Abstract:
The spacing device mounted to a two-section chute system prevents inadvertent contact between the two chute sections. The spacing device includes a mounting flange and a blocking member positionable between first and second pivotally attached chute sections of a concrete mixing truck. The first chute section comprises an annular flange that is configured to contact an arcuate edge of the second chute section. The mounting flange is connected to a second end of the first chute section and the blocking member is attached to the mounting flange. The blocking member comprises a contact surface that is configured to engage a portion of the arcuate edge of the second chute section when the spacing device is in a blocking position. In the blocking position, the spacing device holds the first and second chute sections in a partially open position to prevent unintended contact between the chute sections.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a safety device for a foldable two-section chute system of a concrete mixing truck. In particular, the present invention relates to a blocking member positionable between adjacent ends of two chute sections when the chute system is transitioning from a folded position to an unfolded position.  
           [0002]    Concrete mixing trucks are a common sight on the roads and at construction sites. FIG. 1 depicts a typical concrete mixing truck  10  used to transport, mix, and pour concrete. The concrete mixing truck  10  comprises a rotatable drum  12  connected to the frame of the truck  10 . The rotatable drum  12  has an outlet  14  directed towards a two-section chute system  16  comprised of a first chute section  18  and a second chute section  20 . The first chute section  18  has a first end  22  and a second end  24 . The first end  22  of the first chute section  18  is pivotally connected to the concrete mixing truck  10 . The second end  24  of the first chute section  18  is connected to a hydraulic cylinder  26  that is attached to the frame of the truck  10 . The second chute section  20  has a first end  28  opposing the second end  24  of the first chute section  18 . The first chute section  18  and the second chute section  20  are attached by a pivotal connection  30  located at top edges  32 ,  34  of chute sections  18 ,  20 , respectively, adjacent to the second end  24  of the first chute section  18  and the first end  28  of the second chute section  20 .  
           [0003]    The two chute sections  18 ,  20  are traditionally capable of being in either a folded position or an unfolded position. During transport, the chute sections  18 ,  20  are placed in the folded position with the second chute section  20  resting on top of the first chute section  18  as shown in FIG. 1. When the concrete is ready for pouring, the second chute section  20  is rotated about the pivotal connection  30  until the second end  24  of the first chute section  18  and the first end  28  of the second chute section  20  make contact. The hydraulic cylinder  26  aligns the unfolded two-section chute system  16  with the desired location for pouring concrete. Concrete in the rotatable drum  12  is moved through the outlet  14  onto the chute system  16 .  
           [0004]    One of the problems related to the two-section chute system of concrete mixing trucks occurs when the second chute section is in the process of unfolding. To move from the folded position to the unfolded position, the second chute section is initially manually rotated to an angle sufficient to allow the second chute section to continue rotating by gravity into the final unfolded position. The two-section chute system is in the final unfolded position when the opposing end of the second chute section abuts the opposing end of the first chute section and the second chute section is forced to stop its rotation. The weight of the second chute section, combined with the momentum of the second chute section from the gravitational rotation, can cause injury to a person working alongside a concrete mixing truck in the event the person has a body part located between the opposing edges of the two chute sections. If a person is unaware that the second chute section is being unfolded, the person may not be able to remove the body part from the contact area of the two chute sections in time to avoid injury. It is thus desirable to improve the safety of two-section chute systems.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The spacing device of the present invention prevents unintended contact between two pivotally attached chute sections of a concrete mixing truck, where the first chute section comprises an annular flange adjacent to a second end of the first chute section and the second chute section comprises an arcuate edge configured to contact the annular flange of the first chute section. The spacing device comprises a mounting flange connected adjacent to the second end of the first chute section and a blocking member connected to the mounting flange. The blocking member comprises a contact surface that is spaced from the annular flange and positioned to contact a portion of the arcuate edge of the second chute section when the blocking member is in a blocking position.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete mixing truck with a two-section chute system known in the art.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a two-section chute system in a folded position showing the spacing device of the present invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a side view of a two-section chute system in a partially open position showing the spacing device of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of a two-section chute system showing the spacing device of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of a first chute section with the spacing device of the present invention in a blocking position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of opposing portions of the first and second chute sections with the spacing device of the present invention in a non-blocking position.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the front facing side of the spacing device of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of the first chute section with a second embodiment of the spacing device of the present invention in a blocking position. 
