Compaction mechanism for refuse and recyclables collection vehicles

A refuse collection apparatus having a refuse compaction body, the refuse compaction body having an open rear end and having an ejector panel driveable toward the rear end, and a tailgate apparatus mounted on the compaction body comprising:

• a tailgate having an upper end pivotable thereabout upon said body, said tailgate having a plurality of sidewalls, each of said sidewalls having a front edge and a rear edge, said front edges of said sidewalls selectively disposed in abutment with said refuse compaction body;
• a scraper panel disposed between said sidewalls and slightly rearward of the front edges thereof, said scraper panel generally covering an upper region of said open rear end when said tailgate is disposed in a closed position;
• an upper panel extending between said sidewalls to selectively cover a substantial portion of said rear end, the upper panel being selectively movable between a higher position and a lower position, said upper panel being pivotable about an axis spaced apart from said open rear end of said refuse compaction body, said upper panel having a lower edge;
• a packer panel pivotally mounted to said upper panel at the lower edge thereof, the packer panel pivotal about the lower edge of said upper panel;
• first cylinder means fixed to said upper panel to pivot said upper panel between said higher position and said lower position, second cylinder means interconnecting said upper panel and said packer panel to move said packer panel about the mounting of said packer panel to said upper panel;
• a hopper to receive refuse disposed between said sidewalls and having a floor, the hopper having a sill disposed thereon extending between the rear edges of said sidewalls, said packer panel selectively sweeping along said hopper floor when said upper panel is in the lower position;
• said first cylinder means to pivot said upper panel comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinders disposed exterior of the sidewalls of said tailgate apparatus, each of said pair of hydraulic cylinders having a first end and a second end, each of said pair of hydraulic cylinders being connected at the first end thereof to one of said sidewalls substantially at a lower part of the front edge thereof, each of said sidewalls having at least one slot;
• said upper panel having a side member extending rearwardly from each opposing end thereof, a beam extending through the slot between each side member and cylinder;
• and
• each of said pair of hydraulic cylinders being connected at a second end thereof to one of said beams.

A refuse collection apparatus having a refuse compaction body, the refuse compaction body having an open rear end and having an ejector panel driveable toward the rear end, and a tailgate apparatus mounted on the refuse compaction body comprising:

• a tailgate having an upper end pivotable thereabout upon said refuse compaction body, said tailgate having a plurality of sidewalls,
• each of said sidewalls having a front edge and a rear edge,
• said front edges of said sidewalls selectively disposed in abutment with said refuse compaction body,
• a scraper panel disposed between said sidewalls and slightly rearward of the front edges thereof, said scraper panel generally covering an upper region of said open rear end when said tailgate is disposed in a closed position,
• an upper panel extending between said sidewalls to selectively cover a substantial portion of said rear end,
• the upper panel selectively movable between a higher position and a lower position,
• said upper panel pivotable about an axis spaced apart from said open rear end of said refuse compaction body,
• said upper panel having a lower edge,
• a packer panel pivotally mounted to said upper panel at the lower edge thereof, the packer panel pivotal about the lower edge of said upper panel,
• a first cylinder means fixed to said upper panel to pivot said upper panel between said higher position and said lower position,
• a second cylinder means interconnecting said upper panel and said packer panel to move said packer panel about the mounting of said packer panel to said upper panel,
• a hopper to receive refuse disposed between said sidewalls and having a floor,
• the hopper having a sill disposed thereon extending between the rear edges of said sidewalls,
• said packer panel selectively sweeping along said floor of the hopper when said upper panel is in the lower position,
• said refuse compaction body having a roof,
• said tailgate apparatus having a top beam, the tailgate apparatus being mounted to said roof by a tailgate pivot;
• said tailgate being moveable from a closed position to an open position and in the closed position said tailgate being latched to said body;
• a hydraulic cylinder with a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said refuse compaction body and said second end being connected to said tailgate;
• means for opening said tailgate so constructed and arranged that a first movement of said hydraulic cylinder unlatches said tailgate and simultaneously increases the moment arm of said hydraulic cylinder about said tailgate pivot;
• whereby further movement of said hydraulic cylinder rotates said tailgate from said closed position to said open position.

