AU2021240287B2

AU2021240287B2 - A hook lift bin with concrete release mechanism

Info

Publication number: AU2021240287B2
Application number: AU2021240287A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sash Naumcevski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-15
Filing date: 2021-10-01
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2041-10-01
Also published as: AU2023201222A1; AU2021240287A1

Abstract

A hook lift bin with concrete release mechanism which may be used for collecting excess concrete. Once the concrete has set, the release mechanism is used to delaminate the concrete from interior surfaces of the bin prior tipping the concrete therefrom. 10 1/5 tn Figure 1 Figure 2

Description

1/5

tn

Figure 1

Figure 2

A hook lift bin with concrete release mechanism

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a hook lift bin with a concrete release mechanism.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0002] There is provided herein a hook lift bin with concrete release mechanism which may be used for collecting excess concrete. Once the concrete has set, the release mechanism is used to delaminate the concrete from interior surfaces of the bin prior tipping the concrete therefrom.

[0003] Specifically, the present hook lift bin comprises a floor, sidewalls, a proximal wall, and a distal gate. The bin further comprises a hook attachment at a proximal end of the bin. The hook attachment may be used for hoisting the bin atop a truck using a hydraulic hook arm thereof.

[0004] The bin further comprises a release mechanism which comprises a wedge member extending into a proximal end of the bin and operable to delaminate set concrete from interior surfaces of the bin.

[0005] The wedge member may be generally elongate and upright and may have an upper stem and a lower boot. The lower boot may comprise faces which are angled away from the floor.

[0006] Furthermore, a rear or rear edges of the boot may bear against the proximal wall.

[0007] The wedge member may move vertically from a default position to a release position. As such, the angled faces of the boot may bear against the set concrete and the rear or rear edges of the boot may bear against the proximal wall to apply horizontal force to the set concrete which forced the concrete towards the rear gate and causes the concrete to delaminate from interior surfaces of the bin.

[0008] The rear of the boot may be coplanar so as to lie substantially flush against the proximal wall to prevent wet concrete seeping therebehind in use.

[0009] The wedge member is preferably operably coupled to a hook of the hook

attachment. Specifically, the hook may act as a lever on the wedge member wherein

the hook comprises an engagement end and is pivotally coupled to a frame of the

hook attachment and wherein the wedge member is coupled between the fulcrum pin

and the engagement end.

[0010] As such, in use, the hydraulic hook arm may be used to pull the hook upwardly

which applies leverage to pull the wedge member upwardly too, thereby delaminating

the concrete. The weight of the concrete within the bin is sufficient to provide

sufficient gravitational counterweight for the operation of the wedge member in this

manner.

[0011] The hook may be restrained using a locking pin which, when engaged, holds

the hook in place, thereby allowing the bin to be hoisted by the hydraulic hook arm in

the conventional manner.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the bin comprises a mechanical interconnection

between the hook attachment in the wedge member which further forces a lower end

of the wedge member to move towards the gate when the wedge member is operated

thereby further assisting in delamination of the set concrete from interior surfaces of

the bin.

[0013] The mechanical interconnection may comprise a roller bearing acting on an

angled plate which forces the wedge member away from the framework of the hook

attachment when the wedge member moves up.

[0014] The mechanical interconnection is preferably above the proximal wall so as to

prevent the interconnection from being fouled by concrete in use.

[0015] The bin may define an interior which increases in width towards the gaze,

thereby aiding delamination of the set concrete when the set concrete is forced

towards the gate by the wedge member.

[0016] Interior surface of the bin may be lined with replaceable lining. Preferably, the

replaceable lining plywood which is found to have good concrete delamination

properties. Furthermore, the plywood may interface over weld seams on an interior surface of the bin which may otherwise hinder the dislodgement of concrete therefrom.

[0017] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present

invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a proximal end perspective view of a hook lift bin with concrete

release mechanism in accordance with an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a distal end perspective view of the hook lift bin;

[0021] Figure 3 shows the release mechanism in further detail;

[0022] Figure 4 shows an exploded representation of the bin showing interior lining

sheets thereof;

[0023] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the release mechanism in accordance

with an embodiment;

[0024] Figure 6 shows a magnified view of a mechanical interconnection in

accordance with an embodiment;

[0025] Figure 7 shows a cross sectional elevation view of the mechanical

interconnection in a default position;

[0026] Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional elevation view of the mechanical

interconnection in a release position;

[0027] Figure 9 shows a side elevation view of the bin with exemplary dimensions in

accordance with an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 10 shows an end elevation view of the bin with exemplary dimensions

in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0029] Figure 11 shows an opposite end elevation view of the bin with exemplary

dimensions in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0030] Figure 1 shows a hook lift bin 100. With reference to Figure 9, proximal will be used to describe at or towards the right-hand side of the bin 100 given the orientation of Figure 9 and a distal will be used to describe at or towards the left-hand side of the bin 100.