     
    
       [0014]    While the above-identified drawing figures set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the present invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention. It should be specifically noted that the figures have not been drawn to scale, as it has been necessary to enlarge certain portions for clarity.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    To better illustrate the spacing device  36  of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the two-section chute system  16  shown in FIG. 1. The first chute section  18  is comprised of an elongated arcuate wall  38  that terminates in an arcuate edge  40  at second end  24 . The arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18  has a diameter D1 at the second end  24  adjacent to the pivotal connection  30 . An annular flange  42  is connected to an outer surface  44  of the arcuate wall  38  adjacent to the arcuate edge  40  of the first chute section  18 . The second chute section  20  is comprised of an elongated arcuate wall  46  that terminates in an annular, arcuate edge  48  at the first end  28 . The arcuate wall  46  of the second chute section  20  has a diameter D2 at the first end  28  adjacent to the pivotal connection  30 . The diameter D2 of the second chute section  20  is slightly greater than the diameter D1 of the first chute section  18 .  
         [0016]    The pivotal connection  30  is formed by a hinge  50  that connects the top edge  32  of the first chute section  18  to the top edge  34  of the second chute section  20  near the arcuate edges  40 , 48 . In the transition from the folded position to the unfolded position, the second chute section  20  is rotated about the hinge  50 . Because the diameter D2 of the arcuate wall  46  of the second chute section  20  is greater than the diameter D1 of the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18 , an inner surface portion  52  of the second chute section  20  overlaps the outer surface portion  44  of the first chute section  18  when the chute sections  18 ,  20  are in a fully unfolded position. In the unfolded position, arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  engages annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18 .  
         [0017]    To prevent the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  from uncontrollably coming into contact with the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18  during the unfolding process, a spacing device  36  is connected to the chute system  16 . In one embodiment, the spacing device  36  is mounted to the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18  near the hinge  50 . The spacing device  36  is comprised of a blocking member  54  with a contact surface  56  that is spaced rearwardly from the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18 . The contact surface  56  of the blocking member  54  is positioned to make contact with a portion of the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  when the spacing device  36  is in a blocking position. The chute sections  18 ,  20 , hinge  50 , and spacing device  36  each are formed from a heavy metal material.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views of the spacing device  36  in the blocking position. As shown in FIG. 3, spacing device  36  is located on first chute section  18  so as to prevent second chute section  20  from fully unfolding. Thus, spacing device  36  engages arcuate edge  48  of second chute section  20  at a point spaced from annular flange  42 . As shown in greater detail in FIG. 4, the spacing device  36  is positioned between the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18  and the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20 . As the second chute section  20  unfolds about the hinge  50 , the contact surface  56  of blocking member  54  is axially aligned with a portion of the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20 , preventing engagement between the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  and the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18 . The angle formed by the spacing device  36  while in the blocking position is a function of the angle of the contact surface  56  and is selected to create a gap G of sufficient size to prevent harmful contact of second chute section  20  against a person&#39;s extremities.  
         [0019]    Spacing device  36  is urged towards the blocking position by a biasing means, which in one embodiment comprises an elongated coil spring  58 . Other biasing structures can be used without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. The elongated coil spring  58  has a first end  60  and a second end  62 . The first end  60  of the coil spring  58  is connected to the second end  24  of the first chute section  18 . The second end  62  of the coil spring  58  is connected to the blocking member  54 . By way of a non-limiting example, the first and second ends  60 ,  62  of the coil spring  58  are connected to the second end  24  of the first chute section  18  and the blocking member  54 , respectively, by eye-bolts  64 ,  66 .  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second end  24  of the first chute section  18  with blocking member  54  in the blocking position. In one preferred embodiment, the blocking member  54  comprises first and second plates  68 ,  70 . The first plate  68  has a first end  72  and a second end  74 , and a first edge  76  and a second edge  78 . The first plate  68  is pivotally attached to a mounting flange  80  by a pivotal connection  82 . A handle  84  is connected to the first edge  76  of the first plate  68 . The handle  84  extends in the same plane as the first plate  68  and away from the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18 . A protrusion  86  is connected to the second edge  78  of the first plate  68  at second end  74 . The protrusion  86  extends in the same plane as the first plate  68  and towards the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18 .  
