U.S. patent application number 10/253978 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for fold-over chute safety device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Schwing America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Eull, Thomas E., Schumacher, Charles Peter.
Application Number | 20040055852 10/253978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31993260 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040055852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eull, Thomas E. ; et
al. |
March 25, 2004 |
FOLD-OVER CHUTE SAFETY DEVICE
Abstract
The spacing device mounted to a two-section chute system
prevents inadvertent contact between the two chute sections. The
spacing device includes a mounting flange and a blocking member
positionable between first and second pivotally attached chute
sections of a concrete mixing truck. The first chute section
comprises an annular flange that is configured to contact an
arcuate edge of the second chute section. The mounting flange is
connected to a second end of the first chute section and the
blocking member is attached to the mounting flange. The blocking
member comprises a contact surface that is configured to engage a
portion of the arcuate edge of the second chute section when the
spacing device is in a blocking position. In the blocking position,
the spacing device holds the first and second chute sections in a
partially open position to prevent unintended contact between the
chute sections.
Inventors: |
Eull, Thomas E.; (Blaine,
MN) ; Schumacher, Charles Peter; (Cedarburg,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KINNEY & LANGE, P.A.
THE KINNEY & LANGE BUILDING
312 SOUTH THIRD STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55415-1002
US
|
Assignee: |
Schwing America, Inc.
White Bear Lake
MN
|
Family ID: |
31993260 |
Appl. No.: |
10/253978 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
193/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B28C 5/4251
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
193/006 |
International
Class: |
B65G 011/00 |
Claims
1. A concrete chute safety system having first and second chute
sections of a concrete mixing truck, wherein the first chute
section comprises an annular flange adjacent to a second end of the
first chute section, and the second chute section comprises an
arcuate edge configured to contact the annular flange of the first
chute section, the second chute section being pivotally connected
to the first chute section, the safety system comprising: a
mounting flange connected to the first chute section adjacent to
the second end and proximate to the pivotal connection of the first
and second chute sections; a blocking member attached to the
mounting flange, the blocking member comprising a contact surface
spaced from the annular flange, the contact surface being
positioned to contact a portion of the arcuate edge when the
blocking member is in a first position.
2. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the mounting flange is
connected to the annular flange.
3. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the mounting flange is
connected to the first chute section adjacent the annular
flange.
4. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the mounting flange is
welded to the first chute section.
5. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the mounting flange is
bolted to the first chute section.
6. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the blocking member is
pivotally attached to the mounting flange.
7. The safety system of claim 6 and further comprising means for
urging the blocking member towards the first position.
8. The safety system of claim 7 wherein the means for urging the
blocking member toward the first position comprises a spring having
first and second ends, the first end connected to the first chute
section, the second end connected to the blocking member.
9. The safety system of claim 7 wherein the means for urging the
blocking member toward the first position comprises a weighted arm
extending from the blocking member.
10. The safety system of claim 1 and further comprising a means for
aligning the contact surface with the portion of the arcuate edge
when the blocking member is in the first position.
11. The safety system of claim 10 wherein the means for aligning
the contact surface comprises a protrusion connected to the
blocking member, the protrusion being positioned to contact the
first chute section adjacent to the annular flange when the
blocking member is in the first position and to align the contact
surface with the arcuate edge of the second chute section when the
blocking member in the first position.
12. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the contact surface of the
blocking member is configured to retain the second chute section
relative to the first chute section by a predetermined angle when
the blocking member is in the first position.
13. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the blocking member
comprises: a first plate having first and second ends and first and
second edges, the first plate attached to the mounting flange
adjacent to the first end of the first plate; a second plate having
first and second ends and first and second edges, the first edge of
the second plate connected to the second edge of the first plate,
the second plate extending generally transversely from the first
plate, wherein the second edge of the second plate comprises the
contact surface.
14. The safety system of claim 13 wherein the first plate is
pivotally attached to the mounting flange.
15. The safety system of claim 1 and further comprising: a handle
connected to the blocking member and spaced from the contact
surface.
