Apparatus for salvage compacting
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With rising energy costs, it has become very important to individual recycling centers to have available a relatively inexpensive and efficient means to compress builky items for salvage, such as automobile bodies, refrigerators, stoves and the like. The efficient compacting of salvage material offers significant savings in shipping and handling. 
     Earlier attempts of inexpensive units to meet the needs of smaller salvage operations have rarely been consistently successful in compressing auto bodies to uniform compaction, and have employed a direct hydraulic actuation that requires a long cylinder stroke; and due to design limitations, are least efficient at the end of the cylinder stroke, where the greatest compacting effort is required. As a result, compaction is often uneven around vehicle cowles, and the like, where greater resistance to compaction is inherent. This uneven compaction results in more handling and fewer cars per payload, reducing savings and efficiency. Prior models have also commonly employed overhead structures which serve to restrict visibility, limit the height of material to be compacted, and restrict loading from above, such as from an overhead crane or hoist. Further, the piston-cylinder assemblies commonly extend beyond the protection of their compactor structure, making them susceptible to damage. The prior art is exemplified in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,188,876, 3,844,209, 3,796,151, 3,564,994, 3,623,425, 3,356,016, 3,730,078, 3,554,121, 3,554,119, 3,545,369, 3,356,018, 3,651,754, 3,413,914, 3,101,045, 2,932,247, 2,932,244, 3,404,622, 3,641,927, 3,237,554, Canadian Pat. No. 814,178, Canadian Pat. No. 684,261, Canadian Pat. No. 612,940, Canadian Pat. No. 815,290 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor having fluid cylinder means providing arcuate movement of independent crushing pads through articulated link assemblies resulting in improved compacting pressures. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor which is compact, relatively inexpensive, and durable. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor with improved operator visibility by eliminating overhead structure inherent in many prior designs. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor with improved crushing characteristics through the use of articulate linkage, wherein a fluid cylinder assembly is progressively retracted as the crushing pad moves from a generally vertical to a generally horizontal position. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor having means to incrementally advance the object to be compacted between the opposing crushing pads. 
     Yet another object is to substantially protect the fluid cylinder assembly from damage by the framework and link arms in all positions of the assembly. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an improved salvage compactor embodying any combination of the aforementioned objects. 
     These and other objects of this invention will be apparent to one of average skill in the art, from the disclosure of the following drawings, specifications, and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a view, in perspective, of an embodiment of this invention, with a vehicle body to be crushed shown in dashed lines; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial view in front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the raised crushing pads in solid line and lowered crushing pads in dot-dash line; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of this embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the paired linkage assembly; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing a winch assembly and operator cab with optional rotating teeth, wherein linkage, crushing pad and piston cylinder assembly have been omitted for clarity; 
     FIG. 5 is a section view taken substantially along line 5--5 of FIG. 4 of the ramp and crushing bed, showing optional rotating teeth; 
     FIG. 6 is partial, side elevational view of a winch pulley assembly; 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an embodiment having a single crushing pad, showing raised crushing pad in solid line, and lowered crushing pad in dot-dash line; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic of the hydraulic circuit; 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B are simplified force diagrams diagramatically illustrating the component force vectors of the forces applied by a fluid cylinder in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 when the crushing pad is substantially vertical and horizontal, respectively; and 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modified embodiment having two crushing pads in a side by side relation; and 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing another modified embodiment having two crushing pads in a side by side relation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT 
     Referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the metal salvage compactor 10 has a frame 12 with opposed raised ends 20, 21 on which crushing pads 22, 24 are pivotally connected at pivots 26, respectively, for arcuate movement from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position. 
