초록 ▼

Apparatus and methods for loading, transporting and dumping a plurality of containers on a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a frame pivotally attachable a vehicle bed, an upper container engaging means and a lower container engaging means, both coupled to the frame. The upper container e

Apparatus and methods for loading, transporting and dumping a plurality of containers on a vehicle are provided. The apparatus includes a frame pivotally attachable a vehicle bed, an upper container engaging means and a lower container engaging means, both coupled to the frame. The upper container engaging means is moveable between a first height and a second height, the first height and the second height differing by greater than at least the height of a container. The lower container engaging means may be stowed and deployed. The upper container engaging means is moveable to the first height for loading a first container when the lower container engaging means is stowed. The lower container engaging means is deployed at the first height for loading the second container when the upper container engaging means is at the second height. The first container and second container may thereby be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for loading and transporting a plurality of containers on a vehicle, the vehicle having a bed, the apparatus comprising: a frame pivotally attachable to the bed of the vehicle, the frame pivotable between a generally vertical loading position and a tilted resting position of between

1. An apparatus for loading and transporting a plurality of containers on a vehicle, the vehicle having a bed, the apparatus comprising: a frame pivotally attachable to the bed of the vehicle, the frame pivotable between a generally vertical loading position and a tilted resting position of between about 20 to 40 degrees over the bed;upper forks for loading a first container, the upper forks coupled to the frame and moveable between positions including a first height and a second height along the frame, the first height and the second height differing by greater than at least a height of one of the plurality of containers;lower forks for loading a second container, the lower forks coupled to the frame and configurable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration at the first height,wherein the upper forks are moveable to the first height for loading the first container when the lower forks are in the stowed configuration;wherein the lower forks are configurable to the deployed configuration at the first height for loading the second container when the upper forks loaded with the first container are at the second height;wherein the upper and lower forks load the first and second containers by slidingly engaging respective sleeves of the first and second containers;whereby the first container and second container may be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the vehicle. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a support stand attachable to the bed, whereby the frame in the tilted resting position rests upon the support stand to prevent the frame from pivoting to a fully horizontal position. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a locking mechanism for releasably locking the frame to the support stand when the frame is in the tilted resting position. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the upper forks are slidably coupled to the frame and the lower forks are slidably coupled to the frame. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 further comprising means for causing the upper forks and the lower forks to slide in unison when the distance therebetween is greater than at least the height of one of the plurality of containers. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the frame is pivotally attachable to a fixed point at a rear of the bed of the vehicle. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the upper forks are rotatable about a common axis. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the frame is telescopically extendible and retractable. 9. An apparatus for loading and transporting a plurality of containers on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a bed;a frame pivotally attached to the bed, the frame pivotable between a generally vertical loading position and a tilted resting position of between about 20 to 40 degrees over the bed;upper forks for loading a first container, the upper forks coupled to the frame and moveable between positions including a first height and a second height along the frame, the first height and the second height differing by greater than at least a height of one of the plurality of containers;lower forks for loading a second container, the lower forks coupled to the frame and configurable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration at the first height,wherein the upper forks are moveable to the first height for loading the first container when the lower forks are in the stowed configuration;wherein the lower forks are configurable to the deployed configuration at the first height for loading the second container when the upper forks loaded with the first container are at the second height;wherein the upper and lower forks load the first and second containers by slidingly engaging respective sleeves of the first and second containers;whereby the first container and second container may be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the vehicle. 10. A vehicle for loading and transporting a plurality of containers, the vehicle comprising: a cab;a bed extending rearward from the cab;a frame pivotally attached to the bed, the frame pivotable between a generally vertical loading position and a tilted resting position of between about 20 to 40 degrees over the bed;upper forks for loading a first container, the upper forks coupled to the frame and moveable between positions including a first height and a second height along the frame, the first height and the second height differing by greater than at least a height of one of the plurality of containers;lower forks for loading a second container, the lower forks coupled to the frame and configurable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration at the first height,wherein the upper forks are moveable to the first height for loading the first container when the lower forks are in the stowed configuration;wherein the lower forks are configurable to the deployed configuration at the first height for loading the second container when the upper forks loaded with the first container are at the second height;wherein the upper and lower forks load the first and second containers by slidingly engaging respective sleeves of the first and second containers;whereby the first container and second container may be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the vehicle. 11. An apparatus for loading and transporting a plurality of waste bins having side-mounted sleeves on a truck, the truck having a bed, the apparatus comprising: a forklift pivotally attachable to a rear of the bed of the truck, the forklift pivotable between a generally vertical loading position and a tilted resting position of between about 20 to 40 degrees over the bed;an upper set of forks for loading a first waste bin, the upper set of forks slidably coupled to the forklift and moveable between a first height and a second height along the forklift, the first height and the second height differing by at least a height of one of the plurality of waste bins;a lower set of forks for loading a second waste bin, the lower set of forks slidably coupled to the forklift;wherein the upper set of forks is moveable to the first height for loading the first waste bin when the lower set of forks is not at the first height;wherein the lower set of forks is moveable to the first height for loading the second waste bin when the upper set of forks loaded with the first waste bin is at the second height;wherein the upper and lower set of forks load the first and second waste bins by slidingly engaging respective sleeves of the first and second waste bins;whereby the first waste bin and second waste bin may be sequentially loaded and simultaneously transported on the truck. 12. An apparatus according to claim 11 further comprising a support stand attachable to the bed, whereby the forklift in the tilted resting position rests upon the support stand to prevent the forklift from pivoting to a fully horizontal position. 13. An apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a locking mechanism for releasably locking the forklift to the support stand when the forklift is in the tilted resting position. 14. An apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising means for causing the upper set of forks and the lower set of forks to slide in unison when the distance therebetween is greater than at least the height of one of the plurality of waste bins. 15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the upper set of forks is rotatable about a common axis. 16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the forklift is telescopically extendible and retractable.