16. A spacing device for use between first and second chute
sections of a concrete mixing truck, wherein the first chute
section comprises an annular flange adjacent to a second end of the
first chute section, and the second chute section comprises an
arcuate edge configured to contact the annular flange of the first
chute section, the second chute section being pivotally connected
to the first chute section, the spacing device comprising: a
mounting flange for mounting to the first chute section adjacent to
the second end and proximate to the pivotal connection of the first
and second chute sections; a blocking member connected to the
mounting flange, the blocking member comprising a contact surface
spaced from the mounting flange, the contact surface being
configured to contact a portion of the arcuate edge when the
mounting flange is mounted to the first chute section, to maintain
the first and second chute sections in a spaced relationship.
17. The spacing device of claim 16 wherein the blocking member is
pivotally connected to the mounting flange.
18. The spacing device of claim 16 wherein the contact surface of
the blocking member is configurable to retain the second chute
section relative to the first chute section by a predetermined
angle when the mounting flange is mounted to the first chute
section and the blocking member is in a first position.
19. The spacing device of claim 16 wherein the blocking member
further comprises: a first plate having first and second ends and
first and second edges, the first plate attached to the mounting
flange adjacent to the first end of the first plate; a second plate
connected to the second edge of the first plate, the second plate
extending transversely from the first plate, wherein the second
edge of the second plate comprises the contact surface.
20. The spacing device of claim 19 wherein the first plate is
pivotally attached to the mounting flange.
21. The spacing device of claim 17 and further comprising means for
urging the blocking member toward a first position when the
mounting flange is mounted to the first chute section.
22. The spacing device of claim 21 wherein the means for urging the
blocking member toward the first position comprises a spring having
first and second ends, the first end connectable to the first chute
section, the second end connected to the blocking member.
23. The spacing device of claim 21 wherein the means for urging the
blocking member toward the first position comprises a weighted arm
extending from the blocking member.
24. The spacing device of claim 16 and further comprising: a handle
connected to the blocking member and spaced from the contact
surface.
25. The spacing device of claim 16 and further comprising a means
for aligning the contact surface with the portion of the arcuate
edge when the mounting flange is mounted to the first chute section
and the blocking member is in a first position.
26. The spacing device of claim 25 wherein the means for aligning
the contact surface comprises a protrusion connected to the
blocking member, the protrusion being positionable to contact the
first chute section adjacent to the annular flange and to align the
contact surface with the arcuate edge of the second chute section
when the mounting flange is mounted to the first chute section and
the blocking member is in the first position.
27. A blocking device for use with a concrete chute safety system
on a concrete mixing truck wherein the concrete chute includes a
first chute section having a first end connected to the truck, the
first chute section having an annular flange adjacent to a second
end of the first chute section and having a mounting flange
adjacent to the annular flange, the concrete chute further
including a second chute section having an arcuate edge configured
to contact the annular flange of the first chute section, the
second chute section being pivotally attached to the first chute
section adjacent to the arcuate edge and the second end of the
first chute section, the blocking device comprising: a blocking
member, the blocking member comprising a first surface configured
for connection to the mounting flange, and a second surface, spaced
from the first surface, the second surface configured to contact
the arcuate edge of the second chute section when the blocking
member is mounted to the mounting flange.
28. The blocking device of claim 27 wherein the blocking member is
pivotally mountable to the mounting flange.
29. The blocking device of claim 27 wherein the second surface of
the blocking member is configured to retain the second chute
section relative to the first chute section by a predetermined
angle when the blocking member is mounted to the mounting flange
and in a first position.
30. The blocking device of claim 27 and further comprising: a first
plate having first and second ends and first and second edges, the
first plate to the mounting flange adjacent to the first end of the
first plate, wherein the first plate comprises the first surface of
the blocking device; a second plate connected to the second edge of
the first plate, the second plate extending transversely from the
first plate, wherein the second edge of the second plate comprises
the second surface of the blocking member.
31. The blocking device of claim 30 wherein the first plate is
pivotally attachable to the mounting flange.
32. The blocking device of claim 30 and further comprising: a
handle connected to the first edge of the first plate.
33. The blocking device of claim 32 wherein the handle comprises a
weighted arm.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a safety device for a
foldable two-section chute system of a concrete mixing truck. In
particular, the present invention relates to a blocking member
positionable between adjacent ends of two chute sections when the
chute system is transitioning from a folded position to an unfolded
position.
