GB2184995A - Device for emptying containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for emptying round steel refuse containers 34 into a refuse lorry comprises a pick-up frame (6) provided with two horizontal foldaway pick-up arms (12) having at their extremities clamping means for gripping the top rim (33) of the containers (34) which are open at the top and have on the top rim at the outer periphery a reinforcement ring. The clamping means consists of U-shaped formations at the end of each arm which, when a container is positioned between the arms, are moved downwards to rest on the rim. Clamping is by members pivoted to the formations and acted on by rams to trap the rim between themselves and one arm of each formation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for emptying containers The invention relates to a device for emptying containers, in particular refuse containers, into a collecting container, in particular a refuse lorry, comprising a pick-up frame for grasping and supporting the containers, lifting means for raising the containers, and tilting means for tilting the containers, the pick-up frame being provided with means for grasping and supporting round steel containers which are open at the top and at the top rim on the outer periphery are provided with a reinforcement ring.

Such devices are known in various embodiments.

In a particular embodiment of the known device the pick-up frame is provided with a sort of lift truck fork which can be moved under the bottom of the container. With this lift truck fork the container can be lifted, and then at a given moment the top rim of the container comes under a hook which is fastened to the pick-up frame. In this way the container is locked. The container can then be lifted up further and tilted for emptying. The disadvantage of this device is that the design is complex. Besides, the lift truck fork projects far out and makes a dangerous movement when it is taken from the working position to a folded-up storage position.The risk of damage and deformation of the top rim of the container is also very great and, finally, the major part of the filling opening of the refuse lorry is blocked off, so that loading with rough refuse and bags is practically impossible.

In another known device the container is clamped roughly in the middle by a brace disposed on the pick-up frame and in this way is held in and against the pick-up frame. This design also has the disadvantage that it is complex and that the major part of the filling opening of the refuse lorry is blocked off, so that loading with rough refuse and bags is practically impossible.

Finaily, another embodiment is known in which the container is firmly clasped in the middle by two steel arms disposed on the pick-up frame. In addition to the earlier-mentioned disadvantages of the above-mentioned known devices, such as a complex design and the fact that the major part of the filling opening of the refuse lorry is blocked off, this design has the disadvantage that the container can be greatly deformed by the force of the arms.

Furthermore, all the above devices have the disadvantage that they are suitable only for picking up and emptying the above-mentioned round steel containers, and not for emptying other types of containers.

The object of the invention is then to provide a device for emptying containers which eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages, in that the design is simple, the filling opening of the collecting container is not blocked off and allows the possibility of providing the pick-up frame with means for grasping and supporting other types of containers, and in which the containers are damaged as little as possible during emptying.

This object is achieved by a device of the above-mentioned type which is charactertised in that the pick-up frame is provided with two preferably horizontal foldaway pick-up arms for picking up the round steel containers, said pick-up arms being provided at their extremities with clamping means for gripping the reinforced top rim of the containers, and with supporting means for supporting the containers during tilting.

By these measures the above-mentioned round steel containers can be reliably gripped and supported. The containers are not damaged, owing to the fact that they are gripped on the reinforced top rim. This contrasts with the known systems in which the container is gripped in the middle by a gripping brace or gripping arms, where the pick-up force is determined by the resistance of the relatively limp container and the friction between the container wall and the gripping brace or gripping arms. This design also leaves open the possibility of fitting other types of containers to the pick-up frame, while also retaining the possibility of loading rough material and bags.

The clamping means preferably consist of a U-shaped retaining part, of which the legs are directed downwards, and which can fall over the top rim of a container, and a clamping part which can clamp the top rim of a container against the inside of one of the legs of the retaining part.

In this way very good clamping of the top rim of the container is obtained. The clamping force here is not limited to the strength of the container wall, while the necessary friction is obtained by means of four contact surfaces.

In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping part consists of a lever which is essentially situated in the principal plane of the Ushaped retaining part and which is hingedly attached to an extended leg of the U-shaped retaining part, while the hinge pin is essentially at right angles to the principal plane of the retaining part, the top end of the lever projects between the legs of the retaining part, a controllable pressure element, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, is disposed between said top end and the extended leg of the retaining part, and a pressure spring is disposed between the bottom end of the lever and the extended leg.

