Patent Publication Number: US-6662528-B2

Title: Mobile automatic sandbagger and method of use

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/177,465 filed Jan. 21, 2000. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to filling bags with fill material, such as sand. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile apparatus which automatically fills bags with sand or other fill material and closes the bags for use. 
     Heavy rains or coastal storms can lead to flooding damage. The damage caused by these storms can be greatly reduced by creating sandbag barrier walls to confine or re-direct the water to non-residential drainage areas. These walls must be built quickly and require a large number of sandbags. 
     Sandbags are typically filled with fill material, such as sand. The conventional practice is to have one person hold the bag open while another person uses a shovel to fill the bag. Once full, the bag must be tied to prevent the fill material from escaping the bag. This process can be dangerous to the person holding the bag. Sand can be thrown into the person&#39;s eyes. The blade of the shovel may also injuriously contact the person&#39;s hands. This process is also time consuming and requires a large number of people to fill the sandbags and create the barrier wall. 
     Sand hoppers have been created to aid in the process. These hoppers are usually loaded on a truck or a trailer and filled with sand or other fill material. The hopper agitates the sand and discharges the sand out of a chute. A bag is held under the chute by one person and then passed to another for tying when full. While creating sandbags more quickly than filling sandbags manually, this process also has the disadvantage of having several people involved in the process of filling and tying sandbags. The fill material must also typically be placed in the hopper or bed of the vehicle to be dispensed. The hoppers are also typically large and cumbersome and require vehicles to transport them from site to site. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an automatic sandbagging apparatus which is self-contained and capable of producing filled and tied sandbags. Such an apparatus should be compact, mobile and easy to operate by only one or two people. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention resides is a mobile sand bagging machine which automatically prepares sandbags. The machine includes a source of sandbags. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the source of sandbags comprises a plurality of sandbags rolled into a spool. 
     A guide track is positioned adjacent the source of sandbags. Means are provided for selectively removing a sandbag from the source of sandbags and advancing the sandbag along the guide track. Such means typically comprises a hook associated with the guide track and movable along the guide track and capable of removing the sandbag from the source of sandbags. The hook is typically attached to a chain associated with the motor for selectively advancing the chain along the guide track. The machine typically includes a timing mechanism for selectively advancing the hook and sandbag along the guide track. 
     In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sandbag includes a string removably attached to a lower surface thereof and which is engageable with the hook. 
     A fill chute is positioned relative to the guide track to enable the sandbag to be at least partially filled with external fill material. An expansion mechanism is associated with the chute and capable of opening an end of the sandbag for receipt of the fill material. 
     A sandbag closing mechanism is positioned adjacent to the chute for closing the open end of the sandbag. Typically, each sandbag includes a fastener attached thereto. The closing mechanism, in such instance, comprises a clamping mechanism configured to close the fastener about the open end of the sandbag. 
     In use, a sandbag is removed from the source of sandbags by engaging the hook to remove the sandbag. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hook engages the string which is attached to the lower surface of the sandbag to remove the sandbag. The sandbag is then advanced along the guide track of the sandbagging machine. An end of the sandbag is opened using the expansion mechanism. Fill material is placed through the chute to at least partially fill the sandbag with fill material. The open end of the sandbag is then closed. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the closing step includes the step of clamping the fastener attached to the sandbag. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a sandbagging machine embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the sandbagging machine of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational side view of area “3” of FIG. 1 illustrating a hook; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a sandbag used in accordance with the present invention, and having a fastener attached thereto; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the sandbag of FIG. 6, illustrating string of the sandbag removably adhered to the bottom surface of the sandbag; 
     FIG. 8 an end view of the sandbag of FIGS. 6 and 7, illustrating the opening of an open end thereof; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the sandbagging machine in accordance with the present invention, illustrating the removal of a sandbag from a spool of sandbags; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the automatic sandbagging machine of the present invention, illustrating the advancement of the removed sandbag to an expansion and chute portion of the machine; 
     FIG. 11 is a top plan view of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the sandbagging machine, illustrating the opening of an end of the removed sandbag; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of FIG. 10; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the sandbagging machine, illustrating fill material being added through a chute and into the opened sand bag; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side view of the sandbagging machine, illustrating the sandbag partially filled with fill material; 
     FIG. 16 is a top plan view of FIG. 15, illustrating the clamping mechanism being actuated to close off the partially filled sandbag; and 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional side view of the sandbagging machine, illustrating the partially filled sandbag having its open end closed and removed from the guide track of the machine. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is concerned with a sandbagging machine, generally referred to by the reference number  10 , which is self-contained and prepares sandbags automatically by filling, closing, and ejecting sandbags  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the machine  10  includes structural framework  14  to hold the individual components of the invention in place. Such structural frame  14  is of a size that can be loaded into the bed of a truck, attached to a utility trailer, or form a trailer having axles and wheels which can be pulled behind a vehicle to enable the machine  10  to be mobile. 
