CONTAINER TRANSPORTING VEHICLE
United States Patent 3648868
A vehicle for transporting a walled container which contains a movable platen therein. The vehicle is provided with means for moving the container relative to the vehicle, while carried thereon, to unload material from the container. The vehicle includes means for holding the platen in one position while the container is moved on the vehicle relative to the platen to assist in the unloading of the container.
US Patent References:
Dump truck
Nelson - March 1958 - 2826321
Straw conserving apparatus
Fredrick - June 1964 - 3138185
Dump truck
Nelson - March 1958 - 2826321
Straw conserving apparatus
Fredrick - June 1964 - 3138185
Application Number:
05/012176
Publication Date:
03/14/1972
Filing Date:
02/18/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Atlas Hoist & Body Incorporated (Montreal, Quebec, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
414/500, 414/494, 298/14, 414/679, 414/509
International Classes:
B60P1/00; B60P1/30; B60P1/04; B60P1/28
Field of Search:
214/83.3,503,501,510,82 298/14,16,1B
Primary Examiner:
Makay, Albert J.
Claims:
I claim
1. A vehicle for use with:
2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 including means for raising one end of the frame means relative to the chassis, the other end of the frame means pivotably connected to the chassis.
3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for controlling movement of said container along said support means comprises:
4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means comprise:
5. A disposal system including, in combination:
6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5 including means for raising one end of the frame means relative to the chassis, the other end of the frame means pivotably connected to the chassis.
1. A vehicle for use with:
2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 including means for raising one end of the frame means relative to the chassis, the other end of the frame means pivotably connected to the chassis.
3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for controlling movement of said container along said support means comprises:
4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rigid means comprise:
5. A disposal system including, in combination:
6. A vehicle as claimed in claim 5 including means for raising one end of the frame means relative to the chassis, the other end of the frame means pivotably connected to the chassis.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle and a container carried thereby.
More particularly, the invention relates to a vehicle used to transport a container of the type which can be loaded with material, such as refuse, at one location, transported to a disposal location by the vehicle where the material is dumped from the container while still on the vehicle, and returned to the loading location by the vehicle.
2. Description of Prior Art
Vehicles for transporting containers, particularly refuse containers, are well known as are the containers. The vehicles usually have a tilt frame for receiving and supporting the container and means for moving the container onto the tilt frame. The refuse containers are packed tightly with refuse at a loading station by a separate, non-transportable packing unit, placed on the vehicle and transported to a dumping station. However, it is sometimes difficult to dump or unload the packed refuse from the container at the disposal site by tilting the container on the vehicle, particularly when the refuse is wet and freezes to the walls of the container.
To make it easier to unload the refuse, containers have been built with a pusher or platen which is integral and transportable with the container. The platen is used to unload the refuse from the container, while on the vehicle, at the disposal location and can also be used to pack refuse into the container at the loading location. A refuse container with an integral platen of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,264, issued Jan. 1, 1963, T. C. Totaro et al., inventors, for example.
However, this type of container is expensive since a platen and the means for moving the platen must be provided with each container. Generally, the platen moving means comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement mounted on the container which is an expensive piece of equipment.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement over the existing vehicle and container system which is much simpler and inexpensive in construction and operation. The improvement comprises using a platen in each container for dumping material, together with means mounted on the transport vehicle, rather than on or in the container, to have the container move relative to the platen when dumping. A separate packer can be provided at the loading location to pack the material in the container. The means on the vehicle for having the container move relative to the platen can be used with each container. Separate means for moving the platen thus need not be provided for each container, which thereby reduces the expense of the overall system.
The invention is particularly directed toward a vehicle for transporting a walled container having a movable platen mounted within the container adjacent one container end wall and a loading or unloading opening in the container opposite the one end wall. The vehicle includes tiltable means for supporting the container in a first loaded position and means for controlling movement of the container along the support means, when tilted, from the first position to a second position. The vehicle also includes rigid means mounted on the support means and passing through an aperture in a wall of the container, with the container in the second position, to hold the platen in the second position while the container is moved by the movement-controlling means back along the support means to the first position to have the platen push refuse toward the opening in the container.
