US3178158A - Mortar spreader - Google Patents

Description

April 13, 1965 w. HUESTON ETAL 3,173,158

MORTAR SPREADER Filed Jan. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Woodrow Huesfon Roger MG/ldfl 1N VE N TORS April 13, 1965 w. HUESTON ETAL 3,178,158

MORTAR SPREADER Filed Jan. 14, 1963 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Woodrow Huesfon Roger M01900 1 N VEN TOR 5 United States Patent 3,178,158 MORTAR SPREADER Woodrow Hueston, te. 5, and Roger Malian, 2527 S. Rogers St., both of Bloomington, ind. Filed Jan. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 251,113 16 Claims. (6i. 259-469) This invention relates to manually operated mortar dispensing devices and more particularly to portable mortar spreading equipment by which mortar deposits of predetermined crosssection, length, and spacing may be positioned on selected surface portions of a plurality of aligned building units, such as cinder blocks, concrete blocks and the like.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a device of the character indicated wherein mortar may be dispensed on a surface of a plurality of aligned building units so that other building units may be connected thereto.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character indicated wherein rotatable agitating and dipensing means are provided in the device to effectuate an easier and quicker flow of the mortar upon the building units.

Another object of this invention is to incorporate therein novel means for employing the device upon a building unit surface as the mortar is dispensed thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated wherein the device is adjustably positioned on a frame to vary the angle thereto to aid in the free flow and dispensing of the mortar upon the building unit.

A still further object of this invention resides in the provision of means for effectively controlling the amount of mortar which is being applied to the building unit, While another feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for safeguarding against spilling of mortar by overflow beyond the side edges of the building units.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character indicated wherein the mortar is discharged in strings or ribbons on the building unit.

Still another object of this invention resides in its simplicity of construction, efiicient and dependable operation and adaptation to economical manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accornpanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a left side view of the device forming the subject matter of the resent invention and being illustrated in operation upon a plurality of building units.

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the device forming the subject matter of the present invention.

FIGURE 3 is a right side View of the device shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the device.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the mortar spreader and illustrating certain details incorporated therein.

FIGURE 6 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on line 6 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a detailed sectional view taken substan tially on line 77 of FIGURE 6 and illustrating further details of the present invention.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a mortar spreader which is designated generally by the reference character ill and embodies in its construction a hopper 12. The hopper 12 comprises a bin or receptacle including side walls 14- and 16 and front and rear walls 18 and 2d. The side walls 14 and Z6 diverge at their upper portion to form a funnel- 3,178,158 Patented Apr. 13, 1955 ice like structure to more readily receive mortar which is dumped in the hopper. The hopper 12 has also formed integral therewith on its front and rear walls, handle means 22 and 24 for manual handling of the hopper such as would be necessary to place the same in position upon the building unit generally designated as 26. The hopper is also formed with a bottom wall 23 to completely form an enclosure for the mortar disposed therein. Two dispensing apertures of generally V-shape are formed at the bottom of the front wall 18. in alignment with these apertures are a pair of V- shaped guide plates 30 and 32 for containing and guiding the mortar which is dispensed from the hopper through the V-shaped apertures. "hese guide plates contain the mortar dispensed so that two ribbons or strings of mortar are disposed as shown in FIGURE 1 upon a surface of the building unit which are a predetermined distance apart and of a predetermined thickness. It should be noted that the dimensions of the hopper or spacing of the apertures may be varied depending on the size of the building units or blocks upon which mortar is to be spread.

The hopper 12 is pivotally mounted upon a suitable frame generally designated by the numeral 34 which is adapted to ride upon opposite faces of the building units or blocks. The frame 34 comprises two side plates 36 and 38, which are connected at one end by an angle iron brace The side plates 36 and 38 serve as guide means for movement of the hopper along the surface of the building unit and the distance between them is slightly greater than the distance between the two outer surfaces or faces of the building units so that the guide plates overhang the lateral extent thereof. Suitably journalled between the side plates are two sets of roller elements 42 and 44. These roller elements are disposed so that they lie above the bottom edges 45 and 48 of the side plates. This construction enables the side plates to overhang the outer surfaces of the building units as described so that they may be used as a guide track while the rollers are disposed on the top surface of the building elements as more clearly shown in FIGURE 1. The rollers and the frame and hopper which is connected thereto are therefore adapted to ride on a surface of the building units and the side plates serve as suitable guidet racks.

