US3804463A

US3804463A - Mobile storage apparatus for use with concrete mixing plants

Info

Publication number: US3804463A
Application number: US00234725A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Mordhusrt
Original assignee: West Coast Concrete Supply Ltd
Current assignee: West Coast Concrete Supply Ltd
Priority date: 1971-04-16
Filing date: 1972-03-15
Publication date: 1974-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-16
Also published as: CA964827A

Abstract

This relates to a mobile storage apparatus adapted for use with a concrete mixing plant or the like. This apparatus includes a plurality of storage bins for aggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permit the bin contents to be released therethrough. Means are provided to connect these bins together, with the bins and the connecting means adapted to permit the bins to be moved relative to one another from first positions wherein they are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration about a common discharge region to second positions in relation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like. The abovementioned discharge means are arranged on their respective bins such that when the latter are in said first positions, any material released through the discharge means enters said common discharge region. Suitable means are provided for securing the bins in said first and second positions.

Description

United States Patent [191 Mordhorst Apr. 16, 1974 MOBILE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR USE WITH CONCRETE MIXING PLANTS [75] l nventori Hans Mordhorst, Surrey,

British Columbia, Canada [73] Assignee: West Coast Concrete Supply Ltd.,

Neyvwestminster, British Columbia,Canac1a 22 Filed: Mar. 15,1972

21 App1.No.:234,725

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 16, 1971 Canada 110547 [52] US. Cl. 298/8 T, 214/17 R, 220/232 [51] Int. Cl B62! 53/00, B60p 1/00 [58] Field of Search 298/8 T, 8 H, 8 R; 214/17 R; 220/232; 105/254; 280/408 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,171,578 2/1916 Albrecht 298/8 T 1,483,893 2/1924 Kipp V 105/254 811,104 l/1906 Stevens..... 298/8 R 690,226 12/1901 'Baggaley 105/254 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 104,109 2/1917 Great Britain 298/8 R 235,201 6/1911 Germany 280/408 958,619 2/1957 Germany 280/408 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson Assistant Examiner-Reinhard J. Eisenzopf Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT This relates to a mobile storage apparatus adapted for use with a concrete mixing plant or the like. This apparatus includes a plurality of storage bins for aggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permit the bin contents to be released therethrough. Means are provided to connect these bins together, with the bins and the connecting means adapted to permit the bins to be moved relative to one another from first positions wherein they are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration about a common discharge region to second positions in relation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like, The above-mentioned discharge means are arranged on their respective bins such that when the latter are in said first positions, any material released through the discharge means enters said common discharge region. Suitable means are provided for securing the bins in said first and second positions.

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SHEE? 7 {IF 8 MOBILE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR USE WITH CONCRETE MIXING PLANTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mobile storage apparatus for use with a concrete mixing plant or the like which is so constructed and arranged as to be easily moved from one job site to another along public highways or the like, and to dry batching plants and concrete mixing plants or the like incorporating such storage apparatus.

The prior art has provided various types of mobile mixing plants including a mobile base section or chassis carrying the various conponents essential to the operation of the plant. Among these components are bin or storage section for aggregates, a mixer unit including drive means for same, and a charging device for carrying aggregates from the storage section to the mixer. One very successful mobile mixing plant of this nature is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,246 issued Apr. 14, 1970 to Hans Mordhorst. This patent discloses a mobile concrete mixing plant including a chassis having a multi-compartment storage bin mounted thereon, the latter being provided with gates whereby aggregates may be selectively released from the various bin compartments as desired. A mixer is mounted on the forward end of the chassis and a skip arrangement is provided which travels between a lower position where it receives material discharged through the gates and an upper position for discharge of the load of aggregates into the mixer. The multi-compartment storage bin shown in the above-mentioned patent, in its operative position, is of necessity substantially wider than the remainder of the mixing plant. However, provision is made for it to be rotated 90 about a vertical axis thereby to cause its longest dimension to lie parallel with the longitudinal axis of the chassis of the mixing plant thus reducing very substantially the overall width of the mixing plant and thus permitting it to travel along public highways and the like.