[0002] Concrete mixing trucks are a common sight on the roads and
at construction sites. FIG. 1 depicts a typical concrete mixing
truck 10 used to transport, mix, and pour concrete. The concrete
mixing truck 10 comprises a rotatable drum 12 connected to the
frame of the truck 10. The rotatable drum 12 has an outlet 14
directed towards a two-section chute system 16 comprised of a first
chute section 18 and a second chute section 20. The first chute
section 18 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. The first end 22
of the first chute section 18 is pivotally connected to the
concrete mixing truck 10. The second end 24 of the first chute
section 18 is connected to a hydraulic cylinder 26 that is attached
to the frame of the truck 10. The second chute section 20 has a
first end 28 opposing the second end 24 of the first chute section
18. The first chute section 18 and the second chute section 20 are
attached by a pivotal connection 30 located at top edges 32, 34 of
chute sections 18, 20, respectively, adjacent to the second end 24
of the first chute section 18 and the first end 28 of the second
chute section 20.
[0003] The two chute sections 18, 20 are traditionally capable of
being in either a folded position or an unfolded position. During
transport, the chute sections 18, 20 are placed in the folded
position with the second chute section 20 resting on top of the
first chute section 18 as shown in FIG. 1. When the concrete is
ready for pouring, the second chute section 20 is rotated about the
pivotal connection 30 until the second end 24 of the first chute
section 18 and the first end 28 of the second chute section 20 make
contact. The hydraulic cylinder 26 aligns the unfolded two-section
chute system 16 with the desired location for pouring concrete.
Concrete in the rotatable drum 12 is moved through the outlet 14
onto the chute system 16.
[0004] One of the problems related to the two-section chute system
of concrete mixing trucks occurs when the second chute section is
in the process of unfolding. To move from the folded position to
the unfolded position, the second chute section is initially
manually rotated to an angle sufficient to allow the second chute
section to continue rotating by gravity into the final unfolded
position. The two-section chute system is in the final unfolded
position when the opposing end of the second chute section abuts
the opposing end of the first chute section and the second chute
section is forced to stop its rotation. The weight of the second
chute section, combined with the momentum of the second chute
section from the gravitational rotation, can cause injury to a
person working alongside a concrete mixing truck in the event the
person has a body part located between the opposing edges of the
two chute sections. If a person is unaware that the second chute
section is being unfolded, the person may not be able to remove the
body part from the contact area of the two chute sections in time
to avoid injury. It is thus desirable to improve the safety of
two-section chute systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The spacing device of the present invention prevents
unintended contact between two pivotally attached chute sections of
a concrete mixing truck, where the first chute section comprises an
annular flange adjacent to a second end of the first chute section
and the second chute section comprises an arcuate edge configured
to contact the annular flange of the first chute section. The
spacing device comprises a mounting flange connected adjacent to
the second end of the first chute section and a blocking member
connected to the mounting flange. The blocking member comprises a
contact surface that is spaced from the annular flange and
positioned to contact a portion of the arcuate edge of the second
chute section when the blocking member is in a blocking
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete mixing truck with
a two-section chute system known in the art.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two-section chute system
in a folded position showing the spacing device of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of a two-section chute system in a
partially open position showing the spacing device of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a two-section chute
system showing the spacing device of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of
a first chute section with the spacing device of the present
invention in a blocking position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of opposing portions
of the first and second chute sections with the spacing device of
the present invention in a non-blocking position.
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the front facing
side of the spacing device of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of
the first chute section with a second embodiment of the spacing
device of the present invention in a blocking position.
[0014] While the above-identified drawing figures set forth
preferred embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also
contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this
disclosure presents the present invention by way of representation
and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other
modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in
the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of
this invention. It should be specifically noted that the figures
have not been drawn to scale, as it has been necessary to enlarge
certain portions for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] To better illustrate the spacing device 36 of the present
invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the
two-section chute system 16 shown in FIG. 1. The first chute
section 18 is comprised of an elongated arcuate wall 38 that
terminates in an arcuate edge 40 at second end 24. The arcuate wall
38 of the first chute section 18 has a diameter D1 at the second
end 24 adjacent to the pivotal connection 30. An annular flange 42
is connected to an outer surface 44 of the arcuate wall 38 adjacent
to the arcuate edge 40 of the first chute section 18. The second
chute section 20 is comprised of an elongated arcuate wall 46 that
terminates in an annular, arcuate edge 48 at the first end 28. The
arcuate wall 46 of the second chute section 20 has a diameter D2 at
the first end 28 adjacent to the pivotal connection 30. The
diameter D2 of the second chute section 20 is slightly greater than
the diameter D1 of the first chute section 18.
