US3606278A

US3606278A - Concrete mixing vehicle

Info

Publication number: US3606278A
Application number: US26963A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robley Winfrey
Original assignee: Rocky Mountain Prestress Inc
Current assignee: Rocky Mountain Prestress Inc
Priority date: 1970-04-09
Filing date: 1970-04-09
Publication date: 1971-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 1988-09-20

Abstract

A CONCRETE MIXING VEHICLE HAVING A HOPPER ASSEMBLY MOVABLY MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE BODY IS DISCLOSED. A DISCHARGE CHUTE WHICH PROJECTS DOWNWARD IN A SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICAL DIRECTION IS MOUNTED ON THE HOPPER ASSEMBLY FOR RECEIVING AND CHANNELING CONCRETE DISCHARGED THEREFROM. HYDRAULIC MEANS ARE DISCLOSED FOR SELECTIVELY POSITIONING THE HOPPER ASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO THE VEHICLE BODY WHEREBY TO POSITION THE DISCHARGE PORTION OF THE HOPPER ASSEMBLY SO AS TO DETERMINE THE LOCATION AT WHICH CONCRETE IS POURED.

Description

Sept. 20, 1911 R. WINFREY n CONCRETE MIXING VEHICLE Filed April 9, 1970 FIG! RE E m N NF R W m mW VA Y E L B O R 3,606,278 CONCRETE MIXING VEHICLE Robley Winfrey II, Englewood, Clo., assignor to Rocky Mountain Prestress, Inc., Englewood, Colo. Filed Apr. 9, 1970, Ser. No. 26,963 Int. Cl. B28c 7/16 US. Cl. 259172 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A concrete mixing vehicle having a hopper assembly movably mounted on the vehicle body is disclosed. A discharge chute which projects downward in a substantially vertical direction is mounted on the hopper assembly for receiving and channeling concrete discharged therefrom. Hydraulic means are disclosed for selectively positioning the hopper assembly relative to the vehicle body whereby to position the discharge portion of the hopper assembly so as to determine, the location at which concrete is poured.

The present invention relates to concrete mixers, and more particularly to an improved concrete mixing vehicle which is suitable for mixing and selectively discharging low slump concrete at selected locations. Low slump concrete is a type of concrete which, when prepared for pouring, is relatively dry. Consequently, low slump concrete is characterized by having a very low viscosity.

Heretofore, concrete mixing vehicles, such as concrete mixing trucks, have been constructed for mixing and transporting concrete to desired locations. Generally, such trucks have included a hopper assembly fixedly mounted on the vehicle frame. The hopper mechanism in the hopper assembly was selectively rotatable in forward and reverse directions so as to mix or discharge, respectively, concrete contained therein. A discharge chute was swivelly mounted on the hopper assembly to receive discharged concrete and channel the concrete to the desired location, such as a concrete mold.

Generally, the discharge chute was mounted on the hopper assembly of such prior art trucks so as to slope downward at an angle of inclination sufficient for the flow of a relatively high viscosity concrete down the discharge chute. At the same time, the discharge chute extended a considerable distance laterally away from the hopper assembly so that the mixed concrete could be delivered to the concrete mold. It was found necessary for the discharge chute on such trucks to extend a considerable distance laterally away from the hopper assembly since such trucks oftentimes could not be moved into a position where the discharge point of their hoppers would be positioned over the concrete mold.

While such concrete mixing trucks have been found suitable for mixing and pouring high viscosity concretes, they have been found unsuitable for use with low viscosity or low slump concrete. With low slump concrete, the angle of inclination of the discharge chute on such trucks has been found to not be sufficiently steep. As a result, low slump concrete would not flow down the discharge chute, but rather gathered therein, clogging the chute. Thus, it has been found necessary with such trucks to manually assist the pouring of low slump concrete.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete mixing vehicle which is suitable for mixing low slump concrete and selectively discharging it at selected locations without manual as sistance.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete mixing vehicle as set forth which is characterized by having a hopper assembly means United States Patent 0" 3,606,278 Patented Sept. 2 0, 1971 movably mounted so as to be selectively positionable with respect to the vehicle structure.

