US3826410A

US3826410A - Electric mortar spreader

Info

Publication number: US3826410A
Application number: US00316439A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Meyer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-18
Filing date: 1972-12-18
Publication date: 1974-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-30

Abstract

An electric mortar spreader having a mortar container which is movable on anti-friction rollers and having a rearwardly inclined chute bottom. A pair of apertures through the rear wall of the container are gated to meter the flow of mortar therethrough. A lever is provided through the container operating two flapper valve elements selectively opening and closing ports through the bottom of the container and serving the apertures simultaneously. The lever is spring biased to close the ports on release of the lever and the lever actuates a normally open electrical switch. The electrical switch, when closed, permits electrical current to flow through a vibrator element secured beneath the inclined bottom of the container. The vibrator is suspended to impart oscillations to the container at the rear thereof and immediately beneath the floor or bottom adjacent the ports. A guide is secured to the side of the container and is selectively movable to depend below the lower line of block.

Description

United States Patent Meyer .[ll] 3,826,410 July 30, 1974 1 ELECTRIC MORTAR SPREADER [76] Inventor: Warren H. Meyer, Rt. No. 1, Box

16, Atlanta, Mich. 49709 [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 316,439

[52] US. Cl. 222/178 [51] Int. Cl. A0lc 19/00 [58] Field of Search 222/178, 196, 199, 176,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,34 l .691 2/l944 Ciccskc 4. 222/176 Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Miller, Morriss, Pappas & McLeod [57] ABSTRACT An electric mortar spreader having a mortar container which is movable on anti-friction rollers and having a rearwardly inclined chute bottom. A pair of apertures through the rear wall of the container are gated to meter the flow of mortar therethrough. A lever is provided through the container operating two flapper valve elements selectively opening and closing ports through the bottom of the container and serving the apertures simultaneously. The lever is spring biased to close the ports on release of the lever and the lever actuates a normally open electrical switch. The electrical switch, when closed, permits electrical current to flow through a vibrator element secured beneath the inclined bottom of the container. The vibrator is suspended to impart oscillations to the container at the rear thereof and immediately beneath the floor or bottom adjacent the ports. A guide is secured to the side of the container and is selectively movable to depend below the lower line of block.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a new and improved mortar spreader and in particular is a mortar spreader which is equipped withan electric vibrator element which flows the mortar in an even and steadystream in a pair of ribbons applied directly to building materials, such as cinder or concrete blocks. The invention is relatively self-cleaning and can be used rapidly by guiding on the edge of the underlying block course. The master valve for flow is directly connected to the switch lever which starts and stops the'motor-vibrator and the flow cut-off is easily achieved by turning off the mortar by closure of the openings through which the mortar flows. 'The connection of vibrator to container expedites the smooth flow and applies the vibrations most expeditiously to the side and bottom of the container portion. A metering gate assures a controlled volume of flow as desired and roughly strikes off the top of the mortar ribbons by the screed-like action of the spreader box and gate.

THE PRIOR ART The prior art, as known, is represented by the US. Pat. of Bukey 3,566,491; ofCiceske 2,341,69l and Erp 2,674,l 16. The general problem posed by the prior art is how to accelerate flow and assure that the flow of mortar is smooth and even. The application of the vibrator and modification of the gates and valves to accommodate increased uniform flow is the primary contribution of the applicant.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION In general, the electric mortar spreader comprises a mortar container having a baffle bottom formed at an incline downward toward the rear of the container. The rear of the container has reference to the trailing portion of the container as it is moved along a line of 'masonry or block. The bottom is bifurcated by a central ridge which acts as a flow divider. On each side of the central ridge is an opening located adjacent the rear wall of the container and each is normally closed by a trap plate closure or valve. The valves are simultaneously actuated by a lever extending transversely through the container. The lever is connected to the valves or plate closures so that the plates move as the lever moves. The lever also is biased to close the openings and the lever engages a switch upon opening the plate closures and the switch activates an electric powered motor-vibrator caged and housed beneath the baffle bottom and principally imparting vibration to the rear portion of the container and particularly the rear wall thereof. The rear wall has a pair of back openings adjacent the lower corners and through which mortar flows, passed downward through the pair of openings in the bottom and flowed over the closure plates and confined laterally by the side wall of the container and the side wall of the vibrator-motor compartment. Gates selectively and slidably cover the openings at the lower corners of the rear wall and can be lowered or raised at selected volume and set depth. A guide is selectively depended from one side of the container to overlap the lower course of masonry or block along which the spreader is pulled. Wheels or rollers are journalled in the container and below the floor or bottom thereof and sized and positioned to tilt the container slightly to the rear supplementing the flow direction of mortar contents toward the rear. The rear pair ofrollers are protected from the mortar flow by the trap-like valve closures which, upon opening, act like chutes flowing the mortar above the wheels and to the rear through the openings at the lower corners of the rear wall. The