[0016] The pivotal connection 30 is formed by a hinge 50 that
connects the top edge 32 of the first chute section 18 to the top
edge 34 of the second chute section 20 near the arcuate edges
40,48. In the transition from the folded position to the unfolded
position, the second chute section 20 is rotated about the hinge
50. Because the diameter D2 of the arcuate wall 46 of the second
chute section 20 is greater than the diameter D1 of the arcuate
wall 38 of the first chute section 18, an inner surface portion 52
of the second chute section 20 overlaps the outer surface portion
44 of the first chute section 18 when the chute sections 18, 20 are
in a fully unfolded position. In the unfolded position, arcuate
edge 48 of the second chute section 20 engages annular flange 42 of
the first chute section 18.
[0017] To prevent the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section
20 from uncontrollably coming into contact with the annular flange
42 of the first chute section 18 during the unfolding process, a
spacing device 36 is connected to the chute system 16. In one
embodiment, the spacing device 36 is mounted to the annular flange
42 of the first chute section 18 near the hinge 50. The spacing
device 36 is comprised of a blocking member 54 with a contact
surface 56 that is spaced rearwardly from the annular flange 42 of
the first chute section 18. The contact surface 56 of the blocking
member 54 is positioned to make contact with a portion of the
arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20 when the spacing
device 36 is in a blocking position. The chute sections 18, 20,
hinge 50, and spacing device 36 each are formed from a heavy metal
material.
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the spacing device 36 in the
blocking position. As shown in FIG. 3, spacing device 36 is located
on first chute section 18 so as to prevent second chute section 20
from fully unfolding. Thus, spacing device 36 engages arcuate edge
48 of second chute section 20 at a point spaced from annular flange
42. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 4, the spacing device 36 is
positioned between the annular flange 42 of the first chute section
18 and the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20. As the
second chute section 20 unfolds about the hinge 50, the contact
surface 56 of blocking member 54 is axially aligned with a portion
of the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20, preventing
engagement between the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section
20 and the annular flange 42 of the first chute section 18. The
angle formed by the spacing device 36 while in the blocking
position is a function of the angle of the contact surface 56 and
is selected to create a gap G of sufficient size to prevent harmful
contact of second chute section 20 against a person's
extremities.
[0019] Spacing device 36 is urged towards the blocking position by
a biasing means, which in one embodiment comprises an elongated
coil spring 58. Other biasing structures can be used without
departing from the intended scope of the invention, as will be
evident to those skilled in the art. The elongated coil spring 58
has a first end 60 and a second end 62. The first end 60 of the
coil spring 58 is connected to the second end 24 of the first chute
section 18. The second end 62 of the coil spring 58 is connected to
the blocking member 54. By way of a non-limiting example, the first
and second ends 60, 62 of the coil spring 58 are connected to the
second end 24 of the first chute section 18 and the blocking member
54, respectively, by eye-bolts 64, 66.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
second end 24 of the first chute section 18 with blocking member 54
in the blocking position. In one preferred embodiment, the blocking
member 54 comprises first and second plates 68, 70. The first plate
68 has a first end 72 and a second end 74, and a first edge 76 and
a second edge 78. The first plate 68 is pivotally attached to a
mounting flange 80 by a pivotal connection 82. A handle 84 is
connected to the first edge 76 of the first plate 68. The handle 84
extends in the same plane as the first plate 68 and away from the
arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section 18. A protrusion 86 is
connected to the second edge 78 of the first plate 68 at second end
74. The protrusion 86 extends in the same plane as the first plate
68 and towards the arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section
18.
