EP1464775B1 - Cleaning platform for concrete bucket - Google Patents

Abstract

The platform has a maintenance unit to maintain a concrete tub in an inclined position. The maintenance unit has a primary supporting unit (2, 3) associated with an upper part of a concrete tub. The primary supporting unit and a primary holding unit are separated by vertical and horizontal disengagements. The secondary supporting units (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and a secondary holding unit (9) are associated with a lower part of the tub.

Description

The present invention relates to a washing platform for concrete dumpster.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use on construction sites of skips suspended from tower cranes to distribute concrete to the sites where it is to be poured is known for a long time. The buckets receive, usually from above, the concrete produced on the spot, by a concrete mixing plant or a concrete mixer, or brought by a truck, called "truck top".

These buckets are shaped in a variety of ways but, in most cases, their base is shaped truncated cone or inverted pyramid trunk, often extended by a flow pipe to be introduced into the formwork.

Such buckets are therefore originally designed not to present parts likely to hold the concrete.

However, the concretes used may be of different natures and more or less liquid. Under these conditions, deposits occur, internally and externally, and may result in a malfunction of the bucket. Splashes of laitance or solid concrete fragments may affect the safety of the site.

This is why it is absolutely necessary to clean after each use (once a day) the metal concrete bins. In addition, environmental directives compel construction companies to preserve the cleanliness of the land and to recover the concrete waste.

The inspection of the inside of the bucket and the cleaning by means of a jet of water under pressure can be carried out by a worker climbing along the structure of the bucket, which is not intended for this, or on a scale that must be moved to bring it on the spot, which is wasting time.

The US patent US 6435581 published on August 20, 2002, in the name of J. HOUSE et al., contributes to making these operations safer and faster by disclosing a concrete bucket externally provided with a welded ladder.

However, by implementing this technique, the operator always runs the risk of slipping and getting hurt while riding on the bucket. The danger of tilting of it also increases.

Washing podiums were made for skips in the upright position, but they are nevertheless a risk for the users because they have to stand on a footbridge at a great height and work above the skip.

The request for French patent FR-2,728,004 published June 14, 1996, on behalf of J. MEUNIER, describes a washing platform that avoids the operator at the same time having to climb on the bucket itself and work in a dangerous situation. This platform has an inclined plane, on which is supported the bucket, and a bridge located at the upper part of it. The inclination of the bucket makes it possible to intervene at a lower height, while allowing the evacuation of the washing water.

However, the use shows that these podiums and platforms have disadvantages and they are not sure. In particular, in the case of the last device, the maneuvers of placement of the bucket on the retaining means arranged on the lower part of the inclined plane are hampered by the presence of the latter when, at the end of the descent maneuver of the bucket on the washing podium, the foot of the bucket comes into contact with the inclined plane, which has the effect of reversing the bucket to the outside of the podium and not, as it would be desirable, along the inclined plane . It is therefore difficult to tip the bucket by means of the crane to sleep in the right place on the ramp of the podium and the crane operator must then compensate for this tendency to tilt out of the podium by a "knack" difficult to to acquire.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore aims at overcoming the drawbacks of the podiums or washing platforms for concrete containers mentioned above, and to this end it proposes a new platform adapted to skips in the general shape of a truncated cone or trunk. inverted pyramid having an upper portion having a concrete loading opening and a lower portion having an unloading hopper. This type of platform comprises, in known manner, means for maintaining the bucket in an inclined position, in which the hopper is located below the opening, and a gateway intended for an operator, placed substantially at the level of this opening.

The invention more precisely relates to a platform of this kind, the holding means comprise, on the one hand, in the upper part, first support means and first retaining means intended to be associated with the upper part. of the bucket and, on the other hand, in the lower part, separated from said first support means and said first retaining means by a vertical and horizontal clearance, second support means and second retaining means intended to be associated with the lower part of said bucket, so that there is a free space between said first support and retaining means and said second support and retaining means and such that said first support and retaining means and said second means support and / or retaining are not associated by any inclined plane and are separated.

The platform according to the invention therefore has no inclined plane as support for the bucket and this support, instead of being constituted by a single and continuous element, is formed by two distinct elements and separated into two parts. parts, a low part and a high part. The disadvantages of the last device of the prior art described in preliminary are thus eliminated.

Thanks to this construction of the support means in two parts, thus freeing a space between the high and low points of support of the bucket and is thus allowed the descent of said bucket without encountering obstacles . As a result, the placement of the bucket on the washing podium is carried out without particular difficulty.

