Patent Publication Number: US-6220292-B1

Title: Crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part application of Petitioners&#39; earlier application Ser. No. 09/635,885 filed Aug. 10, 2000, entitled A CRANE-MOUNTED CONCRETE PUMP APPARATUS which is a continuation application of Ser. No. 09/548,103 filed Apr. 12, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,180, entitled A CRANE-MOUNTED CONCRETE PUMP APPARATUS. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a concrete pump apparatus and more particularly to a concrete pump apparatus which is mounted on a truck crane. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Concrete is sometimes pumped to locations where it is difficult or impossible for a concrete mixer truck to gain access thereto. Such is the case where concrete is to be poured behind a house or the like where it is impossible to drive the concrete mixer truck. One alternative to such a situation is to use wheelbarrows to transport the concrete to the location where it is to be placed. Another solution has been to utilize a telescoping or articulated boom assembly which is mounted on a truck. In some cases, a concrete pump is positioned on the truck and a concrete conduit, such as a flexible hose, is extended from the pump, along the length of the telescoping boom, at the exterior surface thereof, to a discharge conduit from which the concrete is discharged. The telescoping boom is extended and maneuvered to position the discharge conduit at the proper location. Although concrete pumpers of the type described do work quite satisfactorily, the boom assemblies thereof have no use other than for pumping concrete. In other words, the boom assembly cannot be used as a crane during those times when concrete is not being pumped. If the boom assembly does not have an aerial platform thereon, it is impossible for an operator to be therein for pumping and spraying concrete. Usually, the spraying of concrete is called shotcrete. Shotcrete is the spraying of concrete on wire mesh for texturing surfaces similar to stucco. If one does not have an aerial lift, then the person must walk on scaffolding and manhandle the hose to shotcrete. To the best of applicants&#39; knowledge, the invention disclosed in the parent application, Ser. No. 09/548,103, is the only aerial lift unit that allows a person to pump concrete from the aerial platform. 
     In the above-identified parent patent application, a flexible hose extends between the discharge side of the concrete pump and the rearward end of the concrete conduit positioned within the telescopic boom assembly. The flexible hose is coiled on the crane platform when not in use. As the telescopic boom is extended, the flexible hose is pulled from the coil into the interior of the boom assembly. When the boom assembly is retracted, it is necessary to pull the hose rearwardly from the interior of the boom assembly and position the same on the crane platform. Although the apparatus disclosed in the above-identified application performs exceptionally well, the instant invention overcomes the need to coil the flexible hose on the crane platform. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus is provided with the apparatus being mounted on a truck having a rotatable pedestal assembly mounted thereon rearwardly of the cab of the truck. A telescoping boom assembly is pivotally secured to the pedestal and extends outwardly and normally upwardly therefrom. A hydraulic cylinder pivotally connects the telescoping boom assembly to the pedestal for pivotally moving the telescoping boom assembly with respect to the pedestal. The telescoping boom assembly preferably comprises an outer boom section, an intermediate boom section slidably mounted in the interior of the outer boom section, and an inner boom section slidably mounted in the interior of the intermediate boom section. 
     A concrete conduit is positioned in the interior of the boom assembly and has an intake end positioned adjacent the rearward end of the boom assembly and a discharge end positioned at the outer end of the boom assembly. A concrete pump is mounted on the truck and is operatively connected to the intake end of the concrete conduit by means of a flexible hose for supplying concrete to the concrete conduit. The flexible hose connecting the concrete pump with the concrete conduit within the boom assembly is wound upon a powered hose reel rotatably mounted on the rearward end of the boom assembly. The outer end of the boom assembly has conventional crane attachments mounted thereon such as hoist cable pulleys, aerial platform, etc., so that the apparatus may be used as a conventional crane when the apparatus is not being used to pump concrete. The provision of the aerial platform on the outer end of the boom assembly also permits an operator to spray or pump concrete from the aerial platform. An elongated extension boom section is pivotally mounted at the side of the boom assembly and may the pivotally moved from an inoperative stored position to an extension position wherein one end of the extension boom is in abutting relationship with the outer end of the boom assembly with the longitudinal axis of the extension boom being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom assembly. The concrete conduit is preferably positioned in the interior of the extension boom, but may be mounted on the exterior thereof if desired, and has an intake end in communication with the discharge end of the concrete conduit in the boom assembly and has a discharge end positioned at the outer end of the extension boom so that concrete may be placed considerable distances from the truck or at considerable heights above the truck. As the boom assembly is extended, the flexible hose is unwound from the hose reel. As the boom assembly is retracted, the hose reel is rotated to wind the flexible hose thereon. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved concrete pumping apparatus. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus wherein the telescoping boom assembly thereof may be used as a crane during those times when concrete is not being pumped. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus wherein an aerial platform is provided on the boom assembly to enable an operator to pump or spray concrete from the aerial platform. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus wherein concrete conduit is positioned within the interior of a telescoping boom assembly. 
