Apparatus for pumping mortar grout

• US 6,227,813 B1
• Filed: 07/16/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Melvern D. Leimer
• Original Assignee: Melvern D. Leimer
• Inventors: Leimer, Melvern D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): FASTOVSKY, LEONID M
• Application Number:
  US09/354,623
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 415/72, 415/234, 417/344, 417/313, 366/15, 366/17, 366/46, 366/28, 425/64, 222/232, 222/626, 222/333
• US Class Current: 417/234
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 7/165 using a fluid, e.g. gas B28C5/06, B28C5/1261 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 21/08 Mechanical implements E04F21/14 takes precedence; spraying in general B05B; sand-blasting B24C
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/20 for applying mortar
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/202 Hoses specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 15/023 supply of fluid to the pump by gravity through a hopper, e.g. without intake valve

Abstract

An apparatus for pumping mortar. A hopper for containment of mortar is mounted on a portable frame. A mortar pump has an inlet located within a lower portion of the hopper, and a discharge located outside the hopper. A rotary drive shaft has a lower end attached to the mortar pump, and a median portion passing through the contained mortar. The drive shaft is oriented at a vertical angle sufficient so that an upper end of the shaft extends above an upper level of the mortar. An engine, also mounted on the frame, rotates the upper end of the drive shaft, powering the mortar pump. One end of a mortar distribution hose is connected to the discharge of the pump. The other end of the hose extends to a remote location, and is fitted with a mortar application nozzle. Mortar is pre-mixed in a concrete mixer and poured into the hopper. The mortar pump forces mortar through the distribution hose and out the nozzle, where it is directed by a mason on to joints and into grout lines.

Claims

1. A mortar pumping apparatus, comprising:

a. a mortar containment hopper, having an open upper portion and a lower portion;

b. a mortar pump, said pump including a housing having an inlet end and a discharge end, and a rotary pumping element therebetween, said inlet end having an opening located within said lower portion of said hopper and said discharge end extending exteriorly from said hopper;

c. a drive shaft having a lower end connected to said rotary pumping element adjacent said inlet end, a middle portion passing through said containment hopper from said lower portion to said upper portion, and an upper end adjacent said upper portion of said containment hopper and extending above an upper level of mortar within said containment hopper; and

,

d. drive means connected to said upper end of said drive shaft, for rotating said pumping element of said mortar pump.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said housing is an elongated tube and includes a resilient liner therein, said liner including an elongated hollow portion having inner helical grooves, and in which said rotary pumping element is a helical screw within said hollow portion.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said drive means includes an engine and speed reducing means.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said lower portion of said hopper includes downwardly converging walls, and in which said inlet is located at a lowermost convergence of said walls.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 further including a flexible hose having a first end connected to said pump discharge end and a second end connected to a mortar discharge nozzle.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 including a frame, said hopper and said drive means being attached to said frame.

7. An apparatus as in claim 6 in which a pair of wheels is rotatably mounted on to an underside of said frame.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said upper end of said drive shaft includes a sprocket, and in which said drive means includes a chain engaged with said sprocket.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 in which said lower end of said drive shaft includes at least one paddle extending radially from said shaft.

10. A mortar pumping apparatus, comprising:

a. a mortar containment hopper, having an open upper portion and a lower portion, said hopper being substantially filled with wet mortar;

b. a mortar pump, said pump including a housing having an inlet end and a discharge end, and a rotary pumping element therebetween, said inlet end having an opening located within said lower portion of said hopper and said discharge end extending exteriorly from said hopper; and

,

c. drive means for rotating said pumping element of said mortar pump, said drive means including a drive shaft passing through said containment hopper from said lower portion to said upper portion, said drive shaft having an upper end located adjacent and above an upper level of said mortar within said containment hopper.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said housing is an elongated tube and includes a resilient liner therein, said liner including an elongated hollow portion having inner helical grooves, and in which said rotary pumping element is a helical screw within said hollow portion.

12. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said drive means includes an engine and speed reducing means.

13. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said lower portion of said hopper includes downwardly converging walls, and in which said inlet is located at a lowermost convergence of said walls.

14. An apparatus as in claim 10 further including a flexible hose having a first end connected to said discharge end and a second end connected to a mortar discharge nozzle.

15. An apparatus as in claim 10 including a frame, said hopper and said drive means being attached to said frame.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15 in which a pair of wheels is rotatably mounted on to an underside of said frame.

17. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said upper end of said shaft includes a sprocket, and in which said drive means includes a chain engaged with said sprocket.

18. An apparatus as in claim 10 in which said lower end of said drive shaft includes at least one paddle extending radially from said shaft.