Mobile mixing plants of the nature described above have proven to be quite satisfactory in small to medium size ranges. However, in the case of very large mixing plants, it is not altogether practical in many cases to mount all of the components of the mixing plant on a single chassis. Among other things, theoverall weight and/or the dimensions of such an arrangement in a very large size plant may substantially exceed local highway regulations. In addition, serious problems arise when one attempts to create a multi-compartment storage bin of large size having a relatively large number of compartments, e.g., four or five, in that it becomes very difficult to provide a design having the required storage capacity while at the same time having dimensions not exceeding those permitted by the highway regulations mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome certain of the disadvantages inherent in apparatus of the type under consideration wherein movement of the apparatus in question along public highways or the like is involved.

Accordingly, the present invention, in one aspect, provides a mobile storage apparatus adapted for use with a concrete mixing plant or the like. This apparatus includes a plurality of storage bins for aggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permit the bin contents to be released there through. Means are provided to connect these bins together in a series relationship, with the bins and the connecting means adapted to permit the bins to be moved relative to one another in a generally horizontal plane from first positions wherein they are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration partly around or about a common discharge region to second positions in tandem relation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like. The above-mentioned discharge means are arranged on their respective bins such that when the latter are in said first positions, any material released through the discharge means enters said common discharge region. Suitable means are provided for securing the bins in said first and second positions.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the bins are connected together by hinge means to permit relative pivotal movement thereof from the abovementioned first to said second positions and vice versa.

According to a further feature the bins and the devices connecting same together are arranged such that when the bins occupy said second positions, they are serially arranged along a substantially straight line. This configuration facilitates highway travel.

In the preferred form of the invention, at least one of the bins is provided with wheel and axle means to facilitate travel of the storage bins. Preferably, the wheel and axle means are provided on both the leading and trailing bins when the latter are in the serially aligned relation mentioned above.

A still further feature of the invention calls for the side walls ofthe bins to be arranged such that when the bins are in said first positions grouped about said common discharge region at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of the bins. In other words, there is substantially no wasted space between adjacent bins when in the configuration mentioned above; all available space can be used for aggregate storage.

In the preferred embodiment of the nvention, each of the bins includes a front wall with the abovementioned discharge means comprising a discharge gate mounted on said front wall to permit aggregates to be released into the common discharge region when desired. The rear walls of the bins are sloped so as to cause the material in the bins to flow or move by gravity toward invention, discharge gate. The bins are of the open-topped variety and may be charged by conventional equipment for this purpose.

The invention, in a further aspect, provides a batch plant for use in a concrete mixing operation comprising a mobile storage apparatus as described above together with a charging device for transporting materials away from the common discharge region to a mixing region spaced therefrom. In the preferred form of the invention, the charging device comprises track means ex tending from a discharge region to the mixing region and a skip for carrying said materials arranged for travel along the track means.

A further feature of the invention provides a complete concrete mixing plant comprising a batch plant as described above in combination with a device located at said mixing region arranged to receive the materials transported thereto by the charging device and adapted to mix same with a suitable binder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein reference is had to drawings wherein:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are side elevation, front elevation and plan views respectively of a concrete mixing plant incorporating the various features of the present invention;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are side elevation, end elevation, and plan views respectively of the mobile storage apparatus per se illustrating the several storage bins thereof in serially arranged alligned relation for highway travel;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the mobile storage apparatus per se in the operative position with the several storage bins grouped about a common discharge region;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the skip hoist tower in the travel position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION General Arrangement Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there will be seen a concrete mixing plant including a mobile storage bin arrangement 10 suitable for holding a plurality of aggregate materials, a mixing device 12 including stirring means therein adapted to thoroughly mix the aggregates together with a binder material to produce a homogeneous concrete mixture or the like, and a charging means 14 including a skip 16 arranged for movement between lower and upper positions thereby to convey aggregate material from the storage bin arrangement 10 to a position above the mixing device I2.

The charging device 14 includes upwardly directed tracks 18 which extend from a lower position beneath the storage bin arrangement 10 first generally horizontally and then upwardly to a position well above the mixer 12. The upper ends of the tracks 18 are supported by means of an upright tower arrangement 20, the latter comprising a plurality of upright members interconnected together by a suitable structural members and cross braced so as to give it the necessary strength and rigidity. The upper end of tower 20 serves to support a hopper arrangement 22 of any suitable design for storing the dry binder material (e.g., concrete cement) and for discharging measured quantities of same into the upper end of the mixer 12. Hopper arrangement 22 may be of any well known conventional design and further description here is not necessary.

