FR2693399A1 - Concrete distributing, levelling and finishing device - comprises mechanical members rotatably driven above surface of concrete with members mounted on mobile support with alternate translatory motion above vibrating table carrying moulds - Google Patents

Abstract

The device includes mechanical rotors (14) with blades carried on a movable support (12) and rotated above the concrete surface. The rotors have an alternate translatory movement above the vibrating table (36) carrying the moulds (18) so that the combination of rotary and translatory movement ensures penetration of the concrete into the mould and its finishing. A trolley (10) has rollers (22) which are driven to ensure carriage displacement along a roller track (24) leading it against the concrete distributing module (16) carrying the vibrating table. A trolley anchoring system (30,32) fits a corresponding system on the concrete distributing module. ADVANTAGE - Automatically reproduces operator manual movements to assist penetration, distribution and finishing of poured concrete.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for automatically ensuring filling, leveling and finishing operations of concrete poured into molds of a machine for the production of various so-called concrete products, multi-product machine.

 In such machines, a certain number of operations have been mechanized but, at present there is no machine of this type comprising a mechanization, during vibration, operations of distribution and leveling of the concrete poured into molds.

However, there is an imperative need to have a multi-product machine, the production cycle of which is made fully automatic, in order to reduce the cost price of the products produced from such machines, by increasing its productivity.

 Experience shows that the mechanization of this phase of production poses problems that are difficult to solve, given that for this purpose it is necessary to create means that reconstitute all the movements, currently handmade by operators, to help the concrete to penetrate and be distributed in the molds during the vibration in order to ensure filling, leveling and finishing.

 The present invention therefore proposes to provide a solution to such a problem and therefore it relates to a device for automatically distributing, leveling and finishing the concrete poured into molds mounted on the vibrating table of a machine. for the production of concrete elements, characterized in that it comprises mechanical means going in rotation above the surface of the concrete, these means being mounted on a movable support animated by an alternative translational movement above of the vibrating table carrying the molds so that the combination of the rotational movement and the displacement in alternative translation ensures the penetration of the concrete into the molds and its finish.

 According to a first embodiment of the invention, said mechanical means are produced in the form of a system of paddle-type rotors, sequential and of synchronized movement which are mounted on said mobile support, animated by an alternative translatwon movement to above the vibrating table carrying the molds.

 According to a second embodiment of this invention, said mechanical means are produced in the form of a worm screw system mounted on said movable support animated by an alternating translational movement above the vibrating table carrying the molds, this system may include one or more screws whose steps can be reversed, the movable support moving on the lateral plane, during the vibration of the concrete.

 It is understood that the movement of said mechanical means constituted either by the system of rotors or by the system of worm (rotation movement combined with displacement in alternative translation) makes it possible to reproduce the type of movement which at the present time is imposed manually to concrete by operators, to help the concrete penetrate into the molds during vibration.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device which is the subject of the invention comprises
- A carriage fitted with rollers, or the like, some of which are motorized so as to move the carriage along a rolling track in order to bring it against the concrete distribution module carrying the vibrating table provided with the molds , during the operational phase;
- An anchoring system for said carriage, cooperating with a corresponding system provided on said concrete distribution module in order to secure said carriage to the module during the operational phase
- an adjustable floor on the upper part of the carriage, the level of which is adjusted to correspond to that of the vibrating table, during the operational phase
- A mobile tray mounted on rollers or the like which can move on the one hand on a first set of slides provided at the top of said mobile carriage and on the other hand on a second set of slides provided on said vibrating table, this tray mobile comprising a means of entrainment ensuring on the one hand its displacement in translation in order to bring it above the vibrating table of the concrete distribution module and on the other hand its displacement in alternative translation above the molds carried by the vibrating table during the operational phase; and
- Said mechanical means, constituted either by the worm system or by the rotor system which is mounted on the mobile tank.

 According to the invention, the various rotors of said rotor system mounted on the mobile tank are driven in synchronized rotation so as to ensure the distribution, filling and leveling of the concrete in the molds.

 According to the present invention, the anchoring system of the mobile carriage on the concrete distribution module consists of latches arranged on the bed bases of said carriage and which are controlled by jacks, in particular hydraulic jacks.

