Self-adapting refuse receptacle lift with low profile

A self-adapting refuse receptacle lift apparatus comprising:

• a base adapted for mounting said lift onto a container;
• a first power means, attached to said base, having a rotatable output shaft, said first power means controllably positioning the rotary orientation of said output shaft;
• a carriage pivotally supported relative to said base;
• dual paired projection arm means, pivotally associated with said base and said output shaft, respectively, for supporting and selectively positioning said carriage during the lifting and conveying of a receptacle, and configured so as to dump the contents of a receptacle received by said lift into said container;
• a positioning shaft, connected to and rotatable relative to said carriage;
• an adaptable embracing means for receipt of a receptacle, pivotally connected to said positioning shaft such that the rotary orientation of said embracing means may be controlled by said positioning shaft, and adaptable to the size and shape of a receptacle to be lifted;
• a support means, connected to said positioning shaft, for providing support to a receptacle received by said lift;
• a second power means, attached to said carriage, and pivotally attached to said positioning shaft, whereby said second power means may control the rotary orientation of said positioning shaft;
• a third power means, connected to said adaptable embracing means and controllably pivoting said embracing means about said positioning shaft such that a receptacle may be controllably embraced;
• a connecting rod connected to said adaptable embracing means on opposing sides of said pivotal connection with said positioning shaft to ensure coordinated opening and closing of said adaptable embracing means;
• wherein selective operation of said first, second, and third power means causes in sequence controlled rotation of said adaptable embracing means from an upright stored position to a position for the receipt of a receptacle, controllable embracing of a receptacle by said embracing means, and controlled movement of said carriage on said dual paired projection arm means relative to said base from a lowered position of said embracing means for receipt of a receptacle to a relatively raised, and inverted position for the emptying of any contents within the receptacle into said container.

A self-adapting refuse receptacle lift mounted on a refuse collection vehicle comprising:

• a mainframe having a first side and a second side, said first side being adapted for attachment to said vehicle;
• a motor, attached to said second side of said mainframe, having a rotatable output shaft, and configured for controllably positioning the rotary orientation of said output shaft;
• a plate pivotally connected to said second side of said mainframe;
• a first pair of arms, pivotally connected to said second side of said mainframe and pivotally connected to said plate;
• a second pair of arms, fixedly connected to said rotatable output shaft and pivotally connected to said plate;
• a clamp arm shaft secured to said plate and rotatable relative to said plate;
• at least one clamp arm, said clamp arm including an arcuate support member having a first end and a second end, said support member pivotally connected near said first end to said clamp arm shaft such that the rotary orientation of said clamp arm may be controlled by said clamp arm shaft, said clamp arm also including a band of flexible materials connected near said first end and near said second end of said support member and spanning in between said ends, whereby upon contacting a receptacle, said clamp arm may adapt to the size and shape of said receptacle for securing said receptacle during lifting and dumping of said receptacle;
• a first hydraulic cylinder attached to said plate and pivotally attached to said clamp arm shaft and configured such that the extension and retraction of said first hydraulic cylinder controls the rotary orientation of said clamp arm shaft;
• a second hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected near said first end of said clamp arm and configured such that the extension and retraction of said second hydraulic cylinder controls the pivoting of said clamp arm about said clamp arm shaft, whereby said clamp arm may be pressed against said receptacle to secure said receptacle to said lift;
• a connecting rod connected to said at least one clamp arm on opposing sides of said pivotal connection with said clamp arm shaft to ensure coordinated opening and closing of said adaptable embracing means;
• wherein selected operation of said motor, said first hydraulic cylinder, and said second hydraulic cylinder causes in sequence said clamp arm to move from an upright stored position to a position for the receipt of a receptacle into a position so as to secure a receptacle to said lift;
• and causes said lift to move said receptacle from a relatively lowered position to a relatively upright and inverted position where the contents may be dumped into said vehicle.