to extend
generally downward and in substantially the same position,
irrespective of the position of elevation control member 12. It
will, of course, be appreciated that essentially any bi-directional
hydraulic motor could be employed in the apparatus of the present
invention. The Series 20 motor manufactured by Tyrone Hydraulics,
Inc. of Corinth, Mississippi is, however, preferred.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, each of the
semi-cylindrical jaw members 28 and 30 comprise a plurality of
curved frame members 34--34 spaced along the periphery of said jaw
members and a plurality of longitudinal support members 36-- 36.
The opposed jaw members 28 and 30 may be rotated about longitudinal
supports 32--32 into an open or closed position with suitable means
such as cylinders 38 and 40. As can best be seen in FIG. 3,
cylinders 38 and 40 are pivotally connected to motor housing 42 at
one end and to jaw members 28 and 30, respectively, through pistons
44 and 46 at the other end. It will, of course, be appreciated that
the basket 22 could be fully or partially enclosed with a solid,
sheet material or with a screen covering, and, in fact, such
closure will be preferred where small, individual commodities such
as fruits and vegetables are to be gathered. The basket, as
illustrated, is, however, quite satisfactory for collecting such
commodities, refuse or the like, especially where the same is
contained in a plastic or polymeric container.
The elevation of the gathering or collecting means 22 will be
controlled, primarily, with elevation control member 12 which is,
in turn, positioned with cylinder 48. As can be seen in the
Figures, cylinder 48 is pivotally secured to secondary boom 8
through plate 50 at one end while the piston 52 thereof is
rotatably secured to elevation control 12 at the other end. As will
be readily apparent, retraction of piston 52 will cause the
elevation control member to pivot about securing means 20 thereby
lowering the basket 22. Moreover, the elevation of the gathering
means 22 will be indirectly affected by the position of extension
member 10. In this regard, it should be noted that extension member
10 may be telescoped outwardly by extending piston 54, which piston
is secured to said extension member 10 through plate 56, of
cylinder 58, which cylinder is secured to elevation control member
12 through plate 60. As will readily apparent, the extension of
member 10 will increase the distance from the basket 22 to the
pivot 20 and thereby result in a lower elevation for said basket
for any corresponding position of piston 52, except when said
piston is fully extended and the elevation control member 12 not
pivoted about pivot means 20.
The scissor-type boom 2 may be secure directly or indirectly to the
mobile carrier 4 in any manner which will permit cylindrical drive
shaft 14 to rotate freely within the desired range. Such
connections are, of course, well within the ordinary skill of the
art and need not be set forth in detail herein. The indirect method
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein said scissor-type boom is
operably connected to a suitable supporting platform 62, which
platform houses the rotation actuating means is, however,
preferred. As can be seen in the Figures, the supporting platform
comprises an upper support plate 64 suitably secured to upper cross
members 66--66, a lower support plate 68, suitably secured to lower
cross members 70--70 and a plurality of vertical frame members
72--72. The rotation actuating mechanism 74 is housed between the
upper and lower support plates and this portion of the support
frame is enclosed with suitable sheet material 76--76. As can also
be seen in the Figures, the supporting platform may be secured to
the frame of a suitable mobile carrier.
As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive shaft 14 extends
through positioning sleeve 78, which sleeve is welded or otherwise
secured to upper support plate 64, and through an opening in both
the upper and lower support plates and is held in place with
securing sleeve 80. Bearings, not shown, are provided, as required,
to minimize friction between the moving surfaces.
As can best be seen in FIG. 4, rotation arm 82 is secured to the
lower portion of drive shaft 14. The rotation arm 82 is, in turn,
pivotally secured to piston 84 of rotation actuating means 74. In
the embodiment illustrated, the rotation actuating means is a
two-way hydraulic cylinder which is itself pivotally mounted on a
suitable bracket 86. Other rotation means such as the horizontally
opposed piston, rack and pinion actuators manufactured by Flo-Torq,
Inc. and Ohio Oscillator Company, Inc. could, however, be used.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that a fixed
sprocket 88 is keyed or otherwise secured to upper portion of
positioning sleeve 78 while a rotatable sprocket 90 is keyed or
otherwise secured to the lower portion of follower shaft 16. The
two sprockets are connected with drive chain 92, the path of which
is defined by a plurality of idler sprockets 94--94. As can be seen
in FIG. 6, the idler sprockets 94--94 are secured to and extend
downwardly from the lower side of primary boom 6. As will be
pointed out more fully hereinafter, the connection of the primary
and secondary booms 6 and 8 in this manner results in the rotation
of said second element with shaft 16 as said first element is
rotated with drive shaft 14.
