Abstract:
A concrete dispensing chute extension device for facilitating the pouring of concrete attaches to an end portion of a concrete truck chute and comprises a funnel-shaped lower opening having a cylindrical flexible chute extending directly downward. Concrete is poured down the chute and into the device, the device is directed straight downward into a concrete form. Utilization of the device reduces the impact of the concrete against the sides of the form and the incidents of the form capsizing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Apr. 1, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to concrete dispensing devices, and in particular, to a chute extension attachable to a dispensing end of a mixed concrete dispensing chute. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Poured concrete walls, sidewalks, curbs, steps, footers, foundations and the like are all common components of building and structure construction. They are relatively easy to build, cost-effective, and very long lasting. However, they do require skilled work especially during the form building process to ensure consistent wall thickness and quality of the final product. Even the most sturdy and well constructed form is subject to damage when hit with a powerful flow of mixed concrete. Should the concrete flow hit an upper portion of the form while there is little or no concrete in the lower portion of the form, the form can topple over and cause a structural blowout. Not only are such blowouts time-consuming and costly to repair, but the wasted concrete may mean that there is an inadequate amount of mixed concrete to perform the rest of the pour. 
     The common practice for building such concrete structures is to mix the cement in a mixer truck and transport the mixed concrete to the concrete forms at a worksite location. The mixed concrete is dispensed from the truck to the form by an elongated concrete dispensing chute which is positioned over the forms. These concrete chutes are typically cumbersome to use, particularly related to proper positioning of the dispensing end in relation to the concrete form. Additionally, it is difficult to control the force in which the flow of concrete impacts the form and control splatter and overflow. 
     Various types of chute attachments exist attempting to provide solutions to these problems, as can be seen by reference to several U.S. Patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,140, issued in the name of Schiffelbein, discloses a concrete delivery chute attachment having a hopper, a funnel, and an attached flexible tube for providing an outlet for the concrete mixture. U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,812, issued in the name of Schiffelbein, discloses a concrete deliver apparatus having a hopper and an elongated tubular dispensing structure. U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,604, issued in the name of Daoust et al., discloses an appratus for controlling the flow of concrete from a mixer having a gear driven mechanism for positioning an elongated discharge chute. U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,285, issued in the name of Newberry, discloses a portable auxiliary discharge chute assembly for use with mobile concrete mixers for dispensing mixed concrete to a location normally beyond the range of the mixer. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,688,667, issued in the name of Peterson and 5,531,518, issued in the name of Alves disclose attachments for concrete dispensing chutes for delivering the mixed concrete. 
     While these devices may accomplish their specific intended purpose, each suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency with respect to design, function, or effectiveness. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which concrete pours can be accomplished in a controlled manner, thus eliminating the chances of concrete form damage as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a means to control a flow of mixed concrete from a dispensing chute to a concrete form. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which simply attaches to a dispensing end of an existing concrete discharge chute. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows the flow of concrete to dispense at a desired direction, particularly, in a straight downward manner in order to prevent the force of the flow from damaging the form. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which minimizes splatter and prevents accidental overflow of the concrete mixture. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is simple and intuitive to use with little to no training. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is durable and economical to manufacture. 
     One (1) or more of these and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a chute extension device for dispensing a flow of mixed concrete comprising a generally “U”-shaped extension body removably attached to a dispensing end of a concrete chute, a funnel portion protruding from a bottom surface of the extension body, an upper aperture disposed at a central lowermost position of the funnel portion, a funnel stem extending downwardly from the upper aperture, a lower aperture disposed at a terminating end of the funnel stem, a tubular boot connected to the funnel stem, and a boot orifice disposed at a terminating end of the boot for dispensing a flow of mixed concrete. The device also includes a pair of hook features affixed to opposing upper corners of an open end of the extension body. The hook features are removably engaged to a pair of receiving posts protruding from the dispensing end of a concrete chute. 
     In at least one (1) embodiment of the invention, these objects are achieved by providing the boot having a rigid tubular member. In at least one (1) embodiment the boot includes a flexible tubular sleeve which provides a compliant dispensing nozzle for the concrete mixture. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the invention may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The invention can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side environmental view of a concrete dispensing chute extension  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cut-away perspective view of the concrete dispensing chute extension  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is an upward looking perspective view of the concrete dispensing chute extension  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 concrete dispensing chute extension 
               