In a rear loading refuse collection body having a front end and an open rear end and having an ejector panel selectively moveable between the front end to the open rear end thereof and having a tailgate mounted to said refuse collection body at the open rear end thereof, the improvement comprising:

• the tailgate having a front end and a rear end and opposing sidewalls,
• the front end of said tailgate covering said rear end of said refuse collection body in a closed position of said tailgate,
• said front end of said tailgate including a scraper panel disposed over an upper portion of said rear end of said refuse collection body,
• said front end of said tailgate further including a moveable upper panel pivotable about a pivot axis disposed adjacent to said rear end of said tailgate,
• said moveable upper panel having a wall disposed transversely relative to said open rear end of said refuse collection body,
• said tailgate further comprising an open topped hopper at the lower part of said tailgate, said hopper having a floor interconnecting said opposing sidewalls of said tailgate, said hopper flier having a sill disposed at the rear end of said tailgate over which refuse may be deposited in said hopper,
• said moveable upper panel having a generally straight, lower edge,
• a packer panel pivotally mounted to the lower edge of said moveable upper panel,
• a first cylinder means disposed upon said tailgate to selectively raise and lower said moveable upper panel;
• said first cylinder means disposed between a lower part of a sidewall and said moveable upper panel,
• a second cylinder means disposed between said moveable upper panel and said packer panel to selectively pivot said packer panel about said lower edge of said moveable upper panel,
• said moveable upper panel and said packer panel cooperative to cause said packer panel to sweep along a concave floor of said hopper,
• said refuse collection body having a roof,
• said tailgate having a top edge that is operatively connected to the roof at the top edge and is pivotable at the top edge,
• a third cylinder operatively connected to the tailgate and the roof to pivot the tailgate,
• said tailgate having a top beam transversely mounted across said tailgate,
• a first link pivotally interconnecting said third cylinder and said top beam, and
• a second link pivotally connected to the first link and pivotally connected to the tailgate.

In a rear loading refuse collection body having a front end and an open rear end and having an ejector panel selectively moveable between the front end to the open rear end thereof and having a tailgate mounted to said collection body at the open rear end thereof, the improvement comprising:

• the tailgate having a front end and a rear end and opposing sidewalls,
• the front end of said tailgate covering said rear end of said collection body in a closed position of said tailgate,
• said front end of said tailgate including a scraper panel disposed over an upper portion of said rear end of said collection body,
• said front end of said tailgate further including a moveable upper panel pivotable about a pivot axis disposed adjacent to said rear end of said tailgate,
• said moveable upper panel having a wall disposed transversely relative to said open rear end of said refuse collection body,
• said tailgate further comprising an open topped hopper at a lower part of said tailgate, said hopper having a floor interconnecting said opposing sidewalls of said tailgate, said hopper further having a sill disposed at the rear end of said tailgate over which refuse may be deposited in said hopper,
• said moveable upper panel having a lower, generally straight edge,
• a packer panel pivotally mounted to the lower, generally straight edge of said moveable upper panel,
• first cylinder means disposed upon said tailgate to selectively raise and lower said moveable upper panel;
• said first cylinder means disposed between a lower part of a sidewall and said moveable upper panel,
• second cylinder means disposed between said moveable upper panel and said packer panel to selectively pivot said packer panel about said lower, generally straight edge of said moveable upper panel,
• said moveable upper panel and said packer panel cooperative to cause said packer panel to sweep along a concave floor of said hopper,
• said sidewalls of said tailgate having outer sides,
• said first cylinder means comprising a pair hydraulic cylinders disposed upon the outer sides of said sidewalls of said tailgate,
• means for mounting each of said cylinders of said first cylinder means at a first end thereof to the lower edge of said sidewalls adjacent the front of said tailgate,
• each of said cylinders having a moveable rod mounted to said moveable upper panel,
• a beam mounting each of said rods to said moveable upper panel,
• each of said beams being mounted to said moveable upper panel;
• each of said sidewalls of said tailgate having a slot therein;
• and
• each of said beams of said moveable upper panel being moveable within a respective slot of said sidewalls.

