Power Chute Racking Device Therefor

Abstract

A power chute racking device is disclosed for racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mix truck. A first chute section is pivotally secured to the discharge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to the chute support means and the lower end of the first chute section for raising and lowering the lower end of the first chute section. A second discharge chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of the first discharge chute section and a third discharge chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of the second discharge chute section. A telescoping link means extends between the discharge chute support means and the upper end of the second discharge chute section. The telescoping link means comprises a first link member pivotally secured at one end thereof to the discharge chute support means and having its other end slidably received by one end of a second link member which is pivotally secured to the second discharge chute member. The telescoping link means also comprises a link stop which is moveable into engagement with the second link member to limit the inward slidable movement of the first link member into the second link member at times. The chute sections are racked by first pivotally folding the third chute section over on top of the second chute section. The hydraulic cylinder is then extended so that the link stop can be engaged. After the link stop has been engaged, the hydraulic cylinder is retracted so that the telescoping link means causes the second discharge chute section, and the third discharge chute section folded thereon, to be folded over on top of the first discharge chute section. The discharge chute sections can be lowered by reversing the procedure outlined above.

Description

A problem facing the truck driver of a concrete mix truck is the lifting and the handling of the chute extensions on the discharge chute. As many as three discharge chute sections are normally employed and at least one of the discharge chute extensions must be removed from the discharge chute when the discharge chute is to be folded to an inoperative position. The discharge chute section or extension which has been removed must be stowed on the truck which is obviously a time consuming and inefficient operation.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a power chute racking device for racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mix truck.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute racking device which permits the carrying and racking of one more chute section than is possible with conventional devices.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute racking device including a telescoping link means which may be selectively operated to cause the second and third chute sections to be folded over on top of the first discharge chute section upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinder connected to the first discharge chute section.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute racking device which eliminates the need for removing the lowermost discharge chute section when the discharge chute is to be placed in an inoperative condition for traveling purposes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a power chute racking device which is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a concrete mix truck having the device of this invention mounted thereon:

FIG. 2 is a top view of the devices as seen along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 with portions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention:

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the telescoping link means:

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the chutes in their extended position and the telescoping link stop disengaged:

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 except that the lowermost chute section has been pivoted on top of the second chute section and the hydraulic cylinder extended and the telescoping link stop engaged:

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrating the manner in which the second and third chute sections are folded over on top of the first section; and

FIG. 7 illustrates the chute sections in their folded conditions.

The numeral 10 refers to conventional concrete mix truck having a discharge chute support means 12 at the rearward end thereof. A chute section 14 is pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontal axis at 16 to the support means 12. A double acting hydraulic cylinder 18 is pivotally connected at its base end to the support means 12 and is pivotally connected at its rod end to bracket 20 secured to the lower end of the chute section 14. The numeral 22 refers to an over-center toggle secured to one side of the chute section 14 and having a chain 24 secured thereto. A plate 26 is secured to the free end of the chain 24 and has an opening 28 formed therein. The numeral 30 refers to a rubber faced bumper secured to the chute section 14.

Chute section 32 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of chute section 14 at 34. Chute section 36 is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of chute section 32 at 38. A chain anchor stud 40 is secured to chute section 32 at one side thereof and extends outwardly therefrom adapted to have the plate 26 on chain 24 received thereon as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The numeral 42 refers generally to a telescoping link means comprising link members 44 and 46. Link member 46 is pivotally connected about a horizontal axis to a pin 48 secured to and extending laterally outwardly of the upper end of chute section 32. A shaft 50 is pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to the support means 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper end of link member 44 is pivotally mounted on the outer of the shaft 50 as illustrated in the drawings. A telescoping link stop 52 is also mounted on the shaft 50 and may be moved between the disengaged position seen in FIG. 4 to the engaged position seen in FIG. 5 through the use of the shaft 50. Link stop 52 comprises arms 54 and 56 having a stop 58 secured to the ends thereof and extending therebetween. The numeral 60 refers to a limit element secured to the upper end of link 46 which is adapted to receive the stop 58 therebeneath as also illustrated in the drawing.