The frame 34 further comprises a suitable horizontal bracing element 50 bridging the side plates 36 and 38. The hopper 12 is pivotally attached to the frame by means of a hinge 52 attached to the bottom wall 28 and cross brace 50 by any suitable means such as welding. The rear support for the hopper comprises a shaft 54 welded to the rear wall 20 of the hopper which is adapted to cooperate with two upstanding slotted plates 56 and 58 suitably journalled for rotation in the side plates 38 and 36 respectively. The shaft 54 is disposed within slots 60 cut in the plates 56 and 58 and open at one end and is adapted to be frictionally retained in adjusted position in the slot by means of a suitable fastener such as a wing nut 62 disposed on threaded portions at both ends of the shaft 54. It should now be readily apparent that the hopper may be rotated about hinge 52 and by means of the slotted connection in the slotted plates 56 and 58 maintained in a suitably adjusted position and inclined so that mortar may freely flow from the hopper. It should be noted that the slotted plates 56 and 58 will also pivot on the plates 36 and 38 and may be held in adjusted position by thumb screws or the like 63.

Also mounted upon the frame 34 and in more particular upon the'plates 36 and 38 and extending vertically therefrom are a pair of members 64 and 66. The members 64 and 66 restrict the mortar flow from the hopper to the top of the building units and prevents possible escape of the mortar over the side of the guide plates 36 and 38 onto the side of the building units 26. This is necessary as the hopper and V-shaped guides 3t) and 32 are inclined to the vertical leaving a free space adjacent the hopper underneath the guide plates 38 and 32 from which mortar may ooze to either side of the plates and 32. Corresponding members 68 and 79 are disposed adjacent the other side of the V- shaped guides 34 and 32 and are attached to the cross brace to serve the purpose of preventing the mortar from escaping to the middle portion of the building unit or block which is usually hollow. It should now be readily appreciated that the plates or members 66, 68, 64 and 7t) suitably contain the mortar so that two ribbons or streams are formed on the top surface of the building units or blocks.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 the novel agitating and dispensing means of the mortar spreading device are depicted. More particularly, two shafts 72 and 74 are suitably journaled in bushings 76 attached to the side walls 14 and 16 of the hopper 12. The shafts 72 and 74 extend the width of the hopper. At one end of the shaft 74 a suitable crank handle 7 8 is formed as an extension thereof for the purpose hereinafter described. Mounted upon shaft 74 and rigid therewith is a suitable agitating means generally designated by the numeral 80 and is formed by three laterally spaced plates 82 bridged together by portions 84. The agitating means 89 is attached to the shaft 74 by suitably spaced fasteners 86. It should now be readily apparent by turning the crank handle and rotating shaft 74 the agitating means 853 will churn the mortar disposed in the hopper keeping it at its proper consistency and preventing it from setting. Disposed forwardly of the agitating means and mounted upon the shaft 72 by suitable fasteners 83 is the novel dispensing means or impelling means 90 of the present invention. The impelling means comprises a plate having two plate sections 92 and 94 connected by a bridging chamber 96. One edge of each of the plates 92 and 94 is inclined oppositely as shown at 98 and 100. This particular shape of the plates 92 and 94 allows the impelling or dispensing means to more readily push the mortar out the V-shaped apertures coacting with the guide plates 39 and 32 as any excess mortar will readily slide off the sloping portions 98 and 100 of the plates 92 and )4. The agitating means and impelling or dispensing means are connected to rotate in unison so that upon turning of the crank handle '78 not only will the mortar be churned or agitated but will be dispensed through the aforesaid openings. In this respect, the shafts 74 and 72 have extensions at the other side of the hopper from the crank handle which protrude beyond the side wall 14 of the hopper. These extensions 102 and 104 have sprocket members 106 and 108 fixed thereto to rotate in unison with the shafts. A suitable flexible endless chain 110 connects the sprockets 106 and 108 so that upon rotation of the shaft 74 sprocket 196 will rotate causing the sprocket 168 to rotate thereby rotating shaft 72 and the impelling or dispensing means 90.

It should also be evident that the drive arrangement just described is also utilized to move the hopper and frame on the top of the building unit as the mortar is dispensed. For this purpose the shaft mounting rollers 44 are provided with an extension upon which a sprocket 112 is mounted. The flexible endless chain is disposed in mating contact with the teeth of sprocket 112 so that upon rotation of the shaft 74 by the handle 78 not only will shaft 72 be caused to turn but rollers 44 will also be caused to turn and the mortar spreading device will be caused to move in unison with the dispensing of the mortar. A suitable chain guard 114 is mounted upon the hopper and a tensioning member 116 is suitably pivotally mounted upon the side plate or rail 33. The tensioning member 116 has a sprocket element 118 journalled thereon and upon pivotal movement of the tensioning member the tension in the flexible endless chain 110 can be varied.