The mixing unit 12 used in the above described arrangement may be of any well known conventional type. It mayfor example comprise a turbine-type pan mixer including a generally cylindrical drum having a rotor head therein mounted for rotation about a vertical axis. The rotor head will have a plurality of mixing paddles attached thereto of such configuration as to provide for proper mixing of the batch. The mixer will be provided with suitable hydraulic exit gates to permit a batch of mixed concrete to escape from the mixer. Suitable drive means (not shown) in the form of an electric or gasoline engine, suitable gear box means etc. will be provided to effect driving of the rotor.

Mobile Storage Apparatus for Aggregates As seen from the drawings, the storage apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of separate bins 24 of the opentopped variety, each bin including a discharge means 26 thereon for permitting gravity flow of aggregates outwardly of the bin as desired into a common discharge region 28. In the operative position of the bins as shown in FIGS. 1-3 the several bins 24 are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration or array partly around or about the common discharge region 28 so that the discharge means 26 of the various bins can discharge into the common discharge region 28. As will be described more fully hereafter, the bins can be shifted to occupy relative positions to one another such that they are strung out along a straight line for travel along a highway or the like as shown in FIGS. 4-6.

Each of the storage bins 24 include a pair of vertical side walls 32, the latter being connected to the opposing vertical marginal edges of a vertical front wall 34. Each bin also includes a downwardly and forwardly sloping rear wall 36, the latter being connected at its lowermost edge to the lower end of the vertical front wall 34. By virtue of the downwardly and forwardly sloping wall portions 36, aggregates placed in the several bins 24 tend to slide forwardly under the influence of gravity and come to rest against the front vertical walls 34 of the respective bins.

As seen in plan view, the upper marginal edge of each bin 24 has a generally trapezium-shaped outline. That is, the vertical side walls 34 converge towards each other in the direction of the front wall 34. By virtue of this particular shape, it can be readily seen that when the bins are positioned as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 7 with the vertical side walls of the respective bins adjacent and parallel to one another that such bins assume the overall generally curved or U-shaped configuration about the common discharge region 28 as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 7.

The above-mentioned discharge means 26 on each bin comprises a hydraulically actuated gate assembly disposed adjacent the lower edge of the front wall 34 of each bin. Each of these gate assemblies comprises a slidable gate member 27 arranged for up and down slidingmovement between a pair of opposed guide channels 27a. Each gate 27 is connected to the ram of an associated hydraulic cylinder 27b. The hydraulic cylinders 27b cause the gates 27 to be opened and closed in response to controlled signals thereto to permit the operator to properly proportion the various grades of aggregates from the several bins 24 so that the correct proportions of aggregates are carried upwardly to the mixer 12 by the skip which will be referred to in more detail later on. A discharge spout 270 is disposed below each gate 27 to direct the aggregates into the skip 16.

In order to strengthen each bin and provide the necessary structural support therefor, a rigid steel framework is provided for each bin which takes the form of two horizontally directed members 38 extending outwardly from and connected to points very near the bottom of the bin, the outer end of each member 38 being connected to a vertically disposed strut 40 which extends upwardly from its point of connection with each member 38 to connect with the bin 24 just below its outer upper marginal edge at point 42.

Members

38 and 40 both are generally coplanar with the plane defined by each side wall 32 of the bin. To further reinforce the structure an additional horizontal member 44 interconnects the lower ends of the'vertical struts 42 of each bin.

In the operative position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bins are actually held in a somewhat elevated position by means of support columns 46 which are bolted to and actually serve as continuations of the respective vertical struts 40. Braces 48 serve to give the support assembly an adequate degree of rigidity. Pads 50 at the lower ends of support columns 46 prevent the structure from sinking into the ground.

