Refuse-extruder-and-compactor apparatus

A refuse-extruder-and-compactor apparatus adapted to be located with a waste-material-storage container having at least two opposing side walls, a bottom wall, and an open discharge end, the apparatus comprising:

• a pusher-blade assembly including a pusher blade vertically positioned for linear reciprocal movement within said container;
• a track means defined by oppositely positioned rail members mounted to said side walls for movably supporting said blade assembly, each rail member being positioned longitudinally along the mid-section of said side walls, whereby said blade assembly is evenly balanced therebetween in vertical relation to said bottom wall of said container;
• means for moving said blade assembly in a linear reciprocal manner along said track means, said means being supported and mounted to said blade assembly wherein said means for moving said blade assembly comprises:
• a motor means mounted intermediate the upper and lower ends of said blade assembly;
• a drive assembly operably connected to said motor means;
• and
• a rack-and-pinion assembly attached adjacent said track means, whereby said drive assembly is adapted to operate said pinion to provide rectilinear motion to said blade assembly;
• and
• a guide means provided between said blade assembly and said track means thereof and comprising:
• a pair of guide-arm members secured to said blade assembly and extending rearwardly of said blade, and adapted to be slidably supported by respective rail members;
• and
• a guide sprocket attached to said guide-arm members and positioned for engagement with said rack rearwardly of said respective pinions, said rack being affixed to said rail along the full length thereof.