The operation of the mortar spreading device should now be readily apparent. By simply rotating the crank handle 78 in a counterclockwise direction mortar will be churned which has been disposed in the hopper 12 and dispensed by plates 92 and 94 through openings in the front wall of the hopper and guided by plates 30 and 32, 64, 68, 66 and '70. Furthermore, the mortar spreader will be moved on the building units upon which the mortar is being spread as the mortar is being dispensed. The hopper may be adjusted to any suitable angle with respect to the vertical so that a ready flow of mortar will be accomplished. Side plates 36 and 38 act as rails upon the building blocks or units and cooperate with the sides of the building units to guide the movement of the mortar spreading device upon the building units.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the rinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the inven tion as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building unit or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom, frame means pivotally mounting the hopper for adjustment about a horizontal axis, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper and operatively connected to the agitating means for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through said one end wall as the mortar is being churned, and wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said wheel means being operatively connected to the agitating and dispensing means to rotate upon actuation of the latter, and guide means disposed adjacent the dispensing means for guiding dispensed mortar into a stream and preventing overflow therefrom, wherein said agitating means comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected plates fixed to a shaft journalled in the side walls of the hopper and a crank handle extending from one end of said shaft whereby rotation of the crank handle will cause rotation of the shaft and plates thereby agitating mortar disposed within the hopper.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means comprises a shaft journalled in the side walls of the hopper parallel to the shaft of the agitating means, and drive means connecting the shaft of the dispensing means with the shaft of the agitating means for rotating the shaft of the dispensing means upon rotation of said crank handle.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein said dispensing means further includes a pair of interconnected plates having sloping edges, said plates being fixed to the shaft of the dispensing means for rotation therewith.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a pair of downwardly opening members fixed to the hopper and overlying a pair of openings in the one end wall of the hopper adjacent the dispensing means, a first pair of plate members formed integral with the frame means disposed adjacent one side of said downwardly opening members and a second pair of plate members formed integral with the frame means and disposed adjacent another side of said downwardly opening members.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein the hopper is pivotally mounted on the frame means by hinge means interconnecting the bottom of the hopper with the frame means adjacent one end wall of the hopper, a shaft fixed to the other end wall of the hopper and slidably positioned in members pivotally connected to the frame means.

6. The structure of claim 2 wherein said drive means connects the wheel means to the shaft of the agitating means for rotating the wheel means upon rotation of said crank handle.

7. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building unit or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and sp rse a bottom, frame means mounting the hopper, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper and operatively connected to the agitating means for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through said one end wall as the mortar is being churned, and wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the build-ing unit, said wheel means being operatively connected to the agitating and dispensing means to rotate upon actuation of the latter, said agitating means comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected plates fixed to a shaft journalled in the side Walls of the hopper and a crank handle extending from one end of said shaft whereby rotation of the crank handle will cause rotation of the shaft and plates thereby agitating mortar disposed within the hopper.

8. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building unit or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom, frame means mounting the hopper, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper and operatively connected to the agitating means for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through said one end wall as the mortar is being churned, wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said wheel means being operatively connected to the agitating and dispensing means to rotate upon actuation of the latter, and guide means disposed adjacent the dispensing means for guiding dispensed mortar into a stream and preventing'overflow therefrom, said guide means including a pair of downwardly opening members fixed to the hopper and overlying a pair of openings in the one end wall of the hopper adjacent the dispensing means, a first pair of plate members formed integral with the frame means disposed adjacent one side of said downwardly opening members and a second pair of plate members formed integral with the frame means and disposed adjacent another side of said downwardly opening members.

9. The structure of claim 8 wherein said agitating means, dispensing means and wheel means are all operatively connected by drive means comprising chain and sprocket means associated with each of said agitating, dispensing and wheel means and actuating means for said drive means associated with the agitating means whereby upon actuation of said drive means the agitating means, the dispensing means and Wheel means will operate simultaneously.

10. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building unit or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom frame means pivotally mounting the hopper for adjustment about a horizontal axis, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper and operatively connected to the agitating means for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through said one end Wall as the mortar is being churned, and wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said wheel means being operatively connected to the agitating and dispensing means to rotate upon actuation of the latter, said agitating means comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected plates fixed to a shaft journalled on the side walls of the hopper and a crank handle extending from one end of said shaft whereby rotation of the crank handle will cause rotation of the shaft and plates thereby agitating mortar disposed within the hopper.

11. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building unit or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom, frame means pivotally mounting the hopper for adjustment about a horizontal axis, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper and operatively connected to the agitating means for dispensing the mortar from the hopper 'thr'ough said one end wall as the mortar is being churned, and wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said wheel means being operatively connected to the agitating and dispensing means to rotate upon actuation of the latter, and guide means disposed adjacent the dispensing means for guiding dispensed mortar into a stream and preventing overfiow therefrom, said guide means including a pair of downwardly opening members fixed to the hopper and overlying a pair of openings in the one end wall of the hopper adjacent the dispensing means, a first pair of plate members formed integral with the frame means disposed adjacent one side of said downwardly opening members and a second pair of plate members formed integral with the frame means and disposed adjacent another side of said downwardly opening members.

12. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building unit or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom, frame means mounting the hopper, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper and operatively connected to the agitating means for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through said one end Wall as the mortar is being churned, and wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said wheel means being operatively connected to the agitating and dispensing means to rotate upon actuation of the latter, said frame means comprising a pair of guide rails for mounting said mortar dispensing device upon a building unit, said wheel means being journaled in said guide rails, and said guide rails extending below said wheel means.

13. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing mortar upon a building or the like comprising a hopper including a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls and a bottom, frame means mounting the hopper, agitating means for churning the mortar disposed within the hopper between the side walls, dispensing means adjacent one end wall of the hopper for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through said one end wall as the mortar is being churned, and wheel means mounted upon said frame means and providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said agitating means comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected plates fixed to a shaft journaled in the side walls of the hopper and a crank handle extending from one end of said shaft whereby rotation of the crank handlle will cause rotation of the shaft and plates thereby agitating mortar disposed within the hopper.

14. The structure of claim 13 including guide means disposed adjacent the dispensing means for guiding dispensed mortar into a stream and preventing overflow therefrom, said guide means including a pair of downwardly opening members fixed to the hopper and overlying a pair of openings in the one end wall of the hopper adjacent the dispensing means, a first pair of plate members disposed adjacent one side of said downwardly opening members, and a second pair of plate members disposed adjacent the other side of the downwardly opening members.

15. A portable mortar dispensing device for depositing hopper, dispensing means mounted in the hopper for dispensing the mortar from the hopper through the holes, and wheel means mounted upon the frame means for providing rolling engagement of the mortar dispensing device with a surface of the building unit, said agitating means comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected plates fixed to a shaft journaled in the opposing side walls of the hopper and a crank handle extending from one end of said shaft whereby rotation of the crank handle will cause rotation of the shaft and plates thereby agitating mortar disposed within the hopper.

16. The structure of claim 15 wherein said dispensing means comprises a shaft journaled in opposing side walls of the hopper and a pair of flat plates fixed to said shaft, said fiat plates having wide outer ends and tapering gradually from the wider outer ends to narrow portions at the point of engagement with the shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,833,582. 11/31 Kavanagh 222-176 2,341,691 2/44 Ciceske 222-176 2,522,693 9/50 Stiteler 222177 2,533,386 12/50 Masters 25941 CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A PORTABLE MORTAR DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DEPOSITING MORTAR UPON A BUILDING UNIT OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A HOPPER INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS, A PAIR OF END WALLS AND A BOTTOM, FRAME MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING THE HOPPER FOR ADJUSTMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, AGITATING MEANS FOR CHURNING THE MORTAR DISPOSED WITHIN THE HOPPER BETWEEN THE SIDE WALLS, DISPENSING MEANS ADJACENT ONE END WALL OF THE HOPPER AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE AGITATING MEANS FOR DISPENSING THE MORTAR FROM THE HOPPER THROUGH SAID ONE END WALL AS THE MORTAR IS BEING CHURNED AND WHEEL MEANS MOUNTED UPON SAID FRAME MEANS AND PROVIDING ROLLING ENGAGEMENT OF THE MORTAR DISPENSING DEVICE WITH A SURFACE OF THE BUILDING UNIT, SAID WHEEL MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE AGITATING AND DISPENSING MEANS TO ROTATE UPON ACTUATION OF THE LATTER, AND GUIDE MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE DISPENSING MEANS FOR GUIDING DISPENSED MORTAR INTO A STREAM AND PREVENTING OVERFLOW THEREFROM, WHEREIN SAID AGITATING MEANS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED INTERCONNECTED PLATES FIXED TO A SHAFT JOURNALLED IN THE SIDE WALLS OF THE HOPPER AND CRANK HANDLE EXTENDING FROM ONE END OF SAID SHAFT WHEREBY ROTATION OF THE CRANK HANDLE WILL CAUSE ROTATION OF THE SHAFT AND PLATES THEREBY AGITATING MORTAR DISPOSED WITHIN THE HOPPER.

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