Method and apparatus for gripping containers
AssigneeWayne Engineering Corporation
InventorsFred P. Smith, Todd R. Mendenhall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a material collection vehicle including more than one gripping mechanisms, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms can engage a container around at least one-half of the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes an outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an actuating mechanism for moving at least one gripping member toward the other gripping member.
Claims7
An apparatus for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a collection vehicle comprising:
- a base member, a plurality of gripping mechanisms mounted on the base member for movement between a retracted position and an engaging position for engaging a container, the gripping mechanisms being so constructed and arranged that they each can engage a container's outer surface at locations around at least one-half of the circumference of the container, and means for moving the gripping mechanisms between said positions;
- each of said gripping mechanisms having an inner gripping member and an outer gripping member;
- wherein the movement of at least one of said outer gripping members is between a substantially vertical stored position and a substantially horizontal gripping position;
- wherein movement paths for the inner gripping members for the plurality of gripping mechanisms overlap when viewed perpendicularly to a plane of motion for the inner gripping members.
An apparatus for gripping containers for dumping material in a collection vehicle comprising:
- a first gripping mechanism for engaging a first container and a second gripping mechanism for engaging a second container, wherein the first gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes a first outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a first inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a first actuating mechanism for moving the first outer gripping member towards the first inner gripping member and the second gripping mechanism is attached to the base member and includes a second outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a second inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a second actuating mechanism for moving the second outer gripping member towards the second inner gripping member;
- and a linking member pivotally attached to the first inner gripping member and pivotally attached to the second inner gripping member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.