GB2187713A

GB2187713A - A unit for use in construction work

Info

Publication number: GB2187713A
Application number: GB08606371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Samuel Clive Wintle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-14
Filing date: 1986-03-14
Publication date: 1987-09-16
Also published as: GB8606371D0; GB2187713B

Abstract

A portable unit for use in construction work, such as mixing concrete, comprises a plurality of storage areas (9, 10) in which building equipment and materials, such as sand, chippings and cement, may be stored. The unit is provided with lifting lugs enabling it to be lifted and transported by vehicles designed for the transportation of conventional skips, and a user of the unit may stand in a work area (23) located within the unit, to gain access to stored equipment and materials. The unit is further provided with means allowing access from the exterior to the interior of the unit, the access means being securable to prevent unauthorised entry. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A unit for use in construction work This invention relates to a unit for use in construction work.

In any building work, one ofthe most common tasks is that of mixing concrete. As a result, it is often required to mix very large quantities of concrete, which causes problems, as there are then large quantities of sand, chippings and cement, which need to be stored and transported. Typically, the required quantities ofthe components ofthe concrete are transported separately to the construction site, where they are dumped on the ground in piles, before being mixedtogetherto make the concrete. Of course, these large piles lead to a large amount of materials being wasted, especially if weather conditions are poor, and, if the construction is to take place in a residential area, the piles can cause a significant obstruction to passers-by.

The present invention seeks to provide a unit, which may be used for the transportation of materials to be used in mixing concrete, and forthe secure storage thereof.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable unit, for use in construction work, comprising a plurality of storage areas, in which building equipmentand materials maybe stored, and a work area, from which said stored equipment and materials are accessible, the unit being provided with connection means such thatthe unit may be lifted and transported by a vehicle designed for the transportation of conventional skips.

Preferably, the unit is designed for use when mixing concrete, in which case the storage areas may comprise a sand hopper and a chippings hopper, the volumes of the chippings hopper and the sand hopper being in the ratio of approximately 3:2.

Additionally, the unit may be provided with a storage area for cement bags, this storage area advantageously being provided with shelves panda raised floor, and having a removable retaining means provided, between the storage area for cement bags and the work area. In a preferred embodiment, the unit will be further provided with a cement chute, provided at its lower end with teeth, whereby a cement bag, dropped into the chute, is ripped open, allowing the contents ofthe bag to fall to the bottom of the chute.

Preferably also, the hoppers are provided with doors, opening onto the work area, these doors being provided with access hatches, at orjust above the lowermost levels of the hoppers.

Advantageously, the floors of the hoppers slope downwards in the direction of the hopper doors, and a shield is provided on each hopper door, insidethe hopper. The slope ofthe hopper floor, and the provision of the shield, ensure that all of the material stored inside the hopper can flow out through the access hatch, but also ensure that they flow out at a rate which is controllable.

As the unit is to be used for mixing concrete, it may advantageously be further provided with a cement mixer a nd a water tank. The water tan k may then be provided with a ba I l-cock to control the flow of water into the tank, and a tap, to control the flow of water out ofthetank. There may be provided also, on this tap, a hose pipe, to allowthewaterfrom thetankto be easily mixed into the concrete.

To allow easy access from outside the unit to the work area, the unit may advantageously be provided with doors, which open outwards, and these doors may be provided with ladders. In a preferred embodiment, these doors may comprise the top part of the entrance to the unit, while the bottom part is provided as a third door, which is pivotable about a horizontal axis, and may be pivoted to form a ramp leading from the ground to the work area. Thisthird door, pivotable about a horizontal axis, may be provided with railings.

The lid above the work area ofthe unit may advantageously by hingeably mounted with respect to the restofthe unit, and, in a preferred embodiment, it comprises two parts, which are hingeablewith respect to each other.

To allow the hoppers to be easily refilled, they too may be provided with lids accessible from the exterioroftheunit,and,toimprovethesecurityof the unit, and prevent unauthorised access thereto, the lids of the hoppers, the lid of the unit above the work area, and the doors allowing access to the work area are, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, all securable.

Preferably, the connection means, provided on the unitsuch thatit may be lifted and transported bya vehicle designed forthetransportation of conventional skips, are lifting lugs.

The unit according to the present invention may be further provided with lamp holders, and preferably these lamp holders comprise recesses, located atthe corners ofthe unit, and have lockable doors, which allow a lamp positioned insidethe lamp holderto be visible, but prevent the removal of the lamp. The unit may be provided with fu rtherfeatures which improve its visibility, for example, it may be provided with reflective or fluorescent stripes around its sides.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure2shows an end elevation of the unit shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows an end elevation of the unit shown in Figures 1 and 2, with its doors opened, Figure 4shows a perspective view from one end of the unit of Figure 1.