         [0021]    The phantom illustration of FIG. 5 shows the inner sidelong portion of blocking member  54 . The protrusion  86  of the first plate  68  contacts the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18  and helps align the contact surface  56  of the blocking member  54  with the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  when the spacing device  36  is in the blocking position. When in the blocking position, protrusion  86  is positioned to engage the outer surface  44  of the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18 , adjacent to the annular flange  42 . Although FIG. 5 depicts the protrusion  86  at the second end  74  of the second edge  78  of the first plate  68 , the protrusion  86  can be located at other areas along the second edge  78  of the first plate  68  without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. The length of protrusion  86  is designed to space the blocking member  54  at a distance from the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18  such that the contact surface  56  of the blocking member  54  is axially aligned with the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20 . Thus, when the second chute section  20  is unfolding, the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  will engage the contact surface  56  of the blocking member  54 , preventing unintentional abutment of the first and second chute sections  18 ,  20 .  
         [0022]    The second plate  70  has a first end  88  and a second end  90 , and a first edge  92  and a second edge  94 . The first edge  92  of the second plate  70  is connected transversely to the first plate  68 , such as by welding, adjacent to the second edge  78  of the first plate  68 , forming a right angle between the first plate  68  and the second plate  70 . The second edge  94  of the second plate  70  comprises the angled contact surface  56  of the blocking member  54 . Both first and second plates  68 ,  70  are formed from a metal, such as ASTM A 36  plate steel having a wall thickness of about 0.375 inches. In one preferred embodiment blocking member  54  has a height of about 4.50 inches, with contact surface  56  sloping at an angle of about 20 degrees relative to first plate  68 . For this preferred embodiment, the maximum width of second plate  70  relative to first plate  68  is about 2.50 inches.  
         [0023]    The pivotal connection  82  connects the blocking member  54  to the mounting flange  80 . Although FIG. 5 depicts the pivotal connection  82  of the blocking member  54  to the mounting flange  80  at the first end  72  of the first plate  68 , the pivotal connection  82  can be located at other areas of the first plate  68  without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. The pivotal connection  82  allows the blocking member  54  to shift between the blocking and non-blocking positions. By way of a non-limiting example, the pivotal connection  82  of the blocking member  54  to the mounting flange  80  is formed by a nut and bolt connection  96 .  
         [0024]    While the blocking member  54  of the present invention is comprised of first and second plates  68 ,  70 , there are other forms that the blocking member  54  can take without departing from the intended scope of the invention, as will be evident to those skilled in the art. By way of a non-limiting example, the blocking member  54  may be comprised of a solid block of material with the pivotal connection  82  of the blocking member  54  to the mounting flange  80  located at an aperture extending through the entire length of the block. Alternatively, the blocking member  54  may be comprised of a solid block of material with the pivotal connection of the blocking member  54  to the mounting flange  80  located at a mortise section of the blocking member  54 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of blocking member  54  that has been pivoted out of the blocking position. The mounting flange  80  of spacing device  36  connects the blocking member  54  to the first chute section  18 . The mounting flange  80  is connected to the first chute section  18  adjacent to the arcuate edge  40  of the first chute section  18  and near the top edge  32  of the first chute section  18 . In one preferred embodiment, the mounting flange  80  is connected to the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18  proximate to the top edge  32  of the first chute section  18 . The mounting flange  80  is formed from a metal, such as plate steel, like first and second plates  68 ,  70 .  