The storage bins 24 are pivotally connected together by a plurality of hinges defining generally vertically disposed pivot axis, three in number, as designated by the reference numerals 52 (and best seen in FIG. 1) secured in vertically spaced relation to the upright struts 40 of adjacent pairs of bins. The importance of this pivotal connection between adjacent pairs of bins cannot be overemphasized because this feature, in conjunction with the particular bin shape arrangement, permits the bins to be moved from the operative position grouped about the common discharge region 28 to the positions shown in FIGS. 4-6 for travel along a highway. The vertically spaced hinges 52 also prevent relative pivoting between the bins about horizontal axis and therefore there is no need to provide individual ground engaging supports for each bin. As mentioned hereafter, only the leading and trailing bins are supplied with wheel and axle assemblies.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, it will be seen that the bins are arranged in serially aligned relationship. In order to prevent pivotal movement of the bins relative to one another about the vertical axis defined by hinges 52, diagonal steel rod cross bracing members 54 are provided which extend across the open bays 56 defined between the bins as seen in FIGS. 4 and 6.

For ease of mobilityof the storage arrangement along a highway or the like, wheel and axle assemblies 58 are provided for each of the leading and trailing bins of the assmebly. These may be of any well known construction and may, as illustrated in FIG. 5, include a heavy duty axle 60, and heavy duty springs 62 interposed between the axle and the subframe 64. It is highly desirable that the wheel and axle assemblies 58 be mounted for pivotal rotation about a vertical axis relative to the bins with which they are associated. In the travel position as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the draw bar 66 of the trailing wheel axle assembly 58 is locked against pivotal movement about the above-mentioned vertical axis for obvious reasons whereas the front one is left free so that the unit may be steered along the highway as it is pulled by the towing vehicle. However, when the time comes to set up the storage bin arrangement at the operating site. the rear assembly 58 is released, and the draw bar 66 swung around as shown in FIG. 7.

The sequence for setting up the storage bin assembly is illustrated with reference to FIG. 7. The first step is to secure bin A against pivotal movement. Then, bins B. C and D are swung into the operative positions as shown with the discharge means 26 of the various bins directed towards the common discharge region 28. The bins are then secured together against relative pivotal motion by bolts 60 as shown in FIG. 7 and then subsequently the entire storage bin arrangement is elevated by hydraulic jacks or the like to the proper level and the previously mentioned support columns 46 bolted in place and their braces 48 attached. In this condition,

the wheel and axle assemblies 58 are suspended a considerable distance above ground as shown in FIG. 1.

Charging Assembly The previously-mentioned charging assembly includes the track means 18, skip 16 which moves along tracks 18 and powered winch assembly 70 which serves to effect movement of the skip along the tracks.

With special reference to FIG. 1 it will be seen that the lower portion of tracks 18 includes a generally horizontal section 18a upon which the skip 16 is positioned when the latter is at the common discharge position 28. When the skip is positioned here, it is capable of receiving aggregates from any of the bin-s 24. As best seen in FIG. 3, when the gate 27 of any bin is opened, aggregates will flow by virtue of gravitational force outwardly of such bin, and over the discharge spout 27c associated with such discharge gate and into the interior of the skip.

To assist the operator in properly proportioning the various aggregates, suitable weight scales may be connected to the horizontal track section 18a to give an indication of the weight of the contents in the skip at any given time. Various types of weigh scales are well known in the art and a further description of same is not necessary here.

The skip 16 which basically comprises an opentopped box including wheels or rollers thereon to engage tracks 18, is moved along the latter by means of a powered winch arrangement 70 including a reel 72 thereon driven by electric motor 74 whereby to reel up and pay out a length of cable 76 interconnected between reel 72 and the skip 16.

The discharge position of skip 1.6 is shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. It will be seen here that the rear portion of the skip includes a pivotally mounted section 16 which engages with a suitable tripping device (not shown) when the skip reaches the discharge position thereby to cause the pivotally mounted section 16 to swing downwardly and allow the contents of the skip to flow downwardly and rearwardly out of the skip and into the open upper end of the mixer 12. At or about the same time a measured quantity of cement is released from the hopper arrangement 22 and water from a suitable source (not shown) is added to the mixture in mixer 12 whereby to produce the desired blend of materials.

The skip hoist tower is shown in FIG. 8 in the travel position. It will be noted here that the track 18 has been folded at two joints 18b and 18c for that purpose whereby to make the unit relatively compact and capable of being moved along a public highway. It will also be noted that the lower end of the tower 20 is provided with wheel and axle means 21 whereby to enable the latter to be towed by truck in trailer-like fashion.

