Trash collection vehicle

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said coupling means include a pair of spaced blades, each blade being pivotally mounted on said elevating means for movement into and out of a position extending forwardly from the elevating means.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said blades are movable from said forwardly projecting positions into stored position extending transversely of the path of travel of the vehicle.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein is included means releasably locking the blades in their operative and stored positions.

Claim 6

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes clamp structure on the elevating means for clamping the top portion of a trash cart thereto.

Claim 7

Apparatus for collecting waste materials comprising: a vehicle having a frame and a bed pivotally mounted on the frame, said bed having inner wall means to provide a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a first opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment and at least one second opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the central compartment toward the exit opening and for skimming the contents of the side compartments, said forcing and skimming means including a ram plate in the central compartment and a skimmer plate for each side compartment, respectively, and means coupling the skimmer plates to the ram plate for movement of the skimmer plates with the ram plate, each skimmer plate including an upper part and a lower part, said parts being pivotally coupled together, and shear pin means coupling the lower part to the upper part to allow the lower part to pivot in normally one direction relative to the upper part; means for opening and closing the second opening; and means on the vehicle for elevating a waste material container into a position aligned with the first opening so that segregated waste materials carried by the container can be dumped into a respective compartment of the bed.

Claim 8

Apparatus for collecting waste materials comprising: a vehicle having a frame and a bed pivotally mounted on the frame, said bed having inner wall means to provide a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a first opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment and at least one second opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the central compartment toward the exit opening and for skimming the contents of the side compartments, said forcing and skimming means including a ram plate in the central compartment and a skimmer plate for each side compartment, respectively, and means coupling the skimmer plates to the ram plate for movement of the skimmer plates with the ram plate, each skimmer plate including an upper part and a lower part, said parts being pivotally coupled together, and shear pin means coupling the lower part to the upper part to allow the lower part to pivot in normally one direction relative to the upper part; means for opening and closing the second opening; and means on the vehicle for elevating a waste material container into a position aligned with the first opening so that segregated waste materials carried by the container can be dumped into a respective compartment of the bed.

Claim 9

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed through which segregated waste materials can be directed into respective compartments and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed, said second opening means including a rear opening in the outer side wall for each side compartment, respectively; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, the waste materials being directed out of the compartments when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the second opening means is opened, each inner wall having a lower margin secured to the inner surface of the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 10

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed through which segregated waste materials can be directed into respective compartments and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed, said second opening means including a rear opening in the outer side wall for each side compartment, respectively; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, the waste materials being directed out of the compartments when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the second opening means is opened, each inner wall having a lower margin secured to the inner surface of the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 11

In apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the central compartment extends to the bottom of the bed.

Claim 12

In apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein inner surfaces of said inner walls slope downwardly and toward the adjacent outer walls.

Claim 13

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner side walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment and a main rear opening and a pair of side rear openings through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means in the central compartment for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the compartment toward the main rear opening; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, each inner wall having a lower margin secured to the inner surface of the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 14

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner side walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment and a main rear opening and a pair of side rear openings through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means in the central compartment for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the compartment toward the main rear opening; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, each inner wall having a lower margin secured to the inner surface of the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 15

In apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the central compartment extends to the bottom of the bed.

Claim 16

In apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said inner walls are transversely curved.

Claim 17

In apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said opening and closing means includes a closure for the main rear opening and a door for each side rear opening, respectively.

Claim 18

In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein is included means on the bed for mounting each door for up and down movement with respect to the bed.

Claim 19

In apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of parallel tracks for each door, respectively, each pair of tracks being secured to the outer surface of the adjacent outer wall of the bed.

Claim 20

In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein is included means for moving each door including a fluid actuated power device coupled to the door and to the outer surface of the adjacent outer side wall of the bed.

Claim 21

In apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein is included means for each door, respectively, for forming a channel extending outwardly from the adjacent rear side opening for channeling waste materials along a path extending outwardly from the bed when the bed is pivotally moved relative to the frame.

Claim 22

In apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said channel means includes a pair of plates hingedly mounted on the adjacent outer side wall of the bed and having respective and edges movable into abutting relationship to each other for forming a V-shaped channel.

Claim 23

In apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein one of the plates is hingedly mounted at its forward edge margin on the bed and the other plate being hingedly mounted at its upper edge margin to the bed.

Claim 24

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed through which segregated waste materials can be directed into respective compartments and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means in the central compartment for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the compartment toward the second opening means; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, each inner wall having a lower margin secured to the inner surface of the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed, each outer side wall having a rear side opening communicating with a respective side compartment, there being a shiftable door for closing each rear side opening, respectively, and means for shifting each door, respectively, to open and close the respective side opening.

Claim 25

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed through which segregated waste materials can be directed into respective compartments and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means in the central compartment for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the compartment toward the second opening means; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, each inner wall having a lower margin secured to the inner surface of the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed, each outer side wall having a rear side opening communicating with a respective side compartment, there being a shiftable door for closing each rear side opening, respectively, and means for shifting each door, respectively, to open and close the respective side opening.