The invention further relates to a method for unloading a container. The method comprises the steps of supporting a container packed with refuse or other material on a tiltable support means carried by a vehicle in a first position. The support means is tilted and the container is moved from the first position to a second position relative to the support means. The container is then moved from the second position back toward the first position while means, cooperating with the support means, hold a platen, initially located adjacent one end wall of the container in the second position to cause movement of the container relative to the platen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the vehicle and container in partial cross-section, illustrating the details of the container, the vehicle and the means for moving them relative to one another;
FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view illustrating details of the vehicle and container; and
FIG. 3a to 3d illustrate the sequence of operation in unloading material from the container while on the vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The vehicle 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a chassis 3, a cab 5 on the front end of the chassis and wheels 7. Support means are mounted on the chassis at the rear of the cab. The support means preferably is tiltably mounted and comprises a frame 9 consisting of two support beams 11 and cross members 13 joining the beams together. The beams 11 rest on the chassis beams 15 of the vehicle. The rear end of the frame 9 is pivotably connected to brackets 17 mounted on chassis beams 15. Pins 21 pass through apertures in the brackets 17 and the support beams 11 of frame 9. The opposite or front end of the frame 9, adjacent to the cab 5, is connected to the chassis by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 23. As more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder 23 is pivotably mounted from one end by a bracket 24 on a cross beam 26 extending between chassis beams 15. The cylinder 23 has a piston rod 25 extending therefrom, which is connected, through a pin 27 and brackets 29, to a cross member 31 extending between the support beams 11 of the tiltable frame 9. Operation of the cylinder 23 raises or lowers the front end of the frame 9 about the pivot pins 21 connecting the rear end of the frame 9 to the chassis 3.
A transportable refuse container 33 is provided comprising end walls 35, 37, side walls 39, top and bottom walls 41, 43. The rear end wall 35 can be connected to the top wall 41 along one edge 45 by hinges 47 permitting the end wall 35 to swing out and open the container. Locking means 49 are provided on the side wall of the container, cooperating with a latch pin 50, for normally keeping the end wall 35 closed.
A platen 51 is mounted in the container 33 adjacent front end wall 37. The platen 51 preferably has an area just smaller than the cross-sectional area of the container. The platen can comprise a plate 53 which is reinforced by bars 54. Rollers 55, mounted on the sides of the platen 51, fit in tracks 57, the tracks being mounted at the top and bottom of each side wall 39 of the container adjacent front end wall 37. The rollers permit the platen 51 to slide back and forth within the container for a limited distance from the end wall 37. Stops 56 can be provided in the tracks for limiting movement of the platen. The platen 51 remains substantially parallel to the end wall 37 of the container at all times. Other suitable mounting means for the platen can be provided permitting its limited movement with respect to the container.
The container 33 is left at a loading site, such as for example, a restaurant or a hotel, and refuse is packed into the container through the end of the container, when end wall 35 is open, by a packing means (not shown) located on the site. Any well-known packing means can be used.
When the container 33 has been filled with refuse or other material, it is ready to be transported by the vehicle 1 to a disposal site for unloading. When filled, the platen 51 is located in a first position adjacent the end wall 37 of the container. The filled container 33 is then loaded onto the vehicle 1 to rest on the frame 9. Preferably, in loading the container, the front end of the frame 9 is lifted with the frame pivoting about pins 21 by the operation of cylinder 23. The front end of the container is then positioned onto the back end of the frame 9. A bracket 59 is provided on the front wall 37 of the container to which one end of a cable 61 is attached. The cable 61 is connected to a winch 65 mounted on a cross-plate 64 at the front end of the frame 9. The winch 65 is operated to wind up the cable 61, thus drawing the container onto the support means. The container preferably has support rails 67 attached to its floor 43 which cooperate with the support beams 11 of the frame 9 to guide the container as it is drawn up on the frame. The container is drawn up to rest completely onto the frame until it abuts stops 71 on the frame. Means (not shown) are operated to lock the container in this first loaded position on the frame. The frame 9, and thus the container, is then lowered by the cylinder 23 to a horizontal position to rest on chassis 3, as shown in FIG. 3a, and the vehicle is driven to the unloading site.
