AU613887B2 – Weighing system for refuse trucks
– Google Patents
AU613887B2 – Weighing system for refuse trucks
– Google Patents
Weighing system for refuse trucks
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Info
Publication number
AU613887B2
AU613887B2
AU83354/87A
AU8335487A
AU613887B2
AU 613887 B2
AU613887 B2
AU 613887B2
AU 83354/87 A
AU83354/87 A
AU 83354/87A
AU 8335487 A
AU8335487 A
AU 8335487A
AU 613887 B2
AU613887 B2
AU 613887B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
refuse
container
truck
transducer
switch
Prior art date
1986-10-20
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
AU83354/87A
Other versions
AU8335487A
(en
Inventor
Gregory H. Appleton
Paul D. Mikelk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Waste Management of North America Inc
Original Assignee
BREAKTHRU IND Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1986-10-20
Filing date
1987-10-09
Publication date
1991-08-15
1986-10-20
Priority claimed from US06/922,064
external-priority
patent/US4714122A/en
1987-10-09
Application filed by BREAKTHRU IND Inc
filed
Critical
BREAKTHRU IND Inc
1988-05-06
Publication of AU8335487A
publication
Critical
patent/AU8335487A/en
1991-08-15
Application granted
granted
Critical
1991-08-15
Publication of AU613887B2
publication
Critical
patent/AU613887B2/en
1992-04-30
Assigned to Waste Management of North America, Inc
reassignment
Waste Management of North America, Inc
Alteration of Name(s) of Applicant(s) under S113
Assignors: Breakthru Industries, Inc
2007-10-09
Anticipated expiration
legal-status
Critical
Status
Ceased
legal-status
Critical
Current
Links
Espacenet
Global Dossier
Discuss
238000005303
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5-[(3as,4s,6ar)-2-oxo-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrothieno[3,4-d]imidazol-4-yl]-n-(6-hydrazinyl-6-oxohexyl)pentanamide
Chemical compound
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Classifications
G—PHYSICS
G01—MEASURING; TESTING
G01G—WEIGHING
G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
G01G19/08—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for incorporation in vehicles
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
B65F3/02—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto
B65F3/04—Linkages, pivoted arms, or pivoted carriers for raising and subsequently tipping receptacles
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
B65F3/02—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto
B65F3/04—Linkages, pivoted arms, or pivoted carriers for raising and subsequently tipping receptacles
B65F3/041—Pivoted arms or pivoted carriers
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
B65F3/02—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto
B65F3/04—Linkages, pivoted arms, or pivoted carriers for raising and subsequently tipping receptacles
B65F3/041—Pivoted arms or pivoted carriers
B65F3/043—Pivoted arms or pivoted carriers with additional means for keeping the receptacle substantially vertical during raising
G—PHYSICS
G01—MEASURING; TESTING
G01G—WEIGHING
G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
G01G19/08—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for incorporation in vehicles
G01G19/083—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups for incorporation in vehicles lift truck scale
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
B65F3/02—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto
B65F2003/022—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto the discharging means comprising a device for determining the weight of the content of refuse receptacles
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65F—GATHERING OR REMOVAL OF DOMESTIC OR LIKE REFUSE
B65F3/00—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse
B65F3/02—Vehicles particularly adapted for collecting refuse with means for discharging refuse receptacles thereinto
B65F2003/0263—Constructional features relating to discharging means
B65F2003/0279—Constructional features relating to discharging means the discharging means mounted at the front of the vehicle
Description
AU-AI-83354/87 PCT WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION PC Interniational Bureiau INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 4 (11) International Publication Number: WO 88/ 02849 GO1G 19/08 Al (43) International Publication Date: 21 April 1988 (21.04.88) (21) International Application Number: PCT/US87/02658 4) ents i .DGE Gerr A et al,; 43 Highland tr tjVocester 0 9 (US).
(22) International Filing Date: 9 October 1987 (09,10.87) (81) Designated States: AT, AT (European patent), AU, BB, (31) Priority Application Numbers: 922,064 BE (European patent), BG, bJ (OAPI patent), BR, 050,321 CF (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH, CH (European patent), CM» (OAPI patent), DE, DE (Euro- (32) Priority Dates: 20 October 1986 (20,10,86) pean patent), DK, FI, FR (European patent), GA 14 May 1987 (14.05,87) (OAPI patent), GB, GB (European patent), HU, IT (European patent), JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, LU (Euro- (33) Priority Country: US pean patent), MC, MG, ML (OAPI patent), MR (OA- PI patent), MW, NL, NL (European patent), NO, RO, SD, SE, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI pa- (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): BREAK- tent), SU, TD (OAPI patent), TG (OAPI patent), US, THRU INDUSTRIES, INC. [US/US]: 203 Church Street, Clinton, MA 01510 (US), Published (72) Inventors; and With international search report, Inventors/Applicants (for US only) APPLETON, Gre, Before the expiration of the time limit for amending the gory, H. [US/US]; 48 Richmond Street, Gardrer, MA claims and to be republished in the event qf the receipt 01440 MIKELK, Paul, D, [US/US]; 119 Carter of amendments, Street, Berlin, MA 01503 2 UN 1988
AUSTRALIAN
6 MAY 1988 -PATCNT OFFICE– (54) Title; WEIGHING SYSTEM FOR REFUSE TRUCKS -4 34 i i 41 3 24 38 22 36 26 28 72 34 42 46 (57) Abstract A weighing system (22) for a refuse truck (24) having lifting means for engaging and lifting a refuse container (26), The weighing system comprises a transducer (42) which is mounted on the lifting means of the truck for sensing the weight I of the refuse container for producing an electrical analog signal. Electrical digitizing means convert the analog signal to a digital signal which is indicative of the weight which is sensed by the transducer, A limit switch (44) is operatively connected to the transducer (42) so that the transducer is energized at a point when a full container is supported by the lifting means and when an empty container is supported by the lifting means for the purpose of determining the weight of the re i fuse in the container (26).