' wheels provide an anti-friction contact with the masonry or block course. The container and spreader is manually drawn along the course of masonry or block and the lever, when depressed, assures flow through the closures in the baffle bottom and the setting of the valve gates establishes volume and thickness of flow, the vibrator assuring uniformity of flow and substantially self-cleaning or emptying the container. A cover houses the motor-vibrator from normal spray cleaning of the container from the open top. The cover may be removed and the motor-vibrator may be disengaged from its mounting where severe cleaning is required. Suitable lubrication seals are provided on operating shafting so that lubrication is applied effectively and dirt and grime is kept out of the journals and bearings.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mortar spreader in accord with the present invention shown moving in a forwardly direction while laying a twin band trail of mortar at the rear end on a course of building block.

FIG. 2 is a rear end elevation view of the mortar spreader in accord with the present invention and best showing the gate valve over the mortar opening at the lower corners of the rear end of the mortar spreader.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the mortar spreader seen. in FIG. 2 and indicating the slant of the bottom of the container portion and the block edge guide in the lifted position.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the mortar spreader on the side opposite the FIG. 3 and indicating the operating lever, the handle on the forward end of the container, and the respective orientation of the wheels elevating the front of the container slightly to facilitate feed of mortar rearwardly.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the spreader as seen in FIGS. 1-4 and with the cover removed from the motor-vibrator and showing the motor base secured to the rear end of the container to impart vibrating force to the container midway between the chute openings and beneath the inclined bottom.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the operating lever secured fixedly to the pair of spaced apart closures and which form chutes upon opening for discharged mortar. A switch trip also extends from the lever between the closure plates and a spring return lever and spring are also shown.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vibrator-mortar assembly as cradled in a pan-like motor base anchored to a vibration bracket and a closure plate closing the motor compartment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the sheet metal forms assembled to provide the container, floor or inclined bottom, valve gate straps and the compartment elements or walls isolating the mortar from wheels and from direct contact with motor in or passing through the container.

FIG. 9 is a fragmental partially schematic elevation and indicating the electric circuit as applied to the present invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, the mortar spreader 11 of the present invention is shown moving along a course of cement block 12 and applying twin ribbons 13 and 14 to the upper surfaces of the blocks 15 in readiness for the application of the next uppermost course ofblocks 15'. The mortar spreader 11 includes a handle 16 permitting the spreader 11 to be rolled by pulling easily along the course 12. The spreader 11 also includes an operating crank handle or lever 17 which opens a pair of spaced apart flapper valves (not seen in FIG. 1); activates a switch (not seen in FIG. 1); and the-switch in turn activates a motor-vibrator within the structure of the spreader 11. The consequent vibrations assures that the contents of the spreader 11 will smoothly flow the mortar in ribbons 13 and 14 through the apertures of

gates

18 and 19. The vibrator is served by electricity available'through the service cord 20. The cord 20 is plugged into an available source of electricity provided, for example, by an extension cord and receptacle to the job site. The plug 21 is merely inserted into the extension receptacle (not shown) and the mortar spreader 11 is ready for service. The major portion of the spreader 11 comprises a container 22 into which mixed mortar 23 is dumped. The container 22, when opened at the bottom, flows the mortar in a bifurcated manner toward the