[0021] The phantom illustration of FIG. 5 shows the inner sidelong
portion of blocking member 54. The protrusion 86 of the first plate
68 contacts the arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section 18 and
helps align the contact surface 56 of the blocking member 54 with
the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20 when the spacing
device 36 is in the blocking position. When in the blocking
position, protrusion 86 is positioned to engage the outer surface
44 of the arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section 18, adjacent
to the annular flange 42. Although FIG. 5 depicts the protrusion 86
at the second end 74 of the second edge 78 of the first plate 68,
the protrusion 86 can be located at other areas along the second
edge 78 of the first plate 68 without departing from the intended
scope of the invention, as will be evident to those skilled in the
art. The length of protrusion 86 is designed to space the blocking
member 54 at a distance from the arcuate wall 38 of the first chute
section 18 such that the contact surface 56 of the blocking member
54 is axially aligned with the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute
section 20. Thus, when the second chute section 20 is unfolding,
the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20 will engage the
contact surface 56 of the blocking member 54, preventing
unintentional abutment of the first and second chute sections 18,
20.
[0022] The second plate 70 has a first end 88 and a second end 90,
and a first edge 92 and a second edge 94. The first edge 92 of the
second plate 70 is connected transversely to the first plate 68,
such as by welding, adjacent to the second edge 78 of the first
plate 68, forming a right angle between the first plate 68 and the
second plate 70. The second edge 94 of the second plate 70
comprises the angled contact surface 56 of the blocking member 54.
Both first and second plates 68, 70 are formed from a metal, such
as ASTM A36 plate steel having a wall thickness of about 0.375
inches. In one preferred embodiment blocking member 54 has a height
of about 4.50 inches, with contact surface 56 sloping at an angle
of about 20 degrees relative to first plate 68. For this preferred
embodiment, the maximum width of second plate 70 relative to first
plate 68 is about 2.50 inches.
[0023] The pivotal connection 82 connects the blocking member 54 to
the mounting flange 80. Although FIG. 5 depicts the pivotal
connection 82 of the blocking member 54 to the mounting flange 80
at the first end 72 of the first plate 68, the pivotal connection
82 can be located at other areas of the first plate 68 without
departing from the intended scope of the invention, as will be
evident to those skilled in the art. The pivotal connection 82
allows the blocking member 54 to shift between the blocking and
non-blocking positions. By way of a non-limiting example, the
pivotal connection 82 of the blocking member 54 to the mounting
flange 80 is formed by a nut and bolt connection 96.
[0024] While the blocking member 54 of the present invention is
comprised of first and second plates 68, 70, there are other forms
that the blocking member 54 can take without departing from the
intended scope of the invention, as will be evident to those
skilled in the art. By way of a non-limiting example, the blocking
member 54 may be comprised of a solid block of material with the
pivotal connection 82 of the blocking member 54 to the mounting
flange 80 located at an aperture extending through the entire
length of the block. Alternatively, the blocking member 54 may be
comprised of a solid block of material with the pivotal connection
of the blocking member 54 to the mounting flange 80 located at a
mortise section of the blocking member 54.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of blocking member 54
that has been pivoted out of the blocking position. The mounting
flange 80 of spacing device 36 connects the blocking member 54 to
the first chute section 18. The mounting flange 80 is connected to
the first chute section 18 adjacent to the arcuate edge 40 of the
first chute section 18 and near the top edge 32 of the first chute
section 18. In one preferred embodiment, the mounting flange 80 is
connected to the annular flange 42 of the first chute section 18
proximate to the top edge 32 of the first chute section 18. The
mounting flange 80 is formed from a metal, such as plate steel,
like first and second plates 68, 70.
[0026] Blocking member 54 is pivoted from the blocking position to
the non-blocking position by pulling on the handle 84 to pivot
blocking member 54 until the contact surface 56 no longer engages
the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20. As a result,
the inner surface portion 52 of the arcuate wall 46 of the second
chute section 20 is allowed to overlap the outer surface 44 of the
arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section 18, allowing the arcuate
edge 48 of the second chute section 20 to engage the annular flange
42 of the first chute section 18.
