US 5,826,485 A · Residential refuse collection cart lifter with universal feature

Abstract

A lifter automatically adapts to pick up different style residential refuse collection carts. An upper movable clamp bar cooperates with a finger support bar to grab a smooth-sided cart with a single upper lifting lip. A hinged saddle and hinged sliding hook lifts carts having a pair of opposing engagement surfaces (e.g., bars). Hinged members are automatically pivoted into retracted positions during presentation of smooth sided carts, but are otherwise maintained in place for engaging other type carts. The lifter has a relatively short face plate for size and weight advantages, obtained by alternate extension/retraction of the hinged sliding hook during a lift cycle. Rollers on the extending face plate prevent cart scarring. Adjustment for different height carts is provided by a vertical lift assembly which uses a hydraulic sequencing valve to first raise the lifter for engaging the cart and then to cycle through a dumping process. Vertical lift adjustment uses a pair of guide rods with pairs of slip fit bushings for improved dynamic operational stability. A movable valving member is engaged by a piston for automatically reducing the flow rate of hydraulic oil as the piston nears the end of its cycle, i.e., as a cart is being fully inverted and dumped. Such action dampens cart and apparatus wear and strain. The piston responsive variable valving features are also useful with devices other than cart lifters.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A piston responsive variable valving system for operation with a fluid activated piston movably received within a cylinder, said system comprising:

fluid port means associated with one end of a cylinder for conducting fluid in alternate directions in the cylinder for driven movement of the piston therein;
fluid flow rate regulating means received within said fluid port means for establishing one of at least two different fluid flow rates for fluid conducted therethrough so as to drive the piston, under a given load condition, at two different corresponding speeds within the cylinder, said regulating means including a movable actuation member, movement of which between respective first and second positions thereof respectively and correspondingly selects said different fluid flow rates;
and
biasing means, for biasing said movable actuation member into said first position thereof protruding into the cylinder and in the travel path of the piston movably received therein so as to select a corresponding first fluid flow rate through operation of said regulating means, and for permitting said movable actuation member to be moved into said second position thereof responsive to engagement with the piston so as to select a corresponding second fluid flow rate through operation of said regulating means;
and
wherein said valving system comprises part of drive means for a lifting apparatus comprising a hydraulically actuated lifter mounted on a relatively larger front end load container box adapted to be carried on a refuse collection vehicle for subsequent emptying of the container box contents into a refuse receiving part of the vehicle.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Residential refuse collection cart lifter with universal feature

Life of this patent

Residential refuse collection cart lifter with universal feature

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27