At the unloading site the frame 9 is again tilted relative to the chassis, thus tilting the container, as shown in FIG. 3a. The rear end wall 35 on the container is opened to permit the material to be moved out of the container. The winch 65 is then operated to unwind the cable 61 connected to the container to allow the container to move, under its own weight, relative to the frame 9, away from the first position at the stops 71 for a short distance to a second position along the frame, as shown in FIG. 3c.
In this second position rigid means, provided on the frame 9, are operated to contact the platen 51, located adjacent end wall 37, to hold it in this second position. These rigid means can comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 72 and piston rod 73 mounted on a plate 74, which in turn is mounted on a support frame 75 mounted in turn on the cross plate 64 on the end of the frame 9 adjacent the cab. The piston rod 73 extends through an aperture 77 in the end wall 37 of the container. With the container and the platen in the first position, the rod 73 is in a retracted position. When the container and platen are moved to the second position, the cylinder 72 is actuated to extend the rod 73 to abut against the platen. The container 33 is then moved by winch 65 and cable 61 along the frame 9 in the reverse direction back toward the stops 71 to move from its second position to its first position, as shown in FIG. 3d. However, the platen 51 is prevented from moving with the container back to the first position by the piston rod 73. The container, therefore, is moved relative to the platen through the cooperating rollers 55 and tracks 57 for a short distance moving end wall 37 away from the platen. This relative movement provides a positive force tending to break away any frozen material from the walls of the container, thus loosening the bulk of the material so that it will then slide under its own weight the remaining distance out of the container through the open end to empty it.
When the container is emptied, the piston rod 73 can then be retracted by operation of cylinder 72 and the frame 9 is lowered back onto chassis 3. The empty container can then be driven back to the loading site and removed from the vehicle, the platen 51 being now free to be moved back adjacent end wall 37 of the container.
The hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 23 and 72 can be controlled and operated by known means carried on the chassis 3 or cab 5 of the vehicle.
While the means for locking the platen in the second position has been shown as a single piston and cylinder arrangement, two or more piston and cylinder arrangements could be used acting simultaneously. Alternatively, the locking means could comprise one or more rigid pins connectable to the support means and passing through one or more elongated slots formed in the floor of the container to rest adjacent the face of the platen nearest the cab. The pins are inserted through the slots when the container and platen are in the second position and prevent the platen from returning to the first position when the container is moved from the second position to the first position.
The winch 65 has been shown mounted on the tiltable frame 9. It could, alternatively, be mounted on chassis 3 with the cable 61 passing up over a pulley mounted on the front edge of frame 9.
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle and a container carried thereby.
More particularly, the invention relates to a vehicle used to transport a container of the type which can be loaded with material, such as refuse, at one location, transported to a disposal location by the vehicle where the material is dumped from the container while still on the vehicle, and returned to the loading location by the vehicle.
2. Description of Prior Art
Vehicles for transporting containers, particularly refuse containers, are well known as are the containers. The vehicles usually have a tilt frame for receiving and supporting the container and means for moving the container onto the tilt frame. The refuse containers are packed tightly with refuse at a loading station by a separate, non-transportable packing unit, placed on the vehicle and transported to a dumping station. However, it is sometimes difficult to dump or unload the packed refuse from the container at the disposal site by tilting the container on the vehicle, particularly when the refuse is wet and freezes to the walls of the container.
To make it easier to unload the refuse, containers have been built with a pusher or platen which is integral and transportable with the container. The platen is used to unload the refuse from the container, while on the vehicle, at the disposal location and can also be used to pack refuse into the container at the loading location. A refuse container with an integral platen of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,071,264, issued Jan. 1, 1963, T. C. Totaro et al., inventors, for example.
