US 11,884,486 B2
Robust grabber arm for refuse collection vehicle
Grant McNeilus, Dodge Center, MN (US); Garwin McNeilus, Dodge Center, MN (US); and Brian Meldahl, Dodge Center, MN (US)
Assigned to Con-Tech Manufacturing, Inc., Dodge Center, MN (US)
Filed by Con-Tech Manufacturing, Inc., Dodge Center, MN (US)
Filed on Mar. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/656,725.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/261,367, filed on Sep. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0086945 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. B65F 3/04 (2006.01); B65F 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65F 3/041 (2013.01) [B65F 2003/023 (2013.01); B65F 2003/0263 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A robust grabber arm attachable to a refuse collection vehicle, comprising:
an inner arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and rotatable about a first axis, the inner arm comprising a pair of substantially parallel inner arm beam members situated substantially perpendicular to the first axis and at least one inner arm cross member permanently adjoining and extending between the pair of inner arm beam members to thus provide rigidity to the inner arm;
an outer arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer arm is rotatably coupled to the second end of the inner arm along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially parallel with one another, the outer arm comprising a pair of substantially parallel outer arm beam members separated from one another and at least one outer arm cross member permanently adjoining each of the pair of outer arm beam members to thus provide rigidity to the outer arm, the at least one outer arm cross member being positioned at a predetermined location between the first end and the second end of the outer arm, wherein the predetermined location of the at least one outer arm cross member is not aligned with either the first axis or the second axis;
a grabber mechanism coupled to the second end of the outer arm, the grabber mechanism configured to grab a refuse container;
an alignment link coupled to the inner arm and the grabber mechanism;
a first drive mechanism coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and the inner arm member, wherein driving the first drive mechanism causes rotation of the inner arm about the first axis; and
a second drive mechanism coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and the outer arm member, wherein driving the second drive mechanism will cause rotation about the second axis.