     The sandbagging machine  10  includes a guide track  16  forming a generally circular path adjacent the periphery of the machine  10 . The guide track  16  includes a chain  18  which continuously runs along the guide track  16  and periodically linked to gears  20  which maintain the chain  18  on its proper path. The chain  18  is linked to a timing mechanism  22  which is configured to advance and stop the chain at critical points along the guide track  16 . 
     The sandbagging machine  10  includes a motor  24 , such as an electric motor or combustible gasoline or diesel engine, which powers the sandbagging machine  10 . More particularly, the motor  24  is connected to the timing mechanism  22  and chain  18  to operate the invention as will be further described. 
     At least one hook  26  is attached or otherwise associated with the chain  18 . As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the hook  26  is a solid piece having a V-like notch. As illustrated, the hook  26  is attached to a side of the chain  18  so as not to interfere with the movement of the chain  18 , but may be otherwise attached to the chain  18  so as not to interfere with its movement. The hook  26  is either attached to a predetermined chain link, or the timing mechanism  22  adjusted so that the hook  26  is at predetermined locations along the guide track  16  during the operation of the machine  10 . 
     A free-rotating drum  30  is positioned within the machine  10  and configured to accept a spool  32  of sandbags  12 . The spool  32  is comprised of a plurality of sandbags  12  that are placed on top of one another in a staggered and linear fashion and subsequently rolled into the spiral spool  32 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, in the preferred illustrated embodiment the sandbags  12  are modified somewhat to conform to the requirements of the sandbagging machine  10 . Similar to traditional sandbags, the sandbags  12  of the present invention lie flat when empty, and typically have a dimension of approximately thirteen inches in width and twenty-four inches in length. Of course, sandbags of other dimensions may be utilized as well. The sandbag  12  is closed at one end  34  thereof in traditional fashion, for example by adhesion or threaded seam. The opposite end  36  is open similar to traditional sandbags. Stiffeners  38  are attached or otherwise installed along the uppermost edges of the open end  36  of the sandbag  12 . These stiffeners  38  facilitate the opening of the sandbag  12  for filling as will be described more fully herein. The stiffeners  38  can be applied to the sandbag  12  with varying configurations in order to facilitate this opening. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the stiffeners  38  comprise two stiffeners  38  each extending from a top edge and corner of the bottom surface  40  and extending a predetermined distance towards the center of the sandbag  12 . These stiffeners  38  are then folded over onto the top surface  42  of the sandbag  12 . String  44  is attached to each corner of the open end  36  of the sandbag  12 . The string is lightly adhered to the bottom surface  40  of the bag so as to be removable therefrom. Typically, resin droplets  46  are used to attach the string  44  lightly to the sandbag  12  and create a generally U-shaped configuration, although tape or other attachment means can be used. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 8, the stiffeners  38  facilitate the opening of the sandbag  12  when outward force is applied to the string  44  or open end  36  of the sandbag  12  itself. The string  44  is bound loosely by the resin  46 , or other methods of adhesion, so that a segment, preferably approximately four inches in length, is not bound nor adhered to the sandbag  12 . 
     A fastener  48  is attached or otherwise incorporated into an upper portion of the sandbag  12 . Such fastener  48  is used to close off the bag open end  36  of the sandbag  12  when appropriately filled. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastener  48  is attached to the top surface  42  of the sandbag  12  and generally centered at a top portion thereof. The fastener  48  is preferably comprised of a piece of pliable sheet metal or other material having similar properties so as to be readily bendable. 
     Referring back to FIG. 1, the sandbags  12  are rolled such that the bottom surface  40  of the sandbag  12  having the string  44  attached thereto faces outward. Located at an outer edge of the drum  30  or spool  32  is a roller device  50 . The roller  50  is linked to the timing mechanism  22 , via a shaft or gears or the like, so that it is actuated and turns during predetermined intervals of the operation of the machine  10 . The roller  50  is held in physical contact with the outer surface of the spool  32  by a spring or the like, such as the illustrated leaf spring  52 . The surface of the roller  50  is frictionally tractive, and when actuated results in turning the spool  32  and drum  30  so that a sandbag  12  is at least partially removed therefrom. 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, a sandbagging machine  10  having a sandbag  12  partially removed from the spool  32  so as to overlie the guide track  16  is illustrated. Simultaneously, the chain  18  is advanced so that hook  26  progresses under the sandbag  12  and engages the unattached segment of string  44  in its notch  28 . The sandbag  12  is then pulled and separated from the spool  32  as the hook  26  advances. 
     With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the string  44  breaks its attachment with the bottom surface  40  of the sandbag  12  as the sandbag  12  is pulled by hook  26  along the guide track  16 . The sandbag  12  travels along the guide track  16  until it is positioned under a chute  54  or open area configured to receive a chute or outlet of a hopper, etc. 