It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete mixing vehicle as set forth having a discharge chute mounted on the hopper assembly means at a substantially vertical angle of inclination.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete mixing vehicle having a discharge chute mounted at a substantially vertical angle of inclination for pouring low viscosity concrete.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete mixing vehicle as set forth which is self-propelled and has independently powered means for selectively positioning the hopper assembly means relative to the vehicle structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete mixing vehicle having a hopper assembly with a discharge chute projecting downward therefrom in a substantially vertical direction which is movably mounted on the vehicle structure so that the discharge chute may be selectively positioned over a desired location by selectively positioning the hopper assembly relative to the vehicle structure.

In accomplishing these and other objects, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a concrete mixing vehicle having a hopper assembly which is rotatable in a forward direction to mix a charge of low slump concrete and selectively rotatable in a reverse direction for discharging the mixed concrete therefrom. A discharge chute which projects downward in a substantially vertical direction is mounted on the hopper assembly for receiving and channeling the discharged low slump concrete. The hopper assembly is movably mounted on the vehicle structure and means are provided for selectively positioning the hopper assembly relative to the vehicle. Thereby, the discharge chute may be positioned over a selected location, such as a concrete mold, by selectively positioning the hopper assembly relative to the vehicle structure. Thus, there is provided a concrete mixing vehicle suitable for mixing low slump concrete and seelctively discharging it at selected locations without manual assistance.

A better understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a concrete mixing vehicle in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation View of the vehicle of FIG. 1 showing the hopper assembly turned relative to the vehicle structure so as to selectively position the discharge chute over a concrete mold.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, there is shown a vehicle, generally indicated by the numeral 1, having front and rear wheels 2 and 3. The vehicle 1, which may be of the towed vehicle type, is shown in its preferred form as a self-propelled vehicle or truck having structure forming a flat surface or bed 4 on its rear portion.

Centrally mounted on the truck bed 4 is a turret structure 5 including a fixed turret portion 5a and a movable platform portion 5b. The turret portion 5a is substantially cylindrical in form and is mounted on the truck bed 4 so as to extend upward therefrom. The turret portion 5a provides means for supporting the platform 51; and the platform 5b is rotatably mounted thereon. It is noted that platform 5b extends preferably in a plane substantially parallel with the truck bed 4 and is dimensioned so as to clear the cab portion -6 of the truck -1 when rotated.

The platform 5b provides means for supporting a hopper assembly means generally indicated by the numeral 11. The hopper assembly 11 is of a conventional type including a conical hopper '12. supported on the platform b by support structure 13. The conical hopper 12 is supported by the structure 13 so as to rotate about its axis and a motor 14 is provided for driving the hopper 12. The motor 14 is connected to the base of the hopper 12 by means of conventional drive means (not shown). The motor 14 is preferably a gasoline engine and may be selectively operated to rotate the hopper 12 in a forward direction for mixing a charge of concrete therein or in a reverse direction for discharging a charge of concrete therefrom.

The conical hopper 12 is of a conventional type and has an opening 16 in its upper end for receiving and discharging concrete. An upward opening funnel 17 is mounted in communication with the upper portion of the opening 16. The funnel 17 provides means for loading a charge of concrete to be mixed into the hopper 12. Mounted in communication with the lower portion of the opening 16 is a short trough-like section 18 for channeling concrete discharged from the hopper 12. Pivotally mounted on the trough 18 is a discharge chute 19. The discharge chute'19 includes an upper section 19a, center section 19b, and lower section 190. The lower section 190 is hinged to the center portion 19b so that when concrete is not being discharged from the hopper 12 the section 191: may be closed upon the section 19b. Clamp-like means 20 are provided on the upper section 19a for clamping the sections 1% and 190 in their closed position. It is noted that when the discharge chute 19 is in its open position that it projects downward from the trough 18 mounted on the hopper 12 at a substantially vertical angle of inclination.