A refuse truck having a body and a tailgate comprising:

• a frame having a front and a rear and having sidewalls interconnecting said front and said rear,
• said frame having a floor between said sidewalls thereof, said frame having a fixed, generally vertical wall disposed at an upper portion of said front of said frame, said fixed wall disposed to close a part of said open rear end of said body,
• said frame having an upper panel selectively pivotable about an axis on or adjacent said open rear end,
• said upper panel having a convex wall and sides disposed on opposing edges of said convex wall depending rearwardly therefrom,
• said convex wall having a generally straight lower edge,
• first cylinder means disposed on a sidewall of said frame and operative upon said upper panel to selectively cause said upper panel to pivot to a higher or lower position,
• a packer panel mounted upon the lower edge of said upper panel and pivotable thereabout,
• second cylinder means interconnecting said upper panel and said packer panel to cause the pivotable movement thereof,
• said upper panel being selectively disposed at a lower position so that said packer panel may pivot from an open position to a closed position while sweeping over said floor of said frame,
• means for selective operation of said first cylinder means independent from selective movement of said packer panel,
• said frame being hinged to said body about the upper edge of said open rear end of said body,
• said frame being selectively pivotable about said upper edge of said open rear end by a third cylinder means,
• said frame being provided with latch means to selectively securely retain said frame to said open rear end of said collection body when said frame is in a closed position overlying said open rear end of said body,
• said collection body having a roof, and said third cylinder means being disposed on the roof of said body for pivoting said frame,
• said first cylinder means comprising a pair of hydraulic cylinders,
• each of said cylinders mounted to said upper panel by a beam on each said side of said convex wall,
• each of said cylinders mounted to said frame at the outside of said sidewalls,
• a curved slot disposed in each of said sidewalls of said tailgate,
• each said beam moveable within said slot in each of said sidewalls,
• said axis on or adjacent said rear of said frame comprises a pair of pivots each disposed on one of said sidewalls of said frame,
• said upper panel being supported on spaced apart side members, each of said side members having a first end mounted to one of said pivots and a second end mounted to said upper panel,
• said upper panel having at least one ear extending rearwardly from said upper panel;
• said packer panel having at least one ear extending rearwardly from said packer panel;
• and
• said second cylinder means comprising at least one cylinder, each cylinder interconnecting one of said ears of said upper panel to one of said ears of said packer panel.

A refuse collection apparatus having a refuse compaction body, the refuse compaction body having an open rear end and having an ejector panel driveable toward the rear end, and a tailgate apparatus mounted on the refuse compaction body comprising:

• the tailgate apparatus having an upper end pivotable thereabout upon said refuse compaction body, said tailgate apparatus having a plurality of sidewalls;
• each of said sidewalls having a front edge and a rear edge;
• said front edges of said sidewalls selectively disposed in abutment with said refuse compaction body;
• a scraper panel disposed between said sidewalls and slightly rearward of the front edges thereof, said scraper panel generally covering an upper region of said open rear end when said tailgate apparatus is disposed in a closed position;
• an upper panel extending between said sidewalls to selectively cover a substantial portion of said rear end;
• said upper panel selectively movable between a higher position and a lower position;
• said upper panel pivotable about an axis spaced apart from said open rear end of said compaction body;
• said upper panel having a lower edge;
• a packer panel pivotally mounted to said upper panel at the lower edge thereof, the packer panel pivotal about the lower edge of said upper panel;
• first cylinder means fixed to said upper panel to pivot said upper panel between said higher position and said lower position;
• second cylinder means interconnecting said upper panel and said packer panel to move said packer panel about the mounting of said packer panel to said upper panel;
• a hopper to receive refuse disposed between said sidewalls and having a curvilinear floor;
• the hopper having a sill disposed thereon extending between the rear edges of said sidewalls;
• said packer panel selectively sweeping along said curvilinear floor when said upper panel is in the lower position;
• an axis of pivot comprising a pair of pivots each disposed generally adjacent said rear edges of said sidewalls;
• said upper panel is supported on a frame having spaced apart side members;
• each of said side members of said frame having a first end mounted to one of said pivots and a second end mounted to said upper panel;
• said upper panel having ears extending rearwardly from the opposing ends thereof;
• said packer panel having ears extending rearwardly from the opposing ends thereof;
• and
• said second cylinder means to move said packer panel comprising a pair of cylinders, each cylinder interconnecting one of said ears of said upper panel to one of said ears of said packer panel.