[0031] The bin 100 comprises a floor 101, sidewalls 102, a distal gate 103 and a proximal wall 104. The distal gate 103 is openable or entirely removable. As shown in Figure 2, the distal gate 103 may be hingedly coupled to a side wall 103 at one side thereof by hinges 105 and held closed at an opposite side by a ratchet latch mechanism 106.

[0032] The bin 100 comprises a hook attachment 107. The hook attachment 107 comprises a framework 109 extending above the proximal wall 104 supporting a hook 108 for coupling to a hydraulic hook arm of a truck 129. The framework 109 may comprise lower angled A-frame members 110 and a pair of upper parallel upright members 111.

[0033]As shown in Figure 2, the bin 100 comprises a release mechanism 112 extending into a proximal end of the bin 100 which is operable to release set concrete within the bin 100 towards the gate 103 use.

[0034]As is shown in Figure 3, the release mechanism 112 comprises a wedge member 113. A lower end of the wedge member 113 extends into the bin 100.

[0035] The wedge member 113 may be elongate and upright and may comprise an upper stem 114 and a lower boot 115. The lower boot 115 may comprise at least one outer face 116 which bears against the set concrete in use. Furthermore, the at least one outer face 116 may angle away from the floor 101 as is shown in Figure 3.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the lower boot 115 comprises three planar outer faces 116.

[0037] The boot 115 mayfurther comprise a rearor rearedge 117 which bears against the proximal wall 104.

[0038] The wedge member 113 is operative between a default position and a release

position. The wedge member 113 may move vertically from the default position to the

release position.

[0039] When the wedge member 113 moves vertically from the default position to the

release position, the angled outerfaces 116 may force set concrete within the bin 100

away from the proximal wall 104 to delaminate from interior surfaces of the bin 100.

[0040] The rear or rear edge 117 of the boot 115 is preferably coplanar so as to

prevent or limit ingress of wet concrete behind the boot 115 in use.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the wedge member 113 is operably coupled to the

hook 108 so that when the hook 108 is pulled, the wedge member 113 goes from the

default position to the release mechanism.

[0042] Figure 5 shows wherein the hook member 108 acts as a lever on the wedge

member 113.

[0043] Specifically, Figure 5 shows the hook 108 being pivotally coupled to the

framework 109 of the hook attachment 107 using a fulcrum pin 120. Furthermore, the

stem 114 of the wedge member 113 is coupled between an engagement end 121 of

the hook 108 and the fulcrum pin 120.

[0044] Position 108A shows the hook 108 in the default position and position 108B

shows the hook 108 in the release position. As such, as the engagement end 121 of

the hook 108 is pulled up, the hook 108 acts as a lever which pulls up the wedge

member 113.

[0045] A locking pin 118 may be inserted to prevent the hook 108 going up. As such,

when the locking pin 128 is inserted, the hook 108 is held in place and the bin 100

may be hoisted by the truck 129 in the conventional manner.

[0046] Figures 6 - 8 shows a mechanical interconnection 122 between the hook

attachment 107 and thewedge member 113which pushes the lowerend of thewedge

member 113 towards the gate 103 when the wedge member 130 moves from the

default position to the release position.

[0047] Figure 7 and 8 show wherein the mechanical interconnection 122 comprises a

roller bearing 123 acting on an angled bearing surface 124. In the embodiment shown, the framework 109 comprises the roller bearing 123 and the wedge member 113 comprises the angled bearing surface 124 but this arrangement may be swapped.

[0048] Figure 7 shows the default position 118 wherein the roller 123 is away from

the angled bearing surface 124. Figure 8 shows the release position 119 where the

wedge member 113 moves up with respect to the framework 109 such that the angled

bearing surface 124 is brought to bear against the roller bearing 123. As is illustrated

in Figure 8, the angled bearing surface 124 may force the wedge member 113 away

from the framework 109 such that the lower end of the wedge member 113 moves

towards the gate 103.

