Deformable gripper arm
AssigneeThe Heil Co.
InventorBryan Stewart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A refuse collection vehicle includes a refuse grabber assembly, a lift arm coupled to the refuse grabber assembly, and a hopper configured to receive refuse from the refuse container. The lift arm is operable to position the refuse grabber assembly. The refuse grabber assembly includes a first grabber arm and a second grabber arm that are configured to cooperate to engage the refuse container. The first grabber arm includes a first gripper and a first support arm coupled to the first gripper. The first gripper includes a first deformable structure configured to contact a first surface of a refuse container. The second grabber arm includes a second gripper and a second support arm coupled to the second gripper. The second gripper includes a second deformable structure configured to contact a second surface of the refuse container.
Claims18
A refuse collection vehicle comprising:
- a refuse grabber assembly comprising:
- a first grabber arm comprising:
- a first gripper comprising:
- a first insert having a first plurality of openings extending through the first insert;
- and
- a first deformable structure configured to contact a first surface of a refuse container, the first deformable structure defining a first lattice with a first internal web that deforms in response to application of a threshold force on a surface of the first gripper, a portion of the first deformable structure extending through and coupled to at least one opening of the first plurality of openings of the first insert;
- a first support arm coupled to the first gripper by the first insert;
- and
- a second grabber arm comprising:
- a second gripper comprising:
- a second insert having a second plurality of openings extending through the second insert;
- a second deformable structure configured to contact a second surface of the refuse container, the second deformable structure defining a second lattice with a second internal web that deforms in response to application of a threshold force on a surface of the second gripper, a portion of the second deformable structure extending through and coupled to at least one of the second plurality of openings of the second insert;
- and
- a second support arm coupled to the second gripper by the second insert,
- wherein the first grabber arm and the second grabber arm are configured to cooperate to engage the refuse container;
- a lift arm coupled to the refuse grabber assembly, the lift arm operable to position the refuse grabber assembly;
- and
- a hopper configured to receive refuse from the refuse container.
A refuse grabber assembly comprising:
- a grabber arm operable to engage a refuse container, the grabber arm comprising:
- a gripper comprising:
- an insert having a plurality of openings extending through the insert;
- and
- a deformable structure configured to contact a surface of the refuse container, the deformable structure defining a lattice with internal webs that buckle during gripping, a portion of the deformable structure extending through and coupled to at least one opening of the plurality of openings;
- and
- a support arm coupled to the gripper.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.