Patent Application
20090229706
This invention relates generally to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute, and more particularly to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute comprising a retainer element coupled to a funnel element having an aperture for directing the flow of concrete to a desired location.
It is common practice to make concrete in a transit-mixer truck during transit from a supply station to a worksite and to dispense the mixed slurry of concrete by means of an elongate, rigid, upwardly opening U-shaped metal concrete chute having a receiver end related to the discharge end of a mixing drum rotatably mounted relative to the transit-mixture truck and a discharge end which is adapted to be arranged upwardly from the situs or the item onto or into which the slurry is to be deposited. The receiver end of the concrete chute is typically mounted adjacent to the mixing drum so that it can be swung or pivoted in a horizontal plane as circumstances require. Further, ordinary concrete chutes are mounted so as to provide for the horizontal and/or vertical adjustments of its discharge end.
These ordinary concrete chutes are often inconvenient and difficult to use, especially if the concrete is intended for deposit in a narrow or irregularly-shaped form or in a form where the dimensions are exceptionally small. Typical of the confined spaces are footings, wall forms, masonry block cells, wall framings, casting molds or other confined spaces. While these forms are very useful, they are difficult to make. The tight space confines in these and other closely confined areas lead to great difficulties while pouring concrete.
An advantage of the funnel-type apparatus is that it can be secured to a variety of different types of chutes. In this fashion, the funnel-type apparatus can be removed from one concrete chute to another without the necessity of having a plurality of funnel-type apparatus in stock.
It is therefore desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that efficiently and effectively directs the flow of concrete from the concrete chute in order to minimize or avoid waste and clean up.
It is further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute which avoids wasting material and assists in the directing of the material flow.
It is still further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute for directing the flow of concrete from a concrete chute of a concrete mixer.
It is yet further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that permits filling of masonry block walls.
It is yet further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that permits the filling of confined spaces with concrete.
It is yet further desirable to provide a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute that may be fitted to a variety of concrete chutes.
In general, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute including a retainer element having a sidewall and a receiving section for receipt of the concrete chute and a funnel element having a downwardly sloping base and forming an aperture through which concrete flows to a desired point. The retainer element is coupled to the funnel element.
The retainer element may be coupled to the funnel element to form a unitary funnel-type apparatus. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the funnel element. The retainer element may include a gasket. The retainer element may include a collar having a plurality of bearings rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the lip of the funnel element using a lever lock ring, which may include a plurality of bearings.
The sidewall may be generally U-shaped having a first terminal end and a second terminal end. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a primary hinge hole to adjustably secure the funnel-type apparatus to the concrete chute. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a plurality of adjustment holes circumferentially spaced from the primary hinge hole. The adjustment holes capable of receipt of an alignment bolt allowing the funnel-type apparatus to be adjusted independent of the angle of the concrete chute.
The funnel-type apparatus may have at least one handle. The funnel-type apparatus may further have a remote operating mechanism allowing an operator to rotate or adjust the funnel-type apparatus from a cab of a mixer truck or other location. The funnel-type apparatus may be constructed of a light-weight, non-reactive polymer, plastic or metal. The aperture formed in the base of the funnel element can be adjustable to accurately control the flow of concrete.
In general, in a second aspect, the invention relates to a funnel-type apparatus removably securable to a concrete chute. The funnel-type apparatus has a retainer element having a substantially annular lower section, a sidewall and a receiving section for receipt of said concrete chute and a substantially annular funnel clement having a downwardly sloping base and forming an aperture through which concrete flows to a desired point. The lower section of the retainer element is coupled to the funnel element.
The retainer element may be coupled to the funnel element to form a unitary funnel-type apparatus. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the funnel element. The retainer element may include a gasket. The retainer element may include a collar having a plurality of bearings rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to a lip of the funnel element. The retainer element may be rotatably coupled to the lip of the funnel element using a lever lock ring, which may include a plurality of bearings.
The sidewall may be generally U-shaped having a first terminal end and a second terminal end. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a primary hinge hole to adjustably secure the funnel-type apparatus to the concrete chute. The first terminal end and the second terminal end of the sidewall may include a plurality of adjustment holes circumferentially spaced from the primary hinge hole. The adjustment holes capable of receipt of an alignment bolt allowing the funnel-type apparatus to be adjusted independent of the angle of the concrete chute.