However, this type of container is expensive since a platen and the means for moving the platen must be provided with each container. Generally, the platen moving means comprises a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston arrangement mounted on the container which is an expensive piece of equipment.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement over the existing vehicle and container system which is much simpler and inexpensive in construction and operation. The improvement comprises using a platen in each container for dumping material, together with means mounted on the transport vehicle, rather than on or in the container, to have the container move relative to the platen when dumping. A separate packer can be provided at the loading location to pack the material in the container. The means on the vehicle for having the container move relative to the platen can be used with each container. Separate means for moving the platen thus need not be provided for each container, which thereby reduces the expense of the overall system.
The invention is particularly directed toward a vehicle for transporting a walled container having a movable platen mounted within the container adjacent one container end wall and a loading or unloading opening in the container opposite the one end wall. The vehicle includes tiltable means for supporting the container in a first loaded position and means for controlling movement of the container along the support means, when tilted, from the first position to a second position. The vehicle also includes rigid means mounted on the support means and passing through an aperture in a wall of the container, with the container in the second position, to hold the platen in the second position while the container is moved by the movement-controlling means back along the support means to the first position to have the platen push refuse toward the opening in the container.
The invention further relates to a method for unloading a container. The method comprises the steps of supporting a container packed with refuse or other material on a tiltable support means carried by a vehicle in a first position. The support means is tilted and the container is moved from the first position to a second position relative to the support means. The container is then moved from the second position back toward the first position while means, cooperating with the support means, hold a platen, initially located adjacent one end wall of the container in the second position to cause movement of the container relative to the platen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail having reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the vehicle and container in partial cross-section, illustrating the details of the container, the vehicle and the means for moving them relative to one another;
FIG. 2 is a partial schematic view illustrating details of the vehicle and container; and
FIG. 3a to 3d illustrate the sequence of operation in unloading material from the container while on the vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The vehicle 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a chassis 3, a cab 5 on the front end of the chassis and wheels 7. Support means are mounted on the chassis at the rear of the cab. The support means preferably is tiltably mounted and comprises a frame 9 consisting of two support beams 11 and cross members 13 joining the beams together. The beams 11 rest on the chassis beams 15 of the vehicle. The rear end of the frame 9 is pivotably connected to brackets 17 mounted on chassis beams 15. Pins 21 pass through apertures in the brackets 17 and the support beams 11 of frame 9. The opposite or front end of the frame 9, adjacent to the cab 5, is connected to the chassis by a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 23. As more clearly shown in FIG. 1, the cylinder 23 is pivotably mounted from one end by a bracket 24 on a cross beam 26 extending between chassis beams 15. The cylinder 23 has a piston rod 25 extending therefrom, which is connected, through a pin 27 and brackets 29, to a cross member 31 extending between the support beams 11 of the tiltable frame 9. Operation of the cylinder 23 raises or lowers the front end of the frame 9 about the pivot pins 21 connecting the rear end of the frame 9 to the chassis 3.
A transportable refuse container 33 is provided comprising end walls 35, 37, side walls 39, top and bottom walls 41, 43. The rear end wall 35 can be connected to the top wall 41 along one edge 45 by hinges 47 permitting the end wall 35 to swing out and open the container. Locking means 49 are provided on the side wall of the container, cooperating with a latch pin 50, for normally keeping the end wall 35 closed.
A platen 51 is mounted in the container 33 adjacent front end wall 37. The platen 51 preferably has an area just smaller than the cross-sectional area of the container. The platen can comprise a plate 53 which is reinforced by bars 54. Rollers 55, mounted on the sides of the platen 51, fit in tracks 57, the tracks being mounted at the top and bottom of each side wall 39 of the container adjacent front end wall 37. The rollers permit the platen 51 to slide back and forth within the container for a limited distance from the end wall 37. Stops 56 can be provided in the tracks for limiting movement of the platen. The platen 51 remains substantially parallel to the end wall 37 of the container at all times. Other suitable mounting means for the platen can be provided permitting its limited movement with respect to the container.
