Refuse compactor

Claim 2

A refuse compactor comprising: wall means defining the front of a compacting space having top and bottom sections, said wall means defining a top opening to said top space section and a bottom access opening to said bottom space section; a refuse receiver in said bottom space section having an open top; means for guiding said receiver through said bottom wall means opening between a retracted compacting position in said bottom space section and an exposed refuse receiving position forwardly of said wall means; refuse compacting ram means in said top section movable in a cycle inwardly into and upwardly out of said receiver through said receiver open top for compacting refuse in said receiver; electrically powered drive means for moving said ram means; a movable top closure means on said wall means extending across a top access opening of said wall means and movable for exposing said ram means through said opening; and control means utilizing a single electrical control switch for ensuring inactivation of said ram drive means prior to said ram exposing movement of said closure means and ensuring inactivation of said ram drive means upon movement of said receiver from said compacting position in said bottom space section.

Claim 3

The compactor of claim 1 wherein said drive means is electrically powered through said control switch, and said means for ensuring said inactivation comprises means for opening said switch by movement of said refuse receiver and means requiring such movement prior to ram-exposing movement of said top closure means.

Claim 4

The compactor of claim 1 wherein said top closure means is mounted for movement about a hinge and at least a portion of said control means for ensuring inactivation is located adjacent said hinge for engagement by said top closure meanS preventing movement thereof prior to at least a partial movement of said refuse receiver.

Claim 5

The compactor of claim 1 wherein there are provided a movable bottom closure means in said bottom space section extending across the bottom access opening and manipulatable for moving said refuse receiver selectively through said bottom access opening.

Claim 6

The compactor of claim 4 wherein said control switch comprises a normally open electrical switch, and said refuse receiver comprises a drawer having a front wall comprising said bottom closure means, said drawer holding said switch closed when in retracted position in said space.

Claim 7

The compactor of claim 5 wherein said top closure means is mounted for outward movement about a hinge and operatively engages said front wall thereby to require said drawer to be moved outwardly to permit outward movement of said top closure means.

Claim 8

A refuse compactor comprising: wall means defining the front of a compacting space having top and bottom sections, said wall means defining a top opening to said top space section and a bottom access opening to said bottom space section; a refuse receiver in said bottom space section having an open top; refuse-compacting ram means in said top space section movable in a cycle into and out of said receiver through said open top for compacting refuse in said receiver; electrically powered drive means for moving said ram means having a normally open control switch; a movable top closure means in said top space section extending across said top wall means opening and movable for exposing said ram means through said opening; a movable bottom closure means in said bottom space section extending across said wall means bottom access opening and movable for withdrawing said refuse receiver through said bottom access opening, said refuse receiver when in retracted position in said space holding said switch closed; and means for preventing opening of said top closure means prior to opening said bottom closure means comprising hinge means for said top closure means mounted behind and blocked by an upper portion of said bottom closure means in its closed position.

Claim 9

A refuse compactor comprising: wall means defining the front of a compacting space having top and bottom sections, said wall means defining a top opening to said top space section and a bottom access opening to said bottom space section; a refuse receiver in said bottom space section having an open top; refuse-compacting ram means in said top space section movable in a cycle into and out of said receiver through said open top for compacting refuse in said receiver; electrically powered drive means for moving said ram means having a normally open control switch; a movable top closure means in said top space section extending across said top wall means opening and movable for exposing said ram means through said opening; a movable bottom closure means in said bottom space section extending across said wall means bottom access opening and movable for withdrawing said refuse receiver through said bottom access opening, said refuse receiver when in retracted position in said space holding said switch closed; and means for preventing opening of said top closure means prior to opening said bottom closure means comprising hinge means for said top closure means mounted behind and blocked by an upper portion of said bottom closure means in its closed position.

Claim 10

The compactor of claim 7 wherein said refuse receiver comprises a drawer having a front wall comprising said bottom closure means.