In the embodiment illustrated, the supporting platform 62 has been
secured to the frame 96 of a truck having a low-packer plate body
98. Except for the modification required for securing the
supporting platform to the frame, the truck is otherwise of a
standard design known in the prior art. In the embodiment
illustrated, the frame 96 has been extended such that the support
platform can be positioned between the packer blade body 98 and the
cab 100. It will, of course, be appreciated that a similar result
could be obtained by shortening the packer body 98. Moreover, a
suitable adjustment in rotary element lengths and the provision of
a suitable reinforcing structure would permit the scissor-type boom
to be secured directly to the body 98 or the cab 100.
In the embodiment heretofore described and illustrated, rotation of
the drive shaft 14, the extension of member 10, the positioning of
elevation control member 12, and the opening and closing of basket
22 are effected hydraulically. Details relating to the hydraulic
system as well as its control have been omitted from the drawings,
however, for purposes of clarity. In this regard, it should be
noted that it is well within the ordinary skill of the art to
provide a sequence of supply and return lines, a reservoir, pumps,
accumulators, etc., as well as suitable means to control the
operations heretofore described. Moreover, these operations could
be readily effected pneumatically or electrically. In any case,
however, the controls therefor will be positioned at or near the
driver's location so that a single operator can conveniently
perform the entire gathering or collecting operation.
In operation, it is anticipated that the apparatus of the present
invention will be driven slowly along a path removed from one or
more rows of commodities or refuse to be gathered thereby. When the
apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 is employed to collect refuse,
the apparatus will be driven along a path generally equidistant
from the opposed street curbs and the scissor-type boom rotated and
extended so as to collect the refuse positioned along said curbs.
Generally, a sole operator will be able to drive the mobile carrier
and operate the scissor-type boom from a control panel positioned
at or near the driver's station. As the mobile carrier moves along
its intended path, its motion will generally be halted when it
reaches a pick-up or collecting point. At this point, rotation
actuating means 74 will be energized such that piston 84 is either
extended or retracted thereby imparting a rotary motion to drive
shaft 14. As will be readily apparent, when the piston is extended,
the motion of the drive shaft will be counterclockwise, when viewed
from above, while retraction will impart a clockwise motion. Motion
in both directions is, of course, illustrated with broken lines in
FIG. 4. As will also be readily apparent, the extent of the
rotation will depend upon the particular rotary actuator employed
as well as the particular rotation arm and its linkage to the
rotary actuation. Generally, however, a rotation of the drive shaft
of about 60.degree. in either direction from center will be
sufficient to permit the basket 22 to retrieve refuse or the like
from the curb.
As can be seen in FIG. 7, retraction of piston 84, in the
embodiment illustrated, will cause primary boom 6 to rotate through
an angle of 60.degree. to the right of center of the mobile carrier
4. It will, of course, be appreciated that the rotation of primary
boom 6 could be stopped at any angle between 0.degree. and the
angle of maximum rotation, in this case 60.degree., such as the
position illustrated with broken lines in FIG. 7. Moreover, the
secondary boom 8 could be lowered at anyone of these several
positions and refuse or the like picked-up by the basket
thereat.
As can also be seen in FIG. 7, as primary boom 6 rotates with drive
shaft 14, there is a corresponding rotation of secondary boom 8
with follower shaft 16 due to the action of chain 92 on sprocket
90. The extent of the rotation of the secondary boom will, of
course, depend upon the size ratio between fixed sprocket 88 and
rotary sprocket 90. In the embodiment illustrated, this ratio is
3:1, and as can be seen in the Figure, this results in an opposite
rotation of the secondary boom 8 through an angle three times as
great as the angle of rotation of the primary boom 6. When the
primary boom 6 has rotated through an angle of 60.degree. then, the
secondary boom 8 will have rotated 180.degree. with follower shaft
16 and the two booms will extend outwardly from the drive shaft 14
in a straight line. This is, of course, the most convenient
position of the boom for gathering or collecting refuse or the like
with basket 22. Moreover, and in a preferred embodiment as shown,
the combined length of rotary elements 6 and 8 will be sufficient
to permit the free end 18 of secondary boom 8 to extend beyond any
cars which might be parked along the curb. In this way, elevation
control member 12 may then be pivoted about lateral axis 20 and the
refuse retrieved without striking any such parked cars.
Notwithstanding this advantage, however, and as has already been
noted, a pick-up could be made at anyone of the several positions
within the range of basket 22.
Once the scissor-type boom is properly positioned for a pick-up,
further adjustment of the basket position may be effected by
activating cylinder 58 to thereby extend extension member 10. With
the basket thus properly positioned, the same may then be opened
with motor 26 and lowered so as to enclose the material to be
retrieved. At this point, the basket will then be closed and
returned to the neutral or discharge position by reversing the
sequence previously described.
