Disposal vehicle

Claim 2

A dual-function vehicle-loading apparatus, comprising: a vehicle; a lifting mechanism mounted on, and adapted to move relative to, said vehicle; said lifting mechanism having: a lifting framework; a lifting fork having a pair of outwardly extending L-shaped pallet-type tines fixed to said lifting framework; whereby said tines of said lifting fork may be engaged with respective lifting channels of a pallet-type structure on a container adapted to be lifted by said lifting mechanism, and have its contents dumped into said vehicle; said lifting framework having a loading opening defined at the sides by the vertical legs of said tines and at the top and bottom by members of the lifting framework, said opening adapted to provide communication between the volume above said tines and the body of said vehicle when said lifting framework has been raised to a suitable level, a lifting platform adapted to fit onto said lifting framework adjacent said loading opening and extending between and co-planar with the vertical and horizontal legs of the pair of tines, respectively, when in the vertical or horizontal position; and cooperating means for holding said platform in an operative state relative to said lifting framework.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, including: means for hingedly attaching one edge of said lifting platform to said lifting fork; cooperative means for holding said lifting platform in an operative state on said tines; whereby a load such as a barrel may be positioned on said lifting platform to be lifted; locking means for holding said lifting platform in a hinged inoperative state relative to said tines; whereby said tines are in an operative state to be used without interference from said lifting platform.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1 including: a sprocket chain having its ends anchored to said vehicle; a guide wheel adapted to move along said anchored sprocket chain; said guide wheel having a pair of end flanges; the edges of said sprocket chain being contained by said end flanges of said guide wheels; said guide wheels having a centered peripheral collar adapted to move along said sprocket chain.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 3, including: means for lubricating said guide wheel; said lubricating means comprising a shaft having a central bore and an interconnecting radial bore; a lubricating fitting positioned in communication with said central bore of said shaft; whereby a lubricant may be fed through said fitting, through said central bore, and through said radial bore to the surface of said shaft; said guide wheel having a sleeve bearing therein; said bearing being slightly spaced from said surface of said shaft to form a lubrication area that receives said lubricant; a lubrication seal positioned at each end of said bearing; said lubrication seal comprising an O-ring positioned around said shaft and between said shaft and said bearing; said O-ring having at least one air escape portion adapted to permit the escape of air trapped in said lubrication area.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4, wherein said air escape portion of said O-ring comprises a flattened area of said O-ring.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1, including: a brake system for said vehicle; control means for controlling said brake system of said vehicle; means for applying the brakes of said brake system; means for releasing said brakes of said brake system; means, actuated by said control means, for causing said applying means to apply said brakes of said vehicle; means, actuated by said control means, for causing said releasing means to release the brakes of said vehicle; whereby the brakes of said vehicle may be applied when said lifting mechanism is to be activated, and may be released when said lifting mechanism is to be deactivated.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6 including: power take-off means for providing power for said lifting mechanism; said controlling means further being adapted to control said power take-off means.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 1 including: control means for controlling said lifting-mechanism of said vehicle; means for accelerating and decelerating the engine of said vehicle; means, actuated by said control means, for causing said accelerating/decelerating means to accelerate said engine; a bleed valve associated with said engine accelerating/decelerating means; means, actuated by said control element means, for causing said bleed valve to decelerate said engine.

Claim 10

The invention comprising: a disposal roadway truck; a lifting mechanism mounted on, and adapted to move relative to, said truck; said lifting mechanism having: a lifting framework; a lifting fork having a pair of outwardly extending pallet-type L-shaped tines fixed to said lifting framework; whereby said tines of said lifting fork may be engaged with respective lifting channels of a pallet-type structure adapted to be lifted by said lifting mechanism; said lifting framework having a loading opening defined at the sides by the vertical legs of said pair of tines, and at the top and bottom by members of the lifting framework, said opening adapted to provide communication between the volume above said tines and the body of said vehicle when said lifting framework has been raised to a suitable level, a lifting platform adapted to fit between and to substantially fill the area between said pallet-type tines of said lifting fork; means for hingedly attaching the rear of said lifting platform to said lifting framework; cooperative means for holding said lifting platform in an operative state, the longitudinal edges of said lifting platform being supported by said tines; whereby a load such as a barrel may be stably positioned on said lifting platform, to be lifted; locking means for holding said lifting platform in an inoperative state relative to said tines; whereby said tines are in an operative state to be used without interference from said lifting platform; whereby said opening is approximately the same size as the platform and thus allowing a load to be pushed through said opening into said truck.

Claim 11

The invention comprising: a disposal roadway truck; a lifting mechanism mounted on, and adapted to move relative to, said truck; said lifting mechanism having: a lifting framework; a lifting fork having a pair of outwardly extending pallet-type L-shaped tines fixed to said lifting framework; whereby said tines of said lifting fork may be engaged with respective lifting channels of a pallet-type structure adapted to be lifted by said lifting mechanism; said lifting framework having a loading opening defined at the sides by the vertical legs of said pair of tines, and at the top and bottom by members of the lifting framework, said opening adapted to provide communication between the volume above said tines and the body of said vehicle when said lifting framework has been raised to a suitable level, a lifting platform adapted to fit between and to substantially fill the area between said pallet-type tines of said lifting fork; means for hingedly attaching the rear of said lifting platform to said lifting framework; cooperative means for holding said lifting platform in an operative state, the longitudinal edges of said lifting platform being supported by said tines; whereby a load such as a barrel may be stably positioned on said lifting platform, to be lifted; locking means for holding said lifting platform in an inoperative state relative to said tines; whereby said tines are in an operative state to be used without interference from said lifting platform; whereby said opening is approximately the same size as the platform and thus allowing a load to be pushed through said opening into said truck.