gates

18 and 19. Wheelslnot seen in FIG. 1) are journalled beneath the container 22 and the I axles 24 and 25 with suitable lubrication seals are visible through the side panel 26.- The wheels gap the container 22 slightly above the top of the block course 12. The axle 24 is slightly below the elevation of the axle 25 and the wheels are so proportioned that there is a slight rearward tilt to the spreader container 22 as it is rolled along the course 12. The

gates

18 and 19 are valved selectively by the valve control element comprising the shutter-like valve plate 27, the central lifting link 28,,the lever link 29 and the thumb screw compression strap lock 30. The valve plate 27 has a pair of depending plane extensions 27a and 27b which are selectively movable up and down in the slide slots 31 formed by the wrapper strip 32 which defines the uppermost position of the

gates

18 and 19. The wrapper strip 32 is secured to the container 22 as by welding, riveting or the like.

In FIG. 2, the operation of the meter valve plate 27 serving the

gates

18 and 19 is best appreciated and the rear wheels 33 on the axles 24 are best seen. The front wheels 34 are also visible at a slightly more depended position to provide the rearward tilt to the container 22 as previously mentioned. The plate extensions 27a and 27b may be adjustably lowered to cover the variable

apertured gates

18 and 19, respectively, at an equal or different height depending on the metering setting of the valve control plate 27. Hence, the plate 27 serves as a screed-like striker selecting the thickness of and metering the flow of the ribbons of mortar l3 and 14. Without the action of the vibrator, as will be seen, the screed action could not proceed smoothly at a selected height for the metered spread of mortar. From the FIG. 2, the guide or gage element 35, provided on the outside side of the side plate 36 of the container 22 is seen and as the description proceeds, it will be appreciated that the gage can be lowered to serve as a guide depending to contact the edge of the course of block 12. This facilitates the rolling of the spreader 11 guidably along'the course 12.'The channel-shaped rear plate 37 is also best seen as defining the metering apertures or gates 18 and I9 and the rear face with the wrapper strip 32 forming ways 31 for the extensions 27a and 27b of the plate 27.

FIG. 3 best shows the gage or guide 35 and in phantom-line indicates the gage 35 in its depended position to guidably overlap the edge of the course 12. The gage element 35 is a U-shapcd bar which rides flush against the side 36 of the container 22. The tilt arm 40 is selectively tilted to lower or raise the link 41 connected to the gage element 35. The compression clamp 42 holds the selected setting by clamping on the arm 40, as desired. The thumbscrew 43 is simply tightened on a stud as indicated. The journal 17a for the extension of the handle 17 through the container 22 is also seen. The channel-shaped front plate 44 defines the front end of the container 22 which includes the handle 16 and provides for passing the cord 20 therethrough. FIG. 4 shows the spine of the flow divider 45 and floor 46 of the container 22 which together form the rearwardly inclined divided bottom and define openings 47, which, as will be seen, are closed by valve means operable from the handle 17 and are selectively opened allowing flow of mortar 23 or to close stopping mortar flow. The inclined flow divider 45 and floor portion 46 together are formed by a chute baffle which will be better appreciated by description referenced to the FIG. 8.

FIG. 5 shows how the spreader 11 is compartmentalized to provide a central vibrator compartment 50 and flanking wheel compartments 51 and 52. These are defined by the

separator walls

53 and 54 which are channel-like at the ends to abut and reinforce the

end walls

37 and 44 and the tops of the

walls

53 and 54 engage and support the flow divider 45 and floor 46 which together form the chute baffle or bottom of the container 22. The flow divider 45 divides the mortar equally to the openings 47 and the inclination and tilt urges flow through the openings. From the FIG. 5 the alignment and spacing of the front and

rear wheels

34 and 33 assures that the wheels run on the solid portions of the blocks 15 and with the

gates

18 and 19 emitting mortar to the solid portions of the blocks 15 as shown in FIG. 1. It has been previously noted that the

