Method and apparatus for gripping containers
AssigneeWayne Engineering Corporation
InventorsFred Smith, Todd Mendenhall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a material collection vehicle including more than one gripping mechanisms, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms can engage a container around at least one-half of the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes an outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an actuating mechanism for moving at least one gripping member toward the other gripping member.
Claims14
An apparatus for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a collection vehicle comprising:
- a base member, a plurality of gripping mechanisms mounted on the base member for movement between a retracted position and an engaging position for-engaging a container, the gripping mechanisms being so constructed and arranged that they each can engage a container's outer surface at locations around at least one-half of the circumference of the container, and means for moving the gripping mechanisms between said positions;
- and
- each of said gripping mechanisms having an inner gripping member and an outer gripping member.
A dual gripping apparatus for gripping two material containers, said two containers to be at a separation distance when gripped, said dual gripping apparatus comprising:
- a base member
- a first outer gripping mechanism, said first outer gripping mechanism having a retracted position and an engaged position;
- a first inner gripping mechanism, said first inner gripping mechanism having retracted position and engaged position;
- a second inner gripping mechanism, said second inner gripping mechanism having a retracted position and engaged position;
- a second outer gripping mechanism, said second outer gripping mechanism having a retracted position and an engaged position;
- at least said first and second outer members being pivotably mounted to said base member;
- at least one actuator, said actuator being mounted on said base member and said actuator being operatively engaged with at least one of said outer gripping mechanisms to move said at least one outer gripping mechanism between said retracted position and said engaged position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.