Refuse container handling device

Claim 2

A power operated device for removably engaging an open topped refuse container when said container is in a first position at which fork engageable guides that form a part thereof are horizontally positioned, said device after said engagement capable of pivoting said container to an elevated second position at which substantially all surfaces of said container are accessible for cleansing and maintenance work thereon, with said container when in said second position so disposed that liquid will drain from said open top thereof by gravity, said device comprising: a. a base that includes two laterally spaced, substantially parallel end pieces and a cross piece extending therebetween and secured thereto; b. two laterally spaced uprights supported from said base; c. a horizontal shaft rotatably supported on said uprights and extending therebetween; d. a container receiving cradle assembly that includes a frame having upper and lower horizontal cross members that are joined by a pair of end members, said end members rigidly secured to said shaft, and a plurality of spaced parallel forks that project outwardly from said lower cross member and capable of engaging said guides; and e. power operated means mounted on said base and operatively associated with said shaft for pivoting said cradle assembly between said first and second positions, said power operated means including: 1. a lever secured to a first end of said shaft and extending outwardly therefrom; 2. a hydraulic cylinder; 3. a piston rod slidably mounted in said cylinder; 4. first means for pivoting a first end of said hydraulic cylinder to said first end piece; 5. second means pivoting a free end extremity of said piston rod to said lever; and 6. third means for discharging hydraulic fluid under pressure into at least one interior end portion of said hydraulic cylinder to move said cradle assembly and container supported thereon between said first and second positions.

Claim 3

A power operated device as defined in claim 1 in which said uprights are secured to said cross piece and extend upwardly therefrom, and said device in addition including: g. two axially aligned bearings supported from said uprights and rotatably supporting said shaft; and h. roller means disposed under said end pieces to permit said device to be rolled on a flat surface to a desired location.

Claim 4

a hydraulic cylinder;

Claim 5

a hydraulic cylinder;

Claim 6

a piston rod slidably mounted in said cylinder;

Claim 7

a piston rod slidably mounted in said cylinder;

Claim 8

A power operated device for removably engaging an open topped refuse container when said container is in a first position at which fork engageable guides that form a part thereof are horizontally positioned, said device capable of thereafter pivoting said container to an elevated second position at which substantially all surfaces of said container are accessible for cleansing and maintenance work to be performed thereon, with said container when in said second position so disposed that liquid therein will drain from said open top by gravity, said device comprising: a. a base that includes first and second parallel laterally spaced end pieces that are connected by a cross piece, with said cross piece of such length that one of said containers can be at least partially disposed between said end pieces when said container is in said first position; b. a lever pivotally connected to a rearward end portion of said first end piece; c. an elongate link pivotally connected to said first end piece; d. an upwardly extending hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to said first end piece and extending upwardly therefrom; e. an upwardly extending piston rod slidably mounted in said hydraulic cylinder; f. first means for pivotally connecting a free end portion of said piston rod to said lever; g. a container receiving cradle assembly that includes a frame having upper and lower horizontal cross members that are joined by a pair of end members, said end members and a plurality of parallel spaced forks that project outwardly from said lower cross member and capable of engaging said guides; h. first and second legs that extend outwardly from said lower member and are adjacently disposed to said first and second end pieces; i. two angularly disposed members that extend outwardly from said first leg and intersect at an apex structure; j. a rigid arm that extends outwardly from said apex structure; k. second means for pivotally connecting said arm to said link; l. third means for pivotally connecting said apex structure to a free end portion of said lever; and m. fourth means for discharging hydraulic fluid under pressure into the lower interior portion of said hydraulic cylinder to move said piston rod and lever upwardly relative to said first end piece, and said arm and link cooperating as said lever is pivoted upwardly, to pivot said cradle assembly to said second position, with fluid when allowed to escape from said fourth means, permitting said lever to pivot downwardly due to the weight of said cradle assembly and container supported thereon, and as said downward pivotal movement takes place said link and arm cooperating to return said cradle assembly to said first position.

Claim 9

A power operated device for removably engaging an open topped refuse container when said container is in a first position at which fork engageable guides that form a part thereof are horizontally positioned, said device capable of thereafter pivoting said container to an elevated second position at which substantially all surfaces of said container are accessible for cleansing and maintenance work to be performed thereon, with said container when in said second position so disposed that liquid therein will drain from said open top by gravity, said device comprising: a. a base that includes first and second parallel laterally spaced end pieces that are connected by a cross piece, with said cross piece of such length that one of said containers can be at least partially disposed between said end pieces when said container is in said first position; b. a lever pivotally connected to a rearward end portion of said first end piece; c. an elongate link pivotally connected to said first end piece; d. an upwardly extending hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to said first end piece and extending upwardly therefrom; e. an upwardly extending piston rod slidably mounted in said hydraulic cylinder; f. first means for pivotally connecting a free end portion of said piston rod to said lever; g. a container receiving cradle assembly that includes a frame having upper and lower horizontal cross members that are joined by a pair of end members, said end members and a plurality of parallel spaced forks that project outwardly from said lower cross member and capable of engaging said guides; h. first and second legs that extend outwardly from said lower member and are adjacently disposed to said first and second end pieces; i. two angularly disposed members that extend outwardly from said first leg and intersect at an apex structure; j. a rigid arm that extends outwardly from said apex structure; k. second means for pivotally connecting said arm to said link; l. third means for pivotally connecting said apex structure to a free end portion of said lever; and m. fourth means for discharging hydraulic fluid under pressure into the lower interior portion of said hydraulic cylinder to move said piston rod and lever upwardly relative to said first end piece, and said arm and link cooperating as said lever is pivoted upwardly, to pivot said cradle assembly to said second position, with fluid when allowed to escape from said fourth means, permitting said lever to pivot downwardly due to the weight of said cradle assembly and container supported thereon, and as said downward pivotal movement takes place said link and arm cooperating to return said cradle assembly to said first position.

Claim 10

A power operated device as defined in claim 3 in which said first and second end pieces further include roller means depending downwardly therefrom to permit said device to be moved to a desired location on a smooth surface.

Claim 11

first means for pivoting a first end of said hydraulic cylinder to said first end piece;

Claim 12

first means for pivoting a first end of said hydraulic cylinder to said first end piece;

Claim 13

second means pivoting a free end extremity of said piston rod to said lever; and

Claim 14

second means pivoting a free end extremity of said piston rod to said lever; and

Claim 15

third means for discharging hydraulic fluid under pressure into at least one interior end portion of said hydraulic cylinder to move said cradle assembly and container supported thereon between said first and second positions.

Claim 16

third means for discharging hydraulic fluid under pressure into at least one interior end portion of said hydraulic cylinder to move said cradle assembly and container supported thereon between said first and second positions.