The container 33 is left at a loading site, such as for example, a restaurant or a hotel, and refuse is packed into the container through the end of the container, when end wall 35 is open, by a packing means (not shown) located on the site. Any well-known packing means can be used.
When the container 33 has been filled with refuse or other material, it is ready to be transported by the vehicle 1 to a disposal site for unloading. When filled, the platen 51 is located in a first position adjacent the end wall 37 of the container. The filled container 33 is then loaded onto the vehicle 1 to rest on the frame 9. Preferably, in loading the container, the front end of the frame 9 is lifted with the frame pivoting about pins 21 by the operation of cylinder 23. The front end of the container is then positioned onto the back end of the frame 9. A bracket 59 is provided on the front wall 37 of the container to which one end of a cable 61 is attached. The cable 61 is connected to a winch 65 mounted on a cross-plate 64 at the front end of the frame 9. The winch 65 is operated to wind up the cable 61, thus drawing the container onto the support means. The container preferably has support rails 67 attached to its floor 43 which cooperate with the support beams 11 of the frame 9 to guide the container as it is drawn up on the frame. The container is drawn up to rest completely onto the frame until it abuts stops 71 on the frame. Means (not shown) are operated to lock the container in this first loaded position on the frame. The frame 9, and thus the container, is then lowered by the cylinder 23 to a horizontal position to rest on chassis 3, as shown in FIG. 3a, and the vehicle is driven to the unloading site.
At the unloading site the frame 9 is again tilted relative to the chassis, thus tilting the container, as shown in FIG. 3a. The rear end wall 35 on the container is opened to permit the material to be moved out of the container. The winch 65 is then operated to unwind the cable 61 connected to the container to allow the container to move, under its own weight, relative to the frame 9, away from the first position at the stops 71 for a short distance to a second position along the frame, as shown in FIG. 3c.
In this second position rigid means, provided on the frame 9, are operated to contact the platen 51, located adjacent end wall 37, to hold it in this second position. These rigid means can comprise a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 72 and piston rod 73 mounted on a plate 74, which in turn is mounted on a support frame 75 mounted in turn on the cross plate 64 on the end of the frame 9 adjacent the cab. The piston rod 73 extends through an aperture 77 in the end wall 37 of the container. With the container and the platen in the first position, the rod 73 is in a retracted position. When the container and platen are moved to the second position, the cylinder 72 is actuated to extend the rod 73 to abut against the platen. The container 33 is then moved by winch 65 and cable 61 along the frame 9 in the reverse direction back toward the stops 71 to move from its second position to its first position, as shown in FIG. 3d. However, the platen 51 is prevented from moving with the container back to the first position by the piston rod 73. The container, therefore, is moved relative to the platen through the cooperating rollers 55 and tracks 57 for a short distance moving end wall 37 away from the platen. This relative movement provides a positive force tending to break away any frozen material from the walls of the container, thus loosening the bulk of the material so that it will then slide under its own weight the remaining distance out of the container through the open end to empty it.
When the container is emptied, the piston rod 73 can then be retracted by operation of cylinder 72 and the frame 9 is lowered back onto chassis 3. The empty container can then be driven back to the loading site and removed from the vehicle, the platen 51 being now free to be moved back adjacent end wall 37 of the container.
The hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 23 and 72 can be controlled and operated by known means carried on the chassis 3 or cab 5 of the vehicle.
While the means for locking the platen in the second position has been shown as a single piston and cylinder arrangement, two or more piston and cylinder arrangements could be used acting simultaneously. Alternatively, the locking means could comprise one or more rigid pins connectable to the support means and passing through one or more elongated slots formed in the floor of the container to rest adjacent the face of the platen nearest the cab. The pins are inserted through the slots when the container and platen are in the second position and prevent the platen from returning to the first position when the container is moved from the second position to the first position.
The winch 65 has been shown mounted on the tiltable frame 9. It could, alternatively, be mounted on chassis 3 with the cable 61 passing up over a pulley mounted on the front edge of frame 9.