US 12,384,617 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 Jan. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/420,662.
Application 18/420,662 is a continuation of application No. 17/656,725, filed on Mar. 28, 2022, granted, now 11,884,486.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/261,367, filed on Sep. 20, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0166433 A1, May 23, 2024
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)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A robust grabber arm for retrieving refuse collection containers and dumping contents into a collection hopper of 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 using a plurality of first bearings and is 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 coupled to one another by at least one inner arm cross member, the inner arm beam members further comprising a plurality of attachment ears situated at the second end;
an outer arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the outer arm is rotatably coupled to the plurality of attachment ears using a plurality of second bearings, with the outer arm and the inner arm being rotatable with respect to one another along a second axis which is not in line with the substantially parallel inner arm beam members, 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 while also coupled to one another by at least one outer arm cross member positioned at a predetermined location between the first end and the second end;
a grabber mechanism coupled to the second end of the outer arm via a plurality of third bearings, the grabber mechanism configured to grab and carry a refuse container; and
a drive system configured to selectively cause rotation of the inner arm about the first axis, rotation of the inner arm and the outer arm with respect to one another about the second axis, and movement of the grabber mechanism;
wherein the plurality of first bearings, the plurality of second bearings and the plurality of third bearings are all configured to be interchangeable.