In order to illustrate the tremendous reduction in width achieved by virtue of the present invention, several of the important dimensions of an illustrative embodiment of the invention will now be referred to. With reference to FIG. 3, the storage bin arrangement 10 has four bins, each having a length dimension L of seventeen feet. The bin width W,, is 9 1% feet. The overall width W of the bin assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 3 was 29 /2 feet. Obviously, a device having a width of this order can not possibly be moved along most public highways unless, of course, a special route is selected and special travel arrangements made. However, with the storage bin arrangement placed in the travel position as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the overall width in the travel position W, is equal to 9 /2 feet, i.e. equal to the width of the individual bins. The overall length L, of the four bin arrangement shown was 68 /2 feet.

For purposes of this specification the term batch plant will refer to the aggregate storage arrangement in combination with the mixer charging apparatus. The term mixing plant refers to the whole combination of the storage arrangement, charging apparatus and mixing device.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, many modifications thereto fall within the scope of the invention. For example, the specific storage bin arrangement shown can be used with other types of charging and mixing assemblies. For example, the storage bin arrangement shown could be utilized in conjunction with a charging and mixing arrangement very similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,246 issued Apr. 14, 1970 to Hans Mordhorst. The number of bins may be varied considerably; however, as a practical matter the number of bins will range from about three to about five. Various other modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the specific examples given above and hence for a determination of the scope of the invention, reference is to be had to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Mobile storage apparatus comprising a plurality of storage bins for aggregates or like material, each bin having a discharge means thereon to permit the bin contents to be released therethrough, means connecting said bins together in a series relationship to permit said bins to be moved relative to one another in a generally horizontal plane from first positions wherein said bins are grouped in an overall generally curved configuration or array partly around or about a common discharge region to second positions in tandem relation to each other suitable for travel of the mobile storage apparatus along a highway or the like, said discharge means being arranged on their respective bins such that when said bins are in said first positions any material released through said discharge means is directed into said common discharge region, and means for securing each of said bins in fixed position with respect to the others in said second positions for travel along a highway or the like.

2. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each bin includes a pair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said side walls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in the direction of said front wall and said connecting means pivotally connecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in said first positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of saidbins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common discharge region, said discharge means comprising a discharge gate mounted in the front wall of each bin, and said rear walls being sloped to cause the material in said bins to flow toward said associated discharge gates.

3. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means connecting said bins together comprise hinge means defining generally vertically disposed pivot axes to permit relative pivotal movement of said bins in said generally horizontal plane from said first to said second positions.

4. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each bin includes a pair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said side walls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in the direction of said front wall and said connecting means pivotally connecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in said first positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of said bins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common discharge region. I

5. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bins and the means connecting same together are arranged such that when said bins are in said second positions they are serially arranged along a substantially straight line.

6. Storage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least one bin is provided with wheel and axle means to facilitate said travel of the storage apparatus.

7. Storage apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each bin has a front wall, a pair of side walls, and a rear wall, said bins having a configuration as seen in a plan view, such that when they are in said first positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of said bins with the front walls of said bins facing toward said common discharge region, the rear walls of each bin being sloped to cause the aggregates to move toward said discharge means.

8. Mobile storage apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said discharge means comprises a discharge gate disposed in each of the front walls of the respective bins and a chute means associated with each said gate for assisting in directing the aggregates or like material into said common discharge region.

9. Storage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said bins have a configuration such that they are grouped in an overall partially circular array when in their first positions.

10. Mobile storage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said hinge means between the bins comprises a plurality of vertically spaced hinges between each adjacent pair of bins preventing relative pivoting between the bins about horizontal axes and wherein the leading and trailing bins of the assembly are provided with wheel and axle assemblies to facilitate said travel of the storage apparatus.

Claims

2. Storage apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each bin includes a pair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said side walls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in the direction of said front wall and said connecting means pivotally connecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in said first positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of said bins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common discharge region, said discharge means comprising a discharge gate mounted in the front wall of each bin, and said rear walls being sloped to cause the material in said bins to flow toward said associated discharge gates.

4. Storage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each bin includes a pair of upright side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, said side walls, as seen in a plan view, converging towards each other in the direction of said front wall and said connecting means pivotally connecting said bins together, such that when said bins are in said first positions at least one side wall of each bin is closely adjacent to and substantially parallel to the side wall of another one of said bins with the front walls of said bins facing into said common discharge region.