Top-dumping container handler

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping one or more containers of varying length and width having a plurality of locating slots in a lower surface thereof and an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a plurality of locating pins selectively engageable with respective ones of the container locating slots of the one or more containers received in the container cradle cavity, the locating pins being arranged along a bottom of the container cradle such that each container received in the container cradle cavity can be placed in a preselected position dependent on the length and number of containers to be carried in the container cradle, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of locating pins are mounted on the container cradle for movement between a retracted position and an extended position such that selected locating pins which do not have a corresponding locating slot for a particular length or number of containers to be received in the container cradle can be positioned so as to not interfere with the loading of the one or more containers into the container cradle and wherein in the retracted position the locating pin is disposed outside of the container cradle cavity and in the extended position the locating pin is disposed inside the container cradle cavity so as to be able to engage a corresponding container locating slot, and
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and the dump position.

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping one or more containers of varying length and width having a plurality of locating slots in a lower surface thereof and an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a plurality of locating pins selectively engageable with respective ones of the container locating slots of the one or more containers received in the container cradle cavity, the locating pins being arranged along a bottom of the container cradle such that each container received in the container cradle cavity can be placed in a preselected position dependent on the length and number of containers to be carried in the container cradle,
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and the dump position, and
• a wall support assembly mounted on a side of the container cradle and movable between a retracted position wherein the wall support assembly does not interfere with the loading of a container into the container cradle and an extended position wherein the wall support assembly bears against one of the walls of the container thereby providing support for said wall.

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping one or more containers of varying length and width having a plurality of locating slots in a lower surface thereof and an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a plurality of locating pins selectively engageable with respective ones of the container locating slots of the one or more containers received in the container cradle cavity, the locating pins being arranged along a bottom of the container cradle such that each container received in the container cradle cavity can be placed in a preselected position dependent on the length and number of containers to be carried in the container cradle,
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and the dump position, and
• a width control assembly which engages the one or more containers and facilitates the engagement of the appropriate locating pins with the corresponding container locating slots, wherein the width control assembly includes a guide member arranged on the container cradle so as to engage one of a plurality of walls of the container as it is lowered into the container cradle cavity.

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping one or more containers of varying length and width having a plurality of locating slots in a lower surface thereof and an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a plurality of locating pins selectively engageable with respective ones of the container locating slots of the one or more containers received in the container cradle cavity, the locating pins being arranged along a bottom of the container cradle such that each container received in the container cradle cavity can be placed in a preselected position dependent on the length and number of containers to be carried in the container cradle, wherein each locating pin has an associated width control assembly which engages one of the one or more containers and facilitates the engagement of the appropriate locating pins with the corresponding container locating slots, and
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and the dump position.

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping one or more containers of varying length and width having a plurality of locating slots in a lower surface thereof and an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a plurality of locating pins selectively engageable with respective ones of the container locating slots of the one or more containers received in the container cradle cavity, the locating pins being arranged along a bottom of the container cradle such that each container received in the container cradle cavity can be placed in a preselected position dependent on the length and number of containers to be carried in the container cradle, and
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and the dump position,
• wherein the container cradle includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced width control assemblies arranged along each of the opposing sides of the container cradle with each width control assembly engaging one of the one or more containers and facilitating engagement of the appropriate locating pins with the corresponding container locating slots.

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping one or more containers of varying length and width having a plurality of locating slots in a lower surface thereof and an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a plurality of locating pins selectively engageable with respective ones of the container locating slots of the one or more containers received in the container cradle cavity, the locating pins being arranged along a bottom of the container cradle such that each container received in the container cradle cavity can be placed in a preselected position dependent on the length and number of containers to be carried in the container cradle, and
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and the dump position, wherein the dumping assembly comprises a gear mounted on the container cradle, a complementary gear mounted on the frame and at least one actuating cylinder movable between retracted and extended positions pivotally attached to the frame and an upwardly extending arm which supports the container cradle and is pivotally attached to the frame.

A top-dumping container handler for receiving, carrying and dumping at least one container having an open top, the container handler comprising:

• a frame,
• a container cradle defining a cavity for receiving and holding at least one container, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame for rotation relative to the frame between a transport position and a dump position so as to enable a container held in the container cradle to be dumped through the open top thereof,
• a lock member supported for movement between an unlocked position wherein the lock member does not interfere with the loading of a container into the container cradle and a locked position wherein the lock member helps prevent movement of the container relative to the container cradle, and
• a dumping assembly for rotating the container cradle between the transport position and dump position, wherein the container cradle is supported on the frame by a pair of upwardly extending arms each of which is pivotally connected to a respective one of a pair of opposing ends of the frame and the dumping assembly comprises a gear mounted on the container cradle, a complementary gear mounted on the frame and an actuating cylinder movable between retracted and extended positions pivotally attached to the frame and to one of said pair of upwardly extending arms.