Also mounted on the platform 5b are conventional hydraulic ram means, including a control console 30, hydraulic lines 31 and a conventional hydraulic ram arrangement (not shown) which is located on the turret structure '5. A reservoir 33 for hydraulic fluid is included in the conventional hydraulic system and is mounted over the motor 14. The hydraulic lines 31 are connected between the control console and the hydraulic ram arrangement located on the turret structure 5. The hydraulic ram means provides means for selectively rotating the hopper assembly 12, which is shown centered along the axis of the vehicle 1 in FIG. 1, to either side of the vehicle 1.

It is noted, as shown in FIG. '1, that the hopper assembly means 11 along with the motor 14 and the hydraulic ram means including the console 30 are all positioned on the platform '12 so that the vehicle supports substantially a balanced load. Further, weight is distributed on the vehicle 1 so that even when the platform 51: is rotated, such as in FIG. 2, to position the discharge chute 19 to one side of the vehicle 1 or the other, the load on the vehicle 1 remains in balance so that the vehicle 1 provides a stable platform for pouring concrete into a concrete mold 32. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 1, the hopper 12 is mounted on the platform 5b so that the discharge portion of the hopper 12 and the chute 19 are positioned laterally beyond the platform 5b and the truck bed 4. Thereby, by rotating the platform 5b the discharge portion of the hopper 12 and the chute 19 may be selectively positioned relative to the vehicle 1 to determine the selected location at which concrete is poured.

In operation, a charge of unmixed low slump concrete is loaded into the hopper 12 by pouring the unmixed concrete into the funnel 17. The gasoline engine 14 is then started and is selectively operated to rotate the hopper 12 in its forward direction. The forward rotating hopper 12 moves the low slump concrete towards the base of the hopper 12, thereby mixing the low slump concrete.

This mixing operation may be accomplished, for example, during the time the truck 1 is being driven to the selected location where the concrete is to be poured. Once the charge of low slump concrete has been thoroughly mixed, the truck 1 is driven to a position adjacent the concrete mold 32. The console 30 is then operated so that the platform 5b is. selectively rotated by means of the hydraulic ram arrangement until the upper portion of the hopper 12 and the discharge chute 19 is positioned over the mold 30. The discharge chute 19 is then opened and the direction of rotation of the hopper 12 is reversed.

The reverse rotating hopper 12 moves the now mixed low slump concrete towards the hopper opening 516. Thereby, mixed low slump concrete is gradually forced out of the opening 16 and channeled by the trough-like member 18 into the discharge chute 19. Due to the steep angle of inclination of thechute 1-9, the low slump concrete flows down the chute 19 and is poured there from into the mold 32.

After low slump concrete has been poured for an instant into the mold 1, it is often found desirable to change the location of the chute 19 relative to the mold 1. Such a change in position may be accomplished by selectively operating the hydraulic ram means, thereby to rotate the platform 5b relative to the mold 32. Further, for minor adjustments in the chute 19, the chute 19 may be manually moved slightly to either side due to a certain amount of play existing in the pivotal mounting arrangement of the chute 19 on the trough-like member 18.

It is noted that the extent to which the platform 5b may be rotated to either side of the vehicle 1 from its center position along the axis of the vehicle 1 is limited by the cab portion 6 of the vehicle 1. The platform 5b may be only rotated to one side of the vehicle 1 to the point whereat the hopper assembly means 11 comes into contact with the cab '6. Generally, however, it is customary to build stops into the turret structure 5 for stopping the rotation of the platform 5b prior to the position at which the hopper assembly means 11 would collide with the cab 5. For example, in an exemplary cement mixing truck, stops may be :placed so as to allow the hopper assembly means 11 and discharge chute 19 to be rotated to either side of the center-line of the vehicle 1.