When the pressure element is activated the top end of the clamping part is pressed against the top rim of the container, which in turn is pressed against the opposite leg of the U-shaped retaining part. The clamping of the top rim is, therefore, very good. If the pressure element is not operated, the lever will be pressed into the non-operating position under the influence of the spring, with the result that the top rim of the container is released. Moreover, during the insertion of the top rim of the container in the clamping means the lever can serve as a guide for the top rim.

Each pick-up arm preferably consists of two parts which are hingedly connected together, and which can be locked together by means of a pull rod which at one end is hingedly connected to one part of the pick-up arm and at the other end is slidable into a guide which is attached to the other part of the pick-up arm, which means that the arms can be folded up, so that they take up as little space as possible when they are not in use.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device, each pick-up arm rotates about a hinge with an essentially vertical axis which is disposed on the pick-up frame and is movable between two positions, i.e. an opened-out working position for picking up a container, and a folded-away, storage position, while the stroke of the pick-up arm in the two extreme positions is limited by a slightly sprung stop.

The arms can thus be folded against the pickup frame in the storage position, so that they are not in the way when the device is being used to handle other types of containers. Besides, during loading of rough refuse or bags the arms fit behind a downward-flapped filling flap of the device. Through the presence of the stops, the position of the pick-up arms is defined, and in the working position in particular the position of the pick-up arms can be adjusted to the diameter of the containers to be picked up.

In a practical embodiment, provision is made between each of the two pick-up arms and the pick-up frame for a draw spring whose one end is adjustably fastened to the pick-up frame, and whose other end is connected to the end of a lever, which is connected to the pick-up arm by means of the hinge pin; said lever being at such an angle to the pick-up arm that in the two positions of the pick-up arm, i.e. the working position and the storage position, the spring is extended on different sides of the hinge pin. This draw spring ensures that in the working position the pick-up arm in question is pressed against the appropriate stop, while the same spring ensures that in the storage position the pick-up arm concerned rests rattle-free against the pick-up frame.The invention will now be explained by a description of an embodiment of the device according to the invention with reference to the attached drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a device according to the invention fitted on a collecting container, in particular a refuse lorry, Fig. 2 is a partial rear view of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an illustration on an enlarged scale of the clamping means of the device in a view according to arrow Ill in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 shows a part of the clamping means of Fig. 3, with clamped top rim of the container, in two embodiments, Fig. 5 is a top view of the pick-up arms in the opened-out working position, and + Fig. 6 is a side view and a top view on an enlarged scale of a part of a pick-up arm according to detail VI in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 of the drawing shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention which is disposed on the tailgate 1 of a refuse lorry.

Mounted on the tailgate 1 is a frame 2. Attached to this frame 2, at the hinge points 3, is a lifting device for lifting the containers. The lifting device consists, inter alia, of two lifting arms 4 which are connected to each other by means of a torsion tube, and which at their ends, at the hinge points 3, are hingedly connected with the frame 2. At the other end of each lifting arm 4 is a hinge point 5. A pickup frame 6 is rotatably connected at the hinge points 5 with the ends of the lifting arms. The pick-up frame 6 is also connected by means of two pull rods 7 with the frame 2. In the rest position of the lifting device these pull rods run roughly parallel to the lifting arms 4.

Each pull rod is hingedly connected at the top end with the frame, at a hinge point 8, and at the bottom end, with the pick-up frame 6, at a hinge point 9.

Disposed on both sides of the lifting device is a hydraulic cylinder 10. Each hydraulic cylinder 10 is hingedly connected at one end, at a hinge point 11, with the frame 2 and at the other end, at a hinge point 11A, with a lifting arm 4.

The pick-up frame 6 is provided with two horizontal foldaway pick-up arms 12. These arms rotate about a vertical hinge 13 which is disposed on the pick-up frame 6. Each arm consists of two parts 14 and 15 which are rotatably connected to each other at point 16.