A refuse collection apparatus having a refuse compaction body, the refuse compaction body having an open rear end and having an ejector panel driveable toward the rear end, and a tailgate apparatus mounted on the refuse compaction body comprising:

• a tailgate having an upper end pivotable thereabout upon said refuse compaction body, said tailgate having a plurality of sidewalls, each of said sidewalls having a front edge and a rear edge, said front edges of said sidewalls selectively disposed in abutment with said refuse compaction body, a scraper panel disposed between said sidewalls and slightly rearward of the front edges thereof, said scraper panel generally covering an upper region of said open rear end when said tailgate is disposed in a closed position, an upper panel extending between said sidewalls, said upper panel selectively movable between a higher position and a lower position, said upper panel being pivotable about an axis spaced apart from said open rear end of said refuse compaction body, said upper panel having a lower edge, said tailgate having a beam disposed near the top thereof and interconnecting said sidewalls;
• a packer panel pivotally mounted to said upper panel at the lower edge thereof, the packer panel being pivotal about the lower edge of said upper panel;
• first cylinder means fixed to said upper panel to pivot said upper panel between said higher and lower positions, second cylinder means interconnecting said upper panel and said packer panel to move said packer panel about the mounting of said packer panel to said upper panel;
• a hopper to receive refuse disposed between said sidewalls and having a generally curvilinear floor, the hopper having a sill disposed thereon extending between the rear edges of said sidewalls;
• said packer panel being arranged for selectively sweeping along said hopper floor when said upper panel is in the lower position;
• and
• said refuse compaction body having a roof, said tailgate pivotably mounted to said refuse compaction body at tops of the sidewalls thereof, said tailgate being connected to the roof of said refuse compaction body by a hydraulic cylinder and a link, said link having a curved segment fixed to said beam, a pivot arm interconnecting said link and said tailgate, latch means provided at the bottom of said front of said tailgate to selectively retain the tailgate to said refuse compaction body, and said beam being operative to unlatch and disengage said latch means when said pivot arm is rotated.

In a rear loading refuse collection body having a front end and an open rear end and having an ejector panel selectively moveable between the front end to the open rear end thereof, and having a tailgate mounted to said refuse collection body at the open rear end thereof, the improvement comprising:

• the tailgate having a front end and a rear end and opposing sidewalls, the front end of said tailgate covering said rear end of said refuse collection body in a closed position of said tailgate, said front end of said tailgate including a scraper panel disposed over an upper portion of said rear end of said refuse collection body, said front end of said tailgate further including a moveable upper panel pivotable about a pivot axis disposed adjacent to said rear end of said tailgate, said moveable upper panel having a generally straight, lower edge and a wall disposed transversely relative to said open rear end of said refuse collection body, an open-topped hopper at a lower part of said tailgate, said hopper having a sill disposed at the rear end of said tailgate over which refuse may be deposited into said hopper, a packer panel pivotally mounted to the lower edge of said moveable upper panel, said tailgate having an upper edge at the front end thereof, said tailgate being selectively pivotable upon said reuse collection body about the upper edge of said tailgate between a compaction position and a discharge-position for uncovering said rear end of said refuse collection body to allow collected refuse to be discharged from said refuse collection body by said ejector panel;
• first cylinder means disposed upon said tailgate to selectively raise and lower said moveable upper panel, said first cylinder means being disposed between a lower part of said sidewall and said moveable upper panel, second cylinder means disposed between said moveable upper panel and said packer panel to selectively pivot said packer panel about said lower edge of said moveable upper panel, said moveable upper panel and said packer panel cooperative to cause said packer panel to sweep along a concave floor of said hopper;
• and
• said refuse collection body having a roof, third cylinder means disposed on the roof for pivoting said tailgate, said tailgate having a crossbar transversely mounted between the sidewalls thereof, a first curved link interconnecting a rod and said crossbar;
• and a second link mounted between said first curved link along the length thereof and said upper edge of said tailgate.