In addition, the high and low retention means of the bucket are not associated as they are in the previous device by the inclined plane and, instead, they are now also separated.

In other words, the washing platform according to the invention has between the support means and the upper and lower retaining means a vertical and horizontal clearance that does not exist in known prior art devices.

Another essential feature of the washing platform according to the invention is that the second support means and the second retaining means are articulated on the base of the platform. They are movable between a position of use, in which they rest on the ground, and a storage position, or transport, in which they remain in the vicinity of the bridge, the first support means and the first retaining means.

An advantage of this original technical characteristic is that the up and down supports, distant from each other in the working position, can be brought closer to the rest position, thus reducing the bulk of the platform when it is not in use. is not used.

According to a particular embodiment of the means for maintaining the bucket, the first support means comprise a first transverse and horizontal angle, adjacent to the edge of the bridge. The second support means and the second retaining means then comprise, in turn, two shoes.

Advantageously, the shoes are arranged on a beam connecting two first horizontal sections, when the platform is used, integral with the first support means and the first retaining means.

In a first variant embodiment, the first support means comprise a transverse and horizontal tube. The second support means then comprise two pairs of sleeves, one located in front, the other back, parallel and transverse, horizontal in position use. The second retaining means then comprise two longitudinal stops.

The front sleeves may advantageously be at a greater height than the rear sleeves relative to the ground.

These sleeves, whether the front sleeves or the rear sleeves, are fixed preferably perpendicularly at their outer ends to the second sections and their inner ends to third profiles. Each of the second and third sections is then secured to each of the shoes.

According to yet another alternative embodiment of the holding means, the first support means also comprise the transverse and horizontal tube, as specified above, but the second support means and the second retaining means consist of two segments. a second transverse and horizontal angle.

In this case, the segments are advantageously arranged each at the upper end of a pillar, vertical in the use position, integral, on the one hand, with the front end of each of the third sections and, on the other hand , from each of the inner ends of the front sleeves.

It benefits from the use of the washing platform for a "right" type bucket by supporting and maintaining the lower part of the bucket by the hooves described above, while its upper part is supported by the first angle.

Likewise, the sleeves of the platform according to the invention will advantageously be used to support the lower part of a "cradle" type body, then held by the stops, while its upper part is supported by the transverse tube. .

In the case of a "recumbent" type bucket, the platform according to the invention will be used optimally if the lower part of the bucket is supported and maintained by the angle segments described above, while its part upper is supported by the tube.

These few essential specifications make it obvious to those skilled in the art the advantages provided by the concrete bucket washing platform according to the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

Detailed specifications of the invention are given in the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these drawings have no other purpose than to illustrate the text of the description and do not constitute in any way a limitation of the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figure 1 is a general side view of the washing platform according to the invention, a part of the holding means of the bucket being shown, in solid lines, in the use position and, in dotted lines, in storage position or transport.

The Figures 2a to 2c show three examples of particular use of the platform: the case of a bucket of the straight type, the cradle type and the recumbent type respectively.

The Figures 3a to 3d show the different steps of the establishment of a bucket on the washing platform according to the invention.

The Figure 4 is a perspective view of the washing platform according to the invention shown in the position of use and the Figure 5 is a perspective view of the same platform shown in storage or transport position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

• une base 1 rassemblant des moyens de support 2, 3 et de retenue de la partie supérieure de la benne, et la passerelle 4 où se tient l'opérateur,
• une partie avant 5 comprenant des moyens de support 6, 7a,7b, 8 et de retenue 9 de la partie inférieure de la benne,
• des dispositifs de sécurité 10, 11, 12 démontables associés à la passerelle 4.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the concrete bucket washing platform shown in FIG. Figure 1 consists essentially of three parts:

• a base 1 gathering support means 2, 3 and retaining the upper part of the bucket, and the bridge 4 where the operator stands,
• a front portion 5 comprising support means 6, 7a, 7b, 8 and retaining 9 of the lower part of the bucket,
• removable security devices 10, 11, 12 associated with the gateway 4.

The base 1 is the platform or podium itself which allows the user to climb at the top opening of the bucket and be in working position. It consists of a tubular structure for the feet and profiles for the decking on which is laid the catwalk 4 expanded metal. The advantage of this construction is to be anti-slip and perforated for the evacuation of water. The podium 1 is equipped with sleeves, to provide a forklift for a forklift, and points of attachment for lifting by a crane.

The podium 1 is also on one of its sides the support zone of the upper part of the bucket, via a transverse cylindrical tube 3 placed horizontally or an angle 2 extending the edge of the bridge 4.

