Lifting and dumping apparatus

Claim 1

A lifting and dumping apparatus for dumping the contents of a refuse container, the container having a pair of longitudinally extending side channels, the lifting and dumping apparatus comprising: a fixed frame connected to a lifting attachment for moving the fixed frame between a rest position and a vertically elevated position; a support frame rotatably mounted on said fixed frame by a bearing assembly, said support frame having a pair of fork arms for engaging said container side channels; wherein said fixed frame has a vertical wall portion with an exterior surface and an interior surface, said vertical wall portion being provided with a central sprocket opening, and wherein said bearing assembly extends between said vertical wall exterior surface and said support frame said support frame having top, bottom and opposing sides which enclose a support plate, said central sprocket being mounted on said support plate and extending horizontally from said support plate through said central sprocket opening of said fixed frame; a piston actuated chain drive independent of the lifting attachment for rotating the support frame, and hence the refuse container, approximately 180° between a horizontal position and a dumping position at any of a plurality of selected vertically elevated positions of said lifting attachment; and wherein said piston actuated chain drive includes a double ended piston having opposing ends each of said opposing ends being directly connected to the terminating end of a continuous length of drive chain, said drive chain being engaged with said central sprocket by routing said drive chain about said central sprocket, said continuous length of drive chain running from one of said piston opposing ends to the other for rotating said central sprocket and associated support frame between a horizontal position and a dumping position.