GB2135958A

GB2135958A - Refuse collection vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2135958A
Application number: GB08306276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-08
Filing date: 1983-03-08
Publication date: 1984-09-12
Also published as: GB8306276D0; GB2135958B

Abstract

A refuse collection vehicle (10) has a refuse entry space (11) for the manual insertion of refuse and a bin hoist (14) for the automatic hoisting and emptying of refuse bins through a second entry space (12). When not required, the bin hoist (14) may be moved from its in-use position to a parked position so that it no longer obstructs the entry space (11) thereby facilitating the manual loading of refuse. Movement of the bin hoist (14) from its in-use position to a parked position is effected by rotation of shaft (16) which moves the bin hoist (14) to a position in which it at least partially overlies the second entry space (12). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A refuse collection vehicle and bin-hoist for mounting on a refuse collection vehicle The invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle of the kind, hereinafter referred to as a refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified, which comprises a container for the collection of refuse and which defines a refuse entry space to provide access for the manual insertion of refuse into the container. The invention also relates to a bin-hoist for mounting on a refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified.

In the past, separate types of vehicle have been used for collecting refuse contained in bins which require mechanical handling to discharge their contents and for collecting domestic refuse which is placed manually in the container of the vehicle, and one object of the present invention is to provide a dual purpose vehicle capable of both manual and mechanical refuse loading.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified comprising a bin-hoist for tipping the contents of a bin into the container of the vehicle, the bin hoist comprising a bin holder which is pivotable between an in-use position in which the bin holder at least partially obstructs the refuse entry space by means of which refuse may be inserted manually into the container and a further position in which the holder does not obstruct said refuse entry space so as to facilitate the manual loading of refuse.

Afurther object of the invention is the provision of a vehicle of the kind specified on which a bin hoist can be stored in an inoperative position when not required for use, for example when travelling from a depot to a working area.

According to this aspect of the invention, there is provided a refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified comprising a bin-hoist for tipping the contents of bin into the container of the vehicle, the bin-hoist comprising a bin holder pivotable between an in-use position and further position in which the bin holder is stowed above the refuse entry space.

In a preferred embodiment of vehicle the bin holder is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis between said positions. Alternatively however, the bin holder may be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, the further position being adjacent to the side of the vehicle.

In the preferred embodiment of vehicle the bin holder is mounted for pivoting on a shaft which defines an upper boundary of the refuse entry space.

Preferably, the bin holder is pivotable through a first angular range from a load position, in which a bin can be mounted on the bin holder, to a tipping position, in which the contents of the bin are tipped into the container of the vehicle, and additionally through a further angular range to a park position where the bin holder is disposed when not in use.

Preferably, the park position is spaced upwardly and forwardly of the refuse entry space.

In a preferred embodiment of vehicle the bin holder is arranged adjacent to a further refuse entry space of the vehicle when in the tipping position, the further refuse entry space providing access for refuse tipped from the bin into the container.

In the preferred embodiment of bin-hoist, the bin holder is carried by the shaft and the shaft is rotatable by means of a crank, and a drive element which extends between the crank and a further part of the vehicle. Preferably, the bin-hoist comprises a further crank and drive element, the further crank being keyed to the shaft to extend radially therefrom at a different angle to the first crank, the angle being such that each of the crank arrangements are operable sequentially to pivot the bin holder through successive portions of the angular range thereof.

With such a bin-hoist, the first of the crank and drive elements may be arranged to as to be operable to pivot the bin holder between the load position and the tipping position, and a second of the crank and drive elements may be arranged so as to be operable to pivot the bin holder between the tipping position and the park position.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a bin-hoist for mounting on a refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified comprising a bin holder and first and second cranks mounted a shaft, wherein the cranks extend radially from the shaft in different angular directions.

An example of a vehicle and a bin-hoistfor mounting on a vehicle in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bin-hoist mounted on a refuse collection vehicle, and Figures 2 to 4 show stages in the operation of the bin-hoist.