The front portion 5 is liftable about a horizontal axis X of a first position A, where it rests on the ground under normal conditions of use, in a second position B to make the assembly 1, 5 more easily transportable . Two sections 13 articulated on the base 1 are connected by a transverse beam 14 of square section supporting two shoes 6 folded sheet.

As shown in Figure 2a these shoes 6 are well adapted to receive the base 16 of a pipe body 17 of the "right" type, marked TU 1000, resting in an inclined position.

Each of the shoes 6 is extended forward by two parallel sections 18 supporting two portions of perpendicular cylindrical tubes, that is to say transverse sleeves 7a, 7b. The front sleeves 7a are located at a greater height above the ground than the rear sleeves 7b.

As is easy to understand Figure 2b these sleeves 7a, 7b constitute a suitable support for the cradle 19 of a "cradle" type pipe body 20 marked "TUC 1500". The bucket is then retained by two longitudinal stops 9 bearing on the spacer 21 of its cradle 19.

The two inner sections 18 are connected to the front by means of a spacer by means of vertical pillars 22 supporting segments of a transverse and horizontal angle 8.

As indicated by the Figure 2c these segments 8 angle allow to receive and block the edge of the discharge chute 23 of a bucket 24 type "lying" marked SBC 1000 L.

The various support and retaining means 2, 3 of the base 1 combined with the various support means 6, 7a, 7b, 8 and retaining means 8, 9 of the front part 5 in the lowered position A are suitable for most types of concrete dumpers in common use, while reserving a vertical and horizontal clearance between the front sleeves 7a and the corner segments 8, on the one hand, and the transverse tube 3 and the angle 2 extending the edge of the bridge 4.

The Figures 3a to 3d show the importance of this clearance for the implementation maneuver on the platform of a bucket 17 type "right".

In a first phase of the maneuver ( Figure 3a ), the bucket 17 is brought by the crane over the front sleeves 7a so that its point of suspension is above the front part of the platform. For this phase to be possible without the base 16 of the bucket 17 hitting the platform, it is necessary that a free space exists in front of the bridge 4, and this is what the present invention concretizes.

When the bucket 17 is lowered in this position during the next phase, its base 16 comes into contact with the front sleeves 7a, and the bucket tilts without difficulty in the direction of the bridge 4 ( Figure 3b ).

The descent continues in the final phase ( Figure 3c ) and the bucket 17 continuing to rock, the base 16 is guided by the rear sleeves 7b to the shoes 6.

At the end of the maneuver, the base 16 is supported and retained by the shoes 6, while the upper part of the bucket 17 then inclined rests on the edge 2 of the bridge 4, as shown in FIG. Figure 3d .

The same maneuver is applicable to a bucket 20 of the "cradle" type, with the difference that the shoes 6 are not used and that the cradle 19 of the bucket 20 is supported at the end of the maneuver on the front sleeves 7a and 7b and on the transverse tube 3 of the podium, as shown in FIG. Figure 2b .

In the particular case of the "supine" 24 type skips 24, it is understood in view of the Figure 2c that the lower edge of the chute 23 supported on the angle segments 8 constitutes the pivot axis of the bucket 24 during this maneuver, rather than the front sleeves 7a used by the skips 17 of the right type and 20 type cradle.

The bucket 17, 20, 24 in an inclined position is easily washed by the operator standing on the bridge 4, in front of the opening 26 for loading the concrete. In order to protect the operator, it comprises a guardrail 10 standardized on three sides, a protection bar on the side of the washing zone and at least one side access 12 with threshold and ramp, or two side accesses each closed by a chain 11 or a folding gate. This assembly 10, 11, 12 is removable for transport.

The concrete bucket wash platform 17, 20, 24 is entirely metal. Support and retaining devices 2, 3, 6, 7a, 7b, 8, 9 are fixed. There is no part to move by sliding or tilting depending on the model of the bucket. Milt, concrete and aggregates are therefore not likely to cause jamming making it difficult to implement the platform.

A ring 27 turned towards the outside of the front part 5 of the platform, welded to a transverse beam 28 of square section which connects the two pillars 22, makes it possible to easily raise said front part in order to bring it to move from its working position A to its raised position B, and vice versa to fold down said front part so that it rests on the ground.

Finally, under the front part 5, it is also possible to advantageously provide the arrangement of a tank 31 for the recovery and retention of wash water, which tank for example is of square shape and low height and whose trailing edge is kept stuck. between the rear edge 29 of each profile 13 and the pillar 30 located opposite this edge 29 during all the washing operations conducted during a day.