All this is necessary to permit folding of the pick-up arms (see Fig. 2), so that in the "storage position" they take up as little space as possible and the device is ready again to handle other types of containers. Besides, the pick-up arms fit behind a downward-folded filling flap of the device during the loading of rough refuse or bags.

The two parts 14 and 15 are locked together by a pull rod 18 which can slide into a guide 19. The pull rod 18 is rotatably attached to the part 15 at 20. With the aid of cams 21 on the pull rod 18, the maximum angle between the two parts 14 and 15 is limited.

The top side of the part 15 is designed as a U-shaped retaining part 22, of which the legs are directed downwards, and which can fall over the top rim of a container. The retaining part 22 is formed by the end of the part 15 of the pick-up arm 12, a bridging piece 23, and a clamping plate 24 A clamping part 25 in the form of a lever is rotatably connected to the part 15 at point 26. The top end 27 of the lever 25 projects between the legs of the U-shaped retaining part 22, i.e. the end of the part 15 and the clamping plate 24.

A hydraulic cylinder 28, which is fitted in a holder 29 fastened to the part 15, presses at 30 against the top end 27 of the lever 25. A pressure spring 32, disposed between this end and the part 15, presses against the bottom end of the lever 25.

When the hydraulic cylinder 28 is actuated, a top rim 33,33' of a container 34 fitted between the clamping plate 24 and the top end of the lever 25 will be clamped (see Fig. 4).

During the lifting and tilting, the container rests at the side against the block 35 disposed on the pick-up frame 6. When the hydraulic cylinder 28 is released again, the clamp will be opened by the pressure spring 32.

Each of the two pick-up arms 12 is sprung by means of a draw spring 35 which is adjustably fastened at 36 to the pick-up frame 6.

The other end of the spring 35 is connected by means of a lever 37 to the pin of the vertical hinge 13. The lever 37 is at such an angle relative to the pick-up arm 12 that in the two poisitions of the pick-up arm 12, i.e.

the working position and the storage position, the spring 35 is extended on different sides of the pin of the hinge 13. In this way the spring 35 ensures that in the working position the pick-up arm 12 is pressed by means of a pressure piece 38, which is also connected to the pin of the vertical hinge 13, against a slightly sprung stop, in the form of a rubber buffer 39. This rubber buffer 39 is attached to the pick-up frame 6. The same spring 35 ensures that the pick-up arms 12 in the storage position rest "rattle-free" against the pick-up frame (see position in dotted line in Fig. 5).

Partly by means of a slanting run-on side 40 of the clamping part 25 and the above-mentioned sprung arms 9, the container 34 can align itself to some extent over a distance A (see Fig. 5) during travel in between the two arms 9. This also corrects for unroundness of the top rim of the container due to use.

During the travel of the container 34 in between the arms 9, the latter are in such a position (see the position in the dotted line in Fig. 1) that the bridging piece 23 is still about 15 cm free from the top rim 33 of the container 34. When the container has travelled in between the arms 9, the latter are moved downwards until the said bridging piece 23 rests on the top rim 33 of the container 34.

During this downward movement of the arms 9, the combination of the sprung arms 9 and the slanting run-on side 40 of the clamping part 25 ensures that the container can align itself to some extent (over a distance B, see Fig. 3) and that any unroundness of the container 34 can be corrected for.

A correct adjustment of the relevant pressure relief valve in a hydraulic system for control of the device ensures that the container cannot be damaged when the arms 9 are moved downwards and the bridging piece 23 comes to rest against the top rim 33 of the container 34. The shape of the clamping means on the top side of part 15 of the arms 9 is also such that any difference in design of the top rim 33 of the container can be handled (see Fig. 4).

The position of a container in the tilted position is such that it does not go in the path of the packer plate (not shown) of the refuse lorry, i.e. the packer mechanism can continue to move during emptying of the container into the refuse lorry.

With the device according to the invention, round steel containers which are open at the top and at the top rim on the outer periphery are provided with a reinforcement ring containers which are used in particular in the United Kingdom-can be handled very well. The containers are not damaged, since they are grasped at the reinforced top rim. Also, when they are not in use, the pick-up arms take up very little space and thus do not impede loading of the refuse lorry with rough refuse or with other types of containers.