 According to the invention, the adjustable bottom of the mobile carriage is produced in the form of a wear plate, reinforced by metal profiles and the side opposite to the mold having the shape of an inclined plane allowing the recovery of the remains of concrete after the operational phase, the floor plan being provided with height adjustment means.

 According to another characteristic of the present invention, the means provided for the displacement of the movable tray relative to the carriage, along the two sets of slides consist of a rack and pinion system, the racks being arranged along the slides. Preferably, these slides have a U-shaped profile, the upper wing of which receives the rack preferably arranged with its teeth facing the ground and the lower wing of which receives the raceway of the rollers or the like of said movable carriage.

According to the invention, the slides include means allowing their height adjustment.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the mobile container consists of a rigid frame carrying the container itself, in the form of a chute, the lower part of which supports the rotor system and the front and lateral sides of which are provided with flaps flexible, the rear side being in the form of an opening flap.

 According to the invention, the entrainment of the various rotors of said rotor system is produced from a single motor, preferably of the hydraulic type, a transmission system of the pinion-chain type ensuring synchronized transmission of the various rotors.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate an embodiment thereof devoid of any limiting character. On the drawings
- Figure 1 is an elevational view in vertical section of the first embodiment of the device object of the present invention in the position it occupies at the start of the operational phase, when it comes to approach the concrete distribution module
- Figure 2 is a schematic view similar to Figure 1 showing the device in the position it occupies during its operational phase
- Figure 3 is a partial view on an enlarged scale showing the rotor system of the mobile bin during its operational phase
FIG. 4 is a view in elevation and vertical section of the second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in its position during the operational phase and
- Figure 5 is a front elevational view of Figure 4 in which there is shown respectively in solid lines and in broken lines variants using double worms with inverted and simple pitch.

 Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings and in particular to Figures 1 and 2. we see that this first embodiment of the device object of the invention comprises two main elements on the one hand a mobile carriage or carriage base designated as a whole by the reference 10 and on the other hand a mobile bin, carried by the mobile carriage 10, designated as a whole by the reference 12 and which carries the mechanical means ensuring the distribution, the leveling and the finishing of the concrete. In this exemplary embodiment, these means are produced in the form of a rotor system with blades, intersecting and synchronized, generally designated by the reference 14. This rotor system, as will be seen below, is brought into its operational phase, above the vibrating table of the concrete distribution module, designated as a whole by the reference 16 to automatically ensure the distribution, leveling and finishing of the spilled concrete, from a distributing hopper 20, in the molds 18 mounted on the vibrating table of the module 16.

 The mobile carriage 10 is produced in the form of a structure preferably made up of tubular profiles and it is provided with wheels or rollers such as 22 which can move on a rolling track made up of rails 24 in this exemplary embodiment. Two of the rollers 22 are motorized. In this exemplary embodiment, this motorization is produced using a geared motor group 26 and a transmission system by fleshy or toothed belt 28.

 This mobile carriage 10 is provided with an anchoring device which, during the operational phase, secures it to the module 16 for distributing the concrete against which it is brought by displacement along its track 24 as will be described. below. This anchoring device can be produced for example in the form of latches such as 30 mounted on the bed bases of the carriage, actuated by jacks such as 32 and cooperating with a corresponding system provided on the module 16.

 At its upper part, the carriage comprises an adjustable sole 34 consisting of a wear plate, reinforced by metal profiles and the part 34 ′ opposite the mold 18 having the shape of an inclined plane. This particular form makes it possible to recover the residual concrete when the mobile carriage leaves its operational phase. According to the invention, the plane of the sole 34 is adjustable in height so as to adjust the levels of the upper surface of the mold (or of the vibrating table 36 carrying the latter) and of said sole 34.

 The upper part of the movable carriage 10 is provided with a double set of longitudinal slides such as 38. These slides are preferably produced in the form of U-shaped profiles whose wings are horizontal. They include height adjustment means which in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are produced in the form of pressure screws 40, 40 ′ located at the top of the carriage 10.

 In the lower wing of each slide 38 there is a raceway 42 for the rollers 44 of the movable container 12 which will be described in detail below and, in the upper wing of these same slides there is provided a rack 46 which, as described below ensures the movements of the mobile bin.

 A second set of slides 48 is also provided, mounted on the concrete distribution module 16, these slides being designed so as to serve as rolling tracks for the mobile tank 12 during the operational phase. They are provided with height adjustment means according to the position of the raceway 42 provided in the slides 38 of which they constitute the extension.