4 NV Oi6r 88/02849 PCT/US87/02658 (1) Weighing System For Refuse Trucks BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a weighing and recording system for refuse trucks. The invention is particularly directed to a weighing and recording system for refuse trucks of the type which pick up refuse or trash which is contained in large special refuse containers. There are several types of refuse trucks and refuse containers.
The trucks and containers have complimentary engaging elements which enable- a truck to lift its complimentary container from a lowet resting position to an upper dumping position from which the contents of the container spill out of an opening in the container into an opening in the refuse receptacle of the truck. The refuse trucks are identified as «front end loaders», «rear end loaders», and «side loaders».
Each refuse container is specifically adapted for a specific type of truck. Some trucks are also adapted with special lifting elements for handling smaller refuse containers, such as barrels or carts which are equipped with complimentary lifting elements.
The refuse trucks to which the present invention is directed are equipped with means for compacting the refuse so that the truck is capable of picking up refuse or trash from a large number of locations before the truck is completely full and ready for dumping at a specified dumping site. A fee is charged at the dumping site which is based on the poundage of the refuse which is dumped. The fee is determined by weighing the truck before and after dumping and charging for the difference in the two weights. The owner or contractor of the refuse truck can determine his or her cost of operating the truck to determine the fee to be charged to the customers. The dumping fee represents one cost factor for the total cost of operating the refuse -V I wo 88/02849 PCT/ US87/02658 (2) truck. At the present time, customers of the refuse pickup service pay a fixed fee for each refuse container of a particular type. This fee is arrived at by adding up all expenses and expected profits and dividing the total by the number of refuse containers serviced. The present system of setting charges for refuse pickup is objectionable to the contractor and to the customer for several reasons. Each truck has a particular route so that each refuse container is serviced on a specified day of the week and usually at a specified time of the day. Since each business and individual is unique there is great variation in the amount and nature of refuse in each container on the route. Some containers are nearly full at the time of pickup and some containers are nearly empty. Also, the type of refuse varies so that between two equally full containers, the refuse in one container may weigh a great deal more than refuse in the other container. Theie is, of course, a cost involved in servicing all containers, whether they are full or empty.
However, the cost of servicing full, heavy containers is greater due to the higher weight charge at the dumping site.
Also, the capacity of the refuse truck is reached more quickly, thereby increasing the number of trips to the pumping site. By charging a fixed fee for each container serviced, the contractor has no way of distinguishing profitable accounts from non-profitable or less profitable accounts. Also, the customers are not charged fairly for the amount of refuse being picked up. Some customers whose refuse containers are never full when serviced or whose refuse containers contain low density refuse pay a lot more than they should. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art refuse trucks have been obviated by the present invention.
It is, therefore, a principle object of the invention to provide a weighing system for a refuse truck which is capable of determining the weight of refuse in a T- -1.
SWO 88/02849 PCT/US87/02658 (3) refuse container as it is being serviced for the purpose of determining a per weight charge to the customer.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a weighing system for refuse trucks for determining when the weight capacity of a truck has been reached.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of weighing system for refuse trucks for determining the weight of refuse in each refuse container being serviced and for recording the weight for billing purposes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a weighing system for different types of refuse trucks to determine the weight of refuse in different types of refuse containers serviced by the trucks.
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a weighing system for refuse trucks which automatically determines the weight of refuse in a refuse container as it is being serviced by the truck, requiring no attention on the driver’s part except to note the identity of the customer being serviced.
With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In -genal, the invention e n i-a -f a weighing system for a refuse truck which is equipped with mea ors lifting a specific type of refuse container dumping the contents of the refuse container in eo- truck. The weighing system comprises tansducer which is mounted on a refuse container 1 ng element of the truck for sensing the weigh fthe refuse container when it is full and when i.r4 empty and for generating an electrical signal which is to the wisg-Lwhich ie a cd by the j/ 7 A ‘i- I i Si0217p:mmb 3a- In one broad form the invention comprises a weighing system for a refuse truck having a refuse receptacle which has top opening and lifting means for engaging and lifting a refuse container which has a top opening from a resting position outside of the truck to an inverted position above the opening of the refuse receptacle to permit the contents of the refuse container to fall into the refuse receptacle, said refuse truck being a front end loader which has a pair of forwardly-extending support arms for engaging complementary support fixtures of a refuse container and a lifting boom for lifting the support arms and a refuse container which is supported on said support arms from a *69 position in front of the truck to a position above the top opening of the refuse receptacle, said weighing system S comprising: a a transducer which is mounted on the lifting means of *said refuse truck for sensing the weight of a refuse container when the container is supported by the lifting means, said transducer being effective for generating an electrical analog signal which is proportional to the weight which is sensed by the transducer, said transducer comprising a transducer fixture which is mounted on each support arm, said transducer fixture comprising: a housing which is fixed to the support arm; a pressure load cell which is supported on said *o*housing, said load cell having a main body and an upwardly-extending sensing element which is mounted on said main body for vertical movement relative to said main body, and a pressure plate which is supported on the sensing element of said pressure load cell and which is guided by said housing for vertical movement relative to said housing, said pressure plate having an upper surface for supporting the refuse container, Rl