wheels

33 and 34 are sized, and positioned to assure that the container 23 does not drag on the blocks 15. In the center compartment 50 and isolated from direct exposure to dust and dirt, the vibrator base cradle 55 is suspended being supported at the rear by the bracket 56 and at the front by clamp attachment 57 over the axle 25. The mounting bolts 58 support the vibrator-motor as will be seen and the bolts 59 secure the clamp 57 while the bolt 60 attaches the vibrator cradle 55 to the bracket 56 which bracket 56 is secured to the rear lower end of the container plate 37 in the compartment 50. A closure plate covers the compartment 50, as will be seen, and is secured in place by two or more of the bolts. The handle 17 extends across the spreader 11 and through the

compartments

51 and 52 and operates the twin valve closures 62 which are shown in closed relation over the openings 47 in the bottom 46 of the container 22. The handle 17 also contacts the limit switch 63 as the closures 62 are opened. The contact is achieved by the arm 64 which rotates with the handle 17 and closures 62 are fully open they act as ramplike shields overthe rear wheels 33 and flow the mortar 23 through the

gates

18 and 19.

In FIG. 7, the vibrator 70 is shown in cradle support base 55 and the motor 71 is secured thereto by the bolts 58 as previously indicated and the cradle base 55 is secured at the rear to the bracket 56 and at the front to the clamp 57. Hence, the rear of cradle base 55 is effectively attached to the rear wall of the container 22 directly beneath the chute baffles and between the

gates

18 and 19. The motor 71 extends axially and centrally of the compartment 50 and secured at the front to the axle of the wheels 34. A wrap strap 72 is secured to the cradle 55 and provides a firm encircling grip on the motor 71 so that vibratory shock oscillations consequent to rotation of the eccentric mass 73 secured to motor shaft 74 are suitably distributed to the cradle support points at bracket 56 and clamp 57. The cover plate 75 closes the vibrator 70 in the compartment 50 assisted and held in position by selective of the bolts 58-60. An oil seal 76 and radial thrust ball bearings in the motor 71 assure extended motor life. Other. vibrator-motor packs may be used but the described motorvibrator is simple and effective.

The FIG. 8 is helpful in appreciating the simplicity of the mortar spreader 11 and shows the container 22 and compartment construction comprising the base frame of the spreader 11. The chute baffle 80 comprises the spine portion or flow divider 45, the inclined floor 46 and the openings 47 and is formed from a single piece of metal such as stainless steel or the like and is posi tioned in the bottom of the open ended container-22 formed by the ends 37 (rear) and 44 (front) and the

sides

26 and 36. This arrangement provides an inclined false bottom beneath which the compartment 50 is defined and space for the wheels 33and 34. The chute baffle 80 is welded or otherwise fastened so that the valve closures 62 on the handle 17 close the openings 47. The rear end plate 37 has the

gate openings

18 and 19 thereon and the wrap-around strap 32 provides slider guides for the valve plates 27a and 27b as previously described and the strap 32 reinforces the structure at

openings

18 and 19 and on the rear wall 37 which received the principal thrust of the vibrations. Suitable journal openings as shown are provided through the

side walls

26 and 36 to receive the wheel axles and operating handle 17. The spaced apart

plates

53 and 54 reinforce the chute baffle 80 and form the

compartments

50, 51 and 52. The closure plate 75 closes against the perimeter of compartment 50 isolating the vibrator-motor 71 from the work surfaces. The electrical cord is housed in compartments 50 and passes from the switch 63 and motor 71 through the front wall 44 below the handle 17. A suitable cord grommet (not shown) is proivded in the cord opening to avoid chafing of the chord 20 by localized contact with the end plate 44. The sheet metal work is preferably in stainless steel but where best initial economy is sought, heavy gauge zinc dipped or galvanized stock is acceptable.