     Each crushing pad 22, 24 has a crushing surface 28, and a mounting bracket 30, on which one end of a first set of paired link arms 32, 33 is adapted to be pivotably attached by pivot 31. The opposite ends of the arms 32, 33 are adapted to be pivotably attached by central pivot 34 to one end of second set of paired link arms 36, 37 which in turn are pivotably attached at their opposite ends by end pivots 38 to raised ends 20 or 21. First and second link arms 32, 33 and 36, 37, may be single or paired arms as shown, and together with their associated pivots and connections form a linkage assembly 45. Fluid cylinder assemblies 40, 41 are adapted to be pivotably attached to raised ends 20, 21 by cylinder pivots 42. Each pivot 42 is positioned between the vertical projections of the associated pivots 38, 26. The opposite ends of fluid assembly 40, 41 are pivotally attached to central pivots 34 respectively, so that when extended, fluid assemblies 40, 41 move link assemblies 45 into solid line position shown in FIG. 2; and when retracted, fluid assemblies 40, 41 move link assemblies 45 into positions 45A shown in FIG. 2. When fully retracted, the fluid assemblies exert a force on crushing pads 22, 24 through the linkage assemblies 45A with fluid assemblies 40, 41 being at approximately 45°, as shown in positions 40A, 41A, while second arms 36, 37 approach a generally horizontal position, as shown in positions 36A, 37A. 
     Cylinder pivot 42 is located above the frame crushing surface 15 and below crushing pad pivot 26 and pivot 38 on arms 36, 37. This feature provides optimum leverage at full compaction of crushing pad 22 or 24. Also, since the cylinders 40, 41 move between a generally vertical position and an inward generally 45° position, they are at all times substantially protected by frame ends 20, 21 and link assembly 45. Since the fluid cylinder assembly provides support at the exit end of the cylinder, the bending moment on the fluid cylinder is reduced as the fluid cylinder is retracted as the crushing pad is lowered, and the resistance to the crushing pad movement is increased. 
     Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, force vectors X and Y of fluid cylinder assembly 40, 41 in positions F 1  and F 2  are shown. FIG. 9A shows fluid cylinder assembly nearly extended, and FIG. 9B shows fluid cylinder assembly retracted. In FIG. 9A, force F 1  acts through link assembly 45 to transmit a minor force along X, and a greater force along Y. As shown in FIG. 9B, when fluid cylinder assembly approaches 45°, force vector F 2  approaches nearly equal force along X 2  and Y 2 , reducing resulting forces through link assemblies 45 to crushing pad 22, 24. Thus, a maximum 45° movement of fluid cylinder assembly 40, 41 is desirable, acting through link assemblies 45 as crushing pad 22, 24 moves approximately 90° from generally vertical to generally horizontal positions. 
     To operate the hydraulic assemblies 40, 41 in locations where hydraulic power is not readily available, engine assembly 50 or electric motor, is adapted to power a hydraulic pump 52 which provides for passage of hydraulic fluid between reservoir 54, valves 90, 92, and assemblies 40, 41. 
     An operators cab 60, commonly mounted at the inlet side of crushing apparatus 10, may be provided for added protection to the operator (not shown) during the crushing operation, and preferably is mounted on the discharge side of crushing apparatus 10. Mounting the operators cab on the discharge side gives improved visibility and is safer as there is less danger of flying glass caused by vehicle rear windows shattering when crushing is taking place near the front of the vehicle. 
     Within the operators cab 60, hydraulic controls 62, 64, 66 are adapted to selectively control valves 90, 92, 94 for independent or simultaneous operation of cylinders 40, 41 and winch 70 or rotating teeth 96. Other gauges and controls may be conveniently located within the operators cab. The winch 70 may be located in vicinity of the engine 50 for ease of hookup and may be hydraulically, electrically or manually controlled. 
     The winch line 72 is extended around a remotely attached pulley 74 and back through the approximate center of the crushing apparatus 10, and secured to the object 80 to be crushed. Object 80 is drawn up inclined ramp 82 and guided into position within the apparatus 10 by skid plates 84, 86. A second remote pulley 76 may be provided to remove line 72 from damage as the crushed object 80 is drawn by winch 70 toward pulley 74. 
     Control means 66 may be adapted to operate motor 98 to rotate teeth 96 positioned in relation to the inclined ramp 82 to engage and move the object to be crushed 80 through apparatus 10, eliminating the need for winch 70. When this option is employed, a second set of rotating teeth located on the discharge side of the apparatus 10 will aid in moving the crushed object 80 beyond the crushing apparatus 10 for ease of handling, where overhead loading is not used. 
     This design provides versatility by readily adapting inclined ramp 82, skid plates 84, 86, operators cab 60, and engine 50 to be mounted on either side of apparatus 10 to suit the needs of individual salvage operations. In the preferred embodiment, the operators cab 60 will be mounted on the discharge side of apparatus 10, with an access road on the opposite end of apparatus 10 from engine 50 and cab 60. This provides greatest safety for the operator during operation of apparatus 10, and during loading and unloading of apparatus 10 by forklifts, or the like, moving along the access road. 