For the handling of containers with a downward-flanged top rim, which can, for example, have a capacity of 120 litres to 1,100 litres, the pick-up frame can be provided with a hook-shaped pick-up element in the form of a pick-up cam 41 extending horizontally across the device and having locking means disposed on it.

Also containers of the so-called DIN-type up to 1 , 100 litres with downward-flanged top rims can be handled by means of the pick-up cam 41 with the appropriate locking means.

On the top side the device can also be provided with a lid guide 42 which ensures that the lid of a container of the so-called DIN type, which hinges about a pivot pin situated approximately in the centre of the container, is opened in time and that the containers are protected against uncontrolled pitching over on account of their mass inertia.

On the top side the device can further be provided with a catch arm 46 operated by a pneumatic cylinder 47 and which catches a container during the last part of the tilting movement, so that uncontrolled pitching over on account of their mass inertia is prevented.

Finally, the pick-up frame 6 can also be provided with vertically folding away pick-up arms 43 for picking up steel or plastic containers which on their sides are provided with outward projecting, essentially U-shaped pick-up points which are open towards the bottom.

The filling flap 17 is rotatably attached to the frame 2 at 44. This flap is balanced by means of gas springs 45. Before containers are to be handled, this filling flap 17 must be raised by hand (position shown in Fig. 1). The filling flap 17 ensures that in the tilted position of the pick-up frame 6 (shown by the dashed and dotted line in Fig. 1) the refuse falls out of the container 34 being handled, without spiliing, into the tailgate 1. When the filing flap 17 is down, it hangs in front of the pick-up frame 6, as a result of which the latter is protected during the loading of bags and rough refuse.

Claims (7)

1. Device for emptying containers, in particular refuse containers, into a collecting container, in particular a refuse lorry, comprising a pick-up frame for grasping and supporting the containers, lifting means for raising the containers, and tilting means for tilting the containers, the pick-up frame being provided with means for grasping and supporting round steel containers which are open at the top and at the top rim on the outer periphery are provided with a reinforcement ring, characterised in that the pick-up frame is provided with two preferably horizontal foldaway pick-up arms for picking up the round steel containers, said pick-up arms being provided at their extremities with clamping means for gripping the reinforced top rim of the containers, and with supporting means for supporting the containers during tilting.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the clamping means consist of a U-shaped retaining part, of which the legs are directed downwards, and which can fall over the top rim of a container, and a clamping part which can clamp the top rim of a container against the inside of one of the legs of the retaining part.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the clamping part consists of a lever which is essentially situated in the principal plane of the U-shaped retaining part and which is hingedly attached to an extended leg of the U-shaped retaining part, while the hinge pin is essentially at right angles to the principal plane of the retaining part, the top end of the lever projects between the legs of the retaining part, a controllable pressure element, preferably a hydraulic cylinder, is disposed between said top end and the extended leg of the retaining part, and a pressure spring is disposed between the bottom end of the lever and the extended leg.

4. Device according to one of claims 1-3, characterised in that each pick-up arm consists of two parts which are hingedly connected together, and which can be locked together by means of a pull rod which at one end is hingedly connected to one part of the pick-up arm and at the other end is slidable into a guide which is attached to the other part of the pick-up arm.

5. Device according to one of claims 1-4, characterised in that each pick-up arm rotates about a hinge with an essentially vertical axis which is disposed on the pick-up frame and is movable between two positions, i.e. an opened-out working position for picking up a container, and a folded-away, storage position, while the stroke of the pick-up arm in the two extreme positions is limited by a slightly sprung stop.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterised in that provision is made between each of the two pick-up arms and the pick-up frame for a draw spring whose one end is adjustably fastened to the pick-up frame, and whose other end is connected to the end of a lever which is connected to the pick-up arm by means of the hinge pin, said lever being at such an angle to the pick-up arm that in the two positions of the pick-up arm, i.e. the working position and the storage position, the spring is extended on different sides of the hinge pin.

7. Device for emptying containers, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.