The funnel-type apparatus may have at least one handle. The funnel-type apparatus may further have a remote operating mechanism allowing an operator to rotate or adjust the funnel-type apparatus from a cab of a mixer truck or other location. The funnel-type apparatus may be constructed of a light-weight, non-reactive polymer, plastic or metal. The aperture formed in the base of the funnel element can be adjustable to accurately control the flow of concrete.
Other advantages and features will be apparent from the following description, and from the claims.
The devices and methods discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use this invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting in scope.
While the devices and methods have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the devices and components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the devices and methods are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification.
Referring to the figures of the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate like elements throughout the several views, and initially to
Referring now to
The retainer element 16 of the funnel-type apparatus 10 includes a sidewall 34 and a receiving section 36 for receipt of the concrete chute 12. The sidewall 34 may be generally U-shaped and may include a first terminal end 38 and a second terminal end 40. The first and second terminal ends 38 and 40 of the sidewall 34 may include a primary hinge hole 42 for receipt of a hinge bar 44 to adjustably secure the funnel-type apparatus 10 to the concrete chute 12. The primary hinge hole 42 and hinge bar 44 allow the level and orientation of the funnel-type apparatus 10 to be adjusted independently of the angle of the concrete chute 12, to which the funnel-type apparatus 10 is removably secured. The first and second terminal ends 38 and 40 of the sidewall 34 may further include a plurality of adjustment holes 46 circumferentially spaced from the primary hinge hole 42. The adjustment holes 46 may receive an adjustment bar or pin (not shown) to fix the orientation and level of the funnel-type apparatus 10 once it has be adjusted to suit the particular job.
The retainer element 16 may be hingedly secured to the concrete chute 12 allowing the retainer element 16 to be adjusted such that it is substantially horizontal while pouring concrete, independent of the angle of the concrete chute 12. The funnel-type apparatus 10 may be in communication with the mixer truck 14, thus allowing the rotation and adjustment of the funnel-type apparatus 10 to be controlled by electronics, such that the operator may be located in the cab of the mixer truck or other location.
The retainer element 16 may be rotatably coupled to the funnel element 18. When rotatably coupled to the retainer element 16, the funnel element 18 is capable of rotating 360° with respect to the retainer element 16. This rotation may be locked by the operator to prevent the funnel element 18 from inadvertently rotating during operation. The retainer element 16 may include a gasket 30 forming a seal with the funnel element 18 to prevent concrete 22 from impeding rotation.
The lower section 32 of retainer element 16 may be substantially annular and may include a collar 35. Collar 35 of the retainer element 16 may include a plurality of bearings 28 or other rotating support. The funnel element 18 may be substantially annular and include a lip 50. The lip 50 of the funnel element 18 may be rotatably coupled to the collar 35 of the retainer element 16. The funnel element 18 may also include a handle or knob 48 to aid the operator in rotating the funnel element 18.
The funnel element 18 may be rotatably coupled to the retainer element 16 using a lever lock ring 52. The lever lock ring 52 may be generally U-shaped and have a channel 54 on an interior portion. The lever lock ring 52 relies on a lever-activated mechanism 56 to bring the ends 58 and 60 of the lever lock ring 52 together. The lever lock ring 52 may include a plurality of bearings 28 allowing the funnel element 18 to rotate independently of the retainer element 16. Using of the lever lock ring 52 allows the retainer element 16 and the funnel element 18 of the funnel-type apparatus 10 to be taken apart for ease of cleaning and maintenance between uses.
The funnel-type apparatus 10 may be constructed of any light-weight, non-reactive and structurally resilient materials, including but not limited to a polymer, plastic or metal. The funnel-type apparatus 10 may also be constructed in varying sizes and shapes to according to the type of mixer truck 14 or concrete chute 12 to which it is removably secured. The aperture 20 of the funnel element 18 may be of any shape or configuration to meet the needs of a particular job.
The funnel-type apparatus 10 may also be remotely controlled allowing the operator to adjust the level and orientation, along with rotating the funnel element 18, from the cab of the mixer truck or other location.
Whereas, the devices and methods have been described in relation to the drawings and claims, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.