     Still another ob ect of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus wherein a concrete conduit is positioned on the telescoping boom assembly and wherein a flexible hose interconnects a concrete pump and the concrete conduit with the flexible hose being wound on a hose reel mounted on the inner end of the boom assembly. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus wherein a concrete conduit is positioned on the telescoping boom assembly and wherein a flexible hose interconnects a concrete pump and the concrete conduit with the flexible hose being wound on a hose reel mounted on the inner end of the boom assembly with the hose reel being powered by a hydraulic motor which may be placed in a “freewheeling” condition as the flexible hose is being unwound therefrom as the boom assembly is being extended. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus including an extension boom which may be stored in a folded position adjacent the side of the telescoping boom assembly thereof when the extension is not needed, but which may be pivotally moved to a position wherein it forms an extension of the telescoping boom assembly. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus of the parent application pumping concrete through the upper end of a vertical form; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of the parent application with the boom assembly thereof being in its retracted and folded position; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 taken from the left side of the vehicle illustrating the boom assembly thereof pointing forwardly of the truck; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the telescoping boom assembly having been raised and extended from the position of FIG. 3 to enable concrete to be pumped to the upper end of a concrete form; 
     FIG. 5A is a side longitudinal sectional view of the boom assembly of FIG. 1 in its retracted position; 
     FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5A except that the intermediate and inner boom sections have been moved towards their extended positions; 
     FIG. 6A is a sectional view as seen on lines  6 A— 6 A of FIG. 5B; 
     FIG. 6B is a sectional view as seen on lines  6 B— 6 B of FIG. 5B; 
     FIG. 7 is a partial rear perspective view of the concrete pump of the parent application which is mounted at the rear of the truck; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial rear perspective view of the boom assembly of the parent application; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial front perspective view of the outer end of the boom assembly of the parent application; 
     FIG. 10A is a partial top view of the boom assembly of the parent application; 
     FIG. 10B is a partial side view of the boom assembly of the parent application; 
     FIG. 11A is a view similar to FIG. 10A except that the extension boom has been pivoted from its folded position to its operative or extended position; 
     FIG. 11B is a view similar to FIG. 10B except that the extension boom section has been pivotally moved to its extended position; 
     FIG. 12A is an end view of the boom assembly of the parent application with the extension boom boon in its folded position; 
     FIG. 12B is a view similar to FIG. 12A except that the extension boom assembly has been pivoted to its extended position; 
     FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the apparatus of the parent application illustrating a basket being supported by the outer end of the boom assembly; and 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the aerial platform which is mounted on the outer end of the boom assembly of the parent application; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the crane-mounted concrete pump apparatus wherein a hose reel is rotatably mounted on the inner end of the telescopic boom assembly; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the hose reel assembly; 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial vertical sectional view of the hose reel and pedestal; 
     FIG. 20 is a partial side elevational view of the hose reel; 
     FIG. 21 is a partial top elevational view of the hose reel assembly; and 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view and schematic illustrating the manner in which the rotatable hose reel is fluidly connected to the hydraulic cylinder circuit which extends and retracts the telescopic boom assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-14 illustrate the apparatus of the parent application Ser. No. 09/548,103 filed Apr. 12, 2000, entitled A CRANE-MOUNTED CONCRETE PUMP APPARATUS. The apparatus of the instant invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15-22 and is identical to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-14 except that a hose reel is mounted on the rearward or inner end of the telescoping boom assembly. Inasmuch as the apparatus of FIGS. 15-22 has many identical components to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-14, the reference numerals on FIGS. 15-22 will be the same as those used in FIGS. 1-14 where appropriate. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-14, the numeral  10  refers to a truck including a wheeled frame means  12  and a cab  14  mounted at the forward end thereof. Platform  16  is provided at the rearward end of the truck  10  which is positioned rearwardly of conventional crane pedestal  18  which is rotatably mounted on the truck in conventional fashion. The numeral  20  refers generally to the a telescoping boom assembly which is pivotally mounted at the upper end of the pedestal  18  at  22  and which has a hydraulic cylinder  24  extending therebetween for pivotally moving the boom assembly  20  relative to the pedestal  18 . A conventional concrete pump  26  is mounted at the rear end of the truck and has a discharge conduit  28  extending therefrom. Concrete pump  26  includes a pivotal lid which is opened so that concrete may be supplied to the interior of the pump  26  in conventional fashion. The numeral  32  refers to a flexible hose or tube having one end thereof operatively connected to the discharge conduit  28  of the concrete pump  26 . Boom assembly  20  rests upon support  34  in conventional fashion when the boom assembly  20  is in its lowered position as illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     Boom assembly  20  includes an outer boom section  36 , the rearward end of which is operatively pivotally secured to the pedestal  18  at  22 , an intermediate boom section  38  slidably received by the outer end of boom section  36 , and an inner boom section  40  which is slidably received by the outer end of the intermediate boom section  38 . While the invention preferably includes an outer boom section, an intermediate boom section, and an inner boom section, more or less boom sections could be utilized, depending upon the needs of the particular owner. 
