Concrete dispensing apparatus for pre-cast concrete forms
First Claim
1. A concrete dispensing apparatus for use in the manufacture of pre-cast concrete structures having a form into which a hydrated concrete mixture is to be distributed, comprising:
- a frame;
a hopper supported by said frame above said form to dispense said concrete mixture into the form, said hopper having upright walls defining a cavity including an upper inlet opening into which said concrete mixture is loaded into said hopper cavity and a lower discharge opening through which said concrete mixture is dispensed from said hopper into said form, said discharge opening being divided into a plurality of ports; and
a control gate mounted on said hopper at said discharge opening corresponding to each said port to be independently movable between a closed position in which said control gate covers the corresponding said port to prevent said concrete mixture from being dispensed therethrough and an open position in which said concrete mixture is permitted to flow through the corresponding said port, each said control gate including an actuator for affecting said movement between said open and closed positions.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A concrete dispensing apparatus is used in a manufacturing process for producing pre-cast concrete structures, which are conventionally used to form a foundation for a residential or commercial building. The dispensing apparatus includes a hopper that funnels to a discharge opening extending along the entire transverse length of the dispensing apparatus. A plurality of individually controlled gates cover the entire discharge opening for selectively controlling the length and location of the discharge opening through which concrete is dispensed. The dispensing apparatus also includes a finishing mechanism including a vibratory screed and a rotational finishing roller. The form can be moved relative to the dispensing apparatus or vice versa. A form vibrator induces a vibratory motion into the form to remove air from the dispensed concrete mixture. Operative control is accomplished through an operator control panel operable to control a hydraulic system powering the operative functions of the dispensing apparatus.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A concrete dispensing apparatus for use in the manufacture of pre-cast concrete structures having a form into which a hydrated concrete mixture is to be distributed, comprising:
-
a frame; a hopper supported by said frame above said form to dispense said concrete mixture into the form, said hopper having upright walls defining a cavity including an upper inlet opening into which said concrete mixture is loaded into said hopper cavity and a lower discharge opening through which said concrete mixture is dispensed from said hopper into said form, said discharge opening being divided into a plurality of ports; and a control gate mounted on said hopper at said discharge opening corresponding to each said port to be independently movable between a closed position in which said control gate covers the corresponding said port to prevent said concrete mixture from being dispensed therethrough and an open position in which said concrete mixture is permitted to flow through the corresponding said port, each said control gate including an actuator for affecting said movement between said open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of manufacturing a pre-cast concrete wall panel comprising the steps of:
-
assembling a form corresponding to said pre-cast concrete wall panel; providing a concrete dispensing apparatus positionable above said form to dispense a hydrated concrete mixture into said form, said concrete dispensing apparatus including a hopper having a transversely extending discharge opening substantially coextensive with a corresponding transverse dimension of said form, said discharge opening being divided into a plurality of ports with each port being associated with a control gate independently operable to open and close said port for the selective dispensing of said concrete mixture from the corresponding said port; operating a track mechanism to cause relative movement between said hopper and said form such that said hopper moves relative to said form from one longitudinal end thereof to another longitudinal end thereof; and opening and closing said control gates for the selective dispensing of said concrete mixture into said form such that any ports overlying a formed opening within said form have the control gate closed while said corresponding ports overlie said formed opening. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. In a concrete dispenser for distributing a hydrated concrete mixture into a form for the manufacture of a pre-cast concrete structure, the improvement comprising:
-
a hopper supported above said form to dispense said concrete mixture into the form, said hopper having upright walls defining a cavity including an upper inlet opening into which said concrete mixture is loaded into said hopper cavity and a lower discharge opening through which said concrete mixture is dispensed from said hopper into said form, said discharge opening being divided into a plurality of ports; and a control gate mounted on said hopper at said discharge opening corresponding to each said port to be independently movable between a closed position in which said control gate covers the corresponding said port to prevent said concrete mixture from being dispensed therethrough and an open position in which said concrete mixture is permitted to flow through the corresponding said port, each said control gate including an actuator for affecting said movement between said open and closed positions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
-
Specification