Method and apparatus for gripping containers

1. An apparatus for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a collection vehicle comprising:

a base member, a plurality of gripping mechanisms mounted on the base member for movement between a retracted position and an engaging position for engaging a container, the gripping mechanisms being so constructed and arranged that they each can engage a container's outer surface at locations around at least one-half of the circumference of the container, and means for moving the gripping mechanisms between said positions;

each of said gripping mechanisms having an inner gripping member and an outer gripping member;

wherein the movement of at least one of said outer gripping members is between a substantially vertical stored position and a substantially horizontal gripping position;

wherein movement paths for the inner gripping members for the plurality of gripping mechanisms overlap when viewed perpendicularly to a plane of motion for the inner gripping members.

2. An apparatus for gripping containers for dumping material in a collection vehicle comprising: a first gripping mechanism for engaging a first container and a second gripping mechanism for engaging a second container, wherein the first gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes a first outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a first inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a first actuating mechanism for moving the first outer gripping member towards the first inner gripping member and the second gripping mechanism is attached to the base member and includes a second outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a second inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and a second actuating mechanism for moving the second outer gripping member towards the second inner gripping member; and a linking member pivotally attached to the first inner gripping member and pivotally attached to the second inner gripping member.

3. The apparatus for gripping containers according to claim 2 , wherein a perpendicular distance between the linking member and the pivotal attachment for the second inner gripping member increases as the first inner gripping member moves from a stored position to an extended position.

4. The apparatus for gripping containers according to claim 2 , wherein a perpendicular distance between the linking member and the pivotal attachment for the first inner gripping member decreases as the first inner gripping member moves from a stored position to an extended position.

5. The apparatus for gripping containers according to claim 2 , wherein a distance between the pivotal attachments for the first inner gripping member and the second inner gripping member is greater than a distance between centerlines of the first container and the second container when engaged by the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism.

6. The apparatus for gripping containers according to claim 2 , wherein the pivotal attachment for at least one of the first outer gripping member or the second outer gripping member is located between the pivotal attachment for the first inner gripping member and the pivotal attachment for the second inner gripping member.

7. The apparatus for gripping containers according to claim 2 , wherein the collection vehicle includes a plurality of compartments, wherein material dumped from each of the containers that are engaged by the plurality of gripping mechanisms can be kept separate in individual streams.