GB1573606A

GB1573606A - Cement mixers

Info

Publication number: GB1573606A
Application number: GB5115775A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BAS MIX Ltd
Current assignee: BAS MIX Ltd
Priority date: 1976-12-24
Filing date: 1976-12-24
Publication date: 1980-08-28

Description

(54) CEMENT MIXERS (71) We, B.A.SrMIX LIMITED of 27 King Street, Drighlington, Bradford in the county of York, a British Company do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to cement mixers.

According to the invention a cement mixer comprises a drum and a support framework for the drum, the drum being rotatable on the framework and being free to be lifted clear of the framework and the framework then being capable of being stored within the drum to facilitate transport or storage of the cement mixer.

The drum may have a spindle extending axially from the base of the drum. which spindle is insertable into a support on the framework. The spindle may carry a bearing which is slidable into a slotted support member on the framework.

The framework may have two or more support rollers thereon, on which the periphery of the drum rests. The drum may be provided with a protective ring or band to protect the part of the periphery which rests on the rollers.

The framework may be collapsible. For example it may have legs which are releasably connected to the rest of the framework, for example by spigot and socket connections.

It is preferred that the framework is such that in one position it will support the drum in a stable manner with the mouth of the drum facing upwardly, but it can be tipped into a second position in which it will support the drum in a stable manner with the mouth of the drum facing downwardly.

The framework may have four legs which are such that in the said one position one of the legs does not touch the ground and in the second said position another of the legs does not touch the ground, so that in each stable position the framework is supported by three legs.

There may be a handwheel extending around the outer periphery of the drum, preferably at or adjacent to the base of the drum, for use in rotating the drum by hand.

The cement mixer may have a power drive for the drum. For example a motor may be mounted on the framework, and connected to the drum by one or more drive belts (e.g.

V-belts or flat belts), chains, and/or shafts.

The motor is preferably electric, and may be battery or mains operated, but any other form of motor may be used, for example, a petrol or diesel driven motor.

By way of example, a specific embodiment of cement mixer according to the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of cement mixer according to the invention, in a position suitable for cement mixing; Figure 2 is a view of the cement mixer looking into the drum; Figure 3 is a detail view of one of two support rollers for the drum; and Figure 4 is a detail view of a support for the base of the drum.

The cement mixer shown in the Figures comprises essentially a drum 10 and a collapsible support framework 11. The drum is of moulded plastics material and has three mixing blades 12 (Figure 2) secured to the inner periphery of the drum. Each blade comprises a length of angle iron extending longitudinally of the drum and bolted to the inner wall of the drum. The blades are spaced apart around the drum by 1200 intervals.

A metal band 13 is bolted to the outside of the drum, to provide a wear-resistant running surface for contact with the support rollers described below. Bolted to the base of the drum is a welded cruciform member 14 and welded to the outer ends of the arms of the cruciform member 14 is a handwheel 15 for use in manually rotating the drum. A spindle 16 is welded to the centre of the cruciform member 14 and projects axially from the base of the drum. A bearing member 17, best shown in Figure 4, is bolted to the spindle 16, the outer part of the bearing member 17 being freely rotatable with respect to the spindle.

The frame 11 comprises a fore and aft member 1 7a and a cross member 18. To each end of the fore and aft member 17a and cross member 18 a downwardly inclined socket 19 is welded and a support leg 20 is plugged into each socket 19. The part of each leg 20 which plugs within a socket 19 is provided with a spring-loaded tongue (not shown) so that the leg is a secure press-fit within the socket. The lower end of each leg 20 has a foot 21 welded thereto.

At the front end of the fore and aft member 17a a further cross member 22 is welded to the fore and aft member and a short support pillar 23 is welded to each end of member 22. A spindle 24 is welded to each pillar 23 and a freely rotatable roller 25 is secured to the spindly by a nut 26.

At the rear end of the fore and aft member 17a, a support post 27 projects upwardly therefrom. A slotted bracket 28 is welded to the upper end of the post, the slot being defined by two upwardly extending arms each having a C-shaped cross section when viewed from above. The dimensions and positioning of the arms are such that the bearing 17 can be lowered into the member 28. with the spindle 16 protruding from either side of the slot, but the bearing 17 is too large to move out of the slot except in an upward direction.

In use, the drum is placed on the frame as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the bearing 17 received within the slotted member 28 and the steel band 13 resting on the two support rollers 25. In this position the drum is securely and stably supported at three points, and can be freely rotated by turning the handwheel 15.

The legs 20 which are attached to the fore and aft member 1 7a are shorter than the legs 20 attached to the cross member 18 so that both the former legs cannot touch the ground at the same time. In the position shown in Figure 1 the drum is supported by the rear leg 20 and the two central legs 20, in a stable manner, with the mouth of the drum directed upwardly. so that the constituents for the cement can be placed in the drum and the drum can be rotated to mix the cement.

When it is desired to pour the mixed cement out of the drum, the framework is tipped forwardly until the front leg 20 contacts the ground and the cement mixer will stand in that position in a stable manner, supported by the two central legs 20 and the front leg 20, with the mouth of the drum directed downwardly.

When the cement mixer is not in use, the drum can be quickly lifted off the framework, and the legs 20 can be removed and stores within the drum, together with the rest of the framework.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For instance the support frame 11 may have other configurations, and other connections may be provided for rotatably supporting the drum on the framework, provided that the drum can be lifted off to facilitate storage or transport.