               
                 20 
                 chute extension assembly 
               
               
                 22 
                 main body 
               
               
                 24 
                 closed end portion 
               
               
                 26 
                 open end portion 
               
               
                 27 
                 hook fixture 
               
               
                 28 
                 funnel portion 
               
               
                 30 
                 funnel stem 
               
               
                 32 
                 upper orifice 
               
               
                 34 
                 lower orifice 
               
               
                 40 
                 boot 
               
               
                 42 
                 clamp 
               
               
                 44 
                 boot orifice 
               
               
                 100 
                 concrete 
               
               
                 110 
                 form 
               
               
                 120 
                 concrete truck chute 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a chute extension device for dispensing concrete (herein described as the “device”)  10  and a method of use thereof. The device  10  attaches to the outward end of a standard concrete truck chute  120  to facilitate more accurate pouring of a concrete mixture  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a side environmental view of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a funnel portion  28  along a bottom surface having a funnel stem  30  and an attached flexible cylindrical boot  40  which extends directly downward from the funnel stem  30 . As a volume of concrete  100  flows down the concrete truck chute  120  and into the device  10 , it is redirected straight downwardly through the boot  40  and into a form  110 , thereby reducing pouring impact and spillage while equalizing pressure within the form  110  and reducing a possibility of capsizing the form  110 . 
     The boot  40  provides a compliant tubular nozzle to effectively direct the flow of concrete  100  being dispensed therefrom and may also be manipulated by a user to accurately direct the concrete  100  in a targeted manner into various types of concrete forms to construct concrete structures such as, but not limited to: concrete curbs, walls, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a partial cut-away perspective view of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a chute extension assembly  20  which further comprises a main body  22 , a closed end portion  24 , an open end portion  26 , a funnel portion  28 , and a funnel stem  30 . The chute extension assembly  20  comprises a plurality of cut and formed metal plates welded together to form a unitary structure. The chute extension assembly  20  is preferably made using tempered aluminum or other light-weight rugged metal material. The main body portion  22  resembles a linear extension of the existing concrete truck chute  120  comprising a half-cylinder profile being affixed to a proximal end of the concrete truck chute  120  by a pair of integrally welded hook fixtures  27 . The hook features  27  removably connect to posts which typically protrude from opposing sides of the proximal end of the concrete truck chute  120 . The main body  22  further comprises a closed end portion  24  at a distal end, thereby stopping a horizontal flow of the concrete  100  which is subsequently redirected into the funnel portion  28  of the device  10  as seen in  FIG. 1 . The main body  22  provides a welded attachment of the funnel portion  28  along a bottom surface at a distal end portion. The funnel portion  28  comprises a tapering metal structure which transitions a concrete flow area from a rectangular opening, weldedly connected to the bottom surface of the main body  22 , to a round upper orifice  32  leading into the tapered funnel stem  30 . The funnel stem  30  extends downward from the funnel portion  28  and terminates in a round lower orifice  34 . The funnel stem  30  directs the flow of concrete  100  to the lower orifice  34  at a bottom end and into the boot  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an upward looking perspective view of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  further comprises a boot  40 , a boot clamp  42 , and a boot orifice  44 . The funnel stem  30  is sliding inserted into the boot portion  40 . The boot  40  comprises a tube approximately six (6) inches in diameter terminating at the boot orifice  44 . The boot  40  is secured to the funnel stem  30  by a hose clamp  42  or equivalent clamping device. The boot  40  is envisioned being made of a flexible material such as, but not limited to: rubber, fabric-reinforced rubber, heavy-duty canvas, or the like. The boot  40  provides a compliant nozzle to effectively direct the flow of concrete  100  being dispensed from the chute extension assembly  20  and can also be manipulated by a user to accurately direct the flow of concrete  100  in a targeted manner. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: attaching the boot portion  40  of the device  10  to the funnel portion  28  using the clamp  42 , if not previously attached; attaching the device  10  to an end portion of a concrete truck chute  120  using the hook fixtures  27  in a conventional manner; position the device  10  laterally and vertically above a form  110  which is ready to receive concrete  100 ; allowing concrete  100  to flow down the concrete truck chute  120  into the device  10 ; allowing the concrete  100  to flow vertically downward from the boot portion  40  of the device  10  directly into the form  110  until obtaining a desired poured concrete  100  level; continuing to utilize the positioning functions of the concrete truck to dispense additional concrete  100  as need to complete a construction project; and, reducing impact, concrete  100  spillage, and possible capsizing of concrete forms  110  during dispensing of concrete  100  while utilizing the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.