The FIG. 9, while somewhat schematic, shows the manner of operation of the spreader 11 from the moment the operating handle opens the openings 47 by dropping the valve closure elements 62 with rotation of the operating handle 17. As shown, the closure plates 62 are biased closed over the openings 47 by the spring 66 acting on arm 65. Hence, the motor 71 is off because the switch 63 is open and no circuit can be closed to the motor 71. However, when the operating handle or lever 17 is rotated counterclockwise (as shown) this opens the openings 47 by dropping away the closures and the same motion closes the limit switch 63 starting the vibrator-motor 71. This imparts vibration oscillations through the structure of the spreader 11 commencing at a point immediately below the chute baffle 80 and adjacent the points of emission of mortar through the

gates

18 and 19. This imparts an even smooth flow and the selected screed opening at the

gates

18 and 19 strikes the'fiow to a selected height. The container 22 is drawn along the blocks 15 with an easy smooth motion and gaged or guided by guide 35 along the block course edge as desired. The

wheels

33 and 34 provide good rolling support for spreader 11. The vibrator and its components are lubricated and sealed to be trouble free, but if replacement or service is required, access to the motor and vibrator is easily achieved through removal of the cover plate 75. This also helps in cleaning where it may be desirable to immerse the spreader 11 in a suitable solvent.

The device is fully adjustable and is operative in a wide range of mortar consistencies and in spreading operation achieves a substantial increase in block laying speed. Having thus described a specific operative embodiment of my invention, modifications and improvements will be appreciated by those who are skilled in the art. For example, other mastics may also be spread from this structure and those skilled in the art will perceive obvious changes and improvements in the physical construction of the container and the option of using other vibrator devices. Such improvements and modifications are intended to be included herein limited only by the scope of my hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:

1. A wheeled container having a chute therein and openings therethrough inclined to deliver mortar to the rear;

valve means at said openings, at least one of said valve means operable to activate an electric circuit;

a vibrator in said container beneath said chute and secured to said container imparting vibrations when said valve means are selectively opened; and

an electric circuit actuated by opening said .valve means and energizing said vibrator.

2. A mortar spreader device comprising:

a substantially rectangular wheeled container;

a chute baffle forming an inclined bottom in said container and directing flow in said container toward one end thereof;

a flow divider in said baffle dividing fiow toward the corners of the lower ends of said chute;

a pair of openings through the bottom of said container at the ends of said chute baffle and toward which said flow divider directs flow;

7 8 valve closures simultaneously and tiltably actuated form flow through said container and to and and in said container and movable toward and through said openings by transmission of vibration away from closing said openings; to the contents of said container. back openings at the lower corners of the rear of said 3. The structure in accord with claim 1 wherein said container; 5 vibrator means is secured to said end wall of said convalve gates on the exterior of said container slidable tainer intermediate said openings. 7

on the end of said container to selectively cover 4. The structure in accord with claim 2 wherein said said back openings; and vibrator means is removably secured to said end wall of vibrator means secured to said container and actusaid container.

ated by opening said valved closures assuring uni- 10

Claims

1. A wheeled container having a chute therein and openings therethrough inclined to deliver mortar to the rear; valve means at said openings, at least one of said valve means operable to activate an electric circuit; a vibrator in said container beneath said chute and secured to said container imparting vibrations when said valve means are selectively opened; and an electric circuit actuated by opening said valve means and energizing said vibrator.

2. A mortar spreader device comprising: a substantially rectangular wheeled container; a chute baffle forming an inclined bottom in said container and directing flow in said container toward one end thereof; a flow divider in said baffle dividing flow toward the corners of the lower ends of said chute; a pair of openings through the bottom of said container at the ends of said chute baffle and toward which said flow divider directs flow; valve closures simultaneously and tiltably actuated and in said container and movable toward and away from closing said openings; back openings at the lower corners of the rear of said container; valve gates on the exterior of said container slidable on the end of said container to selectively cover said back openings; and vibrator means secured to said container and actuated by opening said valved closures assuring uniform flow through said container and to and through said openings by transmission of vibration to the contents of said container.

3. The structure in accord with claim 1 wherein said vibrator means is secured to said end wall of said container intermediate said openings.

4. The structure in accord with claim 2 wherein said vibrator means is removably secured to said end wall of said container.