If desired a motor may be provided, for example for attachment to one of the arms of the cross member 18, there being a drive belt to pass round the drum and a drive shaft to the motor, for transmitting a drive to the drum. A bolt may be provided in the cross member 18 so that the motor can be secured in position by a single bolt. It is preferred that the motor is an electric motor capable of being driven by a car battery, but any form of motor may be provided, and it may be connected to the drum by means other than a drive belt.

Instead of bolting attachments to the drum, they may be secured by other means, such as rivets or adhesive.

Reference is made to copending application No. 29533/79 which relates to other aspects of the cement mixer shown in the accompanying drawings.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A cement mixer comprising a drum and a support framework for the drum, the drum being rotatable on the framework and being free to be lifted clear of the framework and the framework then being capable of being stores within the drum to facilitate transport or storage of the cement mixer.

2. Acement mixer as claimed in Claim 1, in which the drum has a spindle extending axially from the base of the drum, which spindle is insertable into a support on the framework.

3. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 2, in which the spindle carries a bearing which is slidable into a slotted support member on the framework.

4. A cement mixer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the framework has two or more support rollers thereon, on which the periphery of the drum rests.

5. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 4, in which the part of the periphery of the drum which rests on the support rollers is provided with a protective ring or band.

6. A cement mixer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the support framework is collapsible.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. and welded to the outer ends of the arms of the cruciform member 14 is a handwheel 15 for use in manually rotating the drum. A spindle 16 is welded to the centre of the cruciform member 14 and projects axially from the base of the drum. A bearing member 17, best shown in Figure 4, is bolted to the spindle 16, the outer part of the bearing member 17 being freely rotatable with respect to the spindle. The frame 11 comprises a fore and aft member 1 7a and a cross member 18. To each end of the fore and aft member 17a and cross member 18 a downwardly inclined socket 19 is welded and a support leg 20 is plugged into each socket 19. The part of each leg 20 which plugs within a socket 19 is provided with a spring-loaded tongue (not shown) so that the leg is a secure press-fit within the socket. The lower end of each leg 20 has a foot 21 welded thereto. At the front end of the fore and aft member 17a a further cross member 22 is welded to the fore and aft member and a short support pillar 23 is welded to each end of member 22. A spindle 24 is welded to each pillar 23 and a freely rotatable roller 25 is secured to the spindly by a nut 26. At the rear end of the fore and aft member 17a, a support post 27 projects upwardly therefrom. A slotted bracket 28 is welded to the upper end of the post, the slot being defined by two upwardly extending arms each having a C-shaped cross section when viewed from above. The dimensions and positioning of the arms are such that the bearing 17 can be lowered into the member 28. with the spindle 16 protruding from either side of the slot, but the bearing 17 is too large to move out of the slot except in an upward direction. In use, the drum is placed on the frame as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the bearing 17 received within the slotted member 28 and the steel band 13 resting on the two support rollers 25. In this position the drum is securely and stably supported at three points, and can be freely rotated by turning the handwheel 15. The legs 20 which are attached to the fore and aft member 1 7a are shorter than the legs 20 attached to the cross member 18 so that both the former legs cannot touch the ground at the same time. In the position shown in Figure 1 the drum is supported by the rear leg 20 and the two central legs 20, in a stable manner, with the mouth of the drum directed upwardly. so that the constituents for the cement can be placed in the drum and the drum can be rotated to mix the cement. When it is desired to pour the mixed cement out of the drum, the framework is tipped forwardly until the front leg 20 contacts the ground and the cement mixer will stand in that position in a stable manner, supported by the two central legs 20 and the front leg 20, with the mouth of the drum directed downwardly. When the cement mixer is not in use, the drum can be quickly lifted off the framework, and the legs 20 can be removed and stores within the drum, together with the rest of the framework. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For instance the support frame 11 may have other configurations, and other connections may be provided for rotatably supporting the drum on the framework, provided that the drum can be lifted off to facilitate storage or transport. If desired a motor may be provided, for example for attachment to one of the arms of the cross member 18, there being a drive belt to pass round the drum and a drive shaft to the motor, for transmitting a drive to the drum. A bolt may be provided in the cross member 18 so that the motor can be secured in position by a single bolt. It is preferred that the motor is an electric motor capable of being driven by a car battery, but any form of motor may be provided, and it may be connected to the drum by means other than a drive belt. Instead of bolting attachments to the drum, they may be secured by other means, such as rivets or adhesive. Reference is made to copending application No. 29533/79 which relates to other aspects of the cement mixer shown in the accompanying drawings. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A cement mixer comprising a drum and a support framework for the drum, the drum being rotatable on the framework and being free to be lifted clear of the framework and the framework then being capable of being stores within the drum to facilitate transport or storage of the cement mixer.

7. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 6,

in which the framework has legs which are releasably connected to the rest of the framework.

8. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 7, in which the legs are connected to the rest of the framework by spigot and socket connections.

9. A cement mixer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the framework is such that in one position it will support the drum in a stable manner with the mouth of the drum facing upwardly, but it can be tipped into a second position in which it will support the drum in a stable position with the mouth of the drum facing downwardly.

10. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 9, in which the framework has four legs which are such that in the said one position one of the legs does not touch the ground and in the said second position another of the legs does not touch the ground, so that in each stable position the framework is supported by three legs.

11. A cement mixer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which there is a handwheel extending around the outer periphery of the drum, for use in rotating the drum by hand.

12. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 11, in which the handwheel is at or adjacent to the base of the drum.

13. A cement mixer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which there is a power drive for the drum.

14. A cement mixer as claimed in Claim 13, in which there is a motor mounted on the framework and connected to the drum by one or more drive belts.

15. A cement mixer constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.