 The movable container 12 consists of a rigid frame on which is mounted an actual container 50 produced in the form of a folded sheet chute in the lower part of which are mounted the rotors of the rotor system 14. The front sides and sides of this tank are provided with flexible flaps such as 52 and its rear side 54 is produced in the form of an opening flap actuated by jacks such as 56. The presence of this opening flap 54 makes it possible to prevent the return of concrete remainders without means of putting back on mold by facilitating the operations of cleaning.

 As seen above, the movable container 12 is mounted on rollers 44 which can move respectively and alternately on the tracks 42 provided at the top of the carriage 10 and on the tracks 48 provided at the upper part of the concrete distribution module 16, the height adjustment of these tracks 42 and 48 respectively, making it possible to bring them in the extension of one another.

 The translational movement of the movable container 12 is obtained from a motor, preferably hydraulic, and a fleshy transmission system driving a motor pinion such as 45 wedged on the shaft of a corresponding roller 44 and which is in engagement with the corresponding rack 46, mounted as seen above in the upper wing of each slide 38. Preferably, these racks are arranged with their teeth oriented towards the ground so as to avoid any pollution by concrete likely to cause mechanical damage.

 On the mobile tank 12, are mounted the mechanical means which according to the invention ensures the distribution, the leveling and the finishing of the concrete introduced into the molds. In this exemplary embodiment, these means are produced in the form of the rotor system 14 which comprise a plurality of rotors such as 58 each consisting of a hub receiving a certain number of blades (four in this nonlimiting exemplary embodiment).

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the rotors 58 are supported by the upper frame 60 of the movable container 12, this frame also serving as a support for the rotation mechanisms of the rotors. In this exemplary embodiment, the rotors are driven in synchronism using a single motor, preferably a hydraulic motor 62 driving a shaft 64 which, by means of fleshy pinion systems, such as 66, 66 ′, 66 "entralnent the shafts of the various rotors 58. One thus obtains a synchronized transmission.

 In the second example of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 5, the mechanical means which distribute, braze and finish the concrete poured into the molds 18 are produced in the form of a worm system such as than 70. This system is also mounted on a mobile cart 12 'of similar or equivalent design to that of the mobile container 12 described above. The worm system can comprise a single screw which can be driven in rotation either in one direction or in the opposite direction, the reversal of the direction of rotation being able to be carried out when the carriage 12 ′ moves on the lateral plane, au- above the mold, when the concrete vibrates in it. It is also possible to provide two or more screws, the pitches of which can possibly be reversed.

 In Figure 5, there is shown in solid lines the variant comprising two worms 70 'with reverse direction of rotation, mounted on a carriage 12' moving over the entire length of the device and there is also shown in broken lines the variant having only one screw 70 "mounted on a carriage 12" similar to the carriage 12 '.

 Of course, the device comprises a control unit intended to ensure its operation, this unit being under the dependence of a servo device with a programmable controller. These provisions, which are conventional, will not be described here.

 The operation of the device which is the subject of the invention will now be described.

 The first phase of this operation consists in moving the mobile carriage 10 carrying the mobile tank 12 (or the mobile carriage 12 ′ or 12 ") so as to bring it against the distribution module 16 of the concrete as illustrated in FIG. 1. This movement is obtained by means of the gear motor 26. When the mobile carriage 10 comes to dock the module 16, the locking system 30, 32 secures these two elements in order to avoid any drift of a device with respect to 1 'other.

 The respective heights of the adjustable bottom 34, relative to the surface of the vibrating table carrying the molds 18, and of the first set of slides 38 with respect to the second set of slides 48 having been adjusted, the movement of the movable bin is then controlled. 12 (or mobile carriage 12 'or 12 ") in order to bring it into an operational position above the molds 18, under the distributor hopper 20 which has to pour the concrete into the molds 18. This movement is obtained by means of rack and pinion systems 45-46 described above.

 The rotation is then controlled either of the rotors 58 of the rotor system, or of the worm (s) such as 70, 70 ′, 70 ″ of the worm system and simultaneously, the displacement in alternative translation of the movable container 12, or of the movable carriage such as 12 ′, 12 ″, above the molds 18 carried by the vibrating table 36 at the same time as the concrete is poured.