Figure 5shows a section through a cement chute, Figure 6shows a lamp holder, positioned at one corner of the unit according to the present invention, Figure 7shows a side elevation of a unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 8 shows a side elevation of the unit shown in Figure 7, with its doors opened, and Figure 9shows a section throughthe unit of Figure 7.

Figure 1 shows a side view of the "end-entry" version ofthe unit, and in this Figure, a number of external features ofthe unit 1 are visible. The lamp holders 2,2' are located at the corners of the unit, and,withinthe lamp holders,are visible the warning lamps 3, 3'. This Figure also shows the reflective fiuorescent strip 4, which runs along the side of the unit, and serves to alert passengers-by to the presence of the unit, especially in the dark. Figure 1 also shows the lifting lugs 5,5' which are located on the sides ofthe unit, in orderto enable itto be lifted by a vehicle which is conventionally used forthe transportation of waste skips.

Figure 2 is an end view of the skip also shown in Figure 1, and this Figure shows the entrance to the unit. The upper part of the entrance is closed by the doors 6, 6', while the lower part is closed by the rarnp 7, which may be pivoted about a horizontal axis, in order to provide a ramp leading from the ground up to the work area.

Figure 3 shows the same view as Figure 2, except that nowthe doors to the work area are opened.

Thus,itis nowpossibletoseethefrontofthe chippings hopper 9 and the sand hopper 10, whose volumes are chosen to be in the ratio of approximately 3:2, as, when mixing concrete, chippings and sand are used in this approximate ratio. Also visible in this Figure are the hopper doors 11,12, in which are located sliding hatches 1 3,1 4.

These hatches open to allow access to the materials stored insidethe hoppers.

The unit is also provided with a lid 8, which is hingeably mounted with respect to the rest ofthe unit, and comprises two parts, which are hingeable with respect to each other. This arrangement allows the lid to be opened easily, and thus ensures that there is sufficient head room, for a person working in the work area.

Figure4 is 3 perspective view of the "end-entry" version ofthe unit, with its doors and its hinged lid opened. The storage area 17 for cement bags is provided with a shelf 32, and a removable security sheet 33, which holds in place the cement bags 18 stored therein. Next to the storage area for cement bags is a cement chute 19, which is shown in greater detail in Figure 5, and which has an access hatch 20.

There is provided also a cement mixer 22, and a watertank 21. All of the access hatches, the outlet from the water tank, and the cement mixer are easily accessible from the work area 23. Thus, for any person using the unit, all ofthe materials needed for making concrete are conveniently stored close to hand,thereby simplifying the mixing ofthe concrete, and shortening the time needed forthattask.

Figure 5 shows the cement chute 19. The cement bag 18 is dropped into the chute, where it falls onto the teeth 24, 24'. These teeth rip open the bag, allowing its contents to fall through the grill 25, into the bottom ofthe chute 26,while the bag is retained above the grill 25. Access to the cement powder may then be gained via the cement access hatch 20.

Figure 6 shows one ofthe lamp holders, which are located at each corner of the unit, and which allow a warning lampto be placed on the unit, insucha mannerthatthe lamps may not be tampered with or removed without authorisation. The lamp holder comprises a recess 34 into which the lamp 3 is inserted. The door 2 ofthe lamp holder may then be closed, and locked by means of the lock 27. Then, although the lamp may not be removed without unlocking the doorto the lamp holder, the light from the lamp is still visible, as the door is provided with portholes 35,35'.

A second embodiment of the present invention, the "side-entry" version ofthe unit 101, is shown in Figure 7. This unit displays many of the features shown in Figures 1 and 2, such as the lamp holders 102,10-2', the lifting lugs 105,105', the doors 106, 106' covering the upper part ofthe entrance, and the ramp 197 covering the lower part of the entrance.

The main difference between the two units is that, in this second embodiment of the invention, the entrance to the work area is provided on one ofthe longer sides of the unit.

Figure 8 shows the same view ofthe second embodiment of the present invention as Figure 7, but with the doors 106,106' and the ramp 107 opened. In this Figure is visible the cement mixer 122, which is provided to allow the concrete to be mixed more easily, and the ladders 128, 128', which are provided on the backs of the doors.

Figure 9 shows a section through the "side-entry" version of the unit. This unit also has a chippings hopper 109 and a sand hopper 110,whosevolumes are designed to be in the ratio of approximately 3:2.

The hoppers are again provided with access hatches 113,114,and behind and abovethe hatchesare shields 131,131 ', which slow down theflowof material, allowing the desired quantities of sand and chippings to be removed from the hoppers. The unit is provided also with a water tank 121, which has an outlettap 136 and hose 137. This outlettap and hose allow controlled quantities of water be removed from the tank, to be used when mixing the concrete.