Assuming that the discharge chute sections 14, 32, and 36 are in their extended position as illustrated in FIG. 4, the normal method of racking the same is as follows. Chute section 36 is folded over so as to engage the upper end of chute section 32 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The hydraulic cylinder 18 is then actuated so that the rod thereof is extended which causes the chute section 14, and hence chute sections 32 and 34, to be pivotally raised. When the chute sections have been pivotally raised to the position of FIG. 5, the link stop 52 is then moved from the disengaged position of FIG. 4 to its engaged position so that the element 58 will be positioned below the element 60. The hydraulic cylinder 18 is then actuated to withdraw the rod thereof thereinto. The link stop 52 prevent slidably movement between link members 44 and 46 which causes the telescoping link means 42 to apply a force to the chute section 32 so that the second chute section will be raised upwardly into the racked position against the bumper 30. Plate 26 on chain 24 is then placed over the anchor stud 40 and the toggle 22 moved to the locked position. FIG. 7 illustrates the hydraulic cylinder 18 in the fully retracted position while the chutes being in the upend locked position.

The discharge chute sections can be lowered into their operative position by reversing the procedure outlined above. The toggle 22 is released to permit the plate 26 to be removed from the anchor stud 40. The hydraulic cylinder is actuated to extend the rod therefrom which causes the chute section 32 to pivotally move with respect to the chute section 14 from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 5. The link stop 52 is then moved to its disengaged position so that the hydraulic cylinder 18 can be retracted. Retraction of the cylinder 18 with the link stop 52 in the disengaged position permits the chute sections to be moved to the position of FIG. 4. The chute section 36 is then also manually pivoted downwardly to its operative position.

Thus it can be seen that a novel power racking device has been provided for racking the chute sections of a concrete mix truck. The power racking device disclosed herein permits an additional chute section to be racked without the necessity for removing the same for storing on the mix truck. The power racking device of this invention does not interfere with the normal operation of the mix truck and provides a convenient means for racking the discharge chutes. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Claims

I claim:

1. A power chute racking device for a concrete mix truck comprising, a discharge chute support means at the rearward end of the mix truck, a first discharge chute section at least pivotally secured about a horizontal axis to said support means and having upper and lower ends,

a hydraulic cylinder means secured to said first discharge chute section for raising and lowering the lower end thereof with respect to the mix truck,

a second discharge chute section having upper and lower ends and being pivotally connected at its upper end about a horizontal axis to the lower end of said first discharge chute section,

a telescoping link means comprising a first link member having first and second ends and being operatively pivotally secured at its first end to said support means, a second link member having first and second ends and having its first end telesopically receiving the said second end of said first link member, said second end of said second link member being pivotally connected to its upper end of said second discharge chute section at a location below the pivotal connection of said first and second discharge chute sections, and a link stop for selective engagement with said second link member to limit the inward slidable movement of said first link member into said second link member as said hydraulic cylinder means is retracted so that said second discharge chute section will be pivotally folded upwardly with respect to said first discharge chute section.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein a third discharge chute section having upper and lower ends is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of said second discharge chute section.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said link stop comprises an elongated member having first and second ends, said elongated member being operatively pivotally connected at its first end to the said first end of said first link member, said second end of said link stop adapted to selectively engage the said first end of said second link member.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second link member has means at its first end to facilitate the selective engagement of said link stop with said second link member.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein said link stop comprises spaced apart arms having opposite ends and being pivotally secured at one end to said first end of said first link member, a bar secured to and extending between the outer ends of said arms, said link stop being selectively movable from an inoperative position to a position wherein said bar engages the first end of said second link member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein a retainer means extends from said first end of said second link member over said bar when said bar is in engagement with said second link member.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein means is provided on said first discharge chute section for selectively maintaining said second discharge chute section in its folded position.

8. The method of racking the discharge chute sections of a concrete mix truck having at least upper and lower discharge chute sections supported on a chute support means at the rearward end of the truck and a hydraulic cylinder means connected to the upper chute section for raising and lowering the same, comprising the steps of:

extending the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder so that said chute sections are pivotally raised,

positioning an elongated member between the chute support means and the upper end of said lower chute section,

retracting the cylinder rod of said hydraulic cylinder to cause said elongated member to pivotally fold said lower chute section at least partially over on top of the upper chute section.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein a further chute section is pivotally connected at its upper end to the lower end of said lower chute section, said further chute section being folded over on top of said lower chute section before said cylinder rod is initially extended.