With the basket returned to the neutral position, the gathered
material may be discharged into the receiving portion 102 of the
truck body by opening basket 22. Guides 104-104 facilitate the
positioning of the refuse or other material in front of packer
plate 106. The sliding of packer plate 106 along track 108 will
then transfer the gathered material to the aft portion of the truck
body. When the packer plate is returned to its forward position,
the gathering and discharge cycle may be repeated.
It will, of course, be appreciated that the operating sequence
employed to position the basket 22 into both the pick-up and
discharge positions is not critical, and hence, that the basket may
be partially or completely open before extension of the boom is
started or completed. Similarly, the basket may be at least
partially lowered before the boom has been extended to the pick-up
position. Moreover, retraction of the boom could be started before
the basket has been lifted. In a preferred embodiment, however, the
return of the boom to the neutral or discharge position, the
discharge of the gathered refuse or the like into the receiving
portion of the truck body, and the packing thereof will be fully
automated. Moreover, the basket will, preferably, be fully lifted
during both the positioning operations so as to afford maximum
clearance to other vehicles which may wish to pass during these
operations as well as any vehicles which may be parked along the
curb. This automatic retraction will, of course, free the operator
to begin movement of the vehicle to the next collection point
during retraction, thereby further reducing the overall cycle
time.
In general, the boom portion of the apparatus of the present
invention may comprise any number of rotary elements greater than
two. Moreover, each element may be of essentially any length so
long as the combined length of all elements is sufficient to
provide the desired boom extension for any given purpose or
purposes. It should be noted, however, that as the number of such
elements increases, positioning of the gathering or collecting
means becomes increasingly difficult. It is, therefore, preferred
that the boom comprise two rotary elements interconnected in the
manner heretofore described and illustrated. Such a boom
arrangement has the further advantage of positioning the gathering
or collecting means to the aft of the operator while the same is in
both the neutral and discharge positions. As a result, the forward
visibility of the operator is not obstructed, as it would be with
forward mounted boom arrangements and/or with boom arrangements
that result in dumping forward of the operator. In a most preferred
embodiment and when the two rotary element boom is secured to a low
packer plate body truck, it is preferred that the full extension of
the boom, including the elevation control member and the extension
member, when in use, be from about 20 to about 30 feet.
As has been noted, supra, the boom portion of the present invention
could be secured to still other mobile carriers and the resulting
apparatus employed to gather commodities such as fruits and
vegetables as well as refuse or other materials such as hay. Such
an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 8. Referring then to FIG. 8,
there is shown an apparatus comprising a scissor-type boom 2
operably secured to a mobile carrier, in this case, an otherwise
conventional tractor 5. Since the boom and the manner in which it
is secured to the mobile carrier are identical, except as is
hereinafter pointed out, to that previously described with
reference to FIGS. 1-7, the same reference numerals have been
employed to identify the same components. Moreover, since the
structure and function of common components is the same as has been
previously described, these will not be repeated hereinafter except
as is required to point out the differences between the two
embodiments.
As can be seen in the Figure then, the support platform 62 has been
secured to an extended frame 110 of an otherwise conventional
trailer 112. As can be seen in the Figure, the trailer 112 is
connected to and may be towed by tractor 5 in a conventional
manner. In the embodiment illustrated, the scissor-type boom 2 is
secured to the support platform 62 in the same manner as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that it is slidably mounted
thereon. In this regard, and as can best be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10,
it should be noted that central portions 114 and 116 of upper and
lower plates 64 and 68, respectively, are secured together with
braces 118-118 and are free to slide in grooves 120-120. A lateral
sliding motion may be imparted with hydraulic cylinder 122, which
cylinder is secured to cross member 70 at one end and to central
portion 116 through piston 124 on the other.
In operation, the basket or other gathering means 22, which may
either be covered or uncovered, will be positioned, with suitable
controls disposed near the operator, in the same manner as
previously described. The discharge, however, will be modified,
slightly, since the trailer 112 does not comprise a receiving
section or means for transferring the gathered materials from front
to back. In this regard, it should be noted that the basket 22 may
be positioned for purposes of dumping at any point along the
trailer bed by extending the piston 124 and/or by extending
extension member 10 to the rear of said trailer.
From the foregoing, it will be clear that the apparatus of the
present invention is well suited for gathering or collecting
various commodities and/or refuse or the like. Moreover, while the
present invention has been described by reference to specific
embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that the same lends itself
to many modifications and variations. Accordingly, reference should
be made solely to the appended claims to determine the scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *