DEVICE FOR JOINTING OF CONCRETE ELEMENTS

Abstract: Device for continuous supply of grouting into joints between longitudinal concrete elements, which are disposed chiefly horizontally next to each other to form, e.g., floors in building constructions. The device comprises a rhombic hopper means (2) adapted for displacement along the joint, wherein at least two side walls (4) form an accumulating plow for leading the grouting in towards a vertical plane through the joint. The side walls (4) of the hopper means (2) are optionally latitudinally displaceable with respect to each other, and are held with an adjustable force against the surface of the concrete elements. The hopper means (2) is arranged below a discharge end of a container (14) or a tube is extending from the container (14) into the hopper means (2) to a small distance from the concrete elements, said discharge end or tube having a damper means (16), which is operated by an actuator (17) coupled to a level sensor in the hopper means (2).

Description: DEVICE FOR JOINTING OF CONCRETE ELEMENTS The present invention relates to a device for jointing of concrete elements. During insertion of groutmg (concrete) in the joint between disposed concrete elements, it is of significance that the grouting is supplied in a sufficient, not to large amount, and such that no mass is left on the concrete element surface, outside of the joint area itself. A problem in connection with known devices for jointing concrete elements, is that the elements because of variations during the molding of these may have different surface levels on the respective sides of the joint. Further the joint itself may between the concrete elements have a slightly different width, varying from producer to producer. In today's introduction of groutmg between the such disposed concrete elements, the grouting is supplied largely "batchwise", e.g. by a wheelbarrow, which is emptied along the joint, and thereafter the grouting is leveled manually, e.g. by the aid of spades. It has also been tried to supply the grouting by wheel carried box structures, which are driven along the joint. However, problems has then occurred wherein a significant part of the mass has ended up on the surface of the concrete elements, outside of the joint area itself. These present supply methods are labor intensive, both with respect to "delivery" and with respect to finishing treatment/cleaning, e.g., of the element surfaces outside of the joint area. From the Norwegian patent 13042 it is known a groove filler for repair of highway lanes, consisting of a plurality of surfaces mounted with respect to each other, mainly in rhombic configuration, such that they during displacement along the highway, scrapes off tops and "hills" and carry the scraped off mass into and down to the worn sections, i.e. the "valleys" between the "hills". From the German patent 2.422.159 a box like device is known for supply of grouting or concrete mass on bricks or similar blocks in a wall construction, before placement of a further layer of bricks or blocks, whereby at least one of the walls of the box is adapted for displacement in the height direction, for adjustment of the thickness of the deposited grouting. The present invention relates to a device for supplying grouting into the joint between disposed concrete elements, whereby the above mentioned disadvantages of the present supplying methods are overcome. The invention thus relates to such a device for continuous supply of grouting into joints between longitudinal concrete elements, which are disposed chiefly horizontally next to each other to form, e.g., floors in building constructions, comprising a rhombic hopper means adapted for displacement along the joint, wherein at least two side walls, which are adjoining each other in the hopper means, and which in operative condition of the hopper means are situated on opposite sides of a plane through the joint, together forms an accumulating plow for leading the grouting in towards a vertical plane through the joint, wherein the side walls are supported by a frame, are latitudinally displaceable with respect to each other, and under the effect of their own weight and possibly by the aid of a further, external direct action, are held with an adjustable force against the surface of the concrete elements, when the device is operated, wherein the hopper means is placed under the lower discharge end of a container, said discharge end being equipped with a damper means, which is operated by an actuator coupled to a level sensor in the hopper means. The invention will be explained in more detail referring to the enclosed drawings, wherein the further details of the invention will be clarified, in which: Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention in perspective view, and Figure 2 shows the hopper means according to the invention in perspective view. A device according to the invention, to be used for jointing, i.e. supply of grouting to a joint between concrete elements disposed side by side and optionally end to end, comprises a rhombic hopper 2 (figure 2), which four side walls 4 are latitudinally displaceably adjustable with respect to each other and are supported in a frame 5 in such a way that they are held with a set pressure against the surface of the concrete elements when concrete or other grouting is fed through the upper opening in the hopper, while the hopper and the associated frame are displaced along the joint between the concrete elements. Two of the side walls 4, which in the operative condition of the device are situated on opposite sides of a plane through the joint, form a "collecting plow" for guiding the grouting in towards the vertical plane through the joint, so that excess grouting material will not end up lying on the surface of the concrete elements outside of the joint area. Each of the side walls 4, which are formed of a stiff, strong material, e.g., steel plates, is designed with a lower wall part 6 of a strong, somewhat yielding material, e.g. rubber, which extends below the lowermost delimitation of the steel plate wall 4, and may thereby act as a doctor blade or scraper against the surface of the concrete elements, when the hopper is displaced along the joint, by the aid of means not shown, during supply of grouting. Excess grouting will thus be better scraped off of the surface of the concrete elements and in towards the joint. Each and every side wall (with its associated lower side wall part 6 or lower lip) is adapted to be latitudinally displaceable with respect to each other to adapt the device to jointing of concrete elements with relative height difference of surfaces. The frame 5 is divided into an upper frame part 7 and a lower frame part 8. The frame parts 7 and 8 are connected to each other by rods 9. An air actuator 10 is mounted on each of the side walls 4. The piston rod 11 of the actuator 10 is fixed to the lower frame part 8. When operating the actuator 10 each of the side walls may be displaced downward with a set force. If the concrete elements are substantially level with each other, an embodiment is conceivable, wherein the walls may be fixed in relation to each other. In this embodiment the walls, and possibly the frame, may be made integral with each other. Via ears 12 the hopper means 2 is connected to a ring 13, which in turn is connected to a container 14 via bars 15. To the ring are also mounted a plurality of tumable wheels 19. The container is 14 upwardly open and is downwardly closed by a damper 16. The damper 16 is operated by an air cylinder 17, via an arm 18. When the damper 16 is open concrete may flow from the container 14 and down into the hopper means 2. A level sensor 20 is attached to the container 14 via a pair of rods 21, so that the level sensor 20 extends down into the hopper means 2. The level indicator 20 is, via a line 22, connected to a control means 23. the control means is also connected to the air cylinder 17, via lines 24 and 25. When the level indicator gives a signal that the concrete level in the hopper means 2 is below a predetermined lower level, the control means opens a valve (not shown), which lets air into the air cylinder 17, so that this opens the damper 16. When the concrete level in the hopper 2 again has reached a predetermined upper level, the damper 16 is again closed. By the aid of the wheels 19 the whole device 1 may be pulled or pushed along the joint, which is to be jointed. The lower wall parts 6 are pressed towards the concrete elements with a predetermined force, to form a seal and a doctor blade for the concrete in the joint. As the concrete flows down into the joint, the hopper means 2 is emptied. The hopper means is filled as the damper 16 is opened when the concrete level has sunk below a certain level. To the container 14 is also connected two hoses 26. These are in non-operative position hooked to the upper end of the container 14. The hoses 26 may be unhooked and used to lead concrete out of the container to places which are inaccessible to the device 1, e.g., around pillars and along walls. As the pressure from the concrete in the hopper means exercises a fairly large pressure against the joint, the concrete will be force well into the joint. However, after the filling of the joint, and when the jointing device has passed, the pressure be relieved and the concrete will again "rise". A ridge of 1 - 2 centimeters will occur in the joint, compared with the surrounding floor. To counteract this, it is, according to an aspect of the invention, also suggested the possibility of arranging a substantially horizontally pressure plate (not shown) behind the hopper means. The pressure plate presses vertically down towards the joint and counteracts thereby an overfilling of this. At the leading edge the pressure plate may be curved upwardly to facilitate a smoother sliding over the joint. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a tube is extending from the container into the hopper to a small distance of, preferably, 3 mm to 30 mm above the concrete elements. This is especially preferable in filling small crevices in substantially planar concrete elements. It is also preferable when using grouting with a high viscosity. This avoids some of the disadvantages that may be encountered when using the embodiment shown in the drawings, i.e. that the hopper is easily overfilled before the damper is closed. This could result in an excessive pressure that may force the grouting out under the walls (which could occur when using a grouting with high viscosity). The tube, which has a diameter slightly larger than the crevice, prevents the grouting from free-flowing into the hopper and retains it in the tube to a certain degree. The damper may be situated in the tube instead of at the outlet end of the container. The container may be situated at a distance from the hopper and the tube leading the grouting into the hopper. It is also conceivable to use two ore more hoppers, which are supplied from one container. This way several parallel crevices may be filled with grouting simultaneously. The hoppers and the container may still be mounted on a common vehicle.

Claims: P a t e n t C l a i m s 1. Device for continuous supply of grouting into joints between longitudinal concrete elements, which are disposed chiefly horizontally next to each other to form, e.g., floors in building constructions, comprising a rhombic hopper means (2) adapted for displacement along the joint, wherein at least two side walls (4), which are adjoining each other in the hopper means (2), and which in operative condition of the hopper means are situated on opposite sides of a plane through the joint, together forms an accumulating plow for leading the grouting in towards a vertical plane through the j oint, the hopper means having side walls (4), which supported by a frame (5), the side walls (4) optionally are latitudinally displaceable with respect to each other, and under the effect of their own weight and possibly by the aid of a further, external direct action, are held with an adjustable force against the surface of the concrete elements, when the device is operated, wherein the hopper means (2) is arranged below a discharge end of a container (14) or a tube is extending from the contamer into the hopper means (2) to a small distance from the concrete elements, said container (14) or said tube having a damper means (16), which is operated by an actuator (17) coupled to a level sensor in the hopper means (2). 2. device according to claim 1, wherein the distance of the tube from the concrete elements is between 3 mm and 30 mm. 3 Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (4) are held biased against the surface of the concrete elements by spring devices. 4. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls (4) are held biased against the surface of the concrete elements by pneumatic means (10). 5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is equipped with wheels. 6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (14) is equipped with at least one hose (26), which is adapted to lead concrete from the container (14) to a place which is inaccessible to the hopper means (2).

Inventors: RENSEL TORBJOERN, RENSEL, TORBJOERN
Applicants: RENSEL TORBJOERN, RENSEL, TORBJOERN
Application year: 2001
Main classification: E04G21
IPC codes: E04G21