     The hydraulic fluid lines may be adapted with conventional quick disconnects to simplify removal of engine 50, winch 70 and cab 60 to operate other equipment greatly reducing the cost of other equipment requiring engine, hydraulics and controls. 
     OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
     For each of shipping and handling, the crushing apparatus 10 may be adapted to be separated from engine 50 and operators cab 60, as shown by arrows 51, 61 in FIG. 4. Once positioned and assembled, the object 80 to be crushed is placed on the inlet side near the inclined ramp 82. The crushing pads 22, 24 are pivoted into a generally vertical position. 
     Line 72 is guided from winch 70, around a remotely secured pulley 74, and extended through the approximate center of the crushing apparatus 10, and secured to object 80. Winch 70 is activated to reel in line 72, drawing object 80 up inclined ramp 82 between skid plates 84, 86, into position for crushing. Where available, this salvage compactor 10 may be loaded from above with overhead crane or hoist (not shown). 
     Fluid assemblies 40, 41 are selectively actuated to retract, acting through linkage assemblies 45 to pivotally move crushing pads 22, 24 from a generally vertical to a generally horizontal position, forcing object 80 to be crushed between the crushing pad surfaces 28 and the frame crushing surface or bed 15. One or both crushing pads may be lowered as desired. The confronting ends of pads 22, 24 are in close adjacency when the pads are horizontal, to prevent salvage material from extending upwardly therebetween, and to ensure a uniformly crushed object. 
     Once object 80 has been crushed to its desired thickness, fluid assemblies 40, 41 are extended to raise crushing pads 22, 24 to a generally vertical position, and winch 70 is activated to draw object 80 into position to continue crushing. Sequential crushing action is alternated with advancing object 80 through crushing apparatus 10 until the entire object is crushed and pulled free of apparatus 10. 
     Crushed object 80 is then ready for removal and another object to be crushed is brought into position near the inclined ramp 82, in preparation for the next crushing cycle. An object, such as a vehicle body, may require a number of sequential crushing and advancing steps to complete the crushing cycle. In the absence of a winch 70, object 80 may be pushed or pulled through apparatus 10 by any conventional means, or loaded from above. 
     A plurality of rotating teeth 96 may be mounted relative to inclined ramp 82, and may be controllably rotated to selectively engage and advance object 80 through the crushing cycle. A second plurality of rotating teeth 96 may be located near the discharge side of apparatus 10 to pull object 80 completely through apparatus 10 for ease of removal of crushed object 80. Alternatively, the crushed object may be vertically raised from the crushing surface while a second object is advanced by a winch or rotating teeth. 
     For certain applications, it may be desired to have only one crushing pad 28, FIG. 7. When only one pad 28 is used, it is preferable to have an opposing upright raised stop or end 21A adapted to retain the salvage during crushing. 
     Other arrangements, such as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 include side by side, multiple crushing pads with similar associated linkage and fluid cylinder assemblies, for crushing larger items. Also side by side pairs of opposing crushing pads, with similar associated linkages and fluid cylinder assemblies may be employed for conjoint or sequential crushing operation. When a plurality of side by side apparatus is used, the width of the frame and frame bed must approximate the width of the crushing pads to uniformly crush larger objects without advancing salvage. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, motor 50 drives pump 52 that furnishes fluid under pressure to valves 90, 92, and 94. Reservoir 54 provides a low pressure supply for pump 52 and valves 90, 92, and 94. Valve 90 is coupled to fluid cylinder assembly 40 and is individually operable to direct fluid under pressure to either end thereof, in either direction. In like manner, valve 92 supplies pressure to fluid cylinder assembly 41, and valve 94 supplies pressure to winch 70. Valves 90, 92, 94 are actuated by control means 62, 64, 66 and are linked to reservoir 54 and may be operated separately or simultaneously, from cab 60. The hydraulic connections in the above circuit may be of the quick-release type and are conventional. 
     Thus, while the novel apparatus for crushing salvage has been fully described and disclosed, numerous modifications will become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in this art, and such adaptions and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.