 During the combined displacement in rotation and in alternative translation either of the rotor system or of the worm screw system, according to the chosen embodiment of the invention, the concrete is helped to penetrate into the molds during the vibration, thereby achieving filling, leveling and finishing operations.

 As already mentioned above, the displacement of the mechanical means constituted either by the rotor system or by the worm system makes it possible to reconstitute the type of movement which, until now was imposed manually to concrete by operators working on conventional machines. The device which is the subject of the invention makes it possible to obtain an increase of at least 20% in productivity, compared to the conventional machines currently available on the market.

 It remains to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the examples and embodiments described and / or shown here but that it encompasses all variants thereof.

Claims (12)

 1 - Device for automatically ensuring the distribution, leveling and finishing of the concrete poured into molds mounted on the vibrating table of a machine for the production of concrete elements characterized in that it comprises mechanical means (14 , 70, 70 ', 70 ") entrainées in rotation above the surface of the concrete, these means being mounted on a mobile support (12, 12', 12") animated by an alternative translational movement above the table vibrator (36) carrying the molds (18) so that the combination of the rotational movement and the displacement in alternative translation ensures the penetration of the concrete into the molds and its finish.  2 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said mechanical means are made in the form of a system of rotors (14) with blades, sequant and synchronized movement which are mounted on said mobile support, animated by a movement of alternative translation above the vibrating table carrying the molds.  3 - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said mechanical means are made in the form of a worm screw system (70, 70 ', 70 ") mounted on said movable support (12', 12") animated by 'a reciprocating translational movement above the vibrating table carrying the molds, this system being able to comprise one or more screws whose pitches can be reversed, the mobile support moving on the lateral plane, during the concrete vibration.  4 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises  - A carriage (10) fitted with rollers (22), or the like, some of which are motorized so as to move the carriage along a track (24) in order to bring it against the distribution module concrete (16) carrying the vibrating table provided with molds, during the operational phase  - An anchoring system (30, 32) for said carriage, cooperating with a corresponding system provided on said concrete distribution module in order to secure said module carriage during the operational phase  - an adjustable floor (34, 34 ') on the upper part of the carriage, the level of which is adjusted so as to correspond to that of the vibrating table, during the operational phase  - a mobile tray (12, 12 ', 12 ") mounted on rollers or the like which can move on the one hand on a first set of slides (38) provided at the top of said mobile carriage and on the other hand on a second set of slides (48) provided on said vibrating table, this movable tray comprising a drive means (45, 46) ensuring on the one hand its displacement in translation in order to bring it above the vibrating table of the module distribution of the concrete and on the other hand its displacement in alternative translation above the molds carried by the vibrating table during the operational phase; and  - Said mechanical means, constituted either by the worm system (70, 70 ', 70 ") or by the rotor system (58) which is mounted on the movable container.  5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchoring system of the mobile carriage (10) on the concrete distribution module (16) consists of latches (30) arranged on the bed bases of said carriage and which are controlled by in particular hydraulic cylinders (32).  6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustable sole (34, 34 ') of the mobile carriage is produced in the form of a wear plate, reinforced by metal profiles and the side opposite to the mold has the shape of an inclined plane (34 ') allowing the recovery of the concrete remains after the operational phase, the plane of the floor being provided with height adjustment means.  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means provided for moving the mobile container (12) relative to the carriage (10), along the two sets of slides (38 48) consist of a rack and pinion system (44, 45), the racks being arranged along the slideways.  8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that these slides have a U-shaped profile whose upper wing receives the rack (46) arranged with its teeth oriented towards the ground and whose lower wing receives the raceway (42 ) rollers or the like of said movable carriage.  9. Device according to any one of claims 7 or 8 characterized in that the slides (38, 48) comprise means for their height adjustment.  10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9 characterized in that the means provided for the height adjustment of the first set of slides (38) consists of pressure screws (40, 40 '), located at the top of the mobile carriage (10).  11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile tank (12) consists of a rigid frame carrying the tank itself (50) in the form of a chute, the lower part of which supports the system (14) of rotors ( 58), the front and side sides of which are provided with flexible flaps, the rear side being in the form of an opening flap (54).  12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive of the various rotors (58) is produced from a single motor (62), in particular of the hydraulic type, a transmission system of the chain sprockets type (66 , 66 ', 66 ") ensuring synchronized transmission of the different rotors.