Claim 26

In apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein is included means on the bed for mounting each door for up and down movement with respect to the bed.

Claim 27

In apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of parallel tracks for each door, respectively, each pair of tracks being secured to the outer surface of the adjacent outer wall of the bed.

Claim 28

In apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein said means for shifting each door includes a fluid actuated power device coupled to the door and to the outer surface of the adjacent outer side wall of the bed.

Claim 29

In apparatus as set forth in claim 20, wherein is included means for each door, respectively, for forming a channel extending outwardly from the adjacent rear side opening for channeling waste materials along a path extending outwardly from the bed when the bed is pivotally moved relative to the frame.

Claim 30

In apparatus as set forth in claim 24, wherein said channel means includes a pair of plates hingedly mounted on the adjacent outer side wall of the bed and having respective end edges movable into abutting relationship to each other for forming a V-shaped channel.

Claim 31

In apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein one of the plates is hingedly mounted at its forward edge margin on the bed and the other plate being hingedly mounted at its upper edge margin to the bed.

Claim 32

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed through which segregated waste materials can be directed into respective compartments and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed, said second opening means including a rear opening in the outer side wall for each side compartment, respectively; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, the waste materials being directed out of the compartments when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the second opening means is opened, each inner wall having a lower margin, and means near the lower margin of each inner wall, respectively, for connecting the inner wall to the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 33

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed through which segregated waste materials can be directed into respective compartments and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed, said second opening means including a rear opening in the outer side wall for each side compartment, respectively; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, the waste materials being directed out of the compartments when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the second opening means is opened, each inner wall having a lower margin, and means near the lower margin of each inner wall, respectively, for connecting the inner wall to the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 34

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner side walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment and a main rear opening and a pair of side rear openings through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means in the central compartment for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the compartment toward the main rear opening; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, each inner wall having a lower margin, and means near the lower margin of each inner wall, respectively, for connecting the inner wall to the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 35

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner side walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment and a main rear opening and a pair of side rear openings through which waste materials can be directed out of the bed; means in the central compartment for forcing waste materials longitudinally of the compartment toward the main rear opening; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, each inner wall having a lower margin, and means near the lower margin of each inner wall, respectively, for connecting the inner wall to the adjacent outer side wall at a location spaced above the bottom of the bed.

Claim 36

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of spaced outer side walls, there being a pair of spaced inner walls in said bed, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed for allowing segregated waste materials to be directed into respective compartments, and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof for permitting waste materials to be directed out of the bed, said second opening means including a rear opening in the outer side wall for communication with a respective side compartment; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, the waste materials being directed out of the compartments when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the second opening means is open.

Claim 37

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of spaced outer side walls, there being a pair of spaced inner walls in said bed, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening means on the bed for allowing segregated waste materials to be directed into respective compartments, and second opening means on the bed near the rear thereof for permitting waste materials to be directed out of the bed, said second opening means including a rear opening in the outer side wall for communication with a respective side compartment; and means for opening and closing the second opening means, the waste materials being directed out of the compartments when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the second opening means is open.

Claim 38

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle frame having a rear end and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear end thereof, said bed having a pair of spaced outer side walls and a pair of spaced inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into respective compartments, there being a main rear opening at the rear of the bed through which materials can be directed out of the central compartment, and a pair of side rear openings adjacent to the rear of the bed and communicating with respective side compartments to allow waste materials to be directed out of respective side compartments; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, the waste materials being directed out of a compartment when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the corresponding rear opening is open.

Claim 39

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle frame having a rear end and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear end thereof, said bed having a pair of spaced outer side walls and a pair of spaced inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into respective compartments, there being a main rear opening at the rear of the bed through which materials can be directed out of the central compartment, and a pair of side rear openings adjacent to the rear of the bed and communicating with respective side compartments to allow waste materials to be directed out of respective side compartments; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, the waste materials being directed out of a compartment when the bed is pivoted on the frame and when the corresponding rear opening is open.

Claim 40

In apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein the means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings includes a closure for each of said main rear openings and the side rear openings, respectively.

Claim 41

In apparatus as set forth in claim 30, wherein at least one of the inner side walls has lower margins spaced above the bed.

Claim 42

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment there being a main rear opening through which materials can be directed out of the central compartment, and a pair of side rear openings through which materials can be directed out of respective side compartments; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, the inner walls having lower margins spaced above the bed, and means near the lower margin of each inner wall, respectively, for coupling the inner wall to the adjacent outer side wall.

Claim 43

In apparatus for collecting waste materials: a vehicle having a frame and a container-like bed pivotally mounted on the frame near the rear thereof, said bed having a pair of outer side walls and a pair of inner walls, said walls defining a central compartment and a pair of side compartments extending longitudinally of the vehicle, there being a top, front opening on the bed through which waste materials can be directed into each compartment there being a main rear opening through which materials can be directed out of the central compartment, and a pair of side rear openings through which materials can be directed out of respective side compartments; and means for opening and closing the main and side rear openings, the inner walls having lower margins spaced above the bed, and means near the lower margin of each inner wall, respectively, for coupling the inner wall to the adjacent outer side wall.