The water tank is provided also with an inlet valve, not shown in the Figure, which allowsthewatertank to be refilled. Also visible in this Figure are the hopper lids, one of which 129 is shown closed,while the other 130 is shown in the open position. These hopper lids allow easy access to the hoppers from the exterior of the unit, permitting the hoppers to be refilled easily. However, they are also securable,to prevent unauthorised access to the unit. Thatthe hopper lids and the doors ofthe unit are securable is a major advantage ofthe present invention. This allows the unitto be filled with sand, chippings, cement bags, and, if desired, water, and then transported, by a vehicle designed for the transportation of conventional waste skips, to the construction site. There, it may be left locked when not in use, and, when unlocked, provides all of the equipment and material necessaryforthe mixing of concrete, and a work area which allows this mixing to be carried out quite simply.

Claims

1. A portable unit, for use in construction work, comprising a plurality of storage areas, in which building equipment and materials may be stored, and a work area, from which said stored equipment and materials are accessible, the unit being provided with lifting lugs, such that the unit may be lifted and transported by vehicles designed for the transportation of conventional skips.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, intended for use when mixing concrete.

3. A unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage areas comprise a sand hopper and a chippings hopper.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 3,whereinthe volumesofthechippings hopper and the sand hopper are in the ratio of approximately 3:2.

5. A unit as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, further provided with a storage area for cement bags.

6. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the storage area for cement bags is provided with shelves, and a raised floor.

7. A unit as claimed in claim or claim 6, wherein a removable retaining means is provided, between the storage area for cement bags and the work area.

8. A unit as claimed in claim 5,6 or7,further provided with a cement chute.

9. A unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the chute is provided at its lower end with teeth, whereby a cement bag, dropped into the chute is ripped open.

10. Aunitas claimed in any of claims 3to 9, wherein the hoppers are provided with doors, opening onto the work area.

11. A unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hoppers have floors which slope downwards, in the direction of the hopper doors.

12. A unit as claimed in claim 10 orclaim 11, wherein the hopper doors are provided with access hatches, at or just above the lowermost levels of the hoppers.

13. A unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein a shield is provided on each hopper door, inside the hopper, to slow down the flow of material outthroughthe access hatch.

14. Aunit as claimed in anyof claims 3to 13, wherein the hoppers are provided with lids accessible from the exterior of the unit.

15. A unit as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lids are securable, to prevent unauthorised access to the hoppers.

16. A unit as claimed in any of claims 2to 15, further provided with a cement mixer.

17. Aunitasclaimedinanyofclaims2to16, further provided with a tank, in which water may be stored, and which has an inlet and an outlet.

18. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with, as access means, securable doors which open outwards, and which allow access from outside the unitto the work area.

18. A unit as claimed in claim 17,whereinthe tank is provided with a ball-cock, to control the flow of waterthroughthe inlet, and atap,to control the flowofwaterthrough said outlet.

19. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with doors, which open outwards, and which allow access from outside the unit to the work area.

20. A unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein ladders may be stored on the back of the doors of the unit.

21. A unit as claimed in claim 190r20,further provided with a door which is pivotable about a horizontal axis, and which may be pivoted to form a ramp leading from the ground to the work area.

22. A unit as claimed in claim 21, wherein the doorwhich is pivotable about a horizontal axis is provided with railings.

23. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, provided with a lid above the work area, which lid is hingeably mounted with respect to the rest ofthe unit.

24. A unit as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lid comprisestwo parts, which arehingeablewith respect to each other.

25. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection means are lifting lugs.

26. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further provided with lamp holders.

27. A unit as claimed in claim 26, wherein the lamp holders comprise recesses, located at the corners ofthe unit.

28. A unit as claimed in claim 27, wherein the recesses have lockable doors which allow a lamp positioned insidethe lamp holderto be visible but prevent the removal of the lamp.

29. A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, further provided with one or more reflective or fluorescent surface.

30. Aunitasclaimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base of the unit is such that the contents of the unit may safely weigh at least ten tonnes.

31. A unit substantially as herein described, with referenceto and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendmentstothe claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1,14,15,19and 25 above havebeen deleted ortextuallyamended.

(b) New ortextually amended claims have been filed asfollows: (c) Claims 16-18,20-24 and 26-31 above have been re-numbered as 15-17 and 19-29andtheir appendancies corrected.

1. A portable unit, for use in construction work, - comprising a plurality of storage areas, in which building equipment and materials may be stored, and, within the unit, a work area, in which a user of the unit may stand to gain access to the plurality of storage areas and hence to any stored equipment and materials, the unit being provided with lifting lugs such that the unit may be lifted and transported by vehicles designed for the transportation of conventional skips, and the unit also being provided with access means permitting access from the exterior to the interior ofthe unit, the access means being securableto prevent unauthorised entry.

14. A unit as claimed in any of claims 3to 13, wherein the hoppers are provided with, as access means, lids accessible from the exterior of the unit, the lids being securable,to preventunauthorised access to the hoppers.