[0049] The roller bearing 123 is preferably solid so as to be able to withstand the

significant force is applied thereto.

[0050] The mechanical interconnection 122 is preferably above the rear wall 104 to

prevent the interconnection 122 being fouled by concrete in use. Figure 5 shows a

further mechanical interconnection 125 comprising oppositely angled bearing faces

to force the lower end of the wedge member 113 towards the gate 103 in accordance

with an alternative embodiment. However, this embodiment in less preferred in that

the mechanical interconnection 125 is within the bin 101 and which therefore may be

fouled by concrete therein. Furthermore, use of the roller bearing 123 reduces

frictional forces between the wedge member 113 and the framework 109.

[0051] Figure 4 shows wherein the bin 100 comprises replaceable lining sheets 126

which may comprise floor lining sheets 126A and end and side wall lining sheets 126B

which may be screw-fixed to interior surfaces of the bin 100. The lining sheets 126

may be retained by edge flat bars 127.

[0052] The lining sheets 126 are preferably plywood sheets which were found to have

good concrete delamination properties when the release mechanism 112 is operated.

[0053] Utilisation of the bin 100 may comprise placing the bin 100 on the ground and

cement trucks periodically filling the bin 100 with excess concrete. After some time,

the bin 100 becomes full and the concrete sets whereafter the bin 100 is loaded atop

a hook bin truck 129 using a hook arm thereof. The truck 129 may transport the bin

100 to a disposal and/or recycling plant.

[0054] At the disposal and/or recycling plant, the bin 100 may be placed upon the

ground, the locking pin 128 removed and the distal gate 103 opened or removed. The

hydraulic hook arm of the truck 129 may be used to pull the hook 108 upwardly to

lever the wedge member 113 upwardly to delaminate the set concrete from the

plywood sheeting 126 within the bin 100.

[0055] The pin 128 may be replaced and the bin 100 drawn back up the truck 129 by

the hook arm thereof whereafter bin 100 is tipped up to tip the solid mass of set

concrete therefrom.

[0056] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific

nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will

be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to

practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of

the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not

intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as

obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above

teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the

principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others

skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various

modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the

following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[0057] The term "approximately" or similar as used herein should be construed as

being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

Claims 1. A hook lift bin comprising a floor, sidewalls, a proximal wall, a distal gate,

wherein the hook lift bin comprises:

a hook attachment; and

a release mechanism operably coupled to the hook attachment, the release

mechanism comprising a wedge member extending into a proximal end of the bin,

wherein:

the hook attachment comprises:

a proximal framework comprising lower angled members and a

pair of upper parallel upright members, pair of upper parallel upright members

extending above the proximal wall;

a hook:

which is pivotally coupled to the framework by a fulcrum

pin located distally with respect to the upper parallel upright

members;

defines an engagement end moveably protruding

proximally from between the upper parallel upright members; and

which is connected to an upper stem of the release

mechanism, the upper stem being located distally with respect to

the pair of upper parallel upright members.

2. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge member comprises a

lower boot connected to the upper stem and extending into the container.

3. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 2, wherein the boot comprises at least one

outer face which bears against the set concrete in use.

4. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one outer face is

angled away from the floor.

5. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 2, wherein the boot comprises a rear which

bears against the proximal wall.

6. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rear is coplanar.

7. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wedge member is operative

between a default position and the release position and wherein the wedge member

moves vertically between the default position and the release position.

8. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 7, wherein, when the hook is raised, the

wedge member goes towards the release position.

9. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a releasable locking

pin preventing the hook being raised.

v10. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hook attachment and the

wedge member have a mechanical interconnection therebetween which pushes a

lower end of the wedge member towards the gate when the wedge member moves

up.

11. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mechanical interconnection

is above the proximal wall.

12. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mechanical interconnection

comprises a roller bearing acting on an angled bearing surface.

13. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 12, wherein the proximal framework

comprises the roller bearing and the wedge member comprises the angled bearing

surface.

14. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 12, wherein the roller bearing is solid.

15. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin defines an interior which

widens in width towards the gate.

16. A hook lift bin as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bin is lined with plywood.

17. A method of using a hook lift bin as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising

filling the bin with concrete which sets and subsequently operating the release

mechanism to delaminate the concrete from an interior surface of the bin.

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising using a hydraulic hook

arm raise the hook to operate the release mechanism.