A refuse collection vehicle 10 comprises a container for refuse and a pair of refuse entry spaces for the access of refuse to the container. A first of the spaces 11 is spaced downwardly from a second of the spaces 12 and provides access for the manual insertion of refuse over a rail 13 into the container. A bin-hoist 14 mounted on the vehicle comprises a bin holder 15 which is pivotable about an axis 31 defined by a shaft 16. The bin-hoist is intended for tipping the contents of a bin over the shaft and through the second refuse entry space into the container. The shaft defines upper and lower boundaries of the first and second refuse entry spaces respectively.

The bin holder 15 comprises a post 17 which is slidable in a sleeve 18 by means of a piston and cylinder inside the sleeve which extends between the sleeve and the post. The post protrudes from an open end of the sleeve which is furthermost from the shaft 16 and a pair of feet 19 are mounted on the exposed end portion of the post. The feet extend transversely of the post and can support a bin when in an in-use position (as shown in Figure 1). The feet are pivotable relative to the post from the in-use position to an out of use position in which they extend generally along the length of the post towards the shaft. The feet are pivoted by means of a rack and pinion means 20 on the sleeve and post which is arranged so that the pinion thereof engages the rack to pivot the feet as the post approaches an innermost position in the sleeve.

A pair of wings 21 are mounted at a portion of the sleeve 18 adjacent to the shaft 16 for clamping a bin onto the bin holder 15. When in an in-use position (as shown in Figure 1) the wings partially embrace a bin which is seated on the feet 19. A downwardly extending hook 28 is provided on each wing to hook the lip of a bin seated on the feet as the post 17 is retracted into the sleeve. The wings can be moved relative to the sleeve to respective out of use postions. The wings are pivotable about respective axes which extend along the length of the sleeve and, when in the out of use position, overiap one another.

A pair of lifting piston and cylinders 22 extend between mounting means on the shaft 16 and the sleeve 18 along the length of the sleeve thereof. The lifting piston and cylinders are spaced forwardly of the sleeve, as viewed in Figure 1, and to either side thereof (only one is visible in the drawings). One end portion of the lifting piston and cylinders are mounted on a keying means 29 which is keyed to the shaft, and the other end portion thereof is mounted on a block 30 which is attached to the sleeve. Figure 1 shows the post 17 and the lifting piston and cylinders 22 in retracted positions so that the bin holder is adjacent to the shaft and provides a minimum moment about the axis 31 thereof.

The shaft 16 isjournalled in respective protruding parts 32 of the vehicle on either side of the load entry spaces 11 and 12. The shaft extends generally horizontally. End portions of the shaft protrude from the protuding parts outwardly from the vehicle, and first and second cranks, 23 and 24 respectively, are keyed to the end portions. A drive element which is a first piston and cylinder extends between the vehicle and the first crank adjacent to an outer side surface of the vehicle, and a further drive element which is a second piston and cylinder 26 extends between the vehicle and the second crank adjacent to the opposite outer side surface of the vehicle.The cranks extend radially from the shaft at different angles, the angles being such that the respective crank arrangements can be operated sequentially to pivot the bin holder through successive portions of pivoting angle of the bin holder. The first piston and cylinder can be operated to pivot the bin holder between a clamping position and a tipping position, through approximately 1500. The second piston and cylinder can be operated to pivot the bin holder between the tipping position and a park position, through approximately 75". The provision of two crank arrangements enables the bin holder to be pivoted through a greater pivoting angle than would be possible with one crank arrangment.

It will be appreciated that other types of mechanism may be utilised to rotate the shaft, for example a rotary motor.

Control means 27 for pivoting the bin holder 15 are provided adjacent to the first load entry space 11.

When the bin hoist 14 is to be used to tip the contents of a bin into the container of the refuse collection vehicle, the bin holder is placed in the load position with the sleeve substanially vertical and the post in an extended position as shown in Figure 2. A bin is seated on the feet 19 and the post is retracted into the sleeve until the bin is clamped on the bin holder by means of the hooks 28. The lifting piston and cylinders 22 are then retracted to draw the bin holder towards the shaft. Next, the bin holder is pivoted about the axis 31 of the shaft by extending the first piston cylinder 25 so that the bin holder is pivoted to a tipping positon, as shown in Figure 3.

The contents of the bin are ejected through the second load entry space 12 into the container of the vehicle.

