LIFTER FOR A REFUSE COLLECTION CONTAINER

摘要

A refuse receptacle lifter is provided for use with a collection container to receive refuse from a refuse receptacle. The lifter comprises an elongated lift arm with an arcuate upper end and a lower end, with the lift arm being movable relative to the collection container between a first, generally vertically-extending retracted and a second, extended position in which the lower end of the lift arm is spaced away from the collection container. In one embodiment, the lift arm comprises a lower linear portion defining the lower end, with the lower linear portion being angularly disposed relative to an intermediate linear portion so that when the lift arm is in the first, retracted position, the lower end of the lift arm is generally located beneath the arcuate upper end of the lift arm.

主权项

1. A refuse receptacle lifter for use with a collection container, for example, a refuse collection vehicle, including an upper opening to receive refuse from a refuse receptacle, the lifter comprising:
a) an elongated lift arm including an arcuate upper end and a lower end, the lift arm being movable relative to the collection container between a first, generally vertically-extending retracted position in which the lift arm is in proximity to the collection container and a second, extended position in which the arcuate upper end and the lower end of the lift arm are spaced away from the collection container; b) a refuse receptacle engagement mechanism secured to the lift arm for temporarily engaging a refuse collection container; the engagement mechanism being movable along the lift arm between a first position in proximity to the lower end of the lift arm for storage and for engaging and releasing a refuse receptacle and a second position in proximity to the upper arcuate end of the lift arm for emptying refuse from a refuse receptacle into the upper opening of the collection container; c) wherein the lifter further comprises: a mounting assembly for mounting the lifter in cooperative association with the collection container; a first elongated link arm pivotally connected on a first end to the mounting assembly and pivotally connected on a second end to the lift arm; a second elongated link arm pivotally connected on a first end to the mounting assembly, the pivotal connection of the second elongated link arm to the mounting assembly being below the pivotal connection of the first elongated link arm to the mounting assembly, and the second elongated link arm being pivotally connected on a second end to the lift arm between the upper and lower ends; and an extensible actuator pivotally connected on a first end to the mounting assembly and pivotally connected on a second end to the lift arm for moving the lift arm between the first, retracted position and the second, extended position.