     Hydraulic cylinder  42  has its rear end secured to the underside of outer boom section  36  at  44  and has its rod end secured to intermediate boom section  38  at  46 . The body of hydraulic cylinder  48  is secured to intermediate boom section  38  at  50  and has its rod end connected to inner boom section  40  at  52 . The body of the hydraulic cylinder  48 , rearwardly of connection  50 , slidably rests upon supports  54  which are secured to the upper surface of outer boom section  36  to enable the body of the hydraulic cylinder  48  to slidably move outwardly with respect to outer boom section  38  as intermediate boom section  38  is extended with respect to outer boom section  36 . When cylinder  42  is extended, intermediate boom section  38  slidably moves outwardly with respect to outer boom section  36 . The outward movement of intermediate boom section  38  with respect to outer boom section  36  also inner boom section  40  to move outwardly with intermediate boom section  38 . If it is desired to extend inner boom section  40  with respect to intermediate boom section  38 , hydraulic cylinder  48  is extended which causes inner boom section  40  to move outwardly with respect to intermediate boom section  38 . During the extension of inner boom section  40  from intermediate boom section  38 , the body of the hydraulic cylinder  48  slidably moves on the supports  54  as previously described. The outer end of inner boom section  40  is provided with conventional hoist cable mechanisms  56  and  58  to enable the apparatus to be used as a conventional crane when concrete is not being pumped. A basket or aerial platform  60  may be pivotally secured to the outer end of inner boom  40  at  113  to enable the apparatus to be used in conventional fashion should a basket be required to lift personnel to a desired location. The aerial platform  60  also enables an operator to be positioned therein to enable the operator to pump or spray concrete from the hose  110 . 
     The numeral  62  refers to an elongated, preferably rigid, concrete conduit which extends through the interior of the boom assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, and has its intake end  64  positioned rearwardly of the rearward end of outer boom section  36 . The discharge end  66  of conduit  62  is positioned at the outer end of inner boom section  40  by means of support structures  68  and  114 . Thus, extension of inner boom section  40  with respect to either intermediate boom section  38  or outer boom section  36  causes the intake end  64  of conduit  62  to move inwardly into the interior of the boom assembly. The discharge end of hose  32  is connected to the intake end  64  of conduit  62  to supply concrete to the interior of the conduit  62 . As the intake end  64  of conduit  62  is moved inwardly into the boom assembly  20 , the hose  32  is pulled inwardly into the interior of the boom assembly  20 . For that reason, the hose  32  is initially wound into a coil referred to generally by the reference numeral  69  on the platform  16 . As the hose  32  is pulled inwardly into the interior of the boom assembly  20 , the hose  32  is pulled from the reel  69 . To ensure that the hose  32  does not become damaged as it is being pulled into the interior of boom assembly  20 , a plurality of rollers  70  are mounted at the inner end of the boom assembly  20 , as seen in FIG.  8 . Further, a plurality of rollers  72  are rotatably mounted on a semi-circular platform  74  so that the hose  32  may freely pass upwardly from the platform of the truck and into the interior of the boom assembly  20 . 
     The numeral  76  refers to an elongated extension boom having yokes  78  and  80  secured to one end thereof, as seen in FIG.  9 . Pins  82  and  84  are adapted to be extended downwardly through openings formed in the free ends of the yokes  78  and  80 . As seen in FIG. 9, the forward end of inner boom section  40  has a pair of mounting collars  86  and  88  secured to the forward end thereof. When the boom  76  is in its extended position, pin  82  extends downwardly through yoke  78 , collar  88 , and through yoke  80  while pin  84  extends downwardly through yoke  78 , collar  86 , and yoke  80 , as seen in FIG. 9, to secure one end of the extension boom  76  to the end of inner boom section  40 . Extension boom  76  is provided with longitudinally extending, bullet-shaped arms  90  and  90 ′ which are adapted to be received by receiver  92  secured to the side of intermediate boom section  38  adjacent the forward end thereof. Extension boom  76  is also provided a bullet-shaped arm  94  secured thereto which is adapted to be received by the receiver  96  which is secured to outer boom section  36  adjacent the rearward end thereof. Arm  94  has an opening  98  extending therethrough to enable pin  100  to be extended through receiver  96  and through the arm  94  to maintain arm  94  within receiver  96 . 