When the bin-hoist is not being used and free access to the container of the vehicle via the first load entry space 11 is required, the bin hoist is pivoted from the clamping position to a further position which is a park position which is spaced forwardly of the load and tipping positions. Firstly, the feet 19 and wings 21 are moved to their out of use positions, the post 17 being in an innermost position in the sleeve 18. The bin holder is then pivoted from the clamping position to the tipping position by the extension of the first piston and cylinder 25, and from the tipping position to the park position by the retraction of the second piston and cylinder 26. The first load entry space is then substantially unobstructed. The unibstructed height of the space, measured from the rail 13 to the shaft 16 is greater than 0.5 metres and is preferably, approximately 1 metre in height. The unobstructed width of the first load entry space is approximately the same as the width of the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that a bin-hoist in accordance with the invention may be mounted on an alternative part of a vehicle to the part on which the illustrated bin-hoist is mounted. For example, the bin hoist may be mounted to be pivotable between a position on the side of the vehicle and a position spaced upwardly from the container of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A bin hoistformounting on a refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified comprising a bin-hoist for tipping the contents of a bin into the container of the vehicle, the bin hoist comprising a bin holder which is pivotable between an in-use position in which the bin holder at least partially obstructs the refuse entry space by means of which refuse may be inserted manually into the container and a further position in which the holder does not obstruct said refuse entry space so as to facilitate the manual loading of refuse.

2. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said further position of said bin holder is above the refuse entry space.

3. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein said bin holder is pivotable between its in-use position and further position about a substantially horizontal axis.

4. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said bin holder is mounted for pivotal movement on or about a shaft the longitudinal axis of which defines an upper boundary of the refuse entry space.

5. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bin holder is pivotable through a first angular range from a load position, in which a bin can be mounted on the bin holder, to a tipping position, in which the contents of the bin are tipped into the container of the vehicle, and pivotable through a further angular range to a park position where the bin holder is disposed when not in use.

6. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said park position is spaced upwardly and forwardly of the refuse entry space.

7. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said bin holder is arranged adjacent to a further refuse entry space, said further refuse entry space providing access for refuse tipped from a bin held by said bin holder.

8. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said bin holder is mounted for pivotal movement on or relative to a shaft, said pivotal movement being effected by a drive element through the intermediary of a crank.

9. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said bin hoist comprises a further crank and drive element, said further crank extending radially from the axis of said axis angularly displaced from said first crank, the arrangement of said cranks being such that said drive element and said further drive element operate sequentially to pivot the bin holder through successive portions of its angular range of movement.

10. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 9 wherein said crank and drive element are arranged ao as to be operable to pivotthe bin holder between a load position and a tipping position and said further crank and drive element are arranged so as to be operable to pivot the bin holder between said tipping position and a park position.

11. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10 wherein said bin holder is carried by said shaft and wherein said cranks are mounted on and extend radially from said shaft at different angles from each other, said drive element and said further drive element being connected to a respective crank.

12. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11 wherein said drive elements comprise hydraulic or pneumatically operated pistons and cylinders.

13. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said bin holder comprises relatively movable parts movable in a direction towards each other to enable a bin to be clamped by said bin holder, said movement being effected by a pneumatically or hydraulically operated piston and cylinder.

14. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 13 wherein one of said relatively moving parts comprises a foot element adapted to locate the underside of a bin and wherein further movement of said relatively movable elements in a direction towards each other beyond a bin gripping position causes said foot element to take up a folded state relative to the remainder of said bin holder.

15. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said further position of said bin holder is adjacent the side of the vehicle.

16. A refuse collection vehicle of the kind specified comprising a bin hoist for tipping the contents of a bin into the container of the vehicle, the bin hoist comprising a bin holder which is pivotal between an in-use position and a further position in which the bin holder is stowed above the refuse entry space.

17. A refuse collection vehicle as claimed in Claim 16 wherein said bin hoist is in accordance with the arrangement as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15.

18. A bin hoist for mounting on a refuse collection vehicle comprising a bin holder mounted for pivotal movement between an in-use postion in which said bin hoist can empty bins of refuse into a refuse collection vehicle and a further parked position in which said bin hoist is situate remote from a refuse entry space provided on the vehicle for the manual insertion of refuse.

19. A bin hoist as claimed in Claim 18 wherein said bin hoist includes any of the features as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 17.

20. A refuse collection vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A bin hoist substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

22. A refuse collection vehicle having any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.