Bin lifting and weigh scale arrangement
The present invention is directed at a bin lifting and weighing assembly comprising a bin lifting mechanism having means for engaging and lifting a bin; means for mounting the bin lifting mechanism against a structure; a load cell, mounted against the structure; for measuring a weight of the bins; wherein the means for mounting the bin lifting mechanism allows only a single degree of freedom such that the load cell remains in parallel with the structure.
1. A bin lifting and weighing assembly, comprising:
a support structure;
guide means adjacent said support structure, said guide means having at least a generally vertical portion;
a carriage movably secured to said guide means for movement thereon, said carriage having means extending therefrom to lift a bin;
actuation means connected for moving said carriage on said guide means;
a resilient connection between said guide means and said support structure, said resilient connection permitting only limited generally vertical deflection of said guide means relative to said support structure; and
at least one load cell mounted to receive load produced by said deflection of said guide means relative to said support structure, whereby a bin can be lifted by operation of said motor to raise said carriage and whereby the bin can be weighed by said load cell measuring load once the bin has been lifted.
2. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 1 , wherein said resilient connection comprises at least one leaf spring between said guide means and said support structure.
3. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 1 , wherein said guide means comprises at least one guide rail having a generally vertical lower portion and a curved upper portion, whereby said carriage rotates upon reaching said curved upper portion, so as to tip any bin carried thereby.
4. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 2 , wherein said actuation means comprises at least one motor connected to drive, in each said guide rail, a chain running within said guide rail, said carriage being secured to said chain.
5. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 4 , wherein there are two said guide rails each with a said chain, and wherein there are two said motors, each connected to drive one of said chains.
6. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 1 , wherein said resilient connection comprises at least one leaf spring between said guide means and said support structure, wherein said guide means comprises at least one guide rail having a generally vertical lower portion and a curved upper portion, whereby said carriage rotates upon reaching said curved upper portion, so as to tip any bin carried thereby.
7. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 6 , wherein said actuation means comprises at least one motor connected to drive, in each said guide rail, a chain running within said guide rail, said carriage being secured to said chain.
8. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 7 , wherein there are two said guide rails each with a said chain, and wherein there are two said motors, each connected to drive one of said chains.
9. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 1 , wherein said support structure is a vehicle.
10. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 9 , wherein said vehicle is a mobile shredding truck.
11. A bin lifting and weighing assembly as in claim 1 , further comprising control and monitoring apparatus, configured to display the weight of bins lifted, and to record said weights and store same in a database.