After a night of settling, it is thus possible to recover the water on the one hand, and the impurities on the other hand which are then collected with the aid of a shovel for example and then thrown into a suitable landfill.

An exemplary embodiment of such a tray 31 is shown in dotted lines at Figure 4 , its left front part being torn off. Such a tray also advantageously comprises four upper tabs 32 each pierced with an orifice to facilitate its operation as well when empty or filled.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the only preferred embodiments described above.

On the contrary, it embraces all the possible variants of embodiment as disclosed in the claims and in particular the replacement of tubes, sleeves, beams, or profiles described above by metal construction elements having different shapes, in particular different sections, while having equivalent functions, would not be outside the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. Washing platform, for concrete skips (17, 20, 24) of the type whose general shape is that of a truncated cone or an inverted pyramid and which comprise an upper part which has an opening (26) for loading-in concrete and a lower part which has a discharge funnel, the said platform comprising means (2, 3, 6, 7a, 7b, 8, 9) for holding the skip (17, 20, 24) in place in an inclined position in which the said funnel is below the said opening, and a control platform (4) intended for an operator which is situated substantially on a level with the said opening (26), such that the said means for holding in place (2, 3, 6, 7a, 7b, 8, 9) comprise, on the one hand, in the upper region, first supporting means (2, 3) and first retaining means (2, 3) which are intended to be associated with the upper part of the skip and, on the other hand, in the lower region and separated from the said first supporting means (2, 3) and the said first retaining means (2, 3) by a vertical and horizontal spacing, second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and second retaining means (9) which are intended to be associated with the lower part of the said skip (17, 20, 24), in such a way that there is a free space between the said first supporting and retaining means (2, 3) and the said second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and retaining means (9) and characterised in that the said first supporting and retaining means (2, 3) and the said second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and/or retaining means (8, 9) are not associated by any inclined plan and are separate.
2. Washing platform according to claim 1, characterised in that the second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and the second retaining means (9) are hinged to the base (1) of the washing platform to move between an in-use position (A) in which the said second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and the said second retaining means (9) rest on the ground and a parked position (B) or position for transport in which the said second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and the said second retaining means (9) remain close to the control platform (4) and to the first supporting means (2, 3) and the first retaining means (2, 3).
3. Washing platform according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the first supporting means (2, 3) comprise a first transverse, horizontal angle member (2) adjacent the edge of the control platform (4), and in that the second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and the second retaining means (9) comprise two seatings (6).
4. Washing platform according to claim 3, characterised in that the seatings (6) are arranged on a beam (14) which connects two first shaped members (13) which are horizontal in the in-use position and which are secured to the first supporting means (2, 3) and the first retaining means (2, 3).
5. Washing platform according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the first supporting means (2, 3) comprise a transverse, horizontal tube (3), in that the second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) comprise two pairs of parallel, transverse sleeves (7a, 7b) which are situated at the front in the one case (7a) and to the rear in the other (7b) and which are horizontal in the in-use position, and in that the second retaining means (9) comprise two longitudinal stops (9).
6. Washing platform according to claim 5, characterised in that the front sleeves (7a) are at a greater height from the ground than the rear sleeves (7b).
7. Washing platform according to claims 4 and 5 or 4 and 6, characterised in that the sleeves (7a, 7b) are perpendicularly fixed to second shaped members (18) by their outer ends and to third shaped members by their inner ends, the said second (18) and third shaped members each being secured to a respective one of the seatings (6).
8. Washing platform according to either of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the first supporting means (2, 3) comprise a transverse, horizontal tube (3), and in that the second supporting means (6, 7a, 7b, 8) and the second retaining means (9) comprise two segments (8) of a second transverse, horizontal angle member.
9. Washing platform according to claims 7 and 8, characterised in that the segments (8) are each arranged at the top end of a pillar (22) which is vertical in the in-use position and which is secured on the one hand to the front end of a respective one of the third shaped members and on the other hand to a respective one of the inner ends of the front sleeves (7a).
10. Use of the washing platform according to either of foregoing claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the lower part of a skip (17) of the "straight" type is supported and held in place by the seatings (6), whereas its upper part is supported by the first angle member (2).
11. Use of the washing platform according to any one of foregoing claims 5, 6 and 7, characterised in that the lower part of a skip (20) of the "rollover" type is supported by the sleeves (7a, 7b) and is held in place by the stops (9), whereas its upper part is supported by the tube (3).
12. Use of the washing platform according to either of foregoing claims 8 and 9, characterised in that the lower part of a skip (24) of the "slant-discharge" type is supported and held in place by the segments (8), whereas its upper part is supported by the tube (3).

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