Thus, there is provided a concrete mixing vehicle suitable for mixing low slump concrete and selectively discharging it at selected locations without manual assistance. The concrete mixing vehicle is provided with a hopper assembly means mounted on' a turret structure so that the hopper assembly means is selectively positionable relative to a concrete mold by rotating the upper portion of the turret structure. Additionally, a discharge chute having a substantially vertical angle of inclination is provided for channeling mixed concrete discharged from the hopper assembly into the concrete mold;

I claim:

1. A concrete mixing vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle body;

a hopper assembly means, said hopper assembly means being rotatable in one direction to mix a charge of concrete loaded therein and selectively rotatable in a reverse direction to discharge mixed concrete from a discharge portion of said hopper assembly means;

structure means for supporting said hopper assembly means relative to said vehicle body, said structure means including a first portion fixedly mounted on said vehicle body and a second portion movably engaging said first portion, said hopper assembly means being fixedly mounted on said second portionwith the discharge portion of said hopper assembly means extending laterally beyond the perimeter of said second portion and said vehicle body; and

means for selectively positioning said second portion relative to said first portion whereby to selectively position the discharge portion of said hopper assembly means relative to said vehicle body so as to determine the selected location at which concrete is to be poured.

2. The invention recited in claim 1, including a discharge chute mounted on said hopper assembly jmeans adjacent the discharge portion thereof, said discharge chute being operable to channel concrete discharged from said hopper assembly means to the selected location at which concrete is to be poured. i

3. The invention recited in claim 2, wherein said discharge chute is mounted on said hopper asserifibly means so as to have a substantially vertical angle ofiinclination.

4. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said concrete mixing vehicle is self-propelled.

'5. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said means for selectively positioning said second portion relative to said first portion is hydraulic means.

6. The invention recited in claim 1, wherein said structure means for supporting said hopper assembly means is a turret structure. 7:5:

7. The invention recited in claim 6, wherein said first portion of said turret structure is a cylindrieal member mounted on said vehicle body to extend vertically upward therefrom, and said second portion of said tur'fet structure is a substantially flat member having a member mounted thereon for rotatably engaging said cylindrical member.

8. In a concrete mixing vehicle wherein a hopper assembly means is mounted on the body of saidyehicle, said hopper assembly means being operable to mixf'a charge of concrete loaded therein and selectively discharge mixed concrete from a discharge portion of said hopper assembly means, the improvement of means for selectively positioning the hopper assembly means relative to the body of said vehicle whereby to selectively position the discharge portion of said hopper assembly means relative to said vehicle body so as to determine the selected" location at which concrete is to be poured.

9. The invention recited in claim 8, including a discharge chute having a substantially vertical angle of inclination mounted on said hopper assembly means adjacent the discharge portion thereof, said discharge chute being operable to channel concrete discharged from said hopper assembly means to the selected location at which concrete is to be poured.

10. A concrete mixing vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle body;

5 a hopper assembly means, said hopper assembly means being rotatable in a igorward direction to mix a charge of concrete loaded 'therein and selectively rotatable ina reverse direction to discharge mixed concrete from a discharge portion of said hopper assembly means; 5

a turret structure for supporting said hopper assembly means over said vehicle body, said turret structure including a cylindrical member fixedly mounted on said vehicle body toextend vertically upward t'liierefrom and a substantially fiat platform member gsaid platform member being in rotatable engagement with said cylindrical mengber, said hopper assembly m1ans being fixedly mouf'njted on said platform memjaer with the discharge portion of said hopper assembly means extending la terally beyond the perimeter? of said platform member and said vehicle. body; anti selectively operable hydraulic means for positioning said platform meni ber relative to said cylindrical member whereby toj selectively position the discharge portion of said hop'per assembly means relative; to said vehicle body so as to determine the selected location at which concrete is to 'be poured.

11. The invention recited in claim 10, wherein said concrete mixing vehicle'is self-propelled,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,185,450 5/1965 Duecy 259- 172 3,334,872 8/1967 Hansen 259-172 3,367,636 2/1968 Duecy 259'175X 3,424,440 1/ 1969 Upham 259177X ROBERT w. JENKINS, Primary Examiner 40 US. Cl. X.R.