     The string  44  is pulled away from its adhesion with the bottom surface  40  of the sandbag  12  as the hook  26  pulls it, and the sandbag  12 , along the guide track  16 . 
     Referred now to FIGS. 12 and 13, the hook  26  and chain  18  continue to bring the open sandbag  12  along the guide track  16  until it eventually encounters and surrounds the chute  54 . 
     Upon approaching the chute  54 , the open end  36  of the sandbag  12  is forced open under the chute  54  so that the sandbag  12  can be filed with sand or other fill material. The opening mechanism employed by the sandbagging machine can vary, but typically is provided by one of two methods. In a first method, the hook  26  proceeds along the guide track  16  so as to position the string  44  taut relative to the sandbag  12  to force the stiffeners  38  to become repositioned from a generally flat and horizontal position, to a angled or near vertical position facing one another, creating an opening in the sandbag  12  as illustrated in FIG.  8 . Alternatively, the guide track  16  includes finger-like projections  56  which enter the open end  36  of the sandbag  12  and force the sandbag to increasingly open as the sandbag is brought up towards the chute  54 . The projections  56  are typically flared so as to have a relatively small width at the receiving end thereof, and a larger width towards the end thereof so as to open the sandbag  12 . Such projections  56  can also be used to force the string  44  to expand, resulting in the adjustment of the stiffeners  38  to open the sandbag  12 . Other opening mechanisms and methods may also be employed. 
     The timing mechanism  22  then temporarily stops the hook  26  and chain  18  movement. Sand  58  or other fill material is then added into the sandbag  12  through its open end  36 . This may be accomplished by shoveling sand and fill material into the chute until the sandbag  12  is appropriately filled, placing the chute  54  underneath a hopper  60  or the like which can administer sand  58  and fill material, or the sandbagging machine  10  may include a conveyer system (not illustrated) which automatically feeds the chute  54  with sand fill material  58 . Such a conveyer system can have intake ports where sand and fill material  58  is added, a belt having paddle-like ridges to move the fill material  58  into the chute  54 . Such a conveyer system could be linked to the motor  24  and timing mechanism  22 . A filter screen can be positioned above the chute  54 , or when using the conveyer system at the inlet of the conveyer, so that large rocks, twigs and other potentially damaging debris is prevented from entering the sandbagging machine  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, sand or fill material  58  is added into the sandbag  12  until the sandbag is appropriately filled, typically approximately three-quarters full. Determining when the sandbag  12  is appropriately filled can be accomplished by various methods. An operator of the sandbagging machine  10  may visually determine that the sandbag  12  is appropriately full, and depress a button or the like to continue the remaining operation. Alternatively, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the sandbag  12  is positioned under the chute  54  so that as it fills with sand and fill material  58 , it enlarges and pushes against a sensor  62 . Preferably, the sensor  62  comprises a curved paddle or lever which can pivot. Once the sensor lever  62  pivots to a predetermined position, the timing mechanism  22  is actuated. A closing mechanism is then actuated to close off the open end  36  of the sandbag  12 . The closing mechanism can comprise a mechanism which sews, wire-twists, or adhesively closes the open end  36  of the bag  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 16, in a particularly preferred form of the invention, the closing mechanism comprises a clamping mechanism  64  having opposed clamps  66  which are configured to surround the open end  36  of the sandbag  12  and retract towards one another so as to engage the fastener  48  and cause the fastener  48  to bend upon itself and close the sandbag  12 . 
     After the sandbag  12  has been filled and closed, the sandbag  12  is ejected from the sandbagging machine  10 , as illustrated in FIG.  17 . Although the sandbag  12  can be ejected in several manners, typically, the hook  26  is advanced along the guide track  16  until the string  44  is cut, for example by a sharpened surface position along the guide track  16 , or breaks, or becomes disengaged with the sandbag  12 . The sandbag  12  is then allowed to fall through an aperture, which may include a downwardly directed ramp (not shown). 
     The hook  26  and chain  18  are advanced, and the roller  50  actuated to begin the process again. Although only one hook  26  is illustrated as being attached to the chain  18 , it is to be understood that two or more hooks  26  may be positioned along the length of the chain  18  so that a sand bag  12  is removed from the spool  32  and advanced along the guide track  16  immediately after the previously removed sandbag  12  is filled, closed and ejected. 
     The benefits of using the sandbagging machine  10  of the present invention are many and include providing a sandbagging machine  10  which is both compact and mobile. The sandbagging machine  10  can be operated by as few as a single person. The sandbagging machine  10  also allows sandbags  12  to be prepared at a much faster rate than other methods as the sandbag can be advanced, filled, and closed in a short period of time, without the risk of injury present in other existing methods. 
     Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.