     When extension boom  76  is to be pivotally moved to its folded position of FIG. 9, pin  82  is removed from yoke  78 , collar  88 , and yoke  80  so that boom  76  pivots about pin  84 . When extension boom  76  is in its folded position, arm  94  is received by receiver  96  and secured thereto by pin  100  while arms  90  and  90 ′ are received by the receiver  92 . Inasmuch as arm  94  is pinned to receiver  96 , extension of either intermediate boom section  38  and inner boom section  40  is prevented, since receiver  96  is secured to outer boom section  36 . When boom  76  is in its folded and secured position, pin  84  is removed from yoke  78 , collar  86 , and yoke  80  so that booms  38  and  40  can extend and not interfere with extension boom  76  which is secured to main boom  36 . 
     A conduit  102  is positioned in the interior of extension boom  76  and has its intake end  104  positioned between the yokes  78  and  80 , as seen in FIG.  9 . The discharge end  106  of conduit  102  is positioned outwardly of the end of the extension boom  76 , as seen in FIG.  10 A. If the apparatus is going to pump concrete without utilizing the extension boom  76 , an elbow  108  is inserted into the discharge end  66  of conduit  62  with a flexible hose  110  being connected thereto so that concrete may be easily directed into a form  112 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 . If the extension boom  76  is to be utilized, elbow  108  is removed from discharge end  66  of conduit  62 . Pin  84  is then installed in yoke  78 , collar  86 , and yoke  80 . The inner boom section  40  is then partially extended so that arms  90  and  90 ′ clear the receiver  92  and so that the arm  94  clears the receiver  96 . Extension boom  76  is then pivotally moved from its folded position illustrated in FIG. 9 to its extended position illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. When the extension boom  76  has been pivoted so to be in an end-to-end relationship with boom assembly  20 , pin  82  is extended through yoke  78 , collar  88 , and yoke  80 , which not only maintains extension boom  76  in its operative position, but also places the intake end  104  of conduit  102  in communication with discharge end  66  of conduit  62 . Flexible hose or the like is then secured to discharge end  106  of conduit  102  to aid in placing concrete within the concrete form. 
     The use of the extension boom  76  gives the apparatus much greater reaching capabilities than if the extension boom were not provided. Further, when the extension boom  76  is in its folded position, the boom assembly  20  may be used in conventional fashion. Thus, an apparatus has been provided which serves a dual purpose, that is, as a concrete pumper or as a conventional crane, depending upon whether the extension boom is being utilized. The provision of the aerial platform  60  enables an operator to spray or pump concrete from the hose  110 . 
     When it is desired to discontinue the concrete pumping action through the extension boom  76 , pin  82  is removed from yoke  78 , collar  88 , and yoke  80 . The extension boom  76  is then folded to its folded position adjacent boom assembly  20 . The boom assembly  20  is then retracted to cause the arms  90  and  90 ′ to be received by the receiver  92  and to cause the arm  94  to be received by the receiver  96 . Pin  100  would then be extended through the receiver  96  and the arm  94  to maintain the extension boom  76  in its folded position. The pin  84  is then removed from yoke  78 , collar  86 , and yoke  80 . The intermediate boom section  38  and the inner boom section  40  would then be retracted, which will cause the conduit  62  in boom assembly  20  to move rearwardly therein. At that time, it is necessary for a worker to pull the flexible hose  32  from the rearward end of the boom assembly  20  and coil the same on the platform  16  of the truck. The retracted boom assembly  20  is then placed upon the support  34 . 
