Automated loader arm
AssigneeMcNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsClaudiu D. Pruteanu, Gregory P. Dantzman, Ronald E. Christenson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A container handling system is disclosed, including subsystems for accessing, grabbing, lifting and tipping collection containers into the charging compartment of a collection vehicle, or the like, and thereafter returning emptied containers to their pick up locations. The invention includes an automated, short radius pivot arm capable of operation in close quarters which may further be mounted to and operated by means of a hydraulic rotary actuator. Electronic control is also provided.
Claims35
A container handling system comprising:
- (a) an extensible boom mounted so as to provide dumping access to a desired point of discharge for unloading a container of interest;
- (b) a mechanized arm arrangement carried by said extensible boom and having a free end, said arm arrangement being rotatable in a vertical plane encompassing container-engaging, container-releasing lift and dump positions;
- (c) a container grabber device for grabbing and releasing containers of interest carried by the free end of said arm arrangement;
- (d) position sensing system for sensing the relative extension of said boom;
- (e) position sensing system for sensing the rotational position of said arm arrangement;
- (f) actuators for extending and retracting said boom, reversibly rotating said mechanized arm arrangement and operating said container grabber device;
- and
- (g) a control system for controlling the operation of said container handling system.
An automated container handling system for emptying containers of interest into a charging hopper of a side loading refuse vehicle comprising:
- (a) a laterally extensible boom device mounted on said vehicle close to a desired loading area;
- (b) a mechanized loading arm device having a fixed end carried by said extensible boom device and a free end, said arm device being disposed for rotating in a vertical plane encompassing container-engaging, release, lift and dump positions;
- (c) a container grabber device for grabbing and releasing containers of interest carried by the free end of said arm device;
- (d) position sensing system for sensing the relative extension of said boom;
- (e) position sensing system for sensing the rotational position of said arm device;
- (f) actuators for extending and retracting said boom, reversibly rotating said mechanized arm device and operating said container grabber device;
- and
- (g) a control system for controlling the operation of said container handling system.
A container handling system comprising:
- (a) a mechanized arm arrangement having a fixed end and having a free end, said arm arrangement being rotatable in a vertical plane encompassing container-engaging, container-releasing lift and dump positions;
- (b) wherein said fixed end of said arm arrangement is attached to a rotary actuator for carrying and reversibly rotating said mechanized arm arrangement;
- (c) a container grabber device for grabbing and releasing containers of interest carried by the free end of said arm arrangement;
- (d) actuator for operating said container grabber device;
- and
- (e) a control system for controlling the operation of said container handling system.
A method of operating a container handling system for lifting and dumping a container of interest utilizing a pivoting mechanized arm arrangement carried by an extensible boom, in turn, mounted so as to access a desired point of discharge, for unloading a container of interest, said mechanized arm arrangement carrying a mechanized container grabber at the free end thereof, said method comprising the step of pivoting said mechanized arm arrangement utilizing a hydraulic rotary actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.