         [0026]    Blocking member  54  is pivoted from the blocking position to the non-blocking position by pulling on the handle  84  to pivot blocking member  54  until the contact surface  56  no longer engages the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20 . As a result, the inner surface portion  52  of the arcuate wall  46  of the second chute section  20  is allowed to overlap the outer surface  44  of the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18 , allowing the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  to engage the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18 .  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the front facing side of spacing device  36  in a non-blocking position. When it is confirmed that no body extremities are located between the first and second chute sections  18 ,  20 , the blocking member  54  is pivoted away from the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18  about the nut and bolt connection  96 . As the blocking member  54  is pivoted away from the first chute section  18 , the elongated coil spring  58  is stressed. With the spacing device  36  in the non-blocking position, the second chute section  20  completes the gravitational rotation about the hinge  50  and the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20  engages the annular flange  42  of the first chute section  18 . When the two-section chute system  16  is in the fully unfolded position, the protrusion  86  of the first plate  68  rests against the first end  28  of the second chute section  20 . When the second chute section  20  is rotated back about hinge  50  to the folded position, blocking member  54  is urged back to the blocking position by elongated coil spring  58 .  
         [0028]    The pivotal connection  82  of the blocking member  54  to the annular flange  42  offers an easy and reliable operation of spacing device  36 . In the event concrete slurry contacts the pivotal connection  82 , it is still able to reliably align blocking member  54  with the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20 . The constant pivoting motion of the blocking member  54  between the non-blocking and blocking positions loosens and clears concrete fines or other foreign matter contacting spacing device  36 . Protrusion  86  provides a visual means for confirming that blocking member  54  has been fully returned to the blocking position and that it is ready for spacing the chute sections  18 ,  20  in a subsequent unfolding process.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the second end  24  of the first chute section  18  with blocking member  54  in the blocking position. The first and second plates  68 ,  70 , pivotal connection  82  and protrusion  86  of FIG. 8 are identical to the first and second plates  68 ,  70 , pivotal connection  82  and protrusion  86  described in FIG. 5. According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, a weighted arm  98  replaces handle  84  and elongated coil spring  58  of the embodiment of FIG. 5. The weighted arm  98  has a first end  100  and a second end  102 . The first end  100  of weighted arm  98  is connected to a lower corner  101  at the second end  74  of the first plate  68 . The weighted arm  98  extends at a predetermined angle in the same plane as the first plate  68  and away from the arcuate wall  38  of the first chute section  18 . The weighted arm  98  extends at an angle greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees from the first edge  76  of the first plate. In one preferred embodiment, weighted arm extends at an angle of about 135 degrees relative to the first edge  76  of the first plate  68 .  
         [0030]    The second end  102  of weighted arm  98  is bulbous and comprises a sufficient weight to return the blocking member  54  to the blocking position by gravity. In a preferred embodiment, the weighted arm  98  is 5.00 inches in length and has a weight of about 0.90 pounds with a center of gravity about 3.50 inches from the point of attachment of the first end  100  to the blocking member  54 . Arm  98  is made of a metal material.  
         [0031]    The weighted arm  98  of blocking member  54  offers a simple and reliable means of urging the blocking member  54  to the blocking position. In the event concrete slurry contacts the spacing device  36 , the weighted arm  98  is still able to reliably align blocking member  54  with the arcuate edge  48  of the second chute section  20 . The weighted arm  98  relies on gravity alone to pivot the blocking member  54  about the pivotal connection  82  of the blocking member  54  to the mounting flange  80  back to the blocking position. As previously mentioned in FIG. 7, the constant pivoting motion of the blocking member  54  between the non-blocking and blocking positions loosens and clears concrete fines or other foreign matter from contacting spacing device  36 . The spacing device  36  of FIG. 8 does not rely on any other movable members to return the blocking member  54  to the blocking position. After the blocking member  54  has been pivoted about pivotal connection  82 , protrusion  86  provides a visual means for confirming that blocking member  54  has been fully returned to the blocking position.  
         [0032]    A spacing device of the present invention includes a blocking member that is pivotally attached to a flange mounted adjacent to an end of a first chute section. The blocking member provides a contact surface that engages an arcuate edge of a second pivotally attached chute section when the blocking member is in a blocking position and the second chute section is being unfolded. The contact surface of the blocking member spaces the opposing ends of the chute sections at a predetermined angle, preventing unintentional or uncontrolled contact between the first and second chute sections. When it is confirmed that it is safe to allow the arcuate edge of the second chute section to fully engage the first chute section, the blocking member is pivoted from the blocking position, thereby allowing the second chute section to complete the unfolding process.  
         [0033]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.