     Referring now to the apparatus of FIGS. 15-22, the apparatus shown therein is identical to that shown in FIGS. 1-14 except that the flexible hose  32  in the apparatus of FIGS. 1-14 which connects the concrete pump  26  to the inner end  64  of the concrete conduit  62  is omitted and a hose reel assembly, generally referred to by the reference numeral  120 , is mounted on the inner or rearward end of the telescopic boom assembly  20 . In FIG. 15, the numeral  122  refers to a concrete conduit which has its intake end operatively connected to the discharge side of the concrete pump  26  and which has its forward end connected to an elbow  124 . The inner end of elbow  124  is secured to a pipe stub  126  which is supported from the truck platform by a bracket  128 . The inner end of pipe stub  126  is connected to the lower end of an elbow  130 . The upper end of elbow  130  is connected to the lower end of an elbow  132  by a rotatable connection, referred to generally by the reference numeral  134 , so that the upper end  136  of the pedestal  18  may rotate with respect to the lower pedestal portion  138 . The upper end of elbow  132  is secured to the lower end of an elbow  140  which is secured to the support frame  142  of the pedestal  18  to which the inner end of the boom assembly  20  is pivotally connected. The apparatus of FIGS. 1-14 is shown to have a pair of hydraulic cylinders  24  and  24 ′ while the apparatus of FIGS. 15-22 is shown to have a single hydraulic cylinder  24 . The number of cylinders corresponding to hydraulic cylinder  24  may be one or two, depending upon the particular structure of the crane. 
     Reel assembly  120  is secured to the support frame  142  by framework  146  (FIG.  16 ). For purposes of description, the hose reel assembly  120  will be described as including a framework  148  including a pair of side platforms  150  and  152 . Hose reel assembly  120  includes a hose reel  154  comprising spaced-apart ends  156  and  158  having spaced-apart rods or pipes  160  secured thereto and extending therebetween upon which the flexible concrete hose  162  is wound, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     Reel  154  is rotatably mounted on the framework  148  about a horizontal axis and is driven in at least one direction by a hydraulic motor  164  operatively secured thereto, as seen in FIG.  22 . Flexible hose  165  is secured to the upper end of elbow  140  and extends upwardly and forwardly for connection to an elbow  166 . The inner end of elbow  166  is connected to one end of an arcuate hose or pipe  168  by a rotatable connection, referred to generally by the reference numeral  170 . The other end of pipe or hose  168  is connected to the inner end of flexible concrete hose  162 . The other end of hose  162  is connected to the rearward end of concrete conduit  62  which is preferably positioned within the interior of the telescopic boom assembly but which could be mounted on the outside thereof if the situation so dictates. 
     As seen in FIG. 22, the double-acting hydraulic cylinder  42 , which is employed to extend and retract the boom assembly  20 , has a hydraulic line  172  connected to its base end and a hydraulic line  174  connected to its rod end. The lines  172  and  174  are connected to a hydraulic pump  173  through a directional control valve  193 , to enable the hydraulic cylinder  42  to be extended and retracted. 
     Hydraulic line  176  is tapped into line  172  at  178  and extends to a normally open, three-way valve  180 . Hydraulic line  182  extends from valve  180  to hydraulic motor  164 , as seen in FIG.  22 . As also seen in FIG. 22, return line  184  extends from hydraulic motor  164  to reservoir  186 . The inlet side of valve  180  is connected to a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, such as a hydraulic pump which is referred to generally by the reference numeral  188 . Line  190 , having a manually adjustable valve  192  imposed therein, extends from valve  180  to the reservoir  186 , as seen in FIG.  22 . As stated, valve  180  is normally open so that pump  188  may pump hydraulic fluid through valve  180  to hydraulic motor  164  to cause the reel  154  to rotate to wind the hose  162  thereon. 
     Thus, when hydraulic fluid is being forced through conduit  172  to the base end of hydraulic cylinder  42  to extend the boom assembly  20 , hydraulic fluid passes from line  172  into line  176  to switch the valve  180  to its neutral position so that motor  164  is in a neutral or freewheeling position. As the boom assembly  20  is extended, the concrete conduit  62  moves outwardly through the interior of the boom assembly  20  and pulls the flexible hose  162  from the freewheeling hose reel  154 . When it is desired to retract the boom assembly  20 , hydraulic fluid is forced into the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder  42  through the line  174  with the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder  42  returning to the reservoir  186  by means of the line  172 . During the retraction of the cylinder  42 , the pressure in line  176  is relieved so that the valve  180  switches to its normally closed position so that hydraulic motor  164  is activated to cause reel  154  to rotate to wind the hose  162  thereon. Thus, as the concrete conduit  62  is moved rearwardly as the boom assembly  20  is being retracted, the flexible concrete hose  162  is wound upon the rotating hose reel  154 , thereby eliminating the need for the hose  162  to be manually pulled rearwardly onto the truck platform as in the apparatus of FIGS. 1-14. The flexible concrete hose  162  is conveniently wound upon and stored on the hose reel assembly which provides a less obstructed platform area. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.