[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the front facing
side of spacing device 36 in a non-blocking position. When it is
confirmed that no body extremities are located between the first
and second chute sections 18, 20, the blocking member 54 is pivoted
away from the arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section 18 about
the nut and bolt connection 96. As the blocking member 54 is
pivoted away from the first chute section 18, the elongated coil
spring 58 is stressed. With the spacing device 36 in the
non-blocking position, the second chute section 20 completes the
gravitational rotation about the hinge 50 and the arcuate edge 48
of the second chute section 20 engages the annular flange 42 of the
first chute section 18. When the two-section chute system 16 is in
the fully unfolded position, the protrusion 86 of the first plate
68 rests against the first end 28 of the second chute section 20.
When the second chute section 20 is rotated back about hinge 50 to
the folded position, blocking member 54 is urged back to the
blocking position by elongated coil spring 58.
[0028] The pivotal connection 82 of the blocking member 54 to the
annular flange 42 offers an easy and reliable operation of spacing
device 36. In the event concrete slurry contacts the pivotal
connection 82, it is still able to reliably align blocking member
54 with the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20. The
constant pivoting motion of the blocking member 54 between the
non-blocking and blocking positions loosens and clears concrete
fines or other foreign matter contacting spacing device 36.
Protrusion 86 provides a visual means for confirming that blocking
member 54 has been fully returned to the blocking position and that
it is ready for spacing the chute sections 18, 20 in a subsequent
unfolding process.
[0029] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
second end 24 of the first chute section 18 with blocking member 54
in the blocking position. The first and second plates 68, 70,
pivotal connection 82 and protrusion 86 of FIG. 8 are identical to
the first and second plates 68, 70, pivotal connection 82 and
protrusion 86 described in FIG. 5. According to the embodiment of
FIG. 8, a weighted arm 98 replaces handle 84 and elongated coil
spring 58 of the embodiment of FIG. 5. The weighted arm 98 has a
first end 100 and a second end 102. The first end 100 of weighted
arm 98 is connected to a lower corner 101 at the second end 74 of
the first plate 68. The weighted arm 98 extends at a predetermined
angle in the same plane as the first plate 68 and away from the
arcuate wall 38 of the first chute section 18. The weighted arm 98
extends at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180
degrees from the first edge 76 of the first plate. In one preferred
embodiment, weighted arm extends at an angle of about 135 degrees
relative to the first edge 76 of the first plate 68.
[0030] The second end 102 of weighted arm 98 is bulbous and
comprises a sufficient weight to return the blocking member 54 to
the blocking position by gravity. In a preferred embodiment, the
weighted arm 98 is 5.00 inches in length and has a weight of about
0.90 pounds with a center of gravity about 3.50 inches from the
point of attachment of the first end 100 to the blocking member 54.
Arm 98 is made of a metal material.
[0031] The weighted arm 98 of blocking member 54 offers a simple
and reliable means of urging the blocking member 54 to the blocking
position. In the event concrete slurry contacts the spacing device
36, the weighted arm 98 is still able to reliably align blocking
member 54 with the arcuate edge 48 of the second chute section 20.
The weighted arm 98 relies on gravity alone to pivot the blocking
member 54 about the pivotal connection 82 of the blocking member 54
to the mounting flange 80 back to the blocking position. As
previously mentioned in FIG. 7, the constant pivoting motion of the
blocking member 54 between the non-blocking and blocking positions
loosens and clears concrete fines or other foreign matter from
contacting spacing device 36. The spacing device 36 of FIG. 8 does
not rely on any other movable members to return the blocking member
54 to the blocking position. After the blocking member 54 has been
pivoted about pivotal connection 82, protrusion 86 provides a
visual means for confirming that blocking member 54 has been fully
returned to the blocking position.
[0032] A spacing device of the present invention includes a
blocking member that is pivotally attached to a flange mounted
adjacent to an end of a first chute section. The blocking member
provides a contact surface that engages an arcuate edge of a second
pivotally attached chute section when the blocking member is in a
blocking position and the second chute section is being unfolded.
The contact surface of the blocking member spaces the opposing ends
of the chute sections at a predetermined angle, preventing
unintentional or uncontrolled contact between the first and second
chute sections. When it is confirmed that it is safe to allow the
arcuate edge of the second chute section to fully engage the first
chute section, the blocking member is pivoted from the blocking
position, thereby allowing the second chute section to complete the
unfolding process.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *