DISTRIBUTING CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR A ROTARY CONCRETE MIXING OR OTHER TRUCK

• US 3,863,783 A
• Filed: 12/01/1972
• Issued: 02/04/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Credit Union
• Original Assignee: Francis T. Spellman Jr
• Inventors: Spellman, Francis T. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Makay, Albert J.
• Application Number:
  US05/311,225
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 214/83.26,520,521 198/118,126
• US Class Current: 414/523
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/4255 using transporting belts, e.g. mounted on a foldable frame
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 41/002 Pivotably mounted

Abstract

A distributing conveyor system for a rotary concrete mixing truck adapted for installation on the truck frame and, when thus installed, embodies a single continuous conveyor unit which is capable of universal compound swinging movement in both vertical and horizontal planes, as well as being longitudinally shiftable to vary its effective length. The conveyor unit is at all times maintained in effective concrete-receiving register with the discharge hopper of the mixing truck and, by reason of its universal swinging and sliding movement, either uphill or downhill concrete distribution is made possible. By reason of its longitudinal shifting movement, either proximate or remote concrete placement may be effected.

Claims

1. In combination with a vehicle having a frame structure and designed for the transport of flowable material, a support bracket having its proximate end hingedly secured to the rear end of said frame structure for swinging movement about a substantially vertical axis, a turntable mounted on the distal end of said support bracket for rotation about a vertical axis, a carrier frame mounted on said turntable for rotation bodily therewith, an longated conveyor unit of the endless belt type slidably mounted on said carrier frame for lengthwise sliding movement on the frame in opposite directions between a first extreme position wherein one end thereof is in close proximity to the carrier frame and the other end is remote therefrom, and a second extreme position where said other end is in close proximity to the carrier frame and said one end is in close proximity thereto, and a material-receiving hopper on said carrier frame, said conveyor unit, in all positions of which it is capable of assuming, remaining in effective material-receiving register with said hopper, the effective length of said support bracket being greater than the distance between the hinge connection between the bracket and frame structure and the lateral side of said vehicle frame structure, whereby the distal end of the support bracket overhangs said rear end of the vehicle frame structure in a transverse direction when the support bracket is swung to a transversely extending position with respect to the vehicle, the turntable being rotatable throughout an angle of sufficient extent to bring the conveyor unit alongside the vehicle in a longitudinally extending relationship when the conveyor unit is in one of its extreme positions.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 and wherein the support bracket is also mounted on the vehicle frame structure for limited turning movement about a horizontal axis which extends longitudinally of said frame structure, whereby small increments of turning movement about such horizontal axis will effect raising and lowering of the carrier frame and the conveyor unit supported thereby.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 and wherein said vehicle frame structure is generally rectangular, the support bracket is hingedly connected to the vehicle frame structure in the vicinity of one of the rear corners of the vehicle frame structure, and the effective length of the support bracket is greater than the transverse width of said rear end of the vehicle frame structure.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 and wherein said turntable has mounted thereon a U-stand consisting of a base member which extends diametrically across the turntable and is provided with upstanding vertical side legs, the carrier frame includes structural side members which are maintained in spaced apart relationship by transverse frame members, the vertical side legs of the U-stand straddle said structural side members, and trunnions extend between said side members and vertical side legs and serve pivotally to connect the carrier frame to the turntable for rocking movement about a horizontal axis.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 and wherein the trunnions are fixedly secured to the upper portions of the vertical side legs of the U-stand.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 and wherein the carrier frame is pivotally mounted on said turntable for rocking movement about a horizontal axis whereby, upon rocking movement thereof, the elevations of the opposite ends of the conveyor unit will be varied in opposite directions, the carrier frame includes structural side members which are maintained in spaced apart relationship by transverse frame members, each side member having mounted thereon an upper series of at least two longitudinally spaced traction rollers and a lower series of at least two longitudinally spaced traction rollers, and the conveyor unit is provided with an upwardly facing rail surface which cooperates with and underlies the upper series of traction rollers on each side member, and a downwardly facing rail surface which cooperates with and overlies the lower series of traction rollers on each side member.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 and wherein the rollers of said upper and lower series are arranged in vertically aligned pairs.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 and wherein the conveyor unit is provided on opposite sides thereof with laterally-facing channels having upper flanges which establish said upwardly facing rail surfaces, and lower flanges which establish said downwardly facing rail surfaces.